PHEV option for new Skoda Octavia The Octavia will be part of the Skoda iV plug in range Skoda has revealed its new Octavia, with the latest generation due to be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The popular hatchback and estate will be fitted with the VW Group’s latest PHEV set-up. This sees a 1.4 litre TSI petrol engine work with an electric motor for a combined power output of 204hp. The 75 kW electric motor is powered by a 13 kWh battery, which Skoda says is good for an electric-only range of 34 miles on a single charge. Performance and fuel economy specifications are yet to be announced, but the Octavia iV plug-in hybrid will join the forthcoming Skoda Superb iV PHEV and pure-electric Citigo-e in the electrified line-up. Because the Octavia sits on the same platform as the new Golf, there will be also hybrid and mild hybrid options coming down the line, alongside the range of conventional petrol and diesel units. No fuel economy figures are quoted yet for any powertrain, but manual and DSG transmissions will be on offer, with the a shift-by-wire DSG gearbox new to Skoda. Front- or four-wheel drive systems will be available. The interior features a significantly redesigned cabin, with a greater focus on technology. A new infotainment screen and steering wheel are the most obvious changes, though there are more subtle improvements too, such as the USB-C only sockets, wireless phone charging, and in-built connectivity. Head-up display, gesture control and a new voice control assistant – which Skoda calls Laura – are included on certain trim levels. It wouldn’t be a Skoda without some clever little ideas that make a difference to day-to-day life. For example, the rear seat pockets have a small pouch added to hold things like a mobile phone, without it dropping all the way to the bottom of the conventional pocket. There’s also an in-built funnel for refilling the screen wash, a storage pocket below the boot cover, and the addition of an umbrella and hand brush in the front doors. The new Octavia is a little longer than the outgoing models – around 2cm for both estate and hatch – and is slightly wider too. This frees up occupant space in what was a far from squashed interior in the previous model.
Origin: PHEV option for new Skoda Octavia
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Porsche 911 to gain manual gearbox option
Porsche has released a new seven-speed manual gearbox option for the 911, which, since launch, has been offered exclusively with an eight-speed PDK automatic. The new option has so far only been released to the US market, where a Porsche spokesman said there is increased demand for manual models, as demonstrated by the success of the six-speed 991-gen GT3 range-topper. Porsche’s representative also said that the 992-generation 911 became available much later in the US than it did here, hence the staggered global roll-out of different drivetrain options, and that we can expect the manual option to arrive in the UK in the first half of 2020. Both the mid-range Carrera S and top-spec 4S, in Coupé and Cabriolet guises, can be equipped with the manual gearbox, with no word on whether it will be soon made available on the entry-level Carrera variant. There’s no word on UK pricing yet, but the manual gearbox is being offered to American 911 buyers as a no-cost option. Choosing it also brings the firm’s Sport Chrono timing package, which includes uprated engine mounts, a sport suspension setting, rev-match function and steering wheel-mounted drive mode selector. As with the old 991-generation 911, the manual-equipped 992 receives a mechanical limited-slip differential with torque vectoring functionality as standard. This replaces the electronically adjustable unit fitted to PDK-equipped models. Porsche claims a 0-60mph time of approximately four seconds and a top speed of 190mph, with the manual version tipping the scales at 1496kg, at least 9kg less than the automatic model. While Porsche only offers 992-generation 911 with a PDK gearbox in the UK, the limited-run Speedster, a retro-styled performance variant of its predecessor, is offered exclusively with a manual
Origin: Porsche 911 to gain manual gearbox option
Hyundai Shuffles Veloster lineup, drops manual option for everything but Turbo
