Jaguar has given a sneak peek of its next-generation electric-only XJ flagship saloon with a teaser image shown at the Frankfurt motor show. The brief image of the new XJ’s rear was shown during a video played at the firm’s press conference, where sister firm Land Rover revealed the new Defender. It shows a classic saloon-style rear end, with thin rear lights that feed into a light strip running the full width of the bootlid. The model also features both the Jaguar logo and the company’s name spelt out. Jaguar design director Julian Thomson told Autocar the new XJ would look different from a traditional executive saloon. “Even saying F-segment long-wheelbase luxury saloon sounds awful, we don’t want to do that,” he said at the Frankfurt show. “We want to do a car that explores the best of Jaguar. “We want to make it a beautiful car, with an engaging drive, a luxurious interior – we’ll do each of these our own way. We won’t be putting a tape measure on rivals to just match, match, match. “We want to present something that challenges the norm, offer an alternative that makes it better and more engaging on all levels to own and to drive, that’s what we’re all about, the love of the car.” Thomson said that the next XJ’s design would “not be conventional”, adding: “I don’t think you can be. You don’t stick a poster on a wall of a German long wheelbase luxury saloon I don’t think. Jag’s positioning of cars is to lust after, to want and desire. We can absolutely do that and it’s a fabulous looking thing, for sure.” Thomson noted the packing of an EV would offer increased cabin space, but said that also presented challenges to designers. He added: “We’re learning how to do the aesthetic. They’re heavier, need more structures for crash. The mass means you have normal building blocks in different places. These are things we’re learning. “We feel we’ve had an advantage with I-Pace. We’ve learned a lot from it, not just with the technology but what we can do with space. EVs are serene and have a sense of calm, more of a spiritual quality. It’s as close as you can get to doing yoga in a car. We’ll bring that into XJ, bring a sense of cabin ambience that’s calm and refreshing.” The firm recently confirmed that the XJ will be relaunched next year as an electric model and will be built at its Castle Bromwich plant. Jaguar announced the news on the day that production of the current XJ ends at the factory. The electric XJ will be the first electric model produced at the plant, but Jaguar Land Rover said it plans to manufacture “a range of new electrified vehicles” at the facility. JLR’s current electrified models, the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrids, are built at its Solihull plant, while the electric Jaguar I-Pace is produced by contract manufacturer Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. Autocar first reported that the next-generation XJ would go electric in 2015, but this is the first time that the Coventry-based firm has confirmed the bold move for its largest saloon. It said the new XJ will “build on the characteristics synonymous with its predecessors: beautiful design, intelligent performance and revered luxury”, adding that it will be built by the same “expert team of designers and product development specialists responsible for delivering” the I-Pace. Today’s announcement builds on JLR’s plan, confirmed earlier this year, to bring its battery and Electric Drive Unit assembly to the Midlands. The Battery Assembly Centre at Hams Hall, opening in 2020, will be capable of producing 150,000 units annually, while the Wolverhampton Engine Manufacturing Centre (EMC) is the home of JLR’s global EDU production. JLR, which announced 4500 job losses earlier this year, said the news “safeguards several thousand jobs in the UK”. Work on Castle Bromwich will begin later this month in order to allow it to support JLR’s next-generation Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA), which can house diesel and petrol vehicles alongside electric and hybrid models. JLR chief executive Ralf Speth said: “The future of mobility is electric and, as a visionary British company, we are committed to making our next generation of zero-emissions vehicles in the UK. “We are co-locating our electric vehicle manufacture, Electronic Drive Units and battery assembly to create a powerhouse of electrification in the Midlands.” Speth, when asked about the scale of the investment, commented: “When you get into new architectures like we have, you’re into the billions, spread over years to come.” JLR said that while the expansion of its electrified line-up will see customers offered a greater choice, “increased consumer take-up remains a challenge”. It called on government and industry to work together to bring a Tesla-like giga-scale battery production facility to the UK to put the country at the “leading edge of electric mobility”. Speth said: “Convenience and affordability are the two key enablers to drive the
