BMW Group integrates Android Automotive into Operating System 8 vehicles
Production of the BMW i3 comes to an end
Triple BMW win at Auto Express Awards 2022
BMW scored a trio of wins at this year’s Auto Express Awards with the BMW 2 Series Coupe, BMW 5 Series and BMW i4 all recognised as the industry’s best.
The Auto Express Awards aim to inform car buyers about the best cars on the market. Their readers are at the heart of the awards, with the editorial team focusing relentlessly on their priorities, using digital tools and insight to influence the decision-making process.
Crowned ‘Best Coupé’, the BMW 2 Series Coupé was praised for both its style and substance with Editor-in-Chief Steve Fowler, commenting, “If you’re after a coupé with beauty and brains, look no further than the hugely talented 2 Series. With meaty steering, a traditional rear-wheel drive layout and relatively compact dimensions, even the entry-level 220i and 220d versions encourage you to seek out twisty back roads. In the flagship M240i, the combination of four-wheel drive, cast iron control and a snarling 369bhp straight-six means few rivals are as fast from point-to-point.”
The BMW i4 took home ‘Best Premium Electric Car’ with the editorial team complimenting the model as an electric vehicle that doesn’t require you to compromise on driving fun; “It may sound a little odd, but the BMW i4’s standout feature of this year’s top premium EV is how much it feels like one of the firm’s combustion-engined models – and that’s high praise indeed. The i4 takes so much of BMW’s EVs expertise to deliver a smooth, silent car that packs all the brilliant dynamics we expect from the German brand. There’s a wide selection of models, but all boast a brilliant and practical cabin, plus great tech.”
Remaining at the top of its game, BMW 5 Series was awarded ‘Best Large Company Car’ with judges praising its blend of quality and cutting-edge tech – making it the perfect addition to any company car park. Steve Fowler added, “Inside, the lavish use of luxurious materials gives the cabin a true club-class feel, cementing its win as the best large company car on sale today”.
The BMW 5 Series has been a core vehicle in the BMW range since its introduction 50 years ago. The latest generation was launched in 2017 and is offered in both Saloon and Touring body styles.
BMW Group integrates Android Automotive into Operating System 8 vehicles From March 2023, the BMW Group will be expanding its BMW Operating System 8 and integrating Android Automotive OS (AAOS) into certain models for the first time, as a second technological approach alongside the current Linux-based variant.
“We are integrating the best aspects of all worlds – that could be our own in-house developments, Open Source or commercial software products – depending on what the specific solution looks like. We make sure our customers always enjoy a unique, customised digital experience in their vehicle,” said Senior Vice-President, Connected Company and Development Technical Operations BMW Group, Stephan Durach.
The different software platforms enable the infotainment system to be individually configured. The expanded operating system can also be used in different vehicle series. Customers benefit from tailored and individual digital features and options and as in the past, the expanded BMW Operating System 8 will continue to be updated “over the air” at regular intervals with the BMW Remote Software Upgrade.
Production of the BMW i3 comes to an end June 30 2022, marked the end of an era at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig when the last BMW i3 rolled off the production line, some eight and a half years after it was launched into the market. The i3 was a source of inspiration, a driver of innovation and a pioneer of locally emission-free driving pleasure at the BMW Group.
The BMW i3 started as an exotic specimen in the barely tapped market for electric vehicles in 2013 but developed into a classic with unmistakable charisma. The i3 will go down in the company’s history as a pioneer of sustainable mobility and with more than 250,000 units produced in Leipzig, it is the world’s most successful electric vehicle in the premium compact segment.
“The BMW i3 has great symbolic power,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. He describes the development of the BMW i3 as a prime example of the “BMW way”. This is characterised in particular by the courage to “pioneer topics, to do something different and not just follow the mainstream”. This mindset continues to endure, according to Zipse, because “even the BMW iX, which is quite surprising in its capabilities, has its origins in this corporate culture”.
The BMW i3 was a visionary technology standard-bearer from day one, and not just because of its electric drive. With its Life-Drive architecture, it also set new standards in lightweight vehicle construction. In Leipzig, innovative processes unique in the automotive industry have been established for moulding large-format car body parts from the lightweight high-tech CFRP material. Today, the BMW Group has unique expertise in the industrial use of carbon fibre in body construction and aluminium in designing chassis components.
