Power games – the local EV rollout for 2021

More brands, more cars, more choice – expect plenty of action as the battery car charge intensifies all the more in NZ this year.

 LAST year brought some astounding introductions to the electric vehicle sector – not only brilliant new prestige models for those unrestricted by budget consideration.

We also witnessed the cheapest new electric car in the market getting even cheaper; a repricing of the MG ZS EV to $48,990 was a surprise bombshell – that sticker being  $7000 below a price first proposed that, in itself, would have positioned this model advantageously. 

As is, NZ motorists are now enjoying their first sub-$50,000 brand-new fully electric car, retailing for $1000 less than the ‘special introductory price’ that was offered to the first 50 orders, when that book was opened in 2019.

It’s hard to see that feat being bettered in 2021, but perhaps it might.

 Certainly, we’ll have even more electric cars to consider this year, several  from mainstream makers, including a market leader which is fully versed in the art of successful sales craft.

So, anyway, here in alphabetical order are the new EV models slated to arrive within the next 12 months.

 Audi RS e-Tron GT

AN electric fan blowing down a long metal cylinder … captured by specialists and further modified and built on was among a total of 32 individual audio elements that have gone in creating the special sound track that gives Audi’s performance EV rather special aural signature. It’s said to be something similar to a jet engine powering up, with the noise modulating based on the engine data, before it is projected from a loudspeaker at the front of the vehicle. Speed and throttle position change the tone.

Sounding a bit strange? Well, noise is important to cars, but for a different reason in respect to EVs. For sure, Audi would like to create a frisson of excitement, but also they’re having to bear in mind that the European Union and the United States have introduced regulations mandating all electric cars emit an external sound for the benefit of pedestrians – up to 20kmh and 32kmh respectively.

It’s doubtless an element of the first Audi RS model to go fully electric, skipping the plug-in hybrid stage altogether and beating hi-po rivals BMW M and Mercedes-AMG to market with emissions-free motoring, that will be a subject of some discussion when this hot shot lands around mid-year.

In terms of performance temperature, think an obvious barometer. The RS E-Tron GT is very closely related t the Porsche Taycan; they are not doppelgangers in styling nor in technology application, outputs alter as do even electric motor count (plus they’re built in different factories), but they do use a common platform.

The GT will deliver is two formats, the RS being the top dog. In the latter power comes from high-energy 83.7kWh (93kWh gross) battery that feeds two synchronous motors – a 175kW motor powers the front axle and is shared with the regular e-Tron GT, but the rear is larger and more powerful, at 335kW. Just like the Taycan, there’s a two-speed transmission on the rear axle, and a focus on coasting rather than recuperation to extend battery range. 

Charge times will also be equivalent to the Taycan, with a maximum DC charging capacity of 270kW, for a theoretical 100km of range in 5 minutes. A 50kW DC charger boosts the battery from five to 80 percent in around 1.5 hours, or 22kW AC charger from 0-100 percent in around 4.5 hours.  

As with Porsche, Audi is also about impressing how the GT’s seriousness by reminding that not only is it coming out of the same high-tech plant as the R8 supercar north of Stuttgart in Germany but (and take this as a thinly-disguised swipe at Tesla) the build quality will be superb. For instance, Audi is employing precision machines that can measure surface inaccuracies on the bodywork within 0.2 of a millimetre.

 BMW iX

BMW'S first electric SUV built from the ground up on a new EV platform shares exterior dimensions of an X5, is as tall as an X6 and has the wheelbase of an X7, with very high specification and plush appointments in two levels of bodywork, a standard look and a sport enhancement with more rakish styling elements.

The cockpit uses a lot of inspiration from the iNext concept, including a hexagonal steering wheel and a vast curved digital displays for the driver and front passenger to use.  

It also features BMW's new ‘fifth-generation’ electric powertrain tech. We are told that the car will be powered by two electric motors (with no rare earth elements), producing 'more than' 370kW, which comprehensively beats the 300kW EQC and e-tron 50 and 55 (respectively 230kW and 300kW).  

