A power upgrade is coming for the Chevrolet Trax:
The Sleuth has learned that General Motors鈥� Bowtie brand will give its tiny utility vehicle a more powerful engine by the middle of the year.
The current turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder that makes 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque is being replaced by a new turbo engine of equal displacement rated at 153/177.
It was previously available in the compact Buick Encore tall wagon and the Chevrolet Cruze sedan, the latter being cashiered following the 2019 model year. Given the Trax鈥檚 modest thrust, the new engine should provide a welcome uh, boost.
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A Sedona refresh could also mean a fresh new name
That鈥檚 what The Sleuth is hearing will happen when the automaker鈥檚 fourth-generation minivan arrives for the 2022 model year. Word has it the new name will be 鈥� drum roll, please 鈥� Carnival.
The new body appears to be longer and wider than the current design with additional length between the front and rear wheels. Interior accommodations are said to include optional second-row chairs that can swivel to face the third-row bench seat.
The Sedona鈥檚 3.3-litre V-6 with 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque will be replaced by a 3.5 rated at 290/262. The Carnival will be front-wheel-drive and have an eight-speed automatic transmission.
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Cameron gets the last word on son鈥檚 joyride plot
Fans of the 1986 comedy Ferris Bueller鈥檚 Day Off, starring Matthew Broderick, will enjoy the latest promo for LiftMaster garage-door openers.
In it, the son of Ferris鈥檚 friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and his buddy consider taking Cameron鈥檚 pristine Jaguar XKE for a joyride. You might recall a similar situation in the original movie when Cameron (with Ferris鈥檚 help, of course) borrows his dad鈥檚 Ferrari 250 GT California.
In the commercial, however, Cameron remotely admonishes the boys via the LiftMaster Secure View鈥檚 smart monitor/speaker. Check out the 30-second spot (鈥淎lan Ruck and LiftMaster show the perks of a smart garage鈥�) at youtube.com.
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Toyota preps a new Tundra
The only serious challenger to the Detroit-based full-size pickups will be redesigned for the 2022 model year.
Along with updated looks and a lighter and stiffer frame, a new independent rear suspension is rumoured to replace Tundra鈥檚 current solid axle. It also appears that the Tundra鈥檚 381-horsepower 5.7-litre V-8 will be replaced by a twin-turbocharged V-6 making at least 416 horsepower. The base 310-horsepower 4.6-litre V-8 will likely remain.
Since the V-6 is also used in Lexus-brand hybrid vehicles, it鈥檚 likely a hybrid Tundra is also in the pipeline.
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Mercedes-Benz adds another ultra-luxury Maybach:
Based on the automaker鈥檚 premium S-Class sedan, the new-for-2021 S 580 Maybach, which arrives in spring, will join the GLS 600 Maybach utility vehicle.
The S 580 uses a stretched S-Class platform that provides plenty of room for passengers and chauffeurs. Among the more opulent features are climate-controlled reclining rear chairs finished in quilted leather, heated and cooled cup holders, fold-out tables and a sophisticated noise-canceling system. Optional are electronically opening and closing rear doors that can be controlled by the driver.
The S 580 is fitted with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V-8 producing 496 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. In the works is a V-12 model, although its arrival date is unknown. Figure on a $300,000 price tag for the S 580 in Canada.
UPS AND DOWNS
Up: Positive charge for Honda
The word reaching The Sleuth is that the automaker has plans to electrify a number of its key vehicles by the mid-2020s, including the CR-V tall wagon that will be offered as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a battery electric. Also in development is an electric Accord sedan and NSX super car, which already uses a hybrid power system. The major shift to electric stems from Honda鈥檚 partnership with General Motors in electric-vehicle development.
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Classic Ford GT40 racing slated for 2021
Do you own an original 1966 or older GT40? If so, you could be eligible to compete in the Amon Cup, a two-race series organized by Motor Racing Legends. The trophy is named for Chris Amon, who with fellow New Zealander Bruce McLaren drove their GT40 to victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in France. The Amon Cup races will be held in May and October in England at the Silverstone and Donnington Park tracks, respectively. Amon died in 2016 at age 73.
鈥� written by Wheelbase Media
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