Author: Darren Cassey

With the onslaught of electric vehicles to the market, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by all the new buzz words.

In fact, if you’ve only ever driven petrol and diesel cars, even knowing how to compare two electric models can be tough. That’s why facts and figures such as charging capacity and battery size are so useful – the larger the numbers the faster you can charge and the further you can go.

However, new advice from Audi encourages consumers to look a little deeper, because while a high maximum charge capacity might look appealing, if that’s only achievable for short periods of time, it might not dramatically improve charge times.

To Audi, charging capacity is the maximum rate at which electricity can be fed into the vehicle, while charging speed is the time it takes for a battery to be recharged.

The reason it’s not as simple as it first appears is because you can’t simply pump maximum electricity into the battery until it’s full. It must be managed to prevent damage to the cells, so charge rates are slowed as the battery reaches capacity.

Tesla describes this process as being like filling a glass with water. At first, you can pour a lot in, but as the glass gets filled you have to slow down to avoid spilling any. That’s why car manufacturers always quote charge times to 80 per cent; Tesla owners in the company’s forum, for example, say the last 20 per cent can take almost as long as the first 80, and it will be a similar story for other makes and models.

Audi has drawn attention to the ‘charging curve’ as it says its e-tron SUV is particularly strong in this department because complex thermal management in the batteries helps to maintain an optimal temperature. It says the result is that the maximum charging capacity of 150kW can be utilised from five per cent of battery charge all the way up to 70 per cent before it starts to taper off.

It means that a 10-minute stop at a fast charger could add 68 miles of range while charging to 80 per cent should take about 30 minutes.

For most electric vehicle owners, the majority of charging will take place at home or work, where fast charge times are not important and a slower rate of charge helps prolong battery life. However, if you’re EV shopping and spend a lot of time on the motorway, comparing how long it takes to hit 80 per cent charge could be the key selling point.

The Tesla Supercharger electric vehicle charging network has been crowned Britain’s best in a survey of EV owners.

Ten of the most-used networks were scored for their ease of use, cost, speed, and reliability, with Tesla taking top honours in every category.

Early Tesla buyers got free charging for life, but Auto Express magazine, which conducted the research, said even those that pay for the service were happy with it because the chargers are easy to use, reliable, and offer charging rates upwards of 120kW.

Instavolt took second place, being the highest-ranked provider available to owners of all car makes. It placed second for charging speed, ease of use and reliability, but this good service comes at a cost, as it was ranked ninth for charging costs.

Third place was ChargePlace Scotland, which scored well across the board, let down by its eighth-place finish in the reliability segment.

Perhaps surprisingly, Ecotricity came last by a long way, placing tenth in every category.

Auto Express said: “Given the firm has contracts with numerous motorway service station operators, and its ‘Electric Highway’ is a dominant force in the UK, these marks suggest the firm has the potential to make life tricky for EV owners.”

Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief at Auto Express, said: “Public chargepoints are vital for long-distance EV drivers, and their availability and reliability is of huge importance for current and future owners.

“Our data gives valuable insight into the best charging networks to use when you’re planning your route. And it shows that while many providers are doing a superb job, ease of use and good old-fashioned reliability shouldn’t be forgotten at the expense of network expansion.

“Tesla’s remarkable performance should come as little surprise to those who’ve plotted the brand’s growth. It is proof that the company knows precisely what its customers want, and delivers it to them consistently.

“And for those who don’t own or plan to buy a Tesla, Instavolt’s impressive scores mean we’re delighted to recommend the firm’s network of chargers.”

The Ford Mustang outsold all other sports cars in 2019 with more than 100,000 leaving dealer forecourts.

The American muscle car sold a total of 102,090 units across the globe according to new data from industry analysts IHS Markit, with sales increasing 33 per cent in Germany, 50 per cent in Poland and almost 100 per cent in France.

Sales are based on both engine variations of the Mustang, which is available with a 5.0-litre V8 GT model that appeals to purists, as well as a more affordable and economical 2.3-litre EcoBoost unit. Both engines are petrol-powered, and can be had with a coupe or convertible body style.

Jim Farley, chief operating officer at Ford Motor Company, said: “We’re proud of our growing Mustang stable and performance variants.

“From Sweden to Shanghai, more and more driving enthusiasts are enjoying the feeling of freedom and the American open road in these new Mustangs. We are honoured to serve our owners, enthusiasts and fans for 56 years and counting.”

The American market continues to be the Mustang’s biggest market, with Ford claiming it has been the country’s best-selling sports car of the past 50 years. In Europe, Mustang sales increased in 2019 by three per cent to 9,900, with 1,300 coming to the UK.

An American technology firm has announced plans to build an all-electric SUV with a massive range.

Triton Solar says the Model H will be able to travel up to 700 miles on a single charge, with space for eight adults and a luggage capacity of up to 5,663 litres – thought that latter figures is likely available when all seats are laid flat.

The Model H’s unique selling point is that it uses a 200kWh battery pack, which is a proprietary technology of Triton Solar. It’s this battery that provides that impressive range claim.

