Unlike Land Rover’s car, which will only be sold with an automatic gearbox, Lego has equipped its Defender with its ‘most sophisticated’ four-speed sequential unit yet. Niels Henrik Horsted, marketing director at the Danish toy firm, said: “With every Lego element, children can build anything they can imagine. I’m very excited about this new model – a truly impressive job done by our Lego Group designers. “Together with Land Rover, we’ve blended elements, design and innovative engineering into a set that shows the boundless creativity of Lego play, and that with Lego Technic you can build for real.” While the real Defender is available in a comprehensive range of paint schemes, the model is finished in an olive green. It measures 420mm long, 220mm high and 200mm wide. Pricing is yet to be officially confirmed by Lego, although reports suggest it will be available from £159 in the UK. Ahead of its launch, the new Defender underwent more than 750,000 miles of testing in some of “the most inhospitable environments” in the world. This involved hot weather testing in Africa and North America, cold-weather testing at -40deg C, altitude testing at up to 13,000 feet and performance running at the Nurburgring. It is not yet known whether the pre-launch test programme Lego has conducted on the Technic Defender has been as extensive. The Defender is the latest motoring icon to be rendered in Lego form, and joins the Volkswagen Beetle and Type 2, original Mini, Aston Martin DB5 and Routemaster bus in the Danish firm’s motoring-themed Technic
Origin: New Land Rover Defender available as 2573-piece Lego Technic kit
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New Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Shooting Brake available from £53,370
The renewal of Mercedes-AMG’s compact car line-up has continued with the arrival of the new CLA 45 4Matic Shooting Brake. The estate version of the A45 S 4Matic+ hyper hatch is available to order in the UK now, priced from £53,370 – a £3000 premium over the hatchback. Standard equipment, as with the hatch and coupé, includes 19in five-spoke alloys, keyless entry, heated front seats, a performance steering wheel and a pair of 10.25in screens. Range-topping Plus trim adds a downforce-enhancing aero package, multibeam LED headlights, forged alloy wheels and leather upholstery. The coupé-cum-estate is the third AMG model to get the company’s new 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, after the recently revealed A45 4Matic hatchback and CLA 45 4Matic saloon. A development of the first-generation’s M133 unit, the new M139 2.0-litre turbo engine will be offered in two states of tune. The UK will only offer the more powerful iteration, the range-topping CLA 45 S 4Matic+ Shooting Brake. It develops 39bhp and 18lb ft more than its predecessor at a class-leading 415bhp and 369lb ft. As with the A45 4Matic and CLA 45 4Matic, drive is channelled through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, with shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel. A reconfigured Haldex-style multi-plate-clutch four-wheel-drive system features a Torque Control mechanism that uses two clutches to apportion power individually to each rear wheel. The changes to the four-wheel-drive system have allowed AMG to give the new model a Drift mode function. It’s accessed through a revised Dynamic Select system that offers up to six driving modes, including Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Race. Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-62mph time of 4.1sec for the CLA 45 4Matic Shooting Brake and 4.0sec for the S version. The top speed is artificially limited to 155mph, although customers can choose to raise it to 168mph via an optional Driver’s Package. The CLA 45 4Matic Shooting Brake adopts the same stylistic changes as the new CLA 45 4Matic saloon. Included is an AMG-specific Panamericana-style grille with vertical slats, a more heavily structured front bumper and wider front wings housing a broader front track than that used by standard CLA models. At the rear, the new AMG model adopts a larger spoiler above its tailgate as well as a redesigned rear bumper that features an integral diffuser. With a tailgate opening that’s 236mm wider, at 871mm, and 10 litres more boot capacity, at 505 litres, the new CLA 45 4Matic Shooting Brake is claimed to have not only improved performance potential but also a boost in practicality over the model it
Origin: New Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Shooting Brake available from £53,370
Ford’s 3.0-litre diesel is now available on lower-trim F-150s
Ford F-150 is delivering another first – its all-new 3.0-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine targeted to return an EPA-estimated rating of 30 mpg highwayFord Most gearheads find it frustrating when an auto manufacturer reserves cool options for the top trims of a certain model. Does sir want satellite radio on a Civic? Be prepared to step up from the base trim before signing on the line that is dotted, then. Realizing it was potentially leaving some dollars on the table with this strategy, Ford announced today its torquey new 3.0-litre diesel engine will now be available on XLT models of the 2019 F-150 pickup truck. Previously, it was solely offered on high-zoot Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trims. Perhaps the Glass House was simply testing the waters when it introduced the diesel, hedging its bets by limiting the powertrain to models in which there is the most profit. After all, people who tow heavy loads tend to have a few bucks—they’re in a position to have bought and paid for that horse trailer or jumbo camper, for instance. F-150 trucks equipped with the Power Stroke are rated to haul about 11,000 pounds. Ford F-150 is delivering another first – its all-new 3.0-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine targeted to return an EPA-estimated rating of 30 mpg highway Ford By expanding it to the entire XLT line in Canada (it’ll only be available on XLT with the 302A option package in the States) Ford allows the mainstream buyer to get in on the diesel action as well. It’s a smart move, especially since Chevrolet offers their 3.0-litre inline-six oil-burner on its mid-level LT model. The 3.0-litre Power Stroke diesel engine has a single turbocharger hanging off of it and is good for 250 horsepower. Torque is rated at a heady 440 lb.-ft., all of which comes online at a barely-off-idle 1,750 rpm. It’s worth noting that both versions of the F-150’s gas-powered 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 outstrip the diesel in torque, particular the high-output tune, which unleashes 510 lb.-ft. of twist when the driver flexes their big toe. It peaks at 3,500 rpm, exactly double the engine speed of the diesel, speaking to the signature low-end grunt of an
