Toyota's full electric a 2022 release here

Shanghai concept is a pointer to a breakthrough model set to sell alongside a swathe of hybrids.

A PRODUCTION variant of a fully electric Toyota concept revealed in China today will release in New Zealand next year, with sister models to follow.

The BZ4X styling study Toyota Japan has revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show has been described as being a “hero” of a global electrification future that will deliver 70 models globally by 2025. 

It’s similar in shape and size to the RAV4 crossover but lower, with a longer wheelbase and sharper styling. From the outside, the concept captures the ethos of bold, futuristic EV looks; the interior … erm, less so. A large touchscreen extends up out of the centre console, which has a rotary shifter placed in the middle and storage underneath.

Shorthand for ‘Beyond Zero’, a catchphrase chosen to highlight the corporate direction, BZ will present as a sub-group of seven fully electric models, with the BZ4X first into production.

Toyota hasn't said anything about battery size or range for this model, the first to use the new e-TNGA electric car platform, which will also underpin product from Subaru, which co-funded and co-engineered the underpinning.

The showroom-ready example is not expected to be much different to the concept, save for perhaps for losing some exotic details. An orthodox steering wheel will likely replace the yoke-style item on the styling study, regardless that Tesla has introduced the latter for its latest version of the Model 3.

TNZ chief executive Neeraj Lala says NZ will take these cars, and he expects them to be well received, though he has also expressed thought it might be some time before these full electrics outsell the hybrid choices it already has here in abundance and will add to.

Comment released today also leaves impression any expectation of the wholly electric fare being priced for mass appeal is probably mis-judged.

With today’s announcements, Toyota has taken to label everything it produces that has a battery-involved impetus as being  an ‘electrification vehicle.’

 This self-concocted descriptive seems to have been created to leave impression its hybrids are of similar calibre as electric cars, though by definition they are not, as an express qualification for electric status vis an ability to enable a mains-replenishment ability.

However, the new label certainly enforces that Japan’s No.1 is the world’s biggest player in electric-assisted drivetrain production, with more hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles to come. Interestingly, according to Toyota US (but not mentioned by Toyota NZ) this reach will include the pickup truck line-up in the near future, including hybrid and BEV powertrains. Does Hilux qualify as a ‘pickup’, or do they mean the larger Tundra?

Lala says Beyond Zero means a variety of options for Kiwis.  

“The Beyond Zero (BZ) range will be introduced in New Zealand to strengthen our range of electrified vehicles and achieve affordable mobility for all.”

“As a company committed to mobility for all, our priority is to offer affordable vehicles that meet the needs of all New Zealanders. This means a range of powertrain options to suit consumer needs,” says Lala.  
 
“Like hybrid technology 30 years ago, adoption and affordability will take some time. This will allow time for infrastructure, technical training and servicing to prepare itself for accelerated demand and lower cost alternatives.”
 
“BEVs will eventually become a sustainable means of mobility. However, it will take time as the energy mix, battery technology and infrastructure are still being developed,” Lala says.

Currently the cheapest full electric car offered in NZ is an MG, at just under $50,000. Expectation that Toyota’s status as the world’s most largest car producer will allow it to significantly reduce that premium seems overly optimistic, however.

Says Lala in respect to this: “As there is significant research and development cost recovery on new technology, this first Toyota BEV for New Zealand will not be an affordable BEV for all Kiwi households and businesses. 

“Our focus will also be on how we can transition BZ4X into the used vehicle market as quickly as possible so all Kiwis can become familiar and enjoy this new technology in an affordable manner. This is why we see affordable hybrids and plug-in hybrids as transitional technology and a bridge to a sustainable, low emissions future.

“Adding our first battery electric vehicle (BEV) to our range, continues our journey of offering powertrain choices for customers while helping New Zealand realise a zero-carbon future.”
 
