Tag Archives: clever

Car review

Mini Countryman

The inside is a intelligent and well-realised combine of contemporary minimalism and simply sufficient retro touches to maintain the Mini devoted glad. It’s vibrant and open and feels premium whereas nonetheless quirky and enjoyable.

As you’ll count on, there’s loads of area, too. It’s roomy up entrance and adults shouldn’t have any downside within the rear, significantly because the rear seats will be shifted forwards and backwards by as a lot as 13cm. 

The boot is a good form and has a capability of 460 litres, which is more room than within the Nissan Qashqai. Fold the rear seats down and the storage will increase to a definitely-not-mini 1450 litres. There’s plentiful storage cubbies in the primary cabin too. 

You sit in that traditional raised SUV place, so visibility is sweet and it’s straightforward to get snug. The dashboard makes use of a two-tone textile that’s made with recycled polyester, with completely different designs for the assorted specs and trims. In the John Cooper Works, it’s sporty JCW black and crimson (a color scheme that additionally extends to the sports activities seats).

It’s definitely minimalist, being dominated by a 9.4in infotainment display, proudly trumpeted by Mini as the primary spherical OLED touchscreen in a manufacturing automobile – though, effectively, you identify one other automobile with any sort of spherical display. Go on, I’ll wait.

It’s a pleasant change from a Tesla-aping large slab, although, and naturally it echoes the massive central speedo of the unique Mini. In truth, on first expertise, you’re so taken by it that it takes you a second to note that the instrument cluster and many of the different dash-sited controls have been eliminated.

As in a Tesla or the Volvo EX30, the speedo is displayed on the prime of the touchscreen. It really works fairly effectively, with the spherical form making it straightforward to search out at a look. And if that’s to not your style, your velocity can be proven on a pointy head-up show (customary on the JCW however optionally available on some decrease trims).

Beneath the display is a small variety of bodily controls that additionally echo the unique Mini, with a twist ignition, an audio quantity dial and toggles for the gear selector and the Experience modes (which we’ll come to in a second). Below these is a wi-fi smartphone charger, two cupholders and a small storage cubby.

The infotainment relies on the most recent BMW system however customised to suit the spherical display, and it really works effectively, with the native apps making full use of the weird area. The prime of the display is reserved for the small print you’ll normally discover within the instrument cluster, whereas key techniques such because the heating are nestled across the edge.

In our check automobile, the software program was a bit laggy. There was a notable loading time after I switched between apps, and if I modified the look, it will generally revert to the outdated show briefly.

Hopefully these had been simply early-days foibles. The usability might definitely be improved in locations, although. The temperature seems as a curved bar that appears like a slider, however tapping it launches a pop-up field.

Ultimately, I would like just a few additional bodily buttons, partially as a result of the minimal switchgear that’s there’s pleasingly tactile. There’s additionally voice management, which summons Spike, Mini’s dog-shaped private assistant. Your youngsters will love him.

Those Experience modes, then: there are eight in whole, which you scroll by way of utilizing a toggle swap. Each has its personal graphic set – so, for instance, Go Kart is all JCW black and crimson and tacho show, whereas Timeless is a sepia-tinged imitation of a traditional Mini speedo.

Each has its personal audio jingle when chosen, too, most of which sound like they had been sampled from a Super Nintendo.

Three of the experiences, Go Kart, Core and Green, additionally regulate the driving settings – assume Sport, Normal and Eco. So Go Kart alters the engine response, engine sound and suspension tuning to supply a sharper drive.

Car review

Skoda Kamiq

How many intelligent inside options are you able to match into one compact crossover car? Well, courtesy of your common Czech automotive purveyor of such issues and the facelifted Skoda Kamiq, there’s now one other one.

In addition to the record of neat storage and comfort options this automobile already supplied (a neat little cubby field between the rear footwells with an elasticated cup-holder strap in it; smartphone-sized storage pockets excessive within the entrance seat backs; many a storage internet and bag hook, and a 12-volt energy socket, within the boot; and the standard parking ticket holder within the windscreen, ice-scraper within the gasoline filler door, dustbin within the driver’s door pocket, and umbrella within the door cavity), the brand new model has a wi-fi gadget charger with a distinction. 

It’s cooled. Well, air conditioned, to be actual, merely so that your cellphone doesn’t get slow-cooked whereas it’s charging, as they do in so many fashionable automobiles shortly earlier than shutting down solely (making the charging pad largely ineffective). Seems like such an apparent factor to do; and but it’s nonetheless Skoda that may be depended upon to truly do it first. 

The function’s been added to the up to date Kamiq fairly late on in its mid-cycle redevelopment (and to the associated Scala hatchback, reviewed overleaf, likewise), so the early-build take a look at automobiles on the European take a look at drive final week didn’t have it; however, when right-hand-drive variations arrive within the UK in six weeks’ time, it’ll be there, we’re assured. And whereas it’s fed by the air-con, it all the time blows cool regardless what temperature the broader blower’s set to.

The automobile stays one of many bigger and extra sensible automobiles within the ‘B-SUV’ section, and does a fairly tidy impression of a Golf-sized hatchback on stilts. Rivals provide extra outright boot area; however the lodging degree within the second row is broadly full-size-adult-friendly, though that low storage cubby we talked about earlier than would possibly make life a bit uncomfortable for anybody sitting ‘turret’ within the center – so higher to consider this as a sensible four-seater compact automobile quite than one which may simply stretch to 5 occupants.

There was a touch of dowdiness concerning the pre-faceiift model’s cabin decor, which the up to date one addresses by way of the addition of some tactile fabric dashboard trim. Skoda calls the brand new atmosphere ‘living roomy’ – and never unfairly. Trouble is, my nine-year-old lad doesn’t are likely to take his soccer boots off in our precise lounge, after which rub his sweaty socks alongside the delicate furnishings. I’m all for a little bit of premium really feel – however I’m inclined to suppose that Skodas ought to primarily be purposeful, on a regular basis automobiles; and I fear a bit how these delicate fabric trims would possibly put on and age in a household hack. Depends on the household, I assume.

The remainder of the Kamiq inside, and the broader contents of the facelift, are good. All fashions get digital devices now, that are good and clear and configurable. All get a touchscreen infotainment system with wi-fi smartphone mirroring. And Skoda’s nonetheless wise sufficient to make the entire automobile’s ADAS driver help techniques straightforward to toggle on or off by way of a visit pc menu that pops straight up on the contact of a button on the steering wheel spoke.

Cars

This Kia Cabin Feature Is Ingenious and Other Automakers Should Imitate

Kia has developed a clever approach for its USB ports, positioning them just behind the side bolsters of the front seats. This strategy offers several advantages. Firstly, it eliminates the need to search low down for the USB ports, which can be particularly challenging if someone is sitting in the middle seat of the second row. It also eliminates the hassle of navigating a cable between knees when connecting devices.

If there are no passengers in the back of the car, the USB ports in the seats become even more easily accessible for those in the front. There is no need to climb halfway into the rear or search blindly for a USB port. For example, in the Niro Hybrid, the front seat occupants can effortlessly access a total of five USB ports, with a mix of USB-A and USB-C options. This ample connectivity should be sufficient to keep most devices charged.

While it’s not a definitive reason to purchase a Kia, the automotive industry is highly competitive. Paying attention to small details like this can significantly enhance the overall experience of owning a vehicle. These thoughtful features are worth celebrating, especially if they contribute to a more enjoyable journey without the age-old question of “are we there yet?”