New 500 – the eclectic electric

Fiat’s third gen 500 is reborn as an electric charger – with a neat door design.

THE Hyundai Veloster is no longer the only asymmetrical ‘three-door’ car in production – it now has a little friend, from Italy.

Fiat’s determination to push the 500 into a third generation, but this time as wholly electric vehicle to say ciao to the MINI Electric, has come with a novel design twist that can only be experienced in this market at the moment by those who buy into South Korea’s sports coupe.

La Prima' 3+1 is so named because it has an extra, rear-hinged, side door that opens up to allow extra access to the back seats.

The whole point of the 3+1 is an effort to keep buyers within the 500 and Fiat brands when they outgrow a conventional 500, the maker says.

As Fiat puts it: “The young person who darted onto the city streets aboard their 500 after a day's work, is now a 'working mom or dad', struggling to get their one or more children to school in the morning before heading to work, then to their dance class or foreign language lessons in the afternoon, all the while keeping their own personal commitments going. That customer has therefore become a family that needs the interiors to be more accessible, but still 'cool'.”

Olivier François, Fiat’s brand president, says the extra door is a nod to the heritage of the original 1957 500, as that had doors hinged at the rear.

There's no centre pillar for the 500 3+1, and Fiat reckons that it makes getting kids in and out of the back, and especially loading up child car seats, that much easier. The only penalty, according to Fiat, is an extra 30kg of weight.

It has no impact of the car’s overall dimension. In measuring in at 3632mm long, 1683mm wide and 1527mm tall, with a 2322mm wheelbase, the third generation is 60mm longer and wider and has 20mm extra wheelbase over the current car, yet remains a compact choice.

Will we see the new 500 here? The question has been put to brand rights’ holder Ateco Group NZ; no response has been forthcoming yet. 

That the car has been confirmed for sale in the United Kingdom, with deliveries there starting in March, suggests it will be produced in right-hand-drive. Whereas the hatch and cabriolet are international, the 3+1 styling is for left-hook only.

Small cars have been losing ground to like-sized crossover equivalents in this market, but Fiat reckons the world – particularly city dwellers – can do with an “urban Tesla.” 

Even so, the current car, which now restricts representation in New Zealand as an Abarth hot shoe, will continue in production for a while yet.

François acknowledges that as much as electrics are the future, because fossil-fuelled small city cars are among the cleanest on the market already there’s no absolute guarantee all consumers will feel need straight away to switch to a wholly zero-emission line.

“What we don’t really know, what we have no visibility on, is future demand for electric vehicles,” he has explained.  

“But we need to be ready. We know that demand for sure will explode, because of the regulations in city centres. We don’t know to what level it will explode, but we are ready because we have one great nameplate with two approaches.”

Despite all the obvious familiarities, the design is fully all-new. It’s the first fully-electric vehicle designed from the ground-up on an all-new platform from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

The car delivers in 24kWh and 42kWh battery formats, with 85kW fast-charging available from middle of the range, and three trim levels, Action, Passion and Icon.

The entry-level 500 EV is fitted with a 23.8kWh battery pack and a 68kW electric motor, which provides a 0–100kmh time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 134kmh. The maximum claimed WLTP range of 118 kilometres will climb to 240km under city driving conditions, Fiat claims. 

Mid-range models and up are fitted with a 42kWh battery pack and 86kW electric motor. The 0-100km time drops to 9s, top speed raises to 149km, and range climbs to 320km, according to the maker. Recharging also picks up, as it will take direct current fast charging, so will recover an 80 percent charge in half an hour. 

Both powertrains offer three driving modes. ‘Normal’ is as being “as close as possible to driving a vehicle with a normal combustion engine”. ‘Range’ engenders higher brake energy recuperation, to the point where it’ll entertain one pedal operability. ‘Sherpa’ preserves as much range as possible, so it limits the top speed to 80kmh, reduces throttle response and deactivates the climate control and other comfort features.

The car is, of course, tailored for around town. So, though it’s 60mm wider, 60mm longer and with a 20mm longer wheelbase, it’s still small. 

The centre console holds a 10.25-inch infotainment system supporting a range of chic smartphone apps, including for checking pre-drive battery level checks and cabin warming and cooling.

Fiat also claims the car is capable of “Level 2” semi-autonomous driving, using a front-facing camera system to monitor the road ahead. Adaptive cruise control with automatic braking and accelerating, lane keep assist, speed limit assist, blind spot warning and 360-degree sensors also arrive.

Max score for Mazda sister ship

What’s good for the D-Max is good for the BT-50, our crash testing agency decides.

DIFFERENT badges, same basic engineering, technology and design – and it’s paid off for Mazda’s twin to the Isuzu D-Max in crash testing. 

A month after determining Isuzu’s soon-to-release new one tonne ute was worthy of a maximum five star score from a crash test that became tougher this year, the national crash testing agency has decided the BT-50 that is a co-development of that model should achieve the same score. 

Surprised? Well, there’s potential you might be because, even though the sister utes are both on the top rung, it’s questionable the Mazda can claim utter category-first equality.

Mazda’s ute scores just slightly lower for impacts regarding pedestrians and cyclists in the vulnerable road user criteria due to the different nose design.

That in itself might seem an interesting outcome as, when it came to assessing the Mazda, the New Zealand Government-funded and NZ Automobile Association-supported Australasian New Car Assessment Programme didn’t put one into the wall, as occurred with the D-Max. 

Rather, the outcomes determined for the Mazda accrue from the agency extrapolating results from the D-Max test and also giving consideration to technical data provided by Mazda.

All this means the BT-50 carries the exact same ratings for adult occupant protection (83 percent), child occupant protection (89 percent), and safety assist (81 percent).

The safety system on the Mazda, like the Isuzu, consists of a comprehensive suite of tech such as AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, blind spot monitoring and advanced speed assist, and many others. 

ANCAP’s rating applies for all BT-50 models.

Isuzu will have a head start on leveraging the score, with the D-Max expected to be on sale within the fortnight; timing which gives it around four week’s head start over the Mazda, this to honour an international agreement between the makes that gives Isuzu first dibs on strength that the ute is their basic design and comes from their factory.

PM's diesel limo parked up for electric alternate

Black day for BMW as Ardern pulls the plug on her diesel Seven limo and goes for an electric Audi.

Audi NZ boss Dean Sheed, pictured at the E-Tron’s launch last year, says one of the three cars signed up for Government VIP use will be Auckland-based and has been checked out for suitability to carry a baby seat.

AUDI’s flagship electric model could well have bumped a BMW diesel as Jacinda Ardern’s choice of state-provisioned home town ride – with her toddler likely also set to enjoy the car’s Green vibe.

Government’s historic step up to wholly battery-driven cars as VIP transport has just been confirmed by Audi New Zealand. 

The distributor says three examples of its plush five-seater sports utility-formatted and wholly battery-reliant E-Tron in swishest $156,000 ‘55’ format have been accepted onto the fleet of limos provisioned for highest-level state duties, meaning they are silver, Crown-plated and chauffeur-driven. 

The cars’ permanent sign-on came after months of trial when they were measured up again the incumbent provision; BMW’s turbodiesel Seven Series.

Audi has been an approved Government fleet supplier for several years, but never at this level.

It is hoping to enlarge the imprint soon, as it seems a tender seeking a replacement for the entire fleet of VIP product is about to be called. 

That procurement process is run by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

While two of the E-Trons are being retained in the capital, primarily to shuttle ministers from the Beehive to Wellington airport, the third is based in the Prime Minister’s home town and it seems set to become to her priority work car.

While coy to offer too much insight, Audi New Zealand’s boss, Dean Sheed, let slip when discussing the arrangement that a request specific to the Auckland car is that it is fully sorted to accommodate a baby seat.

Ms Ardern and her partner, Clarke Gayford, have a daughter, Neve Ardern Gayford, who turned two in June. The PM is not unfamiliar with electric cars as she already drives a Hyundai Ioniq EV.

Mr Sheed said today that feedback about the E-Trons “has been positive for all parties.”

While he did not name BMW directly, he said the Audis had replaced “three current  diesel long-wheelbase sedans” and that more of those cars were set to be replaced.

“They are trialling alternatives to optimise their fleet mix. We are putting our hand up to supply more E-Trons.”

The PM need not imagine her new ride is only suited to urban driving - the E-Tron’s SUV credentials allow it to explore into the most remote electorates.

The Government recently said it now has 18 vehicle suppliers on the motor vehicles contract with 14 of those being able to provide EVs for purchase to meet all-of-Government fleet potentials, which span all Government agency usages. 

In a press comment about this delivered in October, it said: “The new catalogue offers Government agencies the choice of 19 models of battery EVs available, an increase of 9 more models. There will also be 11 models of plug in hybrid EVs added onto the panel.”

Audi’s deal has especially huge kudos – Government VIP fleet contracts are highly valued and the other German premium brands generally enjoy more success globally.

BMW New Zealand has met the contract to supply limos for a decade with the biggest and most expensive sedan it makes, across two contract periods, the second time delivering a variant specially-created to suit the Government’s tastes. The cost of those cars has never been disclosed, however it has always been assumed they were availed at a price significantly below any recommended retail.

The Sevens were chosen on strength of being vastly more economical than the petrol-dedicated Ford Fairlanes that held the job for years. The current contract was cemented in 2016 and picked up 32 examples of the BMW 730Ld (3.0-litre turbo diesel, long-wheelbase), with two models from the previous fleet being retained. They were understood to be cars built to a high security level. MBIE said then that all the vehicles were leased rather than purchased.

