Latest news with #Ancap
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Camry takes it up another notch
NEW CAR What's new? Not so many years ago, the launch of a new generation Toyota Camry would have been one of the major motoring events of the year. But in these SUV-dominated days the model that was once a sales leader in a crowded mainstream large saloon segment is now our sole survivor, and its arrival here late last year in what is generally reckoned to be 10th-generation form went largely unnoticed. More than six months on, it's time for this latest Camry to finally grace these pages, tested in top-flight ZR specification. This latest Camry is based quite heavily on the model it replaces, utilising the same underlying platform, the same front doors and the same roof structure. There's a 35mm gain in overall length thanks to an increased front overhang, but its wheelbase, width and height are unchanged. Despite much that's the same, there have been enhancements under the skin including revisions to the suspension and steering. It's a similar story mechanically, where the established recipe of a petrol-electric hybrid system centred on a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and driving the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission is maintained, now as the sole powertrain option. Yet here there have been major enhancements too, including a new and more powerful electric motor and smaller, lighter and more efficient transaxle. Unlike the mildly refreshed exterior, the interior does get a substantive makeover, and this latest Camry also moves ahead with an enhanced array of safety systems and Toyota's latest suite of digital interfaces and technologies. Three mechanically identical variants of the new Camry are available, opening with the $49,990 GX. There's a mid-spec SX listing at $52,990, while the ZR, as tested, tags at $57,990. What comes as standard? Toyota doesn't play favourites within the Camry range for safety equipment, and is rightly proud of a freshly-earned 5-star Ancap test results that includes the highest rating (95%) for adult occupant protection of any car tested under the Ancap system last year. Provided under Toyota's Safety Sense banner, key active safety features include a 360-degree camera system, autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-trace assist and lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and curve speed reduction, traffic sign recognition, auto-dipping headlights, blind-spot monitoring with safe exit alert, and a driver monitoring camera. A key safety development with this new Camry is new a forward-facing camera with a far wider field of view than the previous model. This enables the autonomous emergency braking to detect and respond to a wide range of hazards earlier. Turning to creature comforts and convenience features, the entry-level GX is fitted with dual-zone climate control, a six-speaker sound system, and front and rear parking sensors. Sitting on 17-inch alloys and equipped with bi-beam LED headlights, this variant has an eight-inch centre touchscreen, offers smartphone mirroring and voice recognition, and musters four USB-C plugs as well as a single older-style USB-A socket. The SX takes more sophisticated multi-eye LED headlights and adds LED fog lamps. Within the cabin it boasts the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, a wireless charge pad, a 10-way power adjusting drivers seat, and a leather-rimmed steering wheel. Siting on 18-inch alloys shod with 235/45 Bridgestone tyres, the flagship ZR adds a lot more equipment including a panorama sunroof, nine-speaker JBL sound system, head up display, artificial leather trim, a power-adjusting front passengers seat, heating and ventilation for both front seats, a heated and power-adjusting steering wheel and heated exterior mirrors. What's it look like? Given that there's been no change in wheelbase, and the door and roof structure also carry over, it's a case of (mild) evolution rather than revolution when it comes to the exterior styling of his latest Camry. The nose has been significantly updated, echoing the look of the latest Prius with narrow crescent-shaped headlights, a slit-like upper grille. Unlike the pure EV Prius, the Camry does need to provide for a decent flow of cooling air to its motor, and this is provided by a large lower grille adorned with diamond patterning on its edges. The crescent theme is repeated with the tail lights, and compared to its predecessor this latest Camry also has quite different rear bumper mouldings. A small detail change at the rear is the replacement of the previous model's "hybrid" badging on the right of the bootlid with the letters "HEV", this being reasonably obvious Toyota shorthand for hybrid electric vehicle. Somehow, the overall look manages to be simultaneously inoffensive and quite sleek, and from some side angles surprisingly delicate. What's it like inside? Working from the rear to the front, boot space remains unchanged from the previous Camry at 524-litres. Even on the flagship ZR, the boot lid is not power operated, but that hardly matters since the assist spring is sufficiently powerful to raise the boot itself when opened. One