Automotive News Canada - November 2017 - 20

* NOVEMBER 2017

2018 FERRARI PORTOFINO:

The successor to the longstanding California 2+2
becomes Ferrari's new entry-level model,
but that doesn't mean the Portofino
retractable-hardtop convertible is slow.
It has a claimed zero-to-60-mph (96
km/h) time of 3.5 seconds and a zeroto-120-mph (192 km/h) time of 10.8 seconds. The 3.9-litre V-8 is similar to the
California's engine and makes 591 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque.

2019 AUDI A7 SPORTBACK:

Replacing Audi's original fastback/hatchback
all-wheel-drive sedan, the A7 Sportback will be available as a five-passenger
model (four passengers with optional rear bucket seats). A 340-horsepower turbocharged V-6 connects to a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. A more potent S7 model will likely follow the A7's mid-2018 launch.

POLESTAR 1: Volvo acquired Polestar

Performance to create a new line of electric
vehicles for enthusiasts. The Polestar 1,
which foreshadows the brand's first such
vehicle, is a 2+2 coupe with a four-cylinder
engine connected to an electric motor at the
rear wheels for a combined 600 horsepower.
Polestar claims the coupe will operate for
90-plus miles (145-plus kilometres) on battery juice alone.

KIA PROCEED CONCEPT:

With this design study, Kia is likely signaling
a new approach for the Europe-only Proceed
hatchback coupe, but it could also pave the
way for a new design direction for Kia models
sold in North America. The Proceed's pillarless side glass and wraparound rear quarter
windows are certainly unique, as are the tall
door sills and the shapely ductwork affixed to
the front bumper.

Subscribe to drive 22 Porsches instead of buying just one
By KELLY TAYLOR

WINNIPEG CORRESPONDENT

THE FUTURE OF AUTOMOTIVE
retailing might be upon us right now.
Porsche has launched a subscription
service as a trial run in Atlanta, Ga.,
in which customers pay a flat monthly fee to access up to 22 models of the
carmaker's lineup.
The program allows for frequent
vehicle changes and costs either US
$2,000 or $3,000 a month. For $2,000,
"Launch" includes on-demand access
to eight models, including the 718
Boxster and Cayman S as well as the
Macan S and Cayenne. For $3,000,
"Accelerate" includes access to 22
models, such as the 911 Carrera S,
Panamera 4S sedan, Macan GTS and
Cayenne S E-Hybrid, in addition to
vehicles in the "Launch" package.
Porsche Passport, as it's called,
includes white-glove delivery to customers in the Atlanta area. The packages include maintenance, vehicle

Porsche's trial "subscription fee" program offers access to several vehicles, including the Cayman.
(PHOTO: PORSCHE)

tax and registration,
insurance and detailing.
"Although we haven't made a decision,
we are watching closely how the experiment
unfolds in the U.S.," said
Porsche Canada spokesman Patrick Saint-Pierre.

FORD ADDS CHARGERS FOR EMPLOYEES
IT APPEARS THAT FORD IS
putting its money where its charging
port is.
The company recently announced
that it is tripling the
number of
employee-accessible electric-vehiFord is tripling its
cle charging employee-accessistations in
ble electric-vehicle
Canada and charging stations in
the United
Canada and the United
States, citing States. ( P H O T O : F O R D )
a workplace
study suggesting that one in six Ford
employees was influenced to buy an
electric or plug-in hybrid because of
the availability of charging at work.
The Ford network at its Dearborn,
Mich., campus will grow to 600 stations in two years.
Ford said that since September
2014, employees have charged vehicles at work 165,000 times at an esti-

mated cost of $59,000, for
a 600,000-kilogram reduction in carbon emissions.
Ford of Canada spokeswoman Rose Pao said
Ford currently has six
Level 2 (240-volt) charging
stations at its Oakville,
Ont., headquarters and is considering adding more.

KITCHEN IN A LAND ROVER
LAND ROVER AND CELEBRITY
chef Jamie Oliver - known in
Canada as spokesman for the Sobey's
and Safeway grocery-store chains -
have partnered up to create a gastronome's Land Rover Discovery.
The decked-out Disco has a toaster in the
armrest, a
slow cooker in the
engine compartment,
a slide-out
kitchen in
the cargo
area, and
Chef Jamie Oliver and
wheels
Land Rover partnered
that churn
for a one-off custom
cream into
vehicle that put a
butter as
kitchen in a Discovery.
you drive.
(PHOTO: LAND ROVER)
The
kitchen has a gas burner, a pasta
maker and foldable dining table.
"I didn't think they'd actually be

able to put a slow-cooker next to the
engine and an olive oil dispenser in
the rear storage space, but they did,"
Oliver said.
There are no plans for commercial
release.

RAIL COMMUTERS GET CHARGERS
CANADA'S ELECTRIC-VEHICLE
commuters are getting another
option, in Ontario and Quebec, at
least.
Quebec company Flo has
announced a partnership with
Electric Circuit to install charging
stations at Via Rail train stations in
Dorval, Que., as well as Kingston,
Belleville, Cobourg and Fallowfield
in Ontario. Charging outlets are
already in place at Via stations in
Sainte-Foy, Que., and Windsor, Ont.
Charging will be billed at a fixed
rate regardless of how long the vehicle is connected. Train commuters
will be able to plug in before departure and leave the vehicle connected
until they return.
"The key to supporting electric-vehicle adoption is ensuring drivers
can rely on efficient and reliable
charging infrastructure everywhere
they go," said Louis Tremblay, president of Flo.
Chargers in Ontario will fly the
Flo name, while in Quebec they'll
carry the Electric Circuit brand.
Each network is fully interconnected
with the other. - ANC

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive News Canada - November 2017