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Honda Ye EV lineup introduced in China – P7, S7 and GT Concept, RWD and AWD, launching end-2024
It’s safe to say that Honda has been left behind in the electric vehicle stakes, but the company is in the midst of staging a comeback. Early this year, it announced a new 0 (Zero) series of EVs for the global market, but for China, the Japanese carmaker is instead developing a new range of electric models called Ye.
Not to be confused with the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, the new Ye (Mandarin for “shine brilliantly”) sub-brand will make its debut at Auto China in Beijing next week, initially consisting of the P7 and S7 SUVs as well as the GT Concept sedan.
Honda Ye P7 (top) and S7 All three cars look to be far more production-ready than the 0 Space Hub and Saloon concepts – not surprising, given that the P7 and S7 are due to go on sale at the end of the year. Both crossovers appear to be almost identical, featuring a wraparound windscreen design, sloping rear windscreen and thick D-pillars that bring to mind the China-only Avancier and UR-V.
The differences lie in the front and rear treatments, in particular the full-width head- and taillights – the P7 has conventional C-shaped items, while the S7 has distinctive X and H graphics at the front and rear respectively. We can safely assume that each model will be built and sold exclusively through Honda’s two local joint venture companies, these being GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda.
Common to both models are features first seen on the Honda e, such as flush pop-out door handles and side-view cameras. They also feature the new Honda branding that debuted on the 0 series, consisting of the borderless old-style H logo at the front and the spaced-out Honda script at the back; the Honda branding also features on the front doors. Unlike previous Honda EVs, the charging ports are located on the front fenders, rather than on the front.
Inside, the P7 and S7 continue the template set by the HR-V-based e:N1, equipped with a large portrait-format touchscreen in the middle and a widescreen digital instrument display in front of the driver. Unlike on the e:N1, the instrument screen is positioned higher up the dashboard near the driver’s line of sight, necessitating the fitment of a flattened steering wheel with the Honda script.
Other features include an AI-based voice control system and an illuminated dash and door cards that will light up based on certain functions. No mechanical details as yet, but it’s been confirmed that the P7 and S7 will be offered in rear- and all-wheel-drive forms.
The GT Concept, meanwhile, previews a new sedan that will go on sale by the end of 2025. This low-slung four door features a far sportier design, with the same X-shaped head- and taillight graphic as the S7, deep fender air vents, a Formula 1-style rear fog light and what appears to be a split rear windscreen – similar to the old CR-Z and Insight.
But it’s on the inside that Honda has truly gone wild, with lots of red trim, an almost yoke-style steering wheel and no less than six screens, including one on the centre console (including what appears to be a touch-based gear selector) and another for the front passenger. Honda says this provides an “immersive space similar to a private theatre.” An R button on the steering wheel, similar to the centre console button on the Civic Type R, suggests there will eventually be a Type R version – interesting to say the least.
Honda says that it plans to introduce six Ye models by 2027, and when combined with the e:NP1 and e:NS1 (the Chinese-market versions of the e:N1), the company will have launched ten EVs in China by then. No idea what the two missing models are, but the company aims to become an EV-only brand in the Middle Kingdom by 2035.
GALLERY: Honda Ye P7
GALLERY: Honda Ye S7
GALLERY: Honda Ye GT Concept
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smart #1 claims third spot in premium EV SUV market in Malaysia among models priced above RM180k
smart Malaysia has announced the smart #1 (sold by Proton New Energy Technology or Pro-Net) ranked third in terms of sales in the fully electric SUV segment, specifically among premium models priced above RM180,000.
The company did not provide actual sales figures in its release, but we did ask and were told that the claim to the third spot is based on the year-to-date sale volume until February this year. What was provided were sales figures relating to the overall electric vehicle (EV) market, which rose from 3,079 units (0.43% market share) in 2022 to 11,624 units (1.45% market share) in 2023.
“Against this backdrop of rapid electrification and shifting consumer preferences, smart has emerged as a frontrunner, capturing the hearts and minds of Malaysian consumers with its commitment to innovation and customer-centricity,” read the release.
