Category: Category (Page 5 of 8)

The method consumers own as well as utilize their cars is on the cusp of a transformation as vehicle producers across the market assess methods of introducing autonomous tech as well as mobility to younger generations as well as those living in congested cities.
Today’s core sales model, of one household or one consumer having a vehicle, looks to be under risk as makers around the world look at methods to target clients who would generally not think about purchasing a car since of where they online or their income.
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• supreme guide to vehicle sharing
One of the most significant disrupters to the concept of vehicle ownership are so-called millennials who, according to Richard Balch, Ford’s wise Mobility manager in Europe, “don’t feel the requirement to own whatever in their lives”.
He added: “The leasing type design as well as the pay-per-use design are growing in significance. If you slice the demographic as well as look at the millennials coming through, those [sales models] are far much more acceptable to the younger generation.”
Back in 2015, Ford introduced a car-sharing plan in London called GoDrive, which enabled registered individuals gain access to to 50 cars across the city that were paid for by the minute. other market big-hitters are still running similar car-sharing schemes – such as BMW with its DriveNow programme in the capital, drawing in over 24,000 members who pay from 33p per minute to utilize one of 300 vehicles found around the city.

The Audi A3 now has a a lot more powerful 2.0-litre TDI engine in its line-up.
• Audi news and reviews
• Audi A3 review
Emitting only 108g/km of CO2, returning 68.9mpg and capable of 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, the new 182bhp 2.0-litre engine is available on all A3 and A3 Sportback models, with the Saloon to follow later.
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Audi will also offer the new engine with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, but only in sport and S-line specification.
Another new feature on the A3 is LED headlights. Audi claim the new headlights achieve ‘daylight-like levels of illumination’ and says are the first to be fitted to a automobile in the premium compact class.
The headlights are available for every A3 and S3 variant and cost owners who spec SE and sport models £2,000. They come as part of a package, which includes LED rear lights, light and rain sensors and LED ambient interior lighting. In S line and S3 models the LED headlights are available as a stand-alone option that costs £795.
Order books for the Audi A3 are now open with prices starting from £24,375 and rising to £30,055. first deliveries are expected in September.

Oxford-based classic car converter Electrogenic has completed two world-first electric conversions for the triumph Stag and series II Morgan 4/4. Both the conversions are unique one-of-one cars and have been made to exacting customer specifications. 
The electric triumph Stag is a 1976 model, but it has had its 3.0-litre V8 engine removed. In place is a brushless electric motor with 107bhp and 235Nm of torque. That’s around 40bhp down on the Stag’s original combustion engine, although its torque figure remains near-enough identical.

Classic electric car conversions boom in popularity

Unlike some classic car EV conversions, such as RBW’s electrified MGB, Electrogenic’s swapped Stag still features its standard four-speed manual gearbox and rear differential, which simplifies the install and should provide a little more driver involvement.
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By modern standards, the conversion uses a relatively small 37kWh battery pack, which takes the place of the engine, fuel tank and spare wheel well in the Stag, to offer a modest range of 150 miles. However, It does keep the weight of the conversion down. 
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Electrogenic says that despite the powertrain swap, the Stag’s owner wanted to retain as much of the car’s original character as possible. As a result, all of the car’s factory instruments and switchgear have been modified to work with the new electric powertrain.
The 1957 Morgan 4/4 EV has been built in much the same way as the Stag, with its original 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine removed in favour of a 107bhp electric motor and 37kWh battery pack. like the Stag, the motor is also mated to the Morgan’s original manual gearbox, offering the same 150-mile range.
In cases where the company’s electric conversion vastly inflates the original car’s power output, such as the Morgan, Electrogenic will upgrade the suspension, brakes and chassis to ensure the vehicle can handle the upgrade. 
What do you make of Electrogenic’s EV conversions? let us know in the comments section below…

After much speculation, the McLaren P1 hypercar has posted a sub-seven minute lap at the Nurburgring. However, the producer has not issued an exact time, suggesting it failed to beat the Porsche 918 time of 6 minutes 57 seconds.
• McLaren news and reviews
McLaren labelled the sub-seven minute lap “the final objective in the development programme” for the P1. Over the 13 mile circuit, which has much more than 150 corners, the P1 averaged 111mph.
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Powered by a 727bhp 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, coupled with a 176bhp lightweight electric motor, total output for the P1 is 903bhp. combined with the aero-optimised body, the P1 can hit 62mph in 2.8 seconds and reach 186mph in 16.5 seconds. At those speeds the P1 can generate up to 600kg of downforce.
McLaren chief test driver, Chris Goodwin, who completed the sub-seven minute lap, said, “The track is like the rollercoaster from hell. However, the automobile feels balanced and poised throughout, and inspires you to push on with the levels of grip and all-round ability.”