“Toyota has been vocal in our support of the New Zealand Government as we transition to a low emissions economy and we’re excited at the prospect of bringing Toyota’s first pure battery electric car to New Zealand next year,” Lala says.
 
“Currently Toyota New Zealand’s average CO2 emissions sit at 165.9g/km which is almost 7 grams lower than the industry average. We are focused on introducing balanced, lower emission products to our range.”

Sorento hybrid push hits six

Anything to read into the just-added entry EX being lineball on price with well-supported diesel edition in similar trim?

 SPECULATION about the long-term future of Sorento in its historically bedrock diesel format has elicited response from Kia New Zealand.

Announcement of a sixth hybrid (HEV) petrol variant might raise questions about the implication for the 2.2-litre turbodiesel that has been the most popular choice by far for the majority of the model’s buyers.

The arrival of an entry EX means the brand now offers its petrol-aligned hybrids in four hybrid formats – across two trim levels, each in front or all wheel drive, topping with an $82,990 edition. It also has two AWD variants with plug-in replenishment capability, ultimately in a $89,990 format. 

It also has four diesel variants, from $59,990 to $76,990.

The EX edition in HEV (meaning it has electric assistance, but no external means to replenish) has been priced at $63,990 – the same money Kia New Zealand asks for the EX diesel that has often been a top seller.

A representative for the Auckland-based operation agreed with the proposal that hybrid popularity is growing, but resisted offering thought about what percentage of overall Sorento volume the types might achieve. 

“The initial uptake of Hybrid has been very strong, especially the new EX variant,” he said.

“With Sorento sales mix and volume being limited by supply for some time yet, we would have to be very brave to make any predictions at this point.”

Did the price parity with a popular diesel variant signal that Kia NZ is perceiving and planning for potential market shift away from the diesel?

“We are being bold with this pricing initiative, it's not often a brand will present owners with a price-parity opportunity to choose between two different powertrain options. 

“As we've stated previously, we have an eye on an electric future and this is one way to introduce people to a hybrid motoring experience without additional outlay at time of purchase.”

The EX variants are not identical; the diesel provisions in all-wheel-drive for that money, whereas the hybrid is front-drive. It can be bought in AWD for another $2000, however.

All electrified Sorentos use a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, producing 132kW/265Nm. The HEV adds a 44kW/264Nm electric motor while the PHEV gets a stronger 67kW/304Nm unit. Total outputs for each are 169kW/350Nm and 195kW/350Nm respectively.

The plug-in hybrid offers an electric-only range of 57km and fuel consumption of 1.6L/100km. The hybrid has more limited electric-only range and returns 5.4L/100km in 2WD guise and 6.2L/100km with AWD.

While the EX hybrid makes more power than the diesel, which has 148kW the tables are turned on torque, with the diesel creating 440Nm.

The diesel is beaten for economy, as it optimises at 6.1 litres per 100km, and on emissions. The hybrid is claimed to produce 124 grams per kilometre in front-drive and 141g/km in AWD versus whereas the diesel outputs 159g/km.

The Sorento powertrains also share with the Hyundai sister ship, the Santa Fe, but have yet to be positioned in those models in this market, though Hyundai NZ says it intends to undertake that span when it can.

Kia’s move toward electric-assisted propulsion is not restricted to the seven-seater sports utility. It already has an electric Niro compact crossover in the market to compete with the Hyundai Kona and last week confirmed it will introduce the exciting EV6 (above), the latest battery-pure product it has created.

This sister ship to the Hyundai Ioniq Five will be here before the end of this year, with pricing and full local specifications yet to be announced, though the local distributor has indicated the high-end GT performance version is included.

Kia NZ says the EX hybrid will present as an ideal vehicle for families contemplating the switch to reduced-emissions motoring - without compromising on style or passenger-carrying capability.

In a release about the type, Kia NZ managing director Todd McDonald said Sorento has already proven to be a fantastic success “so we anticipate the availability of a more competitively-priced entry option will only further the appeal of the new model.”

All Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Kia Sorento models feature a five-star ANCAP safety rating and offer a myriad of safety considerations as standard, including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Follow Assist.

Kia prices hybrid models, what’s Hyundai’s move?

The Sorento has beaten its sister ship, the Santa Fe, in arriving with petrol-electric powertrains.

 HOW long before Hyundai here catches up with its subordinate in offering a seven-seater sports utility with electric assistance has yet to be answered – whether the parent’s ultimate equivalent will also slip under the $100,000 mark is also not yet known.

The New Zealand distributor for Kia has stolen a march on Hyundai New Zealand in releasing the Sorento in two petrol hybrid versions, one with plug-in recharging and the other mild.

The New Zealand agent for Hyundai did not respond to questions today about when its Santa Fe, the Kia’s sister ship, will arrive with the same technology, which was developed by Hyundai then shared with the sibling brand.

However, Hyundai NZ has always indicated it will also provision the Santa Fe with the very same hybrid drivetrains.

As expected, the battery-assisted editions are more expensive than the other Sorento variants Kia has here.

At $89,990, the PHEV is the most expensive Sorento ever sold here, while the hybrid also raises the stakes in its $80,990 front-drive and $82,990 all-wheel-drive formats. 

All three are in the highest-level trim Kia offers with the model, according to a brand announcement shared by media today. 

To date, the most expensive Sorento here has been a turbodiesel, also in the Premium trim, that costs $76,990. 

Kia’s pricing strategy appears to reflect that there is an unavoidable costing factor with the hybrid tech, which allies to a four-cylinder petrol engine in either of its formats.

It also raises another question: How much more the Hyundai models might cost? 

There is already pricing inequality between the diesel sister ships, most obviously when the best-kitted versions are compared.

Though the specifications are identical, and they have the same powertrains,  the Sorento Premium costs a whopping $13,000 less than the Santa Fe Limited – whose RRP is lineball with the Sorento Premium PHEV’s sticker. 

Both hybrids run a turbocharged 1.6-litre four producing 132kW/265Nm, but the electric motors and their feeder batteries are different.

As previously reported, the Sorento (and Santa Fe) PHEV runs a 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers an optimal electric-only range of 57km per charge. The PHEV’s electric motor creates 67kW and 304Nm,

The hybrid (again, in both models) has a 44kW electric motor. It also has a smaller battery, rated at 1.5kWh.

Overall claimed outputs are 195kW/350Nm for the PHEV and 169kW/350Nm for the hybrid. The diesel creates 148kW and 440Nm.

Kia claims a combined fuel economy of 1.6L/100km and cites a CO2 count of 36 grams per kilometre from the PHEV. The figures for the mild hybrid have yet to be shared, but economy could well likely be closer to the diesel’s 6.1L/100km, if not the oiler’s 159g/km optimal.

Kia’s Premium grade ticks off leather upholstery, a heads-up display, wireless phone charging, Bose audio and a comprehensive passive and active safety suite.

First look at new Tucson – smart tech with smart looks

We poke a head over the fence – well, the Tasman Sea, really – to get an early gander at Hyundai’s crucial new model.

AN early preview of the new sharp-suited Hyundai Tucson heading to New Zealand has conceivably been delivered by our next-door neighbour.

Disclosure of technical and model line information heading into Australia will likely be largely valid for NZ, save for usual detail differences such as an adjustment of the flagship’s name.

Australia can get away with Highlander for the highest spec car there because the Toyota that sells with that name here is a Kluger across the Tasman. Here it’s likely to be a Limited, as per convention expressed on the Santa Fe and Palisade. 

It’s wholly possible we will see a less fulsome line-up to that launching over there between April and June. Yet the look and core elements of what has been unveiled across the Tasman is assuredly heading this way.

There’s a strong spirit of co-operation between the two countries’ distributors that undoubtedly works to NZ advantage. The Auckland-run national operation has relatively modest volume requirements and teaming up with Australia, which is a factory-run outfit with big sales counts, opens doors in Seoul.