However, issues such as Dieselgate and the emergent concern about the carcinogenic properties of diesel particulates has blackened the Sevens’ standing.

On top of this, Government expressed determination two years ago to go electric whenever possible as it work toward a stated ideal of an emissions-free fleet. 

BMW NZ cannot fulfil that dream. 

It has a number of plug-in electric cars, that use limited battery impetus but still rely on petrol engines for primary motivation, here but so far its wholly electric spearhead is represented by two small city cars - the i3 that’s almost at the end of its production life and the Mini-E. It will soon also have an all-electric version of the X3 compact crossover here.

An electric Seven is under development, but has yet to reach production, whereas the E-Tron has been on sale here for a year.

* Subsequent to this story’s publication, the Department of Internal Affairs has notified that “The Audi e-tron is part of the overall Crown fleet and is not dedicated to the Prime Minister.”

Paddon’s old racer inspires road special

Hyundai’s WRC racer has finally inspired a road-legal hot hatch  … which, in turn, has inspired another rally car.

TURN the clock back four years – Rally Argentina has just ended and Hayden Paddon has claimed his - and New Zealand's - first world rally championship win by 13.3 seconds from Sebastien Ogier.

What better way to celebrate a hero than with an appropriate hero car?

Back then, the timing was just all wrong. 

Hyundai’s performance arm was certainly ramping up a hot hatch division then, yet it was already apparent the first model to benefit hadn’t obvious link to the works World Rally Championship racer.

No argument, the resultant i30 N hatch turned out to be a masterstroke and the more recent liftback is just as good. 

Yet it always seems a pity that Hyundai didn’t do the obvious and start with a road legal firecracker edition of the i20 small hatch, given that’s the car they were running then – and are still running now – in WRC.

Amends have finally been made. An i20N road car is in the making. 

Sure, it’s not a fiery four-wheel-drive and Paddon has left the team in which he achieved his best international successes though, sadly, never another world championship victory.

Yet it’s still a car that has good ‘fit’ here:  Paddon’s still very heavily involved with the Hyundai brand at national level and there’s a neat twist in that, since announcing the road car, the maker has also made clear that it’ll be a basis for a dirt-tuned competition car, developed for privateers. Which surely also rises a potential for a driver who is still racing and preparing gravel blaster fare. 

So what’s stopping this realising? Remarkably, it could well be Hyundai New Zealand.

Whereas other distributors, including Australia (which also celebrated Paddon) have been quick to sign up the model, have rushed to sign on the new talent, Hyundai NZ – which is a locally-owned independent rather than a factory shop - is dragging its feet. So far there’s not yet any local commitment beyond comment that the car is “under consideration”.

Maybe a petition is needed. Though pocket rockets don’t create big sales, they have potential to be huge image makers. The Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Polo GTI are good examples of being attention magnets.

The i20N could well be up to their mettle, given Hyundai says it used its WRC expertise in this project, and not just to give it a nicely muscular look.

Under that bonnet is a pukka performance mill, in the same of a reworked (as in, exclusive turbo, remapping, a high-pressure injection rail) version of the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine found in a number of other Hyundai and Kia models, tuned to produce 150kW from 5500-6000rpm and 275Nm from 1750-4500rpm. That’s less torque than the Ford and VW spin out, but slightly more power.  

The engine is mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission and while four- wheel-drive isn’t on the menu, it does achieve a limited-slip differential in order to aid handling and grip. The chassis has also been reinforced at 12 different points, while the suspension features reinforced front domes and knuckles, new anti-roll bars, springs and shock absorbers and increased camber. 

It also delivers with launch control, which facilitates 0-100kmh in 6.7 seconds. Top speed is 230kmh. power to weight looks good, too. Surely it’s no coincidence the car clocks 1190kg – the same as the i20 Coupe WRC car? 

Five drive modes are delivered: Normal, Eco, Sport, N and N Custom, with the latter allowing customers to individually adjust the parameters of the engine, ESC, exhaust and steering. The stability system can also be programmed into three stages – on, sport and fully off.

The car states its intent at the kerbside, too. The ride height is lowered by 10mm, it sits on 18-inch rims (behind which are tucked enlarged brakes) and the styling includes red accents around the front, rear and side skirts, plus a WRC-inspired roof spoiler. A lip spoiler and wide radiator grille – with a pattern inspired by a chequered flag - enhance visual menace. 

The interior also adopts sports seats, N-specific steering wheel, gear knob and pedals and there’s a 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system, N driving data, digital instrument cluster.

Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of active safety tech is included, with forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind-spot collision warning, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention warning system, high beam assist, lane following assist and rear cross-traffic collision warning.

And if you’d prefer it for weekend gravel road play? Well, that’s the i20 N Rally2, designed by an N-sport division, Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing, and intended for privateer teams and drivers. 

This one follows on from the Hyundai i20 R5 with which Hyundai Motorsport entered the Customer Racing arena at the end of 2015. That car has claimed numerous titles with customers, including national titles in Spain, Portugal and Poland since debuting late in 2016.

However, the brand says the i20 N Rally2 will be better, being “an improved all-round package” that builds on the experience gained by the department over the last five years.

Though the five-speed sequential gearbox from the i20 R5 remains the transmission for the new design nearly every other part, including the 1.6-litre turbo engine, is brand new.

The developer says new suspension components and dampers give the car more driver-friendly handling characteristics on all surfaces. This, it says, is vital in the Rally2 category, “which forms the basis for numerous national and regional championships as well as the international WRC 2 and WRC 3 classes, and are the cars of choice for both professional rally drivers as well as drivers who compete purely for pleasure.” 

An extensive testing programme for the i20 N Rally2 will begin later this month, with the first deliveries to customers and final homologation scheduled for mid-2021.

Mach 1 just under $100k

More detail about the next special edition Mustang for NZ has been released.

just in case you’re uncertain … it’s the one in the middle.

SOMETHING attendees of this weekend’s national gathering of Mustang owner clubs in Christchurch to consider - announcement the Mach 1 will leave small change from a $100,000 spend. 

The specific tag on the car, in either six-speeds manual or 10-speed automatic form, is $97,990.

The former is a Tremec rev-matching six-speed borrowed from Shelby and the latter a re-calibrated version of the company’s familiar 10-speed.

Also confirmed is that the car achieves a version of Ford’s 5.0-litre Coyote V8 generating 345kW and 556Nm. 

Those are lower outputs than are given for the car in its home market guise.

Ford has explained right-hand drive market emissions regulations are the issue.

Even so, it’s a gain over the standard Mustang GT, which makes 339kW and 556Nm, and leaves this edition on equal footing with Ford New Zealand’s last special edition, the Mustang Bullitt that hit the scene in force last year … for $4500 less than the Mach 1.

Is that a problem for you? Bear in mind they’re not exactly the same car in different special edition colour scheme.

 In saying that, both are limited count cars – Bullitt restricted to 50 units, Mach 1 might be 50 or even 80 – and both take bits from the Shelby 350 GT that has now been dropped in the US.

But different bits. The Bullitt, you might recall, had the Shelby’s intake manifold. The Mach 1 gets more. 

In addition to the gearbox, the engine oil cooler, oil filter adapter, rear toe-link, and sub-frames are also Shelby products. Ford has complemented these by adding in stiffer sway bars and bushings, MagneRide dampers as standard, and ticking off on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. 

A new front splitter, rear diffuser, lengthier undertray and a rear spoiler … these are also Mach 1-specific items. 

The Mach 1 also has Recaro buckets and a 12-speaker B&O sound system.

Meantime, all the blue bloods are in Christchurch for the Ford National Mustang Convention, hosted by the Canterbury Mustang Owners Club, with the public highlight being the Grand Mustang Show at Horncastle Arena tomorrow. The gathering is expected to build on a 2014 event that was the country’s biggest Mustang convention – not a bad effort given that this was a year before the first factory-built right-hand-drive models started coming in.

RS and S today, E-tron GT and S tomorrow?

Are you ready to say auf wiedersehen to performance petrol engines? Audi NZ’s push to point purists toward an electric future is about to kick off.

E-tron GT is expected to stay true to the styling presented by the same-named concept here.

INTENT to steer Kiwis away from their fossil fuel-frenzied Audis and toward full fizz electric equivalents is about to step up.

The trigger is the E-tron GT, a performance-focused four-door coupé combining enough rapid performance with rapid charging to match the platform-sharing Porsche Taycan, whose supercar-slaying stomp has won global acclaim.

 The first electric out of Audi that’s been purpose-designed to specifically appeal to the marque’s petrolhead audience, especially fervent in this country, is a confirmed starter here.

 The model received mention at today’s media event for the E-Tron Sportback, a $169,990 car that’s also set to develop into an S-badged flagship that’ll also represent in the SUV bodystyle that’s been here for a year.

Audi NZ boss Dean Sheed also shared why he’s comfortable promoting all three future additions with revheads presently driving fossil-fuelled S and RS models. 

“We’ll definitely be talking to them because they are right in the sweet spot. The reason I say that is because this is the first complete car from Audi Sport … it has a huge credibility and it just happens to also be electric.”

Will the old-school buy into the new way? Sheed reckons he can talk most around to at least thinking about it.

“When people see it, when they understand the technology and when they find out how it drives .. well, they’re going to want it.”

The GT won’t be here until mid-2021 and the S derivatives are likely to land in the third quarter, yet the hearts and minds campaign starts in January.

