Author: Jack Evans

Big changes have come in the way that new cars are tested for fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure — or WLTP, for short — will be a new measure for these things. But what exactly is it, and what does it mean for car buyers? We explain…

What is WLTP?

WLTP is a measurement which manufacturers must use to test fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, carbon monoxide emissions (CO) and nitrous oxide (NOx) on new vehicles, as well as the number of particulates.

WLTP replaced NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), which last saw an overhaul way back in 1997.

What does that mean for me?

Unlike NEDC, which uses lab conditions to simulate driving, WLTP is based on real-world data and theoretically gives more realistic figures than those of its predecessor.

Simply put, figures manufacturers claim your car can achieve will be more within reach than ever before — although as the cars won’t be bombing down the M1 or stuck in Camden traffic at 5pm during the test procedure, don’t expect them to be exact.

So, what happens during a WLTP test?

The WLTP test will be longer in time and length than the NEDC in an effort to provide more realistic results.

The WLTP test is 30 minutes long and covers 14.4 miles. It includes a mixture of conditions and environments – such as urban, city, rural and motorway driving. By comparison, the NEDC test was 20 minutes long and 6.8 miles in length – covering just two types of roads.

The WLTP trial will also vary depending on the type of vehicle being tested and will change on account of a vehicle’s power-to-weight class. Whereas the NEDC had a fixed gear-shift point, the WLTP test will have different point to change gear according to the vehicle. It will also consider lower test temperatures than that of the NEDC as well.

When did WLTP come into force?

Brand-new vehicles introduced by manufacturers since 2017 have been required to undergo the WLTP tests, though every car on sale since September 1, 2018, must have met the requirements. As a result, many models have seen recent overhauls, and some have even been quietly dropped from line-ups.

Does this affect electric cars and plug-in cars?

Yes, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) and all-electric cars will also be tested under WLTP rules, which means you can expect more realistic electric ranges, alongside more accurate fuel economy figures for PHEVs.

Hybrids are a little more complex as they will be tested numerous times with various charges on their batteries, from full to empty. This should give a better indication than some of the inflated figures that manufacturers claim plug-in hybrids can achieve.

Could my road and company car tax increase if my car is found to be less efficient?

While manufacturers have to meet WLTP requirements from September, the figures won’t have to be publicly published until 2020 due to the complexity of testing every engine and trim level on each car.

As a result, NEDC figures will still be used as the basis of working out road tax charges and Benefit in Kind company car tax bills for now.

This also means that you won’t see any increases initially when buying new as the government has yet to clarify when these will be changed — and any tax changes will only affect cars registered from 2020 onwards. Cars purchased until then will also be unaffected.

How will efficiency figures be stated?

Currently, NEDC figures are reported ‘urban’, ‘extra-urban’ and ‘combined’ fuel economy figures. That’s going to change though, with WLTP using ‘low’, ‘medium’, ‘high’, ‘extra high’ and the ‘combined’ to state fuel efficiency figures.

Big changes have come in the way that new cars are tested for fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure — or WLTP, for short — will be a new measure for these things. But what exactly is it, and what does it mean for car buyers? We explain…

What is WLTP?

WLTP is a measurement which manufacturers must use to test fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, carbon monoxide emissions (CO) and nitrous oxide (NOx) on new vehicles, as well as the number of particulates.

WLTP replaced NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), which last saw an overhaul way back in 1997.

What does that mean for me?

Unlike NEDC, which uses lab conditions to simulate driving, WLTP is based on real-world data and theoretically gives more realistic figures than those of its predecessor.

Simply put, figures manufacturers claim your car can achieve will be more within reach than ever before — although as the cars won’t be bombing down the M1 or stuck in Camden traffic at 5pm during the test procedure, don’t expect them to be exact.

So, what happens during a WLTP test?

The WLTP test will be longer in time and length than the NEDC in an effort to provide more realistic results.

The WLTP test is 30 minutes long and covers 14.4 miles. It includes a mixture of conditions and environments – such as urban, city, rural and motorway driving. By comparison, the NEDC test was 20 minutes long and 6.8 miles in length – covering just two types of roads.

