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New Nissan Leaf to make debut in September

Nissan has revealed a few more details regarding its next generation all-electric vehicle, the Leaf. According to the manufacturer, the new car will feature an all new design and be packed with a slew of advanced safety tech.

Unlike the previous generation one, the new Leaf seems to take on a more angular yet functional design, which should give rise to a more aggressive overall look. And by building on the positive attributes of its predecessor, the new car is said offer a quiet and plaint ride while cruising.

The car will come with integrated ‘Intelligent Mobility’ technologies that will help enhance the vision of drivers and allow them to spot hidden dangers ahead of time. This system will also provide them with a better sense of their surroundings, which may help them be more vigilant while driving.

Regarding the interior, Nissan is still being rather vague when it comes to the layout and tech of the cabin. It was only willing to disclose that the car would have ‘Premium interiors designed to suit your taste offer a touch more comfort’.

The world premier of the Nissan Leaf will take place on September 6th, 2017 in Japan. Touted as the first mass-produced electric vehicle, the original Leaf received a lukewarm welcome from car buyers. Despite being revolutionary at the time, the car lacked the appeal and practicality that many regular petrol powered cars had at the time.

However, Nissan should have all that sorted those issues with the new car because competition is going to be ever stiffer as more and more mainstream manufactures jump on the EV bandwagon. Stay tuned and we will let you know more once the car is launched.

Volkswagen T-Roc is a crossover that slots below the Tiguan

The wait is over, Volkswagen has finally revealed its newest crossover/SUV, the T-Roc. As such, we now know what to expect when it hits showroom floors. Meant to slot below the Tiguan, VW’s latest offering sports looks that are a combination of several different models.

Built on the same modular transverse matrix (MQB) archtecture as the Atlas, the T-Roc is said to offer 445 litres of cargo space when the vehicle is fully occupied. There’s also the option of folding down the rear backrests in a 60/40 split allowing for that space to be increased to 1,290 litres.

It is the first SUV from the company that will feature a two-tone paint scheme, which include the roof being painted in a colour that best contrasts that of the rest of the bodywork. It’s prominent louvered grille stretches from edge to edge and integrates with the projector headlights quite nicely to form a unified look.

Judging from the side and rear, the T-Roc seems to have taken quite a bit of its design inspiration from the Mk7 Golf, which isn’t a bad thing. The proportions, especially when it comes to the rear, are car-like and seem to complement the sporty look even further. The placement of scuff plates for the front and rear allow for better offroad functionality.

Inside, you get the usual meticulously neat array of dials and switch gear that we are used to seeing from VW. But the The interplay between the Active Info Display and the specific infotainment system provide for a digital and interactive cockpit.

Another noteworthy feature that is being offered with VW’s latest model is the “Security & Service” package (including Emergency Service, Automatic Accident Notification and Roadside Assistance). This may seem like a Godsend especially if you live sketchy parts of town.

Marketed as a five-seat SUV, the T-Roc will be made available with a front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration. The latter is called the 4Motion AWD and will feature the 4Motion Active Control as standard.

Complementing these systems will be the choice of three different petrol and diesel turbocharged engines. As for transmissions, buyers can choose between a manual or the 7-speed dual clutch DSG gearbox.

And like most other VWs, the T-Roc will come with a whole load of safety tech which include, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, the active lane keeping system (Lane Assist) and the Front Assist area monitoring system with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking.

Also available as optional extras are systems such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), Rear View reversing camera, Lane departure system including Rear Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Assist, Park Assist, Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist.

Common to a number of sporty VWs is the adaptive chassis control (DCC) and progressive steering that alter vehicle drive ability based on the selected mode. This feature has become increasingly useful in recent years because owners want their vehicle to be the Jack-of-All-Trades.

The German automaker has yet to announce when production for the T-Roc will commence and has also chosen to keep mum on when we can begin to see these new VWs roll onto showroom floors. All we know at the moment is, that the T-Roc will be on public roads, eventually.

BMW reveal new M5 with Need For Speed Payback

BMW, in collaboration with Electronic Arts’ Need for Speed gaming franchise, has chosen to unveil the latest M5 concurrently with its installment called Payback. A marked improvement over its predecessor, the new car features more elegant lines and curves that overshadows the car it replaces.

Under the hood is a 4.4-litre V8 engine that is outfitted with BMW’s M TwinPower Turbo technology. Power is rated at 600bhp and an incredible 750Nm of torque. Due to the immense power at its disposal, the car is able to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 249km/h.

The engine is mated to an 8-speed tranmission which sends power to the wheels via the M xDrive AWD system that works intelligently by shifting power based on which wheel needs it most. In normal conditions, the M5 behaves like a rear-wheel-drive car, its only when the rear wheels reach their traction limit does power get diverted to the front ones.

Shifting characteristics can be altered through the gearbox’s Drivelogic shift lever located on the gear selector. Doing so, will adjust shift times according to the set limits. Drivers can still shift gears on their own by selecting manual mode and engaging the paddle shifters.

Damper settings can be altered by choosing between three driving modes: Comfort, Sport, SportPlus. There’s also electronically controlled shock absorbers and M Servotronic steering with modes that are named identical to that of the damper settings. The steering is able to adapt based on steering input and is said to offer decent feedback to the driver.

Should the driver engage the M Dynamic mode (MDM, 4WD Sport), the car’s characteristics are altered to a reveal an M5 that has a sharper throttle response and is more agile around corners. More torque is sent to he rear wheels, allowing the car to break traction and execute playful drifts while ensuring that the driver maintains adequate control.