Hyundai is changing the names of its trim lines for the Veloster, as well as taking away the manual transmission options for the lower, non-turbocharged trims.Before, we had 2.0L, Turbo, and Turbo Tech, now we have Preferred, Luxury, and Turbo, with only the Turbo trim option carrying forward the manual transmission for the 2020 model year.Starting at $22,399, the base model Preferred trim of the Veloster comes with a 2.0-litre engine that makes 147 horsepower, price has gone up $2,000 from the 2019 model. The Luxury trim also comes with the same engine, priced at $25,099. Both Preferred and Luxury trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode, the manual option is no longer available for these two trims. The Turbo Tech trim is disappearing, effectively merging with the $27,499 Turbo trim as the sole option available with the 201 horsepower 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is available for another $1,500.The Turbo trim option adds a few niceties to the Preferred and Luxury trims, including leather seats, a 4.2-inch cluster display, LED headlights and Taillights, and alloy wheels.The Veloster N is also on the table, and thatll set you back a little more cash at $34,999, but for that price, you get a 275-horsepower 2.0-litre turbo-four, sport exhaust, 19-inch wheels, selectable drive modes, and its six-speed manual transmission is graced with rev-matching.Shame to see the manual options go on the cheapest of the trim levels, but were glad Hyundai is keeping it around for the more sporty trims that enthusiasts are more likely to
Origin: Hyundai Shuffles Veloster lineup, drops manual option for everything but Turbo
New BMW X1 receives makeover and hybrid option for 2019
BMW’s most popular global SUV, the X1, has been given a mid-life makeover, bringing tweaked looks and – for the first time outside of China – a plug-in hybrid version. Given that BMW shifted nearly 287,000 examples of the X1 last year, leading the segment, it’s no surprise that visual updates aren’t the most extensive. The kidney grille is now larger, in line with its newer siblings, while reshaped lights and bumpers front and rear aim to freshen the X1’s look. Larger diameter exhaust tailpipes, growing from 70mm to 90mm, complete the redesign. The M Sport variants also has more styling changes to differentiate it more than before, including a 10mm drop in ride height, larger air intakes and body-coloured styling additions. Features such as larger brake discs for the M-Sport variants are also added, alongside new colour and wheel choices for the rest of the range. Interior revisions are limited to new materials and upholstery targeted at boosting perceived quality. New contrast stitching is available for the higher-end trim variants, while three new upholstery options feature. An optional lighting package brings gives the cabin an ambient glow with six colour choices. The 6.5in, 8.8in and 10.25in (depending on spec) infotainment screens are unchanged. The big story under the bonnet is the introduction of the xDrive25e plug-in variant. On sale in March 2020 (a few months after standard models), it uses a 123bhp, 162lb ft three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 94bhp, 112lb ft electric motor powering the rear wheels for four-wheel drive. A 9.7kWh battery pack gives a claimed 31-mile electric-only range. Fuel economy and emissions data is yet to be confirmed. Alongside that, BMW has added a top-flight 228bhp xDrive25i X1 variant, which is capable of 0-62mph in 6.5sec. However, it won’t be offered in the UK, leaving the current 189bhp xDrive 20i as the most powerful model in the range. Prices for the updated X1 start at £28,795. The new X1’s unveiling follows the reveal, three days ago, of the radically reinvented 1 Series hatchback. Sporting more overt styling changes than its SUV sibling, the Volkswagen Golf rival has made the switch to a front-wheel drive platform in the name of interior space and
Origin: New BMW X1 receives makeover and hybrid option for 2019
2019 Skoda Superb revealed with plug-in hybrid option
Skoda has revealed the revised version of its flagship Superb saloon and estate, which will be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time. The hybrid will be launched as the Superb iV in recognition of Skoda’s new sub-brand that will be used for its bold electrification plans. The firm launched the Superb alongside the pure-electric Citigo-e at an event in Slovakia. The Superb iV features a 154bhp, 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine mated to a 114bhp electric motor, which sends drive to the front wheels through a six-speed DSG transmission. The peak system output is 220bhp, with 295lb ft of torque. The car will be capable of completing 34 miles of pure electric running, identical to the similar Volkswagen Passat GTE. Skoda has yet to release performance figues, but insiders suggest they will closely match the Passat, hinting at a 0-62mph time of around 7.4secs for the saloon. The battery pack is located under the floor and ahead of the rear axle, which means a slight reduction in boot capacity – 485 litres for the saloon and 510 litres for the estate, compared to 625 and 660 for the non-hybrid versions respectively. Beyond the well-hidden charging port integrated into the front grille there will be little to give away the PHEV’s part-electric status. The infotainment system can display information on battery status and electric range and additional controls for the various powertrain modes. It will also be possible to programme the PHEV’s aircon to cool the cabin before the car is needed. The existing Superb powertrains will be carried over for the