Automobiles Review

Author: Georgi Boychev

  • SKODA proves that the brand’s EV range is as safe as its conventional models

    2021 SKODA Enyaq iVSKODA AUTO engineers employ a wide range of measures to ensure that all vehicles in the iV lineup offer optimal safety, even in the event of a severe accident. Special attention is paid to the installing of high-voltage batteries in a way that they are impact-proof and protect in the terms of overloading. This approach makes the vehicles as safe as their siblings with internal combustion engine systems.

    The entire SKODA Enyaq iV has proven itself worthy of numerous awards in terms of safety, even the renowned Euro NCAP tests, which proves that the approach is indeed effective. Enyaq iV comes with a well-protected high-voltage battery which doesn’t pose an increased risk. This has also been confirmed in independent studies by accident researchers and fire safety experts: battery electric vehicles have the same level of crash safety as models with conventional combustion engines.

    Engineers have paid special attention to prevent the energy storage unit from being overloaded and by applying sophisticated tech approaches that include applying protective relays and extensive sensors. Furthermore, the high-voltage system is also designed to be safe and in the event of a defect or accident, the electrical components are immediately disconnected from the battery in a matter of milliseconds and do not endanger passengers anymore.

    SEE ALSO: SKODA Octavia celebrates its 25th anniversary

    Independent tests, some of which go far beyond the legal requirements, have shown that the well-protected battery packs remain undamaged even if the body is deformed and that there would be no increased risk of fire in a rear collision.

  • Everatti team presents its new Porsche Gulf Signature Edition

    2021 Everatti Porsche Gulf Signature EditionEverrati Automobile Limited, the tech company that specializes in the futureproofing of automotive icons via integration of EV engines, debuts a new Porsche Gulf Signature Edition, a vehicle based on a fully restored Porsche 911 (964), at Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance.

    With numerous carbon-fiber components and an advanced EV powertrain, the special Porsche Gulf Signature Edition delivers emission-free driving range of up to 180 miles and can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in less than 4 seconds. The engine is mated to a 53kWh battery pack and an advanced battery management system.

    Furthermore, this drivetrain is capable of producing a total of 500hp and distributes this output to the rear wheels, as well as the 500Nm of torque.

    As part of Everrati’s partnership with Gulf International, the Porsche Gulf Signature Edition is instantly recognizable by the well-known Gulf orange and blue race car livery.

    SEE ALSO: Volkswagen ID.3 makes its Chinese debut today

    Justin Lunny, Founder & CEO of Everrati Automotive Limited said: Everrati redefines some of the world’s most iconic cars enabling them to be driven and enjoyed with a clean future. We are proud to showcase the first of our Gulf-liveried creations based upon an electrified and redefined Porsche 911 (964) at Salon Privé, alongside some true legends of the industry. The combination of Gulf’s stunning blue and orange livery and our state-of-the-art EV powertrain makes our Signature Edition a truly exceptional zero-emission supercar.

  • Volkswagen ID.3 makes its Chinese debut today

    2021 Volkswagen ID.3Volkswagen team boosts its e-offensive in China, as part of the brand’s ACCELERATE strategy. The ID.3, one of the best-selling cars in Europe, will also be available on the world’s largest market. In fact, the compact EV car celebrates its Chinese premiere today at the Chengdu Motor Show.

    Volkswagen’s global electrification offensive is rapidly gaining further momentum. After the ID.43 and the ID.6, we are now launching the ID.3 as the third all-electric model series in China within a mere six months. We are thus underscoring our ambition to occupy a leading position in the market for electric vehicles in China as well as Europe, Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstätter said.

    Following the debut, Chinese customers will be able to have their ID.3 via a pre-booking system prior to the market launch later this year. As VW witnesses a wide demand for the brand’s electric lineup of vehicles, the production is also boosted – As a result, deliveries of vehicles from the ID. family have doubled in the past three months from 1,500 units in May to some 3,000 in June and 5,800 in July. By year-end, 80,000 to 100,000 vehicles from the ID. models will be delivered to China.

    SEE ALSO: SKODA Octavia celebrates its 25th anniversary

    Volkswagen China CEO Stephan Wöllenstein said: With the ID.4 and ID.6 we have successfully launched two strong model series in recent months. Feedback from our customers is promising, delivery figures meet our expectations. With the ID.3, we are now offering our customers a product in the important compact segment and, in combination with the other ID. models, are able to cover a large share of the market.

     

  • SKODA Octavia celebrates its 25th anniversary

    2021 SKODA OctaviaSKODA AUTO team has embarked on a quite special journey back in 1996. Back then, the Mladá Boleslav, one of the most advanced car plants in Europe went into operation and began producing the brand’s most important model – Octavia. Since then, about 7 million vehicles have been delivered to their new owners.

