Science favours Ferrari, study says

Analysis using an ancient formula is used to determine the most beautiful car in the world.

This is the most beautiful car in the world. Apparently.

THAT old saying about beauty being in the eye of the beholder?

 A load of tosh, apparently. In reality, beauty is defined by scientific analysis, using an ancient mathematical calculation.

At least, that’s the argument proposed by a British car buying website, Carwow, when nailing down the most beautiful performance car of the past 70 years. 

The winner? According to science, it’s potentially not the most obvious choice. But, for the record, the 2019 Ferrari Monza SP1 takes this one.

Really? Well, the site says it analysed 197 of the world's most popular performance cars over the last 70 years to discover how close they were to the ‘golden ratio’.

Don’t know it? That’s an ancient (like, dating back 2500 years) algebraic equation that has been observed in nature, and copied in art and design, that is thought to help contribute to the most visually attractive shapes.

Michelangelo was a big fan; he used the ratio when painting The Creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.  Anyway, it uses a literal ratio of 1:1.618 (or Phi). In short this implies that the most pleasing form to the human eye is that of a rectangle. But anyway. 

The research was done by measuring and comparing the distance between different set points on the cars.  

In number two … the 1964 Ford GT40.

“In total, we plotted 14 different points on each front-on view of the cars, for example, the headlights, the wing mirrors and the corners of the windscreen,” says Carwow.  

“Using that data, we then computed and compared the distance ratios between these points, to reveal how closely their design followed the proportions of the golden ratio.”

So, anyway, after the Monza SP1, which achieved a 61.75 percent alignment to the golden ratio, the ratings put the 1964 Ford GT40 in second, (61.64 percent) the 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale  (61.15 percent) as the bronze winner and the 1974 Lotus Elite as the best of the rest outside the medals table, with a 60.07 percent alignment.

As for the Jaguar E-type, famously called immediately after its launch the most beautiful car in the world by Enzo Ferrari? The man clearly didn’t know a thing. Fifteenth here.

Also lucking out of top trumps status was Aston Martin, which claims all of its cars are “designed to reflect the golden ratio”. The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2 (Stingray), the 1967 Ferrari 330 P4, the 1974 Alfa Romeo Alfetta, the 1966 Lamborghini Miura and the 1969 Maserati Indy filled out the top 10. The highest-ranked Aston was the 1963 DB5, in 25th.

The top 100 was dominated by Ferrari, with 16 cars. Lamborghini had 10 and Porsche seven for second and third respectively, and the remaining positions were taken by Aston Martin, McLaren, Maserati, Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar and Ford.

The E-Type? Enzo Ferrari liked this classic Jaguar … the study? Not so much.

Ioniq 5 taking off – other EVs recall status pending

Hyundai New Zealand is focusing on the positives of its battery charge; but where does that leave Kona and Ioniq EV owners?

NZ interest in the Ioniq 5 coming in the second part of 2021 has been immediate.

 KIWI interest in the latest Hyundai electric car since its reveal a week ago is being celebrated by the brand’s distributor – however, it has still to reconcile an issue tied to two battery-dedicated models already here.

In respect to the Ioniq Five, which made its global reveal on February 23 the first product from the Korean giant’s new electric sub-brand, Hyundai New Zealand says pre-orders have opened for a futuristic model set to land in the second part of the year and that the count has reached double figures.

Spokesman woman Kimberley Waters later clarified this to “20 pre-orders” since a specific webpage went live two days ago. Many more EV enthusiasts have sought information.

HNZ asks for a $500 deposit with each pre-order, but says that will be fully refundable if the intending buyer has a change of mind.

No price has been established for the five-seater medium crossover, the first model built on Hyundai Motor Group’s new dedicated architecture for battery electric vehicles, called Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), and the New Zealand market specification is not yet clear. The car’s drawcard elements include eco-friendly materials of its interior design, to ultra-fast charging and vehicle-to-load function.

“We are really pleased by the initial interest in the IONIQ 5. Our team and dealer network are really excited about bringing this EV into New Zealand, and it seems many other EV enthusiasts are too,” says Andy Sinclair, Hyundai NZ’s general manager.

“In a matter (of) days we’ve had a large volume of people register their interest to hear more about this vehicle, as well as pre-orders.”

Ioniq Five’s roll out has timed with a big challenge for Hyundai and its sales agencies – the need to recall electric Kona SUV and Ioniq hatchback cars built since 2018 to replace their battery packs and battery management systems.

This requirement is triggered by fears of a potential fire risk.

 Many countries have already initiated a recall. Waters says HNZ has yet to receive an official notification from Seoul.

“We have still not received official notification from Hyundai Motor Company, so until we have full details regarding the recall campaign we are unable to fully initiate our recall process here in New Zealand.

“One of the first steps in the recall process is to notify/inform Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the CEO of the Motor Industry Association, and then begin communicating with customers with affected vehicles.

“When that happens, the recall will appear on the Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency recall website.“

Hyundai NZ says it is still awaiting official notification of need to recall the Kona EV and Ioniq EV hatch.

Remedial action that Hyundai Motors has said is required is a massive and expensive job; 82,000 electric vehicles are drawen in – the majority being Kona EVs, but the fully-electric version of the Ioniq hatch (sold here) is also involved, as are some buses (not sold here). 

The remedy is a complete replacement of the lithium-ion battery that feeds the cars’ electric propulsion. The total to Hyundai Motor is estimated to be at least $NZ1.2 billion, making it the most expensive EV recall ever.  

According to the Korea Herald newspaper, Hyundai will begin the replacement process at the end of this month March in the domestic market and from April in overseas markets.

It proposes a major logistical issue for the brand’s  overseas’ agencies as the batteries will have to be shipped by sea and then fitted locally, once the subject cars have been divested of the original items, which will also require safe disposal. New Zealand does not have facility for disassembly of such batteries.

It said the battery system subject to the replacement was manufactured by South Korea’s No.1 battery maker LG Energy Solutions, between November 2017 and March 2020. LG Energy is a key affiliate of the country’s leading chemical firm LG Chem Ltd, it said.

Another Korean news outlet, Business Korea, reported recently that since its launch in 2018, the Kona EV has suffered a total of 15 fires — 11 in South Korea and four overseas. Fires have also been reported in Ioniqs, and on February 15, in a Hyundai electric bus. No fires have been reported in New Zealand.

Three previous recall for the Kona are listed on the NZTA website, one specific to the EV, issued in October. This was an issue with the battery system that might also lead to a fire. The recall proposed a software update as a primary measure to address the issue. In at least one case, a NZ-new car required a complete battery change.

The owner of that car, which returned to the road last month after 68 days in an accredited workshop, has spoken with MotoringNZ. He is unsure if the replacement is of the same kind that requires replacement or if it has an improved battery.

 Hyundai gives its full EVs an eight warranty on the battery; conceivably that would refresh with a replacement.

Pooch-preferred Porsche revealed

Not quite the most practical choice for that Saturday morning run to Bunnings, but still the Taycan more suited to slightly adventurous lifestylers.

IN Porsche-speak, ‘it’s a cross utility vehicle’ – in the language of the street, it’s a four-wheel-drive soft-roading version of the make’s fully electric car with body cladding.

The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo finally fully revealed overnight (the video’s here to see) could also be called a schmantzy lifted station wagon, given it also delivered to same design definition that dictates the look of your everyday family hauler.

It’s not quite a full-blown alternate to the large Cayenne sports utility that saved the brand’s bacon back in the day, but will probably become attractive to those among that car’s supporter base who are savvy enough to recognise that this is an excellent time to abandon that hugely proliferate, big drinking dinosaur for something much more on trend. 

Basically, if you’re looking for a Porsche that offers some level of practicality, is better-shaped for carting pooches, has some degree of off-seal ability (that’s the ‘Cross’ part) but will also assuage environmental sensitivities, then here it is.

 Well, not quite ‘here’ as in ‘here in New Zealand.’ The make’s New Zealand distributor expects arrival in the fourth quarter, with three derivatives represented. Though full pricing detail has yet to be shared, the car will start at $194,900, marketing manager Stefanie McCallum said today.

The cheapest Taycan here at the moment is the entry rear-drive, which costs $173,900 but has no direct equivalent in the Cross Touring line (and those models are all AWD), and the most expensive, the Turbo S, is a $366,900 hit.

Porsche has developed the Cross Turismo in Taycan 4, 4S, Turbo and Turbo S variants. McCallum indicated today that the 4 Cross, 4S Cross and Turbo Cross are incoming.

