As we come to the end of another week we look at some of the Motoring news which you may have missed starting with Skoda who are taking another step forward in design with the Enyaq iv
ŠKODA will be presenting its first all-electric SUV in Prague on 1 September 2020. The model marks the beginning of a new era for the Czech car manufacturer, which is why the brand is also taking another step forward in design with the Enyaq iV. Emotive lines and balanced, dynamic proportions are combined in the first ŠKODA based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular electrification toolkit (MEB), which offers a generous interior and a sustainable yet fun driving experience.
New BMW 545e xDrive Saloon
Top model in the range of plug-in hybrids for the new BMW 5 Series featuring a straight six-cylinder petrol engine and four-wheel drive for a combination of maximum energy efficiency and dynamic performance. Extension of the BMW 5 Series to include five plug-in hybrid models.
The new “ready to drive sound” produced by the BMW 545e xDrive is the result of the collaboration with composer Hans Zimmer and is designed to trigger joyful anticipation of the electric drive when the driver enters the vehicle and presses the Start/Stop button.
A distinctive sound created especially for electrified BMW models is used for the purpose of acoustic pedestrian protection, emitted via a speaker system. The sound design in the low speed range of up to 30 km/h radiates a vibrant acoustic presence, though without impairing the acoustic comfort of vehicle occupants.
Likewise, via the vehicle audio system, “Active Sound Design” provides for an authentic and, in the SPORT mode of the Driving Experience Control Switch, for a particularly intense and pronounced sound.
EVS that are more affordable then petrol cars
Electric vehicles (EVs) are often seen as being more expensive than petrol cars, but if the fuel saving costs are taken into account and the upfront purchase price is spread across monthly leasing payments, then a new EV could cost the equivalent of less than £200 per month.
If the UK is to meet its 2050 Net Zero target then all new cars on sale need to be EVs by 2035, or possibly earlier – to be confirmed following a government consultation which closed on 31 July. To ensure that the maximum number of motorists are able to make the switch to electric cars over the coming years, EVs need to be as affordable as possible. The following five electric cars are examples of vehicles that motorists can drive today – with zero tailpipe emissions and all the other benefits that electric cars offer, including being virtually silent, very refined and easy to drive.
Five EVs with monthly costs that can be lower than petrol cars
Smart EQ ForFour 17 kWh Passion Advanced 5dr Auto
Electric driving range (official WLTP combined): 81 miles
Estimated real-world electric driving range: 55 miles
Monthly lease cost: £176.88
Estimated fuel savings per month: £85
Cost per month after fuel savings deducted: £91.88
Skoda CITIGOe IV SE 37 kWh 5dr Auto
Electric driving range (official WLTP combined): 170 miles
Estimated real-world electric driving range: 130 miles
Monthly lease cost: £231.55
Estimated fuel savings per month: £85
Cost per month after fuel savings deducted: £146.55
Renault ZOE GT Line 50 kWh 5dr Auto
Electric driving range (official WLTP combined): 245 miles
Estimated real-world electric driving range: 195 miles
Monthly lease cost: £279.59
Estimated fuel savings per month: £85
Cost per month after fuel savings deducted: £194.59
Volkswagen e-Golf 35 kWh 5dr Auto
Electric driving range (official WLTP combined): 144 miles
Estimated real-world electric driving range: 125 miles
Monthly lease cost: £331.32
Estimated fuel savings per month: £100
Cost per month after fuel savings deducted: £231.32
Peugeot E-2008 50 kWh Active 5dr Auto
Electric driving range (official WLTP combined): 206 miles
Estimated real-world electric driving range: 170 miles
Monthly lease cost: £338.30
Estimated fuel savings per month: £120
Cost per month after fuel savings deducted: £218.30
Jaguar Classic is creating six limited-edition matched pairs of restored 3.8 E-types
Jaguar Classic will create six matched pairs of E-types to celebrate the iconic sports car’s 60th anniversary in 2021: the E-type 60 Collection.
Each pair of E-type 60 Edition cars pay tribute to two of the oldest and most famous Jaguar E-types of all: ‘9600 HP’ and ‘77 RW’, which played pivotal roles in the unveiling of the car at its world debut in Geneva, Switzerland in March 1961.
An Opalescent Gunmetal Grey 3.8-litre Fixed-Head Coupe registered ‘9600 HP’ was one of the first two E-types unveiled to specially-invited guests at the Parc des Eaux Vives. Driven ‘flat out’ to Switzerland from Coventry the night before the launch, public relations manager Bob Berry arrived with minutes to spare for demonstration drives.
With an outstanding reaction to the E-type resulting in overwhelming demand for drives with Berry, legendary Jaguar Test and Development Engineer Norman Dewis was told to ‘drop everything’ and drive a British Racing Green 3.8-litre roadster registered ‘77 RW’ overnight from Coventry to Geneva.
Both cars were also used for media road tests, which proved the car’s sensational performance – including its 150mph top speed – matched its jet aircraft-inspired lines honed in a wind tunnel by aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer.
Every E-type 60 Edition built by the team at Jaguar’s Classic Works facility in Warwickshire will be an existing 1960s 3.8-litre E-type fully-restored to exclusive 60th anniversary tribute specification.
New Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Saloon
The next milestone model in the Audi A3 launch programme is fast approaching – the all-new S3 very compellingly lives up to its evocative name with sub-five-second 0-62mph acceleration potential and the capability to deploy its 310PS output even more effectively on challenging roads thanks to updated S-specific sport suspension and quattro drive with even more intelligent control. Its powerfully built new Sportback and Saloon bodies also encase a totally redesigned cabin integrating an array of digitalisation, connectivity and driver assistance advances. The new S3 models can be ordered in the UK from this week, and later this year will also be joined by even more luxuriously equipped Vorsprung versions.
– New S3 Sportback available for UK order from this week priced from £37,900 OTR, S3 Saloon from £38,465 OTR – first deliveries in autumn.
– 2.0 TFSI engine with 310PS and torque boost to 400Nm linked to seven-speed S tronic
– 0-62mph time reduced to 4.8 seconds in both variants yet up to 39mpg remains achievable
