The electrified version of BMW’s first SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) – the X5 xDrive45e M Sport – has received new features for improved safety after being in the Malaysian market since mid-2020. The model is assembled locally at the BMW assembly facility in the Inokom plant in Kedah.
Retail pricing for the new X5 xDrive45e M Sport with BMW Service and Repair Inclusive is RM457,498.37 (without insurance). The price given does not include Sales and Service Tax but unless you make your purchase before the end of the month, you would have to pay the tax as the exemption ends on June 30, 2022. The indications are that there won’t be any extension, but it is believed that those who complete their transactions before the expiry date may have up till next year to register their vehicle and still enjoy the exemption. This is probably in recognition of the delays in supplies which have caused a backlog in deliveries.
The new X5 xDrive45e M Sport now has BMW Laserlight headlights which give better illumination with a wider spread. The Adaptive Headlights with BMW Selective Beam are equipped with laser high beam modules that have increased intensity compared to bi-LED lights.
Safety enhancements
Additional enhancements in safety include two more side airbags added to the second row of the vehicle. This brings the total number of airbags around the spacious cabin to eight. The Active Protection system also prepares passengers for a collision, should an accident be imminent. For example, if the windows and sunroof are open, they will automatically be shut to ensure the highest level of safety for all passengers.
Additionally, reversible seatbelt pre-tensioning is also implemented where upon seatbelt fastening, an electric motor will automatically tighten the seatbelt to the ideal tension based on the passenger’s body.
Also with the X5 xDrive45e M Sport, which BMW Malaysia refers to as ‘The Boss’, are new 21-inch 741M Alloy Wheels in Orbit Grey. Other standard equipment that is maintained is the Live Cockpit Professional, Driving Assistant, Parking Assistant Plus, Rear Seat Entertainment, as well as Vernasca genuine leather upholstery.
Like many car companies these days, financing packages are also available. BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia offers Easy Drive Financing Plan with plans for the X5 xDrive45e M Sport having monthly instalments starting from RM 4,882 (terms and conditions apply).
Premium Ownership experience
For those who become owners, BMW Group Malaysia promises a Premium Ownership experience. This includes a 5-year warranty (unlimited mileage), free scheduled service programme for the same period, BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW Privileges Card, and BMW Service Online.
Following its recently launched Continental GT S and GT S Convertible, Bentley has now added the new Flying Spur S to complete its new driver-focused S range. This is the first time that Bentley’s historic ‘S’ badge has been applied to a product with a hybrid powertrain, and is another step towards Beyond100, Bentley’s vision of the future and sustainable pathway forwards.
Suited to those who are city-based or environmentally-focused, the smaller 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine works with an advanced electric motor. Total system output is 544 ps/750 Nm which can send the Flying Spur S from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.1 seconds. With a fully charged battery pack, it can travel up to 41 kms on just electricity.
The Bentley S range.
The Flying Spur Hybrid S (whilst in Sport mode) features ingenious sound enhancements in the engine bay that match the more sporting character of the car for the driver while maintaining low sound levels in the rear cabin.
Besides the hybrid powertrain, there is also a second choice for customers who are not particularly concerned about fuel prices. This is Bentley’s 4-litre V8 engine developing 550 ps/770 Nm. This can send the car from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 4 seconds, and on to a top speed of almost 320 km/h.
Purposeful, understated exterior
The black brightware of the Flying Spur S models creates an athletic and understated look, whatever the chosen exterior finish. With the absence of bright polished metal highlights, the eye is ‘encouraged’ to take in the vehicle’s form and perceive it as lower and wider – the essence of a sporting Bentley.
The effect is complemented by gloss black lower bumper grilles, dark tinted headlamps and rear lights, black quad tailpipe finishers and distinctive S badging on the front fenders. The grille is black gloss with vertical vanes and black gloss surround. Only the winged Bentley badge and lettering on the bootlid stand out with their bright chrome finish.
Performance focussed interior
Customers can choose from a variety of performance-focused two-tone colour splits, handcrafted in Bentley’s leather shop using a combination of smooth hide and soft-napped Dinamica. This suede-like material is used for the heated steering wheel, gearlever, seat cushions and seat backrests while leather hide is employed on the seat bolsters, door pads, along the instrument panel and around the console.
