Customers have been testing the Mercedes-Benz eActros electric truck for over a year, so it’s almost ready for active service. It’s due to go into production in 2021.
Just in time, given Bristol city plans to charge diesel trucks £100 per day for entry in 2021, with many other cities likely to follow suit.
eActros ‘innovation fleet’
Mercedes calls its range of electric trucks the ‘innovation fleet’. The mileage count built up by customer testers is now into five figures. The results and commentary from businesses and testers are being taken on board by the marque, as it prepares the truck for production.
Ten companies across Germany put the trucks to use, including Hermes. They were used for a variety of haulage tasks. Mercedes says that “heavy-duty short-radius distribution is already possible with local zero emissions and quiet operation”.
Mercedes has found that, regardless of payload or route, the eActros is good for a realistic electric range of around 120 miles. Not exactly up to Tesla’s claims for its semi, but a start nonetheless.
The potential for driving style to recover more miles is there, too, with the effective use of the recuperation system. The truck and all associated systems, such as climate control, reportedly performed flawlessly in all temperatures.
The batteries have a 240kWh capacity, which can be charged in two hours using a 150kW charger.
Modified Mercedes is a tough truck with SUV attitude
“We’re on absolutely the right track with the concept behind the Mercedes-Benz eActros,” said Andreas von Wallfeld, head of marketing, sales and services at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
“For me, this is the key finding after more than a year of extremely intensive real-world trials with our battery-electric heavy-duty short-radius distribution truck.”
Skoda’s new ‘Laura’ digital assistant has mastered six languages, is comfortable with natural voice and doesn’t mind being interrupted. OK, Laura, I have one request: please make sure the new Skoda Octavia is up to scratch.
The design sketches look positive, although talk of a ‘coupe-like roofline’ could rob the Octavia of its enviable USP: practicality.
Whether in hatchback or estate form, thanks to its cavernous boot, the Skoda Octavia has always delivered. Why buy a Golf when you can buy a Golf-based hatchback with a 590-litre boot? That’s more than the BMW 3 Series Touring, Audi A4 Avant or Volvo V60.
Opt for the Octavia estate and you have access to 610 litres with the rear seats up and 1,740 litres with them folded away.
All creatures great and small
Little wonder the wagon has become de rigueur for those who put common sense above fashion. Paramedics, rural vets, the St John Ambulance, police forces and fire and rescue services are just some of the groups and organisations that have come to rely on the Octavia.
Only last week, we had to call the vet to deal with an animal emergency at home. He arrived at 1am, in a previous-generation Octavia estate plastered in mud and loaded to the rafters with veterinary equipment. The car just gets on with it – no fuss, no glamour, no bother.
That’s the Octavia way. Even the performance vRS has understated and under-the-radar appeal. Before the arrival of my first child, when it was time to ditch the Vauxhall VX220 in favour of something with more seats, I chose a nearly-new Mk1 Octavia vRS. My son was driven home from the hospital in it – I’ve never driven with more care and attention.
It was a terrific car, with the 1.8-litre turbocharged engine providing plenty of poke, plus boot able to cope with all the paraphernalia that comes with parenthood. I can’t remember why I sold it, but it was almost certainly for something less practical and less sensible.
The Octavia is one of those rare cars I’m happy to recommend to friends and family. It’s a dangerous game – giving advice is a risky business. What if your recommendation leads to an expensive mistake? You’d be better off giving a tip for the 2:45 at Kempton Park.
But I know of two people who have taken a gamble on an Octavia on the ‘strength’ of my opinion. Fortunately, they’ve lived happily ever after.
All things wise and wonderful
Savvy motorists know a good thing when they see it, which is why the Octavia Scout seems to attract a premium on the used car market. There’s something ‘old money’ about the Scout: a soft-road wagon for those who are confident in their own skin. The thinking person’s Audi Allroad. The less ostentatious Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain. The only rural wagon you’ll ever need.
