Month: August 2019

The age of the electric car is upon us and it’s getting hard to ignore. With each passing month, it seems that a new EV hits the market, showcasing just how important they are to the future of the motoring industry.

But which ones should you be looking out for? We’ve got a list of the very best electric cars to look forward to before 2022…

Aston Martin Rapide E – 2019

Given the performance that electric vehicles can generate, it’s little wonder why high-end manufacturers are starting to adopt the technology. Aston Martin is one such carmaker — and it’s planning on introducing the Rapide E as a battery-powered option in its line-up.

It’s due to arrive later on this year, and just 155 examples are due to be produced _ so it’ll be a rare thing indeed. Don’t think that this is just some show pony, mind; Aston claims it’ll do 0-60mph in under four seconds and hit 155mph flat-out.

BMW i4 – 2021

BMW has already proved its worth when it comes to electrically-assisted vehicles with the i3 and i8 hybrid both showcasing what the firm can do when it comes to battery power. But it’s time for things to kick up a notch, which is why BMW is ramping up its range of electric vehicles over the coming years.

One of the cars it’s starting with is the i4. Though details around the four-door remain relatively scarce, we do know that it’ll be pitched between the Tesla Model S and Model 3 cars – so expect plenty of performance when it arrives in 2021.

BMW iNext – 2021

Coming alongside the i4 in 2021 will be this — the iNext. It’s BMW’s approach to an all-electric SUV, and sits on an all-new platform too which can provide a basis for pure EVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids collectively.

It’s claimed that the iNext will be able to travel at least 450 miles between charges and it’s also said that it’ll pack the latest semi-autonomous technology, too.

BMW ix3 – 2019

BMW’s ix3 is slated for late 2019 release, and is essentially the same as the current-generation X3 (in terms of design, that is). Underneath the skin is where things get more interesting, with this SUV utilising BMW’s latest electric motor technology.

It’s claimed that the powertrain outputs 266bhp, which should be more than enough to get the ix3 up to speed quickly enough. We’ll have to wait until closer to its release to find out more details.

Ford Mach 1 – 2020

If there was one car you wouldn’t expect to be electrified, it’d be the all-combustion Ford Mustang muscle car. However, that’s just what Ford has done with its upcoming Mach 1. Dubbed a ‘performance utility vehicle’ by the Blue Oval, the Mach 1 is set to be capable of driving up to 370 miles on a single charge.

Further details surrounding the car are scarce, but first UK deliveries are expected to commence next year — so we’ll likely know more in the coming months.

Honda e – 2020

There are few cars which have generated quite as much hype as the Honda e. Compact and shamelessly retro-styled, the Honda has gone down famously well with motoring press and the general public alike.

Set to arrive on UK shores next year, the Honda e has a claimed range of 125 miles and is expected to cost between £25,000 and £30,000.

Jaguar XJ – 2021

Much like the Ford Mustang, the Jaguar XJ isn’t a car which you’d expect to find being powered by batteries. However, that’s soon to be the case — with an all-electric XJ expected to arrive in 2021. It’s expected to use similar tech to the larger I-Pace SUV, albeit encapsulated in a more svelte, saloon car body.

It’s due to be built at Jag’s Castle Bromwich site, which is being completely redeveloped in order to cater for electric car manufacturing There are no pictures as yet, but we’ll expect to see some hallmark XJ design cues maintained in the new EV version.

Kia Soul EV – 2020

Kia is on a bit of a roll when it comes to electric cars – its e-Niro has been consistently in demand, and you’ll still do well to get one within a year of ordering it. With that in mind, the upcoming Soul EV is likely to be a hit too.

With a range just shy of 300 miles it’s got a usable amount of charge between trips to the plug and a surprisingly spacious interior, the Soul EV could be the ideal electric car for all occasions.

Lotus Evija – 2020

Lotus knows a thing or two about making small, lightweight sports cars which are great both on track and on the road — so why would it give EVs a crack? Well, in typical Lotus fashion, it hasn’t used electric vehicle technology for efficiency, instead opting for out-and-out battery-powered lunacy.

The new Evija is set to produce 1,978bhp and cost around £2m – so it’s hardly your run-of-the-mill plug-in. It’s set to be one of the most exciting electric cars of the coming years, though.

