Displaying items by tag: electric SUV

Wednesday, 08 December 2021 04:43

Lexus UX Electric SUV review

All-electric power has been a long time coming for Lexus

 
 

PROS

  • Very comfortable and incredibly refined
  • Good performance from electric motor
  • Top-quality build and long warranty

 CONS

  • Practicality concerns
  • Range isn’t especially long
  • Poor infotainment

Is the Lexus UX 300e any good?

Lexus was a pioneer brand when it came to hybrid cars but it’s really dragged its feet when it comes to full electrification. The UX 300e is its first ever electric car, and it’s not a purpose-built model – it’s the UX SUV converted to electric power.

We’ve reviewed the standard UX in depth and even lived with one for six months, so this review will concentrate on the differences between the regular hybrid car and the 300e electric.

Lexus UX 300e rear tracking
 Lexus sees the UX 300e as a rival to other premium-branded electric cars such as the Tesla Model 3, Volvo XC40 Recharge, or the Audi Q4 e-Tron. The on-paper stats aren’t particularly impressive though, as it costs more to buy than entry-level examples of the Tesla or Audi but offers less performance and a poorer range.

So why would you buy a Lexus UX 300e instead of those cars?

What’s it like inside?

It’s a mixed bag inside the UX 300e as it is with the standard UX. There are some really good things but others feel below par.

We’ll start with the good. Material quality is top-notch and so is build – this is a Lexus hallmark and quite honestly, we’d expect no less. The UX 300e is free of any squeaks or rattles inside, and combined with excellent soundproofing it’s incredibly refined. That’s good, as often the lack of engine noise (an electric car doesn’t have an engine, after all) can sometimes highlight refinement issues in other cars.

Lexus UX 300e interior

Seat comfort is another highlight. The UX has front seats that are supportive and very comfortable, with plenty of adjustment. Rear passengers aren’t so well-catered for – the seats are comfortable, but they sit high with the battery underneath them and there’s no space to slide your feet under the front seat either.

Other aspects of the interior aren’t very practical either. The boot is incredibly shallow, and even a regular bag of shopping is too tall to comfortably sit under the parcel shelf. Curiously, it is actually larger than on the hybrid UX, but not much larger.

The infotainment is also a real sticking point. It’s not controlled via a touchscreen like all of its rivals – instead, you have to move a mouse pointer around the screen with a touchpad on the centre console. The interface is ugly and dated, and interacting with it in this way is a real pain.

Thankfully, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto do come standard, though it’s rather mean that the standard car only gets a 7.0-inch display – if you want the larger 10.3-inch display with built-in navigation you need a pricey options pack.

What’s it like to drive?

The UX 300e uses a 204hp electric motor paired to a 54kWh battery that sits beneath the floor and rear seats. It drives the front wheels, and gives the car a 0-62mph sprint of 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 100mph.

That’s not very quick when you consider the cheaper Tesla Model 3 will do the same sprint in less than six seconds, but the UX doesn’t feel slow on the road. Put your foot flat to the floor and the front wheels will lose traction, and there’s more than enough grunt to zip through traffic or to easily join a motorway.

Lexus UX 300e cornering
 The steering is accurate, but the controls are all quite remote and lack any real feedback – even in ‘Sport’ mode this doesn’t feel like a car for a keen driver.

What it does do very well is comfort. The UX rides very well for a small electric car, ironing out road imperfections that much larger cars struggle with. It’s also very refined, with zero engine noise and an absolute minimum of wind and road noise.

Range and charging

The UX claims a range of 196 miles. When we climbed into it we were presented with a calculated range figure of 170 miles.

That number’s rather disappointing when you put it against this car’s rivals. The equivalent Tesla Model 3 claims a 305-mile range – that’s up to 316 miles for the Audi Q4 e-Tron 40.

While the UX certainly has a usable range for many people, it’s behind the pace for a premium EV. It relegates the UX 300e to second-car duties in most cases, rather than being an outright replacement for a petrol or diesel car like some of its rivals can be.

Lexus UX 300e charging

The smaller battery does mean charging at home is reasonably fast – a 7kW wallbox should top the battery up from empty to completely full in around eight hours.

However, when you’re out and about your options for fast charging are more limited. Lexus has fitted the UX 300e with a type of socket known as CHAdeMO, which is rather old-fashioned – the standard going forwards is for a Type 2 or CCS charger.

CHAdeMO connectors aren’t always included on the latest charging stations, and limit the UX to a maximum 50kWh charge rate – meaning a 0-80% charge will take around 53 minutes. That’s slow compared to rivals that can charge at close to 100kW. For goodness sake, even the MG 5 EV – one of the cheapest electric cars on sale today – has a max range of 250 miles, and a max charge speed of 78kW. Poor effort from Lexus.

What models and trims are available?

The UX is available as a base model or with two ‘packs’ – these function like trim levels.

All cars come with 17-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, a reversing camera, all-round parking sensors, LED lights and electrically adjustable seats.

Step up to the Premium Plus pack and you’ll enjoy keyless entry, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats plus a heated steering wheel, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. This is definitely a box worth ticking.

Lexus UX 300e infotainment
 Top-spec cars with the Takumi pack get the larger 10.3-inch infotainment screen with navigation, a head-up display, a sunroof, all-round parking cameras, an upgraded sound system, and some extra safety kit including blind-spot monitors and rear cross traffic alert.
 
