Auto Express 1547

ONCE again this week I found myself sitting on the BBC sofa talking about electric cars. This time, a committee of MPs has criticised the Government’s Road to Zero plan to ban petrol and diesel cars from 2040; as you can read on page 16, they say it should be 2032. They also – quite rightly – had a go at last week’s announcement that subsidies for electrified vehicles are to be cut. Electric vehicles are a hot topic, with the number of people viewing our electric car reviews and stories on our website growing by the day. And that’s the precise reason why we’ve decided to launch a website dedicated to electric vehicles. You can log on to DrivingElectric.com right now for reviews, videos (such as the one above)…

EXCLUSIVE All-new Scala replaces unloved Rapid to take on Volkswagen favourite and Ford Focus in family hatch class • New hatchback promises polish, practicality and space • Cabin features more upmarket look and new infotainment Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn “There are no real surprises with how the Scala performs, placing comfort and refinement ahead of sporting prowess.” WRAPPED in a psychedelic disguise, and not due to be officially revealed until december, is Skoda’s answer to the Ford Focus and VW Golf. That’s a pretty core segment, you’re probably thinking, so why hasn’t Skoda already got such a model in its line-up? Well, it has, it’s called the rapid and it is the least popular Skoda on sale in the UK today. This all-new version is designed to reverse that; the car is…

• Hi-tech crossover will be brand’s first plug-in hybrid James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods A NEW Renault Captur crossover with plug-in hybrid power is being prepared to go on sale in 2020. Recently spied testing for the first time and previewed in our exclusive images, the next-generation Captur has two big tasks on its hands when it arrives early next decade. Firstly, it must continue its role as a sales success for Renault. Since being launched in 2013, the first-generation car has established itself as Renault’s third best seller globally, with 232,733 examples finding homes around the world last year. Secondly, it’ll be the French brand’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle, using tech outlined by Renault boss Carlos Ghosn at this month’s Paris Motor Show. The firm is looking at an all-new plug-in hybrid…

• Green Light for Mission E Cross Turismo • Pure-electric SUV also planned Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn PORSCHE is forging ahead with its electrification plans and the German firm has announced that a version of the Mission E Cross Turismo show car (right) will go into production. The concept was first presented at this year’s Geneva Motor Show and it previews a shooting brake version of the manufacturer’s first electric vehicle, the Taycan saloon. Prototypes have already been spotted testing on public roads, and it’s likely the Cross Turismo will go on sale in 2020. Porsche has promised a range of 310 miles and as much as 600bhp. However, Porsche officials have also confirmed that a fully electric SUV is also planned. Speaking to Auto Express, Porsche’s deputy chairman, Lutz Meschke, said:…

ELECTRIC CAR NEWS AND REVIEWS Your ultimate guide to buying and owning an electric car The team behind Auto Express has launched a new website about electrified vehicles. At www.DrivingElectric.com you’ll find in-depth reviews of every electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid car and van on sale. The reviews are supported by a range of advice and video features, covering the basics of EV ownership, such as how and where to charge. A wide range of ‘best car’ features makes it easy to get the definitive view of the top new-car choices across a number of different criteria. Users can catch up on the latest news and reviews through Driving Electric’s Twitter and Facebook channels – and the team is also on hand to answer your questions at hello@drivingelectric.com.…

PEUGEOT has confirmed it will launch a range of ‘high-performance’ electrified sports vehicles from 2020. The French firm’s motorsport arm, Peugeot Sport, will help develop the new cars and their technology, which is expected to first appear in a fully electric version of the next-generation 208 GTi hot hatchback. The project, exclusively revealed by Auto Express back in July (right), will mean EV versions of key Peugeots, including GTis, being sold alongside conventionally powered editions. Peugeot CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said, “When you buy a Peugeot you will find design and the upmarket trim levels like GT-Line, GT and perhaps GTi, because I don’t want to generate any difference between EV and combustion-engined models, but the customer will choose the powertrain. “My friends from motorsport are working on some projects to…