BMW iX3 conceptHandout / BMW BMWs upcoming ix3 electric crossover will offer 286 horsepower and an estimated 354 km of battery range per charge when it goes on sale in Canada in 2020, the automaker said mid-December.The SUV will be the first in a long line of new EVs launched by the brand next decade, and will essentially be an electric version of its X3 crossover.Powering the iX3 will be BMWs fifth-generation electric powertrain technology, fed by a 74-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; the electric motors should deliver about 286 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque.The battery, transmission and motor are all built into one housing to keep the unit compact. The motor powers the rear wheels only, but an all-wheel-drive variant will likely drop later on. Range will likely be rated by the EPA at about 220 miles per charge (354 km). BMW says it will purchase the lithium and cobalt for the batteries directly from mining companies instead of third parties, and that the components that power the iX3 will be produced in-house as well. The motors will also be produced without the use of rare-earth metals.While BMW has been experimenting with grille designs, the iX3 will feature a classic double-kidney-bean grille befitting of a traditional BMW, even if thats what it aint. The brand even developed sensors that can see through chrome just so it could throw the trademark-style grille on the fascia. The iX3 will begin production in 2020 in China, where it will be assembled under contract by state-owned automaker Brilliance; thisll make it the first North-American-market BMW to wear a made in China label.That launch date also puts it ahead of the Mercedes-Benz EQC in making it to market in North
Origin: BMW’s 2021 electric ix3 will boast 286 hp and 354-km range
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Report: Mercedes could restrict 75% of AMG range in 2020
It is also possible that Mercedes could bring another manufacturer on board in order to enjoy a lower combined fleet average and avoid EU-imposed fines. Fiat Chrysler and Tesla signed a similar agreement in April, which allows FCA to count Tesla’s EV-only models as part of its fleet, thereby lowering its average CO2 output. Mercedes is one of a number of manufacturers being forced to consider drastic line-up reshuffles to meet the quotas. Despite the recent launch of its EQC electric SUV – and the imminent arrival of the cheaper EQA – the maker cannot rely on its relatively low-volume EV sales to offset the environmental impact of its conventionally fuelled cars. Max Warburton told the FT that if the industry sold the same mix of vehicles in 2021 as it did last year, car makers would face €25bn (£21.2bn) in
Origin: Report: Mercedes could restrict 75% of AMG range in 2020
2020 Fisker Ocean can gain 200 miles of range in 30 minutes
American start-up Fisker has announced a partnership with Electrify America that will give drivers of its 2020 Ocean SUV access to “the largest open fast charging network” in the US. Fisker claims that Electrify America’s 350kW rapid chargers, which are compatible with all mainstream electric vehicles (EVs), are capable of delivering more than 200 miles of range in as little as 30 minutes. The network is currently under development, with plans to be operating in 45 of the 50 states by December 2021. The announcement comes as the company gears up to unwrap the futuristic Tesla Model Y rival at the CES exhibition in Las Vegas on 4 January 2020. The Ocean will be offered primarily to customers through a leasing programme, with prices starting from $379 (£295) per month, after a deposit of $2999 (£2335), for the cheapest of the five trim levels. Prospective customers can pay a fully refundable $250 (£194) deposit now via Fisker’s smartphone app to secure a reservation. Fisker says it will sell a “very limited” number of Oceans outright at the request of several global customers. The California-based company claims its first series production car is “the world’s most sustainable vehicle”, with recycled, vegan and other natural products used throughout. A full-length solar roof is said to offer 1000 additional zero-emissions miles per year, while recycled fishing nets, t-shirts, bottles and tyres feature throughout the interior and exterior to lessen the model’s well-to-wheel carbon footprint. The Ocean is also claimed to offer “the highest five-star safety rating”, with Fisker drawing attention to the prominent side impact protection beams. It’s unclear, however, whether the SUV has yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which conducts crash tests in the US. The Ocean rides high and has modern, utilitarian styling. Flared wheel arches hint at its performance potential, while narrow headlights and chrome detailing are a nod to the 2018 Fisker Emotion concept. It features what the firm calls “captivating design touches that have been traditionally reserved for supercars in the past”. Prominent styling details include a front-mounted radar in place of a grille, a large front air intake, flared wheel arches and a futuristic headlight design. Fisker has also confirmed that the side