As we come to the end of another week we look at some of the Motoring news which you may have missed starting with the new Dacia Bigster Concept
In true Dacia style, the Bigster Concept is roomy, robust, and meant for open air and dusty roads while exploring new horizons. A 4.6-metre-long SUV with no more or no less than the essential, the Bigster is the Dacia way of making the C-segment accessible, delivering a larger, more capable vehicle at the cost buyers would expect from the segment below.
The Bigster Concept’s DNA is aligned with the brand’s core values, those which have developed and maintained a sturdy, long-standing relationship with its customers over the years: simplicity, honesty, and authenticity.
Proportions of the Bigster Concept are contemporary yet timeless – what you see is what you get. They send a clear message of robustness with simple and reassuring lines.
Its generous exterior dimensions promise a very spacious interior. The Y-shaped lighting signature is now larger, highlighting the SUV’s bold and assertive style, while the dark green paint underpins the adventurous nature of the vehicle and the owner.
No bells and whistles, no chrome trim or imitation-aluminium, the Bigster Concept is a genuine vehicle made with genuine principles, shown in the use of raw recycled plastics for all protective exterior panels.
As the possible future figurehead of the Dacia range, both alternative-energy and hybrid engines are possible, reinforcing that the brand is always perfectly in sync with changing regulation and customers’ expectations.
Hyundai have confirmed hot new SUV the KONA N
Hyundai Motor has confirmed that the next member of its high-performance N range will be the all-new Hyundai KONA N. The model will be the first high-performance SUV for Hyundai.
“We’re excited to expand the recipe for success we’ve developed with the i30 N and, most recently, with the i20 N to one of our most popular SUVs on the market today: KONA,” says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President of Marketing & Product at Hyundai Motor Europe. “The addition of KONA to the N family will bring our high-performance brand to the next level.”
The all-new KONA N will be available with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, known as N DCT. Combined with its 2.0 Turbo engine, it is sure to deliver a powerful and nimble driving experience. As with other N models, the all-new KONA N will be equipped with a variety of high-performance driving features such as Launch Control and an emotional sound experience.
“The all-new KONA N is the first ‘hot SUV’ from the N brand,” says Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand Management and Motorsport Sub-division at Hyundai Motor Company. “As a ‘hot SUV’, it will have plenty of versatility as well as the driving pleasure like any other N vehicle. Enthusiasts will enjoy taking this car anywhere; from road to the track.”
Hyundai’s high-performance brand N, which ventured into the high-performance field with its i30 N, is planning to expand its line-up in 2021. Especially with more diversified segments in its line-up, like the i20 N and the upcoming KONA N, the N brand will provide fun-to-drive vehicles that befit any kinds of consumers looking for driving pleasure.
Volvo Cars joins forces with hometown Gothenburg to help create climate-neutral city
With the aim of achieving a climate-neutral city by 2030, Volvo Cars teams up with the City of Gothenburg in Sweden for the creation of new urban zones that will be used as testbeds for future sustainable technologies.
The initiative, called Gothenburg Green City Zone, aims to establish an area inside Scandinavia’s largest port city that is completely emission-free, with a variety of climate-neutral transportation modes and a connected infrastructure.
Using a real city as a testing ground will enable Volvo to accelerate development of technologies and services in the areas of electrification, shared mobility, autonomous driving, connectivity and safety. As part of the testbed, Volvo plans to run robotaxis operated by its fully owned mobility provider, M, within the zone.
“Essentially, we are initiating a project that intends to limit the number of cars in the city – which is fully in line with our company’s purpose,” said Håkan Samuelsson, Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “This is already proven by our investment in the shared mobility service M, who have developed proprietary AI technology to improve efficiency and utilisation. We want to be involved in creating the cities of the future and keep them liveable. This initiative gives us an opportunity to do that and take on responsibility in our own hometown at the same time.”
Examples of technologies to be tested include geo-enabling solutions and services ensuring that cars in the zone operate in electric-only mode and remain within speed limits, as well as traffic infrastructure that can connect to active safety features in cars and share information between road users.
“We want to use our knowledge and technology to help create a future city that is electrified, connected, shared and climate-neutral,” said Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Cars. “This is an opportunity to lead by example: by testing new technologies and services in a live large-scale environment, we can show that if it is possible here, it is possible anywhere.”
Other potential examples include fully electric mobility hubs; a complete, easy-to-use charging network for electric cars; and autonomous taxis.
The main obstacle to climate transition is not a lack of climate-friendly and smart technologies, but the capacity to implement them. The transformation requires a holistic approach to foster innovation and a deep and continuous collaboration between all stakeholders.
Since Volvo Cars also has an active role in the planning process of this initiative, it can ensure that, from the start, the zone integrates its electrified mobility services and develops them in a live environment, increasing the impact on sustainability goals.
During 2020, M has, through its proprietary AI technology, proven to reduce congestion and lower emissions in Gothenburg, with one car from M now replacing eight privately owned cars in the city. Similar to the City of Gothenburg’s aim, Volvo Cars is continuously reducing its carbon footprint, with the ambition to be a climate-neutral company by 2040. To realise this goal, the company has devised a number of objectives to be completed by 2025.
