Cooperation between E.ON and Volkswagen Group Components contributes to establishing an ultra-fast charging infrastructure.

E.ON and VW co-develop new solution for ultra-fast charging EVs

The provision of an expansive public network of ultra-fast EV charging stations can be attained quicker than previously thought possible. E.ON and Volkswagen Group Components (VGC) are giving the realisation new impetus with the prototype of a new, flexible ultra-fast charging station that will be presented and trialled in Essen, western Germany.

By integrating a battery system, it will be possible to install ultra-fast charging stations almost anywhere and at significantly lower cost without civil engineering or mains connection.

According to E.ON and VGC, the new technology paves the way for a larger number of ultra-fast charging points to be installed where they are needed. E.ON is seeing demand for this solution from municipal utilities and local authorities as well as from filling stations and service areas. In addition, the concept is tailored to the electrification of retail parking lots and logistics companies such as parcel services.

The stations are installed according to the plug & play principle – simply put them down, connect them and configure them online. The quick charging system can charge two e-cars with up to 150 kilowatts of power at the same time, thus providing an additional range of around 120 miles on average in just 15 minutes.

To ensure that the battery installed in the charging station always has sufficient capacity, it is permanently fed by a conventional 16 to 63 ampere power connection. E.ON will operate the rapid chargers exclusively with green electricity. Updates, remote maintenance and billing of the charging points will be carried out via E.ON's central software platform. The technology meets all the requirements for financial support under both the EU and the German directive and complies with the requirements of calibration law.

The business model was developed jointly by E.ON and VGC. The hardware component is an innovation of the automotive company combined with E.ON's proven operator system and market knowledge. VGC will start series production this year.

In the second half of the year, E.ON will intensively test the new charging points at six motorway filling stations and then launch them on the German market under the name E.ON Drive Booster.

Camouflaged quattro versions of new Audi compact hatchback tackle a course also used for the Azores rally to demonstrate latest quattro technology.

Audi has been testing camouflaged versions of the incoming fourth-generation A3 hatchback, demonstrating the latest quattro system as well as other technological advancements.

Tackling roads which snake around the island of Sao Miguel in Portugal’s Azores archipelago, the new quattro all-wheel drive is said to maximize stability, grip and driving pleasure as well as efficiency. With support from the adaptive suspension and the progressive steering, this helps the car offer “composed, surefooted and incisive driving characteristics,” says Audi.

Audi’s engineers have tailored the electronic torque distribution control specifically to suit the new A3. During normal driving, the majority of that power is sent to the front axles, but when reduced traction is detected, up to 100% of drive torque may be transmitted to the rear.

Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) further improves the driving characteristics of the sporty hatch. When the car enters a corner at high speed, the program applies the brakes slightly to the two wheels on the inside, allowing it to turn into the bend and follow the steering angle. This makes the handling even more agile, fluid, and safe.

This feature can be manually adjusted via three settings: ESC On (safe and stable acceleration), Sport (allows drifting in a controlled, safe manner) and ESC Off (the amount of wheel slip is unlimited).

This new quattro system will be optional on some variants of the 2020 A3 and will come as standard on future performance models such as the S3 and RS3 hot hatch.

The all-new Audi A3 is expected to be one of the star premieres at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month.

All-New 2020 Audi A3 Goes Quattro Testing in the Azores

UK pricing and specifications for the new Fiat 500 mild hybrid and Panda mild hybrid have been announced, arriving in UK showrooms mid-February and March, respectively.

The ubiquitous Fiat 500 and the diminutive Panda are two iconic models in the current Fiat product range. They represent and perhaps, even define urban mobility with combined annual sales of over 400,000 units throughout the EU and the UK.

With the introduction of mild hybrid technology, the 500 and the Panda provide all the benefits of efficient, compact, lightweight and accessible hybrid driving.

Fiat has confirmed that the new Fiat 500 mild hybrid and Fiat Panda mild hybrid will start from £12,655 and £13,855 respectively.