The WLTP trial will also vary depending on the type of vehicle being tested and will change on account of a vehicle’s power-to-weight class. Whereas the NEDC had a fixed gear-shift point, the WLTP test will have different point to change gear according to the vehicle. It will also consider lower test temperatures than that of the NEDC as well.

When did WLTP come into force?

Brand-new vehicles introduced by manufacturers since 2017 have been required to undergo the WLTP tests, though every car on sale since September 1, 2018, must have met the requirements. As a result, many models have seen recent overhauls, and some have even been quietly dropped from line-ups.

Does this affect electric cars and plug-in cars?

Yes, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) and all-electric cars will also be tested under WLTP rules, which means you can expect more realistic electric ranges, alongside more accurate fuel economy figures for PHEVs.

Hybrids are a little more complex as they will be tested numerous times with various charges on their batteries, from full to empty. This should give a better indication than some of the inflated figures that manufacturers claim plug-in hybrids can achieve.

Could my road and company car tax increase if my car is found to be less efficient?

While manufacturers have to meet WLTP requirements from September, the figures won’t have to be publicly published until 2020 due to the complexity of testing every engine and trim level on each car.

As a result, NEDC figures will still be used as the basis of working out road tax charges and Benefit in Kind company car tax bills for now.

This also means that you won’t see any increases initially when buying new as the government has yet to clarify when these will be changed — and any tax changes will only affect cars registered from 2020 onwards. Cars purchased until then will also be unaffected.

How will efficiency figures be stated?

Currently, NEDC figures are reported ‘urban’, ‘extra-urban’ and ‘combined’ fuel economy figures. That’s going to change though, with WLTP using ‘low’, ‘medium’, ‘high’, ‘extra high’ and the ‘combined’ to state fuel efficiency figures.

What is it?

To add another offering in the varied small saloon segment, here’s the Volvo S60 – a compact four-door from the Swedish brand designed to take on the likes of the Mercedes C-Class and the upcoming and all-new BMW 3 Series. It’s based on Volvo’s Scalable Platform, and therefore shares its underpinnings with the XC90 and V90, to name just two.

It’s also the first car to be built in Volvo’s new manufacturing plant in Charleston, USA – a possible reflections of the brand’s concerns surrounding America’s potential change to import tariffs. We’re testing it here in range-topping T8 Polestar Engineered specification.

What’s new?

The standout feature of this latest Volvo is the complete lack of any diesel option. That’s right, this is the first car in the modern Volvo range to lack an oil-burner as an engine choice, leaving just petrol and plug-in hybrid offerings instead. It reflects Volvo’s push towards electrification – and to clarify, that means the use of petrol and hybrid offerings – not just solely electric powertrains.

Many of the latest design features that we recognise from current Volvo vehicles have been carried over the S60 – though we’ll come to these in a little more depth later – while the interior has also been treated to plenty of plush materials that we’ve come to expect from the manufacturer.

What’s under the bonnet?

This top-of-the-range T8 Polestar Engineered S60 utilises an in-line four-cylinder petrol engine which is both supercharged and turbocharged. This is linked to a rear-mounted electric motor which drives, unsurprisingly, the rear wheels. Combined, they produce a substantial 399bhp and 430Nm of torque, which can push the S60 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds and onwards to a 155mph top speed. Despite this performance, and thanks to the inclusion of hybrid assistance, Volvo claims that the T8 will return 134mpg combined while emitting just 48g/km CO2.

This Polestar Engineered T8 benefits from a series of high-performance parts, too. Look closely and you’ll see six-piston Brembo brakes peering out from behind 20-inch forged wheels, while Ohlins adjustable dampers have been fitted too. There’s also a bump in power over the regular T8 – around 15bhp more, in fact.

What’s it like to drive?

We tested a conventionally powered T6 (an engine yet to be confirmed for the UK) prior to our time in the more powerful T8, and it proved to be a good basis for its pokier stablemate. The lower-powered car’s steering, though lacking any real feedback, is well weighted and direct, giving the S60 plenty of agility in the corners. The T8’s engine response is linear and predictable, with the combination of combustion and electric unit blending seamlessly to provide effortless forward progress. It’s punchy, too, particularly from a dead start where the electric motor and its instantaneous torque makes itself known.

