These 5 electric vehicles look old-school but are all-new

New EVs are ugly. Its a fact, deal with it. Another fact is most new cars are ugly, but thats another story altogether.Whatever it is about electric cars, theres something about their design and save the world mission statement that automakers interpret as futuristic.This leads them to deduce the vehicles must look like theyre straight out of Star Trek.Unfortunately, theyre wrong, and when you have the technology to make a vehicle look like anything, you should make it look old.These vehicles imagine what would have happened if the electric cars of the 19th century received half as much attention as gasoline-powered vehicles, and shaped the world into the electric future we dare to call retro.In short, here are five retro EVs.Morris Commercial JEMade to resemble the brands J-Type van of the 1940s, the Morris JE is a modern interpretation of the classic panel van, with little to no styling updates. Good.With a range of 200 miles (320 km) and a price tag of $75,000, the JE isnt going to win over any Tesla buyers, but that doesnt matter, because its already won our hearts. Its also available in a few different configurations, including cargo, passenger and pickup.Microlino microcarConventional wisdom suggests it aint a good idea, locking yourself in a fridge, but we immediately decided to make an exception to that rule when we took one look at the Microlino, styled after the BMW Isetta microcar of the 1950s.When the BMW Isetta was introduced in the 1950s, BMW was a struggling car brand, crippled by the woes of post-war Germany. The small, affordable vehicle brought some much needed money back to the brand, and saved it from ruin.The new version costs $18,000, and is good for 125 miles (200 km) on a charge. Hopefully the Isetta moves on from saving companies to saving the planet.Nobe 100How many wheels do you need? Three is plenty, especially when you look as good as this retro EV. We mean, cmon, the Nobe 100 looks like it was ripped straight out of Raymond Loewys sketchbook.This car could be made available, and by that, we mean its development is being crowdfunded, so whether it makes production will depend on demand from consumers which we hope will be massive. After all, 136 miles (220 km) per charge and an MSRP of $45,000 should guarantee brisk sales.Renault e-Plein AirIs a Fiat Jolly too mainstream to you? Consider this French alternative! Putting the passengers right out in the open, the Renault e-Plein Air is an open-top version of the Renault 4 of the 1960s. Under the stylish skin is the tech from the brands Twizy vehicle.No pricing as of yet, as its still just a concept, but hopefully this one becomes a reality. Were sure the Pope would love one as a gift.Honda EOK, so maybe this one is not as retro as the others the Honda E’s looks are based on a car thats not too old to begin with, the Honda Civic. But do we care? Not one bit.The fabulous styling of the Honda E makes some of us remember our high school days, or maybe your dads high school days. We think 136 miles (220 km) of range should be perfect to get you around the city and back, and for just $42,000.LISTEN: Electric vehicle clubs have been around for decades, and up until just recently their memberships consisted of backyard tinkerers converting gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles. Now that most global automakers are producing Evs, where does that leave these clubs? In this weeks episode of Plugged In we talk with Bruce Stout of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association about that and much more.
Origin: These 5 electric vehicles look old-school but are all-new