    The model has played a major role in the brand’s successful development over the following years. Octavia has won not one or two awards since then and throughout the decades has proven itself as a worthy SKODA representative for a total of 7 generations.

    As it comes to the model lineup itself, the history of the Octavia began in 1992, a year after SKODA AUTO had joined the VW group when the compact class was gradually developed and has established itself in the world of the automobile industry.

    One of the most notable features of the model was the high level of active and passive safety, including the front and side airbags.

    Some years later, in 1996, customers had already the chance to choose an Octavia with either one of the two four-cylinder petrol engines and a turbo-diesel unit, the neat 1.9 TDI. Then the Octavia Estate made its debut in 1998, and an even more refined version was added in 1999.

    SEE ALSO: Hispano Suiza Carmen hypercar makes its debut at the Salón Privé show

    These glorious days were followed by more successful models, and recently the lineup has been geared with a DSG dual-clutch gearbox and tons of futuristic gadgets.

    The current lineup includes a saloon and estate body version with a front-wheel drive or an AWD system. Also, efficient petrol and diesel engines are now joined hybrid and hybrid options for even more flexibility and personalization.

    The ŠKODA Octavia continues to enjoy global demand as an established name in its segment. This is also confirmed by numerous awards from renowned trade magazines.

  • Hispano Suiza Carmen hypercar makes its debut at the Salón Privé show

    2021-Hispanol-Suiza-Carmen-910The Hispano Suiza Carmen is not only a powerful EV supercar that delivers a whopping 1,019hp. The vehicle also represents technological excellence, as well as luxurious sophistication. Because of its numerous notable features, the Suiza Carmen will be part of the prestigious Salón Privé event.

    During the 5-day show, the luxurious machine will be on display in the beautiful gardens of Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Britain´s greatest Palace.

    Designed and assembled in Barcelona, the Carmen showcases elegant design and strong appearance, thanks to its exclusive legacy and the tons of next-gen technologies it incorporates.

    In addition to getting the chance to have a look at the new Hispano Suiza Carmen first-hand, attendees of the Salón Privé will have the opportunity to discover the latest news from various international manufacturers and enjoy the more than 100 vehicles on display, including cars and motorcycles, at the exclusive Concours d’Elegance. This year, rally legend Richard Burns will be honored with a collection of his racing cars on the 20th anniversary of his historic WRC victory.

    SEE ALSO: Land Rover reveals a new and exclusive edition in honor of the 25th James Bond movie

    All the information related to Salón Privé, as well as tickets, can be consulted through its official website, www.salonpriveconcours.com.

    Official Salón Privé Programme 2021:

    • 1 September – Salón Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva
    • 2 September – Salón Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva
    • 3 September – Salón Privé Ladies’ Day presented by Boodles
    • 4 September – Salón Privé Club Trophy presented by Lockton
    • 5 September – Salón Privé Classic & Supercar

  • 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe receives TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS award by the IIHS

    2021-Hyundai-Santa-Fe-910Hyundai’s 2022 Santa Fe model has been awarded a TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The model has been recognized for passing all six IIHS crashworthiness exams with excellent grades and this achievement makes Santa Fe the 15th Hyundai machine to earn the prestigious award.

    Safety is paramount at Hyundai, as evidenced by every vehicle in our SUV lineup earning an IIHS Top Safety or Top Safety Pick+ designation, said Brian Latouf, chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor North America, Through R&D and HMMA collaborative hard work we were able to improve the Santa Fe’s LED-headlamp performance to meet the stringent testing demands by IIHS. We are extremely proud of the 2022 Santa Fe’s recent TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating and continuing Hyundai’s industry leadership in IIHS awards.

    To qualify for IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in all six IIHS crash-worthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side roof strength, and head restraint tests. Also, vehicles must be available with a front crash prevention system that earns advanced or superior ratings in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations and good or acceptable headlights must be standard across all trim levels.

    SEE ALSO: Cupra unveils the new UrbanRebel Concept. Here are some details

    The 2022 Santa Fe models built after July 2021 come exclusively with good or acceptable headlights, said Joe Young, public affairs, IIHS, The Santa Fe also comes with a standard front crash prevention system that earns superior ratings in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations.

  • Land Rover reveals a new and exclusive edition in honor of the 25th James Bond movie

    2021-Land-Rover-Defender-No-Time-To-Die-910Land Rover SV Bespoke has created a new Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition to celebrate the 25th James Bond movie, No Time to Die.

