Automobiles Review

Author: autoview

  • How Automotive Catalytic Converters Work, And Why Are They Necessary?

    how-automotive-catalytic-converters-work-and-why-are-they-necessary

    What is the operating principle of automotive emission control devices and why are they necessary? Dmitry Mikhailov, a specialist from AutoCatalystMarket, helped to understand this issue. He talked about the features of the catalyst converter and how to prevent its negative impact on the environment.

    AutoCatalystMarket has many specialists who can provide advice on the features of used catalytic converters. More useful information can be found at https://autocatalystmarket.com.

    The Principle Of Operation

    The exhaust treatment system functions through a three-phase process involving oxidation and reduction reactions of noxious byproducts that are typically produced by the combustion of fuel within the engine.

    • There are many layers of different metals in such a spare part. These are rhodium and palladium. Also platinum.
    • The beginning of the process involves an oxidation step. At the second stage, the oxidation of nitric oxide begins.
    • An important role is played by the catalyst, because it helps to achieve the appearance of a reaction between nitrates and water vapor.
    • The last step says that it’s time for the recovery process for nitric oxide.

    Why Is It Needed?

    Such an automotive component makes reactions that reduce the amount of harmful substances. They, in turn, can have a bad effect on nature and the environment as a whole. And given that now there is a tendency to follow nature, this is a very important system in a car.

    Also involved in the work is a sensor that measures oxygen. It also helps in determining the composition of the mixture that is in the air. Such a composition can show the level of enrichment. The results obtained directly affect how the catalyst will behave.

    How To Find Catalytic Converter Buyers?

    Instead of disposing of your old catalytic converter, consider selling it on a marketplace like AutoCatalyst Market. This allows you to both get rid of the unwanted part and make some money in the process.

    Additionally, AutoCatalyst Market provides a catalog where you can check the approximate prices for your particular catalytic converter model, giving you an idea of how much you could potentially earn. So, rather than letting your old converter go to waste, turn it into a profitable opportunity with AutoCatalystMarket.

    Selling your old catalytic converter on a trusted website that acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers has several advantages. Firstly, you can be sure that the sale takes place in a safe and secure environment where your personal information and money are protected.

    Secondly, such a website may offer you more favorable terms than if you tried to sell your converter on your own.

  • Renault Rafale

    Since the campaign to reconquer the C-segment – one of the main goals in the Renaulution strategic plan – is well under way with the Megane E-Tech 100% electric, Arkana E-Tech full hybrid and Austral E-Tech full hybrid success stories, it’s time for Renault to make its next move on the D-segment with a completely new and daring model: the all new Renault Rafale.

    Now that Renault has revamped its arsenal of technology for hybrid powertrains, chassis’, and electronic equipment, it was time to use that engineering knowledge to create a new vehicle born and bred for driving pleasure and launch its new flagship: the all new Renault Rafale.

    Rafale is a French word that derives from natural energy: wind, and is also an aeronautical reference. Aviation has played an important part in Renault’s history: the Caudron-Renault Rafale, which flew at a record-breaking 277 mph in 1934, is only one example.

    The all new Renault Rafale is the first production vehicle entirely designed according to the new visual language that Gilles Vidal has brought in as Head of Design Renault. It is ushering in a new era in Renault’s design: it is visionary, daring, perfectly in tune with its time and tailor-made for a period when everything is moving ever faster.

    The all new Renault Rafale also features up-to-the-minute connectivity and a 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid powertrain that is as efficient as it is frugal and uses recycled materials.

    It was born to take driving pleasure to ever new heights and will be enhanced with technological breakthroughs that will rank it high up in the high-performance automotive universe with a new E-Tech 4×4 300 hp powertrain.

    Renault has crafted its DNA around optimal driving pleasure – but not the self-centred kind; pleasure that the driver enjoys alongside passengers in a “car for life and living.” Driving pleasure is a priority, but never at the expense of passengers, who have plenty of space and amenities to enjoy as well. The all new Renault Rafale is an advanced coupe SUV, it looks as vibrant as it feels when you drive it, and it is an opportunity to share an intense driving experience with friends or children – however grown-up they may be.

    The all new Renault Rafale 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid will reach markets in spring 2024.

    “The all new Renault Rafale is central in the Renaulution, symbolises our move upmarket and shows that we belong in every customer segment. With its captivating coupe SUV design crafted for intense experiences, it provides unprecedented driving pleasure with its hybrid powertrains and a standard-setting chassis brimming with passion and know-how from Renault engineers.” Fabrice Cambolive, CEO, Renault brand

    “The all new Rafale is a powerful illustration of the Renault brand’s new design language. It is in keeping with its DNA through generous curves, treated with great precision, combined with lines of tension and technical details that bring character and sophistication to the whole. With its unprecedented style, quality craftsmanship and proportions, the all new Renault Rafale asserts its power and personality on the road.” Gilles Vidal, VP Design, Renault brand

    EXTERIOR

    The all new Renault Rafale is built on the Alliance’s latest-generation CMF-CD platform. The car’s design is unprecedented, and its designers created its original, bold exterior from a blank sheet of paper. This approach led to a new visual language that captures the brand’s identity and shines freely, with meaning, in a natural yet premium way.

    A powerful status-symbol coupe SUV

    Its slightly raised fastback-style body ranks the all new Renault Rafale in the coupe SUV category.

    The vehicle’s silhouette is vibrant and sporty. Its long horizontal bonnet points to power. The bow beneath it is chiselled and features the new radiator grille and signature light pattern that Renault introduced on New Clio E-Tech full hybrid. The protruding bonnet and sculpted front bumper seem to impel the car forwards.

    The muscular shoulders carry presence around the rear wheels, hinting at the power propelling the car. The skid plate emerging from under the rear bumper also shows the car’s presence while the sloping roofline with one last jut points to speed.

    “To work, design has to be just as powerful and effective if you are standing 50 metres, 10 metres or 50 centimetres away. From a distance, what strikes you is the all new Renault Rafale’s forceful face and proportions. When you draw nearer, it’s the flowing line that wows you. And, close-up, it’s the attention to detail that catches your eye and sparks your interest.” Alexis Martot, Head of Exterior Design, Renault

    Ideal proportions

    The all new Renault Rafale is 4.71 metres long and 1.86 metres wide, squarely placing it in the D-segment. Added to which,  it’s 1.61 metres high, making it a quintessential sporty SUV.

    The car has a long wheelbase at 2.74 metres, while the roofline is flawlessly curved to provide plenty of headroom in the back seats and doesn’t impinge on the rear windscreen.

    The rear windscreen tilts 17 degrees, which is exactly right for aerodynamic efficiency. And it renders rear wipers unnecessary, which keeps the car’s lines pure.

    Meanwhile, its wider wheel track solidly grounds the vehicle and makes the most of the black parts of the wheels both from a vertical perspective (the wheels crop out slightly) and from a horizontal perspective (the 20-inch wheels fill the wheel arches).

    “The all new Renault Rafale is sized to give it a status-symbol aura, its design is vibrant, and it has a powerful personality. So, it naturally stands out as the Renault brand’s new flagship.” Agneta Dahlgren, CMF-CD Design Project Director

    New visual language

    The all new Renault Rafale’s design unfolds the brand’s new visual language by Gilles Vidal, which was first seen through the Scenic Vision concept car in 2022 and first applied to a road-going car, the New Clio, in 2023. It encapsulates Renault models’ DNA in its chiselled shapes and generous curves and features a variety of technical details. This now includes character lines that seem to stretch the skin over the body, creating folds, fanning out and fading into the car’s contours.

    In the all new Rafale, the supple volumes combined with the body colours create an interesting contrast with the fiercely geometric, faceted black surfaces.

    The new lines and ridges in the curves add meticulously calibrated rays of light to the body, which blend into a thoroughly pleasing visual impression.

    “We created surprising effects everywhere we could. Wherever you look on the body, there is always something going on. Everywhere your eye falls, there is a special attraction.” Alexis Martot, Head of Exterior Design, Renault

    A moving radiator grille

    The all new Renault Rafale’s novel radiator grille is built around the brand’s hallmark diamond. It is made up of a constellation of small diamonds that arrange space in three dimensions around the emblem in the middle.

    This diamond black coloured pattern is a nod to the all new Rafale’s premium credentials. It stands out against the iron blue or shadow grey hues (depending on the version) that appear and disappear in the background depending on where you look at it from – like works of optical art in the 1970s. This is Renault tipping its hat to Victor Vasarely, the Op Art movement’s high priest, and to a surname that has left its mark in Renault’s history: Victor’s son Yvaral Vasarely designed the 1972 logo – to which the brand pays a “moving” tribute with its new Nouvel’R logo.

    “The all new Rafale’s grille moves the way clothes move over skin; the interplaying shadows, reflections and colours animate it, it looks like it’s alive.” Alexis Martot, Head of Exterior Design, Renault

    The radiator grille’s design, which has a very complex structure, was created using artificial intelligence in a parametric modelling software application. This technology makes it possible to try out a plethora of patterns and interactions in space, by modifying dimensions, angles, situations, and other parameters.

    This type of software is used extensively in architecture. It for example helped to design the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic stadium in Beijing.

    A new signature light pattern

    The New Clio E-Tech full hybrid was the first vehicle in Renault’s line-up to feature the brand’s new signature lights, and the all new Rafale is the second. The pattern unambiguously points to Renault: it’s diamond-shaped, forceful and robust, and visually enhances the car.

    “There is something jubilant about the way the diamond theme appears, and there’s also a lot of freedom. It’s everywhere in the design. The lights follow the same visual pattern as our logo and the oblique lines naturally bring the brand to mind.” Agneta Dahlgren, CMF-CD Design Project Director

    Expanding lights

    To visually enhance car’s width and add poise, the two rear lights are as far apart as they can be. They look like sculptures embedded in the edges.
    Their shape was inspired by Chinese tangram puzzles (a large square divided into five triangles, a parallelogram, and a smaller square). The micro-optic technology in them makes them spring to life when they are on, and they create a “floating ice-cube” effect when they are off.

    Two new colours

    The all new Renault Rafale will be available in five body colours including two previously unreleased ones: a new satin White Pearl and a new Alpine Blue tone.

    The first adds clarity by directing your gaze to the body’s lines. It uses the same innovative technology as Austral’s Shale Grey Satin, which derives its satin-matte look exclusively from the varnish and makes it resistant to UV rays, carwash rollers and other aggressions the car withstands day after day.

    The all new Rafale is the first Renault brand model to feature Alpine Blue. This tone has never quite stood still in the Dieppe-base brand’s history. And it has changed again, if ever so slightly; on the all new Rafale, it is a shade deeper than on the Alpine A 110.

    The three other colours available for the all new Rafale are Flame Red, Diamond Black and gloss Ceramic Grey.

    THE PLATFORM AND POWERTRAINS : DRIVING PLEASURE AT ITS SOURCE

    The all new Renault Rafale is built on the Alliance’s modular CMF-CD platform, which offers unparalleled possibilities for technological content, across the running gear, powertrains and technological equipment. Its 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid petrol powertrain, combined with its multimode automatic transmission, put its range among the longest and its CO2 emissions among the lowest in its segment. It will soon feature a new high-performance variant E-Tech 4×4 300 hp.

    Chassis: precision for pleasure

    Driving pleasure, one of the overarching goals when Renault was developing the all new Rafale’s running gear, has reached new heights in this car that combines a multi-link rear axle with the latest upgrade to the 4CONTROL Advanced 4-wheel-drive system.

    Multi-link suspension enables the most efficient settings for road holding without hampering comfort, and muffles more of the noise from the undercarriage.

