Renault’s head of electric automobiles believes EVs like the ZOE will expense about exact same as likewise sized, conventionally-powered cars and trucks by the year 2020.
Gilles Normand, senior vice-president for electric automobiles at Renault, stated that sales of the firm’s little EV, the ZOE, have jumped 90 per cent between 2016 as well as 2017, thanks to the introduction of a larger battery capacity. as well as he believes that as a lot more makers as well as vendors invest in battery advancement as well as manufacturing, the costs of EVs will take only a couple of years to reach the exact same level as petrol-engined cars.
Speaking at the monetary Times cars and truck of the Future summit in London, Normand said, “We are moving quicker than we expected. When we introduced the very first ZOE back in 2012, we didn’t believe the new battery capability would are available in 2016; we expected it by 2018.
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• Best electric cars and trucks on sale ideal now
“There’s now a significant amount of money being invested by OEMs as well as by suppliers, tier one suppliers. This will bring additionally innovation breakthroughs in battery tech. as well as then it’ll additionally assist sales, since it’ll be a lot more affordable.
“So we mustn’t fail to remember that the costs of combustion-engine cars and trucks will go up, as well as EV costs will come down. If you choose B-segment [cars like the Ford Fiesta], by early next decade we think about the costs of EVs will be on par with combustion-engined cars. With the C-segment [cars like the VW Golf], it’ll be the middle of the next decade. as well as in market terms, the year 2020 is like tomorrow morning at 8am, right? as well as this will be one more activate point for a lot more as well as a lot more adoption.”
Would you get an electric cars and truck if it expense the exact same as its petrol equivalent? let us understand below…
The Nissan Juke n-tec has been added to the firm’s crossover range. It’s based on the Acenta premium model, as well as costs £300 more, however Nissan declares the n-tec design gets “more style, higher devices levels as well as an improved Nissan link infotainment system.”
Visual modifications for the Juke n-tec include an upgrade to 18-inch alloy wheels, the addition of gloss black trim on the B-pillars as well as door mirrors, as well as black bezels for the Juke’s signature bonnet-mounted lights.
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Inside, the Juke n-tec gets a new-generation version of the Nissan link infotainment system. managed by a 5.8-inch touchscreen, the new Nissan link system combines sat-nav, reversing video camera as well as Bluetooth functions that enable you to make hands-free phone calls as well as stream music from your phone.
The sat-nav likewise includes Google Send-To-Car innovation that enables owners to plan as well as send their path to the vehicle through a laptop or smartphone before they leave the house.
The touchscreen likewise enables the chauffeur to change the method the vehicle drives through the Nissan dynamic manage System, as well as change the climate control.
Nissan expects the Juke n-tec to be the very popular design in the line-up. The n-tec trim level will be offered with all engine as well as drivetrain combinations.
That implies a option of one diesel as well as two petrol engines. Four-wheel drive is offered in combination with the 1.6-litre DIG-T petrol engine only.
A two-wheel drive design with the exact same engine is likewise available, as well as both DIG-engined vehicles get a black interior headliner as well as a double exit exhaust finisher to even more differentiate them from the rest of the Juke n-tec range.
The Juke n-tec is developed together with the rest of the Juke line-up at Nissan’s factory in Sunderland. The Juke is Nissan’s second finest selling car, behind the Qashqai, with 28,862 vehicles offered in the UK last year. Worldwide, Nissan has offered over 500,000 Jukes so far.
Full Nissan Juke n-tec costs as well as specs:
ModelPowerCO2MPGPrice
Juke n-tec 1.6 man.115bhp139g/km47.1£16,295
Juke n-tec 1.6 man. stop-start115bhp136g/km48.7£16,495
Juke n-tec 1.6 CVT115bhp145g/km44.8£17,295
Juke n-tec 1.5 dCi108bhp124g/km58.9£17,690
Juke n-tec 1.6 DIG-T 2WD man.187bhp159g/km40.9£17,795
Juke n-tec 1.6 DIG-T 4WD CVT187bhp169g/km37.2£20,000
As I compose this, high-level discussions are taking location about the future of one of the UK’s biggest as well as most important vehicle brands: Vauxhall.