Bentley’s all-new Flying Spur is the lavish commuter car for the one-percent

MONTE CARLO I am not a potentate. Neither am I a captain of industry, oil tycoon, shipping magnate, oligarch or Hollywood megastar. Yet, on arrival to Nices Cte dAzur airport, where I was then chauffeured in Bentleys new Flying Spur to the Htel de Paris in Monte Carlo, I felt like the biggest of big shots. Ensconced in sumptuous luxury in the back seat of the bespoke British manufacturers grand touring sports sedan for the 40-minute drive where the super-wealthy come to frolic, gamble, and stash their millions, I feigned a look of utter indifference, the better to set myself apart from the commoners.This was probably the most stress-free introduction to the worlds most advanced luxury GT sports sedan Bentleys claim, not mine one can hope for, using the rear-seats removable touchscreen to set the massage function to pulse, close the sunroofs blind, pick a soothing shade of mood lighting and check our progress into Monaco on the navigation map. Drive? Not just now, thank you.Yet, Bentley has designed, engineered, and handcrafted the third-generation 2020 Flying Spur to be driven quickly and with no compromise to hedonistic levels of luxury. Our customers may have a fleet of motor cars in their garage, notes Peter Guest, Bentleys product line director for the car. But the default choice, when they can only drive one car, is a Bentley, because you have everything you require and more in the new Flying Spur. It is the ultimate expression of the internal combustion age.Whew! Talk about setting a high bar, one that could be knocked down if one were feeling jaded or allergic to huge doses of hyperbole. Yet, its hard not to admire the effort put into this full-size, four-door sedan, even one with a starting price tag of $236,100, for which perfection would be expected, at least by those of more modest means. The Bentley rides on the same MSB platform as the Continental GT and the Porsche Panamera, and at 5,405 millimetres in length, it boasts a wheelbase 130 millimetres longer than the previous Flying Spur.If not drop-dead stunning visually, the Flying Spur at least demands your attention even here in Monte Carlo, where Rolls-Royces, Lamborghinis, McLarens, and Ferraris command prime parking spots at the casino and outside the chi-chi hotels. Theres a strong, broad-shouldered, masculine look to the cars aluminum body, offset with a myriad of details, such as its imposing grille, the LED matrix headlights with unique cut-crystal-effect detailing, and the pice de rsistance, the Flying B ornament that rises majestically from beneath the Bentley nose badge. The one downside of the redesign is the thick windshield pillars that can obstruct the view when cornering, which made picking ones way through the congested streets of Monte Carlo thick with scooters and tourists an exercise in extreme caution.Like the Bentayga and Continental GT, the Flying Spur is initially available with a 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12, mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission. This enhanced engine delivers 635 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, more than enough to move the robust four-door to ridiculous speeds zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 333 km/h.If not the worlds fastest four-door sedan, the Flying Spur is in rarefied company. Maximum velocity is reached in sixth gear, with overdrive seventh and eighth used for economic grand touring. Bentley says its committed to offering electrified powertrains in all its model lines by 2023, so the 12-cylinder will not be the only engine powering the Flying Spur. Now, hooning about in something as dignified as a Bentley is rather dclass. Fortunately, even part throttle moves the car along at a clip that makes passing slow-moving 18-wheelers a breeze and smooth. The 12-cylinder is whisper quiet, the upshifts and downshifts all but imperceptible.The meandering tarmac of La Route Napolean allowed at least a portion of the Flying Spurs new all-wheel-drive system to be given a workout. Unlike the previous-generation version, which employed a permanent AWD system with a fixed 60/40 power split, the 2020 model has a clutched system that delivers two-wheel drive to the rear axle. Depending on the road conditions and wheel slip, it will then automatically send drive to the front axle as required, up to 354 lb.-ft. of torque in Comfort mode. In Sport, the system limits the available torque to the front axle to 207 lb.-ft., maintaining a higher torque level at the rear for a more traditional feel. Turn-in response is thus improved with the front end feeling much lighter, in turn making directional changes easier with greatly reduced understeer.Also assisting in the big sedans road-hugging prowess is a new electronic all-wheel steering system. Coupled with the active all-wheel drive and Bentley Dynamic Ride, delivering excellent handling and ride. New three-chamber air springs allow a greater range of suspension adjustment between limo-style comfort and
Origin: Bentley’s all-new Flying Spur is the lavish commuter car for the one-percent

