EV’s are supposed to be the savior’s of the world by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate the need for dirty petrol, and improve the efficiency of transportation. Ironically, the bulk of the world is presently experiencing soaring temperatures, which consequently are reducing EV range and posing a challenge for EV users.
Recurrent, a battery and range analytics firm located in Seattle, evaluated a variety of EVs in a range of climates to see whether temperatures had an impact on battery health and range. EV range decreased as the temperature rose. When temperatures surpassed 38 degrees Celsius, the range of some EVs was reduced by 31%. EVs had a 5% range loss at 32 degrees Celcius and a 2.8% reduction at 26 degrees Celsius.
With more and more vehicles – including those from entry-level brands like Perodua and also pick-up trucks – having advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), Euro NCAP has started to assess some of the systems which assist driving. The independent organisation tests not only the car’s ability to assist and promote safer driving, but also evaluates how such Assisted Driving systems engage the driver and, if the unexpected happens, what safety back-up is offered by the vehicle.
The present focus is on Highway Assist systems, which help the driver to maintain a steady speed, to keep a safe distance from the car in front and to keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane by combining (intelligent) Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Lane Centering (LC). Highway Assist systems are designed to assist the driver, not to take control, and the driver is expected to keep his hands on the wheel and his eyes on the road at all times.
Adaptive Cruise Control, using camera or radar (or both), maintains a safe gap with vehicles ahead, regardless of the cruising speed set.
The technology, first offered on more expensive premium vehicles over the past 10 years, has gone mainstream in recent years and is now available on cars in all categories, butt with varying degrees of sophistication and at different price points.
Lane Centering systems, using a camera to monitor road markings, help prevent the vehicle from departing from its lane and endanger vehicles in other lanes or go off the road.
In its previous rounds of Assisted Driving tests in 2018 and 2020, Euro NCAP found some vehicles promised more than they could deliver, implying, through their naming and interaction with the driver that they provide more automation than they were capable of doing. All the cars tested in this round, however, offer a balance between Assistance Competence – the degree to which the system can help the driver – and Driver Engagement – the extent to which the driver feels they must remain in control and not disengage from the driving task.
“This balance between assistance and engagement is crucial. Cars are not yet capable of fully automated driving and drivers should not be misled into thinking that they are. Reports from America have highlighted the very serious problems that can happen when people have an unrealistically high expectation of what such systems can offer, and when the car in which they are driving does not actively try to get them back in the loop. We are pleased that the manufacturers represented in this round of tests make clear the level of support that they can provide,” said Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary-General of Euro NCAP.
BMW iX3 – rated ‘Very Good’ in Assisted Driving assessment.
Euro NCAP’s first Assisted Driving gradings of 7 models equipped with Highway Assist show the overall best performer as the BMW iX3, which was graded as ‘Very Good’. Two others – the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the CUPRA Formentor – achieved ‘Good’ gradings. The assist systems of the Polestar 2 and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 were graded as ‘Moderate’, while the Toyota Yaris and Opel Mokka-e were considered to offer ‘Entry’ level systems.
The BMW iX3, although a variant of the X3 range, has a new sensor set, not yet available on its combustion-engined stablemates and the grading of its automated driving system applies only to the all-electric version. The Polestar 2 achieved a Moderate grading, limited by its performance in Vehicle Assistance. Polestar will perform an over-the-air (OTA) update of the car’s software very soon and Euro NCAP will again assess the car.
Even entry-level models like the Toyota Yaris (European model shown) have systems that can provide the driver with a useful level of support, enhancing safety.
The range of cars tested demonstrated the growing prevalence of Assisted Driving across the spectrum of vehicle categories. Entry-level systems, while offering less functionality than more sophisticated ones, nevertheless provide the driver with a useful level of support, and that fact that they are offered on volume-selling cars shows the direction of travel for automated driving.
Euro NCAP’s tests are set against a rapidly changing legislative background. Technology is developing very quickly and the degree of automation that is allowed and what action the car must take when, for example, it tries to hand control back to an unresponsive driver, is being reviewed. The organisation says its future tests will take these regulatory changes into account.
Following the launch of the new BMW iX in Malaysia two months ago, BMW Malaysia today announced the addition of the iX3. The iX3 is available in two versions with rather interesting names – Inspiring and Impressive – with pricing starting from at RM335,800 and RM354,800, respectively, without insurance. The prices include BMW Service & Repair Inclusive – a 5-year Extended Warranty and 6-year service package – as well as the Power Package which comes with the BMW i Wallbox and BMW Standard Charging Cable. Like the iX, the iX3 can be booked now but deliveries will only start in 2022.
Both versions have the M Sport package as standard which gives a more expressive appearance to the fully electric SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle). Besides M Sport specific items and High-Gloss Shadowline, the iX3 Inspiring has standard features like LED adaptive headlights with high beam assist and 19-inch alloy rims for the Inspiring version. The Impressive version has the more advanced BMW Laserlight and larger rims, along with a Head-Up Display, Harman Kardon 464W audio system with 16 speakers and the unique BMW IconicSounds Electric.
The 210 kW/400 Nm electric motor, located at the rear, is powered by an 80-kWh lithium-ion battery which is claimed to be able to provide a range of up to 461 kms. Like an internal combustion engine, range depends on how you drive and where you drive but even half that number would be sufficient for daily use. The range might be shorter if you constantly go from standstill to 100 km/h in the claimed 6.8 seconds or travel close to the top speed of 180 km/h (electronically limited).
When using DC fast charging at rates of up to 150 kW, 80% charge can be obtained within 32 minutes, while AC charging at up to 11 kW will require about 7.5 hours (typically overnight) for a 100% charge. The battery pack has a separate warranty of 8 years or maximum of 160,000 kms.
All the SAVs distributed by BMW Group Malaysia will have Vernasca leather upholstery and sports seats with various choices of colours and stitching as well as interior themes colour matched to the exterior finish. Different authorised dealerships will display different versions so if the one you see at the showroom is now what appeals to you, then you can go to BMW Shop Online to see the other choices available.
As with all BMWs, the safety systems are advanced with the Driving Assistant Professional suite as standard to help the driver avoid accidents. There’s also a Surround View Display and parking assistance systems to make parking easy and precise. Because an EV runs almost noiselessly, there are regulations in some countries that require some sort of noise to be generated to ensure pedestrians are aware. BMW has installed in its EVs an Audible Pedestrian Protection system which gives off a whining sound at speeds of up to 30 km/h.
“The arrival of the First-Ever BMW iX3 is made especially significant with these distinct variants that provide our loyal customers and fans of electric mobility in Malaysia the ‘Power of Choice’ – without compromising on power, performance or safety. Alongside our upcoming fleet of new BMW i vehicles, the First-Ever BMW iX3 is set to spur a new generation of Electric Vehicle owners in Malaysia, as the all-electric SAV presents a wealth of possibilities with its all-rounded qualities in innovation and design language to make the Electric Premium Ownership Experience even more enjoyable,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.