Mini Electric – 2020

Bringing things back down to earth a touch, we come to the new Mini Electric. Off the bat it looks, well, like any other Mini — save for the bright yellow accents and smoothed-out grille, that is. All-electric range is around 122 miles, and prices start from £24,300 when the car goes on sale next year – though you can secure a build slot with a deposit now.

We hope that the Mini Electric handles just as well as its combustion-powered brethren. We’ll have to report back when it arrives in the UK.

Peugeot e-208 – 2020

Among the wealth of supercars and high-end saloons at the Geneva Motor Show this year, the humble e-208 drew one of the biggest crowds. It’s little wonder why; in terms of attainable electric cars it’s right up there thanks to its looks — which give it an appearance of a regular Peugeot – as well as its £24,500 starting price.

Capable of 211 miles on a single charge it eclipses the Mini when it comes to distance between plug-ins, as well as many of its rivals —making it set to be one of the key electric cars to arrive next year.

Polestar 2 – 2020

The Polestar 1 has already shown what the Swedish performance brand can do when it comes to the electric cars, and the upcoming 2 is set to progress that further. And whereas the 1 was all about out-and-out punch, the 2 is a slightly less hard-edged affair — though it’ll still crack 0-60mph in under five seconds, according to Polestar.

As a four-door ‘fastback’, it’s been designed with a little more practicality in mind, too, while a 311-mile range should help subdue too much range anxiety.

Porsche Macan – 2022

Kicking off Porsche’s electric EV offensive will be a battery-powered variant of its Macan SUV — set to arrive early in the next decade.

Rather than making the existing vehicle electric, Porsche is instead opting to design the next generation of the car capable of plug-in power from the get-go. This opens the possibility of hybrids, too.

Porsche Taycan – 2020

Porsche’s Taycan has been anticipated for a while, but next year will, at last, see its arrival. Known for years as the Mission E, the firm’s first production EV is said to bring the handling and performance the Stuttgart’s best sports cars are known for to an eco-friendly package.

Little else is known about the car for now, but expect this to fly off the forecourts when it comes to market.

Renault Zoe – 2019

Introduced in 2012, the Renault Zoe has gone on to become one of the mainstays in the booming EV segment — and now its returning for a second generation.

Though it looks very similar to the outgoing car, it’s undergone a refresh deep under the skin. A new 52kWh battery is said to allow for 242 miles of driving between charges, while a 100kWh motor will improve performance over its predecessor.

Seat Mii Electric – 2019

Seat recently revealed an electric and refreshed version of its Mii city car — which is set to replace the hatch’s internal combustion offerings.

The Spanish city car uses a 36.8kWh battery and 61kW electric motor to deliver a claimed 161 mile range. Expect Madrid to be flooded with these things about five minutes after it launches.

Skoda Citigo e-iV – 2019

Mechanically identical to the Seat Mii, the Citigo will also be going electric as the VW Group looks to refresh the trio — including the recently-updated Volkswagen e-Up.

Powered by the same 61kW electric motor found in the Mii and also linked to a 36.8kWh battery, the city car is said to be capable of up to 165 miles on a single charge making it perhaps the ideal urban runabout.

Tesla Model Y – 2020

Tesla has long been the leader in the electric car game, so it’s no surprise the American firm is looking to get in on the ever-growing crossover market.

The Model Y, set to arrive late next year, will take the underpinnings of the popular Model 3 and place them into a more practical package. Seven can be seated in the car, which is said to be capable of 336 miles between charges.

Tesla Roadster – 2020

So Elon Musk makes some bold claims, but many of them do turn out true — eventually. Initially planned for 2020 (though expect that to be delayed), the Tesla Roadster could be the car to end all Top Trumps competitions.

It’s said to be capable of 0-60mph in 1.9 seconds, boasts a top speed of 250mph and even cover 620 miles between charges. Still not impressed? Technology from Musk’s SpaceX could even allow the car to fly. Though we’ll believe that when we see it…

VW ID.3 – 2020

Are we about to see the arrival of a new car on the scale of the Golf or Beetle? Volkswagen thinks so. The ID.3 will be its first car built from the ground up to be all-electric, and will kick-off a vast range of battery-powered ID products to follow in the future.

