Senin, 27 Februari 2023

Nissan announces 19 electric cars by 2030, more hybrids in accelerated plans

Less than 18 months after unveiling its electrification roadmap, Nissan has ramped up its electric-car plans, confirming it will launch an additional four zero-emissions cars this decade.

Nissan has announced it will increase the number of “electrified” vehicles in its line-up to 27 by the end of the decade – up from a projected 23 announced in late 2021.

Included in the 27 will be 19 new electric cars from Nissan and its luxury brand Infiniti, as well as eight new hybrid models.

The Japanese car-maker says hybrid and electric cars across the two portfolios are now expected to account for more than 55 per cent of sales globally – up from 50 per cent, originally announced in 2021.

At the time, the company said it was planning 23 electrified vehicles, of which 15 were to be solely battery-powered.

Nissan forecasts 98 per cent of its cars sold in Europe will be electrified in 2026, while it expects 58 per cent of Japanese buyers to opt for hybrid or electric vehicles.

Interestingly, the company has reduced its expectations for the Chinese market, forecasting 35 per cent of sales will be from its electrified range – down from the estimate of 40 per cent given in late 2021.

While Nissan didn’t announce the 27 electrified models by name, unconfirmed reports claim Nissan could have plans for a hybrid Patrol, hybrid and electric Navara utes, a hybrid ‘R36’ GT-R supercar, and even an electric 200SX successor (potentially badged as the Silvia).

In November 2021, Nissan announced it would spend $US18 billion ($AU27 billion) over five years towards its electrification goals.

The post Nissan announces 19 electric cars by 2030, more hybrids in accelerated plans appeared first on Drive.

Electric Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio coming with 735kW, or 1000hp

Alfa Romeo’s next-generation BMW M3 sedan rival is set to go electric with approximately double the power of the twin-turbo V6 model in showrooms today.

The electric next generation of the Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan due in 2025 is tipped to offer up to 735kW – or 1000 metric horsepower – in high-performance Quadrifoglio trim, according to new reports.

Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato reportedly confirmed to UK media outlets including Car, Autocar and Top Gear that flagship versions of the new electric Giulia would have nearly double the power of the brand’s most potent model to date.

“Giulia is [coming] back. We have to design the Giulia we love, an Alfa Romeo we all want, and [Alfa design boss] Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos is on it. And we will come back to you with something that is very cool,” said Mr Imparato (via Car magazine).

“It will have range, and from 350hp [257kW] to 800hp [588kW] as a Veloce, and 1000hp [735kW] as a Quadrifoglio.”

The new Giulia electric sedan is slated to ride on the STLA Large electric-car platform in development under Alfa Romeo’s parent company Stellantis, which can deliver up to 800km of claimed driving range, and ultra-fast 800-volt fast charging.

“I don’t want you to suffer inconvenience from switching to [an electric vehicle]. The question for me is not whether to switch to [electric], it’s to get the right handling and agility,” Mr Imparato reportedly said (via Top Gear).

According to UK reports, the electric Alfa Romeo Giulia is due in 2025 – ahead of an electric replacement for the Stelvio in 2026, and a larger, BMW 5 Series or Tesla Model S-sized electric vehicle in 2027.

Alfa Romeo’s first electric car is due next year, as a city-sized SUV smaller than the new hybrid Tonale, measuring about four metres long. The brand’s first electric-only vehicle is due in 2025.

The company plans to sell electric cars exclusively by 2027.

Mr Imparato has previously suggested the electric successor to the Giulia may eschew a traditional four-door sedan body in favour of a more unconventional shape, which could blend hints of hatchbacks or wagons.

The post Electric Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio coming with 735kW, or 1000hp appeared first on Drive.

Video: Hybrid Honda CR-V race car teased with wild sound

The new Honda CR-V has been turned into a race car – powered by a 600kW engine from a North American IndyCar open-wheel racer, and a hybrid system.

Honda is set to unveil the most radical iteration of its CR-V family SUV this week – but don’t expect it to arrive in your local showroom.

