Latest news with #Porto
The Independent
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Smart #5 review: Tesla-rivalling family SUV is both big and clever
Best known for making city cars small enough to lose down the back of the sofa, Smart has lately been resurrected as a purveyor of premium (and very normal-sized) electric SUVs. The new Smart #5 is the biggest and boldest yet, a tech-focused family SUV with off-road stylings that joins the smaller Smart #1 and #3 in the brand's embiggened line-up. Built by Chinese firm Geely and designed by Mercedes-Benz – both share custody of the Smart name and DNA – the 4.7m long Smart #5 is about as far from the brand's compact roots as you can get. But besides a faint sense of loss for the goofy pocket-cars of yesteryear, the Smart #5 gives you little reason to dislike the brand's change of direction. So yes, the Smart #5 is big – you could parallel park the original Smart Fortwo inside its 2.9m wheelbase – but its boxy proportions, wide-apart wheels and flat floor make it lavishly spacious inside. The rear seats are as well-appointed and roomy as those in the front. The 800V architecture of the top-spec models means it charges faster than most UK charging points will allow, and most versions of the car offer some impressive tech as standard. How we tested We drove the Smart #5 Brabus around Porto and its surrounding countryside, assessing its performance, handling, interior tech and practicality on a variety of challenging roads. Independent rating: 7/10 Smart #5 specs Price range: From £32,000 (estimated) Battery size: 76kWh / 100 kWh Maximum claimed range: 366 miles Miles per kWh: 3.8 Maximum charging rate: 150kW / 426kW Battery, range, charging, performance and drive The Smart #5 comes with two battery sizes. There's the entry-level Pro with a 76kWh battery and 288 miles of range which will probably cost around £32,000. Move up to the Pro+ and beyond and you'll get the 100kWh battery, which offers 366 miles in RWD rear-drive configurations and 335 in the 4x4 AWD car. Those higher trims include the over-the-top Brabus version which could cost something in the region of £55,000. It does away with some comfort and efficiency to deliver a whopping 637bhp and nail a 0-62mph time of 3.8s – just in case that's something anyone would ever want to do in a Smart car. That's silly performance for an SUV of this heft and weight (and something few customers will choose) but thankfully the Smart #5 is fast in ways that matter, too. Charging speeds are where the Smart #5 excels. The biggest battery will charge at speeds of up to 400kW in optimal conditions, taking the Smart #5 from 10 to 80 per cent in under 18 minutes. That's quicker than the Porsche Taycan and the new Tesla Model Y, but you're unlikely to find those optimal conditions in the UK any time soon – where typical motorway fast chargers currently top out at 350kW. The entry-level Pro edition won't worry our current charging infrastructure, with 150kW charging speeds capable of getting from 10 to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes. We test drove the Smart #5 Brabus which, even on its 21in alloy wheels, feels composed and comfortable whether you're crawling along cobbled streets or cruising at motorway speeds. The top-spec Brabus is incongruously powerful for an otherwise sensible family SUV, but switch to a less sporty driving mode and you'll get something closer to the performance of lower trim models. Things gets more business-like then with nicely weighted steering and smoother, more predictable power delivery. Ironically, city driving isn't the Smart #5's strong point. The 2.4 tonne SUV is more than comfortable in start-stop traffic, and the boxy body shape gives you excellent road visibility, but the car's size and fairly unremarkable turning circle makes it naturally unsuited to squeezing around tight bends and out of tricky spots. Interior, practicality and boot space The Smart #5 is surprisingly cavernous. A flat floor and long wheelbase, coupled with the overall boxiness of the shape, creates a huge amount of headroom and legroom for even the tallest front and rear passengers. Boot space is generous at 630 litres, expanding to 1,530 litres with the seats down. There's also 74 litres of space in the frunk, should you need it. The Smart #5 comes with some decent kit as standard. Even the basic Pro gets a panoramic roof, plus heated driver seat, a 360-degree parking camera and climate controls for passengers in the back. Move up to higher trims and you get features like dual wireless charging pads for your phone, a touchscreen display for your passenger, a heat pump for better battery efficiency and an augmented reality head-up display. Technology, stereo and infotainment Smart has gone all-in on displays with the #5. The dashboard is dominated by a bright and responsive 13in OLED central touchscreen – it's an impressive, pill-shaped panel that stretches all the way over to the passenger side on Pro+ models and above. Somewhat alarmingly, your passenger can watch movies on their side of the car if they're sufficiently bored of your company – though Smart says the passenger display will disable if the driver tries to sneak a peek at whatever's on. The OLED display is vibrant, fast, isn't overly fussy and intuitive to navigate. While you don't get physical buttons on the display, you do get a few on the steering wheel and the most essential controls are always within reach on screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work wirelessly and seamlessly, integrating neatly with Smart's underlying interface. You've got your usual list of driver assist systems, which as with many modern cars includes a few overly judicious safety warnings. Overtaking a truck on a motorway with ample space, for example, we received the rather stark message that the car was 'taking evasive action'. Yawn just once and you'll be told to take a break and grab a coffee. The car's lane keeping can get a little jaunty with adaptive cruise control too, sometimes meandering in the lane like it's looking for something. Premium models and above get an impressive 20-speaker Sennheiser system with Dolby Atmos support, all 1,190 watts of which sound great in the the arena-sized cockpit of the Smart #5. Prices and running costs The Smart #5 will be available in the UK later this year, with prices still to be announced. Estimates put the entry-level Pro at around £32,000 which, if Smart could manage that, would offer good value in a competitive mid-size SUV market considering the #5's size, the amount of standard kit, and that impressive charging tech. The top-spec Brabus model could well top the £55,000 mark when prices are announced. Efficiency is nothing special, but still decent at around 3.8 miles per kWh, meaning running costs will be typical for a large EV. That means cheap if charging at home on off-peak tariffs, but potentially pricey if you want to make regular use of the Smart #5's impressive charging speeds at public chargers. FAQs How long does it take to charge? Models with the 100kWh battery and 800V system can theoretically charge 10 to 80 per cent in under 18 minutes on a 400kW+ charger. The 76kWh Pro model takes under 30 minutes on a 150kW charger. How much does it cost - is it worth it? Estimated from £32k to over £50k. Mid-range models offer a strong blend of space, tech, and range for the money, making it a compelling premium EV choice if you can live with the screen-heavy interface. Does Smart replace batteries for free? Like most EV manufacturers, Smart will offer an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty on the high-voltage battery, covering significant degradation or failure. Why trust us Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we rate, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic. The verdict: Smart #5 Big enough to swallow the old Smart Fortwo whole, the Smart #5 is about as far from the brand's dinky heritage as you can get. Impressively large, crammed with technology and with a few too many screens in the cockpit, the family SUV delivers a premium driving experience, copious interior space, plenty of kit and enough character to avoid feeling generic. The Brabus is bonkers fast, but the standard versions will be the smarter buy.