Renault has revealed a new incarnation of its Trafic van, pitching the new SpaceClass design as a class leader for traveler area as well as comfort ahead of its organized on sale date of September this year. The automobile will go head-to-head with other executive minibuses as well as high-end people carriers like the Volkswagen Caravelle as well as Toyota Proace Verso. 
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With space for as much as nine people, the Trafic SpaceClass has a modular seating system in the second as well as third rows that the French marque says allows a lot more than 50 different designs – a level of adaptability it believes is special in this segment.
• the very best medium panel vans to buy
Each traveler is stated to be “treated to the greatest levels of comfort” as well as occupants likewise benefit from air-con, LED reading lamps, as well as 220V USB sockets for charging phones as well as other electronic devices.
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Renault is debuting the SpaceClass at the Cannes film celebration this week, as well as no question the VIPs will be grateful of the tinted windows as well as leather upholstery offered on some versions. 
The SpaceClass has been aimed at taxi drivers, chauffeurs as well as business operating city shuttle services, however it’s not all about the rear seat passengers, interest has been paid to the front of the cabin as well. The steering wheel is lined with leather, while the dash features many storage compartments as well as a 7-inch screen with MediaNav navigation as well as R-Link with Android Auto. A reversing cam is likewise offered on some trim levels.
As for the outside, Renault states that the SpaceClass “stands out” thanks to the headlights, chrome grille as well as painted bumpers, with the van featuring Comet Grey introduce paint as well as different gloss-black details. For those trying to find extra exclusivity, 17-inch diamond-effect wheels are an choice as well.
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Renault is staying tight-lipped about UK pricing as well as specs for now, so there will no confirmation on which aspects of the current Trafic’s engine line-up – currently four versions of the exact same 1.6-litre diesel system – will function in the SpaceClass up until soon before the September introduce date.
What do you make of the new Trafic SpaceClass? let us understand in the comments section below!

What makes a fantastic Halloween? Pumpkins, ghosts, bugs as well as bats. Coincidentally, our top 10 listing of Halloween-themed vehicles has all of those things… so to speak. Prepare yourself for a few of the scariest haunts of the automotive world, as we take a look at vehicles with weird names, intimidating looks as well as hair-raising performance.
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1. Veritas RSIII
Those wanting to stand apart from the crowd this Halloween ought to look no even more than the Veritas RSIII. The grille combines with the angular, devilish headlights to produce a spooky look, not as well dissimilar to a pumpkin’s smile. At around £300,000, it’s most likely the most costly Halloween purchase you’ll make.
2. Rolls-Royce Ghost
There’s an apparent reason this made our list: the name. It was named in honour of the Silver Ghost – a vehicle very first created in 1906. It’s offered in long-wheelbase, a version that has been prolonged by 170mm to offer much more interior area as well as a floatier feel, rather appropriate for the aptly-named Ghost.
3. Lamborghini Murcielago 
Sadly, the last Lamborghini Murcielago rolled off the production line in Sant’Agata a long time back (to be replaced by the Aventador). It was the 4,099th Murcielago to be developed as well as was purchased by a client in Switzerland. We chose it was a fitting, Halloween-themed vehicle as Murcielago is the Spanish word for bat, as well as its scissor doors definitely assist to differentiate it as one of history’s many famed, blood-sucking creatures. Incidentally, a first-generation Murcielago Roadster was utilized in the 2005 film, Batman Begins.

local councils are set to be given powers allowing them to fine motorists who commit minor traffic offences, under new legislation being drawn up by the department for carry (DfT). The step has been criticised for having the potential to turn motorists into a “lucrative cash stream.”
Although authorities in London and Cardiff can already issue fines for moving traffic contraventions, in a lot of areas these are dealt with by the police. This is set to change, though, as the DfT has confirmed it’s planning to give councils widespread power to issue fines of around £70 for offences such as stopping in a yellow box junction, driving in a cycle lane or making an illegal turn.

Councils rake in millions from vehicle parking fines

Speaking in the house of Commons, carry minister Rachel Maclean confirmed the boosted powers, saying that changes being made to the traffic management Act 2004 “will take several months to bring into force, after which those local authorities with civil vehicle parking enforcement powers can apply for a designation buy for moving traffic enforcement.”
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She added: “Statutory support is being developed for local authorities on how to use the powers, including publicising their introduction in advance, to make sure that enforcement is carried out fairly.”
The carry committee previously recommended such procedures be taken, as police no longer have the resources to widely and successfully enforce moving traffic contraventions.
Nicholas Lyes, head of roads policy at the RAC, commented: “While it makes sense for all local authorities to have the power to enforce problematic hotspots, there is a risk that some councils might use this as a rewarding profits raising tool.”
Lyes said the onus must be on councils to make sure road layouts are not confusing, so that unsuspecting motorists are not “snared”. He pointed out that high numbers of fines in one location may indicate something is wrong.
He added: “We also feel that in the first instance alerting letters must be issued to motorists rather than a fine to minimize the chances of councils using this as a rewarding cash stream.”
Do you like the idea of local councils policing traffic offences in their areas? let us know in the comments…

Ford has announced it will develop two new flexible vehicle architectures. The first is a rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive flexible architecture that will underpin future compact and full-size vehicles, including two and three-row SUVs, vans and pick-up trucks. The second scalable battery-electric vehicle platform will be for Ford’s next-generation large pick-up trucks and utility vehicles.
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Speaking at Ford’s capital Markets Day investor presentation, Hau Thai-Tang, chief product platform and operations officer, confirmed the two new scalable platforms. While the second is more relevant for American-market vehicles, the first platform could underpin future European products from the blue Oval.