The ride is a little firm, in all honesty – even the standard S60 on regular suspension felt a touch jostling even on smooth Californian canyon roads – and the T8’s firmer setup only exacerbated this. We’d argue towards a smaller wheel size to help remedy this – the Polestar’s 20-inchers are a touch too large, in our opinion.

How does it look?

If we were honest, the looks of the S60 aren’t groundbreaking – but that’s simply because they play so close to the other cars in the range. The front ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights are present and correct, while the lights are the rear could have been the units taken from the larger S90, but put on a hot spin. It is, again, a minimalistic and thoroughly Scandinavian design, and it looks particularly good in the flesh.

It’s an agile, taut design – and alludes the S60 to a far sportier ethos than that of Volvos of old. Would we like it to be a little more exciting? Perhaps. But in this segment, playing it safe isn’t a particularly bad thing, particularly when you consider the understated designs that have been coming from German rivals.

What’s it like inside?

It’s business as usual in the cabin of the S60, but this is something we’re quite happy about. So far, the cabins of the XC90, V90 and XC40 – to name but three – have been exceptionally well put together, and this has, thankfully, been carried on over to the S60. It’s a beautiful blend of high-quality materials and well-executed tech, and everything feels built to last. The large central touchscreen dominates the interior, and this is complimented by the central screen in between the dials in front of the driver. There’s plenty of headspace for those sat up front, while those in the back do equally well.

The boot is decent too, offering up 442 litres of space with the rear seats in place. It’s slightly less than that of the Mercedes C-Class, which offers 480 litres of seats-up load area.

What’s the spec like?

Though full specifications of the S60 have yet to be confirmed, the Polestar Engineered-spec cars we tested came fitted with a host of equipment, including a full satellite navigation system, Bowers and Wilkins stereo and nappa leather upholstery.

We’ll have to wait and confirm closer to the car’s full launch as to what is standard with each specification – though expect a strong amount of tech to accompany this range-topping car.

Verdict

The S60, even in standard form, is an excellent alternative to current and forthcoming German rivals. It’s well built, beautifully finished and looks good out on the road – even if its design plays rather safe. This T8 Polestar Engineered model makes a particularly strong case for itself, thanks to its combination of strong performance and good economy figures. We’ll have to wait and see what Volvo expects customers to pay for this model – though we’d reckon at the mid-£50,000 mark – to see its value-for-money, but off-the-bat impressions are good – and rivals had best be worried.

Facts at a glance
Model as tested: S60 T8 Polestar Engineered
Price: £55,000 (est)
Engine: 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder
Power: 399bhp
Torque (Nm): 430
Max speed (mph): 155
0-60mph: 4.5
MPG: 134
Emissions (g/km): 48

Uber has launched a plug-in grant as well as a scrappage scheme to help its London-based drivers make the switch to an electric vehicle.

They will be able to claim up to £4,500 off the cost of a new electric vehicle, thanks to the grant funded via a ‘clean air fee’ of 15p per mile, to be paid by customers on all London journeys from 2019.

It will be based on how many miles the driver covers in the capital. Someone using the app for an average of 40 hours per week could see around £3,000 worth of support towards a new electric vehicle in two years.

Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive of Uber, said: “The Mayor of London has set out a bold vision to tackle air pollution in the capital and we’re determined to do everything we can to back it. Our £200 million Clean Air Plan is a long-term investment in the future of London aimed at going all electric in the capital in 2025.

“Over time, it’s our goal to help people replace their car with their phone by offering a range of mobility options – whether cars, bikes, scooters or public transport – all in the Uber app.”

The firm is also introducing a diesel scrappage scheme, which will be open to anyone with a pre-Euro 4 diesel-powered car who lives in London – not just Uber drivers.

Anyone eligible for the scheme will receive £1,500 of credit to spend on Uber journeys. However, just 1,000 incentives are available – meaning those who qualify for it will need to be quick in order to take part.

