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News

10 Things Nobody Remembers About The Merkur XR4TI

The Nineteen Eighties had been a time of radical pondering, huge hair, huge music, huge adjustments on the planet, and making an attempt new huge concepts. The auto-world was no exception. Around thirty years in the past, we had been handled to a number of the best muscle cars of the 1980s and a number of the coolest cars ever built by the likes of Ford, Chevrolet, Lamborghini, and Pontiac. Some automobiles although, had been extra experimental and gained a fame for being a little bit of flop, while some had been lauded as genius in design. None extra could be stated for the Merkur XR4TI, which debuted in North America in 1985 and was discontinued in 1989.

There may very well be a very good motive you do not bear in mind the Merkur XR4TI. Maybe you do not wish to bear in mind it, or perhaps it’s simply a type of illusive automobiles that by no means caught your creativeness on the time. It simply would possibly now although. That is why we’re bringing you the ten issues that no one remembers concerning the Merkur XR4TI together with details about its construct design, its powertrain choices, its uniqueness, why it may very well be an actual diamond within the tough, and hidden data that you could be not have identified.

In order to provide the newest and correct data doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Fuel Economy.gov, NHTSA, Bring A Trailer, and Classic.com.

1973 Ford Pinto

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10 Alarming Facts About The Ford Pinto’s Fiery Past

The Pinto is probably the most notorious automobile to ever don a Ford badge, and its infamy has saved the in any other case forgettable automobile’s story alive for many years

10 It Is Not All It Seems On The Surface

A Ford Behind A Different Badge

Merkur XR4TI
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With a mode of its personal, the hatchback Merkur XR4TI definitely has a singular look that all the time raises debate about if it’s a handsome automobile or not. With a boxy, however surprisingly, sporty look, behind the Merkur badge on the hood, it’s not all because it appears.

The Merkur XR4TI is successfully a Ford Sierra XR4TI which was marketed in the united statesA. with a extra highly effective engine, a unique suspension set-up, and a Merkur badge. It is just not a unique design to return out from Ford. More on that in a bit of although.

Key Merkur XR4TI Exterior Features

  • Sloping and low nostril
  • Rounded rectangular headlights
  • Large sloping windscreen
  • Chunky wheel-arches and bumpers
  • Rounded edges across the headlights and physique

The Merkur XR4TI is just not a classically beautiful car like the E-Type Jaguar, nevertheless it does have a sure nostalgic appeal that allures to the best way by which auto-manufacturers had been pondering on the time about altering the sport and making an attempt one thing new. Even whether it is simply re-wrapping a automobile they have already got of their lineup.

9 It Has A Turbocharged Engine

Ford Sharing Parts

1988 Merkur XR4TI in white engine bay Showing engine and components
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Sitting underneath the hood of the Merkur XR4TI is a unique one to which Ford featured within the Sierra. Instead of that includes a Cologne OHC V-6, which was the most well-liked selection among the many large vary out there, the Merkur XR4TI boasts a turbocharged little beast of a powertrain that might produce some respectable specs for a reasonably priced classic car.

Merkur XR4TI Specifications

Engine

2.3-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four

Transmission

Five-Speed Manual or Three-Speed Automatic

Horsepower

175 Horsepower (Manual)/145 Horsepower (Auto)

Torque

195 Pound-Feet

Driveline

Rear-Wheel Drive

Top Speed

Unpublished

0 – 60 MPH

7.8 Seconds

(Data collected from Classic.com and Car & Driver for velocity specs)

Though the Merkur XR4TI does not have the identical face-melting speeds as a number of the fastest cars of the 1980s, it does boast an affordable quantity of oomph and nostalgic appeal in a single little retro bundle that can make you yearn for a perm and a session listening to Def Leppard.

8 The Merkur XR4TI Has Some Differences To Its European Cousin

Different Powertrain And Set-Up

1986 Merkur XR4TI in white Posing in parking lot
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As talked about, the Merkur XR4TI is successfully a Ford Sierra XR4TI with a unique badge. It additionally includes a completely different engine, completely different suspension set-up, barely completely different exterior styling, and, based on some, a unique highway presence than its European cousin.

