BEV Archives

Rosberg X Racing takes second victory of Extreme E Season 2 in Island X-Prix II

Following the first round of the NEOM Island X-Prix on the island of Sardinia in Italy last week, the second round of the same event this weekend saw Rosberg X Racing (RXR) taking a with a late overtake to secure their second victory of Extreme E Season 2. X44 finished second and Genesys Andretti United Extreme E third after ABT CUPRA XE were disqualified following a safety infringement.

With team owner Nico Rosberg watching his team’s progress, a superb pass by Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky on ABT CUPRA XE’s Jutta Kleinschmidt sealed the win. Ahlin-Kottulinsky, and team-mate Johan Kristoffersson, who headed the standings prior to the double-header on the island off the coast of Italy, now have a lead of 37 points ahead of their nearest challengers No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing, with X44 now up to third.

RXR also scored maximum points from Round 3, with the quickest combined time in the Continental Traction Challenge adding 5 points to their tally, bringing their total overall to 80 points.

“It is such a pleasure for me to work with this team. It reminds me of my F1 days. It’s been a great team effort with everyone giving their best and being at the height of their game. Both drivers have been performing at an incredibly high level. Johan was the star of Race 1 in NEOM. Mikaela was the star of this weekend with her speed and incredible pass for the win through the water during the last lap. I couldn’t be prouder, said former F1 world champion Rosberg.

“It was a phenomenal weekend for us, starting with a good qualifying and we were also very fast in the super sector. The car felt amazing all week and we have got to thank the team for that. They worked very hard, and it paid off. My run was smooth, but Nasser was incredibly fast, so I just tried to stay as close as possible to him to give Mikaela the best possible basis for her run, and she made good use of it with a fantastic move. It’s a team achievement that we can all be proud of,” added Kristoffersson.

The scene was set for a thrilling climax to the double-header as ABT CUPRA XE’s Al-Attiyah lined up in the favoured number 2 spot between Timmy Hansen (Genesys Andretti United Extreme E) and Sebastien Loeb (X44). On the other end of the start line, Kristofferson was joined by Carlos Sainz (ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team), following their dramatic collision in last round’s Final. In that incident, RXR received a 30-second penalty that pushed the team from first to third.

As the teams set off, Sainz (father of the Ferrari F1 driver) experimented by taking his electrically-powered ODYSSEY 21 down the furthest possible lane on the right, away from Kristofferson’s car. The Spaniard’s gamble did not pay off, and he came out at the back of the pack as the cars merged into the single lane.

Meanwhile, Al-Attiyah stayed on the preferred line which proved the better one as he surged to the front of the group. Kristofferson kept the ABT CUPRA car in sight, followed by Loeb. After the 3 leading cars was Hansen holding fourth as he chased them along the rough and muddy course.

The ABT CUPRA XE driver picked his lines well and opened by a gap of 5 seconds, which was the same gap that Kristofferson had with Loeb. Further back, Sainz’ car had a problem and the ACCIONA | SAINZ XE car dropped off the back of the pack and eventually come to a stop out on track.

It was still a 4-way battle as the leading cars entered the Switch Zone until disaster struck for ABT CUPRA XE. During the mandatory driver switch, Jutta Kleinschmidt failed to properly buckle her seatbelt as she entered the car. This would later lead to the team’s disqualification from the Final, after they finished second on the course. ABT CUPRA’S loss of the lead occurred when an incredible overtake was done by from RXR’s Ahlin-Kottulinsky in the closing stages of the race.

ABT CUPRA XE’s disqualification also promoted X44 into second and secured Genesys Andretti United Extreme E the third place, their first top three finish of the season. It was a huge boost for both teams after a difficult start to the Sardinian double-header.

Production of the BMW i3 EV has ended after 8½ years

BMW’s experience making electrically-powered vehicles (EVs) goes back 50 years when it replaced a number of 1602 cars with an electric motor. The 1602e was developed specially for use during the 1972 Olympics that were held in BMW’s home city of Munich in Germany. Its main role was to lead long-distance runners without blowing unhealthy exhaust fumes in their faces.

*The 1602e produced for use at the 1972 Olympic Games was BMW’s first EV.*

In the years that followed, the company continued with R&D on EVs with a number of models shown to the public, run on public roads and largely used in real-world testing. The urgency to ‘electrify’ the range was not evident yet so attention was instead given to developing other technologies like EfficientDynamics.