Check this out: a 2019 Skoda Octavia Scout for £24,000. That’s nearly £10,000 less than the price of a Karoq Scout. The Octavia is more practical, better to drive and will look better parked outside the farm shop. There’s no contest.
I guess there’s a wider point to this post, and it concerns the diminishing appeal of the Skoda brand. Granted, it’s a personal opinion, but I believe it’s worth sharing.
Like all volume brands, Skoda has thrown its might behind a range of SUVs. The Kodiaq was followed by the Karoq, with the Kamiq the latest crossover to hit showrooms. All worthy, all a match for their immediate rivals, all bang on trend.
But there’s a danger that Skoda is losing sight of what made the brand so appealing to free-thinkers and those not swayed by fashion or trends. The SUVs are great and are what the market demands, but Skoda needs to maintain a gap between it and the Volkswagen mothership. Some clear space to leave room for individuality.
It’s this space that gave us the Felicia Fun, the Fabia vRS diesel, the Roomster and the Yeti. Much as I adore the Superb, especially in 272hp 2.0-litre petrol guise, I miss the cars that made Skoda feel like Volkswagen’s quirky Czech mate.
Let’s hope the new Octavia continues to major on practicality, with a keen price and an acknowledgment of what has made the first three generations so successful. The alternative is more people migrating to Skoda SUVs, and that’s a future we can all do without.
Three years after displaying a concept version the 2017 SEMA Show, Chevrolet has announced a production Silverado made in collaboration with Carhartt.
The link up with the Detroit-based clothing manufacturer is intended to create the “ultimate hard-working truck”, and sees a number of special features added.
Chevrolet already bills the current Heavy Duty range as the strongest, most capable, trucks in the Silverado lineage, which stretches back to 1999.
Heavy Duty action machine
At the heart of the HD Carhartt Special Edition is a Silverado 2500 LTZ crew cab model. Chevrolet has specified key options as standard, including the Z71 Off-Road Package. This means Rancho shocks absorbers, Hill Descent Control, and extra skid plates all come fitted from the factory.
To ensure it stands out, the Carhartt Special Edition is finished in Mosaic Black Metallic paint on the outside. Also included is pinstripe detailing in the signature Carhartt gold color, adding extra definition to the big Chevy truck.
Gold Carhartt badges have also been added to the outside, along with black hood vents, a black Chevrolet bowtie emblem, and body-colored bumpers. A set of 20-inch alloy wheels with All-Terrain tires ensure it has a hardworking stance.
Ready for a rugged lifestyle
Inside, the Carhartt Special Edition benefits from seats trimmed in exclusive two-tone Jet Black and Carhartt Brown leather. These also feature new stitching, along with that gold Carhartt logo making an appearance on the headrests. Carhartt-branded floor mats help finish the transformation.
According to Janet Ries, vice president of marketing at Carhartt, the new Silverado “represents a true collaboration of our brands coming together to create a durable, purpose-built truck for people who not only work hard on the jobsite, but also live a rugged lifestyle.” Originally founded in 1889, Carhartt is remarkable for still being a family-owned company.
Chevy truck fans have already endured a wait of three years for this special model, and are going to need to continue being patient. Sales of the Silverado HD Carhartt Special Edition will begin in the fall of 2020, meaning plenty of time to ensure your wardrobe is stocked to match.
With a General Election on the way, there are renewed calls for a government that puts road safety near the top of its priorities.
Safety charity IAM RoadSmart has come up with a manifesto of its own. It details how the number of casualties has scarcely decreased over the past seven years. In 2018 there were, on average, four deaths per day on UK roads (1,784 in total).
IAM RoadSmart says there are seven points that require the government’s focus: young drivers, older drivers, driver re-testing, driver rehabilitation, professional drivers, driverless cars and motorcyclist proficiency.
Graduated licencing for young drivers
For young drivers, the charity wants a 12-month minimum learning and test period, plus a graduated licence system. It also wants younger drivers to be subject to training interventions in the first year after they pass their test.