The S design seats are fluted, with quilting available as an option, and the ‘S’ emblem is embroidered on the headrest of each seat. Driver instrumentation takes its inspiration from motorsport chronometers, with the same graphics as the Continental GT Speed. There are also finishing touches that include a metal S signature badge on the fascia and illuminated Bentley treadplates with the ‘S’ device replacing the Bentley Motors Ltd plaque.
Lunaz is a young (in existence since 2018) British company which remanufactures and electrifies vehicles, and it claims to be the world’s leading creator of upcycled, restored and electrified classic cars. Models which it has electrified include the Jaguar XK120, 140 and 150, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Rolls-Royce Phantom V, Bentley Continental, and Range Rover Classic.
The company typically does work on commission, and it has three divisions providing all the necessary services that further the legacies of the most celebrated cars in the world. Its most recent project which has been completed is a 1952 Jaguar XK120.
The car presented a world-first for a project of this type – a leather-free interior that utilises ocean clean-up materials. This includes carpets that are woven from reclaimed nylon sea-fishing nets. Additionally, the backing of these carpets is upcycled from marine plastic pollution such as plastic bottles.
The process of reclaiming waste materials from the ocean is already being successfully utilised in the worlds of fashion, fine furniture making and high-end watch manufacturing. Global demand for these kinds of sustainable materials is driving significant positive environmental impact: for every tonne of the raw material produced to make the materials that make Lunaz’ carpets, 7 barrels of crude oil can be saved and nearly 7 tonnes of carbon will not be emitted.
In handing over this beautiful electrified and upcycled Jaguar XK120, we conclude a project that has empowered our designers to re-imagine the traditional classic car material palette. We are proud to take materials and create processes that significantly reduce the global impact of enjoying these cars by unlocking the power of upcycling,” said David Lorenz, Founder & CEO of Lunaz (which has David Beckham among its investors).
While such a car is already exclusive, Lunaz’ customers would expect to be able to personalise their cars further and this is handled by an in-house design department. The team works in close collaboration with customers to understand their aesthetic and personal sensibilities. In the case of this very special build, the customer visited Lunaz throughout the commissioning and specification process to understand the way that alternatives to leather and innovative upcycled materials perform from a visual and comfort perspective.
This led to a decision (by the customer) to create an entirely leather-free interior specified to complement the bespoke Obsidian Blue exterior colour scheme. This was painted in-house at Lunaz’ home in Silverstone, UK and is one of the limitless palettes of colours available to every Lunaz customer.
This very close collaboration yielded an interior finished in an innovative blend of textiles, traditional woods and upcycled materials. For example, the seat frame is constructed from recyclable aluminium. This offers both a contemporary aesthetic and an alternative to traditional classic material palettes while delivering the functional requirements of the seat.
The seats are finished in a super-high-quality fabric material. Subtle reference to the driver-focus of this particular car is made through the addition of a black stripe to the driver’s seat.
The Burr Walnut veneer wood has a contemporary aesthetic through a satin lacquer. Wherever possible, material from the 70-year old car was painstakingly restored to minimise the requirement to create new materials. This extended to the substrates which were then re-veneered in sustainably sourced timber.
Lunaz’ team of engineers subtly integrated the latest infotainment and audio technology into the car. This includes the discreet placement of a screen installed with Apple CarPlay to operate the customer’s preferred navigation and music streaming apps.
The Lunaz modular powertrain used in the Jaguar was developed by a team of engineers drawn from some of the leading names in automotive design and technology and under the leadership of Jon Hilton, former Technical Director of Renault Formula 1.
Lunaz’ proposition has created unprecedented global demand from both new classic car owners and existing collectors seeking to rebalance their collections in line with shifting global sensibilities. An independent environmental audit found that once a Lunaz vehicle undergoes the brand’s process of re-engineering and electrification, it reclaims more than 80% of the embedded carbon of the original car’s manufacture.
Therefore, this approach represents a sustainable means to keep the most celebrated cars in history on the road while addressing the other key barriers to classic car ownership, usability and reliability.
The auto industry is rapidly ‘electrifying’ its products as part of its efforts to address climate change. While it has been producing and selling more and more electric vehicles (EVs), the network of recharging stations has not grown as quickly in some countries. In Malaysia, for example, the number of recharging stations can still be said to be limited and far apart.