Honda’s North American division has published a a brief video clip on YouTube showing the hybrid CR-V prototype – which will be a demonstration vehicle showcasing its hybrid technology – testing on a racing circuit in the US desert.

The sixth-generation Honda CR-V-based race car is fitted with a massive front splitter, rear spoiler, pumped-up wheel arches and bespoke carbon-fibre bodywork, with few parts of the production vehicle on sale in the US remaining.

Honda claims the CR-V “Hybrid Racer” will develop up to 800 horsepower – approximately 600kW – thanks to a combination of petrol power and electric motors.

The Japanese car-maker is yet to confirm what petrol engine is powering the CR-V, though its exhaust note sounds similar to the 2.2-litre twin-turbo V6 which Honda produces for the North American IndyCar open-wheel racing series.

A teaser image shared by Honda shows the engine’s red camshaft covers appear to be identical to its IndyCar engine – albeit with additional high-voltage wiring for the car’s hybrid system.

Inside, there are two racing seats, a race-ready roll cage, and a hi-tech, Formula One-style steering wheel which also appears to have been carried across from an IndyCar racer.

While Honda hasn’t announced what the car will be used for, its race-derived engine and aerodynamics could be well suited to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the US – a 156-corner sprint up a mountain road in Colorado – which will take place in late June 2023.

Honda is set to reveal its hybrid CR-V race car – and the intended purpose of the vehicle – on March 1 Australian time.

The post Video: Hybrid Honda CR-V race car teased with wild sound appeared first on Drive.

Minggu, 26 Februari 2023

Drive TV S4 Episode 2 – everything you need to know. Watch the full episode here!

The full episode is available to watch below!

If you missed Season 4 Episode 2 of Drive on Channel Nine on Saturday morning, you can watch it in full on 9Now here. We’ve linked it here for you too.

In the meantime, you can read about our drive from Gembrook to Warburton here.

Or if you want to know more about the car, check out our latest review on the Nissan Leaf.

If you missed Season One, Two or Three of Drive TV, you can catch up on all the episodes here.


Tune in on Channel Nine, or 9Now to watch Season 4 of Drive TV every week – Sunday morning at 11:00am.

The post Drive TV S4 Episode 2 – everything you need to know. Watch the full episode here! appeared first on Drive.

2023 Tesla Model S spied in Australia ahead of launch

The Tesla Model S electric car has taken a big step forward in its return to Australian showrooms, as a left-hand-drive example is caught on the move in Queensland.

The Tesla Model S electric car is one step closer to Australia – following a two-year absence from local deliveries – after a US example of the updated model was spied on local roads.

Images posted to the Tesla Owners Australia group on Facebook show a black updated Model S – believed to be a dual-motor, 2021-built model, not the three-motor Plaid flagship – at a Tesla Supercharger station in Toowoomba, Queensland.

According to the photographer Peter, the Model S – which is left-hand-drive, and wears temporary-use Queensland registration – was being tested in “Australian conditions”, and was accompanied by two Model 3 sedans.

The updated Tesla Model S sedan and Model X SUV were revealed more than two years ago (January 2021), with pre-orders opening globally at the same time.

However, to date deliveries have begun in North America and left-hand-drive European countries, with China to follow by mid-year – after prices and arrival timing details for Australia were wiped from Tesla’s website 14 months ago.

Buyers can still place a $350 pre-order on a Model S or Model X in Australia, but it is fully refundable – pending vehicle and option pricing. Production of the updated Model S and Model X in right-hand drive is yet to begin.

MORE: Tesla Model S and Model X Plaid approach China and Europe, is Australia next?

The vehicle spied in Queensland is fitted with the controversial aircraft-style half steering wheel – known as a yoke, as it is called in aeroplanes – rather than the conventional round steering wheel which returned to the Model S and Model X in January 2023.