    Available to order as a Defender 90 or 110, and inspired by the Dedenders that appear in No Time to Die, the new and  stealthy version comes with an Extended Black Pack with 22-inch Gloss Black alloys, signature Xenon Blue front brake calipers and a Defender 007 rear badge.

    Some of the exclusive features include illuminated ‘Defender 007’ treadplates and a specially developed start-up animation for the intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment system touchscreen that honours Land Rover’s long partnership with the James Bond franchise. At night, customers will also spot unique ‘007’ puddle lamp graphics.

    The lineup is limited to merely 300 units and comes with laser etching detailing that says this is one of the exclusive 300 units.

    Finbar McFall, Land Rover Brand Director, said: The Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition is an exclusive take on the most powerful production Defender ever made, inspired by vehicles on screen in No Time To Die. It represents a meeting of two great British brands and is a unique celebration of Land Rover’s 38-year association with James Bond.

    SEE ALSO: Cupra unveils the new UrbanRebel Concept. Here are some details

    Based on the recently launched Defender V8, the Bond Edition is powered by a 5.0-liter 525hp supercharged petrol unit, which also generates 625Nm of torque and is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

    No Time To Die is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his fifth and final film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007. The film will be released in cinemas from 30 September 2021.

     

  • Cupra unveils the new UrbanRebel Concept. Here are some details

    2021 Cupra UrbanRebelCUPRA team pushes the limits with its new and bold urban vehicle, the UrbanRebel Concept, scheduled to be launched in 2025.

    This is also the brand’s first all-electric urban vehicle. Here’s what Wayne Griffiths, CEO of CUPRA says about the newcomer:

    The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is a radical interpretation of the company’s urban electric car, due to be launched in 2025. This racing concept gives an idea of the design language of the future street-car and will inspire its creation. The urban electric car is a key strategic project not only for our company, but also for the Volkswagen Group, as our aim is to produce more than 500,000 urban electric cars per year in Martorell for different Group brands. The urban electric car will democratise and make accessible electromobility to the masses.

    The Cupra UrbanRebel Concept will evolve in a road version that will mix some neat design approaches and advanced technologies, thanks to the VW’s MEB short platform, which will be indeed the base for the new EV. The vehicle will also represent a change in the brand’s approach towards a more progressive design concept but will maintain all the values that have made CUPRA a renowned brand.

    Cupra UrbanReben Concept comes with a neat exterior design

    At the front, a shark nose now defines the face and the new triangular signature in the lamps contributes to this sophisticated and yet aggressive expression. Furthermore, a wrap-around window graphic creates the impression of a helmet and gives continuity between the windows around the vehicle to create the illusion of a floating roof.

    At the sides, the vehicle reveals neat and pronounced proportions, thanks to the wedge line – from the C-pillar to the front door with diagonal sculptural surfaces which create a neat contrast.

    SEE ALSO: Zenvo Automotive’s partner MOHR GROUP showcases TSR-S at upcoming IAA Mobility show

    At the rear, the vehicle shows a bold approach and a new iteration of the design seen in the CUPRA Formentor. The rear-end features a neat design with horizontal lines and pronounced proportions. There’s also a new large spoiler, which contributes to this sporty look and also enhances the overall performance rates.

    Drivetrain system

    The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept generates 250kW of continuous power and up to 320kW at its peak. It can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in only 3.2 seconds.

  • Zenvo Automotive’s partner MOHR GROUP showcases TSR-S at upcoming IAA Mobility show

    2021 Zenvo TSR-SZenvo Automotive has confirmed its recent partnership with MOHR GROUP, the German dealer that will result in showcasing the Ishvid Perlemor TSR-S on the MOHR GROUP’s stand at the upcoming IAA Mobility even in Munich from 6-12 September.

    MOHR GROUP will showcase the TSR-S in the pearlescent IShvid Perlemor hue at the IAA Mobility show on its display. The Munich team will be there through the entire event and Hannah Burgess, Zenvo’s Senior Commercial Development Director and Pushkar Godambe, Zenvo’s Sales Director will be in attendance on the stand on 6 and 7 September.

    Angela Hartman, CEO of Zenvo Automotive said: We are excited to showcase our TSR-S model at the IAA Mobility conference this year in Munich with our German dealer. After a successful summer events tour in the UK, we hope to carry on that momentum to the rest of the European events and bolster our relationship with the MOHR GROUP sales team. We’re looking forward to speaking to media and customers in Munich and revealing news about dealer-focused events at MOHR GROUP’s Motorworld München showroom, too.

