Le Journal

Argo Sasquatch XTX uses a 1.8-liter Hyundai turbo-diesel engine. Huge 71-inch tires let this pickup cross snow, ice, and open water. Built for commercial work, the Canadian truck also excels at rescues. For over six decades, Argo has been quietly building some of the most capable vehicles to emerge from Canadian soil. Now, the company is setting its sights even higher. Drawing on a long history of go-anywhere vehicles, the Ontario-based manufacturer has unveiled a new flagship model that’s already attracting interest far beyond its home market. Read: Canada Just Let Cheap Chinese EVs Back In The new model, called the Sasquatch XTX, echoes the blocky profile of Russia’s Sherp, an amphibious, four-wheeled crawler purpose-built for punishing conditions. Pricing isn’t officially listed on Argo’s website, but third-party sources peg the Sasquatch XTX at around $190,000 before delivery and dealer fees, which can top $3,500. Well-equipped examples climb beyond $250,000. Built for the Brutal At its core, the Sasquatch is designed around a high-strength crew cab with several access points, including a front-mounted door with a fold-out ladder and more conventional side doors. This setup allows easy entry even in uneven or elevated terrain. Once inside, you’ll find a pair of front seats and two rear fold-down seats. While the cabin is quite basic, it includes an audio system with Bluetooth, air conditioning and heating, and a roof hatch. Like the Sherp, the Sasquatch XTX can float and power itself through water thanks to the massive 71-inch tires. What sets the Argo apart from its Russian counterpart is the design. Rather than following the same compact layout, the Sasquatch XTX adopts a pickup-style form, incorporating a sizable rear storage area. One standout feature is the Argo Terrain Control system, a clever interface that lets the driver select from pre-programmed terrain modes. Press one of the buttons, like Water, Mud, Snow, or Trail, and the vehicle will automatically inflate or deflate the tires to the perfect pressure for greater traction. The Sasquatch also boasts a neat trick: it can spin in place, turning 180 degrees without moving forward or back. Power comes courtesy of a Hyundai-sourced 1.8-liter turbo-diesel engine. There’s no word on how much power this engine has, but we know it’s enough to allow the XTX to drive at up to 25 mph (40 km/h) on land and 4 mph (6 km/h) in the water. Mated to the engine is an automatic transmission. The Ultimate Rescue Machine? Not only is the Sasquatch XTX perfect for off-roading enthusiasts with money to burn, but it also serves as an excellent rescue vehicle. It’s already delivered one to Ontario-based GlobalMedic, a charity that provides disaster relief and rescue services. “We know with climate change, we get these significant weather events,” GlobalMedic founder Rahul Singh told CTV News. “So, if people are trapped by snow and we’ve got to get in and rescue them. Sure, we can come in by snowmobile. We can pull drivers off the highway. But if grandma slips and breaks her hip, we can’t pull her out on a snowmobile. But this unit, we can do it.” According to Argo’s Director of Commercial Sales, Michael Kelly, the Canadian firm has received interest in the Sasquatch XTX from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries worldwide.

Wuling has introduced the new Xingguang 560 SUV. It offers gas, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains. Larger than the Equinox, the model starts at $8,581. Western brands have been struggling in China, but GM is the rare exception as the company and its joint ventures delivered nearly 1.9 million vehicles last year. That was up 2.3 percent compared to 2024 and this was largely driven by sales of New Energy Vehicles such as the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, which found over 435,000 takers. More: China’s New Cadillac XT5 Will Make You Jealous We Don’t Get It Here GM is looking for continued success with the new Wuling Xingguang 560, which is a mid-size crossover that will be offered with gas, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains. The company said surprisingly little about the model, but it features a slender grille that is flanked by sweptback headlights with X-shaped daytime running lights. They’re joined by a powertrain-specific front end, which is enclosed on electrified models and open on the ICE-powered variant. Moving further back, we can see plastic body cladding and an available contrasting roof. Other highlights include stylish wheels, a liftgate-mounted spoiler, and X-like taillights. The model also has a rear pillar and window treatment that closely recalls the Subaru Forester. How Big Is It? In terms of size, the Xingguang 560 measures 186.8 inches (4,745 mm) long, 72.8 inches (1,850 mm) wide, and 69.1 inches (1,755 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 110.6 inches (2,810 mm). To put those numbers into perspective, the model is 3.6 inches (91 mm) longer than the Chevrolet Equinox and has an extra 3.1 inches (79 mm) between the wheels. The interior has a minimalist design with a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment system that reportedly measures 12.8 inches. They’re accompanied by a two-spoke steering wheel, distinctive air vents, and a center console that appears to have a dual wireless smartphone charger. Wuling was coy on specifics, but said the crossover offers up to 68.7 cubic feet (1,945 liters) of cargo room when the second-row is folded flat. They added the model has more than 25 storage compartments, including one hidden beneath the rear seats. Powertrain Options On the performance front, the Xingguang 560 will be offered with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that produces 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) and 214 lb-ft (290 Nm) of torque. It can be paired to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission. Customers can also opt for a plug-in hybrid, which offers a WLTC combined range of up to 684 miles (1,100 km). Wuling didn’t elaborate, but an earlier report from CarNewsChina said this variant has a 1.5-liter engine and an electric-only range of 78 miles (125 km). Last but not least, there’s a fully electric variant that has a CLTC range of up to 311 miles (500 km). It’s said to have a 60 kWh battery pack as well as an electric motor developing 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS). How Much Does It Cost? To help promote the model’s launch, Wuling is offering introductory pricing that ranges from $8,581 (¥59,800) to $13,746 (¥95,800). After this offer expires, pricing will apparently climb to $9,155 – $14,751 (¥63,800 – ¥102,800).

