Tag Archives: electric

Crossover, DS, electric

Striking DS delivers on quality

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DS3 Crosback E-Tense

By Bill McCarthy

The decision to split off DS from parent brand Citroen looks to be paying off. Striking designs are the key and while you pay a premium price for the upmarket models you get unique styling, high end interior quality and a range of efficient engines.

And of course, the electric version, the E-Tense driven here.

The first 100 per cent electric model in the DS Automobiles, on sale since 2019, now has a claimed range of 212 miles according to the WLTP combined cycle, an increase of nearly seven per cent.

The car is powered by a 136bhp combination of 100kW electric motor powered by a 50kWh battery.

As with all electric vehicles, the trick is convincing drivers not to suffer from range anxiety.

That was tested to the full during a challenging drive during foul conditions on the motorway, where an admittedly not scientific estimate put it nearer 120 miles. However those were pretty extreme conditions and driving under normal circumstances, the range, again not a scientific estimate, was nearer 180 miles, even thought driver at higher speeds.

To mitigate range fears, the E-Tense can be topped up to 80 per send battery capacity in 30 minutes on the fastest chargers usually found on motorway services.

A charge will take nearer five hours with 11kW domestic fast charger, or eight hours with a 7kW unit.

The DS brand’s efforts to distinguish itself as the more luxury arm of Citroen are working if this firecrackers is anything to go by.

Visually outstanding, both inside and out, for a hatcback/SUV/crossover has a premium brand feel to the interior.

Like its DS predecessors it has a kind of quirky elegance that set it out from the crowd.

The front end features the “DS wings” grille, flanked by the LED matrix headlights on this model and vertical daytime running lights and 18-inch diamond cut ally’s

Another clever touch are the flush door handles, which pop out when the door is unlocked via keyless entry and settle back into place when the door is closed. 

The interior features a jewel-like theme, with diamond-shaped controls on dash and seven-inchcentre console which controls infotainment, connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and navigation where specified

The whole interior feels luxurious with soft touch finish throughout and in this case Nappa leather seats with pearl stitching and suede type finish.

Head and legroom are surprisingly good in the front although tighter for rear seat passengers. Everything feels well engineered and screwed together. 

Boot space is pretty good with 350 litres expanding 1,050 litres with the seats folded, giving really usable stowage space..

On the road, an electric motor whisks the car to 60mph in a lively 8.7 seconds. Not the quickest, but plenty fast enough for the majority, who will be more concerned with range than blistering performance. More importantly perhaps, it will hit 30mph in just over three seconds, ideal around town.

The handling is decent with a comfortable ride while the steering has a positive feel.

All models are well equipped. Goodies on this model include eight speaker sound system, Bluetooth® handsfree and media streaming with USB socket, multi-function on-board trip computer and a 3D navigation system, plus a host of safety kit and driver aids including head up display, assisted parking.

This is one of the best looking cars around with an exceptional interior. Starting at just over £31,500 OTR (including the government plug-in grant), prices are competitive as well with good standard equipment.

Factfile

DS3 Crossback E-Tense Ultimate Prestige

Price: £38,600

Mechanical: 136PS electric motor driving rear wheels via single speed transmission

Max speed: 93 mph

0-62mph: 8.7 secs

Range: 217 miles

Insurance group: 30

CO2 emissions: 0 g/km 

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles 

electric, Family hatchback, Volkswagen

A new chapter for electric VW

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Volkswagen ID.3

By Bill McCarthy

VOLKSWAGEN has high hopes for the stylish ID.3. A slightly odd name for a car VW hopes will emulate the iconic Beetle and Golf, to become a third major chapter in the history of Volkswagen. No pressure then.

It is their first purpose-built electric model and built on their new modular platform, the MEB, on which, by 2029, VW hopes to sell around 26 million electric vehicles.

Again, no pressure. So it’s new but it’s very much a VW, with eye-catching styling and, well, just being a VW. Electric cars are no longer immediately distinguishable from their combustion engined siblings and, unsurprisingly, this does have the look of a Golf, but is rear wheel drive with the motor and gearbox situated at the rear axle. Think of the original Beetle.

It looks stylish with swooping, coupe-like lines and a smart but slightly minimalist interior which now uses a combination of touch controls and voice commands for the majority of functions. The car also features clever light animations that respond to voice commands.

The MEB platform, says VW, allows different-sized batteries and offers a similar footprint to the Golf, but interior space comparable to a Passat. Clever, or what?

Like all electric cars, it offers swift acceleration from a standing start and choice of three batteries of Pure, Pro and Pro S specification. Trim levels include Life, Style, Family, Max and Tour. They are 45, 58 and 77 kWh power units and the claimed range for each is 216, 264 and a whopping 340 miles, all but negating range anxiety that has been prevalent with electric cars.

Prices are now ever more competitive with the first ID.3 available in the UK for under £30,000 (including the plug-in vehicle grant).

This model was the range-topping Tour with the 77kWh battery and mega range.

All are well equipped and this model included goodies like heated seats with integrated armrest and height adjustment, heated steering wheel, interior ambient light with a choice of 30 colours and split folding rear seats with headrests plus the usual array of electric and electronic driver aids.

It looks the part with exclusive efficient alloys, dominant LED matrix headlights, daytime running lights and contrasting black roof and hatchback which features a small spoiler.

The interior is impressively roomy, with large glass areas and little instrument clutter. The gear selector, a rocker switch, is just behind the steering wheel, and the lack of a handbrake lever means there is plenty of space between the front seats. It proved a boon when I had to climb across from the passenger seat when someone had parked too close to the driver’s door.

 A bit like the Tesla, a central console dominates and handles major functions, like connectivity  and navigation and is aided by the Hello ID intelligent voice control which can handle infotainment and climate control.

There is another five-inch display behind the steering wheel which gives immediate driver information. In addition strip light which runs beneath the windscreen flashes up different colours and responds to voice inputs.

On the road it is a versatile car, a composed motorway cruiser, and, with its low centre of gravity a fun car to drive with plenty of grip on offer when accelerating into corners. It is quick off the mark, hitting 60mph in just over seven seconds.

As a compact family car it needs to be comfortable and the suspension offers a composed and comfortable ride. Pottering around town the car is simplicity itself, with nicely weighted steering which gives a good turning circle for easy parking.

You can select two drive modes, D for normal and the energy recovering B mode, which allows the car to slow down while regenerating energy at the same time, improving the  greater range.

As a family hatchback it must be practical and offers decent boot space of 385 opening up to 1,267 litres with the seats down. And plenty of other cubbies and storage spaces available for nick racks.

VWs are packed with safety kit and the ID.3 the full range of airbags, traction and stability control and assisted braking, together with a range of traffic and pedestrian warnings.

Factfile

Volkswagen ID.3 Tour 77kWh Pro S 204PS

Price: £38,815

Mechanical: 207bhp/150kWh, electric motor driving rear wheels via CVT transmission

Max Speed: 99mph

0-62mph: 7.9 seconds

Range: 340 miles (WTLP)

Insurance Group: 30E

C02 emissions: 0/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles