Latest news with #Driving
Top Gear
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Renault 4 Driving, Engines & Performance
Driving What is it like to drive? It doesn't drive quite like the Renault 5, but its character is similar. The suspension is a little calmer than the 5's, while the steering remains quickish and accurate, working in harmony with the suspension to feed you smoothly into and through a bend. To begin with that steering feels remote, but push the cornering effort harder and sensory messages start to come up from the tyres. Messages of the sophisticated multi-link rear suspension keeping everything nicely precise and balanced front to rear. It's properly enjoyable and serves you with a smile. Advertisement - Page continues below In town or on tight rural lanes, you might want to set up a personal drive mode that softens the initial accelerator response. That makes it smoother to drive in traffic. It also lets you meter out the torque gently from a corner, not that you'll be wheelspinning much. Is it comfy? Not unexpectedly, that firm-ish setup translates into a somewhat busy ride. But it's not harsh or distracting, and shrugs off big bumps and dips extremely well. The tyres and suspension are also quiet, which helps you ignore the road-level perturbations and wind noise at higher speeds. And bumps don't knock you off line. You just point and steer. Power is more than enough for suburbs and B-roads, and there's just enough to avoid being bullied on the motorway. The 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds is the sort of thing that'd be considered lively in a sub-£30k petrol family car: there's no particular need for it to be quicker. The brakes are pretty sensitive at low speed, but in solid stops they're reassuring and consistent. There are four levels of regen – including a one-pedal mode – and you'll quickly get into the habit of flicking away at the paddles to gently slow the car without the brake pedal. Advertisement - Page continues below The R4 is just 1.8 metres across the body and under 4.2m long, and sure enough feels handy when threading down narrow streets and lanes. It'll even tow a 750kg trailer. Good news if you only want to holiday within an hour's radius of your own bed. Does the range hold up? Expect 200-220 miles range; around 4.0 mi/kWh, obscure stats fans. And when we tested the car mid-heatwave we got close to the magic 5.0 mi/kWh at urban speeds. Inevitably those numbers will plummet in winter, but the standard heat pump and (relatively) low weight stand the R4 in good stead. What about driver assist? The base Evolution spec is standard cruise control and just a lane-departure warning system, while the Iconic spec comes with full adaptive cruise with lane centring. Both are pretty well calibrated. Anyway, the R4 has a hardware switch for the driver-assist. Double-press it and you get your preferred setup. So you can pick that preferred setup just the once, never to return to the screen menu. Ideal. Highlights from the range the fastest 110kW Iconic 52kWh Comfort range 5dr Auto 0-62 8.2s CO2 0 BHP 147.5 MPG Price £30,930 the cheapest 110kW Evolution 52kWh Comfort range 5dr Auto 0-62 8.2s CO2 0 BHP 147.5 MPG Price £26,930 the greenest 110kW Iconic 52kWh Comfort range 5dr Auto 0-62 8.2s CO2 0 BHP 147.5 MPG Price £30,930
Top Gear
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Lucid Air Driving, Engines & Performance
Driving What is it like to drive? We've opined plenty in regard to the capabilities of the Lucid Air in its top-trim form, but you need not get the pinnacle example to experience what the automaker brings to the table. The single-motor Pure is the entry-level version (and the sole rear-wheel drive option in the lineup) and brings to the table its own unique characteristics. For one, it's lighter in the front than others and thus feels more playful than the very direct all-wheel drive of the other Airs. The Pure starts things off with 430hp, which is fairly modest by today's standards but by no means inefficient: it just pales in comparison to the buckets of power laid down by the other models. Advertisement - Page continues below With this being the case, the aptly-named Pure is the most revealing of what Lucid has to offer. Stripped of the spectacle of massive power, there is little to distract from the other qualities like the enjoyable handling. All Airs are equipped with adaptive dampers controlled through different drive modes, with the Sapphire offering a beefier setup and carbon-ceramic brakes to support its unique, high-performance drive capabilities. On the 21in wheels you see here, the Air rides fantastically; a properly supple and luxurious saloon. Optioning smaller wheels – because higher-spec Airs will insist on 20s or 21s as standard – will bring even more smoothness, as well as longer range. How about the other models? The mid-range, dual-motored, all-wheel-driving Touring and Grand Touring really push the Air into special car territory. Apart from some aesthetic differences, the main thing to spot is the power and range on offer. Touring and Grand Touring have 620hp and 819hp respectively, with the range of the Touring estimated to be about 406 miles. The Grand Touring offers a staggering 512 miles due to its extended range battery. Say more about the Sapphire. Gladly. 