European cars
Sparking The Ride: JLR Provides Electric Taxis.
Luxury sports car and SUV building company Jaguar Land Rover has agreed to support the capital of Norway, the City of Oslo with the world’s first high-powered wireless taxis.
In a programme known as ‘ElectriCity’, the global vehicle manufacturer will join Fortum Recharge (the region’s biggest charge point operator), Nordic taxi operator Cabonline (NorgesTaxi AS), along with US technology developer Momentum Dynamics, and the city itself to build wireless, high-powered charging infrastructure for taxis in the Norwegian capital. This lays the groundwork for Norway’s push to have, by 2025, all new cars sold as zero emission vehicles.
The project will be the first wireless high-powered charging system for electric taxis in the world. As a test bed it will prove the validity of providing a charging infrastructure model that can be implemented almost anywhere, and it will help the rapid adoption of electric vehicles globally.
Fortum Recharge, who will be supporting the installation and electrification of the project, have identified a need for a more efficient charging experience for taxi drivers in Oslo and have partnered with and enlisted the support of Momentum Dynamics in integrating the wireless charging infrastructure.
Jaguar Land Rover will provide 25 Jaguar I-PACE models to Cabonline, the largest taxi network in the Nordic region. The brand’s performance SUV has been designed to enable Momentum Dynamic’s wireless charging technology, making it an ideal vehicle to drive the initiative. A team of engineers and technicians from both Momentum Dynamics and Jaguar Land Rover were engaged to help in testing the solution, and Cabonline signed up to operate the fleet as part of Oslo’s ElectriCity programme.
For usage efficiency, taxi drivers need a charging system that does not take them off route during their working hours. Multiple charging plates rated at 50-75 kilowatts each, are installed in the ground in series at pick-up-drop-off points. This allows each equipped taxi to charge while queuing for the next fare. The below-ground and cableless system provides a no-contact method for charging, engages automatically and provides up to 50kW for an on average 6-8 minutes of energy per each charge. The taxi then receives multiple charges throughout the day on its return to the rank, maintaining a high battery state of charge and the ability to remain in 24/7 service without driving range restrictions.
The Oslo ElectriCity partnership is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s ambition to make societies healthier and safer, whilst reducing emissions. Delivered through relentless innovation to adapt its products and services to the rapidly changing world, the company’s focus is on achieving Destination Zero, a future of zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion.
Prof Sir Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive, said: “We’re extremely proud of our track record in electrification and we’re committed to making electric vehicles easier to own and use. The taxi industry is the ideal test bed for wireless charging, and indeed for high-mileage electric mobility across the board. The energy efficient and inherently safe,high-powered wireless charging platform will prove critical for electric fleets, as the infrastructure is more effective than refuelling a conventional vehicle. We’re delighted to be part of ElectriCity and to continue to lead the field in electric vehicle technology. This is a great step forward to reaching our Destination Zero mission.”
Arild Hermstad, the City of Oslo’s Vice Mayor for Environment and Transport, said: “We’re delighted to welcome private enterprises to help us to turn our vision into reality.
As part of our commitment to reducing emissions by 95 per cent before 2030, we have put many exciting measures in place, but transport continues to be a key challenge. By improving infrastructure and providing better charging to the taxi industry, we are confident that by 2024 all taxis in Oslo will be zero emission. To reach our goal, the public sector, politicians and private enterprises must come together, as we do in this project.”
October Faction: BMW Set To Launch 4 Series Coupe.
BMW Australia has confirmed the 4 Series Coupe is set for an October 2020 launch date down under. There’s plenty to look at and plenty to like in this striking new machine.
BMW’s TwinPower turbo technology is applied to a pair of four cylinder engines and a six. BMW says the fours will produce 135kW and 300Nm for the 420i, 190kW and 400Nm for the 430i, and for the big six in the M440i 285kW and 500Nm. Autos are the super slick 8 speed Steptronics complete with steering wheel paddle shifts.
For those that prefer the personalisation aspect, BMW’s M Sport Package is ready and waiting. The already bold air intakes are increased in area, and matched at the rear by a large contoured apron. Underneath is the M Sport suspension and 19 inch M Sport M alloys, plus Cerium Grey external accents for the M440i and M Carbon exterior highlights can be optioned. Inside, comfort and safety has the extra touches of knee pads on either side of the centre console plus specific other touches.
