MG, will be launching its new compact SUV soon, which the automaker says will mark an exciting new era of design for the company. The Chinese owned British automaker is looking to dip its toes into the hotly contested waters of the compact SUV segment with the MG XS.
The new vehicle will join the automaker’s MG3 and MG GS to offer UK customers a home grown alternative to the Japanese and Korean offerings. Sporting an angular look, the new design philosophy is based on what the automaker calls, ‘Emotional Dynamism’.
It has been said the new vehicle has been designed in a way that best expresses the company’s new design language that emphasizes the premium nature of the XS. Though not groundbreaking, the the curved lines and creases of the frontend do give the vehicle an interesting look.
The new face features an enlarged grill design that was inspired by the automaker’s older vehicles but modernized to have a more contemporary look. MG says that the larger grille is able to accommodate a bigger badge, which, for vanity purposes, helps show off the brand’s heritage that can be traced to the early days of the automobile.
Carl Gotham, Design Director of SAIC European Design Centre, said, “It’s a really exciting time for MG as it starts to roll out its new brand identity. Emotional Dynamism brings to the fore a premium feel to the new Compact-SUV with exceptional attention to detail throughout, such as the distinctive detailing on the ‘eye’ headlights and signature tail lights.”
“It has a level of detailing and range of impressive features you would not expect to find on a car of this size or price,” he later added.
MG is expected to divulge more details regarding the brand’s new design direction closer to the launch date of the new vehicle. The automaker has stated that it is confident that latest addition will be able to bolster its sales figures that are already up by nearly 83% year-on-year.
The British automaker can trace its roots back to 1924 and has produced some of the most stunning vehicles from the golden area of the automobile. Stay tuned and we will let you know more when further details are released regarding the MG’s design direction.
TVR has finally launched the Griffith, its first ever vehicle in more than a decade, at the Goodwood Revival. Staying true to its heritage, the new car’s design seems to be inspired by a number of its predecessors, which is made evident by the long and sleek silhouette, angular contours and ostentatious front fascia.
It largely stays true to the TVR formula safe for the large gaping hole at the front and faux side vents integrated with the headlights. There seems to be a hint of McLaren 570s in the entire look, which isn’t a bad thing but dilutes the TVR representation of the car.
The rather elegant design was a culmination of work by Gordon Murray’s Design house and incredible manufacturing efforts of iStream who were responsible for the car’s carbon composite structure and body panels.
In fact, the car is so highly engineered, that it happens to be the second front-engine production car to feature a flat floor, which equates to better cabin space. Buyers can also opt for a full ground-effect aerodynamic package, that will improve stabilty and handling at higher speeds.
Inside, the car is more driver focused than most of its rivals, featuring minimalist switchgear that flank the LCD based instrument cluster. The short but chunky gear knob leads us to believe that the Griffith will be offered with a short-shifting manual transmission, a nod to the purist in all of us.
Weighing just 1250kg, the Griffith boasts exceptional torsional rigidity and a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Powering the new TVR Griffith is a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre Cosworth-enhanced V8, that is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
As such, the car is able to achieve a top speed of more than 322km/h, and accelerates from 0-100km/h in less than four seconds. This puts it in the same league as top guns from the likes of Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Though not ground breaking, these specs are nothing to scoff at because it could point to the idea of the Griffith being marketed as a more sensible and less expensive supercar. In the UK, the car is priced at £90,000 (RM 499,064) and production of the new TVR Griffith Launch Edition will begin in late 2018.
Speaking of the new car, TVR Chairman, Les Edgar said, “Today’s unveiling is the culmination of nearly three years of tireless work by the team, and we’re all proud to be able to show the new TVR Griffith to the world.”
He then added, ” This is unmistakably a TVR, a British muscle car that’s as awesome and brutal as it is charismatic and refined. Importantly, the new TVR offers levels of technical sophistication, comfort, reliability and practicality never seen by the brand before.”
The new Griffith is being previewed in a pace car livery, which the automaker says signals its seriousness of returning to racetracks of the world in the very near future.
Kia has released more images of a concept vehicle that is meant as a precursor to the new Procee’d, and it will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow. Coincidentally, the new car was designed in Frankfurt, which is home to the Korean automaker’s European design centre.