Key Differences Between The Ford And The Merkur

  • When shopping for a Sierra, you’ll be able to select from a variety of inline 4 engines and V-6s. When shopping for a Merkur, you’ll be able to solely purchase one that includes the turbo-charged V-6.
  • The Sierra identify was not utilized in the united statesA. due to the existence of the GMC Sierra pickup truck.
  • Because of American security rules, the unibody was modified, and aspect intrusion beams had been added to the Merkur.
  • Two catalytic converters had been added to the Merkur and never the Sierra.
  • The bumpers that includes on the Merkur had been longer than the Ford’s to fulfill with American security requirements.

On the face of issues, they could look pretty comparable, however there are in reality a good few variations between the Ford and Merkur. That is earlier than mentioning the trip high quality and suspension that’s featured.

7 No Racing Suspension For This Little Turbo Pocket-Rocket

Made For Comfort

1986 Merkur XR4TI in gray Headlight and front bumper
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Though you may technically drive the Merkur XR4TI with some gusto due to its rear-wheel drive and front-engine layout, the suspension is something however sporty. It was designed for the North American highway market and never for the monitor, so consolation was paramount. Because of that, softer suspension was added to the Merkur XR4TI and gained a whole lot of complaints from house owners and journalists for it.

Merkur XR4TI Key Set-Up Features

  • MacPherson struts featured
  • Lower lateral hyperlinks and concentric coil springs
  • Rear-suspension options semi-trailing arms with coil springs
  • Rear anti-roll bar featured
  • Soft suspension

Racing legend Jackie Stewart was even brought in by Ford to develop the handling on the Merkur XR4TI, which some road-tests weren’t significantly pleasant about, nevertheless it does additionally present the lengths that Ford took to attempt to make an reasonably priced efficiency hatchback that will stand the check of time.

6 Ford Left Out Some Important Parts

No Intercooler For The Turbo

1986 Merkur XR4TI in white Posing on gravel road
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Though intercoolers should not a necessity if you find yourself boasting a turbocharger in your trip, it does assist in offering the best fuel-efficiency out of your engine, holding the turbo in fine condition, decreasing emissions, and will doubtlessly guarantee a extra dependable engine. You might also be asking why Ford determined to not characteristic one on the turbocharger on the two.3-liter inline 4 that’s boasted.

Merkur XR4TI Key Engine Features

  • Cast iron block engine
  • Two valves boasted per cylinder
  • Time-belt pushed
  • Single overhead cam featured

Little credible data exists concerning why an intercooler was omitted from the XR4TI when a virtually equivalent engine that options within the 1983 Ford Mustang GT did have one. It was probably because of the truth the Merkur XR4TI was meant to be reasonably priced, and the intercooler would have been seen as a bit of extra ‘luxurious’, or it might have been an area and weight-saving thought. Either method, it was neglected of the Merkur XR4TI.

5 For The Era, It Had A Futuristic Design

A Funky And Unique Look

1986 Merkur XR4TI in white Posing on gravel road
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Boasting a boxy and virtually sci-fi look, the Merkur XR4TI is a completely distinctive Nineteen Eighties efficiency hatchback that’s positive to show heads. Featuring a mix of futuristic enchantment, European flare, and American sensibility, it divides the auto-world by way of its aesthetic appreciation.

Merkur XR4TI Design Features

  • Distinctive rear-spoiler
  • Wrap round rear-window
  • Large headlights
  • Small air-intake and grille

The inside of the XR4TI additionally boasts options that create a classy and cozy driving expertise. Showcasing a curved sprint, massive steering-wheel, lengthy turn-signal stalks, massive driver-aid dials, and an enormous variety of buttons and switches on the huge central console, the XR4TI blends sensible with enjoyable in a single nostalgically plastic combine.

4 The Merkur XR4TI Features An Automatic Or Manual Transmission

A Love-Hate Little Car

1988 Merkur XR4TI interior Showing steering wheel and four-speed manual transmission shifter
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The Merkur XR4Ti includes a selection between a handbook and an automated transmission, catering to various driving preferences. The commonplace transmission is a Getrag 5-speed handbook gearbox, famend for its exact shifting and interesting driving expertise. Whilst the 3-speed automated offers a extra handy set-up.