Both models mark the electrification of the brand and are the first steps towards more sustainable urban driving. That journey continues later in 2020 when production commences of the new 500e in its spiritual home of Turin. Being fully electric, the model will play a key role in the FCA e-Mobility strategy. The new 500e is expected to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Both models will be available with a new petrol mild hybrid drivetrain that combines the latest 3-cylinder FireFly 1.0-litre engine with a 12-volt belt-integrated starter-generator (BSG) electric motor and a lithium battery. Combined output is 70hp.

Compared to the outgoing 1.2-litre 69hp petrol engine, the mild hybrid version improves fuel efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 30 per cent without impeding performance. The 500 mild hybrid has CO2 emissions as low as 88g/km with the Panda at 89g/km. Fuel economy for the 500 is said to be 53.3mpg, while the Panda returns 49.6mpg (both WLTP Combined).

The BSG system also ensures a very high standard of driving comfort, allowing for a quiet, vibration-free restart of the internal combustion engine in Stop-Start mode. The system is mounted directly on the engine and is operated by the belt that also drives the auxiliaries.

The mild hybrid drivetrain is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox sending drive to the front wheels only. It is said to improve fuel economy during out-of-town driving, thanks to new low-friction bearings and gaskets and the use of a specific high-efficiency lubricant. The new system also involves lowering the entire power unit by 45mm so the car behaves better on the road thanks to the lower centre of gravity.

Special Fiat 500 Mild Hybrid and Panda Mild Hybrid launch editions

When they arrive in showrooms, the mild-hybrid 500 and Panda models will be available in a Launch Edition trim. These models will be presented in model-exclusive ‘Dew Green’ paint, with seats trimmed in a fabric manufactured from recycled plastic waste.

The Launch Edition models start from £16,795 for the 500 and £14,385 for the Panda. Each mild hybrid Launch Edition will be recognised by a rear-mounted ‘Hybrid’ badge and an exclusive ‘H’ logo (formed by two dew drops) mounted at the base of the B-pillar.

Fiat 500 and Panda Mild-Hybrids Now Available

More details have been released on the highly-anticipated Mercedes-Benz eVito, which offers 112hp of power, 300Nm of torque, a 92-mile average range and a six-hour charging time.

The front-wheel drive eVito has joined the current Vito range and offers a standard specification that mirrors the ‘Pure’ model line of the regular Vito, including a height and rake adjustable steering wheel, hill start assist, electrically adjustable heated exterior mirrors, sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle, wood flooring and an adaptive brake light.

In addition to the Pure specification, the eVito exclusively offers Mercedes ProConnect, heated driver’s seat, air conditioning, a charging cable and a CanTrack vehicle tracker, all as standard too. A sound generator produces an audible signal at speeds up to 20mph, which means the silent eVito can be detected by pedestrians, cyclists and other road users at low speed.

Available in two lengths and priced from £39,895 (ex VAT) for the eVito Pure L2 and £40,415 (ex VAT) for the eVito Pure L3, the van is also eligible for the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) Grant. This means that customers can benefit from a 20% reduction on the vehicle purchase price, up to a maximum of £8,000.

The L2 model offers 6.0m3 of cargo volume, a kerb weight of 2,277kg, a GVW of 3,200kg and a payload of 923kg. The longer L3 offers 6.6m3 cargo volume, a 2,302kg kerb weight, a 3,200kg GVW and a payload of 898kg.

In addition to the Pure trim grade, the eVito Progressive will also be available and includes the following additions; colour coded bumpers, full wheel covers, front fog lights, headlight assist, 75mph speed limiter, Audio 15, lumbar support and electrically foldable mirrors – all as standard. The eVito Progressive L2 will be available from £41,600 (ex VAT) and £42,120 (ex VAT) for the longer L3 variant.

For both specification levels, Mercedes ProConnect comes as standard and is subscription-free for the first three years, with benefits including remote access, digital driver’s log, drive style monitoring, real-time variable servicing monitoring, parking time monitor and geo-fence options. In addition for the eVito, the vehicle benefits from pre-conditioning of the heaters and highlights vehicle charging options nearby.

The capacity of the underfloor battery is 41kWh and can be charged from 0 to 100% in approximately 6 hours, via a wall-box or at a charging station using the appropriate cable.

