City Car Archives

All-new smart #1 EV gives brand a ‘second wind’ after early struggles

Though seemingly a good idea at the start in the 1990s, the original low-cost concept of Nicolas Hayek, creator of the Smart watches, never worked once Mercedes-Benz took over. The engineering costs bumped up the price and it became a niche product that had difficulty meeting ambitious sales targets.

After trying various approaches in the USA, a market it hoped would take to the little car, Mercedes-Benz ended sales there in 2019. It continued to sell the car in Europe and then Geely came into the picture to form a joint-venture and the brand gained a ‘second wind’.

Very quickly, a brand new product was developed with the involvement of Mercedes-Benz design teams who used the Geely’s SEA architecture dedicated to electric vehicles. By 2020, a concept car called the Concept #1 was revealed and this week, the production model has been presented to the world.

This isn’t smart’s first EV as the brand went fully electric after 2019 but it is an entirely new product, simply called smart #1. While the crossover has blurred the lines between a hatchback and SUV, the smart #1 is presented as a SUV with an overall length of 4270 mm and a width of 1822 mm with a wheelbase that is 2750 mm. That makes it larger than the Proton Iriz and almost the same length as a Saga.

Although there have been smart concept cars that proposed a SUV design, the brand has never sold one so this would be its first SUV. It is, however, considered a city car as well because of its proportions although its weight of 1,820 kgs is certainly much more than city cars of the same size.

The weight largely comes from the NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) battery pack which also uses lithium-ion chemistries to store electricity up to a maximum capacity of 66 kWh. The charging system can accept fast-charging up to 150 kW and if that is used, charging time can be 30 minutes (from 10% to 80%), it is claimed. With a more common 22 kW supply, the time needed would be around 3 hours.

The battery pack powers a single rear-mounted electric motor with an output of 200 kW (272 ps) and maximum torque of 343 Nm, available almost from the moment the car moves off. The top speed is claimed to be 180 km/h, pretty fast for a car in this class.

The styling of the #1 is pretty much like that of the concept car with Matrix LEDs under the triangular shapes of each headlight. The headlights form a unique visual signature at the front which stretches right across, and the same feature is also present at the back.

To remove that tiny bit of drag-inducing turbulence that door handles cause, those on the #1 are flush when the car is on the move, extending only when needed to open the doors. It’s a feature usually found in higher-end cars, reflecting the premium positioning of the #1.

Thanks to a high footprint-to-space ratio with the long wheelbase, the interior is more spacious than would be expected with the compact exterior. The floating centre console provides better space efficiency with a reduction of elements creating a more open environment. To enhance this sense of spaciousness is a panoramic halo glass roof, one of the features on the concept car. The rear seats have a variable position over 13 cm and behind them is a variable boot space.

As with many of the latest cars, the displays are digi-graphic with a 9.2-inch panel in front of the driver (supplemented by a head-up display), and a 12.8-inch touchscreen on the dashboard. The ambient lighting can be customized with mix of 64 colours and 20 illumination levels, setting just the right mood for a drive.

The premium audio system has Beats high-end sound technology and consists of an amplifier module and 13 speakers (including a sub-woofer). The driver can enable digital key sharing through the smart app which also allows for remote engine starting.

There will be a ‘Launch Edition’ of the car with exclusive trim. Production will be at a joint-venture factory in China, starting in the second half of 2022. Exports are expected to start towards the end of the year so Proton Edar, which has been appointed distributor for Malaysia and Thailand, should be launching the car in early 2023. As it is a joint development between Geely and Mercedes-Benz, it is unlikely that it will become a Proton-badged model but by selling it, Proton would gain insights and experience into EVs which it will be producing and selling towards the end of this decade.

Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group establish new joint-venture to handle smart brand globally

New Toyota Aygo X aims to win more new customers in European A-segment

Japanese carmakers built their reputation on reliable, economical and affordable small cars and for most of the world (with the exception of America), they captured big market shares. However, in Europe, while their small cars were successful and popular, they faced a big challenge in the supermini A-segment. This was where European carmakers had popular products and were pretty well entrenched.

Prior to the 1990s, some European countries like France, Spain, Portugal and Italy had formal and informal quotas on imports of Japanese cars to limit their threat. As in America, the Japanese carmakers began to build factories in Europe as a way to get behind the barriers. Eventually, as the World Trade Organisation forced upon countries the requirement to drop barriers, the issue of quotas became less pursued.

But the market had also changed by the beginning of the 21^st century and collaboration was necessary as it was very costly to develop a model and then to have sufficient volumes to justify the investments. Even Toyota, which had often chosen to control its destiny alone, found it pragmatic to cooperate with other carmakers.

