Aston Martin has revealed its production-ready Rapide E electric luxury saloon at the Shanghai motor show. Previewed by various conceps, this Rapide E is the final version that will be delivered to customers later this year. It is significant both as the first Aston EV and the first model to leave the brand’s new ‘home of electrification’ facility in St Athan, Wales. Limited to 155 examples and available to order now at an undisclosed price, the Rapide E features a front end redesigned from the standard Rapide to aid cooling and aerodynamics. It also provides a visual link to Aston’s latest models such as the DBS Superleggera. Less visible but equally significant are the changes to the underfloor, directing airflow from the front splitter to a new, larger rear diffuser made possible by the removal of the exhaust system. Numerous other changes add up to an 8% improvement in aero efficiency over the old petrol-powered Rapide. The interior has been overhauled, too, bringing the nine year-old Rapide’s design up to date with the rest of the range. The most significant upgrade is the 10in digital instrument display showing key information such as battery charge level, motor power levels, energy usage and regenerative braking. Aston also claims extensive use of carbon fibre throughout the cabin to help reduce weight. The Rapide E’s electric propulsion system is packaged within the space left by the removal of the original 6.0-litre V12 engine. It’s powered by an 800V battery pack encased in carbon fibre and kevlar, feeding two rear-mounted electric motors, making a ‘combined target output’ of just over 602bhp and 701 lb ft of torque. Aston claims a sub-4.0sec 0-60mph time, a 50-70mph time of 1.5 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Though those figures don’t better the fastest Tesla models, Aston claims the performance is “not restricted to a narrow window of battery charge of climatic conditions”, instead delivered in a “consistent and repeatable way”. The car’s range is pegged at just over 200 miles under the new, more realistic WLTP measuring regime. The 800v battery system is capable of delivering 100kW or higher of battery charge using a suitable charger, while an on-board AC charger can take the Rapide E from empty to full in three hours. Aston Martin has also paid careful attention to the Rapide E’s chassis tuning, bringing in revised spring and damper rates and a new limited-slip differential to handle the torque. Three driving modes also feature, while Aston claims the handling characteristics of the Rapide AMR have been retained. Aston CEO Andy Palmer commented that the Rapide E’s unveiling marked “a truly historic step. One that signals Aston Martin is prepared for the huge challenge of an environmentally responsible and sustainable
Origin: New Aston Martin Rapide E revealed with over 600bhp
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Renault City K-ZE: production version of budget EV revealed
Renault has revealed its City K-ZE electric compact crossover at the Shanghai motor show ahead of sales starting in China later this year. The new model, which is understood to offer a 155-mile range on the NEDC test cycle, was first revealed in concept form at the Paris motor show last year and is a key part of the French’s firm’s plan to dramatically increase its sales in China. It becomes Renault’s smallest EV, sitting beneath the Zoe, being broadly similar in size to the conventionally powered Twingo, with a wheelbase of 2423mm and a boot capacity of 300 litres. Inside, the City K-ZE has an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone compatibility. It offers multiple charging modes, including a fast-charge function that can fill the battery from empty to 80% in 50 minutes. The City KZ-E will be built in China by eGT New Energy Automotive, a joint venture between the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng. It’s based on Renault and Nissan’s CMF-A platform, currently used on the Indian-market Renault Kwid and Datsun Redi-Go. Renault has previously said the platform will be modified heavily for the City K-ZE, both to accommodate the electirc powertrain and to fit the expectations of differing markets. While it will initially be launched in China, Renault says the City K-ZE has been designed to “European quality standards”. It’s due to be offered in a number of global markets, including Europe, if it proves a success in China. No decision has been made on where models for Europe would be built,
Origin: Renault City K-ZE: production version of budget EV revealed
2019 Shanghai motor show: all the new cars revealed
