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Subaru is plotting an entry-level Renault 5 rival
Subaru is plotting an entry-level Renault 5 rival

Auto Car

time4 days ago

  • Automotive
  • Auto Car

Subaru is plotting an entry-level Renault 5 rival

Subaru is mulling a potential return to the B-segment with an affordable electric hatchback following the success of the new Renault 5. The move would bolster the Japanese marque's position in Europe by lowering entry into its EV line-up, made up of the recently revised Solterra, new Uncharted SUV and new E-Outback crossover. The brand's most famous B -segment model was the Justy, sold in in the UK various guises between 1987 and 2009. Speaking to Autocar, Subaru's global EV product boss Inoue Masahiko said the brand was pondering the introduction of a car that could sit below the Uncharted, such has been the success of the 5 since it launched at the turn of the year: 30,000 sales in Europe so far. 'It's something that is up for consideration, because we need to prepare a wider range of BEVs to meet every customer's expectations,' said Masahiko. Given Subaru has a strategic partnership with Toyota (the Solterra is heavily related to the bZ4X and the Uncharted is based on the new C-HR+), it's likely that the two will join forces again, and a previously mooted electric successor to the Yaris would be the perfect tie-up. A launch date in the latter end of the decade would make sense, given that Toyota product boss Andrea Carlucci previously confirmed to Autocar that an electric Yaris 'is the idea' but 'this is not quite now'. What's more, Subaru Europe boss David Dello Stritto said that the concept of a Subaru electric supermini was worth exploring, given the segment has been reignited by the likes of the 5 and the impending arrival of the Volkswagen ID 2 and Cupra Raval and the prospect of an 'MG 2' by 2028. However, Dello Stritto said that Subaru wants 'to wait and see how the Uncharted does' before deciding if it needs to extend its EV line-up lower. 'I reckon we need about two years to find out how it's performing,' he added. 'We might have come up with new ideas during that period, so in two years' time we can talk again.'