Three battery sizes will be offered in the hatchback — offering ranges of around 205, 260 and 340 miles respectively — while the cell itself will be covered by an impressive eight-year warranty to alleviate long-term concerns.

Vauxhall Corsa-e – 2020

Long one of the UK’s favourite cars, the latest version of the Vauxhall Corsa is set to embrace the electric revolution. Due to arrive on the market early next year, it will deploy a 50kWh powertrain that develops 134bhp and 260Nm.

It’s said 211 miles on a single charge will be capable, with its charging point located where the fuel filler cap is traditionally placed — rather than relocating the access area like many EVs on the market currently.

Porsche has been cracking down on sellers of knock-off goods in a bid to protect its brand — uncovering a mix of fraudulent items in the process.

Last year, the German firm claims to have confiscated over 200,000 items unofficially bearing its branding — said to be worth almost €60m (circa. £55.1m). Of those, 33,000 are said to be spare parts for its cars.

It’s these parts that are of most concern to Porsche, including critical safety items such as airbags and brake discs, and the firm wants to prevent them being fitted to its cars. Thomas Fischer, a member of Porsche’s Brand Protection team, said: “This is where things get dangerous. These spare parts are neither tested nor approved. It goes without saying that we want to prevent products like this ending up in our cars.”

Other items confiscated have included merchandise items like t-shirts, caps, posters and the like — though there are more bizarre discoveries, such as Porsche badge-shaped erectile dysfunction tablets.

The firm called out online retailers such as eBay, Alibaba and Amazon for making the practice of selling counterfeit goods relatively easy and has estimated around 80 per cent of fake products are sourced from China.

Michaela Stoiber, another member of Porsche’s Brand Protection team, said: “Sometimes the counterfeits are quite obvious. The products are far cheaper than normal, or the Porsche emblem has been poorly copied. We sometimes also find that a different animal is shown in the centre of the logo. For example, instead of the Porsche horse, it could be a sheep standing on its hind legs.

“Our goal is always to locate the source. Once we have found it, we inform the local authorities to take the necessary steps there. This collaboration generally works very well.”

There’s something special about the great outdoors. Fresh air, wide open spaces and the freedom to move about wherever you like – there’s a lot to like. But what if you need a car to take you out to the wilderness and beyond?

Fortunately there are plenty of cars currently on the market which are angled towards those who want a more active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle. Let’s take a look.

Ford Ranger Raptor

With rally-spec suspension and the ability to go here, there and everywhere, the Ford Ranger Raptor is ideally suited to life outdoors. It’s rugged, solidly built and, thanks to a biturbo diesel engine, won’t need fuelling up too often.

It also looks the part, with big flared arches and a grille large enough to swallow entire towns whole.

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda’s seven-seat Kodiaq is a great choice for adventurers who want to bring the family along. Spacious and well-made, it’s got more than enough room for camping equipment, chairs and barbecues while Skoda’s expansive range of features and fittings mean you can expand its practicality even further with roof boxes and cycle racks.

In addition, a decent four-wheel-drive system available means you shouldn’t get stuck when things get tricky, either.

Suzuki Jimny

Given its Tonka toy-esque styling, it’s hard not to be swayed by the little Suzuki Jimny from the off. But it backs those looks up with genuine off-road prowess a decent – if rugged – build quality. Yes, it may not be the most practical of cars, but pack light and the Suzuki will see you through.

Thanks to its compact size, it’ll be ideal for nipping through tight spaces – either in the wilderness or the urban jungle too.

Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover’s go-anywhere Discovery has been the choice of adventurers for many years now, owing to its off-road abilities and relatively strong reliability. The latest car may be more tech-laden than ever, but this doesn’t make it any less capable when it comes to tackling rough ground.

Seven seats mean it’s practical when it comes to moving people too, while an efficient range of diesel and petrol engines allow for more spent time exploring, and less time at the fuel pumps.

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler could be one of the best-suited cars for adventuring in. It’s tough, rugged both inside and out and built to be able to conquer the worst conditions possible with minimal fuss. It also – in our eyes at least – looks fantastic, with big, brash styling touches across the board.

