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All-electric Volkswagen ID. R breaks Goodwood Hillclimb record set by McLaren F1 racing car

The all-electric Volkswagen ID. R continues to set new records, adding the outright Hillclimb record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to the records set at Nurburgring and Pikes Peak.

The new record in England comes 20 years after it was set by ex-F1 star Nick Heidfeld in a McLaren MP4/13 that, of course, used a conventional internal combustion engine. Heidfeld’s time was 41:60. By stopping the clock in a time of 41.18 seconds, the ID. R averaged 101.4 mph (163.2 km/h) along the challenging 1.16-mile (1.86 km) course.

Further development
With a further year of development behind it, the ID. R produces 500 kW (670 bhp) and 650 Nm of torque, and weighs less than 1,100 kgs with the driver on board. The remarkable Volkswagen can accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h 2.25 seconds, topping out at 270 km/h.

The biggest differences in the technical configuration of the ID. R compared to last year are the size of the lithium-ion batteries on board and the energy management. “The latest evolution of the ID. R has been optimised for a sprint,” explained François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director at Volkswagen Motorsport. “In Goodwood, the only things that count are maximum power and minimum weight.”

EVs getting more powerful
“A change is taking place in the field of production vehicles and in motorsport. Electric cars are becoming increasingly more powerful and it’s great to see them now rivalling combustion engines on track. To get an idea of how far we’ve developed the car, in 2018, we did 00:43.86 – this year we were almost 3 seconds faster,” noted Volkswagen’s Motorsport Director, Sven Smeets.

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Honda e to address environmental issues just as the original Civic did in 1970s

Back in the early 1970s, Honda launched a new car model called the Civic and although the company had already been making cars for a while, this new model was remarkable in many ways. It came at a time when the new regulations in the US forced manufacturers to introduce solutions to reduce toxic exhaust emissions – and the innovative CVCC system in the Civic could meet those demands without a even using a catalytic converter.

The Civic’s popularity also grew quickly because consumer preferences were shifting to smaller cars, in part because fuel prices shot up during the energy crises. The Civic’s fuel-efficient engine was just the thing and it also helped to draw more people to Japanese cars.

*The original Honda Civic launched in 1972*

Almost 50 years later, Honda is about to launch another new model that again addresses environmental issues. This time, it has done away with the internal combustion engine altogether so there will be zero emissions.

Another standard-setter
The new model is the Honda e, to go on sale in Europe later this year. It’s been engineered to set new standards in the compact electric car segment.

The Honda e is equipped with a high-power electric motor delivering up to approximately 100 kW (150 ps) and torque in excess of 300 Nm. The 35.5 kWh battery in the Honda e is one of the most compact in its class, contributing to an exceptional balance of low weight, fast-charging capability of 80% in 30 minutes, and a claimed range of over 200 kms, more than enough for daily urban commuting.

Honda engineers paid special attention to enhancing the driving dynamics to deliver a fun and engaging experience. With the battery located low under the vehicle floor, the car’s centre of gravity is approximately 50 cm from the ground. With a 50:50 weight distribution, wide yet compact size and short overhangs at the front and rear, the Honda e delivers an optimal balance of stability and handling performance.

To help deliver a sporty character, power is delivered through the rear wheels, which also enables a greater steering articulation for the front wheels. As a result, the turning radius is approximately 4.3 metres, giving the car good manoeuvrability in small city streets.

Only one pedal
The Honda e will have Single Pedal Control, enabling the driver to accelerate and slow the car using only the accelerator pedal. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, the car will accelerate as normal; when it is released, automatic regenerative braking will occur, and will slow the car.

The Single Pedal Control improves driving efficiency in urban environments and reduces the need to use multiple pedals, making the drive more engaging, exciting and seamless with maximum control for the driver. Older drivers may probably need a while to get used to this feature.

Having been originally developed to be an electric vehicle, the engineers started with a clean sheet and did not have to use traditional construction methods. High-strength materials used in the skeletal structure contribute to structural rigidity while also reducing weight. The lightweight chassis provides the ideal platform from which to fine tune suspension and steering settings for a dynamic driving experience.