Based on first impressions, the new concept features sleeker lines and a raked roof that add to its sporty character. A more subtle tiger nose grille adorns the front fascia, which is a nod to Kia’s current design language.
The curved projector headlights are able to blend in with the fluid nature of the vehicles contours, which add to the appeal. And unlike the car it will replace, the new Procee’d features a hatchback design, which should be more practical and provide more luggage space for customers.
That said, the actual production ready vehicle may not look identical to this. Admittedly, Kia have said that the concept is meant to provide the public with a glimpse into what the actual car could look like.
That said, it would be prudent to say that a number of the more ‘futuristic’ elements of the car will be retracted and replaced with more sensible and ‘production-ready’ ones. But as a whole, the silhouette including the racked roof, extended hatchback style rear and sleek side profiles should make it onto the actual Procee’d.
Speaking of the concept, Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe for Kia Motors, said, “With many European drivers now seeking performance alternatives to the three-door hot hatch, we began thinking about a different halo model for the cee’d family.”
He later added, “The Proceed Concept represents a bold new vision of how the vibrant soul of the pro_cee’d could be reincarnated and revitalized for a new generation of performance-oriented drivers.”
Information regarding the technology aspect still remains scarce, but we are sure Kia will divulge more when the covers come off teh actual car in just a few days time.
TVR’s resurrection is tabled for the 8th of Septmber 2017 where it will unveil its first ever sports car since it went dark a few years ago. This is to be the first of a range of cars that are culmination of effort of TVR, Gordon Murray and Cosworth.
This car will be unveiled at the Goodwood Revival Earls Court Motor Show, marking the brand’s 70th anniversary. Based on the teaser image that was recently released, the car features angular contours that are reminiscent of its predecessors.
According to TVR, this vehicle will offer performance that will rival that of some of the established models from the likes of Porsche, Jaguar and Ferrari. And contrary to popular belief, the British automaker has a solid team in place that are serious about restarting one of the most revered driver-focused British sports car brands in existence.
Gordon Murray Design Limited and iStream have been involved in the design work of the new range of cars. Both design firms have a wealth of knowledge in engineering and constructing automobiles. Both teams should help bring the company to new heights.
And in case you didn’t know, Gordon Murray was responsible for the McLaren F1. The very car that was not only beautiful to look at, but had the performance of an aircraft. It held the record for the fastest production car in the world for many years and it was only that the car was dethroned.
If you are as anxious as we are for the launch of the new TVR, stay tuned and we will bring you the very latest news when we find out.
Ford has unveiled the new EcoSport, which now comes with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system and a more sporty variant called ST-Line. Building on its predecessor’s design, the Blue Oval has decided make the vehicle a little more rugged this time around.
The rather docile grille has been repaced with a matte-black two-piece louvered one that certainly is in-line with Ford’s current design language. It’s projector headlights slope forward and towards the front fascia, which reminiscent of the ones on the current gen Mustang.
from the side, the two-tone paint scheme does provide the EcoSport with a sporty look as does the 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels. Ground clerance of certain variants might vary depending on the suspension setup that is utilized.
Ford has left the rear relatively untouched safe for minor changes to the taillights and rear bumper, both decent decisions considering that there wasn’t much wrong with them in the first place. The decision to keep the spare tyre internally has had a positive effect on the rear, giving rise to a cleaner and sporty overall feel.
Speaking if the new vehicle, Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe Middle East and Africa, Ford Motor Company, said, “Ford has sold 150,000 EcoSport compact SUVs in Europe since we first introduced the model to the region in 2014.The new Ford EcoSport offers customers even more style, comfort, capability and choice.”
There will be a diesel (EcoBlue) and a petrol (EcoBoost) engine available with the new EcoSport but the most notable feature of the lot is the Intelligent AWD system. It will be capable of distributing power between the front and rear in a 50/50 configuration.
In fact, it will be able to do this in a mere 20 miliseocnds, which Ford says is 20 times quicker than a human eye takes to blink. It will work seamlessly by transitioning torque between all four wheels, to allow for better traction and stability.
