Tag Archives: electric

NISSAN ARIYA e-4ORCE: big SUV is one for the family

ONE of the first things you notice about electric cars is the distinct lack of a good old fashioned front grille.

In its place will be a large slab of solid bodywork, because with no engine upfront needing cooling air flowing over it, the slats of old are about as much use as mudflaps on a tortoise.

But it’s still all about airflow and low drag co-efficient, hence the slippery shapes you see on the roads. Continue reading

MAZDA MX-30 R-EV: choice is yours with this small and smart SUV

LOVE them or not quite made up your mind, electric cars are here to stay and not surprisingly the focus is on what the battery can achieve.

With current mutterings of some being capable of over 600 miles on a charge and new research hinting of the possibility of them being made without highly expensive lithium (cobalt has already been ditched by BYD), let’s get back to the real world and sample Mazda’s first toe in what are becoming very muddy waters. Continue reading

BYD SEAL: sleek saloon is latest in UK range

THE irony was noted when BYD chose to reveal their latest model on a day that was wetter than a haddock’s swimsuit.

The aptly named Seal completes the Chinese manufacturer’s current European line-up. But rest assured there will be more to come.

The Seal is their all electric sports saloon, sleek of line and offering impressive performance and handling.

Continue reading

POLESTAR 2: improved range improves your range

In the bar room bragging stakes the keyfob for a Polestar probably won’t win you many brownie points – but the car parked outside will.

It oozes Swedish style from every angle, minimalist as it is and makes it a highly desirable form of transport – a clean shape that catches the eye. Continue reading

VW ID.BUZZ STYLE: retro style is a visual winner

THEY say you never get a second chance to make a first impression – and what an impression Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz makes.

Whether in wacky, over-the-top garish colours or a more subtle metallic hue, it’s a car that has no rivals – because at present there’s not really anything else like it on the market. Continue reading

TOYOTA bZ4X: Japanese giant builds on years of experience

FOR a manufacturer well versed in hybrid machinery, it’s taken Toyota a while to take the plunge into full electric motoring.

Perhaps they were wondering what to call it – after all, there are a lot of names out there already. And perhaps that’s why they came up with bZ4X, a name almost as curious as the marmite styling of the new SUV. Continue reading

MUSTANG MACH-E: it’s a very different pony today

I CAN’T for the life of me imagine the great Steve McQueen being over-impressed.

The man who made a habit of driving racing cars very fast, the man who put the muscley Mustang right up there among the motoring icons with his exploits in Bullit would probably be scratching his head and give the latest Ford to carry the name one of ‘those’ looks.

Not that you’ll find the blue oval anywhere on the latest all-electric Mustang.
This is very much a 21st century ‘Stang, be in no doubt about that. Continue reading

KIA EV6: all electric with some hidden talents

SOMETIMES when conducting a test on a car it’s the little extras that create a lasting impression.

Like the V2L system on Kia’s all electric EV6 – a car that’s been picking up plaudits and awards in equal measure. Called vehicle to load, basically it means the car can power household kit like a kettle or even a microwave from its charging port. Seriously handy in a power cut, and I wouldn’t rule them out in future if things escalate further in eastern Europe. Continue reading