All versions are fitted with the make’s 93.4kWh Performance Battery Plus.

The car is based on the same J1 platform as the sedan, but bolstering its off-road credentials and all-round versatility, the Cross Turismo is only available with four-wheel drive.

They also achieve Porsche Active Suspension Management with three-chamber adaptive air suspension. With an optional Off-Road Package, the car’s ride height can be raised by a further 10mm for a total of 30mm of extra ground clearance compared with the Taycan sedan.

There’s also a Gravel driving mode for Porsche’s latest EV, which alters the chassis, stability control and throttle calibration for use on loose surfaces, boosting ability off-road.

Off-road design elements include new wheel arch trims, different lower aprons at the front and rear, and side sills.

The higher roofline delivers 47mm more headroom in the back than a regular Taycan offers. The big hatchback reveals up to 446 litres of boot space with the seats up, and a maximum of 1212 litres with them folded down.

The design draws heavily from the Mission E Cross Turismo Concept of 2018 with the design brief being to “offer a little bit more space, a little more flexibility and versatility” than a regular Taycan, according to model line chief Stefan Weckbach. He reckons it is a “a car that is perfect for both an urban environment and the countryside.”

Fair dues to Porsche. While a whole heap more time was spent at the Nurburgring and Hockenheim racetracks as well as the Nardo test track, it was also thrown into some seriously testing off-seal conditions.

Which means, in respect to off-road aptitude? “The Cross Turismo has to be capable of high performance on the race track and must also be able to handle scree, mud and gravel,” Weckbach said.

“The Cross Turismo is not a hardcore off-road vehicle, but specialises in unpaved and dirt roads. It’s like a type of Swiss army knife on up to 21-inch wheels.”

From the front it has the same quad light signature, thin wide lower grille and narrow front fascia as a road-bound Taycan but clearly stands taller. In silhouette, the design path heads in a different dsirection; theroofline and silhouette are more strongly reminiscent of the Panamera Sport Turismo, albeit with chunkier rear haunches.

The Taycan 4 Cross Turismo offers around 280kW, with overboost of 350kW during launch control starts for a 0-100kmh time of 5.1 seconds. Official range stands at 455km, according to Porsche.

Going to the Taycan 4S Cross Turismo sees power climb to 360kW, with up to 420kW available on overboost to shave one full second from the base model’s 0-100kmh time.

The Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo’s performance takes another significant leap on, with up to 500kW on overboost for a 0-100kmh time of 3.3 seconds and up to 482km of range possible. Most of the time Turbo produces 460kW.

The top-spec Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo boasts 560kW with overboost and launch control engaged. It means a 0-100kmh sprint time of just 2.9 seconds; it produces the same level of power as the standard Turbo otherwise, with an official range claim of up to 420km.

Record February belies continued shortages

Straight off the ship and into driveways – that’s the pattern showing in a big month of new vehicle registrations.

Toyota Hilux kicked dirt into Ford Ranger’s face in February

LAST MONTH’s record run of new vehicle sales isn’t a sign that New Zealand’s distributors are overcoming a severe shortage of stock to sell – it’s because every vehicle arriving here is being snapped up by waiting customers.

There are still big backlogs of customer orders, and as a result new vehicle stock reserves are still less than 50 percent of normal, says the Motor Industry Association.

“Essentially all new vehicle arrivals are going straight from the wharves to the distributors to the dealerships to the customers,” says MIA chief executive officer David Crawford.

“February’s new vehicle sales figure of 12,488 registrations was the strongest for the month of February ever, but it could have been even better - New Zealand is still facing a cocktail of supply constraints.”

These include some factories remaining on go-slow due to issues surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, shortages of various vehicle parts, and big delays in getting new vehicles shipped to New Zealand.

Despite those issues, February was still a very healthy month for new vehicle sales. They were 9.2 percent up on February last year, and year-to-date the market is up 7.6 percent or 1865 units on the opening two months of 2020.

If the trend continues, March and April will be a welcome change from the same months of last year when sales fell to almost nil thanks to the effects of Covid-19 – the national Level 4 lockdown here, and the lack of vehicle manufacturing internationally.

A feature of the MIA figures for February were some significant changes in what vehicles are the most popular.

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand’s runout programme for Outlander seems to be going well.

The Toyota Hilux cleaned out arch-rival Ford Ranger to lead the commercial sales race, its 804 sales taking a commanding 21 percent market share, well ahead of Ranger’s 15 percent.

And in the SUV/passenger vehicle segment it was the Mitsubishi Outlander that grabbed top spot from the Mazda CX-5 with 595 registrations – helped along by 133 sales to a fast-recovering rental car industry.

Compact SUVs strengthened their lead over from medium SUVs as the most popular vehicle type. Led by such product as Kia Seltos and Sportage, Mitsubishi ASX and Toyota C-HR, the segment grabbed a 22 percent market share with 2778 registrations. Year-to-date the compact SUVs now hold a 24 percent share, well ahead of the 19 percent held by the medium SUVs.

Toyota remains the market leader for all new vehicle sales with a 16 percent share, but Mitsubishi has improved to 13 percent thanks largely to continued popularity of its Outlander and ASX models, and Triton ute. Ford and Kia share third spot with 8 percent market shares.

“The February market has benefitted from recent stock arrivals and a resilient local economy where New Zealanders continue to spend on new vehicles what might otherwise be spent on international travel,” says Crawford.

The top 10 sellers for February: Toyota Hilux, 804 registrations; Mitsubishi Outlander, 595; Ford Ranger, 549; Mitsubishi Triton, 474; Kia Sportage, 370; Kia Seltos, 364; Mazda CX-5, 360; Mitsubishi ASX, 319; Suzuki Swift, 311; Toyota RAV4, 284.

Mitsubishi Express slammed in crash test

Japanese make’s version of French model first to earn a ‘zero’ score from NZ-accredited ANCAP procedure.

HAVING a swag of safety ingredients has not kept a Mitsubishi van selling here from achieving the poorest outcome ever from a crash test funded by New Zealand agencies.

The damning ‘zero star’ assessment of the Express has come from the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme.

The announcement from Melbourne-based ANCAP, whose funders on this side of the Tasman include Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency and New Zealand Automobile Association, has caused controversy in Australia.

Critics there have pointed out that the Renault Trafic that is identical to the Mitsubishi save for minor details that have no bearing on crash testing has a three star rating, issued by ANCAP’s European equivalent, NCAP, in 2015. 

ANCAP, in turn, has said the Express, a popular choice for commercial fleets and private tradespeople, was unable to qualify for a rating higher than zero due to the absence of active safety systems.  

“The Express also delivered marginal performance in physical crash tests and lacks basic safety features that consumers have come to expect in a newly released model.” 

Mitsubishi Motors NZ has offered no comment about the ANCAP rating and neither has the Motor Industry Association, which acts for new vehicle distributors.

When Express was announced last year there was clear confidence from within Porirua-based MMNZ that it would prove to be far more robust than the its forebear, the L300 discontinued in 2015.

The Mitsubishi-designed and built L300 had only basic safety features and that showed in its rating. 

The Express matches its Renault counterpart in having six airbags, roll over mitigation, stability and traction control, anti-lock braking system and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).

Both versions fall behind some category players in lacking automated emergency braking. Blind spot detection and driver fatigue monitoring are also absent.

The Express would have only been eligible to share the Trafic’s NCAP rating had it introduced within two years of the original model.

Though the agencies are linked and work to common protocols, the testing process has toughened. Express was tested to 2020 ANCAP protocols, involving a series of crash tests against moving and fixed barriers – conducted in Australia from October 2020 to January 2021.

These showed the adult occupant protection offered by the Express had  ‘marginal’ protection for the driver’s chest and upper legs and ‘adequate’ protection for the lower legs. Protection was rated as ‘good’ for other critical body regions.

ANCAP noted ‘a high risk of neck injury was recorded for the driver in the whiplash test.’

 In a side impact pole test, chest protection for the driver was rated as ‘marginal’ and a penalty was applied because the latch on the cargo sliding door disengaged on impact. In another side impact test, the cargo sliding door deformed and created a large opening.

Volvo fired up about dropping ICE

 Sweden’s ambition to produce only fully electric cars by 2030 conceivably puts a PHEV XC40 about to come on sale in NZ on a hit list. But it should achieve a full life, the brand reckons.