    The 4CONTROL Advanced 4-wheel-drive system significantly improves handling at low speeds, and boosts agility and vigour at average and high speeds.

    When you negotiate a turn at less than 30 mph, the rear wheels turn very slightly (up to 1 degree) in the same direction as the front wheels, reducing the rear wheels’ inertia and improving the car’s stability. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn up to 5 degrees in the opposite direction, providing unrivalled agility and shortening the all new Renault Rafale’s turning radius to 10.4 metres (the same as a city car).

    While the all new Austral E-Tech full hybrid also come with a multi-link rear axle and 4CONTROL Advanced, the all new Rafale additionally features Vehicle Motion Control 2 (VMC 2), an upgraded electronic system governing the rear wheels. It anticipates loss of hold more effectively, so you can negotiate bends faster and know that all four wheels are in the optimal position on uneven and damaged roads. The all new Rafale also has a wider track, wider wheels (245 mm) and specific spring, shock-absorber and roll-bar settings, which optimise comfort as much as verve.

    Lastly, the agility of the chassis – with or without 4CONTROL Advanced – is amplified by the calibration of the steering and its very direct ratio (13), so you can enjoy a thrilling experience from the system’s surgical precision on bends.

    “The all new Renault Rafale is the result of a textbook case. When Luca de Meo took over as Renault’s CEO, he asked us to extract the full potential from each platform. The all new Rafale does exactly that: it makes the most of the CMF-CD platform in terms of the car’s dimensions, technology, and emotional power.” Grégory Launay, Product Performance Leader, Renault Rafale

    Powertrain: hybrid at its highest

    Like the all new Austral, the all new Renault Rafale will launch with the 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid petrol powertrain linked to a clutchless multimode automatic dog box.

    This powertrain is powerful, economical, automatic and self-charging. It provides the best mpg figures in its segment (60.1 mpg and 105 g. CO2/km, pending certification) and a range that makes you want to hit the road (up to 683 miles of range). You can enjoy an optimal driving experience every time, and even enhance it with your own choice of MULTI-SENSE settings.

    “The all new Rafale interlinks two Renault lineages: its motorsports heritage from the high-performance saloons like the R21 Turbo and Safrane Baccara Biturbo on one side, and the innovative spirit that brought about concepts like people carriers, turbo technology and E-Tech hybrid powertrains on the other.” Grégory Launay, Product Performance Leader, Renault Rafale

    High-tech mechanisms

    The 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid powertrain has a “series-parallel” architecture. It encompasses a 3 cylinder 1.2 litre turbocharged 130 hp (96 kW) petrol internal combustion engine delivering 205 Nm of torque, and two electric motors. Even on its own, the internal combustion engine a technological gem, combining a Miller combustion cycle, low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation, a variable-geometry turbocharger and a diesel-engine-like long-stroke architecture. The result is an extraordinary 41% energy efficiency ratio. The main electric motor delivers 50 kW (70 hp) and 205 Nm. It is powered by a 2 kWh/400V lithium-ion battery for full-electric driving. The secondary electric motor is a 25 kW and 50 Nm High-voltage Starter Generator (HSG) that starts the engine and powers gear changes in the clutchless dog box.

    Efficient and long-lasting charges

    With its all-electric ignition and energy regeneration system that kicks in automatically when you slow down or brake, you can drive in electric mode 80% of the time in cities and use 40% less fuel than with an equivalent internal-combustion engine with this E-Tech full hybrid powertrain. You get the whole electric driving experience and none of the charging constraints.

    Charging is managed automatically by the smart gearbox, which taps into the engine and motors to top up the battery. The driver, however, can override the smart gearbox with a choice of four regenerative braking levels, using the paddles on the steering wheel.

    The multimode box

    The multimode automatic dog box derived from Formula 1 technology combines the main electric motor’s two ratios and the internal combustion engine’s four ratios. The 15 possible ways of combining the motors and engine will optimise driving pleasure, consumption or CO2 emissions depending on which you choose.

    The smart multimode box automatically selects the powertrain’s mode, which can be all-electric, all-combustion, dynamic hybrid (the engine and motors move the wheels together), e-drive (the motor moves the wheels and the engine charges the battery) or regeneration (the motor taps into the kinetic energy).

    “Our new 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid powertrain uses the electric motors as much as possible, whatever the circumstances, to optimise consumption. The fact that you can use the electric motor up to 80% of the time in cities ranks the car among the best in its category.” Gwenaël Le Merrer, Head Engineer, Renault Rafale

    A high-performance E-Tech 4×4 300 hp version in the pipeline

    The all new Renault Rafale, which is designed for driving pleasure and performance levels never seen before in Renault’s line-up, will later be enhanced with a substantially upgraded hybrid powertrain with all its settings optimised to unleash 300 hp.

    Optimising a variety of features will help to reach 300 hp, but most of the boost will come from two technical adjustments. The first is an additional electric motor on the rear axle, that will move the wheels directly, making the all new Rafale a 4-wheel-drive coupe-SUV. Then it will be a plug-in hybrid, so you can use the all new Rafale in full-electric mode for practically all your everyday outings and enjoy its ample range on long journeys without a worry in the world – and without missing out on any of the fun behind the wheel.

    In addition to four driving wheels and four turning wheels (with 4CONTROL Advanced), this high-performance E-Tech 4×4 300 hp version of the all new Renault Rafale will come with a chassis fine-tuned for intelligent new-generation undercarriage management.

    LIFE ON BOARD
    A HIGH-TECH PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EVERYONE WILL ENJOY

    Inside, the all new Renault Rafale features the brand-new Solarbay darkening glass roof with cutting-edge technology plus new interface graphics on the two OpenR screens. Additionally, the seats are in a class by itself: they include a high-tech rear armrest for passengers in the back and a trailblazing choice of colours and materials. The cockpit is 100% geared for driving pleasure but the car is nevertheless true to Renault’s DNA and accordingly pampers all its passengers.

    Solarbay, a new darkening glass roof

    The pioneering, spectacular 1,470 mm by 1,117 mm Solarbay panoramic glass roof was developed by Saint-Gobain and the all new Renault Rafale is the first car in the world to use this iteration of it. Its AmpliSky technology replaces standard screens with a full active system that darkens each of its segments on demand, using electric fields to displace molecules. It provides maximum protection from the sun in seconds, and the sequential darkening of the nine segments across the glass surface is exhilarating to watch. This smart glass roof can be voice-controlled via Google Assistant and has a switch by the ceiling light to control it manually.

    The driver and passengers can choose between four roof settings: all light, all dark, light in the front and dark behind, and the reverse. It is more practical than a standard sunshade because the passengers in the back can let the sunlight in even if the people in the front prefer not to. The Solarbay roof also provides an extra 30 mm of headroom, which makes a significant difference – especially for passengers in the rear of a coupe. The car doesn’t feel like a hothouse or icebox: Saint-Gobain’s laminated glass keeps the temperature comfortable in summer and winter, like automatic sunshades. And the glass darkens automatically when you step out of the car.

    Solarbay darkening glass roofs use Polymer Dispersed Liquid Cristal (PDLC) technology derived from the construction industry and tweaked for car occupants. So far, only ultra-premium carmakers have fitted it, plus the all new Renault Rafale is the first car from a full-line automotive manufacturer to use it with the partial roof darkening feature.

    “This Solarbay darkening glass roof is the perfect example of the useful, simple-to-use technology we wanted for the all new Renault Rafale. It is more efficient than a standard sunshade on every score. Plus, it’s smarter and easier to use. And it produces that wow effect!” Gwenaël Le Merrer, Head Engineer, Renault Rafale

    Sporty seats

    The all new Renault Rafale’s completely new seats have reinforced sides to match the car’s dynamic behaviour with thorough lateral and longitudinal support. Among other upsides, they make the chassis’ road holding on turns even more exciting.

    The Alcantara upholstery helps to keep the driver upright, adds to the sporty feel and is eco-friendly (it is the first 61% recycled Alcantara interior).

    “To bolster the Grand Tourisme effect, the side reinforcements on the seats are gadrooned, like the reinforcements on biker jackets.” François Farion, Design Director, Colour & Trim, Renault Group

    A light logo on the seats

    In the all new Renault Rafale’s esprit Alpine trim, the Alcantara on the seats is perforated so you can catch a glimpse of the blue fabric lining and its iridescent effect – which will remind you of the radiator grille. The A-and-Arrow logo at the top of the seat back literally lights up and flashes in synch with a beating human heart – an allegory for the surging excitement you feel when you draw near the car. The lighting adjusts to match the colour you selected in the MULTI-SENSE settings. The lights are embedded in a completely flexible fabric, so they don’t stiffen the seat back in the slightest. This technology is being used for the first time worldwide here.

    “The all new Renault Rafale recognises its driver coming towards it and the lights in the Alpine logo on the seats beat like a heart, signifying the close connection between them. An invitation to driving pleasure has never been expressed with so much passion.” Agneta Dahlgren, CMF-CD Design Project Director

    Three-colour overstitching

    Producing the red, white and blue overstitching in the passenger compartment of the the All new Renault Rafale’s esprit Alpine trim involved building a new three-head machine to sew three threads simultaneously.

    A steering wheel like nothing you have felt before

    The all new Renault Rafale’s steering wheel is derived, with only minor tweaks, from the Megane E-Tech electric’s and Austral’s. Here, the Renault emblem’s oblique lines are smithed into the centre and the bright black medallion is gone. The esprit Alpine trim has an Alcantara inlay inside the lower part of the steering wheel. And Renault has used a TEP-like material (including 34% of recycled material on the reverse side), that feels even better than leather, to replace all animal products without affecting driving pleasure or watering down the tantalising sensation. Renault has reasserted its aim of no longer using leather by 2024.

    Natural, innovative materials

    The all new Renault Rafale is the first car worldwide to include dyed cork and slate in its passenger compartment. In the esprit Alpine trim, the slate evokes the Alpine universe in a very real way. It clads the dashboard on the passenger side and the hand-rest. These extra-thin slate sheets are not rough in the slightest and bend around shapes as effortlessly as a sheet made from wood. The Techno trim has cork dyed black – providing a premium feel – on the dashboard. Besides serving a decorative purpose, it is extremely lightweight and non-reflective.

    Generously sized

    Driving pleasure may be driver-centred, but journeys are more enjoyable with others. The all new Renault Rafale is uncompromising on the former doesn’t cut corners when it comes to indulging passengers: its passenger compartment is generously sized all around. The car’s lengthy 2.74 metre wheelbase opens up a comfortable 302 mm knee radius in the back. The long wheelbase also makes for more headroom under the sloping roof – 880 mm in the back seat – without affecting the coupe silhouette.

    As long journeys often involve lots of luggage, the all new Rafale has a very roomy 647-litre boot.

    “After driving your family around in an SUV or people carrier, the all new Rafale is the car you choose when you want to thoroughly enjoy driving – and seat two young adults comfortably in the back.” Grégory Launay, Product Performance Leader, Renault Rafale

    A high-tech rear armrest

    One example of all the care that went into keeping back-seat passengers comfortable and connected is the all new Renault Rafale’s innovative centre armrest, which is designed for the multimedia devices that make life on board more enjoyable. This high-tech armrest has two USB power outlets, storage space for tablets and smartphones, and two foldout screen stands for comfortable viewing.

    New screen graphics

    The all new Renault Rafale’s OpenR digital cockpit – which was introduced in the Megane E-Tech 100% electric then tweaked for all Austral E-Tech full hybrid, is made up of two adjacent tiles arranged into an L shape: a horizontal TFT 321 sq. cm. 12.3 inch diagonal display on the dashboard (1920 x 720 pixels, landscape format) and a vertical 453 sq. cm. 12 inch diagonal touchscreen in the middle of the console (1250 x 1562 pixels, portrait format).

