A Tesla Model S in a service garage bay.Tesla No doubt one of the big selling points of EVs (electric vehicles) is their reduced maintenance requirements. Of course, thats seldom what you hear on the showroom floor. Instead, that might get exaggerated so you hear no maintenance needed! from some less-than-stellar sales reps.But while its true EVs dont require oil or coolant changes or spark plug replacements, they do have systems that need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis.And, yes, the costs of operation (including electricity rates) are a fraction of a traditional combustion engine vehicles.Nissan recommends a 12,000-km service interval with two basic menus for its all-electric Leaf. At the first 12,000-km mark (and for every 24,000 km after that) its simply a tire rotation and visual inspection of axles, suspension components, brakes and steering mechanisms. The idea here is theres no mandatory replacement of anything, its all based on the cars condition. This way, someone whos relatively easy on their ride will pay less than someone who drives it like its a rental. As many EVs serve as second household vehicles and dont necessarily accumulate a lot of mileage, having an annual check-up (even though less than 12,000 km may have been travelled) is a wise idea. This service at a dealership should cost less than $100, but prices may vary, as they say.At the 24,000-km mark, Nissan lists the same tire rotation and inspection but also includes brake fluid replacement, EV battery usage report, cabin filter replacement and a check on reduction gear oil level and condition. Dealership service departments will charge on average between $150 and $250 for this checkup.The Tesla programTesla is a little more lenient in its maintenance requirements, with tire inspections every 16,000 km to 20,000 km and rotations or alignments based on tire wear and condition. Cabin filters are to be replaced every two years, and HEPA filters every three years. Air filter replacement needs are dictated solely by the environment you drive in. If you regularly use unpaved roads, or are stuck driving through construction zones, the dust thats kicked up may require more frequent filter replacement. In these cases youd be wise to familiarize yourself with how to access and check these items.For those vehicles running in cold weather conditions, like say, Canada, Tesla recommends annual brake inspections with cleaning and lubricant services. As the braking systems on EVs (and hybrids, too) incorporate electrical generators, keeping them in tip-top condition is important. A Tesla car arrives at a service center in Los Angeles, California on March 4, 2019. Mark Ralston / Getty via AP As with Nissan, Tesla recommends inspecting brake fluid for contamination every two years but only replacing it if needed. Condensation is the culprit theyre looking for, and left unchecked it can cause corrosion on metal components of the brakes hydraulic system. One unique kink to Teslas maintenance guide is the requirement to replace a desiccant unit in the vehicles air conditioning system. Also known as a receiver-drier, it helps to remove condensation from the system, keeping valves moving.When you go through these lists, youll notice many of the items are relatively easy DIY affairs for even the most technically challenged. Do a few of these yourself, and you can really earn bragging rights at the water-cooler who-has-the-lowest-auto-costs
Origin: Troubleshooter: Yes, electric vehicles still need maintenance
electric
Uniti One electric car will start from £15,100
Fledgling Swedish electric car company Uniti has opened an online customisation portal for the Uniti One affordable electric car. The British-engineered compact EV will arrive in Sweden and the UK first in mid-2020, with a choice of battery capacities and prices starting from £15,100 including government grant. Entry-grade 12kWh models will be capable of 93 miles between charges, while the optional 24kWh battery pack iextends that range to 186 miles. The larger battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in seventeen minutes on a 50kW CCS charger, while the 12kWh model takes just nine. A 67bhp electric motor drives the rear wheels only, reaching 31mph in a claimed 4.1 seconds and 62mph in 9.9. Top speed is 75mph, with separate City and Boost drive modes to alternate between efficiency and sharpened response. The three-seat EV, which weighs as little as 600kg, has a central driving position and room for two rear passengers. The steering wheel is flanked by two touchscreens, which are powered by Google’s Android Automotive software, and control the majority of the car’s functions. Drive, Neutral and Reverse gears are selected with individual buttons mounted on the dashboard. There is no key: the car is locked and started using a secure smartphone app. An electrochromic sunroof, which can be adjusted from transparent to fully opaque, comes as standard, and automatically darkens when parked to keep the cabin cool. Other equipment includes rear LED lighting and LED daytime running lights, with full LED headlights an option. The