 The GT’s full development path is exciting, with high certainty it will ultimately achieve RennSport accreditation, so becoming the first non fuel pump-reliant RS car ever. That breakthrough might occur in 2022.

Those S models and the GT in its initial roll out won’t be lacking, either.

Whereas the mainstream E-Tron SUV that has been here since last year and the new Sportback that releases this week run dual motors, and offer power and torque of 300kW and 664Nm (there’s also a base E-Tron SUV with 230kW and 540Nm), the S editions are the world’s first EVs with three motors – one of the front and two in the back – and pack 370kW and 973Nm.

A cited 0-100kmh time of 4.5 seconds places the models as the second fastest S models Audi presently makes, beaten only by the petrol-gulping S8 sedan. Top speed is regulated to 210kmh.

As for the GT? Outputs have yet to be given, but Taycan presumably gives a good idea of what’s in store and Audi has already made clear that even if some GTs are dual motor like the Taycan, the RS will provide with three as well. 

Porsche’s model line spans from a 4S with 320kW (390kW on overboost) and 640Nm, a Turbo with 460-500kW and a flagship Turbo S with up to 560kW. Zero to 100 times range from 4.2 to just 2.8 seconds.

Talk overseas is that the GT RS will pack no more than 522kW, so as not overshadow the top trumps Porsche. For his part, Sheed assures the car will be comfortably quicker and gruntier than the E-Tron S and will also serve up with varying levels of hotness.

“We have not made up our minds which ones we will take yet but, if you have an S car with around 370kW, we are unlikely to a GT at the same level. We will likely go with a hot car and an even hotter car.”

The e-tron Sportback (above) that has just gone on sale here now will be joined by a S variant in 2021 that makes history as the world’s first tri-motor electric car.

He acknowledges Audi NZ has enjoyed massive success with its S and RS badged models. RS penetration here is world-leading on a per head of population count.

A wide span of more than a dozen models – not just the traditional passenger models, but also sports utilities from the Q3 up to the Q8 – are presently leveraging that interest, with more than 200 registered this year alone.

Yet times are changing. While some have 48 volt electrical architectures that alleviate some fuel burn burden, all these heavy hitters rely on souped up petrol engines – from fours to also turbocharged V6s, V8s, plus a V10 - that are the biggest drinkers within their respective model families.

That actually raises another point. When it comes to range, most of Audi’s electrics will prove superior to some of the big banger petrols; the GT, for instance, is expected to arrive with a 96kWh battery that delivers a respectable 400km electric range on the official WLTP test cycle. Try getting that far in an RSQ8.

Sheed isn’t sure the argument needs be that direct. “You can burn a lot of petrol and diesel in any car … we’re just talking about using another fuel type and it happens to be electricity.

“The cool thing about EV technology is that you can ‘refuel’ your car overnight and your running costs are an absolute fraction of what you would normally have.”

Alternately, an 80 percent charge should be possible in as little as 20 minutes if you can find a rapid charger that allows the car to absorb energy at its maximum 350kW rate. Present E-trons replenish at a maximum 150kW.

Dynamics-wise? Even though EVS carry lots of weight, they need not be elephantine.

“You can also do all the things you might enjoy doing in an ICE (internal combustion) car,” Sheed says, pointing out that as well as being massively accelerative, the S models and GT are tailored to undertake drifting naughtiness.

That close relationship with the Taycan also suggests that the handling should be pretty special, as does the fact the battery occupies the entire underfloor area between the front and rear axles.

This helps to give the car a centre of gravity comparable with the Audi R8 supercar which, ironically, is set to be the other model rolling out of the Neckarsulm factory that will host GT production.

Plus, there’s an additional feel-good: “If you’re focussed on sustainability and on wanting to leave the world in a better place … well, there is one clear choice.” 

Audi has not signalled intent here or internationally to curtail any of its combustion-engined performance models, but simply the VW Group’s determination to leave ICE behind for an electric future says everything.

Sheed says moves in the United Kingdom and Europe to make the sale of ICE models illegal from as early as 2030 are obviously being noted by makers. The NZ scene is obviously influenced by that, yet of course there’s yet to be direction from Government about fleet intention so “without clear direction … we have no plan.”

However change is unavoidable. “I understand why people are petrol heads and I started life that way, too.

“But I understand where the electrical strategy is and I understand how good an EV can be. If I had a future view about leaving our wonderful country in a better place, my choice is electric.”

Audi NZ has not yet shared specific volume expectation for GT, which stands as the brand’s fifth production-confirmed electric car. Two others that have been made public, the Q4 E-Tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback, are coming to NZ at the start of 2022.

The GT’s finished design is set to be revealed soon, but pictures of camouflaged prototypes suggest that it won’t stray far from the 2018 concept car of the same name.

One last thing. The sound signature: Nothing beats the roar of a performance petrol engine, right? Well, true, electrics cannot emulate that level of noise, but Audi promises the GT will be pleasing to the purist ear. A team of sound engineers have, through blending combinations of 32 different audio tracks, created what they claim will be ‘one of the most aurally active’ EVs on the market.

X-rated Wildtrak a limited run … but not a runout

Another special edition Ranger has been announced. But don’t misconstrue why it is here. The current model has more life left it in yet.

“WE’RE getting there … but we’re not there yet.”

So goes the line from Ford New Zealand’s communication manager in response to the obvious question in relation to Wildtrak X, the latest special edition Ranger announced today – namely, is it a ‘runout model?’

Categorically, no.

Rather, says Tom Clancy, a dress-up that purportedly adds $7000 worth of gear for a $2000 premium over the model’s regular sticker is “a special edition.” Nothing more, or less.

“It’s not a runout action … just an awesome action.”

Already rolled out into the dealer network, and restricted to 150 units, the Wildtrak X is a $75,490 variant of the biturbo 2.0-litre automatic that, the national distributor says, builds on a Ranger tradition of delivering greater choice and personalisation to Kiwis.

“Ford continues to adapt, grow and expand the Ranger offering, bringing more targeted, specific capabilities and attributes to customers to help them meet any challenges they face; whether at work or on the weekend,” says Ford New Zealand Managing Director Simon Rutherford.

“Now with Ranger Wildtrak X, customers can get even more out of their off-road adventures.”

The donor is the 157kW and 500Nm bi-turbo diesel 10-speed auto version that is the second most popular choice with Ranger fans, beaten only by XLT in monthly sales that consistently keep the type in sector leadership, with an impressive 750 registrations per month average.

The X variant wears unique 18-inch alloy wheels with +35 offset in tough matte black finish, has fender flares - also finished in black, to emphasise the new alloys and give the Wildtrak X an unmistakable on-road presence – and has a black nudge bar, complete with an LED light bar for improved night-time vision, as a work light or to light up a campsite.

Also fitted is an A-pillar-mounted snorkel, which allows the Ranger Wildtrak X’s powertrain to breathe better on dusty roads, while reducing the risk of water entering the engine compartment so that owners can make the most of the Ranger’s best-in-class 800mm water wading capability, Ford says. 

This is the second additional Ranger announced recently, following the FX4 Max that is set to land in early 2021. At $69,990, the Max will effectively offer as a ‘working man’s’ version of the flagship Raptor but with a $15k saving.

It delivers with Fox suspension all-round, 32-inch off-road rubber and plenty of other dirty work upgrades … yet retains a 3500kg tow rating and one-tonne payload, largely through eschewing the Raptor’s fancy independent rear suspension and instead sticking with the standard leaf-sprung set-up.

Clancy has no comment on thought that Ford is going to keep outputting special editions to keep Ranger interest on the boil as the current generation, which released in 2011, heads into a final full year of full production before restarting all over in 2022.

The next Ranger will be a co-development with Volkswagen, though with Ford’s design and engineering base in Melbourne still taking the lead, just as it did with the current generation. 

Thought is that the next Ranger will continue on the current Australian-developed T6 platform, a version of which also underpins the Ford Everest four-wheel-drive wagon and the Ford Bronco built specifically for North America, but potentially yet to be re-engineered for right-hand-drive.

The next gen Ranger is expected to maintain strong styling similarity to what we have now, but will be slightly larger and will continue to be the class leader for technology.

The current generation Ranger’s strength in respect to advanced safety – remember, it was first ute in its class globally to earn a five-star rating from the national safety auditor, ANCAP  – will be built upon, with available safety aids such as blind zone warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera implementing to supplement the autonomous emergency braking, radar cruise control and speed sign recognition on today’s model.

The model will be likely obliged to adopt a centre airbag in the middle of the two front seats, a feature that has already come to the Isuzu D-Max and its Mazda BT-50 twin. That device is a new requirement to meet increasingly stringent crash safety ratings to prevent contact between the front occupants in a collision. Having it earned the D-Max a five-star under the latest ANCAP testing process, which kicked in at the start of this year.

Golf GTi specials running hot

The Golf GTI celebrating motorsport success that recently released here has already been shown up by an equivalent in the next-gen line still months from NZ launch.

two levels of heat - the golf gti tcr (above), a sizzler final fling version of the seventh generation line still offered in New Zealand, has just been gazzumped by the gti clubsport in trhe gen eight line already in Europe.

AS Kiwis are seeing off the seventh-generation Golf GTi with a hot version that’s an ode to motorsport, Volkswagen’s home market is preparing for an even spicier equivalent in the all-new family arriving here next year.

The announcement several days ago from VW headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, of a Clubsport version of the really new – as in, generation eight model that is set to replace the variant still on sale here – Golf GTI has been a surprise.