Volvo’s EV strategy announcement means the XC40 Recharge PHEV (above) just introducing to New Zealand now will be superseded by 2030 by a new line of full electric products, starting with the C40 Recharge (below) that is destined to on sale in NZ next year.

VOLVO announcing overnight its intent to sell only battery-driven cars within 10 years has highlighted the interim status of a just-arrived hybrid sports utility that the make’s New Zealand distributor is using to woo electric-favouring consumers. 

The decision out of Sweden comes with announcement of a new fully electric crossover, the C40 Recharge, that will likely be on sale here next year.

The pledge to phase out all car models with internal combustion engines by 2030 potentially means the new $84,900 XC40 Recharge nydrid that is being promoted as Volvo New Zealand’s sole electric choice of the moment might yet have a reasonably modest life span.

Is that going to be a turn-off? Volvo New Zealand boss Ben Montgomery does not believe the market will judge the PHEV car as any kind of temporary technology.

He stands by expectation, expressed in mid-February, that the Recharge PHEV will be a strong seller.

“It’s still an education process with electric, in terms of what’s available and what it does and what’s available to buy right now.

“I think the PHEV is that perfect halfway step, where you are getting the benefits of electric-only propulsion but at the same time you have not got those range queries. 

“So it’s the perfect stepping stone for us.

“We have still got seven years before the complete end of ICE (internal combustion engines) and in the meantime we are taking some really big steps locally. 

“From model year 2022 there will be no diesels and we are moving toward MHEV (mild hybrid) and PHEV in the 60 and 90 range. It will be incremental steps, but I don’t think it will put customers off.”

Volvo previously announced that by 2025, half of its sales would be fully electric, with the rest being hybrids. It is also committed to becoming climate neutral by 2040 and putting one million EVs on the roads within the next four years.

Montgomery says Kiwis can expect to see a rapid increase in the access of premium electrified and hybrid models available here. 

Plug-in hybrids now make up almost a third of Volvo sales in Europe, making Volvo the leading plug-in premium brand when measured by the share of its total sales volume.  

“The XC40 PHEV accounts for a significant part of this global growth and early local interest suggests this model will make up a solid proportion of our New Zealand EV/hybrid sales this year,” he says. 

The Recharge PHEV’s lab-tested fuel economy is 2.2 litres per 100km compared to the petrol-only XC40s range between 7.7 and 8.0L/100km. However, fuel consumption drops to zero when the electric motor is used alone - with a 44km range.

Customer deliveries are expected to commence from the second half of the year.

By the time the C40 Recharge hits NZ showrooms the XC40 will also be available in a fully electric format. 

The fully electric XC40 – also called a Recharge model - and the C40 appear destined to have a common drivetrain, according to detail so far released by Volvo.  

Both cars are cited to pack 300kW from two motors that will power all four wheels and have a 78kWh battery that can charge to 80 percent on a fast charger in 40 minutes. The fully electric XC40 is expected to deliver 350-400kms in the real world whereas the C40 is cited as being able to clock 420kms before need for replenishment.

Potential for the C40 and XC40 to clash for consumer consideration seems probable, given the new car’s styling direction. Montgomery reckons the C40 will build on the XC40’s popularity. He suggests it is aimed at a younger demographic but also notes it delivers “all the benefits of an SUV but with a lower and sleeker design.” 

The C40 is being called the first Volvo production car that has been wholly designed to take just an electric powertrain.

That claim ignores that a Volvo adjunct, Polestar, already has two electric cars in production. Polestar has so far focused on left hand drive markets, but its latest product will go into right-hand drive his year and Volvo NZ has indicated desire to sell that model here, again with 2022 being the likely launch timing.

Volvo says it is trying to capitalise on growing demand for electric cars, including in China, which is already one of its biggest markets. It also acknowledges that carmakers cannot ignore pressure from governments around the world to beef up their electric car plans.

New cars and vans powered wholly by petrol and diesel will not be sold in the UK from 2030, for example.

Volvo's chief technology officer, Henrik Green, said the company needed to switch focus: "There is no long-term future for cars with an internal combustion engine."

Bjorn Annwall, head of Europe for Volvo, says the plan fits with both Volvo's image and commercial interests.

“At Volvo our customers expect high levels of us when it comes to human safety and they are starting to expect exactly the same thing when it comes to planetary safety, we aim to live up to that, it's the right thing to do,” he told the BBC.

“The fully electric premium segment will be the fastest growing part of the automotive market, so it's very natural to focus on that.”

Volvo will not be investing in cars with hydrogen fuel cells, as it does not think there will be enough demand from customers. There is also a question mark over hydrogen's availability in comparison with charging points for electric cars, a spokesman said.

Last month, Volvo abandoned plans to merge with Chinese car giant Geely. But the two companies said that they would form a partnership instead to make components for electric cars that would be used by both firms.

Geely already has an electric car brand, Lynk and Co, whose product bases off Volvo underpinnings. So car Lynk and Co has restricted to left hand drive but it has not discounted re-engineering for right-hand drive markets to further enhance exports potentials, as other Chinese makes are now doing.

The XC40 Recharge PHEV has already travelled to Auckland dealerships. The remaining visits are to: Duncan and Ebbett, Tauranga on March 13-14; Duncan and Ebbett, Hamilton, March 20-21; Bayswater European, Napier. April 10-11; Armstrong’s Wellington, April 17-18; Archibald’s Christchurch, April 24-26 and Armstrong’s Dunedin, May 8-9.

Lexus NZ lining up loaners for Aussie owners

Transtasman visitors will be able to fly in and hook a free car for up eight days’ travel. But Kiwi Lexus owners cannot expect the same favour when heading across the ditch.

KIWI Lexus owners travelling, once conditions allow, into Australia might yet get a sweet deal set to be afforded their Aussie counterparts coming here – free use of a brand-new car from the make during their visit.

The opportunity for Lexus Australia customers subscribed to a generous support package they get (and Kiwis don’t) has elevated to allow them to make use of Lexus NZ cars as a complimentary booking service.

The just-announced opportunity is being spruiked by our neighbour as a way of supporting a travel bubble between our countries.

Lexus in NZ is looking at whether it can arrange a reciprocal arrangement, but it’s early days.

The ‘Lexus on Demand’ car-sharing opportunity is part of a pampering customer support programme called Encore Platinum that Australian owners sign into. 

It’s an extension of another ownership programme, called Lexus Encore, and is offered as standard to Australian buyers of LC, LS, LX, RC F and GS F models.

Lexus New Zealand has no equivalent, general manager Andrew Davis says.

 “NZ customers do not receive the same Encore Platinum benefits that Australian customers do as they receive a four year, unlimited km warranty, full maintenance service and Lexus Plus roadside assistance package.  

“We always assess the benefits that we provide our customers so are reviewing the Encore Platinum offering against the benefits currently offered but there is no plan to change at this stage.”

The Aussie offer allows owners of Toyota’s flagship models to book, via an app, any vehicle in the Lexus range when travelling. It's been previously limited to interstate travel - NZ is the first international tilt.

It isn’t an open slather deal - users can take no more than four trips – but is generous nonetheless as each of those trips can last up to eight days. The journeys have to be undertaken over the three-year life of the membership programme. 

The NZ aspect means Lexus owners can book and collect a loan car of their choosing from a variety of NZ airports, thereby skipping the typical rental car process.

In explaining the scheme, Lexus Australia boss Scott Thompson says: “Looking forward into 2021, there are some positive signs for the industry and for the economy, and with vaccines arriving now, we also have plans for the two-way travel bubble with New Zealand.

"Hopefully this will happen by the end of next month. We are anticipating that many Australian customers will be keen to experience international travel when the transtasman bubble opens.

“So coming later this year, we've decided to expand Encore Platinum to offer our Australian customers the luxury and convenience that is Lexus on Demand when they fly across the pitch.”

The company is yet to announce the specific airports where the service will be offered, as well as a line-up of specific models owners can access in New Zealand.

In Australia, the Lexus on Demand service typically offers owners access to a spread of multi-purpose vehicles, including the LS large limo for luxury touring, the RX and LX for utility and space and the LC and RC F for sportier drives.

The challenge in New Zealand might be having enough of those cars to provision – the LX, LS and LC in particular achieve just a handful of registrations per year.

Davis says: “We are looking to support the Lexus On Demand feature of Encore Platinum for Australian customers who visit NZ. The details are being worked through and timing and locations will be announced once confirmed.