Sales And Tests Were Not Kind To The Merkur XR4TI

If you had been to purchase a Merkur XR4TI that includes an automated transmission, the horsepower produced is restricted in comparison with the handbook variant by 30 horsepower. It will not be as fashionable because the 1986 Toyota MR2, and positively does not have as spectacular specs, however with some tweaks and modification, the Merkur XR4TI is usually a very gratifying automobile to personal.

3 The Murkur XR4TI Is A Modifiable And Tuneable Classic

Lots Of Interchangeable Parts To Make It King Of The Street

1986 Merkur XR4TI in black Posing in parking lot
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During its life, a number of tuned versions of the Merkur XR4TI were produced by the likes of Roush and Rapido. Some of those tuned variations competed in a lot of Grand Prix occasions throughout America and had been even used as tempo automobiles on the Detroit Grand Prix in 1986. Not unhealthy for a automobile that was written off by so many! Like a whole lot of older automobiles, the fashionable day potential to extend the efficiency specs is sort of limitless (depending on funds and time, after all), however, that’s half the purpose of proudly owning a traditional automobile that’s tuneable.

Most Common Merkur XR4TI Modifications

  • Changing the smooth suspension for one thing extra rugged
  • Adding an intercooler
  • Changing the brakes for one thing extra substantial for tracks

If you are not proud of the efficiency of your XR4TI, there are some issues that may be finished to push it additional by way of efficiency like completely different rubes, including the intercooler, and there may be even the potential to do a full engine swap altogether. There is a rising scene round iconic 1980s classic cars. If you had been to show as much as a automobile meet with a Merkur XR4TI, modified or not, there may be certain to be lots of people trying your method.

2 The Merkur XR4TI Is A Fun And Affordable Classic To Own

Average Used Price: $10,543

1986 Merkur XR4TI in gray Showing rear spoiler, trunk and back-end
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According to Classic.com, the average used price for a Merkur XR4TI is $10,543. Considering the distinctiveness, potential for upgrades, rarity, and enjoyable that may very well be had with one, the common worth makes it an affordable classic car to own. Especially in comparison with a number of the extra well-known classics like Mustangs and Camaros.

The Merkur XR4TI In Numbers

  • The final XR4TI that was bought on-line was over 7 months in the past
  • There are presently none on the market
  • The prime worth for a Merkur XR4TI is $26,750
  • According to Classic.com, there have solely been 19 recorded on-line gross sales

If you’re a eager mechanic, love the whole lot bizarre concerning the Nineteen Eighties, need a automobile that’s seldom seen on our roads, and need a venture to improve into a possible beast, then an inexpensive traditional automobile just like the XR4TI might simply be what you’re on the lookout for. If yow will discover one on the market.

1 It Is An Under-Appreciated Classic Car

Cheap Entry Level Fun

1988 Merkur XR4TI in white Posing in parking lot
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With so many traditional automobiles that fall via the web of appreciation, the Merkur is definitely one of the crucial under-appreciated Nineteen Eighties traditional automobiles. Not solely would proudly owning one deliver you tonnes of enjoyable, however it might additionally deliver you a comparatively economical and protected automobile as effectively. According to NHTSA, there have been some complaints about the XR4TI but no safety recalls. The complaints have been about issues that you could have guessed just like the cooling of the engine and electrical issues. Maybe that intercooler was a good suggestion!

The Merkur XR4TI As A Unique Nineteen Eighties Classic

  • It boasts a design type you do not see anymore
  • Has a lot of uniqueness and quirks
  • Highly tuneable
  • Reasonably highly effective engine
  • Lots of retro nostalgia
  • Rare on the roads

According to Fuel Economy.gov, the 1989 Merkur XR4TI may also obtain 19 mpg mixed. Now, that will not sound like quite a bit and does not evaluate to a number of the best gas mileage cars in 2024, however it is a turbocharged efficiency hatchback with a great deal of potential that was constructed 35 years in the past. The Merkur XR4TI did not have a protracted shelf-life within the Nineteen Eighties, however in the present day, it may be seemed again on as a singular automobile that was designed to be pushed and owned in its personal method and appreciated now as a cool Nineteen Eighties throwback.

