Category Archives: Electric/hybrid

BMW, Electric/hybrid, Motoring

BMW X3 Drive 30e M Sport

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Talking about an evolution

By Bill McCarthy

The X3 has always been an attractive motor since it first hit the roads back in 2005. In typical BMW style, it has evolved developing sharper looks and a stronger road presence to take on fierce competition that was not around when it first appeared.

Make no mistake, the likes of Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, Lexus, Jaguar a nd Land Rover are worthy rivals, but for many BMW is still the one to beat.

The rush to full electrification is gathering pace, but this model offers EV motoring with the backup of a two litre petrol engine, meaning range anxiety does not exist.

The range on EV only, claimed to be 31 miles, is not brilliant against some competitors.

But given the average commute of 30 miles, is just about adequate and avoids nasties like congestion and clean zone charges, not to mention lower taxation and benefit in kind charges.

In its M Sport livery it really does look the business with its slim headlamps, huge, diamond-cut alloys and the familiar kidney grille, air scoops and side air vents finished in gloss black.

 It also features multi-function heated leather steering wheel, M Sport suspension, remote control including integrated key, M Sport specific pedals adaptive air suspension, 20in alloy wheels with blue or red brake callipers are part of the optional M Sport package.

The options, which is on this vehicle added another £7k to the price tag.

Inside, the spacious cabin accommodates five adults comfortably, along with high-quality materials and soft touch finishes adding real premium quality. 

Instrumentation is dominated by the 12.3-inch central screen and other instruments and controls give it a user-friendly experience, while it features a host of toys and goodies, including phone app controls, wireless hotspot and smartphone connectivity.

Options for more electrical aids and hi-tech wizardry can build to an eye-watering price but it seems to work for the German firm.

The interior is pure class, a riot of leather and high end soft touch finish. It is a big car with plenty of head and legroom at the front, although the rear is more limited

It also combines the BMW EfficientDynamics drive family and the super-slick, eight-speed auto transmission with the latest generation and the intelligent all-wheel on-demand xDrive system. Not a full fat off roader, there is sufficient capability for challenging weather conditions and moderate off-road work, on.a farm, or pulling trailers on muddy fields. 

Performance is, well, electric. It combines a two-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, for a combined 288bhp, which powers the car to 60mph in just six seconds.

The variety of drive modes, including ‘Auto eDrive,’ ‘Battery Control,’ and ‘Max eDrive allows control and preservation of battery usage for congestion or emissions zones. 

There are various drive modes, which are selected by buttons near the gear shift, with electric, hybrid, sport and auto adaptive available. Obviously for maximum economy choose electric and for serious fun, choose sport and let rip by using the steering wheel paddles, but for most, the auto mode will select drive mode for the appropriate conditions.

Always a brilliant area with BMW is the drive and handling with pin sharp steering and superb handling for a vehicle of this size. Considering its bulk, handling is tight with great feedback for the driver when cornering or navigating sweeping bends.

The performance does not mean ride comfort is sacrificed and it is extremely comfortable on extended journeys on motorways.

It strikes a balance between luxury, performance, and practicality, making it a compelling choice for drivers who appreciate a refined driving experience in various conditions.

 Boot space is adequate but has been reduced to accommodate the battery, and offers 450 litres as agains 550 on the standard model while  A two-section tailgate for ease of loading with optional remote opening and closing.

Safety kit is comprehensive, with full complement of airbags, traction and stability control plus, plus lane change warning, crossing traffic warning, rear-end collision warning and speed limit information.

Another key feature for electric cars is when the vehicle is running at low speeds on electric power, a speaker system emits a distinctive sound generated to alert pedestrians.

Factfile

BMW X3 xDrive 30e M Sport

Price: £55,720

Mechanical: 288bhp, 1978cc,  four cylinder petrol engine and electric motor driving all wheels via eight speed auto gearbox

Max speed: 134mph

0-62mph: 6 seconds

Combined mpg: 134 (maximum)

Insurance group: 39E

CO2 emissions: 48g/km

BiK rating: 14%

Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited miles

Electric/hybrid, Kia, Motoring, SUV

Kia Sportage

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Stylish fifth generation SUV has much to offer

By Bill McCarthy

I first drove a Sportage way back at the turn of the century on a memorable trip to Boston in America. It was the only hire car left and I was struck by the odd stance, never really having heard of Kia. It was a bit of an ugly duckling, but proved well up for the job in hand.

Nearly 25 years later, the ugly duckling has turned into a more elegant swan as the Kia success story accelerates, with a growing range of models and still offering the market leading seven-year warranty.

The fact that it’s Kia’s best-selling model in the UK, Europe, and globally speaks to its popularity and potential and this fth generation incarnation sees a model purely designed for the European market and features the best of the Korean car maker’s ingenuity.

There is a choice of various powertrains, including petrol, mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid,  and the low CO2 emissions are a big plus, as the firm tries to enhance its green credentials.

  • How does it look? It’s a popular car in the UK and while making SUVs good looking is not the easiest task, the Sportage is pretty elegant, with a more sculpted profile that stands out with chrome accents,  what the firm calls it Tiger Nose grille and the availability of different wheel sizes and designs gives customers a choice to match their preferences. It also features18-inch alloys, folding door mirror and smart led light clusters.
  • What about the interior:  The Sportage has a modern, classy interior and is family orientated car, with comfortable, supportive suede seats and good head and legroom. Large glass areas allow plenty of light into the cabin. It has increased luggage capacity and rear seat occupants get 996mm of legroom courtesy of new slimline front seats. Luggage capacity is excellent with the standard 591 litres rising to 1,780 litres with the rear seats folded down.
  • Tech and equipment: Twin 12.3-inch touchscreens which allows drivers to easily switch between the infotainment via, on this mode, the Harmon Kardon sound system,  climate settings controls and features such as navigation. Kia Connect allows connectivity for smartphone compatibility. Comprehensively equipped, it offers , climate control, heated steering wheel, , chromatic mirror, paddle sifted, heated front seats, to mention just a few.
  • Hybrid power: This hybrid model features a 1.6 litre petrol engine paired with a powerful 66.9kW electric motor and a larger 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, mated with a six speed auto transmission. It delivers decent pace, hitting 60mph in under eight second, with delivering good economy of shade under 50mpg. The ride is comfortable and the handling what you would expect from this type of vehicle. Competent.
  • Safety is paramount: It has five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and a comprehensive suite of driver assist technologies like lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and as we ever closer to autonomous driving, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Junction Turning which uses camera and radar data to analyse information about other cars, pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road. 
  • The way forward: Offering a range of powertrains, including a clean internal combustion petrol engine, is a smart strategy. It ensures that the Sportage can cater to a wide spectrum of customer preferences, whether they are looking for traditional fuel options or more environmentally friendly choices.

Kia Sportage HEV GT-Line

Price: £35,240

Mechanical: 226bhp, 1,598cc, four-cylinder petrol-electric engine driving and electric motor driving front wheels, via a six-speed automatic transmission

Max Speed: 12 mph

0-62mph: 7.7 seconds

Combined MPG: 49.6

Insurance Group: 24

C02 emissions: 129g/km

BIK rating: 30 per cent

Warranty: Seven year/unlimited miles