So, anyway, Australia is taking three variants – base called Tucson, mid-spec Elite (a name also used here) and a high-end - and three powertrains, all offering the option of an N line package, which doesn’t alter performance but elevates the styling tweaks and features. 

The N Line pack includes a body kit with sportier bumpers and side skirts, a gloss black grille with 'hidden' daytime-running lights, 19-inch alloy wheels (the base car in standard form runs 17s), silver skid plates, and an embossed steering wheel.

The pack also adds LED headlights, LED 'combination' tail-lights, a unique leather/suede trimmed interior and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

The engines are all four-cylinders, overhauled units now being marketed as members of Hyundai's new 'SmartStream' family.

A 115kW/192Nm 2.0-litre petrol is the base mill, matched to a six-speed auto and driving the front wheels. The more upmarket four-wheel-drive editions arrive with a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. The diesel choice is a 137kW/416Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre married to an eight-speed automatic. 

Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking (with support for intersections), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, a speed limiter, tyre pressure monitoring, and rear parking sensors. 

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-following assist and rear cross-traffic alert are also expected to be standard across the range.

Driver attention monitoring is standard, while other safety features are expected to include Safe Exit Warning (which reminds passengers to check for oncoming hazards before opening their door) and multi-collision braking (which applies the brakes after a collision to prevent subsequent impacts).

Seven airbags are standard, including a centre airbag between the front seats.

Standard equipment on our neighbour’s entry car includes an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4.2-inch driver's information display, manual air conditioning, cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, keyless entry (but no push-button start), automatic halogen headlights, LED daytime-running lights, and power-adjustable door mirrors.

Their mid-grade adds a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone mirroring and satellite navigation, leather seat trim, a power-adjustable driver's seat, front seat heating, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, push-button start, a 'smart' key, rain-sensing wipers, a rear-seat alert (notifying drivers if passengers have been left in the rear seats), front and rear parking sensors, and braking functionality for the blind-spot monitoring system.

Elite variants equipped with either of the turbocharged engines also feature paddle shifters and a shift-by-wire gear selector.

The flagship runs 19-inch rims, has LED headlights and tail-lights, a dark chrome grille. a silver skid plate, chrome trim, a power-operated tailgate and a panoramic sunroof.

The cabin sports a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, ambient LED mood lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, memory for the driver's seat, a power-adjustable passenger seat and a Bose premium sound system.

The top grade also delivers a 360-degree camera, a blind-spot view monitor – which, as per the Santa Fe, projects a rear-facing camera feed from the side mirrors into the instrument cluster when changing lanes - an electrochromatic rear-view mirror and low-speed rear autonomous emergency braking.

Australia’s flagship diesel includes remote smart park assist, allowing the vehicle to be moved backwards and forwards into a tight parking space via the key fob, when standing next to the car. Again, a feature shared with Santa Fe.

When the car unveiled internationally last year, Hyundai talked up how a smartphone app could be used to lock and unlock the car from up to 27 metres away.

What more is there to know? Well, conceivably quite a lot.

For instance, the cars so far discussed are five seaters.

Hyundai NZ stated last year it is keen to also take this fourth-generation car in an alternate and new long-wheelbase format – that avails a third seating row – in addition to continuing with a five-chair layout.

The longer version measures 4630mm in length (so up 150mm on the short wheelbase), 1865mm in width (plus 15mm) and 1665mm in height (up 5mm), riding on a 2755mm (plus 85mm) wheelbase.

In addition to the orthodox powertrains, it’s also previously express interest   in the mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid options that are also coming into production, these based around the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and producing a combined 171kW/350Nm. There’s no mention of those in the Australian media share.

Tucson’s new exterior styling is bound to raise plenty of comment. Hyundai says it expresses an evolving Sensuous Sportiness design identity and embodies what its designers call ‘parametric dynamics’ with “kinetic jewel surface details that emphasises Tucson’s distinctly different identity in a crowded segment.” Translation? There are a lot of sharp edges.

