automotive design
Range Rover Evoques Emotion.
Jaguar Land Rover have released details of the forthcoming Range Rover Evoque. It will feature some groundbreaking technology including a world first that was first showcased in 2014.
Called ClearSight Ground View, cameras in the front grille and on the door mirrors project a feed onto the touchscreen to show what is ahead of and underneath the front of the vehicle with a virtual 180-degree view. An added extra to the new Evoque is also visual, with the smart rear view mirror changing to a HD screen at the touch of a button. A rear mounted camera offers a 50 degree field of vision and assists in low vision situations.
Outside, the Evoque has been given a makeover, with subtle reshaping of the sheetmetal, new slimline LED headlights, new slimline rear lights, and recessed door handles. The glasshouse is slimmer yet not compromising when it comes to all-round vision. The revamped exterior has a match inside, with upgraded trim and redesigned dash for better ergonomics. The twin touchscreen and capacitive switches of the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system are the focal point of the interior environment. Wireless of over-the-air software updates will ensure Evoque is always at the forefront of technology for the driving systems.
There is a new wheelbase for the Evoque to roll on. That’s yielded extra legroom and a small but usable increase in centre console storage space. The redesign has created extra luggage space, now up to 591L, with a wider entrance allowing easier loading and removal of cargo. Drop the rear seats and cargo goes up to 1383L. Foot room has also been improved, thanks to revised seat mount positioning.
The chassis has been engineered to accept a hybrid drive. A 48-volt mild-hybrid available at launch and a plug-in hybrid model offered around 12 months afterwards. The mild hybrid works on energy recovery and kicks in when the car is accelerating. This powertrain will be available with the new Ingenium diesels and the 221kW/400Nm petrol four. A PHEV or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle is currently slated for late 2019.
Being part of the Range Rover family means off roading is a natural. Wading depth is up to 600mm and with Terrain Response 2, the all wheel drive system will automatically sense the surface the Evoque is driving on and adapt automatically. Massive 21 inch wheels will provide a huge footprint.
This smart theme continues with Smart Settings; it’s a learning system, effectively a butler wearing an AI suit. Items such as the driving position, music choices, and climate control settings. Even seat massage settings will be learned by the Smart Settings as will the position of the steering column.
The release date for the Australian market is yet to be confirmed.
Porsche On A Mission E
Porsche Mission E
Porsche Mission E Interior
So what have Porsche been up to really recently – and I mean currently working on? They are right into creating a new breed of E-Performance cars: exciting cars that have supercar performance, electric power and boundless attraction. Who’s not going to like a car with the name Porsche Mission E.
The Mission E models are made up of one very quick 4-seater sedan with a height of only 1.3 m and a very special E Cross Turismo – which is basically a Mission E on steroids to tackle a range of terrain and road surfaces you’d come in contact with on any given adventure.
Porsche E Cross Tourismo
Porsche E Cross Turismo Interior
Porsche’s Mission E is a superbly light car with an architecture that’s very distinctive. The all-electric drive gives the car absence of a transmission tunnel, and this feature opens up cabin space and imparts a lighter, more generously proportioned ambient feeling inside the car. You get four individual seats that are inspired by bucket-type racing seats. So strap yourself inside, and whether you’re driving or an occupant in the back you’ll enjoy all the appropriate lateral support you’ll need to match the driving dynamics of the car.
So they are both go fast cars. Both Mission E vehicles offer a 0-100 km/h sprint time of around the 3.5 second mark. With a range of over 500 km, you can then recharge to a range of 400 km in a mere 15 minutes – thanks to Porsche’s innovative 800-volt technology.
Take a look at the exterior and interior pics. They really are an exciting new breed from Porsche! Looking forward to when we can experience them over here in Australia.
Here are some other special Electric supercars that will be around shortly, all bidding for attention.
Do you know of any other supercar electric models? Of course, there’s already the very cool BMW i8.
And, here are some of the others to be seen shortly. Still a little hazy on the Nissan IDS but it looks cool! Hopefully not too far away:
BMW i8
Jaguar XJ
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3 Interior
Nissan IDS
Nissan IDS Interior
Ford Eyes Off A New Level Of Focus.
The all-new 2019 Ford Focus range has been developed from the ground up to provide the most confidence-inspiring, intuitive, rewarding, driving and occupant experience for Australian customers. The all-new Focus has AEB or Autonomous Emergency Braking as standard across the range. Also known as Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology, the system can detect people in or near the road ahead, or who may cross the vehicle’s path. In addition, Focus goes even further with the system’s capability to detect cyclists as well as function in the dark using light from the headlamps.
