Hyundai has released pricing details for its refreshed Ioniq family hatchback. The range now starts from £22,795 for the entry-level hybrid model, with the upgraded electric version priced from £29,450. The Toyota Prius rival now offers 182 miles of WLTP-certified range in fully electric form, marking a 36% improvement over the range of the outgoing 28kWh model. It’s still around 100 miles less than the currently sold-out Kona Electric, however. The Ioniq Electric’s 38.3kWh battery pack is mated to an electric motor producing 134bhp and 218lb ft of torque, and is fitted with a new 7.2kW onboard charger compatible with Type 2 AC charging points. Hyundai claims the facelifted EV can be charged to 80% capacity in as little as 54 minutes as a result. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain variants are unchanged, but the latter now has a WLTP target electric range of 32 miles. The Ioniq Hybrid will be offered in three basic trim levels, along with a limited edition 1st Edition. The entry-level SE Connect features 15in alloys, rear parking sensors, an 8in touchscreen and a number of driver assistance features. The Premium trim, starting at £24,695, adds bespoke 15in alloy wheels, keyless entry, wireless charging, heated seats and a widescreen 10.25in touchscreen. Above that, Premium SE starts from £26,995 and includes 17in wheels, an electric parking brake, electrically adjustable seats and adaptive cruise control. The 1st Edition costs £24,955 and is based on Premium spec, with 17in wheels and an electric parking brake. The plug-in hybrid and electric versions are both offered in two trim levels: Premium and Premium SE. Premium models start at £29,950 for the plug-in hybrid and £29,450 for the electric version. They include 16in wheels, a 10.25inch widescreen touchscreen, wireless charging pad, keyless entry and rear view monitor. Premium SE models cost from £31,950 (PHEV) and £31,450 (electric) and add the likes of privacy glass, chrome door handles, leather heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, an electrically operated driver’s seat and automatic windscreen wipers, along with safety features including blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert. Prices for the electric model include the UK Government’s discount. Visually, the new Ioniq is marked out from its predecessor by a redesigned front fascia (on both hybrid and electric models), revised front and rear bumpers and reshaped front and rear light
Origin: Hyundai Ioniq: UK pricing confirmed for updated model
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New Peugeot 208 and e-208: UK pricing confirmed
Pricing for Peugeot’s new 208, in petrol, diesel and electric form, has been revealed ahead of orders opening in the next few weeks. The new Ford Fiesta rival is priced from £16,250 in Active trim, powered by a 75bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine. Entry-level models receive 16in wheels, automatic brake assist, heated wing mirrors, automatic air conditioning and Peugeot’s i-Cockpit infotainment system. Prices rise to £17,350 with a 99bhp turbocharged engine, while mid-spec Allure trim with the same engine is £18,850. The eight-speed automatic gearbox option adds £1,400 to the spec, but 17in wheels, black B-pillar and leather-style seats are standard at this level. Range-topping GT-Line trim starts from £20,700, and includes mood lighting, twin-exhausts and a black contrasting roof. On GT-Line and EV-specific GT trim, black wheelarch extensions are applied because the two versions get a 12mm-wider track than lesser 208s. On the GT-Line, it’s for effect only, but the EV’s powertrain necessitates it because its front axle has a wider stance. Peugeot’s designers, like a lot of companies, would prefer the 208 to feature larger wheels, but “in this segment, cost is important”, said Beurel. All trim levels can also be equipped with a 1.5-litre diesel engine from £18,850, but more interesting is the pricing of the 136bhp all-electric variant. The e-208 starts from £25,050 in base Active form, with four trim levels topped out by bespoke GT spec, maxing the range out at £29,650. That pricing includes the £3,500 government grant and a high-speed domestic charging cable, which is claimed to be capable of charging the e-208 in 7.5 hours from a 7kW charging point. Top-spec models feature adaptive cruise control, a stop-start system, lane assist, Alcantara interior trim and a larger 10in infotainment display. Specification details further down the e-208 range are largely identical to conventionally fuelled variants, but the EV sits on 16in steel wheels in Active and Allure trim. The 208, which made its public debut at the Geneva motor show, will be delivered to customers from early 2020. Around 4cm longer, lower