Month: July 2019

When electric cars first started appearing on forecourts across the country, they felt like something of a novelty. For the most part, they arrived wearing all-new nameplates rather than established badges, and were often styled rather differently from the rest of the line-up.

This was the case with hybrids, too. For many years, did anything else look remotely like the Toyota Prius, in the Japanese brand’s arsenal?

Now, electric tech has matured, and the idea of creating an electric version of a popular model is less of a risk; it’s edging ever closer to being a necessity.

Here are some of the established, popular models going electric, now or in the near future.

Jaguar XJ

The announcement of increased investment in Jaguar’s electric car manufacturing facilities came wrapped with some surprising news; the XJ, a car that conjures up thoughts of straight-six motors or supercharged V8s, will be going all-electric.

While some will no doubt see this as a shame, the idea of Jaguar’s big, soft flagship gaining the near-silent refinement of electric performance is certainly one that piques our interest.

Vauxhall Corsa

The next Vauxhall Corsa was always going to be a little different, given it’s the first example to be developed with new owners PSA, rather than General Motors.

But, while the Corsa going electric was certainly big news, it perhaps shouldn’t have been a surprise; with the advancement in battery tech, an electric car can do pretty much everything that the likes of the Corsa is usually asked to do.

Mini

It wasn’t so long ago that the news of a hybrid Mini – albeit a Countryman – seemed like quite a big deal, so the arrival of an electric variant of the Mini itself in the model’s 60^thanniversary year was quite the leap forward.

The Mini Electric looks like just the beginning of Mini’s volt forward into the future; a collaboration between parent company BMW and Great Wall Motors is expected to herald further EVs as a part of the German firms’ goal to have 25 electrified cars for sale under its umbrella by 2024.

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen was well ahead of the curve when it came to an electric version of its most popular model.

Even in the 70s, the MK1 Golf was being used to experiment with replacing the internal combustion engine with batteries, and the German marque sold electric ‘CityStromer’ versions of both the MK2 and MK3 Golf.

As such, it probably shouldn’t have shocked anyone when Volkswagen committed its flagship hatchback to an electric model in 2014. The e-Golf has proven to be a very good example of electric motoring, and its reasonable to expect more of the same from the upcoming MK8 Golf.

Smart ForTwo

As soon as a big company took on the idea of a small electric city car for a high-volume production run, novel beasts such as the G-Wiz were never going to be long for the world. When Mercedes-owned Smart rolled out an electric version of the ForTwo in the late 2000s, the moment had finally come.

Today, the electric Smart has a solid share of ForTwo sales, and its own badge – EQ.

Ford Transit

The all-electric commercial vehicle isn’t an entirely new concept, with the likes of Nissan giving businesses an electric option with the E-NV200.

However, the introduction of an electric Transit will likely be something of a watershed moment, as the badge is as synonymous with vans as Hoover is to vacuum cleaners.

Ford has confirmed that the Transit will go electric for 2021.

Peugeot 208

Given the 208’s platform is the same one Vauxhall’s Corsa is built on, there will be no shortage of small electric hatchbacks in the very near future.

However, having never received so much as a hybrid production version before, the arrival of an electric 208 is still pretty big news; and, with an estimated 211-mile range, it should be a very capable EV.

Jaguar E-Type Zero

And now for something completely different.

Jaguar now offers an all-electric version of its classic E-Type for some £300,000, or ‘just’ £60,000 if you source the car for conversion yourself.

And, while many may cringe at the idea of putting an electric motor in this iconic car, fear not; the changes made to create the E-Type Zero are completely reversible.

If other manufacturers follow Jag’s lead with the concept of electrifying classics, perhaps the battery-driven future might look a little more avant-garde than we thought?

With electrification the biggest topic in the motoring industry, and the fact us Brits have long been at the forefront of the automotive landscape, it’s no surprise to learn some of the most cutting-edge machines are built on these shores.

There’s an impressive number of fully-electric and hybrid cars crafted in Britain — and not all are from firms based here, either. We’ve listed the electrified cars built within our borders…

Nissan Leaf

Europe’s favourite EV comes from the heart of Sunderland, in the same plant Nissan builds the Qashqai and Juke crossovers.

