Weekly Motoring news Roundup September 10th

Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric

Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric 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 Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric

Leveraging the power of a platform designed for EV models, the All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric leads the way for the fundamentally electric ‘sensual tech’ design language that will imbue the new model with an elegant yet powerful character. Inside, record spaciousness and renewed ergonomics combine to give passengers a better experience.

Standing as the first model of the new generation of Renault’s EV native cars, the All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric is also the first model to bear the brand’s new ‘Nouvel’R’ logo. The disruptive design goes against the grain of what traditional compact saloon cars look like, giving the model stronger character, but also better aerodynamics and economy. It also incorporates more technological elements as well as others that draw heavily on the world of high-tech and hi-fi design (vent grilles, laser engraving on lower door protection)

Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric

 

 

With the extended wheelbase (2.70m for a total length of 4.21m) and reduced overhang offered by the new CMF-EV modular platform, the All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric features a battery that is thinner than ever (only 110mm) allowing the designers to refine the external proportions while also boosting the car’s interior roominess vs. footprint ratio and lowering the centre of gravity for a more exciting driving experience.

Features directly inspired from the world of crossovers give a sense of robustness: large 20-inch wheels, protective strips on the lower body and wheel arches, and a high beltline. The line of the roof, wide tracks, and flush door handles feel more like a coupé. The height, spaciousness, and boot volume are reminiscent of traditional hatchback models.

For its launch, the All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric will be available in six elegant and eye-catching colours: Rafale Grey, Schist Grey, Midnight Blue, Flame Red, Diamond Black, and Glacier White. For a more personal touch, it can also come in a two-tone finish with the roof, pillars, and – depending on the chosen trim – the side mirror guards in Schist Grey, Diamond Black, or Glacier White, enabling 30 possible combinations.

The vehicle sits proudly atop its 20-inch wheels (18-inch for the entry-level model) and comes with a choice between two 20-inch wheels and two 18-inch options.

Equipped with high-tech lights and new light signature, the All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric comes to life when you approach it, displaying a unique welcome sequence that is enhanced by a string of light and sound effects.

Full-LED lighting at the front and back of the All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric has been finely laser cut to express its modernity. The car features a brand-new lighting signature with ‘electrifying’ patterns that cross over to the central logo. At the front, daytime running lamps appear to extend beyond the projectors and continue their path up to the side air vents on the shield. At the rear, numerous laser-cut micro-optic fibres laid in criss-crossing lines create an intriguing 3D-like shimmer effect. In addition to the elegant indicators, the brake lights are displayed in two clear lines, much like a ‘pause’ sign.

The projector headlamps are made using six reflective panels and are adaptive so it’s no longer necessary to switch between high and low-beam – it’s all automatic. The beam of light is much wider on urban roads to see more of what is happening around the vehicle and much longer for the open road and motorways. The lights also adapt to changes in weather such as rain or fog via a switch located on the dashboard and serve as fog lights. Dynamic indicator lights round out the full range of ultra-modern and stylish lighting features.

The All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric automatically detects when the person holding the car’s key card is within one metre of the car. The vehicle then sets off a light sequence where the headlamps light up starting in the middle, then moving out before fading to black on the daytime running lamps with the indicators on. At the rear, the light strip and lamps light up while the indicators flash. The welcome sequence finishes with two lights mounted on the wing mirrors projecting the new Renault logo on the ground, showing the path leading to the vehicle.

Each version of the All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric incorporates flush door handles. When the driver or front passenger approaches, or when the vehicle is unlocked, the handles hidden in the body automatically glide out. They pop back into place after two minutes of remaining stationary, when the car begins to move forward, or when the doors are locked.

The welcome sequence comes to an end when the driver sits in the driver’s seat. The OpenR screen with dashboard displays and multimedia screen turns on displaying the logo and brand name. Ambient lighting illuminates the cockpit while the speakers play a brand-new Renault audio cue rounding out the welcome sequence.