Premium Charging Hub concept
In order to support their customers’ needs, some carmakers have worked with other companies to build up the networks. One approach that has proven to be successful is in Germany where Audi introduced a pilot charging hub last December. The concept, said to be a first in the world, is aimed at providing EV owners a recharging facility if they don’t have any charging opportunities at home. That’s a situation that is evident in urban areas with multi-storey housing and no place for installation of wallboxes.
“We want to use it to test flexible and premium-oriented quick-charging infrastructure in urban space,” says Ralph Hollmig, Audi’s charging hub project manager. “We’re going where our customers don’t necessarily wake up in the morning with a fully charged electric car and, at the same time, thinking about increasing charging demand in the future.”
Self-sustaining power supply
Cubes are the foundation of the Audi charging hub. The flexible container cubes can be assembled and disassembled again in existing areas in a few days. The cubes provide two fast-charging stations for each unit and can be combined in various constellations. Used and processed lithium-ion batteries packs function as energy storage systems. These are known as ‘second-life’ batteries taken from dismantled development vehicles previously used by the carmaker.
The approach reduces costs and resources, and makes complex infrastructure with high-voltage power lines and expensive transformers unnecessary. This means that there are also less procedures that would need to be obtained from authorities for laying cables to draw electricity from the power grid.
This system brings sustainable quick-charging infrastructure where the electricity grid is not enough. Up to six EVs can charge at one time at high speed. With a green power contract in place, the Audi charging hub only uses energy from sustainable resources, while solar panels on the roof provide up to 30 kW of additional green energy.
Positive feedback to pilot hub
The first such charging hub was installed in Nuremberg and feedback after 6 months has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Audi. It is evident that EV owners like the idea enough that repeat visitors accounted for some 60% of charging sessions.
Additionally, there is a lounge integrated in the facility with a terrace above the charging cubes. The comfortable lounge has catering as well. Vehicle owners can work and relax while waiting for their vehicles to be recharged. The status of the recharging can be followed on a large screen in the lounge. Frequent use was also made of additional services such as the exchange station for micromobility batteries and a grocery delivery service.
More charging hubs to be set up
Based on the insights gained in Nuremberg and the positive customer feedback, Audi is opening another version of the modular Audi charging hub system in Zurich in the second half of this year. This will have 4 roofed charging points at 2 power cubes The tighter space requirements tailored to suit urban locations are the perfect fit for Zurich’s banking and insurance district.
Additional advantages include short prep times for planning and implementation as well as a lack of any need for civil engineering work. An essential component of the adaptable, compact concept is the reworked swivel arm that ensures barrier-free charging of all the cars across the entire width of the individual charging points with up to 320 kW of power.
Two 55-inch screens draw customers’ attention to the broad services available at the hub. Besides food and fitness offerings as well as shopping, there are also e-bike sharing facilities nearby. More compact than the site in Nuremberg, the Audi charging hub in Zurich is also based on the same modular design that enables the construction of a variously sized charging hub with or without a lounge. “The system’s modular design lets us react flexibly to on-site conditions,” explained Hollmig.
After Zurich, Audi is planning additional charging hub sites in Berlin and Salzburg later in the year. These three sites are expected to help meet the increased charging demands in urban spaces starting in 2023. Additional sites are planned to open in other cities Germany in 2023 and mid-2024.
You’ve probably heard that Honda will soon be launching the all-new HR-V in Malaysia, following its launch in Thailand and Indonesia over the past 8 months. As usual, Honda Malaysia is offering a chance for those who want to be the first in the neighbourhood to own the new model a chance to make their bookings from today.
Honda Malaysia will launch the model sometime in the next 3 months and as with the current range, there will be petrol and hybrid powertrains. The HR-V Hybrid progresses from the Sport Hybrid i-DCD system to e:HEV technology with the intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system. Already available in the latest City, e:HEV technology in Honda’s hybrid system combines the benefits of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to provide more power (131 ps/253 Nm) with good fuel efficiency.
Measuring 4385 mm in length, the new HR-V is 39 mm longer than its predecessor while the 1790 mm width is similar (to the current RS version only) while the roof is 15 mm closer to the road.