One has 155 litres of luggage space, which can be extended to 760 litres when the rear seats are folded flat. The car can be ordered in a choice of Scandium, Graphite and Titanium colours. Customers placing their order before December 2019 will earn membership to Uniti’s ‘Founders Club’, which includes free softwre upgrades for the life of the car. Uniti is based in Sweden, but has a development, engineering and production hub in Norfolk. “The UK’s approach to vehicle production, with its focus on light-weighting and innovation in advanced materials, is an ideal model for electric car production globally,” Uniti CEO Lewis Horne said. Uniti has ambitions to become a “major player” in the British EV market over the next few years and plans to establish a London office that will ensure the necessary capital is raised to meet its tight time goals. The announcement came at a tough time for the British car industry, with the uncertainty surrounding Brexit leading other manufacturers to look farther afield for their production facilities. Jaguar already builds the I-Pace electric SUV in Austria, and Nissan weighing up the possibility of moving production of the new Juke abroad. Uniti has worked with several companies, including energy supplier E.ON, which is offering its customers five years’ worth of free energy to charge a Uniti at home. The brand claims that the One will produce 75% less CO2 over its lifetime – from manufacturing to disposal – than a conventional vehicle. Horne described the car’s structure as “scalable”, with two, four and five-seat variants planned for production. Uniti aims to supply each market from within that market, using automated production centres and digital twinning technology supplied by Siemens. This would allow assembly line schematics to be shared anywhere in the world, to set up plants with enough capacity to fulfil the production demand of a particular market. The entire production line would be automated, with staff mainly focused on quality control at the end of the process. The proposed system would provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional manufacturing process, which relies heavily on transportation networks to distribute cars from a single central production facility. While originally conceived as a quadricycle, the One is now classed as an M1 passenger car, and must pass safety tests. The company is working with Millbrook proving ground on virtual crash testing, in an effort to further reduce environmental impact. Currently there are several tests that can’t be simulated, and legislation would need to be changed before they could replace traditional crash tests. Following the UK’s example, future proposed sites include Mexico, Australia, the US, India, Dubai and Georgia. Each will be operated on a franchise model. “The automotive world has always used franchise models, in the form of dealerships,” Sally Provoltsky, Uniti’s vehicle development director, explained. “Uniti is an unbranded box, and we know all markets are different, so we can adapt to them instead of forcing everyone to conform.” The autonomous-capable car has been made with lightness as a priority. Horne explained that the One’s design is centred on maximising battery performance. The company began taking €149 deposits last year, with 3000 orders placed ahead of the car’s official debut. The first customers will be offered the
Origin: Uniti One electric car will start from £15,100
Audi’s forthcoming electric range will be built on the backs of these four platforms
MLB evo (e-tron), J1-Performance Plattform (e-tron GT concept), MEB (Q4 e-tron concept), PPE (Designmodell Sportback-Layout).Audi Audi is on a power surge that will see 30 new electrified rides launched by 2025. Ten will be plug-in hybrids like the upcoming Q5, A7 and A8 vehicles. The other 20 new products will be pure electric. This side of the future portfolio is based on four new platforms that will underpin everything from the outrageous e-tron GT to future SUVs like the Q4 e-tron, as well as new sedans, coupes and wagons.The first of the core platforms already sits beneath the Audi e-tron. The modular longitudinal platform or MLB evo will also sit under the e-tron Sportback thats set to be shown at this years Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The 95-kilowatt/hour lithium-ion battery gives the current e-tron a range of 400 kilometers.Moving ahead, the platform will be used for future SUVs and sedans with different outputs and battery capacities there will be two different battery sizes and electric motor outputs offered when the e-tron Sportback lands. The second J1 platform is a joint venture between Audi and Porsche. It was designed specifically for high-performance cars. Currently, it underpins the Porsche Taycan and will sit beneath the e-tron GT when it arrives.The concept car, shown at last years LA Auto Show, clearly points to the production version add door handles and remove the illuminated e-tron badge on the front splitter and you have the production-ready version. It has two electric motors with a combined output of 582 hp and 612 pound-feet of torque