Tesla’s Australian website lists a choice of round or ‘yoke’ steering wheels – but it is unclear if this will apply to local vehicles, or if it is indicative based on US specifications.

Despite fears to the contrary, Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus has indicated a steering ‘yoke’ can be legal for use in Australia, as it has confirmed a similar design for its Lexus RZ electric SUV – as an option after the launch of models with a regular round wheel in May 2023.

MORE: Aircraft-style steering ‘yoke’ delayed on 2023 Lexus RZ450e electric SUV – report

The updated Model S can be distinguished in these images by its tail-light design, wider wheel arches, alloy wheels, and new interior with the yoke steering control, and horizontal infotainment touchscreen.

Up-to-date Australian arrival timing for the Tesla Model S and Model X is yet to be confirmed.

However, if past Tesla new model introductions are a guide, it may be due six to 12 months after left-hand-drive European deliveries begin – which would correlate to first Australian arrivals before the end of this year.

This would translate to a three-year hiatus for the Tesla Model S and Model X in Australia, as it is believed the final examples of the pre-update model were delivered locally in late 2020 or early 2021.

The post 2023 Tesla Model S spied in Australia ahead of launch appeared first on Drive.

Retro-design Renault 5 electric hatch on wish list for Australia

The modern remake of one of the most famous hatchbacks in Renault history is high on the wish list for Australia – if it is manufactured in right-hand drive.

The reborn Renault 5 – with electric power – remains high on the wish list for the distributor of the French brand in Australia.

However, details such as pricing and exact timing for Australia are yet to be confirmed.

Initially teased in 2021 as a concept car, the showroom version of the modern remake of the Renault 5 is due in European showrooms in 2024, pending any delays – and may cost less than $40,000 overseas.

Although it is yet to be confirmed for right-hand drive, the boss of Renault Australia, Glen Sealey, told a recent media briefing: “There is significant interest from us in the Renault 5. We think it would work well in Australia.

“However it’s too early to discuss timing and pricing. It remains on our radar and on our wish list if and when it becomes available.

“If it is made in right-hand drive, we’ve got our hand up.”

The Renault Australia executive said even if the Renault 5 was engineered for right-hand-drive markets such as the UK and Japan, it was still no guaranteed for Australia due to our unique regulatory requirements.

“Will Renault make the additional investment to engineer a car for (Australian regulations), we will wait and see,” said Mr Sealey.

“It depends on what other priorities the company has for other engineering investments at the time.”

The post Retro-design Renault 5 electric hatch on wish list for Australia appeared first on Drive.

Renault ute version of new Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara unlikely for Australia

Although Renault is part of the alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi – and the French division has dabbled in a joint-venture ute before – it’s unlikely for Australia with the next-generation model.

A Renault version of the new Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara ute twins is unlikely for Australia – even though the French car maker has already experimented with plans for a rebadged pick-up.

Under the alliance with Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi all three brands can share – and mix and match – models to fill gaps in their line-up.

However, while Renault is expected to adopt a version of the new-generation Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara double-cab ute twins in overseas markets, a right-hand-drive version may not make the cut.

“If they do it in right-hand drive, we’ll look at it, for sure,” the boss of Renault Australia, Glen Sealey, told a recent media briefing. 

“But if they don’t build it in right-hand drive, it’s obviously not going to be available to even look at for our market.

MORE: Nissan Navara twin – Renault Alaskan – to live on overseas, unlikely for Australia

“The challenge is, there’s probably only two countries that will take (a right-hand-drive) Renault ute: ourselves and South Africa.

“To get (Renault) to invest in right-hand drive based on small volumes is going to be challenging.”

The current generation of Renault’s version of the Nissan Navara ute overseas is known as the Renault Alaskan, but it has never been available in Australia.

However, the distributor of Renault cars in Australia has not given up on the possibility of a right-hand-drive version of the Dacia Oroch – a car-derived pick-up based on the same platform as the Dacia Duster (see separate story here).

The post Renault ute version of new Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara unlikely for Australia appeared first on Drive.