The 125bhp 1.5-litre EcoBlue engine is all-new and comes with a number of innovative technologies. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is offered in several states of tune, which include 140bhp, 125bhp and 100bhp. And if the 4WD life isn’t your thing, you can still opt for the 2WD option that is significantly lighter and easier on fuel consumption as well.
Compared to the outgoing vehicle, the new EcoSport gets optimized springs, dampers, spring aids, steering gear, rear axle twist beam, Electronic Stability Programme settings and steering assistance profiles.
The interior takes on a more refined look with easier to use controls and soft-touch materials, and a new centre console ergonomically designed for easy operation and featuring fewer buttons. The seats have been redesigned to offer good comfort and premium feel.
Occupants can also match the ambiance to their mood with adjustable interior lighting that can be set to one of seven colours. But the cabin’s main party trick is the ability to store small items in compartments hidden through out the cabin including under the seats.
As mentioned earlier, the EcoSport will also be offered as an ST-Line variant that has sportier styling and sports-tuned driving dynamics. As a result, it gets Ford Performance-inspired bumpers and side skirts, black-finish roof rails and headlight bezels, 17-inch Dark Tarnish alloy wheels, ST-Line badging and extended painted roof and door mirrors as standard.
As for the interior, you get a unique ST-Line leather-trimmed flat-bottomed steering wheel; unique partial leather seats featuring Miko®-Dinamica inserts – an ecological suede made from recycled polyester and red stitching, leather handbrake lever and gear knob, ST-Line branded scuff plates, and stainless steel sports pedals.
Other tech that are available across all variants is the SNYC 3 (Voice Assistant) and 8-inch colour touchscreen, which can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures. The B&O sound system offers impressive sound quality for the audiophile in all of us.
The EcoSport for the first time comes with Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter that helps drivers keep within speed limits, and a Rear View Camera that makes parking more efficient and safer. There’s also Blind Spot Detection and Roll Stability Control, which should help novice drivers handle the vehicle with more confidence.
There’s no word yet on when Ford will bring this vehicle over here, but it should hit European markets very soon.
The ever popular small premium EV, the BMW i3, has received a mide-life facelift in the shape of some design tweaks and increased performance. As a whole, its still the cheerful car as before but now has a wider track and wheel arch molding contours that run along the body, horizontally.
New to the range is the addition of a sportier version called the i3s. Though similar in design, there are subtle hints that make it out to be the sportier variant of the lot. These features include, at the front, the bumper inlay and its U-shaped surroundings are in black finish.
The front fascia’s side sections are bordered on their lower edge by accent strips in BMW’s i Blue or Frozen Grey colours. The contrasting scheme does add a sense of sportiness to the car.
The signature kidney grille is painted in high-gloss black and consists of a more prominent design. Such is the case for the the rear apron which has a black surround frame that is extra wide and comes with body coloured inlay.
Underneath the new exterior, the i3s is fitted with a sports suspension, which drops the ride height about 10mm compared to the base car. Exclusive 20-inch lightweight alloy rims are standard for the variant too, which are slightly wider than before.
Overall the i3 now has an improved Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system and a faster responsing Traction Control System. This means that drivers can now have a bit more fun before the safety net cuts in and spoils their fun.
BMW’s standard i3 is powered by a 170bhp synchronous electric motor but the i3s comes with a slightly more powerful 184bhp one. Due to the increase in power, the latter is also about 0.4 seconds faster from 0-100km/h at 6.8 seconds.
The new i3 is also available as a range extender version that features a two-cylinder petrol engine, which generates electricity to the electric motor once the car’s battery pack has depleted.
Speaking of power, BMW is now offering an electric charger called TurboCord that has the ability to charge the i3 three times faster than what the standard charger is capable of.
There are a number of driver assistance systems that are availble with the car aside from the latest iDrive 6 interface, which include Active Driving Assistant and Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go.
Other than that, there’s also Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information and ConnectedDrive Services and a navigation system. When equipped with the Technology and Driving Assistance Package, Apple CarPlay can be enabled and the i3 also gets a useful system called Park Distance Control.
This 2018 i3 will debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in September 2017. Check out the the picture gallery below and let us know whether the i3 is more appealing than the vehicle it replaces.