“The offering in NZ will be the same as it is for customers travelling within Australia but we are looking to have a smaller number of practical models (e.g. RX) to better suit usage for those travelling to NZ. Once launched we will monitor usage and demand to assess the programme in NZ.”

“For Lexus NZ the commitment is in having cars available to Australian customers and working with Lexus Australia on managing bookings and the process with the highest levels of Omotenashi (a word that essentially translates to ‘Japanese hospitality’) in mind.”

As for them doing the same for us? Not at the moment.But they’re thinking about it. 

“In regard to NZ offering our customers the same access in Australia? That is under consideration and the success of the Australia to NZ offering will be a guide for demand on this.”

Lexus Australia’s Encore programme also includes loan cars while a owner’s car is being serviced, access to exclusive events and upgrades at partner hotels.

PHEV wars – MG HS coming to rough up Outlander

Brit-by-birthright, Chinese-by-ownership, international-by-intent MG is about to release a competitor for the country’s favourite new plug-in hybrid. 

 MG’s flagship sports utility, the medium-sized HS, will come on sale here in April in a plug-in electric format for $52,990.

The first plug-in hybrid brand model from MG owner SAIC is also the marque’s second electric car here. 

It stands as a big brother to the $4000 cheaper and physically smaller pure electric ZS EV, also a front-drive five seater, whose position as the country’s cheapest fully electric new car has seen it capture strong sales since release four months ago.

The HS will present in a high level specification with a primary target seemingly being a car that has basically had this sub-sector all to itself, the popular choice Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, though potentially the Toyota RAV4 Prime coming later will also become another rival.

 The face-off between the HS and Outlander in present formats will likely rage for all of 2021, because even though the current Outlander is set to be replaced this year, the version with a PHEV format is not arriving until 2022.

They seem sure to become intriguing rivals – for the past year the Outlander has had a 2.4-litre petrol engine, replacing the original’s 2.0-litre, and updated to a higher capacity battery. It sells for $52,490 in XLS and $58,990 in VRX – the latter having a spec level that the MG is set up to match.

MG’s drivetrain pairs a 119kW 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 90kW electric motor for a combined output of 209kW and a 0-100kmh time of 6.9 seconds.

 The MG has a claimed full electric range of 52kms – just 3kms short of the Outlander’s optimal - from its liquid-cooled 16.6kWh battery pack and is claimed to narrowly beat the Japanese offer on overall economy.

Thrift of 1.7 litres per 100km, calculated using the updated WLTP cycle, was quoted at today’s online link to a media conference held in Australia. Mitsubishi reckons Outlander will achieve 1.9L/100km. The HS CO2 count is 39 grams per kilometre.

The HS can be operated in full electric that mode until the battery exhausts; replenishment is by Type 2 plug, with a from-empty recharge on the 7kWh wallbox MG will also sell taking five hours, or fully overnight if plugged into a normal three pin socket.

 Power is sent to the front wheels from both power sources through a newly developed 10-speed gearbox. This involves a six-speed orthodox automatic gearbox while the electric motor uses a four-speed drive unit. Outlander, of course, has a CVT. Unbraked towing is 750kg.

Equipment levels are high. The car takes 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable heated front seats, a 360-degree camera, keyless entry and climate control, a panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, leather upholstery, ambient lighting and LED headlights.

Safety features equipped as standard across the range include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning and blind-spot detection. The HS has already achieved a full five-star safety rating from ANCAP. 

The HS PHEV is backed with an 8-year, 160,000-kilometre battery warranty and a 5-year unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty,

Speaking at the launch, Peter Ciao, MG Motor New Zealand’s chief executive said: “The new MG HS Plug-In Hybrid brilliantly showcases the intelligence and innovation we have available within our brand. It offers our customers the opportunity to experience new energy innovation, while remaining in the comfort of a true SUV that is equal parts stylish, sporty and spacious.

“The MG HS Plug-In Hybrid is our first plug-in hybrid, our second new energy vehicle, and one that we’re delighted to bring to our New Zealand customers as part of our commitment to making new energy vehicles mainstream in New Zealand.”

While MG has so far based its market presence around petrol cars, the corporate aim is to go increasingly electric.

Even so, MG also added two other HS editions, the Excite and Essence X, which respectively place at $39,990 and $45,990. These have all-wheel-drive.

First look at new Tucson – smart tech with smart looks

We poke a head over the fence – well, the Tasman Sea, really – to get an early gander at Hyundai’s crucial new model.

AN early preview of the new sharp-suited Hyundai Tucson heading to New Zealand has conceivably been delivered by our next-door neighbour.

Disclosure of technical and model line information heading into Australia will likely be largely valid for NZ, save for usual detail differences such as an adjustment of the flagship’s name.

Australia can get away with Highlander for the highest spec car there because the Toyota that sells with that name here is a Kluger across the Tasman. Here it’s likely to be a Limited, as per convention expressed on the Santa Fe and Palisade. 

It’s wholly possible we will see a less fulsome line-up to that launching over there between April and June. Yet the look and core elements of what has been unveiled across the Tasman is assuredly heading this way.

There’s a strong spirit of co-operation between the two countries’ distributors that undoubtedly works to NZ advantage. The Auckland-run national operation has relatively modest volume requirements and teaming up with Australia, which is a factory-run outfit with big sales counts, opens doors in Seoul.

So, anyway, Australia is taking three variants – base called Tucson, mid-spec Elite (a name also used here) and a high-end - and three powertrains, all offering the option of an N line package, which doesn’t alter performance but elevates the styling tweaks and features. 

The N Line pack includes a body kit with sportier bumpers and side skirts, a gloss black grille with 'hidden' daytime-running lights, 19-inch alloy wheels (the base car in standard form runs 17s), silver skid plates, and an embossed steering wheel.

The pack also adds LED headlights, LED 'combination' tail-lights, a unique leather/suede trimmed interior and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

The engines are all four-cylinders, overhauled units now being marketed as members of Hyundai's new 'SmartStream' family.

A 115kW/192Nm 2.0-litre petrol is the base mill, matched to a six-speed auto and driving the front wheels. The more upmarket four-wheel-drive editions arrive with a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. The diesel choice is a 137kW/416Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre married to an eight-speed automatic. 

Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking (with support for intersections), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, a speed limiter, tyre pressure monitoring, and rear parking sensors. 

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-following assist and rear cross-traffic alert are also expected to be standard across the range.

Driver attention monitoring is standard, while other safety features are expected to include Safe Exit Warning (which reminds passengers to check for oncoming hazards before opening their door) and multi-collision braking (which applies the brakes after a collision to prevent subsequent impacts).

Seven airbags are standard, including a centre airbag between the front seats.

Standard equipment on our neighbour’s entry car includes an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4.2-inch driver's information display, manual air conditioning, cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, keyless entry (but no push-button start), automatic halogen headlights, LED daytime-running lights, and power-adjustable door mirrors.

Their mid-grade adds a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone mirroring and satellite navigation, leather seat trim, a power-adjustable driver's seat, front seat heating, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, push-button start, a 'smart' key, rain-sensing wipers, a rear-seat alert (notifying drivers if passengers have been left in the rear seats), front and rear parking sensors, and braking functionality for the blind-spot monitoring system.

Elite variants equipped with either of the turbocharged engines also feature paddle shifters and a shift-by-wire gear selector.

The flagship runs 19-inch rims, has LED headlights and tail-lights, a dark chrome grille. a silver skid plate, chrome trim, a power-operated tailgate and a panoramic sunroof.

The cabin sports a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, ambient LED mood lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, memory for the driver's seat, a power-adjustable passenger seat and a Bose premium sound system.

The top grade also delivers a 360-degree camera, a blind-spot view monitor – which, as per the Santa Fe, projects a rear-facing camera feed from the side mirrors into the instrument cluster when changing lanes - an electrochromatic rear-view mirror and low-speed rear autonomous emergency braking.

Australia’s flagship diesel includes remote smart park assist, allowing the vehicle to be moved backwards and forwards into a tight parking space via the key fob, when standing next to the car. Again, a feature shared with Santa Fe.

When the car unveiled internationally last year, Hyundai talked up how a smartphone app could be used to lock and unlock the car from up to 27 metres away.

What more is there to know? Well, conceivably quite a lot.

For instance, the cars so far discussed are five seaters.

Hyundai NZ stated last year it is keen to also take this fourth-generation car in an alternate and new long-wheelbase format – that avails a third seating row – in addition to continuing with a five-chair layout.