In 2013, BMW began its era of electrification that continues to this day when it introduced the i3 as the first volume-produced model with a fully electric drivetrain. The i3, manufactured at the Leipzig factory, was a pioneer in many different ways. It had an independent architecture consisting of a drive module as an aluminium chassis, which carried the e-drive, the suspension and the high-voltage battery pack as well as a passenger cell made of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). This module was referred to as the ‘life module’.

BMW’s fifth generation eDrive technology that is used in the latest BMW and MINI EVs can trace its origins to the i3. The high-voltage battery pack developed for the model has also undergone continuous development since 2013, doubling its storage capacity while retaining the same installation space. In its final form with a cell capacity of 120 Ah and a gross energy content of 42.2 kWh, the final version of the i3 could travel up to 307 kms on a single charge.

In addition to its electric drive, the i3’s eco-balance stemmed from the choice of materials fully geared towards sustainability and resource-conserving production. It was the first BMW Group model to receive an ISO certificate issued by independent auditors at the time of its market launch, confirming its optimised environmental performance throughout its entire life cycle.

Partly recycled raw materials were used for its outer skin made of thermoplastics. The plastic used in the interior contained 25% recycled material. The textiles used for the seat surfaces were made entirely from recycled fibres, with the door panels of kenaf fibres. Eucalyptus wood from certified cultivation in Europe served as the raw material for parts of the instrument panel.

After a production run of 250,000 units (sold in more than 74 countries), production of the i3 has ended, bringing an era to close. But the farewell is also linked to the start of a new chapter in electric mobility. In a seamless transition, further e-drive components will be manufactured at the Leipzig factory and from 2023, the next generation of the MINI Countryman will be manufactured at the same location.

In the 8½ years that the i3 was on sale, it achieved a significantly higher market share in the EV segment in many markets than the BMW brand in the area of conventionally powered cars. It also succeeded in attracting additional target groups in the premium mobility offers from BMW. In the early years, more than 80% of all buyers were new customers for the BMW Group.

Many i3 owners were ‘early adopters’ and reported being impressed by the reliability, low energy and maintenance costs. They reported that the brake pads did not need replacing even after more than 250,000 kms – because a large part of the deceleration power was provided by recuperation. The long-term quality of the battery pack was also praised as there was only a negligible reduction in range even after long running times. The BMW Group took this positive experience as an opportunity to increase the maximum mileage associated with the 8-year warranty period for the battery pack, extending it from 100,000 kms to 160,000 kms at the beginning of 2020.

BMW i3 EV 2022 — To commemorate the end of i3 production, BMW produced a HomeRun Edition (below) with extra features and a Frozen paint finish from BMW Individual for the first time. Only 10 units of this special edition were produced, making it a very exclusive i3. Customers who had bought the HomeRun Edition were invited to witness the completion of their cars in the assembly hall.

No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing scores first victory in Extreme E series in Italy (w/VIDEO)

Last year, the Extreme E all-electric off-road series was largely dominated by the Rosberg X Racing (RXR) team owned by former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg. This year, in its second season, the series may see stronger rivals although it was still RXR that won the opening round in Saudi Arabia in February.

The second round – dubbed the NEOM Island X Prix – was held on the island of Sardinia in Italy. This is a double-header event which marks Extreme E’s European destination for Season 2. Sardinia provides a completely contrasting landscape to the other rounds, providing a harder compact surface with many rocks and bushes plus riverbeds, meaning drivers have many natural obstacles to navigate.

No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing took a maiden victory as the RXR team was penalised for Johan Kristoffersson’s collision with Carlos Sainz Snr. that took the ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team out of the race.

Kyle LeDuc and Sara Price inherited their first win in the stop-start event final that also saw XITE ENERGY Racing claim a first top-three finish. During the race, a red flag was waved following a big accident for ACCIONA | SAINZ as RXR’s Kristoffersson collided with Sainz Snr. in the early stages.

It was the Spaniard who managed to edge in front of the pack from the start as the teams’ racing lines merged. But as the course narrowed, Sainz Snr. collided with Kristoffersson and was sent into a roll. This brought out the red flag at the end of the first lap and, ultimately, a 30-second penalty for the championship leaders.

Sainz Snr. managed to walk away from the accident, while Kristoffersson continued in the race despite substantial damage to his ODYSSEY 21. He received a full check-up in hospital as a precaution and was cleared and released the same day.