The All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric leverages the CMF-EV platform’s best aspects to offer the roomiest interior related to its footprint. Driver and passengers alike enjoy an obstacle-free environment with optimal comfort and a touch of modernity from the new OpenR screen.

Interior dimensions of the All-New Mégane E-Tech Electric are similar to those of the ICE-powered Mégane if not bigger. The CMF-EV platform serves to enhance the car’s overall spaciousness and practicality with an extended wheelbase, smaller engine compartment incorporating air-conditioning components, pared back dashboard, and so on. Thus, passengers can enjoy extra roominess in the centre console and under the dashboard area. Moreover, interior space and comfort have been increased thanks to the absence of a drive-shaft tunnel, gear stick and control panel usually integrated on the centre console.

First seen on the TreZor (2016), SYMBIOZ (2017), and MORPHOZ (2019) concept cars, the brand-new OpenR single screen combines the digital instrument panel and central console multimedia screen. The OpenR screen is made using reinforced glass for a more robust finish that is pleasing to touch and to look at. Screen brightness and light reflectiveness have both been optimised to ensure good visibility even in full sunlight, enhanced by the anti-reflection coating. The traditional dashboard sun hood has therefore been removed as no longer necessary, saving space and making the final look more streamlined and modern.

The OpenR screen has a display area like no other: a 12.3-inch dashboard screen (1920 x 720 pixels, landscape) and 12-inch multimedia screen (1250 x 1562 pixels, portrait). The entry level model features a 9-inch multimedia screen (1250 x 834 pixels, landscape). It incorporates the latest-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 4K multiple display capabilities, and advanced connectivity with USB-C ports.

The ‘instrument panel’ section of the OpenR screen accommodates four different driver displays according to their priorities: driving layout, navigation layout, zen layout, and battery layout. It goes without saying that the dashboard display can be wholly customised. It features five widgets (fuel use, tyre pressure, distance, eco-monitor, music) and eight colour schemes.

 

First offical image of the Next-Gen Ford Ranger

This is the first official glimpse of the Next Gen Ranger, which will be revealed later this year and launched in 2022.

Next-Gen Ford RangerEmbracing superior off-road credentials and Ford’s dynamic driving DNA, the toughest, most capable and connected Ranger pick-up yet has been developed by Ford with the customer front of mind.

At its core, the next-generation Ranger will be the ideal pick-up partner for work, family and play.

 

New Ford Mach-E police car 

The new Ford Mach-E has already caught the imagination of thousands of customers and fans, but a new client has also shown considerable interest – the UK’s police force.

Ford Mustang Mach-E police car conceptSuch has been the enthusiasm of the British police for Ford’s stunning new all-electric SUV that already seven forces have either tested the new vehicle or requested a full evaluation of a specially-built concept car.

And the concept, in full ‘blue light’ livery, is on display at the Emergency Services Show, at the NEC, Birmingham on 7-8 September.

The test car was built following many enquiries from UK police forces looking for greener solutions to the current products currently available to them.

The Metropolitan Police Force has already appraised the standard Mustang Mach-E and has now requested a full evaluation of the marked concept. Also waiting for an opportunity to try the new 999 vehicle are the Sussex, Surrey, South Wales, Dyfed Powys, Devon & Cornwall and Police Scotland forces.

The initial concept is a demonstrator Mustang Mach-E Standard Range AWD (all-wheel drive). Subject to testing of this model, Ford is planning to offer Extended Range version of its RWD (rear-wheel drive) and AWD versions. The extended battery types would give the police even greater range, and therefore versatility and capability, for police operations.

Instant and super-quick acceleration – the new Mach-E is capable of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds (GT version) and 111mph – will be a useful weapon against crime for any police car, while the all-electric Mach-E will offer the forces one of the most economical and environmentally-friendly cars on their fleets. 