Origin: 2020 Jaguar XJ: electric-only saloon teased at Frankfurt
ZapMap user survey reveals top 10 EV charging networks
Zap-Map user survey reveals top 10 EV charging networks The top 3 UK charging networks according to user satisfaction The first results of Zap-Map’s 2019 EV Charging Survey published today reveals the top 10 UK charging networks and the factors that make for high user satisfaction. Zap-Map’s survey panel of more than 1,600 users awarded satisfaction ratings for more than 26 UK networks visited by Zap-Map users. Using a satisfaction score (0-100) based on these user ratings, the top 10 networks identified are: #1: Tesla Supercharger (94) #2: InstaVolt (86) #3: Pod Point (79) #4: NewMotion (77) #5: Polar (BP Chargemaster) / Shell Recharge (73) (joint #5) #7. ChargePlace Scotland (72) #8. Engenie / GMEV (Greater Manchester) (70) (joint #8) #10. GeniePoint (69) Topping the ranking in 2019, more than 86% of drivers using Tesla Superchargers report being ‘very satisfied’ and 10% ‘somewhat satisfied’ with the experience. Tesla continues to set the gold-standard for the EV charging experience with its low charging costs (free for early adopters), reliability and national coverage. Retaining second place for the second year running, InstaVolt leads the ranking within the wider rapid-charging market, with 64% ‘very satisfied’ and 24% ‘somewhat satisfied’ with the charging experience, respondents citing ease-of-use and contactless payments among the most positive aspects of the service. Third on the podium is Pod Point, whose UK-wide network includes slow, fast and rapid charge devices. As the third most used network within the survey sample, 45% are ‘very satisfied’ and 37% ‘somewhat satisfied’ when charging their EV on one of Pod Point’s units, with many users noting their simple-to-use operation. While Tesla continues to lead from the front, their overall ratings slipped slightly compared to last year with a 6% fall in users reporting being ‘very satisfied’. This may be a reflection of the loss of free charging for many Tesla owners and increasing pressure on the Supercharger network as the size of the Tesla fleet continues to rise. Similarly, the percentage in Pod Point’s highest category fell by 5% – although their combined ‘satisfaction’ rating stayed level at 82%. As the largest UK network, Polar maintains its strong satisfaction ranking in joint fifth place with 72% of users being ‘satisfied’, a reflection of its well-maintained national rapid and non-rapid service. While much smaller in its extent, Shell Recharge, which is rolling out rapid units on station forecourts, appears for the first time within the satisfaction rankings sharing fifth place. The Zap-Map survey panel was also asked to rank four key issues related to EV charging on the public network. The results reveal that EV users rank ‘reliability’ as the overriding consideration, with ‘speed’ a secondary factor. Charging cost is deemed to be relatively less important as are facilities available at a charging location. Commenting on the survey, Dr Ben Lane, CTO and Joint MD at Zap-Map, said: “EV drivers are very clear as to what makes for a good charging experience with ‘reliability’ being the number one priority. EV users need to be able to access the whole of the UK network with confidence that the installed chargers will be working and available as advertised. “EV drivers are increasingly savvy about the different levels of service offered by each of the UK’s charging networks and will change their driving routes to use those which offer the best service. This suggests that the market is becoming highly competitive with EV users happy to pay for quality, but avoiding networks which fail to provide a good charging experience.” In addition to the results of the satisfaction survey, Zap-Map data reveals that the reliability of the UK network, taken as a whole, is continuing to improve. While data from July 2018 showed that 8.5% of devices were out-of-service (including 1.1% partially operational), this has now reduced to 5.8% (1.9% partially), a reflection of the ongoing investment by UK networks in new charging infrastructure. The results of the 2019 Zap-Map EV Charging Survey will be published in full in mid-September. Details about the forthcoming publication will appear on the Zap-Map website.