All-new Renault Clio: UK prices for advanced supermini revealed

The new fifth-generation Clio is Renault’s most advanced supermini to date, and is now available to order in the UK from £14,295. The Vauxhall Corsa rival is available in four trim levels, the cheapest of which, Play, comes equipped with air-conditioning, DAB radio, intelligent speed limiting software, 16in alloy wheels and advanced driver assistance systems as standard. Iconic trim starts at £15,295, and adds a 7in infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as keyless entry, rear parking sensors and tinted rear windows. The Clio S Edition receives electric rear windows, larger alloy wheels, climate control and automatic windscreen wipers and headlights, and is expected to cost from around £16,200, though prices are yet to be officially confirmed. Heading up the Clio range is RS Line trim, which takes styling influence from Renaultsport performance models like the Mégane R.S. 280. RS Line Clios gain a wider, more aggressive front grille and a faux diffuser for the rear bumper. They also receive a larger exhaust and bespoke alloy wheels, while much of the chrome-effect exterior trim panels will be replaced with Renaultsport-specific gunmetal grey versions. Standard fitment at this level are a rear-view camera, front parking sensors and 17in alloy wheels, while optional Luxury and Techno packages add features including heated leather seats, wireless phone charging and a 360deg camera. RS Line cars also receive black and red interior trim accents throughout the cabin, including on the rear seats. First customer deliveries are expected to take place at the end of October. The Clio, which was announced earlier this year and made its debut at the Geneva motor show, is smaller outside yet roomier inside, with a lighter body built on the CMF-B platform – Renault’s first car to do so. At 4048mm long, it is 14mm shorter than before, with a 6mm-shorter wheelbase and a roof that’s up to 30mm lower. The body-in-white is 22kg lighter, with higher-strength steel for improved passive safety, and an all-new electrical architecture for additional assistance systems. The Clio can be equipped with a 75bhp 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, as well as the 1.0-litre turbo already seen on the new Nissan Micra with which it shares a platform. The turbo is available in 99bhp form with either a manual or CVT automatic gearbox, or as a 129bhp version available solely with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. A 1.5-litre diesel will follow with a choice of 84bhp or 114bhp. In 2020, though, it will become the first Renault to use a hybrid powertrain. The system, known as E-tech, will use an 89bhp petrol engine mated to a 40bhp electric motor and 1.2kWh battery. The brand claims it will drive “like an EV” and be 70% electrically powered in town, with three driving modes and regenerative braking. The same drivetrain but with a 9.8kWh battery will make the Captur SUV the first B-segment plug-in hybrid, with an electric-only range of 25 to 30 miles. As to whether a full-bore Clio RS was on the way, Renault’s spokesperson would only confirm that the turbocharged 1.8-litre engine seen in the Megané RS would ‘physically fit’ inside the new CMF-B platform – although the presence of Renaultsport programme director Michael Grosjean at the pre-launch preview gives a good indication of Renault’s future plans. Renault says the new Clio has been developed along three lines: evolutionary exterior design, revolutionary interior design and innovative technology. Across its four previous generations, the Clio has become Renault’s best-selling model. Unusually, the Clio 4 increased its sales every year from 2012 to 2018 to become the second-best selling car in Europe, largely thanks, Renault thinks, to its design. “The top reason buyers give for choosing Clio is always design,” said Vincent Dubroca, the Clio’s product manager. “Way more than in other market segments, but also against its direct competitors.” Senior vice president of design Laurens van den Acker, whose first Renault was the fourth-generation Clio, said: “When I arrived at Renault, it (the Clio) was looking for its soul. This time, we have so much to build on it would be a shame to throw it away.” From a design perspective, then, the fifth-generation Clio seems to pick up from where the old car left off, even though it’s actually entirely new. The interior is where the bigger changes take place. Van den Acker accepts Renault “dramatically needed to improve perceived quality” and reckons 70% of the time he spent with the new Clio was on its interior. Of the Clio 4, he said: “The hard plastic was in your face. Now what’s soft is close and what’s hard is far away. We’ve benchmarked against our competitors, but we’re reaching towards premium-segment cars”. The dashboard is now finished in soft-touch material and is more driver-oriented, with the raised centre console bringing the gearstick closer to the driver. A new airbag
Origin: All-new Renault Clio: UK prices for advanced supermini revealed