One of these joint ventures was with Groupe PSA, the parent company of Peugeot and Citroen, which saw the opening of a factory in the Czech Republic. Established in 2002, the factory, owned 50:50, was known as Toyota Peugeot Citroen Automobile Czech (TPCA) and was used to produce a supermini that would be marketed by Peugeot, Toyota and also Citroen. The model, jointly developed, was known as the Aygo and Peugeot called theirs the 107 while Citroen’s was badged as the C1.

The factory in the Czech Republic, which started as Toyota Peugeot Citroen Automobile Czech but is now Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic after the Japanese carmaker took over Groupe PSA’s 50% share in January this year.

The combined sales volume of the three models reached a peak of almost 340,000 units in 2009 and it sold well enough that a second generation was introduced in 2014. However, this will be the last generation of the common model as Groupe PSA (which is now in the Stellantis Group) has decided to cease the collaboration. At the same time, TPCA was also taken over entirely by Toyota in January this year.

Having been in the market for 7 years now, the Aygo might seem like it’s reaching the end of its generation cycle but that has not stopped Toyota from coming out with a brand new variant. This is the Aygo X launched this week and it is a response to the continuing demand for crossovers.

Designed mainly in Europe, it’s still a city car but has additional versatility. As with many of the latest Toyota models, it also uses TNGA – Toyota Global New Architecture – and specifically the GA-B platform first introduced with the latest European Yaris and more recently, the Yaris Cross.

“Since the Aygo first arrived in the market in 2005, not only has it been Toyota’s most accessible car in Europe, it also delighted customers with its youthful and fun character. Not only has it brought many new customers to Toyota. It also fulfils our mission to provide everyone with the right mobility solution,” said Andrea Carlucci, Vice-President, Product & Marketing, Toyota Motor Europe, adding that the A-segment is very important to the company.

The Aygo X is the production version of the Aygo X prologue shown in March this year. The concept car was developed at Toyota’s European Design and Development (ED2) in France. Feedback on the concept car helped the designers at Toyota Motor Europe’s styling division in Belgium to fine-tune the product and take it from concept to reality.

The Aygo X uses the dramatic spice colour concept of the prototype with a bi-tone black roof to create a unique graphic profile. A wedged roofline also increases the dynamic feeling for a sportier image. In the front, high-tech lamps hug the upper bonnet to form a wing-like shape, while lower to the ground, the large grille, foglamps and skidplate all build on the double trapezoid theme that is part of Aygo’s identity.

“The bi-tone of the Aygo X immediately grabs people’s attention. It’s clearly not just a detail. It’s an integral part of the design,” explained Anastasiia Stoliarova, Aygo X Product Planner.

The spice theme is not just on the exterior as interior highlights match the bodywork’s spice colours to give a distinctive design to the cockpit, including the dashboard and centre consoles. On the seats can be seen an ‘X’ symbol discreetly stitched right into the fabric. The Aygo X model name is also subtly echoed in the keen look headlamps to provide a strong and coherent identity.

Toyota isn’t offering an ‘Edition 1’ (as some carmakers do) but, for the first 6 months after going on sale in 2022, there will be a ‘spicier’ limited edition Aygo X in Cardamom. This features additional matte Mandarina accents in orange throughout the car with accent stripes on the exterior and on the bespoke 18-inch matte black alloy wheels. The Mandarina theme is also carried through the interior panels and seat fabric design.

As with other Aygo models, the Aygo X is powered by a 1-litre, 3-cylinder engine. Coupled to a new S-CVT transmission, it is claimed to be able to do 21.3 kms/litre.

In adapting the GA-B platform for the Aygo X, the A-segment contender has evolved into a credible crossover product. It has a modified and downsized rear chassis section with reduced front and rear overhangs. The 3700 mm long Aygo X has less front overhang than the Yaris, and has an exceptionally small turning circle of 4.7 metres.

The total body width is 125 mm more than an Aygo, which has allowed the front seats to be moved 20 mm further apart and increasing shoulder space. Luggage space is claimed to be segment-leading with 125 mm more floor length and a smart space design behind the rear seats. Up to 231 litres of cargo volume is available.

The ‘Pagoda’ roof design maintains compact overall dimensions, while providing comfortable, spacious cabin for driver and passengers. And the sky’s the limit, so to speak, with the optional retractable canvas top, a first for an A-segment crossover. The canvas top, of high quality materials, offers improved water and dust protection and has a wind deflector structure.