The front appearance is dominant with a new grille design which is a total departure from the previous ‘wing’ theme, while the rear has fastback styling though to our eyes, it looks less sleek than before.
New exterior features include front LED Sequential Turn Signals (the signals ‘move’ as the illuminate), and a LED Taillight Strip which adds a visual signature visible from a distance. Other key exterior features include new LED headlights with DRLs, LED foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels.
As with other models, there’s Honda SENSING, a suite of active safety systems but this is only in the RS version. Honda SENSING includes automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise control (with low-speed follow). Additionally, the RS version also has the useful Honda LaneWatch system which provides a real-time camera view of the blind spot of the left side of the HR-V.
This variant also has a Hands-Free Power Tailgate with Walk Away Close function, where the tailgate will start closing automatically upon detecting that the individual with the remote key is moving away from the car. Other features are Remote Engine Start and Walk Away Auto Lock functions.
“The HR-V was first introduced to the Malaysian market in 2015, and it became a best-selling as well as a sensational model. With its proven track record, the HR-V is truly the compact SUV that is loved by many Malaysians. Therefore, we are excited to be introducing the All-New HR-V in Malaysia, which is now officially open for bookings,.” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Hironobu Yoshimura, adding that some 150,000 units have been sold nationwide since its launch 7 years ago.
When the HR-V was originally launched, it was a hotseller from the first day. Will this new model continue to command the biggest following in the segment? Since 2015, a number of new rivals have appeared on the scene so there are more choices at competitive prices.
To pre-book the new HR-V, customers can visit prebook.honda.com.my or download the HondaTouch application on their smartphones. Honda dealerships will also accept bookings, of course, as well as provide more information. To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.
Like a number of manufacturers, Spanish carmaker SEAT (a member of the Volkswagen Group) also has a performance sub-brand. Known as CUPRA, its name was taken from the high-performance motorsport subsidiary of the company. CUPRA was established in 2018 to focus on high-performance products which, like those of SEAT, uses much of the Volkswagen Group’s technologies and platforms.
The brand has gained a lot of credibility with its high-performance models, delivering close to 200,000 units to date, mostly in Europe. Now it is looking ahead to an electrified future and will launch 3 new electrified models by 2025. The names of the new models were revealed recently – Terramar, Tavascan and UrbanRebel.
“Here is the entire range of CUPRA’s next generation of heroes to be launched by 2025,” said Wayne Griffiths, CEO of CUPRA, at the presentation of the future models. ”In the mid-term, our aim is to deliver 500,000 cars per year and push forward with our international expansion into new markets as well as entering new segments. The CUPRA Tribe is committed to making all this happen, it’s the people that count. Because at the end, it’s the people who make the brand.”
The Terramar
This will be the first electrified SUV of the brand which is expected to move the company to the hotspot of the SUV segment, the fastest-growing segment in Europe. To be produced in Hungary at Audi’s plant, the Terramar will be available with conventional petrol powertrains as well as a new generation of plug-in hybrid powertrains that are promised to deliver around 100 kms in all-electric mode. The e-HYBRID range focuses on performance and contemporary sportiness and are part of the bigger journey as CUPRA fulfils its electrification revolution.
“Terramar, our new sporty hybrid SUV, perfectly combines bold proportions with a long striking bonnet, while the shark nose means breakthrough resistance and the determination to win,” said Jorge Diez, Design Director at CUPRA. “Thinking of how the driver will feel, we provide a unique experience with the latest technology, thanks to the driver oriented interior concept. All in all, a 4.5-metre long SUV, with CUPRA DNA ready to shake one of the most competitive segments”.
Tavascan
In 2024, CUPRA will launch the Tavascan, based on the electrified vision shown in the 2019 concept car of the same name. Some design elements were already strongly hinted at in the 2021 Tavascan Extreme E Concept. The Tavascan will have the mission of globalising the brand and take CUPRA to new markets.
UrbanRebel
In 2025, the UrbanRebel will be the final model to be launched. Its name suggests that it will take the brand beyond its traditional boundaries. It will have an emotional design and be ‘developed for a more rebellious electric world’, according to CUPRA. The front-wheel drive model will sit on Volkswagen Group’s MEB Small platform.