“This milestone reflects the growing demand for urban mobility solutions in the region and reaffirms smart’s goal to position itself as a leader in the premium EV segment. He further added, with only one model sold, as opposed to other key players in the industry, we have achieved this great success. This exemplifies the trust our customers have in our product and services, and I would like to express my gratitude to our customers,” commented Zhang Qiang, CEO of smart Malaysia.
This year saw the start of deliveries of the Pro variant of the #1 in March, which is one of three variants offered when the EV went on sale last November – prices range from RM189,000 to RM249,000 OTR without insurance. The other two are the Premium and Brabus, the former being the focus of our review posted earlier this month – there’s also a video covering the good and bad of the #1.
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Tesla Model Y LR RWD introduced with 600 km range
Tesla has introduced a new variant of the Tesla Model Y in Europe called the LR RWD. This combines the larger battery pack from the LR AWD model with only a single rear motor for maximum efficiency.
As a result, it offers the longest range of any Model Y at 600 km WLTP, compared to 533 km for the LR AWD. Making do with only one motor, it hits 100 km/h slightly slower at 5.9 seconds versus the AWD’s 5.0 seconds, but it’s still 1 second faster than the cheapest RWD model’s 6.9 seconds sprint time.
In terms of pricing, the LR RWD slots in between the RWD and the LR AWD at 48,990 Euro in Germany, while the RWD goes for 44,990 Euro and the LR AWD goes for 54,990 Euro.
Tesla quotes a consumption of 14.9 kWh/100 km for the LR RWD model, which they claim is the lowest cost per km in the electric SUV market.
In Malaysia, the Model Y is available as a RWD, LR AWD and Performance. Would you prefer the additional choice of longer range over the AWD’s better performance? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Continental MaxContact MC7 launched in Malaysia
Continental Tyre Malaysia (CTM) has launched the new MaxContact MC7, which joins other products in the brand’s Generation 7 range that includes the SportContact 7, Ultra Contact UC7 as well as the ComfortContact CC7. Available in sizes ranging from 16 to 21 inches, the MaxContact MC7 was designed to provide maximum control, shorter braking distances and reduced noise levels.
“Developed and tested by a team of 25 engineers and material experts through more than 8,000 hours in R&D, we engineered a high-performance sporty tyre that meets the unique needs of the drivers who seek the thrill from their everyday driving,” said Tolga Mutlu, head of product management, Continental Replacement Tyres APAC.
Key features of the MC7 include optimisation of pressure distribution within the tyre to maximise the contact area with the road to create a wider footprint. Along with the Cornering Macroblocks, this redistributes force for a more controlled and stable drive to enable sharper turns at higher speeds and around corners.
Click to enlarge Additionally, the ReFlex Compound creates a higher resistance to tyre deformation, leading to improved steering response and accuracy. The compound that is comprised of polymer blend also enhances the transfer of kinetic energy to heat when braking, leading to shorter braking distances on both dry and wet roads.
The latter is not uncommon in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, so the MC7 is also designed with 3D laser-cut sipes to reduce the risk of aquaplaning by expelling water quickly through the tyre grooves. Meanwhile, the upgraded two-in-one Noise Breaker 3.0 prevents noise from building up and transmitted to the cabin by breaking up sound waves into smaller frequencies.
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Geely Galaxy E5 leaked – global electric SUV, 218 PS, developed for RHD; is this the new Proton EV?
Geely’s burgeoning Galaxy lineup of new energy vehicles (NEV) is gaining a new member in the shape of the Galaxy E5, an electric SUV that will complement the E8 sedan. The crossover was declared on China’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) website, hinting at an impending launch.
As expected, the E5 bears all the Galaxy lineup’s design cues, including the slim headlights, grille-less front end, L-shaped bumper corners, flush pop-out door handles, scalloped sides and full-width taillights. You also get the Galaxy-specific six-segment rectangular front badge, which is different from Geely’s more shield-shaped insignia.
It’s been reported by Autohome that the E5 will be powered by a single 218 PS (160 kW) motor. This is slightly lower than what the rear-wheel-drive E8 makes – 272 PS (200 kW) and 343 Nm of torque, figures that are identical to the smart #1 Pro and Premium.
