Tag Archives: hybrid

Electric/hybrid, Executive saloon, Family hatchback, Peugeot

Chic and sleek 508

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Peugeot 508 Hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

TALKING about French chic could be described as a cliche, if you’ll pardon the French pun. But Peugeot’s sporty saloon really does deserve that definition.

Sleek, with almost predatory styling, the company seems to have cracked it with its latest intake of designers, as even from the 108 upwards, each model offers something to attract passing attention.

While the current craze for crossover/SUVs continues, this saloon, with It’s low-slung, almost coupe-like lines make it a head turning proposition both on the road and an attractive alternative executive choice on the car park.

Interior space is compromised somewhat by the styling, but it is still a big family saloon with adequate, if not class leading, boot space of 487 litres. Although shallow, it is wide and long.

The car offers sporty performance, while this plug-in hybrid version delivers excellent economy. In addition, the excellent handling makes for an entertaining drive.

“Bucking the crossover trend, this is a real alternative in the executive vehicle class, and a smart looking family saloon to boot.”

It is also packed with high-end equipment, even the entry level model, with the interior offering premium quality finish to fixtures, trim and fittings with a combination of soft touch finish and harder plastics.

While the exterior is classy and features the firm’s signature i-Cockpit control  and now familiar, small steering wheel, piano-style control switches and powered, leather-effect front seats on this model.

It is dominated by a new 10-inch colour touchscreen and Connected 3D Navigation with Tom Tom live updates available, and controls major functions in the car like connectivity and infotainment.

 The central console houses a stubby gear lever and drive selector, which allows three driving modes, from economy to sport. This Allure specification includes front and rear parking sensors and 180˚ reversing camera, 17-inch alloys active and ambient interior lighting.

Safety features include cyclist and pedestrian detection, full LED headlights, automated parking, adaptive cruise control, lane and blind spot assistance.

 The hybrid combination of a 110 hp 1.6 litre petrol engine and 11.8kW electric motor deliver a combined 225bhp for rapid acceleration. On the road, it feels quick and sporty, powering to 60mph in just over eight seconds.

The hybrid combo gives a theoretical combined fuel efficiency of up to 235mpg and CO2 emissions of up to 39g/km under the latest WLTP tests and is capable of up to 39 miles of fully-electric driving at a speed of up to 84mph.

 The firm recommends using a wallbox charger, so the car comes with a Mode 3 Type 2 cable as standard, unless taking up the option of a booster charge cable which will give 80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes at certain charging points.

The standard three-pin plug connector can take up to 14 hours. Economy is further enhanced by stop/start technology and regenerative braking. If on a longer journey, and soon to enter a congestion charge zone, the petrol engine can be used to charge the battery. The vehicle can then run on electric within the  zone, thus negating the cost, but with a downside on fuel consumption. 

Driving the car is a pleasure. It delivers sharp handling and feels balanced, agile and assured when cornering while the ride is firmest but comfortable enough for a family on a long trip, even dealing with the worst of our potholed roads, where lumps and bumps are soaked up with relative ease. It is a particularly comfortable place to be on long motorway journeys.

For ease of charging, customers can also download the MyPeugeot app, which will allow them to manage their vehicle charge remotely, precondition the temperature of the vehicle and receive ‘e-Coaching’ on how to benefit most from their vehicle. 

Bucking the crossover trend, this is a real alternative in the executive vehicle class, and a smart looking family saloon to boot.

Factfile

Peugeot 508 Allure hybrid 225 e-EAT8 S&S

Price: £35,945

Mechanical: Combined 225bhp 1598cc, four cylinder petrol engine and 11.8kW electric motor driving front wheels via CVT auto gearbox

Max speed: 155mph

0-60mph: 8.6 seconds

Combined mpg: 235 (WLTP)

Insurance group: TBC

CO2 emissions: 28-39 g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

AWD, BMW, Manufacturer, SUV/4X4

Plug-in has electric pace

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BMW X5 Hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

WHEN it comes to combining luxurious comfort with electric performance, BMW has few peers.

But now the firm has taken that electric performance further, literally, with a big push in diverging from the combustion engine alone technology.