1,234. That's the easy-to-remember amount of horsepower on tap. We've said this before but it bears repeating: it can go from 0 to 60mph in less than two ticks of your watch. What's really the difference between that and the Grand Touring's merely dual-motored output? In a real-world setting, not much, as the 819hp in that version is just as brain-melty. But upwards of 1,000hp on essentially a luxury daily driver is just dumbfounding. You will not find the upward limits of this car, period. Advertisement - Page continues below Another benefit of the suspension we keep going on about is that the feedback is also audible. In a performance situation, hearing tire limits and the motor whine is invaluable, and it's something most EV makers view as an issue to resolve. They then do the usual sound-proofing and opt to pipe in faux noises to fill the void. No so with the Air, which gives this particular EV a touch more authenticity than the rest. You haven't mentioned battery sizes… Like Tesla, Lucid is a bit cagey when it comes to battery sizes. We know the Sapphire uses a 118kWh unit; Pure and Touring cars are thought to get 92kWh, with Grand Tourings running a 112kWh battery. Useful intel for your charging maths. Not that you really need a calculator: on a rapid charger you can accrue 300 miles of range in 20 minutes. Variants We Have Tested 9 Lucid Air Pure (US) review: breathtakingly good
Top Gear
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Volvo EC40 Driving, Engines & Performance
Driving What is it like to drive? To cut a long story short, it drives rather like you'd expect a 2.1-tonne, 402bhp EV to drive. Which is to say monstrously quick in a straight line (that 4.7-second claim feels modest, if anything) but completely disinterested in cornering. It's neat, tidy and grips well at sensible speeds, but it could never hope to be a sports car. So we're glad Volvo's ditched anything approaching a drive mode. It doesn't need one. This is a car that knowingly coerces you into a calmer way of life. Your only options dynamically are whether you want one-pedal operation on or off, and its firmer steering mode activated or not. Advertisement - Page continues below What do I want? It depends. The strong stopping power of the regen makes the one-pedal setting less smooth than on some rivals, with careful use of the throttle required to slow down accurately. If you crave some driver interaction in the new electric age, where heel 'n' toe is banished to history, perhaps it's a challenge you'll gratefully take on. We suspect many will, and never go back. But for the easygoing nature the EC40 encourages, it's simpler to leave it off and stick to well-practiced two-pedal driving. At least until zero-pedal driving becomes a thing in the far, far future. The firm steering, meanwhile, is nowhere near on the level of something like Audi's Dynamic settings (thank the lord) so we've no strong opinion either way. You might switch it on to sample it, then forget you've done so from then on. And why is there an *even* faster version? Heaven only knows. Volvo offers a £550 'Performance' software upgrade for the Twin Motor, which you can buy on Volvo's app. Such is the modern world, huh? When engaged it finds an extra 36bhp, sharpens up the acceleration, sends more torque to the front wheels and nudges the 0-62mph down to 4.6s. Advertisement - Page continues below Volvo says it's for 'increased margins when overtaking', which sounds pretty pointless when that amounts to all of one tenth of a second. In practice, you won't notice the difference. Weird. Tell me about the Single Motor. If you don't want your organs shoved rearwards on a regular basis, the RWD Single Motor and its 235bhp offer a far more agreeable approach to everyday driving. Sure you lose the savage acceleration of the Twin, but 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds is still a decent turn of speed; more than enough to ghost past stragglers on the motorway and the smooth delivery of the power still lives up to Volvo's premium billing. The shift from front- to rear-wheel drive isn't transformative, although it does make the front end a little more fluid when you turn the wheel. In a car this dynamically sterile, it might just be one to have. Especially in Extended Range guise. Is it comfortable? The ride is decent for the most part, although the EC40 bounces around with little composure on uneven surfaces. Annoying given the state of our UK roads, but hardly a surprise on the top-spec car's fat 20in wheels, which inevitably thunk a bit over speed bumps and potholes. Refinement is strong, though wind and tyre noise are evident at motorway cruising speeds with not a jot of powertrain