Nother CarGuy

Ford has revealed the new Kuga, the company’s most electrified SUV ever with three electrified options. The range will include the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, the Kuga EcoBlue mild-hybrid diesel and the Kuga Hybrid (self-charging), together with two diesel and two petrol engine options. The all-new Ford Kuga is the company’s first SUV to use the C2 platform, also found in the latest Focus, making it longer, wider and with a more generous wheelbase. Ford claims that the new model is up to 90kg lighter than the outgoing Kuga. The new plug-in hybrid powertrain of the 2019 Ford Kuga partners a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and a 14.4kWh battery pack for a combined 222hp (225PS). As Ford’s first plug-in hybrid model in Europe, the Kuga PHEV is going to offer a pure electric range of over 31 miles (50km) and just 29g/km of CO2 emissions. The self-charging Kuga Hybrid also uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine together with an electric motor and...

Audi is displaying no less than four new plug-in hybrid models at the Geneva Motor Show, namely the Audi A6L 55 TFSIe Quattro, A7 55 TFSIe Quattro, A8L 60 TFSIe Quattro, and the Q5 55 TFSIe Quattro. The quartet are confusingly named, but they do represent some of the most enticing variants of each respective model. Powering the Audi A6L 55 TFSIe Quattro, A7 55 TFSIe Quattro, and Q5 55 TFSIe Quattro are powertrains outputting 363 hp and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. Lesser ’50 TFSIe’ models will also be offered for the A6, A7, and Q5. These models have 295 hp and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of twisting force. All models use a 14.1 kWh battery and have an all-electric range of 24.8 miles (40 km). Perhaps owing to the A8’s larger size and position in the market, it uses a powerful 3.0-liter V6 paired with a synchronous electric motor to offer up 443 hp and 516 lb-ft (699 Nm) of torque. Like the A6, A7, and Q5 models, it can recover energy under braking. There are three driving ...

Audi has unveiled plug-in hybrid versions of the Q5, A6, A7, and A8 prior to next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Starting with the most expensive ride of the bunch, we have the Audi A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro. This model is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 that’s paired with a synchronous electric motor, a 14.1 kWh battery pack and an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. It delivers 443 hp and 516 lb-ft (699 Nm) and can run for 24.8 miles (40 km) on all-electric power. While the A8 enjoys a powertrain with well over 400 hp, the Audi Q5 50 TFSI e ‘comfort’, A6 TFSI 50 e ‘comfort’, and A7 50 TFSI e ‘comfort’ deliver 295 hp and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) in standard guise. If customers want a little more grunt, they can opt for the 55 TFSI e trim level model of either the Q5, A6, and A7, complete with 363 hp and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of twisting force. The trio have the same 24.8-mile electric range as the A8. All four of the new PHEV models from Audi feature the same 14.1 kWh battery and use an ...

Following the reveal of the M340i, BMW has dropped the first official information on the plug-in hybrid member of the range, namely the 330e. The new BMW 330e combines the company’s latest eDrive technology with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine. The petrol engine produces 181hp (184PS/135kW) while the electric motor adds a constant 67hp (68PS / 50kW). The latter however features a peak output of 107hp (109PS / 80kW), which will come handy in a moment. BMW says the combined output of the new 330e’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is rated at 248hp (252PS) and 309lb-ft (420Nm). The highlight of the new electrified powertrain is BMW’s new XtraBoost function, which is enabled via the Sport driving mode. That makes the electric motor contribute up to 40hp (41PS) over its constant peak output, better supporting the petrol engine in dynamic driving conditions. That translates into a combined peak output of 288hp. Other important PHEV-specific figures include an ...

Geely has taken the wraps of the new Icon concept which is meant to showcase the brand’s styling chops as well as their commitment to new energy vehicles. Reportedly based on the same platform that underpins the Volvo XC40, the Icon concept is a compact crossover which features slender head- and taillights which are “inspired by infinity symbols” as they “gradually disappear into the body and make people think of infinite possibilities.” We’re not so sure about that but the crossover also has a ventilated hood, plastic body cladding and aerodynamic wheels. While the windscreen and roof echo the Range Rover Evoque, the Icon features distinctive bodywork and suicide rear doors which open to reveal a stylish cabin. Speaking of the interior, Geely says the model has a “minimalist design” which maximizes interior space. Drivers sit behind a two-spoke steering wheel and an upholstered dashboard which apparently has driving information projected onto it. To the r...