Lexus UX 300e rear three quarter
 
Should you buy a Lexus UX 300e?

If you value refinement, comfort and ease of ownership over all else in your electric car, then yes. The UX Electric amplifies many of the best traits of the Lexus brand.

However, it's difficult to recommend because the competition is so much more advanced. The Tesla Model 3 and Audi Q4 e-Tron both offer superior range, performance, space and technology to the UX 300e - for about the same price.

Other niggles include an impractical boot and an infotainment system that'll drive you mad. The UX relies on an old type of charger that's close to being phased out, and even at max power won't charge anywhere near as quickly as its rivals. That makes it less practical for long journeys.

If you're already a Lexus kind of person and you need a second car, we can see how the UX 300e would appeal - but it's not a car we can advocate.

(https://www.parkers.co.uk/lexus/ux-electric/suv/review/)

Published in Lexus

BMW’s newest SUV previews our and its electric future.

BMW is serious about going green. Forget about concept cars; starting in 2025 all BMWs will ride on what's for now called the Neue Klasse platform, a single electric vehicle architecture to rule them all. Board member and development CTO Frank Weber called the Neue Klasse "new new" and went on to describe it as "the most radical departure BMW has ever done." Until that time, the Bavarian automotive giant is launching all sorts of EVs on various other platforms, including the i4, an electric 5 Series presumably named i5, an i7, as well as a small SUV that will most likely be called the iX1. BMW already sells an electric X3 named—you guessed it—iX3, but not here in the U.S. However, the brand's most ambitious EV to date is the new iX. I just spent a day in the X5-sized electric SUV, specifically the U.S.-bound AWD 2022 iX xDrive50. How is it? Keep reading. 

From a platform point of view, the iX rides on a highly modified version of BMW's CLAR platform. CLAR underpins the majority of BMW's lineup, including the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 Series, as well as the X3, X4, X5, X6, and X7 SUVs. The Z4 and Toyota Supra, too. Perhaps a better way of explaining the iX's architecture is to say that it rides on a new high-strength steel, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, and aluminum spaceframe platform, but one that relies heavily on CLAR componentry. Like suspension pieces, for instance. This allows the iX to be built alongside its gasoline-powered siblings at BMW's massive Dingolfing factory. As for the competition, there hardly is any. Both archrivals Audi and Mercedes-Benz have yet to build electric midsize SUVs. Jaguar does have the slow selling I-Pace, though its short range knocks it from most people's short lists. The Cadillac Lyriq will be a worthy opponent once it shows up in a year or so. That leaves the nearly $100K Tesla Model X, which makes the $84,195 iX seem like a solid deal.

What Makes The IX?

Powering the xDrive50 are two motors, one per axle, that combined spin out 516 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque. Stout numbers, no doubt, though come January, the even more powerful iX M60 bows with over 600 horsepower. Those 516 ponies puts the iX just below the output the current X5 M50i gets from its twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8, though the gas-powered X5 makes slightly less torque (553 lb-ft). BMW wants to show consumers there's no performance hit for choosing an EV, at least on paper. We haven't tested or weighed the iX yet, though the EV is much heavier. BMW is quoting an EU-specified curb weight of nearly 5,700 pounds.

2022 BMW ix xDrive50 07
 Why so heavy? Batteries. Until something better comes along, electric cars, trucks, and SUVs will be using lithium-ion batteries, and, like bricks, they're heavy. At 105 kWh of usable capacity, the bmw ix has a fairly large battery, too. To give you some perspective, the Tesla Model S and X both have 100-kWh packs, whereas the Lucid Air uses a 113-kWh battery pack. In terms of range, before I set off with a 96 percent state of charge, the iX was telling me I had 351 miles (565 km) to go. That's a predictive range, based on several factors, such as driver (or, in my case, previous driver) behavior. BMW claims 380 miles of range on the EU cycle, and that will probably drop to around 300 miles on the EPA cycle. One thing that will upset existing EV fans more than new converts: There is no frunk. None at all. Seems like a mistake.

That Face

How about that grille? That's the new face of BMW. Hate it? Well, every human on Instagram seems to agree with you. That said—and yes, I'm obviously old, soft, blind, and on BMW's payroll—in person I thought the iX's face looked, dare I say it, good? There was something about the massive kidney grilles and the narrow, robot-like eyes that just worked. Almost like a second-generation Cylon from the Battlestar Galactica reboot. It's miles better than the grille on the new M3/M4, at any rate. Back to Instagram, the big question seemed to be, if there's no engine, why is there a grille at all? Aside from branding, the twin grilles (which are covered in self-healing skin) are cleverly stuffed with sensors, including two types of radar. As for the rest of the exterior, the hard side is nearly generic save for the floating roof. From the rear, the taillights look too skinny, and the body-colored bumper makes the iX's butt look fat.

Inside The IX

The iX's interior is an exercise in minimalism, at least for BMW. A massive, curved touchscreen dominates the cabin. In days past, BMW has angled the controls toward the driver. In an homage to days of yore, the screen (that contains the controls) bends toward the driver. The number of buttons has been reduced by 50 percent, what BMW considers the bare minimum. That said, if you look down at the lovely piece of wood that surrounds the iDrive knob, you'll see 12 buttons, not counting the controller itself (which does click down and in the X and Y axis) but including the volume wheel. The buttons that remain are logical, and there's a calmness and spaciousness to the interior that's new for the brand. However, there's also a sparseness that just doesn't scream premium luxury to me. And at nearly $85K to start, it ought to.