The Nissan Leaf has been built on Wearside since heading into production in 2010 for sale both in the UK and across the continent. There seems to be no sign of that changing either, with the second generation of the electric hatch built in the same plant following its 2017 introduction.

Aston Martin Rapide E

Aston Martin has just recently opened a new production facility in St Athan, Wales, which is set to become its hub for EV production going forward. It’s kick-starting that offensive by producing the limited-run Rapide E at the plant this year, with just 155 units slated for production.

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid

One of the crown jewels in the British motoring industry is Bentley (even if it’s German-owned), and it’s a huge bonus for the UK that it builds its only current electrified model here, too. The Bentayga Hybrid has only just joined the firm’s range, but is sure to make a mark on an ever-growing market of electrified SUVs.

Toyota Corolla

In 2018, Toyota revealed that not only would the Corolla nameplate be making a return to its line-up — but that the hatchback would be produced here in the UK at the firm’s manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. Though available without electrification, the Corolla’s best-selling form will be as a hybrid — continuing Toyota’s arguably industry-leading take on hybridisation.

Range Rover PHEV

An icon of British luxury, it’s only right that any electrified Range Rover would be built here too. It’s constructed in Solihull alongside non-electrified variants of the SUV, meaning it boasts the same level of quality and luxury — just with that bonus of emissions-free driving.

Range Rover Sport PHEV

Much like its bigger brother, the Range Rover Sport PHEV is also built in Solihull. The P400e is capable of up to 31 miles on battery power alone. That, combined with a ‘look at me I am better than you’ look and feel, you can feel like a boss on the road while feeling a little bit less guilty about impacting the environment.

LEVC TX

London taxis are a poster child of the UK, and in its latest form it’s made the much-needed switch to electrification. The LEVC TX utilises a diesel generator to power an electric motor for ultra-low emissions duty, and better yet, it’s built in Coventry — just like the iconic black cabs before it.

Focusing on all-electric vehicles could have a detrimental effect on the environment, according to industry leaders.

They added that manufacturers’ huge push towards electrifying their ranges has resulted in battery technology that cannot be recycled or is expensive to recycle, while combustion engines still have less environment impact over the lifetime of the product.

Autocar reports that Neville Jackson, chief technology and innovation officer at Ricardo, which develops technology for both combustion engines and electrified powertrains, told attendees of the Driving the Future event in London: “We are too focused on the only way ahead being electric – and that is a message we have to get across to legislators.

“If you look at the lifecycle analysis of vehicles, which is set to be part of European Commission regulations from 2026, then the analysis of cradle to grave impact is clear: the internal combustion engine still delivers by far the lowest environmental impact.

“We need to avoid the issues of spending huge amounts making batteries that aren’t recyclable, or which are expensive to recycle. There are real opportunities with the technology – let’s not forget we invented the lithium ion cell in the UK – but there are hurdles to overcome that we have to face into in a realistic way.”

Michael Hague-Morgan, commercial director of Autocraft, a specialist engine and battery cell company, agreed, saying: “Whenever you rush into technology you make mistakes. That is already evident in the number of battery packs we are now seeing that have failures.

“Some were even designed as sealed, so you can’t open them and replace or repair them easily. The impact of that on the environment is huge. The focus on pure electric in isolation does not offer the best route – there is some wonderful hybrid technology coming, and it is my belief that will get us further down the path to our targets than pursuing electric in isolation.”

A number of car manufacturers and energy companies are looking at the storage possibilities that ‘second-life’ batteries provide. Battery cells degrade over time, and eventually cannot store enough energy to be useful in an EV and must be replaced.

However, the healthy cells can be recovered and used in stationary storage, such as in the home or business sector. Nissan recently contributed used Leaf cells to a 3MW storage system at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena, which is designed to provide back-up energy in the event of a power cut.

The UK government has called on the car industry to find ways to reduce the amount of pollution caused by wear on tyres and brakes.

Despite extensive work to reduce tailpipe emissions, little has been done to reduce the amount of particulate pollution from tyres and brakes because it is so difficult to measure.

