tweaks – All about car

Jaguar boosts I-Pace efficiency with system tweaks Improvements have come from developments on the racing Jaguar Jaguar has rolled-out a range of updates to its I-Pace range, which see the pure-electric model’s range improved by up to 12 miles on a single charge. The improvements have come about thanks to technical knowledge gained from the I-Pace e-Trophy single-make race series. Battery management, thermal systems, and all-wheel drive torque settings have all been tweaked. The changes will be implemented on all new I-Pace models going forward, and existing customers are being invited to have the improvements retro-fitted to their models. The upgrade is complimentary, and enhanced over-the-air software upgrade functionality will be added at the same time. This means that the I-Pace now has a range of up to 292 miles (WLTP), despite no physical changes being made to the car’s hardware. Jaguar has changed the torque distribution between front and rear motors to offer greater efficiency in Eco mode. The I-Pace retains its permanent all-wheel drive status however. Thermal management improvements see greater use made of the active radiator vanes, closing them more frequently to smooth out aerodynamics more often. The car’s usable battery capacity has been improved too, allowing the I-Pace to run down to a lower state-of-charge than previously. Again, the gross capacity of 90 kWh remains, but the net capacity has been increased. Jaguar has also worked on the brake energy recuperation system to use regen more efficiently when the battery has a high state of charge, and the amount of energy recovery has been increased at lower speeds for a similar effect. Finally, the predictive range calculation algorithm has been refined for a more accurate and consistent estimate, one more reflective of the driving style. Performance figures remain the same, with a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds possible, while recharging is still possible at 100 kW on ultra-rapid points.
Origin: Jaguar boosts IPace efficiency with system tweaks

Mini has performed a mid-life refresh on the four-year old Clubman, rival to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. Most of the changes are aesthetic, but there are improvements in lighting and some fresh colour and alloy wheel choices. There’s also a new sports suspension option, which lowers the car’s ride height by 10mm, while adaptive dampers remain an option. The line-up remains unchanged, save for the deletion this coming July of the Clubman City, an entry-level model aimed at fleets that will be dropped. Its absence and an across-the-board price increase of £900 means that the range will start at £21,200 rather than £19,995. The refresh is most obvious from the front, where the black bar bisecting the grille has been removed to tidy the Clubman’s nose, while the black grille of the Cooper S features a slender horizontal décor strip. A chrome grille finish can also be specified. The lower air intake has also been redesigned, as have the LED headlamps and adaptive Matrix lights, which automatically maximise illumination without dazzling other road users, are an option. LED tail-lights are now standard and feature the distinctive Union Jack design of smaller Minis. The Clubman’s door mirrors have also been resculpted. There are two new colour choices – Indian Summer Red and British racing Green – and three new alloy wheel designs. As before there are three engine choices, a 135bhp three-cylinder petrol, 189bhp four-cylinder petrol and 148bhp four-cylinder diesel, all turbocharged. A six-speed manual is standard, a seven-speed automatic optional. Three trim packs can be applied to the Cooper and Cooper S models, consisting of Classic, Sport and Exclusive. The Clubman accounted for only 11 per cent of UK Mini sales in 2018, a little less than for its worldwide share of 14 per cent. The three-door hatch accounts for 27 per cent of global sales, the five-door 18 per cent, the Countryman 33 per cent and the Convertible eight per
Origin: Mini Clubman facelift brings styling tweaks and trim changes