Apparently the iX will do 0-100kmh in under five seconds, but of greater importance is the efficiency and range between charges. BMW expects the car will average 21kWh per 100km on the WLTP cycle, resulting in a range of more than 600km from its 100kWh battery pack.

Recharging times are also impressive … when the right hardware is in place. The iX3 can be DC fast-charged at up to 200kW, allowing 10-80 percent charging in under 40 minutes, or 120km range for 10 minutes of charge.  

The car premieres a new aluminium space frame that supports an inner carbon cage fabricated from CFRP – for composite plastic and carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic – covered with a body made out of a combination of aluminium and CFRP. The latter is a material BMW has become accustomed to working with as it features intensively in the i3 and now discontinued i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

For the first time in a modern-day BMW model, the iX will feature a fixed clamshell style bonnet. A series of aerodynamic developments, including the blanked-off grille, minimal air ducting within the front bumper, flat underbody panelling, integrated door handles with an electronic opening mechanism and the tapered glasshouse, contribute to a claimed drag coefficient of 0.25.

Full LED main beams are standard, though buyers will also be able to specify BMW’s Laser lights as an option. At the rear, the iX’s narrow tail lamps receive LED functionality as standard.

Look for it in the second half of 2021.

BMW iX3

 Likely to be pitched as a competitor for three like-sorted models already on sale here - the Mercedes EQC, Audi e-tron and Tesla Model X – though differing from those in being more obviously based on an existing model.

The iX3 nonetheless represents an important step. It’s not just BMW’s first electric SUV, but also the first BMW to be available with either pure combustion, plug-in hybrid or pure electric power. 

 The X3’s platform has been adapted with a new rear sub-frame that houses a single electric motor and an 80Wh battery pack – yes, it’s exclusively rear-drive - that, BMW says, is 20 percent more energy dense than any battery it has used before.  

Output is to the tune of 210kW and 400Nm and a 6.8-second 0-100kmh sprint is claimed. BMW says it’ll provide an impressive 460km range, as determined on a WLTP test cycle. Using fast-charging, the iX3 is capable of receiving 80 percent charge in 34 minutes. 

BMW is talking up the car’s adaptive energy recuperation system, which it claims automatically enhances efficiency on longer drives. Using location data from BMW’s latest cloud-based navigation system, the iX3 can autonomously change the level of braking recuperation on the move and according to the road ahead. For instance, if the car recognises that a stop sign is ahead, full recuperation will be deployed without any need for the driver to select it. 

Alternately, the driver can take manual control of the regenerative braking, with three levels of resistance availed. A ‘B’ position on the Drive selector enables high enough energy recovery for one-pedal driving around town, a trick the brand appears to have nabbed from Toyota/Lexus.  

The iX3 gets a unique tune for its standard adaptive suspension system with electronically controlled dampers. Alternately, buyers will be able to specify a sportier Adaptive M suspension setup. 

The front grilles are closed off for aerodynamic purposes and the bumpers have been reprofiled and it gets set of aerodynamic wheels styled to reduce the drag coefficient by around five percent compared with regular X3 wheels. 

Arrival? We’re thinking it’ll time pretty much with iNext. 

Ford Mustang Mach E

Okay, so this one’s a bit of a punt. Ford New Zealand says the only electric car it can officially confirm as a definite 2021 starter here is the plug-in hybrid version of the Escape. And, of course, they’re looking at a fully battery-propelled Transit in 2022.

When asked about the Mach-E, spokesman Tom Clancy replied: “I would love to confirm Mach-E for New Zealand – from all reports it’s an excellent and exciting vehicle – but can’t at this time.”

So that’s not a no, and the reason why there’s a chance the electric Mustang (and yes, petrolheads, like it or not, that is what it officially is) sports utility could be coming is because it’s starting to reach the United Kingdom and, also, there’s growing conviction from Australia that they’ll achieve the car before next Christmas.

What is for sure is that, whether it’s a 2021 arrival or later, there’s every likelihood NZ will at some stage be down to take Ford’s first mass-market electric car in its 116-year history.