minus point is that ease of access to the back of the cabin has diminished, as the rear door aperture has been modified, seemingly for aesthetic reasons. The new door line, which now bisects the rear side glass insert rather than fully encompassing it make entry and egress tighter. Once aboard, however, the back seats score very well for spaciousness, with ample legroom and plenty of width. The rear row is also quite bright and airy thanks to the panoramic sunroof. Accommodating three adults across the back is easy, albeit with the middle occupant perched slightly higher than those either side. With just two in the back, the rear centre armrest can be deployed. The armrest its fitted with two cupholders, while the back of the centre console houses adjustable rear air vents and dual USB-C charge points. Interior colour and trim choices are fairly conservative, with various shades of grey, gloss black and burnished metallic highlighting, and a disappointing lack of contrast even on the top-spec upholstery of the test car. Yet while the overall effect is not especially adventurous, it's all very neatly done, with soft touch surfaces where you'd expect them, and the normal high Toyota standard of fit and finish. The most obvious visual talking point up front is the horizontal bar insert on the passengers' side of the dash, which is cleverly integrated with the centre touchscreen surround. The touchscreen has quick-access buttons and a rotary volume knob to its right, and is positioned above a separate display screen and button array for the climate control, seat heating and cooling, and steering wheel heating. A wireless charge pad, an oddment cup and a bevy of USB plug points are positioned at the front of the centre console, ahead of the gear selectors and drive mode buttons on the drivers' side, and dual cupholders to the left. Topped by a padded centre armrest, the centre bin is large and deep. Smartphone mirroring was easily accomplished on test, and the centre screen and its menu system impressed for it clarity and generally easy operability. What's it like to drive? With a power adjusting seat and power adjusting steering column, finding a suitable driving position on the ZR Camry is easy. Even with the seat in its lowest position, the driver comparatively high, with good all-round visibility, at least by saloon (as opposed to SUV) standards. Key controls are sensibly positioned, and the fully digital main instrument panel — which changes its display according to the drive mode selected — is clear, though not always instinctive to navigate via the control buttons on the steering wheel. Essential information including both vehicle speed and the speed limit show clearly on the head up display. The powertrain is impressive, as one might expect given Toyota's long experience with hybrid systems. Dubbed a "generation five" system, this hybrid evolution seems able to do more of its lower-speed motoring in purely electric or heavily electric-assisted modes than that of the previous Camry hybrid. That, or course, is all to the good in respect of thrift and round-town and aural refinement. Toyota is famously shy about giving peak torque figures for its hybrids. Indeed, one even has to dig quite hard to ascertain that the petrol engine's 138kW/221Nm outputs are supplemented by an electric motor capability of up to 108kW and 208Nm. Because the petrol and electric motors never produce to their fullest ability at the same time, the system's peak ouput is never the sum of the two. Toyota is quite open than the maximum combined power output is 170Nm, and I'd suggest that when maximum effort is called for, that's backed by around 350Nm of torque. That's ample to deliver snappy overtaking when required, and another standout feature is that the petrol engine never feels or sounds thrashy, even when using the paddle shifts and accelerating hard. Impressive levels of mechanical refinement are backed by well contained wind and road noise and a compliant ride to establish this latest Camry as an effortless and very comfortable highway cruiser. The steering, which firms markedly in sport mode, is precise though a a little short on feel. Handling-wise, the test car was surefooted though medium to quick corners, with a composure (as you would hope) far superior to that of a similar-sized SUV. Tighter bends are less Camry's thing, for while it's a nicely balanced car dynamically, it's also quite large and not especially nimble. Active safety aids are very much the thing these days, and frequently irritatingly intrusive. Hat's off to Toyota, then, for keeping this in check with the latest Camry; even in their default settings, nothing in the active safety suite is too invasive during normal driving, and many of the systems can be partially or fully deactivated anyhow. One attribute especially welcomed on test was the ability to select either adaptive or regular cruise control via the multi-function steering wheel. Economy is worthy of note, too. This latest Camry is rated at 4.5l/100km, and while Drivesouth didn't quite match this on test, the car was returned with a 5.2l/100km return showing on the trip computer. Even allowing for recommended diet of 95 octane gasoline, that's impressive