BMW and mini launch charging service for UK electric car customers

Thai-Tang said, “Just as our customers aren’t all the same, our BEV architectures won’t be either. Our new rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive flexible architecture will deliver a whole new generation of high-volume vehicles with even better returns, because it supports high production scale.
“Our architecture approach still allows us to share parts across vehicles. rest assured, while some of the technologies are shared, the vehicles themselves and the experiences they create for Ford customers will be very different,
“Our new flexible architecture will underpin a range of emotive vehicles slated for production between now and 2030.”
He did not, however, outline when we will see the first new vehicle to be based on this platform.

You only need to look at the Vauxhall Opel Monza concept, revealed at the Frankfurt motor show 2013, to peek at what Vauxhall has in store over the next decade. Its plug-in electric powertrain, futuristic interior and bold looks are all set to trickle down to production models over the next few years – and car express has driven it.
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• Vauxhall news and reviews
In the metal, the Opel-badged Monza coupe is a striking design, and the team behind the project told us the face would appear on the next generation of Vauxhalls (see panel, opposite). The grille is a development of the current design language, while the large intakes and narrow headlights give much more purpose than numerous current cars. The huge gullwing doors – they extend from front to rear – are concept car fantasy, but the ease with which you can get into the Monza’s hi-tech cabin reveals there is something in the idea.
Once inside, you’re presented with dials that merge into the dash as part of a wraparound LED projection screen. It’s customisable by the chauffeur so it can display sat-nav, infotainment or a screensaver-style pattern.
The Vauxhall Monza feels like a car from the distant future, but Ivo van Hukten, chief designer of interior components, told us: “It’s possible best now – you can see it works – but it will take time to get it to production.” Under the bonnet is essentially a development of the powertrain from the Ampera. It’s a plug-in hybrid, with the wheels driven by electric power, but with a petrol engine as a range-extender. Where the Ampera uses a 1.4-litre four-cylinder, the Monza has a three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo. It’s set to appear in the Adam in autumn next year, which ought to help justify that car’s price, but it’s also a strong bet for the next Ampera.
In the Monza, it’s fuelled by natural gas to lower CO2 emissions even further, but with the batteries fully charged, we never used it. Instead, we cruised silently around quiet residential streets, enjoying the instant torque and outstanding refinement. The drivetrain and dealing with are rough around the edges – as you’d expect from a concept – but the figures beat the current Ampera’s 235mpg. This hi-tech powertrain helps with the Monza’s sleek looks, too, with head of concept cars Frank Leopold revealing: “Smaller batteries leave much more room in the back, while a smaller petrol engine allows a lower bonnet and for that reason roof.”

When we quizzed Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann about a roadgoing version, he said: “A new Manta, inspired by the Monza, may come in a few years.”
There’s a lot of pressure on Vauxhall-Opel to turn its fortunes around, but with exciting cars like the Monza and the innovative tech it previews, you wouldn’t bet against the brands’ future success.

Volkswagen has denied owing £2.5m in missed London congestion charge payments. London mayor Sadiq Khan claims the firm owes the money following the 2015 emissions scandal that saw VW accused of cheating emissions tests.
According to the BBC, Khan said 80,000 VW cars fitted with ‘defeat devices’ designed to cheat diesel emissions testing were registered in the capital. He went on to say that VW had shown “utter contempt” for Londoners and the company’s “appalling lack of action since the ‘dieselgate’ scandal came to light must not be allowed to continue”.
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The mayor added: “I met with the managing director of VW to urge them to compensate the thousands of Londoners who bought VW cars in good faith, but whose diesel engines are now contributing to London’s killer air, and also to reimburse transport for London for the £2.5 million loss of congestion charge revenue.
“Unfortunately VW made it abundantly clear that they have no interest or intention of reimbursing Londoners or indeed any UK customers who bought these polluting vehicles. They are also in denial over their responsibility to help clean up London’s filthy air and mitigate the damage their cars have caused.”
• VW emissions scandal: Dieselgate fix is causing UK breakdowns
However, a Volkswagen spokesperson said its vehicles which benefitted from the London Congestion charge Greener vehicle Discount, an exemption for low-emission vehicles which closed in 2013, “did so validly throughout the relevant period”.
The spokesperson added: “Vehicles qualified for the discount on the basis that their official CO2 emissions figure was less than 100g and met the Euro 5 standard. All of the vehicles affected by the NOx issue have retained their Euro 5 qualification.
“Further, none of the affected vehicles have had their official CO2 emissions figures amended, given that official CO2 values are not affected by the NOx issue.
• London T charge plan: everything you need to know
“There is, therefore, no basis on which it can be said that transport for London has lost any sums as a result of the NOx issue. No sums are therefore due in compensation.”
Volkswagen’s UK boss Paul Willis previously rebuked the suggestion that he misled government ministers over how much the company is willing to contribute to resting in the wake of its emissions scandal.

Do you think Volkswagen should pay the congestion charge bill? give us your thoughts in the comments