You should be excited.  Ford says this all-new car is a true pony express; the range-topping Mach-E GT will hit 100kmh in under four seconds, thanks to an all-wheel drive layout channelling the 342kW and 830Nm outputs of a 75.7kWh lithium-ion battery (a 98.8kWh extended range battery is available).

Ford is claiming a range of 480 kilometres from a full charge using its extended-range rear-wheel-drive car.

Hyundai Kona Electric 

This is the mid-life update version of the car that NZ has known for more than a year. The refresh delivers a cleaner front-end design, aerodynamic tweaks and a restocked safety suite that complements improved interior technology.

It retains the single 64kWh lithium-ion battery pack, but the charging port has moved to place asymmetrically between the front headlights, having previous been sited slightly to the passenger side. Charge time is claimed to take 47 minutes when done with a 100kW DC fast charger.

We’d expect to see this in the first half of 2021.  

Kia e-Niro

Where Hyundai goes, the subordinate marque generally follows.

Once again, this is a facelift. There’s not too much info around, but as with the original pitch, it’s likely to be outdone by its Hyundai Kona cousin for style but  

Chances are NZ will see only the more powerful of two battery options, which should see it travel 450kms between charges. 

Lexus UX300e

Built on Toyota’s GA-C platform, this version of the smallest Lexus crossover runs a front-mounted motor that produces 150kW and 300Nm of torque.

Energy comes from a 54.3kWh underfloor lithium ion battery offering a claimed range of around 315km on the official WLTP testing regime. It's capable of 0-100kmh in 7.5 seconds, has a top speed of 160kmh and an optimal range of 400km.

The model’s high-rate lithium ion battery is capable of DC replenishment and rapid-charging from zero to 80 percent takes 52 minutes. It features a number of driving modes so that the performance of the motor can be better managed, along with paddles to alter the strength of the regenerative braking.

 Lexus says the drivetrain has been developed with a focus on on-road performance and the goal of offering a quiet and refined driving experience. Extra bracing has been added over the regular UX hybrid and the dampers reworked to maintain optimum weight distribution.

Prioing has yet to be discussed, but the plan is for the UX300e to form a new “flagship” of this family range so expect to pay more than the $70,300 asked for the current line-topping UX250h AWD F-Sport.

Mazda MX-30

Two flavours for 2021 – mild hybrid and full-out electric – with a third, this delivering as a full electric but with a small petrol-fuelled engine (yes, a rotary) likely to follow perhaps next year. 

The Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine paired to Mazda's M Hybrid system, producing maximum outputs of 114kW and 200Nm through a six-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels only.

The addition of the mild-hybrid system means the model's official fuel consumption figure is reduced to a claimed 6.4L/100km on a combined cycle.

The MX-30 Electric, meanwhile, looks much the same as the mild hybrid car, save for some subtle electric badging on the exterior and a combined AC/DC charging point where the fuel cap would normally be – on the rear right-hand side of the vehicle.

 The electric model is powered by a 107kW/271Nm electric motor on the front axle and boasts a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the floor. Range is modest, up to 200km on a single charge according to the World harmonised Light vehicle Testing Procedure (WLTP). That’s less than some of the MX-30's key competitors, but Mazda’s not sweating it. A smaller battery means quick recharging; three hours to recharge on an AC socket, or roughly 36 minutes on a 50kWh DC fast charger 

In terms of sizing, at 4395mm long, 1795mm wide and 1555mm tall, the MX-30 is in the same category as the CX-30, with a 311-litre boot on both the electric and mild-hybrid variants.

The model’s most discussed design feature are pillar-less freestyle doors, inspired by those on the Mazda RX-8 sports coupe (and kinda like those on the BMW i3), which open outwards from the central B-pillar point, hinged at the rear. 

The MX-30 has won a 2020 five-star rating from Europe's New Car Assessment Programme. Standard safety kit includes 10 airbags – front, curtain, front-side, rear-side, front far-side (driver) and a driver’s knee – plus emergency lane keeping with blind-spot assist and something called road keep assist, which helps you stay on track even in the absence of lane markings.