Origin: ZapMap user survey reveals top 10 EV charging networks
James Ruppert: Two fuels are better than one
I know this sounds pretty obvious, but apparently UK drivers now consider what actually moves their purchase – the powertrain, to anoraks – to be the most important factor during the purchasing process, according to automotive video and retail company CitNOW. Once upon a time, there was just one option, petrol, and it would only be diesel if you drove a lorry or a taxi. But these days, there are all sorts of exciting options and 43% of motorists now view the choice between petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles as the most important factor. So despite what our road testers might tell you, it’s what goes in the tank that is important. But the thing is there are overlooked sources of motive power. Liquid petroleum gas: I’m a fan. Not enough of a fan to buy one. My biggest problem is always who actually did the installation, which is not a simple thing to get right. Mind you, dual-fuel manufacturer conversions were a thing a decade or so ago. Let’s start with an easy one, a Ford Focus 1.8 FFV Style from 2010. It is £2999, but the hassle of finding any E85 ethanol fuel should put you off. Never mind, because Volvo also did the dual-fuel thing. But with gas. The 70-series Volvos are around by the handful and seem like the no-brainer buys, but you need to read the descriptions carefully, study the documentation and ask serious questions. I did pass on a 2005 V50, which didn’t seem to have a fully functioning gas system, but it was still £1500. However, a 2003 V70 with over 200k miles and recent tyres and some brake work at £750 seemed like value. A 2003 XC70 with added all-wheel drive was a lot more of an estate and another 200k on the ledger was a strong £2600 but I’d like to think that would be money well spent. And finally, a 2001 C70 2.4T, which may not have been an official dual-fuel but at £750 seemed to be worth the risk as it did look jolly tidy. Searching for LPGs throws up not only thirsty classics, but also rather a lot of Bentleys, in particular a Continental or two – the ‘affordable’ Bentley with more friendly running costs. One such was a 2011 example with just over 50k miles and it was the facelifted model, too. All for £46k and half-price fuel. That was a coupé, but most seem to be convertibles from around £54k and above. There are alternative and less polluting fuels that don’t cost a fortune and rely on you stopping every 150 miles for a couple of hours. The future, certainly for canny used car buyers, is still some way off… What we almost bought this week Citroen AX 1.0 RE But for a repainted front wing, this 1989/F-reg AX looks to be in remarkably good condition. It has done only 53,000 miles and its second (previous) keeper bought it in 1994 so knows most of them. Light, fun to drive and cheap to run, the AX was popular with penny pinchers and young drivers alike. And now it’s a classic. Tales from Ruppert’s garage The Baby Shark is back. It has been away for a couple of months and I am not quite sure what has been done to it. That’s because I haven’t paid for it. My garage are like that: “Make sure that it starts and runs properly and then come back.” Well, after I collected it, I used it for a run in what turned out to be a monsoon. It starts first time every time now and runs like a top. They didn’t change the carb, just the fuel pump and a proper tune. Lots more details and a breakdown of expenses to come. Reader’s ride Good to hear from Nick Williams, who enjoys these pages and, in particular, the cheap and practical used cars we feature: “Sending you a couple of pics. One is of my wife’s 2004 Honda Civic 1.6 SE auto. We’ve had it since 2007. Every year, it sails through the MOT. “It has covered only 56,000 miles but is worth very little. Never lets us down, brilliantly reliable and 40mpg around town. Great torque-converter automatic gearbox and cheap to run, too. Civics of this vintage are brilliant.” Next time: Nick’s ride. Readers’ questions Question: I can’t decide whether to finance my new car on a PCP or HP. Can you explain the advantages and disadvantages of both? Jack Finnis, Bude Answer: Regardless of pros and cons, your attitude to ownership will probably be the clincher. If you believe a car is like a mobile phone, to be disposed of when a better one comes along, a PCP is for you since it’s structured to make that possible. If you’re wedded to the idea of ownership free of nannyish mileage restrictions, HP is the way forward, although you won’t own the car until you’ve made all the repayments. A PCP looks cheaper but you’re always making repayments. With an HP deal, once the car is paid off, you aren’t. John Evans Question: On the odd occasion I get a puncture, I just replace the tyre but a friend says it might be possible to have it repaired for less expense. Is he right? Darren Goodhew, Burnley Answer: If the tyre hasn’t been damaged or driven for any great distance, it is possible to repair it.