from rev one.The instant-on performance delivers a run to 100 kilometres an hour of 3.5 seconds. It also has a battery capacity of more than 90 kW/h. In a different move, the e-tron GT has two cutouts in the battery to make room for the rear seat riders feet. The e-tron GT also uses a new 800-volt system. This allows the charging times to be much faster than with a system with a lower voltage rating think Ohms law. This high-voltage system is going play a big roll in Audis future.Moving forward, derivatives with different electric motor outputs and battery modules with allow the future lineup to expand quickly. The third platform is the modular electrification toolkit, or MEB platform that underpins the upcoming Q4 e-tron. This platform, which comes from VW, represents the future of all Audi compact and mid-size pure electric models. Its a scalable architecture that supports SUV, sedan, coupe and wagon body styles. It will arrive with a rear electric motor, but allows for the addition of a second electric motor at the front. This gives it a quattro extension. As with the J1 platform, its designed to accommodate different electric motors and lithium-ion battery packs.As used in the Q4 e-tron, the MEB platform delivers the exterior dimensions of a Q3, but it has the interior space of a Q5. It will have 301 hp. There was no mention of battery size.The Premium Platform Electric or PPE is another joint Audi-Porsche venture and it will be used for future luxury cars arriving in 2020 and beyond. It is a rear-drive platform, but has the ability to accommodate a front electric motor, which, again, gives it quattro all-wheel-drive. Its a curious decision given Audis current crop of high-end sedans and SUVs arrive with standard quattro. The Audi e-tron GT Concept Audi The PPE platform is fully scalable it supports different wheelbases, track widths and ride heights so it will be used for SUV, sedan, coupe and wagon derivatives. Again, it uses the 800-volt electrical system.The PPEs dimensions and overhangs are shorter than those of the current gas engine models. The real plus is that as electric cars do not need a central tunnel to accommodate the rear driveshaft and exhaust system, theres significantly more interior space. Other features include active torque vectoring when there are two electric motors aboard, air suspension and available four-wheel steering.As envisioned, the sports car based on the PPE platform will be a low-slung speedster with a long wheelbase and an oversized wheel/tire package. While the secret concept shown at the mobility workshop was a pure design exercise, if the production model picks up the key styling cues, the future looks seductively
Origin: Audi’s forthcoming electric range will be built on the backs of these four platforms
Electric Volvo XC40 gets bespoke Android infotainment
Volvo has detailed the infotainment system in its upcoming electric XC40 ahead of the car’s unveiling next week. The firm claims the system, designed in partnership with Google and powered by Android, offers “unprecedented personalisation” and “improved levels of intuitiveness”, courtesy of inbuilt Google features. The internet giant’s Maps, Assistant and Play Store functions are included. The electric small SUV is also the first Volvo model to be capable of wireless software updates. The system is compatible with voice control, while Google’s mapping software will offer live traffic updates and alternative route and charging station suggestions. The software will also improve the capabilities of the car’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) by providing live speed limit and hazard warnings. Volvo’s chief technology officer, Henrik Green, said: “We’re finally giving you the same experience in your car that you’re used to on your phone, but adapted for safe interaction while driving. “And by introducing over-the-air updates for everything from maintenance to completely new features, the car can stay as fresh as your other digital products, always with the latest and greatest features.” Volvo recently released the first teaser sketches of the electric XC40, which is the first step in a plan for more than 50% of the firm’s sales volume to be fully electric by 2025. It’s focused on producing electric versions of its existing models, rather than developing bespoke EVs like rivals such as Volkswagen. Despite that, Volvo has said the electric XC40 will feature a number of design changes to differentiate itself from combustion-engined versions, partly due to the electric powertrain not requiring a large grille to cool the engine. A sketch of the front of the car shows that, as with other EVs, the grille will be replaced by a covered front fascia, which Volvo says will be used to package the sensors for the ADAS. A rear sketch shows that, as with the plug-in hybrid XC40, the charging point will be located on the rear pillar where the fuel filler would normally be. Robin Page, Volvo’s design boss, said the electric XC40’s design would be “even sleeker and more modern” than that of the regular model. He added: “Without the need for a grille, we have created an