facelifted model, with a new 2.0-litre 190bhp TSI unit added. The range-topper will continue to be a 280bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged version. The redesigned Superb has gained a new-look grille, with added chrome trim between the LED rear lights. There is also a new front bumper, which stretches the length of the car by 8mm to 4869mm. The car is the first Skoda to gain full LED Matrix headlights as an option, and new driver assistance features include predictive cruise control. Sales for the facelifted car begin in September with the plug-in hybrid version following earlier next year. Pricing has yet to be revealed, but Skoda promises the PHEV will be highly competitive in its increasingly crowded part of the market, and is anticipated to constitute up to 20% of sales in the
Origin: 2019 Skoda Superb revealed with plug-in hybrid option
Cadillac kills the four-cylinder engine option in the CT6
2019 Cadillac CT6 V-SportHandout Cadillac is set to cut the smallest engine from its CT6’s options list, leaving only the less fuel-efficient V6 and V8 engines for buyers of its flagship sedan to choose from. The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is dead for the 2019 model year, according to Cadillac’s vehicle configurator, which doesn’t have the engine listed as an option for the CT6. With the smallest engine option off the table, the most efficient CT6 buyers can opt for is now the $57,995 3.6-litre V6 Luxury with all-wheel-drive; that’s nearly $10,000 more than the $48,295 CTS in a comparable trim with AWD. Luckily, the pricing makes a little bit more sense when you compare engines within the CT6 model range: a CT6 with the 2.0-litre engine used to cost $62,255 in Canada, and was available with rear-wheel-drive only. In the United States, the 2.0-litre turbo was instead an understandably cheaper option for the large sedan. In Canada, the pricing structure has changed to make the 3.6-litre Luxury AWD trim cost less in 2019 than the 2.0-litre option cost in 2018, dropping from $69,050 down to $57,995. That means this is pretty much good news for everybody, except those who are looking to save on their fuel bill. With the 2.0-litre you were looking at 11.0 L/100 km city, and 7.8 L/100 km on the highway; but the 3.6-litre bumps those numbers up to 13.0 L/100 km city and 8.8 L/100 km highway. The change is fairly significant, but you can use the money you saved on the new lower purchase price to pay for what you’re spending extra at the pumps. The gap between the CT6 and the CTS seems to make room for the upcoming CT5, so hopefully Cadillac prices it
Origin: Cadillac kills the four-cylinder engine option in the CT6
The 2020 Ford Bronco will come with a hybrid option: report
The Ford Bronco Concept from 2004 promised to be slightly smaller and less expensive that the Escape.Ford The 2020 Ford Bronco could possibly be the most anticipated new vehicle of the year, right behind the Toyota Supra and the mid-engine Corvette C8. Well, now we’re learning the buzz-building off-roader will be made available in a hybrid version, to appeal to a wider range of buyers. Ford CEO Jim Hackett himself confirmed the new Bronco will, indeed, have a hybrid version, at an investor presentation early May, tweeted Michael Martinez, a journalist with Automotive News. The Explorer, Aviator and Escape hybrids were just recently announced, and we expect the Bronco will likely use a version of the same system they will use, which means a proprietary 10-speed automatic and electric motor that doesn’t take up much more space than the standard drivetrain. It’s also possible the Bronco will use a version of the upcoming F-150 hybrid platform, but no details about that have been released yet. Hackett confirms the upcoming Bronco SUV will come in a hybrid variant as Ford focuses on electrifying its lineup. Michael Martinez (@MikeMartinez_AN) May 9, 2019 Ford’s staying mum on details, putting out a statement May 9 confirming only we are on track to electrify our most popular vehicles, including launching the all-new Ford Explorer and Ford Escape hybrids this year along with the new F-150 hybrid in 2020. It promised to reveal more news soon, but in the meantime speculation circulating online may help fill in the gaps. Word is the hybrid won’t differ too much from the gasoline version, which means it will still have a short wheelbase, independent front suspension and possibly a live rear axle with coil springs. The hybrid model will likely be made available shortly after the regular gasoline-powered one debuts, so we expect to see it some time in the middle of 2020. Although the Bronco seems to be debuting a lot of forward-thinking technology for a truck, it’s still going to be playing catch-up-ball to the Wrangler, which already has a coil-sprung rear end and will soon also have its own hybrid version, in
Origin: The 2020 Ford Bronco will come with a hybrid option: report
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