indicators double as charging indicators, turning green when the battery is full. Also featured is a targa-style removable roof section which Fisker says offers the open-air benefits of a convertible “without compromising the rugged and safe structural integrity of an SUV”. The battery is claimed to provide a range of up to 300 miles. The Ocean will be available in four-wheel drive form, with an electric motor mounted on each axle. Fisker also claims that the SUV’s interior will offer class-leading space, a large head-up display and an intelligent user interface. The company is also at work on developing solid-state battery technology, which it says would allow future vehicles to gain 500 miles worth of charge in as little as one minute. Fisker Inc. was formed in 2016, succeeding the bankrupted Fisker Automotive company that launched the Karma range-extender luxury saloon – now re-engineered and on sale as the Karma Revero GT – in
Origin: 2020 Fisker Ocean can gain 200 miles of range in 30 minutes
Jaguar software update may net better range for I-Pace SUV
Christmas is coming early for Jaguar customers, with a complimentary software update to its I-Pace SUV likely to bring more range to the already impressive luxury EV.The earliest buyers of the I-Pace have logged more than 80 million kilometres in their utility vehicles, and the automakers logged tonnes of data from those trips. Its also taken in data gleaned from the I-Pace racing series, such as battery management, thermal systems and all-wheel-drive torque improvements.The result is a software update that should offer 20 more kilometres of range, for a total of 470 in real-world driving.The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY has generated a huge amount of data for us to analyse and those marginal gains, derived from competition on the track, are now being applied to customers cars to further enhance their driving experience, says I-Pace vehicle engineer Stephen Boulter.The new software updates optimise the powertrain control systems to improve efficiency and allow I-PACE drivers to travel even further on a single charge without any hardware changes it really is a case of the vehicle getting better with age.Instead of an over-the-air update like a Tesla, however, youll actually have to take your I-Pace into a dealership to have it installed. However, the software that will be installed at the dealership will allow future updates to be made
Origin: Jaguar software update may net better range for I-Pace SUV
First Drive: 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic
There will be just 60 2020 Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Editions available to Canadian buyers, making this special luxury sport SUV one of the most exclusive Range Rovers ever.Andrew McCredie MALIBU, CA. Look up the word rare in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and youll find the words uncommon and distinctive. Those certainly apply to the 2020 Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic, of which just 60 will be for sale in Canada. Throw in powerful, advanced, luxurious, and cushy and youve pretty much covered all the bases of this very rare and refined vehicle.How refined? Engineers with Range Rover Special Vehicle Operationsthe mad scientists behind this uber-Velardesigned the engine so that at startup the valves are closed, meaning that instead of that distinctive bark of a supercharged, 5.0-litre V8, the engine note emits a lower note. Of course, put it in gear and step on it and those gleaming quad exhaust pipes let all the dog outs, to the tune of a 4.5 second zero to 100 km/h sprint. That 550 horsepower is some 170 ponies better than the next most powerful Velar, powered by a supercharged, 3.0-litre V6 and a ridiculously pedestrian zero to 100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds (if youve still got the dictionary handy, look up sarcasm). That refinement continues into the Velar SVAs bespoke chassis, which includes special damper tuning to help keep that 45 per cent increase in power in check. Those engineers also worked their magic on the eight-speed Quickshift transmission with high-performance SV calibration, which also makes its way into the all-wheel-drive system, the active rear locking differential, the steering and the air suspension. Theres also torque vectoring by braking, something you wont feel in that aforementioned straight-line sprint, but during a run up and down the many great canyon roads in the hills above Malibu had the large SUV handling more like the roadsters and sports cars that have made these roads famous for over 50 years. Put the transmission in Sport setting and engage the bespoke Dynamic modewhich allows you to personalize things like shift times, throttle and steering inputs and damping controlsand the driving experience underscores the fact that youre driving a full-size luxury SUV that is as good as cornering as chauffeuring. Oh, and braking. The 395mm front and 396mm rear brake discs feature a two-piece construction to optimize weight and are designed to dissipate heat more effectively to cope with the higher braking forces generated during high performance driving. The stopping power is remarkable.As much as the performance attributes of this special vehicle are impressive, the cabin updates over the already luxe Velar model line-up put this SUV into very rarefied territory. The double-stitched, perforated and quilted Windsor leather is unique to the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and comes in four colour combinations (Ebony, Cirrus, Vintage Tan and Pimento). The front seats are 20-way adjustable, heated and cooled and with memory and massage functions as standard. Theres a unique sports steering wheel, which features a contoured rim and tactile aluminum gear shift paddles, and the rotary gear selector and circular control dials for the infotainment system all feature a sophisticated knurled finish. Theres also an optional carbon fibre pack for the interior. The exterior gets the Special Vehicle Operations treatment too, including a new front bumper with larger air intakes to cool the bigger engine cool the uprated braking system. Theres also a new grille up front, lower side moldings and a revised rear bumper featuring integrated those four exhaust pipes. And one change you cant see: a transmission tunnel under tray designed to smooth airflow under the vehicle.And then there is the selection of forged aluminum wheels. The standard lightweight 21-inch wheels weigh the same as the 20-inch wheels on the base model, but to really make a statement, theres the optional 22-inch rims with a Silver Sparkle finish and diamond-turned edging. On the subject of wheels, it was a bit of a shock to lift the rear cargo floor and discover the spare has a bright orange rim. A whimsical bit of English humour perhaps.When it debuted a couple of years ago, the Range Rover Velar took the storied brand in a bit of a different direction, one that while still offering the renowned off-road capabilities put more of an emphasis on luxury and style, both inside and out.The 2020 Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic takes that statement to the next level, one that 60 very fortunate owners in this country will enjoy for themselves very
Origin: First Drive: 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic
Upgrades see increased range for Audi etron
Upgrades see increased range for Audi e-tron A series of technical changes have added more than 15 miles to the range Audi has rolled-out a series of changes to its e-tron, improving efficiency and range for the pure-electric SUV. The e-tron will now feature the same systems brought in for the recently launched Audi e-tron Sportback. The result of the changes is to improve the official driving range for the Audi e-tron 55 quattro to 271 miles (WLTP) on a charge. This sees an additional 15.5 miles added to the previous range, with no physical change to the battery or motors. A new type of braking system sees in improvement in efficiency thanks to reducing the effect of residual brake torque – losses that occur when the calipers are close to the discs. The ways the motors work is more efficient too, with the motor on the rear axle powering the e-tron when in normal driving. The front motor is almost completely disengaged for most of the time, and only kicks back in when the driver needs more power or runs in off-road mode. Audi has fine-tuned the battery technology to gain a little more usable capacity. The 95 kWh now has a net capacity of 86.5 kWh, allowing a little further range from each charge. All newly produced models will benefit from the technical upgrades, and there are no price increases linked to the changes. Prices start at £68,060 for the e-tron, including UK Plug-in Car Grant.
Origin: Upgrades see increased range for Audi etron
SUV Comparison: 2019 Cadillac XT4 vs. 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque P300 HSE
Nick Tragianis: Dont you just hate it whenever you step out of the shopping mall, look to the parking lot, and your car is lost in a seemingly endless sea of crossovers? Well, like it or not, this new breed of people-movers are here to stay, the segment absolutely exploding in popularity over the last few years, particularly among the luxury subset.Land Rover mustve seen this coming. The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, now in its second generation, has been a consistently hot seller since its introduction in 2011. Oh, its still relatively small potatoes compared with the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, but the Evoque has proven itself as an established contender in the small luxury crossover segment. Weve also seen countless newcomers over the years vying for a delicious slice of that market share, particularly the Cadillac XT4: This is entirely new ground for the storied Detroit automaker, and its about time it certainly took GM long enough to offer up a small, luxury crossover. But the question remains, does the XT4 have the goods to go toe to toe against the established players in the segment?Brian Harper: Well that, my young friend, would depend on your definition of goods. Sales? Absolutely. For a brand-new model, the XT4 is doing quite well, handily outselling the Evoque for the first six months of 