The longer version measures 4630mm in length (so up 150mm on the short wheelbase), 1865mm in width (plus 15mm) and 1665mm in height (up 5mm), riding on a 2755mm (plus 85mm) wheelbase.

In addition to the orthodox powertrains, it’s also previously express interest   in the mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid options that are also coming into production, these based around the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and producing a combined 171kW/350Nm. There’s no mention of those in the Australian media share.

Tucson’s new exterior styling is bound to raise plenty of comment. Hyundai says it expresses an evolving Sensuous Sportiness design identity and embodies what its designers call ‘parametric dynamics’ with “kinetic jewel surface details that emphasises Tucson’s distinctly different identity in a crowded segment.” Translation? There are a lot of sharp edges.

It fronts up boldly, too: The grille is filled with LED lights which only reveal themselves when illuminated. The rear will also make an impressive; it has a connected LED light bar sitting across the beltline and joining two clawed LED taillights.

 The interior also seems set to be more plush. Most ‘hard’ controls, such as dials and buttons, are gone. So too the gearstick; with Santa FE-style push buttons instead.

S-Class schmoozes in

Plenty of luxury and tech, lots of extras too – but just one engine choice for now.

SO much tech and so much additional kit to box tick – but when it comes to powertrains, the decision is dead easy: Though more will turn up in time, there’s just the one at launch.

So it goes with the seventh-generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, available from next week in S450 4MATIC and long-wheelbase S450 L 4MATIC formats, with a common six-cylinder petrol, pricing starting from $215,000.

This is the car touted as the world’s most advanced and, though not every technology developed for it packs into the ‘base’ (yes, wrong word, but …) format – and, indeed, some is not yet available for this part of the world – the car in kick-off form has pretty decent specification.

New Zealand piggy-backing on Australia’s choice has proven a good idea. Our neighbour has gone big on signing up for comforts and assists that have been extras in the European spec.

What we miss out on, though, is the full gambit of semi-autonomous gadgets. While the Australasian-spec cars have adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering assist, lane change assist, evasive steering assist, and a traffic-sign assist system that reads speed signs and adjusts the adaptive cruise control system accordingly, the ability - soon to show in the German-market car – to drive itself with the driver's hands off the steering wheels on at up to 60kmh is not featuring. Our laws seem to allow it but Australian legislation does not. And since our neighbour has done the choosing …

Still, plenty of other gee-gaws to impress. Both cars achieve a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster (with eye tracking) and a 12.8-inch OLED infotainment touchscreen running Mercedes' latest MBUX operating system, the MBUX Interior Assistant and the "Hey Mercedes" voice assistant.

The car’s satellite navigation system is a new step-up; in addition to projecting live traffic it has a predictive functionality. The head-up display with support for an augmented-reality function which can virtually project navigation directions on the road up to 10 metres ahead.

Other standard features include air suspension, power-closing doors, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient LED interior lighting, puddle light projection, keyless entry and push-button start, flush retractable door handles, a 360-degree camera and semi-autonomous Active Parking Assist.

There's also an electric glass panoramic sunroof (with sliding and tilting functionality), a power-operated rear sunblind, electrically-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, memory functionality for the steering column, a fingerprint scanner, a hands-free power boot lid, heated power-folding exterior mirrors, rear privacy glass, and insulated acoustic glass for the front side windows.

 It runs a 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D surround sound system, with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto of course, wireless smartphone charging and support for the Mercedes Me Connect smartphone app.

You want more? Even though it has LED headlights, Benz locally perceives one popular cost-extra enhancement will be a special feature the brand made a big noise about during last year’s international launch: Adaptive Digital Light LED headlights. These are capable of projecting warnings onto the road with a range 150 metres greater than that of the standard LED units, thanks to 2.6 million 'pixels.' Also possibly set to be popular, for those who park in tight places, is the enhanced rear-wheel steering (with an angle of up to 10 degrees). The 'active' ambient interior lighting and the Energising package also tend to get ticked on other high-end products.

The long-wheelbase model (with 110mm extra length) achieves extras of power-adjustable rear seats with memory, automatic rear climate control and forward-facing airbags in the backs of the front seats but can also be ordered in with a pair of 11.6-inch entertainment touchscreens.

Both models derive power from a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, sending 270kW and 500Nm to the road through a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel-drive, for a 5.1-second 0-100kmh sprint time.

The engine is assisted by a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system, which can supply an additional 16kW/250Nm boost for short periods under hard acceleration, and enables combined fuel economy ratings of 8.2L/100km and 8.4L/100km for the S450 and S450L respectively.

 A higher-grade S580L variant is expected to be offered later down the road, pairing a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 with a 48-volt system for a total of 370kW and 700Nm, and it’s expected head office will hear a New Zealand pitch for the plug-in hybrid edition, with 100kms’ pure electric running.

Peugeot brand on outlets ahead of cars

First NZ-market model with new emblem will be next year’s 308.

 DEALERSHIPS will likely have at least a six-month head start on displaying Peugeot’s new logo over the first product to bear the back-to-the-past emblem.

 Arek Zywot, commercial manager for Autodistributors NZ, which holds brand rights here, says national sales outlets are probably going to be refitted with the latest corporate identity by late this year.

The first car to take the emblem, which in displaying the head of a roaring lion in profile within a shield is effectively a modern reboot of the black and white badge worn by the brand in the 1960s, is the next 308 medium hatchback, disguised examples of which have been pictured during trials, as seen below.

That car unveils internationally next month but won’t be in New Zealand until some time after February, 2022.

The rebranding has occurred in the wake of Peugeot’s parent, PSA, merging with Fiat-Chrysler to become a new entity, Stellantis.

Along with a fresh logo comes a new intent for Peugeot, to lift its game as one of the more aspirational and upmarket marques within this new combine entity, which with annual sales of approximately eight million vehicles and 400,000 employees, becomes the fourth-largest global automaker by volume.

Last night’s unveiling of the new brtanding ends a busy week for Autodistributors, as it has just landed supply of three new models about to hit the market – the 3008 mid-size SUV, the 5008 three-row SUV and the 208 hatchback, which avails solely in a GT format. The franchise holder’s hope of keeping these cars out of the spotlight until it had media material prepared was blown by a national motoring news provider. 

The just-added models will likely stand out from the 308 as the latter is the first Peugeot production model expected to move to a new styling language so far only seen on the brand’s concepts. 

Peugeot is targeting a worldwide completion of the rebranding exercise by 2023. The rebrand also coincides with Peugeot’s plan to electrify its entire line-up by 2025. 

“Peugeot is moving upmarket,” claimed new Peugeot boss Linda Jackson. 

“We’ve already spent a lot of time working on the vehicles, and this is the second part of the journey, which is all about the customer experience. The trigger is the fact that we love the way that we are now going with the cars.”

Stellantis comprises of Fiat, Fiat Professional, Abarth, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Trucks, Maserati, Lancia, Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall.

At present the French marques are with one distributor in NZ whereas the American and Italian brands that export are with another, Ateco. Opel and Vauxhall have historically been part of the General Motors portfolio, but how stands now that Holden has become defunct is unclear.

There has been no public comment from either about the potential for any changes; it is not known if Stellantis prefers all its brands to be with one distributor.

Latest Kona EV kerfuffle not the first glitch

Requirement to change the Kona EV’s battery has a familiar ring to some NZ owners.

The Kona EV battery effectively fills out the entire floor area.

A PROBABLE recall that demands replacing the lithium ion battery that powers in Hyundai’s highest-profile electric car seems set to hit hundreds of Kiwi owners, including a handful for whom this could well seem deja vu.

Comment from electric vehicle owners about yesterday’s MotoringNZ story relating how Hyundai is moving toward recalling its Kona electric car internationally – and potentially also at least some examples of the battery-pure version of the Ioniq – following a spate of fires in South Korea, has drawn attention to the Kona already being subject to a remedial action here that began five months ago, is only now wrapping up and also sometimes demands the same extreme action of a complete battery exchange.

In November, Hyundai New Zealand recalled 724 Kona EVs it had sold, having been advised by the factory that "the lithium-ion battery may have internal damage or the battery management system control software may cause an electrical short circuit after charging" which could result in a fire.

It is unclear if this is the same fault at the centre of the recent fires overseas.

The immediate remedy for this was to change the battery management system and, if that did not work, Hyundai advised the same procedure it proposes for this new recall – pulling out the battery, a hefty and large item which completely fills out under the floor and is all but a structural component, and replacing it.