However, the independent scientific committee Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG), has warned that tyres and brakes alone could account for 10 per cent of national emissions of PM 2.5 by 2030.

In a new report released today, the AQEG says that “these particles enter the airstream having a detrimental impact on human health for drivers, passengers and bystanders”. It also noted that plastic particles from tyres enter sewers, which can have harmful consequences for marine life.

Environment minister Thérèse Coffey said: “The documents published today make clear that it is not just fumes from car exhaust pipes that have a detrimental impact on human health but also the tiny particles that are released from their brakes and tyres.

“Emissions from car exhausts have been decreasing through development of cleaner technologies and there is now a need for the car industry to find innovative ways to address the challenges of air pollution from other sources.”

Mike Hawes, chief executive of industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “The automotive industry is committed to improving air quality and has already all but eliminated particulate matter from tailpipe emissions. Brake, tyre and road wear is a recognised challenge as emissions from these sources are not easy to measure.

“A United Nations global group, including industry experts and government, is working to better understand, and agree how to measure, these emissions. Maintenance of the road surface, as well as further investment in new vehicle technologies, is essential to reducing these emissions without compromising safety and we welcome further research in this area.”

According to government figures, nitrogen oxide emissions have fallen by 29 per cent since 2010, with sulphur dioxide emissions down 62 per cent. A report will be released soon that assesses the impact of microplastics from tyres and clothing on the marine environment.

Volkswagen has waved goodbye to one of its most iconic nameplates, with the final example of the Beetle rolling off the production line.

Built in Mexico at the Volkswagen de Mexico plant, the final example — finished in Denim Blue — will be displayed at the firm’s Puebla Museum. This news comes as no surprise. Volkswagen announced plans to axe the model in September 2018, with just 1,598 sold in the UK the previous year.

Originally introduced in 1938 in Germany, the Beetle became an icon around the world — remaining in production in its original guise right up to 2003 in some markets, with 23 million examples produced.

In 1998, the firm gave the nameplate a modern interpretation with the New Beetle — a retro-styled hatchback. It was revamped in 2012, remaining the same until the final example was built this week.

Así se despide uno de los grandes. Gracias, Beetle. Esto es solo el comienzo. ??? #ByeByeBeetle pic.twitter.com/80h8ySr6JL

— Volkswagen de México (@Volkswagen_MX) July 10, 2019

The firm has no immediate plans to revive the Beetle badge again but hasn’t explicitly ruled out the possibility in future. Speaking following the 2018 announcement that Beetle production would end, Hinrich Woebcken, chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America, said: “I would say ‘never say never’. The loss of the Beetle after three generations, over nearly seven decades, will evoke a host of emotions from the Beetle’s many devoted fans.”

Volkswagen’s Mexico plant will be retooled to accommodate production of a new North American market SUV that sits underneath the Tiguan in its range. Its equivalent in the UK would be the T-Roc, though there’s no confirmation if that car will be finding its way across the Atlantic.

With the new car market becoming an ever-more diverse field, it can be a little daunting to learn about the variety of motors on sale today.

If you’ve ever looked broadly at buying a new car, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of terms like saloon, hatchback, coupe and whatever else. Though simple in nature, these car ‘classes’ can be a bit of a headache to understand for those with a lesser interest in cars. Is that you? We’ve put together a handy guide to help…

Coupe

Coupes are some of the most desirable cars on the road. Though referring to any two-door car, they’re most commonly associated with two-door sports cars and supercars — combining sleek looks with mega performance.

Crossover

The crossover — sometimes known as CUV — is the most rapidly-growing segment in the new car market. These vehicles combine the proportions and practicality of a hatchback with a higher ride height and more rugged looks often associated with an SUV. They’re the ‘in’ thing at the moment, with many manufacturers turning their focus to this segment.

Convertible

A convertible is a car that can either be had with its roof fixed in place, or dropped down for open-top motoring. Convertibles come in a variety of flavours — with hard-top (a roof made from metal), soft-top (a canvas or fabric roof) and targa (a hand-removed panel) the most common.

Estate

Estates have long been a favourite type of car amongst UK buyers, and its not hard to see why. These tend to combine the sleek looks a saloon brings, and adds practicality with an enlarged, squared-off boot. Coupes can also come in an estate-like form, referred to as a ‘shooting brake’ by many.