Motorsport

Mate Rimac Says 0-60 MPH In One Second ‘Is Possible,’ But There’s A Catch

Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a radical declare earlier this week in regards to the upcoming Roadster supercar, saying the corporate is aiming for a 0-60 mph time of less than one second. While many have since dismissed the declare, he does have an ally in Bugatt-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac—kind of.

When requested on his Facebook web page if he thought the under-one-second declare was plausible, Rimac responded with a shocking sure. “It is possible with thrusters,” he says within the Facebook remark. “We did the simulation.”

But there’s a important stipulation to go together with that affirmation.

“Problem is, you release the air in two to three seconds and then you have a lot of dead weight that you are carrying around (tanks, compressor, valves, nozzles etc.),” Rimac continues. “Same with fans—they just give you more grip but you need something like 30,000 newton-meters on the wheels to accelerate below one sec 0-100 km/h, which means you need massive motors, inverters, gearboxes, driveshafts, etc.”

Future Cars: Tesla Roadster
Rimac Nevera sets 23 records at the Automotive Testing Papenburg in Germany

Rimac additionally notes that the automotive must be “super light,” which isn’t sometimes the usual for battery-powered vehicles. Even his Rimac Nevera hypercar—which is able to hit 60 mph in beneath 2.0 seconds—weighs over 5,000 kilos.

“So thrusters are really the only way to go,” he says. “But they bring a lot of downsides as well.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recommended in 2018 that the Roadster would have “10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around the car.” That, in concept, can be the kind of thrust the Roadster wants to attain that sub-one-second 0-60 time. Although, it’s unclear how that may fare with the NHTSA.

We’ll have to attend and see if Elon’s claims come true. The new Tesla Roadster will reportedly debut later this 12 months.

 
News

BMW i16 is the unconventional i8 successor that by no means was

BMW designed a radical mid-engined hybrid supercar to succeed the i8 – however by no means put it into manufacturing. 

Kept secret for 4 years however now revealed by BMW head designer Domagoj Dukec on social media, the placing i16 may have been the M efficiency division’s second bespoke mannequin after the 1978 M1 supercar.

As it was, mentioned Dukec, “the world changed in 2020” on the onset of the Covid pandemic and “work on the project unfortunately had to be stopped”. 

M division has since launched the XM super-SUV as its second bespoke product – a dramatically totally different proposition to the supercar revealed right here. 

It’s a trustworthy evolution of the Vision M Next idea that BMW revealed in 2019, albeit with some delicate revisions aimed toward making it road-legal. 

Dukec described the i16 as having “all the style of a future classic” and famous the affect of the Giorgetto Guigiaro-designed M1 in its angular, cab-forward silhouette, vented rear arches and louvred engine lid.

The i16 was conceived to make use of the i8’s composite construction, little question in a bid to chop growth prices and thus bolster its viability as a manufacturing automobile, however it is not clear whether or not it could have used the identical plug-hybrid powertrain.

The i8 was BMW’s first PHEV, pairing a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with an electrical motor on the entrance axle for a complete output of 356bhp and a 0-62mph time of 4.3sec – making it a pure rival to the Porsche 911.

A battery within the transmission tunnel gave an electric-only vary of greater than 30 miles in later automobiles. 

The i8 was produced from 2014 to 2020, being discontinued to make method for a brand new line of bespoke electrical BMW fashions together with the iX3, i4 and iX. 

The Vision M Next hinted at what an i8 successor may appear to be, however plans to provide it had been shelved over considerations about excessive R&D prices and low gross sales potential. 

However, M boss Frank van Meel hinted to Autocar in 2022 that the door wasn’t completely shut to the prospect of a brand new hybrid supercar, saying: “It’s at all times one thing we are able to take a look at. As automobile guys, we’re at all times dreaming of constructing such automobiles. It doesn’t imply we’ll make them, however we hold exploring these concepts.”