    Lorenz Mohr, the Managing Partner of MOHR GROUP, said:We very much look forward to attending the IAA Mobility conference in our home city of Munich. It will be our first event with the team at Zenvo Automotive and we are eager to invite customers to our dealer stand, where we will have the stunning white TSR-S on display. It is the first of many events where we will be attending alongside Zenvo and are excited to announce future events at our Motorworld München showroom in the coming months.

    SEE ALSO: Nissan Maxima receives a top award by J.D. Power 2021 Initial Quality Study

    Zenvo has also recently announced that it will have both the TSR-S and TS1 GT in the UK, at the prestigious Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance at the event’s hypercar lawn from 1-6 September.

     

     

  • Nissan Maxima receives a top award by J.D. Power 2021 Initial Quality Study

    2021-Nissan-Maxima-910Nissan Maxima is the best-performing vehicle in the industry and has managed to earn a Gold Plant Quality Award from the 2021 Initial Quality Study awards.

    The brand ranked fourth among other mass market brands, which makes a total of 12 points ahead of the average in the industry. Nissan has also ranked 4th in the corporate ranking.

    As it comes to the brand’s models, Altima, Maxima and Murano, all of the three have managed to score wins in their respective categories, while TITAN, Sentra and Versa also ranked among the top three in their segment. Also, Maxima recorded the lowest overall problem level in the study.

    Delivering top quality for our customers has been a key element in the total brand transformation we call Nissan NEXT, said Mike Colleran, senior vice president, Nissan U.S. Marketing and Sales, This performance is possible by a united design, engineering and manufacturing team focused on making the best vehicles for our customers.

    As it comes to the host, J.D. Power IQS is the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality. The process includes measuring a given number of problems experienced in 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership – the lower the score, the higher the quality is.

    SEE ALSO: Genesis reveals first details for the new GV60 EV

     The Smyrna team is incredibly focused on building exceptional vehicles that are driven on roads across the country — and all over the world, said Jeff Younginer, vice president, Manufacturing, Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, This recognition is a testament to their ‘one team’ spirit and pride in delivering products with great quality and reliability.

  • Genesis reveals first details for the new GV60 EV

    2021-Genesis-GV60-910Genesis is about to introduce the new GV60 lineup and with it new achievements in terms of technology and luxury. The vehicle blends clean aesthetic lines and next-gen sustainable technology, so it is definitely worth checking out.

    The new Quad Lamps

    One of the most notable new features of the GV60 is the addition of the so-called Quad Lamps, which enhance the overall sporty and dynamic shape of the vehicle, and also contribute to more rewarding, confident, and safe traveling.

    The exterior look

    New GV60 proudly demonstrates a new body language with minimalism in mind. However, the massive proportions are well pronounced, as well as the elegant lines and curves. The profile of the GV60 ends with a notable rear spoiler, while the long spoiler wheelbase with short overhangs completes the massive and muscular silhouette.

    The Crystal Sphere

    This is one of the highlights of the new GV60. It is a safety feature, which indicates whether the car is bypassed or not. This is important for an electric vehicle because the only indication of driving state is shown on a small on-screen icon. Also, when charging, the Crystal Sphere doesn’t rotate.

    SEE ALSO: Mecum Auctions will launch three special events during October 2021

    All these bold characteristics are blended with attention to sustainability, so the new GV60 also comes with a promise of clean energy and care for the future.

    Stick with us for further details.

  • Hyundai shares sales report for September

    2022-Hyiundai-Santa-Cruz-910Hyundai Motor America shares a 2 percent decrease compared to last year’s results. Hyundai’s monthly sales markings were significantly better than industry predictions that predicted a 25% decline in September. Hyundai also set new September total sales records for Palisade, Ioniq HEV, Kona EV and Nexo.

    Hyundai dealerships continue to do an outstanding job of working with customers during this challenging inventory environment, resulting in market share gains for the brand, said Randy Parker, senior vice president, National Sales, Hyundai Motor America, On the year, we’ve gained the second most market share in the industry and we expect that trend to continue for September and Q3.

    September Retail Highlights
    Hyundai sold 49,439 retail units in September, a decline of 5 percent. Hyundai eco-friendly vehicle retail sales continued to grow substantially, increasing 348 percent on the month. New retail September sales records were established for Palisade, Ioniq PHEV, Kona EV, and Nexo.

    SEEA ALSO: A lucky Aston Martin DB5 undergoes a comprehensive restoration process

    Q3 Highlights
    In the third quarter, Hyundai sold 178,500 total (+4%) and 162,616 retail (+1%) units. Total sales gains were achieved across the lineup during the quarter, including Accent (+18%), Elantra (+20%), Ioniq (+17%), Nexo (+139%), Sonata (+15%) and Venue (+52%).