    OpenR is precisely positioned to be easy to see and reach, so the driver can enjoy the multimedia system without taking their eyes off the road. The navigation experience enhanced by the Google ecosystem has been extensively tried and tested and has emerged as a benchmark in its field. The system’s visual interface is brand new, befits the all new Rafale’s unprecedented, spectacular looks, and underlines the car’s character and technology.

    The user-interface designers created a new, trailblazing visual atmosphere. Like the vehicle’s exterior and interior design, it stems from the brand’s new emblem and captures its visual force. The diamond is there subliminally, in the form of a 28° rising diagonal segment. This diagonal line is everywhere, providing the pattern to display information on the dashboard and centre tile that combine to form the OpenR screen.

    On the dashboard display facing the driver, the usual circle has been replaced by the 28° diagonal line – the speed line – that changes colour when the engine increases in revs or the car speeds up. The new font on the screens is bold and flattened, so the display blends beautifully with the latest digital universes on smartphone and laptop screens. The colours are pop – which the Renault brand loves – with silky shading, made possible by the OpenR screen’s fantastic display.

    The centre display uses Google’s system for natural, intuitive navigation. It looks and feels a lot like browsing around a smartphone. Each MULTI-SENSE setting displays a new dashboard, with its own distinct colours, and the vehicle’s shape on the screen is the same colour as the car’s body.

    “When we introduced the OpenR Link multimedia system on the Megane E-Tech 100% electric, it redefined the driving experience and became a benchmark in its field. On the all new Rafale, we adjusted the style and soundscape to match the car’s compelling personality. The subtle colour shading is not something you see often in human-machine interaction. The experience in this car is bigger than the journey!” Romain Mottier, Head of Experience Design, Renault Group

    An upgraded head-up display

    The all new Renault Rafale pays tribute to its name and to the aviation world with a new, improved and extra-large (9.3 inch) head-up display. The car’s speed, active driver assistance systems, speeding warning and driving directions are projected directly onto the windscreen, for optimal visibility in all circumstances. The driver can thus remain fully focused on the road – for even more intense driving pleasure.

    Adjustable lighting moods

    To enhance the experience in the passenger compartment, the all new Renault Rafale provides a variety of fun and friendly possibilities in its MULTI-SENSE settings. You can for example select the Living Lights colour you prefer, which stretches across the LED strip on the dashboard and door panels.  Meanwhile, for a relaxing experience, the lighting includes an automatic mode that adjusts every 30 minutes to suit your 24-hour circadian clock and the time of day (with cold colours during the day and warm ones at night).

    CONNECTIVITY AND SAFETY
    CUTTING-EDGE AND INTUITIVE TECHNOLOGY

    The all new Renault Rafale comes with the full array of technology for the Alliance’s ultramodern CMF-CD platform – the platform used on the all new Austral E-Tech full hybrid. It includes advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs) and OpenR Link. OpenR Link comes with several new features, and artificial intelligence provides new services for the driver and passengers. Its universe is open and scalable, to always keep the car at the leading edge of technology.

    Seamless connectivity

    With the all new Renault Rafale, there are no borders between your digital life outside and inside the car, and between your smartphone and the car’s OpenR Link multimedia system with built-in Google capabilities.

    The system comes with Google Maps, Google Assistant and many other apps (up to 35 apps for UK markets) from the Google Play catalogue. It’s exactly like using a smartphone. The interface is also fully customisable, connects by wire or wirelessly, and is compatible with smartphones running Android Auto or Apple Carplay.

    In addition to its new design, the OpenR Link multimedia system on the All new Rafale uses Android Automotive 12 (instead of Android Automotive 10), which among other improvements makes it easier to pair devices via Bluetooth and simplifies navigation in some menus. The predictive maintenance feature is also more advanced: it can now warn the driver when the wheels will need aligning and when the air conditioning mechanism will need servicing.

    OpenR Link is scalable and connects to the cloud to automatically download recommended updates using FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) technology. So there’s no need to stop at a garage or dealership to stay up to date.

    Useful artificial intelligence

    There are several AI-powered capabilities inside the all new Renault Rafale, and they are all there to help the driver and passengers. In many cases, the system proactively makes suggestions – for instance to switch off the air conditioning if a window is open or to switch it on if it is too warm inside. These proactive recommendations are based on “routine” patterns that the AI system picks up and analyses as time goes by.

    Added safety without diminishing pleasure

    For optimal, stress-free driving pleasure, the all new Renault Rafale comes with 32 advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs) divided into three categories: driving, safety and parking. And it now includes Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA), a system that automatically alerts the driver if the car’s speed exceeds the limit it reads on road signs.

    What’s more, Safety Score and Safety Coach are there to provide added peace of mind for the driver.

    Smart, efficient lighting

    The all new Renault Rafale’s headlights are powered by technology that optimises them in all circumstances. All versions come with LED Adaptative Vision technology, which adjusts dipped headlights according to driving conditions. With LED Matrix Vision technology, available higher up the range, the driver can keep the full-beam lights on all the time, improving their visual comfort without dazzling drivers in other vehicles.

    The Active Driver Assist system

    This new-generation motorway and traffic assistant equates to Level 2 autonomous driving on all types of roads (no longer only expressways). It does this by combining Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Keeping Assist and factors in geolocation data and specific maps enabling the car to adapt predictively to the road.

    The Active Driver Assist system’s built-in technology to read traffic signs and warn the driver if they are driving over the speed limit (Over Speed Prevention, OSP) can also be used by itself. For extra peace of mind, the driver can also let OSP take over the car’s cruise control.

    For full control over the Active Driver Assist system, a real-time model of the vehicle’s position in its lane, along with and other people, cars and objects on the road, can also be displayed on the dashboard.

    Other ADASs

    • Driving: Cruise control / Adaptative Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go / Distance Warning (DW) / Around View Monitor (AVM, providing 3D, 360° vision) / Hill Start Assist (HSA)
    • Safety: Active Emergency Braking System (AEBS) and Rear AEB, including cross-traffic warning / Blind Spot Warning (BSW) / Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) / Lane Departure Warning (LDW) / Lane Change Warning (LCW) / Driver Attention Alert (DAA) / Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
    • Parking: Front, rear and side parking assistance, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) / Bird’s Eye View / Occupant Safe Exit Alert (OSE)

    QUALITY
    A TOP PRIORITY THROUGHOUT DEVELOPMENT

    Alongside the Megane E-Tech  100% electric and all new Austral E-Tech full hybrid, the new Rafale is part of the Renault brand’s Renovation in the C and D segments, which centres on extraordinary products offering quality craftsmanship and up-to-the-minute technology.

    Intensive and varied tests

    The all new Renault Rafale is built on the CMF-CD platform, which has been enhanced based on the experience gathered over the two years it has been used by Austral.

    Like all other new Renault models since the Megane E-Tech electric, the all new Rafale will undergo Confirmation Runs, a complementary real-life test-drive protocol introduced under the Quality strategic plan. These tests are conducted in addition to the certification cycles by professional test drivers on the tracks at the Aubevoye Test Centre and external tests in extreme hot and cold weather. The goal with the Confirmation Runs is to anticipate customer feedback by entrusting several vehicles to a large number of Renault Group employees before the model reaches the market. This new process generates a wide array of feedback covering an ample variety of use cases, to identify the final opportunities to fine-tune the car and ensure it meets the highest driving-pleasure, quality and reliability standards.

    Over 100 employees will drive the car in all kinds of weather and cities across Europe, and on all kinds of roads and motorways. Engineering and test drivers will have driven all new Austral E-Tech full hybrid and all new Rafale a total of nearly 2 million miles on these Confirmation Runs. They are tasked with providing precise feedback using an app on their smartphone, so the brand’s engineers and experts can collect and analyse data practically in real time. This way, they can identify possible anomalies long before they occur with a customer behind the wheel, and ensure the car’s lifelong quality, reliability and durability.

    Palencia, a plant at the forefront

    The all new Renault Rafale will be produced at the Palencia plant in Spain. The Group invested substantially in this plant in preparation for the all new Austral E-Tech full hybrid launch. These investments ensure top production and operation quality for the three vehicles and their equipment. Two new ultramodern calibration benches were for example installed to make sure the latest-generation technological equipment works properly and reliably.

    At the Palencia plant, the all new Renault Rafale’s roof is braze-welded onto the car. This weld is completely invisible on the body, so it is an improvement on the usual welding spots (there is no need to add a plastic cover around the roof to hide the spots). Combined with the roof’s extra-slim and extra-modern design, this technique improves the car’s perceived quality. You can also sense the quality inside, for example in the new felt fabric covering the glove compartment and the storage bins in the doors.

    TECHNICAL DATA

    Dimensions and weight

    • Overall length: 4.71 m
    • Overall width: 1.86 m
    • Height: 1.61 m
    • Wheelbase:  2.74 m
    • Front overhang:  942 mm
    • Rear overhang: 1,029 mm
    • Ground clearance: 180 mm
    • Weight: from 1,653 kg
    • Boot volume: 647 litres

    Powertrains

    E-Tech full hybrid 200 hp

    • ICE engine: 1.2 L 96 kW (130 hp) and 205 Nm
    • Electric engines: 50 kW and 205 Nm / 25 kW and 50 Nm
    • Battery: 2 kWh / 400 V
    • Gearbox: multimode automatic dog box

     

  • Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven Concept

    Mercedes-Benz presents a new sports car study. The Vision One-Eleven combines a highly dynamic design language with innovative all-electric powertrain technology. The supercar silhouette is characterised by skilful execution of the signature Mercedes-Benz One-Bow design that is a marker of its 21st‑century style. The development of this design underscores the positioning of the Mercedes-Benz brand, which stands for ICONIC LUXURY. Its technical highlights include the extremely powerful and highly efficient axial-flux motor developed by electric motor specialist YASA. The British company has been a 100-percent subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG since July 2021.

    The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is inspired by the tradition of the legendary C 111 experimental vehicles from the 1960s and 70s, which were used to test revolutionary Wankel and turbodiesel engines. They were also prototypes for testing polymer-based bodyshells. The extremely (aero)dynamic mid-engine sports cars are considered design icons of their era, not least due to their distinctive gullwing doors and eye-catching orange-and-black paintwork.

    “Our goal at Mercedes-Benz is not to do styling – our goal is to create icons. To me, that makes the difference between mainstream design and luxury. Design icons like the Type 300 SL and C 111 – both with gullwing doors – are part of our DNA. These legendary vehicles were major inspirations for the iconic design of the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven. This is beauty and the extraordinary united in one vision of the future. Our all-electric vision show car is the modern-day interpretation of the C 111, which was avant-garde at the time. The element of surprise comes from its exceptionally clean, purist and, at the same time, extremely muscular proportions. This iconic clarity is also reflected in the interior. The equally sensual but minimalist design language stands for ICONIC LUXURY by Mercedes-Benz.”
    Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Mercedes-Benz Group AG

    “The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven combines breathtaking design with groundbreaking powertrain technology. Like its historical namesake, it explores new paths for the future of sporting performance. At the heart of the compact and extremely efficient powertrain is the innovative YASA axial-flux high-tech electric motor. It offers a motorsport-like power output from a considerably smaller package. This makes the YASA axial-flux motor ideal for electric high-performance vehicles. Combined with the liquid-cooled cylindrical-cell battery with Formula-1 inspired cell chemistry, the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is yet another proof point for the broad performance spectrum encompassed by our four-pronged development strategy for electric drive.”
    Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer

    The exterior

    The body of the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven centres on skilful execution of the One-Bow design. From the low-slung front end to the muscular hind quarters, it runs in a smooth bow that endows the just 1,170 mm-high vehicle silhouette with an extremely sculptural feel. This harmonises perfectly with the copper-orange alubeam paintwork. It provides an unmistakeable reference to the distinctive colour of the C 111 without adopting it one-to-one. The colour of the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is considerably more powerful than that of the C 111 and also changes with the light. It conveys not only a sense of quality but also a certain extravagance.

