[X]

Monthly Archives: May 2018

Volvo began a partnership with Google last year, with the announcement that the next Sensus infotainment system would be the first to be run on the Android platform.

Now, news has been added that the next-gen Sensus will involve the voice-controlled Google Assistant. The system – the Android equivalent of Apple’s Siri – will be accompanied in the new suite by Google Maps and other apps from the Google Play Store along with features developed by the two companies in collaboration.

The inclusion of Google Assistant means you can simply tell your car what setting you want the air conditioning to be on, or you can dictate text messages and choose what music you want to listen to. Whilst the involvement of Google Maps will keep up to date with traffic levels and offer responsive alternative routes.

The system is due in 2020, and could make travelling much simpler and easier, but do you like the sound of it? Let us know in the comments section.

At the Electric Vehicle Expo, in Jeju, Korea, Kia has taken the covers off the all-electric version of its Niro crossover for the first time. Taking inspiration from the brand’s Niro EV Concept that appeared at the CES show in Las Vegas this year, the production vehicle will make it’s global debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The Niro EV will come with two lithium-polymer battery options – a 64kWh source with a claimed 380km and a smaller 39.2kWh system with a range of 240km.

Kia’s first electric vehicle will go on sale in Korea in the second half of 2018, with the Niro EV making it’s way to other markets after the global launch in September.

The Range Rover Velar arsenal has been broadened with the addition of a new engine and more safety tech.

A new 3.0-litre V6 D275 diesel unit joins the line-up, offering 271bhp and 461lbf.ft. Other additions see steering assist join the adaptive cruise control, culminating in lane-keeping abilities as standard equipment. More safety tech has been added to the stock list, with emergency braking, a rear camera, parking sensors and driver condition monitoring now fitted across the board.

Some of the petrol models have received slight changes too, with the P250 and P300 models boasting 82-litre fuel tanks – growth of 19-litres. Particulate filters will also feature in petrol Velars.

The model line tweaks will come into play on 2019 year models, with pricing for 19MY Velars starting at £44,735 and the new D275 available for £49,740.

Porsche are continuing their electrification charge with the latest Cayenne E-Hybrid.

The third-generation of the big Porsche comes with a 3.0-litre V6 paired with an electric motor – with a combined output of 456bhp and 516lbf.ft. That’s a 7bhp increase in petrol power and an extra 43% from the new battery over the predecessor. This give a top speed of 157mph and a 5 second run to 62mph.

A boost system from the 918 Spyder joins the influx of power and facilitates the electric motors functionality in all of the Cayenne’s driving modes. Economy figures have improved too, with new mpg stats of 69.2, and emissions of 72g/km.

With the increased power of the battery, there is also more overall performance. The capacity has increased from 10.8kWh to 14.1kWh. Stored beneath the floor, the fluid-cooled battery can be charged to full capacity from a 230 volt connection in 7.8 hours – aka 7hours and 48 minutes – but with the optional 7.2kW on-board charger it is possible to fully charge the battery in 2hours twenty minutes, sorry, 2.3 hours. Charging can be managed via the Porsche Connect app, as can the air conditioning and heating when the power is off.

Traction control system comes as standard as is active suspension management. Chassis control is optional, as is a trailer connection that comes with a load rating of 3.5-tonnes.

The model is the first Porsche to feature a heads-up display and also comes with adaptive cruise, massage seats and heated windscreen.

Pricing for the Cayenne E-Hybrid starts at £67,128 and the order books are open now.

Prev12Page 2 of 2