Category Archives: Electric/hybrid

Electric/hybrid, Motors, Toyota

Highlander finally makes UK landing

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Toyota Highlander

By Bill McCarthy

The Highlander has certainly taken its time to land in this country. The big seven-seater SUV has been on sale in other parts of the world for 21 years, but it has now joined  the RAV4, C-HR and the new Yaris Cross to complete the Toyota European SUV line-up. Not forgetting, of course, the full-fat off-road Land Cruiser.

 The all wheel drive model now on sale in the UK is the  fourth generation and its full hybrid self-charging system provides up to 80 per cent emissions-free driving.

There are just two versions Excel and Excel Premium and both provide triple-zone air conditioning, Skyview panoramic roof, LED headlights, wireless phone charging, heated front seats and 11-speaker JBL sound system. Premium adds  hands-free tailgate operation, head-up display and digital rear-view mirror, plus a host of other driver aids, bells and whistles.

The powertrain is mated with CVT transmission and high levels of torque gives a two-tonne towing capacity. The 245bhp/182kW hybrid combination delivers fuel economy of around 40mpg, which is pretty impressive for such a big vehicle.

It is  more than capable off-road, but it offers so much more and is more likely to be seen at the school gates than the Amazon rainforest.  It offers the longest load space in its class and up to 1,909 litres of boot capacity.

The rear seats slide backwards and forwards and with the rearmost two seats folded into the floor a huge amount of space can be opened up.

With the rearmost pair of seats in situ, it can accommodate adults but is probably more suitable for children. When all seven seats are in place, this provides 332 litres of storage, including 27 litres beneath the floor.

It certainly has striking looks, sitting high off the ground and with wide grille, slim light clusters and flared wheel arches encasing the alloy wheels.

The interior itself has an executive feel with leather seating, satin and woodgrain finish and soft touch materials to the door and dashboard, while instrumentation is logical and sensibly laid out.

The central point is the eight-inch multimedia touchscreen which controls major functions like navigation and infotainment and can mirror your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, while the seven inch TFT screen provides instant driver information.

On the road, the powertrain delivers smooth and swift acceleration. It can hit 60mph in just over eight seconds and can cruise on electric power only at speeds approaching 80mph.

There are four drive modes, Eco, Normal, Sport and Trail. The final mode acts like a limited-slip differential but uses braking to help send power from the slipping wheel to the wheel with traction, between the left and right sides of the vehicle. 

All four modes can still be used when the vehicle is operating in its separately selectable EV all-electric mode. In addition the intelligent all wheel drive system delivers extra stability in slippery or rough conditions. 

The Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance include a Pre-Collision System that can detect pedestrians by day and night and cyclists during daytime driving, with Emergency Steering Assist and Intersection Turn Assistance.

On-the-road prices are £50,595 for the Highlander Excel and £52,575 for the Excel Premium. Both are protected by Toyota’s five-year/100,000-mile new vehicle warranty.

Factfile

Toyota Highlander Excel

Price: £50,595

Mechanical: 245bhp, 2487cc, 4-cylinder, petrol engine and two electric motors driving all wheels via CVT transmission

Max Speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 8.5 seconds

Combined MPG: 282

Insurance Group: 40

C02 emissions: 162g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles

Electric/hybrid, Hyundai

High voltage i30 makes a mark

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Hyundai i30 48v

By Bill McCarthy

THE Hyundai success story keeps building, and that’s because the Korean firm listens to its customers, according to a top boss.

In the last 15 years in particular, the firm has introduced a raft of new models across the segments, improved quality and embraced electric technology enthusiastically.

In the case of the new i30, its European marketing chief says that by listening to customers, the firm determined there is a need for a safe, reliable car in the C-segment that also offers modern features such as state-of-the-art connectivity and efficient powertrains – and that looks good.

Well, i30, is one of the cornerstones of Hyundai’s success and the new model does look good. Since it first came on the market in 2008, it undercut rivals substantially with bargain basement prices. But as popularity grew, so did the prices.

So it needs to be good and offer value for money as it is up against strong opposition. Hyundais have always offered plenty of standard equipment and this premium version is no exception, plus the five year/unlimited mileage warranty is still a key attraction.

This third generation model, is a handsome and stylish compact family car, offering practicality and frugality with the new mild hybrid setup.

It looks sleek and curvaceous with swooping bonnet featuring a wider black grille with chrome insets, slimmer headlamps with optional multifaceted reflector LED technology, new V-shaped signature LED daytime running lights and smart 17-inch alloy wheels.

 The rear has a smart new bumper and upgraded LED combination lamps.

 The upgraded interior is also smart, rather than stunning, but the car feels well put together. This version offers electrically operated and heated front seats and classy soft touch finish, while instrumentation is well laid out and logical. Centrepiece is a new seven-inch digital cluster and a new 10.25-inch navigation touchscreen, a tablet-like creation which sits just proud of the dash.

The brains of the car, it controls sat nav, infotainment and connectivity via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and wireless phone mirroring. It also features wireless phone charging. Also available is the firm’s Bluelink, which offers a wide range of information via an app.

The power unit on this model features a three-cylinder one litre T-GDI petrol engine with 120 PS with 48-volt mild hybrid technology for better fuel efficiency and for the first time with a fuel efficient six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT).

 The mild hybrid is designed to boost fuel economy, reduce CO2 and supplement the car’s electrical system.

It has a small electric generator that replaces the traditional starter motor and alternator and small lithium ion battery situated in the rear of the car. 

It also adds a boost to the engine when required provides more efficient starting and controlling the stop/start system when in traffic. You would expect economy to be good and it is with a claimed figure of more than 53mpg.

The 120PS of the petrol engine gets a boost when required, making the car quite nippy away from a standing start, with the typical three-cylinder rasp delivering a satisfying sound.

Road manners are good with decent enough handling and the ride is comfortable and smooth, just what you would want from a small family car.

In practical terms the latest model’s proportions offer increased width and an enlarged wheelbase. This provides increased space for passengers in the rear. Boot space has been increased by 26 litres, offering 352 litres of space for luggage with the seats up.

Fold the seats and stowage capacity increases to an impressive 1,301 litres.

The vehicle is also packed with cutting edge safety kit, from full complement of airbags, stability control, assisted braking and blind spot alert. Clever technology like  Rear Collision-avoidance Assist (RCA) system can activate the brakes to avoid a collision when the car is in reverse and a raft of other measures, like lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking.

Practical, frugal, safe and packed with equipment. No longer bargain basement, but still excellent value for money.

Factfile


Hyundai i30 Premium 1.0 T-GDi 120PS Manual 48v 

Price: £28,825

Mechanical: 120ps, 998cc, 3-cylinder, petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual transmission

Max Speed: 117mph

0-62mph: 11.4 seconds

Combined MPG: 53.3

Insurance Group: 19

C02 emissions: 121g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/unlimited miles