Want even more adventure capability? Then hold fast for the Gladiator, a pick-up version of the Wrangler due in the UK soon.

Hyundai Kona

Having a vehicle capable of matching an outdoorsy lifestyle doesn’t mean having to splash loads of cash. Take the Hyundai Kona, for example, a car that competes at the very top of the ever-growing crossover game.

It has the wannabe off-roader looks, but under the skin lies the ability to genuinely take on some rougher terrains — perfect if you’re looking to head off the beaten path. We’re not saying it’s an ideal greenlaning vehicle, but it’s great for weekend lakeside adventures.

BMW 3 Series Touring

You can’t go far wrong with an estate car, can you? The BMW 3 Series Touring has consistently been the pick of the bunch, and the latest version is no different. Well-made, practical and featuring a range of strong petrol and diesel engines, it’s a great choice for those who want to go off an explore, but do so in plenty of comfort.

Need a little more traction? Then there’s an all-wheel-drive xDrive version, better suited to dealing with slippery conditions.

Subaru Outback

If there’s one thing Subaru should be known for, it’s its ability to make proper off-roaders. We don’t just mean its blue and gold championship-winning rally cars either, with the firm proudly boasting how capable all of its all-wheel-drive vehicles can be.

We’ve picked the Outback crossover for this list — which may lay claim to being the most capable go-anywhere car in a segment that’s full of wannabe rugged lookalikes. A generous 512 litres of boot space means it’ll swallow a lot of gear too.

Mercedes G Class

Though the Mercedes G Class may be the dream car of many Premier League footballers, it still has the credentials to be a truly rugged and capable vehicle.

Originally designed for military use, the G Class has recently undergone a total overhaul that brings modern refinement, technology levels and safety to the big German — but still has the know-how to conquer a mountain if you so choose. Maybe stay away from the AMG variants if you don’t fancy taking ultra-expensive alloys rock crawling, though.

Volkswagen California

There are very few vehicles as iconic as a Volkswagen camper, and for good reason. For generations, the VW home-on-wheels has been a symbol of road trips, cruising and exploring the world — so it’s no surprise that the adventurous types still buy them in droves.

In its latest guise, the Volkswagen California is its most high-tech yet — boasting a plethora of luxury equipment designed to make driving that little bit easier. It still retains its versatility, ability to play holiday home to a small family and of course its iconic two-tone livery too.

Tesla has revealed that it will be offering free unlimited supercharging with any purchase of its Model S or Model X vehicles.

Despite being a service that chief executive Elon Musk previously called ‘unsustainable’, the introduction of free charging for Tesla’s top-end models will mean thousands of pounds in terms of savings for owners.

Though little information has been released regarding the details of the offer – and just a tweet via Tesla’s official Twitter page to confirm it – it’s likely that the move has been made in order to re-energise sales of both the Model S and Model X cars.

BREAKING: All new Model S and Model X orders now come with ⚡ free ⚡ unlimited ⚡ Supercharging ⚡

— Tesla (@Tesla) August 3, 2019

The announcement follows on from larger than expected losses by the American manufacturer, which posted losses of $408 million (circa. £327m) during the second quarter of 2019, despite record deliveries of its cars.

At the end of July Tesla announced that it delivered 95,365 cars and produced 87,048 cars in the first quarter of the year – an increase compared with 91,000 and 86,000 respective units in the final quarter of 2018.

Tesla’s network of electric car charging points is one of the most widespread in the world, with 290 superchargers located in the UK alone. These are backed by more than 550 Tesla destination chargers, which allow owners to top up their batteries at the end of their trip – albeit at a slower rate than the superchargers.

Modern Mini loves to trade on its British heritage. The BMW-owned firm’s cars all have retro-inspired styling that nods to its diminutive predecessor, while each of its variations has a name inspired by similar versions of the classic model.

One such example is the Mini Clubman, which in its most simple form is an estate version of the familiar hatchback model. However, what makes it unique is the van door-like rear opening, which is both useful, practical and characterful.

True to form, though, this isn’t a modern innovation. The Clubman first arrived on the scene back in 1969, when Mini was owned by British Leyland. Car designer Roy Haynes was tasked with freshening the Mini up, introducing a squarer front end design.