Ford has also engineered a new-generation, highly efficient 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine and 8-speed paddleshift automatic transmission. They are standard on every new Focus. With significant improvements in fuel economy, thanks to advanced materials and weight reduction, the new powertrain also ensures drivability with greater power and torque. An integrated exhaust manifold that improves fuel-efficiency by helping the engine reach optimal temperatures faster, and delivers torque more rapidly by minimising the distance exhaust gasses travel between the cylinders and turbocharger. Power is rated at 134kW, with torque 240Nm at a very useable 1600rpm.
Inside there is the brilliant voice-activated SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Again this will be standard in every new Focus, with a full-colour 8.0-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen bringing voice-activated features including the standard built-in satnav and a full colour 180-degree reversing camera. All new models will have a laser-welded body.
The entry level Trend will roll on 16 inch wheels, and comes with a slippery 0.27 drag coefficient. An active front grille shutter system helps in that figure. A voice recognition systems in getting things done whilst on the go, such as changing climate control settings. Audio comes from Bluetooth streaming and DAB via a six speaker system.
Focus ST-Line adds a wagon variant. 1653 litres of storage space comes with the wagon along with a two tier cargo floor. ST-Line specific body additions such as rear bumper and spoiler complement ST-Line specific items inside.
Focus Titanium is the model with premium features including the most comprehensive Driver-Assist Technology suite ever offered on a Focus. In addition to Ford’s Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Focus Titanium brings Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane-Centring and Evasive Steer Assist helps the vehicle maintain a comfortable driving distance from vehicles ahead; helps reduce stress during long road trips by helping keep the vehicle centred in its lane. Respectively, these two features are designed to provide continuous hands-on steering support to guide the vehicle and keep it centred in the lane and gives an appropriate level of steering torque to help the driver to help avoid a collision. That is, it can make the steering lighter if the customer steers too slowly or makes the steering heavier if the customer steers too aggressively. Titanium has 18 inch wheels.
Pricing will start at $25,990 plus ORC, with the ST-Line wagon coming in at $30,990 plus ORC. The Titanium tops out at $34,490 plus ORC. Prestige paint will be a $550 option for the Trend and ST-Line, while safety packs such as the Driver assistance package will be$1250 for the lower two, with the Titanium having them as standard. Deliveries for the 2019 Ford Focus are due to start in December 2018.
Private Fleet Car Review: 2019 Toyota Kluger Grande and GXL.
In a previous life, I attended the Perth launch of a newcomer to the Toyota family. Called Kluger, it was a squarish, slightly blocky, petrol only, mid-sized SUV. Fifteen plus years later the Kluger remains petrol only, still has a squarish and blocky design, and not far off in size of the Land Cruiser. AWT spent a week with the top of the range Grande and mid-level GXL, with the Grande seeing the countryside whilst the GXL did what it’s designed for. The urban lifestyle run. There’s a big price difference though, with the GXL in the mid $50K range and a huge $10K less than the Grande.
The standard engine is a 3.5L V6, producing 218kW, and a surprising 350 torques. Surprising because, in context, it’s the same amount as that produced by a turbo-charged 2.0L petrol engine. As a result, urban fuel economy is less that inviting, with the GXL not seeing a figure below 11.0L per 100km at any stage. The Grande is a different story; the dash display didn’t appear to show a consumption figure however we managed a reasonable half tank from the lower Blue Mountains to Cooma. This consumption stayed consistent from Cooma to Bega, back to Cooma, and then Sydney.
Sole transmission option is an eight speed auto. In the GXL this drives the front wheels and the Grande is an AWD system, driving the fronts but splits torque rearward on demand. The driver’s dash screen shows this in a graphic, and it’s kinda interesting to watch from the eye’s corner when starting forward, be it a hard or soft launch. The Grande suffers in comparison to the GXL in this area. When punched the GXL will move with a decent measure of alacrity and will chirp the front tyres. The GXL around town also has a slightly better ride, with a more supple appeal thanks to the slightly higher sidewalls. The Grande is sluggish off the line, with a feeling of needing more effort to have both front and rear wheels gripping. The eight speed auto in both is…..adequate, to be polite. Cold they were indecisive off the line, and when warmed up were somewhat archaic in their change feel. Think the early four or five speed autos when one cog was finished and there was a yawning gap until the next one engaged. An exaggeration of sorts, yes, but needed to paint the picture.