While battery details have yet to be revealed, it’s likely the E5 will utilise the base E8’s 62 kWh battery, which in the four-door provides a range of 550 km on China’s lenient CLTC cycle. It’s also unclear if the E5 will adopt the E8’s 800-volt electrical architecture, which enables between 150 and 360 kW of DC fast charging power.
Interestingly, the E5 will reportedly be the first global Galaxy model and has allegedly been developed for right-hand-drive markets from the get-go. Obviously, this raises the possibility of it coming to Malaysia as a Proton, especially given that the only Geely models that have been converted to RHD have been sold as Protons (X70, X50, X90 and S70).
The suggestion that the RHD model is being been created concurrently with the LHD version certainly tracks with Proton CEO Roslan Abdullah’s claim that the national carmaker’s first EV will be co-developed with Geely – and not simply a rebadge of an existing model. The E5’s impending Chinese launch also fits the 2025 timeline that Proton has confirmed for its new electric car.
Click to enlarge However, if the E5 does end up being Proton’s first EV, it’s unlikely it will be priced under the RM100,000 threshold promised by the government. That’s because it’s quite a bit bigger than even the not-exactly-small X70 – the same Autohome report notes that the E5 measures 4,615 mm long, 1,901 mm wide and 1,670 mm tall, with a 2,750 mm wheelbase.
Against the X70, this new model is 96 mm longer and 70 mm wider, and has an 80 mm longer wheelbase, putting it closer to the ballpark of the latest sixth-generation Honda CR-V. Additionally, the E5 will almost certainly offer greater sophistication and a higher level of technology and standard equipment, especially if the Boyue L-based Galaxy L7 plug-in hybrid – the closest parallel to the E5 – is anything to go by (triple screens, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, dual Qi wireless chargers, etc).
However, there is still hope – Autohome said that the E5 is expected to be priced between 150,000 (RM99,300) and 200,000 yuan (RM132,500). With the government’s ongoing tax exemption, it is possible that the base model might be able to sneak under the magic RM100,000 mark.
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KTM Komuter Tg Malim – KL Sentral route to operate with 15 minutes frequency from next Mon, April 22
This is huge and much-awaited news for those who live north of the Klang Valley. KTM has announced that the Komuter Tanjung Malim – KL Sentral route will operate with a frequency of 15 minutes on workday peak hours. It starts next Monday, April 22.
Those within the Klang Valley might not understand as they benefit from the LRT and MRT, but this announcement is a big upgrade that makes the KTM Komuter a viable way to commute to KL and back for those living in Kuang, Rawang, Serendah and further north.
According to the rail operator, one can expect time savings of between 15 to 50 minutes with this improvement. If it’s been awhile since you’ve been on the KTM Komuter, this line takes you direct to KL Sentral and passes by Sungai Buloh, Kepong, Segambut, Putra (PWTC), Bank Negara and the old KL train station. You can switch to the MRT at Sg Buloh and Kepong Sentral stations.
By the way, KTM Komuter has adopted the open payment system, which means that you can wave your Visa/Mastercard debit or credit cards to pay, aside from the usual Touch n Go.
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Tesla lays off more than 10% of its global workforce
According to a report by Reuters, Tesla will lay off more than 10% of its global workforce due to declining sales and an intensifying price war for electric vehicles (EVs). The New York Times reports the job cuts will affect about 14,000 people, with two senior executives – Drew Baglino and Rohan Patel – already confirmed to have left the company.
News of the layoffs surfaced after a company-wide email was leaked and reported by Electrek, in which Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, “over the years, we have grown rapidly with multiple factories scaling around the globe. With this rapid growth there has been duplication of roles and job functions in certain areas. As we prepare the company for our next phase of growth, it is extremely important to look at every aspect of the company for cost reductions and increasing productivity.”
“As part of this effort, we have done a thorough review of the organisation and made the difficult decision to reduce our headcount by more than 10% globally. There is nothing I hate more, but it must be done. This will enable us to be lean, innovative and hungry for the next growth phase cycle,” he added.