Amongst the chaos, LeDuc found himself in second place on track for No.99 GMC Hummer EV, ahead of XITE Energy Racing’s Timo Scheider and the trailing Hedda Hosas in the JBXE car as the teams entered the Switch Zone.

In similar fashion to the Desert X Prix Final, the race restarted for a 1-lap shootout, with the 4 teams released at intervals that matched how they had entered the Switch Zone. No.99 GMC Hummer EV’s Price began her chase of RXR’s Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky in pursuit of that elusive maiden victory for her team.

Despite missing bodywork from the front of her purpose-built vehicle (which is the same for all the teams), Ahlin-Kottulinsky extended the lead given to her by teammate to cross the line on track in first. However, following a Stewards’ investigation, RXR was demoted to third, giving victory to No.99 GMC Hummer EV, while XITE Energy Racing has their best series result to date.

Even with the penalty, Nico Rosberg’s outfit still leads the championship with 50 points after two rounds. His drivers once again secured the extra 5 points for going quickest in the Continental Traction Challenge. No.99 GMC Hummer EV are now their nearest challengers, 13 points behind.

“If you look at the numbers, we went from first in practice, to last in qualifying – and back to first as the race winners. It was a rollercoaster ride… I don’t know how to put it into words… but we all did our job today. We have a great GMC HUMMER EV team where everyone works so hard. We’re ready to take this success and apply it to the next race this weekend.” said LeDuc.

GMC is a division of General Motors and is participating in the Extreme E series with Chip Ganassi Racing to showcase the all-electric Hummer EV which was unveiled in October 2020. The Extreme E championship is for vehicles powered only by electricity and a specially-developed all-electric vehicle inspired by the Hummer EV will be used.

GMC’s association with Chip Ganassi Racing will be for a number of years. The event regulations specify that there must be one male and one female member, and both must also perform driving duties. To meet this requirement, the team has off-road racers Kyle LeDuc and Sara Price.

“I can’t think of a better fit than showcasing the look of GMC’s HUMMER EV in Extreme E with Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Jim Campbell, General Motors US Vice-President, Performance and Motorsports. “Both GMC HUMMER EV and the Extreme E series are designed to be revolutionary – to challenge perceptions of electric vehicles and to showcase their true capability.”

First look at Hyundai IONIQ 6 ‘Electrified Streamliner’

The IONIQ name began as a model name in Hyundai Motor’s range. And it also had an interesting approach as Hyundai offered a choice of three types of powertrains in the same body – combustion engine, hybrid or battery electric. In 2020, however, the company decided to make ‘IONIQ’ (a combination of ‘ion’ and ‘unique’) a sub-brand that would be used for purely electric models.

The IONIQ brand started off with the IONIQ 5 in 2021, a C-segment SUV that was based on the 45 EV concept shown in 2019. The IONIQ 5, the first model built on Hyundai Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), has been very well received and even chosen as the 2022 World Car of the Year.

Second of three models
When Hyundai announced the creation of the sub-brand in 2020, it said that it would come out with three new models and now, after the IONIQ 5, comes the IONIQ 6. It is adapted from the Prophecy concept car and is described as an ‘Electrified Streamliner’ with its aerodynamically sculpted form.

The clean, simple lines and a pure aerodynamic form present ‘Emotional Efficiency’ and the streamliner typology and mindful cocoon-like interior embody a silhouette for the new era of electric mobility. The unique design language has been used to pursue energy efficiency and sustainable material usage.

“IONIQ 6 connects an emotional convergence of functionality with aesthetics,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice-President and Head of Hyundai Design Centre. “The distinctive streamlined design is the result of close cooperation between engineers and designers, with obsessive attention to detail and customer-centric values at the core. We have created the IONIQ 6 as a mindful cocoon that offers personalized places for all.”

Human-centric design
As with most cars, the human-centric basis was set from the start, with the interior space developed simultaneously with the exterior form. Efforts were made to maximize and optimize the interior space, stretching it at the front and rear, resulting in a unique streamliner silhouette and spacious interior.

Like the IONIQ 5, this new model uses the Hyundai Look design strategy that gives each model a unique appearance, like chess pieces. By taking a customer-centric direction, Hyundai designs with diverse lifestyles in mind rather than with a one-style-fits-all approach.