Origin: James Ruppert: Two fuels are better than one
Best lease deals of the week: City cars
Leasing can be an affordable, practical route into having your own private car, but it’s not always easy to tell the good deals from the duds. The experts at our sister magazine What Car? work hard to find you the best pay-monthly schemes, taking into account mileage allowance, montly outlay, contract length and initial deposit. We’ll be bringing you the best deals they find from a different segment each week. This week, it’s budget family SUVs: 1. Fiat 500 1.2 Pop £740 deposit, £123 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The little Fiat brings a welcome helping of style to a model segment characterised by functional design. Agreed, it has only two doors and is cramped, but for two, it’s perfect, as well as great value for money. 2. Ford Ka+ 1.25 85 Active 5dr £828 deposit, £138 per month, 36 months, 8000 miles per year Not the prettiest city car but one of the roomiest and best to drive. Around town, the Ka+ is little short of a revelation, being surprisingly comfortable and good to steer. If only it had a little more power. 3. Hyundai i10 1.0 S 5dr £770 deposit, £128 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year A neat, roomy package backed by a five-year warranty makes the i10 a great ‘drive and forget’ city runabout. The trouble is that it’s just that: a little anonymous and charmless, if utterly reliable. But what value. 4. Kia Picanto 1.25 X-Line 5dr £956 deposit, £159 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year A seven-year warranty speaks volumes about this Kia’s expected reliability but it’s not the only highlight. Others include its sharp styling, roomy and high-quality cabin, comfortable ride and characterful engines. 5. Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-I X-Play 5dr £892 deposit, £149 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year Where the Fiat 500 is chic, the Aygo is all youthful vigour. Its engine lacks flexibility but its handling is reasonably entertaining. For a more conservative version, see its Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108 siblings. For more great personal business lease deals visit What Car?
Origin: Best lease deals of the week: City cars
Nissan CEO ousted over pay scandal as turmoil at company deepens
Nissan Motors CEO Hiroto Saikawa speaks as he attends a press conference at the companys headquarters in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on November 19, 2018. – Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn, one of the worlds best-known businessmen, was reportedly under arrest in Japan on November 19 in a shocking fall from grace linked to allegations of financial misconduct. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images) Nissan Chief Executive Officer Hiroto Saikawa will step down over a scandal involving inflated stock-linked bonuses, deepening the crises at the Japanese automaker that have come to light since the arrest of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn.Saikawa, Ghosns handpicked successor as CEO, will resign as of September 16 and be replaced on an acting basis by Chief Operating Officer Yasuhiro Yamauchi.A new CEO will be named by the end of October, the automaker said in a late-night news conference in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Monday.Saikawa has been facing mounting pressure following reports last week that he and other executives were paid more than they were entitled to. That was the final blow to the exiting CEO, who has spent the period since Ghosns shock arrest last November for financial crimes trying to right the carmaker as it grapples with decade-low profits, job cuts and the destabilization of losing a leader who loomed large over Nissan for two decades.An internal investigation by the automaker found Saikawa had been overpaid by 90 million yen (US$841,000) via stock appreciation rights, including tax adjustments. Other executives also received excess pay. Although Saikawas leadership has come under scrutiny since Ghosns arrest, he was reappointed as CEO by Nissans shareholders earlier this year.In June, Saikawa said he should be held responsible for the turmoil at the Japanese automaker since Ghosns arrest, and he wanted the company to accelerate the search for his
Origin: Nissan CEO ousted over pay scandal as turmoil at company deepens
News Roundup: How to steal a Tesla in 30 seconds, what Lambo’s most powerful car looks like and more