GM, the us owner of Vauxhall as well as Opel, is in talks with PSA, maker of Peugeot, Citroen as well as DS cars, about selling its loss-making European business. Meanwhile, UK politicians as well as union leaders are fretting about the threat of factory closures.
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This all comes at a time when there’s genuine hope for Vauxhall as well as Opel’s line-up in Europe. new SUVs are arriving, while the excellent Astra provides a strong indicator of exactly how great the new Insignia will be. Meanwhile, the Ellesmere Port as well as Luton plants are among the most productive in Europe.
• Vauxhall takeover talks: full details
But why would PSA want to buy brands that contend directly with their existing line-ups? PSA manager Carlos Tavares has shown his skill at turning around an ailing business; his ‘Back in the Race’ plan, morphing into ‘Push to Pass’, has heralded huge expense cost savings as well as impressive, sought-after new product that’s now leading to strong profit. might he do the exact same with Vauxhall as well as Opel?
There’s no question PSA would be drawn in by the stamina of GM’s brands in Europe’s strongest markets: Germany as well as the UK. as well as the efficiencies of innovation sharing that the Volkswagen group has so effectively proven cannot be in doubt.
• ‘Things are lastly going to get fascinating for DS in 2017’
But where would Vauxhall as well as Opel sit between a resurgent Citroen, an progressively impressive Peugeot as well as interesting new premium brand DS? I’m sure Tavares has a plan, however it’ll have to be a strong one.
While this may make monetary sense for GM, it might turn out to be one more example of this fantastic American business providing up on Europe – keep in mind Saab as well as Chevrolet? Let’s hope PSA sees more value in Vauxhall as well as Opel than GM does.
What do you believe of the present specify of the general Motors as well as PSA talks? let us understand below…
I’m always amazed by a few of the so-called professionals who get called upon to provide their views on automotive stories, not least this past week on one of the most important government announcements in recent years.
So when Boris Johnson exposed his plan to ban the sale of new petrol as well as diesel cars and trucks in 2030 – or at least those without ‘significant’ hybridisation – we counted on somebody who might provide us an intelligent view on the subject.
Exclusive: Andy Palmer on the 2030 petrol as well as diesel ban
Dr Andy Palmer assisted to introduce the world to mainstream electric vehicles when he was at Nissan as well as played a considerable part in the introduce of the Leaf. Then, at Aston Martin he organized a variety of high-end Lagondas powered by batteries. now he’s working on an electric transformation in the bus world, sitting on the board of an up-and-coming battery firm as well as composing for auto Express. What he has to state on the statement – as well as especially exactly how the cars and truck market will react – makes interesting reading. Click right here to take a look.
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Our view is that 2030 is an completely achievable date to phase out the sale of cars and trucks with interior combustion engines. We’re delighted that the government has selected to enable the stepping stone of plug-in hybrids a bit of leeway, too. however we requirement some clearness (how many times have we stated that about government plans?) on what that ‘substantial distance’ is when it comes to exactly how far the enabled hybrids can drive on electric power alone.
However, do we have sufficient power as well as is the national charging facilities huge sufficient to cope? If all of us went electric today, then the response would be no. however many people seem to be missing one vital fact: 2030 is nine years away. as well as with the right government support in the right place, plus the clever believing the cars and truck business is famous for, an awful great deal can be performed in that time. We’ve come a long method in the past nine years. who understands exactly how our lives will be transformed – as well as prepared for electric cars and trucks – in the next nine?
Switching to an electric car? These are the best on sale now…
With a blend of realism as well as regret, however no remorse, it’s my task to tell you that lockdown has declared yet one more victim. It’s the beast understood as the worldwide motor show. join me in acknowledging that a lethal mixed drink of Covid, crippling costs, altering consumer demands as well as travel limitations has made it almost extinct. Traditionally, such shows were staged in legendary vehicle capitals like Detroit, Geneva, Frankfurt as well as Paris. They’ve all had their day.