The MG MAZE is certainly not the sort of MG your grandfather knew

MG Cars (the initials stood for Morris Garages) is often remembered, at least by the older generation, as a brand that produced some classic British sportscars. However, the company which was founded in 1924 was sold to Nanjing Automobile in 2005 and became known as MG Motor after Nanjing was merged with Shanghai Automobile Industry Corporation (SAIC).

While some British brands were acquired by other companies and faded away, MG continued to have a presence, even in the UK. It has a range of modern products today and like other carmakers operating in Europe, is preparing to move into the era of electrification.

Design study by studio in London
Having acquired many of MG’s assets in England from the MG Rover Group, the new owners continued activities there and even set up an advanced design studio in London in 2018. This facility has been developing future products and the latest design study it is showing the world is the MG MAZE. This concept car is electrically-powered, of course, and is aimed at the next generation of car users in cities.

A compact 2-seater capable with agility and functionality, its core focuses are high-technology and emotional design. The exterior features a transparent shell, emulating high end gaming PCs with exposed componentry. The outer surface is fluid and dynamic, exposing aspects of the chassis and interior design, that are otherwise hidden from view.

Mobility and gaming concept
Built around the theme of of ‘Get Out & Play’, the concept brings together mobility and gaming. The gaming aspect of the car reflects a desire to discover and reach new achievements, via a points-based reward system. The MAZE helps users to rediscover their city and their world by seeking exciting digital street art that is interacting with structures, buildings, and landmarks.

Inside the MAZE is a pair of floating seats and UX/UI technology developed to enhance the gaming aspect by giving a fun and enjoyable driving experience. The steering is controlled not by a steering wheel but by the driver’s smartphone… which will probably take some getting used to. But who knows – the next generation of drivers may be comfortable with a different form of control, just as today’s fighter pilots are fine using joystick controls as they grew up using them in computer games.

Connecting digital realm to physical one
“With MAZE, we wanted to consider what the future of a car community might look like, building from MG’s fan base and following. The move to digital is unstoppable, so we wanted to create a concept that connected this digital realm to the physical one that gives us the real joy in driving,” said Carl Gotham, Advanced Design Director.

“The concept is a reaction to our lives during recent months, where we have been met with restrictions and limitations on our ability to move around and interact. Exploring the idea of ‘mobile gaming’, we used MAZE as platform for people to get out and rediscover their environment in a new and relevant way, opening up new experiences with their city.”

MG Cyberster concept

New Citroen Ami city car requires no licence to drive (in France)

The French are known for coming out with quirky looking cars, describing their looks as avant garde styling. They’re also known for making clever little cars that are ideal for urban transport. Now, at the dawn of the company’s 101^st year, it is introducing a compact new model that it calls a ‘non-conformist mobility object’.

The new Ami is said to be a breakthrough response to challenges of urban travel and environmental awareness. And in certain countries, a driving licence is not required to use one on public roads. This is because it is a voiture sans permis (car without license) which is a category of small low-speed vehicles in France.

Citroen has designed the Ami just as much for the young teenager without a driving licence, who wants to visit a friend’s house or go to sports or music lessons completely independently, as it is for an older couple who already have a main vehicle but who prefer to favour Ami’s compactness for their short errands.

It can be used for car-sharing or long-term rental from €19.99 (about RM93) per month. If a customer wants to own one, the price starts from €6,000 (about RM28,000).

Car-like in external appearance and minimalist in concept, the Ami 2.41 metres long, 1.39 metres wide and 1.52 metres high) is essentially a more enclosed quadricycle with two seats next to each other.

To keep production costs low, as few unique parts as possible have been used. In fact, the front half uses the same body parts as the back. Front and rear bumpers, bumper undersides and underbody panels are mirrored at the front and rear.

The wide doors that are completely identical on the right and left and open in the opposite direction, rear-hinged on the driver’s side to benefit from better on-board accessibility and traditionally front-hinged on the passenger side. The side windows also follow this principle and like the 2CV, they open by manually tilting upwards. Besides the large amounts of glass all round (including a panoramic roof), the cabin also has a bright-coloured interior theme which gives the feeling of spaciousness.

A small 6 kW (8 hp) electric motor drives the Ami which can reach a maximum speed of 45 km/h. This means it can’t be driven on motorways as there is a minimum vehicle speed requirement of 80 km/h. The 5.5-kWh lithium-ion battery provides a driving range of up to 70 kms, after which 3 hours will be needed to restore a full charge from a conventional 220V power socket.

With the cabin having limited space, the items in the traditional dashboard are kept to a minimum. The instrument panel is basic and compact and information can be supplemented by using a smartphone placed in the middle of the dashboard. It links to the car’s systems via Citroen’s DAT@mi app and can show information such as range, charge status and time remaining for a 100% charge, mileage, maintenance alerts and after-sales appointment scheduling.