There’s also ‘turn-across traffic functionality’ which can intervene in collisions at intersections by activating the smart-brake support system.  

The cabins of both variants are alike. An 8.8-inch screen that sits at the top of the dashboard controls the infotainment system via a rotary dial, while a second lower 7.0-inch touchscreen provides access to the climate controls.

The floating centre console has cork accents as a nod to the brand's history as a cork manufacturer.

The majority of materials used in the MX-30's interior are sustainably sourced or recycled, from the vegan leatherette upholstery om the seats, to the door trim materials which are made from recycled plastic bottles.

Nissan Leaf e Plus

The latest Leaf but featuring a 62kWh battery (up from 40kWh) that can propel the small five-door 384 kilometres on a single charge, representing a 110-kilometre improvement over the standard edition.

Skoda Enyaq iV

In addition to the ‘E’ also referencing ‘electric’ and the ‘q’ conforming to an in-house naming practice, the name also derives from the Gaelic girl’s name Enya (which means ‘fire’ and ‘kernel’). The iV part is less clear.

 Good background to chuck into the inevitable discussion owners of this five-seater medium crossover will enter into with those curious to know more about what will not only be the first fully electric Skoda to come on sale here but also the first of numerous cars utilising a Volkswagen Group underpinning that are set to hit New Zealand, not just as VWs but also as Audis and a SEAT.

Skoda’s status as the debutante for the MEB platform on local turf is a happenstance that hasn’t occurred in most places; but fact is VW New Zealand has resigned to not seeing the ID models that advance this tech until at least 2022, starting with the ID 4. Same goes for SEAT, with its car, the El Born.

Enyaq’s NZ release (and price) has yet to be shared, but the local distributor has already started the pre-launch build up. Insofar as specification goes? Well, there’s likely to be plenty to think about; the factory is prepping Enyaq with the options of three battery sizes, five power variants and a driving range of up to 500 kilometres. It also provisions in rear-drive in entry form and four-wheel-drive further up the range and a performance all-paw RS edition with 225kW is on the cards.

In size Skoda’s EV slots between the Karoq and the Kodiaq, being 4648mm long, 1877mm wide and 1618mm tall, on a 2765mm wheelbase.  It classes as an SUV, though realistically that’s just a convenience. There isn't a great deal of ground clearance so don't expect to go very far off-road in it.

However, it is designed to tow (if only up to 1200kg) and will is as roomy as the Kodiaq, with a big cabin – made all the more spacious by the lack of a transmission tunnel – and a 585-litre boot. Unlike some other electric SUVs, there isn't a storage area under the bonnet.

The line starts with the 109kW Enyaq iV 50, driven by a rear-mounted electric motor (so, rear-wheel drive) with a 55kWh battery pack and a maximum driving range of 340 kilometres.

Above this is the Enyaq iV 60, also rear-wheel drive but with a 62kWh battery and a 390km driving range, then the Enyaq iV 80, the highest choice in the rear-motored set. It has an 82kWh battery offering 150kW and up to 500 kilometres’ range.

Beyond this are dual-motor all-wheel-drive 80X and RS variants, also with the 82kWh battery pack, but with a second electric motor driving the front wheels. In this form the 80X has 195kW and the RS another 30kW more. The extra grunt comes at expense of range, but not greatly, with 460km claimed. The RS is the only variant that Skoda has announced a 0-100kmh time for; claiming it’ll smash that in 6.2 seconds. That’s 0.8s better than the fastest current Kodiaq, the RS.

Fast charging is also promised with an 80 percent 'fill' possible from 40 minutes at a 125kW DC-powered station … if talking about the 82kWh models. The onboard 11kW charging unit will enable users with a suitable domestic wallbox to replenish the battery charge in six to nine hours, depending on battery size.

The cabin eschews the usual Skoda instrument displays and instead takes a small digital display ahead of a two-spoke steering wheel plus an augmented head-up display that projects onto the windscreen, as in the Volkswagen ID.3 hatch (which isn’t being considered for NZ incidentally). A centrally mounted freestanding touchscreen sits atop the dashboard, and this will come in two sizes, 10- or 13-inch, depending on model.