Hatchback

Hatchbacks are the most common form of car. These compact machines are small in size, yet often practical thanks to clever packaging — making them a favourite in a crowded Britain. They can range from dinky city cars, to larger family hatches.

MPV

The Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) may not be a popular choice today, but it remains a practical one. These vehicles put practicality ahead of everything else, usually taking boxy forms and packing five to seven seats — perfect as a family hauler.

Pick-up

Though more of a go-to choice in America than the UK, there’s a decent market for pick-ups on these shores. These more rugged vehicles have a flatbed at the back which is ideal for carrying huge loads, yet come with creature comforts found in regular cars to create a workhorse that’s usable on weekends too.

Saloon

Though not as in favour as a decade or two ago, the humble saloon remains an appealing option to UK buyers both private and fleet. These four-door machines combine sleek looks with potent powertrains — most often diesel for mile-munching — and feature a boxy boot at the back.

SUV

Much like crossovers, the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) market is one that’s rapidly growing. These often-large cars have a big presence on the road, and boast the ability to carry people in comfort and style while majoring on practicality. Many are designed with off-road capabilities too.

Bentley has revealed its vision of a future autonomous, zero-emission luxury vehicle in the form of the EXP 100 GT.

Built to celebrate the brand’s 100th birthday, the new model features self-driving technology, electric propulsion and sustainably sourced materials.

Designed to reimagine the Grand Tourer segment ‘for the world of 2035’, the EXP 100 GT features a choice between getting behind the wheel yourself or opting for autonomous driving.

The intelligent self-driving system would understand when a spirited drive is required, for example on a mountain pass, or whether a smoother, more relaxing drive might be preferred.

It is powered by a battery-electric powertrain that uses a motor on each wheel, offering all-wheel-drive and torque vectoring to provide increased grip. Bentley claims the 0-60mph time would be 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 186mph.

Over the next decade or so, range anxiety should have been eradicated, as Bentley imagines a range of 435 miles on a full battery — while charging would take just 15 minutes to go from zero to 80 per cent.

The cabin itself is built for luxury, with plenty of space for occupants and an intelligent personal assistant that can be controlled through hand gestures. Bentley is also keen to demonstrate the importance of sustainability, using recycled rice husks for the paint, organic leather-like textiles for the upholstery and natural materials such as wood where possible.

The body is made from aluminium and carbon-fibre, and its design is inspired by some of the most iconic Bentley models of the past 100 years – with a modern twist.

Adrian Hallmark, Bentley chairman and chief executive, said: “Urbanisation continues to redefine the way people think about cars. Technology is bringing people closer together while posing serious questions about security and wellbeing.

“Climate change means that governments, companies and individuals must look for more sustainable ways to move forward, and Bentley can and will provide answers to these big questions.

“The birth of the automobile sparked a love affair with the freedom, self-expression, social mobility and personal space it brought. We believe that these values will remain at the heart of luxury travel and we are excited by the huge opportunities ahead, especially as the shift to new energy vehicles consigns all issues on emissions to the history books.”

Europe is going through somewhat of a heatwave at the moment and in Britain it seems to have been welcomed by most. With the sun out and temperatures upwards of 20 degrees, now is the ideal time for doing some relaxing top-down motoring. 

What cars are best at this, though? Here are our favourites… 

BMW M8 Competition Cabriolet

The 8 Series Cabriolet is BMW’s flagship convertible and the M8 Competition variant is the fastest and most luxurious pick of the range. It features a 616bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with a whopping 750Nm of torque, a 0-60mph time of just 3.3 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph (or 189mph if you opt for the M Driver Package). 

Mercedes S Class Cabriolet

The S Class Cabriolet, in top-of the-range S65 form, comes with a fire-breathing 6.0-litre V12 packing a massive 621bhp and 737Nm of torque. It also comes with as much leather, tech and posh materials as you’d ever want in a plush performance cruiser.  

Bentley Continental GT Convertible

Is there a better way to cross continents than in a Continental GT Convertible? With the W12 powerplant delivering 626bhp and 900Nm of torque, the GT is a 2,514kg rocket ship – top speed is pegged at 207mph! 