Sleek and functional aesthetics
The IONIQ 6’s form has an impressively low drag coefficient of just 0.21 Cd. This is achieved by assisted by its low nose, active air flaps at the front, wheel gap reducers, and slim digital side mirrors.

Also contributing to reduced resistance is its elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, slight boat-tail structure, and separation traps on both sides of the rear bumper. On the underside of the car, a flat surface is evident with a full cover, optimized deflectors and reduced wheel-arch gap.

Parametric Pixels are the IONIQ brand’s identity and there are over 700 of them in various places on the bodywork as well as within. These include the headlamps, rear lamps, front lower sensors, air vent garnishes and centre console indicator.

The rear wing’s Parametric Pixel High-Mounted Stop Lamp (aka third brake light) has an eye-catching light execution when the brakes are applied. To further highlight the IONIQ 6’s uniqueness, a newly designed Hyundai ‘H’ badge is applied on the front and rear of the vehicle.

Personal space on wheels
The cocoon-shaped interior serves as both a comfortable hideaway and personal space, replete with practical features and sustainable materials to facilitate a mindful, eco-friendly mobility experience and lifestyle.

The Electric Global Modular Platform, optimised for electric vehicles, enabled the designers to stretch the interior, front and rear. This maximises legroom and spaciousness, with a completely flat floor giving expansive feeling.

The user-centric interior architecture is exemplified by an ergonomically designed control unit that is centrally located to reduce distraction and support safe, intuitive driving. The modular touchscreen dashboard integrates a 12-inch full-touch infotainment display and 12-inch digital cluster. A bridge-type centre console provides convenient and generous in-car storage.

Dual Colour Ambient Lighting provides overall illumination for IONIQ 6 interior. Users can choose from a spectrum of 64 colours and 6 dual colour themes developed by experts to help drivers and passengers feel relaxed and comfortable. The 4-dot Interactive Pixel Lights on the steering wheel enable easy communication between the driver and vehicle.

The removal of buttons from the front doors provides extra elbow space as well as adds storage capacity. Transparent accents on the crash pad garnish, door map pocket and console lower cover further accentuate the sense of spaciousness and uniqueness.

Eco-friendly materials
In line with the IONIQ 6’s Ethical Uniqueness theme and inspired by today’s eco-conscious consumers, the designers applied sustainable materials to the exterior, including recycled pigment paint from end-of-life tyres to the cladding and bamboo charcoal pigment paint to the body.

The interior is also trimmed in sustainable materials and colours. These include eco-process leather (seats), recycled PET fabric (seats), bio TPO skin (dashboard), bio PET fabric (headliner), bio paint derived from vegetable oils (doors), and recycled fishing net carpet — the latter a first for the IONIQ brand.

Technical details have not been released yet as the midsize model, likely to take over the place of the Sonata in future, will be officially launched later this month. The IONIQ 7 will likely be a larger crossover and make its debut in 2024.

Mazda’s first fully electric model now available in Malaysia, priced from RM198,780

After giving the Malaysia media a preview in April, Bermaz Motor Trading is now introducing the new Mazda MX-30 to the Malaysian public. The model, Mazda’s first battery-electric vehicle (BEV), is priced from RM198,780 and bookings are accepted at the Mazda Flagship showroom in Glenmarie, Selangor.

The development of the MX-30 is part of the company’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 vision of achieving carbon neutrality. The carmaker has also taken a different approach with performance (acceleration, top speed, range) not being the main focus but practicality and urban usage. This approach has helped to manage the costs which are still high for BEVs. (more…)

Volkswagen unveils ID.AERO concept as flagship of all-electric ID. range

After releasing sketches of a new model in its BEV (battery electric vehicle) ID. range, Volkswagen has now issued the first pictures of the concept car that will be the basis of the flagship of the range. To be known as the ID. AERO, it will be the sixth member of the ID. family, after the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.6 as well as the iconic ID. Buzz.

The future model will be positioned in the premium midsize sedan segment and offered worldwide as the brand’s first global BEV sedan. the production version for China, a very important market for Volkswagen, is expected to go on sale in the second half of 2023. The European and global version will be made in Germany from 2023.

Electric offensive in China
With the ID. AERO, Volkswagen is stepping up its electric offensive in China as part of its ACCELERATE strategy. Following the ID.3, ID.4 and ID.6, the production version of the ID. AERO will become the fourth fully-electric model series in China when it goes on sale in the second half of 2023.

Two versions are planned for the world’s largest car market – one for each Volkswagen joint venture. Based on its regional strategy, Volkswagen is aiming to become the leading supplier of sustainable vehicles in China. As early as 2030, it is planned that at least every second vehicle sold in China will be an electric vehicle.

Elegant design characterised by aerodynamics
The concept car is almost 5 metres long and its design is greatly influenced by aerodynamic principles. The roof slopes elegantly to the rear in coupe style and contributes to achieving a very low drag coefficient of 0.23 Cd.

Stylistically, the ID. AERO transfers the design of the ID. family to a sedan in the premium midsize segment for the first time. The aerodynamically designed front end and roof ensure that air flows optimally over the vehicle. The airflow is calmed by the slightly drawn-in rear end with a separation edge.

The front end is characterised by the ID. honeycombs typical for the ID. family. The front is horizontally split into two in the bumper and is a defining style element for the ID. AERO design. As another distinctive feature that makes the ID. AERO stand out in the crowd, a narrow light strip extends horizontally across the front out to the left and right of the illuminated Volkswagen badge and above the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, wrapping into the wings and side panels.

This light strip is continued visually to the rear end with a few interruptions. The dominant rear end features a striking dark light strip and LED taillight clusters with honeycomb structure that create an exclusive look.

The sporty 22-inch two-tone wheels are designed in the style of a turbine and are integrated flush into the wheel housings. Classic door handles are replaced by illuminated touch surfaces, which reduce the drag even further.

At the top of the silhouette, the bold tornado line and downward sloping roof line shape the design. The powerful shoulder section of the ID. AERO is located above the tornado line. The contour lines make the electric sedan appear flatter and give it a dynamic look.

Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB)
Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) permits short overhangs, a long wheelbase and an exceptionally spacious vehicle interior. The ID. AERO will have a powerful lithium-ion battery with a net energy content of 77 kWh. Thanks to the interaction of the efficient drive system and the excellent aerodynamic properties, the carmaker claims that ranges of up to 620 kms will be possible.

“With the ID. AERO showcar, we are revealing a preview of the next member of the ID. family. A car with an emotional and at the same time extremely aerodynamic design, a range of over 600 kms, an extraordinary amount of space and a premium interior,” said Ralf Brandstatter, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars. “With our ACCELERATE strategy, we are intensively driving forward the electrification of our model range. Following the ID.4, this model will be our next global car for Europe, China and the USA. ”

*The ID. family is Volkswagen’s range of the future with all battery-electric models using the MEB platform.*

Bookings accepted for Kia EV6 EV, priced from RM300,688

Since it was launched in March 2021, the Kia EV6 has impressed the automotive world and received a number of awards, including the 2022 European Car of the Year award. The first of the Korean carmaker’s next-generation battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), the EV6 embodies Kia’s shifting focus towards electrification. As part of the Hyundai Motor Group, Kia is also very much into electrifying its range with the aim of achieving carbon-neutrality.

The EV6 has progressively made its appearance in many markets around the world and now it is also being offered in Malaysia, although only bookings are being taken for now. The model is distributed through Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd (DMSB), which took over representation of Kia from the Naza Group in April 2021. A subsidiary of BAuto (Bermaz Auto), DMSB is the sole distributor while another company – Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd – has also been formed to manage the assembly of Kia vehicles locally and Kia Motors has majority share in this company.

Dedicated BEV platform
Priced from RM300,668 (click here for the pricelist)for the GT-line version, the EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated BEV produced with the all-new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) of the Hyundai Motor Group. By having a dedicated platform, it means that the architecture of the vehicle can be fully optimised for an electric powertrain. Earlier, carmakers developed BEVs using platforms that were still used for conventional combustion engines, resulting in less than optimum engineering when it came to a BEV.

The EV6 has all-wheel drive with two electric motors generating a total of 605 Nm, and a 77.4 kWh battery pack powering them. Claimed performance figures are 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 185 km/h. The claimed range on a fully charged battery pack is 506 kms but just as with combustion engines, this figure depends on driving conditions and driving style.

In addition, the flexibility of its Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) charging system enables the vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which is capable of discharging energy from the vehicle battery. The V2L function can supply up to 3.6 kWh of power and is capable of operating lifestyle electronic accessories, so the EV6 can serve as a mobile power station.