    Further notable features of the side view include the flush-fit gullwing doors and the side windows, which are opaque from the outside and camouflaged by a pixelated pattern. Yet another is the large-diameter wheels inserted seamlessly into the wheel arches beneath voluminous flared wings. This reinforces the impression of an uncompromisingly sporty and aerodynamically refined driving machine. The wheel design incorporates powerfully structured elements evocative of electric motor windings – a clear indicator of the state-of-the-art, all-electric powertrain underpinning the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven. They stand in spirited contrast to the vehicle’s iconic, minimalist and smooth surface design, which is more akin to a sculptural art piece. This contrast is typical of the X-factors the brand applies to its design thinking and a distinctive feature of the Vision One-Eleven.

    Another striking contrast arises through the very low-slung front and rear skirts finished in matte black. The two deeply scooped aerodynamic elements are visually connected by two blade profiles in the same colour running along the flanks beneath the sills. These profiles feature piercings that are backlit in blue. The functional aerodynamic elements also serve as a further design reference to the C 111, which is painted black on the lower portion of its bodyshell. The dark “keel line” of the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven generates an impression of seamless transition between the vehicle and the ground beneath it that is even more powerful than that of the C 111. The form of the car appears fused with the road surface.

    The front-end design

    From the frontal aspect, too, the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is powerfully evocative of the C 111. In detail, however, there are striking differences: One stand-out example is the distinctive front end, which on both vehicles consists of a low-lying rectangular element with rounded ends left and right. On the C 111, this is a closed plastic element with a honeycomb structure, fitted with round foglamps. The corresponding part on the Vision One-Eleven appears very similar at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, it reveals itself as a high-tech feature. The panel is a flexible external display with a 3D pixelated look. It interprets the C 111’s characteristic round lights in digitised form and can also convey messages to other road users.

    In contrast to the C 111, the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven bears a U-shaped and strongly profiled front apron. Above the slender light band, both forefather and descendant show further similarities, most notably the black air intakes on the bonnet.

    The rear-end design

    The rear-end of the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is likewise dominated by a powerfully profiled diffuser. Spanning the breadth above it is a display that echoes the shape of its counterpart at the front end and features the same pixelated structure in the red taillights. Similar to the blade profiles along the sides, blue lighting effects are also visible at the rear. The inner face of the wheels is fitted with circular lighting elements.

    The interior design

    Inside, the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven presents the first sports car interior with a lounge concept. It reflects the paradigm shift from self-driven sports car to autonomous electric vehicle within the super sportscar segment and unites two completely different states of being. In race mode with the backrest upright and the compact driver-oriented touchscreen, the interior becomes that of a minimalist driving machine. Conversely, in lounge mode, the seats are fully integrated into the interior sculpture, which merges sills, centre tunnel and luggage compartment into a single unit.

    This creates a whole new, exceptionally airy spatial concept. In contrast to previous mid-engine sports cars, it takes advantage of the compact proportions of electric motors to extend the interior rearwards. Consequently, the lounge-like interior invites occupants to take their time and relax – a completely new approach for the sports car of the future.

    Futuristic and luxurious ambience with contrasting colours

    The interior design of the Vision One-Eleven reflects future luxury based on a progressive colour concept and extraordinary material combinations. The richly contrasting colours and materials attract attention at first glance: Large surfaces such as the dashboard are upholstered in white fabric displaying a tech-look honeycomb structure. The material is made from 100-percent recycled polyester. Other elements such as the armrests on the sills and centre console, as well as the rear parcel shelf beneath the expansive rear windscreen, are clad in bright orange leather. This creates a smooth transition from interior to luggage compartment. The sustainably processed leather was tanned using coffee bean husks. Polished aluminium in the steering-wheel spokes and inlaid as straps across the armrests underscore the tech look and feel. The same applies to the brake and accelerator pedals, both of which are made from polished aluminium and floor mounted.

    Otherwise, the interior equipment in the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven has been reduced to a minimum. Like the exterior, the task here too was to keep the number of add-on features to a bare minimum. The seats are good examples as they don’t follow the classic format. Instead, the seat cushions are integrated flush-fit into the floor. This creates the initial impression of the bucket seat in a Formula 1 race car. The orange four‑point harness and its high-gloss polished buckle further reinforce the sporting character.

    Nevertheless, the innovative seats combine this sporting feel with luxurious comfort because, unlike in a Formula 1 race car, the angle of the backrest can be adjusted. The silver shimmer of their diamond-quilted upholstery is another eyecatcher that underscores the first-class interior ambience. Between the seats is a compact centre console, freestanding in space like a work of art.

    The only highly complex feature in the interior is the leather-clad steering wheel, which is fitted with various functional controls and state-of-the-art touch elements. This is complemented by a compact touchscreen with high-resolution display mounted to the side of the steering wheel and angled towards the driver. It shows all relevant vehicle information as required.

    Fusion of analogue and digital – UI/UX with retro-futuristic pixel-look

    The contrast to the modern interior is provided by the slender pixel display spanning the entire breadth of the dashboard, picking up on the form of the front and rear light bands. Here too, the pixel structure is intentionally coarse, which gives the information displayed – such as the current speed – a strikingly bold appearance. Moreover, the 3D pixel display shows digital art pieces as a coarsely rasterised stream of QR codes in the style of “early digital” news tickers. This is done with the help of glass pixels that show a changing colour gradient depending on the viewing angle. The corresponding real image then appears razor sharp on the high-resolution screen next to the steering wheel.

    This combination of vastly differing representations of the same image embodies a further interpretation of the MBUX Hyperscreen with a focus on flexible interfaces. The retro-futuristic, 8-bit look thus creates an additional X-factor. The development in the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven reinforces the increasing fusion of physical and digital.

    Creating an experimental spatial user interface – augmented reality takes the user experience to a new level

    For the premiere of the Vision One-Eleven, Mercedes-Benz designers have created a visionary user experience with the aid of augmented reality (AR), setting it inside a virtual prototype of the Vision One‑Eleven interior. As soon as the driver dons the Magic Leap 2 augmented reality headset, their experience is enriched with high-definition digital content that is contextually integrated into their surroundings. It creates a seamless spatial blend of physical interior and digital user interface beyond the screen. In effect, the entire car becomes the user interface.

    Mercedes-Benz has been exploring the benefits of AR since the launch of the F015 concept car in 2015. The AR UI in this new car presents a vision of the future that works on two levels: the information attached to the dashboard and information placed in the environment inside and outside the car. This marks the next step from screen-based UI with Mercedes-Benz intuitive zero-layer technology to an AR UI that arranges zero‑layer elements around the user in space. Elements include modules, 3D icons and the navigation map. The control interface around the dashboard and steering wheel is also augmented with additional contextualised information attached to actual objects such as buttons or switches.

    The 180-degree AR view incorporates the world outside the virtual prototype – fusing the car effortlessly with its surroundings and placing the driver at the centre. Map elements are projected into the environment, which is enriched with further information such as places of interests or hidden hazards such as roadworks beyond a bend. With this X-ray view, the system enhances situational awareness by blending out unimportant details to create an uncluttered image of relevant input. Elements that obstruct the driver’s line of sight – such as the A-pillar, doors or even the bonnet – then appear “transparent”. Mercedes-Benz designers and experts worked with the technical specialists at Magic Leap to develop and refine the AR experience showcased in the Vision One-Eleven using the highly advanced Magic Leap 2 AR glasses.

    The spatial user interface is a beacon for a Mercedes-Benz user experience that is unencumbered by technology. It is part of a wider vision that looks towards extended reality, whereby technology and hardware cease to be the focal point; instead becoming fully integrated and seamless facilitators of user needs and wishes.

    Innovative electric powertrain – high-performance axial-flux motor and all-new battery technology

    Technology highlights include a new battery concept featuring high-performance liquid-cooled cylindrical cells with a novel cell chemistry. Once more, the extensive knowledge of the motorsport experts from Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrain in Brixworth found its way into this promising concept for future performance-oriented batteries. Aside from that, the Vision One-Eleven features two exceptionally powerful and advanced axial-flux motors from YASA. Mercedes-Benz is developing this technology together with YASA to large scale production maturity for its next-generation electric drives. YASA is a British electric-motor specialist based in Oxford and has been a 100-percent subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG since July 2021. The company has thus secured access to a unique future technology that has the potential to take electric mobility to a new level of performance.

    “Axial-flux motors are significantly lighter and more compact, yet more powerful than comparable radial-flux motors currently used in 99 percent of all electric cars. In an axial-flux motor, the electromagnetic flow runs parallel to the motor’s rotational axis, which is highly efficient. In a radial-flux motor, the flow runs perpendicular to the rotational axis. Compared to radial-flux motors, they have considerably higher and more enduring power reserves, which delivers a whole new level of performance.”
    Tim Woolmer, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of YASA

    Alongside its power and torque density, another major benefit is the narrow package, which reduces both its weight and dimensions. The weight of an axial-flux motor is just one third of that of current electric motors with the same power output. At the same time, it requires just one-third of the space occupied by a radial-flux motor. This opens up completely new options for engineers as well as new freedoms in the design of an electric vehicle as demonstrated by the Vision One-Eleven.

    The future generation of YASA axial-flux motors will be produced at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin-Marienfelde plant. The motors manufactured there will be at the heart of the forthcoming powertrain for the performance segment.

  • Renault H1st Vision Concept

    An open innovation ecosystem created by six large companies (Atos, Dassault Systèmes, Orange, Renault Group, STMicroelectronics and Thales), Software République has set itself clear objectives to help create a European ecosystem for sustainable, sovereign and safe mobility. Its roadmap sets out the ambition of launching 10 new services and products, incubating 50 or more startups, and offering services in more than 50 geographies around the world by 2025.

    Created only two years ago, Software République is staging the world premiere of a collaborative concept at the Viva Technology 2023 exhibition. It incorporates functional and innovative technologies which illustrate its human-centred visions of the mobility of the future. Its name is H1st vision (Human First vision).

    It’s a revolution in mobility, bringing together 20 concrete, operational innovations.

    This physical vehicle doubles up as a virtual replica, a virtual twin in a digital universe where systems that are currently independent (infrastructure, energy, public services, users of different categories) communicate. This makes it possible to model, visualise and simulate the different use cases that could arise in the real world. Thanks to its interconnection with its environment, H1st vision is in constant dialogue with digital and physical ecosystems. A true experience beyond automotive mobility, H1st vision is not just a concept car: it is a tangible vision of tomorrow’s mobility experience.

    The 20 innovations in this technology demonstrator are centred on people. They are all operational: they take care of the driver, their passengers and other road users.

    H1st vision for example features:

    • all-new and secure biometric access control
    • a one-of-a-kind sound experience inside
    • optimised vehicle range and charging
    • a driver and vehicle health monitor and assistant
    • predictive alerts to protect occupants and other people on the road, using predictive alerts

    H1st vision is packed with the expertise of Software République’s members, which are all major players, and promising startups selected for their unique contributions. It was developed by a team of 100 people in a record six months. With this functional virtual and real concept, Software République is demonstrating the relevance of the open innovation model for incubating true industrial projects that are helping to make Europe a prominent hub for the mobility of the future.