It is unlikely that Honda will offer this model in Malaysia in the near future as the focus is on Europe where it aims to sell a large proportion of EVs and hybrids by 2025.

Morgan sign partnership for new EV

Morgan Motor Company, an automaker best known for producing classic three-wheeled vehicles, has entered into a technical partnership with Frazer-Nash Energy Systems. The move is a nod to the impending release of the company’s new EV.

Called the EV3, the vehicle which was first revealed in 2016, will be the British automaker’s first model that will feature an all-electric drivetrain. Despite this, the car still retains familiar design cues seen on previous generation cars.

Unlike most automakers, Morgan’s design inspiration comes from 1930s Aero-engine race cars, classic motorcycles and 1950s fantasy automatons. The EV3 combines this vintage tubular styling with new technology to deliver a raw driving experience and traditional British craftsmanship.

Regarding the tie-up, Steve Morris, Managing Director of Morgan Motor Company, said, “We are delighted to announce our technical partnership with Frazer-Nash Energy Systems as we enter this exciting phase of EV3 production.”

He added, “We have been working closely on optimizing the EV3’s architecture in every way to develop a car which will offer proven reliability range and cooling performance, combined with the pure driving experience that is expected of every hand-crafted Morgan.”

As a result of the partnership with Frazer-Nash Energy Systems, Morgan will be able to utilize certain technologies that will allow further development of the EV3. It will come with all-new, more robust architecture, greater levels of torque, a stiffer chassis and under-slung battery.

Enclosed within the tubular space frame chassis sits a 21 KWh Lithium Battery and a liquid-cooled 34.8kW (41.8kW peak) motor that drives the rear wheel. On a full charge, the EV3 will be able to travel a full 193km without needing a recharge. This, the automaker says will be enough to allow for the kind of driving pleasure that is absent in the EV industry.

The Morgan EV3 is expected to enter production in 2018 and thanks to Frazer-Nash Energy Systems, will have greater performance and rapid charging technology. Once launched, the EV3 will be part of a niche market, offering enthusiasts unrivaled driving enjoyment.

Tesla’s Gigafactory woes cause ripple effect

Tesla has caused a bit of a stir in the battery market. Many electronics companies that require supply of cylindrical batteries for their products, are facing a significant supply shortage. This is due in part to Tesla sweeping Panasonic’s entire inventory of such batteries to meet its own demand.

The company’s Gigafactory, which functions as its battery manufacturing facility, has run into production problems and other delays. And as such, it has looked to Panasonic to shore up demand. According to a news article by etnews, it says that it’s almost impossible to source these batteries from within Japan.

Companies all over the globe have rushed to alternative suppliers that include Samsung, SDI, LG Chemicals and Murata for the required material. Demand has been so high that, even these manufacturers aren’t able to cope. The problem may have some serious repercussions for the businesses of various smaller entities, if left unresolved.

This Gigafactory is Tesla’s crown jewel that plays a major role in its parts supply chain as well as having the ability to run on renewable energy. The EV maker is looking to this sate-of-the-art facility to play a pivotal role in the company’s operations.

Source: etnews

Polestar 1 is automaker’s first hybrid concept car for the masses

Polestar has finally revealed its first ever production car to the world. Called the Polestar 1, the vehicle is a Volvo S90 based Coupe that is built upon the Swedish automaker’s Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA).

The company stated that parts sharing with its Volvo cousin has enabled it to build the Polestar 1 in record time, taking just a fraction of what usually amounts to years worth of research & development as well as testing. That said, 50% of the components used are new while the remaining half are inherited from Volvo.

Sporting similar a silhouette as the S90 sedan, Polestar has done away with Volvo’s signature chrome grille and placed an understated yet menacing louvered grille. The projector headlights with DRL’s resembling Thor’s hammer are still present but subtle tweaks have been made to the front and rear sections of teh car for better aero efficiency.

The body is made from carbon-fibre, which has enabled the improvement of torsional stiffness by 45% and lowered the car’s centre of gravity. This will result in a massive weight reduction compared to the standard Volvo meaning, that agility and nimbleness should be better too.