He mentioned the cancellation of the i16 did not imply BMW was “not thinking of a super-sports car,” tellingly including that he was “always trying to figure out how it would work”.

News

Radical Honda EV saloon is 90% prepared for manufacturing in 2026

Honda’s radical new Saloon idea, which serves to preview a line of revolutionary new EVs dubbed the 0 Series, is 90% prepared for manufacturing in 2026.

At its unveiling at CES in Las Vegas, bosses confirmed that the ultimate automotive is designed, and testing of the manufacturing automotive is now underneath approach at Honda’s US headquarters, forward of an anticipated reveal in 2025.

It would be the first in Honda’s new 0 Series electrical automotive line-up. Representing a ground-up overhaul of the Japanese model’s strategy to electric car improvement and majoring on effectivity, engagement, spaciousness and autonomy, the brand new fashions will likely be offered in international markets together with Europe, following a launch within the US.

Honda’s European boss, Katsuhisa Okuda, stated the 0 Series is about “creating outstanding projects from zero, unconstrained by existing assumptions”.

With this new line of EVs, Honda is “going back to the starting point of Honda as an auto maker and creating new EVs from zero”, therefore the 0 Series identify.

It confirmed two ideas previewing this new household at CES in Las Vegas: a rakish, low-slung flagship merely named the Saloon and the bigger Space-Hub, a flexibility-focused people-mover that blends parts of SUVs and MPVs. The bigger Space Hub idea has not been confirmed for manufacturing; a smaller, equally conceived SUV is inbound as a part of the 0 Series, nonetheless, which follows related rules.

The Saloon, in the meantime, will “90% keep this appearance”, confirmed designer Toshinobu Minami, including that it’ll lose a few of the idea’s extra outlandish options for manufacturing, together with the gullwing doorways.

The high-definition digital show on the entrance finish may make it to showrooms,  he added, however he stated Honda is evaluating “what would be good to display”. “We don’t want it to be solely for display,” he added.

It may additionally take an precise identify, quite than a numerical or alphabetical designation like e:NY1, into manufacturing. “It’s something we are thinking about and having lots of difficulty with.”

News

Xpeng AeroHT launches six-wheeled truck with flying module

Chinese firm Xpeng AeroHT will start manufacturing of a radical six-wheeled off-road truck, outfitted with a modular ‘flying automobile’, later this yr.

The agency will start taking orders of the outlandish ‘Land Aircraft Carrier’ within the remaining quarter of 2024, earlier than buyer deliveries start in 2025 – making it one in all just some firms globally to have a ‘flying automobile’ available on the market.

The Land Aircraft Carrier is successfully a car of two halves: a rugged, extremely succesful decide up truck with a separate, drone-style plane hooked up to its rear, which will be indifferent at will and piloted at low altitude for brief distances.

The remaining design continues to be topic to adjustments, however Xpeng AeroHT founder and president Wang Tan says “all key tests of the R&D validation phase” are full, and preparations for manufacturing are beneath means. Final specs are nonetheless to come back.

Speaking to Autocar at CES in Las Vegas, Tan gave an concept of what to anticipate from the manufacturing model of the Land Aircraft Carrier: “The floor module is a really cool off-roader, however the efficiency is means higher than different off-road automobiles as a result of it has three axles and a six-wheel-drive set-up with rear-wheel steering.

“If you’re on a trip and you find a fantastic, gorgeous place, you can park up, release the flying portion and drive it yourself – and you can see a different view that you’ve never seen before.”

“We call it a luxury car”, stated Tan, suggesting an equal begin worth of between $170,000 and $200,000 (£134,000-£157,000).

The Land Aircraft Carrier will initially be offered in China, with its maker concentrating on annual native volumes of round 10,000 items per yr. But Tan stated “we are an international company, and in the future we will have a big market around the world”.

The firm is in talks with China’s civil aviation administration over getting the flying module licensed for public use, however has not but begun discussions with equal Western our bodies.

AeroHT was based in 2013 and purchased by Xpeng in 2020. It has developed 5 electrical automobiles over the previous decade and is now on the level at which it’s assured to launch one to market.