even cleaner and more modern face, while the absence of tailpipes does the same at the rear. “This is the approach we will explore more and more as we continue down the road of electrification.” Volvo has also revealed the EV will feature a “brand new driver interface” that has been developed for its electric cars. It will also be offered with two new 19in and 20in wheel options and in eight paint colours. The interior will feature new “sporty styling details” and carpets made from recycled materials. The electric XC40 will also feature a small, 30-litre front storage space – also known as a ‘frunk’ – under the bonnet in the space freed up by the absence of a combustion engine. The XC40 is one of Volvo’s most popular models, and the electric version will be revealed on 16 October. While few technical details of the model have been given, it will follow the EV trend, with motors mounted at the front and rear and the battery located under the floor. Volvo has said it aims to maintain its established reputation for safety with the new model, with safety boss Malin Ekholm saying: “Regardless of what drives a car forward, be it an electric motor or combustion engine, a Volvo must be safe.” The front structure of the XC40, which is built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, has been redesigned to account for the absence of an engine. Volvo has also developed a “unique” new safety structure: a safety cage around the battery made from aluminium and embedded in the body structure. Volvo says this creates a built-in crumple zone around the battery and lowers the car’s centre of gravity. The car has also been reinforced at the rear through the integration of the electric powertrain into the body structure, with the intent to shift any forces caused in a collision away from the passenger area. The electric XC40 will also be the first model fitted with Volvo’s new Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensor platform, which is designed for expanded autonomous capabilities in the future. While no details have been given about the electric powertrain, it’s likely to be similar to that used by sister brand Polestar’s 2, which was revealed earlier this year and is also built on the CMA platform. That car uses a 27-module, 78kWh battery pack. The powertrain in the performance-focused Polestar 2 is claimed to produce 402bhp and 487lb ft, with a ‘target’ range of 311 miles on the WLTP cycle. The electric XC40 is unlikely to offer as much power or torque, due to the differing goals and target markets of Volvo and Polestar. The electric XC40 will be the second electrified version of the model, joining the XC40 T5 Twin Engine plug-in
Origin: Electric Volvo XC40 gets bespoke Android infotainment
BMW i1 will be the first in a lineup of new electric vehicles
BMW plans to kick off an electric car revolution with a brand-new i1, with a more conventional appearance than the space-age i3, says a new report.According to Auto Express, 12 fully electric cars and 13 plug-in hybrids will be making their way to BMW showrooms within the next four years. The first of the breed will be the i1, followed by the iX3 SUV and the fully electric i4.Robert Irlinger, head of BMWs i Division, says the electric platform that underpins its front-wheel-drive cars can be adapted to almost any vehicle the customer wants. Whatever they demand, they can get a plug-in hybrid X3, a fully-electric 4 Series, too. Thats a big step and a big change in our strategy.This means that essentially any BMW could be made electric, and in configurations such as front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive with electric front assist (so, all-wheel drive) as well as obviously fully electric and hybrid. To give you an idea of the styling on the i1, Auto Express suggests itll likely look like a 1 Series with the kidney grilles censored by that, we mean BMWll put a honking black rectangle across the front of them. Presumably, itll fit some piece of safety tech or a bumper there or something. The rest of the vehicle should look like a conventional hatch, which should make it a hit with buyers.Expect to see this electric 1 Series within two years, with the other models to follow
Origin: BMW i1 will be the first in a lineup of new electric vehicles
Top 10 Best Luxury Electric Cars 2019
It’s a mark of the maturity of electric car technology that there is now a small but very fast-growing market for premium-branded EVs – and that every manufacturer is desperate to be seen to be at the very forefront of it. Some of them are offering a luxury angle, others a performance bias – and some a bit of other. Some cars within it are big, others not so big. And while some come from established automotive industry powers, others are from more ‘disruptive’ outfits. Whatever you’re looking for, if you’re looking for the longest-legged and least compromised electric cars in the world, this chart is where you’ll find them. This is where Teslas do battle with Mercedes’ EQs, BMW i cars, Audi E-trons and even new-groove Porsches. As a result of the infancy of this segment, a few of the cars we’ve listed aren’t quite on