Welcome to our weekly round-up of the biggest breaking stories on Driving.ca from this past week. Get caught up and ready to get on with the weekend, because it’s hard keeping pace in a digital traffic jam.Here’s what you missed while you were away.Tesla thieves fool key fob system to make away with vehicleIt looks ridiculously simple. Two men walk into the yard of a home in a town near London, England, one holding a home-made wire antenna above his head, the other standing near the driver’s door of the Tesla. Less than 35 seconds later the two are off the property with the car. So what kind of top-secret hacker voodoo did these two employ to pull off this efficient heist? Actually, thanks to the fact Tesla and many other vehicles rely on key fob tech that actively transmits a signal that can be picked up by the right antenna in the right place, they probably didn’t use anything you couldn’t pick up at your local electronics store.Learn more about why you should always store your key fob in a safe space. Report suggests next-gen Subaru WRX STI will arrive fall 2020 with new 315-hp engineAccording to reports by a Japanese car site, Subaru plans to have the 2021 WRX on streets by next fall. The fifth-gen sedan will allegedly ride on a new platform – the same to be used on all Subaru vehicles moving forward, including the upcoming WRX STI, Japan’s WRX S4 and the Levorg wagon – and use a new direct-injected FA20 four-cylinder with 315 horsepower in place of the current turbo-four EJ25 in North America. A reveal has yet to be announced.Hennessey’s latest kit for the 2020 Mustang GT500 makes 1,200 horsepower The 2020 Ford Mustang isn’t even out yet and Hennessey Performance Engineering has already come up with three aftermarket kits to make the pony buck with a little extra spunk. The Hennessey GT500 Venomis the latest kit announced by the famous, horsepower-crazed tuning brand. It slaps twin turbos to the Mustang engine, bringing the total output up to 1,200 horsepower, some 200 more than Hennessey’s previous kits. It also get the appropriate “Hennessey” and “Venom 1200” badges, an improved intercooler system, upgraded transmission and other internal bits and bolts. New Lamborghini hybrid Sián is the brand’s most powerful piece to dateMeet the Lamborghini Sián, the famed Italian automaker’s juiciest vehicle ever, at least in terms of outright power. Using a combination of a V12 engine alongside a 48-volt e-motor tucked into the gearbox, the Sián promises 819 horsepower, which will push it to 96 km/h in 2.8 seconds.Lamborghini claims the car is the first to use a supercapacitor in a hybrid powertrain. Look for more of the Sián at the 2019 Frankfurt IAA Motor Show.Toyota Canada still won’t explain its sometimes months-long parts delayCanadian Toyota drivers who have been waiting for weeks or sometimes months for parts for their vehicles are getting fed up with the brand. The delay, which Toyota claims is the result of “Systems Transformation,” has meant that some Toyota owners have had their vehicles in the shop for far longer than they anticipated. In a report by the CBC, drivers from Nova Scotia to Ontario to B.C. sound off on the frustrations of being left in the lurch by one of the world’s largest automakers.
Origin: News Roundup: How to steal a Tesla in 30 seconds, what Lambo’s most powerful car looks like and more
Anti-trust probe opened into automakers that sided with California over Trump
President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Tupelo Regional Airport, November 26, 2018 in Tupelo, Mississippi.Drew Angerer / Getty Images The Trump administration has launched a multi-pronged legal assault on an agreement California struck with four carmakers in defiance of the presidents plan to ease national standards on tailpipe emissions.Lawyers from the Transportation Department and Environmental Protection Agency on Friday sent a letter to Californias top air-pollution regulator, urging the state to abandon its pact with the automakers and warning that actions to carry out the agreement appear to be unlawful and invalid.Separately, the Justice Department has opened an antitrust probe into the deal, in which four automakers agreed on compromise tailpipe emissions requirements with California. The administration is also preparing to formally strip Californias authority to set auto efficiency regulations that are tougher than the federal governments, according to people familiar with the matter.The actions amount to a significant escalation of the conflict between the Trump administration and Sacramento over environmental protections. It comes as automakers have urged the administration to moderate its rollback of emissions levels, arguing that a battle with California over the states regulatory powers would leave the industry with uncertainty over the critical standards for years.Automakers want to avoid splitting the market with two different standards a federal mileage requirement in most states versus more stringent rules in more than a dozen states that adhere to Californias standards and account for more than a third of U.S. auto sales.After talks with California and the Trump administration faltered, the California Air Resources Board announced in July an accord with the Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen on tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions regulations.The carmakers had agreed with Californias clean-air regulator to boost the fuel efficiency of autos sold in the U.S through 2026, defying a Trump administration proposal to ease mileage requirements enacted during the Obama administration.Ford and Honda said they would cooperate with the Justice Department, while VW said it was in regular contact with U.S. authorities on a number of matters. BMW of North America said it looked forward to responding to the Department of Justice to explain the planned CARB framework agreement and its benefits to consumers and the environment.In one of the letters seen by Bloomberg, the Justice Department wrote it was concerned that the California agreement may violate