The wait is over, Volkswagen has finally revealed its newest crossover/SUV, the T-Roc. As such, we now know what to expect when it hits showroom floors. Meant to slot below the Tiguan, VW’s latest offering sports looks that are a combination of several different models.
Built on the same modular transverse matrix (MQB) archtecture as the Atlas, the T-Roc is said to offer 445 litres of cargo space when the vehicle is fully occupied. There’s also the option of folding down the rear backrests in a 60/40 split allowing for that space to be increased to 1,290 litres.
It is the first SUV from the company that will feature a two-tone paint scheme, which include the roof being painted in a colour that best contrasts that of the rest of the bodywork. It’s prominent louvered grille stretches from edge to edge and integrates with the projector headlights quite nicely to form a unified look.
Judging from the side and rear, the T-Roc seems to have taken quite a bit of its design inspiration from the Mk7 Golf, which isn’t a bad thing. The proportions, especially when it comes to the rear, are car-like and seem to complement the sporty look even further. The placement of scuff plates for the front and rear allow for better offroad functionality.
Inside, you get the usual meticulously neat array of dials and switch gear that we are used to seeing from VW. But the The interplay between the Active Info Display and the specific infotainment system provide for a digital and interactive cockpit.
Another noteworthy feature that is being offered with VW’s latest model is the “Security & Service” package (including Emergency Service, Automatic Accident Notification and Roadside Assistance). This may seem like a Godsend especially if you live sketchy parts of town.
Marketed as a five-seat SUV, the T-Roc will be made available with a front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration. The latter is called the 4Motion AWD and will feature the 4Motion Active Control as standard.
Complementing these systems will be the choice of three different petrol and diesel turbocharged engines. As for transmissions, buyers can choose between a manual or the 7-speed dual clutch DSG gearbox.
And like most other VWs, the T-Roc will come with a whole load of safety tech which include, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, the active lane keeping system (Lane Assist) and the Front Assist area monitoring system with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking.
Also available as optional extras are systems such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), Rear View reversing camera, Lane departure system including Rear Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Assist, Park Assist, Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist.
Common to a number of sporty VWs is the adaptive chassis control (DCC) and progressive steering that alter vehicle drive ability based on the selected mode. This feature has become increasingly useful in recent years because owners want their vehicle to be the Jack-of-All-Trades.
The German automaker has yet to announce when production for the T-Roc will commence and has also chosen to keep mum on when we can begin to see these new VWs roll onto showroom floors. All we know at the moment is, that the T-Roc will be on public roads, eventually.
Ariel, the boutique sports car maker that was responsible for the lightweight supercar killer known as the Atom, is currently developing a new vehicle called the P40. Unlike the outrageously fast Atom, the new vehicle isn’t primarily aimed at track day enthusiasts.
Rather, its for those who want a performance car that can be hooned about on a circuit for a brief period of time. After about 15 minutes of on track action, the P40 will require about 30 minutes for it to recharge its battery pack, which hampers the hopes of practicality, somewhat.
According to a report by Autocar UK, Ariel’s newest superstar will have a very different propulsion system compared to its current crop of vehicles. Touted as an electrified vehicle, it will feature electric motors and a turbine range extender that will help supply electricity when it’s battery pack is depleted of charge.
Built on an aluminum chassis, the car will be offered as either a rear-wheel-drive or 4×4 model with the former being the less powerful of the two. The latter is said to have nearly 1200bhp and 1800Nm of torque. This is ludicrous for a vehicle that weighs a relatively light – 1600kg.
Thanks to torque vectoring and traction control, the power that is sent to the wheel should be manageable. But that is still a colossal amount of power that Ariel expects to reach the road via four narrow strips of rubber that it calls – tyres.
The rear-wheel-drive P40 will be powered by two electric motors and a 56kWh battery. Oddly enough, the more powerful 4×4 model will have four electric motors with juice being supplied by a smaller centrally mounted 42kWh liquid-cooled battery pack.
The logic behind this is still unclear but we suspect that it may have to do with weight distribution and making the car as light as possible. Like Lotus, Ariel resort to extreme methods when it comes to saving relatively small amounts of excess wight.