Origin: Ford’s 3.0-litre diesel is now available on lower-trim F-150s
Kona Electric upgrade available from late 2019
Kona Electric upgrade available from late 2019 The new Kona will enable AC charging at up to 11 kW Hyundai has announced an upgrade of the Kona Electric SUV, which will be available in Europe by the end of this year. The new model features higher power charging capabilities and an improved navigation system. The most important innovation is a three-phase on-board charger which will enable AC charging at up to 11 kW. This is in addition to the rapid DC charging option which comes as standard. The faster AC charging capacity will reduce charging times on public 3-phase AC chargers and some home-based units. The Kona Electric also has a new optional navigation system with a 10.25-inch centre display which incorporates the eCall safety feature. The charging control system, which can be accessed via the Blue Link app, also provides information on charging times and expected range and can be pre-programmed to charge the Kona at specified times. The Korean company offers the vehicle with two different battery sizes, 39 kWh and 64 kWh, and a number of assistant systems. Only launched in 2018, the Kona Electric has already received a number of plaudits including the NGC Car of the Year 2018. As commented by NGC on making the award: “With its 279 mile range, the Hyundai Kona Electric represents outstanding value for money when compared with rival offerings. As the first to bring a long-distance EV to mass-market customers – and with such a capable package – Hyundai’s Kona Electric is NGC’s Car of the Year 2018.” In addition to the Kona Electric, Hyundai offers a number of low emission power-trains including the IONIQ trio of models (Hybrid, Plug-in, Electric), 48-Volt hybrid versions of Tucson and the fuel cell-powered NEXO. This portfolio makes Hyundai an important player in electrified vehicles, offering consumers an wide choice of low-emission to zero-emission vehicles. “With emission-free, connected vehicles such as the Kona Electric, Hyundai is not only one of the pioneers for clean mobility, but is also striving constantly to meet the demands of the growing number of consumers for more eco-friendly cars,” says Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe.
Origin: Kona Electric upgrade available from late 2019
Mercedes Benz EQC available to order in UK
Mercedes Benz EQC available to order in UK The electric SUV will rival models from Jaguar and Audi The Mercedes Benz EQC is now available to order in the UK, with prices and specifications confirmed for the pure-electric SUV. Four trim levels are on offer, with an additional two special editions available at launch. Pricing starts from £65,640, though that figure does not include the £3,500 UK Plug-in Car Grant that the EQC will surely qualify for. Buyers will get a range of 259 miles (WLTP) on a single charge thanks to an 80 kWh battery, and 300 kW (408hp) and 765 Nm of torque from twin electric motors, one placed on each axle for all-wheel drive. Those figures are good for a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds, while the Mercedes Benz EQC is unusual for an electric car in that it’s also able to tow. Charging is carried out through a CCS inlet, with a 7.4 kW on-board charger dealing with home and fast public charging. Rapid charging can deal with up to 110 kW where chargers allow. Entry level trim includes features such as the excellent MBUX infotainment system, which has been tailored so that it can suggest long-distance routes based on the shortest charging time. First deliveries are due in July, with orders being taken now. Prices vary from £65,640 for the EQC Sport, to £79,260 for the EQC Edition 1886 model.
Origin: Mercedes Benz EQC available to order in UK
VW ID 3 available to preorder
VW ID. 3 available to pre-order The ID. 3 is seen as a key model in the history of VW Volkswagen has opened the order books for its ID. 3, with the pure-electric hatchback pitched as the next key chapter in the company’s history; as important for VW as the Beetle and Golf in the past. The UK will get the ID 3 1st Plus trim initially, which features a 58 kWh battery, and a range of 261 miles on a single charge (WLTP). Charging can be carried out at speeds of 100-125 kW via CCS, and the first ID. 3’s will roll off the production line at the end of the year. Deliveries are expected from summer 2020. A launch edition ID. 3 1st will be the initial offering from VW, with 30,000 of these special edition models available across Europe. The UK’s pick of the ID. 3 1st Plus will come well equipped, and include features such as IQ. Light, a bi-colour design inside and out, and voice control for systems such as the navigation, and there’s also an ID. 3 1st Max edition available in other markets. The ID. 3 is the first model to come along in VW’s ID. all-electric sub-brand, with a further 20 electric models in development from the company. Plans are to deliver 100,000 ID. 3’s in 2020, increasing to an average of 110,000 a year thereafter. Three battery sizes will be available after the launch edition, with ranges varying from 205 miles to 341 miles. Prices are unconfirmed for the UK market yet, but German buyers will see the ID. 3 range start at under €30,000, and less than €40,000 for the ID. 3 1st edition. Both prices are excluding any grants. Volkswagen is offering ID. 3 1st buyers 2,000 kWh free public charging for the first year able to be use by the We Charge app, and the IONITY ultra-rapid charging network. A huge focus on sustainability has been factored in to the ID. 3’s development, with those unavoidable emissions created during the production process of both battery and car off-set by climate projects. Where possible, renewable energy sources are used throughout the manufacturing process. Predicted running costs will be around 30% less than a conventional petrol or diesel car. Thanks to improved packaging options because of the electric-developed platform and motors, the ID. 3 will be the size of a Golf, but boast interior space closer to that of a Passat in the class above. Customers can place a £750 deposit now for a non-binding spot in the queue, and the ordering process for customers is set to start after the car’s official launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Pre-booking is available in 29 European markets, with the UK one of the key customer bases for VW. An allocation for the region hasn’t been decided.
Origin: VW ID 3 available to preorder
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