In Q1 2024, Tesla missed delivery estimates and reported a rare year-on-year (YoY) drop in sales by 8.5% (compared to Q1 2023) with 386,810 units. This represents the company’s first YoY decline in deliveries since 2020 when its operations were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Tesla does not provide a breakdown of deliveries by region, it is assumed that the decline largely occurred in China, where Chinese EV makers are gaining ground and pushing to expand its export market. Tesla has also reportedly cancelled plans for a low-cost EV which was expected to start at about USD25,000 (about RM120k) due to fierce competition from Chinese automakers that can offer EVs at even lower prices.
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140 years of Piaggio with Vespa special edition scooter
To celebrate 140 years of Italian scooter maker Piaggio, a special edition Vespa 140th of Piaggio will go on sale. Coming in a limited edition of only 140 units, the Vespa 140th of Piaggio can only be purchased at the Vespa Village, during the Vespa World Days 2024, 18 to 24 April, in Pontedera, Italy, or online at Vespa.com.
Designed by the Piaggio Style Centre, the Vespa 140th of Piaggio comes in blue and light blue on a white chassis, signifying Piaggio’s corporate colours. The colour scheme is combined with classic graphics and the new Vespa monogram, as well as the 140-years logo.
Adding to the Vespa 140th of Piaggio is the single seat, with double tone-on-tone stitching. The rear saddle cover comes as standard equipment, and the model specific wheels are finished in blue with light blue inserts, along with a numbered celebratory plate located on the rear shield.
Based on the Vespa 300 Gtv, the Vespa 140th of Piaggio is powered by a single-cylinder, four-valve, liquid cooled 300 cc Vespa HPE mill, producing 23.8 HP. The LED headlight is located low on the front mudguard, a nod to Vespa’s racing history with the instrument panel is a round LCD gauge.
Keyless start is standard, as is traction control and ABS while the Vespa MIA Bluetooth connectivity system is available as an accessory. A range of official accessories, including a top quality large rear leather bag with the Vespa logo embossed, front and rear luggage carriers, a large windscreen and crash bars is available.
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Smartlane activated on PLUS Tapah to Gopeng today
The Malaysian Highway Authority’s (LLM) traffic management centre has announced the activation of a Smartlane on the PLUS North South Highway between Tapah and Gopeng, northbound to Ipoh.
Specifically, the stretch is from KM 303.2 to KM 297.0, starting from Gua Tempurung. The active period for this Smartlane is today (April 16) from 9am till 7pm.
For those who are not aware of the Smartlane initiative, it allows the use of the emergency lane at a specific stretch, to widen traffic flow and ease congestion. At the end of the designated Smartlane stretch, vehicles on the emergency lane must flow back into the normal lanes. Drive safe.
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2024 GWM Ora 07 in Malaysia: full gallery of EV sedan, Long Range variant, 640 km NEDC range, RM171k
Two weeks on from the launch of the GWM Ora 07 in Malaysia, we’ve gotten our hands on the new flagship electric sedan. As per the launch, the car you see here is in Long Range trim, with the range-topping Performance variant coming later on.
Pricing for the Ora 07 starts at RM170,500 on-the-road without insurance for the Long Range model, rising up to RM190,500 for the Performance. This means the GWM undercuts its rivals, the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3, by around RM10,000 and RM20,000 respectively.
That’s just as well, because in terms of specs the Ora 07 falls short of its competitors. The Long Range is powered by a single front motor producing 204 PS (150 kW) and 340 Nm of torque. That’s quite a bit down on the Seal Premium RWD’s 313 PS (230 kW), and as a result, its zero-to-100 km/h sprint time of 7.9 seconds is way down on the Seal’s 5.9 seconds and the Model 3 RWD’s 6.1 seconds. Top speed is 170 km/h.
On the flip side, the 83.5 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery does provide a healthy 640 km of range, but there’s a catch – it’s on the more lenient NEDC cycle. Given that the general perception is that the WLTP cycle usually docks off around 20% of range, that works out to a more realistic figure of around 510 km, which is still pretty decent.