As part of this model refresh, the Mini Clubman Estate was introduced, replacing the Traveller and Countryman names of previous Mini wagons. When BMW marketers needed a name for their new retro-inspired Mini estate, they opted for Clubman, because they didn’t have the rights to the names of the original estate models – though an SUV would later emerge called Countryman.

By the time the Mini was replaced by the Austin Metro in 1980, 197,606 Clubman Estates had been sold, compared with 275,583 standard Clubmans.

Fast forward to 2007 and Mini, which had seen success with the totally new Mini hatchback since 2001, expanded the range with the Clubman estate. Contemporary reviewers praised it for keeping the fun-to-drive characteristics of the hatchback, while adding plenty of practicality.

At launch, it stood alone with no direct rivals – this was before the age of niche-filling variations flooding the market. The idea of a small family car also being offered as an estate was a fairly alien concept, but the Clubman was clearly ahead of its time, with most modern cars now available in multiple variations of size, shape and performance.

The second-generation Clubman recently underwent a refresh, receiving minor styling changes that included Union Flag taillights. The biggest change is seen in the John Cooper Works performance model, though, which has had power increased to 302bhp to make it a proper practical ‘hot hatch’ rival.

The Mini brand has endured a lot of change over the years, and the introduction of the Clubman estate has proved a master stroke by BMW. It might not be its best-seller, but it cements the firm’s position as offering quirky, genuinely interesting models at a time when most of the market has been homogenised.

It’s easy to see how the Mazda MX-5 became such a huge seller – affordable top-down motoring in a fun-to-drive package isn’t easy to come by.

However, what can’t be explained through looking at numbers on a spreadsheet is just what caused the Japanese roadster to become a cult icon. Even today, in its fourth generation, the MX-5 inspires its owners to fall in love, while others still worship the original models.

That’s why we jumped at the opportunity to get behind the wheel of all four generations of Mazda MX-5 in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds…

First-generation Mazda MX-5

First revealed in 1989, the original MX-5 set out to prove that the world wanted an affordable convertible sports car experience, at a time when even Mazda’s bigwigs needed a bit of convincing.

Fortunately, they were swayed, and the roadster hit the market to a rapturous reception. Looking at the performance figures now, they don’t make for overly exciting reading – the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine in our test car makes just 114bhp, but thanks to a weight of just 955kg, 0-60mph takes a respectable 8.3 seconds. A 1.8 with 130bhp was also available.

Straight line sprints are the antithesis of what this car is about, though. Its character comes from its lightweight, nimble nature, further aided by the front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.

With the roof thrown back and the high summer sun roasting my arms, it’s immediately clear why 90s motorists fell in love. As the road curves between tall trees and the warm air blusters around the cabin, occasional shade offering welcome relief from the heat, I can’t help but smile. The MX-5 responds immediately to your steering inputs and darts through turns eagerly.

Despite its relative lack of power, the engine never feels lethargic, and is always eager to rev with a raw accompanying soundtrack. Compared with the sanitised, safety-conscious models of today, it’s refreshingly simple.

Second-generation Mazda MX-5

The original is always the benchmark, and so it was important to get that done first to give myself some context. That’s especially important here, because one of the few criticisms levied at the MX-5 over the years is that later models lost the lightweight, fun and fizzy performance of the early car.

So, as I jump into the second-generation model, I’m intrigued to see how it compares back to back, and the early signs are good. This is a 1999 model in Innocent Blue Mica, its 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine making 138bhp.

However, on paper it’s barely any faster than the original, because that modest power hike is cancelled out by an increase in weight to 1,100kg.

Out on the open road, though, that extra weight is almost welcome. At just over a tonne it’s still incredibly light, and coupled with almost a decade of engineering progress, it feels much more sure-footed on the bumpy B-roads.

What you lose in sheer urgency of response, you make up for in increased confidence, meaning it’s easier to carry more speed through a corner without losing any of the thrills. Purists might bemoan the weight gains, but to an outsider, the second-generation still retains that unique purity of performance.