Hyundai NZ has said it awaiting confirmation that the Kona EV will be recalled again, however reports from overseas say this is a given and from the tenor of comment it has offered, the local distributor also seemed resigned.

This latest action is a whopper. It is expected to cost $US900 million to execute, a sum that makes it the most expensive recall involving an EV so far, and will cover 82,000 vehicles worldwide.

Conceivably, it will draw in the NZ cars involved in last year’s recall. These were built between September 29, 2017, and March, 20, 2020.

It is thought many were put right with an update to the battery management software. However not all these examples were remedied that easily.

the updated Kona, due to come here later this year, has the same battery pack as cars likely to be recalled.

MotoringNZ has spoken with a North Island Kona owner whose car, bought in 2018, was off the road from early December until mid-February while it awaited a battery replacement. His vehicle has since faulted again. Learning that it might require yet another battery was exasperating news. 

Kimberley Waters, a spokeswoman for Hyundai NZ, explained the original action.

“We updated the BMS software to allow for detection of abnormalities in the high-voltage battery system while parked.

 “If the software detected any early electronics deficiencies a full battery replacement was required.

“We are 96 percent through the initial recall and through the inspection process some Li-ion batteries were identified as needing replacing.”

The latest action has resulted after a Korean government investigation into why Hyundai EVs – which included a bus as well as some cars - were catching fire. That probe revealed the possibility of short circuits in certain defective battery cells produced by the supplier, LG Energy Solution.

According to Reuters news agency, the battery maker and automaker are currently hashing out a deal to split the cost associated with completely replacing batteries for the EVs.

It's not clear if this news will push back the arrival of the updated Kona EV, which has already been revealed globally and was supposed to arrive in New Zealand this year. The refreshed car boasts an updated design, but its electric powertrain continues unchanged.

Hyundai NZ awaiting EV fire risk recall news

Remedial action for Kona and Ioniq EVs has begun in South Korea; battery replacement for Kona has been proposed.

POTENTIAL that two popular Hyundai electric cars might be drawn into a massively expensive recall triggered by a fire danger that has made headlines in South Korea has been acknowledged by the make’s New Zealand distributor.

Hyundai New Zealand says it is aware of the situation in the marque’s home market in respect to a spate of battery fires reported there in the Ioniq and Kona electric models.

No such events have been reported in New Zealand.

The tenor of the reply from the make’s representative, an independent distributor, in respect to questions about this seems to leave impression a recall might not be out of the question, all the same.

This is supported by latest reports from Seoul, in which the brand is on record as saying it intends to replace the batteries in 82,000 electric vehicles, including 75,680 Kona EVs, 5515 Ioniqs and 305 buses at a cost of more than $US900 million, a record amount for an EV recall.

This comes after multiple South Korean news outlets have reported the manufacturer will voluntarily replace batteries, made by another Korean brand, LG Chem, in all local market examples.

While ignored by mainstream news outlets, the issue has nonetheless become a hot topic of discussion in recent weeks for EV owners subscribing to a national Facebook forum.

Hyundai NZ spokeswoman Kimberley Waters said today that “to date, there have been no fires recorded in NZ attributable to this condition.” 

She did not address a question asking if owners have expressed concern to Hyundai NZ. 

In respect to the potential for a recall, she offered: “We are aware of the news that has come out of Korea.

“However, (we) are waiting for official communication from Hyundai Motor Company with regards to this recall and the number of EVs affected here in New Zealand.

“Safety of our customers is paramount, so as soon as we have a list of affected vehicles we will contact those customers to advise next steps.”

A major South Korean news outlet, Business Korea, has reported 15 individual incidents of battery-related fires having been recorded in Kona EVs.

Similar fires have also been reported in Ioniq electric cars. Recently, a Hyundai electric bus caught on fire while operating in Seoul. 

Hyundai has also been caught up in an issue with the Tucson sports utility, citing a potential fire risk deriving from a braking circuit board.

The Kona launched in 2018, a year after the Ioniq released here as Hyundai’s first electric car. A heavily updated Kona EV is set for release in NZ soon and, of course, Hyundai has just revealed its first electric car to be sold under a new sub-brand, called Ioniq, that is intended to go on sale here in the second part of 2021.

Lexus revives V8 IS

There’s a catch to this good news. While the hot rod has returned …. It’s only for the land of the hot dog.

NO chance: That’s the response in precis from Lexus New Zealand when asked about potential of the just-revealed flagship of its new IS compact luxury sedan line reaching this market. 

The local distributor, operating as an adjunct to Toyota New Zealand, has reiterated a view expressed in other right-hand-drive locales: Namely, that the new car is only for North America. Specifically, the United States.

What Kiwis knew as the IS-F, ultimately in a sizzler Redline edition, until it was curtailed in 2014 is now called the IS500 F Sport Performance.

Power is from the 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 seen under the bonnet of the RC-F and GS F performance cars, but also involved with the IS-F since it was born in 2008.  

In this latest application it develops 352kW of power at 7100rpm and 536Nm of torque, at 4800rpm. That’s a 41kW and 31Nm lift over the outputs cited for the last of the IS-Fs, which in its own right moved with astounding alacrity.  

The extra wallop would certainly enhance the pedigree when measured against two of the best in the business, the BMW M3/M4 and Mercedes Benz C63.

Lexus claims a 4.5 second 0-100kmh time. Kerb weight is rated at 1765kg, up just 65kg over the most exciting model in the current NZ line-up, the rear-wheel-drive IS350 F Sport.

Under the skin, the 'standard' IS's 'Dynamic Handling Package' has been fitted as standard to the IS500 to help cope with the extra grunt, with additions including adaptive suspension, a Yamaha rear performance damper (designed to reduce body flex and increase rigidity), and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential. 

19-inch Enkei alloy wheels fill the arches – which are said to be 2.7kg lighter in total versus the regular IS F Sport's 19-inch wheels – hiding larger 356mm two-piece front and 323mm rear sports brakes.

Styling upgrades over NZ-familiar IS F Sport models largely comprise a 51mm-taller bonnet to accommodate the V8 engine, "lengthened" front bumper and quarter panels, a new rear diffuser with the brand's signature stacked quad exhaust tips, black window surrounds, black badging and a black lip spoiler.

Inside, the standard model's 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster are carried over, with changes limited to F Sport Performance badging on the steering wheel, metallic pedals, unique illuminated door sill plates and an IS500-specific start-up animation for the instrument cluster.

 The full Lexus Safety System Plus driver assistance suite carries over to the flagship.

By chance, in an interview given to MotoringNZ.co, just weeks ago – when the IS500 was still under wraps – the potential of there ever being another IS-F was discussed by Lexus NZ boss Andrew Davis.

At that time, he said he did not know of anything on the horizon, but added: “There is speculation on IS-F and I think this speculation just shows there is still market interest in those sorts of cars.”

Lexus has RC-F and has had GS-F, so there’s logic to think there might still be space for another IS-F, he said then. That the old model has established a cult following also weighed into it.

C seen – Mercedes new-gen compact exec unveiled

The make’s smallest rear-drive passenger road car goes big on S-Class tech.

WHAT derivatives are coming, when do they arrive and, of course, how much will they cost?

Sorry, it’s premature asking those questions yet in respect to the all-new 'W206' Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The car’s official international uncovering has only occurred today, so Mercedes’ New Zealand distributor says answers to any questions in respect to the local lineup will have to wait until much closer to the car’s release here. Which will occur late this year.

For now, then, it’s all big picture stuff – and that, alone, is quite a story in itself.

Suffice to say, the German company's latest compact executive car, so far revealed in mainstream sedan and wagon formats (as per tradition – the coupe, convertible, crossover and AMG editions of everything will follow in due course) is pukka premium in more than just presentation, pedigree and pricing.

This fifth generation family also channels much of the look and technological content of the make’s flagship S-Class uber-sedan and has an entirely electrified range of drivetrains from the get-go.

Yes, it’s bigger. The wheelbase has gone up 25mm to 2865mm in total on both body styles, resulting in a sedan that is 65mm longer (4751mm) than its four-door forebear and a wagon that's 49mm longer (also 4751mm).

The car’s 10mm wider in the body and 13mm wider across the mirrors, while their track widths have increased, too. Both shapes are slightly lower than the previous versions, with reward in improved drag coefficients (0.24 sedan, 0.27 wagon).

The general shape is sort of C-generic but it’s quite different to what we get now, with a swoopy air abetted by short overhangs, a long wheelbase and a cab-rearward design.