Generally, VW practice has been to deliver fizzed up specials of the world’s most famous hot hatch only after the core versions have settled into sale. 

In this instance, though, the Clubsport – a name that could probably be legitimately promoted in NZ by VW because the original user, Holden Special Vehicles, ceases to be at the end of this month – is being introduced just a few months after the latest GTI has hit production.

When, or even if, the Clubsport reaches NZ is up in the air. The new Golf that it derives from is coming, of course, but has been delayed until 2021, Covid-19 delays having ruined the original plan to have it here by Xmas.

Meantime, VW New Zealand is working to push out remaining stock of the seventh-gen car that, of course, was discontinued in Europe months ago.

Part of that runout has been to bring in the Golf GTI TCR, a $65,990 special edition with an interesting back story, in that it celebrates the brand’s success in a motorsport category that has been promoted as a potential for NZ, yet has yet to reach the grid.

That’s the FIA’s Touring Car Racing motorsport formula; VW won the TCR title when the series was running red hot in Europe and seemed set to become the next bi thing globally. You might recall seeing the cars run in Australia last year. The concept was set to also come to NZ … but, then, Covid hit. Also, some brands also pulled back their support. One of those being VW. 

The end result is that it has a Golf GTI TCR that celebrates being in a category it no longer involves in at manufacturer level. 

Whether that really matters is moot. NZ has 40 TCR units and basically all have been accounted for. So it’s also done a great job of keeping this evergreen hot hatchback competitive. The allure is more power – whereas the regular GTI makes 180kW the TCR has 213kW. 

That’s courtesy of it having a version of the 2017 GTi Clubsport Edition 40’s ‘EA888’ 2.0-litre turbo four pot that’s been updated with new software management, furnished with a couple of extra radiators, and made WLTP-emissions compliant. 

gen eight GTI retains the famous EA888 engine.

The TCR also gets VW’s electronic locking ‘eDiff’ as standard, but it adds the sizable composite brake discs and 17in calipers of the old GTI Clubsport S, as well as forged 18in alloy wheels. It comes as standard with passive suspension developed from that of the GTI Performance, with revalved, firmed-up dampers, and with shortened, stiffened coil springs that drop the car 5mm. 

Nice car, right?

The new (meaning, in case you’re confused, gen right) GTI Clubsport also seems set to have the same status. 

Most of the exterior changes to the very latest, still in Europe Golf GTI that denote it as a Clubsport model are designed to enhance the car's aerodynamic performance. There’s a redesigned bumper incorporating a splitter-like lower spoiler and larger open area for engine cooling. The default wheel is an 18-incher, sitting on 225/30 R18 tyres, but potentially it will have 19s in export form. 

A side sill graphic sets the Clubsport apart, though its most prominent feature is a new two-tier roof spoiler at the back. Restyled exhaust outlets are further apart than in the regular GTI and the diffuser between them has been redesigned.

It also runs that EA888 engine, but in an evo four tune that increase the power to 3223kW and pushes torque to 400Nm, so a 30Nm gain on the optimal claimed for the standard gen-eight Golf GTI and 50Nm more than the TCR has.

That's all sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the official 0-100kmh time is six seconds (0.3 seconds quicker than the standard car).

Considerable changes have been made to the chassis, starting with a 15mm reduction in ride height. The McPherson front struts and four-link rear axle layout are retained, but there is increased positive camber on the front and the variable ratio steering is more direct.

Like this cabin? the new Golf has stepped up considerably in respect to the interior.

As in the regular GTI, there is the XDS 'electronic differential lock' system and the electromechanical locking differential called VAQ (for 'Vorderachsquersperre' in German, meaning simply 'front axle differential lock').

Both are under the control of the Vehicle Dynamics Manager system that debuts on the gen eight GTI, as are the shock absorbers of the optional Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). All of this has been ramped up for the Clubsport with an emphasis on response, reducing understeer and allowing higher cornering entry and exit speeds and traction on a racetrack.

Actually, there’s a special driving profile that has been optimised for driving at one particular racing circuit. Surely you know it’s name?

Anyway, according to Benjamin Leuchter, a racing driver employed by Volkswagen to help develop the Clubsport's driving dynamics, the Clubsport when put into ‘special’ mode is up to 13 seconds per lap faster than a regular GTI around the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

NZ pulled into BMW PHEV fire risk recall

An urgent global remedial action for plug-in hybrid BMWs and MINI cars has hit this market.

JUST a handful of plug-in hybrid BMW cars in New Zealand are thought to be drawn into a battery pack problem which could result in a short circuit and potentially cause a fire.

The maker has nonetheless issued a widespread recall for all of its plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The list of affected models includes the X1, X2, X3 and X5 SUVs, the 3, 5 and 7 Series saloons, the 2 Series Active Tourer, the i8 and the MINI Countryman.

The recall applies to any of these PHEV models that were built between 20 January and 18 September this year.

BMW estimates roughly 26,700 vehicles have been affected worldwide, but it seems just 12 of these are in this country.

Comment in respect to the New Zealand situation has come from BMW’s regional head office in Australia.

“We can confirm this safety recall relates to a small limited amount of PHEV variants of the BMW 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, X1, X2, X3, X5, 2 Series Active Tourer, 7 Series, 5 Series, 5 Series Touring and MINI Countryman models,” a spokesman related today.

“An inspection of the parts involved is currently being carried out.”

Any customer who wishes to check if their car is affected by a recall can visit the recalls section of the BMW New Zealand website now and key in their 17-digit VIN numbers to find out. 

Asked how many vehicles were subject to the recall, he said the count was 12, and all owners have been contacted. 

“Replacement loaned vehicles have been provided to these customers while their vehicle currently undergoes an inspection.” 

The initial remedial action comprised a 30 minute quality inspection. “Further action may be taken if needed.”

The spokesman did not respond to the proposal that some vehicles are expected to be off the road for weeks, due to delay in securing components.

Asked if BMW/MINI has suspended sale of PHEV product and what impact, if any, this issue had on the brand’s fully electric cars, the BMW i3 and the e-Mini, the spokesman responded: “This action does not affect full EVs, only PHEV models listed. This safety precaution recall does not affect all PHEV products. 

“It affects only a small amount of vehicles from one specific production line produced in the period 13/03/2020 – 06/08/2020.”

BMW Germany announced overnight its engineers have found some discrepancies in the manufacturing process of its battery packs, which the company sources from the third-party supplier Northvolt. 

The concern is that foreign contaminants may have been sealed into the units during their assembly, which have the potential to short circuit the battery pack and cause a fire.

A spokesperson for the brand in Germany said: "BMW Group has launched a worldwide safety recall and stopped delivery of a small number of plug-in hybrid vehicles as a preventative measure to check the high voltage battery.

“Internal analysis has shown that in very rare cases particles may have entered the battery during the production process.  

“When the battery is fully charged this could lead to a short circuit within the battery cells, which may lead to a fire. BMW apologises for the inconvenience caused to customers, but of course safety must come first."

German media reports that a fix is expected to start being rolled out by the end of the month. 

It is not the first recall to affect BMW's plug-in models. All of the above models bar the i8 were subject to a recall earlier this year to remove welding beads left on the battery.

Of course, BMW isn’t the only company plagued by battery-motivated recall issues, though. Ford, who uses the same battery supplier as BMW, issued a similar notice for the Escape PHEV after four vehicles short circuited and caught fire. 

Hyundai also issued a  recall for the Kona Electric after 16 reported cases of cars catching fire, which forced the Korean brand to recall more than 25,000 vehicles in South Korea. Whether the issue concerns NZ-delivered vehicles has not been made clear.

Eclipse Cross updates revealed

A battery-assisted drivetrain is among extra features coming for Mitsubishi’s compact crossover.

INCORPORATION of a hybrid powertrain – but not straight away - is a core change with an update to Mitsubishi’s compact sports utility, the Eclipse Cross.

 Detail of this inclusion has been aired with the brand having now unveiled the refresh, which is thought to be close to introduction to New Zealand, though no exact date has been announced.

In addition to the powertrain revision, the vehicle achieves fresh looks, a revised chassis, new suspension – with a new rear shock to improve handling characteristics - and some specification alterations.

The model’s exterior lines and details have also altered, to attune to the brand’s latest design language.

A new alternating-pattern mesh grille design is featured up front, flanked by slender new LED daytime lamps that replace the larger headlights of the outgoing model – leaving the lower lighting assembly to act as driving lights.

The cat also gets a redesigned hatch and rear window for improved visibility, integrating with updated tail-lights. 

The interior has not altered much, save that the centre display housing an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability has become more prominent and the previous model's touchpad has been discarded.

The car initially continues to represent with a 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine matched to a CVT gearbox with all-wheel drive. 

The plug-in hybrid powertrain is reportedly coming in late 2021. This comprises a 2.4-litre non-turbo petrol four-cylinder mated to electric motors mounted on each axle; so, a similar – if not the same – drivetrain as that featuring in the next size up Outlander PHEV, which is also about to undergo change.

A new Outlander is set to launch in 2021, with a PHEV variant coming in 2022.

Meantime, Mitsubishi is also looking to replace the ASX, which is the oldest of its crossovers by some margin.

 Images released by Mitsubishi Japan seem to suggest the Eclipse Cross might include a sporty GSR appearance.

Comment about the Eclipse Cross has yet to come from Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand.