and 30kg lighter than the car it replaces, the new 208 will offer a “more dynamic stance” than the previous one, according to Yann Beurel, the 208’s design manager, who describes its looks as “futuristic and young”. The car is five-door only and based on Peugeot’s new CMP (Common Modular Platform) architecture, which underpins the latest DS 3 Crossback. It will form the basis for the next Vauxhall Corsa now that Vauxhall-Opel has been integrated into the PSA Group. The new 208 offers its three powertrain options “without any compromises”, according to 208 product manager Nicolas Bonnardon. The electric 208 has a range of up to 211 miles on the WLTP cycle thanks to a 50kWh battery, which can be charged to 80% from empty in 30 minutes. All variants are front-wheel drive. Batteries for the electric 208 sit in an H-section stretching beneath the rear seats, which is where the fuel tank is on internally combusted (ICE) variants, to beneath the front seats. Visually, bar some colouring on the front, the badges and the addition of aerodynamic wheel trims, there is very little difference between ICE and EV 208s because PSA thinks EVs and plug-in hybrids will become a natural part of each car’s range. “We wondered if customers would want specificity on an EV,” said Beurel. “But they said they ‘didn’t want a flag on the top’ so the frontal intake takes body colour and there’s a blue-green tint on the lion badges.” Inside, the 208 gets an update of Peugeot’s still-controversial i-Cockpit, which features a small steering wheel that tends to sit beneath or, for some drivers, in the line of sight of the instrument pack. Bar the option of a night-vision camera, convenience, driver assist and infotainment systems on offer in the new 208 are the same as in the bigger, more expensive 508. But there’s new equipment in the 208, too, including a neat three-dimensional element to the instrument cluster. Using a reflective screen as in a head-up display, the most important info can be brought to a small screen in front of the main instrument pack. “What’s important is that it’s not entertainment: it’s information,” said Beurel. “It’s spectacular but it’s really useful when driving.” And if the i-Cockpit layout has its critics? “We’ve sold five million cars with the i-Cockpit,” said Beurel, “and customers are telling us that they’re happy with it.” QA with Gilles Vidal, Peugeot design boss What’s the thinking behind the new 208’s design? “Basically, the idea was to make sure we were doing a sexy little hot hatch, in a modern kind of way. If you look at 206, 207, 208 along the years, the generations became more mono-spacey-looking, which was maybe a trend of the 1990s, 2000s. But here we wanted to have this really amazing sexy-looking, four-wheels-in-the-corners cute thing.”
Origin: New Peugeot 208 and e-208: UK pricing confirmed
New Aston Martin DBX confirmed for December launch
Aston Martin will open the order books for its new DBX SUV at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance next month, ahead of a global launch in December. The new machine, the British firm’s first SUV, recently made its UK public dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – and Aston Martin Lagonda’s latest financial update has now revealed more details on the development timeline. Aston Martin has started building pre-production versions of the new model at its new St Athan plant, ahead of it going on sale in the first half of 2020. It now says that it will take orders for the car at the Pebble Beach event in California, ahead of the launch in December. It added that it remained on track to begin series production at St Athan in the second quarter of 2020, which suggests first customer deliveries will follow in the second half of next year. The new 90-acre factory in Wales, built on a former Ministry of Defence site, has been under development since 2016, and will be the sole production facility for the DBX. The electric models of the revived Lagonda brand will also be built there. Ahead of the machine’s official launch later this year, Aston Martin previously issued images of the DBX sporting a new camouflage livery reflecting its new Welsh home. The machine is currently undergoing final testing using the pre-production versions, with full production due to commence early next year. A video published earlier in the year shows the DBX undergoing extreme weather testing in Sweden at Pirelli’s Flurheden proving ground, part of the two brands’ ongoing partnership. Speaking about that test, Aston Martin chief engineer Matt Becker said: “Testing these prototypes in cold climate conditions helps us to assess the car’s early dynamics and, crucially, ensure confidence-inspiring sure-footedness on low-grip surfaces. “This car propels Aston Martin into