BMW’s design team may have looked at the past for the future; the front sports a pair of striking yet familiar kidney grilles, with inspiration possibly from the art deco and pulp science magazines of the early part of the 20th century and nod towards their own BMW 3.0 CSi. There’s a heavier nod towards a vertically inclined styling, with a deeper reach towards the lower edge of the front apron. Inside is the newly added horizontal mesh material. There are assertive looking intakes on either side, and sit underneath LED headlights that sweep back deep into the upper edges of the front fenders. Adaptive swivelling adaptive LED with BMW Laserlight are optionable. Laserlight increases high beam range to over 500 metres at speeds of over 60 kilometres per hour.
The designers have looked at how the 4 Series Coupé can stand still and look fast and muscular. Elegant lines in curves and straight work together to pick out the frameless windows in the doors, the short front and rear overhangs, and emphasis the taut LED rear lights. The roofline is a metal wave, smooth, yet powerful. There has been subtle increases in size; there is an extra 128mm to 4,768, width is up by 27mm to 1,852, and a small height increase of just 6mm. It is now 1.383mm and makes the 4 Series 57mm lower than the 3 Series. The wheelbase is up by 41mm for2,581mm. Handling is sharpened by the increase in track with an extra 28mm up front, and 18mm for the rear.
Depending on model, integral head restraints will be fitted, with the rears eats sculpted for a 2+2 configuration. The front seats are a sports style, and the driver graps an M specific leather wheel. It’s a proper cockpit feel with a centre console that houses the Start/Stop button flowing high into the dash itself, and the door panel trim complements that of the instrument panel which is now a broader surface area design. Noise is reduced thanks to an acoustic glass windscreen.
Cabin tech arrives in the form of Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a SIM card for 4G LTE connectivity. The BMW Connected Package Professional brings in BMW’s Teleservices which includes the Intelligent Emergency Call, Reat Time Traffic Information, Concierge Services and Remote Services.
A built-in SIM card with 4G LTE connectivity and standard BMW Connected Package Professional enable use of digital services including BMW TeleServices and Intelligent Emergency Call, Real Time Traffic Information with hazard warning, Remote Services and Concierge Services. BMW’s 7.0 OS is standard too, with fully integrated digital access and information. The Live Cockpit Professional delivers a 12.3 inch driver’s screen and a 10.25 control display for the centre. There is also a Head Up Display as standard.
Pricing will be confirmed closer to the October launch date.
BMW Has Upped The M Pure Factor.
BMW Group Australia has expanded their range by adding in four models that comes under the M Pure banner. A key factor is that value versus the standard specification has changed as there is extra features added for what is effectively the same dollar ask. They also retain the same powertrain to keep costs down. The models that have been given the extra specification cover the spectrum of the current range.
M Models have experienced startling growth for BMW Australia, with a 40% growth in 2019. Worldwide there has been a 32.2% increase for the M brand in 2019 over 2018, with 135,829 finding a new home last year.
The models that have been given the M Pure treatment are the X2 M35i, M 340i xDrive, X5 M50i, and X6 M50i. They join the M550i xDrive Pure model, which was announced late last year and will also be available from early 2020.
First up is the X2 M35i Pure and priced from $64,400, manufacturer’s list price. Standard features are extensive, and include M Sport brakes sitting inside 20inch M light alloy wheels in a double spoke style and coated in Cerium Grey. Run flat tyres are fitted. There is also the M Sport diff and front limited slip diff plus the obligatory M Suspension. There is an automatic tailgate and some good tech inside. A HUD or head up display is complemented by M Sport seats, with BMW’s Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line and BMW Individual Headliner Anthracite.
Additional equipment features are Dakota leather trim, powered and heated pews, lumbar support and BMW’s Comfort Access. Sounds come from famed audio company Harman Karmon. The extra kit is valued at $6,000.
The M340i xDrive Pure starts from $94,900. Wheels here are also Cerium Grey, double spoked, and are at 19 inches in diameter. Along with the M Sport stoppers and diff, items such as adaptive LED headlights, wireless smartphone charging, and HUD, sit alongside BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Plus. Trim is BMW Individual Headliner Anthracite whilst the Sports Seats have Sensatec/Alcantara upholstery. The standard spec on top has BMW’s innovative Laserlight system with BMW Selective Beam up front, and auto tailgate at the rear. In between is a glass roof, Harman Kardon audio, ambient lighting to be enjoyed from the heated front seats whilst all pews get leather upholstery. The instrument panel has BMW’s Sensatec. The price here starts at $104,900, with the value overall rated as $12,400.