Digital Tiger Face
The tiger face which was created by Peter Schreyer in 2007 and became a brand signature is still present, but it is now described as a ‘Digital Tiger Face. A sleek, modern appearance of the daytime running lights and a sequential dynamic light pattern evokes the original ‘Tiger Nose Grille’, taking the brand into the era of electrification.

With the E-GMP, the designers have had new freedom to efficiently package the interior with innovative use of space. Though the exterior dimensions are compact, the generous 2900 mm wheelbase allows a cabin space similar to many mid-size SUVs.

High-tech interior
Being a vehicle that points towards the future, the EV6 is equipped with technological that enhance safety, connectivity and infotainment. There’s a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as wireless smartphone charging. The curved infotainment screen has a simple form language which gives the interior an open feel.

The EV6, which has received the maximum score of 5 stars from Euro NCAP, comes with an extensive list of standard safety features and systems. These included advanced systems like High Beam Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist. In addition, there is also a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning. Lane Following Assist and Smart Cruise Control are also included for reducing driver load on long journeys.

Each new EV6 comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty (or first 150,000 kms). In addition, the battery pack warranty coverage is up to 7 years or maximum of 150,000 kms.

2,000 ps Ford SuperVan 4 starts a new chapter in the legendary series

Ford’s SuperVan series in Europe began in 1971, and since then, there have been three other SuperVans. This week, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, Ford showed off the fourth Supervan and not surprisingly, it opens the first electrified chapter in the legendary series. The Ford Pro Electric SuperVan uses no petrol and fully utilises the potential of electric performance and enhanced connectivity to achieve the highest performance of any Ford van ever.

Four electric motors, a 50 kWh liquid-cooled battery pack, and a bespoke control system produce approximately 2,000 ps for sub 2-second 0 – 100 km/h acceleration time. Performance from a purpose-built, track-ready chassis including components from the recently unveiled E-Transit Custom 1 – the first fully electric version of Europe’s best-selling van – is complemented by Ford’s SYNC in-cab touchscreen technology 4 from road-going Ford models, as well as additional functionality to control the Electric SuperVan’s unique capabilities.

The enhanced connectivity keeps the driver informed and enables real-time data transmission for remote vehicle management and optimised performance, just like the integrated services that can accelerate the productivity of over 125,000 Ford Pro customers across Europe. Selectable drive modes and regenerative braking technologies similar to those on Ford production electric vehicles also feature.

The striking, all-electric demonstrator vehicle was developed in secret by Ford Performance and electrified rally and racing specialists STARD in Austria, with exterior design work was done by the Ford Design team in Germany.

“We’re bringing SuperVan into the 21st century with 2,000 ps of all-electric power for unmatched excitement and unmistakeable styling inspired by the new E-Transit Custom. But performance isn’t all about horsepower – the Electric SuperVan’s processing power means engineers can use real-time vehicle data to optimise its performance, just like on a top-level racing car,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports.

“Ford Pro is all about accelerating productivity for our customers – so why not create a new Electric SuperVan that proves the power of electrification and connectivity?” said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe. “This incredible demonstrator vehicle takes E-Transit Custom’s advanced engineering and distinctive look to a whole new level, and is high-speed proof of the power of Ford Pro’s connected services ecosystem.”

The Ford Pro Electric SuperVan is a one-off demonstrator, which gave the Ford Design team a lot of freedom to create a wild-looking vehicle that reflects extreme performance capability. The outlandish wheel arches, muscular style and one-off livery are the most extreme expression of Transit design. Meanwhile, the fully-electric powertrain offered the development team lots of freedom with fewer of the packaging and cooling restrictions that come with a combustion engine.

“The fourth chapter of the SuperVan story is designed to be the fastest, most extreme yet while keeping the Transit DNA. The proportions are a more dramatic version of what we developed for the E-Transit Custom and the front light bar creates a futuristic expression, making the Electric SuperVan the absolute pinnacle of Transit design language. The chance to be part of the iconic SuperVan story and reimagine what it could be in the 21st century was a dream opportunity,” said Amko Leenarts, Director, Design, Ford of Europe.

The vehicle’s motorsport-spec construction marries the E-Transit Custom floorpan with a steel spaceframe and lightweight composite body panels. A bespoke 50 kWh liquid-cooled battery pack is mounted for optimum weight distribution and a low centre of gravity and can be fully recharged in approximately 45 minutes using a standard electric vehicle fast-charger.