The New Jersey-based technology firm says the battery feeds four electric motors, with one in each wheel, for a total of about 1,500bhp. The 0-60mph is claimed to be 2.9 seconds, while it should be able to ‘carry and pull heavy loads without compromising the driving comfort’.

Other vital statistics listed on the company’s website include a kerb weight of 2.4 tonnes and a towing capacity of seven tonnes. It will also come with a 10-year or 150,000-mile warranty.

The company has never made an electric vehicle before, with its existing product range focusing on energy storage solutions, particularly from solar panels.

Order books are open now with the first 100 customers receiving a Founder’s Edition vehicle, which gets as-yet-unannounced ‘surprise features’. The initial deposit is $5,000 (circa £,4000) with the remaining $135,000 (circa £108,000) being transferred closer to production.

Prince Philip’s car crash caused a spike in the number of elderly drivers handing back their licence.

On January 17, 2019, the Duke of Edinburgh rolled his Land Rover after colliding with another car near the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Following a Freedom of Information request from retirement mortgage experts Responsible Life, DVLA figures revealed a 21 per cent increase in the number of drivers aged 90 and over voluntarily surrendering their licence last year. The Duke was 97 at the time of the crash.

The number rose from 6,612 to 8,014, and came after a rise of less than 10 per cent in 2018.

The data also shows that the number of drivers aged 100 and over that surrendered their licence increased 146 per cent to 32 in 2019.

Steve Wilkie, executive chairman of Responsible Life, said: “When to stop driving remains one of our most difficult decisions in later life. For many retired motorists it means letting go of a symbol of their independence, even if they only make the occasional trip to the local shops.

“Older age is also cruel and creeps up on you, making it impossible to judge the best time to hang up the steering wheel and get a taxi, rather than soldier on for another year.

“Prince Philip’s misfortunes, however, seem to have jogged a great number of people into confronting this difficult decision head on.”

Although there is no age limit for when people must stop driving, elderly drivers that are concerned about their ability to drive can ask for objective assessments from organisations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Grand Tour host and former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson is heading up an online pub quiz this week.

Starting at 7pm on Friday, April 17 on the DriveTribe YouTube channel, Clarkson’s quiz is set to feature five rounds with subjects covering history, sport, general knowledge, and a ‘cunning’ visual round.

Tim Rodie, editorial director at DriveTribe, told the PA news agency: “We’re very grateful that Jeremy’s taken time out from his farming to bring some joy to a world in lockdown. His time on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire shows he’s got the chops to handle the quizmaster role.

“Last week’s live pub quiz with James May was a huge success for FoodTribe, so fingers crossed we’ll have a few people joining in from across the world.”

Clarkson’s online pub quiz follows on from the popularity of co-host James May’s version last week. Hosted on the FoodTribe channel – the sister site of DriveTribe – May’s quiz has since been viewed more than 150,000 times.

Speaking to the PA news agency beforehand, May said: “I love pubs, but I hate pub quizzes. Unfortunately, the pub isn’t open for some reason. So we’ll just have to do the quiz, online, at a safe distance. There will be no cheating, obviously. No-one’s going to look up the answers on Google. That’s not allowed.”

The final 991-generation Porsche 911 to roll off the production line will be auctioned to raise money for a coronavirus relief fund.

The German car maker has teamed up with auctioneers RM Sotheby’s to host online bidding over the course of a week, with the only lot being a Porsche 911 Speedster. The money raised will go to the United Way Worldwide Covid-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, said: “We are all profoundly affected by the current situation and the immediate impact it’s having on those most at risk in our communities.

“United Way continues to step up to the plate and their response to this crisis has been quite impressive. So we are proud to do our part. I also appreciate the swift support of RM Sotheby’s to make this possible and I am hopeful that the sale of a very special Porsche will help in a small way.”

The model going under the virtual hammer is a one-of-1,948 Porsche 911 Speedster, which is a convertible version of the sports car that features the 495bhp, 4.0-litre flat-six engine from the track-focused GT3 model.

The winning bidder will also receive a special 911 Speedster Heritage Design watch, which has a strap made from the same leather as the car’s interior and a silver winding motor that mimics the car’s wheels.

While you might think one of the few benefits of this lockdown situation is that your car is sitting unused, not accruing extra miles wearing out tyres and brakes or costing you a fortune in fuel, cars don’t actually like to sit still.

That’s why tyre expert Jonathan Benson has put together his top six tips for keeping your tyres safe for when you do venture back out onto the road.

Check out the video for more in-depth explanations to the summarised points below.

Prepare and inspect your tyres

Use your new-found free time to give your tyres a clean and dressing to protect from road grime or UV light that might eat away at the rubber. While you’re down there, give them a quick check for damage and tread life, too.

Lift your car

Tyres, in particular, don’t like sitting in the same position for too long, because the weight of the car on the tyre can cause a flat spot. If you can, lift it off the ground on a car lift or axle stands. That’s not always possible, so if you can’t lift it…

Over-inflate your tyres

Normally, you don’t want to over-inflate your tyres because that reduces grip. However, doing so reduces the risk of flat spots, just don’t go over the recommended limit.