the market yet but are expected very soon – and where that’s the case, we won’t rank them until we’ve driven them. Whether here or not quite here, however, they are all reasons for the early-adopting EV crowd to get very excited. Best Premium Electric Cars 2019 1. Porsche Taycan Porsche has hit the electric car market with exactly the sort of impact you’d hope that an industry powerhouse of its stature might make. The Taycan, a four-door fast grand tourer that’s slightly smaller than the company’s existing Panamera model but is certainly not the lesser car of the two, inspired Editor-at-large Matt Prior to acclaim it as “the best electric car in the world” when he drove it in September – although he counselled readers “not to think that there’s all there is to it.” Tested in top-of-the-range, 751bhp, near-£140k Turbo S specification, the Taycan impressed us with its deft and well-controlled handling, its super-responsive and urgent performance – but mostly for its clear driver focus, which remains rare to find among electric cars. Surprisingly tight body control (considering it’s a 2.3-tonne car), fine steering response and beautifully tuned controls really distinguish the car’s dynamic character which, claimed Prior, “is enough to make it more enjoyable to drive than any other current four-door Porsche.” Due to be available in several less powerful versions, with WLTP-certified battery range of up to 280 miles and capable of charging at up to 270kW, the Taycan represents the state of the electric-car art in so many ways. UK driving impressions and more in-depth tests are coming soon. 2. Mercedes-Benz EQC An outright triumph in our electric SUV group test in September heralded the arrival of a new all-electric champion for people looking to combine practicality with performance, and luxury with sustainability in their next big car purchase – while also securing a car that can easily be used on a daily basis on UK roads. The Mercedes EQC 400 brushed aside challenges from Jaguar, Audi and Tesla on route to its big moment, overcoming all by virtue of its technology-laden and upmarket interior, its impressive blend of comfort and driver appeal, and its first-rate infotainment and navigation systems. Sharing its platform with the related GLC, the EQC has twin electric motors, torque-vectoring four-wheel drive, and combined peak ouputs of 402bhp and 564lb ft. WLTP-verified battery range is 259 miles officially, with our tests suggesting that at between 80- and 90-per cent of that is reproducible in mixed real-world driving. The EQC has plenty of driving modes, and there’s much complexity to get to grips with in configuring its many battery regeneration settings and semi-autonomous driver assist systems to your liking. But negotiate that hurdle and you’ll find the car very drivable and rounded at its best, as well as every bit as classy and luxurious as you’d want a £70,000 family car to be. 3. Jaguar I-Pace The first luxury electric car from a mainstream manufacturer to directly challenge Tesla at the high end, the I-Pace delivers on its brief with standout handling dynamics, first-rate interior quality and a striking design that’s slightly more SUV than saloon. It sets the standard for ride and handling among its all-electric peers, delivers strong performance from its twin 197bhp motors, and feels like what a premium-branded electric car should: an unshackled, clean-sheet design. The rarity of 100kW public chargers around the UK road network dents its potential as a long-range tourer somewhat, as does the car’s slightly below-par showing on real-world range (220 miles is a result worth celebrating) – although at least the former will improve quickly over time as infrastructure grows. If you’re unlikely to rely on public rapid charging facilities or routinely to trouble the outer limits of the car’s electric autonomy potential, it’s a car we’d consider before any rival. 4. Tesla Model S The car that persuaded the world that an electric saloon could be a viable alternative to a combustion-engined one, and that made the EV break into the luxury-car big
Origin: Top 10 Best Luxury Electric Cars 2019
Mitsubishi’s Tokyo show star is roofless SUV with four electric motors
Mitsubishi will reveal a new compact SUV concept with a range-extending EV tech at next month’s Tokyo motor show. The MI-Tech Concept, first confirmed last month, is previewed again in another image released by the firm. It shows the model is a two-seater, lacking doors and a roof, so it’s unlikely to preview a close-to-production model. However, its intent is to preview a new generation of plug-in hybrid powertrains to be used on SUV models smaller than the Outlander. Instead of the traditional combustion engine, Mitsubishi has deployed a gas turbine engine-generator, allowing use of pure EV and series hybrid drive modes. The hybrid technology will be smaller and lighter than Mitsubishi’s current plug-in hybrid system, which it pioneered first on the Outlander PHEV. It will be four-wheel drive, with two electric motors on each axle for for greater off-road control and precise handling, the brand claims. It’s