Uber is also partnering with home charging suppliers such as BP ChargeMaster, EO Charging and EVBox to make more affordable charging options for drivers using the app, to make replenishing their electric vehicle’s battery at home quicker and more efficient.

Grand Tour presenter Jeremy Clarkson has warned of a ‘terrifying’ future for petrolheads, with the current trend towards driverless cars, ownership schemes and electric vehicles a death knell for the traditional car enthusiast.

Clarkson was speaking at the inaugural Motor Awards, accepting his title of Motoring Personality of the Year. In traditional Clarkson style, he launched with a quip – “what a surprise!” before launching into his vision of the future.

“It’s interesting that we’ve come here tonight and we’re competing, seeing whether the Seat is better than the Vauxhall or the Ford or the Nissan. But the truth of the matter is… is that the world is changing, really really fast.

“It isn’t so much as which car you should buy, as used to be the case. It’s now becoming much more ‘how will we actually get about’? It’s becoming an interesting debate in the motoring world.

“Will we actually own cars at all? It’s a terrifying prospect for all of us, but it’s one that may well be coming. Who knows what we’re going to do about it.”

Clarkson has been an outspoken critic on several new car technologies in the past. He recently described autonomous vehicles as ‘dangerous’, writing in the Sunday Times magazine: “I drove a car the other day which has a claim of autonomous capability and twice in the space of 50 miles on the M4 it made a mistake, a huge mistake, which could have resulted in death.”

He’s also not a fan of car-sharing, writing in an old Top Gear column: “The idea of sharing a car in a morning with anyone other than Terry Wogan fills me with dread. So the idea of sharing my ‘car’ with people I don’t even know, people who may have germs or smelly bottoms, is truly terrifying.”

Motorists could be invalidating their insurance policies with even the simplest of modifications to their cars.

That’s according to GoCompare, which said that just 1.6 per cent of drivers declared modifications to their insurance providers, potentially invalidating their insurance and leaving them susceptible to fines and penalty points.

Anything classed as non-standard on a car is deemed a modification, with equipment such as uprated exhaust systems, suspension changes and tow bars all included.

Non-standard alloy wheels are also covered under the modifications banner, along with tinted windows and air filters.

Even specialist paintwork or stickers can be classed as modifications by insurers.

Matt Oliver, spokesman for GoCompare car insurance, which commissioned the study, said: “While modifications may ring bells of the bygone boy racer, it’s worth remembering that insurers don’t just class body kits, exhaust systems or suspension changes as vehicle modifications.

“The average used car buyer could find there are modifications they’re simply not aware of. Typically, modifications are anything which isn’t standard on a car, which could include alloy wheels, a satellite navigation system or even tinted windows – so it’s always worth checking what the factory standard is for your model of car to avoid landing in hot water when it comes to making a claim.

“Under two per cent of drivers are claiming to have car modifications, but we estimate this figure to be much greater, which leaves potentially millions of drivers open to invalidating their insurance and having their claims rejected.”

The survey revealed that alloy wheels, suspension alterations and tow bars were among the most popular modifications actually declared by drivers.

The figures were based on data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, along with quotes generated by GoCompare between March and September 2018

Jaguar’s all-electric I-Pace SUV may be able to travel over 200 miles on a single charge, but its complete lack of engine noise means it poses a problem to blind or visually impaired people.

To combat the issue, the British car manufacturer has created a unique Audible Vehicle Alert System (AVAS), which produces a sound that can be heard at speeds of up to 12.5mph.

The system exceeds new European legislation which is due to be introduced for all new electric vehicles from July 2019.

The technology, which took four years to develop, was tested by people involved with the Guide Dogs for the Blind organisation. The sound created is clearly audible outside the vehicle yet unnoticeable to those within.

A speaker housed behind the front grille plays the sound which can be heard from all angles, and increases or decreases in pitch and volume according to the car’s speed. It then disengages at higher speed, where wind and tyre noise gives a clear indication of the approaching vehicle.