It fronts up boldly, too: The grille is filled with LED lights which only reveal themselves when illuminated. The rear will also make an impressive; it has a connected LED light bar sitting across the beltline and joining two clawed LED taillights.

 The interior also seems set to be more plush. Most ‘hard’ controls, such as dials and buttons, are gone. So too the gearstick; with Santa FE-style push buttons instead.

Hybrid confirmed as Qashqai fully revealed

The next generation of Nissan’s core crossover has been uncovered, along with more detail about its electric-assisted e-Power drivetrain.

CONFIRMATION that a potent hybrid powertrain will feature in the next-generation of Nissan’s Qashqai crossover has come with the brand now fully revealing the car.

Nissan New Zealand has still not offered any comment about the new model, which once again is being produced in the United Kingdom.

Whether this market will be in line for the new hybrids – psrticularly the top version of which combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor - remains unknown, though given the national climate for such powertrains is warming, the tech would seem to have a good chance.

As previously reported, also offering is a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol related to that of the current car, but with its own internal improvements to reduce fuel consumption. This unit is now mated to an uprated 12-volt electrical system, known as Advanced Lithium-ion battery System. 

With Nissan’s hybrid the 115kW petrol engine doesn’t ever drive the wheels directly - instead it sends all of its exertions to a power generator, inverter and 140kW (electric motor that's similar to the one found in the likes of the Nissan Leaf fully electric.

It drives through the Xtronic CVT automatic and also comes with the option of four-wheel drive, with five driving modes - Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow and Off-Road.

The e-Pedal system that features on the Leaf also enacts on the five-door crossover, meaning drivers can make use of one pedal driving. Stepping off the throttle can provide up to 0.2G of regenerative deceleration without any need to touch the brake. 

The revised 1.3 turbo comes in two states of tune, 102kW and 116kW. The more powerful avails with a CVT automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive; the other with a manual six-speed.

The styling is familiar, but the shape is more smoothed-off and more creased in places; it also has the same family face premiered by the smaller Juke. There's also, for the first time, the choice of having 20-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, visibility is said to be improved and there's more room for passengers in the rear - with the back doors opening by up to 80 degrees to make ingress and egress as simple as possible - and the boot space has gone up by 50 litres compared to the old model, too. This is accessed by a powered tailgate as standard.

 Up front, there's an updated and significantly sharper infotainment system plus heavily digital interface. Besides the nine-inch touchscreen, which contains the navigation, onboard entertainment and more, there's a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, while a 10.8-inch head-up display is the biggest in this segment.

New HR-V revealed

Hybrid-only powertrains for primary markets.

TECHNICAL details remain unconfirmed, save that it’s a petrol-electric drivetrain promising “exceptional” efficiency, obviously wrapped into a brand new shape.

 More detail is expected to follow in respect to the new-generation Honda HR-V, revealed by the brand today ahead of a global sales roll out that, according to overseas reports, might keep it from New Zealand for some months yet.

Europe is a priority market – yeah, all to do with need to meet that tough and now fully-enforced emissions target – and versions sold there will fitted as standard with a hybrid powertrain, combining a small petrol engine with two electric motors.

Engine size, power and torque outputs, and fuel economy figures have all yet to be announced, as of publishing, but there’ll be no great surprise if it transpires to be a variation of the single-motor hybrid set up version that develops 80kW in the related Jazz hatchback offered in Europe and also set for NZ release soon.

See much new in this third-gen car’s look? Of course you do.

The shape retains a trademark styling cue, those 'hidden' rear door handles but is now far more coupe-like and it takes LED head and tail lights, light strips, a stripe-pattered grille and high-spec models adopt 18-inch rims, whereas entry-level grades have16s.