also claimed to offer both improved efficiency in urban environments. Mitsubishi has not released any further technical details of the new hybrid system, which will join the larger one it already has in its range on the Outlander. That current plug-in hybrid tech mixes a 2.4-litre petrol engine with a 13.8kWh battery and twin electric motors. A replacement for the Outlander was previewed at the Geneva motor show in March with a concept called Engelberg Tourer that continued with a 2.4-litre petrol engine but now mated to a larger 20kWh battery. The concept car’s downsized plug-in hybrid technology could therefore be intended for the Eclipse Cross, either in this generation or the next. Mitsubishi sources confirmed to Autocar earlier this year that the Eclipse Cross would be offered with plug-in hybrid technology in the future. Mitsubishi sources also confirmed to Autocar that it would look to move its three SUV models – ASX, Eclipse Cross and Outlander – further apart in size. The ASX is set to be offered with an all-electric drivetrain in its next generation, rather than hybrid technology. The 2019 Tokyo concept will follow a 2017 concept at the same show, called e-Evolution. The model offered visual clues to the next ASX, but more pertinently was an early indication of what the famous Evo could turn into – a high-performance electric compact SUV – should Mitsubishi decide to revive it early in the next decade as has long been
Origin: Mitsubishi’s Tokyo show star is roofless SUV with four electric motors
Nissan reveals electric IMk city car concept
Nissan has revealed the IMk concept, an electric city car that hints at future styling for the maker’s small car range. The Japanese car maker said the concept, which sits on a new EV platform, previews a “new direction of Nissan’s design language” and brings to life Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the brand’s umbrella term for technology including connectivity and autonomous systems. The boxy concept, to be shown at Toyko motor show later this month, is reminiscent of popular Japanese kei cars, but the car maker said the IMk was created to address a segment that’s “prevalent in Japan and becoming so the world over: the city car”. This suggests the IMk previews a global model, rather than a kei car, examples of which are typically only sold in Nissan’s home market. When asked whether a production version would be sold outside of Japan, Nissan said: “It’s a concept car. It shows the possibility of a small, chic urban EV. We look forward to hearing what potential customers think about it.” Currently, Nissan sells one EV: the Leaf. A zero-emissions SUV, previewed in the IMQ concept, is expected to be revealed in 2020. A production version of this IMk concept would allow Nissan to offer a cheaper EV, and one focused on city dwellers who are most likely to buy EVs. Given that the IMk concept sits on a new EV platform, it is likely such an architecture will be used across a number of Nissan’s cars to ensure economies of scale. The slightly bigger Micra is one candidate for the platform. The concept is shorter, narrow and taller than the current Micra, in line with traditional kei cars, although the bespoke EV platform will allow for considerably more interior space. Inside, the cabin is intended to be a new type of room “that exudes the nature of a cafe or lounge”, said Nissan. It features bench-style seating and, other than the start button and gear selector, is devoid of physical controls. Instead, driving information, such as sat-nav directions, appears in mid-air via a prism display. Other information is conveyed via holographic displays. The concept represents “another step toward fully autonomous driving”, said Nissan. The Remote Park feature, powered via a smartphone, can search for a car parking space after the car’s occupants have left the car. When you’re ready to leave, you can summon the car. Nissan sales boss Asako Hoshino said: “The IMk concept provides a glimpse of the new direction of Nissan Intelligent Mobility as technology evolves toward electrification and connectivity. At Nissan, we intend to continue launching cars with the latest advanced systems to maintain our lead in automotive
Origin: Nissan reveals electric IMk city car concept
Volvo UK boss: focus is electric XC40 and online sales
Volvo’s new UK boss has outlined a three-point plan focused on electric cars, boosting online sales and improving dealer profitability – while Brexit is lower down his priority list. In his first interview since taking over in June, Kristian Elvefors said his first big challenge is to launch Volvo’s first all-electric model, a variant of the XC40, successfully in the UK from next year while exploiting the plug-in hybrid cars that Volvo now have on every bodystyle. “We are very well placed with electrification and the XC40 will move us into a new, growing segment,” he said. The XC40 is currently Volvo’s UK best-seller, taking over from the out-of-production V40, and the new plug-in hybrid and battery-electric models are likely to further strengthen the compact SUV’s position in Volvo’s UK line-up. In