The best BYD yet has arrived in the UK
The best BYD yet has arrived in the UK

Auto Express

time11-06-2025

  • Automotive
  • Auto Express

The best BYD yet has arrived in the UK

The Dolphin Surf is the smallest and most affordable BYD to reach UK shores, and in many ways, it's the most convincing model in its range. For such a small car, it's both impressively spacious and comfortable, with strong equipment levels and competitive pricing relative to the recent influx of new European competition. If it wasn't for the likes of the Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5, we'd be singing its praises even more, but those cars offer a more sophistication to the drive - particularly in terms of powertrain calibration - and better functionality inside to keep the Dolphin Surf off the top of the class. Advertisement - Article continues below This is the BYD Dolphin Surf, the latest marine mammal-themed electric car to emerge from the Chinese brand, and one which will look to ride the wave of success churned up by its existing range mates. The newcomer is the smallest model from BYD to reach UK shores, and with that small stature comes a very small price; a starting figure of just £18,650 is a few hundred quid less than the base petrol-powered Renault Clio. It's the latest small car to prove that electric's price parity with petrol is inching ever closer. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View X2 View iX3 BYD is pitching the car at the B-segment; which due to the recent arrival of the likes of the Renault 5, Citroen e-C3 and Fiat Grande Panda, has all of a sudden blossomed with a great selection of capable and likeable small electric cars. That starting price is much lower than the more premium slant that the Renault 5 is taking, and it's currently a good deal lower than the £22,095 that gets you on board with e-C3 ownership. For that cash, the powertrain specs are fairly modest, however. That headline figure is for the Active, complete with a 30kWh battery - good for an official range of 137 miles, and an 87bhp electric motor. That's enough for on-paper acceleration to match the e-C3 – 0-62mph takes 11.1 seconds. However, to get specs to run the Citroen close, buyers will need to step up to the Boost. This gets a big uptick in range to 200 miles, thanks to a 43.2kWh battery. It's driven by the same motor (which due to the heavier battery, dulls the performance slightly compared with the Active), and at £21,950, prices are very close to the entry-level e-C3. Advertisement - Article continues below The model we're driving here is the £23,950 Comfort model. This uses the Boost's 43.2kWh battery but it drives a more powerful 154bhp e-motor. This trims the 0-62mph time down to 9.1 seconds, but also knocks seven miles off the official range. Step inside, and it really feels like the Dolphin Surf is cracking value for money for that asking price. Equipment levels are extremely generous throughout the range; rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, keyless entry and go, adaptive cruise control and three Isofix mounting points are standard on every model. In addition to the larger battery, the Boost adds electrically adjustable front seats and 16-inch alloy wheels in place of the Active's 15-inch steel items, while the Comfort benefits from LED headlights, a 360-degree parking camera and wireless smartphone charging. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below All versions also get a 7.2-inch digital driver's display and a 10-inch touchscreen – the latter feature's BYD's signature rotating feature, which sees the screen spin 90 degrees to offer both portrait and landscape layouts - although in the former we found that, if you're wearing polarised sunglasses on a sunny day, the information on the screen almost completely disappears, making a slightly gimmicky feature even less useful. BYD has listened to feedback from reviews and existing owners, though, leading to fixes of quite a few of our previous criticisms of the infotainment set-up. Where the native system would completely disappear when Android Auto or Apple CarPlay were connected, now the main control bar along the bottom remains, so it's still possible to access the menu and make climate control tweaks. The keys are still small and fiddly to control the temperature, but now a three-finger swipe up or down the screen can adjust that, while a three-finger gesture across can change the fan speed. We found this worked really well in practice. However, there's still no physical button to defog the back window, and the on-screen key is buried in the climate menu – all the more of a hassle when the Dolphin Surf doesn't have a rear window wiper. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The cabin itself looks fairly smart and inoffensive, with a level of finish that feels on a par with its European rivals. Interior storage is a little limited, though, and a couple of people of varying body types noted that the front seats aren't the most supportive if you're sitting down for more than 45 minutes or so. Interior space is excellent, however. Rear knee room is much more generous than the Renault 5, and even has the spacious Citroen beaten, although it can't quite match the latter's excellent headroom. With those rear quarters designed strictly for two, the Dolphin Surf's versatility is limited somewhat, but on the plus side it does mean that shoulder room is great for the two people sitting back there. A 308-litre boot volume is fine, but the shape – both due to intrusions on the floor and the angle of the opening – is a little awkward. Limit the drives to shorter urban trips, and the Dolphin Surf has plenty to recommend it. The compact size – at a shade under four metres long, it's about the same length as a Renault 5 – and lofty driving position – but at 1,590mm tall it's slightly higher than the e-C3 – make it a doddle to drive around town. But it's the steering lock that really helps it come to its own; a turning circle of just 9.9 metres lets the Dolphin Surf perform U-turns where rivals will leave the driver twiddling the wheel during a clumsy three-point turn. The ride is smooth and overall refinement is good for a car of this size, too, if not quite at the level of the very best in the class. The same goes for the handling; we welcome BYD's decision to fit some decent Hankook tyres in place of the awful Linglong rubber on some of its earlier cars, but even so, the roadholding is merely fine, rather than fun. Beyond those points, the Dolphin Surf's drive is merely okay rather than outstanding, though; it feels like there are a few areas where there's room for improvement. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below There's the steering, which at higher speeds feels both quite sensitive and almost completely lacking in any form of self-centering. As a result, it feels rather odd when driving along a twisty road, while at motorway speeds there's a constant need for correction to keep it pointing straight. The powertrain in the Comfort mode gives plenty of performance for a car in this segment, but the throttle mapping is rather lazy – even in its most lively sport mode. The upshot of this is that, when trying to pull out of a junction, not much happens initially, causing you to press a little firmer into the pedal's travel, at which point the wheels can chirp with a touch of wheelspin, which feels a little ungainly. Slowing down doesn't have the slick coordination of some rivals, too. Lift off the throttle, and the motor regeneration (there are two levels to choose from) starts to gently slow the car. However, press the brake pedal gently for a little more stopping power, and the transfer between the two doesn't line up, resulting in a brief moment where the regen releases before the mechanical brakes kick in. It's by no means alarming, but it is a sensation which more finely tuned systems in competitors make themselves more obvious. But despite those small flaws, the powertrain is certainly efficient. Temperatures in the mid-twenties are about as flattering as they get for an EV's range, but nevertheless, the 5.6 miles/kWh we averaged on a wide range of roads is still right on the money with its other small rivals. As with the alternatives, that's only a number that's possible without much motorway driving, because higher speeds soon take the shine off that figure. Even so, drivers who plan to take their Dolphin Surf on mostly suburban trips look set to match the official range claims in the right conditions. Model: BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort Price from: £23,950 Powertrain: 1x e-motor, 43.2kWh battery Power/torque: 254bhp/340Nm Transmission: Single-speed, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 9.1 seconds Top speed: 93mph Range: 193 miles Charging: 85kW (30-80% in 22 minutes) Size (L/W/H): 3,990/1,720/1,590mm On sale: Now Can't wait for the Dolphin Surf? Check out our best deals on a new BYD Dolphin or top prices on a used BYD Dolphin instead... Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Email Car Deal of the Day: A Volkswagen Golf R Estate for less than a GTI Car Deal of the Day: A Volkswagen Golf R Estate for less than a GTI The Golf R Estate is one of the best performance estates around – and right now it's criminally cheap. It's our Deal of the Day for 9 June. Should Citroen make a new 2CV? Some say oui, others say non Should Citroen make a new 2CV? Some say oui, others say non A new Citroen 2CV could be inbound, but would this be a French fancy or a financial flop? Car Deal of the Day: A fully-loaded Jeep Avenger for under £200 per month Car Deal of the Day: A fully-loaded Jeep Avenger for under £200 per month The petrol-powered version of Jeep's charming baby SUV is our Deal of the Day for 8 June