Re-testing and GP certification for older drivers
Older drivers represent what the charity calls a ‘demographic time bomb’. It wants to debate how best to keep them safe on the road. Eye tests, a doctor’s certification and compulsory retesting for drivers over 85 are on the agenda.
Refresher courses
More comprehensive education and testing is a general theme in this manifesto, for drivers of all ages. IAM RoadSmart thinks periodic refresher courses could get driver deaths back in decline.
Driver rehab
Specific negative driver and rider behaviours should be targeted with rehabilitation courses, the charity says, in the same way drink-drivers are rehabilitated.
A renewed focus on the safety of those who drive for work is mentioned, too. This should be ‘at the core of good corporate governance and procurement practice in the private and public sector’.
Driverless car legislation
Autonomous cars are on the horizon, and present an enormous legislatory challenge. How we transition, and how we use them, needs to be examined soon.
Motorcycling
Motorcyclists are some of the most at-risk motorists. IAM Roadsmart reckons they should be allowed in bus lanes, and there should be wider support for advanced riding courses.
“The UK has one of the best road safety records in Europe, but still 1,784 people a year are killed,” said Mike Quinton, IAM RoadSmart CEO.
“We believe by working together with government and the road safety ‘industry’, we can deliver a step-change in road safety and significantly reduce the fatalities and injuries that occur daily on our roads.
“We will be writing to politicians to highlight our manifesto priorities and urging them to be instrumental in the road safety debate when the new government is formed.”
After leaking online yesterday, the BMW M2 CS has now been revealed in full. It’s a good old-fashioned run-out special, with more power, a sharper chassis and extra equipment.
The 450hp CS boosts the muscle of the 3.0-litre straight-six by 40hp, although maximum torque stays the same. The gains come from freer-flowing exhausts with a new dual-branch design.
Adaptive M suspension with Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings is standard. M Sport brakes are also included, with 400mm discs and six-pot calipers at the front, plus 380mm discs with four-pots behind. Buyers can choose from six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmissions.
Just because there’s no ‘L’ for ‘Light’ on the end of the CS badge, it doesn’t mean BMW hasn’t cut kilos. The CS adds a vented carbon bonnet that weighs half as much and increases front-axle downforce.
The carbon roof also saves weight, partly because there are no joins, which means less need for soundproofing. It also adds rigidity and lowers the centre of gravity.
Forged 19-inch wheels reduce the unsprung rotating mass, too. They’re optionally available in gold (pictured).
BMW M2 CS: going faster
How about performance? The raw numbers are 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds for the dual-clutch auto, or 4.2 seconds for the manual. That’s 0.2 seconds quicker than the current M2 Competition.
Top speed, should you opt for the Driver’s Package, is 174mph. You get Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres if you upgrade, too, although Super Sports are a no-cost option for more everyday usability.
What tells you that you’ve bought the ultimate M2, though? Those big wheels are a start, along with carbon flourishes on the boot lip, wing mirrors, diffuser, splitter and, of course, the roof. More aggressive exhaust tips complete the exterior package.
On the inside, there are swathes of Alcantara trim and ‘CS’ is stitched into the dashboard. M Sport seats from the M4 CS are fitted, too.
BMW M2 CS: how much?
It’s easy to get confused by BMW’s incrementally increasing badges: Competition, CS, CSL, GTS, and so on. The M2 CS, however, has a genuine motorsport connection. A new club racing series featuring the car kicks off in 2020.
How much will the road car cost? Safe to say, it’s a reasonably expensive set of upgrades, at £75,320 on the road. You do get an awful lot as standard, though. Adaptive LED lights and the Harman/Kardon sound system are included, alongside the upgrades.
One of 2020’s most hotly-anticipated cars is the new Ford Bronco. Now, Ford has previewed the upcoming model with a Bronco R racer – and revealed the official Bronco logo.
As motoring comebacks go, the return of the Bronco is up there with reviving the Toyota Supra and Land Rover Defender. The last Bronco went out of production in 1996, after a 31-year run. It’s one of Ford’s most iconic models and fans have struggled to let go.