Measuring 4030 mm long, the vehicle has sustainability at its core, integrating advanced recycled polymers and bio-based materials to push the boundaries of what is achievable, and delivering a more environmentally-conscious vehicle. It mixes 3D printed and 3D knitted manufacturing approaches with parametric design to improve performance and value perception.
Lightweight design both in the exterior and interior help the vehicle’s 166 kW (226 ps) electric motor propel the urban electric car to 100 km/h in a claimed 6.9 seconds. The battery pack will have energy to give a range of up to 440 kms.
“The CUPRA UrbanRebel will be the biggest project for our company in the upcoming years since it is key for our transformation as a fully electric brand. We are leading the cluster development, the family of vehicles that will democratise sustainable urban mobility, for different brands within the Volkswagen Group,” said Werner Tietz, Vice-President for Research & Development at CUPRA.
During the impulse event, CUPRA’s CEO also hinted at the future versions of the current range which consists of the Leon, Formentor and Born, to be renewed by 2025.
Everyone is going electric and so will Mercedes-AMG, the high-performance subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG. And it is no longer a change that will take place in the next decade – stricter regulations have forced carmakers to act quickly and most have already a few fully electric models on sale, with more in the pipeline during this decade.
At Mercedes-AMG, it’s not just about switching to electric powertrains but doing so while retaining the high performance which the brand has built its reputation on. “We’re developing everything from scratch, from the dedicated AMG.EA platform to the revolutionary drivetrain technology with which we will take performance electric mobility to a whole new level,” said Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“AMG is reinventing itself. As was once the case with our founding fathers, there has been an amazing feeling of new beginnings here in Affalterbach [the home base of AMG] for quite some time now. The course has been well and truly set for an electrified future, and we’ve set the bar high. That’s because our customers expect something very special from all-electric cars. We have already well and truly proven our expertise in this regard with the SLS AMG Electric Drive, our own E PERFORMANCE hybrid technology and the first Mercedes-EQ derivatives,” he said.
To provide a glimpse of what its future high-performance products will look like, it has built the Vision AMG showcar. Like the Vision EQXX concept presented by Mercedes-EQ earlier, the Vision AMG is a design study which is not the basis for a future model though its technologies will be used in a new sportscar that will be out in 2025.
Monolithic sculpture
The proportions of the car are defined by a long wheelbase, and emphasised by short overhangs, powerful shoulders, large wheels, a distinctive rear spoiler and star-shaped headlamp signature. Joints and shut lines are reduced to a minimum, and the rear and side windows are painted in the same Alubeam silver as the car itself. The result is an overall look that reinforces the impression of a monolithic sculpture.
The graceful greenhouse is integrated into the flowing overall form and blends seamlessly into the low-lying silhouette. The roof tapers as its line drops elegantly towards the rear, flowing directly into the rear spoiler. The overall effect is a visually fascinating and aerodynamically advantageous teardrop form, not unlike that of the VISION EQXX.
The sharply angled tear-off edge at the rear incorporates an active spoiler, elongating the side view while at the same time improving the aerodynamics. It is framed by a precisely cut band of light that accommodates a variety of different light installations, providing an effective contrast with the large black AMG logo on the rear of the car.
Technical details are provided in general terms, with mention of a dedicated high-performance high-voltage battery pack and revolutionary drive technology. The powerful heart of the Vision AMG is its innovative Axial Flux Motor developed by Mercedes-Benz’ wholly owned subsidiary, YASA. With its compact and lightweight design, can deliver substantially more power than conventional electric motors.
Closed-off AMG grille
While an EV has no cooling requirements like a car with a combustion engine, the AMG grille with vertical bars is retained as a distinctive brand feature. The grille is therefore closed off, painted in body colour and fully integrated into the front end. As the visual focal point, the grille emphasises the futuristic look of the Vision AMG with its illuminated bars and three-dimensional exterior contour. The three-pointed star is positioned prominently on the bonnet.
Star-shaped light signature
The headlamp light signature is unique with 3 LED elements forming a stylised, three‑dimensional Mercedes star, ensuring the Mercedes and AMG branding is visible night and day. The two headlamps are visually connected via the horizontal band of light above the grille. This light band can display a variety of animations – ranging from a welcome signature to constant light.