Toyota told owners they could pause payments amid lawsuit. Owners say they received written payment pause assurances. The $5.7B RICO suit accuses Toyota of hiding hydrogen flaws. Shortly after being hit with a $5.7 billion lawsuit accusing it of running a “criminal operation” to conceal safety issues in its hydrogen-powered Mirai, Toyota now faces fresh criticism from owners who say the company has sent them to collections, even after assuring them they could pause payments during the ongoing legal battle. According to attorney Jason Ingber, who represents many of the plaintiffs, Toyota told some customers they could suspend monthly payments due to widespread problems with the hydrogen fueling network, which has left many Mirai owners stuck with expensive cars they can barely drive. Read: $5.7 Billion RICO Lawsuit Says Toyota Ran A Hydrogen Crime Family Several Toyota Mirai owners now allege that what seemed like a gesture of goodwill on Toyota’s part has seen them take substantial hits on their credit scores. Ingber, who is spearheading the RICO lawsuit, says owners received written assurances from Toyota that payments wouldn’t be demanded while the lawsuit is ongoing. “This was a big relief, and then with the uncertainty of it, now some people have gone back to making payments,” Ingber told KTLA. “Some people threw their arms in the air because they already got negative credit reported. This is a fiasco within the fiasco that’s really cruel, in my opinion.” Payment Pauses Gone Wrong One of those owners, Anthony Escobedo, told the news station that he had worked his credit score up to 814. Following Toyota’s guidance, he paused payments on his Mirai. Not long after, he was sent to collections. His credit dropped by 100 points overnight, disqualifying him from securing an interest-free loan he needed to cover medical expenses for his wife. Toyota later reversed the missed payment report, though his credit score did not fully recover. The same thing reportedly happened to Julie Doumit. She told KTLA she paused payments based on Toyota’s guidance, after making 46 consecutive monthly payments on time for her Mirai. Still, she was reported to debt collectors, and her credit score dropped by 70 points. Fellow Mirai owner Alejandro King said his score also took a steep hit, falling by roughly 150 points from a peak of 835 after he paused payments as well. “I’ve been building my credit since I was 18 years old. I have never missed a payment. I have paid everything off all the time. My credit score was like 835, which is phenomenal, and I’ve always kept it that way. And for me to see that happen, I was so depressed that I couldn’t sleep,” King said. Internal Miscommunication In some cases, it’s believed that Toyota representatives simply missed the notes on customers’ accounts indicating that payments had been paused. As a result, those accounts were mistakenly flagged and sent to collectors. The RICO lawsuit against Toyota claims that it coordinated with its financing arms and dealerships in California to market and finance the Mirai, despite technicians describing them as “ticking hydrogen bombs.” It’s also alleged that Toyota concealed multiple flaws in the Mirai, including the risk of hydrogen leaking near hot engine components.

Ford is auctioning the first Mustang Dark Horse SC later this month. The car is being offered by Barrett-Jackson and money goes to charity. Newest pony car has an aggressive look and a supercharged V8. Ford recently unveiled the Mustang Dark Horse SC and now the company is giving you the chance to buy the very first one. However, it likely won’t be cheap as the automaker has teamed up with Barrett-Jackson to offer the supercharged pony car at their Scottsdale auction later this month. While the auction listing hasn’t gone live as of this writing, the winning bidder will secure VIN 001. Barrett-Jackson went on to note the car will be equipped with the Track Pack and “100% of the hammer price will benefit Breakthrough T1D, supporting research and advocacy for those living with Type 1 diabetes.” More: First 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Fetches $300,000 At Auction Ford is still playing it close to the vest when it comes to details, but the Dark Horse SC is designed to slot between the standard $64,080 Dark Horse and the $325,000 GTD. As a result, it has an aggressive exterior with larger intakes and a ventilated hood. The optional Track Pack takes things even farther as it includes a ducktail rear spoiler and a carbon fiber wing, which helps to generate 620 lbs (281 kg) of downforce at 180 mph (290 km/h). The model also sports a Brembo carbon-ceramic braking system as well as Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 R tires. However, that’s only half the story as the Track Pack also focuses on weight reduction. As part of this effort, the package includes carbon fiber wheels as well as a revamped suspension that trades steel components for forged links and a magnesium strut tower brace. Thanks to these and other changes, the variant drops 150 lbs (68 kg). The Dark Horse SC’s interior cribs from the GTD as it uses the flagship’s flat-bottom steering wheel. The Track Pack also sees the car outfitted with Recaro leather and Dinamica front sport seats, while the rear seats are replaced by a storage shelf. Pictures also show carbon fiber trim, red contrast stitching, and a rotary shifter – which looks out of place. Power is provided by a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine, which is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Ford isn’t saying much about this combination, but the F-150 Raptor R has 720 hp (537 kW / 730 PS) and 640 lb-ft (867 Nm) of torque. However, we can expect the Dark Horse SC to be even more powerful.