The fifth generation of the Mini Cooper offers a diverse range of drivetrain options, including purely electric engines and efficient petrol engines. The Mini Cooper S, equipped with a four-cylinder petrol engine, combines power with agile handling, making it a thrilling driving experience.
Powered by a 2.0-litre TwinPower turbo engine producing 204hp and 300Nm of torque, the Mini Cooper S accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds. Its suspension and damping system are tuned for agile handling, ensuring a dynamic ride on any road.
There are four vehicle trims available for the Mini Cooper S, with the Classic Trim offering additional body colours and contrasting roof finishes. The Ocean Wave Green colour enhances the minimalist design, while the contrasting white roof and mirror caps add to its presence.
The interior of the Classic Trim features black-blue surfaces made of two-tone knitted material, complemented by high-quality Vescin seats in grey or black. The perforated houndstooth pattern and blue accent stitching add to the stylish design of the interior.
Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the Mini Cooper S offers maximum driving fun, with increased track width for optimised driving dynamics. Various driver assistance systems, such as Safe Exit, Active Cruise Control, and Parking Assistant, enhance safety and comfort. Additionally, the Mini Interaction Unit features the brand’s first full-fledged voice assistant, making operation even more convenient while on the go.
Abarth, renowned for its high-performance vehicles, has unleashed a tuned-up version of the electric Fiat 600e, showcasing a significant boost in power and a more aggressive aesthetic.
Displayed in its striking Scorpionissima launch edition guise, the electrifying Fiat 600e has captured attention after being spotted during a commercial shoot, with just 1949 units slated for production.
Although technical details such as drive configuration and battery specifications remain under wraps, the electric 600e promises to deliver thrills with a mechanical limited-slip differential and an impressive power output of 240hp.
This power surge establishes the 600e as the most potent Abarth ever crafted, boasting a formidable 84hp increase over its Fiat counterpart.
Fiat 600e
While maintaining the potential for electrifying performance, the 600e may inherit its battery from the Fiat donor car, equipped with a 54kWh nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion unit. However, due to the higher-output motors, a slight reduction in range is anticipated compared to the Fiat 600e’s 400km range on the WLTP cycle.
Volvo has announced that from 2019 and onwards, all cars that it produces will have some form of electrification. This means that in two years time, Volvo will only be producing vehicles with hybrid or fully-electric propulsion systems.
This move confirms Volvo Cars’ commitment to minimizing its environmental impact on our planet and making the cities of the future, cleaner. Volvo Cars is focused on reducing the carbon emissions of both its products as well as its operations. It also aims to have manufacturing operations that have no detrimental effect to the climate situation, by 2025.
The company has also said that between 2019 and 2021, it would have produced five fully electric cars, three of which will be from Volvo and two from Polestar, which is currently the automaker’s performance arm. This confirms the earlier reported news that parent company, Geely, intends on turning Polestar into a separate brand that focuses on electrified global high-performance cars.
These five vehicles will be produced along with a range of petrol and diesel plug-in-hybrid and mild-hybrid 48-volt ones. And if it does manage to pull it off, it will make Volvo one of the first automakers to offer some form of electrification in its entire product portfolio.
This announcement signals an end to non-hybrid petrol and diesel powered Volvo vehicles, which is a significant and drastic shift in the current mindset. If Volvo does manage to keep its word, this could spur more automakers to join the bandwagon and push for a higher production volume of electrified vehicles.
That said, until there is a proper infrastructure in place around the world, it will take quite a while before electric vehicles win over the hearts and minds of people, globally. And as such, Volvo is taking a huge gamble by taking such a move, in such a short timeframe. If it doesn’t pay off for the Swedish marque, the automaker could find itself in a very tough situation.
At the ongoing Shanghai Motorshow, Audi has unveiled its design study, the all-electric E-Tron Sportback Concept. Sporting futuristic design elements, this vehicle provides a glimpse into what the actual car might look like when it hits the road next year.
This vehicle measures 4,900mm long, 1,980mm wide and 1,530mm high. It has a wheelbase of 2,930mm and according to Audi is positioned in the C segment which is close to the Audi A7. The front end features an octogonal single frame grille with a wide horizontal cut but unlike conventional models, it forgoes the large opening at the front due to the fact that electric motors require far less cooling than petrol engines.
The edges of the central surface are drawn back which help channel airflow. The sharp creases, angular headlights and blacked-out grille provide for a futuristic yet menacing stance.
The contours are angular yet simple and provide the vehicle with a coupe-like look. The wing mirrors have been replaced with cameras that provide a better field of view and almost eliminating blind spots that come with conventional mirrors. The LED lighting features digital matrix projectors that help illuminate the road ahead during the day or night. Below the DRLs are 250 LEDs that display engaging graphics and communicate signs while on the move.