Technically speaking, the iX is stacked. The latest and eighth iteration of iDrive is more powerful than ever. I know this because I sat through at least three iDrive workshops while I was in Munich. Three! Just know that if you say, "Hey BMW, take a selfie," the iX takes a picture of you. No, really. However, the selfie camera is there as a security feature. Did you leave your wallet or purse on the front seat? Just open your phone and have a look. Speaking of wild tech, meet Maneuver Assistant. Long story short, Maneuver Assistant records how you park the iX—say, in a tricky spot in your garage—like a macro. The iX will then repeat the maneuver whenever you tell it to. Said maneuver can be up to 200 meters long. The iX can store up to 10 such maneuvers. Here's the coolest part: The maneuvers can then be transferred from profile to profile. Meaning you could record the move and then transfer it to your spouse/your kid's profile. That's dang nifty, no?

2022 BMW ix xDrive50 27

But How's It Drive?

First impression: Driving around Bavaria's gorgeous Berchtesgaden region that puts the verdant in verde, one is reminded why going green is so monumentally important. I want your kids to see what I just saw. Ahem. Pointed down the mountain with the iX xDrive50 in efficient mode, simply lifting off the throttle allows the iX to coast. The sensation is wonderful, as if the machine is suddenly free. I guess there's enough brake regen to hold the speed, but it feels like you're sailing. I know some EV enthusiasts (they exist, trust me) love huge levels of regen and one-pedal driving and all that, but I prefer to freefall. The iX is remarkably quiet, bordering on perhaps a bit too quiet. The BMW Group's other spaceframe products, Rolls-Royces, are in fact too quiet. What does too quiet mean? You can hear your own heart beating. The iX comes close.

One area where the bmw ix struggles is that it doesn't sound or feel particularly premium. I know I'm sitting on leather, but the interior has been simplified so much that I feel like I'm in a device, as opposed to a luxury vehicle. I would love to see the (eventual, I hope) Alpina version of the iX, one that's generously slathered in leather. The xDrive50 is slick and high-tech, but there's a Tesla-like sparseness that doesn't connect with me. Plus, the spot that's normally a drivetrain tunnel is simply empty space. Like in a cargo van. Now, maybe that was the design team's intention? Maybe they said, "Look, Tesla is dominating the EV space, and we need to be more like it." If that's the case, then BMW really has succeeded in going minimum. Some customers might even dig it. Call it the Tesla Syndrome. But for my large hunk of cash, I'd like some more wood, metal, and leather. To me, the Tesla aesthetic doesn't work here.

As for driving on curvy, fun Bavarian roads, it's fine. The iX drives at least as well as the Tesla Model X, and now that I'm thinking about it, quite similarly. That impression makes sense as both weigh about the same, have said weight located in the same spots, and make about the same power. To be clear, I'm talking about the last Model X I drove back in 2016 when the 90D version of the electric three-row SUV produced 518 horsepower from its two motors. For 2022 you now choose between 670 Long Range or 1,020 ponies in the Plaid. Like the equally heavy Tesla, the iX is betrayed by physics. This might be part of why this EV SUV doesn't necessarily feel premium. There's a minivan quality that's hard to get past. I'm not feeling the ultimate driving machine. I'm not feeling BMW as a brand in the way it tackles a road. It's quite like how I felt about the i3. Interesting car, interesting concept, but doesn't feel the way a BMW should feel when I close my eyes. The iX just feels like… an electric thing. That said, the noise the motors make (or is that coming from the speakers?) is quite cool.

Let's Talk Range

As far as range goes, I left the hotel at 96 percent charge, and 20 kilometers later the battery was still at 96 percent. I had been in Eco Pro mode most of the time and was pointing downhill. But still, that's impressive. Six km later, the battery was still reading 96 percent. Wanting to burn a little juice, I switched out of the efficient mode and into Comfort. In 4 km, it was still showing 96 percent. I was starting to think the computer was broken. Also, the range was telling me I didn't have to charge for 565 km (351 miles) and that I would arrive at my first destination in 28 km with 89 percent of the battery left. When I started, the computer said I'd make it with 88 percent remaining. The computer therefore doesn't account for downhill driving or elevation changes in the range estimates, so keep that in mind as I'm sure the opposite would be true going uphill. I made it to the first stop having consumed just 1 percent of the battery's juice. Not bad. As mentioned, the iX will probably be rated right around 300 miles of range in the U.S. Based on my driving experience, I predict BMW is going to have a Porsche Taycan situation on its hands, where the EPA rated the Turbo S version at 192 miles of range, but it's actually capable of over 250.

2022 BMW ix xDrive50 16

After my first stop, it was time for some freeway. Let me be the first to say that the bmw ix whips ass on the autobahn. This is a seriously quick EV, especially accelerating from about 75 mph to 105 mph. Let me be the billionth person to say, God bless unrestricted sections of autobahn. I took the iX up to its top speed of 124 mph (200 kph) just to check things out, and you can feel the computer shutting down the fun right when you nudge past 120 mph. However, I set the cruise at 170 kph (about 106 mph) and had a couple of realizations. The first is that moving this quickly in absolute silence (I had it in Eco Pro mode) is quite cool. There's hardly any wind noise—it's like being in a private jet. Second, the iX is aerodynamic enough (0.25 claimed Cd) that even well into the triple digits the range isn't affected too negatively. I travelled 30 km (about 19 miles) at 170 kph and used only 4 percent of the battery. Moreover, the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist work as well as anything, save for Cadillac's impossibly good Supercruise. Once you're moving in a high-speed, straight line, the iX drives great.