Third-generation Mazda MX-5

The jump from second to third generation feels massive. The styling looks much more modern, the metallic paint shimmers in the midday sun, but most of all, the interior is night and day better than its predecessor – though we are comparing a late third-gen with an early second-gen.

Again, some purists and MX-5 aficionados might scoff at this car, which is heavier again at 1,115kg, but remove emotion and it’s objectively better in almost every way.

Beneath the curvy bonnet sits a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine with 158bhp, which aids a 0-60mph time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 136mph. In everyday driving, thanks to the improved interior and this 25th anniversary edition’s hardtop, it’s quiet and comfortable.

But put your foot down and there’s enough fizz from the engine to spin the speedo round to the fun numbers, with this third-generation model being the most confidence-inspiring of the lot.

However, it’s also the least fun. While the second-generation model manages to marry progress with the spirit of the original, this third-generation model feels a bit too soft. A bit too numb in its responses. It’s capable, but it lacks that sensation of oneness with the car, where every firing of fast-twitch muscle fibre translates directly to the car.

If it wasn’t the hottest day of the year, I’d grab my anorak, because I’ve become one with the nerdy forum dwellers…

Fourth-generation Mazda MX-5

So, here we are, back in 2019 with the latest iteration – a 30th anniversary special edition. Driving this immediately after having my own journey through three decades of MX-5 is almost poetic.

The latest generation was introduced in 2014, with Mazda keen to show it had gone back to its roots, benchmarking the new model against the original.

The key here is weight – impressively, at less than 1,100kg, the 2.0-litre we’re testing is lighter than the second generation, while the 1.5-litre entry level model dips just below a tonne in soft top form.

The 2.0 has a healthy 158bhp, just like the third-generation car, but because it’s so much lighter, it’s much quicker to respond to your inputs. It’s clear that Mazda’s engineers spent a lot of time instilling the original’s character into the new model, while still retaining the comfort and assuredness of later models.

Driving multiple generations of such an iconic car in one sunny afternoon was a great way to properly understand just how and why these cars wormed their way under people’s skin. And the fact Mazda listened to criticism to build a new version that’s a highlights package of its predecessors should be commended.

It’s hard to ignore the meteoric rise of the SUV. Step into any new car dealership, and you’ll find a forecourt awash with high-riding vehicles of all shapes and sizes. There’s a reason for that – people simply can’t get enough of them.

But is there another way? Is there, perhaps, a type of car which can do everything that an SUV can do, but better? We think the humble estate car is just such a vehicle – and here are five reasons why.

Driver involvement

Yes, an SUV may deliver the high-riding, king-of-the-road driving position that many people love, but they simply can’t offer the same level of driver involvement that you’ll get from an estate car.

Find your favourite twisty b-road, and it’s highly likely that you’ll have more fun on it driving an estate rather than a four-wheel-drive.

Space

Many SUVs give drivers the option of seven seats, and though on the odd occasion an estate car has also been able to seat seven, we’ll admit that they aren’t best suited to this use. However, where an estate can usually match an SUV is load area.

Because of the way they’re packaged, it’s likely that an estate will offer more than enough boot space for most occasions and, should you need more, almost all have the option to fold the rear seats flat.

Looks

We’ll admit that the imposing looks of an SUV can be appealing at times, but there’s something to be said about the way an estate car is designed – particularly when it’s hiding more performance than you’d expect.

Of course, thoughts about a car’s appearance are down to the individual, but we’d always argue that there’s something pretty cool about the way an estate looks.

Efficiency

It’s true that SUVs are becoming more efficient and that, for the most part, the time of big, thirsty four-wheel-drives is behind us. Off the bat they’re more efficient, with a lower profile and therefore a better drag coefficient.

Plus, because they’re lugging around less weight, estate cars will often use up less fuel than an equivalent SUV There are exceptions, of course, with powerful petrol estates still able to chew through fuel as well as their off-road rivals.

Variety

They say that variety is the spice of life and, when it comes to estates, that’s certainly the case. Though nearly every manufacturer does an SUVs these days, they also tend to offer an estate – so there’s plenty to choose from.

They’re not all huge, load-lugging leviathans too. There are plenty of compact estates on the market for those who want a little more practicality but without a huge increase in size.