All models roll on alloy wheels of between 17 and 19 inches in diameter. The radiator grille design varies depending on the trim grade. Base cars have a large three-pointed star and louvre details, higher-spec editions – including AMG Line models – achieve a star-design chrome pattern. The headlamps are all new as are the tail-lights. Three new colours - Spectral Blue, High-Tech Silver and Opalite White – join the C's colour palette.

The dimensional changes reward occupants. Both seat rows have more headroom, legroom, elbow-room and shoulder-room. The wagon gains 30 litres more luggage space; there’s 490 litres capacity with all seats in play and 1510 litres with everything folded. The sedan’s boot retains the same 455 litres’ capacity as the current car.

But roominess will be less of a focus than the tech. This C-Class enters the heavily digital age with its boots on … there’s a a TFT instrument cluster (minimum 10.25 inches across the diagonal, with the option to upgrade to a 12.3-inch unit) and a large infotainment screen reclining on the centre stack, this being at least 9.5 inches, or 11.9 as an option.

The dashboard design lends to an aviation theme; Benz has split it into two tiers for a wing-like formation, and the rounded air vents are said to be reminiscent of jet engines. Various leather, leatherette, wood and metal upholstery/trim choices are available, a colour head-up display is an optional extra and the connectivity of the car is boosted with several software packages plus over-the-air technical updates.

Under the bonnet? As expected, four-cylinder, mild-hybrid turbocharged drivetrains pervade; performance pep is important, but this is Benz driving into an eco future. An integrated starter-generator (ISG), running off a 48-volt electrical system, is a standard ingredient to provide 'gliding' when off the throttle, power-assistance under acceleration and energy recovery too, all to save some fuel. There's also Mercedes' EQ Boost, which adds 15kW power and 200Nm.

NZ will presumably only have eyes for the petrols, which start with a 1.5-litre in the C180, this engine making 126kW and 250Nm from the engine, plus the EQ Boost involvement, which can do 0-100kmh in 8.6 seconds.

The C200 also uses a 1.5-litre engine and it has 152kW/300Nm before EQ Boost, resulting in a 0-100kmh time of 7.3 seconds. The C300 is a 2.0-litre unit with the same EQ Boost function, adding to the engine's 192kW and 400Nm for a six second 0-100kmh run and 250kmh top speed.

Fuel economy and emissions counts figures will be shared once the cars’ WLTP homologation is completed.

If mild hybrid doesn’t seem good enough, don’t worry. Mercedes also has a plug-in hybrid model in the pipeline. This pairs a 95kW electric motor to a 152kW 2.0-litre petrol engine for system outputs of 233kW and 550Nm, along with up to 100km of all-electric driving range, courtesy of a 25.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, at 100kmh, or higher.

The nine-speed automatic gearbox is carried over, but now calibrated to work with the ISG. Everything is rear-drive, of course, but  4Matic all-wheel drive is an option on some models in some markets.

The chassis is a development of the current underpinning, but with a new four-link front axle and a multilink rear end that's mounted to a subframe form a suspension set-up that is said to provide a good blend of agility, comfort and fun. Optional adjustable damping, a Sport specification and even air suspension on the rear axle of the plug-in hybrids will all be offered, as will rear-wheel steering.

There’s a massive array of advanced driver assist safety systems and it achieves the schmanzy digital light headlamp technology from the S-Class, in which the light from three powerful LEDs in each cluster is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors, resulting in a resolution of 2.6 million pixels per vehicle.

Five a big numbers car

A host of clever tech comes with the first product from Hyundai’s new EV sub-brand

ANTICIPATED local availability is the second half of his year – oh, and what you see may or may not entirely be what you get.

That’s the initial message out of Hyundai New Zealand in respect to the ‘5’, the first of a new lineup of all-electric Ioniq-branded cars, and the first to use Hyundai's high-tech new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

In comment timed with the car’s global unveiling overnight, local brand spokeswoman Kimberley Waters has offered: “Please note that this is a global release so specifications will vary per country/region.

 “Once we are in a position to share more about the IONIQ 5 specifications for the NZ market (anticipated arrival is the second half of the year) we will so.”

That cautionary comment seems reasonable – this initial unwrap suggests there’s  conceivably a lot offered with this car that stretches, if not outright breaks, existing local boundaries.

It’s fair to suggest that that platform is arguably the most important thing about this hatchback.

It means that not only does it have a flat-floor interior, optional four-wheel drive, and a range of up to 500km, but it also a facility barely supported in New Zealand -  800-volt charging, until now the preserve of high-end EVs such as the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron GT.

This means that the Ioniq 5 can draw as much as 220kW of power from a high-speed public charging point, meaning that an 80 percent battery charge can be achieved in as little as 18 minutes. Just charging up at maximum for five minutes adds 100km of driving range.

Also, the Ioniq 5's charging system is also the first to come to market with something else Kiwis have yet to experience: Vehicle-to-grid capability. That means it’s a portable generator in itself.

The idea is can power tools, camping equipment, laptops and an electric bike. Hyundai envisages that, in the future, you will be able to sell excess charge in the battery to the national grid at peak times and then recharge your Ioniq 5 later on, at cheaper night rates.

The car also provisions with either one or two electric motors, for two- or four-wheel drive. The single motor version uses a 126kW rear-mounted motor. The all-paw is a dualy, with a combined power output of 227kW and 605Nm of torque. In latter form, the Ioniq 5 will accelerate from 0-100kmh in just 5.5 seconds.

Range depends on the battery. There’s a choice of two - a 58kWh unit or a 72.6kWh unit. Hyundai hasn't indicated the range for the smaller, but the bigger one, with a single electric motor, lends 480km on the WLTP test.

The styling influence is the first car Hyundai sold in NZ, the Hyundai Pony, but not seriously; size-wise it is much larger, too. It seems spacious, with a three-metre wheelbase, flat-floor, and lie-flat seats. The centre console slides back and forth; one reason being so front seat passengers can get in and out through either front door. There's a spacious 531-litre boot as well.

There are two 12-inch displays up front for the instrument panel and the infotainment system, plus an 'augmented reality' heads-up display. The Ioniq 5 will also come with the full suite of 'BlueLink' connectivity, meaning in-car internet connection, smartphone control, and more.

Price? There’s been all sorts of speculation, but nothing confirmed, let alone locally.But given the spec, the car’s size, the fact that its job is to establish Ioniq as a more techy and glam alternate to the parent brand’s own electric cars, the Kona and, erm, Ioniq (hatch) and even the factor of Hyundai here being represented by an independent distributor rather than as a factory shop (as sub-brand Kia effectively plays) … well, don’t be surprised if at least the AWD pushes aside the up-to-$130k Palisade large SUV as Hyundai’s most expensive product here.

Grunty turbo four assigned to NZ Outback

 Promoted as a good replacement for the now defunct 3.6-litre six cylinder in the old model, the new engine is expected to arrive late next year.

 A PERFORMANCE four-cylinder engine with six-pot-equalling kapow and a more rugged off-road specification will deliver to the new Subaru Outback, launching in New Zealand tomorrow.

At an event for the new car in Queenstown, Subaru New Zealand managing Wallis Dumper said a highly-celebrated 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that presently only avails to the model in North America is NZ-bound, potentially before the end of next year.

It seems possible this engine will place into several derivatives, one with a Wilderness specification that is also set to hit the US soon and is designed to give the car even greater off-road robustness. Wilderness is intended to be a sub-brand - so, ultimately, there will likely be a Forester Wilderness as well, also fitting out with a lifted suspension, knobby tires, black six-spoke wheels, and a rougher appearance, including a reprofile front bumper and beefier side protection.

As things stand, the sixth generation Outback is here in three specification levels – Outback, Outback X and Touring – that respectively price at $49,990, $54,990 and $57,990.

 All run an updated version of the previous car’s mainstay 2.5-litre.

This normally aspirated, direct injection flat four unit generates 135kW and 245Nm – so, 6kW and 10Nm more than the outgoing engine. Optimal fuel economy is slightly improved, with 7.3 litres per 100km claimed.

That the new range does not continue with the 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine that ran in a $59,990 flagship appears to be of concern to  Subaru NZ.

 The H6 was popular with a sector who enjoyed its extra oomph for towing. At peak popularity, it achieved 25 percent of volume, though that desire cooled to an 18 percent take-up toward the end. 