Conclusion

The 2022 bmw ix previews many things coming down the automotive pike. Not only is it a glimpse into BMW's sustainable, electric, carbon-neutral future, but this type of machine—an electric carlike SUV-sized people mover—will become the dominant mode of first-world personal transportation within the decade. As a signpost pointing toward the future, I feel confident concluding that we're in good shape vis-à-vis the driving world to come. But as a BMW? I'm struggling here. For whatever reason, I want and expect all BMWs to drive better than other machines, or at least most other machines. This is probably an unreasonable expectation, but dammit, all BMWs used to have an X factor. I can still remember driving an ex's E39 540i two decades ago. The relationship went nowhere, but I got a memory that will last a lifetime. As for the all-new bmw ix when it arrives in Q1 of 2022, we Americans will have a fast, powerful, efficient, tech-laden yet minimalist SUV in a segment with few serious competitors. I just wish the iX were a bit more memorable.

(https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2022-bmw-ix-xdrive50-first-drive-review/)

Published in BMW

The American brand manages to mount more than a thousand units of the popular SUV model every day.

Of course, this is Tesla's factory in Shanghai, where in addition to the Model Y, the Model 3 is also produced. Moreover, unofficial data indicate that the crossover overtook its older limousine brother, and that the Chinese assemble about 800 Model 3s every day.

The report for the second quarter, which Tesla disclosed, states that the plant in Shanghai has become primarily export-oriented. Cars from this factory go to other Asian countries, but also to Europe. According to the official data of the American brand, the mentioned production location can make more than 450,000 pieces of the Model Y / Model 3 duo.

Model Y for the needs of European customers is sent right from Shanghai, of course, until the factory near Berlin is ready. This plant in Germany should serve consumers on the Old Continent.

Tesla's smaller SUV, let us remind you that they also offer a bigger one - the Model X, is an essential key four-wheeler for that brand. This was emphasized by Elon Musk himself, who has repeatedly said that he believes that the Model Y will be Tesla's best-selling car.

What’s more, Musk pointed out in April this year that he believes the Model Y will be the world’s best-selling light passenger car. He predicted that it would happen as early as 2022 or 2023!

Published in Blog/News
Tagged under

They say to understand where you’re going you need to know where you came from, but so stark is the contrast between this third-generation Ford Kuga and the Blue Oval’s first European mid-sized SUV – the developed-with-Nissan Maverick of 1993 – that the scholastic learning is worthy of a Masters dissertation in crossover evolution.

In fact, it’s quite the leap from its immediate eight-year-old predecessor, having grown (89mm longer, 44mm wider), yet become more lithe (6mm lower, up to 80kg lighter) in the process.

Doesn’t it look, you know, very Focusy?
As with both previous iterations of Kuga, the Mk3 shares its platform componentry with the contemporary Focus, but this time around the styling closely apes its hatchback sibling. Perhaps too much so.

Lucid Red 2020 Ford Kuga ST-Line First Edition PHEV side elevation driving

It looks softer, less aggressive, with a lower window and bonnet line than before, giving the impression that it is a Focus that’s been stretched vertically – there’s a fine amount of headroom, incidentally.

Plus, if you opt for an ST-Line or Vignale trim level – this is an ST-Line First Edition in the pictures – there’s so much colour-coding going on that the Kuga loses some of the visual toughness associated with unpainted plastic bumper mouldings and wheelarches. You’ll have to stick to the lower end of the range if you favour those cues. Or buy a Focus Active…

How’re those Focus underpinnings working out?
Very nicely. We’ve previously lauded Kugas for their handling prowess among others in a segment where it’s previously been high on the R&D wish list. Certainly, while the competition’s caught up considerably, the latest Kuga still noses ahead.

It’s not quite the zesty class leader the latest Ford Puma is in the category below, but we’d go as far as to say that the Mk3 Kuga is a better drive than many Focus hatchback derivatives.

Sorry, I nearly sprayed my tea everywhere – better than a Focus?
Absolutely – don’t forget the majority of the Focus line-up makes do with a less-sophisticated torsion beam arrangement out back, whereas all Kugas benefit from all-round independent suspension.

Lucid Red 2020 Ford Kuga ST-Line First Edition PHEV front three-quarter driving

In short, not only does the Kuga feel superbly composed when tackling a series of sweeping bends – aided and abetted by feelsome, if a tad light, steering – body control is well-contained, too, ensuring it doesn’t list around corners like a vessel on the Solent.

Ride quality is the other beneficiary of the trick suspension, although it’s slightly compromised by the firmer damping arrangement on ST-Line models with their Sports set-ups. Still, the 60-profile rubber further irons-out the sharpness of most road surface imperfections.

What’s new on the engine front, then?
It’s a blend of EcoBoost petrol and EcoBlue diesel powerplants familiar from across the Ford line-up, with all but the pokiest 188bhp oil burner available solely with front-wheel drive. If you’re considering using a Kuga where the asphalt runs out, you’re off-roading wrong.