New Renault 4 goes 4x4 with rugged twin-motor concept
New Renault 4 goes 4x4 with rugged twin-motor concept

Yahoo

time19-05-2025

  • Automotive
  • Yahoo

New Renault 4 goes 4x4 with rugged twin-motor concept

Renault has strongly hinted that the new 4 crossover will gain a 4x4 variant with the unveiling of a new off-road-influenced concept called the Savane. Reprising the name of an adventure-themed variant of the original Renault 4, this new concept rides 15mm higher than the standard car, features bespoke utility-style wheels wrapped in grippy Goodyear tyres, and is decked out inside with 'deep brown' textiled fabrics. It also has widened tracks and contrasting black body cladding in a nod to its enhanced off-road potential. But more importantly – as signalled by the bespoke 4x4 badging – the Savane is most obviously differentiated from the standard front-wheel-drive car by the addition of a second motor on the rear axle, to give permanent four-wheel drive. Renault has not given any technical details, but the FWD car comes with either a 118bhp or 148bhp motor, so if the 4x4 has another one of them at the back, it could produce somewhere in the region of 300bhp - which would give it comparable performance to the twin-motor Skoda Elroq vRS. Renault has not officially stated its plans to introduce an AWD 4, but the Savane concept shows that its Ampr Small architecture can accommodate a dual-motor set-up, which the firm says shows the potential "to create a B-segment electric vehicle with four-wheel drive". A Renault spokesperson told Autocar that the firm is "currently studying the technical feasibility and the financial equation", but added: "We can't confirm anything yet about the arrival of a production 4x4." If it reaches showrooms, the 4 4x4 will be among the smallest electric cars available with a twin-motor powertrain. The unveiling of a twin-motor 4 also opens the possibility of its lower-riding Renault 5 sibling adopting the same set-up, though it is unclear if that car's more compact body and floorpan would allow for the installation of a motor at the rear. The original 4 was always a more rugged and outdoorsy take on the people's car than the contemporary Renault 5 city car, though, and the two cars' electric descendants have taken on similar billings. In fact, the new 4 was previewed in 2022 with an extreme rally raid-influenced concept called the Trophy - which nodded to the rallying prowess of its 1970s namesake, and strongly hinted at Renault's plans to one day introduce an off-road-ready variant. The company has never voiced any plans for a twin-motor 5. If the smaller car can take a twin-motor set-up, though, it has significant implications for the 5-based Alpine A290 hot hatch, which would theoretically be in line for a substantial power boost and could take advantage of torque vectoring across its two axles to enhance its agility and responsiveness. ]]>