Iain Suffield, Jaguar technical specialist, said: “The absence of a traditional engine noise from electric vehicles creates a problem for vulnerable pedestrians, such as the blind or visually impaired. This is especially true at low speeds in town centres and car parks.

“We developed the Audible Vehicle Alert System for the I-Pace to ensure the safety of all road users. Our potentially life-saving technology cannot be switched off and as it’s the leading charity for people with sight loss, we are pleased to have the support of Guide Dogs for the Blind to ensure real people are at the heart of our product testing.”

John Welsman of Guide Dogs for the Blind said: “There are two million children and adults living in the UK affected by sight loss. That is why we campaigned hard to make it compulsory for quiet vehicles to have sound-generating systems built in and turned on, including when the vehicle is stationary at a pedestrian crossing.

“We applaud Jaguar for being the first to launch an EV which meets standards before the new legislation even comes in and look forward to working with the company more in the future.”

Ford has undertaken trials of new connected car technology that could remove the problem of stop-start traffic and free up roads worldwide.

The system, called Intersection Priority Management (IPM), is being showcased on the streets of Milton Keynes this week, in a bid by Ford to show how the traffic-easing technology has genuine real-world potential.

IPM uses vehicle-to-vehicle communications to suggest optimum travelling speeds. It can even allow cars to pass by one another at junctions without the need to stop.

Each car is capable of broadcasting its location, as well as its direction of travel and speed. The on-board systems identify an upcoming junction while assessing the approach speeds of nearby vehicles simultaneously. The car can then pick an optimum speed so that each car can pass through safely.

Christian Ress, supervisor for driver assist technologies at Ford Research and Advanced Engineering, said: “We know that intersections and traffic lights can be a real bugbear for many drivers.

“With the connected car technology we have been demonstrating this week, we envisage a world where vehicles are more aware of each other and their environment, enabling intelligent co-operation and collaboration on the roads – and around junctions.”

The showcase of technology was part of the government-funded UK Autodrive project, which looks to improve traffic flow as well as increasing safety and efficiency.

Other technologies displayed were Collaborative Parking, which uses a crowd-sourced map of a car park to display available spaces, as well as Emergency Vehicle Warning, which can alert drivers to the location and proximity of approaching emergency services vehicles.

An advert for Nissan’s all-electric Leaf has been ruled as misleading by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The online ad claimed that the Leaf’s battery could be largely replenished in under an hour, stating in a footnote that the charging time would depend on the type of charger used, as well as factors such as battery temperature and size.

Following its release, three complainants stated that the car sometimes took longer than the stated 60 minutes to charge, and would only accept one fast charge per day – challenging the manufacturer’s charging time claims and asking whether they were misleading and unsubstantiated.

As a result, the ASA found that as a result of the charging process taking longer in some circumstances, the advert “did not clearly convey the degree of variability in the time that may be required to deliver a certain amount of charge” and concluded that “the claims had not been substantiated and were likely to mislead”.

In response, Nissan edited the wording of the advert, changing it to state that drivers would “get from 20-80% charge in around 60 minutes”.

However, despite these amendments the ASA still deemed that the advert was “likely to mislead”.

The ASA ordered that the advert must not appear in the same form again, and told Nissan Motor GB “to ensure that their future advertising made clear the degree of variability in the time that may be required to deliver a certain amount of charge.”

A spokesperson for Nissan GB said: “We were very disappointed with the ruling made by the ASA although of course we will respect their decision. We constantly review and react to customer feedback to ensure that we are giving the very best possible service and information.

“We are pleased to see that the New Leaf is performing well, and meeting our customers’ expectations, and will work closely with them to ensure that this continues in the future.”

The Paris Motor Show 2018 was plagued with issues before the doors even opened. Several key manufacturers – Volkswagen, Nissan, Infininti and more – announced prior to the event that they wouldn’t be attending, which left many thinking that it would be somewhat of a ghost show.

However, despite the drop-outs, this year’s Paris show threw up several key new cars and reveals – along with a number of celebrity appearances. Here, we look at some of the key aspects of the 2018 Paris Motor Show.