A few examples include a 40 per cent reduction of its CO2 footprint per car; global sales consisting of 50 per cent fully electric cars, with the rest hybrids; and a 25 per cent reduction of carbon emissions generated by the company’s overall operations, including manufacturing and logistics.
The Green City Zone initiative starts in spring 2021 and will gradually scale up going forward.
First reborn AC Cobra 378 Superblower production car completed
AC Cars has welcomed the very first production AC Cobra 378 Superblower. Following on from the launch announcement in July 2020, the reborn Superblower showcases the very best of AC Cars’ meticulous attention to detail and quality engineering to bring this iconic nameplate back to the fore.
Powered by a 6.2-litre 580hp supercharged V8 engine and featuring an all-original four-inch round tube ladder frame chassis, the arrival of the reborn Superblower signifies the continued resurgence of the AC brand. The flowing lines and that unmistakable muscular body shape are complemented by an exquisitely hand-crafted interior and overall maintains the true AC Cobra pedigree throughout.
The AC Cobra 378 Superblower complements the recently announced Series 1 all-electric and 140 Charter Edition AC Cobra models that form part of the reborn series of cars to be faithfully recreated exactly like the stunning originals. Like its brethren, every newly produced AC Cobra 378 Superblower MkIV comes with a full certificate of originality along with a designated ‘COB’ chassis number on the correct ‘AC Cars’ chassis plate, too.
Alan Lubinsky, Chief Executive of AC Cars, said: “We are incredibly proud to see the first production version of 378 Superblower now built. It’s a tremendous achievement by the full team of engineers to produce such a high-quality car ahead of schedule and in the midst of a challenging global pandemic. This is another big step forward in the ongoing resurgence of the AC Cars brand and we are tremendously excited to start UK sales through our sales team at Boss Motor Company.”
Priced at £129,500 (OTR) and available through Boss Motor Company in the UK, the Superblower boasts a list of specifications aimed at delivering that authentic driving experience that is so synonymous with the AC brand.
Automobili Lamborghini closes 2020 with 7,430 cars delivered
Automobili Lamborghini responded to a year marked by the great challenges of the global pandemic, with enormous energy and determination. The company delivered 7,430 cars worldwide in 2020, a decrease of only 9% compared to the previous year. The slight drop is clearly attributable to the 70-day production shutdown in the spring, in compliance with Italian government directives and to protect the health of workers during the first emergency phase. In contrast, the second six months saw record sales figures, resulting in the best half-year for deliveries-to-customers in the company’s history.
The United States was confirmed as the top market with 2,224 cars, followed by Germany (607), mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau (604), Japan (600), the United Kingdom (517) and Italy (347). The two countries with the highest growth were South Korea (303 units, + 75%) and Germany (607 units, +8%). The Urus SUV, which last year set a production record of 10,000 units, was the most successful model with 4,391 cars delivered. Both the super sports car lines made a significant contribution to global volumes: the V10 Huracán recorded growing numbers with 2,193 cars sold (+3%), alongside 846 V12 Aventador units delivered worldwide.
The new 2021 year gets off to a positive start with a robust order portfolio: so much so that more than half 2021’s planned production has already been assigned.
BMW announces BMW Digital Key Plus with Ultra-Wideband technology coming to the BMW iX
As one of the pioneers in the use of a smartphone as a digital vehicle key since 2018, BMW is pressing ahead with the development and popularisation of its BMW Digital Key feature, which is 
available to iPhone users today. In line with this goal, the premium car manufacturer will introduce the BMW Digital Key Plus, a convenient and secure way to unlock and start your car without taking your iPhone out of your bag or pocket. This latest incarnation of the service is based on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, the technology found on the U1 chip of iPhone. The BMW Digital Key Plus feature will be first launched with the all-electric BMW iX for iPhone.
Ultra-Wideband technology for enhanced convenience and security. The new, additional features enabled by the BMW Digital Key Plus are based on Ultra-Wideband technology. This is a short-range, high-bandwidth digital radio technology that is characterized by an exceptionally precise localization with the greatest possible security. UWB’s precision also ensures that relay attacks, where the radio signal is jammed or intercepted, are not possible. Apple and BMW have been working closely with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to establish the Digital Key specification 3.0 for UWB, providing a global standard for the automotive industry.
All-electric, Silence ‘e-moto’ scooter family comes to UK
Silence, an innovative electric moto scooter brand, hits UK streets this month, bringing Brits a stylish, simple and smart solution for modern day urban transport needs.
Two-wheel transport is on the rise in Britain and undergoing an electric revolution, driven by changes in both consumer behaviour and regulation, particularly in urban areas. Congestion, air quality, eco-consciousness and, most recently, Coronavirus fears are all contributing to a significant shift in attitudes – and rocketing demand for electric powered two-wheelers of all types.
Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the Silence family of ‘e-moto’ scooters are the perfect solution for the growing number of both individuals and companies looking for low-cost, high-quality and zero-emission urban transport.
Silence is Europe’s biggest specialist EV manufacturer and is a company dedicated to creating the best e-moto scooters in the world to help transform urban eco-mobility. The Silence DNA of reliable, zero-emission battery power, sharp Barcelona style and smart tech has evolved over the past decade, already capturing over 66% of the Spanish and 30% of the European electric scooter market and attracting over 21,000 customers across 25 countries.
Four-model range on sale now, priced from £2,695 to £4,995 OTR