The final BMW i3 units remain available for purchase at BMW retailers across the UK and are expected to sell out in the coming weeks. Read more about the history and end of BMW i3 production here.
The Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D powered by an all-new 3.3-litre in-line 6cyl diesel engine.
Choice of 200ps or 254ps – up to 550Nm, emissions as low as 127g/km.
3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D engine features all-new DCPCI clean burn combustion technology.
Mazda has revealed that a powerful, clean and efficient all-new e-Skyactiv D diesel engine will be added to the Mazda CX-60- line-up in 2023, joining the PHEV CX-60, which is available to order now.
Another demonstration of Mazda’s ‘Multi-Solution Approach’, the new diesel is designed to meet the needs of customers who want an efficient, long distance driving car with great towing capacity.
The company’s multi-solution strategy offers different products and technologies – including more efficient internal combustion engines and a wide range of electrified powertrains, that best suit the local market and society’s demand for sustainability.
The new diesel powertrain that will make its debut in the CX-60 is a Mazda first – a 3.3-litre in-line six-cylinder e-Skyactiv D diesel engine that features Distribution-Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (DCPCI) Technology. This highly innovative advanced combustion technology makes the new e-Skyactiv D unit one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world, achieving a thermal efficiency of over 40%.
Developed using the ‘right sizing’ concept which optimises displacement to improve both fuel and power efficiency, the all-new 3,283cc longitudinally installed common rail electric direct injection six-cylinder e-Skyactiv D unit will be offered with a choice of two power outputs: 200ps with rear-wheel drive and 254ps with Mazda i-Activ AWD (all-wheel drive).
Featuring a new 48v Mazda M Hybrid Boost system, the all-new diesel engine combines high output with excellent fuel economy. The new DCPCI technology is a highly innovative, advanced combustion system that improves engine efficiency, emissions and fuel economy. These two technologies contribute significantly to the CX-60’s outstanding driving range, performance, frugal fuel consumption and low emissions.
The 254ps e-Skyactiv D delivers impressive performance of 0-60mph in only 7.4 seconds and returns a WLTP average fuel consumption of 53.3mpg with CO2 emissions of 137g/km. The 200ps variant returns a WLTP average fuel consumption of 57.6mpg with CO2 emissions of only 127g/km.
The in-line six-cylinder configuration produces less vibration due to its characteristic ‘perfect balance’, for a smooth and quiet engine tone, whilst delivering a clean and engaging sound. The engine’s high torque delivery gives the CX-60 a 2,500kg trailer weight towing capacity, while as a result of its lightweight construction, the engine weighs similar to the 2.2-litre Mazda Skyactiv D four-cylinder diesel engine used in the Mazda CX-5, which helps handling balance.
An in-line straight-six 3.0-litre e-Skyactiv petrol engine will join the e-Skyactiv D and e-Skyactiv PHEV to complete the Mazda CX-60 powerplant line-up at a later date, offering customers the wide choice of technologically advanced, highly efficient powertrains appropriate to the outstanding levels of craftsmanship and on-board technology offered by the CX-60 model range.
With the launch of the CX-60, Mazda takes another important step in its fleet’s emission reduction on its way to become entirely carbon neutral by 2050. In all, Mazda is launching five new electrified products in the next three years that feature its multi-solution platform architecture. After 2025, the company will launch its brand new Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture which will allow Mazda to efficiently build electric cars of all sizes using one common platform.
In 2023, the company will launch a new model, the Mazda CX-80, which is larger than the Mazda CX-60 and features three rows of seating. With the all-new Mazda CX-60 PHEV available to order now for September delivery, the all-new Mazda CX-60 diesel will arrive in the UK in the first quarter of 2023.
Van drivers currently underestimate the range of electric vans with an assumed average range of just 67.5 miles
71% percent of drivers are concerned about being out of pocket for charging costs of company owned vans
Over one-third (37%) believe that van drivers should make the switch to electric as soon as possible
Encouragingly, 6-in-10 admit they still plan to switch to electric in 6 months
Ford’s latest Go Electric report has uncovered that, while there are more electric vehicles on the road, the UK’s knowledge of electric vans still lags behind.