Dumper is certain the 2.4-litre, which outputs, in US market format, 193kW and 360Nm would placate Outback fans who had supported the 3.6-litre, which delivered 191kW/350Nm.

All the new Outbacks cost more than their predecessors. In the outgoing line, the entry 2.5-litre car cost $47,490, the medium spec was $49,990 and the 2.5-litre Premium cost $52,490.

Even though the new car looks a lot like the one it replaces, it is by and large a fresh start. Dumper says it is a step up for sophistication; the biggest, safest, most technologically advanced and luxurious Outback ever.

 Subaru NZ is also driving interest with an intriguing customer support offer; the warranty cover will double to six years for any owner who also selects a servicing plan that costs $999.

There is no mystery about the MY21’s look and details as it has been on sale in North America for more than 12 months, with the world getting its first look when it was revealed at the 2019 Detroit motor show.

The NZ market look achieves a different grille to the US models and the wheel arch surround design is altered as well.

Outback has been available in NZ for 25 years and the recipe remains highly familiar: A high-riding wagon with a constantly variable transmission always full-time all-wheel-drive. 

The body is slightly larger and roomier and bases on the Subaru Global Platform (SGP) that debuted with the latest Impreza some years ago.

The MY21 car has an uprated towing capacity of 2000kg – an increase of 25 percent over the current model.

Subaru New Zealand has tailored an advertising campaign that centres on it being a GOOAT – a play on ‘greatest of all time’ altered to stand for ‘greatest Outback of all time.’

The outgoing Outback contributed about 35 percent of SNZ’s volume but Dumper reckons this one can bring it back to when the model delivered 50 percent of the brand’s volume here. 

However, he concedes Subaru will be constrained, because of Covid-19 and also a worldwide shortage of computer microchips, in how many cars it can built.

Dumper says he has been allocated 3500 cars for this year, of which around half will be new Outbacks, yet he is concerned if the model takes off demand could outstrip ability to supply immediately. So, he will work to achieve extra cars if he can.

The new car delivers a 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and the latest generation of the company's 'EyeSight' driver assist system, including a driver awareness monitoring system using facial recognition software that arrived with the Forester.

Lane centring, autonomous emergency steering, emergency lane keep assist, speed sign recognition with intelligent speed limiter, lane departure warning with steering wheel vibration and lane departure prevention are fitted, but the full-strength kit is restricted to the Touring.

Other available technologies include forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.

The model adopts as standard the updated X-Mode selectable terrain response system that has been an ingredient of the current Outback X and also first showed in the current Forester.

This combines driver-selectable drive modes for terrain and weather management with differential locks and hill descent control to simplify and improve capability on non-optimal driving surfaces.

Hybrid confirmed as Qashqai fully revealed

The next generation of Nissan’s core crossover has been uncovered, along with more detail about its electric-assisted e-Power drivetrain.

CONFIRMATION that a potent hybrid powertrain will feature in the next-generation of Nissan’s Qashqai crossover has come with the brand now fully revealing the car.

Nissan New Zealand has still not offered any comment about the new model, which once again is being produced in the United Kingdom.

Whether this market will be in line for the new hybrids – psrticularly the top version of which combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor - remains unknown, though given the national climate for such powertrains is warming, the tech would seem to have a good chance.

As previously reported, also offering is a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol related to that of the current car, but with its own internal improvements to reduce fuel consumption. This unit is now mated to an uprated 12-volt electrical system, known as Advanced Lithium-ion battery System. 

With Nissan’s hybrid the 115kW petrol engine doesn’t ever drive the wheels directly - instead it sends all of its exertions to a power generator, inverter and 140kW (electric motor that's similar to the one found in the likes of the Nissan Leaf fully electric.

It drives through the Xtronic CVT automatic and also comes with the option of four-wheel drive, with five driving modes - Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow and Off-Road.

The e-Pedal system that features on the Leaf also enacts on the five-door crossover, meaning drivers can make use of one pedal driving. Stepping off the throttle can provide up to 0.2G of regenerative deceleration without any need to touch the brake. 

The revised 1.3 turbo comes in two states of tune, 102kW and 116kW. The more powerful avails with a CVT automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive; the other with a manual six-speed.

The styling is familiar, but the shape is more smoothed-off and more creased in places; it also has the same family face premiered by the smaller Juke. There's also, for the first time, the choice of having 20-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, visibility is said to be improved and there's more room for passengers in the rear - with the back doors opening by up to 80 degrees to make ingress and egress as simple as possible - and the boot space has gone up by 50 litres compared to the old model, too. This is accessed by a powered tailgate as standard.

 Up front, there's an updated and significantly sharper infotainment system plus heavily digital interface. Besides the nine-inch touchscreen, which contains the navigation, onboard entertainment and more, there's a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, while a 10.8-inch head-up display is the biggest in this segment.

Grecale blows into view

Teaser images have been released of Maserati’s medium sports utility.

THE name? Maserati’s long-time tradition has been to name its models after winds – Grecale is said to be the “fierce north-east wind of the Mediterranean Sea.”

In year from now it’ll be in the showroom, affixed to the rump of Maserati’s first  medium sports utility, which has just been photographed on the road for the first time.

Blurred images of the car outside the brand’s factory in Modena, Italy, came via a hammy marketing stunt – they were distributed to employees who were then tasked with seeding the images out on social media.

 The smaller sibling to the Levante SUV is expected to be based on the same underpinnings as the Alfa Romeo Stevlio, but powered by the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine as the new MC20 supercar, overseas’ reports say.

Performance figures for the SUV are yet to be confirmed, but Maserati’s Nettuno engine is capable of producing 463kW and 730Nm of torque. However, it will be detuned for use in the Grecale. 

It’s believed Maserati will also offer the Grecale with a pure-electric powertrain. Power and torque figures for the electric model are yet to be confirmed, but Maserati has suggested that the architecture will feature the 800-volt battery technology and support up to 300kW rapid-charging.

Maserati's electric powertrain, branded Folgore, Italian for “lightning,” will consist of a three-motor system with one motor up front and two at the rear.

It’s likely to be shared in due course with the Levante and the Ghibli sedan, which already represents with a mild-hybrid option.

The images support contention that Grecale prototypes are currently undergoing road, track and off-road testing. An official reveal is scheduled for later this year but distribution is set to be a 2022 task.

Maserati is aiming for Grecale to have the greatest top speed of any SUV in its class, while also being the fastest accelerating, best handling and most spacious. Ambitiously, Maserati also plans to go up against the Germans in terms of technology, claiming the Grecale will offer the best in class sound system.

Maserati is busy refettling its entire family. A redesigned GranCabrio is supposed to arrive this year with an electric version in  2022. Also en route is a convertible version of the MC20.

Redesigned versions of the Quattroporte and Levante are also planned, with every job complete by 2023.

New HR-V revealed

Hybrid-only powertrains for primary markets.

TECHNICAL details remain unconfirmed, save that it’s a petrol-electric drivetrain promising “exceptional” efficiency, obviously wrapped into a brand new shape.

 More detail is expected to follow in respect to the new-generation Honda HR-V, revealed by the brand today ahead of a global sales roll out that, according to overseas reports, might keep it from New Zealand for some months yet.

Europe is a priority market – yeah, all to do with need to meet that tough and now fully-enforced emissions target – and versions sold there will fitted as standard with a hybrid powertrain, combining a small petrol engine with two electric motors.

Engine size, power and torque outputs, and fuel economy figures have all yet to be announced, as of publishing, but there’ll be no great surprise if it transpires to be a variation of the single-motor hybrid set up version that develops 80kW in the related Jazz hatchback offered in Europe and also set for NZ release soon.

See much new in this third-gen car’s look? Of course you do.

The shape retains a trademark styling cue, those 'hidden' rear door handles but is now far more coupe-like and it takes LED head and tail lights, light strips, a stripe-pattered grille and high-spec models adopt 18-inch rims, whereas entry-level grades have16s.

The dominant feature within a cabin redesigned to maximise the feeling of spaciousness is a new 9.0-inch central infotainment touchscreen with satellite navigation, an inbuilt Wi-Fi hotspot and 'Honda Connect' connected services.

The current car’s versatile folding 'Magic Seats' are retained and it achieves a hands-free power tailgate.

Heated seats, LED interior lighting, a premium sound system, a 'Honda Digital Key' service allowing owners to unlock their car via their smartphone an an air diffusion system that sends a "curtain" of fresh air through new L-shaped vents are other stand-outs worthy of animated discussion at the garden centre.