Hybrids powertrains are the in-thing at the moment, but that’s not a surprise to Toyota who started development nearly 50 years ago and were among the first to put one on sale 25 years ago. Alongside hybrid technology, Toyota were working on the world’s modern first compact SUV and showed us the RAV4 in the mid 1990s. Come up to date and we have the two sectors merged in the RAV4 Hybrid series … [Read more...]
Tradelines 12 September
Ford will show a new 2-tonne Transit with 48V mild hybrid powertrain at next week’s Hannover CV show. It will also reveal a PHEV Transit Custom due to launch in 2019 and the latest telematics and data services to be fitted in next year's models. Lex Autolease, the UK’s leading vehicle leasing provider, is launching a new fund to offer contributions of £1,000 towards the cost of 1,000 new … [Read more...]
First drive: New Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 4h SUV
The new 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle five seater SUV with 4WD is now available in the UK priced from £34,255 including the Government’s £2,500 plug-in vehicle grant, writes David Miles. It is available at launch with five specification levels, Juro, 4h, 4hs, 5h and 5hs with the top model priced at £43,100. The best selling version is expected to be the 4h variant … [Read more...]
Boost for BMW UK engine plant
Engines from BMW Group’s plant near Birmingham will power the company’s latest electrified BMW i8 Roadster on sale in Britain. The Hams Hall, Midlands plant has been producing engines for the BMW i8 Coupe, the world’s best-selling hybrid sports car, since it hit the roads in 2014 and now the plant will power the new BMW i8 Roadster, as well as a new version of the i8 Coupe. Exclusively … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Lexus CT200h Luxury
The Lexus CT200h is in its sixth year of production and for a final throw of the dice before its replaced it has some useful styling and equipment updates for the 2018 model year. The CT200h is the steppingstone model into the premium Lexus brand which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year of being introduced by Toyota. The CT200 range was a big move to providing a range of premium … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Audi A8 50 TDI
The new range flagship Audi A8 luxury saloon in standard or long wheelbase forms arrived in the UK earlier this year and it’s the first car in the world to be built for the forthcoming age of autonomous driving claims Audi, but progress has a price, writes David Miles. All that’s required is legislation changes to allow Level 3 autonomous technology to be used and some say by the end … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid
Toyota's experience in hybrid technology has given them an edge with their distinctive C-HR SUV, writes David Miles. It's a compact five door with 1.2T petrol, or 1.8 petrol electric hybrid, powertrains and the latter underpins the Prius hybrid, and the C-HR uses the Global Architecture platform of the Prius. Unlike the blandly styled Prius the C-HR (Coupe High Rider) is a very different … [Read more...]
Technical jobs available for EV powertrain systems
Figures from the SMMT show that the UK saw a 34.8% increase in electric and hybrid vehicle registrations in 2017. Aimed at meeting demand for technicians skilled in the assistance of Electric, Hybrid and PHEV vehicles at the roadside, Allianz Worldwide Partners, in partnership with the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI), is setting a new industry standard for training and awareness. A total … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Lexus IS300h
The market for compact sports saloons is arguably one of the toughest and was dominated by the German brands, until the arrival of the ‘baby’ Lexus. That all changed in 1999 when the first petrol Lexus IS200 hit the road and we are now into the third generation offering the pure petrol IS200t, or as here, a hybrid petrol & electric powertrain in the IS300h. Using the parent Toyota company’s … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 December
The Range Rover SVAutobiography has been unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show. The £167,850 range-topper has a new interior, powered rear doors with a 404hp hybrid electric petrol powertrain. Only 13% of experienced drivers passed a quiz based on the new theory test, found Aviva insurance. Drivers in Wales did slightly better at 15% but the most clued up were Scottish … [Read more...]