Employing practically 1000 individuals, some 85% of whom are in analysis and growth, Xpeng AeroHT is the most important flying automobile firm in Asia, in accordance with Tan.

Tan stated the time is correct to start out contemplating flying automobiles as a viable industrial prospect: “When I used to be a toddler, they have been simply in futuristic films, however the provide chain of electrical automobiles in China is world-beating.

“We have the opportunity to use the battery systems and the propulsion systems – before we didn’t have this, but day-by-day we have established this supply chain. Flying control systems are getting better and better, and the regulation now is way better than before, which supports us to have this.”

News

New Mazda concept showcases upcoming rotary-electric MX-5 replacement

Mazda has unveiled a futuristic vision of what the next-generation MX-5 could be at the Tokyo Motor Show. The iconic sports car is featured as the centerpiece of Mazda’s display, bearing the name Iconic SP and incorporating a sleek design and rotary-electric powertrain concept.

The Iconic SP concept is based on the recently released MX-30 R-EV crossover, leveraging a rotary petrol engine that acts as a generator to charge a 17.8kWh battery while on the move. This approach differs from using the rotary engine as a primary means of propulsion.

Although Mazda has not provided comprehensive specifications for the concept, it claims that the car boasts 370bhp, approximately double that of the most potent variant of the current Mazda MX-5. However, it remains unclear if this power output refers solely to the electric aspect of the drivetrain or includes the rotary engine.

Weighing in at a relatively lightweight 1450kg, similar to the Lotus Emira’s 360bhp four-cylinder offering, the Iconic SP concept is expected to deliver significantly higher performance than any of Mazda’s existing road cars.

Mazda selected the rotary range-extender powertrain for the electric sports car due to its versatility, enabling an optimal weight distribution and packaging layout. For example, the compacted petrol engine is positioned in the middle of the car, creating a low center of gravity and allowing for a long, sloping front bonnet and a cab-rear silhouette.

The concept measures 4180mm in length, 1850mm in width, and 1150mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2590mm. These dimensions put it closer in size to the Alpine A110 than the MX-5. It remains uncertain if the visibly larger cockpit is designed to accommodate more than two passengers. Mazda might opt to vertically position the batteries behind the driver to achieve a lower ride height and center of gravity, preserving the MX-5’s signature agile dynamics.

The cockpit images provide insights into the emphasis placed on handling in this electric reinterpretation of the MX-5. The digital driver display features a g-meter and a map of the Monaco GP circuit, suggesting that the Vision SP is engineered with the primary focus on achieving rapid lap times and driver engagement.

Mazda Iconic Concept

News

Electric Shift Leads to a Major Shift in Car Manufacturing

The transition from traditional combustion engines to electric power has caused car manufacturers to completely rethink their approach to volume production. The new focus is on efficiency and cost-saving in order to meet the demands of the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Joerg Reger, the managing director of ABB’s automotive robotics division, a Switzerland-based robotics supplier, acknowledges the impact of EVs on the industry. He states, “EVs have completely changed the game.”

Until recently, the main objective in car manufacturing was to optimize the final assembly. However, the rise of electric vehicles has shifted the industry’s attention towards other aspects of production.

News

Radical new Lexus concept previews long-range EV for 2026

Lexus is set to unveil a radical new concept next month that will give a glimpse into its upcoming electric vehicle (EV) lineup. This concept car, expected to be launched in 2026, will be a significant step forward for Lexus as it aims to electrify its entire range by 2035.

The concept car is said to revolutionize the modular structure of the vehicle body, change the production method, and revamp the software platform. It will be a statement of intent from Lexus, showcasing the brand’s design cues, technological upgrades, and performance potential for its upcoming EVs. Similar to the BMW Neue Klasse, Mercedes Concept CLA, and Vauxhall Experimental show cars, this concept will encompass the vision of Lexus’s future EV lineup.

Previewed at a recent Lexus Showcase event in Japan, the concept appears to be a dramatic and low-slung EV, possibly based on a rakish saloon concept that was briefly shown in late 2021. If it adopts a five-door fastback silhouette, it will directly compete with cars like the BMW i4 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.

