With the Tokyo Motor Show and SEMA Las Vegas just days away, the flood gates of new models and concepts are practically bursting at the seams. Lucky for you, the Drive-Thru is here to help you wade through the onslaught of new models coming to American driveways.
From BMW’s brand new X2 crossover, to Nissan’s autonomous EV crossover concept and Lexus’s LC Inspiration Series concept, the brigade of fully autonomous, all-electric vehicles doesn’t seem to show any signs of stopping.
Without further ado, let’s find out what’s in store in this Wednesday edition of the Daily Drive-Thru.
NEWS
BMW introduced its first-ever 2018 X2 to the world today in all its golden glory (thanks to the new Galvanic Gold metallic paint)!
(BMW)
Borrowing some design cues from the larger X4 and X6 crossovers, the new X2 takes the “coupe” design aesthetic in a new direction for BMW.
Not only is this new X2 a looker, it even boasts more cargo room than the larger and more expensive X4. This urban-inclined compact crossover oozes value, fancy tech, gorgeous details and the M sporty performance you should expect from the Bavarian automaker.
Expect to find the new X2 crossover competing against the Jaguar E-Pace, Porsche Macan and other compact, sporty, luxury crossovers in the spring of 2018.
“Canto” is a new technology that will debut in Nissan’s future EV’s. It is designed to alert pedestrians of oncoming electrified cars that otherwise might be difficult to hear.
Electric vehicles are known for many things but one thing they are known most for is their nearly silent powertrains. While cranky neighbors may find this a welcome feature, it does pose a safety hazard for kiddies who are playing in the street, or pedestrians crossing an intersection on their way to the store.
To help make their EV powertrains heard, Nissan showed off its new “Canto” artificial engine sound at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
The sound is activated at low speeds, and changes depending on whether the car is slowing down or speeding up.
REVIEW
Priced at $23,820 in top trim with the most powerful engine, the 2018 Kia Soul Exclaim is a relative bargain.
(Speedy Daddy Media, Inc.)
At long last, the Kia Soul gets the turbocharged engine it deserved all along. For 2018, the Kia Soul ! trim (pronounced, “Exclaim”) welcomes a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot with 201 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque.
Daily News Autos Editor Christian Wardlaw got to zip this quirky wagon around SoCal to see if the turbo helps give this spunky car the spice it needs to stay interesting well into the model cycle.
High points: Easy-to-use controls
Low points: Bouncy, jittery ride quality
GALLERIES
Just in time for the SEMA show, Lexus debuts its inspiration Series LC with a new limited edition and a Marvel’s “Black Panther”-inspired concept.
With an electric driving range of 373 miles on a single charge and fully autonomous driving capability, the Nissan IMx concept is an exciting look into the future.
With more power and performance, Ford’s new Performance Pack Level 2 for the 2018 Mustang GT is ready to take on even a Camaro.
EXTRAS
Yet again, another driver forgetting to put the car in park…
In today’s viral video, we learn just how little patience Aussie drivers have. Dash cam footage captured in New South Wales shows us a frustrated driver getting a little bit of karma coming back around to him as his CR-V knocks him on his behind. Hopefully he learned his lesson that road rage isn’t a good look for anyone, and almost always never ends well.