Stepping up to the Performance nets you a second rear motor, doubling outputs to 408 PS (300 kW) and 680 Nm and roughly halving the century sprint to 4.3 seconds; top speed has also been raised to 180 km/h. This comes at the cost of range, which drops to 483 km, this time on the WLTP cycle. Why the latter? In Europe, a region that mandates the use of WLTP, the all-wheel-drive powertrain will come as standard.
Both models support just 88 kW of DC fast charging, taking 32 minutes to top up the battery from 30 to 80%. On the flip side, the Ora 07 can accept up to 11 kW of AC charging, although the quoted charging time is still a lengthy 15 hours. There’s also a 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load function, three regenerative braking settings and five drive modes – Normal, Well-Being (dulls the throttle response to ostensibly make it easier to drive), Eco, Sport and Individual.
The Ora 07 measures 4,871 mm long, 1,862 mm wide, 1,500 mm tall, making it quite a bit bigger than its competition. Against the Model 3, the GWM is 151 mm longer, 12 mm wider and 60 mm taller, while its 2,870 mm wheelbase is just five millimetres shorter.
The extra length imbues the Ora 07 with greater road presence, helped by the car’s organic Porsche-aping fastback design. The Zuffenhausen inspiration is very much visible in the round LED headlights, which feature a very intricate design – the projectors have a transparent shroud that mimics cut crystal glasses.
The sloping roofline and active rear spoiler, on the other hand, are reminiscent of the Panamera, while the scalloped sides hints at the oft-forgotten Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Flush pop-out door handles, an active grille shutter and the aforementioned spoiler help deliver a low drag coefficient of 0.22.
Adding to the premium feel are the frameless windows – something the Seal doesn’t get. This Long Range model rides on 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels shod with Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV tyres that look a little lost under the large body. You’ll have to spring for the Performance to get 19s, coming with a striking oval design and Michelin Pilot Sport EV rubber. Red brake callipers are also exclusive to the Performance.
The supercar connotations continue on the inside, where the Ora 07 sports a slim centre console, chunky bucket seats and a hooded instrument binnacle where a 10.25-inch display resides. The car also comes with a panoramic glass roof as standard, with the rear windscreen and roof being made from a single uninterrupted piece of glass, just like in the Model 3.
In the middle sits a 12.3-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, along with a (much-welcomed) set of physical controls – including three vertically-arranged knobs for adjusting the air conditioning and the drive modes.
There’s just one cupholder, however, sitting ahead of the armrest; at a push of a button, it can be made to sit flush with the rest of the cabin when not in use. Behind it is a vertical Qi wireless charging slot, which saves space and also eliminates any issues with alignment that normally arise when using a regular charging pad.
The car also features a Super I Space function that engages the air conditioning and the seat ventilation and massagers to help occupants relax, similar to Mercedes-Benz’s Energising feature. Two modes are available, these being Sweet Mode and Cave Time, the latter displaying a fireplace animation on the centre touchscreen.
Other standard features include keyless entry and start, a head-up display, power-adjustable front seats with ventilation and massage functions, ambient lighting (replete with a rhythm mode that follows the music you’re playing), an 11-speaker Infinity sound system, a 360-degree camera system and a hands-free powered boot lid.
Safety-wise, the Ora 07 comes fully equipped with driver assists that include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, an Intelligent Evade system that gives more space in the lane for large vehicles such as lorries, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert with auto brake, traffic sign recognition, park assist and auto high beam.
The Ora 07 is available in either grey, white or the purple you see here, with a faux leather interior in black for the Long Range model and brown for the Performance. However, for an extra RM2,500, buyers of the Long Range variant will be able to upgrade to the brown interior.
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EPMB signs 10-year contract to assemble BAIC cars in Melaka – BJ40 Plus and X55II SUVs to debut in 2025
BAIC X55II EP Manufacturing (EPMB) has announced it has signed a 10-year vehicle assembly agreement with BAIC International Development, which is a subsidiary of BAIC Motor. Under the terms of the agreement, EPMB via its subsidiary, PEPS-JV Melaka (PJVM), will assemble and produce (CKD) BAIC vehicles in Malaysia.
