Lexus has revealed the all-new NX compact SUV that will launch in the UK later in 2021 – and for the first time, there will be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version in addition to the core hybrid range.

The new NX 450h+ is actually the first-ever Lexus plug-in hybrid, and offers very competitive PHEV figures of at least 39 miles’ EV driving range and CO2 emissions below 40g/km.

This will be very advantageous to UK company car drivers in particular.

The NX 450h+ will sit at the top of the line-up, offering 306hp and 0-62mph in just over 6.0 seconds.

Alongside the PHEV version, the new ‘self-charging hybrid’ NX 350h has 22 percent more power, 10 percent lower emissions and 15 percent better acceleration than before.

Design step-change

The new NX marks a “significant evolution of Lexus design” says the firm: it is more sophisticated, dynamic and mature, with a “more muscular character”.

It’s a bigger car overall – 20mm longer, with a 30mm wheelbase stretch, 20mm wider and 5mm taller. This gives more space to rear passengers in particular.

The car’s wider tracks, wheels of up to 20-inches, short overhangs and long bonnet give it a more powerful appearance – and at the rear, instead of a Lexus logo, the word ‘LEXUS’ is now written across the tailgate.

Big step changes continue inside. The interior is the first to use Lexus new ‘Tazuna’ driver cockpit.

This replace the fiddly and oft-criticised setup of current Lexus, whose mouse-style trackpad infotainment system is awkward to use.

Instead, there is a large central touchscreen up to 14.0 inches in size, which is fully Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ready.

The dashboard has been simplified so now requires minimal eye, head and hand movement to operate, and owners should generally find it all much easier to use.

Needless to say, quality will be impeccable: Takumi craftsmanship brings fine quality materials and “high sensory appeal”.

Lexus says it’s also been inspired by “omotenashi hospitality” principals, so people will “feel as welcome and comfortable as possible”.

Special mention to the e-latch doorhandles, that make it impossible to open a door into oncoming traffic or cyclists, and a power tailgate that operates twice as fast as before.

Lexus has sold 170,000 NX in Europe since its launch in 2014. The new second generation version will launch in the final quarter of 2021.  

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Values of run-of-the-mill classic cars are outperforming some iconic, sought-after classics such as the Jaguar E-Type.

That’s according to classic car insurance provider Hagerty, which tracks the market values for more than 2,000 vehicles. It said ‘unexceptional’ cars that were once the backbone of Britain are proving to be popular investments.

The company sources its data from UK auctions, trade sales and private sales. Comparing values from 2020 to 2021, the top 10 best performers are:

• 1965-1970 Triumph 1300 up 20.4 percent
• 1962-1966 Ford Cortina Mk1 up 19.4 percent
• 1973-1982 Austin Allegro up 13.6 percent
• 1962-1980 Renault 4 up 10.6 percent    
• 1963-1976 Hillman Imp up 10.1 percent
• 1970-1976 Ford Cortina Mk3 up 7.8 percent    
• 1968-1979 Renault 16 up 7.4 percent
• 1948-1960 Peugeot 203 up 5.2 percent
• 1975-1981 British Leyland Princess up 5.1 percent     
• 1987-1994 Alfa Romeo 33 up 4.4 percent

During the same period, values of the Jaguar E-Type Series III increased by 8.2 percent, Hagerty added. 

The company speculated that part of the appeal of the 10 classic cars mentioned above is that, on average, they cost less than £4,000.

“These everyday cars are becoming increasingly rare,” said John Mayhead, head of automotive intelligence for Hagerty. “For decades, the vast majority were unloved workhorses that would eventually be sold for scrap at best. 

“Now, with rarity on their side and nostalgia tugging at the heartstrings, enthusiasts are snapping up the remaining examples, sometimes because of an emotional connection and sometimes perhaps because they feel a duty to preserve them for the enjoyment of future generations.” 

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A Ford Escort given to Princess Diana as an engagement present heads to auction later this month.

Sold by Reeman Dansie, the Ford Escort Ghia was given to the princess in May 1981 by the Prince of Wales, two months before the royal wedding. The car was used by Diana until August 1982.

According to the auction house, the vehicle has ‘disappeared from public view’ for the last 20 years, with the current owner keeping the car’s royal provenance from friends.