The round lights at the rear have a light design that is new yet familiar. On each side, three LED rings are positioned in cylindrical tubes. Here, too, small stars link to the Mercedes brand. By way of contrast, the expressive rear diffuser is painted deep black.
Connection to Formula 1
The Mercedes-AMG name is very prominent in Formula 1 with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team having won the world championship 8 times. The Vision AMG makes a direct connection in visual details. Examples are the silver paintwork with a large-format star pattern across the shoulders and rear wings; functional elements in exposed carbonfibre; the aerodynamic design of the 22-inch wheels with aero claddings; the AMG logo; and elements on the sills and diffuser in the PETRONAS colours.
In 1991, Renault displayed a concept car that was the forerunner of compact MPVs with its novel management of the interior layout to comfortably accommodate a whole family. The model was called the Scenic concept, and its format would be used in a new generation of models that also used the same name.
31 years later, the French carmaker is again using the name and as before, the new model starts a new chapter in its history. Known as the Scenic Vision, the new concept car embodies the brand’s sustainable development commitments and encapsulates them in a single vehicle. Its intelligent design and manufacture incorporate methods that the Renault Group and its brands will use to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040 and worldwide by 2050.
Previous Scenic concept introduced the compact MPV format to the world in 1991.
With the Scenic Vision, Renault is proposing ‘a car for life and for living’, with a new vision for the family car. Its exterior design, measuring 4.49 metres in length, provides a preview of an all-electric model in the C-segment that will be unveiled in 2024.
The unique design is enhanced by the choice of colours, where black and white create a singular graphic universe. Shades of black on the outside, and white on the inside, offer a contrast of light and dark that reflects the design team’s wish for this concept car to be a work of art where artistic expression takes to the fore.
Fuel cell powertrain
The Scenic Vision is proposed with a fuel cell that generates electricity for a new-generation motor. The 160 kW motor derives directly from the latest Megane E-Tech Electric’s motor and uses no rare-earth elements. This helps to reduce its carbon footprint and create a responsible and sustainable ecosystem.
The 40 kWh battery pack is recyclable and will be made in France by 2024 at the Renault ElectriCity Gigafactory. It is lighter, smaller and costs less than a battery pack for a similar electric vehicle. The 15 kW fuel cell will recharge it during long drives and thus extend its range. In 2030 and beyond, once the network of hydrogen stations is large enough, it will be possible to drive up to 800 kms, with the hydrogen tank able to be refilled in 5 minutes or less.
The all-new platform used by the Scenic Vision is currently in the prototyping phase. It is purpose-designed to fit all the components – electric motor, hydrogen engine, battery, fuel cell and hydrogen tank. The engine is at the rear, so there is enough space for the 2.5-kg hydrogen tank at the front; the fuel cell is under the floor, at the back of the platform, behind the battery.
Optimal travel times
This propulsion system’s operation is simple and efficient. The car can be driven as a conventional electric vehicle, without using the fuel cell, on daily trips. When there is a requirement to travel longer distances, a route planner calculates the power the fuel cell needs to supply to keep the battery charged for longer, so that there is no need to charge it on the way.
The point of using the fuel cell on long journeys is that it’s quicker to top up the hydrogen tank than to charge the battery. This way, there is no need to charge the battery until the car reaches its destination. When the weather is cold, the hydrogen range-extender also keeps the battery at the right temperate for optimal operation and extra range.
95% recyclable
A full 95% of this concept car’s materials – including the battery – are recyclable. This new approach to design looks beyond the vehicle and includes previously unexplored ventures and technologies. The exterior materials (steel, aluminium, carbonfibre and plastics) can all be recycled at the end of their life.
Everything inside is also designed responsibly. For example, the foams, fabrics and stitching on the light beige seats are made of the same material, produced from fully recycled and recyclable plastic.
Estimates suggest that the number of electric vehicles on Europe’s roads will increase tenfold between now and 2030, from 10 million to 100 million. The Renault Group is the first carmaker to work on the full battery lifecycle, and has developed solid expertise in increasing their durability and using them for a wider variety of purposes. Once a battery is no longer fit to power a vehicle, its energy can be reused in stationary storage solutions in homes or offices, or elsewhere (in boats, refrigeration systems, machinery or airport logistics, etc).