Inside, the E-Tron features a signature white Audi interior with a digital instrument cluster and switchgear that wouldn’t look our of place on a commercial airliner. Unlike conventional Audis, this one has two rear seats instead of the stretched three seat set up. The dash up front features a sports steering wheel that resembles that of the R8 but overall, has a very minimalistic look as opposed to its competitors that feel very busy and complicated.
The E-Tron also has 23-inch wheels that feature a 6-spoke design and add to the sporty look but also give the car a wider track. But Audi may choose drop the rim size for the production version in the name of power conservation later on.
Since this is an all-electric vehicle, it features three motors, one on the front axle and two on the rear one. Working in tandem they provide it with an-all-wheel-drive system. Power is rated at 320kW (429bhp) which increases to 370kW (496bhp) when in boost mode. The 0-100km/h sprint is accomplished in 4.5 seconds, which isn’t supercar quick but impressive considering this Audi’s dimensions. Juice is supplied via a 95kWh lithium-ion battery pack that also provides the vehicle with a range of 450km.
The liquid cooled Lithium-ion battery pack is positioned between the front and rear axles and placed below the passenger compartment. Due to this, the vehicle has a lower centre of gravity and a balanced axle load distribution of 52:48 (front/rear). The battery can be charged by the Combined Charging System which accepts Alternating or Direct Current (AC or DC) charging outlets.
Regarding the reveal, Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, said, “Our Audi e‑tron will be starting out in 2018 – the first electric car in its competitive field that is fit for everyday use. With a range of over 450km and the special electric driving experience, we will make this sporty SUV the must-have product of the next decade. Following close on its heels, in 2019, comes the production version of the Audi e‑tron Sportback – an emotional coupe version that is thrillingly identifiable as an electric car at the very first glance.”
Though it has been labeled as a design study, the production ready car is slated for launch in 2018, which means several elements will be carried over from the concept vehicle.
The ever popular all-electric family hatchback may have received some added appeal. Nissan has launched a new variant of this ev, dubbed the Leaf Black Edition. As enticing as the name plate maybe, there don’t appear to be any performance upgrades for this variant over the standard car.
The Black Edition receives a number of exterior features such as 16-inch black alloy wheels, LED Headlamps, black door mirror caps and black rear spoiler. Inside, the only notable addition is the blue-stitched mats on the floor which is said to offer a more “premium” finish.
As it is with the rest of the line up, the Black Edition receives Nissan’s latest innovative technologies as standard including the NissanConnect EV telematics system and intelligent Around View Monitor.
Speaking of the latest edition to the Leaf family, Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles of Nissan Europe, said “The new LEAF Black Edition perfectly showcases Nissan’s commitment to making smart, premium quality products accessible for all. This stylish black number combines dynamic styling, with Nissan’s innovative zero-emission technology to offer customers a city-savvy intelligent mobility solution. Its sleek design compliments an exciting drive, delivered through high-class engineering, demonstrating that you don’t have to compromise on style or performance when purchasing an electric car.”
Unveiled in 2010, the Nissan Leaf was the first mass-market electric family car and as of today, there are 250,000 them on the road. Powered by a 30kWh battery pack, the Leaf is able to travel 250km on a single charge, which should be more than adequate for most city dwellers.
The trend to go electric signals a shift in the mindset of most automotive manufacturers. Though building smaller more efficient engines seemed to be the rational choice a few years ago, today, manufacturers have realized the benefits of electric power and the effect it has on environmentally conscious buyers. One such automaker is Jaguar, a company that prides itself on building performance driven luxury vehicles.
It has officially begun testing its all electric performance SUV, the I-Pace, on the streets of London before the production ready I-PACE is launched in late 2017. Still considered in the concept phase, the I-PACE is powered by compact electric motors at the front and rear axles that produce close to 400bhp and an astounding 700Nm of torque.
These impressive power figures should allow this Jag to sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in just 4 seconds. Jaguar says that on a full charge, the I-Pace should be able to cover a distance of 500km based on the NEDC cycle thanks to a 90kWh lithium-ion battery. They also claim that by utilizing a 50kW DC charger, the battery pack can be charged to about 80 per cent in 90 minutes.
When it eventually hits the streets, the I-Pace is said to be a nimble yet powerful performance SUV that will offer an unrivaled blend of agility, ride comfort and refinement that will set it apart from other electrified offerings. Pitched as a true Jaguar and a drivers’ car, the I-Pace should go on sale in the second half of 2018, until then, here are the pictures of the I-Pace in concept form.