thrift for a large saloon, and underscores just how far Toyota's ongoing refinement of its hybrid systems has progressed. Verdict Incremental improvement is the name of the game with this new-generation Camry. The end result may not stir the soul, but it's deeply impressive nonetheless. AT A GLANCE TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID ZR Overall rating: ★★★★ Design and styling: ★★★+ Interior: ★★★★ Performance: ★★★+ Ride/handling: ★★★★ Safety: ★★★★★ Environmental: ★★★ SPECIFICATION Price: $57,990 Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder 138kW/221Nm petrol engine and 100kW/208Nm electric motor. Maximum combined power 170kW. Transmission: Continuously variable, front-wheel-drive. Safety rating: 5-star Ancap. Wheels and tyres: alloy wheels, 235/45 R18 tyres. Fuel and economy: 95 octane unleaded petrol, 4.5 litres per 100km on standard cycle, fuel tank capacity 50 litres. Carbon emissions: 103 grams CO2/km. Dimensions: Length 4920mm, width 1840mm, height 1445mm. By David Thomson
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uruguay's Green Energy Success Story Takes an Unexpected Turn
For years, Uruguay has been extolled as a poster child for green energy ambitions. Last year, the small South American country generated a jaw-dropping 98 percent of its energy from renewable resources and proudly paved the way for a new form of energy sovereignty in a changing climate. The country of fewer that 3.5 million people has been held up as a case study for what can happen when good policy and public and political willpower come together to implement a sweeping and swift energy transition. The primary driver of Uruguay's energy transformation was wind power, which currently makes up a stunning 38 percent of the country's energy mix. At present, Uruguay's fossil fuel plants provide just 2 percent of the nation's energy and are only rarely activated in the infrequent case that renewable power production falls short of demand. 'In less than two decades, Uruguay broke free of its dependence on oil imports and carbon emitting power generation, transitioning to renewable energy that is owned by the state but with infrastructure paid for by private investment,' recently reported, calling the country 'a model for transitioning national power systems away from fossil fuels.' This is why it was so completely shocked when Uruguay (very quietly) announced that it would be expanding offshore exploration for fossil fuels in 2025. The Uruguayan state-owned energy company Ancap estimates that there is a 3 to 23 percent probability that oil or gas will be found in areas off the Uruguayan coast. Awareness of the possible existence of oil and gas reserves in the area was raised after a recent discovery of reserves in Namibia, located on the Western Coast of Africa. While that may seem completely unrelated, it's actually quite relevant, as Namibia and Uruguay used to share borders before the continental drift that broke up Pangea. This means that they also shared the prehistoric carbon-based life forms that, over the course of millions of years, turned into the oil that now runs our planet. 'We have a very similar geology, very similar spaces,' Santiago Ferro Castelli, energy transition manager at Ancap, recently told the Guardian. Now, after this realization, seven contracts have been drawn with some of the biggest names in the global oil and gas industry to begin exploration in the waters off of Uruguay. The sudden pivot away from its sterling green reputation toward oil and gas production is highly contentious within the Uruguayan ranks. The issue is not energy security – in fact, Uruguay is a net energy exporter to neighboring Brazil and Argentina, and has been lauded for 'showing the world how it's done' when it comes to establishing successful and sovereign decarbonization on a dime. In fact, Uruguay is far more energy secure now than it was when it was a fossil fuel importing nation. Just a few decades ago, rolling blackouts were a common occurrence in Uruguay. Not so today. Instead, the move seems to be purely economically motivated. 'Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America, Uruguay, with a population of 3.4 million, faces problems with the cost of living, education and poverty,' the Guardian reports. One fifth of Uruguayan children and adolescents live in poverty. However, the decision to explore for oil and gas reserves was not made by the Uruguayan people. 'Our people have not chosen to be an extractivist country. There wasn't the opportunity to vote,' says Andrés Milessi, a marine biologist and director of the non-governmental project Mar Azul Uruguayo. Amongst detractors, there are serious concerns about the impact that the drilling will have on local marine life. There is also major hand-wringing about the impact that this development will have on Uruguay's image as a green leader. Ambitious and unwavering commitment to green energy put Uruguay on the map. What will compromising that vision cost it? By Haley Zaremba for More Top Reads From this article on
The Guardian
30-01-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘Like dropping a bomb': why is clean energy leader Uruguay ramping up the search for oil?