hubbub to counteract its presence. What's the range like? The EC40 Single Motor gets a 69kWh battery for a claimed 300 miles of range, while the Extended Range version gets 78kWh and 346 miles of official range. The Twin Motor has 82kWh of battery for 341 miles on a single charge. But in real-world driving you'll find these figures to be lofty at best, as you would with any electric car. Over a hundred miles or so with the Extended Range version we got around 3.6mi/kWh, which is a respectable figure and shows 300 miles of range is doable if you drive carefully. How does charging work? All of the EC40 models will charge at up to 11kW on an AC charger, taking around eight hours depending on the model. Maximum charge rate on a DC charger is 200kW, and as a guide the Single Motor variants will get from 10–80 per cent battery in 33 minutes on a 175kW rapid charger. The Twin Motor will do it in 28 minutes. To help ease the pain of working out what's what, Google Maps mines its charger knowledge to drop in where to plug in along the way, with live data of how many sockets are occupied. Highlights from the range the fastest 325kW TM Perf Plus Pro Black Ed 82kWh 5dr Auto 0-62 4.6s CO2 0 BHP 435.8 MPG Price £61,295 the cheapest 175kW Plus 69kWh 5dr Auto 0-62 7.3s CO2 0 BHP 234.7 MPG Price £52,345 the greenest 175kW Plus Pro 69kWh 5dr Auto 0-62 7.3s CO2 0 BHP 234.7 MPG Price £54,345
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Dhami inaugurates Malan Bridge, unveils key infra projects for Kotdwar
Dehradun: Chief minister on Monday virtually inaugurated the reconstructed Malan Bridge on the Chillerkhal-Pakhro motor road in Kotdwar's Pauri district. The bridge, which connects the Kotdwar-Bhabar region to Motadhak is among seven infrastructure projects inaugurated by Dhami. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking on the occasion, Dhami said the bridge's reconstruction reflects the state govet's commitment to strengthening infrastructure in remote areas. "The opening of this bridge will ease travel for residents of Kotdwar and surrounding rural areas and give a boost to economic activities," he said. He added that several key projects are underway in Kotdwar to support its development. "An advanced sewage treatment plant is being built under the Namami Gange project at a cost of Rs 135 crore. A four-lane bypass and the Kotdwar–Najibabad double-lane road are also being constructed at a cost of Rs 691 crore," he said. He added that the Kotdwar–Pauri–Srinagar road is also being upgraded to a double lane and that it would improve travel convenience and spur economic growth. Dhami also said that Kotdwar railway station is being revamped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. "A new train service from Sidhbali-Kotdwar to Delhi has been launched, and construction of a hospital and bus stand terminal is in progress," he said. He also announced that land has been transferred for setting up a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kotdwar, following a cabinet decision. In another event, Dhami also launched two Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Set up by a leading car manufacturer as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the ADTTs are equipped with high-definition cameras and integrated IT systems that enable driving license evaluations without human intervention. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These tracks, which serve both light motor vehicles and two-wheelers, are designed to ensure a more transparent, efficient, and standardised testing process in line with Central Motor Vehicle Rules. The carmaker has also been operating an ADTT in Dehradun since 2019. Officials noted that after the Dehradun facility became operational, the pass percentage for license seekers initially declined to 60% in FY 2019–20, but has since improved to 69%, indicating a more rigorous and reliable evaluation process. Dedicating the new facilities to the state, transport secretary Brijesh Kumar Sant said, "We are committed to making Uttarakhand's roads safer. With the comprehensive evaluation at ADTTs, we can ensure that only skilled drivers get a driving license." Dehradun: Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday virtually inaugurated the reconstructed Malan Bridge on the Chillerkhal-Pakhro motor road in Kotdwar's Pauri district. The bridge, which connects the Kotdwar-Bhabar region to Motadhak is among seven infrastructure projects inaugurated by Dhami. Speaking on the occasion, Dhami said the bridge's reconstruction reflects the state govet's commitment to strengthening infrastructure in remote areas. "The opening of this bridge will ease travel for residents of Kotdwar and surrounding rural areas and give a boost to economic activities," he said. He added that several key projects are underway in Kotdwar to support its development. "An advanced sewage treatment plant is being built under the Namami Gange project at a cost of Rs 135 crore. A four-lane bypass and the