The initial models slated for production include the BJ40 Plus and X55II SUVs, both of which are scheduled to debut in 2025 and will be produced at EPMB’s upcoming automotive plant in Melaka that will have a production capacity of 30,000 units annually.
In an official release, EPMB said it will serve as a vehicle assembler, with BAIC providing relevant technical support and training as well as guidance and supervision on the assembly and manufacturing process. The Chinese automaker will also be responsible for the sales and marketing of vehicles in the ASEAN region.
BAIC BJ40 Plus “I’m happy to note the positive momentum our company is gaining. EPMB is navigating a new agenda with new horizons. The strategic collaborations with OEMs from China signifies our commitment to chart a course towards better profitability for our stakeholders,” said Hamidon bin Abdullah, executive chairman at EPMB.
EPMB’s inked agreement to assemble BAIC vehicles comes just a few months after it signed an eight-year contract to assemble Great Wall Motor (GWM) vehicles (initially the Haval H6 and Haval Jolion) in Malaysia. The Melaka plant will handle production of both BAIC and GWM vehicles.
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Alfa Romeo Junior – Milano crossover renamed after dispute with Italian govt over where it is produced
After being chided by the Italian government over the name of its newly revealed crossover, Alfa Romeo has announced it will change the name of the Milano to the Junior. Why Junior? Well, there’s an explanation for that.
According to the carmaker, the name references the GT 1300 Junior which was unveiled in Balocco on September 26, 1966. This came following the success of the Giulia and served to attract new, younger customers without the burden of excessive purchase and running costs, which is fitting for the Mil-sorry, Junior, that is meant to be most affordable car in the company’s line-up. Over 92,000 units of the GT 1300 Junior were sold and it became the overall best seller in Alfa Romeo’s line-up.
“Despite Alfa Romeo believing that the name meets all legal requirements, and that there are issues much more important than the name of a new car, Alfa Romeo has decided to change it from Milano to Junior in the spirit of promoting mutual understanding,” the company said in a rather snarky official release – it is titled ‘Alfa Romeo: Milano name is not okay? Junior then!’
“The name Milano, a public favourite, was chosen to pay tribute to the city where our history began in 1910. This was not the first time that Alfa Romeo has asked for the public’s opinion when choosing the name of a car. It was previously done in 1966 with the Spider 1600 when the name chosen by the public was Duetto,” it continued.
“The Alfa Romeo team would like to thank the public for the positive feedback, the Italian dealer network for their support, journalists for the enormous media attention given to the new car and the Italian government for the free publicity brought on by this debate. With a unique story and an endless list of names to choose from, the name change was not an issue. It was a pleasure to go over the list of names selected as favourites from the public’s suggestions, one of which was Junior,” it ended.
Revealed just last week, the Junior (formerly Milano) is built on the Common Modular Platform (CMP) and can be had with electric or hybrid powertrains, the former making it the first electric vehicle offered by Alfa Romeo.
Italian officials weren’t pleased with the crossover’s original name because it would not be built in Italy. Instead, it is produced in Poland at Stellantis’ Tychy plant alongside the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600 which use the same Common Modular Platform (CMP), a decision that helps reduce the model’s retail price.
“A car called Milano cannot be produced in Poland. This is forbidden by Italian law. This law stipulates that you cannot give indications that mislead consumers. So, a car called Milano must be produced in Italy. Otherwise, it gives a misleading indication which is not allowed under Italian law,” said Italy industry minister Adolfo Urso said previously, referring to a law introduced in 2003 that stated it is illegal to present a foreign-made product as coming from Italy.
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JPJ eBid: PRG and SMN number plates up for bidding
JPJ has announced that PRG and SMN are the next number plate series to go up for bidding on its online auction platform, JPJ eBid.
Penang’s latest running number series is ‘PRG’, and will open for tender on April 23. The bidding period on JPJeBid is five days, ending 10pm on April 27. As usual, the results will be out the following day. The whole process is online now, as it has been for some time, and bidders will get the good (or bad) news via email.
Also available on JPJ eBid is the Sabah series ‘SMN’. The bidding period starts on April 18 and will close at 10pm on April 22. Results will be out the day after the auction closes.