Finally, in 2017, Ford gave in, announcing at the Detroit Auto Show that it was developing a new Bronco. Alhough dealers won’t see cars until later next year, Ford has begun the teaser campaign.
The Bronco R’s first job is heading to the Baja Peninsula for the famous 1,000-mile race, which a Bronco won 50 years ago in 1969. Shelby Hall, granddaughter of Rod Hall, who took the win in 1969, will be piloting the car during its attempt.
Hip to be square
Silhouette race cars are a great way of teasing what coming models will be like, without giving too much away. Nonetheless, we can expect the Bronco to look as it should: squat, squared off and thick-jawed.
Ford says the racer gives ‘proportion hints of what enthusiasts can expect to see when the future Bronco makes its world premiere next spring’. On the inside, the ‘simple surfaces of the instrument panel’ are a nod to the first-generation Bronco.
Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product development officer, says “It also provides an authentic test bed to demonstrate our upcoming Bronco’s desert racing capability and durability”.
The Bronco R racer has been a fast-paced project for Ford. Only since July has chief designer Paul Wraith been working with his small team to dress this one-off prototype. The production car will be revealed in the spring, with deliveries later in 2020.
Bristol is set to ban all diesel cars from its city centre in 2021, if the scheme gets government approval. Bristol City Council agreed on the ban, a first for a UK city.
Privately-owned diesel cars will be banned between 07.00 and 15.00 in areas including part of the M32, Redcliffe, Spike Island, Harbourside, part of hotwells and the old city.
A ban means a ban, too. If you’re not a taxi or the emergency services, passing into this central area will incur a fine, whatever the age of your diesel car.
The movement of vehicles within the central zone will be monitored using ANPR (automatic numberplate recognition system), similar to how the Lonon ULEZ works.
In addition, commercial vehicles will need to pay a fee for a wider Bristol clean air zone. Taxis and vans will be charged £9 while buses and HGVs will pay £100. The wider zone will allow private diesel vehicles in without charge.
Details on exemptions for other vehicles, as well as how much the fines will be, have yet to be decided.
Bristol’s NOx problem
Having twice missed government deadlines for cleaning up the city’s air, this is a drastic measure from Bristol’s council. At present, air pollution levels are way beyond legal levels. This plan, with controlled access to certain zones by diesel vehicles, should in theory see it become compliant by 2025.
One in four drivers FAIL to pay London ULEZ charge
While a long time coming, some are worried it’s still knee-jerk, with residents and commuters taking the brunt. Diesel drivers and businesses now have around 16 months to ditch the oil-burners, or face exhile, charges, or fines.
Some Bristol-centric businesses will be facing big upgrade costs, in order to be able to stay operational once the policy is in effect.
It’s a sign of things to come in cities across the UK, as similar schemes are being considered to lower NOx levels. Bristol is just one of 36 local authorities out of 43 where air toxicity reaches illegal levels.
Some European cities have already operated such bans when pollution levels get too high, such as Paris and Oslo.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive has spoken out commending the intent to clean up Bristol’s air, but warns against the unfairness of a blanket ban.
“Industry wants to see all cities, including Bristol, meet their targets and continues to invest in ever more advanced technology to help improve our environment,” Hawes said.
“However, this proposed blanket ban, which goes against government’s guidelines, fails to distinguish between modern vehicles and decades-old technologies and will only cause confusion for drivers while also undermining efforts to boost air quality.
“Instead, we need a clear and consistent national approach to clean air zones that incentivises uptake of the latest, low emission vehicles, including new Euro 6 diesels, which are the cleanest ever produced, alongside improvements to traffic flow and investment in charging infrastructure.”
Said to offer class-leading space, the interior of Aston Martin’s first-ever SUV will “meet the needs of the 99th percentile male to the 5th percentile female”.
Six months were spent simply perfecting the driving position; designers promise a clear view of the bonnet from the driving seat to help manoeuvrability in tight spaces.