The steel in the vehicle’s structure is made from 95% recycled steel, while all the aluminium parts in the structure (housings, battery casing, seats) and trims (console, cockpit) are made from 100% recycled aluminium. All the carbonfibre is recycled from aviation industry scrap via a partnership with Airbus, and the hydrogen tank is made with carbonfibre produced from paper-industry waste.
Elsewhere, 70% of the interior and exterior plastics are recycled, with 100% of the textile fabrics made of recycled materials. It is also entirely leather-free, while the floor is made of 100% recycled plastics from food and industrial waste
Help for safer motoring
The Scenic Vision previews technology and systems which will provide assistance to drivers, enabling them to better avoid risky situations, and reduce stress behind the wheel. The multiple ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Systems) and 3 on-board systems – Safety Score, Safety Coach, and Safe Guardian, are designed to provide extra safety for all, as well as a unique level of both physical and psychological comfort.
New Renault models will soon come with a ‘Safety Score’. Using data collected by sensors mounted on the vehicle, it analyses the driver’s driving style – acceleration, smoothness, inattention, speed management, and driver distractibility. It then gives personalised driving tips to each driver based on a safety score calculated at the end of each trip.
To further aid drivers, the vehicle comes fitted with an array of health monitoring systems. A heart rate sensor placed in the steering wheel and a camera serve to detect signs of driver fatigue or inattentiveness. Should a problem arise, warning signals are sent to the driver and passengers, and emergency services are alerted automatically.
The Scenic Vision has been designed with a new architecture that features an extra-large screen located where the dashboard meets the windscreen. It displays the car’s immediate environment, thanks to an array of on-board cameras located at the front of the vehicle. The system increases the driver’s field of view by 24% due to a visual widening of the windscreen and a front bonnet that ‘disappears’.
New technological solutions help rescue services at the scene of an incident. The Fireman Access and Rescue Code are two such systems already featured on production vehicles, with the former featuring a specialised access hatch to the core of the battery that means it now only takes a few minutes to extinguish a battery fire instead of up to 2 hours.
There’s a segment of the global auto market which is not generally known to most people outside the industry although the vehicles in this segment would have been generally termed as ‘light commercial vehicles’ or LCVs before. Now they are referred to as Purpose-Built Vehicles or PBVs, and this segment has been growing significantly. From a sales volume of 320,000 units in 2020, it is expected to increase to 1.3 million units in 2025.
While the PBV functions essentially like a vehicle for commercial purposes, its role is far more diverse due to modern mobility requirements. Thus it has to be more optimized for different purposes moving people or cargo. Mobility services such as car-sharing and ride-hailing are expanding as consumers’ mentality changes from owning a car to using mobility. A global market research company predicted that the mobility sharing service will grow from 1.2 million units in 2021 to 4.9 million units in 2030. For this reason, PBVs specialized in mobile services are trending.
Kia’s PBV strategy and product plans up to the 2030s.
At the same time, the demand for logistics has also rapidly increased, partly due to the huge growth in e-commerce that has taken place over the past 2 years during the COVID-19 pandemic. In other words, the PBV will be an important link in last-mile mobility for people as well as goods.
The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is therefore giving much attention to development of PBVs as future mobility solutions. While investing in R&D on electrification and autonomous driving technology, it is also developing PBV-related technologies, such as developing core parts, producing various types of vehicles, and researching platform-based body module assembly technology.
Ray 1-seater van
In 2020, Kia (part of HMG) announced its mid-to-long-term future strategy, ‘Plan S,’ and declared that it would transform from an automaker to a future mobility solution provider by expanding its businesses such as electric vehicles, mobility services, and PBVs. It also revealed that it would respond early to the market with PBVs based on existing cars by 2023, with the Ray 1-seater vans and 5-seater full-flat models to satisfy the growing national demand for small cargo delivery services.
Now comes the Niro Plus, its first PBV which is being offered in Korea as a general model and zero-emission taxi. The carmaker has modified the first generation Niro EV to make it suitable for the demands of modern-day car-hailing.
To meet the demands of Korean operators, the length and height of the Niro Plus taxi model have increased by 10 mm and 80 mm, respectively, to give occupants more space inside the cabin. Slimmed-down structures have also contributed to the greater cabin space, and the seats and door trim have been thinned down.