While Lexus has not provided any further details about the concept or the production car it previews, parent company Toyota recently announced its plans to launch a new family of electric cars with significant improvements in range and price compared to its current EVs. This new family of EVs, which will be shared with Lexus, will feature a new type of lithium-ion battery offering a range of 497 miles on a single charge. The advanced chemistry of these batteries allows for slimmer packs, enabling more aerodynamically optimized car designs and more spacious interiors – features that could shape the new Lexus concept.

In the future, Toyota plans to offer a ‘High-Performance’ solid-state battery option, further increasing the range to 621 miles. While Lexus has not explicitly stated its intention to match this range in a production car, it has suggested using solid-state technology in its Electrified Sport supercar concept.

Car review

Hyundai Kona

The interior design of the Hyundai Kona is both radical and traditional. The curved display houses dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment, which are standard features. The centre console has a “brushed aluminium” finish, giving it a retro look with its chunky buttons. However, the entry-level Advance trim has a sea of black plastic with no soft-touch luxury. The practicality of the interior is impressive with ample space in the centre console, roomy door bins, and a small shelf on the passenger side.

One interesting aspect of the Kona is that the floor varies depending on the powertrain chosen. The EV and hybrid models have a higher floor due to the battery placement, resulting in more headroom and a better driving position. Rear passengers in the EV model enjoy a hump-free floor, generous head and legroom, and a reclining backrest. The Kona offers a spacious boot with 466 litres of capacity, along with 40/20/40-split folding rear seats.

The multimedia system of the Kona is well-designed and user-friendly. It features physical shortcut buttons for the climate controls, a high-quality screen with customizable menus, and good responsiveness. The navigation and voice control function excellently, and phone mirroring is integrated seamlessly. However, wireless phone mirroring is not available, and the configurable shortcut buttons have limited functions. Upgrading to the N Line S or Ultimate trims adds a Bose sound system.

Multimedia system

While other manufacturers are removing buttons and integrating controls into touchscreens, Hyundai retains physical shortcut buttons for the multimedia and a separate console for climate controls. The multimedia system boasts a stylish and intuitive interface, extensive configurability, and good responsiveness. The navigation and voice control are excellent, and phone mirroring is well-integrated. However, the lack of wireless phone mirroring and limited functions for configurable shortcut buttons are minor drawbacks. Opting for higher trims adds a Bose sound system for improved audio quality.

News

First Look at BMW Neue Klasse SUV for 2026: A Radical Take on Electric SUVs

BMW has given us a glimpse of their upcoming electric SUV, set to be released in 2026, as part of their exciting Neue Klasse EV lineup. This new SUV, revealed briefly during the presentation of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept, will be a crossover similar in size to the BMW iX3. Its aim is to compete against other electric SUVs like the Audi Q6 E-tron and Mercedes EQC.

The Vision Neue Klasse, showcased as a stylish sedan, sets the stage for this new line of SUVs. However, BMW remains committed to the SUV segment, indicating that electric replacements for popular models like the X3, X5, X6, and X7 are in the works. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse has confirmed that BMW plans to introduce “six Neue Klasse models in 24 months [starting from 2025]. From SUV to sedan, we will have something for every customer.”

Design chief Domagog Dukec has previously stated that while the Neue Klasse will feature traditional three-box designs, there will also be SUV options, as the demand for SUVs is expected to continue. The first model in the Neue Klasse lineup will be a sedan similar in size to the BMW 3 Series, heavily inspired by the new concept car. The second model will be a closely related SUV, likely replacing the current iX3.

The upcoming SUV is estimated to be 25% more efficient than its predecessor, resulting in a range of around 360 miles (compared to the iX3’s 286-mile range). With a charging capacity of 270kW, it will compete effectively with other innovative German electric SUVs. Furthermore, BMW’s next-generation batteries will be slimmer, providing a roomier cabin compared to the current iX3’s platform.

Inside, the Neue Klasse SUV will feature the advanced ninth generation of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system. It will include a panoramic head-up display, gesture-controlled interfaces, and voice control. The focus will be on sustainability, space, and creating a warm and familiar environment, quite different from BMW’s current EV offerings.