X5 M50i Pure sees a pricetag of $136,900 (manufacturer’s list price) with the X5 M50i at $151,900. Cerium Grey again is the chosen colour, this time on 22 inch alloys with a V shaped spoke design. Again there are the M Sport features underneath and now there is the M Sport exhaust and M Sport power steering. Suspension is the adaptive M Sport system. Inside is the Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Plus, and also the BMW Live Cockpit Professional. A panorama glass roof is fitted, and LED lighting for night driving. Trim is the BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line, and ambient lighting once again adds some luxury and class. Comfort Access and wireless charging round out the list.
The extra specification in addition to the X5 M50i Pure is valued at $19,000, for a starting price is $151,900. Adaptive M Suspension Professional, includes adaptive M Suspension, Active Anti-Roll Stabilisation and Integral Active Steering are underneath, and the Laserlight/Selective Beam lights the way. Soft Close Doors start the interior additions, and there is 4 zone climate control along with heated and cooling cupholders to cope with the Australian weather extremes. Leather surrounds the BMW Individual Instrument Panel.
The final stanza in the M Pure story is the X6 M50i Pure from $140,900, with the extra equipment from $155,900. There’s the 22 inch wheels and run flats, brakes, diff, exhaust, and steering, plus the adaptive suspension. The auto tailgate is standard, as is adaptive LED headlights, Comfort Access, heated front sports seats, and the Driving Assistant Professional & Parking Assistant Plus. Internals also have wireless smartphone charging, HUD, Individual High-Gloss Shadowline, and Live Cockpit Professional.
The extras underneath cover BMW’s Adaptive M Suspension Professional, includes adaptive M Suspension, Active Anti-Roll Stabilisation, and Integral Active Steering. Naturally the Laserlight & Selective Beam front end is included, as are 4 zone climate control, heated & cooled cupholders, the leather-bound Individual Instrument Panel, soft close doors, and metallic paint.
Australia’s BMW range will expand even further in 2020, with the M8 Competition Coupé, M8 Competition Gran Coupé, X5 M Competition, X6 M Competition and M2 CS due to arrive.
Welcome To The Club: Fiat 500 Gets Update.
Fiat Australia has released details of a reinvigorated Fiat 500 line-up, with the unveiling of the new Lounge and Club variants.
The Italian city car remains true to its iconic design, refreshed with refined features and an option pack for the Club that takes the new line-up to an enhanced level of comfort across both the Lounge model and exciting new variant, the Fiat 500 Club.
Featuring the capable 51kW 1.2L powertrain, the Fiat 500 Lounge is offered in both Manual and Dualogic transmission and features 15 inch Glossy Silver Alloy Wheels as standard. Guillaume Drelon, Director, Brand & Product Strategy for Fiat, said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer additional features in the new Fiat 500 line-up that deliver a new level of sophistication. The Fiat 500 is truly a fun expression of its owner and with new technology and aesthetic refinements, it’s never looked better.”
The pair share the same 1.2L engine. The Fiat 500 Club comes with Dualogic transmission and is packed with additional standard features including a Fixed Glass Sunroof, Automatic Climate Control, DAB+ and Rear Bumper with Chrome Moulding. There are some extra niceties too, with the Club also gaining 16 inch Alloy Wheels, Fog Lights, and Dusk and Rain Sensors. The Club also offers two different interior options with black fabric seats with white inserts and eye-catching bordeaux stitching, or white fabric with black inserts and white stitching. Leather can also be specified.
Standard equipment for the pair is high. This includes the seven inch Uconnect Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven inch TFT Instrument Cluster Display, Voice Command with Bluetooth, Rear Parking Sensors, Cruise Control with Speed Limiter, Automatic Climate Control, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, and Daytime Running Lights with 15” Alloy Wheels on the Lounge.
The updated Fiat 500 range is on sale with the five speed manual Lounge starting from $19,250 (MSRP) through Fiat dealerships across Australia. The Club Auto starts from $23,250 (MSRP), with the Lounge and Club soft-tops starting from $25,250 and $27,250 respectively. The Fiat website can provide more information.
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