    The H1st vision concept car is a connected, physical and virtual object that demonstrates both a robust method for collaboration between the partners and how the technologies of Dassault Systèmes, Orange, ST Microelectronics, Renault Group and Thales complement each other to build the mobility of the future. Eric Feunteun, Chief Operating Officer, Software République

  • Nissan Sentra

    The 2024 Nissan Sentra is enhanced for the new model year with refreshed modern exterior styling, improved fuel economy and more premium features on the popular SV grade. The 2024 Nissan Sentra range (S, SV and SR grades) goes on sale late summer.

    The car’s updated appearance includes a new front fascia and restyled headlights on all models, plus dynamic new 16- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs. Sentra SR models add a restyled rear fascia and new interior accent stitching color.

    A new Xtronic CVT and the addition of Idle Stop Start, along with a smooth, responsive 2.0-liter inline-four engine, deliver improved fuel efficiency for the 2024 model.

    More technology on the popular SV grade enhances the user experience. New for the 2024 model year, the SV Premium package adds Intelligent Around View Monitor®3, an 8-speaker Bose® Premium Audio System and exterior mirrors with turn signal indicators. Sentra SR also adds heated front seats as standard.

    While class-exclusive Intelligent Forward Collision Warning is equipped as standard, additional driver-assist technology includes Intelligent Driver Alertness4, available Intelligent Around View® Monitor, available Intelligent Cruise Control and standard Easy-Fill Tire Alert system.

    Like all Nissan models, Sentra prioritizes safety for peace of mind. All grades have standard Nissan Safety Shield® 360, a suite of six advanced driver-assist systems including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking.

    For full details on the features included on each grade level of the 2024 Nissan Sentra, see the full specifications sheet.

    2024 Nissan Sentra: In Detail

    Fresh new look

    Visual updates begin with a reshaped front fascia with a new interpretation of Nissan’s V-motion grille, with bright chrome trim. The lower fascia has a cleaner appearance with vent-like elements moved to the outer edges of the car. A new available 16-inch alloy design is featured on the SV grade.

    All 2024 Sentra grades feature updated headlights with black interior bezel elements, giving them a sportier and more premium appearance.

    Sportier Sentra SR

    The sporty appearance of Sentra SR is elevated for the 2024 model year with a new 18-inch wheel design, dark chrome trim for the V-motion grille, dark chrome outer finish elements on the front fascia and a body-colored lower trim strip below the grill. Red SR badges are also added, front and rear.

    In the rear, a new lower fascia graphic design helps make Sentra look lower and wider. The SR grade’s interior accent stitching color has been updated to a red-orange that more closely matches that seen in Altima SR and Frontier PRO-X and PRO-4X.

    Sentra SR stands out from the competition with striking two-tone paint options, with the option to pair a black roof with Aspen White Tricoat, Monarch Orange Metallic, Electric Blue Metallic and the new Atlantic Gray body colors.

    Refined and functional interior

    The 2024 Nissan Sentra’s highly functional, visually appealing interior brings a high level of refinement to the class. Functional elements include a D-shaped steering wheel, round air vents inspired by elements of the Nissan Z sports car, and abundant storage options, including front and rear door pockets, a center console with armrest and available rear seat armrest with cupholders.

    Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats hold occupants in a supportive posture that improves comfort. Available satin chrome interior accents and contrast seat stitching further elevate the interior ambience. Up to three USB ports allow passengers to keep devices charged, while available rear-seat cupholders provide convenience for back-seat passengers. Sentra also offers storage in the center console and an available storage pocket in the passenger seatback. Sentra’s trunk provides a generous 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a standard 60/40 split-folding back seat offering flexibility in storage.

    Powertrain performance

    Sentra has a standard, fuel-efficient 2.0-liter inline-four engine with 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. For the 2024 model year, Sentra features a new Xtronic CVT designed to reduce fuel consumption while providing a smoother shift pattern. Also new is standard Idle Stop Start, which can shut off the engine when the vehicle is stopped to help save fuel.

    Convenient connectivity

    Sentra keeps drivers connected with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that features Bluetooth®, Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant, Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, Siri® Eyes-Free, Google Assistant™ Voice Recognition and one front USB port. It is paired with a 4-speaker audio system.

    Sentra SV and SR upgrade to an 8-inch screen with 6 speakers, an additional front USB Type-C port and a charge-only USB Type-A port in the center console, plus SiriusXM® satellite radio.

    Sentra also provides drivers with a standard 4.2-inch multi-information display, upgraded to a 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist® Display6 on SV and SR grades.

    Extensive list of comfort and convenience features

    Sentra SV includes 16-inch alloy wheels, Nissan Intelligent Key® push-button start, Intelligent Cruise Control, 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display, 8-inch touchscreen information system and satin chrome interior front door handles. An All-Weather package is available that combines dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and remote engine start.

    The popular SV Premium package adds three desirable features for the 2024 model year: an 8-speaker Bose® Premium Audio system, Intelligent Around View® Monitor and turn signal indicators on the exterior mirrors. It also includes 17-inch alloy wheels, 6-way power driver’s seat, a power-sliding moonroof with tilt feature, quilted leather-appointed seats, a leather shift knob and a rear-seat armrest with two cupholders.

    The sporty Sentra SR builds on SV with features including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail lights, dark chrome exterior trim, red SR badges, a rear spoiler and other athletic exterior design elements. The interior features sport cloth with reddish-orange stitching accent, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and remote engine start.

    The SR Premium package builds on that feature set with the addition of a power-sliding moonroof with tilt feature, Prima-Tex™-appointed seats, a 6-way power driver’s seat, Intelligent Around View® Monitor, 8-speaker Bose® Premium Audio system, a heated steering wheel, and NissanConnect® Services featuring a Wi-Fi hotspot.

    Driver Assistance and Safety

    All grades have standard Nissan Safety Shield® 360, a suite of six advanced driver-assist systems including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking. Class-exclusive Intelligent Forward Collision Warning6 is also standard on all models. A standard haptic steering wheel, along with audio cues, helps provide safety alerts to drivers.

    Additional driver assistance technology includes Intelligent Driver Alertness and available Intelligent Cruise Control. Available Intelligent Around View® Monitor uses exterior cameras to provide a 360-degree view around the vehicle, ideal for maneuvering at low speeds, such as when parking.

    Standard Easy-Fill Tire Alert system, which uses the vehicle’s horn to indicate when tires are filled to the appropriate pressure, helps owners maintain their vehicle’s tire pressure more easily. Additionally, Rear Door Alert can alert drivers to any forgotten items in the back seat at the end of their journey.

  • Toyota GR H2 Racing Concept

    At a press conference of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) at Circuit de la Sarthe in western France on June 9, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda revealed for the first time the hydrogen engine vehicle prototype “GR H2 Racing Concept”.

    Developed with future competition in its sights, the prototype’s unveiling was spurred by a recent announcement by the ACO, the organizer of Le Mans 24 Hours, that it would allow hydrogen-engine vehicles to compete―in addition to fuel cell electric vehicles―in the race’s hydrogen category.

    Speaking at the press conference, Toyoda congratulated the ACO on the centenary of the Le Mans 24 Hours (Le Mans) endurance race and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to hone cars through the race.

    Toyota has been competing using a hydrogen-engine Corolla in the Super Taikyu Series since Round 3 of the 2021 season and raced the same car in the IDEMITSU 1500 SUPER ENDURANCE 2022 at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit in December 2022. By doing so, it has been honing its technologies in the harsh environment of motorsports and, with like-minded partners in and outside the automotive industry, accelerating its efforts for producing, transporting, and using hydrogen toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society. Toyota intends to further advance such efforts for making ever-better motorsports-bred cars and realizing a carbon-neutral society and it looks forward to taking on the challenge of a new generation of Le Mans 24 races.

    “GR H2 Racing Concept” vehicle outline

    Powertrain Hydrogen engine + Hybrid system
    Dimensions Length (mm) 5,100 mm
    Width (mm) 2,050 mm

  • Ford Mustang GT3 Racecar

    The best-known sports car will compete in the world’s most iconic endurance race as the Ford Mustang GT3 takes on the challenge of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2024.

    The Mustang GT3 race car, based on the all-new 2024 Mustang Dark Horse, was unveiled to the racing world today during the centenary celebration on the eve of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Mustang race car boasts a bold, colorful new look from Troy Lee, who is recognized as one of the premier motorsports designers in the world. The legendary Mustang GT3 represents Lee’s first foray with Ford race cars.

    With the reveal, Ford officially enters Mustang into the global FIA GT3 category. Ford’s most recent triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was in 2016 with the Ford GT.

    “Ford and Le Mans are bound together by history. And now we’re coming back to the most dramatic, most rewarding and most important race in the world. It is not Ford versus Ferrari anymore. It is Ford versus everyone. Going back to Le Mans is the beginning of building a global motorsports business with Mustang, just like we are doing with Bronco and Raptor off-road.”
    -Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company CEO
    Fresh Branding, New Logo

    To coincide with the unveiling, Ford also is revealing new, global Ford Performance branding – a cleaner, simplified look that will now be featured on all its racing vehicles.

    This expressive and engaging new identity will help position Ford Performance as a standout lifestyle brand with a sporting mindset. The new Ford Performance mark is easier to integrate across various environments and spaces, including car liveries, merchandise/apparel, display assets, parts/accessories and in advertising.

    Continuing Relationships with Two Longtime Partners

    Ford Performance extended its relationship with two longtime partners in Multimatic and M-Sport for the basis of this project. Multimatic, builders of the iconic Ford GT, were also involved in the Ford GT race program and will help build and support the Mustang GT3s, while longtime World Rally Championship partner and two-time championship winning team M-Sport will assemble the Ford Performance-developed 5.4-liter Coyote-based V8 engines that power this powerful new pony.

    “For a project like the Mustang GT3, we turned to two of our most trusted partners in the motorsports world to help bring this vehicle and program together,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “I know we’ll all be as thrilled as Ford fans when Mustang begins racing at the highest levels of GT racing in 2024.”

    The Mustang GT3 race car features a bespoke short-long arm suspension, rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, carbon fiber body panels, as well as a unique aero package developed to meet GT3 targets.

    Proton Competition Becomes First WEC Customer Team for Mustang GT3

    Before going to Le Mans in 2024, the Mustang GT3 will compete in various GT3 series across the globe in the hands of customer teams.

    The first customer team, announced today, is Proton Competition. Based in Ehingen, Germany, Proton intends to campaign a pair of Mustang GT3s in the FIA World Endurance Championship, starting in 2024.

    “This is a very important program and an exciting moment for our organization,” said Proton Competition team principal Christian Ried. “The Mustang is a great brand and this is an important step for our team. We look forward to joining with Ford starting in 2024.”

    Ford Performance will also field a two-car factory race program with Mustang GT3 in IMSA’s GTD Pro class. This will be managed by Multimatic Motorsports and begin at the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

  • Porsche Mission X Concept

    Celebrating 75 years of Porsche sports cars, the storied marque today revealed its newest concept car: the Mission X. As a design study, not offered for sale, with production to be decided in due time, the Mission X is a glimpse into what the sports car of the future could look like.

    “The Porsche Mission X is a technology beacon for the sports car of the future. It picks up the torch of iconic sports cars of decades past: like the 959, the Carrera GT and the 918 Spyder before it, the Mission X provides critical impetus for the evolutionary development of future vehicle concepts,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “Daring to dream and dream cars are two sides of the same coin for us: Porsche has only remained Porsche by constantly changing.”

