Breaking News: Evoque and Discovery Sport Now available as Plug in Hybrids

Breaking News: Evoque and Discovery Sport Now available as Plug in Hybrids

Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport now available as efficient plug-in hybrids with an all-electric range of up to 41 miles (66km) – enough to do the average daily commute without recharging. New 200hp three-cylinder 1.5-litre Ingenium petrol engine and smooth-shifting new eight-speed automatic transmission combined with a 109hp Electric Rear Axle Drive motor deliver low fuel consumption, excellent performance and Land Rover’s signature all-wheel-drive capability

The Evoque P300e is capable of up to 201.8mpg with an electric-only range of up to 41 miles (WLTP test cycles). The Discovery Sports economy falls to 175.5mpg as it is larger and available with seven seats, in addition its electric only range falls to 38 miles. The P300e models are the quickest members of their respective ranges. The Evoque reaches 0-60mph in 6.1sec and the Discovery Sporty in 6.2sec.

Both models are available with a Mode 2 Home Charging Cable, enabling customers to fully charge the vehicle from a plug socket in 6hrs 42 mins. Alternatively the Mode 3 Charging Cable enables the use of a 7kW AC domestic wall box or AC public charge points with 0-80% charging in 1hr 24mins. DC fast charging at 32kW reduces the 0-80% time to 30 minutes.

Three driving modes are available to drivers.
1. Hybrid Mode (Default mode) The operating strategy adapts to driving conditions and the remaining battery charge.
2. EV mode – enables the vehicle to run solely on electric motor, for quiet, zero-tailpipe emission journeys.
3. SAVE mode – prioritises the combustion engine as its main power source, maintain battery State of Charge at the chosen level.

PRICING. New Range Rover Evoque P300e PHEV is priced from £43,850 with the Discovery Sport P300e PHEV available from £45,370.

These are targeted at the fleet markets, expect to see used examples beginning to appear in around 6 months.

The Audi e-tron Sportback

The Audi e-tron Sportback

The e-tron 55 Sportback quattro, is a more sporting version of the e-tron 55 quaqttro which has been on sale in the UK since mid-2019. Aesthetical differences include a more heavily curved, coupe-like roofline and liftback-style tailgate. Other subtle changes include more aggressively styled bumpers and headlights featuring Audi’s new digital matrix LED technology. Market introduction in Europe is scheduled for spring of 2020.

Thanks to the optional virtual exterior mirrors, which use an integrated camera to project live video onto high-contrast OLED displays in the transition between the instrument panel and the door, it has a drag coefficient of just 0.25. which is among the most aerodynamically efficient production SUV’s. Resulting in a range of up to 240miles on a single battery charge.

The drivetrain uses two differently specified asynchronous electric motors, one up front which generates peaks of 181bhp and 182lbft of torque and the second rear motor producing 221bhp & 232ib ft. Together providing a maximum output of 402bhp & 490ib ft when boost mode is selected which is limited to 8 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 124.3mph. In drive mode S the coupe can sprint from 0 to 62.1mph in 5.7seconds,

Electric all-wheel drive ensures outstanding traction and dynamism on any terrain. It continuously regulates the ideal drive torque distribution between both axels-within fractions of a second. In most driving situations the Sportback relies exclusively on its rear motor for exceptional efficiency

The battery system stores 95 kWh of gross energy (86.5 kWh net) and operates at a rated voltage of 396 volts. During deceleration actions the battery is charged primarily by the rear electric motor, which acts as a generator. Attaining up to 30% of its range through recuperation.

Audi offers a range of solutions for home charging. The standard compact charging system is suitable for a simple 230-volt connection & for a 400-volt three-phase outlet with an output of up to 11 kw. The combination with a suitable home energy management system allows the vehicle to be charged with self-generated solar power.

The interior is an elegant lounge featuring a seamless blend of design & technology. An arc that spans the instrument panel, extending door to door, harmoniously integrates the cover for the virtual cockpit. The instrument panel with its two touch displays is angled towards the driver. When deactivated, the upper of these blends almost invisibly into the large gloss-black surround.

On the upper 12.1-inch touch screen, the driver controls the infotainment, telephony, navigation, and dedicated e-tron settings. The lower 8.6-inch display is used to input text and to operate the convenience functions and climate control. The menu structure is intuitively logical and flat in the same way as a smartphone. The driver can also activate a host of functions using voice control.