a new segment and our engineering team are enjoying the challenges of developing a quality luxury SUV experience through this robust testing schedule. Progress is on track and I am confident that we will deliver over and above what our customers would expect from an Aston Martin SUV.” The DBX is the first Aston Martin to go through a new dedicated test programme, to ensure it can produce the kind of dynamic on-road performance on which Aston has always made its name, allied to some credibility off road. Testing is also due to take place in the deserts of the Middle East, on German autobahns and at the Nürburgring. The DBX has also been seen on UK roads testing the brand’s AMG-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, which is expected to be the first engine offered in the SUV when it arrives before the end of the year. Expect a similar power output to the DB11’s 503bhp. Unlike the concept, the production DBX will feature a more conventional five-door layout rather than the sleeker three-door design that was originally expected. The DBX is one of the most important models in Aston Martin’s history and the next phase of the company’s turnaround plan under boss Andy Palmer. While every Aston produced under Palmer to date as part of his ‘Second Century’ plan has been a replacement for an existing model (DB11, Vantage and DBS Superleggera), the DBX breaks new ground by having no direct predecessor. During its life cycle, the DBX will introduce hybrid technology to Aston and it will also play a key role in trying to attract female buyers to the Aston Martin brand. The DBX is built on an Aston Martin architecture that will be closely related to that set to underpin the Lagonda saloon and Lagonda SUV, which Aston also has in the pipeline. The new Lagondas will be built alongside the DBX in Wales, starting from 2021. However, whereas the Lagonda models will be electrically driven, the DBX will start life with petrol power before getting Mercedes-sourced hybrid technology early in the next decade. Aston Martin’s own V12 and Mercedes-AMG’s V8 engines will both find their way into the DBX, with Mercedes also donating the car’s electrical architecture. The DBX will compete against the likes of the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga, Rolls-Royce Cullinan and upcoming Ferrari SUV. Given the broad appeal and rise in popularity of SUVs, the DBX is expected to quickly become Aston’s best-selling model. Sharp body creases and a pronounced shoulder line help reduce the overall visual bulk of what is the most high-sided Aston yet produced, while a new integrated grille design performs a similar role at the front of the car. It will also be the first all-new Aston Martin model launched after the company’s stock market flotation, after the firm returned to profitability last year. Aston Martin has changed significantly as a company under the leadership of Andy Palmer, who joined as CEO in 2014. He has brought financial stability to the company and returned it to profit. In 2017, the company was in the black for the first time since 2010. Aston’s
Origin: New Aston Martin DBX confirmed for December launch
2020 Corvette confirmed to wear ‘Stingray’ badge, steering wheel teased
Just as the eighth generation defines the Corvette formula, so does its steering wheel with its leather-wrapped, squared-off shape to enhance visibility and comfort.Chevrolet Chevrolet confirmed July 15 that the 2020 next-gen Corvette will continue to wear the Stingray badge first reintroduced on the C7, and also showed off the upcoming cars new two-spoke steering wheel.The C8-generation Corvette bows in just three more days, on July 18, and with anticipation running high, the automaker has been teasing some final bits and pieces of the cars to build hype to a crescendo.Besides its own efforts, a handful of leaked images of the new car have been stoking conversations, too. As was expected, the C8 Corvette seems to have inspired some divisiveness among enthusiasts, even just from those blurry photos and subtle teasers.Some fans, for example, took to criticizing the functionality and design of the new steering wheel as soon as Chevrolet showed it off last week and implied itd already soured them on the rest of the car. Others pushed back, noting two-spoke wheels are not uncommon in motorsports.At least the cars use of the Stingray name shouldnt prove too controversial. Sting Ray first showed up on the second-gen C2 Corvette, in 1963, then became one word Stingray when stuck to the fenders of the C3 in 1968. The badge was dropped in 1976, before the C3 generation saw its end in 1982.Chevrolet said July 8 the Corvette C8s full reveal on July 18 in Orange County, California will be livestreamed online, at 10:30 EDT (7:30 PDT). Following the reveal and through to early 2020, the new Corvette will go on a tour of some 125 U.S. dealerships on the East and West
