Tag Archives: fourseat

News

New Alpine A290: electrical scorching hatch will probably be revealed on 13 June

He added that the one characteristic more likely to translate to the four-seat manufacturing automobile is the Formula 1-inspired ‘OV’ button, which permits a 10-second energy increase. Alpine is but to element the size of this uplift, however Bonetto stated “it’s significant, you can really feel it”. Biardeau added that the button has a brief cooldown interval between bursts, however that that is nonetheless being tuned.

The Formula 1 hyperlink doesn’t finish there, for the Alpine Racing Formula 1 crew, based mostly in Enstone, had a task in shaping the A290’s aerodynamics. The gaps positioned beneath the X-shaped headlights – impressed by the tape used on historic rally vehicles – within the entrance bumper, and excessive on the rear quarter panel all channel air throughout the automobile’s flanks to cut back drag.

Other styling prospers embrace the distinctive blue-flecked carbonfibre bodykit (more likely to turn into plastic on the manufacturing mannequin) and the twin faux-exhausts built-in into the rear splitter. However, these should not really meant to current as exhausts; they’re as a substitute meant to resemble the followers used on high-powered gaming computer systems. According to Villain, it is a personal joke between Alpine and Renault head honcho Luca de Meo himself, and feeds into the model’s ambition to promote vehicles to the ‘gaming generation’.

The A290 is predicted to return at a major premium over the circa-£25,000 Renault 5, possible being priced as much as match its closest rival, the 215bhp model of the brand new electric Mini Cooper, which prices just below £38,000.  

Car review

Jeep Renegade

Compact, boxy and pugnaciously cute as it might be, the Renegade nearly counts as a correct four-seat, five-door household automotive. To squeeze three on its again seat can be a trial, however two youthful adults match simply high-quality.

The relocation of the 12V battery to the aspect of the boot compartment, together with the packaging of the electrical drive motor and energy inverter below the ground, has affected boot capability. 

The space for storing is just a little slender and shallow by class requirements and there’s solely 330 litres below the load-bay cowl, which is an effective deal lower than even a Volkswagen Golf hatchback provides till you begin folding seats and loading to the roof.

However, there may be area for a full-sized spare wheel below the ground in order for you one. If you don’t, the split-level boot flooring makes the perfect of what storage quantity there may be.

The driving atmosphere is sort of distinctive, characterful and vibrant in locations, though some notable low factors on perceived high quality relatively betray this Renegade’s standing as ostensibly a fairly low cost crossover with an costly powertrain.

Luckily for Jeep, its vehicles have at all times had practical cabins completed fairly sparsely and with plain, robust supplies.

The Renegade’s actually really feel fairly plain; not at all times so robust or hard-wearing, although.

The shiny, wobbly mouldings used across the steering column are like those who different producers solely match to prototypes. Elsewhere, flimsy, rough-feeling seat adjustment levers, dull-looking ‘leathers’, wobbly exterior mirrors and hollow-sounding doorways would possibly go away a barely bitter style in your mouth.

The driving place is medium-high, granting good visibility in most instructions, on a broadly snug driver’s seat that lacks some adjustability.

The secondary controls are chunkily proportioned. Having a good-sized scroll knob for the touchscreen infotainment system, for instance, can be helpful when driving in gloves or with soiled fingers.

Jeep’s alterations to the instrument pack for the PHEV model of the Renegade didn’t appear to make fairly a lot sense to our testers. By eradicating the usual automotive’s analogue speedometer and changing it with a hard and fast ‘power/ charging gauge’, it has taken away one thing helpful and changed it with one thing a minimum of a bit superfluous.

Being informed how exhausting the automotive’s powertrain is working or regenerating energy at anyone time appears just a little useless when the place and motion of your proper foot can inform you simply as properly. 

That’s true, notably contemplating that the digital speedometer that has been added is mostly given too little prominence on the broader instrument structure, though that does rely on the show mode you’ve chosen for the marginally antiquated-looking digital journey pc.