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On a happier note, the future looks rosy for regional exhibitions. as well as right here are a few of the non-virtual, Covid-compliant events arranged to get you, in the flesh, from late 2020 to summertime 2021.
‘The Pop-Up motor show is a simple concept at exactly the right time’
The humble, different, free-to-enter Pop-Up motor show at celebration location buying Centre, Basingstoke, Hants, was shocked by drawing in countless observers (me included) during its recent opening days. in spite of an understandable lack of area as well as new cars, it’s worth popping in (before 24 December).
Organisers at Goodwood are being super-cautious by stating “new dates for 2021 will be revealed later this year” for the celebration of Speed. believe June or July, probably. It’s not verified if the moving motor show will be included, however regardless, the quintessentially English FoS is always a class act.
As part of its push upmarket, Peugeot is planning an assault on the four-door coupe class. Our exclusive images show the brand’s new Mercedes CLA rival – likely to be badged 408 GT – which will be based on the 308 hatch and could go on sale in 2016.
As you can see, it will be longer, lower and broader than the 308, with a a lot more aggressive nose. Slim headlights flow into a broader grille, as on the 2012 Onyx concept, while the boomerang tail-lamps are taken from the 2008.
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The look will help the 408 GT live up to Peugeot’s rich design heritage, which includes models like the stunning, Pininfarina-styled 406 Coupe.
As it shares its underpinnings with the 308, the 408 GT would be based on the company’s new lightweight EMP2 architecture. So expect an nearly identical interior, with even higher-grade materials to fit the new model’s a lot more premium image.
• Peugeot 308 review
Engines will mirror the 308’s, too, with a choice of 1.2 and 1.6-litre petrol turbos delivering outputs from 128bhp to 168bhp. Diesel options will range from 1.6 to 2.0 litres with 118bhp to 178bhp.
The 408 GT is one of a trio of new models Peugeot has in the pipeline as it bids to improve its image – and its profit margins. An Audi Q5-sized 6008 is tipped to arrive in concept form some time this year, tapping into the rewarding compact SUV market, while a flagship 608 saloon will launch in 2017.
All three automobiles will be crucial to Peugeot’s boosting focus on China – now the world’s largest automobile market. Traditionally, Chinese customers have favoured large saloons, for this reason the 608, but with ever-tightening emissions guidelines and less space on that country’s roads, their taste is diversifying towards smaller, a lot more efficient and trendy models, such as four-door coupés and SUVs.
Here’s proof that Peugeot has its eye on the four-door coupe market… It’s the first official teaser image of the concept it will display at April’s Beijing motor Show.
The company has confirmed the new automobile is “from the same lineage as the Onyx concept Car”, and “is a teaser of the brand’s future design”. At 4,730mm long but just 1,310mm high, it’s shorter than the 508 family car, plus lower than the RCZ coupe.
While the teaser doesn’t reveal much, you can see the short front overhang and long bonnet. add the swooping coupe roofline, long wheelbase and long rear overhang, and the automobile promises a striking look.
• Peugeot concept automobile for Beijing
• Peugeot Onyx supercar
When autonomous cars really do allow us to take our hands off the wheel, will they really be able to cope with every on-road situation? This was one of the topics raised last week during a fascinating day of presentations on the future of the car, organised by the financial Times.
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One of the event’s many interesting presenters was Maarten Sierhuis, who leads Nissan’s research centre in Silicon Valley. You might expect someone who once wrote software for NASA to be a firm believer in synthetic intelligence and processor power. but in fact, Sierhuis and his team argue that a essential feature of autonomous cars will be the ability for them to call on a human for back-up.
• All you need to know about self-driving cars
In the end, the relationship may be similar to the one between jet airliners and air traffic controllers, who can offer assistance and transmit instructions to the crew and, in numerous cases, the plane itself.
In Sierhuis’s vision, if a self-driving car – like the leaf prototype that demonstrated Nissan’s Seamless Autonomous Mobility earlier this year – comes across an obstacle it doesn’t know how to deal with, it’ll beam information and images back to a command centre for a human being to examine.
