TMW REVIEW - 2015 Range Rover Evoque Dynamic SD4.

With a range of cars that were not that exciting, Land Rover were in need of something that would both wow the buyer and bring in some much needed funds, the Discovery 3/4 was aging, the Freelander 2 was well past its sell by date, the Defender was creaking along to a well deserved pension, and the Daddy Range Rover was a limited proposition for the buyer due to its rather large price tag, which left the Range Rover Sport.

The Sport was undoubtable a great car, and was giving JLR some serious street cred, and income, but they needed something more, or in this case, less, and the car that came was the Evoque, in three and five door models, with front and four wheel drive, it was heavily based on the underpinnings of the Freelander 2, giving this all new (ish) car cost advantages, but with a look that made the world go mad for the car.

When the car was launched at the July 2011 the sales just flowed and flowed, and even today nearly four years later, they are still struggling to keep up with demand, the model has also become the most successful in Land Rover history with nearly 400,000 units sold up to the end of 2014,  and with the introduction of the 2016 models, and a just announced convertible version, as well as an overdue extended wheelbase version, the sales will continue to grow.

Which brings us to the model tested here, the Range Rover Evoque SD4, five door, four wheel drive, a car that has a presence about it, no matter what colour combination, at first look, you are struck by the sharp incline of the windows, which draws your eyes to teh back of the car and a very thin rear window, which to be honest is as much use as having a letter box, and that rear wiper is so small, that it would work equally as well on a pair of glasses.

The over sized wheels are as much a part of the Evoque as the thin light signatures front and rear, they are all part of what makes this car different, and why so many have taken it to their hearts, minds and driveways, but is really any good ?

Being registered disabled, the access is a very important thing for me, and the car wins this hands down, you can just sit on the seat, and fall into and out of the car without any effort at all, and the raised ride height helps to give a decent view around the front and sides of the car, rear view is hopeless, as was trying to look out the rear three quarter window.

The pillars are so thick that getting any view from that angle is virtually impossible, making reversing out at an angle quite tricky, even with the reversing camera showing you the way, the keyless start and press button action is simple enough and the rising of the gear knob, which started life in the Jaguar XF, gives the car a little sense of theatre.

The engine fires into life with a silence that belies its price point, and once you place the car into drive, the near seamless gear changes again showcase the quality of the car,  my only issues with the gearbox are that there is so many gears, nine forward, that in reasonable traffic the gearbox is up and down like a yoyo, and that can't be too good for the car, can it ?

The ease of driving this car is a great plus point, and if you are, in anyway, in need of a car that would be ideal for someone with special requirements, the Evoque is one that can fulfill a number of those requirements, however, its not all good news, as with all cars there are positive points and negative, but will the negative ones outweigh the positive.

The fuel consumption of the SD4 Dynamic was far far FAR less than the quoted mpg on the LR website, the numbers quoted are 39.2/53.3/47.1 our test on reasonable roads with a decent test drive attained a figure closer to 30mpg overall rather than the 53.3 that Land Rover would have you believe, but we all know that the manufacturer figures are a touch on the generous side.

As with ALL Land Rover products it has unrivalled off road ability, this test did not include any off road driving, however on a recent visit to Solihull, we did take an Evoque on the huge Land Rover Off-Road facility and like all the other cars it just did everything that we asked of it,  and more, and it enjoyed it too.

Getting into the back of the Evoque is not an experience anyone would enjoy over the age of 12, it can be, and it definitely feels very cramped in the back, especially with the small windows and black leather upholstery and black headlining, so, if you feel very claustrophobic, then the back of this car is not for you, likewise the boot space, is not the best in class, and with a very high lip getting heavier things in can be an issue, the flat boot space right to the bumper is a help, but the height does hinder.

The switchgear, and central console are very familiar places to be if you are aware of Land Rover products, but that can also be a hindrance, as the central screen is quite busy with too much info to digest as you're driving along, this can be dangerous if you're not used to such display's, however the Nav system is very good, and very quick, we had no issues in choosing a destination and within a very short time frame, it was chosen and off we went.