NZ COTY contenders revealed

The countdown to New Zealand Car of the Year is under way, with announcement of 10 finalists.

VEHICLES with varying ability to conquer beyond-seal conditions are dominating the count of finalists in a showdown to win the national car of the year title.

 Of the 10 candidates for the New Zealand Car of the Year award, which has been given out annually by the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild since 1988, just two are not suited for some degree of off road work – these being a pair of small hatchbacks, the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris. 

Otherwise it’s between crossovers and sports utilities: In alphabetical order these being the Audi Q3, Kia Seltos, Land Rover Defender, Mazda CX-30, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Peugeot 2008 and Skoda Kamiq.

The 33rd winner of the nation’s most coveted and longest-lived automotive award will be decided by more than 20 journalists, this writer included, representing a wide span of national printed and on-line publications, with announcement on TVNZ’s Seven Sharp current affairs’ programme in early December.

Guild president Richard Edwards, of Auckland, says the announcement will mean a positive finish to 2020 for whichever brand is fortunate to achieve this prize.

“After many tumultuous months full of Covid-related twists and turns, it will be a welcome relief to farewell what has been a challenging period with the announcement.”

He noted that the top 10 reflects the strong influence that SUV and crossover variants now have on the total new vehicle market.

The global coronavirus pandemic had made this a tough year for the car industry, with brand facing supply restrictions. In most years, it was common for more than 50 new models from more than 30 different brands to be released nationally every year, but that rate reduced in 2020. 

He said the Guild took great responsibility in determining the winner of its accolade, with voting journalists understanding their determination likely “contributes to and influences the buying decision of many Kiwi motorists.”

“New car buyers can rest assured that the winner is absolutely deserving of the title as it will have undergone extensive testing and excelled across a wide variety of measures, especially when compared with other finalists.

“It takes a very special vehicle to be crowned the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild Car of the Year, an endorsement which represents a significant accomplishment for any new model.”

Comment from the chosen models’ brand representatives is as follows:

Audi RSQ3

Audi Q3

“Being acknowledged as a contender of the Car of the Year title is a huge accolade for the Audi Q3,” says Audi New Zealand general manager Dean Sheed.

“The Q3 has been part of the Audi SUV stable for many years and has a wide range of offerings from two-wheel-drive to Quattro all-wheel drive and petrol and diesel powertrains.

“Importantly, Kiwis love of performance is delivered through the SQ3 which makes up 50 percent of our sales. Now the SUV has been joined by its design focussed brother, the Sportback, offering a coupe style which will allow the family to grow further.” 

Ford Fiesta ST

Ford Fiesta

“It’s great news that the Ford Fiesta made the Top 10 list this year and is heartening to know driving excitement and pure, gear-changing fun still matters,” says Ford New Zealand spokesman Tom Clancy.

“The Ford Fiesta ST stands out in this regard, especially in a world where SUVs dominate and the manual transmission is becoming increasingly rare.”

Kia Seltos

According to Kia Motors NZ managing director Todd McDonald: “The strong reaction from the public ahead of the introduction of Seltos clearly indicates that we have another winner on our hands.”

Land Rover Defender

Land Rover Defender

“To have the new Defender 110 acknowledged for the New Zealand Car of The Year Award is a true testament to the excellent capability, durability, design and technology of this vehicle,” comments Jaguar Land Rover New Zealand general manager Steve Kenchington.

“The new model represents 70-years of innovation and improvement; honouring the vehicle's history for rugged solidity whilst remaining a Defender for the 21st century.

“Since launch, the Defender has shook the SUV market and seen remarkable sales success, selling out of our first two vehicle shipments in just weeks. The launch of the new Defender is one of the biggest automotive launches of the year and one of the most memorable of my career. This is a vehicle I am incredibly proud of.” 

Mazda CX-30

Mazda CX-30

“We’re delighted the Mazda CX-30 is a finalist. It is recognition of the amazing job the Mazda design team did in creating an outstanding looking vehicle that brings together the flowing proportions of a coupe with the versatility of an SUV,” says Dave Hodge, Mazda NZ managing director.

 “Reaction from NZ motorists has been very positive as it has provided a great alternative for people who want the versatility of SUV without the need to move into a larger vehicle.” 

Mercedes Benz EQC (above) and GLB.

Mercedes Benz EQC and GLB

From Lance Bennett, Mercedes Benz NZ general manager: “As New Zealand’s best-selling luxury vehicle company, we are honoured to be acknowledged by the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild in 2020. 

“Both the EQC and GLB are part of Mercedes-Benz new SUV offensive, contributing to the biggest range of SUVs for sale in New Zealand. To have two models in the running … is immensely satisfying, and I thank the entire team that helped bring these models to market.”

Peugeot 2008

 Peugeot 2008

“We are ecstatic the all-new Peugeot 2008 SUV has been recognised by the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild as a top 10  finalist in their annual Car of the Year award,” says Chris Brown, chief executive of marque rights’ holder, Auto Distributors New Zealand.

“We said at launch the 2008 SUV is anything but ordinary, and this nomination is proof that the judges agree.

“The nomination builds on international accolades bestowed on the new model and we’re quietly confident it could enjoy similar success here in New Zealand when the winner is announced.

“It’s been more than 30 years since Peugeot last claimed the prestigious title when the 405 won in 1989, so it would mean a lot for the brand if the 2008 SUV was to be presented with the award.”

Skoda Kamiq

Skoda Kamiq

“We are thrilled that our first compact SUV to our family of Skoda models has made the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild Car of the Year top 10,” commented Skoda NZ general manager Rodney Gillard.

“Kamiq is the ‘perfect fit’ to our SUV line-up, one which is set to become a pillar of our Skoda model range as a whole.”

Toyota Yaris

Toyota Yaris

 “It’s great to see Toyota featuring again in the top 10 for Car of the Year, as we continue to strengthen our range,” says Toyota NZ chief executive Neeraj Lala.

“The Yaris hybrid is spearheading a whole range of new product, which is the best range of vehicles we have ever offered.”

Speed of sound – Mach 1 for NZ

A historic Mustang nameplate is being dished up locally …. but it’s a modest portion, so buyers need to move fast.

KIWI Mustang fans are getting opportunity to enjoy life at Mach 1 from early next year – but once the order book opens they’ll need to quick.

Ford New Zealand’s announcement today intent to offer that a limited-edition version of the current Mustang built as modern equivalent of the hallowed 1969 Mach 1 Mustang comes with news that somewhere between 50 and 80 examples will likely come here.

A spokesman for the distributor says that count has yet to be finalised.

However, he affirms this country will certainly not be achieving anything like the 700-unit consignment signed off for Australia.

“It’s a limited amount of vehicles … we’re doing less than 100,” says Tom Clancy.

“It’s still up in the air. It’s less than 100, probably around 50 initially but if there’s massive demand we might get more, but not too many more, maybe another 30.”

That’s not to say the build run will be open-ended, he adds. Only so many Mach 1s will be produced for global consumption.

The template for this market appears to be the $93,490 Mustang Bullitt edition, created as a homage to the Steve McQueen movie of the same name, which was capped at 50 units – though more could have been sourced – and sold out well before the first one landed. Used examples now tend to sell for above the original RRP.

 The Bullitt’s appeal ran beyond it having tribute paintwork and wheels – it was delivered with suspension changes and 345kW/556Nm 5.0-litre V8 was upgraded with an Open Air induction and intake manifold, Ford Racing air-filter and a PCM (Powertrain Control Module) shared with the Shelby Mustang GT3.

Clancy says it’s too early to say what tweaks will arrive with the Mach 1 – pricing and full specifications won’t be rolled out quite yet.

However, special content is a given as this is a unique heritage model that pays full homage to the legendary 1969 original. 

Today’s announcement promises that “the all-new Mach 1 delivers additional V8 power, driver-focused cockpit and a track-focused upgrades above the Mustang GT.”

Though cars aren’t being delivered until next year, the buy-in begins virtually immediately.

Customers are able to secure their individual unit though a dedicated online reservation process over the coming weeks, before delivery at their preferred Ford dealership upon arrival in 2021

The Mach 1 designation was previously used from 1969 to 1974.

Chuck Yeager’s historic flight in the Bell X-1, in which he became the first pilot to break the sound barrier – Mach 1 – inspired the name, though it was something of a tardy celebration by Ford as Yeager’s feat occurred in 1948.

Even so, today’s announcement comes 73 years since that day.

“Achieving Mach 1 for the first time was a significant human feat,” says Simon Rutherford, Ford NZ’s managing director.

“That spirit and determination to keep pushing, never settling and always trying to go further is what the Mach 1 Mustang was all about – and it’s fitting that we can bring our customers, who’ve made Mustang part of our motoring landscape, a 2021 Mustang Mach 1 of their very own.” 

This is of course the first-ever factory right-hand drive Mach 1. It will be produced at the same Flat Rock, Michigan, plant that provisions NZ-market 2.3-litre and V8 GT models.

 Mustang has been on sale here since 2015 and since then has cemented as the country’s best-selling sports car and has built a passionate customer base. 

The car’s pedigree is also built on its racing success. In this part of the world it has dominated the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, through the efforts of Scott McLaughlin and the Shell-backed DJR Team Penske outfit, wrapping up at Bathurst on Sunday. The car has won the 2019 and 2020 manufacturer titles for Ford.

Safety auditor pummels Gladiator

Designed to take all that Nature can throw at it, the Jeep Gladiator has taken a punishing blow from our crash-testing agency.