 

The BMW i Vision AMBY

With the BMW i Vision AMBY, the first high-speed pedelec for urbanists, the BMW Group is presenting a visionary two-wheeled solution for the urban mobility of tomorrow. From the outside, the BMW i Vision AMBY looks similar to an e-bike, but it offers significantly more possibilities. It is one of five different concept vehicles with which the BMW Group is presenting its vision of individual mobility in cities and their surrounding areas at the IAA Mobility event. Under a single umbrella spanning electric mobility, digitality and sustainability, the five pioneering concepts create a versatile mobility mix on two and four wheels fuelled by sustainable thinking which comprehensively addresses an extremely wide range of mobility needs.

The BMW i Vision AMBYAMBY is a neologism for “adaptive mobility”. The BMW i Vision AMBY and BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY Vision Vehicles (see also the separate press release on the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY) interpret the basic idea of adaptive urban mobility on two wheels in different ways. The two vehicles are both fitted with an electric drive system with three speed ratings for different types of roads. The drive system enables speeds of up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) on cycle tracks, up to 45 km/h (28 mph) on city-centre roads and up to 60 km/h (37 mph) on multi-lane roads and outside urban areas. However, insurance plates and a corresponding licence are required for the higher speeds. While users of the BMW i Vision AMBY high-speed pedelec have to constantly pedal in order to benefit from the assistance of the electric drive system, the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY accelerates via a throttle grip/throttle lever and has motorcycle-style footrests instead of pedals.

The modes available to the rider are stored in the app on the smartphone linked with the “AMBY” Vision Vehicle. Manual selection of the modes is perfectly feasible, as are automatic recognition of location and road type via geofencing technology and the associated automatic adjustment of top speed. In the absence of any existing legal framework for a vehicle of this kind with a modular speed concept, the “AMBY” Vision Vehicles set out to prompt the introduction of such legislation and by consequence developments of this nature. The BMW Group is therefore showing its keenness to remain part of the mobility conversation in cities, even if in the years ahead those cities offer motor cars an increasingly small space in which to function.

 

A look ahead to entry-level electric mobility: world premiere of the ID. LIFE

Volkswagen is once again speeding up the transformation to electric mobility with its ACCELERATE strategy, making sustainable mobility accessible to even more people by 2025, a whole two years earlier than originally planned, Volkswagen will launch an ID. family model for the small car segment. It will cost approximately 20,000 euros. The ID. LIFE concept car, which was presented at the International Motor Show IAA MOBILITY 2021 in Munich, gives an impression of how a vehicle of this type would look.

ID. LIFEThe vision of a fully electric small car for the urban environment is centred around people and communal experiences. The concept car combines sustainability and digitalisation with extremely flexible usage: the ID. LIFE can become a mini cinema or a gaming centre, for instance, or simply be used for relaxing in the open air.

“The ID. LIFE is our vision of next-generation fully electric urban mobility. The concept car provides a preview of an ID. model in the small car segment that we will be launching in 2025, priced at around 20,000 euros. This means we are making electric mobility accessible to even more people”, says Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. “In creating the ID. LIFE, we have consistently focused on the needs of younger customers. We believe that, even more so than today, the car of the future will be about lifestyle and personal expression. The customer of tomorrow won’t simply want to get from A to B; they will be much more interested in the experiences that a car can offer. The ID. LIFE is our answer to this.” 

 

All-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E takes two more charging titles to become triple Guinness World Records holder 

Ford’s newest all-electric car, the Mustang Mach-E, has become a triple Guinness World Records™ holder after adding two charging titles to the ultra-efficiency record already won this summer.

Ford Mustang Mach-EGuinness World Records confirmed 43 minutes, 13 seconds as the shortest charge time on Britain’s longest journey, wiping over 30 minutes from the previous attempt. Fast charging the rear-wheel drive extended range Mustang Mach-E, which set the record, at 150kW adds around 73 miles of driving range every 10 minutes on charge.

