VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES ECO-BUSTING PLUG-IN HYBRID PASSAT

13th November 2014

Volkswagen has announced that it will launch a plug-in hybrid version of its Passat family car during the second half of next year. The Passat GTE as it will be called will be the 5th plug-in model that will be made available and will be capable of travelling up to 31 miles on electric-only power at speeds of up to 80mph.

The Passat GTE will be available in both 4-door saloon and estate formats.

Under the bonnet will be a 154bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged TSI petrol engine mated to a 114bhp electric motor to give a combined power output of 216bhp. The German car manufacturing giant promises that the Passat GTE will be able to average in excess of 141mpg in official tests whilst emitting less than 45g/km of CO2 thanks to its lithium-ion battery. However, as with all plug-in hybrids, the real-world economy could be markedly different from the official figures, dependent on how and where the car is driven and how frequently it is plugged in. Officially, it will have a combined range of 620 miles.

VW say that from the mains, a full charge will take four-and-a-quarter hours. However, the company will offer a fast-charging wall box at extra cost which will cut this time down to just two-and-a-half hours.

The Passat GTE’s 6-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox houses the disc-shaped synchronous electric motor which drives power to the front wheels. The 0-62mph dash can be accomplished in less than 8 seconds, according to Volkswagen, and the top speed in 136mph.

The Passat GTE can be clearly distinguished from other conventionally-powered models in the range by a raft of trim changes.

Inside, there are various displays which are able to offer the driver a wealth of information ranging from what mode the car is currently travelling in through to how efficiently it is being driven and where the nearest charging point is located relative to the location of the car.

Passat GTE owners will be able to utilise their smart mobile phones to check the level of battery charge, start the charging process or control their car’s climate control functions via a dedicated app.

The Passat GTE comes equipped with LED headlights and as befits a Passat, comes loaded with a host of standard-fit safety features.

Of course, with the announcement being made so far ahead of the on-sale date, Volkswagen have not released pricing details for the latest addition to the Passat range.

The entry-level model to the revised eighth-generation Passat starts at £22,215. That will get you a 1.6 118bhp TDi S saloon. The fleet-favourite 1.6-litre SE Business diesel model costs from £24,010. The refreshed all-diesel Passat will be a major adversary to the forthcoming Ford Mondeo once deliveries of the Passat start in January. Other engines include a turbocharged 2.0-litre with either 148bhp or 187bhp and a range-topping 237bhp twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre which comes with a DSG ‘box as standard. The dual-clutch auto is available as on option on the other power units.

Trim levels start at S and runs through to R-Line. Estate models carry a £1,530 premium over the saloon across the board.

This is an abridged article especially prepared by First4Auto on behalf of EcoCars4Sale and ElectricCar2Buy

Reported By

Andrew Merritt-Morling

Chief Editor

Birmingham's New Electric Car Centre

A new Electric Car sales showroom soon to be launched in Birmingham

12th November 2014

 

Birmingham has been chosen for Tesla first electric car dealership outside of London.

As we know Tesla electric car company is aiming to convert the world into eco-friendly motoring that we should all be driving. Opening their show room in the second city of United Kingdom Birmingham, Tesla aim to show off all of their latest models including the Tesla model S and the model X in the next year we should see the model III.

Tesla has said their products aren't cheap, but it claims low running costs and innovative design's means drivers will never go back to petrol again. Which they should see a vast amount of units sold.

Tesla the Californian based company says that the new store opening on Digbeth High Street is the first official store outside of the south-east of the UK. Tesla said to ElectricCar2Buy "We love the people of Birmingham. We have chosen Birmingham as it is the second largest City in the UK, and due to its electric car infrastructure as well as our own supercharger at the Hyatt on Broad Street".

As we know at ElectricCar2Buy, Tesla have created a game changer and that they have produced an electric car that makes no compromises offering a range between 214 and 312 miles, and a performance that goes into supercar territory with a top speed of 130 mph and 0- 60 in 4.2 seconds that's just as fast as a Porsche 911 and its faster than a BMW M5. Oh and its the safest car in its class.