More importantly, Ford’s finally getting its act together in terms of electrification: there’s an EcoBlue mild-hybrid with a 48-volt system, plus the plug-in hybrid range-topper tested here. There’s also a non-plug-in version of the same package.

Unlike rivals’ PHEV offerings where a tiny turbo petrol motor’s used, Ford’s plumped for a 2.5-litre four-pot operating on the more efficient Atkinson cycle. Rather than the electrical powertrain components simply being added to the engine as a bolt-on, here the two work as a package: the electrical energy is used to compensate for the lack of a forced induction system at lower revs, with the engine joining in when it can do so efficiently.

Together the power units produce 222bhp, with the electric motor accounting for 108bhp of that, confirming the unstressed nature of the engine. Ford claims over 200mpg under the latest, more rigorous WLTP testing regime, but once you’ve sapped the batteries, a figure closer to 40mpg is more likely in the real world.

Various driving models are on offer, as well as the ability to store electrical energy ready for driving in a ULEZ area. Officially, the 14.4kWh battery pack will serve up to 35 miles of zero-emissions driving and should only take around three hours to charge on a dedicated wallbox.

It’s brisk, rather than quick – the 188bhp diesel Kuga’s faster, stat fans – but at 32g/km of CO2 this one’s going to have user choosers drooling in a way Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV simply doesn’t.

Channelling that grunt to the forward axle is a Ford-developed CVT transmission, with artificial ratios within its software to mimic a more conventional automatic. It works to a degree, but it still causes the engine to work harder at lower speeds, which sounds loud and gruff in the process.

How easy is the Kuga to live with?
In typical Ford fashion: very. That it’s a Focus facsimile inside – albeit roomier – is not a shock, so it’s very easy to use, if not the most exciting dashboard to look at. Acres of black plastic and fabric doesn’t help give it much sparkle, either.

More importantly, it’s riddled with cubbies and sensibly shaped mouldings to keep all manner of cabin detritus located securely. Plus, there’s a smattering of USB points, an optional three-pin domestic plug socket and an available smartphone wireless charging plate with its own rubberised well.

Lucid Red 2020 Ford Kuga ST-Line First Edition PHEV dashboard viewed from passenger side

Back seat occupants are especially well catered for in what Ford claims to be the roomiest C-segment SUV for those in the rear. It feels spacious, even on models without a glazed roof, a feat improved further by a sliding 60:40 split rear bench that also reclines.

Boot space is also generous, but the flimsy, fabric loadspace cover – which completely lifts out of the way when the tailgate’s open – smacks of requiring a Heath-Robinson trademark label.

Packed with tech
Whether it’s technology to keep you safer on the roads, such as the various driver-assistance systems that contributed to the Kuga’s five-star EuroNCAP rating, or it’s a slicker, higher resolution edition of the Sync 3 multimedia touchscreen with colours that at last don’t look like they’ve been through a boil wash, most versions are well kitted-out.

Titanium versions upwards feature a generous equipment roster, but we’d especially pick out the quad-projector LED headlamps as an extra worthy of serious consideration.

ST-Line models and higher also have a very slick 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that’s configurable and changes colour depending on the driving mode. Most also include an icon of the rear of a Mondeo – well, Fusion, really – but Sport is illustrated by a Mustang GT and Sand/Snow with an F-150 pick-up. Neat touch.

Don't forget the mild hybrid!
As Ford ups its electric game – even unveiling an EV version of its F-150 pick-up in the US – it’s easy to overlook the modest-sounding mild-hybrid version of the Kuga. Especially as it’s a diesel – yes, those old things.

Lurking in the middle of a line-up that also includes petrol, diesel, ‘self-charging’ hybrid and plug-in hybrid, the EcoBlue Hybrid version of the Kuga works extremely well on the road, and for many it could also be the version that consistently delivers true economy and efficiency.

It’s based on Ford’s 148bhp four-cylinder turbodiesel. The alternator is replaced by a multi-tasking belt-driven integrated starter-generator. It captures energy from braking and coasting, storing it in a 48-volt battery. That energy makes the automatic stop-start system more effective; it can be used to support the engine; and it helps run various electrical ancillaries.

The BISG works as a motor, but takes up little space and adds little weight. Similarly, the 48V battery has a modest capacity – it doesn’t allow electric-only driving – but it’s enough to help ease the load on the engine, reducing emissions and improving fuel consumption. And it does that throughout every journey, unlike a PHEV, which only works at its best if charged frequently.

On our brief test drive, we couldn’t match the official 55.4mpg, but we did manage figures in the high 40s, which is impressive considering that we were gettting a move on, and enjoying the EcoBlue unit’s hearty pulling power. On the move it’s smooth and quiet, and married to a six-speed manual gearbox that’s slick enough to encourage frequent shifting, so you keep the engine in its sweet spot.

Ford Kuga: verdict
So, how much is all this going to set you back? The Kuga line-up starts at £26,445, and carries on almost as far as £40k. So it's not the cheapest of relatively compact mainstream crossovers. But why should it be? It drives well, it's well equipped and has an all-round air of quality about it.

It’s going to have user choosers reaching the end of their Outlander PHEV leases clambering for a more satisfying SUV to drive.

In benefit-in-kind terms, a 20% rate taxpayer’s only going to be looking at a £60 monthly bill to run one as a company car. Expect to see a lot of these on the road, and know that the drivers are enjoying more than just good real-world value – it's also good to drive.