Origin: 2020 Corvette confirmed to wear ‘Stingray’ badge, steering wheel teased
Official: Aston Martin Valhalla confirmed as next Bond car
It’s not the only Aston to feature in the film, however. Also confirmed to appear in some capacity will be the DB5, returning after its explosive featuring in the 2012 Bond film, Skyfall. There will also be an Aston Martin V8, first seen in The Living Daylights back in 1987. Aston confirmed its hypercar, sitting underneath the faster and pricier Valkyrie, would take the Valhalla name earlier this week. Taking its name from the warriors’ paradise referred to in Norse mythology, it’s powered by a V6 hybrid powertrain expected to make over 1000bhp. It’ll enter production in late 2021. The first Aston Martin to appear in a Bond film was the DB5, which featured in Goldfinger in 1964. It boosted sales dramatically and started a relationship between the franchise and the brand that has spanned over five
Origin: Official: Aston Martin Valhalla confirmed as next Bond car
Honda e range and battery confirmed
Honda e range and battery confirmed The Honda e will have a range of 125 miles on a charge Battery details have been announced for the forthcoming Honda e pure-electric citycar, with a 35.5 kWh battery giving drivers a range of 125 miles on a single charge. The Honda e is focusing on urban travel and an enjoyable driving experience. The relaively low range – by current mass-market standards – is tempered by the fact that the Honda e is designed primrily for travel around towns and cities, where a 100+ mile range is often ample. For driving enjoyment, Honda has confirmed that the e will be rear-wheel drive, opening up the front end for a tight turning circle. Elements throughout are made from aluminium, including parts of the suspension, to improve performance and efficiency. Short-overhangs, four-wheel independent suspension, and 50:50 weight distribution with a low centre of gravity add up to important elements when considering how Honda intends the e to be a fun to drive citycar. To charge, the Honda a will have a Type 2 CCS inlet, with a top-up on a 50 kW charger taking around half an hour to 80%. The battery will be water-cooled to make sure it remains in the optimum temperature, even with repeated rapid charging. The charge point is behind a glass panel in the bonnet, where there will be a quick-glance charge indicator. Honda reckons that a central charging port makes for easier use from drivers, rather than having a charging port to one side.
Origin: Honda e range and battery confirmed
New Honda e: side cameras confirmed for electric city car
Honda has confirmed that its new electric city car, the Honda e, will feature side cameras in place of wing mirrors as standard when deliveries start in 2020. The Urban EV concept, first revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, featured the camera system, which Honda claims reduces aerodynamic drag by around 90% compared to conventional wing mirrors. The firm says that improves the efficicency of the entire vehicle by 3.8%, playing a significant role in maximising range. The camera system will feature two modes: a normal mode, and a wide mode with an extended field of view, and Honda claims they reduce blind spots by at least 10% compared to normal mirrors. A special water-repellent coasting will be used to stop water blocking vision. Honda recently opened up ordering for the e, ahead of first deliveries beginning next spring. Mirroring the process of rivals such as Tesla and Peugeot with the e-208, potential customers are invited to cough up a reservation fee of £800 to get “priority status” on the order books. Those customers will be invited to place a full order later this year. The car’s pricing is still yet to be announced, but as with most reservations, the fee is refundable if buyers change their mind. A near-production version of the e was shown at this year’s Geneva motor show and dubbed the Honda e prototype. The car maker has confirmed that name will stay for the production version, and revealed a selection of available paint options for customers at launch. The firm believes the car’s retro design will give it an Apple-style appeal to customers. The prototype shown at Geneva motor show is “95% production ready”, according to the firm. It maintains the styling of the Urban EV Concept, albeit with the addition of an extra set of doors. While Honda has yet to reveal full technical details of the car, its designers told Autocar at the Geneva show that it would offer “more than” 98bhp and 221lb ft of torque. Honda said there have been more than 6,500 people who have expressed interest in the Honda e in the