    Michael Mauer, Head of Style Porsche, says: “The Mission X is a clear commitment to the core of the brand. The continuing, enhanced expression of our brand and product identity is an important compass for us to navigate the development of our series-production models. The concept study symbolizes a symbiosis of unmistakable motorsport DNA with a luxurious overall impression.”

    Measuring approximately 177 inches long and 78.7 inches wide, the Mission X concept study is a relatively compact hypercar. With a wheelbase of 107.4 inches, it has the dimensions of the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. For aerodynamic purposes, the concept car has staggered tires, with 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.

    Design

    The Mission X represents the pinnacle of performance and modern luxury. At the same time, its sculpted form and muscular lines demonstrate that hypercars do not have to look aggressive. The low-slung body, which is less than 47.2 inches tall, is finished in Rocket Metallic – an elegant paint color specially designed for the concept study. Design elements in a carbon fiber are found below the beltline. These components have a satin finish and are therefore slightly colored, but their material structure remains recognizable.

    The wheels of the concept study feature elaborate details: the rear axle is fitted with almost transparent aero blades, which are designed like turbines for better cooling of the brakes.

    A lightweight glass dome with an exoskeleton made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) extends over both occupants. Le Mans-style doors are attached to the A-pillar and the roof; they open forwards and upwards. This type of door was previously used on the legendary Porsche 917 racing car. Another eye-catcher is the light signature: for the Mission X, the designers have reinterpreted the characteristic Porsche four-point graphic. The vertical base form of the headlights was inspired by historic racing cars such as the Porsche 906 and 908 and drawn well down towards the road. A high-tech support structure frames the LED light modules and presents the exposed narrow elements of daytime running lights and indicators. When activated, the light opens up like an eye blinking open. Fully illuminated, the headlights make a confident statement.

    A full-length light unit that appears to float characterizes the rear of the Mission X. Transparent, illuminated Porsche lettering is a standout feature. The sculptural rear light emerges, as if suspended in the air, from a support structure and extends across the entire width of the vehicle in four segments. While charging, the ‘E’ of the Porsche lettering pulses.

    One special detail is the modernized Porsche crest, which makes its debut on the Mission X. Brushed precious metal, a three-dimensional honeycomb structure, a refreshed heraldic beast and more subtle gold color – on close inspection, these are the differences between the modernized Porsche crest and its immediate forerunner. With its cleaner and more state-of-the-art execution, the refined crest communicates the character of Porsche. On the Mission X, it is found on the hood and steering wheel as well as in monochrome form on the wheel centers.

    The driver focus can be seen in the asymmetry of the interior and its color concept. The two seats are colored differently. Apart from the leather pads in Andalusia Brown, the driver’s seat is Kalahari Grey and forms a single unit of color with the center console and the dashboard. The passenger seat is in the contrasting Andalusia Brown shade. Beyond the CFRP seat shells, and their six-point seatbelts integrated into the monocoque, further motorsport parallels include the open-top steering wheel, which has mode switches and shift paddles. There are multiple cameras on board. Recording starts as soon as the driver presses the Record button (REC) on the multi-purpose controller.

    Another highlight is found on the passenger side, where there is a bayonet system embedded in the instrument panel to which a stopwatch module can be attached. For the Mission X, Porsche Design has created a special stopwatch module with an analogue and digital display. The clocks are designed for both racetrack and rally use and can display the lap times or vital data of the driver, among other information.

    Technical vision

    Porsche exemplifies e-performance yet is also a pioneer in sustainable mobility. The concept study meets both objectives in full measure. If the Mission X goes into series production, then it should:

    • be the fastest road-legal vehicle around the Nürburgring Nordschleife
    • have a power-to-weight ratio of roughly one hp per 2.2 lbs.
    • achieve downforce values that are well in excess of those delivered by the current 911 GT3 RS
    • offer significantly improved charging performance with its 900-volt system architecture and charge roughly twice as quickly as the current Porsche frontrunner, the Taycan Turbo S

    The battery is installed centrally behind the vehicle’s seats. This ‘e-core layout’ centers the mass in the car. As with a conventionally powered mid-engine car, this provides the basis for excellent agility.

    Predecessors

    The fastest series-production car of its time; first series-production Porsche to be made of carbon fiber, and the first road-legal vehicle to beat the seven-minute mark on the Nürburgring Nordschleife – the Porsche 959 (1985), Carrera GT (2003) and 918 Spyder (2013) were milestone models in the world of super sports cars. And that makes them the conceptual forerunners of the Mission X.

    In 1985, the Porsche 959 made its debut as a technology platform. Its 443 hp six-cylinder twin-turbo boxer engine, combined with an aerodynamically optimized body, propelled the super sports car to a top speed of 197 mph – then the world record for a series-production sports car.

    With its V10 engine and 605 hp, fierce design and, not least, its incomparable driving experience, the Porsche Carrera GT remains an icon among super sports cars to this day.

    Porsche hybrid technology reached a spectacular zenith with the 918 Spyder. In September 2013, the 887 hp two-seater was the first road-approved vehicle to crack the seven-minute barrier on the 12.8-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife, completing the lap in 6:57 minutes. Porsche aims to stay true to this standard of the highest e-performance: our vision, should the Mission X go into series production, is for it to be the fastest road-legal vehicle on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

  • 2024 Alpine A424 Beta

    Sixty years after its first entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Alpine has unveiled the A424_β, foreshadowing its challenger in the premier class of the FIA Endurance World Championship.

    With its design, the A424_β reaffirms the brand’s DNA while heralding its future. Its name, A424_β, is a symbol of this: the A nomenclature followed by three digits beginning with 4; respects the tradition of our victorious endurance cars, 24 echoes the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 2024, and β designates its final stage before its launch.

    The A424_β is the quintessence of Alpine’s automotive and racing artistry, both aesthetically and technically. Rich in creativity, it presages Alpine’s future lighting signature on an incredibly racy and assertive front end, while the rear reveals two exceptionally impactful A-arrows. The triangular motif, echoing the Alpine snowflakes, also appears in the treatment of the daggerboards and rear wing.

    In the cockpit, the drivers will take their place at the heart of a body that has been refined, purified and polished, like a road-going supercar. The flanks are inspired by Alpenglow, the concept car setting out Alpine’s ambitions by embodying the fascinating future of the brand’s production and competition models.

    Technical specifications

    CHASSIS
    Type Carbon fibre & honeycomb body shell
    Bodywork Carbon fibre
    Suspension Double wishbone with pushrods
    Steering Electric power-assisted
    Length 5,000 mm
    Width 1,998 mm
    Height 1,058 mm
    Wheelbase 3,148 mm
    Weight Approximately 1,030 kg (according to BOP)
    ENGINE
    Configuration V6 single turbo at 90°
    Displacement 3,400 cc
    Power 500 kW / 675 horsepower
    Rev band maximum 9,000 rpm
    Hybrid system Bosch standard / 50 kW
    Lubrication Dry sump/multi-stage oil pump
    ECU Marelli
    GEARBOX
    Brand Xtrac
    Type Transversally-mounted
    Gearshift Steering wheel-mounted paddles and pneumatic control
    Gears 7 + reverse gear
    WHEELS
    Front tyres Michelin 29-71/R18
    Rear tyres Michelin 34-71/R18
    Front wheels 12.5’’x18’’
    Rear wheels 14’’x18’’
    BRAKES
    Discs Ventilated carbon
    Calipers Six-piston one-piece
    SAFETY
    Harness Six-point, adapted for the Hans® system
    Fuel cell Safety rubber tank with built-in reserve system

  • Alpine A110 R Le Mans Limited Edition

    The A110 R Le Mans marks a new chapter in the long association between two French motorsport icons.

    With its A110 R Le Mans limited series, Alpine pays tribute to the world’s most prestigious endurance race to mark its centenary. The brand has been involved in endurance racing since the 1960s, thanks to its founder Jean Rédélé, right up to the famous victory of the A442 in 1978. Alpine stepped up its endurance racing with Signatech in LMP2 and then LMP1 and is now looking to the future by taking on the new LMDh Hypercar category from 2024.

    “Alpine will unveil the A110 R Le Mans in action on the 24 Hours of Le Mans track the day before the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans®, joined by 100 Alpine owners. Limited to 100 units, this iconic limited series follows in the legendary footsteps of the GTA Le Mans, combining sophisticated aerodynamics with an incredible power-to-weight ratio, as did the Alpine M63, the first Alpine to compete at Le Mans in 1963. The A110 R Le Mans is the most radical A110 celebrating the most radical competition,” explains Emmanuel Al Nawakil, VP, Alpine Sales, Network and Launching.

    PERFORMANCE: A RADICAL VISION OF RACING BORN FROM COMPETITION

    Based on the A110 R, it features all the carbon components on the roof, wheels and interior with monocoque Sabelt® Track bucket seats. It also incorporates a carbon wing evoking the endurance racing cars style and Alpine Elf Endurance Team’s A480 design. Lightweight components, already used on the A110 R, contribute to its high level of performance with an acceleration time from 0 to 62 mph of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph on track.

    The A110 R Le Mans limited series comes with a Road & Track chock, an innovation patented by Alpine, which lowers and stiffens the car by 5% for even better stability on the track. This technical development, coupled with a specific suspension setting, enhances performance on the long Mulsanne straight and in the fast corners of the 24-Hours circuit.

    ULTRA-SPORTY DESIGN EXPRESSING BOLDNESS AND AERODYNAMICS ON THE 24 HEURES DU MANS CIRCUIT®

    The A110 R Le Mans is recognisable by its exclusive white and blue 24 Heures du Mans® livery. A thin double line of blue and white is applied to the front bonnet, roof and rear wing in a reference to racing, complemented by the blue fins. A blue piping strip distinguishes the carbon wheels, which are open at the rear for even greater braking endurance, whilst the shark fin on the carbon rear window is a reference to the A480 which competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans®.

    This emblematic limited series receives the official 24 Hours of Le Mans® signature on the front spoilers, side sills and microfibre headrest pads of the Sabelt® Track bucket seats. In the ultimate nod to Le Mans, the layout of the 24 Hours circuit is subtly laser-engraved on the sun visor.

    Lastly, the A110 R Le Mans bears a numbered plate from the Dieppe factory with the official 24 Hours of Le Mans® signature to mark the 100 examples of this iconic version of the A110 R.

    ENJOY AN EXCEPTIONAL ALPINE EXPERIENCE WITH THE A110 R LE MANS

    Future A110 R Le Mans owners will join Alpine’s ‘Band of Racers’. They will have exclusive access to the Alpine Elf Endurance Team facilities in 2024 and an opportunity to take a lap of the track, in its complete specification, for an unforgettable experience in their A110 R Le Mans on the morning before the start of the race.

  • Lexus LBX

    Lexus has a proud history of pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Since its founding in 1989, it has repeatedly pioneered new thinking and new products that have changed people’s perceptions and reshaped the luxury car market. It has constantly evolved the concept of what luxury means, not just by creating desirable and exciting products, but also by redefining the complete ownership experience.

    Its record of achievement today welcomes a new name: the Lexus LBX.

    The all-new, all-hybrid electric LBX is the smallest Lexus yet, but fully deserving of its status as a landmark model, one which breaks down the traditional luxury hierarchy and which will be a game-changer for the brand in Europe.

    LBX stands for Lexus Breakthrough Crossover, a compact SUV that will extend Lexus’ brand appeal into new market territory. It embraces contemporary ideas in design and technology while maintaining the distinguishing Lexus qualities of the luxury craftsmanship and Omotenashi hospitality.

    This is a car that’s simple, casual and easy to live with, but which makes no compromises in quality and attention to detail: the essence of Lexus has been distilled into a smaller package, transcending customers’ traditional expectations of what a premium compact SUV can offer.