Take that technology and add it to one of its most enduring models, the X5, and this plug-in version and you have a vehicle that has literally electric performance together a massive economy and ultra-low CO2 emissions.

In this case the vehicle has a claimed theoreticl economy of a 180-230-odd mpg combined with just 31g/km of CO2, producing big savings on the day to day running of the vehicle, particularly for business users.

BMW claims it can travel up to 54 miles purely on electricity which means on the company car tax scale – for PHEVs now calculated on electric range as well as overall emissions – that its benefit-in-kind rating is just eight per cent.

Of course the mpg is theoretical unless you are driving less than the electric range miles and are charging the car every day and with very little use of the three-litre V6 twin turbo-charged petrol engine. It would seem obvious, however, that drivers would wish to make use of all that pace and power at some point.

The X5 is now in its fourth incarnation and this model has produced a combined system power output of 394bhp, 286bhp augmented by the 112bhp from the battery power.

It feels jet propelled and can hit 60mph in around five-and-a-half seconds and on to a top speed of 146mph. Even in electric only it can hit an impressive 85mph.

The X5 has always been an attractive motor, but in the M Sport mode it really does look the business

The engine is combined with the 82kW lithium-ion extended storage battery to provide the power needed to shift a 2.5 tonne vehicle so quickly and so economically.

It also combines the BMW EfficientDynamics drive family and the super-slick, eight-speed automatic transmission with the latest generation and the intelligent all-wheel on-demand xDrive system. 

There are various drive modes, which are selected by buttons near the gear shift, with electric, hybrid, sport and auto adaptive available. Obviously for maximum economy choose electric and for serious fun, choose sport and let rip by using the steering wheel paddles, but for most, the auto mode will select drive mode for the appropriate conditions.

In addition, the vehicle’s smart route navigation can keep electric power in reserve for urban driving later in the journey.

A separate Battery Hold mode and regenerative braking, allows the battery to be fully charged while driving. On top of this, a 69-litre fuel tank also ensures fewer expensive visits to the filling stations.

The X5 has always been an attractive motor, but in the M Sport mode it really does look the business with its slim headlamps, huge, diamond cut alloys and the familiar kidney grille, air scoops and side air vents finished in gloss black.

The interior is pure class, a riot of leather and high end soft touch finish. It is a big car with plenty of head and legroom at the front, although the rear is more limited. It offers a raft of hi-tech, high end bells and whistles that you would expect from a £66,000-odd motor, including head-up display and electrically heated and powered front seats.

The M Sport model also includes a sports steering wheel, specific pedals, driver’s footrest and piping on the seats, plus exclusive interior trim in aluminium. Also included on this model adaptive air suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels.

Central is the 12.3-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dash with controls sat nav, infotainment and connectivity and climate control controlled by the now familiar iDrive rotary dial on the central console. Connectivity includes Apple CarPlay, digital radio, enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging and gesture control.

On the road, the  two-axle air suspension and electronically controlled dampers makes for a smooth and controlled ride with sharp, agile handling and a comfortable ride for all passengers, although it became unsettled over larger potholes and bumps.

It remains a practical vehicle and when all seats are used, the storage volume is 500 litres. Fold the  rear backrests and a cavernous 1,720 litres is available. A two-section tailgate for ease of loading with optional remote opening and closing.

Safety kit is comprehensive, with full complement of airbags, traction and stability control plus, plus lane change warning, crossing traffic warning, rear-end collision warning and speed limit information.

Another key feature for electric cars is when the vehicle is running at low speeds on electric power, a speaker system emits a distinctive sound generated to alert pedestrians.

At more than £66,000, it’s not cheap, but considering it has a three litre petrol engine on board, running costs are good.

And for that 54 miles range on electricity, it may give serious tax benefits but it was a figure I only got near to with very careful driving.

Factfile

BMW X5 xDrive 45e

Price: £66,665

Mechanical: 394bhp, 2,998, 6cyl petrol engine and electric motor driving four wheels via 8-speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 146mph

0-62mph: 5.6 seconds

Combined mpg: 180

Insurance group: 49

CO2 emissions: 31-41g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited miles