2019, although that could be partially attributed to the Land Rover factory ramping up production and getting the junior Range Rover to market. Price? That would also be a yes. Cadillac is being very aggressive with the XT4s MSRP, not just against the Evoque, but versus much of the competition in the compact luxury segment. And the loaded XT4 Sport testers $59,365 price is significantly more affordable when compared with the equally loaded Evoque P300 HSE $71,200 sticker. How about size? Again, the Cadillac enjoys an advantage; the XT4 is a slightly larger, more passenger-friendly crossover when compared with the truly compact-sized Range Rover. Yet, when it comes to luxury not just the features and content but also the sensation, the feeling of being something special? Quantitatively and qualitatively, the Cadillac is not in the same league. Agree?NT: Youre on the mark. On paper, the XT4 has the goods. A 2.0-litre turbo-four is standard, putting out 237 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Thats hooked up to an eight-speed automatic and, in the case of this particular tester, all-wheel drive is standard. Take note, though: The XT4 defaults to FWD and stays that way unless youve toggled the appropriate drive mode. And if you want the base, $34,400 XT4, youre stuck with FWD. In practice, though, the XT4 isnt exceptionally impressive, but it isnt egregiously offensive, either. Its simply adequate it wont leave you wanting for more power when, say, youre merging onto the highway, but overall acceleration just feels tepid. It rides well enough, too, but the XT4 is a bit firm over the roughest of pavement, expansion joints and potholes.Its a bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison to the Evoque, though, isnt it? Our particular tester was the fully loaded P300 HSE flavour: Although it technically uses the same 2.0-litre turbo-four as the base Evoque P250, you get a big bump in output (and price). The nearly $10,000 price difference is almost worth it, though the Evoque makes excellent use out of its 296 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. <img
Origin: SUV Comparison: 2019 Cadillac XT4 vs. 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque P300 HSE
Ford revises Focus range with entry variant dropped
Ford has revised the Focus lineup in the UK, with the removal of the entry-level Style model, a new trim grade added and small price increases on certain models. The dropping of Style trim, a model often ignored by buyers in favour of better equipped trims, means that the Focus now starts from £20,645 for the Zetec grade – £2,100 more than before. That brings it to a similar pricing point as the new Puma, which is available to order in higher trim grades for the time being. A series of small price rises have also been implemented elsewhere in the range. All Zetec, Active and ST-Line grades see a bump up of £250, while estates rise by £100 and petrols rise by £500. Two new variants are now available to order, too. Joining the current two-strong lineup of ruggedly-styled Active models is a flagship Active Vignale, available from £27,045, which brings the extensive kit tally from the standard Vignale model onto the higher-riding car. The tweaks follow a more minor revision of the Focus which regards to one model, quietly implemented earlier this year. The 1.5-litre petrol engine has been switched from the multi-link rear suspension to a cheaper, simpler torsion beam setup, leaving only the 2.0-litre diesel models with the multi-link
Origin: Ford revises Focus range with entry variant dropped
Electric London black cab launches with 187-mile range
A pure electric black cab has been launched, rivalling the plug-in hybrid LEVC TX and offering up to 187 miles of range. The Dynamo Taxi, produced by new cab maker Dynamo, is the first fully electric taxi since the 1897 Bersey Taxi. The vehicle is based on the Nissan e-NV200 Evalia MPV, which Dynamo buys from the maker and modifies. Dynamo has added wheelchair accessibility and re-kitted the model’s interior to meet strict London taxi regulations. Other changes include incorporating contactless payment into the Evalia’s infotainment system. There is also an enlarged glass roof and heated seats, while Dynamo claims the seating has been overhauled to better cater for passengers. The cab has the same drivetrain as the standard Nissan e-NV200, producing a range of up to 187 miles. Recharging the Dynamo from empty to 80% takes between 40 and 60 minutes on a 46kW fast charge. The reworked Nissan also benefits from a significantly tighter turning circle to help drivers navigate London’s streets. Dynamo aims to produce at least 500 taxis next year, with a minimum of 1500 targeted for 2021. Although the taxi was launched in London, Dynamo hopes they will be adopted across the UK. Dynamo CEO Brendan O’Toole said: “The UK’s new-car market is experiencing an electric revolution, with record numbers of fully electric vehicle registrations taking place each year. Electric vehicle technology is now a viable alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles, and it’s imperative the UK’s taxi market changes with the times. “The Dynamo Taxi is the UK’s first Transport for London-approved fully electric taxi and is designed with both drivers and passengers in mind. With a low starting price, and a reliable vehicle architecture in the Nissan e-NV200, we are offering a truly unique solution to the tens of thousands of taxi drivers in London and cities across the UK.” The taxi costs £55,495 outright. This figure is reduced to £47,955 for buyers eligible for a £7500 government plug-in car