The report includes the views of 500 van drivers* in the UK and found considerable gaps in their knowledge of electric vans and the benefits to their businesses, leading to barriers preventing full electric adoption. This comes as the first jumbo E-Transits are delivered and the smaller E-Transit Custom is announced.
Range anxiety is seen as one of the main concerns of van drivers, with the average range of an electric van thought to be under 70 miles. This is three times less than the actual range of the E-Transit, offering a range of up to 196 miles.**
The pressures around time management continue, with almost half (44%) of van drivers believing they wouldn’t be able to fit charging time into their working schedule. This may stem from a lack of charging options available, with only 20% of respondents saying there are always charging points available at work, and over half (52%) saying they don’t have access at home. On top of this, only 42 per cent of van drivers said they knew how to charge an electric vehicle.
Drivers of company owned electric vans were concerned about being out-of-pocket with 7-in-10 (71%) flagging they’re unsure how they’d get reimbursed for electricity costs if they charged their company vehicle at home. As the UK edges closer to 2030, when the ban on the sale of new combustion engine powered vehicles will come into force, cost still remains a concern among van drivers, with the outright cost of new vehicles (16%) being the biggest financial concern.
For businesses, almost one-third (29%) stated that the initial infrastructure cost of introducing electric vans would be too much of a burden for themselves or their business. In fact, recent statistics from the SMMT revealed that commercial vehicles account for 13% of vehicles on the road (4,604,861), yet data from 2021 showed only 0.3% were fully electric or plug in hybrids (source: SMMT, May 2021).
Despite some drivers having concerns, there is optimism around the future of electric vans too, with almost half (49 per cent) believing electric vans will be the most common type of van on Britain’s roads within the next 10 years – with only nine per cent disagreeing. On this, more than a third (36%) said they or their employer plan on switching to electric vans within the next four to six months and nearly two-fifths (38 per cent) said they thought it was a smart investment.
Showcasing the power of the green pound, over a quarter (26%) of van drivers believed their company would be perceived more positively for driving electric vans. Similarly, almost half (48%) believed if their colleagues or friends were to buy an electric vehicle, it would positively impact their work and lifestyle.
Over half (52%), also agreed with the statement that they, or their company, is planning on making the switch to an electric van because they’re “really cool”!
Mandy Dean, Commercial Vehicle Director, Ford of Britain, said: “With the Ford Transit being the best-selling vehicle in the UK, tackling the concerns of Britain’s workforce is an important task in helping the nation go green and make the switch to electric. Understanding people’s perceptions of electric vehicles is vital to making sure we’re all on board, including within the vital commercial vehicle segment which is so important for keeping the UK’s economy growing. Our research report shows while there are concerns about the switch, van drivers seem willing to embark on the journey to go green and Ford Pro has the capabilities to make the switch easier.”
“With concerns around being out pocket a key worry for drivers, we’ve introduced simplified billing and administration via Ford Pro Charging software which means that fleet drivers can charge at home and the energy cost will be exactly calculated and sent to their business for your reimbursement.”
Busting some of the misconceptions around range anxiety and reducing vehicle down time, the newly introduced Ford Pro software, available on E-Transit and E-Transit Custom to come, has a host of new features to help support van drivers:
Ford Pro Intelligence includes integrated features within their vehicles that enable customers to better manage and maintain their fleets, such as live vehicle health and telematics data, improved vehicle uptime, safety, and security, and improving overall productivity
Ford Pro also helps businesses setup and map out the charging infrastructure, be it at home, depot or on the public network, and Ford telematics tools keep an eye on range, nearest charge points and any required maintenance on an individual vehicle
Charging network operators combine into one “Blue Oval” network, helping fleet systems to identify at home charging and reimburse drivers
Digital dashboards help businesses manage when to start and stop charging vehicles, to avoid peak times. Charging can also be assigned per route, so vehicles aren’t fully charged when they won’t need it
Smart support through FordLiive can access the latest 60 days of vehicle health to provide the best advice, anticipate upcoming maintenance needs and reduce turnaround times
*Ford surveyed 500 UK based adult van drivers or owners, the research was conducted by OnePoll, this sample size is representative of UK van drivers and was recommended by OnePoll. Of the 500, 61% own the van they drive, 32% stated their employer owns the van, while 7% responded with “other”. 40% of respondents were female, 59% male, and 1% were “other or prefer not to say”.
