PAST AND PRESENT
Frankfurt’s production models, many of them electric, recall earlier heroes
Yesterday’s heroes were hailed as cues for the shape of things to come at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show, where the big premieres were Volkswagen’s ID.3 and the Land Rover Defender. Germany’s biennial auto expo wasn’t as big as usual — many brands seem to think regular motor shows aren’t worth the trouble and expense. If the trend continues, the motor show as we know it seems doomed to extinction.
The list of no-shows was long, from affordable to exotic: Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Kia, General Motors, Jeep, Peugeot, Citroen, Volvo, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lexus, Maserati, Bentley, Aston Martin and even Ferrari.
VW ID.3
Here’s the car that aims to make amends for VW’s “Dieselgate” crimes.
The German giant’s emissions test cheating was exposed in 2015, prompting acceleration of its EV plans. To ram home the point that it has changed, the company even redesigned its famous logo.
Seen for the first time, the simplified badge is fixed on the ID.3.
VW referred to the ID.3 as the “third major chapter” in its 82-year history, behind the Beetle and Golf. Deliveries to customers in Europe will begin in the middle of next year.
The ID.3 is the same length as a Golf hatchback, is slightly wider and taller and has a spacious interior. VW will sell it with three battery packs delivering claimed range of between 330km and 550km.
The cheapest variant — with the smallest battery — will cost less than €30,000 (about $48,000) in Germany. The medium battery pack will cost less than €40,000 (about
$65,000). The cheapest local Golf is $24,990.
There’s more distance than usual for a small car between front and rear axles. The battery pack is beneath the cabin’s flat floor. With no centre tunnel and excellent rear legroom, the ID.3 feels much roomier than Golf, while cargo space is similar.
With its motor in the rear, the ID.3’s front wheels can turn tighter than in a front-engine car, making it more manoeuvrable in the city. The ID.3 is capable of fast DC charging. Almost 300km of driving range can be added in about 30 minutes when the VW is plugged into a charger that can deliver 100kW. Rare in Australia, these are becoming increasingly common in Europe.
BMW CONCEPT 4
It’s not pretty — the nose of the Concept 4 provoked an instant storm of negative comment when revealed at Frankfurt — but it is important. This show car marks big changes at BMW. It previews both the replacement for the current 4 Series coupe due late next year and a new EV, the i4, expected in 2021.
It also shows BMW is pushing ahead with its long-term plan for cost-effective production of conventional models and EVs with the same under-the-skin design basics.
HONDA E
Two years ago at Frankfurt, Honda wowed the crowds with the cute-enough-to-cuddle Urban EV Concept. The five-door production version revealed this week lacks the visual charm of the three-door show car but hasn’t lost all the cool touches. Even though it will be priced below €30,000 in Germany, the Honda has rear-view cameras that display images either side of the simple dash’s broad screen display.
The rear-drive EV has a super-tight turning circle and a nippy 0-100km/h time of less than 8.0 seconds. Claimed range is only 220km but
the Honda is capable of fast DC recharging.
Designed with Europe mainly in mind, the e should be sold around the world. It is to be manufactured in right-hand drive in Japan and sold in right-hand drive markets including the UK. Honda Australia has not confirmed plans to sell it here.
HYUNDAI 45 EV CONCEPT
This show car previews the Korean company’s vision for an electric-powered future … by looking backwards. Designed to evoke memories of a Hyundai show car from 45 years ago, the new concept has an underfloor battery pack and flat-floored cabin. “As an icon of Hyundai, the 45 clearly reveals how Hyundai heads towards the future through heritage,” says design centre chief SangYup Lee.
MINI COOPER SE
Mini presented its electric Cooper SE hatch to the public for the first time, confirming that the car will reach Australia mid-next year.
Driving the front wheels with a 135kW electric motor, the battery-powered Mini claims range of 235km-270km and 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds, neither particularly far nor fast.
Mini says it tried to retain its vaunted “go-kart handling” by keeping weight, and therefore battery capacity, to a manageable size. The brand says the vast majority of its owners do not regularly drive more than 200km daily.
RENAULT CAPTUR
The replacement for the small French SUV was revealed at Frankfurt. It’s the first model with Renault’s new plug-in hybrid set-up.
This version, with a four-cylinder petrol engine and a four-speed transmission incorporating an electric motor, has a peppy combined output of 118kW. Renault execs expect the plug-in hybrid’s efficiency to tempt European buyers away from diesel in droves.