The little and large of new models being introduced have several things in common but the most relevant is all-electric power, writes David Miles. At one end of the size scale Fiat have recently introduced their 500 City Car petrol-electric Hybrid range and UK order books are open for their all-new 500 Electric Hatch and Cabriolet models with deliveries starting next March. At the other end of … [Read more...]
Call for new thinking towards net zero challenge
The UK automotive sector is a valuable asset to the UK economy, generating £82bn and providing 832,000 jobs in the UK, said Matt Western MP, chair of the all party parliamentary motor group. Writing the forward to a new report on Government plans to reach net zero carbon by 2050, which will be a huge challenge for society and industry in Britain, he said there is no silver bullet to kill the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Mii electric
SEAT is dipping its toe in the market waters in its Mii pure electric five-door city car with the promise of many stablemates over coming years, writes Robin Roberts. The Mii petrol models replaced with the first all-electric car from the Spanish subsidiary of the German VW Group shows how international the focus has become because it’s made in Slovakia. Developed from the Mii city car … [Read more...]
Petrol still dominates buyers’ preferences
Pre-lockdown, some 32% of UK drivers were planning to buy an alternative fuelled vehicle as their next car purchase, according to a report from Close Brothers Motor Finance. Drivers are continuing to shy away from traditional fuel types, with 21% planning on buying a hybrid car, and 11% opting for electric. Despite electric surging in popularity, petrol remains the most popular choice of fuel … [Read more...]
Newlines 26 June
The new Vauxhall Mokka on sale later this year with deliveries early 2021 will include a fully electric version alongside petrol and diesel derivatives. The British Brand now reveals the second generation of its compact bestseller, a powerful, completely new Mokka that perfectly combines fun and modernity, capable of zero emission electric driving and it is highly efficient and more compact than … [Read more...]
From track to tarmac, DS grows range
Boosted by experience gained in Formula E since 2015 and supported by Jean-Éric Vergne, defending champion with DS TECHEETAH, electrification is continuing to expand into the DS Automobiles range. DS 7 CROSSBACK E-TENSE 225 has a 180 horsepower petrol engine (Euro 6.3 emissions standard) with 300Nm of torque, backed up by a 110 horsepower electric motor fitted straight to the eight-speed … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 May
The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is available to order amid surging interest in battery-powered cars in the UK. It’s the first of five electric Volvo cars to be launched from early next year and capable of more than 249 miles on a single charge, versus average UK daily drive distance of 30 miles with fast-charging potential to 80% of capacity in 40 minutes. Kia Motors has announced a … [Read more...]
LEVC give more details about VN5 van
LEVC’s new electric light commercial van will set new standards in the commercial vehicle sector and will be badged VN5. Aligned with LEVC’s overall product naming strategy, with TX for taxi, VN is chosen for van and ‘5’ to represent the volume of the cargo area, 5m3. The VN5 cargo capacity easily accommodates two Euro sized pallets with a gross payload of over 800kg. It has been built with a … [Read more...]
Maserati quickly moving with times and power
All new Maserati models will be 100% developed, engineered and built in Italy with hybrid and battery electric propulsion systems delivering all the innovation and performance typical of the Brand's DNA. Following on from the announcement of testing of the new full electric power plants to be installed on future Maserati models, the development and production plans for the Trident Brand's … [Read more...]
MG launch electric model under £21,500
MG Motor is entering the zero-emissions vehicle market with the first truly affordable, family friendly electric car. The MG ZS EV has been designed to bring EV technology to a wider audience than ever before and represents an exciting new chapter in the MG story. ZS EV is MG’s most high-tech car ever, with the MG Pilot driver assistance suite setting new standards of … [Read more...]