Jeep Renegade 4xe infotainment and sat-nav

All Renegade fashions had been beforehand supplied with a 7.4in central driver show and an 8.4in ‘UConnect’ touchscreen with a manufacturing facility navigation system, an in-car wi-fi hotspot and smartphone mirroring for each Apple and Android handsets. 

In 2024, the model upgraded this technique to a brand new, bigger 10.1in touchscreen which ahs appeared within the bigger, extra premium Jeep Compass, paired with a ten.25 digital driver’s show behind the steering wheel. Both screens are 40% bigger than earlier than. 

There’s additionally a brand new USB port to suit each Type-A and Type-C connections, although the model has additionally launched wi-fi telephone connectivity too, which is an enormous plus. 

The two new screens are an enormous improve in comparison with the earlier system. Both are crisp and clear with minimal enter lag and are very straightforward to make use of and customise to your liking, however they’re additionally a noticeable step up from the usual touchscreen system utilized in different Stellantis fashions. 

Thankfully, the model has opted in opposition to eradicating rotary local weather dials and buttons, which, when utilized in mixture with the upgraded infotainment programs, make for a logical and easy-going person expertise.

News

HiPhi A revealed as tri-motor electric hypercar with 1287bhp

Chinese premium EV maker HiPhi has unveiled a powerful four-door, four-seat hypercar that is slated to debut in 2025 and offers performance that rivals the likes of the Rimac Nevera.

Known as the HiPhi A, it is equipped with a tri-motor powertrain delivering an impressive 1287bhp. One motor is positioned on the front axle, while two are located on the rear axle, allowing it to accelerate from 0-62mph in approximately 2.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 187mph.

While HiPhi has not yet disclosed battery specifics such as range or capacity, it has been stated that it features an in-house-developed unit capable of discharging 1.5MW of power at its peak.

The A’s motor technology, described by HiPhi as “lightweight, compact, ultra-quiet and upgradable,” is sourced from Wesail New Energy Automotive.

Additionally, the A boasts active rear-wheel steering, variable damping, a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution, and torque-vectoring, resulting in a 15% improvement in cornering and a 10% enhancement in braking performance, according to HiPhi.

Design elements are shared with the boldly styled HiPhi Z saloon and HiPhi X SUV, both of which were introduced in Europe earlier this year.

The A also incorporates carbonfibre elements throughout, matte paint, a prominent rear wing, and wider tires compared to the other HiPhi models.

Internally, it features a “driver-focused set up” and a range of digital technology, with space for two passengers in the back.

Human Horizons, a Chinese tech firm, launched the HiPhi brand in 2017 and expanded into Europe earlier this year.

While the pricing for the A remains speculative, the Z and X are expected to be priced at around £100,000 in the UK.

HiPhi has stated that more information will be disclosed in the upcoming months.

News

New Alpine A310 Coming as Electric, Four-seat A110

The French company, Alpine, is planning to reintroduce the A310 as a stylish, four-seat electric sports car. The company’s executives have confirmed that the upcoming model will stay true to Alpine’s core values of lightness and agility. This revival of the A310 is part of a larger initiative by the Renault Group’s sporting brand to launch seven new electric cars by 2030.

The new A310 will share the same Alpine Performance Platform (APP) as the upcoming electric A110 coupe, which is scheduled for release in 2027. It is expected that the A310 will serve as a more practical option compared to the flagship two-seater A110, similar to the relationship between the Porsche 718 Cayman and 911 models.

The APP architecture focuses on performance and flexibility and will form the foundation for a compact four-seater that promises engaging driving dynamics, aiming to become an iconic future sports car. Alpine’s marketing director, Bruce Pillard, emphasized that even though their future models will be electric, they will retain the essence of Alpine vehicles with their agility and lightweight feel.

Design director Antony Villain stated that they plan to create a 2+2 sports car that combines the concept of the A310 with the current APP platform. The final design is expected to be completed within 18 months.

This decision to make the A310 a four-seater aligns with Alpine’s broader strategy to transition from a niche manufacturer to a major player in the global automotive market. Their diversified lineup will include the A290 hot hatchback based on the Renault 5, the A110 in both coupe and roadster versions, the A310, the GT X-Over crossover, and luxury models in the D- and E-segments. All of these models are set to be released within the next seven years.

