Category Archives: Vehicle type

Electric/hybrid, Honda, SUV

Big advance for HR-V

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Honda HR-V

By Bill McCarthy

The HR-V is a quantum leap ahead in design terms compared to say, the almost ugly duckling SUV stablemate, the CR-V of nearly 30 years ago. Both are now stylish vehicles, matching most in the marketplace.

It has a sleek, dynamic profile with signature grille and headlamp clusters with LED daytime running and projector headlights. 

Integrated roof bars, LED combination lamps and 17 and 18-inch alloys and discreet hybrid badging round it all off.

It comes in three trim levels, Elegance, Advance and Advance Style, driven here. All are well equipped, with even the entry-level receiving rearview camera, heated seats and Honda Sensing technology. This range-topper adds all the bells and whistles.

The interior feels upmarket with large glass areas making it light and airy. It features a commanding driving position.

It continues to offer bags of room, be immensely practical with its one-pull folding and tumbling ‘Magic’ rear seats, extremely versatile.

It has the ability to be a family runabout or a bit of workhorse, featuring smart, hardwearing upholstery and trim and a rubber tray in the boot to deposit wet wellies or clothes or even a wringing wet family pet.

Storage space is flexible thanks to seats that offer both ‘fold-flat or ‘flip-up’ options depending on the cargo space required.

Also available is the ‘Power Tailgate Walk Away Close’ function. The smart key detects when the key is moving away from the car, to automatically start closing the tailgate.

The centrepiece is a nine-inch touchscreen. It offers a number of apps and connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and controls the impressive sound system.

The vehicle is powered by two electric motors that work in conjunction with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a lithium-ion battery and CVT transmission.

The combination delivers 131PS giving reasonable acceleration, but as you would expect with a hybrid, impressive economy for a car of this size.

It produces CO2 emissions from 122 g/km (WLTP) and returns around 52mpg. 

The intelligent Electronic Control Unit automatically determines whether to select electric motor only, combined hybrid drive or engine power only depending on the driving situation.

Selectable modes include ‘Sport’ mode can be activated via the drive selector, enabling even sharper throttle response; Econ mode adjusts the air conditioning system and throttle response for fuel efficiency and Normal mode, balances between both worlds.

For increased range, drivers can also select B-range from the transmission, which offers selectable levels of energy recovery when coasting or braking. The level of energy recovery and the resulting strength of the deceleration effect can be substantially increased by using the paddles behind the steering wheel.

It is a refined vehicle and Honda has reduced noise, vibrations and harshness (NVH) although the CVT can be noisy under acceleration.

Safety kit is comprehensive with a suite of active and passive safety systems as standard including full range of airbags and Honda SENSING technology includes new wider angle high-definition camera and a raft of other features.

Honda HR-V Advance Style

Price: £34,850

Mechanical: 180bhp, 1,498cc, 4cyl petrol engine and electric motors driving front wheels via a CVT automatic gearbox

Max speed: 106mph

0-62mph: 10.7 seconds

Combined mpg: 52.3

Insurance group: 18E-21E

CO2 emissions: 122g/kmBiK rating: 29%

Warranty: 3yrs/90,000 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