Autocar July 03, 2019

THE INDUSTRY CONSENSUS is that an electric car needs to be capable of driving around 300 miles on a single charge to overcome range anxiety. Even if so much of that is unused on a daily basis, people like to know it’s there. That built-in fail-safe tallies with our experience in our Kia e-Niro long-term test car; it’s been the most usable of all EVs because it can go a long way and doesn’t cost the earth. If you’re looking to make the switch to electric power, it is a car of few compromises. Which makes it a surprise to see Honda’s new E electric car (driven, p44) be given a range of just 125 miles. When launched as a concept, its design was lauded. The production version is shaping up to…

“The RS3’s reworked four-wheel-drive system is claimed to provide it with a drift mode function” Audi chairman Bram Schott has granted production approval to the new A3 ahead of its UK introduction in early 2020. However, it will be another year before sporting variants of the new fourth-generation Audi model – including a rapid 417bhp RS3 with a new mild-hybrid drivetrain and revised electro-hydraulic four-wheel-drive system – challenge rivals from Mercedes-AMG and BMW M. The arrival of the new A3 has been delayed by more than a year because of fallout from the diesel emissions scandal and Audi’s decision to prioritise development of its pure-electric E-tron models. However, the new A3 has been heavily reworked in a move that, one senior Audi official has suggested to Autocar, will make it the most advanced…

THE INDUSTRY CONSENSUS is that an electric car needs to be capable of driving around 300 miles on a single charge to overcome range anxiety. Even if so much of that is unused on a daily basis, people like to know it’s there. That built-in fail-safe tallies with our experience in our Kia e-Niro long-term test car; it’s been the most usable of all EVs because it can go a long way and doesn’t cost the earth. If you’re looking to make the switch to electric power, it is a car of few compromises. Which makes it a surprise to see Honda’s new E electric car (driven, p44) be given a range of just 125 miles. When launched as a concept, its design was lauded. The production version is shaping…

AUDI HAS REVEALED the flagship of its A8 range – the new S8 – packing a mild-hybrid 563bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and an innovative new suspension system. Unlike the recently revealed S6 and S7, which now make use of diesel engines, the S8 retains the large-capacity petrol V8 shared with Porsche and Bentley. It puts out 590lb ft of torque, although the firm has yet to release performance details beyond a 155mph limited top speed. Audi’s 48V mild-hybrid system is also brought in, featuring a starter alternator and small lithium ion battery to allow coasting and extended stop-start use, boosting efficiency. Another new system is so-called ‘predictive active suspension’. It adds electromechanical actuators to the adaptive air suspension spension system that can lift or push down each wheel separately, claimed to greatly reduce…

“The RS3’s reworked four-wheel-drive system is claimed to provide it with a drift mode function” Audi chairman Bram Schott has granted production approval to the new A3 ahead of its UK introduction in early 2020. However, it will be another year before sporting variants of the new fourth-generation Audi model – including a rapid 417bhp RS3 with a new mild-hybrid drivetrain and revised electro-hydraulic four-wheel-drive system – challenge rivals from Mercedes-AMG and BMW M. The arrival of the new A3 has been delayed by more than a year because of fallout from the diesel emissions scandal and Audi’s decision to prioritise development of its pure-electric E-tron models. However, the new A3 has been heavily reworked in a move that, one senior Audi official has suggested to Autocar, will make it…

AUDI HAS REVEALED the flagship of its A8 range – the new S8 – packing a mild-hybrid 563bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and an innovative new suspension system. Unlike the recently revealed S6 and S7, which now make use of diesel engines, the S8 retains the large-capacity petrol V8 shared with Porsche and Bentley. It puts out 590lb ft of torque, although the firm has yet to release performance details beyond a 155mph limited top speed. Audi’s 48V mild-hybrid system is also brought in, featuring a starter alternator and small lithium ion battery to allow coasting and extended stop-start use, boosting efficiency. Another new system is so-called ‘predictive active suspension’. It adds electromechanical actuators to the adaptive air suspension spension system that can lift or push down each wheel separately, claimed…