The car features a hybrid powertrain that brings total output to a colossal 600bhp and 1000Nm of torque. Called the Electric Performance Hybrid, the Polestar 1 is able to travel about 150km on pure electric power, making it the only hybrid vehicle currently on sale that can achieve such a feat on a single charge.

Another first, the Polestar 1 is the first car in the world that will be fitted with the Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi) advanced chassis technology. That coupled with a double electric rear axle for torque vectoring, will enable the car to remain planted while cornering at high speeds.

Marketed as a 2+2 seater grand tourer, the Polestar 1 is a concept vehicle that previews what the production version may look like when it is unveiled in mid-2019. The vehicle will be built in Polestar’s state-of-the-art production centre in Chengdu, China. Due for completion in mid-2018, the facility will be responsible for manufacturing future models from the automaker.

During the reveal, Polestar made it known that it will be launching two further models called the Polestar 2 and Polestar 3. The former will be an electric vehicle that will take on the Tesla Model 3, while the latter is poised to be an SUV styled EV.

Apart from this, the automaker is also planning on revolutionising the way we buy our cars. It will allow its vehicles to be purchased/rented online and will also introduce a substription service that will enable ownership with zero-downpayment at a steady monthly fee. In addition to that, owners can also rent alterntavie vehicles within the Volvo family.

The exact details are still a bit hazy at the moment as Polestar has yet to lay down concrete framework that will enable the public to its subscriptions service for a 2-3 year lease of its vehicles rather than opt in to an out-right purchase.

Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar said, “Polestar 1 is the first car to carry the Polestar on the bonnet. A beautiful GT with amazing technology packed into it. All future cars from Polestar will feature a fully electric drivetrain, delivering on our brand vision of being the new standalone electric performance brand.”

Despite this, Polestar will still have its brick and mortar showrooms around the globe to facilitate customers how prefer the old fashion way of buying vehicles. The order books of the Polestar 1 begins today, and Polestar says its ready to facilitate all interested parties.

Oxford to ban non-electric vehicles from its streets by 2020

It looks like cities around the world are taking turns to drop bombshells in terms EV regulations, in the recent weeks. Now, Oxford has decided to jump in and propose its own heavy-handed regulatory policy, which effectively bans all non-electric vehicles from its roads by 2020.

As absurd as that may sound, it gets a whole lot worse because the ban doesn’t just encompass the sale of new cars, rather it involves all vehicles, including taxis, buses and HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicles) used to transport shipments and cargo into the city.

Skeptics believe that the rushed effort reflects the lack of consideration given by the city council to the current infrastructure. Based on an article by Car Throttle, it is estimated that Oxford is home to about 160,000 residents but the current EV infrastructure isn’t able to match their EV demands.

The city plans on investing in this area by creating 100 more charging outlets, which wouldn’t be able to do much good considering the influx of electric cars by 2020. That said, the ban will only be fully enforced by 2035. Oxford only plans to banish fossil fuel burning vehicles from its busy city streets in the next couple of years, the complete ban, will only take place 15 years later.

This news can serve as an indication of things to come in terms of environmental regulations. Governments around the world are beginning to realize that the use of electric vehicles will help reduce our carbon footprint, improve air quality and lessen the effects of global warming.

Source: Car Throttle

Arnold Schwarzenegger unveils all-electric Hummer

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the famous hollywood actor and former governator of the state of California, has collaborated with Kreisel Electric to develop an EV Hummer. Based on the original H1, the all-electric prototype was unveiled by Schwarzenegger himself to hoards of fans and members of the media.

The civilian version of the US military Humvee, the EV H1 forgoes its gas guzzling V8 in favour of two electric motors, one for each axle. Juice is supplied via a 100 kWh battery pack that enables this behemoth to reach a top speed of 120km/h and cover a distance of 300km.

https://youtu.be/sHe485QW3zE
Video taken from königstein performance Youtube Channel

Weighing 3300kg, this isn’t even in the same ballpark as your average Prius. It retains the entire shell of the original vehicle and as such, still has the macho and go anywhere appeal of the original that made it a staple of the US military.