Their vehicles are built with the concept that, less is more. This is extacly why the Atom has a chassis that closely resembles that of crudely put together bits of scaffolding. Though functional, one can’t help but wonder whether the lack of bodywork on the sides were really necessary.
Slated for release in 2020, the P40 should be a highly anticipated vehicle when launched but we would like to reserve judgement till we witness the turbine range extender function under real world conditions.
Volkswagen is gearing up to unveil a new compact SUV that it calls the T-Roc. Meant to be a smaller vehicle that retains the agility and off-road character of an SUV, the T-Roc is being positioned as a crossover that can offer the best of both world.
Despite being a completely new vehicle, the lines and overall design language of the T-Roc is unmistakably Volkswagen. The front fascia and especially the honey comb grille, look similar to that of the current Tiguan, and to a lesser extent, the Atlas.
It’s integrated dual headlights is a dead giveaway and can be considered an essential trait of all current Volkswagen models including the Passat. This means, that the German automaker has chosen to take an evolutionary approach as opposed to a revolutionary one when it came time to create a a brand compact SUV.
The rear is reminiscent of a Mk7 Golf, which is a welcomed attribute. The simplistic yet elegant lines make for surprisingly neat overall look. This should make it an appealing vehicle to those wanting a crossover that is able to offer car-like looks but with added style.
Judging from the design, the overall footprint of this particular VW shouldn’t be that far off of that used for the Golf platform, which if so, should place the T-Roc beneath the Tiguan and Toureg models. This should help it fill the the void in Volkswagen’s current product portfolio and help boost sales somewhat.
Regarding tech, nothing concrete has been announced yet, but VW has stated that it will bless the vehicle with a wealth of innovations, which should include its slew of safety and advanced driver aids.
Volkswagen will officially launch the T-Roc on August 23rd 2017 and is quite confident that this new addition and its ‘crisp proportions and progressive design’ will invigorate the compact class. That said, we can’t help but wonder how much of these suave looks would actually make it onto the production ready vehicle.
The wait is almost over for the highly anticipated Tesla Model 3, the more affordable and compact version of the highly popular full-size Model S. The car will be launched today and can be tailored to suit the individual needs of different drivers through ticks made in the option list.
When fully loaded, the car is said to cost similarly to the cheapest variant of the Model S, which isn’t saying much. Options for the Model 3 include Tesla Autopilot, 19-inch wheels, heated seats, LED lighting as well as a whole host of others.
Based on looks, the Model 3 features very similar styling to its bigger brother safe for the rather oddly shaped front fascia. the lights and overall look mimic that of the Porsche Panamera, which isn’t a bad thing.
Then there’s the cool yet minimalist interior that features an iPad style LCD screen as opposed to the oblong one featured in the bigger and more expensive Model S. The car has been tailored to be simple yet an effective mode of transportation for the modern and sustainable energy age.
Though it doesn’t have the supercar-like power of its bigger brother, the Model 3 is no slouch. It can sprint from 0-100km/h in about 5.6 seconds, sooner if it is equipped with the extended range package. It also has a range of about 500km on a single charge, making it a practical city runabout.
Then, there’s a also a slew of tech that include a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eight airbags, automatic emergency braking and collision avoidance, 12-way adjustable front seats, keyless entry and remote climate control with the use of the app, WiFi and LTE internet connectivity, electronic stability control and traction control.
The big deal with the Model 3 isn’t because of its chic styling or the fact that it can drive itself on highways. The reason for all this hype surrounding the car’s imminent launch date, is because its a game changer. Never before has a practical, energy efficient and technology packed vehicle been available with a fully electric powertrain.
Many automakers have tried but nobody has perfected the recipe quite like Tesla. And should Elon Musk’s team be able to sort out the production back log issues, EVs will eventually be able to realistically replace petrol powered ones in the near future.
We shall have to wait and see if the car lives up to our high expectation or whether it will be marred by delays due to manufacturing complications. Reports say that should you order a model 3 today, you can expect to have your car delivered in 12 to 18 months’ time. If the car does become a run away success, it should make petrol powered ones look obsolete.