At the Shanghai motor show, some of the biggest manufacturers you’ve never heard of are displaying their newest models alongside familiar Western brands keen to crack the world’s most lucrative automotive market. Long gone are the days when Shanghai was an exhibition of the most blatant copycat cars, and the impressive quality of new Chinese creations is beginning to pose a very real threat to more established manufacturers. The 2019 edition is especially significant, with an increasing number of Chinese models being prepared for European launches and global manufacturers such as Volkswagen adding to their range of models adapted specifically for sale in China. Here, we take a look at the most important unveilings. Aston Martin Rapide E Aston Martin is aiming the new Rapide E electric performance saloon squarely at the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. A claimed torque output of 738lb ft will help the Rapide E to sprint from 50mph-70mph in under 1.6 seconds, and the model can cruise at its 155mph top speed for 10 straight minutes. Audi AI:ME concept Audi Q2 L e-tron Audi’s China-only long-wheelbase Q2 L is the latest model to receive the e-tron treatment. Badged the Q2 L e-tron, the electric compact SUV will be built in Foshan, alongside Chinese variants of the A3 Sportback and A3 Saloon, by Volkswagen Group partner First Automotive Works (FAW). The model is the first of ten planned for launch by Audi and FAW in China by 2022 and the first electric Audi tailored specifically for the Chinese market. BMW 3 Series LWB Audi isn’t the only German brand taking an extended version of one of its newest models to China. The new BMW 3 Series has been adapted for the Chinese market, and will be on display in long-wheelbase 3 Series L form. Almost as long as the 5 Series available in Europe, the new model has been developed alongside the standard 3 Series, and will be built by BMW’s Chinese partner company Brilliance Automotive. BYD hybrid supercar A preview image released by Chinese company BYD shows off a sleek, low sports car with a prominent greenhouse-style cabin and performance-inspired design elements. Little is known about the model’s powertrain, but Chinese media reports that a four-wheel drive variant would likely use a 2.0-litre petrol engine coupled to an electric motor for a combined output of 469bhp. Faraday Future MPV EV start-up Faraday Future has yet to launch its first effort, the FF91, but will be previewing a second production model in Shanghai. Previewed in silhouette form, the V9 is a China-only electric MPV being developed in partnership with a Chinese mobile gaming company. Geely GE11 Karma-Pininfarina concept Karma, born out of the 2014 collapse of Fisker Automotive, will unveil an as-yet-unnamed luxury model designed in association with Italian design house Pininfarina. The Chinese-funded, US-based electric car manufacutrer is remaining tight-lipped about the model’s specifications and performance, but a recently released preview image shows off an angular, streamlined front end and a prominent lower grille like that of the original Fisker Karma. Karma Revero Joining the new Pininfarina-designed concept on Karma’s Shanghai stand will be the updated-for-2020 version of the brand’s Revero luxury saloon. The four-door range-extender electric car will use a three-cylinder petrol engine from BMW. It’s tipped to receive styling revisions but retain an overarching resemblance to the Fisker Karma, from which is was developed. Karma has plans to launch the new Revero in Europe as a competitor to the Polestar 1 performance hybrid. Karma Vision Rounding off Karma’s ‘Shanghai Big Three’ will be the Vision concept. Little is known about what form the Vision will take, but Karma said it will play a role in the brand’s transformation from a traditional car manufacturer into “an open-platform luxury high-tech automotive incubator”, like the Italdesign DaVinci electric supercar revealed earlier this year at the Geneva motor show. Landwind E315 Codenamed E315, the latest effort from Jiangling Motors brand Landwind is a stylish compact SUV that will go up against the likes of the Volvo XC60, LynkCo 01 and Haval H6. Details remain scarce, but the E315 is expected to have five seats and make use of the same 1.5-litre Ford-derived unit that powered Landwind’s Range Rover Evoque copycat, the X7, which has just been forcibly discontinued. LynkCo 05 Taking the form of an SUV-coupé, the Geely-owned LynkCo brand’s fifth model is a BMW X6 rival based on its 01. It will sit atop the Volvo-developed CMA platform and will likely use the Swedish company’s range of 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines. A European launch is likely but unconfirmed. Mercedes-Benz GLB Mercedes’ new small SUV will sit between the current GLC and GLA models, and will take on rivals like the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. Styling across the GLB range
Origin: 2019 Shanghai motor show: all the new cars revealed
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