Enfield’s ideal for explorers EV WITH CORSA into electric motoring easier
OWNERS of Ford’s upcoming Mustang Mach-E electric SUV will receive over-the-air software updates that will improve their cars without having to visit a garage.
Just like Tesla has been doing for years, in fact.
Further news on the Mach-E is that it should have a maximum range of 370 miles and charging from 10 to 80% will take 45 minutes.
I had a ride in a Mach-E in London but, apart from the pony logo on the steering wheel, I couldn’t detect any Mustang-like properties. It felt quick, but then most EVs do.
ROYAL Enfield’s super-cool and affordable Himalayan is now available in a range of new colours that include Rock Red, Gravel Grey and Lake Blue.
These £4,499 bikes are fitted with a characterful
NOW here’s an interesting state of affairs…
The last car that was delivered to me to test before lockdown was a Renault Zoe. As you probably know, it’s fully electric.
And the first to be delivered during this eased lockdown was a Vauxhall Corsa-e, also an electric car.
The limited driving I’ve done over the last two months – mainly going back and forth caring for my 94-year-old mum – has all been done in an EV.
I’m getting pretty used to this electric business. I wouldn’t say I was at the evangelist stage quite yet, but I’m warming to the concept.
Anyway, to the Corsa-e. It is essentially the same car as the Peugeot e-208, although not quite as good looking. Whatever, Vauxhall has been quick out of the box with this car. You can’t buy a fully electric Ford hatchback yet, and the Corsa has few other rivals. There are really only the aforementioned Zoe, the Mini E and Honda E – the latter with a shorter range and greater price. Technically, the Corsa-e is the same as the 208, which means a 100kW motor and a 50kWh battery. Its range in ideal conditions is 209 miles, which is about 25 miles shorter than the Renault’s. Vauxhall will give you a wall-mounted fast charger and fit it for free. This is just as well because charging from a domestic socket takes up to 24 hours. Use a public rapid charger and you will be able to bring your battery up to 80% full in just 30 minutes. Inside the Corsa you’ll see a rather more straightforward interior than in 411cc single-cylinder engine along with a set of tough panniers.
Light and easy to ride, they are the perfect adventure bike if you don’t have £15,000 to spend on a new BMW or Triumph. the Peugeot. There are no nice piano keys to operate often-used items like the radio and satnav map, no wildly futuristic 3D virtual cockpit and no wacky tiny steering wheel.
But never mind, there’s not much wrong with the interior and it’s well put together.
On the plus side, the Vauxhall has proper knobs to control the cabin temperature, unlike the Peugeot in which you have to do it via the touchscreen.
As I’ve said in the past, that’s dangerously distracting.
You have three driving modes: Normal, which allows you 107bhp; Eco, which gives you 81bhp; and Sport, which serves up the full 134bhp.
The car starts in Normal mode and that’s the best one to keep it in, unless you really want to run the battery down quickly and regularly use its 7.6sec 0-60mph ability.
Eco is the mode to use when on a long journey and need to stretch the range. The performance definitely feels flatter and the air-conditioning holds itself back.
The appeal of this electric Corsa to many people will be the fact it feels remarkably similar to the petrol and diesel cars.
You get the same gearshift in the EV as you do in the ICE versions, the interior is exactly the same and the luggage is the same 309 litres as in a regular Corsa, because the only intrusion the batteries make is into the spare wheel well.
At 1,455kg, this version is considerably heavier than its brothers but stiffer springs hide the extra bulk pretty well. That means it’s less good over bumps than the petrol Corsa, but the ride isn’t too firm.
Vauxhall has simplified its range naming system, not quite down to Korean levels (I’m thinking Kia’s fabulously plain 1,2,3) but it looks refreshingly straightforward.
Our test car is an Elite Nav, which costs £30,310 after the Government grant has been deducted. A Renault Zoe will cost you a bit less and has a little more range, although it isn’t as spacious. While the Mini E is sportier but has a much shorter range.
The Corsa-e is the perfect car for those wanting to take the plunge into EV ownership but who want something familiar at the same time.
A NEW 8th generation of the Volkswagen Golf GTI is on the way. It should be in showrooms by the end of the year or the beginning of 2021.
It isn’t a radical departure from the old model and even uses the same 2.0-litre turbo engine.
But it produces slightly more power in the new car – 242bhp, which is the same output as the GTI Performance had.
There will also be a feistier version of the GTI, called the Clubsport rather than Performance.
A six-speed manual gearbox is standard and you will be able to choose a seven-speed dual-clutch auto if you like.
There were rumours the GTI would feature a mild hybrid system but that’s not happened. Expect a starting price of just under £30,000.