Move your car

If you have space and it’s safe to do so, you can also push your car forwards or backwards occasionally so the weight isn’t on the same spot. Don’t use the engine to do this, though, because you’ll drain your battery.

Keep it in shade

Tyres don’t like being exposed to UV light, so if you can park the car in the shade or hide it in the garage, that’s great.

Buy trainers for your car

You can buy small foam ramps that you can drive your car onto, which alleviate some of the pressure on the rubber and help regulate changes in temperature, reducing the risk of damage to the tyre.

For many buyers, practicality is one of the most important factors when buying a car, and a big boot is often top of the list.

If that’s the case for you, we’ve brought together cars with cavernous boots from a variety of segments, so even if you only have space for a hatchback but want to maximise cargo capacity, we’ve got you covered.

Skoda Fabia – 330 litres with the rear seats up / 1,150 with the rear seats down

Considering Skoda’s ethos is to build the most practical cars possible, it’s no surprise that most of its cars are among the most practical in their segment. That’s particularly true of the Fabia, which offers cargo capacity similar to much bigger cars. Opt for the estate and there’s even more room – 530 litres with the rear seats up and 1,395 with them down.

Volkswagen Tiguan – 615 litres / 1,655 litres

If you’re looking for an upmarket, stylish SUV that’s also super practical, look no further. It might look a little dull in lower trims and be more expensive than many rivals, but it offers excellent build quality, a wide variety of engine choices and a huge boot.

Peugeot 3008 – 591 litres / 1,670 litres

A compelling rival to the Tiguan, the 3008 is packed full of character that the Volkswagen can’t hope to match. Peugeot has really upped its game recently, particularly with the interior, which feels premium but with the practicality to make this both a head and a heart purchase.

Skoda Superb Estate – 660 litres / 1,950 litres

Another Skoda, the Superb has a simply massive boot. If you do a lot of city driving the Superb’s sheer size might be an issue, but for long-distance drivers who need space above all else, there can be few better options.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate – 640 litres / 1,820 litres

Want similar levels of practicality to the Skoda but a bit more badge appeal? Step forward the E-Class. It might be pricier, but the reward is a much nicer cabin with only a small compromise on space.

Ford Galaxy – 300 litres / 2,339 litres

MPVs are the forgotten cars of today’s sales, but there’s still a place for vehicles like the Ford Galaxy. Its seats down space isn’t hugely impressive because it has that extra row of seats, but when you don’t have people in the back it can expand to offer a frankly van-like 2,339 litres.

SsangYong Tivoli XLV – 720 litres / 1,440 litres

Easily the left-field choice in this list, niche car manufacturer SsangYong has been rapidly improving in recent years. The larger version of its mainstream crossover, the Tivoli XLV, is an enticing prospect based on affordability and practicality alone. It might not be quite as nice inside or to drive compared with rivals, but on top of loads of space, it’s cheap to buy and run and comes with great kit.

Audi Q7 – 770 litres / 1,955 litres

Easily one of the best seven-seaters in the market, the Q7 might be pricey but it’s up there with the best when it comes to luggage space. Even with the seats up you get a massive 770 litres, so you don’t need to worry about compromising between people and their stuff.

Mercedes-Benz GLS – 355 litres / 2,400 litres

While you could describe the GLS’s load-lugging ability as van-like, it would have to be one luxurious van. The GLS can do it all, being a genuine seven-seater with a lovely interior and fantastic on-road manners – though it’s certainly not cheap. Naturally, to make the most of the boot you’ll need to fold the third row down, but do so and few can match it for practicality.

Land Rover Discovery – 258 litres / 2,406 litres

And finally, the unrivalled champion of practicality. The Discovery’s seven-seat boot capacity is unimpressive, but with almost endless seating configurations available you can find space for just about anything. Fold all the seats behind the driver down and you get that hugely impressive 2,406-litre capacity. Impressive.

Former Top Gear host James May will host a pub quiz this Wednesday evening to help ease the boredom of lockdown.

James May’s Live Pub Quiz will take place on Wednesday April 8 at 8pm BST on the FoodTribe YouTube channel.

There will be five rounds with questions from the fields of general knowledge, food, famous people who fronted car shows, geography and film.

James May told the PA news agency: “I love pubs, but I hate pub quizzes. Unfortunately, the pub isn’t open for some reason. So we’ll just have to do the quiz, online, at a safe distance. There will be no cheating, obviously. No-one’s going to look up the answers on Google. That’s not allowed.”

May will be joined in hosting duties by FoodTribe editor Rachael Hogg, with viewers across the globe competing for fun – and the chance to win a personalised video presented by James.

FoodTribe is the latest venture from May and his former Top Gear co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, who also helped launch car content platform DriveTribe in 2016. Founded in September 2019, the new site allows users to share food photos, recipes and opinions with other foodies, with the YouTube channel passing 100,000 subscribers in January.