The operator can then ‘paint’ a suitable course of action on to a high-definition map and send that back to the car – as well as any other autonomous cars in the area, allowing them to be better prepared for the same scenario. “It’ll be impossible,” Sierhuis says, “to have autonomous cars driving around without them ever needing help.”
It sounds clunky, and a little less sci-fi than what’s been promised so far. but this grounded method is likely to reassure anybody who’s had misgivings about how this bleeding-edge tech can ever be phased into roads that still regularly throw up the unexpected.
Are you looking forward to the arrival of really autonomous cars? let us know below…
Chrysler has revealed full details on the SRT Viper TA (Time Attack) – an extreme special edition of the us supercar aimed at track day enthusiasts and priced at the equivalent of £74,000.
• SRT Viper GTS review
The 8.3-litre 640bhp V10 petrol engine remains unchanged, but significant modifications have been made to the chassis. The car gets a new two-stage adjustable suspension setup called ‘DampTronic’, which features 20 per cent stiffer springs and shocks, while weight is reduced thanks to a carbon-fibre engine brace instead of the old aluminium strut.
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The TA also gets a carbon-fibre aerodynamics pack that includes a new front splitter and rear spoiler, which boosts downforce by a claimed 700 per cent at 150mph. The interior is tweaked too, with racing harnesses and orange stitching on the seats and dashboard.
Production of the SRT Viper TA will be limited to just 159 examples, finished in orange, black or white, and will only be available in the UK via import in left-hand drive only.
Volvo has released its first over-the-air update for the pure-electric XC40 P8 Recharge. The new software, which can be installed at home at the touch of a button, brings a range of improvements to the SUV’s driving range, charging architecture and interior technology.
Volvo says its new software update has improved the XC40 Recharge’s driving range by tweaking the way each cell in the battery pack is managed.
Best electric automobiles to get 2022
According to the manufacturer, the revisions have improved the car’s maximum driving range, although Volvo hasn’t yet released any official figures. In any case, we’re only expecting an improvement of a few miles, which must push the SUV’s maximum driving range past 260 miles. For reference, the pre-updated automobile had a maximum range of 257 miles
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The software update has also improved the electric XC40’s charging times by boosting the rate at which the battery can accept charge. However, Volvo hasn’t yet released an official figure for the improvements in this area, either. before the update, the EV could achieve an 80 percent charge in around 40 minutes, when connected to a 150kW DC rapid charger.
Volvo’s software update also refines certain technology features, such as the car’s Bluetooth connectivity, 360-degree cam and climate control timers. The update also loads the current version of Google’s Android automobile operating system into the car’s infotainment system.
Now read our review of the pure-electric Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge. let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
BMW has officially revealed the sixth-generation M3. It’s on sale now, priced from £74,755 – as well as it’s prepared to face-off against an accomplished roster of compact executive performance cars, including the Mercedes AMG C 63, Audi RS 4 Avant as well as Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrofoglio.
BMW’s latest iteration of its iconic sports saloon has undergone an extensive mechanical overhaul. There’s an arsenal of additional technology, a new straight-six engine as well as – complying with in the footsteps of the M5 – an all-new four-wheel-drive system on the flagship model.
New 2021 BMW M4 on sale now priced from £76,055
New 2021 BMW M3: engine as well as drivetrain
The BMW M3 is powered by the M-division’s latest twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine. It’s the exact same system discovered in the X3 M as well as X4 M performance SUV twins – and, like those cars, it’ll are available in a option of two power outputs.
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BMW’s entry-level M3 will create 473bhp, however like the rest of the company’s M range, UK clients won’t be offered this option. Instead, we’ll only get the competition variant, which has an output of 503bhp as well as 650Nm of torque – enough, states BMW, for a 0–62mph time of 3.9 seconds as well as an digitally restricted top speed of 155mph.
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As standard, the engine will send drive to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. However, for the very first time on an M3, purchasers will have the choice of speccing an adaptive four-wheel-drive system, which is similar in style to the system discovered on the latest BMW M5.