Skoda’s bent for practicality reveals with decent interior storage, including a generous console between the front seats. It gets a large wireless charging pad that can charge two phones simultaneously. Oh yes, and it has the trad umbrella.

Skoda has a wide variety of specification grades, starting with Studio, available in the Enyaq 50 alone. Additional Loft, Lodge, Suite and Eco Suite trim levels will be available on the 60 and 80 models, and Eco Suite features more sustainably sourced materials. The 60 and 80 versions will gain the largest touchscreen display, a 13-incher.

Tesla Model Y

Again, a bit of a punt with this one, at least in respect to timing, as Tesla no longer bothers communicating with media about its cars.

The model, of course, is not secret; the Model Y is a five-seat crossover all-electric vehicle built on the same third-generation platform as the Model 3; think of it as being a more practical, higher-riding stablemate that stands as a smaller alternate to the Model X, albeit not as wacky – so a conventional set of doors here.

Volvo XC40 Recharge 

A dead-ringer to the fossil-fuelled XC40 from the kerbside, and from overseas’ reports, it’s not so different in driving feel, either.

Of course, it is a radical departure, in being the first Volvo to sell here – arriving mid-year or so, by the way – to forego hooking up to Big Oil.

Here two electric motors provide a very healthy 304kW and 660Nm to all four wheels. A 78kWh battery (that can charge to 80 percent on a fast charger in 40 minutes) should provide enough juice for the XC40 Recharge to travel between 350-400kms in the real world. 

The strength of the powertrain is sufficient for a claimed 0-100kmh time of 4.9 seconds.

When discussing Volvo, you’ll be wondering about the chances of seeing anything from Polestar, an offshoot which is all about passenger EVs with a performance twist.

Good news. Volvo NZ is in discussion with Polestar with intent to furnish the  Polestar 2 (below) which, unlike the preceding Polestar 1 is produced in right-hand drive.

It will feature 300kW of full electric power and boast a range of 560km. But it won’t be available before 2022, says Volvo NZ boss Coby Duggan.

Kia scores big during troubled October

Kia took control of passenger car sales last month, its Sportage and Seltos respectively accomplishing first and second places for registration count.

KIA SELTOS ENJOYED A STRONG MONTH. The larger Sportage did even better.

KIA scored a notable triple win during October, its compact and medium sports utilities achieving as the biggest-selling vehicles, and the brand coming out on top in total passenger registrations.

October market statistics supplied by the Motor Industry Association today show the Kia Sportage was the most popular passenger vehicle in October, with 488 sales, followed by its smaller brother the Seltos, with 471.

That was sufficient to allow the Korean brand to achieve a total of 1276 passenger vehicle registrations for the month, knocking long-time leader Toyota, which achieved 1117 sales, into second place.

It all represents a big turnaround in a 2020 new passenger vehicle scene that up until now has been dominated by the Toyota RAV4.

In September, for example, the Toyota achieved 464 sales – whereas the Sportage and the Seltos each accrued about half that. In October, however, RAV4’s sales dropped to 291 units.

There was better news for Toyota in the commercial market, where the new Hilux moved into first place with 731 sales, knocking the previously dominant Ford Ranger into second. It achieved 686 sales.

the updated toyota Hilux appeared to score well in its first month of availability, bumping out Ford’s Ranger as the country’s favourite utility.

Both utes finished the month comfortably ahead of anything else – third place was taken by the Mitsubishi Triton with 282 registrations.

Toyota also remained the overall new vehicle market leader with a 17 percent share in October via 2070 registrations, followed by Ford with 11 percent and Kia with nine percent. And it remains dominant for the entire year to date thanks to a 17 percent share – well ahead of Ford on 10 percent.

October’s total new vehicles registrations continued their downward trend for 2020, coming in at 20.6 per cent below October last year. A total of 11,876 vehicles were registered, down 3089 units on the same month last year.