** The quoted range of up to 196 mile range relates to the 2-tonne E-Transit, the 1-tonne E-Transit Custom has a range of up to 236 miles
***The main barriers to going electric are:
Charging time (16%)
Outright cost of the vehicle (16%)
Running out of charge (15%)
Charging point access at home, on the road and at work (13%)
All-new MG4 EV due for UK launch in September – the first of a series of MG models using advanced Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) architecture
Flexible platform delivers outstanding safety, efficiency, and driver engagement
Innovative MSP will also be prepared for future technologies, showcasing MG’s forward-thinking design strategy
MG Motor UK has revealed the first official UK images of its all-new MG4 EV, ahead of the launch in September.
The key new model will utilise MG’s innovative Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) – state of the art battery architecture that will underpin the next generation of MG models.
Designed for a wide range of vehicles, the MSP can be used flexibly in models across different vehicle segments, from hatchbacks to SUVs and sports cars – suitable for wheelbases ranging from 2,650 to 3,100 mm. The manufacturer has also revealed its new integrated battery structure has a height of just 110mm, enhancing roadholding and driver engagement even further.
The MG4 EV marks a bold new direction for MG Motor UK, with the company underlining an enhanced driving experience derived from a new rear-wheel drive platform which allows 50:50 weight distribution.
The new MSP has been designed to maximise battery efficiency, with concerted efforts to further reduce weight and allow scalable range and performance for a wide variety of customer requirements, offering enhanced interior space and luggage capacity. Initially available with battery capacities from 51kWh to 64kWh, the MG4 EV will be capable of between 218-281 miles range on the WLTP cycle.
MG has adopted a progressive strategy when designing its new platform; the architecture allows integration with future technologies including battery swap systems, while the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) will enable vehicles to receive Over-The-Air (OTA) updates throughout their lifecycle.
David Allison, Head of Product & Planning at MG Motor UK, said: “The MG4 EV is a key part of the next phase of growth for MG. Our new MSP architecture will enable us to offer multiple options for the rapidly expanding UK electric car market, with all choices reinforcing our reputation for outstanding design, market-leading technology, and excellent value for money.”
The announcement marks a pivotal moment for MG, following the sales success of its existing range of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with the brand growing by 83% in the first five months of 2022 in market which has contracted by 8.7%* during the same period.
Further details on the new MG4 EV will be released soon, including announcements on UK pricing, full specifications and official first UK viewings.
For more details about MG or to find your nearest dealer, visit www.mg.co.uk
Honda e Limited Edition exclusively finished in Premium Crystal Red and unique black alloys
Available from £38,120.00 OTR and order books are open
Formula One™ World Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen takes the Limited Edition on its first drive
Following the overwhelming success of its award-winning all-electric urban EV, Honda has unveiled a new Honda e Limited Edition, offering unique exterior styling for enhanced stand-out individuality.
On sale from £38,120.00 OTR, the Honda e Limited Edition is based on the Advance Grade and is available for the first time in Premium Crystal Red paint with a host of contrasting black accents. Black badges have been introduced at the front and rear, and unique 17” black alloys, to further elevate the sleek and emotive styling of this urban EV.
Restricted to only 50 units across Europe, the new Limited Edition offers the most exclusive Honda e experience yet. Since being launched in Europe and Japan in 2020, the Honda e has received critical acclaim worldwide, applauded for its innovative design and progressive technology. It has won numerous awards, including World Urban Car of The Year and the Red Dot Design Awards.
Just before his victory at the FORMULA 1 ROLEX GRAN PREMIO DEL MADE IN ITALY E DELL’EMILIA-ROMAGNA 2022, Max Verstappen drove a Honda e Limited Edition in nearby Dozza, which is internationally renowned for its eclectic street art. The reigning World Drivers’ Champion was impressed with the Honda e Limited Edition’s electric performance and eye-catching style as he manoeuvred through the tight and twisty streets of the medieval village.
“The Honda e Limited Edition is simply lovely,” said Verstappen. “It has funky looks, a compact design and is fun to drive. It’s a great electric urban vehicle.”