(carmagazine.co.uk)

Published in Ford
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 05:38

Nissan Ariya first details

Stylish electric Nissan is packed with tech and goes up to 310 miles

Nissan's second electric car has been unveiled and is due to go on sale in the UK by the end of 2021. The Ariya is an electric SUV that slots between the Nissan Qashqai and Nissan X-Trail in terms of size. It comes with two or all-wheel drive, up to 310-miles of battery range, and two levels of power.

It's Nissan's second electric car after the hugely popular Nissan Leaf. More importantly for buyers, it ushers in a new design language for Nissan. In the metal it looks brilliantly solid and futuristic, while inside it's a step up from what you'd find in a Nissan today.

Main rivals include already established electric cars like the Kia e-Niro and Jaguar I-Pace, as well as upstarts like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, BMW iX3 and VW ID.4.

What's it like inside?
As you'd expect, it's bristling with the latest tech. You get a 12.3-inch central touchscreen alongside a 12.3-inch digital display for the driver, and a colour head-up display. There is a suite of driver assistance systems, including an enhanced version of the Leaf’s excellent ProPilot system semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control, with lane-keeping assistance and Nissan’s Safety Shield active safety systems.

The Ariya gets a new 'hey Nissan' voice control system as well as Alexa voice functionality. There's also a Nissan smartphone app to check battery status and set the climate control remotely as you can in many of its electric rivals.

Nissan says that it has the room of a much larger car inside, and this is down to the space efficiency of an electric car, which does not need to house the bulky engine and gearbox in the usual place.

It's a smart new look
The Ariya is certainly more stylish than the Leaf. There are ultra-slim LED headlights upfront, with a contrasting light blade at the rear. It gets animated indicators, two-tone paint schemes and sits on striking large wheels. The design was previewed in 2019 in a concept car – also called the Ariya – and much has remained unchanged going into production.

It has a long wheelbase (the distance between the axle lines), which should deliver that promised extra room inside. It's about the same length as an X-Trail, but the wheelbase is more than 7cm longer.

Performance and range – very competitive
The Ariya comes with the choice of two- or four-wheel drive, and will be offered with two power and torque outputs. The entry-level front-wheel drive 63kWh Ariya develops 220hp and 300Nm for a maximum speed of 99mph and a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds. Nissan says that this version will have a 233-mile range in real-world WLTP testing. The version with the larger 87kWh battery pack delivers 245bhp with the front-drive motor, and this one covers up to 310 miles on a single charge.

The four-wheel drive versions use what Nissan calls its e-4orce system. With the 63kWh battery pack you get 275hp for a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds and a range of up to 211 miles. The 87kWh four-wheel drive model boasts 310hp and 285 miles of range.

Star of the show will be the range-topping Ariya 87kWh Performance model. You get 395hp and 600Nm of torque for a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds. Maximum speed is 124mph. Battery range for the Performance model drops to 248 miles.

Charging options
The 63kWh Ariyas get a 7kW charger for home connections and the the 87kWh versions come with a 22kW three-phase set-up, where the home set-up can deliver this. The good news is that it uses the latest CCS charger set-up, and can support the fastest public charging, with up to 130kW.

Source: parkers.co.uk

Published in Nissan
Wednesday, 16 December 2020 06:43

Ford Mustang Mach-E (2020) review: a new breed

 Ford’s latest pony car is a near-silent, totally environment-friendly galloper shaped like a crossbreed cocktail of Aintree winner and steeplechase champion. Badged Mustang like millions of great American sports cars launched since the nameplate first popped up in 1964, the Mach-E is heralded as decidedly dynamic EV which puts street cred above cabin acreage and presence before lollipop aerodynamics.

Best electric SUVs

Similar to the reborn Bronco, the e-CUV is designated to build a bridge between the brand’s glory years and a planet-friendlier tomorrow. Question is, where exactly does the electric Ford rank in the fast growing catch-up queue which includes new arrivals like the VW ID.4 and the Volvo XC40 Recharge?

Give me a spec debrief

Designed in Dearborn, the Mach-E is arguably not quite centrefold pretty but well proportioned, functional and unmistakably Ford; like a grown up Kuga with pursed painted lips and a nicely rounded rear end with Mustang-style taillights.

The cosseting cabin of the electric Ford is a notably more up-market suite on wheels than the loveless driver environment of the Tesla clad in plastified hide and jinxed with below-par build quality, the cheapo somewhat off-the-mark interior of the ID.4, or the iPace work station which appears to be different mainly for the sake of nonconformism. There’s a larger-than-life centre touchscreen running Ford’s new Sync 4 infotainment, complemented by a smaller rectangular display in the driver’s direct field of vision. With the exception of the rotary volume control, the buttons on the steering-wheel and the circular gear-selector first copyrighted by Jaguar, access to all MMI areas is by touchscreen and voice control.

Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment: does it work?

All first edition models (like our test car) of the Mach-E are already sold out, so your choice in the UK comprises Standard or Extended Range versions, both available with either rear- or all-wheel drive. Prices start at just over £40k before the plug-in car grant has been applied.

