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electric, Volvo

Charging towards full electric

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Volvo XC40 Recharge

By Bill McCarthy

VOLVO has gone the Full Monty with electric, with its small XC40 SUV leading the charge, if you pardon the pun. The firm has confirmed it will be an electric-only car manufacturer by 2030 and will roll out several additional electric models in the coming years.

The stylish Recharge is their first 100 per cent electric SUV, offering the usual Volvo refinement, and depending on the model, a claimed range of 261 miles.

They are not cheap, this range starts at £45,750, but Volvo is a premium brand and you do get plenty for your money.

It is a stylish SUV looking very much like non-electric versions, with smart light clusters to front and rear and a choice of striking alloy wheels. It has a sleeker look and the front lights feature the now familiar ‘Thor’s Hammer’ design. It also features a discrete rear spoiler.

Like other electric vehicles, the grille has been blanked out, rendering the car less attractive as a result.

The interior is real premium quality and dominated by the nine-inch tablet style touchscreen and a 12-inch TFT display behind the smart multi-function steering wheel.

The central screen controls major functions and now features Google Maps, navigation, infotainment and smartphone connectivity. There are also a number of apps available.

It has a real high-end feel with leather-style microtech powered seats, soft-touch finish and a minimalist approach to buttons and and dials.

All modelsare well equipped, and standard kit includes two-zone climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, electric windows and door mirrors and a host of other goodies.

This model adds 20-inch alloys, Sensus Connect with Premium Sound by Harman Kardon with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound, powered boot, power-adjustable and heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree parking camera.

Like most electric cars, acceleration is instant and the 231bhp on tap from the electric motor powers the car to 60mph in seven seconds. Pretty much hot hatch territory.

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A fairly lengthy road trip put the claimed 256 mile range to the test, as well as recharging availability on the UK roads. On that particular journey, 200 miles might have been achievable.

Hook up though, and it can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent capacity in around half an hour using a 150kW fast charger, if you can find one on the services, otherwise a full hit using the 11kW onboard charger will take eight hours

Despite being an SUV, it sits fairly low to the ground and feels stable, cornering well and good feedback from the well-weighted steering.

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In practical terms, it has plenty to offer with the rear seats folding and tumbling to provide maximum stowage space of 1,295 litres.

Safety kit is comprehensive, with City Safety which includes pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, and front collision warning with fully automatic emergency braking, including at junctions,.

There is also a host of other technologies, like autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian, animal and cyclist detection and front collision warning are included on this model.

Factfile

Volvo XC40 Recharge Pro

Price:£51,750

Mechanical: 231bhp, electric motor driving with 69 kWh battery driving front wheels via automatic gearbox

Max Speed: 99mph

0-62mph: 7 seconds

Combined MPG: 262 miles

Insurance Group: 0g/km

C02 emissions: 2%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

electric, MG, Motors

Electric MG has quality marque

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MG4 EV

By Bill McCarthy

If there was any lingering doubt that MG is back to making quality cars, the MG4 will put that to bed. The new hatchback joins the MG5 EV saloon and MG ZS EV in its assault on the electric market and is arguably the firm’s best car to date.

It is a classy alternative in its segment and offers extremely competitive pricing with models starting from just under £26k and an attractive seven year warranty.

The only thing that could disturb some older drivers is the shape of the steering wheel, which could produce horrible memories of the Austin Allegro owners with its square, so-called Quartic steering wheels.

It certinly looks good, built on the Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) that will underpin a new generation of MGs.

It features rear-wheel drive, 50-50 weight distribution and thin battery technology, which is a form of solid-state battery combined with the thin-film manufacturing processes. The aim is to produce more power and lower manufacturing costs through cheaper materials.

It certainly catches the eye with its sharp angular design, featuring a twin aero rear spoiler, 17-inch stylish alloy wheels and an all-LED rear light design.

The interior is just as impressive, belying the low price tag. It has a premium feel with soft touch finish together with black fabric upholstery. The thin battery frees up space for decent headroom, and legroom for both front and rear is also good.

Dominant in what is a fairly minimalist layout is the 10.25-inch touchscreen that features Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM as standard. In addition, a configurable seven-inch driver display delivers real-time information. There is a decent sound system

The rotary gear selector sits on a kind of floating central console which also houses a wireless charging pad on the range-topper.

This frees up room underneath and between the seats for extra storage. 

Boot space is decent with 363 litres available, increasing to an impressive 1,177 litres  with the split rear seats folded down

All are well equipped with the usual electronic aids, but if you want more toys and are prepared to spend a few grand extra, the Trophy long-range model adds a 360° Parking Camera, Satellite Navigation, Heated Front Seats and Steering Wheel, and Mobile Phone Bluetooth Key.

The MG iSMART app allows you to control many functions of your MG4 EV including charging, checking your vehicle status, finding your nearest charging point, as well as pre-starting the climate control system.

It doesn’t just look good, it drives well and the balanced weight distribution and rear-wheel drive means the car delivers good handling feeling safe and secure even on twisting country lanes.

Like all electric cars, acceleration is brisk, this model hitting 60 mph in just under eight seconds. There is a choice of five driving modes, depending on conditions.

Three specifications include the MG4 EV SE Standard Range, the SE Long Range driven here and the Trophy Long Range.

With battery capacities from 51kWh to 64kWh, the MG4 EV Standard Range is capable of 218 miles on the WLTP cycle, with Long Range SE and Trophy models capable of 281 miles and 270 miles respectively.

However I managed closer to 190 miles, admittedly in difficult and power draining rain and dark conditions for the most part.

As ever, charging away from home can be pot luck. If you drop lucky onto a charger then fine, otherwise you could face a long wait. Charging infrastructure, while improving, is still not good enough, so carefully plan any longer journeys.

The 64kWh battery is also capable of recharging at up to 135kW, meaning a charge time of only 35 minutes from 10% – 80% using a 150kW DC rapid charger.

Safety is a key feature and the car has been awarded the full five stars in the Euro NCAP safety ratings and offers a host of safety features including a range of airbags and stability control, with MG Pilot advanced driver assistance as standard on all models. 

Features include active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent High Beam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Attention Alert.

Factfile

MG4 EV SE Long Range

Price: £28,495

Mechanical: 203bhp, 150kW electric motor driving rear wheels via automatic gearbox

Max speed: 100mph

0-62mph: 7.7 seconds

Range: 281 miles

CO2 emissions: 0g/km

Warranty: 7yrs/80,000 miles