Monthly Archives: September 2018
Peugeot E-Legend Concept Is A Retro-Futuristic Autonomous Car
Autonomous concept cars have been the center of international auto shows in the past couple of years. Peugeot is readying its E-Legend Concept for an introduction at the Paris Motor Show next month. The E-Legend Concept has a forward-looking design that aims to highlight style over practicality.
The concept is a blend of modern Peugeot car design with the 1969 Peugeot 504 Coupe. The result is a retro-futuristic autonomous car that is reminiscent of the never-built Nissan IDx concept. These two concepts—the E-Legend and the IDx concept—were inspired by coupes designed in the late 1960s. The resemblances between these two concepts are therefore attributed to the trends of that decade.
But the closest connection between the E-Legend and the 504 is the roofline. It has the same trapezoidal shape with sharp corners, the same thin pillars, and the same large glass area. The long nose and the shorter rear deck are similar, too.
The concept measures 183 inches long, 76 inches wide, and 53.9 inches tall. It’s close to the size of a BMW M4, though with a shorter 105.9-inch wheelbase.
Inside, the retro design was carried over. It’s upholstered in 60s chic blue silk velvet while the door panels, seat buckets, and steering wheel are made of paldao wood sourced from renewable forests and finished by French furniture design firm Hervet Manufacturier. For a more relaxing drive, there’s also a fragrance diffuser that can fill the cabin with one of two scents crafted specifically for the E-Legend by perfume maker Ex-Nihilo.
But since this is an autonomous vehicle, the steering wheel will be retractable. Once the steering wheel is stowed, the autonomous system can be set to either one of two modes: soft for comfortable cruising or sharp for a more dynamic driving.
The E-Legend Concept will source its power from an electric engine that makes 456 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. These numbers are close to the outputs of Jaguar I-Pace, Audi E-Tron, and the larger Teslas.
Tesla Model 3 Gets Five-Star Rating From NHTSA
The 2018 Tesla Model 3 earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), acing its government safety evaluation. It got five stars overall and in every category it was tested on.
The NHTSA put the Tesla Model 3, a rear-wheel-drive model, through several tests: front driver side, front passenger side, side barrier (driver and rear passenger), side pole, and rollover crashes. Previous Tesla cars, the Model S and the Model X, were also rated five stars by the same agency.
On the other hand, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not released a full rating for the Model 3, though it already got an “Acceptable” headlight score and the top score of “Superior” in front crash prevention. The Tesla Model 3 passed the tests due to its ability to avoid collision in both 12-mph and 25-mph examinations.
It’s no wonder that the Tesla Model 3 was able to pass the NHTSA tests as it is offering a number of advanced safety technologies, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
Tesla has been suffering from a slew of bad press because of its inability to reach the production deadline of the Model 3. As it failed to meet its production targets, it also suffered greatly from building the Model 3 in an assembly line under a giant tent.
Earlier this month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Twitter revealed that the company has “gone from production hell to delivery logistics hell.” This was jokingly hinted earlier this week when Musk answered a tweet from Twitter handle @megangale, who posted a photo of several Teslas lined up at the Union Pacific Railroad in SLC.
On Twitter, @megangale said that one of her cars are parked at the Union Pacific Railroad. “I’ve been told I was getting delivery the 8 th , then the 15 th , then the 20 th , then the 22 nd , and now my delivery has been delayed indefinite. Please make this right.”
Musk then replied, “Sorry, we’ve gone from production hell to delivery logistics hell, but this problem is far more tractable. We’re making rapid progress. Should be solved shortly.”
Land Rover Discovery Sport Updated For 2020 Model Year Unit
Land Rover is working on the next-generation Discovery Sport, which we expect to arrive a couple of years from now. While waiting, we are treated to a facelifted version of the current-generation Discovery Sport, which will pave way for the new generation model.
The prototype in the spy shots was wrapped heavily in camouflage but there were enough details to hint of changes made to the updated Discovery Sport.
Exterior
There are quite a few changes on the front of the updated Discovery Sport. Based on the test mule, there’s going to be a new look for the front fascia and a new grille. Right now, we can’t really say for sure how all these elements will look after the camouflage has been taken off. We can see that there’s a change in the lighting fixture through two horizontal LEDs at the bottom. The current-generation Discovery Sport doesn’t have those.
The profile looks similar to the one we have now, but the rear side will have no cutouts and there seems to be a pair of exhaust outlets on one side. Of course, since this is a “hybrid” test mule (as seen on a yellow sticker on the windshield), the lack of cutouts is expected.