The e-tron Sportback is Priced from £79,900 on-the- road (For the 55 S line) 0r £85,900 for the 55 Launch Edition.
This compares to the e-tron 50 Technik which starts at £59,900 OTR.

Volvo has become the first car manufacturer to offer plug-in hybrid versions of its entire model range with the lunch of the XC40 T5 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid with 28-mile claimed electric range.

Volvo has become the first car manufacturer to offer plug-in hybrid versions of its entire model range with the lunch of the XC40 T5 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid with 28-mile claimed electric range.

With its 81bhp electric motor and 10.7kwh battery, the XC40 can travel up to 28 electric-only miles before the 178bhp three-cylinder engine kicks in sending power to the front wheels. If regularly charged and use it mainly for short runs, it should cost relatively little to run.

The XC40 PHEV carries plenty of appeal as an ownership proposition, For a start it looks fantastic, the only change to the standard versions exterior is the addition of the charging point just over and to the rear of the front wheel arch. If you prefer a more comfortable ride choose the Inscription over the R-Design which is fitted with firmer sports suspension.

The cabin exudes a lounge-like feel, and there is an impressive sense of space in both the first and second rows, an elevated level of material quality gives it plenty of up market appeal. There’s plenty of adjustability in the front seats & steering column, with the result being a comfortable and commanding driving position with excellent allround visibility.

Preliminary WLTP data indicates CO2 emissions from just 38g/km and combined fuel economy of up to 141.1mpg, yet smooth performance with 0-62mph in only 7.3 seconds However you would have to be a doing a lot of short journeys on battery power to achieve the stated fuel economy.

Featured as standard for the first time in a new-generation Volvo model, is the new seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission.
The PHEV is offered in R-Design, R-Design Pro, Inscription and Inscription Pro trim levels. Generous equipment levels across the board major on seamless on-board connectivity, advanced comfort and convenience features, and cutting-edge safety aids.

A 4.5m cable with a three-pin plug is provided as standard, while a type 2/mode 3 fast-charge cable is available as an optional extra for £50.
Charging via the fast-charge cable will completely recharge the car’s high-voltage battery in as little as 2.5 hours. Fully charging via the three-pin plug cable takes between 3.5 and 6 hours.

Priced from £40,905 on-the- road (R-Design version) add another £1,400 for the Pro version. The Pro version includes the digital dashboard.
As for all Hybrids the XC40 offers a Tax efficient import option for residents in both the Bahamas & Cayman Islands

 

 

 

LANDED PRICES FROM
Bahamans: BSD$ 60,450. Includes Shipping*, Insurance, Duty, Processing fee & VAT @ £1 = $1.23
Cayman Islands: CI$ 47,000. Includes shipping*, Insurance, Environmental Fee & Duty @ £1 = CI$1.02
New Zealand: NZ$ 92,300. Includes Shipping, Insurance, GST & delivery to compliance @£1 = NZ$ 2.06
*Shipping quotes correct at date of publication & are subject to requote.

Breaking News: New Defender 90 Goes on Sale Priced from £40,290

Breaking News: New Defender 90 Goes on Sale Priced from £40,290

Order books for the Land Rover Defender 90 have opened following the successful launch of the Defender 110. New Defender is the toughest and most capable Land Rover ever made and delivers 21st century connectivity with unstoppable off-road performance. With deliveries to begin this summer. To configure and order yours, visit www.landrover.co.uk/Defender.

There are four accessory packs available, the Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban packs which give New Defender a range of distinct personalities. The Urban Pack – which includes a front undershield, bright rear scuff plate and metal pedals, plus a spare wheel cover – has been chosen 35% of the time on the 110 Defender configurations that included an Accessory Pack, followed closely by the Explorer Pack.

A plug-in hybrid version will come later this year along with a commercial version.

The First Volkswagen R-Line Model Available as a Hybrid launching in Geneva

The First Volkswagen R-Line Model Available as a Hybrid launching in Geneva

The Touareg R has a power output of 340 kW (462 PS), When the battery is sufficiently charged, the new SUV always starts in electric E-MODE for zero emissions and can be driven at speeds up to 87mph before the turbocharged V6 petrol engine kicks in. The Touareg R will cover most commuter distances in full electric mode.