federal antitrust laws, noting that the department hadnt reached any conclusions on the matter. The department proposed a meeting to gather additional information about the emissions agreement and communications between the companies about the pact.In the letter sent to CARB on Friday, lawyers for the EPA and DOT said that Californias plans overstep the states authority by intruding on the federal governments power to set fuel economy and tailpipe emission standards.We recognize Californias disagreements with the federal governments policy proposals in this area, but those policy disagreements cannot justify CARBs pursuit of a regulatory approach that would violate federal law, they said.California officials insisted they wouldnt be cowed. California stands up to bullies and will keep fighting for stronger clean car protections that protect the health and safety of our children and families, Governor Gavin Newsom said in an emailed
Origin: Anti-trust probe opened into automakers that sided with California over Trump
Alpine boss: future models must be lightweight, sporty
More Alpine models will be developed in order to grow the marque into a bona fide brand, but only if they remain true to its core values of being lightweight and sporty, according to the firm’s CEO, Thierry Bollore. Speaking at the Frankfurt motor show, Bollore did not put a timeline on plans, but he said: “Yes, there will be other cars.” “I will not offer details today,” he said, “but we have been honoured and excited by the success of the A110, especially as it is sold in the premium sports market. “The feedback from customers means we want to enrich the offering to other areas in that sector, but only if the concepts we come up with remain true to the unique Alpine tradition of being lightweight and sporty and having some kind of competition angle.” Rumours following the launch of the reborn A110 in 2017 suggested that the brand was looking to develop open-top and more powerful versions of the sports car, as well as creating a family of SUVs in order to generate significant profits in the manner that Porsche achieves with the Macan and Cayenne. However, more recently it was reported that those plans were put on hold as parent company Renault evaluated whether the capital required to develop the vehicles was best spent at a time of significant challenges. In particular, it was said to be concerned about developing all-new models to sell over the next 10 years, lest their appeal be dented by the shift towards
Origin: Alpine boss: future models must be lightweight, sporty
Grandland X Hybrid4: Vauxhall’s first PHEV has Frankfurt debut
Vauxhall’s first full plug-in hybrid, the Grandland X Hybrid4, has appeared at the Frankfurt motor show alongside the new Corsa supermini. The electrified compact SUV is is now available to order in four trim levels, with prices starting from £35,590. Each is equipped with a 296bhp petrol-electric powertrain that entails significant benefit-in-kind tax savings for company car drivers. Entry-level Business Edition Nav Premium trim offers the most attractive financial incentive, representing a saving of £145 per month over the 1.5-litre diesel-powered Elite. Standard at this level are an intelligent speed limiter, blindspot monitoring, an electric parking brake, electric mirrors and a heated windscreen. The price rises to £40,300 for SRi Nav trim, which adds a DAB radio, front-mounted childseat fixings and automatic emergency braking. Elite Nav, at £42,200, and Ultimate Nav, at £45,450, round off the range with extra driver assistance systems and interior equipment. The compact SUV’s PSA Group-developed plug-in hybrid system features a 196bhp 1.6-litre Puretech petrol engine and two 108bhp electric motors powered by a 13.2kWh lithium ion battery. The front motor is integrated into an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with the second motor at the rear giving all-wheel-drive on demand. The same system is being introduced in other PSA Group models based on the LMP2 platform, including the Citroën C5 Aircross, DS 7 Crossback, Peugeot 508, Peugeot 508 SW and Peugeot 3008. The Grandland X Hybrid4 is capable of 32 miles of electric-only running, and Vauxhall says it can be charged in less than two hours from a 7.4kWh home wallbox. It also features regenerative braking. It achieves 176.5mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.0sec and emits just 36g/km of CO2. Vauxhall will offer the SUV with its Free2Move Service, which will give access to 85,000 charging points across Europe, with a trip planner to find charging stations included within the sat-nav system. The Grandland X Hybrid4 also features the latest version of the the Vauxhall Connect telematics service. As part of the PSA Group’s wider electrification plans, Vauxhall will offer electrified versions of its entire product range by 2024, with plug-in hybrid powertrains for larger models and fully electric versions of smaller machines. It will launch an electric version of the new Corsa later this year and has confirmed fully electric versions of the next Mokka X small SUV, Vivaro van and Vivaro Life people carrier. While the Grandland X Hybrid4 is Vauxhall’s first mainstream hybrid model, from 2012-15 it sold the Ampera, which featured an electric motor with a back-up petrol engine to recharge the battery. The Ampera was later reworked into a full electric model, but this never came to the
