NEW SUPRA MIGHT NOT GET MANUAL AND OTHER NEWS! WEEKLY UPDATE

EV Channels Review

This weekly update covers several significant automotive news items, with a primary focus on the upcoming 2019 Toyota Supra. Leaked documents suggest the Supra will share powertrains with the BMW Z4, offering a 2.0L turbo-four (248 hp) and a 3.0L turbo-six (335 hp). Disappointingly, the leaked information indicates no manual transmission option for the Supra, exclusively automatic, despite its Z4 counterpart potentially offering one. The reviewer expresses concern over potential pricing, fearing that BMW-level costs for a car with these specs might hinder sales, though acknowledges the appeal of a rear-wheel-drive package with good power if priced competitively. Other key news includes a major partnership between Toyota and Mazda, involving a $1.6 billion investment and a joint US assembly plant. Mazda's 'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030' initiative, particularly their claimed mastery of HCCI engine technology and potential rotary sports car (RX9) and performance models (MazdaSpeed), is highlighted as particularly exciting. The update also touches on leaked images of the 2018 VW Jetta, confirmation of the Passat GT production version, pricing for the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and Hyundai Elantra GT, and updates on the BMW i8 Roadster, Lexus LS F, next-gen Subaru Forester, and Genesis's future plans. Finally, Tesla's price reduction on the Model X and Mitsubishi's discontinuation of the i-MiEV are noted.