As daunting a task as it maybe to convert the H1 into an all-electric vehicle, it took Kreisel a mere two months to complete the project. This labour intensive effort may have been well worth the cost because it shows the general public that any car can be an EV.

That said, this project isn’t the first time that the governator and Kreisel has collaborated on creating a new vehicle. He previously worked with the company to develop an EV Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon that is capable of holding its won against the legendary vehicle that it is based on.

Unlike the unruly nature of the standard V8 powered G-Wagon, Kreisel’s version operates quietly yet is able to match the capabilities of the world famous vehicle that it is based on.

https://youtu.be/nSMpmMskqXM

https://youtu.be/1y4evYuPGgk

Kreisel Electric is a mobility company who believes that the electric motor is the most efficient method of propulsion. They have developed their own battery solutions for high performance applications.

The company’s founders Philipp, Johann and Markus have been involved in the electronics sector for the past 35 years. Philipp is the mechanical engineer, Johann the electronic specialist while Markus concentrates on the commercial aspects of the business.

Their company website provides an in-depth knowledge of the inner workings at Kreisel Electric and the amazing work that they are doing. This goes to show that you don’t need to be a fortune 500 company to do amazing things in the automotive industry.

Source: Road & Track, Kreisel Electric

Nissan unveils the new Leaf for global markets

Nissan has unveiled the highly anticipated second generation EV, the Leaf. Building on the success of its predecessor that burst onto the scene in 2010, the new car aims to be the smartest electric vehicle on the market.

Though it features the same basic silhouette as its predecessor, the car has been given a completely new look. Gone is the fish eye-like front end and in its place, a more contemporary look with sharp projector headlights that meet the narrow yet prominent V motion chrome grille.

The new Leaf stills sports the swept back look of its predecessor but seems to feature a sportier side profile thanks to a pair of decent side skirts and a two-tone paint scheme. This theme is carried to the rear as well because part of the hatch has a gloss black finish.

It also features more angular but less prominent rear taillights that are smaller than its predecessor. The bottom section of the rear bumper resembles that of a diffuser, but we aren’t sure whether its fully-functional or just there for vanity purposes.

Fitted at the base of the car is a higher density battery pack that is about 40% more efficient than the one fitted to the 2010 car. As such it enables the new Leaf to cover a distance of 378km on a single charge.

Nissan is very proud of the car’s e-powertrain, which offers better efficiency and is able to deliver 148bhp and 320Nm of torque. The smart thing about the new car is that it is able to charge as and when necessary as well as when tariffs are lower.

The car can also feed power back into the power grid and power your home during the day to help reduce your electricity bill. Though these features won’t be beneficial in all global markets, it will help owners in places where sufficient infrastructure is in place to support EVs.

As expected, the new Leaf comes with all the latest tech which include ProPILOT, ProPILOT Park and e-Pedal. ProPILOT is an intelligent autonomous system that keeps the car in its respective lane as well as at a safe distance from the vehicle at the front. It uses mutiple ultrasound sensors to offer drivers extra security especially on long journeys.

ProPILOT Park, allow the Leaf to manouver into parking spots without the need for human intervention. Though this is nothing revolutionary, it still is impressive to witness. Lastly, there’s the e-Pedal. This system will enable the car to decelerate without the driver pressing the brake pedal.

When a driver lifts his/her foot off the accelerator pedal, the regenerative braking feature kicks allowing the car to gradually come to a complete stop. It works by applying regenerative and friction brakes automatically, which even works for steep inclinations.

This new Leaf will go on sale in Japan in October of this year with deliveries for other parts of the world slated for the beginning of 2017. Nissan aims to sell this car in more than 60 markets globally, which should include Malaysia.

Alcraft GT is a British EV concept car with supercar credentials

Alcraft Motor Company, a UK based electric vehicle manufacturer, has revealed details of its creation, called the Alcraft GT. It’s a shooting-brake styled sports car that is able to function as a 2+2 seater rather than just have the conventional two seats.