When he hears the news, the only words that fisher Francisco Méndez can use are those of war. 'What they are planning to do is like dropping a bomb – and when you drop the bomb, everything dies,' says the 41-year-old father of five. For 22 years, Méndez has sailed into the Atlantic Ocean, fishing for brotula and striped weakfish alongside his father, brothers and uncles. He is also joined, occasionally, by dolphins and whales, curious about his white and orange vessel. But now Méndez fears his family's way of life and livelihood are under threat. Renowned for its green energy credentials that see it generating up to 98% of its electricity from renewables, Uruguay is changing tack and ramping up its search for oil in its territorial waters. Uruguay's new 'black gold' rush has its roots in development more than 7,000km (4,300 miles) away. While the South American country has never found oil on or offshore, its former neighbour Namibia – from when the continents were joined as part of Pangaea – recently did. In 2022, the south-west African country discovered 11bn barrels of oil off its coast, raising the possibility of similar reserves in Uruguay and leading to a stampede of international oil companies descending on Montevideo. 'We have a very similar geology, very similar spaces,' says Santiago Ferro Castelli, energy transition manager at state-owned energy company Ancap, which is overseeing the exploration. Seven contracts have been awarded to some of the biggest energy companies in the world to begin oil and gas prospecting. Seismic data acquisition is expected to begin this year, and drilling will begin in 2026. This marks the first time all 120,000 sq km (46,000 sq miles) of Uruguay's offshore acreage is under active contracts. Ancap estimates there is a 3 to 23% probability that areas off its coast will contain oil or gas, and says as much as 30bn barrels could be found. Uruguay's late entry into the oil game comes amid a greater race across Latin America and the Caribbean. As the Guardian reported last year, about half of the region's countries are involved in about 50 major new oil and gas projects. Production is expected to outstrip demand, adding 2m barrels a day destined for export by 2030. The push comes despite the global drive to achieve net zero and a warning from the International Energy Agency that exploration and development of new oil and gas fields must end immediately if the world wants to stay within the safe limits of the climate crisis. Not all of those in Uruguay's government are positive about the plans. Gerardo Amarilla, undersecretary at the environment ministry, believes his country's exploration is a 'complete contradiction of climate change goals'. 'It is inconsistent to continue searching for oil or diesel at a time when the world is making a commitment to abandon fossil fuels,' he says. One Uruguayan academic, who wishes to remain anonymous, says that while countries in the global north can argue they 'did not know' about subsequent climate effects when they produced emissions for centuries, countries exploiting today 'cannot claim the same ignorance'. On the shores of Uruguay, fears are also mounting about what the plans could mean for marine life. The seismic acquisition involves air guns firing into the sea from large vessels every four to 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until surveys are completed. The blasts create loud sound waves that can penetrate more than 10km beneath the seafloor and, in the open ocean, be detected thousands of kilometres from the source. Companies use the results to produce detailed 3D maps, allowing them to define targets for exploratory wells and tap potential reserves if hydrocarbons are discovered. Environmental researchers say the process is dangerous for marine species and can lead to habitat abandonment, the disruption of mating and feeding, and beach strandings. It can also damage animals' hearing and communication ability, cause the displacement of fish populations, and kill large numbers of zooplankton, a crucial marine food resource. 