“Year to date the market is down 23.5 per cent, which is consistent recent months’ data confirming our expectations that 2020 will finish about 25 per cent down on 2019 volumes, said MIA chief executive David Crawford.

The top 10 most popular vehicles in October were: Toyota Hilux, 731 sales; Ford Ranger, 686; Kia Sportage, 488; Kia Seltos, 471; Toyota Corolla, 315; Mitsubishi ASX, 292; Toyota RAV4, 291; Mitsubishi Triton, 282; Mazda CX-5, 279; Suzuki Swift, 232.

‘Closed for business’: New car industry appeals for help

April’s new vehicle sales count provides dramatic proof the Covid-19 pandemic has the new vehicle industry reeling.

COVID-19 has swung a near-knockout blow to New Zealand’s new vehicle industry, with April recording a more than 90 percent fall in vehicle sales.

In stark contrast to April last year when a record 10,640 new vehicles were registered, the national Coronavirus lockdown is the reason behind just 1039 vehicles being registered last month, with the top-selling model, Kia’s Seltos, registering 95 of those.

Now, the organisation representing the country’s new vehicle industry says it needs help – and it is demanding the Government fast-track introduction of a series of policies to achieve this.

“The Government can play a decisive role in lessening the economic pain we are feeling,” says Motor Industry Association chief executive David Crawford.

The organisation wants deferral of introduction of any feebate scheme, replaced instead with incentives for the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles.  Feebates  are a combination of fees imposed on larger gas-guzzling vehicles and rebates offered to purchasers of smaller and fuel-efficient vehicles.

“Prior to the pandemic, the MIA supported in principle the adoption of a feebate scheme. However, given the degree of fiscal impact the pandemic is causing, we believe this policy needs immediate review,” says Crawford.

The MIA also wants the Government to accelerate the uptake of plug-in vehicles  across the Government fleet.

“To date, uptake of plug-in vehicles by government agencies has been less than modest at best. The MIA calls on the Government to increase departmental budgets to permit departments to increase their uptake of BEVs and PHEVs,” says Crawford.

Financial incentives should also be introduced to remove from the national fleet vehicles older than 20 years, and/or where their exhaust emission standards are the equivalent of Euro 3 or less, Crawford says. He adds that this vehicle scrappage would be in line with the country’s new road safety strategy and the Government’s climate change objectives.

 “We all know we have an old fleet, with numerous polluting and unsafe cars roaming our roads,” he says.

Crawford describes April’s new vehicle scene as “closed for business” other than for the supply of essential vehicle and three business days at the end of the month for contact-less sales.

That distributors were able to sell as many as they did was testament to their determination to partially re-open for business while maintaining strict health and safety process,” he says.

Overall, new vehicle registration were down 90.3 per cent in April – sales of passenger vehicles and SUVs dropped 89.6 per cent, and commercial vehicle sales were down 91.4 per cent.

So dramatic was the fall in registrations, that some highly unusual sales results were recorded by the MIA.

Market leader for the very first time was Korean brand Kia, which achieved a 16 per cent share with 169 sales, including 95 Seltos small SUVs, 24 Rio hatchbacks, and 22 Sportage compact SUVs.

The Seltos was also easily the top-selling passenger vehicle, with the Suzuki Swift hatch and the pint-sized Suzuki Jimny SUV in second and third places. 

And in the commercial sector it was the Toyota Hilux ute that was top model with 59 sales, followed by the Holden Colorado that is on runout prior to the Australian brand exiting the New Zealand market at year’s end.  And Ford Ranger – which has dominated the light commercial market for several years – was in third place with a mere 29 sales. 

And here’s a stark illustration of the state of New Zealand’s rental industry: whereas usually monthly vehicle registrations number in the hundreds, in April there were just two – and they were both Isuzu N-Series trucks.

 Covid Countdown:  April’s 10 Best-Selling Vehicles

Kia Seltos                     95

Toyota Hilux                 59

Holden Colorado          38

Suzuki Swift                  35

Ford Ranger                  29

Suzuki Jimny                 28

Kia Rio                          24

Holden Commodore     23

Kia Sportage                 22

Toyota Hiace                21