The next Porsche 911 will gain a plug-in hybrid version but since this is Porsche we’re talking about, it will be the new king of the range per the company’s boss. “The 911 plug-in must be a very strong performing car,” said Porsche boss Oliver Blume to Autocar. “It will be the most powerful 911 we’ve ever had; 700hp might be possible.” The electrified version of the next-gen 911 will still use a turbocharged flat-six engine, only now it’ll be complimented by an electric motor with at least 136hp, which is the power made by the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s motor. Porsche is keen to celebrate the existence of the plug-in hybrid powertrain in the new 911, with the engineers to add a special button for added electric punch, Blume added. The plug-in hybrid architecture will be bespoke to the new Porsche 911, mainly because of its unique configuration, but the company will use the experience earned with the hybrid versions of the Panamera and the 918 Spyder. However, don’t expect it t...

Bentley has unveiled the all-new Bentayga Hybrid, following a leak earlier. Billed as the “world’s first luxury hybrid,” the model debuts in Geneva with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 petrol engine, an electric motor and an undisclosed battery pack. The company wasn’t ready to talk specifics but confirmed the model will have an electric-only range in excess of 31 miles (50 km) and CO2 emissions of 75 g/km. While Bentley was coy on details, the automaker said the battery can be replenished in as little as 2.5 hours with a high speed charger. Using a standard household outlet triples the time as it takes around 7.5 hours. Speaking of recharging, Bentley has partnered with designer Philippe Starck to create a bespoke wall charger called the “Power Dock.” Bentley says the charger is a “statement piece” with the “exquisite attention to detail you would expect from both Bentley and Starck.” To help maximize fuel-efficiency, the...

On the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes introduced new C- and E-Class plug-in hybrids. Set to go on sale this summer, the models will be equipped with a four-cylinder diesel engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission and a third-generation hybrid system. Mercedes was coy on specifics but confirmed the models will have a 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor that produces 122 PS (90 kW) and 440 Nm (324 lb-ft) of torque. This will give the models an electric-only range of approximately 50 km (31 miles) and a total torque output of 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). The cars will also be able to hit speeds of up to 140 km/h (87 mph) while being driven by electricity. Speaking of electric power, the plug-in hybrids will be equipped with a new on-board charger which doubles the charging rate from 3.6 kW to 7.2 kW. Thanks to the improved system, the battery can be fully recharged in approximately two hours when used in conjunction with the company’s new Wallbox charger. Howe...

As we expected, Bentley is rolling out its first plug-in hybrid in the form of the Bentayga. And while the automaker has yet to reveal the gasoline-electric crossover, the first details and photos have leaked out ahead of time. Though quickly taken down, the information briefly published by Autocar indicates that the Bentayga PHEV will incorporate the same setup as the Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid. This consists of a 3.0-liter turbo V6 paired with an electric motor for a combined output of about 450 horsepower. It’ll also offer 31 miles of pure electric range, and emit just 75 grams of carbon per kilometer (according to European standards) when running both components of its powertrain. It’s estimated to take 7.5 hours to fully charge, but a quick-charger styled be renowed designer Philippe Starck will reduce that time to just 2.5 hours. The Bentayga Hybrid will also include three E Modes, EV Drive, Hybrid, and Hold, to manage battery usage, while the dedicated infotainm...

It’s no secret that, like all non-premium manufacturers today, Peugeot has had a hard time cracking the sedan segment, as buyers are not just edging, but frantically running towards SUVs and crossovers of all shapes and sizes. Nonetheless, the French brand is giving it another go with a more dynamic interpretation of its mid-size saloon. This time, the 508 has dropped its predecessor’s traditional boot-lid four-door figure for a sleeker and at the same time, more practical, fastback bodystyle. Peugeot describes the 2018 508 as combining “a bold new low coupé design with the enhanced practicality of five doors” and calls it “a five-door fastback coupé-saloon”. It says its closest rival is the Audi A5 Sportback. Whatever you call it, the 508 is now much more stylish and sportier looking mid-size saloon than what we’ve come to expect from Peugeot in recent years. It has a bolder face – even though we’re not sure everyone will appreciate those tear-drop accents, sloping r...