Porsche 911 Cabriolet

The iconic sports car has managed to retain its classic character in this convertible bodystyle. A range of turbocharged flat-sixes now power all 911 models and help deliver a smooth, yet enthused driving experience. The car can be had with either two- or four-wheel drive, too.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante

With a claimed top speed (with the roof up) of 211mph, the DBS Superleggera Volante is about as rapid as convertibles get. The Volante achieves this savagery by utilising a 715bhp 5.2-litre V12, launching it from 0-60mph in just 3.6 seconds. However, being an Aston, it can also allow you to simply cruise gently down the road if you so please. 

Rolls-Royce Dawn

The Dawn brings together everything Rolls-Royce knows about making a luxury car in a beautiful convertible bodystyle. Despite having a 563bhp 6.6-litre V12, the speed is really the only thing that’s noticeable, as the car does an amazing job of shielding you from the bellow of the engine and the outside world in general.

Audi R8 Spyder

With an engine as glorious as the R8’s 5.2-litre V10, you want to hear it as much as possible. This is where the Spyder version comes in. With no roof, the sound of 620bhp (in the R8 Performance) is even more prominent. The roof can be folded down in as little as 20 seconds and up to a speed of 31mph.  

Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder

The Huracan Evo Sypder makes use of the same 5.2-litre V10 as the R8, but turns the theatre aspect up to 11. Producing 631bhp, the Evo boasts a 0-60mph time of just 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 202mph – so not only does it look like a jet fighter, it also goes like one.

Oliver Young

 

Electric vehicle uptake is on the rise. Latest figures from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that in the first six months of 2019, sales of all-electric vehicles were up more than 60 per cent on the same period last year.

That’s still just a 1.1 per cent market share, but with more manufacturers adding pure EVs to their ranges all the time, and consumer confidence constantly improving, that number is set to skyrocket.

So if you’re one of those people looking for an EV for your next car, but want to take safety considerations into account, we’ve got you covered. Of the electric and hybrid vehicles tested since the start of 2018, all have received five stars. Read on to find out what they are…

Tesla Model 3

As usual, Tesla is the standard-bearer for both electric vehicles and general vehicle safety. In recent testing, the Model 3 set a ‘new benchmark’ for safety assistance technology, receiving 94 per cent in this category.

The all-electric family car and BMW 3 Series rival also scored a hugely impressive 96 per cent for adult occupant safety.

Order now and you could be waiting a while, as the first UK customers only received their cars recently. However, it’d be worth the wait, with a spacious cabin, high range options and impressive performance.

Toyota Corolla

The best-selling badge in the history of cars is back with a new model, and while it has traditionally been considered pretty dull, this new one looks great. It’s offered in petrol-electric hybrid form, with the only real downside being the CVT gearbox. Get past that, and it’s a handsome, economical and good-to-drive hatchback.

It’s safe, too, getting high marks for adult occupant and pedestrian safety. Its scores for child safety and driver aids were bang on average among the electrified vehicles tested so far.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is another petrol-electric hybrid, but this one’s a bit more spacious than the Corolla thanks to its SUV-like shape. It also has a CVT, but this one’s less annoying than the Toyota’s, while build quality is impressive. Perhaps the only negative is that the rear seats aren’t particularly spacious.

However, once you’re squeezed in, you should be pretty safe. The CR-V scored well across the board despite not really standing out in any department – good or bad. 

Audi e-tron

Tesla better watch over its shoulder, because the big guns are now entering the electric vehicle market. Here we have Audi’s first EV built from the ground up to be pure-electric, and the biggest compliment you can pay it is that it’s just a very Audi SUV – stylish, practical and well-built.

Like the CR-V, the e-tron doesn’t particularly stand out in any area, scoring well in all categories. However, its child occupancy rating of 85 per cent puts it in the top half of the electrified table, offering peace of mind for families.

Lexus ES

Lexus’ long-standing luxury limousine was updated in 2018, and as you’d expect from a high-end automaker, scored particularly well for safety. While it might sell itself as a quirky, characterful alternative to German rivals such as Mercedes-Benz and Audi, its crash tests prove it takes safety seriously too.