    It also breaks new ground by disrupting the traditional grade strategy to give owners more freedom to express their individual taste and sense of style.  True to Lexus’ commitment to “making luxury personal,” the LBX will be offered in a choice of four “atmospheres” in addition to its base grade. Rather than being defined by the level of equipment or comfort features, these atmospheres focus on expressing different refined, dynamic or sporty themes through styling details, colours, textures and finishes. A new Lexus Bespoke Build programme will offer yet more personalised options.

    The LBX is also a breakthrough for Lexus as a business in Europe. For the first time, Europe has been the lead global region for the development of a new Lexus vehicle. This influence will help the LBX become one of the best-sellers for the brand in Europe.

    The use of a three-letter name is significant – previously only the LFA supercar has enjoyed that distinction. The choice of the name LBX demonstrates Lexus’ commitment to and trust in its new model. Just as the LFA showed a different side to the brand in terms of attitude and performance, so the LBX will in its own way expand its reach and profile.

    As a new entry point to Lexus’ well-established SUV line-up, it offers strong appeal to a younger audience and those who may not have considered a Lexus before. It will be an attractive proposition to those seeking to downsize or purchase a second vehicle, meeting their new lifestyle requirements.

    Chief Engineer Kunihiko Endoh comments: “Our aim was to challenge the conventional concept of a luxury car. We have thoroughly pursued a driving experience that enables a natural dialogue between the driver and their vehicle and a design that has an refined presence.”

    The LBX’s styling establishes a new Lexus identity with a “Resolute Look” front design that reinterprets the famous spindle grille. While the exterior dimensions are more compact than any other Lexus, the look is muscular and powerful. Inside, the emphasis is on driver-engagement with a focused driver’s cockpit based on Lexus’ Tazuna concept, and on creating a light, open feel with excellent visibility and an instrument panel that wraps around smoothly into the door panels.

    In doing things differently with the LBX, Lexus has taken a new approach to building a model range, introducing choices that better reflect how today’s customers seek cars that match their personal style and character.

    Following its world debut, the LBX will go into production in late 2023. Sales will begin in European and selected global markets from early 2024.

    EXTERIOR

    Lexus’ design ambition was to create a car that is more relaxed than formal in character, displaying an authentic, effortless style that people will instantly feel a connection with.

    The most significant aspect of the design is a new frontal arrangement that “breaks” the spindle grille – a design hallmark for the past decade – leading Lexus into a new era.

    Koichi Suga, General Manager Lexus Design, explains: “We have ‘deconstructed’ the spindle grille to make way for a new design. We’ve succeeded in creating a new front face identity that’s completely different from before yet is instantly recognisable as a Lexus.”

    The grille has been unified in a single trapezoid shape, positioned below a narrow aperture that runs beneath the leading edge of the bonnet, linking the slim headlight units. The design draws on the heritage of Lexus’ “Resolute Look.” Introduced with the LF-S concept car of 2003, this became a signature styling cue for Lexus production models from the early 2000s.

    The seamless, frameless grille generates the lines of the LBX’s spindle body, contributing to the car’s strong, dynamic stance. It is also aerodynamically efficient, helping smooth airflow over and around the car. The new headlight design creates a strong visual signature, with the daytime running lights and turn indicators integrated in bi-functional units. With this new arrangement, the lights’ distinctive L-shape has been changed to face out rather than inwards, to match the direction of each indicator light.

    Following the principles of Lexus Next Chapter Design, the car’s identity and proportions are rooted in the driving experience it delivers. The front pillars have been pulled back, making the cabin appear compact and the bonnet longer for a sporty profile. The flared wings express power and accentuate the large (18-inch) wheels and tyres, while short overhangs and a bold tightening of the area around the rear doors evoke nimble, dynamic performance.

    The rear of the car also projects a strong stance. The licence plate has been moved down to the bumper so that the LEXUS lettered signature on the back door is more prominent on the clean expanse of the back door. Similarly, the latest evolution of the Lexus signature L-shaped light bar has greater visual impact, with the turn signal and reversing lamps having a subdued presence when not illuminated.

    The LBX is 4,190 mm long, 1,825 mm wide and 1,545 mm high and has a 2,580 mm wheelbase. The low-slung bonnet, belt mouldings flush with the body, a gate-style rear roof spoiler and precise light cluster designs enhance aerodynamic performance and contribute to the LBX’s efficiency, stability and responsive performance.

    The exterior colour choices include vivid shades and Lexus’ deep-lustre sonic finishes. Emotion and Cool versions of the LBX can be specified with bi-tone paintwork, combining any colour option with a contrast black roof.

    DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE

    The LBX is the first Lexus model to be constructed on a variation of the GA-B small car global architecture platform. It has been fundamentally adjusted to meet Lexus requirements, giving it the core benefits of a low centre of gravity, wide tracks, short overhangs and a highly rigid body. It is also the foundation of the car’s fun-to-drive character, helping secure the Lexus Driving Signature in the smallest package yet. This helps create a natural dialogue between driver and car that ensures confidence, control and comfort at all times.

    Chief Engineer Endoh explains: “To realise the Lexus sense of being at one with the car, we worked to achieve nimble driving that maximises the benefits of the car’s small size and light weight. At the same time, we focused more than ever on honing the fundamental characteristics without relying on electronic controls.”

    The body is strengthened with structural adhesives and short-pitch welding, and strategic placing of bracing and reinforcements. At the same time, vehicle weight has been kept down by the use of lightweight materials, including an aluminium bonnet and moulded resin wheel arches, rockers and lower door sections. Strong yet light hot-stamped materials are used in the centre pillars and bumper reinforcement.

    Setting the hip-point as low as 285 mm helps make the driver feel more at one with their vehicle, while maintaining an excellent view from the wheel, particularly when driving in city traffic.

    Front and rear suspension systems are designed for high rigidity and light weight, giving the LBX agile, stable cornering and steering response with smooth ride comfort. All versions feature a MacPherson strut design at the front; front-wheel drive models use a rear torsion beam while the all-wheel drive LBX has a double-wishbone arrangement.

    The electronically controlled braking system includes Vehicle Braking Posture Control. This automatically  balances front and rear brake force distribution to suppress pitching and maintain linear, reassuring performance. It also helps reduce vehicle roll when cornering, keeping the car comfortable and stable and filtering out vibrations.

    POWERTRAIN

    The LBX is powered by a new generation, self-charging Lexus hybrid electric system featuring a compact and lightweight 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine. The principal hybrid system components have undergone a substantial redesign, including the transaxle and power control unit, to improve efficiency, reduce losses, save weight and reduce size. There is also a new low resistance, high output, bi-polar nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery which enables extra electric motor support when accelerating and extends the car’s all-electric EV driving capability.

    The technology developments have allowed Lexus to focus on more rewarding performance and a level of driving pleasure that was not possible with previous systems. Maximum output from the full hybrid system is 136 DIN hp/ 100 kW with peak torque of 185 Nm.

    The engine operates with world-class thermal efficiency, supported by high-speed combustion technology and design features such as straight intake ports and laser-clad intake valve seats. Other key features include ultra-lightweight pistons engineered for operation at high rpm and electronic intelligent variable valve-timing.

    The powertrain also features a newly designed transaxle. The revised power control unit is mounted directly above the transaxle, a design which helps give the LBX a low bonnet line. Further space is saved by the two motor-generators being located on separate shafts, reducing the drivetrain’s overall length.

    The NiMH battery is an all-new bi-polar unit with reduced weight and a more compact design, yet it delivers higher output with much quicker response. Thus, it contributes to the LBX’s performance with instant, powerful acceleration like that of battery electric vehicle, as well as its fuel efficiency. It benefits from a redesigned cooling system to help prolong battery life and performance.

    The powertrain is tuned for enjoyable performance, whether driving around town or on winding country roads, with faithful handling and a linear acceleration feel that is more closely aligned to the driver’s use of the accelerator pedal. Drivability is also enhanced by Hybrid System Control that closely matches engine sound and acceleration. Thanks to the hybrid system upgrades, all-electric EV driving can be enjoyed at higher speeds and over longer distances, maximising the LBX’s efficiency.

    The LBX’s authentic SUV quality includes the option of Lexus’ E-Four all-wheel drive, which introduces an additional electric motor on the rear axle. When pulling away, cornering and driving on low-grip surfaces, the system automatically directs drive force to the rear wheels, helping keep the vehicle stable and maintaining driver confidence.

    The LBX’s luxury status is witnessed by the lengths Lexus has gone to manage noise and vibration (NVH). These include adding a balancer shaft to the engine to reduce vibration that can generate a booming effect in the cabin. Special attention has been paid to the doors where damping sheets have been introduced to suppress high frequency noise but enhance low frequency noise to give a distinct and pleasing sound. To counter vibration and road noise from the roof, high-damping mastic has been used together with an extensive silencer made of a highly effective insulating material. Other measures include a seal around the entire edge of the bonnet and noise insulating and absorbing sheets, liners, mouldings and foam in key areas throughout the car. Beneath the vehicle, high-damping and structural adhesives play their part in reducing noise and vibration, while also contributing the car’s overall rigidity.

    INTERIOR

    Lexus designers sought to create a simple and refined interior that creates the feel and atmosphere of a higher segment model. This effect is founded on three key elements: good visibility with an open view out and a simple, smooth instrument panel; the sense of wide interior space; and a centre console with a commanding presence.

    The premium quality and attention to detail is witnessed in a choice of upholsteries and trims with strong visual and tactile appeal. As well as top-quality semi-aniline leather, the options include a vegan-friendly interior that uses synthetic leather and materials for the seat coverings and steering wheel, shift lever and door trims. The LBX also features new Tsuyusami charcoal trim inlays, created using a new film technique that uses multiple layers to give a highly textured appearance with a sense of depth. Ambient lighting adds to the Omotenashi effect of people being made welcome and feeling completely at home in the vehicle. Highlighting different parts of the cabin, the lighting design provides a range of 50 colour options, curated in themes that evoke different moods.

    The driver’s cockpit is an interpretation of Lexus’ Tazuna concept, first introduced on the NX mid-size SUV. This positions principal controls and information sources immediately around the driver, so their operation only requires minimal movements of hand or eye. This helps keep the driver focused on the task of driving, with least distraction. The position and angle of the steering wheel were precisely calculated to give the driver a rewarding sense of control.

    Here, the Tazuna concept is enhanced with a new, 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display, featured in a Lexus for the first time. The lay-out and prominence of the meters and data change according to the drive mode selected and can be customised to suit individual preferences. An optional head-up display is also available.

    Thanks to the LBX’s compact size, almost every inch of the car can be seen from the steering wheel, adding to the confidence, comfort and control the driver enjoys with the Lexus Driving Signature. The contouring of the bonnet and the shape and position of the front pillars reduce the blind sports and give an extended downward view that helps the driver steer more precise lines.

    To help maintain a wide, clear view, the horizontal instrument panel has a clean and simple design. At each side, its form flows into the door panel, giving a sense of wrapping around the front seat occupants, so the feel is expansive yet encompassing. The continuous line created by this design also helps the driver sense the degree of vehicle roll when driving through bends. A low hip-point adds to the driver’s sense of being at one with their car, while ample front knee-space is provided. To ensure a good view out for everyone on board, the rear seats are set slightly higher than those at the front.

    The centre console has a strong presence with the large multimedia touchscreen tilted back so that it integrates smoothly with the structure. The unit has upholstered side pads and houses two cupholders and multiple storage points and USB ports for device connection and charging. The load compartment offers up to 332 litres (FWD models with rear seats in place) of space – room enough for two 75-litre cases to be carried beneath the folding tonneau cover.