The dominant feature within a cabin redesigned to maximise the feeling of spaciousness is a new 9.0-inch central infotainment touchscreen with satellite navigation, an inbuilt Wi-Fi hotspot and 'Honda Connect' connected services.

The current car’s versatile folding 'Magic Seats' are retained and it achieves a hands-free power tailgate.

Heated seats, LED interior lighting, a premium sound system, a 'Honda Digital Key' service allowing owners to unlock their car via their smartphone an an air diffusion system that sends a "curtain" of fresh air through new L-shaped vents are other stand-outs worthy of animated discussion at the garden centre.

Artura – the new-age McLaren

Hybrid supercar revealed, NZ pricing indicated

FOUR specifications with New Zealand pricing to start from $375,000, our release timing as yet unadvised … that’s the local flavour for the Artura, the sports car that takes McLaren into the part-electrified drivetrain era.

The ‘High-Performance Hybrid’ two-seater that also delivers a fresh chassis architecture  - it’s the first car to sit on the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) - and a shift from eight-cylinder to biturbo V6 power is obviously a McLaren in look, though those who have seen it identify lots of cues from the brand’s Sports Series cars. 

The roof is made from a single-piece of aluminium, while laser-cut mesh is used for a lot of the apertures on the car (including the tail section) and is found surrounding the 'chimney' that releases surplus engine heat.

Artura’s dihedral doors have an LED signature in them that outlines their shape at night, it runs 19-inch front, 20-inch rear alloy wheels, has a relatively long 2.64 metre wheelbase and there are three launch colours that are called Flux Green, Ember Orange and a moody grey-black called Plateau.

Buyers get single-piece Clubsport seats as standard; those after a plusher chair will want the optional Comfort types. Ahead of the driver, two high-definition screens provide all the driving and entertainment information. 

But so what, right? It’s a supercar, so get onto the oily bits …

The unit replacing the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol has a combined output of 500kW and 720Nm, in isolation the V6 makes 430kW/585Nm. McLaren suggests instant torque of up to 225Nm, ensuring the sharpest-ever throttle response from any of its cars and ferocious acceleration: 0-100kmh in 3.0 seconds, 0-200kmh in 8.3s and 0-300kmh in 21.5s. Top speed is 330kmh. 

The six-cylinder’s packaging is interesting. The cylinders are arranged in a 120-degree vee, with the two turbochargers located inside the banks of pistons, known as a 'hot-inside-V' arrangement, and it's fitted with a short, very stiff crankshaft that allows it to spin to a frenzied 8500rpm. 

Attached to the engine is a new eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission, as well as an electric motor housed in the gearbox, and a five-cell lithium-ion battery pack rated at a modest 7.4kWh.

To that end, the Artura has no mechanical reverse gear - going backwards is handled by the electric motor alone; this trims weight from a car that, in its lightest dry weight form, clocks 1395kg. The DIN weight (driver and 90 percent fuel load) that figure rises to a still trim 1498kg.

McLaren says the Artura can travel around 30km on electric power only, at speeds of up to 120kmh. Its part-electric properties allow the new model to record impressive eco-stats of 129g/km CO2 and in excess of 5.7 litres per 100km), though these figures are as yet unvalidated by the WLTP test.

Proactive Damping Control is a development of the fancy suspension system seen on the 720S and even the Artura's tyres, mounted on 19 inch front and 20 inch rear rims, are high-tech - they're a bespoke set of Pirelli P Zeros with the Italian firm's 'Cyber Car Technology'. This means a chip in the rubber transmits tyre temperatures and pressures on the move. Carbon-ceramic brakes with forged lightweight callipers, these items available in seven different colours, are offered and it has a 72-litre fuel tank.

 The lithium-ion battery pack’s 7.4kWh capacity isn’t massive, but it can be replenished through the onboard 11kW AC charger in 2.5 hours or externally, via a Type 2 electric port. McLaren will offer a six-year battery warranty, a five-year vehicle warranty and a ten-year body warranty.