Tesla is set on expansion in the UK also establishing stores near Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The company is also looking for outlet spaces in Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Reported By

Your ElectricCar2Buy Team

MITSUBISHI’S OUTLANDER CONCEPT-S HINTS AT NEW PHEV’S LOOK

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S plug-in hybrid has been revealed in the first official picture. It can be readily distinguished from the mainstream Outlander by the chromed mouldings which flank the front grille and a pair of wraparound headlights. More chrome details are at the rear.

Mitsubishi describe the Outlander Concept-S design theme as “sporty and sophisticated”. Judging by the limited details provided in the picture, we can vouch that it is a massive improvement in styling and material quality over the standard Outlander. 

Power is derived from the plug-in hybrid that is used on the standard Outlander. This means a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine has been mated to two electric motors with a 12kWh battery.

Whereas the current model gets a narrow, squinting look, the Concept S gets a more vertical design that gets an updated version of the horizontal grille which leads to reshaped headlights. Lower down, however, is where the bigger changes can be found. There is a more integrated air dam that draws the eye thanks to the black and chrome accents. Although no pictures have been officially unveiled of the rear, Mitsubishi says that the back end gets similar upgrades with new lights and shining trim running the whole width of the tailgate.

Inside, the styling improvements continue. Although no pictures have been released of the cabin, Mitsubishi say that the passenger accommodation features black wood grain trim and silver accents throughout whilst the centre console has been inspired by Japanese black lacquer boxes. The seats are covered in burgundy hand-stitched leather with horizontal ribs.

The Outlander Concept-S could be the evidence required to support the view that it is pointing the way towards the Outlander PHEV’s future look. A camouflaged model has already been spotted testing in Europe.

This is an abridged article especially prepared by First4Auto on behalf of EcoCars4Sale.

Reported By

Andrew Merritt-Morling

Chief Editor

Nissan's e-NV electric van is given the VIP treatment

5th November 2014

Nissan are keen to show off its e-NV200 VIP Concept.

The e-NV200 VIP Concept has been created to demonstrate its ability to chauffeur passengers around town not only in comfort, but also under pure electric propulsion. Finished in two-tone metallic blue, the interior is upholstered in white and blue leather with contrasting black trim and carpets complemented by a piano black finish on the control surfaces. To help create a spacious feel, the top half of the cabin, including the headlining, window surrounds and pillar covers are also in white. Regretfully, the Japanese company has not decided to share with us any images of the interior.

At the business end, there is a 21.5-inch DSP monitor which can display movies or other images from a passenger’s own digital device like a smartphone, tablet or computer. A pair of ‘club-class’ seats with integrated seat belts and armrests is located in the spacious rear passenger compartment, with each seat getting its own LED reading lamp. The seats have been located well behind the sliding door. This not only facilitates access to the passenger area, but also extends the maximum rear seating legroom by to up to 670mm. With an extendable footrest also on offer for each of the club-seat passengers, this gives limousine-like comfort. This is further reinforced by a central console between the rear seats with controls for the monitor and room lights. It also houses a drinks fridge.

There is also ample space for luggage behind, cementing the e-NV200 VIP Concept as the ideal road transport for executive travellers.

The driver is able to rely on Nissan’s new Smart Rear-View mirror to help get passengers as close to the VIP red carpet as they can. This was recently introduced at the 2014 Geneva motor show and uses a high-resolution camera at the rear of the car to give the driver a clear, unobstructed view of the rear.

Power is provided by the same 80kW synchronous electric motor and 48-module lithium-ion battery developed for Nissan and the e-NV200. The driving range will be close to the homologated range of the standard production vehicle and, like the standard e-NV200, can be easily and rapidly extended by using any of the 1,200-plus CHAdeMO-compatible quick chargers across Europe.

Dany Boulenger, Nissan’s global corporate sales, division general manager, told first4auto that based on demand, some its features could easily be offered as affordable aftermarket conversions.

This is an abridged article especially prepared by First4Auto on behalf of ElectricCar2Buy.

Reported By

Andrew Merritt-Morling

Chief Editor