A suite of onboard cameras can immerse audiences around the world in the action during SuperVan’s impressive high-performance runs. As on the Ford E‑Transit, the driver can pull camera feeds onto the in-cab screen and switch between them to help position the vehicle.

Ford Performance and STARD’s motorsport input is immediately obvious; the dramatically sculpted body’s front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser would be at home on a racing car, while the radical rear design’s cutaways and dorsal fin flow into the rear wing to generate downforce and push the SuperVan into the track for as much grip as possible.

The latest Supervan continues the tradition started by the first one 51 years ago. That van has a mid-mounted engine taken from the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40. The next Supervan continued with the formula was taken further for SuperVan 2 with a lightened Transit Mk. 2 body draped over the monocoque. It had the 590 ps Cosworth V8 of Ford’s C100 racing car. The Supervan 3 was a facelifted Transit Mk. 3 lookalike, powered by the 650 ps Cosworth HB engine used in Formula 1 cars then.

Beyond demonstrating Ford’s advanced electric vehicle and connectivity know-how, the Electric SuperVan is also a high-speed science experiment. Its demanding driving scenarios and unrestricted design concept allow Ford to push the boundaries of electric vehicle engineering and connectivity to improve its future race cars and road-going vehicles, software and services.

BMW Group Malaysia provides official pricing structure for BMW i Charging facilities nationwide

There was a while when it seemed that if you owned an electric vehicle (EV), you were free of having to buy petrol (or diesel) and all you had to do was plug in to a charging point and get the battery pack recharged. While electricity, wherever it is supplied, still costs something, it didn’t seem that way as no one really asked for money – at that time.

You can still charge ‘for nothing’ if you can install a charging station at your own home but with charging facilities now commercialised as the number of EVs goes up, getting the battery pack recharged will just be like buying liquid fuel – you have to pay for it.

As public usage of charging stations keeps growing, the charges will be adjusted according to demand. DC Fast Chargers, which shorten charging time (if the EV is able to accept such charging), are expensive to set up so the charges for using them will be higher.

Standardised prices
To ensure a fair and standardised experience for all EV owners in Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia has released an official pricing structure for BMW i Charging facilities across the country. The Pay-Per-Use pricing structure for charging at any authorised BMW dealership listed below is as follows:

BMW and MINI EV owners can also expect greater accessibility to charging facilities across the country as BMW Group Malaysia partners with multiple key EV charging providers such as JomCharge and Tenaga Nasional Berhad, in addition to chargEV. This strategy will ensure that owners of our BMW electrified vehicles will have access to the widest range of charging facilities no matter where they are in Malaysia. Customers and members of the public can therefore expect to see many more BMW i Charging facilities located in key areas.

Over 400 charging stations
In partnership with chargEV, BMW Group Malaysia has successfully provided access to a comprehensive network of over 400 charging facilities across Peninsular Malaysia, as well as in Sabah and Sarawak. The infrastructure network comprises of AC Chargers located strategically to enable peace-of-mind when travelling, whether intercity or out of state.

BMW EV owners who use chargEV-powered BMW i Charging facilities can register as a member at RM240 per annum to enjoy preferential Pay-Per-Use charging rates, as well as complimentary usage of all their AC Chargers nationwide. With the chargEV mobile application, users can also locate charging facilities at over 250 locations nationwide and are also able to reserve chargers, start and stop charging remotely, as well as view their vehicle’s charging status in real time.

Removing the worry of EV owners
“Our vision for an Electric Future spans beyond just the expansion of our EV portfolio and infrastructure here at BMW Group Malaysia. We have long been working on fostering a viable ecosystem that is future-ready and one that electrified mobility can thrive in, knowing that the main roadblock to EV adoption remains to be range anxiety and a worry that there may not be enough charging facilities in place across the country. Through our many partnerships with local tech and EV industry leaders over the past few years, we have been able to continuously grow our network of charging facilities where the needs are highest,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

“With an official pricing structure in place, we are taking the next step in the ever-maturing EV ecosystem in Malaysia, by endeavouring to provide fair and adequate access to these facilities for all EV users in Malaysia – regardless of make and model, as electrification remains a shared responsibility amongst automakers in solving climate change,” he added.

Lunaz rebuilds a classic Jaguar model as EV using ocean rubbish

Lunaz is a young (in existence since 2018) British company which remanufactures and electrifies vehicles, and it claims to be the world’s leading creator of upcycled, restored and electrified classic cars. Models which it has electrified include the Jaguar XK120, 140 and 150, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Rolls-Royce Phantom V, Bentley Continental, and Range Rover Classic.