All-new electric Fiat 500 spied testing ahead of 2020 reveal

An all-new electric Fiat 500 city car, the 500e, has been spied testing in California, ahead of its launch at the Geneva motor show in 2020. The sighting of the camouflaged prototype comes just a week after Fiat said it would invest 700 million Euros on the electric city car, to include a new production line in Mirafiori, Italy. Fiat hopes to produce 80,000 examples of the new 500e. The car will be sold alongside the existing 500, which will continue to be powered by conventional petrol engines as well as receiving styling and technical updates. The all-new electric 500 will sit on a bespoke electric car platform, according to Fiat boss Olivier Francois, with the same platform potentially earmarked for use if the the new Panda-inspired Centoventi concept makes production. The electric 500 will be a key part of Fiat’s transformation in Europe into a brand focusing on small electrified city cars. “The car will stay true to everything you know about the 500, but will be entirely new,” said Francois. “Under the skin it will be radically different, but otherwise you will recognise the size and proportions. “But it is a big statement, starting our electric path with the 500. We are doing it with that car for reasons of pricing. It is clear that we cannot sell an electric 500 for the same entry price of today’s 500, but what’s clear is that more than half of our 500 customers today do not buy entry-level models. In fact, for them a 24,000 euro price is normal today. “If you look at our electric competition, they are priced around 32,000 euros. The leap then from 24,000 to 32,000 is not so much, especially if you factor in government grants for electric vehicles. Francois refused to be drawn on whether the electric 500 could be rear-wheel drive like the original, but said he would be open to the idea. He also said that an electric Abarth model could hold appeal. The electric car platform that the new 500 will sit on will be FCA Group developed. Francois said he would personally be open to sharing the technology with partners – the 500 platform has previously been shared with the Ford Ka, for instance, but he stressed that any such decision would have to be made at a Group level. Fiat also confirmed the new 500 will be joined by a 500 Giardiniera estate, although the firm didn’t say if that would also appear at next year’s Geneva show. Ahead of the 500e arriving, a mild hybrid variant of the 500 is due to launch later this year. The aim is to consolidate the brand’s dominance of the city car segment – the 500 and Panda hold a third of this market – while developing technologies that allow these models to satisfy emission regulations. This focus also means other, less successful Fiat models are expected to axed. These include the Punto – axed after a 13-year production run – and, while unconfirmed, the Tipo. The 500 Giardiniera, which references the tiny wagon of 1960, will offer the best space efficiency in its class, says Fiat, and “unmistakable design”. It too will get electric and mild hybrid variants. The 500’s new platform architecture can also cope with a mild hybrid system. That unit consists of a belt driven, 12V starter-generator, although little detail has been provided on the electric drivetrain to be used in the 500. Lower-emissions petrol engines will also be offered in the 500 and Panda. Francois conceded that the decision to develop the electric cars was driven “both by the desire to create a profitable electric car for our future, and to ensure we avoid the pressures of potential fines if we don’t hit CO2 targets.” Given the limited space for batteries and the 500’s urban appeal, range of the 500e is likely to be less than EVs such as the Nissan Leaf, which offers around 250 miles. The 500e will be a rival to a growing number of small EVs – Mini’s first series-production electric car is due in 2019, at the same time as the Honda Urban EV. The 500e will be one of four electric powertrains offered by FCA. It will sit use a ‘City Car’ powertrain, while a ‘Mainstream’ powertrain will be launched in the Jeep Grand Commander. A ‘Performance’ powertrain will feature in the 2020 Maserati Alfieri and a ‘Premium’ EV powertrain will power the 2022 Maserati Quattroporte. The push for electrification comes amid Fiat Chrysler’s abandonment of diesel; by 2022, there will be no diesel options in the FCA catalogue. These will be replaced by numerous hybrids, both full and plug-in, the first of which will be the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, landing in 2020. The production capacity released by the deletion of the Punto and other unspecified Fiat models – such as Tipo – will be used to build more Alfa Romeos and Maseratis, whose premium prices can withstand the electrification costs. Some Italian capacity will be used to build some plug-in hybrid models, including certain Jeeps for global sale. Additional reporting by Jim Holder and Richard
Origin: All-new electric Fiat 500 spied testing ahead of 2020 reveal

Morgan Plus Six is marque’s first all-new model in 19 years

Morgan has unveiled a new £80,000 roadster, called Plus Six, as the first of a planned series of models to use the company’s brand-new ‘wide body’ aluminium chassis. The Plus Six, shown for the first time at Geneva and making its dynamic debut at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, retains the distinguishing features of the outgoing Plus 8 – flowing front wings, running boards, round headlights and the famous ‘waterfall’ grille – but is a new design in every detail. The Plus Six is the first all-new Morgan since the Aero 8, revealed 19 years ago. It is powered by BMW’s latest B58 in-line petrol turbo six, producing 335bhp and driving through an eight-speed ZF paddle-shift automatic. There is new Morgan-designed suspension, all independent by double wishbones in the front and a five-link system in the rear. The new car is very light: its extra equipment and crash structure add almost nothing to the 1075kg kerb weight of the outgoing V8-powered Plus 8. This should make the Plus Six the fastest production Morgan in history, pushing the top speed into the 170mph bracket. Despite this, the CO2 output is an impressively low 170g/km. Morgan has named its new chassis CX, Roman numerals that mark the firm’s 110-year anniversary. The new structure uses the same bonded aluminium construction principles as its predecessor but includes more sophisticated crash structures front and rear, and integrated rather than bolt-on suspension mountings for rigidity and weight saving. The new CX chassis provides around 20cm more cockpit length to accommodate bigger drivers, allows bigger doors and leaves decent luggage space. The car’s length and width are almost identical to a Plus 8’s, but the wheelbase is 18mm longer. The body is supported, according to Morgan tradition, by an English-grown ash wood frame. As per Morgan’s traditional nature, ABS is the only electronic driver aid on offer, although the firm says others can be specified later. Cockpit design is traditional, with the separate round tacho and speedo dials mounted centrally, but with a configurable TFT screen ahead of the driver. Morgan will offer its usual wide choice of colours and textures with the Plus Six and has just started building cars for a spring launch. Production is planned at around six cars a week and the company aims to have 200 Plus Sixes on the road by year-end. The first 50 will be fully loaded launch editions priced at £89,995, after which regular production will
Origin: Morgan Plus Six is marque’s first all-new model in 19 years