Moving the Terrain option across one space and the dials in front of you turn a rather nice shade of red, and give the driver a sense of speed and evilness, not that you should treat the car any differently just because it has the shade of the devil in front of, you.

The Evoque is one of those rare cars that can fit nicely in whatever environment you put it, whether it be the School run, shopping, off road, Royalty or celebrity, or just your next door neighbour, it offers everything that its bigger brother does, in a smaller package, with style and flair, and even after a few years it still looks the business.

OVERALL

The Evoque is a great car, thats not in dispute, but it does have its faults, some worse than others, the fuel consumption of our test car was not that good at all, and for some that would be a big deal breaker, the rear view from the C-Pillar, around the back to the other C-Pillar is pointless, you can see hardly anything, which in this car is eased with the rear view camera.

The car is comfortable, if a little firm, and has great road and off road capability, nothing can beat the Land Rover range for that, the original design was so good that nothing has been needed to keep it fresh, even the latest midlife nip and tuck has not changed anything exterior, with the exception of the light signatures, and tweaks to the bumpers.

The car is a good one, but it has issues, if you can live with those issues you will not be disappointed, if you are one of those that likes to be able to good all round vision, or great fuel consumption, or a big boot space, then maybe this is not the car for you. The Evoque has been one of teh biggest hits of the decade for any motoring brand, and it is therefore not a surprise that LR are milking it for all its worth, expect a bigger seven seat version, convertible and a smaller baby Evoque, with the convertible definately coming, the other two, well, we will wait and see.

Better Fuel consumption, more power and better looks, that will be the refreshed AUDI Q3

• Up to 17 percent lower fuel consumption and up to 10 hp more power 

Since its market launch in November 2011, the Q3 model series has been a successful model for the Audi brand. The new Audi Q3 and RS Q3 models not only feature a refreshed design, they also boast a number of technical innovations.

Engine

The three TFSI and three TDI clean diesel four‑cylinder engines boast higher output combined with reduced fuel consumption. CO₂ emissions have been reduced by as much as 17 percent. They displace 1.4 or 2.0 litres and produce between (120 hp) and (220 hp). All are turbocharged, direct-injection units and comply with the limits of the Euro 6 emission standard. These consumption and CO₂ reductions are made possible in part by the Audi cylinder on demand technology. Thanks to their efficiency, the 1.4 TFSI COD and the 2.0 TDI bear the “Audi ultra” badge.

Chassis

The chassis of the Audi Q3 combines agile handling, supreme safety, and enhanced comfort. Audi drive select enables the driver to adjust key technology modules, including the optional active dampers, to suit his or her personal preferences. Wheels range in size from 16 to 20 inches in diameter, and the suspension has been tuned for increased comfort. Hill‑descent assist is available as an option.

Design

The premium character of the redesigned Audi Q3 is apparent at first glance. The Audi designers have honed the details of the coupe‑like lines with the characteristic wrap-around tailgate. 

The sculpted Singleframe grille is the defining element at the front of the car. The redesigned headlights come standard with xenon plus technology and LED daytime running lights. The optional LED headlights are particularly bright and energy‑efficient. Audi offers them in combination with the dynamic turn signals integrated into the likewise redesigned LED taillights.

Versatile

In its base configuration, the luggage compartment of the Audi Q3 has a capacity of 460 litres by folding down the split rear seatbacks, this can be increased to 1,365 litres. Many clever options make the SUV even more versatile and easier to use. These include the luggage compartment package, a pass-through and the power tailgate. Roof rails and a new, extensible luggage compartment cover are standard.

Equipment and trim

The new Audi Q3 features a generous list of standard equipment. This can be supplemented with features taken directly from the luxury class, such as the LED interior lighting package and the power-adjustable front seats. With respect to driver assistance systems, the secondary collision brake assist is standard.

Customers can order the following  assistance systems described below as options. With Audi side assist, a yellow LED indicator illuminates in the housing of the outside mirror if another vehicle is in the blind spot or is approaching rapidly from the rear. Audi active lane assist works with video cameras that detect the lane markings. It gently intervenes in the steering to help the driver return to the lane if he or she comes too close to a line without indicating. The camera-based traffic sign recognition system shows speed limit signs – and now also no passing signs – as graphics in the driver information system display.