Origin: Grandland X Hybrid4: Vauxhall’s first PHEV has Frankfurt debut
Volkswagen’s sub-£18,000 small EV due in 2023
Volkswagen is committed to launching an entry-level sub-£18,000 electric ID ‘people’s car’ – but company boss Herbert Diess has admitted there is a long way to go before it can offer enough range to make it viable. Autocar exclusively revealed the firm’s plans to develop an entry level small hatchback on its new MEB architecture earlier this year. The machine, set to be called the ID 1 or 2 in keeping with the numbering convention for the firm’s new electric car range, will be comparable in size to the Volkswagen Polo. Volkswagen has set a price target of under €20,000 euros for the machine. Speaking at this year’s Frankfurt motor show, where VW unveiled the Golf-sized ID 3 and a major brand revamp, Diess said the small car “make a lot of sense” from an environmental standpoint. But he said the production version was unlikely to arrive before 2023. But he added: “There’s a long way to go. It’s really tough to get a decent range for a car under €20,000.” When Volkswagen confirmed the nomenclature for its ID range at the pre-booking launch of the ID 3, sales boss Jurgen Stackmann noted that calling the first Golf-sized model the 3 allowed for the range to be expanded with both smaller and larger models. With the Golf-sized model taking the ID 3 tag, the Polo-sized entry level car will be called the ID 1, and accompanied by an ID 2 compact crossover SUV. Stackmann noted that the larger ID models, based on the already seen Crozz (set to be called the ID 4), Buzz, Vizzion and Roomzz concepts, would be the next cars to reach production, but emphasised the firm’s commitment to making genuinely affordable electric cars. “In the long term we clearly need to scale down and be more aggressive on prices,” said Stackmann. “That will be a scale of industrialisation, and it will take some time until we bring it into classes.” Said to be part of a modern-day ‘people’s car’ project, the compact crossover utility vehicle was confirmed by product strategy head Michael Jost. It will arrive by 2023, or 2024 “at the latest”. The compact five-seater will have a raised ride height and exterior dimensions similar to the existing combustion-engined T-Roc, forming part of Volkswagen’s upcoming line-up of I.D. battery-powered models that will kick off with the launch of the ID 3 hatchback in 2020. Previously, Volkswagen chairman Herbert Diess indicated the cost could be as low as €20,000, or just £17,400 in the UK. Jost also confirmed that price point, while saying “we build cool electric cars that are fun to drive, beautifully designed and fully networked”. The keen pricing for what will be the fifth I.D. model after the ID 3 and production versions of the Crozz, Buzz and Vizzion concepts is a crucial component in a broader plan at Volkswagen to create a contemporary, new electric-powered people’s car in a move aimed at mirroring the success of the original Beetle and its indirect successor – the Golf. Diess, the architect of Volkswagen’s electric car strategy, recently claimed engineers are working on a car conceived to be priced at half that of the Tesla Model 3 without naming the secret new electric-powered crossover, suggesting it would be on sale within four years. Autocar has been told the idea behind the new ID model is to create a car with classless design appeal, outstanding interior space within a compact footprint and the sort of affordability to allow it to appeal to a wide number of car buyers in all of Volkswagen’s existing markets. As with Volkswagen’s other ID models, it is based around the company’s new MEB (Modularen Electrik Baukasten – modular electric architecture) platform with a front-mounted electric motor together with a battery of sufficient capacity to provide a range well over the claimed 186 miles of today’s e-Golf. To keep the price down, it will likely be offered exclusively in front-wheel drive guise, with a series of connectivity options set to be offered as optional equipment. Together with the primary Volkswagen version, the new zero-emission crossover five-door has been conceived to sire similar models from Audi, Seat and Skoda. Production will take place at Volkswagen’s Emden manufacturing plant in Germany, a site which currently produces the Passat and Arteon, with capacity set to top 300,000 units a year. Insiders at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg headquarters suggest plans are to switch production of the next-generation Passat and Arteon to Skoda’s Kvasiny plant run in the Czech Republic, which currently produces the Superb, or possibly even a brand-new greenfield site in Bulgaria. The decision to use the Emden plant for the production of the junior ID models means Volkswagen will have installed capacity for well over 1 million electric vehicles by 2022, with its existing Zwickau and Hannover commercial vehicle plants in Germany, as well as joint venture factories operated with SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) in Shanghai and FAW (First Automobile
Origin: Volkswagen’s sub-£18,000 small EV due in 2023
All about car 