New car coming soon and want a nice number plate for the new ride? Why not DIY and skip the reseller’s markup and runner fees? If you have never bid for a number yourself, check out our step-by-step guide on how to navigate JPJ eBid and the techniques needed to get your preferred number at “retail price”.
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Kia Tasman teased – new Toyota Hilux-rivalling pick-up truck confirmed for Australia; ASEAN too?
From out of left field, Kia has announced it will be launching a new pick-up truck sometime next year. It’s called the Tasman, named after the island of Tasmania in Australia, and is said to “redefine the concept of a lifestyle pick-up.”
This statement, along with the brand calling it a “C-segment pick-up truck”, initially suggests that this will merely be a rebadge of the passenger car-based Hyundai Santa Cruz. However, it’s been reported that Kia is instead going it alone and building a proper body-on-frame one-tonne truck, similar to the all-conquering Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton. These reports were backed up by spyshots of a far more boxy, high-riding prototype compared to the more road-biased Hyundai.
All this tracks with the confirmation that, unlike the North America-only Santa Cruz, the Tasman will be sold in global markets like Australia, Africa and the Middle East – regions that overwhelmingly prefer ladder-frame trucks over their monocoque brethren. This, of course, raises the possibility that the truck will be offered in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand (and yes, Malaysia too) where one-tonne trucks reign supreme.
No technical details have been released, but Kia already has the building blocks for a decent pick-up, not least the 2.2 litre R four-cylinder turbodiesel long used in models like the Sorento and Carnival. In its latest form, it produces 202 PS and 440 Nm of torque, which is competitive – if not class-leading – with other models in the one-tonne truck segment. A lower 177 PS/431 Nm tune also exists, powering the Hyundai Staria. The mill is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
Kia also has access to a plug-in hybrid powertrain to meet rising demand for electrified pick-up trucks. This pairs a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol four-pot with a 90 hp electric motor, which in the Sorento develops a total output of 264 PS and delivers an all-electric range of 51 km thanks to a 13.8 kWh battery. Such a powertrain will help the Tasman compete with the Ranger PHEV.
Past spyshots and videos have shown a large double-bed pick-up that bears all the hallmarks of traditional one-tonne models, including an upright design with lots of angular lines and chiselled surfaces. Added to that are the latest Kia design cues, such as a wide “tiger nose” grille and vertical headlights, similar to the facelifted Sorento and Carnival.
There are also some distinctive touches, like thick black body cladding that only covers the upper part of the fenders. Elsewhere, you’ll find a solid rear axle and leaf springs at the back, while a toggle for selecting two-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and low-range all-wheel drive is located on the centre console. This hints at how seriously the Korean carmaker is taking building a rugged truck for harsh environments.
Kia’s new one-tonne truck was first announced back in 2021 as a “strategic” vehicle for emerging markets. This is one of two pick-ups being developed, the other being a pure electric model that will likely take on full-size US rivals like the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, Chevrolet Silverado EV and Tesla Cybertruck.
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PHEVs consume 3.5x more fuel than WLTP claims, EU finds – Ferrari PHEVs use much more fuel than ICE!
Carmakers often contend that plug-in hybrids are their stepping stone towards full electrification, offering the silent, zero-emission running of an electric vehicle with the convenience and hassle-free nature of a petrol- or diesel-powered car. This has contributed to a growing number of PHEV sales in Europe, where tightening emissions regulations are forcing companies to build more and more of these vehicles as a stopgap.
Of course, we’ve known that the eco credentials of PHEVs aren’t quite the slam dunk that carmakers have led us to believe, given that the driving habits of actual buyers differ greatly from the, shall we say, optimistic nature of laboratory-based driving cycles like WLTP. But a new study conducted by the European Environment Agency (EEA) has laid bare just how big a gap there is between the fuel consumption figure that is claimed and what owners are actually getting.
Crucially, the EEA obtained the data through the onboard fuel consumption monitoring devices installed in vehicles sold in the EU – a requirement as part of WLTP certification – that were supplied by the carmakers. While this provides a certain level of scope for manufacturers to manipulate the data, it does mean that the data represents real-world usage from actual customers, rather than just another test conducted by boffins.
