Category Archives: Vehicle type

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

Pick-up/4x4, SsangYong

Workhorse with a touch of class

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SsangYong Musso

By Bill McCarthy

It says something about the road presence of a vehicle when someone sees you drive into a car park and then follows you to question you about it. The latest incarnation of SsangYong’s Musso had exactly that effect.

The Musso is not exactly a newcomer in the pick-up sector, which are very much in vogue as a lifestyle vehicle as well as doing what they were originally designed for – to be a workhorse.

But now, particularly in the double cab format of this range-topping model, they offer car like driving manners, high-levels of comfort for five and reasonable running costs.

The high-torque engine also means towing capability is equally impressive with a 3.5 tonne capacity. It has a one tonne payload and the the cargo bay is designed to accept a standard sized pallet, so commercially it ticks those boxes.

The rear can feature a covered top, or in this case, a roller which encases the payload bay.

This latest model now offers more power and improved economy. The four trim level includes EX, Rebel and Saracen (all SWB) and Rhino (LWB)

The SWB accommodates includes load-liner and tie-down hooks, while the LWB has the longest and largest load area in the UK market

It also boasts the highest combined total load capacity for any pick-up on sale in the UK.

If you want to attract the lifestyle set, it needs to look good and it does, with its imposing grille and headlights, daytime running lights, and striking alloy wheels, it looks the part

The interior also looks good, is well equipped and has high levels of comfort including napa leather upholstery on this model.

Premium touches also include heated steering wheel, and electrically operated, heated and ventilated front seats and the best rear seat legroom in the pick-up segment.

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This model also offers auto lights and climate control, rain sensing wipers, heated electrically operated front seats and, critically, a reversing camera, a godsend with a vehicle of this size.

A colour touchscreen the centrepiece and controls navigation, sound system and connectivity, via Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. It also displays the TomTom navigation and reversing camera where available.

The engine is also impressive, the 2.2 litre diesel is also available in the Rexton and now has an output of 202PS and plenty of torque to go with it – 400Nm in fact – which gives excellent pulling power across the range. With a claimed mpg of approach just over 31mpg, it is reasonable on fuel.

Mated to a six speed auto box it displayed excellent car-like road manners thanks to the coil spring rears suspension normally found on cars. It feels refined with little noise intrusion into the cabin, but can feel unsettled if taking a corner too quickly.

It has proven off-road capability and can tackle all but the roughest of rough stuff, but with a choice of two wheel and high and low ratio all wheel drive, it should be more than capable in most off-road  situations.

It’s an impressive motor that’s for sure and perhaps the most tempting aspect, apart from the five-year, 100,000 mile warranty is the price.

The base EX starts at just under £30k inclusive of VAT. Difficult to beat.

Factfile

SsangYong Musso Saracen 4WD auto 

Price: £38,643 including VAT

Mechanical: 202PS, 2,157cc, four cylinder diesel engine driving all wheels via 6-speed auto gearbox

Max Speed: 116mph

Max payload: 1,050kg

Trailer capacity: 3,500kg

Combined MPG: 31.5

C02 emissions: 236g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/unlimited miles