Thanks to the spiral shape of the four-metre charging cable provided, it is easy to handle when distances are different between the vehicle and a wall-box or charging station. The cable comes with a handy zipped bag to store it between uses.

In addition to the three driving modes on the new eVito, there are four energy-recovery levels to optimise the power consumption.

Mercedes-Benz Vans UK is committed to offering battery electric vehicles (BEVs) alongside conventional fuel types across the entire product range, starting with the eVito and continuing with the all-electric eSprinter panel van later in 2020.

New Mercedes-Benz eVito: Specs, Techs and Pricing

The UK EV market grew by 21% in 2019 with more than 72,000 new plug-in cars registered in the UK – that’s one registered every seven minutes.

Plug-ins on the rampage as one is sold every seven minutes

UK electric car registrations continue to set records, as latest figures place the total number of new 100% electric and plug-in hybrid cars registered last year at 72,834, making 2019 the most successful year for electric cars to date. That equates to one new electric car registration every seven minutes in the UK. The total also means the market grew by 21% compared to 2018.

The end-of-year figure marks a continued trend, which saw consumers and businesses switch to ultra-low emission vehicles. The fourth quarter of 2019 saw a further 24,722 plug-in cars registered between October and December.

For the first time, fully electric cars accounted for more than half of the plug-in market, with 52% of sales. This takes the number of 100% electric and plug-in hybrid cars registered in the UK to date to 271,524.

From a regional perspective, the South East saw the highest demand across the nation, with 26,136 vehicles registered – a 22% increase on 2018. Other leading regions include the West Midlands (11,623), South West (8,128), Yorkshire and the Humber (7,566) and East Anglia (5,373), making up the top five British regions for electric car uptake this year.

2019 marked the eighth consecutive year of growth for the electric car market. This has in part been driven by an increase in the models available, with over 50 for consumers and businesses to choose from.

2020 has the potential to be another strong year for registrations as a host of models are set to be introduced, including the Peugeot e-208, Volkswagen ID.3, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Vauxhall Corsa-e, Skoda Citigo E, and MINI Electric just some of the new cars due to hit the roads.

The continued growth of the EV market has also been accompanied by new charge points being installed in response to the increased demand. There are now over 29,000 public charging connectors in the UK, making it one of Europe’s largest charging networks.

These numbers are set to rise thanks to continued Government funding and investment from the private sector. In September, the Government committed a further £35 million worth of investment into the UK’s rapid charge network, which combined with a matching £35 million from the private sector, will result in the delivery of a further 3,000 rapid chargers by 2024.

Electric or Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Sold Every Seven Minutes

2019 was a fantastic year for car safety, and Euro NCAP has highlighted the Best of the Best in class for 2019

Safest cars revealed by Euro NCAP - Best of the Best in class 2019

Each year, Euro NCAP publishes a list of those cars that have performed best in their respective categories during the past 12 months.  	 
Euro NCAP last week published its annual Best in Class for 2019. Fifty-five cars were assessed, of which forty-one achieved the top accolade of a full five stars, which makes 2019 one of the most impressive years on record since Euro NCAP started to evaluate consumer safety of cars on the European market.

Mercedes-Benz regained its crown in the best performing Small Family Car category – this time with the CLA – a sporty alternative to the A-Class Sedan, which won last year’s Best in Class. The CLA achieved a score of more than 90% in three of the four areas of safety and delivered the best overall rating of the year. Mercedes-Benz went on to launch five more five-star vehicles in 2019, all with outstanding crash protection and driver assistance technology.

Tesla also made a strong appearance during 2019 with its Model X declared the winner in the Large Off-Road category, followed by the SEAT Tarraco in second place. The Tesla Model 3 topped the Electric and Hybrid vehicle class and, together with BMW’s 3 Series, shares top spot in the ‘Large Family’ category. The two cars concluded their respective tests with identical overall scores, with the BMW scoring better in pedestrian protection, and the Tesla edging it in Safety Assist. Skoda’s new Octavia was the runner-up in this category.