Another nifty feature, is the car’s head up display that is able to project vital driving information to drivers while on the move. Other worthy mentions include red lacquered buttons M1 and M2 next to the shift paddles on the M multi-function steering wheel that control the driving settings for xDrive, DSC, engine, transmission, damper and steering.

Drivers will be able to toggle between 4WD and 2WD modes depending on their preference. BMW boasts that its engineers placed great emphasis on driving dynamics during chassis development. And as such, the car is said to be extremely agile and rewarding to drive.

“The M is not only synonymous for the world’s most powerful letter, but has also become a synonym worldwide for the prototype of the Ultimate Driving Machine,” said Frank van Meel, President BMW M Division.

He later added, “While the M5 won’t be officially released until next spring, Need for Speed players can drive it first and exclusively in Need for Speed Payback. We at BMW M are really proud of this collaboration.”

Though many might consider the M5 in Payback to be a marketing ploy, BMW and Need for Speed have enjoyed a great partnership together dating back to 1999. The E39 M5 was featured in the first Need for Speed installment and remained a mainstay for all future editions of the game.

Though the M5 won’t be launched for quite a while, check out the picture gallery below as well as the game trailer featuring the M5 and let us know what you think of BMW’s latest chariot of the gods.

Ariel to launch new electrified car by 2020

Ariel, the boutique sports car maker that was responsible for the lightweight supercar killer known as the Atom, is currently developing a new vehicle called the P40. Unlike the outrageously fast Atom, the new vehicle isn’t primarily aimed at track day enthusiasts.

Rather, its for those who want a performance car that can be hooned about on a circuit for a brief period of time. After about 15 minutes of on track action, the P40 will require about 30 minutes for it to recharge its battery pack, which hampers the hopes of practicality, somewhat.

According to a report by Autocar UK, Ariel’s newest superstar will have a very different propulsion system compared to its current crop of vehicles. Touted as an electrified vehicle, it will feature electric motors and a turbine range extender that will help supply electricity when it’s battery pack is depleted of charge.

Built on an aluminum chassis, the car will be offered as either a rear-wheel-drive or 4×4 model with the former being the less powerful of the two. The latter is said to have nearly 1200bhp and 1800Nm of torque. This is ludicrous for a vehicle that weighs a relatively light – 1600kg.

Thanks to torque vectoring and traction control, the power that is sent to the wheel should be manageable. But that is still a colossal amount of power that Ariel expects to reach the road via four narrow strips of rubber that it calls – tyres.

The rear-wheel-drive P40 will be powered by two electric motors and a 56kWh battery. Oddly enough, the more powerful 4×4 model will have four electric motors with juice being supplied by a smaller centrally mounted 42kWh liquid-cooled battery pack.

The logic behind this is still unclear but we suspect that it may have to do with weight distribution and making the car as light as possible. Like Lotus, Ariel resort to extreme methods when it comes to saving relatively small amounts of excess wight.

Their vehicles are built with the concept that, less is more. This is extacly why the Atom has a chassis that closely resembles that of crudely put together bits of scaffolding. Though functional, one can’t help but wonder whether the lack of bodywork on the sides were really necessary.

Slated for release in 2020, the P40 should be a highly anticipated vehicle when launched but we would like to reserve judgement till we witness the turbine range extender function under real world conditions.

Source: Autocar UK

New Honda CR-V wins Best New Car for Teens award

Honda has picked up another accolade in the US and this time, its for winning U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best New Car for Teens award in the SUV and Crossover category. The all new CR-V is a marked improvement over its predecessor sporting rugged good looks an better offroading abilities.

The vehicle comes with some of the latest suite of safety tech known as Honda Sensing, which is leaps and bounds better than what was used in previous generation vehicles that bore the nameplate.

The list of aids include Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow.

These features used to be reserved for high-end German luxury cars, but now are available with a plethora of more affordable models. And they are a Godsend because when activated, a vehicle that is equipped with this, could save you from embarrassing and costly fender benders throughout your ownership experience.

No stranger to snapping up awards, Honda has been on a bit of winning streak as of late, winning several awards from various different competitions. And in case you were wondering, this new CR-V has already been made available here in Malaysia. Click here to learn more.

Great Wall interested in purchasing Jeep

Based on a recent report by Automotive News, Great Wall, a Chinese automaker has expressed interest in buying the American SUV maker, Jeep. Parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), has so far denied the claims stating that it has not been contacted by said party.

Great Wall plans on becoming a global player in the SUV market and by snapping up Jeep, an establishment of 4×4 vehicles, will be able to realize that goal a lot sooner than expected. The Jeep has a wealth of knowledge and technology that have kept the company competitive in major markets in the US and abroad.

Reports say that Jeep is worth more on its own than FCA as a company who’s portfolio includes Fiat, Dodge, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. This is understandable considering the brand’s value and heritage that traces back to World War II.

Great Wall has already set up R&D centres in Detroit and Los Angeles to study trends in the US to help it plan its strategy on penetrating that market. Unlike most other countries, the demand for SUVs and pick-trucks in the US are significantly higher than that for regular econoboxes. This then is a prime area for the Chinese automaker to secure a beachhead.

This is purely speculative, but, if FCA chooses to sell Jeep to Great Wall, that would cause serious consequences for the brand as a whole. Granted, FCA has mulled over the idea of spinning Jeep off as a separate entity before, but that was to allow for better stability.

Whatever the case maybe, if FCA does cave and hands over the keys to its kingdom to Great Wall, that would weaken the American company further. And this will put homegrown automakers like Ford and General Motors on notice that the days of complacency are over.

Source: Automotive News

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