The weapon of choice for the six hour country drive was the Grande over the Holden Calais Tourer. According to the junior team members of the review team it was the roof mounted blu-ray player (complete with SD card input) that won the contest. There are four wireless headphones and they sound fantastic. The screen itself, naturally, isn’t blu-ray quality but the fact Toyota offers that kind of playback is a bonus. Having rear aircon and the controls at the rear of the centre console is also a bonus as the controls are both fan speed and temperature independent of the front seats. The middle seat rows are tilt and fold which allows access to the simple pull-strap operated third row seats. Or one could enter via the power operated tailgate. The Grande has an extra family friendly feature for those that use wireless charging smartphones too. Adding to the family persuasion is a plethora of cup and bottle holders throughout the cabin plus a DAB or digital audio broadcast tuner. The latter had an oddity in that it would pick up signal in areas some other cars don’t but when it lost signal it was almost painfully slow to regain it.
Actual fit and finish in the Klugers is starting to lack visual appeal. The dash design is somewhat chaotic with blocks rather than an organic look. Somehow, after a while, it seems to work. Of note is the centre of driver’s binnacle info screen. In typical Toyota fashion it’s initially a little confusing to look at, but once a few flicks of the tabs on the tiller have been performed, the info such as which safety aids are being used or how much traction is being apportioned, becomes easily accessible instinctively. Powered seats make finding the right seating position to read the screen easy, and in the Grande they’re both heated and vented via a pair of utterly simple to use roller dials. They’re coloured red and blue left and right of the centre point and have three settings to choose from. The GXL ditches the venting and goes to slightly less attractive roller dials to activate the heating side.
The actual driving position is comfortable in the seats but the tiller felt a bit narrow to the fingers. All round view is very good and with broad side mirrors the Blind Spot Alert system was almost not needed. Almost. On the highway heading east from Cooma to Bega, some of the roads narrow and there are opportunities for a lack of safety of this form to lead to issues thanks to drivers that believe themselves to be better than they are. Suffice to say the Blind Sport Alert system can be a life saver. Safety wise there’s really not a lot between the Grande and GXL, with Toyota‘s Safety Sense. Pedestrian friendly collision warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Lane Departure Alert, and seven airbags are aboard.
The Grande turned out to be a decent country tourer. Under way and at cruising speed, it ticks over at the freeway speed at close to 2,000rpm. Toyo supplies the (specially supplied for Kluger Grande) Open Country 245/55/19 rubber on the Grande and Michelin the 245/60/18s for the GXL. Both exhibit a sometimes uncomfortable measure of road noise, especially on the coarser chip surfaces south of Canberra. The dearth of torque at low revs was always apparent though. That peak amount is at 4700rpm, and it was enough at times to feel the gearbox move to seventh to eighth to seventh in order to try and utilise what was available. It was also noticeable when uphill runs or an overtake were required, with a steady drop through the ratios. On the road the steering was never comfortable though, with a somewhat numb on-centre feel and with more weight than expected. However it doesn’t tax the body and with a stop every two hours or so, a driver can exit the car feeling a bare minimum of driving fatigue.
The exterior design is also starting to look out of date in comparison to both Toyota’s own design ethos and in respect to the opposition. It’s still a squarish, angular look, which at least matches the dash. The front features an inverted triangular motif and isn’t overly chromed. Eagle-eye headlights with LED driving lights balance a similar look at the rear. Alongside the latest from Korea the Klugers look heavy, tired, and nowhere as slippery.
The Klugers also come with just a three year or 100,000 kilometre warranty, another area that other companies are rapidly changing. Roadside assistance is a 24/7 owner service, however.
At The End Of The Drive.
Quite simply the Toyota Kluger GXL is the better value bet. There really is simply not enough between the Grande and GXL to justify the extra ten thousand, blu-ray and all wheel drive system included. Neither will see any dirt action apart from the front lawn either. The styling is fading, inside and out, however it’s fair to presume, having seen the new Camry and Corolla, that a redesign is on the boards at Toyota HQ.
Having no diesel option, unlike the Sorento or Santa Fe, leaves people looking at the HiLux or Fortuner, Toyota’s almost invisible machine. Or there are Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport, Holden’s Trailblazer, Ford’s Everest, to consider, or offerings from Volvo, Audi, VW…Take it for a test drive yourself and check out the range here
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