The hybrid drive of the Touareg R consists of a 2,995 cm3 V6 turbocharged petrol engine (250 kW/340 PS), the electric drive motor (100kW/136 PS) and a lithium-ion battery (energy capacity of 14.1 kWh). An 8-speed automatic gearbox (with Tiptronic) and a transfer box transmit the power to the standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

Designed by the Volkswagen R performance brand, This high-tech Touareg R represents a paradigm shift – it is the first Volkswagen R model to feature a plug-in hybrid drive. It is also the first time a hybrid model has been the most highly-powered Volkswagen.

There is some seriously clever tech on this car, Drivers can control the battery’s charge level using the Hybrid menu in the Infotainment system. It is therefore possible to reserve sufficient levels of electric energy at the end trip so that destinations in built-up areas can be reached with zero emissions.

If the navigation system is active, the battery manager also looks ahead and predictively takes into account the route and topography data to the adapt battery use and thus optimise the electric range.

The latest Travel Assist version is also a new feature, enabling assisted driving up to speeds of 155mph. This generation of Travel Assist reflects the ever higher development standard of Volkswagen’s systems on the way to autonomous driving

The Touareg R is designed for a superior maximum trailer weight of up to 3.5 tonnes. This is also the first plug-in hybrid SUV available with Trailer Assist – an assistance system for automated manoeuvring with a trailer.

Visually, the new car is every inch an R model. There is a subtle body kit, gloss black inserts and R badges, plus 20in Braga alloy wheels or the optional 22in Estoril rims (pictured)

The new Mini Electric

The new Mini Electric

Every inch a MINI, with performance close to the hot-hatch MINI Cooper S, with prices starting at £24,400 (after HM Government Plug-In Car Grant of £3,500) demand is expected to be strong, orders are now being taken for March 2020 deliveries.

The MINI Electric is based on the same body shell as the 3-Door Hatch, with a number of specific differences. An embossed MINI Electric logo appears on car’s side wings, as well as on the tailgate and front radiator grille

The motor is the latest, powerful version of the synchronous electric motor developed by the BMW Group and provides a maximum output of 184 HP and maximum torque of 270 Nm. As a result, the car accelerates to 62mph in just 7.3 seconds with top speed limited to 93mph.

The battery pack has 12 modules of lithium-ion cells arranged in a T-shaped unit in the vehicle floor between the front seats and below the rear seats, providing a battery capacity of 32.6 kWh. So the boot space isn’t compromised as can be the case in other electric cars.

The MINI Electric has a new digital dashboard with a 5.5-inch colour screen behind the steering wheel. Road speed is shown at the centre in figures with a peripheral scale band, as well as information on the charge level of the battery, the selected MINI Driving Mode, the status of the driver assistance systems and check control messages.

The MINI Electric comes with both home and public charging cables as standard, designed for AC and DC charging using Type 2 and CCS Combo 2 plugs. At a 50kW DC fast-charging station an 80 per cent charge is reached from zero in 35 minutes.

The car offers as standard four MINI Driving Modes – selected via a switch located on the right-hand side of the toggle bar. SPORT mode has more direct steering and a more rapid power delivery. The MID setting has less aggressive steering while GREEN mode features more gentle accelerator actuation. In GREEN+ mode, some comfort functions such as air conditioning are limited or deactivated to save further power and increase range.

Electric drive takes the trademark MINI go-kart driving feeling to new heights, thanks to new suspension technology designed for this model. With a centre of gravity that is at least 30 millimetres lower than in the MINI Cooper S and the reduced weight over the front wheels thanks to the electric motor, close to perfect weight distribution helps the new MINI Electric achieve exceptional driving dynamics.

Three trim levels are offered. The base car “Level 1” gets Mini Navigation including Apple Car Play, Digital Cockpit, dual-zone air-con & cruise control. Another £2,000 gets you the Level 2 spec which includes the following additional kit: Driving assistant pack (city collision mitigation for pedestrians & high beam assistance), rear view park assist camera, keyless entry, heated seats, rear parking distance control & Part leatherette interior. A further £4,000 gets you the top Level 3 spec, which includes Navigation Plus (includes larger touch screen) Front & rear parking distance control (includes park assist so the car can park itself), Panoramic sunroof, Head up display, Harman / Kardon display & Full leather interior.