WLTP Challenge showcases vehicle efficiency The challenge looked to see how accurate WLTP testing is Results from the inaugural WLTP Challenge have come in, with the overall figures showing that the new WLTP test cycle is largely reflective of real-world fuel economy. Completed over a day’s driving, the 220 mile route included a variety of types of road and conditions. Heading from Bristol to Birmingham, and back again via the Cotswolds, the event planned in all different types of road and speeds – from motorway to urban driving. Designed to simulate a potential day’s driving on business, Fleet World – the event’s organisers – had arranged for every powertrain type to be tested. This covered petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, pure-electric, and even hydrogen fuel cell. Highlights from the results include a 40% improvement over the official WLTP figure from a Vauxhall Astra 1.5 diesel, returning 85 MPG. Honda’s hybrid CR-V managed to achieve 70 MPG, representing a 70% improvement over official figures. Mitsubishi’s L200 Barbarian returned 62% more than its test results, and thee fully-laden RAC patrol van exceeded its official figure, proving the case for WLTP with light commercial vehicles too. Next Green Car ran a Nissan Leaf e+ in the event and managed to complete the route comfortably, as did the Audi e-tron and Tesla Model 3 which also represented pure-electric models. Although the official economy figures weren’t matched, they were all close to the target. The Leaf was less than 6% off its miles/kWh target, the Audi e-tron less than 11% away, and the Model 3 only 3% off. Using the real-world figures gained from the challenge, it is calculated that the trip would have cost £10 in the Leaf, compared to £19 for a diesel averaging 70 MPG, and £25 for a petrol averaging 50 MPG. WLTP Challenge 2019 organiser, Luke Wikner said: “The WLTP Challenge 2019 just goes to show that every driver, be they a private motorist or a company car driver behind the wheel of any vehicle, can make significant incremental improvements to their fuel economy. “Smarter driving in this way ultimately leads to safer driving, lower fuel bills, lower insurance, lower stress levels for drivers and fleet operators and a happier mobile workforce. “The Challenge also underlines that the new WLTP test procedure is already proving its worth. Gone are the days when motorists can say that they will never achieve their vehicles’ official fuel consumption figures, as the latest official WLTP figures will be representative of most drivers’ real-world fuel economy, most of the time.” Click below to read NGC’s report of how the WLTP Challenge unfolded.
Origin: WLTP Challenge showcases vehicle efficiency
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Motor Mouth: Will Porsche’s Taycan challenge Tesla’s EV hegemony?
It just debuted two days ago, but Porsche has already taken some 30,000 deposits for its new Taycan. Not exactly Tesla numbers, but impressive nonetheless. Closer to home, more than 1,000 Canadians have plunked down $2,500 hoping to secure one of the first electrified Porsche four-doors to hit the street. Again, neither number rivals the multitudes that offered up deposits on Teslas Model 3, but Taycan does play in an entirely different snack bracket.A more appropriate context, then, might be to note that said deposits are roughly equal to the number of 911s that Porsche Canada sells in its best of years. In other words, September 4s worldwide launch of the Taycan was a very good day at the office for Porsche Canadas president and CEO, Marc Ouayoun.Now, never mind that a few of those chomping at the bit may well be put off by the Taycans price the base Turbo starts at $173,900 and the Turbo S is a wallet-stretching $213,900. If that means Porsche has finally brought profitability to the electric vehicle segment, so much the better.More important is that the company is depending on the Taycan to be successful, Detlev von Platen, Porsches executive board member for sales and marketing, telling the launch event attendees the company will be investing over US$6 billion in battery power over the next few years and expects more than 50 per cent of the companys cars to be electrified within the next decade. In other words, Porsche needs the Taycan to be successful.And more important than that is that the automotive industry needs the Taycan to be successful. So far, the electric vehicle segment has been all Tesla, the Silicon Valley upstart the only truly successful purveyor of battery power. Yes, I know Nissans Leaf remains the best-selling EV of all time, but, while semi-plentiful, its actually selling well below barely 10 per cent of initial projections what was predicted when it was introduced ten years ago.What the Tesla faithful don’t realize is their devotion is counter-productive to the propagation of