The team only stopped at MFG’s charging hub in Wigan, in North West England, for the single charge last month, meaning the fewest charge stop record will be permanently held by Ford Mustang Mach-E. MFG’s charging network will be joining the 15,000 UK charging locations, and 200,000 across Europe, which can be located, navigated to and paid for in the Ford Pass app.

In July, the Mach-E’s ultra-efficiency on the same route consumed the least energy by an electric vehicle by travelling 6.5 miles per kilowatt hour (kWh) – equating to well over 500 miles of range, compared to an official 379-mile capability from a single charge.

Tim Nicklin, Ford’s electrification manager, said: “As deliveries ramp up, customers can be assured of Mach-E’s viability for daily use – as evidenced by this triple record-breaking performance, even on the UK’s most extreme journey.

 

Volkswagen steps up global electrification offensive: ID.3 celebrates debut in China

Volkswagen is intensifying its e-offensive in China as part of its ACCELERATE strategy. The ID.3, one of the best-selling e-cars in many European countries, will also be available on the world’s largest market for e-mobility from the fourth quarter. The compact car celebrates its Chinese premiere today at the Chengdu Motor Show. “Volkswagen’s global electrification offensive is rapidly gaining further momentum. After the ID.43 and the ID.6, we are now launching the ID.3 as the third all-electric model series in China within a mere six months. We are thus underscoring our ambition to occupy a leading position in the market for electric vehicles in China as well as Europe,” Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstätter said.

VolkswagenFollowing the debut at the motor show in Chengdu, Chinese customers will be able to reserve an ID.3 via a pre-booking system prior to the market launch in the fourth quarter. Recent months have already seen a growing number of customers choosing an ID.4 or ID.6. As a result, deliveries of vehicles from the ID. family have doubled in the past three months from 1,500 units in May to some 3,000 in June and 5,800 in July. By year-end, 80,000 to 100,000 vehicles from the ID. family are to be delivered to customers in China – subject to the supply situation for semiconductors.

Volkswagen China CEO Stephan Wöllenstein said: “With the ID.4 and ID.6 we have successfully launched two strong model series in recent months. Feedback from our customers is promising, delivery figures meet our expectations. With the ID.3, we are now offering our customers a product in the important compact segment and, in combination with the other ID. models, are able to cover a large share of the market.”

 

Everrati debuts electric Porsche Gulf Signature Edition at Salon Privé

verrati Automotive Limited (Everrati™), a leading technology company specialising in the redefining and futureproofing of automotive icons through the integration of the very latest electric vehicle (EV) powertrains, is debuting its new Porsche Gulf Signature Edition, an electric supercar based upon a fully restored Porsche 911 (964), at Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance.

Porsche Gulf Signature Edition at Salon PrivéShowcasing some of the automotive industry’s most exclusive and desirable creations, the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance is renowned for its spectacular setting at Blenheim Palace, deep in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. The idyllic venue brings together automobiles from all eras, from vintage classics to modern supercars and racing legends. This year, Everrati is taking pride in displaying the Gulf Signature Edition for the first time to the public, alongside its electrified version of the legendary GT40, created in partnership with Superformance.

Featuring carbon fibre body elements and a state-of-the-art EV powertrain, the Porsche Gulf Signature Edition can deliver an emission-free driving range of more than 180 miles and sub-4-second 0-62mph acceleration. The EV powertrain, which has its power delivery optimised specifically for the Gulf Signature Edition, is coupled to a 53kWh battery pack and advanced battery management system.

Sending 500bhp to the rear wheels, the new Porsche Gulf Signature Edition has more than double the power output of an original 1990’s Porsche 964. With 500Nm delivered instantly, the car can accelerate to 62mph in less than four seconds. This blistering acceleration is accompanied by a 180-mile range, dependant on driving style.

As part of Everrati’s partnership with Gulf International, the Porsche Gulf Signature Edition is instantly identifiable by its timeless Gulf orange and blue race car livery as easily one of the most respected and celebrated colour schemes in all of motorsport.

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