Here are the different versions:

Standard Range RWD: 265bhp, 6.1sec 0-62mph, claimed 273-mile range
Standard Range AWD 265bhp, 6.2sec 0-62mph, claimed 379-mile range
Extended Range RWD 290bhp, 5.6sec 0-62mph, claimed 248-mile range
Extended Range AWD: 346bhp, 5.1sec 0-62mph, claimed 335-mile range

Ford is also planning a Performance Edition, though that’s as-yet unconfirmed for the UK. For comparison, the most potent Mach-E is around four grand more expensive than the 340bhp Model Y AWD, which fields a less potent 72.5kWh battery but will accelerate in 5.1sec from 0-62mph, reach a top speed of 135mph and can charge with up to 250kW. While the blue oval effort is restricted to 111mph, it matches its key rival against the stopwatch, and it boasts 21 miles of extra distance.

Let’s drive!
Oddly, the first few miles disappoint. What’s wrong with this chewing-gum steering which feels as if a rope with a sack of potatoes attached to both ends was straddling the rack? Switching off the lane guidance fixes it: no more woolly self-centering now, no half-hearted auto-corrections, no vague feedback with increasing lock. The insurance companies love these assistance systems, committed drivers hate them.

After many hours behind the wheel, the steering no longer feels quite so odd, though that V-shaped self-centering phenomenon and the on-lock lightness have not gone away completely. Instead, assets like the pinpoint accuracy, the relatively tight turning circle of 11.6 metres and the balanced damping have come to the forefront.

The low-speed ride is knobbly, but that weighty skateboard underneath gets into a rhythm above 40mph. Composure remains flat at all times (thanks to the low centre of gravity and a pair of anti-roll bars), and the straight-line stability is as unperturbed as the car’s stance through hurried changes of direction, under hard braking and when staging a borderline overtaking act which is obviously never ever interrupted by a potentially critical upshift action.

How fast is it?
Well, to make the best use of the Mach-E is to play with the new drive modes, poetically named Whisper, Active and Untamed. In Whisper, the steering is too light and there is a Do Not Disturb sign dangling from the accelerator pedal. In contrast, Untamed cannot wait to unlock the high voltage corral and speed up the direction determinator, but the computer-generated driving noise sounds like the tumble dry programme of a distant washing machine, lift-off exaggerates that controversial one-pedal feel, and fake downshifts are the rule under braking. No, thanks. So, Active it is, which strikes a purposeful balance between relaxed and excited, makes coasting a way of life, subtly synchronizes the sensations telegraphed to your palms and feet. Sadly, there are no shift paddles to play with, be it to trigger instant energy regeneration or release momentum for a more emphatic flow.

Still in Active, the brakes are every bit as attentive as the throttle, the stopping power is strong and progressive, and despite repeated attempts we could not detect the exact transition point between electric and hydraulic deceleration. If anything, this time-warp energy-squashing system needs a strong right foot to combat the slowly rising pedal pressure.

Ford Mustang Mach-E: verdict
Ford’s first fully electric planet-saver is fun to drive, commendably efficient as well as cool to look at and to be seen in. The brittle low-speed ride and synthetic steering mark it down, but there’s a little more flair here than a Tesla Model Y.

Source: carmagazine.co.uk

Published in Ford
Thursday, 05 November 2020 11:30

BMW iX3 SUV review

"The BMW iX3 is an electric variant of the popular X3 with a 285-mile range"

While BMW wowed the world with its i3 electric hatchback and i8 plug-in hybrid coupe, the all-electric BMW iX3 SUV is altogether a more staid proposition. This time round BMW is taking a similar approach to Peugeot and Hyundai by serving up an electric version of a car it already sells, namely the BMW X3.

There's been a deliberate decision not to go radical with the design, with BMW instead opting to add aerodynamic wheels, blue trim accents and a smoothed-off grille. There are also a new set of bumpers and side skirts, all tested to ensure they are slippery enough to help maximise the driving range. This is really just an X3 for buyers who want an electric powertrain.

Best electric SUVs

Under the car's floor is an 80kWh battery that sends its power to a rear-mounted 282bhp electric motor. This is a departure from rivals like the Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC, which all have two motors, four wheel drive and quite a bit more power. While it isn't as fast as them, the iX3's 285-mile range is competitive, beating both its German rivals and just slightly behind the I-Pace. The Jag’ struggles to hit its official figure in real-world driving anyway.

It can also be charged quickly, obtaining speeds of up to 150kW at the latest rapid-charging stations. Of its closest rivals, only the e-tron can match this, with the others topping out at around 100kW, and it means the iX3 battery can be replenished to 80% in a speedy 34 minutes. Thanks to this capability, making one stop on a long journey should be ample to get drivers to their destination with range to spare.

Like the exterior, the inside of the iX3 is very much a mild variation on the X3, with some flashes of blue trim to show this is the electric version. It shares the same 10.25-inch iDrive infotainment display perched above the dashboard and a 12.3-inch digital instrument screen. Premier Edition and Premier Edition Pro trims serve up plenty of equipment, with features like a head-up display, a Harman Kardon stereo and wireless phone charging in the top trim.

The BMW iX3 is spacious, quiet and has a good range, but it's a shame it doesn't feel anywhere near as special as the i3 and i8. Instead, it ushers in an era when electric BMWs will be a more mass-market part of the line-up.

By adding an EV option to its popular X3 range, BMW boasts that customers can now choose between four different powertrains for its mid-size SUV. It adds to the existing petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid range, giving low to medium-mileage drivers the chance to shun traditional fossil fuels altogether.