Every corner is exploited to its fullest for storage space. In addition to a storage recess at the passenger’s feet, which can fit a cabin-sized suitcase, the designers have also created another storage area at the rear.

EuroNCAP tested a few quadricycles some years back and found that their safety levels were rather low. Citroen doesn’t offer details of the passive safety of the Ami other than to say that it has a ‘level of protection greater than that offered by 2 or 3-wheeled vehicles’ and ‘its optimized footprint gives Ami stability and a great freedom of movement with no risk of fall’.

Easy to customise, the Ami is available in 7 different versions with customisation done through accessories. The accessories kit includes functional decorative items such as a central separation net, a door storage net, mat, storage tray on the top of the dashboard, and small hook for a handbag.

“Disruptive projects are always the best projects. These are usually the ones that really drive the automotive world forward, and it is a tradition at Citroen to want to contribute to changing this automotive landscape. The design of Ami is a product design, not an automotive design,” said Pierre Leclercq, Head of Citroen Style.

Nissan IMk concept is all about ‘Japanese-ness’

In a recent article about Jaguar Design, it was noted that one of the important elements in the DNA of Jaguar cars is ‘Britishness’, which has been maintained over many decades. Cars from Japanese manufacturers also have a certain ‘Japanese-ness’ which has been evident, particularly in details, packaging and ‘hospitality’. There are also influences from Japanese culture in some models, while craftsmanship is a very high priority.

Ultimate urban commuter
You’ll see this in the IMk, the latest concept car from Nissan which is presented as ‘the ultimate urban commuter’. The compact electric car combines chic design and cutting-edge technologies in a minimal aesthetic, drawing on Nissan’s new design philosophy called ‘Timeless Japanese Futurism’. A close look reveals additional elements of ‘Japanese DNA’ throughout the IMk. For example, the V-motion signature ‘shield’ and combination taillights feature a trellised, woodwork-type impression.

Adopting the simplistic nature of traditional Japanese design, the exterior is characterized by flowing lines. Carefully applied Japanese motifs add refinement and intrigue. Dipped in an Akagane paint scheme – reflecting a reddish copper colour – the concept pays homage to artisans who formed copper into functional works of art.

“We incorporated `Japanese DNA’ into the design of the IMk,” said Satoru Tai, Executive Design Director at Nissan. “For example, the bumper, wheels, tyres, windows, tail lamps, roof and high mount spoiler treatment borrow from the flowing patterns of mizuhiki, a thin twine made of Japanese rice paper. Just as mizuhiki flows naturally by design, this flowing pattern on the IMk blends the front, sides, and rear of the concept together for a completely new presence, outside and inside.”

“The shield, which replaces the grille in petrol-powered vehicles, represents a new signature element in our redefined design language. It follows function with style, giving the vehicle visual strength and inspiration while also providing protection and advanced technology underneath, including sensors and electronics,” Tai added.

Inviting cabin with high-tech functionality
“We could have kept all the surfaces inside the IMk’s cabin flat, which would have equated to more physical space,” he said. “But if we did that, we would have lost some of its beauty, and we didn’t want to go that route. The IMk was never about being roomier than a traditional small car. It was about being an upscale, stylish partner that gives occupants a chic, elegant space to enjoy.”

The IMk concept’s cabin is a new type of ‘room’ that exudes the nature of a cafe or lounge. The bench-style seat, with a dimpled texture, promotes a relaxing, welcome space that gives the impression of sitting on a floating cloud. The dashboard and sections of the doors are upholstered with light tonal materials, adding to the cozy atmosphere. Akagane-coloured accents along the instrument panel, doors and steering wheel add brightness to the interior and a premium feel to the car as a whole.

Interlocking with the lower door section are wood slats that are a nod to the Japanese wood joinery technique of kigumi, which create a sense of inner calm. This feature is highlighted by special hidden lighting. Dark coffee-coloured floor carpeting with woven strands of metallic fibre enhance the cozy, relaxing setting.

Other than the start button and shifter, the IMk’s thin dashboard has no physical controls. Powering up the IMk reveals cabin comfort controls and settings with soft glowing icons within the Akagane trim. Important driving information, such as vehicle speed and navigation directions, appear in ‘midair’ by way of a bezel-less prism display. Customized information is communicated to the driver via holographic displays.

For a relaxing experience
According to Tai, the concept’s interior design focuses on creating a high-tech yet relaxing experience. The interior accent lighting mimics the prism display’s colour scheme, depending on displayed content. When using the touch-sensitive surface – for example, when swiping while viewing a map – a touch of whimsy is displayed in the form of a flock of birds flying across it. A careful eye will even notice a faint bird pattern across the prism, hinting at how this display can come to life. This is just one way the IMk provides a level of interactivity and personalization, adding excitement to the driving experience.