In the combined Small Off-road/Small MPV class, Subaru won with the new Forester, with excellent all-round performance during testing. Mazda’s new CX-30 and Volkswagen’s T-Cross were close followers in the category. Despite missing out on the top spot, Mazda had a good year, with the new Mazda 3 turning in a creditable performance in adult occupant protection and pipped to second place by the Mercedes-Benz CLA in the ‘Small Family Car’ category.

There was a tie in the Supermini class with the sporty Audi A1 and top-selling Renault Clio, both of which have been among Europe’s most popular and desirable hatchbacks for years. Their latest generations arrived in 2019 and fared equally well in testing. Newcomer Ford Puma was the runner-up in the category. The Supermini segment continues to be the most competitive in the market and the winners deserve credit for their uncompromising stance on safety.

Finally, a special mention went to BMW’s Z4, the only roadster tested in 2019, but set a new safety benchmark for the segment.

Best Large Family Car Hybrid and Electric: Tesla Model 3

Read our exclusive review of the Tesla Model 3!

Best Small Off-Road / MPV: Subaru Forester

The Sony Vision-S concept car has been unveiled at CES to showcase the firm’s latest vehicle safety and infotainment innovations.

SONY stuns with all-electric car at CES Las Vegas

If you thought that SONY was just going to announce the new PlayStation 5 at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas…you’d be right, along with millions of others.

What no-one expected was SONY’s reveal of its concept Vision S prototype car, built to showcase what SONY can do for the cars of tomorrow. 

The electronics brand has dipped its toes in everything from cameras to 8K televisions and everything in between, so it actually isn’t all that surprising that they would decide to use CES to jump into the auto industry.

Looking remarkably similar to the Tesla Model 3 with hints of Porsche in the front, the four-door Vision S rolled silently onto the stage. The Vision S packs 33 sensors, including radar, LiDAR and cameras, but SONY says its real innovation is infusing the data collected from all those things to produce cleaner data with fewer errors.

Although it’s not widely known, SONY isn’t entirely new to this game: Its CMOS sensors, like those used in its cameras, are already used in vehicles like the Toyota Corolla and Lexus NX.

SONY’s foray into LiDAR — the ‘eyes’ of an autonomous car that allow it to sense how far it is from obstacles around it – comes as a bigger surprise. The race to build cheaper, more reliable LiDAR has become one of the hottest contests in automotive technology and SONY will face upstarts like Quanergy and LeddarTech, along with established players like Velodyne and Bosch.

Inside, the Vision S looks like what you would expect from a company that built its reputation on televisions, with a massive panoramic dash screen that stretches below the entire windshield. The rear seats both have screens of their own and SONY says the car provides a 360-degree panoramic audio experience.

“We believe that the evolution of mobility will also redefine cars as a new entertainment space,” said Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida.

The EV chassis the car rides on was built by Magna Steyr, a Canadian manufacturer that also supplies GM, Ford, Mercedes and yes, Tesla. Not surprisingly, SONY had help from a number of other partners, including Qualcomm, Continental, and Nvidia.

Few technical details of the prototype were made available at the reveal, but we know it’s powered by a pair of 268hp electric motors (one per axle), which give it a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 149mph.

SONY will show the Vision S concept at its CES 2020 booth, but don’t expect SONY dealerships to spring up anytime soon – it’s merely a demonstration to get other automakers interested in Sony’s automotive-related technologies.

News

E.ON and VW co-develop new solution for ultra-fast charging EVs

All-New 2020 Audi A3 Goes Quattro Testing in the Azores

Fiat 500 and Panda Mild-Hybrids Now Available

New Mercedes-Benz eVito: Specs, Techs and Pricing

Electric or Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Sold Every Seven Minutes

Safest cars revealed by Euro NCAP - Best of the Best in class 2019

Sony Vision-S All-Electric Concept Car

News

E.ON and VW co-develop new solution for ultra-fast charging EVs

All-New 2020 Audi A3 Goes Quattro Testing in the Azores

Fiat 500 and Panda Mild-Hybrids Now Available

New Mercedes-Benz eVito: Specs, Techs and Pricing

Electric or Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Sold Every Seven Minutes

Safest cars revealed by Euro NCAP - Best of the Best in class 2019

Sony Vision-S All-Electric Concept Car

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