EVsTesla, meanwhile, has become the poster child for planet-friendly motoring, Elon Musks decision whether it was brilliant insight or bulls%^t luck really doesnt matter to focus on the luxury segment proving to be providential. Whither goes Tesla, it now seems, goes the entire electric vehicle industry.The problem is that Mr. Musks influence and the cult-like devotion it has engendered is not good for anyone except Tesla shareholders.Whether youre a fan of long-range plug-ins or prefer fuel cells, it is not so much that Tesla is winning, but that Mr. Musk so dominates the conversation surrounding EVs that it stifles discussion into what a truly multi-platform zero-emissions future might look like.Now, to be certain, the company and man for they are one and the same deserve all the accolades they have received for a) creating the luxury EV segment where none existed and b) legitimizing the concept of the battery-powered car in the eyes of a formerly skeptical audience. For that, Mr. Musk will undoubtedly be lauded in history books as the founder of a movement.Um @Porsche, this word Turbo does not mean what you think it does Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 5, 2019The problem is that said worship has gone too far, creating disciples for whom any dissent, any mention of competitive brands is seen as traitorous. In my 35 years in this biz, I have see nothing not the Ford-versus-Chevy wars, not Jeep Wrangler aficionados, not even one-per-centers devoted to their Hogs to match the cult-like allegiance Tesla enjoys amongst its minions.Unfortunately, that deference is stifling competition. Despite the deception that traditional automakers are dragging their heels on electrification, nothing could be further from the truth. The problem they all face is that, any time they introduce a (costly-to-develop) EV, they are met with the mildest of mehs.Initially, they were decried as too ugly (Chevys Bolt), too slow (the Kia Soul) or lacking in panache (pretty much everyone). But, then Jaguar came out with the I-Pace, offering both pedigree and panache. Yet they too were greeted with another giant yawn. Too slow, said the disciples, ignoring the fact theres more to a sporty automobile than Ludicrous acceleration. So I-Pace sales have crashed. Audis e-tron? Better, but hardly all-conquering, especially considering that the Model X with which it competes is the weakest model in Teslas lineup.And thats why the Taycan is so important. It meets every single objection even the most devoted of Teslarati could dream up. Brand image? None is stronger than Porsches. Build quality? Ditto. Beauty? The Taycan is the four-door 911 that Porsche always promised the Panamera would be. Ludicrously fast? My Lord, yes. Toss in handling that is all but a match for the best of supercars and you have a car that is markedly superior to the Tesla Model S it ostensibly competes with.Oh, the haters will no doubt point to its price
Origin: Motor Mouth: Will Porsche’s Taycan challenge Tesla’s EV hegemony?
Is Volkswagen finally ready to challenge Tacoma and Ranger in the small pickup market?
What is it? Not a full-size truck and not an SUV either, the Volkswagen Tarok Concept is VW dipping its toe in the small-truck waters to see if should dive in and swim. Clearly envious of the stampede of sales going to full-size trucks amid an equally coveted resurgence of midsize trucks, VW is presenting the Tarok at the NY Auto Show as way to gauge interest for the vehicle in North America, even though VW already intends to build the truck for South America. Why does it matter? With a reconfigurable cargo bed capable of carrying six-foot objects, thanks to a folding waterproof panel behind the rear seat, the Tarok boasts a cargo-carrying capacity of 1,030 kg (2,270 pounds) — more than the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger or Jeep Gladiator — so perhaps take that with a grain of salt, given that a solid rear axle is unlikely and the engine is the same as that in a Golf, a 147-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter four cylinder. A digital instrument cluster, 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a removable Bluetooth speaker in the centre console also add character, as does the concept’s large glass roof. When is it coming? That’s entirely up to the public’s reaction. VW previously showed a small pickup in NY, the Atlas Tanoak, a pickup with considerable appeal and strong interest, yet the Tanoak hasn’t moved much down the production line as far as we know. Should you buy it? If a full-size truck is too big, and the midsize offerings from Chevrolet, Toyota and Jeep are just too truckish, the Tarok would no longer leave some buyers between a rock and a hard
Origin: Is Volkswagen finally ready to challenge Tacoma and Ranger in the small pickup market?
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