UK. Pricing has yet to be set, Autocar understands a ballpark figure is £35,000. Project manager Kohei Hitomi said the machine had been the subject of an internal “battle” over whether to put it into production, with the positive reaction to the concept being a key factor in it gaining approval. The car is slightly shorter than a Jazz and around 100mm taller than a Mini. Honda has said it will likely have an official range of around 125 miles, with fast-charging capacity to reach 80% charge in 30 minutes. The e prototype is built on a new platform designed for A and B-segment electric cars, with underfloor batteries produced by Panasonic that are similar to those used in the US market Accord plug-in hybrid. The rear-mounted electric motor drives the rear wheels, which employ torque vectoring to give a smoother response and improved handling in tight corners. Although the e prototype’s range is substantially lower than that offered by rival EVs such as the 282-mile Kia e-Niro or BMW i3, which offers 193 miles, Hitomi said it was necessary to keep the batteries small to fulfil its city-car role. “We believe the range is sufficient for this segment of car,” said Hitomi. “Some potential customers might not be satisfied, but when you think about bigger range and a bigger battery, it has drawbacks in terms of packaging. It’s a balance.” As well as featuring cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, there are also flush door handles to further boost aerodynamic efficiency, while the charging port is mounted centrally in the bonnet. The cockpit is dominated by two 12in touchscreens, built into a dashboard finished with a wood-effect trim. The seats – including a two-seat bench in the rear – are covered in polyester, which, as with the wood effect, is designed to make the interior feel like a living room. The e prototype will be built in Japan and go on sale in selected European markets in late 2019, with others following in 2020. It will also be sold in Japan. The firm has yet to set pricing. Hitomi said it is “important” the car is affordable but he added: “A low price is not always a guarantee of success. When you look at Apple products, they are not cheap, but everyone wants to have them because of their added value. We believe it is the same for the electric
Origin: New Honda e: side cameras confirmed for electric city car
Hybrid Honda Jazz confirmed for 2020
The next-generation Honda Jazz will use the dual-motor hybrid system already seen in the brand’s CR-V hybrid when it launches next year. First reported by Autocar in March, Honda has now confirmed the Jazz’s move to hybrid power. To be unveiled at the Tokyo motor show in October, the top-selling Honda model in the UK is expected to be the first in the brand’s line-up to only offer a hybrid powertrain. This follows Honda’s announcement that all of its models in Europe will become hybrids by 2025. Honda said: “Ahead of its 2025 electrification goal, Honda will expand the application of its i-MMD dual-motor hybrid system, with the introduction into smaller segment cars an important first step.” Currently, the only model it offers as a hybrid is the CR-V, which indirectly replaced a diesel variant of the compact SUV. Petrol variants are also sold. Honda UK has seen great success with the CR-V Hybrid, which accounts for 60% of the model’s sales. Following the launch of the hybrid Jazz in 2020, the next electrified model will be the Civic in 2021. The CR-V Hybrid pairs two electric motors with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a CVT transmission. However, given its smaller dimensions, the Jazz supermini will likely have a smaller combustion engine and less power. The new Jazz must remain familiar enough to appeal to its loyal owners, of which there are many, typically older buyers, while also bringing in new people to Honda’s entry-level model. The spy shots pictured here, which show the Peugeot 208 rival testing in disguise, hint at a minor evolution for the fourth-generation Jazz. The space-maximising upright profile and tall glasshouse remains, but with more curved lines and redesigned lights, bumpers and
Origin: Hybrid Honda Jazz confirmed for 2020
Honda e confirmed as name for maker’s electric city car