BMW 3 Series

We’d been teased several close-up images of the car prior to its full reveal at this year’s show, but this is the first time that we’d seen the car in full. The new 3 Series is wider, longer and slightly taller than the car it replaces, and this means it’s able to offer better interior and luggage space.

Initially offered with 320d diesel and 330i petrol powertrains, the 3 Series is due to arrive early next year. Prices are set to start at £33,610.

Porsche confirms 911 Speedster will enter production

The 911 Speedster Concept had been showcased to the public back in July, but it was at the Paris show that it was finally confirmed for production. Featuring the same chassis as that on the current 911 GT3, as well as a powerful flat-six engine, the Speedster will be limited to just 1,948 units – a reference to the year that the original Porsche 356 ‘Number 1’ gained its operating licence.

It’s also the first Porsche vehicle available with a new Heritage Designs Package, which gives customers better personalisation and customisation options.

Mercedes B-Class

Small MPV vehicles may not be a hot topic at the moment given the momentous rise of the crossover, but Mercedes-Benz has decided to stick with the segment with its new B-Class. Based on the A-Class platform, it’s been designed to take on the 2 Series Active Tourer.

https://twitter.com/MercedesBenz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1047018345445249025&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fexplore.pressassociation.com%2F%23!%2Fready%2Fstory%2F7d3d1758-cf48-4d29-908a-019c43cb6a21

Alongside plenty of interior space and a decent range of economical engines, the B-Class also features Mercedes-Benz’s latest MBUX infotainment operating system, as well as a host of safety assistance systems.

David Beckham pledges allegiance to new Vietnamese car maker

It was one of the surprises of the show. Little-known Vietnamese manufacturer Vinfast revealed its new saloon and SUV models with the help of a famous footballer – one David Beckham, no less.

Though ‘Golden Balls’ had few words to say when on stage – “It’s incredible. It’s beautiful. It’s sleek. It’s modern. It’s high tech. It’s premium. It’s incredible. Congratulations.” – the former England captain was more than happy to receive a Vietnamese flag from co-host Tran Tieu Vy, winner of Miss Vietnam 2018.

Robert De Niro reveals new all-electric vehicle

Beckham wasn’t the only celebrity to put his name against a new vehicle at Paris this year. Actor Robert De Niro was announced as an ambassador for the new – and similarly named – Kia e-Niro. Capable of offering a 301-mile all-electric range (the crossover, not the ‘Taxi Driver’ star), the e-Niro will slot in alongside the Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid models in the range.

The Kia family has a new member. Introducing our new star: the Niro.

Click to find out more➡️https://t.co/yj4yCua2x9 pic.twitter.com/qQPP8noaoR

— Kia UK PR (@KiaUKPR) October 2, 2018

The new e-Niro has already entered production and is due to go on sale towards the end of the year.

Peugeot 508 SW First Edition

Peugeot chose its home turf to reveal its new 508 First Edition, kicking off sales of its new estate car across Europe with this introductory specification. As is the way with range-topping trims, the First Edition packs a wealth of standard equipment and comes with the choice of two engines – one petrol and one diesel.

Peugeot has yet to announce prices for the 508 SW First Edition, but expect it to come in above the £37,014 asking price for the equivalent hatchback model.

 

Hyundai N Option Accessories range

Hyundai’s N offering – currently just the i30N hatchback – has enjoyed a decent amount of success in the UK, but Hyundai today announced a series of upgrades for those who the standard car isn’t quite out-there enough.

Called N Option, the selection of upgrades includes quad exhaust pipes and new 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance tyres. It allows drivers to add to the look and performance of their i30N car. Hyundai has, as yet, not announced when this new accessories range will be introduced.

Renault EZ-Ultimo

Ever wanted a luxurious, autonomous limousine? Then here’s the car for you – Renault’s EZ-Ultimo. Dubbed by the French manufacturer as a ‘premium travel experience, the EZ-Ultimo is capable of travelling 310 miles on all-electric power and packs Level 4 autonomy – meaning it can travel without any input from the driver.

It’s the third autonomous concept car to be released by Renault, and gives an insight into the brand’s plans for the future.