Interior
The current-generation Discovery Sport has one of the most pristine cabins in the SUV segment, so we don’t expect much to change here since this is only an updated model. Coming standard, though, to the updated Discovery sports is a lot of “options” for the current generation. These luxurious features are the twin-needle-stitched leather, genuine metal interior trim, configurable mood lighting, and multi-zone climate control, among others.
Space will not be an issue because the updated Discovery Sport will sit on Land Rover’s version of the D8 platform. Not only will the ride be more comfortable, but there is also extra cargo space and enough room underneath to store the lithium-ion batteries for the hybrid version.
Drivetrain
The most important update will be the inclusion of a plug-in hybrid version. It will use the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ingenium engine that Land Rover began using on the model in 2015. The use of the Ingenium engine makes sense because it is so versatile it can come in gas or diesel variants and can be reconfigured to accommodate three-, five-, or six-cylinder options. It can also produce as little as 150 horsepower or as much as 240 horsepower.
What We Know About The 2019 BMW 8 Series Convertible
BMW has revived its 8-Series coupe as seen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Its dedicated racing version even competed in the prestigious race for GTE class for production-based cars. The flagship car will be seen in BMW showroom starting December and those with $112,895 to spare can have it in the M850i trim.
That’s not all. BMW is also treating us to a convertible version of the 8-Series. The original 8-Series, of course, never treated us to a convertible model so this is a welcome treat for BMW fans. We did get a prototype, but it never went into full production mode. That’s about to change now as a convertible version of the 8-Series was spotted.
The soft-top BMW 8-Series convertible has been spotted going around and it actually revealed way more details than we have anticipated. It makes sense for the German automaker to use a soft-top instead of a hardtop to keep the weight of the car down and preserve the original silhouette of the coupe version.
Similar to the coupe version, the soft-top convertible uses BMW’s CLAR modular platform. There are no clear details yet on the engine options for the 8-Series convertible but we expect to see the M850i coupe’s new twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 making 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. There should be one engine lower than the turbocharged 4.4-liter unit and we know for a fact that BMW plans on making a high-performance M8 convertible in the future.
The 8-Series range will be produced at BMW’s main plant in Dingolfing, Germany. The coupe should arrive in showrooms in December while the convertible will likely arrive next spring. Once in the market, the 8-Series will be competing with the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible and Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet.
After the 8-Series Convertible, BMW plans on making an 8-Series Gran Coupe while the sedan variant is due out next year.
Check out the new spy video of the upcoming BMW 8-Series Convertible here:
New Suzuki Jimny Gets Measly 3 Stars From Euro NCAP Results
The latest batch of Euro NCAP results has been released where both the Audi A6 and Volkswagen Touareg got the maximum rating of five stars. The Ford Tourneo Connect scored four, but the new Suzuki Jimny got a measly three stars.
The Jimny, which was received positively by the market, received a low score because of its adult occupation protection which was only at 73 percent. The test found out that the driver’s airbag will not quite inflate with enough pressure to stop the driver’s head from hitting the steering wheel rim. There is also a potential for deformity around the front door pillars in the front offset impact test. This resulted in a weak score for the driver’s torso. The front seats are only offering “marginal protection” in the event of a rear impact.
Child protection got a rating of 84 percent but scores were low in the vulnerable road users category because of stiff windscreen pillars. The lowest marks received came from safety tech category. The Jimny even got a horrid 50 percent based on the fact that its autonomous emergency braking system struggled to spot pedestrians in low light. It cannot detect cyclists as well.
Based on the NCAP results, the Audi A6 is the safest car with an adult occupant protection rating of 93 percent and a vulnerable road users percentage of 81. In terms of child protection and safety assist categories, the Touareg slightly outscored the A6. It got 86 percent on the child protection and 81 percent of the vulnerable road users. The Audi A6, on the other hand, got 85 and 76 percent, respectively.
The Ford Tourneo Connect got 92 percent on the adult occupant score but was awarded a four-star rating because it only got a 65-percent rating on the vulnerable road users category.
2019 Genesis G70 Pricing Details Revealed
The pricing details for the 2019 Genesis G70 are out, officially making its first step to wooing sport-luxury sedan buyers to shell out $35,895 for the 2.0T Advanced RWD trim, which is rated at 252 horsepower based on its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that’s paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Although it’s a base model, the Advanced trim still has the core luxury features such as the seats trimmed in leatherette, and the steering wheel and gear are finished in leather wrapping. The 8.0-inch infotainment unit and the suite of active safety features come as standard fit for the car.