'It will affect all forms of marine life, from the smallest creatures to our whales,' says Andrés Milessi, a marine biologist of 30 years and director of Mar Azul, a project of the non-governmental organisation Che Wirapitá. Uruguayan waters are rich in biodiversity and home to a great number of creatures, including sperm whales, sea turtles, dolphins and seals. Sign up to Global Dispatch Get a different world view with a roundup of the best news, features and pictures, curated by our global development team after newsletter promotion Amarilla says the area is of vital importance to flora and fauna, and that during prospecting in the 2010s, several dead whales washed up on the beaches. 'We were never able to prove it was the seismic activity that killed the whales, but is it a coincidence that they died? It has not happened since they stopped,' he says. It was also during this earlier testing that fishers reported a huge drop in catch. 'Our catches dropped 42% in the year after,' says Juan Riva-Zucchelli, the director of the Chamber of Fisheries. Méndez says new seismic exploration and drilling plans will be a 'nail in the coffin' for the area's abundant marine life and artisanal fishing communities, which also suffer from illegal fishing. The fisher recalls that, during this period, he constantly had to find new areas to fish, five to 10 nautical miles away from his usual spot. 'It was terrible for us,' he says. 'To be in the sea, to be in nature, is everything. If they go ahead, the fish will die, and those that don't die will leave. My whole family are fishers. It will kill all our livelihoods.' Uruguayans also fear their country entering uncharted territory and question their preparedness if oil is found. 'Uruguay has no history in hydrocarbon exploitation. So, obviously, we don't have legislation or laws either,' says Milessi, adding that during previous explorations companies 'took advantage', complying with only 'the minimum requirements'. Another point of contention is Uruguay's position as a leader in clean energy. The country has essentially accomplished the transition other nations are striving for. More than 90% of Uruguay's energy needs are met by low-carbon sources, and the country exports its surplus energy to neighbouring Brazil and Argentina. Uruguay has also been working toward its long-term green hydrogen goals. 'Our people have not chosen to be an extractivist country. There wasn't the opportunity to vote,' says Milessi, who believes Uruguay would benefit more from protecting the ocean and prioritising a blue agenda. Ancap argues that, even though Uruguay is not reliant on fossil fuels, other countries are, so finding oil and gas could boost the economy. 'Finding them could be a source of income, and that could be important for the country,' says Ferro. Such an offer would not go unheeded. Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America, Uruguay, with a population of 3.4 million, faces problems with the cost of living, education and poverty. About half of children finish higher secondary school, and one in five children and adolescents live in poverty. Uruguay's prison system is in crisis, with the 13th-highest prison population in the world. 'People here still believe climate change is a problem for the future,' says the academic. 'For now, the government is trying to keep quiet about the oil exploration – most people don't even know about it. But if they discover the oil, then they will promote it, saying the money will be used for education and hospitals. It's like putting a cake in the entrance of a school and telling the children you can't eat it.' The environment ministry is conducting a study on the environmental impacts and will arrange a public hearing once it has concluded. It adds that companies must meet strict requirements if prospecting begins. Pablo Gristo, head of exploration and production at Ancap, says the company is adopting the 'most stringent guidelines and protocols' regarding oil exploration and remains 'fully on board' with promoting energy transition projects. The local fishers, however, who say they have not yet been informed about the proposals, fear their prospects are bleak. 'The artisanal fisher is disappearing; we are already in the extinction zone,' says Pablo Acosta, a third-generation fisher in La Paloma, a small coastal town. 'The businessmen have already stripped the land of the animals. And now they are going to strip the sea.'