THREE stars: Jeep’s first production ute sold here, the Gladiator, has been given the same middling crash test score by the national vehicle safety auditor as the Wrangler it is based off.

In determining this result, the Australasian New Vehicle Assessment Programme – aka ANCAP – has noted that the same “structural issues” that kept Wrangler from doing better are also pinning back the just-released traydeck variant. 

In a report issued today, it has also highlighted a lack of protection for other road users, pedestrians and cyclists.

The model’s safety assessment from the New Zealand Government-funding and NZ Automobile Association-supported independent testing agency hasn’t come from putting a Gladiator to the sword in its Melbourne laboratory.

No direct testing was carried out by ANCAP. Rather, it has applied the same rating it awarded the Wrangler last December, when the addition of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and blind spot monitoring lifted that model’s safety rating from one star to three.

Gladiator’s test result was based on how the Wrangler performed in 2019.

Gladiator versions has AEB as standard, however ANCAP criticised it for a lack of pedestrian and cyclist detection or lane keeping assist.

According to the safety report, the Wrangler/Gladiator bonnet affords only 'poor' or 'adequate' protection to the head of a struck pedestrian over most of its surface.

"Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is available on the Jeep Gladiator; however, the system is not designed to react to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists," the report states.

Plus, ANCAP said, the model has the same “structural issues” it found with the Wrangler.

As the vehicles share the same core structural underpinnings, engine configuration and restraint package – and therefore provide similar structural crash performance – the ute was awarded the same sub-standard scores in all key testing areas. 

These include 60 percent for adult occupant protection, 49 percent for vulnerable road user protection and 51 per cent for Safety Assist.

 “The structural issues we saw with the originally-tested Wrangler also apply to the Gladiator including A-pillar and cross-fascia beam failure, footwell intrusion, high seatbelt loads and excessive pedal movement. These remain an increased risk for occupants,” said ANCAP director of communications and advocacy, Rhianne Robson. 

“Consumers have come to expect a high level of safety regardless of price-point and market segment. 

“Safety should remain a priority in all vehicle purchases, and this is no different for a vehicle of this type – particularly at this price-point,” Robson added.

In response, Jeep’s distributor in Australia has cited that the Gladiator “is a specialist off-road performance vehicle that has more than 70 advanced safety systems.

"This includes front and side airbags, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, parking sensors, a rear-view camera and autonomous emergency braking."

Jeep’s New Zealand distributor, Ateco Group, has yet to comment.

Kia SUV line hits full house with Stonic

Kia’s smallest crossover has been confirmed and has a sharp starter price.

EXPECTATION a sub-Seltos sports utility, the Stonic, will join the Kia line-up here has finally been confirmed.

The brand’s New Zealand distributor has at last opened up on plans to have the car on sale from $21,990 from the start of 2021, though dealers will have demonstrators from next month.

The base price buys the car with a 1.4-litre engine and six-speed automatic in a LX entry trim, with similar fit-out to a Rio LX – which is on the same platform - and is being cited as an introductory offer, so could well be relatively short-term.

Stonic is also set to provision a 1.0-litre petrol unit that trades off losing capacity by picking up a mild hybrid enhancement. Augmentation of a 48volt integrated belt-driven starter generator and a small lithium-ion battery requires marriage to a seven speed dual clutch transmission.

Local market outputs for the powerplants has not been shared, however the cited output for the 1.0-litre in the United Kingdom, where Stonic has represented for some time, is 88kW and 200Nm. The DCT is Kia’s bespoke iMT ‘box which uses ‘drive-by-wire’ to electronically manage the clutch operation. 

There’s no indication how much the 1.0-litre will cost, when that price will be announced or even when this derivative will come. Kia NZ’s public relations’ spokesman says the initial shipment is purely comprised of 1.4s. 

Stonic’s availability to New Zealand has occurred to time with a mid-life facelift. The potential of it coming here was covered by MotoringNZ.com on August 10. (https://www.motoringnz.com/news/2020/8/10/stonic-sizing-up-for-nz)  

The car’s aim in its existing markets has been to conquer customers who remain stubbornly loyal to European volume brands. 

Kia identified the subcompact SUV/crossover segment as a niche market that had become Europe's fastest-growing sector, accounting for seven percent of the total SUV and crossover market and also displaying the lowest brand loyalty, with customers open to change and with no tradition or history.

Design has been the main purchasing driver in the sector, Kia says, and effort has been made to make this model stand out. Hence, for instance, why it has the highest customisation options of any Kia with 20 two-tone body colour combinations in nine body colours and five roof colours. 

Although Kia calls the Stonic an SUV, it lacks four-wheel-drive. And hasn’t suffered for it. Uptake of four-wheel-drive models was less than 10 percent in the subcompact market three years ago and it has since fallen further.

The NZ specification has not been shared, but it could be fulsome. Safety credentials for the Rio now include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and automatic high beams and wipers.

Todd McDonald, Kia Motors’ NZ’s managing director, has yet to share volume expectations, however comment provided today exudes confidence, with his thought that the car meets up to the promise of his brand’s ‘power to surprise’ marketing slogan.

 “Stonic is a vehicle that is going to surprise a lot of people – not just because of our special introductory price. It really does bring fresh excitement to the crossover experience.”

The car’s local provision means every SUV that Kia builds is not availed here and, Mr McDonald contends, means that Kia now offers one of the strongest vehicle line-ups nationally. 

And if you’re wondering about the etymology of the name? According to Kia it’s a name is a portmanteau of ‘speedy’ and ‘tonic.’ The first apparently refers to the car’s small size and agility. Meanwhile, the tonic is referenced here is the first or primary note in a diatonic musical scale, not the stuff that works with gin.

Cannon ready to fire at big guns?

China’s high calibre ute seems close to releasing in New Zealand, the launch tying to a maker rebrand.

GWM’s latest shot … the Black Bullet edition of the Cannon/Ute was revealed at the Beijing motor show several days ago.

SO it’s the Cannon though the family might be simply called ‘Ute’, the maker has shortened its name from Great Wall Motors to simply GWM …. and expectation is that it will fire into New Zealand by the end of the year, in three double cab derivatives.

That’s the latest about the long-awaited big one-tonne wellside that was first shown to media, including this writer, at the international Shanghai motor show in April in 2019.

Back then it was designated a concept, yet appeared 100 percent production-ready, and it’s now at that state. 

The showroom fit versions look basically identically to the design study and have already spawned a special edition, called the Black Bullet, that was a star of last week’s Beijing motor show.

A replacement for the Great Wall Steed line that has been offered in New Zealand for some years, the Cannon/Ute is nonetheless a wholly fresh start, with no significant carry-over components.

The Ute unveiled in this Adventure specification last year. The kit-out was comprehensive and impressive.

Its promise is such that Great Wall Motors has also decided to rename as well; so, from end of year, it’ll be GWM, selling via the sales network established for Haval, GWM’s parent.

Haval has contributed the ute’s basic underpinning – it’s shared with the H9 H9 sports utility that came on sale in New Zealand in 2018.

Impression from considering the models at Shanghai – which ran from a hard-out off-road flagship (tagged Adventure on the stand) to a more streetwise ‘Urban Spec’ cruiser edition, both with a 120kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel and in four-wheel-drive, and something new to the sector, a full-out electric edition, in rear-drive – suggests Cannon/Ute has the size, drivetrains and equipment provision to be considered much more of a threat within the sector than its predecessor. 

Reports overnight from Australia suggest GWM, which runs out of Australia but with Auckland-sited representation consisting of just two employees with former Sime Darby and Jeep senior exec Todd Groves in charge, is good to go.

Pricing for Australia and NZ is understood to have been settled and the prospect is that both countries will share common specifications, spanning three distinct trim levels.

First examples are seemingly set to arrive in December, though launch proper might be delayed until January. 

The Black Bullet appears to keep many of the features seen on the Adventure.

China has been coy about releasing too much detail about the powerplant, though reports say a torque figure of around 400Nm seems likely. The transmission choice is as indicated at Shanghai; so a six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmission. Steed was manual-only.

A teaser site for the new ute operating in Australia suggests a 9.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities will be standard.

Lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors and an extendable ladder to access the tray will be available for some variants.

Best in class leg room is also promised. The Adventure concept was impressively spacious in the rear and the bench seat was comfortable for a ute, largely though the seat back being set at an angle, rather than placed fully upright as it common it utes.

Suspension is independent up front, with a leaf-sprung axle at the rear, typical of the dual-cab segment.

Bosch all-terrain technology for the 4x4 system is promised. A year ago GWM promised their production edition would deliver a seven setting All-Terrain Control System, three diff locks and a feature you generally have to purchase from an after-market specialist: A built-in winch.

 Groves has been approached for comment.

the ‘Urban Spec’ edition was also shown at Shanghai.

EQC shaking strife as sister ships announced

A slower local start than expected for Benz’s electric division pathfinder model hasn’t diminished distributor belief in this broadening power play.

Yet to be unwrapped but all almost certainly due to present in New Zealand - here are three future EQ models under test.

MORE electric cars are coming from Mercedes – and, once supply constraints are lifted, more effort is going to be put into achieving additional market involvement for the one already here.

 In acknowledging interest in the six additional EQ models that the parent brand has confirmed, Mercedes Benz New Zealand has also confirmed it would love to have seen more than 23 registrations to date for the EQC that has been available since January and presently is the sole standard bearer for the brand’s electric mobility division.