The Advanced AWD trim, which will add an all-wheel drive and a heated steering wheel, will sell for $37,895.
The 2.0T Elite trim is where the South Korean luxury brand is putting all stops. On top of the standard features of the Advanced trim, the Elite will include parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, a Lexicon 15-speaker audio system, leather seats (ventilated and heated), navigation, a sunroof, and full LED headlights. If you want the AWD for the Elite trim, it’s a $2,000 option.
The 2.0T Prestige trim, on the other hand, will add more to these nice features. It will come with a power driver’s seat cushion extension, Nappa leather with quilting, heated rear seats, a surround-view monitor, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display for a starting price of $45,895. It comes in AWD only.
If you want sportier trims, you better get your hands on the Dynamic, Sport, and Sport 6MT trims, which will be offered with the 2.0-liter inline-4 engine. The Dynamic starts at $44,895 and comes in AWD trim only, but it’ll have a limited-slip differential on RWD cars and 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin PS4 summer tires.
The Sport trim has a starting price of $45,895 but the AWD trim will raise the price to $47,895. It will build on the Prestige trim with an LSD and the Dynamic trim with its 19-inch wheels. However, the Sport trim will get a slew of other features such as copper bezel accents, dark-tinted taillights, Nappa leather with red or gray contrast stitching (if the buyer chooses a black seating surface), and alloy pedals.
The Sport 2.0T trim models are more affordable at $38,995 but will come without the special features of Brembo brakes, a multi-plate LSD, and a sport exhaust system.
Genesis G70 is also arriving with the option for the more powerful 365-horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Following the base price of $44,745 for the 3.3T Advanced model, the 3.3T Elite will sell for $46,495, the 3.3T Prestige for $48,995, and the 3.3T Sport for $50,495. AWD trim is an option of $2,000 for all models.
3 Key Features Of The 2019 DS3 Crossback
PSA’s new premium sub-brand just released a compact crossover called the DS3 Crossback, which is visually appealing—or not, depending on who looks at it. This is definitely going to push opinions to the extreme because of its unique design and elegant interior.
Exterior
You only need to glance at the DS3 Crossback to know that this will create a lot of mixed emotions among car enthusiasts. There’s the unique front fascia, the B pillars that stopped halfway through, and the rear end with those wide, high-set light clusters. The door handles also have a feature like the Tesla Model S, where it pops out when the car is unlocked.
DS is offering around 10 choices of rim design for the Crossback and this slew of customization options will allow users to get the unique look that they want for their crossovers.
Interior
What many cars these days do is focus on the exterior and completely neglect the cabin. Sure, most cars have high-tech dashboards and infotainment system, as well as comfortable seats, but that’s about it. The Crossback’s cabin, we think, is even more elegant than the exterior. There’s a new foam used on the seats, making it plushier than ever. The diamond quilt theme is wrapped around the entire cabin that the dashboard even features the posh design. Even the buttons on the console and the dashboard are indicative of this diamond theme.
We didn’t see any analog dials with the interior being dominated by the 10.3-inch widescreen infotainment on top of the center console.
Drivetrain
The conventional engines are all present: three-cylinder 1.2-liter PureTech gasoline and four-cylinder 1.5-liter BlueHDI diesel units. There are three PureTech engines that can make 100, 130, and 150 horsepower, and two diesel units with 100 or 130 horsepower outputs. The more powerful engines will be equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
That’s not the best part though. The big news is that from the launch, the DS3Crossback will arrive with a pure-electric version. The power will come from a 136-horsepower electric motor that draws juice from a 50-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The quoted range is 186 miles and it can reach 30 mph in 3 seconds or 62 mph in under 9 seconds.
There’s no word on pricing yet, but we can expect the 2019 DS3 Crossbackto start at $26,000.
Details About The 2019 BMW Z4 Released
Last month, German automaker BMW unveiled the 2019 BMW Z4 , which sports an aggressive look for the new-generation model. Up until now, though, BMW has been short on details about the new roadster, especially when it comes to the engine options.
Thankfully, we now have detailed report about the new Z4, which will start selling in March 2019. The Z4 will initially launch with the sDrive30i variant. The model is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 that makes 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. In the second quarter of the year, the Z4 M40i variant will follow with a 3.0-liter turbo I-6 that will produce 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It’s the same as the prototype revealed earlier.
