Month: December 2022 (Page 2 of 2)

Volkswagen is planning to launch a family of electric models by the end of the decade, with two new SUVs and a saloon following the 2019 I.D. hatchback and arriving before the 2022 I.D. Buzz Microbus. 
VW’s design boss Klaus Bischoff revealed details about the production I.D. hatch to car Express, and also confirmed that we’ll see two variants of SUVs in showrooms by 2020. One will be a conventional SUV, while a production version of the I.D. Crozz coupe-SUV concept will also feature.
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The first SUV – as previewed in our exclusive image – will take inspiration from the smaller T-Roc and similarly-sized Tiguan visually. A much more upright roofing system shape than the I.D. Crozz concept will allow greater headroom and bootspace, although the front-end shape will be similar to that car. 
The two SUVs will be provided with both rear-wheel drive – like the hatchback – and a new twin motor set-up with a larger motor mounted on the rear axle and a smaller one powering the front wheels. With a total output for the latter in excess of 300bhp likely, the extra energy required could imply it has a slightly shorter range than its hatchback cousin, which will be capable of about 300 miles to a charge. 
VW boss Herbert Diess admitted that, alongside this range of EVs, the firm is considering “more emotional” electric models for early in the next decade, including a sports coupe that could serve as a replacement for the Scirocco. An all-electric Beetle is also being proposed. 
What do you think of VW’s electric SUV plans? let us know in the comments…

Lotus is entering a new era and a new industry of the market with its first-ever SUV, the all-electric Lotus Eletre. Retaining the British brand’s naming convention of models starting with an E, the Eletre has been described as “a momentous point in our history” by the brand’s managing director, Matt Windle.
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Based on an all-new 800-volt platform called electric premium Architecture, the new model is powered by a battery of much more than 100kWh (an exact figure for available energy hasn’t been confirmed) that feeds a pair of electric motors – one on each axle – for a targeted minimum total power output of 592bhp. This will rise for higher-spec, even much more performance-focused versions, with Lotus aiming for the fastest Eletres to deliver a 0-62mph time of less than three seconds.

‘I’m sure Colin Chapman would be very happy of the Lotus Eletre’

By their very nature, EVs are heavier, and while the Eletre is a departure from Lotus’s conventional models and company founder Colin Chapman’s principles of a low kerbweight, there are plenty of developments in keeping with the marque’s ethos. Lotus’s method to decreasing mass has still been at the heart of development, and the Eletre “takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from much more than 70 years of sports automobile design and engineering, evolving them into a desirable all-new lifestyle automobile for the next generation of Lotus customers”.

This is the MSO 650S Coupe Concept, designed by McLaren’s special Operations division to showcase bespoke upgrades available to owners of the new 650S. 
Intended to offer “optimised aerodynamic performance” and a “more dramatic appearance”, the range of styling options includes a newly designed carbon fibre rear diffuser and side blades.
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These MSO-branded door blades are more aggressive versions of those found on the 650S, featuring a satin finish to increase airflow along the bodywork edges.
Satin has also been used to similar effect on the engine covers and to finish all carbon fibre parts. 
At the rear, carbon fibre is used heavily throughout the GT3-inspired bumper, helping reduce the weight of both the airbrake and unique MSO diffuser. 
Helping the MSO 650S Coupe concept stand out further is the ‘Agrigan Black’ metallic black paint scheme. This is an in-house development that incorporates a deep ruby red flake, which McLaren claims will change colour drastically in direct sunlight and contrast with the satin-finished carbon fibre. 
Completing the exterior look are lightweight ‘650S’ alloys, also finished in satin and wearing Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. 
Inside, MSO has added fixed-back carbon fibre racing seats based on those found in the McLaren P1. These are finished in carbon black leather and offer a lower and more supportive seating position, as well as saving 15kg of weight.
Satin is once again used to finish the carbon fibre throughout the cabin, contrasted in the cabin by gloss black details. 
Although these updates have been developed with the 650S Coupe and Spider in mind, McLaren has confirmed many of the improvements can be fitted to the outgoing 12C – in keeping with the Woking-based manufacturer’s recent empahsis on not limiting vehicle developments to new customers.
However, unlike the free technology upgrade offer, the MSO-engineered packages will come at a price. available to order from McLaren dealers now, the side blades are priced at £5,114 for the 650S, while the rear diffuser is on sale for £7,245. 
As for the MSO 650S Coupe Concept, there are currently no plans to put the design study into production, although McLaren special Operations is monitoring potential interest from customers.