The car still carries its original registration and is in ‘incredibly original condition’, having covered 83,000 miles since new. It still retains its original paint and upholstery.

It also comes complete with a silver frog mascot on the bonnet, a copy of a gift from Diana’s sister, Lady Sarah Spencer, to remind her of the ‘fairy tale of a beautiful girl whose kiss turns a frog into a prince’.

The auction of the Ford Escort takes place on 29 June.

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Armed forces charity Mission Motorsport has set a new record for hypermiling an electric vehicle. A team of veterans drove a standard Renault Zoe for 475 miles on a single charge.

That equates to an average of 9.14 miles per kilowatt hour. It easily beats the previous record of 7.9 miles per kilowatt hour, which was set in France in 2018.

The record was set at Thruxton – the UK’s fastest racetrack – although the location is somewhat ironic, given the Zoe averaged 19mph throughout the record attempt in order to conserve range.

‘Smooth and consistent driving’

Mission Motorsport said the Zoe used was a standard roadgoing model, sourced from a dealer group, although it was fitted with tyres designed to extend the range of the vehicle. The EV tyres were sourced from Enso, which is aiming to develop rubber that is ‘sustainable without passing the cost onto the driver or the environment’.

A second Zoe – fitted with standard tyres – was also driven around the track at the same time and covered 424 miles before running out of power.

“Thruxton was the obvious choice for this record attempt, but despite being the UK’s fastest track, the key to hitting 475.4 miles was finding the optimum speed and smooth consistent driving,” said James Cameron, Mission Motorsport CEO.

“Backed by Enso EV tyre technology, we were certain we could break the record, but what we couldn’t have foreseen was the incredible difference in efficiency and distance with the Enso tyres.” 

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York plans to introduce real-time transport modelling data to reduce congestion in the historic city.

The City of York Council said it is using the technology to manage the road network and estimated travel times could be reduced by 10 percent, based on a trial.

The council gave an example that if there was a road traffic collision on the York outer ring road, the new software would be able to predict the impact on the wider road network based on traffic conditions at the time.

This gives the council the ability to react ‘live’ by changing traffic light timings across the city and informing people sooner of possible delays.

Fans of The Italian Job may remember this is how gridlock was created in the film, allowing the thieves to escape with the gold…

Previously, the council monitored the network through CCTV and social media feeds, with network operators and transport engineers manually implementing traffic signal changes to better manage the flow of traffic in busy periods.

‘Proving to be a success’

The real-time prediction model is used to predict traffic conditions ahead of time by combining historical data with live traffic information. It also integrates with 100 live traffic flow sensors, 100 signal controllers and speed data.  

“At this early stage it’s already proving to be a success,” said Dave Atkinson, head of programmes at City of York Council.

“We’re able to predict future traffic levels based on our live traffic behaviour and manage the flow of traffic better in busy periods by adjusting traffic lights to best suit traffic conditions.” 

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The RAC has launched a warranty scheme for second-hand electric and hybrid cars.

It can be applied to any used electric or hybrid car, up to a maximum of eight years old and with up to 80,000 miles on the clock at the time of purchase. Cover is available for a variety of periods up to 24 months, while claims can be made up to a limit of the vehicle purchase price.

The warranty covers components in the electric drivetrain and charge system, with the exception of the batteries. These are generally already covered by long manufacturer warranties, the RAC says.

‘Building consumer confidence’

“Electric cars – from plug-ins through to conventional hybrids – are starting to appear on the used market in greater numbers, something that will gather huge momentum in the coming years,” said RAC director of electric vehicles Sarah Winward-Kotecha.

“This new warranty, which provides the most comprehensive level of warranty cover that the RAC has yet offered on any vehicle, delivers peace of mind to electric car buyers, especially the vast majority who will be moving away from petrol or diesel power for the first time.” 

“Indeed, we’re confident it could play a key part in helping to build widespread consumer confidence in electric cars and hybrids as an attractive and reliable choice right across the used car market. 

“Given the profile of the likely buyer and the age of the vehicles, we are expecting dealers to typically offer six or 12 months of cover using this warranty when a consumer buys a car and then give them the option of an upgrade to the full 24-month maximum.”

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