Honda has confirmed that its upcoming electric city car wlll be called the Honda e when it goes on sale in Europe later this year. The model was first revealed as the Urban EV concept at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show. A near-production version was then shown at this year’s Geneva motor show and called the Honda e prototype. The car maker has now confirmed that name will stay for the production version. The firm believes the car’s retro design will give it an Apple-style appeal to customers. The protoype shown at Geneva motor show is “95% production ready”, according to the firm. It maintains the styling of the Urban EV Concept, albeit with the addition of an extra set of doors. While Honda has yet to reveal full technical details of the car, its designers told Autocar at the Geneva show that it would offer “more than” 98bhp and 221lb ft of torque. Honda said more than 15,000 people have already expressed interest in the machine in Europe. While pricing has yet to be set, Autocar understands the firm is aiming for a figure around £30,000. Project manager Kohei Hitomi said the machine had been the subject of an internal “battle” over whether to put it into production, with the positive reaction to the concept being a key factor in it gaining approval. The car is slightly shorter than a Jazz and around 100mm taller than a Mini. Honda has said it will likely have an official range of around 125 miles, with fast-charging capacity to reach 80% charge in 30 minutes. The e prototype is built on a new platform designed for A- and B-segment electric cars, with underfloor batteries produced by Panasonic that are similar to those used in the US market Accord plug-in hybrid. The rear-mounted electric motor drives the rear wheels, which employ torque vectoring to give a smoother response and improved handling in tight corners. Although the e prototype’s range is substantially lower than that offered by rival EVs such as the 282-mile Kia e-Niro or BMW i3, which offers 193 miles, Hitomi said it was necessary to keep the batteries small to fulfil its city-car role. “We believe the range is sufficient for this segment of car,” said Hitomi. “Some potential customers might not be satisfied, but when you think about bigger range and a bigger battery, it has drawbacks in terms of packaging. It’s a balance.” The e prototype features cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, which help improve aerodynamic efficiency. There are also flush door handles and the charging port is mounted centrally in the bonnet. The cockpit is dominated by two 12in touchscreens, built into a dashboard finished with a wood-effect trim. The seats – including a two-seat bench in the rear – are covered in polyester, which, as with the wood effect, is designed to make the interior feel like a living room. The e prototype will be built in Japan and go on sale in selected European markets in late 2019, with others following in 2020. It will also be sold in Japan. The firm has yet to set pricing. Hitomi said it is “important” the car is affordable but he added: “A low price is not always a guarantee of success. When you look at Apple products, they are not cheap, but everyone wants to have them because of their added value. We believe it is the same for the electric
Origin: Honda e confirmed as name for maker’s electric city car
Confirmed: this is the just-restored Lamborghini Miura from ‘The Italian Job’
LAMBORGHINI MIURALamborghini Lamborghini has finally found, verified and restored the Miura P400 driven by Rossano Brazzi in the iconic opening scene of the classic 1969 film The Italian Job. The search lasted years, but the Kaiser Collection of Vaduz, in Liechtenstein, finally provided a light at the end of the tunnel, consulting the marque’s classic Polo Storico arm and asking it to examine the collection’s Miura to see if it was the long-lost car, and to assign a chassis number to the screen-used vehicle. Once Lamborghini specialists got their hands on it, they used documents and testimonies from former employees – including Enzo Moruzzi, who originally delivered the vehicle to the film set, and drove it as a stunt double for the actor in the film – to verify that chassis #3586 was indeed the Miura used in the movie. The Miura that Paramount Pictures pushed off the side of the mountain for the scene was an already heavily damaged vehicle the production company bought; to find a non-crashed match, Paramount went straight to Lamborghini. A P400 in exactly the same colour and with the same interior was pulled off the production line for the film. In order to keep the car in perfect shape for the car’s next owner after filming, Moruzzi requested the white seats of the car be changed to black ones. The headrests in a Miura are attached to the dividing glass between the engine and the cockpit, so when Moruzzi asked for the seats to be changed, the headrests remained in the original white—this is actually visible in some shots. On the now-restored car, the seats are in their original white colour. On the 50th anniversary of both the car and the film, the two are brought back together. Let’s just hope they avoid any tunnels on the way to the
Origin: Confirmed: this is the just-restored Lamborghini Miura from ‘The Italian Job’
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