Origin: Electric London black cab launches with 187-mile range
SUV Comparison: 2019 Maserati Levante GTS vs. 2020 Range Rover Sport SVR
Brian Harper: Theyre big, brutish, and politically incorrect, not to mention overpowered, overpriced, and thirsty as hell. And if theyre not quite at the top rung of the SUV ladder, theyre still in rarefied air. Naturally, Im referring to that segment of the sport-ute market occupied by premium European automakers that, responding to the shift away from high-priced sports cars, coupes, and sedans to SUVs, have stuffed mega-horsepower engines into these products to give these all-weather haulers performance dynamics that amaze and confound.Porsches Cayenne Turbo, the Mercedes AMG G 63, BMWs X6 M and the subjects of this comparison, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR and relative newcomer Maserati Levante GTS, all greatly surpass $100,000 and have powerplants pumping out well in excess of 500 horsepower. I suspect anyone driving one of these ber-utes would automatically receive invitations to join the Friends of OPEC.Land Rover is an old hand at this, pushing its Range Rover Sport SVR to increasing levels of horsepower excess. Maserati, however, has only been in the SUV game for a few years with the GTS edition new for 2019. Im surprised at its competency.Nick Tragianis: I wouldnt quite call these two subtle, but the Levante definitely seems like the, er, smarter choice here. I know, I know its difficult to rationalize a $150,000 sport-ute, but hear me out: Despite the price tag, the Levante is actually somewhat subtle. You wouldnt really expect that from an Italian SUV with a 3.8-litre, Ferrari-built, twin-turbocharged V8 pumping out 550 horsepower and 538 lb.-ft. of torque, not to mention the ability to hit 100 km/h from a standstill in about four seconds before topping out at just over 290 km/h, yet the Levante doesnt make a big deal about it. Dont get me wrong, the Levante is bloody fast, but it builds that power smoothly and confidently. The exhaust note is certainly gnarly, but even in Sport mode it doesnt assault your ears. The eight-speed automatic delivers quick shifts when you drive the Levante with gusto, but settle down and it operates nearly invisibly. The steering is tight and provides stellar feedback, but you dont need to muscle the wheel. Its remarkably flat when you take a tight highway on-ramp quickly, but it soaks up bumps and rough pavement incredibly well. Dare I say, its almost like an Italian Cayenne certainly more powerful than the Cayenne S we recently pitted against the BMW X5, but there are similarities.The Range Rover Sport SVR, on the other hand, is the polar opposite. Perhaps its the matte orange paint job in which our tester was finished thats a $9,000 option, by the way but the Range is brash and outlandish. Its certainly entertaining; the 575 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque from its supercharged 5.0L V8, working in concert with an eight-speed automatic, tends to keep a big, dumb smile on your face, especially when the exhaust snaps, crackle, and pops. Like the F-Type SVR, the Range Rover Sport SVR has a flair for the dramatic. Subtlety is far from its forte. Something tells me its mannerisms will wear on you quickly, particularly if you live with the Range on a daily basis.BH: Gee, kid, the Range Rover is clearly superior in the fuel economy department, its 14.1 L/100-kilometre average in the city (and 10.7 on the highway) is almost miserly against the big Masers respective 17.9 and 12.9 results. Wouldnt that make it our winner? Kidding! Nobody motoring around in these rigs gives a wet rats rear end about being green. Look, these are high-powered, high-priced nameplates were driving. Theyre for extroverts who want to be noticed. And yes, Im in agreement; the Sport SVR is especially polarizing. Its as in your face as these vehicles come noisy, brash and obnoxious.Yet, considering that neither will see anything bumpier than a cottage road, the Range Rovers off-road bona fides are completely legit, though the testers choice of rubber is more suited to the track rather than mud, loose rock, and germane to our four-season climate snow. To be fair, though, I have taken a Levante out on a respectable off-road course and it acquitted itself quite well. But its normal driving mode is rear-wheel drive, shifting up to 50 per cent of its power to the front as necessary. <img src="/uploads/img/comparison/28-suv-comparison-2019-maserati-levante-gts-vs-2020-range-rover-sport-svr.jpg" alt="SUV Comparison: 2019 Maserati Levante GTS
Origin: SUV Comparison: 2019 Maserati Levante GTS vs. 2020 Range Rover Sport SVR
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