A Female Advisory Board has extensively tested the interior, along with input from other external advisers, says Aston Martin. Lots of internal stowage space has been built in – the bridged centre console offers space below “for larger items such as a handbag or large 1.5-litre water bottles”.
Aston Martin even invited a group of children into the design studio to assess how easy it is to get in and out of the DBX, and how comfortable for them it is to sit in.
Video: testing the new Aston Martin DBX
Despite eschewing Land Rover-style ‘stadium seating’, where those in the rear sit higher than those in the front, the DBX still offers “class-leading front and rear legroom”. Aston Martin argues its sports car experience has helped here; “Wherever you sit in DBX, there is a sense of space and lightness.”
The countdown is now underway to the full reveal of the Aston Martin DBX SUV; rivals such as Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini and Ferrari will be watching on with interest – as will market analysts; Aston Martin is due to reveal its quarterly results tomorrow (Thursday).
The success of the DBX is pivotal to the future health of the company…
Aston Martin has revealed the AMB 001 – the British marque’s first motorbike. It’s a collaboration with longstanding bike manufacturer, Brough Superior, and ‘heralds the first chapter of an exciting new partnership’.
Just 100 examples of the track-only AMB 001 will be produced, combining boutique Aston Martin style with Brough engineering prowess.
Indeed, the bike is a thing of beauty, taking inspiration from Aston’s forthcoming range of mid-engined sports cars. It has nine-micron-thick wings like the Valkyrie, for example. A carbon frame shows off the exposed engine.
Even the side strakes of Aston road cars are mimicked in the prominent line down the centre of the bike. It’s very ‘art meets engineering’.
The AMB 001 uses a V-twin turbocharged engine that produces 180hp. Weighing just 180kg, that gives a one-to-one horsepower per kilogram ratio, also like the Valkyrie.
It will be built at Brough’s factory in Toulouse, France, and will cost £93,000.
“This is what we believe a cutting-edge motorcycle should be and we are very proud to see the Aston Martin wings on a motorcycle for the first time,” said Aston Martin chief creative officer, Marek Reichman.
“In addition to applying the skills we have developed for cars such as the ground breaking Aston Martin Valkyrie, we have also been able to bring our special expertise in the traditional craft techniques to this project. The finished product is a truly beautiful motorcycle; a design and engineering work of art.”
For the first time in nearly 50 years, Jaguar Classic is putting the original E-Type tool kit back into production. The last time these were available new was when the final Series 2 E-Type was sold in 1971.
Original kits trade hands for as much as £5,000. Now, you can pick up a newly-manufactured set for £732 from Jaguar Classic. The kits are exact reproductions, with the team at Jaguar Classic making use of engineering records and drawings.
As well as being something you can buy on its own, the kit is also offered alongside a ‘reborn’ E-Type restoration.
All the spanners are sized for working on fittings the E-Type uses; the kit allows you do everything from checking your tyre pressures, to adjusting the handbrake, to greasing the hinges. Indeed, you could effectively dismantle your E-Type with these tools alone.
The kit includes the following:
Adjustable spanner
Tyre valve key
Pliers
Tyre pressure gauge
Points screwdriver
Feeler gauge
Three-piece screwdriver
Spanner ¾ x 7/8 AF
Spanner 9/16 x 5/8 AF
Spanner ½ x 7/16 AF
Spanner 11/32 x 3/8 AF
Box Spanner 7/16 x ½
Box Spanner 9/16 x 5/8
Box Spanner ¾ x 7/8
Sparking plug spanner
Tommy bars (one short, one long)
Valve timing gauge
Grease gun
Handbrake adjusting wrench
Brake bleed tin and tube
“The original E-Type tool kit has become a collector’s item thanks to its rarity and historic appeal”, said Dan Pink, director of Jaguar Classic.
“We’ve had customers across the world contact us about obtaining one, which is why we decided to manufacture the tool kits again to their original specification. It’s the perfect finishing touch for E-Type aficionados.”