    MULTIMEDIA AND INFOTAINMENT

    The LBX is equipped with the latest Lexus Link Connect system, operated via a 9.8-inch touchscreen.

    The system provides cloud-based navigation, optimising journey planning with real-time information on traffic events and delays. Further convenience is provided by the “Hey Lexus” on-board assistant which responds to voice commands from both driver and front seat passenger.

    Smartphone integration is enabled using wireless or wired connections for Apple CarPlay, or a wired link for Android Auto. Further convenience is provided by an optional digital key. Compatible with both Apple and Android smartphones devices, this allows owners to use their smartphone to unlock and start their car. They don’t have to take their phone out of their pocket or bag, just having it on their person is sufficient. They can also share the digital key when other people need to access or use the vehicle.

    In common with the latest new Lexus models, the LBX offers seamless over-the-air software updates for its multimedia and safety systems, so owners can benefit from upgrades without having to organise a visit to a Lexus workshop.

    Mark Levinson, Lexus’ exclusive audio partner, has designed an optional premium system for the car, featuring an array of 13 optimally positioned speakers. They include a subwoofer integrated in the back door, avoiding any loss of space in the load compartment.

    MODEL RANGE

    With the LBX, Lexus is taking a new approach to building a model range, to better match customers’ preferences and lifestyles.

    The line-up offers a choice of four model “atmospheres” in addition to the base grade: Elegant and Relax which focus on a refined feel, and Emotion and Cool which have a sportier, more dynamic character. Each has been designed with a different type of customer in mind.

    Emotion and Cool models stand out with bi-tone paintwork and 18-inch alloy wheels with a machined finish. The Elegant and Relax versions have a monotone exterior paint finish and glossy 18-inch alloys.

    Where the interior specifications are concerned, the Emotion model comes with perforated synthetic leather upholstery with red accents and contrast stitching on the seats, centre console and door trim. The LBX Cool – the top dynamic-themed model – has an Ultrasuede and leather bi-tone black/dark grey interior with copper details and stitching.

    Different moods are evoked by the Elegant and Relax atmospheres. Synthetic leather in a subtle Forest Brown shade or Ammonite Sand features in the LBX Elegant, for the door panels, instrument panel and console pads as well as the seat upholstery. For the Relax model, the choice is Saddle Tan or Black semi-aniline leather with distinctive Tatami stitching.

    In addition to the four atmosphere models there is an entry level LBX which, comes with advanced technology features as standard rather than extra-cost options, in contrast to some competitor models. Notably these include the extensive active safety and driver assistance systems included in the latest generation Lexus Safety System +. The entry model and the Emotion and Elegant versions can be specified with a vegan-friendly interior with no leather products.

    Equipment option highlights include a 12.3-inch Tazuna concept digital instrument display, head-up display, remote parking, digital key, Mark Levinson premium surround sound audio, Panasonic’s nanoe™-X air purification technology and a power back door.

    Lexus Bespoke Build

    Owners who wish to give their LBX a more personalised look can take advantage of the new Lexus Bespoke Build service. Lexus’ customer-first approach gives them the freedom to personalise their vehicle with tailor-made details.

    The bespoke treatment allows customers to change the colour of the seatbelts and the upholstery embroidery patterns and stitching colour and the trim ornamentation. The choice of luxury materials includes L-aniline leather – a prestige leather only available on LBX and the flagship LS sedan within the Lexus range – and Ultrasuede in different colour combinations. This personalisation service will be introduced in selected markets after the start of LBX sales in 2024.

    SAFETY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE

    The LBX benefits from the comprehensive safety and driver assistance provisions of the latest generation of Lexus Safety System +. This equips the car with multiple systems to detect accident risks, alert the driver and automatically provide steering, braking and drive force control if required to help avoid or lessen the consequences of a collision. Key elements include a Pre-Collision System with Intersection Turn Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist/Lane Keep Assist and Road Sign Assist. Additional items that support safer driving and manoeuvring and reduce the burden on the driver include Lexus’ e-latch electric door release system with Safe Exit Assist, a driver monitor, intelligent parking sensors with auto-braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Blind Spot Monitor.

    An extended safety will be optionally available, introducing features such as a Front Cross Traffic Alert system and a Panoramic View Monitor. A remote parking option can take all the stress out of manoeuvring the car into a tight space; it even allows the driver to park their vehicle remotely, using their smartphone.

    The driver enjoys better visibility in poor weather conditions with a new wet arm wiper, as featured previously on Lexus’ flagship LC and LS models. This distributes washer fluid from the wiper itself, giving more thorough and immediate windscreen cleaning performance.

    LBX Key specifications

    • Dimensions: 4,190 mm (length) x 1,825 mm (width) x 1,545 mm (height)
    • Curb weight: 1280 kg
    • Trunk capacity: 332 litres
    • Towing capacity (unbraked): 750 kg
    • Engine: 1.5 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine
    • Transmission: Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission
    • Total system output: 100kW / 136 DIN hp
    • Acceleration (0 – 100 km/h): 9.2 sec
    • Turning circle: 10.4 m

  • Volvo EX30

    As a small SUV that does big Volvo things, our new fully electric Volvo EX30 is designed to be as safe as you’d expect from us. It is designed to have the smallest CO2 footprint of any Volvo car to date, and to make people’s lives safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable through cutting-edge technology and Scandinavian design.

    Revealed to the world today in Milan, Italy and available for pre-order now in the US, the EX30 is our first small premium SUV and expands our constantly growing, all-electric offering to four models. As the market is rapidly moving towards full electrification, the EX30 will help us capture growing demand for fully electric cars in a fast-growing segment.

    What’s more, the attractive pricing of the EX30 – which starts at $34,950 MSRP in the US – means our customers get a premium all-electric SUV for a similar price to an internal combustion engine-powered equivalent.

    “The fully electric EX30 might be our smallest ever SUV, but it’s a big deal for our customers and a big deal for us as a company,” said Jim Rowan, our chief executive. “We like to say the EX30 is small yet mighty, because it delivers on everything you’d want from a Volvo but in a smaller package. Like any Volvo, it’s an outstanding product which is safe and designed around people and their needs.”

    The EX30 embodies all of our design values in a smaller format. A long wheelbase, large wheels and equal overhangs bring balance and refinement to the exterior. It’s distinctly electric, with a confident face, closed shield and a digital rendition of the Thor’s Hammer headlights. Five vibrant exterior colors, from stylish Cloud Blue to bright and expressive Moss Yellow – the latter inspired by lichen growing on rocks along the Swedish west coast – give it character and personality.

    Battery tech that suits your needs

    So let’s talk about our battery technology. First of all, there’s no such thing as simply ‘a battery’ when we discuss powertrains. Instead, we’re giving you the freedom to choose the technology that best suits your needs, offering the EX30 with two powertrain options.

    If you prefer to maximize range, the Single Motor Extended Range variant with an NMC extended-range battery is your EX30 of choice. The NMC battery features lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt, and produces its energy efficiently. This single-motor, extended range option gives you an estimated range of 275* miles between charges.

    Finally, if performance is your priority, pick the Twin Motor Performance variant in which we pair the NMC battery with an additional second e-motor. This all-wheel drive variant of the EX30 provides 422 hp and takes you from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds – it’s officially our fastest-accelerating car ever!

    Another thing the EX30 does fast is charging. The extended-range Twin Motor variant has a charging capacity of up to 153 kW. That means you can charge your battery from 10 to 80 per cent in a little over 26.5 minutes. Through the car’s center display and app, you can set the amperage, maximum charging level and when you want to start charging.

    To support the best possible driving experience, we’ve tuned the chassis of the EX30 to make the most of the car’s compact dimensions. Its low center of gravity, as well as its relatively low and evenly distributed weight are complemented by ease of driving and nimbleness in the city and beyond.

    A smaller carbon footprint, yet a big safety impact

    As we wrote in earlier blogposts, the EX30 is designed to have the lowest carbon footprint of any Volvo car to date and represents an important step forward for our sustainability ambitions. By tackling emissions across the entire production and lifecycle, as well as a considerate use of materials inside and out, we managed to reduce its total carbon footprint over 124,274 miles (200,000 kms) of driving to below 30 tons*.

    The EX30 is also designed to be as safe as you’d expect from a Volvo and aims to look after both you and others in hectic urban environments. For example, it includes as standard a special safety feature for bikes that helps to prevent so-called ‘dooring’ accidents, by alerting you when you are about to open your door in front of a cyclist, scooter, or runner.

    Our protective safety technology further illustrates how we’ve applied our high safety standards to our new small SUV. It contains state-of-the-art restraint technology, as well as top-notch structural design that fulfills our ambitious in-house safety requirements – designed to prepare our cars for various real-world scenarios.

    The EX30 also aims to make your life more convenient, more relaxing, and more enjoyable inside the car through cutting-edge tech and considerate Scandinavian interior design. You can choose from four distinct interior rooms, each with their own expression, while there are smart storage options throughout the cabin.

    Together with a contextual single-screen UX, with Google built-in and running the latest version of our infotainment system, these features all reflect the hallmarks of true Volvo design.

    Speaking of cutting-edge tech: the Volvo EX30 is our first car to include a new generation of our popular Park Pilot Assist feature. It can handle all types of parking spaces, including parallel, curved, perpendicular and diagonal fishbone-style, making parking in tight spaces a breeze.

    The new Park Pilot Assist will identify any available parking spots around you. Then, once you’ve tapped the one you want in the new 3D user interface, the feature will operate the throttle and brake as well as the steering. While you supervise the parking process, the screen shows the distance to objects such as cars, walls, and bollards in metric or imperial figures.

    As with any Volvo car, for the EX30 we’ve worked closely with tech partners such as Google, Apple, and Qualcomm to deliver the best possible user experience. We’ve also worked closely with ECARX through our jointly owned HaleyTek software joint venture to deliver the best possible infotainment platform for our customers.

    A sense of calm

    Of course, the EX30 will also come with a digital key functionality which is both convenient for you and makes it easy to share the car with others. Built on the advanced UWB and CCC industry standards, our technology will be compatible with a wide range of phone brands and models.

    The car’s dedicated app contains all relevant services related to the car, from charging to finding your car on a busy parking lot, locking it and heating it on a cold winter day. The EX30 is also prepared to receive software updates over the air that will make it better over time.

    As if that wasn’t enough, the Volvo EX30 also comes with a choice of five different ambient lighting themes. Each is inspired by a different Scandinavian landscape and subtly shifting in color, adding a sense of calm to the interior.

    Whether you prefer the warm sunlight falling through the leaves of a Scandinavian forest, a sunset on the Swedish west coast, the world famous northern lights, the golden summer skies of Swedish midsummer or the bright mood of an urban sunset, your EX30 will be filled with the colors of your choice. For extra immersion, you can pair each lighting theme with an ambient soundscape.

    Zooming across the country in style

    Finally, we’ve got a surprise for you. Starting next year, our EX30 will also become available as a Cross Country variant. Order books for this special version of our small electric SUV will open in 2024, with production expected to start later that year.

    The Volvo EX30 Cross Country will build on our long Cross Country heritage, our celebrated line-up of models for customers who want a bit more adventure from their car. It’ll come with a range of bespoke features, such as more ground clearance, 19-inch black wheels and the option of 18-inch wheels with bespoke tires.

    When you take your EX30 Cross Country off the beaten path, it will be recognizable by its skidplates on the front, rear and side, special black panels on the front bumper and trunklid, and stylish Cross Country branding – the small, hood-mounted Swedish flag is the cherry on top.