The modest count – which places the model at level pegging with the Tesla Model S and Kia Niro as the country’s 11th most popular brand-new electric cars represented by distributors – is not down to consumer disinterest, the local operator insists. 

Quite the opposite. Definite buy-in is perceived for the NZ edition, provisioned as a EQC 400 4matic, costing $142,900.

However, emergent constraints on the medium-sized sports utility’s production and availability has hindered local distribution and been a blow given that New Zealand was among the first countries in the world to receive the EQC.

Even though the production rate of this car (and others) has picked up in recent months, the supply chain has yet to recover.

restricted supply has pegged back the EQC sales expectation - but more cars are coming.

Interestingly, Benz refuses to specifically cite the coronavirus pandemic as being the big issue; though it obviously has been for all car makers.

Nonetheless, the Auckland-based outfit has seen few cars arrive since securing an initial shipment to time with national release at the start of the year. 

“The EQC has been a success for us so far in New Zealand, selling out all available units,” a local spokesman said.

“We knew that the supply ramp up would take time due to the global demand for the vehicle, and we look forward to fulfilling more of the current customer demand in the near future.”

 The car will be subject to more intense push soon; a shipment of additional stock is reportedly already en route. A fresh push seems set to be timed for the start of 2021.

 The renewed campaign will ultimately potentially time with the emergent availability of more EQ family members, confirmed by head office just this week. 

Germany has cited six new full-electrics as being incoming for production, four of which will be underpinned by a new modular platform still under development.

The NZ office has shied from saying when the cars might avail here.

EV uptake in New Zealand is still modest.

“We’re optimistic and excited about the growth of the EV portfolio and we hope to bring these new variants to the New Zealand market in the next few years. For the moment it is too early to confirm when the next EQ variant will arrive on our shores.” 

As a sign of the how far the programme surrounding the EVA2 common scalable architecture has progressed, Benz released images of disguised cars undergoing trials in public. These have since been identified as the EQE and EQS luxury sedans and EQS sports utility.

The EQS sedan – which can be called an electric S-Class – is set to be in build next year, the others in 2022. 

Before all that happens, the brand will launch two electrified versions of vehicles that provision now in fossil-fuelled form – the EQA, which spins off the GLA, and the EQB, derived from the GLB.

Also on the electric release roster are a fully battery-reliant version of the rugged G-Class as well as a EQS in Maybach format. The uber-plush ultra-premium brand has not really represented in NZ to date; the closest market for Maybach being Australia. However, it seems possible that might change now that it has electric and also with the GLS large SUV also provisioning as a Maybach model.

In addition to all this, the make has unfolded plans for a new fully electric architect designed for compact and medium-sized vehicles, called MMA, arriving in 2025, and has used the Beijing motor show to display a concept, the EQXX prototype, which promises the world’s longest electric car range.

That’s a bold statement, given the maker has already cited expectation of the

EQS achieving 700 kilometres’ range, based on the European WLTP testing standards, when provisioned with a 100kWh battery. It's likely that a range of smaller battery options will also be made available.

The production centre for the luxury electrics is the brand’s Sindelfingen ‘Factory 56,’ which is one of the world’s most technically advanced manufacturing facilities. Factory 56 is also home to the new S-Class, incoming here soon, in standard and hybrid forms. 

Mercedes ideas about EQ styling has been expressed by concepts, such as the 2019 Vision EQ Silver Arrow.

As much as EQS is considered part of the S-Class family, Ola Kallenius – chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG, and head of Mercedes-Benz – has assured it will have its own distinct entity: “It’s not our goal to say here’s another S-Class that looks exactly the same, it’s just a powertrain difference. It will be a different luxury tech proposition.”

The Benz push aligns with a public pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and is another reminder about how serious this and other makes are about divesting from fossil fuels. The world’s oldest make is going hard; it claims all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will account for more than 50 percent of its sales before the end of this decade.

 It’s a shift that New Zealand could conceivably find relatively unchallenging to accept, in that our electricity production infrastructure is so obviously Green-minded, far more so than in most countries thanks to our high reliance on hydro, wind and geothermal generation.

The lack of Government incentive to help consumers buy into brand-new EVs, plus the market being open to used and grey import electrics that are often perceived – usually wrongly - to be better value, and even the relatively low price of petrol and diesel is patently inhibiting any serious swing toward plug-ins.

To date this year, just 1084 brand-new electric passenger vehicles have found homes; a fraction of the total count of new cars registered this year, in a market condition that is down almost 25 percent on the same period of 2019.

The model with the highest count of registrations is the Tesla Model3, with 414 plated-up to date. That’s not necessarily down to a rush on the car now; it’s effectively Tesla making good on orders that might be placed at least a year.

The Hyundai Kona comes second, with 171 units, then the Nissan Leaf, with 116 – though many of these might have been parallel imports. The VW Golf has achieved 69 placements, the Jaguar i-Pace and Tesla Model X 47 each and the Audi e-tron 38, a count also accrued by the Hyundai Ioniq. Next come the Mini hatch, on 31 and BMW i3, with 24.

Under-performing the EQC, Model S and Niro are the Renault Zoe (six), LDV EV80 (four), Porsche Taycan (three, though availability has just begun), Renault Kangoo (two), the list rounding out with three models the general public is likely to be unfamiliar with taking one registration apiece. These being the Factory Built EV10, the Factory Built Souzhou and the Polaris Groupil.

From Holden NZ to GMSV – new jobs for Ebolo, Aquilina

Two Aussies who’ve commanded Holden’s operation here are about to report for duty with General Motors.

Talk is that two performance Cadillac cars, the CT5-V (pictured) and the CT4-V in optimised Blackwing tim, might join the Chevrolet Corvette and Silverado 1500 as GMSV products here.

THE present boss of Holden New Zealand and his predecessor have progressed to senior positions in the organisation that takes over General Motors’ interests in a post-Holden world.

Marc Ebolo, who has had the unenviable task of being the top Holden exec in New Zealand as the Australian make dismantles, has been appointed managing director of GM Australia and New Zealand.

The two-decade General Motors commercial and product veteran’s new task is effective from November 1.

 GM Senior Vice President and President GM International, Steve Kiefer, said Ebolo would lead GM’s operations across Australia and New Zealand.

These comprise the newly formed GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) as well as Isuzu New Zealand – this being the heavy vehicle side, not the one-tonne ute business, which is in independent hands – and the Holden Aftersales operation for Australia and New Zealand.

Marc Ebolo

Ebolo became Managing Director of Holden New Zealand in June 2018, succeeding Kristian Aquilina, who returned to Australia to at short notice in April of that year to take over Holden’s marketing push.

Now Aquilina is moving again, this time to a new role in GM – as managing director Cadillac International Operations and Cadillac Middle East, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It is not clear where Ebolo will be based but odds on it will be in Australia.

He joined joined Holden in 2001 and came to NZ with a wealth of experience from Holden and General Motors, having returned to Australia in 2017 as general manager – revenue strategies, from a posting where he managed GM’s regional operations across Malaysia, Brunei and Fiji. 

Kiefer cited Ebolo’s “deep experience” in leading markets and working across sales, strategy and product planning in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia will be significant assets through the launch and development of GMSV, as well as driving performance in the aftersales and Isuzu businesses.

“GM continues to see significant opportunity in Australia and New Zealand,” said Kiefer. 

“We are confident that under Marc’s leadership, our GMSV business is ready to compete in key niche segments, including the Silverado light and heavy duty, as well as the C8 Corvette, coming next year.” 

Kristian Aquilina

The transition to GMSV spells an end to Holden Special Vehicles, here and in Australia. There is no word about the future of the specialist make’s NZ regional manager, Andrew Lamb.

GMSV has already confirmed it will take over HSV’s stake in the joint venture between Walkinshaw Group and GM based in Melbourne.

Its task initially will be to continue exactly what HSV has been doing up until now; take North American-built, left-hand-drive GM product and convert it to right-hand drive in Melbourne.

Specifically, that’s just the Silverado 1500. HSV ceased remanufacturing of the Camaro performance coupe into right-hand drive in April. There’s no plan to restart this. However, there has been talk that two Cadillac performance models, the twin-turbo 3.6-litre V6 CT4-V Blackwing and the 6.2-litre V8 CT5-V Blackwing, could yet undergo the process.

The rumour stems from a trademark filing made in Australia on August 31, in which GM seemed to be looking to secure the Cadillac name and logo under the Class 12 and Class 37 goods and services groups. The trademark will be applied towards “vehicles including motor vehicles; engines for motor vehicles; cars,” as well as “maintenance, servicing and repair of motor vehicles.”

The Corvette, of course, is being built in right hand drive at the famed Bowling Green assembly plant in the US.

new Corvette with be GMSV’s halo model.

Ebolo said that customers and partnerships were his main priorities stepping into the role.

“In Australia and New Zealand, we will work very closely with our key partners – the soon-to-be-appointed GMSV dealers, Holden service outlets, Walkinshaw Automotive Group and Isuzu – to grow our businesses and theirs,” he said. 

“I look forward to working with our partners and to bringing to Australia and New Zealand exciting new vehicles from GM’s global portfolio, to compete in niche segments.”

Aquilina said he and Ebolo would work on a detailed transition to ensure continuity for teams, partners and customers.

“I am privileged to have worked with so many talented people who, among other things, have implemented a challenging but significant transformation of our business in Australia and New Zealand. Now is the right time to hand over to Marc,” said Aquilina.

“I have every confidence that under Marc’s leadership, the team will be successful well into the future.”