Both engines will be paired with an eight-speed automatic, which is the only transmission available for the Z4. The sDrive30i can reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds while the M40i can hit it in 4.4 seconds.
This next-generation Z4 is bigger than its predecessor. It stands 3.3 inches longer, 2.9 inches wider, and 0.5 inches taller. The wheelbase, however, is 1.0-inch shorter. There’s a new platform underpinning the car and it enjoys the double-jointed front spring struts and a five-link rear suspension. This is a first for any BMW roadster.
The suspensions are made with aluminum, which will make the 2019 Z4 lighter compared to its predecessor. As for handling, the roadster will have a new steering system with variable power assist and ratio to improve precision and make low-speed maneuvering easier.
The M40i, in particular, will get an adaptive M suspension with a 10-mm lower ride height, M Sport brakes, and an M Sport differential as standard. You can also get these with the sDrive30i as options. There will be three modes: Comfort, Sport, and Sport+.
Driver assistance tech will be standard. It includes collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. Options are blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, rear cross-traffic alert, and a new rear collision protection system.
3 Things To Know About The 2019 Kia ProCeed
Kia is set to reveal its next-generation ProCeed as a five-door, fastback-like wagon and officially ditched the three-door layout of the current generation.
Sitting at the top of the Ceed lineup, the ProCeed is longer than the Sportwagon (by 5 mm) and a fair chunk shorter, too (by 43 mm). It even has a lower ground clearance (also by 5 mm).
1. Exterior
The design of the 2019 Kia ProCeed is a mix of the ProCeed concept shown at last year’s Frankfurt show and the Stinger. What Kia wants you to focus on, however, is the unique rear that tapered off elegantly. This is the same rear shown in the concept, though that’s where the similarities end.
If you noticed, there are other things the ProCeed has going for it such as the new front bumper design, the slightly different proportions, and even the fake exhaust tips.
2. Interior
The all-black interior and the unique metal sill scuff plates will be the first things you’ll notice about the new ProCeed. Other than that, not much will differentiate this model from the current one in the market. Since this is a new car, Kia will make it possible for you to choose the brand-new design sports seats which feature firmer side bolsters than before. The rear seat can be folded 40:20:40, giving you plenty of space to store your cargo.
The dashboard and the rest of the interior trim are similar to the regular Ceed models, meaning a clean and pleasant layout made of high-quality materials.
There’s no digital instrument cluster yet, but buyers can choose between a standard 7-inch or optional 8-inch infotainment displays which can run Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
3. Drivetrain
All the engines available for the ProCeed are the same as the Ceed lineup and they are all turbocharged. The base unit is a 1.0-liter with 120 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque while next is a 1.4-liter machine that makes 140 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Finally, the 1.6-liter from the high-performance GT model can produce 204 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.
Kia is still offering a diesel engine for the ProCeed. It’s a 1.6-liter ‘Smartstream’ CRDi oil burner with 136 horsepower. The torque output is dependent on your choice of transmission: 206 pound-feet for the six-speed manual and 236 pound-feet for the dual-clutch.
2019 Audi e-Tron Crossover Starts At $75,000
We are finally seeing the 2019 Audi e-Tron crossover SUV and it’s not exactly cheap. The entry-level Premium Plus model starts at $75,795 while the Prestige trim brings the price to $82,795. Finally, the top-rung First Edition model has a base price of $87,695.
After the camouflage has been taken off, we can now see that the e-Tron, which was revealed in bare-painted sheetmetal, looks like a mix of the flagship Q8 and the smaller Q3. It has the chiseled features of the Q3 and the taillights of the Q8.
Let us focus on the powertrain that undermines all these design languages though. The e-Tron crossover uses two electric motors: one large for the rear and a small one for the front wheels. According to Audi, this dual-motor setup can produce 355 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque in normal mode. This output can be produced for 60 seconds straight.
To bring the power to 402 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque, owners can switch on the overboost function for eight seconds. This output will allow the car to go 60 mph in 5.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 124 mph.
Depending on the load, the e-Tron can be driven using only the rear motor. The motor on the front wheels will be activated only if more power is needed and when the driving conditions require more traction.
With an optional towing package, this crossover SUV can also handle the hauling of 4,000 pounds worth of cargo.
Between the motors is where you could access the 95-kWh battery pack. There’s no final EPA rating yet but we’re inclined to believe that it can reach a total of 248 miles on a single charge. Audi says the E-Tron will also support 150-kW DC fast charging, which will allow it to regain 80 percent of its range in 30 minutes.