MMI navigation plus is the high‑end infotainment solution from Audi. The ideal complement to MMI navigation plus is Audi connect including car phone, which connects the Audi Q3 to the Internet. Passengers can use the integrated to WiFi hotspot to surf or e‑mail, while the driver can enjoy the tailored services from Audi connect. These include the web radio Audi music stream, online traffic information, and navigation with Google Earth and Google Street View.

Sales of the redesigned Q3, which Audi builds at its Martorell plant outside Barcelona, Spain, will begin in February 2015. 

Volvo Car Group conducts UK testing of Flybrid® KERS technology.

• Volvo Car Group conducts UK testing of Flybrid® KERS technology for passenger cars
• Technology adds 80hp performance boost while cutting fuel consumption by up to 25%
• Part of Volvo Cars’ Drive-E Powertrain research programme, system again shows how drivers needn’t compromise between power and fuel efficiency

Volvo Car Group and engineering company Flybrid Automotive, part of the Torotrak Group, have been conducting UK tests of lightweight Flybrid® flywheel KERS technology that boosts performance while cutting fuel consumption and emissions.

The four-year partnership, using real-world driving data from tests on public roads and  test tracks in both Sweden and the UK, has shown that the flywheel-based hybrid technology can deliver an 80hp performance boost, together with fuel savings of up to 25 per cent. The research forms part of Volvo’s continued Drive-E Powertrain research and development programme, which demands no compromise between performance and efficiency.  Just like its recently launched D4 engines, which combine 181hp performance with CO₂emissions as low as 99g/km, the Flybrid® KERS tests deliver similarly impressive results and confirm that it is a lightweight, financially viable and very efficient solution.

The system is the first full-scale trial of a rear-axle mounted flywheel system in a front-wheel-drive passenger car and is the result of a partnership between Flybrid, Volvo and the Swedish government. Flybrid Automotive founder Jon Hilton, now Commercial Director of Torotrak plc following Flybrid’s acquisition by the Group in 2014, is pleased to support Volvo’s UK testing: “This car is a great demonstration of how close to market this technology could be, and how class-leading fuel efficiency can be combined with real performance and driver enjoyment.”

The Flybrid® KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) is fitted to the rear axle of an S60 powered by a 254hp five-cylinder T5 petrol engine. Under braking, kinetic energy which would otherwise be lost as heat is transferred from the wheels to the KERS, and is used to spin a 6kg carbon fibre flywheel at up to 60,000 revs per minute. When the car starts moving off again, energy stored in the spinning flywheel is transferred back to the rear wheels via a specially designed transmission, and can either boost power or reduce load on the engine. The combustion engine that drives the front wheels is switched off as soon as braking begins. The energy in the flywheel can then be used to accelerate the vehicle when it is time to move off again or to power the vehicle once it reaches cruising speed.

Most efficient in city traffic

"The flywheel's stored energy is sufficient to power the car for short periods. This has a major impact on fuel consumption. Our calculations indicate that it will be possible to turn off the combustion engine about half the time when driving according to the official New European Driving Cycle," explains Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain Engineering at Volvo Car Group.

Since the flywheel is activated by braking, and the duration of the energy storage - that is to say the length of time the flywheel spins - is limited, the technology is at its most effective during driving featuring repeated deceleration  and acceleration cycles. In other words, the fuel savings will be greatest when driving in busy urban traffic and during active driving.

If the energy in the flywheel is combined with the combustion engine's full capacity, it will give the car an extra 80 horsepower and, thanks to the swift torque build-up, this translates into rapid acceleration, cutting 0 to 62 mph figures by seconds. The experimental car, a Volvo S60 T5, accelerates from 0 to 62 mph around 1.5 seconds quicker than the standard vehicle. The KERS drive to the rear wheels also offers the experimental car part-time four wheel drive to add extra traction and stability under acceleration.

Carbon fibre for a lightweight and compact solution

Flywheel propulsion assistance was tested in a Volvo 260 back in the 1980s, and flywheels made of steel have been evaluated by various manufacturers in recent times. However, since a unit made of steel is large and heavy and has rather limited rotational capacity, this is not a viable option.