Bonkers now in blue

Honda’s hard-as hottie achieves dynamic updates – and a noise-maker.

STILL plenty of edge – in every sense, including visual – but perhaps a less remitting ride. 

That’s the deal with the MY20 update of the Civic Type R hot hatch in a New Zealand specification announced today, a week ahead of public release.

Revised pricing is also part of the update; at $62,990 the incoming variant costs $3000 more than the pre-facelift edition did at launch in 2017, but is also $2000 cheaper than the ‘Mugen-Equipped’ runout variant. 

General rule for a mid-life refresh is to tweak under the bonnet and perhaps alter the styling, but that doesn’t seem to be Honda’s way for a model that achieved 55 registrations in 2019 and a further 41 this year to date.

Unless you spot one in the one new colour, an effervescent sky blue, the best way to distinguish the MY21 Type R might be by driving feel. In that sense, it’ll be more about the dynamics than the power delivery.

The revision bypasses engine bay alteration, so it’s the same 2.0-litre still creating 228kW at 6500rpm and 400Nm from 2500rpm to 4500rpm, continuing to operate purely through a six-speed manual.

The origami styling is also largely unaltered, save for minor tweaks – perhapsonly the sharp-eyed will even spot the reshaped bumpers, an altered grille, the addition of some body-coloured accent blades, different surrounds for the driving lights.

So how has Honda’s team earned its dough?

Mainly through reworking the dynamics, which admittedly were already pretty good, and improving the ride quality – which, in original form, was a touch f-f-f-f-firm.

Aiming to reconcile the latter and further sweeten the first is the revised adaptive suspension, which now evaluates road conditions 10 times faster thanks to a damper software update. Result? Better handling response, better ride quality, Honda claims. 

The company also says stiffer front and rear bushings have resulted in sharper steering feel for better control and improved toe-in characteristics when cornering respectively, with the former achieved alongside new lower-friction ball joints.

An upgraded braking system is also implemented, with new two-piece floating front discs fitted alongside fresh pads with a more fade-resistant material.

Brake stroke has been reduced by about 17 percent (or 15mm) under heavy loads, leading to a more immediate pedal feel, according to the company. The updated set-up decreases unsprung mass by around 2.3kg. 

The altered grille improves engine cooling and a revised radiator core also helps to reduce coolant temperature by up to 10 percent in high-demand scenarios.

Inside, the car now has an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and a new shift lever for the six-speed manual with a teardrop-style knob and an Alcantara boot. A 90g internal counterpart has been added to the latter to better feel and accuracy.

An updated 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is also implemented, with physical shortcut buttons and a volume control knob now part of the package.

That might not excite rev-heads, but how about the following?

Drivers keen to keep track of their driving data will doubtless delight in the new LogR software, an app for an Apple or Android phone which can monitor performance, log lap times and score drive behaviour.

Also, though the engine hasn’t been altered, the impression of the sound it makes has.

An Active Sound Control is an exhaust noise enhancer; the idea seems to be that the sound system’s speakers emit additional and artificial noise during aggressive driving in the Sport and  Plus R modes but refines it further in the Comfort setting.

And, yeah, there’s the new colour, seen here: Boost Blue Pearl.

Market almost a quarter down on 2019

The new car market’s slump is becoming more pronounced.

DECLINING consumer interest, diminishing supply, a reflection of how a market looks when it isn’t being influenced by rental fleet demand? 

All have been cited by various sources within the motor industry as latest registrations data, the count for August, further supports a hefty drop in new vehicle registrations year-to-date compared to the same period last year.

“Year to date the market is down 23.8 percent, which is consistent with recent months data confirming our expectations that 2020 will finish about 25 percent down on 2019 volumes,” says David Crawford, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association, which represents new vehicle distributors.

His thought about why? Well, it all comes back to coronavirus, of course – the pandemic has slowed the vehicle industry and purchasing globally.

Specifically, Crawford ventures, it reflects a weaker economy affected by Covid-19. As for local influences? Well, the MIA hasn’t ventured that far, but others within the industry, speaking on condition of anonymity, have.

One says it’s pretty clear, now, that some brands are having trouble achieving supply of new products. Looking at more precise datasets than those shared by the MIA reveals a lot more, he suggests.

Another says the year to date decline reduces significantly when rental counts are excluded. “August can be a big month for rentals. Take them out and the decline is more like eight percent year-on-year, which isn’t so bad all things considered.”

Fair call? Well, when rentals are under the spotlight, really just one brand is affected more than any other, and that’s Toyota New Zealand. Interestingly enough, in a state of the national chat with motoring writers during last week’s MY21 Hilux event, TNZ CEO Neeraj Lala touched on the impact the collapse of the rental market had on his volume, noting that the rental count year to date in 2020 was about 90 percent down on the same period last year. 

In total, some 10,902 vehicles were registered last month, a decrease of 3623 units compared to September 2019.  

The top three plate-ups were the Ford Ranger (663 units) leading the Toyota RAV4 (464 units), and the Mitsubishi Triton (360 units).

The MIA also note a spike in electric vehicle registrations, due mainly to the Tesla Model 3; dissemination of the latest shipment of presumably pre-ordered cars accounted for 139 of the 243 fully electric vehicle registrations. Additionally, 54 plug-in hybrids and 927 hybrids – the latter mostly Toyotas - hit the road. 

Toyota was the market leader for passenger and SUV registrations with 16 percent market share (1,217 units) followed by Kia with 10 percent (801) and then Suzuki with 8 percent (625).

In the commercial sector, Ford retained the market lead with 25 percent market share (803 units) followed by Toyota with 13 percent (406) and Mitsubishi third with 11 percent (360).

Three-point plug

Mercedes has entered its smallest passenger model into the plug-in hybrid club.

PLUG-in hybrids are a small - 496 units this year to the end of August - and technically fascinating market segment that sometimes looks poised for expansion.

And at other times it seems destined to remain a specialised niche, somewhere in the no-man’s land between hybrid-assisted models and battery EVs.

So far Mitsubishi has been the only brand to find traction in the PHEV sector.

Outlander PHEV sales account for well over half of all plug-in hybrid sales in New Zealand this year. And that’s a market with 20 different models on sale – and quite a few more on the horizon.

The Mini Countryman PHEV is the number two seller, but at about one-sixth the volume achieved by the Outlander.

Luxury brands also dabble in plug-ins and Mercedes-Benz has so far offered C-Class sedan and GLC SUV plug-ins. The third offering in its so-called EQ Power family is the A 250e hatchback just announced for the New Zealand market.

A further addition to the A-Class family - that now stretches from A 180 to ballistic AMG 45 S 4Matic - the A 250e hits a $72,300 price point. That makes the plug-in version $1900 more than the A 250 4Matic but still considerably more affordable than the hot Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic.

With a 15.6kWh battery the A 250e will travel further than most PHEVs on a single charge - an ADR-rated EV range of up to 73km.

A 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine develops 118kW output and 250Nm of torque working in tandem with a 75kW/300Nm electric motor which can also recoup additional energy during braking.

The combined output of the hybrid powertrain is rated at 160kW and 450Nm. Acceleration from 0-100km/h is brisk at 6.6 seconds and combined cycle fuel consumption (ADR test) is 1.6L/100km with tailpipe emissions measured at 34 grams/km CO2.

The architecture beneath the fourth-generation A-Class was engineered from the outset to accommodate PHEV components.

The water-cooled lithium-ion, high voltage battery is mounted in the rear of the A-Class hatch and weighs 150kg. Thanks to a smaller 35-litre fuel tank and a repackaged exhaust system - with a rear muffler housed in the transmission tunnel and a centrally positioned exhaust outlet under the floor – there is only a small compromise of load space to 310 litres.

The A 250e delivers power to the front wheels via an 8G-DCT Hybrid eight-speed auto designed to maximise the all-electric range. There are ‘Electric’, ‘Battery Level’, `Comfort’, `ECO’ and `Sport’ drive modes.

In the Electric programme the braking recuperation strength can be selected via paddles behind the steering wheel.

For the first time on a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the combustion engine is started by the electric motor – the A 250e does not have a separate 12-volt starter. And the A 250e is also the first Mercedes-Benz plug-in passenger model to offer DC charging capability.

The A 250e is equipped with a Type 2 plug capable of delivering charge via AC power at a rate of up to 3.7kW.

To maximise the speed of charging at home or work, customers can install a Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home charger.

This can be installed on regular single-phase power (by a qualified electrician) to deliver up to 7.4kW, or up to 22kW on three-phase power.

As a $1990 option, customers can purchase a DC Charging Package which enables DC fast-charging at 24kW via a Type 2 CCS plug.

Using DC charging, it may be possible to charge from 10 per cent capacity to 80 per cent in as little as 25 minutes. The Charging Package also doubles the AC charging capability to 7.4kW.

Aside from its powertrain and charging technologies the A 250e offers a familiar package to premium hatch customers.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch Aero alloy wheels, the intuitive MBUX infotainment system with voice control and a fully digital widescreen cockpit, NTG6 navigation, Artico upholstery, smartphone integration including wireless charging and LED headlights.

Pre-entry climate control can cool or heat the vehicle before it’s started thanks to the fitment of an electric refrigerant compressor. This can be controlled via the Mercedes me Connect suite of services from a connected smart phone, which also includes remote vehicle status monitoring.

Standard safety equipment includes Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, nine airbags, Pre-Safe accident anticipation system and Adaptive High Beam Assist head lights.