The company typically does work on commission, and it has three divisions providing all the necessary services that further the legacies of the most celebrated cars in the world. Its most recent project which has been completed is a 1952 Jaguar XK120.

The car presented a world-first for a project of this type – a leather-free interior that utilises ocean clean-up materials. This includes carpets that are woven from reclaimed nylon sea-fishing nets. Additionally, the backing of these carpets is upcycled from marine plastic pollution such as plastic bottles.

The process of reclaiming waste materials from the ocean is already being successfully utilised in the worlds of fashion, fine furniture making and high-end watch manufacturing. Global demand for these kinds of sustainable materials is driving significant positive environmental impact: for every tonne of the raw material produced to make the materials that make Lunaz’ carpets, 7 barrels of crude oil can be saved and nearly 7 tonnes of carbon will not be emitted.

In handing over this beautiful electrified and upcycled Jaguar XK120, we conclude a project that has empowered our designers to re-imagine the traditional classic car material palette. We are proud to take materials and create processes that significantly reduce the global impact of enjoying these cars by unlocking the power of upcycling,” said David Lorenz, Founder & CEO of Lunaz (which has David Beckham among its investors).

While such a car is already exclusive, Lunaz’ customers would expect to be able to personalise their cars further and this is handled by an in-house design department. The team works in close collaboration with customers to understand their aesthetic and personal sensibilities. In the case of this very special build, the customer visited Lunaz throughout the commissioning and specification process to understand the way that alternatives to leather and innovative upcycled materials perform from a visual and comfort perspective.

This led to a decision (by the customer) to create an entirely leather-free interior specified to complement the bespoke Obsidian Blue exterior colour scheme. This was painted in-house at Lunaz’ home in Silverstone, UK and is one of the limitless palettes of colours available to every Lunaz customer.

This very close collaboration yielded an interior finished in an innovative blend of textiles, traditional woods and upcycled materials. For example, the seat frame is constructed from recyclable aluminium. This offers both a contemporary aesthetic and an alternative to traditional classic material palettes while delivering the functional requirements of the seat.

The seats are finished in a super-high-quality fabric material. Subtle reference to the driver-focus of this particular car is made through the addition of a black stripe to the driver’s seat.

The Burr Walnut veneer wood has a contemporary aesthetic through a satin lacquer. Wherever possible, material from the 70-year old car was painstakingly restored to minimise the requirement to create new materials. This extended to the substrates which were then re-veneered in sustainably sourced timber.

Lunaz’ team of engineers subtly integrated the latest infotainment and audio technology into the car. This includes the discreet placement of a screen installed with Apple CarPlay to operate the customer’s preferred navigation and music streaming apps.

The Lunaz modular powertrain used in the Jaguar was developed by a team of engineers drawn from some of the leading names in automotive design and technology and under the leadership of Jon Hilton, former Technical Director of Renault Formula 1.

Lunaz’ proposition has created unprecedented global demand from both new classic car owners and existing collectors seeking to rebalance their collections in line with shifting global sensibilities. An independent environmental audit found that once a Lunaz vehicle undergoes the brand’s process of re-engineering and electrification, it reclaims more than 80% of the embedded carbon of the original car’s manufacture.

Therefore, this approach represents a sustainable means to keep the most celebrated cars in history on the road while addressing the other key barriers to classic car ownership, usability and reliability.

Piston.my

BEV

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Lunaz rebuilds a classic Jaguar model as EV using ocean rubbish

Rosberg X Racing takes second victory of Extreme E Season 2 in Island X-Prix II

Production of the BMW i3 EV has ended after 8½ years

No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing scores first victory in Extreme E series in Italy (w/VIDEO)

First look at Hyundai IONIQ 6 ‘Electrified Streamliner’

Mazda’s first fully electric model now available in Malaysia, priced from RM198,780

Volkswagen unveils ID.AERO concept as flagship of all-electric ID. range

Bookings accepted for Kia EV6 EV, priced from RM300,688

2,000 ps Ford SuperVan 4 starts a new chapter in the legendary series

BMW Group Malaysia provides official pricing structure for BMW i Charging facilities nationwide

Lunaz rebuilds a classic Jaguar model as EV using ocean rubbish

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