The Flybrid® flywheel that Volvo Cars used in the experimental system is made with the combination of a steel hub and carbon fibre outer. It weighs about six kilograms and has a diameter of 20 centimetres. The carbon fibre wheel spins in a vacuum to minimise frictional losses.

"We are the first manufacturer that has applied flywheel technology to the rear axle of a car fitted with a combustion engine driving the front wheels. The next step after completing these successful tests is to evaluate how the technology can be implemented in our upcoming car models," concludes Derek Crabb.

ABOUT FLYBRID & TOROTRAK

Torotrak is the global innovator in gearless traction drive technology that increases efficiency and reduces CO₂ emissions in vehicles. The variable-drive technology is being developed for main drive transmissions, superchargers, and engine auxiliary applications, substantially improving fuel economy. Following the acquisition of Flybrid Automotive Ltd in 2014, the company’s flywheel technology portfolio includes a range of highly efficient, lightweight and low cost flywheel Energy Recovery Systems. The company has shown how its technologies can reduce CO₂ emissions, conserve energy, save costs and significantly boost efficiency. Customers include major vehicle manufacturers across road cars, buses, commercial vehicles, off-highway and their tier-one technology suppliers, with several programmes now evaluating production-ready designs. 

Volkswagen gains GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for Passat fuel consumption

Volkswagen of America announced today that it has set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® achievement for the “lowest fuel consumption—48 U.S. states for a non-hybrid car” category with a stellar 77.99 mpg — more than 10 mpg better than the previous mark of 67.9 mpg. The achievement also beats the hybrid vehicle record of 64.6 mpg by more than 13 mpg.

The Passat TDI Clean Diesel departed from Volkswagen of America’s headquarters in Herndon, Virginia, on Friday, June 7th, at 12:00 pm and arrived back on June 24th, having covered 8122 miles and visited all 48 states. The car, along with drivers Wayne Gerdes and Bob Winger, were greeted in Herndon by Volkswagen employees as well as Virginia State Delegates Tom Rust and Jim LeMunyon.

Delegate Tom Rust said: "Breaking a world record is a huge accomplishment, and I'm especially pleased that Volkswagen of America—a Herndon, Virginia-based company—is doing its part to make its products more environmentally compatible and less dependent on foreign oil by using cutting-edge diesel technology.  Congratulations!"

Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., said:“To cover 8122 miles on just 104.94 gallons of fuel is nothing short of astonishing and shows just how economical our TDI Clean Diesel vehicles can be. Even for everyday drivers, the mileage benefits of our TDI engines are significant: Volkswagen has no fewer than six TDI Clean Diesel models that achieve an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 40 mpg or better on the highway.”

Wayne Gerdes, founder of cleanmpg.com was the primary driver. Automotive journalist Gerdes has made a career out of hypermiling and has set mileage records in more than 100 vehicles, as well as achieving the record for lowest fuel consumption in the lower 48 U.S. states with a hybrid vehicle at 64.6 mpg. His co-driver was Bob Winger, an electronics engineer long involved in energy and conservation projects.

“We felt we had a good chance of beating the existing record with the Passat TDI,” Gerdes said, “but to smash it by averaging 77.99 mpg is really impressive and a testament to the potential of Volkswagen’s TDI Clean Diesel vehicles. Obviously, we employ some specialized techniques to achieve such figures, but there’s no reason why owners of TDI vehicles shouldn’t be able to achieve great mileage with a few simple pointers.” Gerdes suggests:

Plan in advance: look for impediments or topography 15 to 45 seconds ahead, rather than reacting to where you’re currently driving. Use downhill momentum to help crest an uphill section.

Allow the rabbits to win the race to the stoplights. Heavy braking and acceleration consume fuel at a far greater rate than coasting between intersections.

Obey speed limits: The difference in fuel economy between 55 mph and 75 mph can be as much as 30 percent or even higher in some cars.

The 2013 Passat TDI uses Volkswagen’s advanced turbocharged and direct-injection Clean Diesel engine to achieve EPA estimated highway fuel economy of 43 miles per gallon when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. This enables the Passat TDI to go up to 795 highway miles before needing to refuel.