Kotdwar–Najibabad double-lane road are also being constructed at a cost of Rs 691 crore," he said. He added that the Kotdwar–Pauri–Srinagar road is also being upgraded to a double lane and that it would improve travel convenience and spur economic growth. Dhami also said that Kotdwar railway station is being revamped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. "A new train service from Sidhbali-Kotdwar to Delhi has been launched, and construction of a hospital and bus stand terminal is in progress," he said. He also announced that land has been transferred for setting up a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kotdwar, following a cabinet decision. In another event, Dhami also launched two Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Set up by a leading car manufacturer as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the ADTTs are equipped with high-definition cameras and integrated IT systems that enable driving license evaluations without human intervention. These tracks, which serve both light motor vehicles and two-wheelers, are designed to ensure a more transparent, efficient, and standardised testing process in line with Central Motor Vehicle Rules. The carmaker has also been operating an ADTT in Dehradun since 2019. Officials noted that after the Dehradun facility became operational, the pass percentage for license seekers initially declined to 60% in FY 2019–20, but has since improved to 69%, indicating a more rigorous and reliable evaluation process. Dedicating the new facilities to the state, transport secretary Brijesh Kumar Sant said, "We are committed to making Uttarakhand's roads safer. With the comprehensive evaluation at ADTTs, we can ensure that only skilled drivers get a driving license."
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Patients miss Whangārei Hospital appointments over parking woes, staff struggle
'Visitors go around and around looking for parks and some have left not being able to make their appointments.' Karen said some patients are being pointed to the staff carparks so they can make their appointments, but this has led to afternoon shift workers finding their dedicated parks have been taken. 'The afternoon shift workers are having to come to work nearly an hour beforehand to find a park,' she said. 'It would be great to see more parking within the hospital grounds and it would be nice if it had been planned for prior to starting the renovations.' Karen said alternatives such as taking the bus are not possible for the shift workers and security is a concern for those working late at night, especially if they have far to go to get to their car. PSA union organiser Mark Furey, who represents about 800 workers at the hospital, said he has driven around three to four times to find a park and could see other visitors getting equally frustrated. Administration workers told him cancellations are 'through the roof' because of people being caught out by the lack of parks. Much of the available car parking is not suitable for those who are sick or less mobile, with the walk from Tohora House, between Hospital Rd and West End Ave, known as 'cardiac hill', he said. The situation has come from the hospital expanding, despite being built on a hill and unstable land, Furey said. A plan to build a multi-storey carpark at the front of the hospital, on Maunu Rd, had to be scrapped because of unstable land, he said. 'It has to be taken seriously and to take it seriously there's a substantial cost involved.' Alex Pimm, Health NZ group director of operations Northern, acknowledged there are car parking constraints at Whangārei Hospital. 'We ... thank people for their patience when trying to park as we know how frustrating it can be.' Pimm said building additional car parking is a long-term commitment as part of the Pihi Kaha hospital redevelopment. The project is being actively progressed, with decisions expected later this year, he said. It is not due to be finished until 2031. Pimm said the organisation is working to move more outpatient appointments to other locations and is asking services to consider appointment timing to avoid congestion. People are also encouraged to: Ask friends or whānau to drop them off and pick them up after their appointment. Make use of transport options like buses, taxis, ride-share services such as Driving Miss Daisy and Freedom Companion Drive, or public shuttles like those provided by Hato Hone St John and Linking Hands. Engage in active transport such as walking, cycling or e-scooter. Check eligibility for the Total Mobility scheme, which is facilitated by Northland Regional Council and will contribute towards approved taxi and ride-share costs. Pimm recognised car parking challenges for staff too and said Health NZ is actively considering solutions for staff parking. The options include staff carpooling, off-site staff parking, working with council to consider aligning the bus timetable with staff shifts and releasing underutilised staff car parks during the day.