Reality check: the true cost of owning a car
Reality check: the true cost of owning a car

Free Malaysia Today

time08-05-2025

  • Automotive
  • Free Malaysia Today

Reality check: the true cost of owning a car

What's the real price of owning a car? Are you ready for the responsibility? PETALING JAYA : Been eyeing that dream car? Much like having a baby, owning a car is a big responsibility. It's not just about driving one, it's also about taking care of it – and that requires money and time. So, if you're thinking of buying a car, it's best to prepare yourself before taking on the financial commitment. Ask yourself: 'What's better for me, new or pre-owned? What can I afford to buy and maintain? What's the real cost of owning a car?' First, what to choose – new or pre-owned? All the pros and cons to consider when deciding on your next car. Cars are expensive in Malaysia, and a survey by CARSOME shows that Malaysians – especially middle and lower-income groups, prefer buying a used vehicle as opposed to a new one. So, consider these seven key points: price and depreciation; safety and insurance; waiting time; maintenance costs; warranty; down payment; and range of choices. Let's take a B-segment sedan/hatchback of average price and examine its loan repayment based on the following: a chosen loan tenure; insurance, maintenance costs, fuel cost, and other factors. Excludes loan repayment beyond five years. Does not include depreciation (resale value impact). Above estimated figures (based on common assumptions for a non-national B-segment car priced around RM90,000) provide a general idea of cost of ownership over a five-year period. Actual running costs may vary depending on the vehicle model, loan terms, maintenance habits, driving style, and fuel price fluctuations. New cars depreciate in value very fast but they function well, require less maintenance, and last longer than pre-owned cars. Used cars, however, are much more affordable, you may not even require a loan, and probably save you money in the long run. Then there's the question of availability. Do you want your car immediately, or are you willing to wait for your new one, and for how long? CARSOME's co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Eric Cheng expects a short- to medium-term shortage of new car supplies or delays in new car deliveries due to the global shortage of car parts coupled with disruptions to car assembly and manufacturing plants locally. 'As such, the used car industry is in a good position for growth as there is no waiting time for car delivery,' he said. CARSOME's research also found that the popularity of online used car selling platforms has increased. 'With the rising cost of ownership many buyers are shifting towards fuel-efficient and reliable second-hand vehicles,' Cheng added. So, what about costs? Used cars may be more affordable than new cars, but how reliable are they? In this case, CARSOME-certified cars offer a good middle ground between price and quality, with great benefits like excellent warranty plans and thorough inspections, assuring high standards. 'Our end-to-end buying journey takes away the concerns which are common in a traditional used car buying experience. CARSOME Certified is the new standard for buying pre-owned cars backed up by our 175-point inspection together with our CARSOME Certified Refurbishment Process,' says CARSOME. CARSOME offers long-term savings with special bundle service packages. Why choose CARSOME-certified cars? Apart from the guarantee of quality, and the hassle-free process of choosing and buying the car that meets your budget and needs, CARSOME also offers other benefits such as bundle service packages, deals and special promotions that give you long-term savings. They also offer exceptional facilities and support; from obtaining car insurance to comprehensive finance options – helping you to secure a loan. Their processes are easy to navigate and stress-free as they handle all the paperwork for you too. CARSOME also offers a five-day money-back guarantee and fixed pricing with no hidden fees, so you have that rather important added benefit – peace of mind. Now that you've weighed the options, considered the pros and cons, and made up your mind to choose a CARSOME-certified pre-owned car, visit CARSOME now.

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