Clean Diesel engines are just one part of Volkswagen’s approach to sustainable mobility, encapsulated by the Think Blue.® philosophy. Volkswagen employs a wide range of powertrains—diesel, electric, hybrid, and intelligently downsized turbocharged gasoline engines—in its quest to be among the most eco-conscious automakers in the world. That approach extends to the factories in which the cars are built and the processes by which they are made.

For the attempt, the Passat TDI used Shell ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, available at nearly 8,000 Shell stations nationwide,and Continental PureContact® with EcoPlus® Technology tires, which have Tg-F polymers to help reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel efficiency. The record-setting Passat TDI was equipped with a Linear Logic ScanGauge II to precisely measure fuel economy and a Droid® RAZR MAXX™ HD by Motorola® smartphone to provide Guinness World Records tracking requirements and long-lasting connectivity.

2013 Passat TDI Clean Diesel (manual transmission) EPA estimates: 31 city/43 highway mpg. Range based on 43 mpg highway EPA estimate and an 18.5-gallon fuel tank. Actual mileage will vary and depends on several factors including driving habits and vehicle condition.

GENEVA - VW statement on the future for its environmental policies

• Corresponds to average fuel consumption of less than 4 litres
• Group already offers 245 models under 120 g/km, 36 under 100 g/km
• Energy and water consumption pervehicle produced cut by 10 percent in two years
• Winterkorn: “Ecological restructuring proceeding to schedule”

Before the opening of the Geneva Motor Show, the Volkswagen Group reiterated its strategic goal of becoming the world’s most environmentally sustainable automaker by 2018. In the run-up to the show, the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft,

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, said that the Group’s ecological restructuring, also announced in Geneva a year ago, is “proceeding to schedule”. He added: “We are orienting Volkswagen towards maximum energy and resource efficiency. We are well on our way to making our Group the world’s leading automaker in environmental terms.”

The Volkswagen Group is now setting itself even more ambitious targets: “Volkswagen is committing to reducing the CO₂ output of theEuropean new car fleet to 95 grams per kilometre by 2020.” This makes the Volkswagen Group the very first automaker to commit to this ambitious target. According to Winterkorn: “That corresponds to a fuel consumption of less than 4 litres – across all segments and vehicle classes.This is a Herculean task calling for the best efforts of all our 40,000 developers. We can do it.” Winterkorn also stated that Volkswagen would reach its self-imposed target of reducing the CO₂ output of its European newvehicle fleet to less than 120 gram per kilometre by 2015. Volkswagen intends to outperform by more than 12 gram the figure required by law for its vehicle fleet.

The Group is not speculating on any loopholes to achieve its target. Winterkorn underscored that “now is the time to initiate innovations so that efficient technologies and alternative powertrains can be widely used faster. I am convinced this is in the best interests of customers, the environment and Europe as an industrial location.” That is why Volkswagen is advocating credits of the type which are normal practice in the USA andChina for especially eco-friendly vehicles to be introducedin Europe, too.

The Volkswagen Group already offers its customers 245 model variants with emissions of less than 120 grams CO₂ /km, over 60 percent more than two years ago. And 36 model variants already have emissions below 100 grams CO₂ /km, almost 40 percent more than in 2011. Winterkorn: “Our one-litre car, the XL1, is a technological spearhead. With fuel consumption of 0.83 litres and 21 grams CO₂ per kilometre, the XL1 sets new long-term standards in the automotive industry. The technologies used in the XL1 find their way into our series vehicles. That applies in particular to plug-in hybrid technology, which we are systematically pursuing.”

Winterkorn underlined that thedevelopment of increasingly efficient technologies, powertrains and vehicles and environmentally sustainable production would account for more than two thirds of the total investment of €50.2 billion planned by the Group up to 2015. The Group was moving forward “in leaps and bounds”towards its ambitious target of making all 100 production facilities throughout the world 25%more environmentally compatible by 2018.

In terms of the key indicators for energy and water consumption, waste production, and CO₂ and solvent emissions, the Group has on average made environmental savings of 10 percent per vehicle produced over thepast two years.