In all, the EEA received data from 988,231 vehicles (including 916,216 cars and 12,301 vans) out of the 9,821,479 registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway in 2021 – the first year the aforementioned measuring devices were made mandatory. The agency said the study aimed to measure the discrepancy between WLTP and real-world fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, as well as suggesting ways to tweak the WLTP cycle to be more realistic.
Click to enlarge What the EEA found was that vehicles powered by internal combustion engines registered fuel consumption of 7.44 litres per 100 km, versus their claimed WLTP average of 6.13 l/100 km. This indicated that the drivers used around 1 to 1.5 l/100 km more than official estimates. A similar gap existed between real-world (180.3 grams per kilometre) and WLTP (148.8 g/km) CO2 emissions, a difference of 21.2%.
This gap widened to a chasm when it came to PHEVs, which registered a whopping 3.5 times (252%) greater fuel consumption (5.94 l/100 km) and CO2 emissions (139.5 g/km) in the real world compared to their claimed WLTP averages (1.69 l/100 km and 39.5 g/km respectively). The EEA said the result showed that plug-in hybrids were being charged and driven in electric mode much less than expected, and that the assumptions used for calculating the WLTP test do not represent real-world conditions.
The good news is that for all the fear-mongering about PHEVs being more polluting than even pure ICE vehicles, the study showed that plug-in hybrids still provided a net benefit. On average, they did manage to consume less fuel and release fewer emissions compared to their petrol- and diesel-powered counterparts – even if the reduction is only by an average of 23%.
Some PHEVs did better than others. For example, Kia plug-in hybrids built in Slovakia (that is, the Sportage and Ceed) consumed an average of just 3.87 l/100 km and produced just 88.13 g/km of CO2. That’s still a big jump from the WLTP estimates of 1.48 l/100 km and 33.72 g/km respectively, but it’s impressive nevertheless and proves that these cars either were more efficient or their owners were more diligent in plugging them in to charge. It’s a relatively small sample, however – just 82 cars were registered here.
On the flip side, luxury and performance PHEVs were the worst offenders on the list, reflecting badly on both their cars’ relative inefficiency, shorter all-electric range figures and their owners lackadaisical charging attitudes. Porsche’s PHEVs had an average fuel consumption of 10.79 l/100 km versus their WLTP estimate of 3.03 l/100 km, while the sole Bentley PHEV listed in the study used an average of 12.97 l/100 km versus its WLTP estimate of 3.6 l/100 km.
The worst of the worst, however, was Ferrari. Its 296 GTB and SF90 Stradale/Spider used a terrifying 20.06 l/100 km of fuel on average versus their average claimed WLTP figure of 6.88 l/100 km. That’s not exactly surprising, given that their electric motors are mainly used for increasing performance rather than for reducing fuel consumption. What’s more surprising is that they used much more fuel than even Maranello’s notoriously gas-guzzling pure petrol models, which only consumed an average of 16.28 l/100 km. Ouch.
Ferrari PHEVs like this SF90 Stradale used more fuel than their ICE counterparts These figures are in line with the EEA’s findings, which were that heavier ICE vehicles like SUVs and luxury cars produced 1.5 to 2.5 times more carbon dioxide emissions than claimed, compared to a gap of 20 to 40 g/km for lighter vehicles. This adds to their already higher WLTP CO2 emissions figures and, given the wider industry trend towards larger, heavier vehicles, offsets the gains being made in terms of efficiency.
For its part, the EEA said that it’s too early to identify trends in fuel consumption and emission discrepancies, given that the vehicles registered have only been on the road for one year. However, the gap for PHEVs is huge, and the EU is already changing the way these figures are being calculated for plug-in hybrids. These changes will be applied in two steps, from 2025 and 2027 onwards.
So remember guys – just because you bought a plug-in hybrid doesn’t mean you will automatically save fuel. The savings in fuel bills and reduction in emissions rely heavily on how often you plug your car in to charge, and if you don’t, you may even use more fuel and pollute more than if you had just bought an ICE car to begin with.