First generation of Niro from which Niro Plus has been developed.
The Niro Plus can offer more sustainable means of working and travelling, so Kia is planning a general version of the Niro Plus for private ownership. This can be used for many business and recreational purposes including car-hailing services. One usage scenario could be where a small business owner uses the Niro Plus for work during the week and when it’s the weekend or a holiday, he or she can use the same vehicle for leisure activities such as camping or touring the countryside.
“Kia is transforming its business strategy to focus on popularizing EVs, and introducing new mobility products that are tailored to the needs of users in markets around the world. The Niro Plus is our first step into the world of PBVs, a market that holds great potential for future development,” Sangdae Kim, Head of Kia’s eLCV Business Division.
As the PBV market grows, Kia plans to gradually expand its range from micro to large PBVs that can potentially offer an alternative to public transportation or even be used as mobile offices. A general, non-taxi version of the Niro Plus will be made available in some overseas markets in the second half of this year. In addition to the battery electric vehicle (BEV) version, there will be plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains to meet specific market conditions.
Kia aims to become a market leader by 2030 and to achieve this, it is developing a dedicated platform upon which PBVs of different shapes and sizes can sit, meeting evolving customer needs and market trends. The first Kia dedicated PBV model will be launched in 2025, by which time the global PBV market is expected to mature. It will be similar in size to a mid-sized vehicle, with inherent scalability.
Batteries are one of the most crucial parts of an electric vehicle (EV); without it, the electric motors won’t run and the vehicle won’t move. So it’s not surprising that battery technology is continuously being advanced. It could be even more advanced, had the EVs which were around over 100 years ago remained popular but the drawbacks of batteries then meant that the combustion engine gained more favour and killed the EV.
In the 21st century, the EV’s popularity has been ‘forced’ by regulations which aim to address climate change as quickly as possible. Thus, advancement of battery technology has to be accelerated to provide better storage capacity and greater efficiency. Within a year, batteries can make big leaps in performance to give better range, an important factor in EV acceptance.
An example is with Volvo, which is almost entirely focussed on EVs. Its Recharge T8 models now have improved plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains with better performance and driveability. This comes from a new long-range lithium-ion battery pack of 18.8 kWh, up 62% from 11.6 kWh. The increased capacity is due to the addition of a third layer of cells. The resulting extension in a claimed electric-only range of between 70 and 90 kms, almost double the previous maximum range of 49 kms.
Improved driving performance comes from a new rear electric motor generating the equivalent of 145 ps, which is almost 65% more than the previous motor’s output. Overall system output, in combination with the petrol engine, has been boosted to 462 ps, which is 55 ps more than before.
The improvements are also beneficial to the environment as being able to drive longer distances in pure electric mode means less emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the gas that is causing global warming.
In Malaysia, the new Recharge T8 powertrain will be available for the 60 and 90 models, ie XC60, S60, V60, XC90 and S90.
Additionally, the XC60 and S90 PHEV models will also have One-Pedal Drive settings which are useful in stop-and-go traffic. A feature used in Volvo’s BEVs (battery electric vehicles), One-Pedal Drive is claimed to enable more effective battery regeneration and higher regenerative power that can improve fuel efficiency. The animation below shows how One-Pedal Drive works.
Using One-Pedal Drive, the driver uses the accelerator pedal predominantly to manage the car’s speed. Each time the foot is lifted off the pedal, regenerative braking activates automatically. This differs from the conventional approach that requires depressing the brake pedal before regeneration can take place. It would therefore be especially effective in slow-moving traffic, allowing the battery to be more frequently topped up.
“Our new line of PHEVs will transform the way our customers experience electric driving,” said Charles Frump, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia. “The improved powertrain lets our customers drive sustainably at a longer distance, at the same time providing them with range confidence that fits the needs of their everyday lives.”
Mr. Frump also said that there will be price adjustments across the range from next week. The adjustments will start with current models of the XC40 T5, XC40 Recharge T5, XC60 B5, and XC90 B5. The new line-up of the 90 and 60 models will be sold at a ‘new price point’ when they exit from the assembly plant in Shah Alam, Selangor. The price for the current Recharge T8 models remains the same and will be sold while stocks last.