Design wise, it looks spectacular from the minimalist wedged shaped styling at the front to the the angular subsection of the rear. It incorporates conventional sports car dimensions that have been re-purposed to fit in with the shooting-brake style body design.

The panoramic roof does provide the cabin with an airy feeling which ties in with the all-glass design theme of the A and B pillars. This allows for a luggage capacity of 500-litres, which is quite impressive for any sports car.

The exposed carbon-fibre B-pillars and roof structure are part of the aesthetic but serve as both a safety cell and reduce overall weight. Though its yet to be proven, this should help protect occupants in a high speed collision.

Carbon-fibre has been used in the body’s construction but the exact amount or total composition has not been revealed. As such, its considered a lightweight car with that has decent weight balance thanks to a T-shaped battery pack that is mounted between and behind the driver and passenger seats.

Alcraft has given the car three electric motors that channel power to all four wheels via its 4WD system. The company’s virtual engineering tests peg total power figures to be about 600bhp and 1139Nm of torque.

Being a 100% electric car, the Alcraft GT will have a range of 483km and be able to sprint from 0-100km/h in a mere 3.5 seconds. This puts it in the same league as automakers like Tesla as well as on par with petrol powered supercars.

Alcraft Motor Company has been founded by businessman David Alcraft. The team includes Charles Morgan, previously of Morgan Motor Company, ex-Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders CEO Christopher Macgowan, designer Matt Humphries who also spent time at Morgan, and ex-Toyota, Daewoo and Michelin senior executive Mark Carbery.

The company has partnered with Delta Motorsports to help develop and builds its new vehicle. The later’s expertise in electric drivetrains and battery systems has seen it involved in projects with established vehicle manufacturers as well as Motorsports teams.

Speaking of the Alcraft GT, Alcraft Motor founder and managing director, David Alcraft said, “We want to build a British car company which brings together traditional skills and high technology for the emerging low carbon car market.”

“We’re about combining great design, outstanding dynamics and the visceral thrill of electric powertrains to create products that are high in performance and desirability but very usable. We hope this will establish a niche For Alcraft Motor in Britain’s renowned specialist low-volume car industry, ” he later added.

Alcraft will partly rely on crowdfunding for its source of income with the rest coming from equity funding. Those involved in the crowdfunding efforts, depending on the investment, will be rewarded in a unique way.

These rewards include VIP days at Silverstone with rides in a development mule for the GT, featuring similar battery, motor and torque vectoring technologies to those which will be in the GT, and exclusive electric bikes by Cyclotricity and wristwatches by Matthew Humphries Design.

There’s no news yet on when the car will be launched, but if you would like to know more, head on over to the company’s website at https://alcraftmotor.com.

Detroit Electric to reveal future plans after heavy investment from joint venture

Detroit Electric, the UK-based firm that showed great promise a few years ago, will reveal its upcoming plans at the Cenex’s Low Carbon Vehicles (LCV) 2017 event held in the UK. It’s here that the company will share its strategy which includes plans of launching a range of electric vehicles in the coming years.

The company has ramped-up operations after receiving an injection of US$1.8 billion (RM7.7 billion) in capital from a joint venture agreement. This has helped the firm stabilize its financial health as well as complete a major recruitment programme, which will see it employ between 150 and 200 posts by next year.

Chief Technical Officer and Company Director Richie Frost, said, “Having secured the solid financial foundation to embark on our business plan, we’re now building up our team to enable us to deliver our ambitious vehicle engineering programmes.”

“This represents an opportunity to be a major part of an incredibly exciting, fast-moving company, as we begin the most exciting EV development projects in the UK. We’re looking forward to having a chance to meet some of UK’s most talented engineers in this field expected at Cenex and to share these exciting future plans with them,” he later added.

Detroit Electric will also be investing heavily in expanding its engineering and manufacturing centre in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, to create a state-of-the art R&D facility, alongside its engineering hub in China.

A few years ago, the EV automaker showcased some pretty exciting Lotus-based EVs that never made it onto the showroom floor. Now, with this new joint venture, the company should be able to deliver, with better reliability, on the rest of its future plans.