The petrol-electric hybrid earned Euro NCAP’s 2018 ‘best in class’ nod in both the large family car and hybrid and electric classifications. This is thanks in part to it having the highest child and pedestrian safety scores of any vehicle in this list at 87 and 90 per cent respectively, as well as hitting the average for adult safety and driver aids.

Hyundai Nexo

The true alternative option in this list, the Nexo is a hyrdogen-powered vehicle. It’s essentially an electric vehicle that is powered by on-board hydrogen, but despite many people’s concerns about the volatility of the fuel, the South Korean firm has worked hard to keep occupants safe. (Though fuel stations are few and far between in the UK, which is worth bearing in mind.)

It has excellent occupant safety scores, which are rated at 94 per cent for adults and 87 per cent (joint-highest with the ES) for child safety. Its pedestrian safety is by far the weakest here at 67 per cent, but that’s countered by one of the highest safety assistance scores of 80 per cent.

Jaguar I-Pace

After betting on diesel just before the VW emissions scandal proved catastrophic for black-pump power, Jaguar Land Rover was in real trouble. Fortunately, the I-Pace electric vehicle came along to show the British firm was capable of pivoting its business somewhat to offer a green luxury car that was also desirable.

Again, it’s bang on average for the segment in all categories, but considering it’s received the full five star overall rating, average is a high bar to hit.

Nissan Leaf

Think electric car and you probably think Nissan Leaf. It’s been the best-selling electric vehicle for years and in its latest form is quite the looker. A new model has recently been released with more power and more range at 239 miles. It’s also the ideal size for families, with its only real downside being cost – that high range model starts at about £36,000.

However, when it comes to safety, you get your money’s worth. The Leaf scores a hugely impressive 93 and 86 per cent for adult and child occupant safety respectively, with a decent if unremarkable score of 71 per cent in both the pedestrian and safety assistance sections.

Now that summer is well and truly upon us, keeping cool in the car takes more of an importance than it does at other times of year. Though lowering the windows, sliding the sunroof back or – in certain cars – folding away the roof completely may seem like a good option to keep the heat at bay, there’s really only one way of properly doing it – and that’s with air conditioning.

For many years it was reserved for premium cars or left to the expensive end of the optional extras list, but air conditioning is now a feature you’ll find on the vast majority of cars on sale today. Some are more complex systems than others, but all feature a myriad of buttons to help control them. But what do they all do? Let us explain.

Snowflake sign

The snowflake icon is one of the most crucial to the air conditioning’s control. Why? Well, it turns the system on, for starters. Pushing it engages the air conditioning, and kick-starts the a/c pump which draws heat and moisture out of the air before leaving it cooler than it was before.

One thing to note – you’ll have to turn the air blowers on in order for the air conditioning system
to initiate.

Auto sign

Lots of cars on sale today come with automatic air conditioning. This means that the on-board system notices the desired temperature you’ve set for the cabin, and constantly adjusts the air conditioning to ensure that this is maintained.

Some cars get dual-zone climate control too – this gives the passenger and driver the option to choose two seperate temperatures and have the car maintain them.

Sync

The sync button again applies to those cars which are fitted with dual-zone climate control. As driver and passenger can both choose separate temperatures, it can mean that one side of the car has the potential to be wildly warm and the other freezing cold.

Clicking the ‘sync’ button aligns the two temperatures – meaning the cabin will be one consistent heat rather than two.

Recirculation

Want to get your car as cool as possible? You’ll want to use the recirculation button then. It recirculates the cold air generated from the air conditioning system, and stops the warmer air outside the car from entering the cabin.

Just make sure you don’t use it when things get chilly outside. This is because the air conditioning needs to be adding fresh air to the cabin and reducing the amount of moisture inside – so fogged up windows are more likely to happen.

 

Air vents

Air vents are – obviously – the source of the air being transferred into the cabin. Keeping them clear and dust-free means you shouldn’t get any grubby air sent into the interior of your car.

Most cars get air vents with all manner of angles, meaning you’ll be able to direct the air exactly where you want it.