BMW iX3 MPG & CO2

The iX3 has an 80kWh battery beneath its floor, allowing it to cover up to 285 miles on a charge. That's competitive with the 298-mile range of the Jaguar I-Pace, and betters the 237 and 256-mile range of the Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC respectively.

Like the e-tron, the iX3 also supports rapid 150kW charging at compatible public locations, topping the battery up to 80% in just 34 minutes. The Mercedes and Jaguar can be topped up at around 100kW, so take longer to recharge.

As with any electric vehicle, the iX3 has the potential to significantly reduce running costs for the owner, and we particularly enjoyed one new feature for its energy recuperation system. Like most new EVs, the braking effect of the electric motor can be set to low, medium or high, and with practice it's possible to drive the iX3 in traffic with almost no use of the brakes. However, BMW has also added an ‘Adaptive’ setting, which automatically adjusts the recuperation to match the car ahead, a bit like adaptive cruise control for braking alone. It works well, carefully adjusting the regenerative effect to match cars in front, even when they modulate their deceleration.

Thanks to its zero emissions, the iX3 qualifies for free car tax and 0% BiK for company-car drivers in 2020/21.

Insurance groups
The insurance band for the iX3 hasn't been announced yet but it's likely to be fairly high. We say this because its rivals are all costly to insure, with the I-Pace in group 49 out of 50 and the Audi e-tron in the very top group. However, the iX3 is the least powerful of the group, so could be a few groups lower.

Warranty
BMW sells all its cars with a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty, which is on a par with Mercedes and slightly more generous than Audi (with a 60,000-mile cap). Tesla models come with a four-year or 50,000-mile warranty. It's likely the BMW iX3 will have a longer warranty covering its battery (many rivals offer eight years of cover), but details of this have yet to be announced.

Servicing
BMW models are fitted with an array of sensors to determine when servicing is required, so there isn't a strict routine to stick to. Typically, services won't be more than two years or 20,000 miles apart, and isn't the cheapest. BMW does offer servicing packages though, making it possible to spread the cost over monthly payments.

Unlike its rivals, the iX3 gets a single electric motor powering the rear wheels. This means it isn't as quick as the dual-motor Jaguar I-Pace in a straight line, but it still gets a sporty setup in typical BMW fashion.

In fact, it would have been better if BMW had made the suspension softer because in its pursuit of agile, fun handling, ride comfort has been compromised. Even in the softest Comfort mode, the iX3 fidgets and seems to find bumps in the road that look inconsequential from behind the wheel.

This chassis setup and the low-slung battery does at least mean the iX3 corners with little body lean, while the steering is fast to respond, if lacking in feel. Sport mode makes the steering heavier but also renders the suspension too bouncy, so we quickly turned it off.

BMW iX3 electric motor

The iX3 is powered by a single 282bhp electric motor at the rear axle, giving it a 0-62mph acceleration time of 6.8 seconds. This should be plenty quick enough for most SUV (and EV) buyers, but it's some way off rivals. The Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC all feature front and rear motors, providing more power and four-wheel drive.

The iX3 accelerates very quietly, with just a distant whine from its electric motor. If you prefer, you can also choose a louder sound thanks to 'balanced' and 'sporty' settings. The iX3 glides away from a standstill smoothly, with instant pulling power doing a good job of disguising its 2,185kg weight.

Interior & comfort

Unlike the daring BMW i3 and i8 models that set out BMW's stall as a designer of forward-thinking green models, the iX3 is a much more conventional model that's also available with electric propulsion. This will make sense for many customers, while others may view it as a bit of a disappointment.

If you've sat in a BMW X3, there's very little change here apart from some blue flashes of colour for the BMW badge and gearlever. The steering wheel with silver buttons is new, while a 10.25-inch infotainment display and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is carried over, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Materials are of a high quality and the infotainment software is amongst the best in the business, but there aren't any novel features like trim made from recycled bottles or cork, as seen in many environmentally conscious models.

Equipment
The first versions of iX3 will be called Premier Edition and Premier Edition Pro, with four exterior colours offered, along with two choices of exterior trim colour: aluminium or gloss black. Standard kit includes wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats and Driving Assistant Professional.

Premier Edition Pro is distinguished by large 20-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels, along with a powered tailgate, adaptive suspension and a panoramic sunroof. It also boasts a plethora of tech like a head-up display, Harmon Kardon stereo, gesture recognition and a BMW IconicSounds Electric soundtrack developed with famous composer Hans Zimmer.

If there are concerns the iX3 is compromised compared with the regular model, fear not. It's virtually as usable for a family of five as the petrol or diesel car, and the boot is actually larger than the one in the plug-in hybrid BMW X3.

BMW X3 interior space & storage

There's plenty of space for adults in the front and back of the iX3 to stretch out, with the battery placed out of the way beneath the car's floor. In reality, most won't need the extra space found in the larger BMW X5 but there's no option of a third row of seats to make the iX3 into a seven seater.

Boot space
The iX3 has a 510-litre boot, which is 40 litres smaller than the petrol and diesel BMW X3 offer. In reality, most will be hard pressed to tell the difference, and surprisingly this is 60 litres more than the plug-in hybrid version of the X3 offers. The electric motor and transmission featured here is actually more compact than in the PHEV, so takes up less space.

Source: carbuyer.co.uk

Published in BMW
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