Autocar June 17, 2020

THE ID 3 WAS Volkswagen’s way of moving on from and responding to the Dieselgate scandal, showing that it could leave behind the ‘old’ technology it had so drastically and terminally tarnished the name of and take the lead in the new era of electrification. It would have come anyway, for sure, but the ID project’s size, speed and scale were undoubtedly a by-product of Dieselgate. And it’s that size, speed and scale that have caused the ID 3 to be plagued by problems throughout its development. Much of that could be considered self-inflicted, because VW is known for thinking big: the ID 3 isn’t just an electric hatchback but a whole new architecture designed to underpin multiple models across multiple brands, both from inside its own group stable and further…

Volkswagen bosses are close to signing off plans for a hot, R-badged version of the forthcoming ID 3 electric hatchback – and Autocar sources suggest the performance machine is set to be launched in 2024. The electric hot hatch is the brainchild of the German firm’s R performance division. It’s intended to reinforce the links between the successful ID R record-breaking prototype and Volkswagen’s crucial new ID road car range. Volkswagen development chief Frank Welsch said the ID 3 R is “something we’re looking at”. He added: “I like the idea, but we have to decide if the market is ready to accept such a model.” Welsch said the proposed R model would sit at the top of the ID 3 line-up and could be the only pure performance variant. Volkswagen’s planned electric-specific performance…

THE NEW NISSAN Qashqai has been caught testing in prototype form for the first time ahead of its planned unveiling later this year. The third-generation SUV, due on sale in 2021, will be of vital importance to both Nissan’s European operations and the Sunderland factory in which it’s to be built. The current Qashqai was the fifth-best-selling car in the UK last year, despite its age and growing contingent of rivals. Although the test car is camouflaged, we can see that its design is an evolutionary one, with influence taken from the latest Nissan Juke. The new Qashqai will sit on the same CMF platform as its predecessor, also shared with the Renault Kadjar. It has been reported but not confirmed that no diesel engines will be offered, but instead a range of…

The Seat Ateca has been given a boost through a redesign, new technology, a renewed engine range and a rugged Xperience model. The SUV became one of the firm’s best-sellers when it was launched 2016, so the styling tweaks made are only subtle. They include new front and rear bumpers that have increased the car’s total length by 18mm. There’s also a new front grille and reshaped LED headlights, while full-LED tail-lights are introduced, along with scrolling indicators on FR and Xperience cars. New tailpipes also appear, as does a handwriting-style badge like that of the new Leon. Sporty FR models gain new exterior trim for greater visual differentiation, while Xperience replaces Xcellence. Although not as extensively modified as the old Leon Xperience, the new flagship Ateca gains off-roader-style additions including black plastic lower-body…

JAGUAR HAS REGISTERED to trademark the name Jaguar EV-Type, further fuelling speculation that the brand’s next sports car will be electric. The trademark, which is still pending according to the WIPO global brand database, was first applied for in mid-February. While trademarks are often registered by companies for a variety of reasons and don’t always preview the name of a forthcoming model, Autocar understands the British brand is actively considering an electric sports car. The name EV-Type appears to be a reference to the iconic Jaguar E-Type sports car of the 1960s and 1970s. This, along with the fact that the only Jaguar model still using the ‘Type’ suffix is the F-Type, adds considerable weight to the assumption. It is still believed that Jaguar hasn’t firmly decided on what form the replacement for the…

ALPINA HAS LAUNCHED new versions of its B5 and D5 S performance models to coincide with the debut of the updated BMW 5 Series. The M550i-based petrol B5 now produces 613bhp, up from 600bhp, thanks to better cooling and a reinforced eight-speed automatic gearbox. This translates to a 0-62mph time of 3.4sec for the saloon and 3.6sec for the Touring estate, plus a 205mph top speed (or 200mph for the estate). The diesel D5 S also gets a power boost, up from 322bhp to 342bhp, with torque also rising from 516lb ft to 538lb ft, mainly thanks to the addition of a 48V mild-hybrid system. This shaves its 0-62mph time by 0.2sec to 4.8sec and results in a 171mph top speed. The two models receive the same aesthetic tweaks as the regular 5…