Fast Lane: New single-motor Zeekr 009 launches, Mitsubishi EVs by 2026, Land Rover goes electric
Single-motor Zeekr 009 electric MPV for sale here
A lower-powered, single-motor version of the Zeekr 009 electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) has been approved for sale in Singapore. The 009 Deluxe (7-Seater), which has 250kW of power, instead of 450kW for the dual-motor version, can travel up to 604km before its 116kWh battery needs to be plugged in.
The single-motor format also means lower energy consumption, at 21.4kWh/100km as opposed to 22.3kWh/100km. The car takes 7.9 seconds to get from 0-100kmh, compared with 4.5 seconds for the dual-motor version.
Priced at $359,999 with certificate of entitlement, the Zeekr 009 Deluxe (7-Seater) is available for test drives at the Zeekr showroom.
Mitsubishi EV by second half of 2026
Foxconn will be developing an all-new electric vehicle for Mitsubishi that will be ready by the second half of 2026
PHOTO: REUTERS
Mitsubishi will have an electric vehicle ready for sale in Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2026.
The car is not a Mitsubishi in the traditional sense, as it will be developed by a subsidiary of Foxconn, the Taiwanese contract manufacturer best known for making the Apple iPhone. The actual production will be handled by Yulon, which is also a Taiwanese company.
The move comes after the initiative to bring Mitsubishi together with Honda and Nissan to form the world's third-largest auto group fell through in February. For its part, Foxconn has been looking for opportunities to partner Japanese carmakers to break into the electric vehicle market.
Older Landies go electric
Other than missing the exhaust and engine noise, there is very little that differentiates the electric Land Rover from the unmodified version.
PHOTO: INVERTED
Land Rovers, as old as the Series I that was built between 1948 and 1958, right up to Series III, from 1971 to 1985, can be transformed into electric vehicles without denting their abilities to venture off the beaten path.
The conversion is undertaken by Inverted, an independent English company, as a follow-up to the electric version of the Range Rover that it launched in 2023.
The work to bring the classic off-roader into the electric age involves gutting out the engine and other oily bits, but retaining the transfer case which contains the selectable final drive ratio and locking differential – critical for the Land Rover to retain its off-roading prowess.
In place of the engine is an electric motor with 119kW and 900Nm of torque, far more than any internal combustion engine that the old Land Rovers ever had.
The electric conversion also has a selectable drive mode, which alters motor performance and regenerative braking profiles.
Given that the engine and related ancillaries are removed, an electric power steering system and servo-assisted brakes are installed.
Inverted also announced the launch of the conversion kit for the Land Rover Defender, which has a larger 82kWh battery and a choice of 224kW or 298kW motor
Meanwhile, Land Rover, the original car manufacturer, is expected to unveil its first fully electric model later in 2025.
Sime Darby Auto Selection rebranded as Auto Selection
Auto Selection carries both certified pre-owned BMWs and used cars from other brands.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM GOOGLE MAPS
Sime Darby Auto Selection has been renamed Auto Selection. In addition to selling used cars of various makes, it will also be handling certified pre-owned BMW cars, which used to be under Performance Premium Selection Limited.
Certified pre-owned BMW cars have to be no older than five years old and have mileage that is under 120,000km. These are among the criteria set by the German carmaker for the cars to be qualified under its worldwide used car programme.
All cars sold by Auto Selection will come with a one-year extended warranty.
The company is part of Sime Darby, the Malaysian multinational conglomerate, which also owns Performance Motors Limited, a BMW dealer in Singapore.
Located at 1 Ubi Road 4 and 280 Kampong Arang Road, the Auto Selection showrooms will offer certified pre-owned BMW cars and used cars from other brands.
Unique vintage sports car on auction for $6.6 million
The upcoming auction at Lake Como includes this one-of-a-kind French sports car.
PHOTO: BROAD ARROW AUCTIONS
Some of the finest pre- and post-war collector cars will be at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este auction to be held on May 24 and 25 at Lake Como in Italy.
These include a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C Lago Speciale Teardrop Coupe, which has an estimated value of between €4.5 million (S$6.6 million) and €6.5 million. The car, bearing chassis number 90034, is said to be the only one to have a Figoni et Falaschi Teardrop Coupe body built on this type of chassis. Catch the unique car in action on str.sg/7o24
To find out more about the auction, go to www.broadarrowauctions.com
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