Nother CarGuy

If a fully-electric premium SUV like the Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron or Mercedes EQC is outside your price range, then you might just be in luck because China’s Aiways has been pitching its U5 SUV as a more affordable alternative to such cars. After bringing the U5 to Beijing in concept form, the Chinese startup now has a production-ready version, which aims to become one of the safest and most advanced models in Europe’s mid-size SUV segment. While we leave it up to you to judge the U5 with regards to styling, the SUV does come with a lot of modern exterior elements, such as the full-LED headlights, a sharp beltline design, hidden door handles, dual-channel rear spoiler and a continuous light strip at the rear. It measures 4,680 mm (184.2 inches) in length, 1,880 mm (74.0 inches) in width, stands 1,680 mm (66.1 inches) tall and has a wheelbase that spans 2,800 mm (110.2 inches). To put it plainly, it’s considerably smaller than a Model X or even the e-tron SUV, but is more ...

Toyota chose the New York Auto Show as the venue to unveil the new RAV4. But the United States won’t be the only market, of course, where the new crossover will be offered. Following its arrival in North American showrooms later this year, the fifth-generation RAV4 is set for introduction in the European market at the beginning of next year. (In the first quarter, according to the manufacturer.) Full pricing and availability information are still to follow, but the parameters are essentially the same. Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the new RAV4 pushes its wheels to the extremities to offer more space inside without significantly enlarging its footprint on the road. That ought to keep the vehicle maneuverable on city streets. The slightly enlarged model is wrapped in entirely new sheetmetal with a more robust design. XSE, Limited, and Adventure models will be offered, though we don’t know if all versions will be available in Europe. As wit...

Well, after months of eager anticipation, the 2018 Nissan Leaf has arrived, complete with an all-new design and powertrain that promise to take it to unexplored heights. Set to premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the all-new Leaf will go on sale in early October in Japan before arriving in the U.S., Canada and Europe in early 2018. U.S. prices start at $29,990 before incentives. Powering the EV is a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery pack mated to an electric motor delivering 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. In the U.S., Nissan says the EPA-estimated range sits at 150 miles while under the more generous European testing regime, it has a publicized cruising range of 235 miles (378 km). In both markets, it takes 16 hours to charge the battery via a 3kW plug, 8 hours from a 6kW plug and supports a quick charging function that tops up a depleted battery to 80 per cent in 40 minutes. As outlined throughout the lead up to the launch, the new Leaf adopts a number of advanced techno...

Less than two weeks ahead of its world premiere in Paris on September 29, Honda has unveiled the  European version of the new Civic Hatchback . The only visible differences between the European and  North American specification model  that was introduced first in August are (predictably) the amber-colored side markers, and if our eyes aren’t playing tricks on us, the positioning of the Sport version’s twin exhaust pipes on the right for the N.A. model and the center of the rear bumper on the EU car.  In Europe, the new Civic hatch will launch with two turbocharged petrol engines, a 1.0-liter three-cylinder mill rated for 127hp, and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder delivering 180hp, both driving the front wheels via a standard six-speed manual or an optional CVT automatic. A revised version of the outgoing model’s 118hp 1.6-liter turbo diesel will be added to the range in the second half of 2017.  The  North American version  will be released with a 1.5-lit...

NextEV is planning to release a new McLaren P1-rivaling hypercar by the end of next year. The Chinese-backed NextEV company is headed by former president of Ford of Europe Martin Leach and also runs a Formula E team. They won the Formula E drivers’ championship with Nelson Piquet Jr. in 2014-2015. The NextEV supercar is reported to have performance to rival the likes of the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari. It will also likely rival both cars in terms of price as well. The car has reportedly been under development for the past two years in Munich. “The first car is designed to attract attention and to show what we can do from a technology standpoint,” Leach said. “But we will ultimately offer a wider range of models.” The NextEV hypercar will be launched in Europe by the end of next year. We will keep you updated as we hear more.

The  most popular vehicle  in Toyota's lineup has received some upgrades for the 2017 MY  three years  after its launch. The 11th generation of the Corolla is offered in approximately  150 countries worldwide  and accounts for 20 percent of Toyota's global sales. The model that's sold in European markets adopts a new design language, highlighted by the new front fascia with different LED headlights flanking the small upper grille and revised bumper incorporating a large lower grille. The door handles now have a new chrome finish, while at the rear there are fresh LED taillights and chrome trim. It's also  available with  16- and 17-inch alloys and a choice of 9 body colors, three of which (Platinum Bronze, Tokyo Red and Earth Bronzeare) are new. It looks like the  refreshed Corolla  doesn't have any changes under the skin. However, as with all new Toyotas, the Safety Sense system, with Lane Departure Alert, Pre-Collision System, Road ...

Kia’s answer to the Toyota Prius is heading to Geneva after its official reveal at the  Chicago Auto Show .  The all-new Kia Niro is the  firm’s first dedicated hybrid model  and surprisingly comes wrapped in a crossover costume rather than the usual streamlined hatchback shape we are used to from this sort of vehicles. Based on the same platform with the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq, the new Kia Niro is powered by a combination of a 103hp 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 43hp electric motor. Rather than opting for a CVT transmission, Kia installed a six-speed double-clutch gearbox in order to make the Niro a more engaging drive.  The 1.56kWh lithium-ion battery pack weighs just 33kg and offers up to 50 per cent higher energy density and 13 per cent greater energy efficiency than the battery packs found in key rivals, claims Kia. Despite the SUV shape, the Kia Niro proves to be slippery enough as the drag coefficient is just 0.29 Cd. The key economy figures are not f...