“As a small EV for a new era, the Nissan IMk is designed to be at home in sophisticated cityscapes as much as in traditional Japanese towns,” said. “The IMk fuses a modern, clean look, driven by its Japanese heritage, with cutting-edge EV technology. Unconstrained by conventional concepts of the kei car segment, its design is interwoven with Japanese culture. It’s a luxury small EV that I hope a lot of customers are going to drive.”

That last line suggests that the IMk is more than just another showcar. Its global debut should take place at the Tokyo Motorshow later this month and as in many cases where companies say their display cars are ‘concepts’, the exterior design looks ready to go into production while the interior would be a matter of inserting hardware currently available.

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Visit www.nissan.com.my to know more about Nissan models available today

New Honda Jazz launched for Malaysian market

Honda has finally launched the facelifted version of its every popular city car, the Jazz. No drastic changes have been made for the updated car, which features subtle styling changes that include a new chrome front grille and a rear bumper. But this time around, Honda has made the Mugen pack, worth RM5,670 available as an optional extra. The package consists of front, sides, rear lip spoiler and tailgate spoiler that are of a sporty design.

That said, the Mugen pack will only be made available to order in October of this year but if you purchase the new car now, you can opt for the Urban (RM1,580) and Utility (RM820) packages to add a unique touch to the cheerful Jazz.

Two versions of the Jazz were launched simultaneously. There’s the standard petrol powered car and the halo one, the Jazz Hybrid, which is touted as the only such car in its class. The petrol car uses a 1.5-litre i-VTEC mill and CVT transmission found in its predecessor but its electrified brethren comes with a more sophisticated powertrain.

Under the hood is a brand new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine that is mated to a (Shift by Wire) seven-speed dual clutch transmission and its integrated electric motor. This combination, according to Honda, will offer respectible power delivery and sporty character that is relatively unheard of in this category. Juice for the electric motor is supplied by a new Lithium-ion battery pack that can store more electrical energy than the one in the previous generation car but with half the size.

When pushed to the limit, with both the petrol and electric motor being active, the Jazz Hybrid is able to deliver a total output of 137bhp and 160Nm of torque which is similar to what a 1.8 or 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine is able to offer. All this power will be made available by the Sport Hybrid i-DCD unit once the S button is pressed, making power delivery a bit more peppy than its petrol powered equivalent. But, when driven frugally, the car is said to be able to offer a fuel consumption figure of 4.0-litre/100km.

The regular petrol powered Jazz comes in three different variants, S,E and V, which isn’t the case with the hybrid one (only one version is available). The E and V variants get DRLs, touch panel auto air-conditioning, reverse camera and 6.8-inch infotainment system. The top spec V car gets a bit more stuff such as dual-tone color alloy wheels, paddle shifters, cruise control and half leather seats.

The Jazz Hybrid however, gets a 3D Speed Meter design information display that shows Energy Flow, Sport Meter, Fuel Economy, Drive Info, Customization and Eco Display, as well as the same preimum stuff found in the base Jazz.

Safety tech for the cars include standard Brake Assist (BA), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), four airbags (6 airbags for V variant), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

As for body colour options, the Jazz comes in Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Carnival Red, Taffeta White and Crystal Black Pearl whereas the New Jazz Hybrid will be available in Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearl.

The regular base car is priced at RM74,800 for S variant, RM81,000 for E variant, RM88,400 for V variant and the Jazz Hybrid is priced at RM87,500 (on the road with GST). All variants come with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty but the Hybrid gets gets an additional 8-years warranty for its battery pack.

If you would like to know more, visit the automaker’s local website and make an informed decision on whether the Jazz is the right car for you.

Piston.my

City Car

All-new smart #1 EV gives brand a ‘second wind’ after early struggles

New Toyota Aygo X aims to win more new customers in European A-segment

The MG MAZE is certainly not the sort of MG your grandfather knew

New Citroen Ami city car requires no licence to drive (in France)

Nissan IMk concept is all about ‘Japanese-ness’

New Honda Jazz launched for Malaysian market

All-new smart #1 EV gives brand a ‘second wind’ after early struggles

New Toyota Aygo X aims to win more new customers in European A-segment

The MG MAZE is certainly not the sort of MG your grandfather knew

New Citroen Ami city car requires no licence to drive (in France)

Nissan IMk concept is all about ‘Japanese-ness’

New Honda Jazz launched for Malaysian market

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smart #1 Secures Third Position in Malaysia’s Growing EV Market

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