the medium term, Volvo UK will work towards the corporate goal of 50% new car sales of electrified cars – hybrids and BEVs – by 2025, which will inevitably mean a bigger share of those models in the UK. In his first four months in the job, Elvefors has seen how UK consumers are comfortable with online purchasing and sees an opportunity to broaden Volvo sales on the web. “We don’t do Ocado and Amazon in Sweden like you do here,” he said. “That must be an opportunity for us.” However, there is still no firm date to introduce Volvo’s subscription service Care By Volvo to the UK. Care By Volvo bundles all the costs of running a car, including insurance, into a single monthly payment, like a mobile phone contract. “In Europe, we’re trialling it in Germany and the Netherlands,” he said. “If you can make it work in Germany, you can make it work anywhere. But we have to see how it goes before it comes to the UK.” Although Elvefors says Volvo is “prepared for Brexit”, he feels that there is enough uncertainty to remain tight-lipped about Volvo’s end-of-year UK sales. The short-term aim is 60,000 units by 2020 and Volvo already reached 30,000 new car sales in the first half of the year, but a couple of tough months post-Brexit at the end of October, if it happens, could knock the numbers back. “All I can say is that we are happy with our sales volume numbers,” said Elvefors. Elvefors has switched jobs with Volvo UK’s former boss Jon Wakefield and must now keep UK sales percolating while Wakefield has a chance to move Sweden back ahead of the UK. Much of Elvefors’ perspective on the UK market is framed by his successful stint overseeing Volvo’s Swedish sales – where he increased market share to 20.6% and recovered the company’s market position. Increasing fleet sales might be a card Elvefors could play. He’s not planning a blitz on daily rentals, but sees the fleet mix in the UK, about 22%, well behind Sweden, where it’s around 72%. Another approach will be to encourage UK dealers to bring services that they currently outsource in-house. “I want us to capture more of the profits from this sort of business,” Elvefors
Origin: Volvo UK boss: focus is electric XC40 and online sales
New Seat el-Born: 2020 electric hatchback begins testing
Seat’s first bespoke electric car, the el-Born, has hit the road in new disguised testing shots ahead of its launch in 2020. The model, named after a fashionable Barcelona neighbourhood, can be seen to sport dimensions and design details similar to the Geneva motor show concept (below), despite the usual camouflage. Autocar was told earlier in the year that the Geneva concept was 95% production-ready, with only a few minor changes coming ahead of production, and that appears to be the case. The el-Born will be the second EV built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric architecture to go on sale when it is launched in 2020, after the Volkswagen ID hatchback. The engineering and powertrain of the two compact models are expected to be closely aligned, with a range of power outputs offered. The el-Born concept featured a 62kWh battery mounted in the skateboard chassis, with an electric motor making 201bhp. Seat claims it will achieve 0-62mph in 7.5sec. It will be compatible with 100kW DC supercharging, allowing the battery to be filled from empty to 80% in 47 minutes.The total range is quoted at 261 miles for this concept. It will also feature a thermal management system to maximise range in hot weather. The machine features a similar hatchback profile to the ID and styling that showcases what Seat design chief Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos calls “the ultimate translation of our emotional design language into the new world of electrical vehicles”. He added that “we have to make customers fall in love with the idea” of an EV. The design features several streamlined areas to boost aerodynamic efficiency, including the Seat logo positioned flush on the front bodywork of the car, above small cooling vents that provide air to the battery pack. The A-pillar of the car has been pushed forward to maximise internal space, with the sharp side lines creating an air curtain. The rear features an LED light strip that runs the full width of the bootlid, with a double-layer spoiler contributing to the car’s aerodynamic efficiency. The interior features a digital instrument display and a 10.0in infotainment touchscreen in a dashboard design that, Seat says, is driver-orientated. Seat also says the el-Born will feature “state-of-the-art” driver assistance systems capable of level two autonomy, meaning it can control steering, acceleration and deceleration. A large central bag compartment is located where the transmission tunnel would sit in a regular combustion-engined car. The el-Born will be built alongside the ID at Volkswagen’s plant in Zwickau, Germany. The first bespoke electric car from Skoda, Seat’s Volkswagen Group sibling, will be based on the Vision E concept and also use the MEB platform and similar
Origin: New Seat el-Born: 2020 electric hatchback begins testing
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