News

From the archive: on this day in 1939

We instantly fell in love with the Fiat 500, but when a four-seat version of the ‘clockwork mouse’ was introduced three years later, we had some reservations. After all, it was only 3.3 meters long and had the smallest engine – a 13bhp 570cc four – of any car on the market.

Surprisingly, the only modifications needed to accommodate two more people were a squarer rear, a higher final drive ratio, and half-elliptic rear springs instead of quarter-elliptic ones.

There was no need for concern. After a day with three people, we concluded: “This additional weight can be felt, but the car remains practical and is able to reach the speeds preferred by most family motorists.” It could go up to 50mph and “continues to maintain driving interest to an impressive degree”.

“The engine’s efficiency cannot be denied. It revs freely and performs remarkably for its size.” It was also “delightfully smooth”.

“The ride is exceptionally comfortable. The independent front suspension allows you to drive over rough surfaces without feeling any discomfort or rough treatment.” Although the rear sometimes bounced.

“The steering is not only light but also accurately responsive without any jolts from the road.”

The rear had enough legroom, thanks to new footwells, and the canvas roof could be opened to avoid feeling claustrophobic. It’s no wonder the 500 was produced until 1955, with half a million units made, and has been successfully relaunched four times since then.

America shows us the motoring world of tomorrow

Exhibitions of national achievements have been around for a long time, but the 1939 New York World’s Fair was noteworthy as the first to focus on “the world of tomorrow”.

Our correspondent was extremely impressed with the amount of money that was spent on the fair. He particularly admired General Motors’ Highways and Horizons building, which was as large as two city blocks and featured a massive diesel locomotive at the front.

Inside, there was a vision of America in 1960. Our correspondent experienced this vision while sitting in a row of moving chairs and listening to a narration. The exhibit showed how US cities would be transformed by highways (and skyscrapers), featuring wonders such as elevated and depressed turn-offs, ramped loops that allowed cars to turn at 50mph, flyover junctions, elevated walkways, and even continuous illumination at night.

Motorsport

Watch a Lamborghini Espada Barn Find Come Back to Life and Drive with its V12 Engine

In the 1970s, Lamborghini produced just over 1,200 units of the Espada, a two-door, four-seat grand tourer with a powerful V12 engine. One of such unique models has spent the last 15 years locked away in a barn in England. The precious Lamborghini, a 1971 Espada S2, was last driven in the mid-2000s before being hidden away in the same building where in 1605, conspirators had planned to assassinate King James I in the Gunpowder Plot.

The V12 engine was serviced before the car was stored, which makes starting it a breeze. The 3.9-liter engine has six twin-throat Webber 40 carburetors and is matched with a five-speed manual transmission. It was capable of producing 350 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque when it was brand new. The mechanicals have been largely preserved but some issues, like damage caused by rodents that chewed on the carpet and left droppings as well as fuel lines and connectors in rough shape, may pose some challenges during future restoration.

The car can be started with relatively little effort, and it settles into a comfortable idle. While the fuel leaks make it unsuitable for road use, it is driveable and can be cruisable on the property at low speeds.

The original dark blue paint of the car was replaced with Euro Mexico paint at some point, but the original red interior remains intact. The car’s door cards, instrument gauges, and headliner are in excellent condition, although it shows signs of animal damage. The Lamborghini Espada is just the latest fantastic barn find that showcases a slice of automotive history. Earlier this month, a fleet of Ferraris abandoned during Hurricane Charley, which hit Florida in 2004, was unearthed in Indiana.

Today, the carmaker’s preferred choice for those looking to have at least four seats is the Urus. Although it has four doors and a different engine, the Urus is just as impressive. In the new Performante trim, for example, the crossover makes almost double the Espada’s horsepower, producing 666 hp and accelerating to 62 miles per hour in just 3.3 seconds. Urus models are so popular that they have accounted for over 50% of the firm’s sales, with 5,367 sold in 2022 alone.