CNN
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Build-up to the Champions League final: PSG vs Inter Milan
Update: Date: 7 min ago Title: Why the Champions League final is the "biggest trophy in the world" Content: There are only a few games in soccer that transcend the sport, and the Champions League final is certainly one. It's the pinnacle for European clubs; full of emotion, magical moments and home to the best players on the planet. To put it in context, many fans prefer that their club win the Champions League than their nation win the World Cup. 'The Champions League is the biggest trophy in European club football and I have to say it's the biggest trophy in the world because you play against the best.' José Mourinho, two-time Champions League winner No one understands the importance of the competition more than two-time winner José Mourinho. The legendary coach won it first with Porto in 2004 before repeating the feat with Inter in 2010. 'To win the Champions League is like to be immortal. The winners are legends, you are always going to be a legend at that club,' he recently said in a BBC Sport documentary about his two wins. Update: Date: 9 min ago Title: Where is this year's final? Content: Munich's Allianz Arena is the host venue for this year's final. The usual home for German powerhouse Bayern Munich, the 70,000-seat stadium has hosted a Champions League final before. The biggest match in European club soccer was last held at the stadium in 2012, when Chelsea beat Bayern on penalties. The game will be most remembered for Blues star Didier Drogba's heroics, after the striker scored an 88th-minute equalizer and then the deciding penalty to win the club its first Champions League crown. All of tomorrow's finalists will be hoping to write themselves into the history books and follow in the steps of the Ivorian striker. Update: Date: 9 min ago Title: Stick with CNN Sports as we warm-up for this year's Champions League final Content: We are now just a day away from the final of this year's Champions League which will see Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Milan inside Munich's Allianz Arena. CNN Sports is on the ground previewing the two teams and providing a taste of the atmosphere in Germany ahead of European soccer's biggest club game. With the help of some expert analysis, including former players, CNN Sports has your back! Things to look out for today:
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
AC Milan sack boss Sergio Conceicao as Italian giants let third manager in 12 months go - leaving the futures of FOUR England stars up in the air
AC Milan have sacked Sergio Conceicao, as per an official club statement. The Portuguese tactician took over from fellow countryman Paulo Fonseca at the end of December - with the club in eighth place. But after a lacklustre five months, Milan's league position did not budge under Conceicao. The former Porto boss becomes the third manager to leave the Italian heavyweights in 12 months. Despite being Serie A runners-up in 2023-24, former head coach Stefano Pioli departed at the end of the season. He was replaced by Fonseca, who was fired and usurped by Conceicao. During his time with the Rossoneri, Conceicao won 16 of his 30 games - a 53 per cent win rate. He also led the club to their 50th major trophy in its history, winning the Italian Super Cup against local rivals Inter Milan in January. An official club statement announcing Conceicao's departure read: 'AC Milan and Sergio Conceiçao will not continue their journey together next season. 'The Club would like to thank Sergio and his staff for their commitment, professionalism and dedication shown during their time leading the First Team over the past few months. 'The AC Milan family parts with the coach who won the 50th trophy in the Club's history, wishing him the best for the future.' With Conceicao leaving Milan, England stars Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could follow their manager out the door. Mail Sport reported this week that Tottenham are targeting Tomori, and like him for his pace, mobility and tenacity. The centre back is seen as a cheaper alternative to their primary target - Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi. Meanwhile, reports in Italy have stated that Loftus-Cheek's future at Milan is up in the air, and has been since last summer. The former Chelsea midfield left London for Milan in 2023, with his contract running through June 2027. Conceicao's exit will also do little to boost any hopes of Kyle Walker remaining at Milan beyond this season. The defender joined the club on loan from Manchester City in January and, although his deal includes an option to buy of just £4.2million, multiple reports have claimed Milan do not want to sign him permanently. The 35-year-old featured 16 times in all competitions for the club and was included in Thomas Tuchel's inaugural England squad for the Three Lions' World Cup qualifiers in March. Fellow loanee Tammy Abraham is also expected to call time on his spell with the Rossoneri this summer.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Documentary Podcast Heart and Soul: Portugal's Surf Church
In the coastal city of Porto, Portugal, a unique spiritual community is making waves, literally. The Surf Church, led by Brazilian-born pastor and avid surfer Samuel Cianelli dos Anjos, blends traditional Sunday worship with the sport of surfing. In a country with deep historical and cultural ties to the Catholic Church, Portugal has seen a steady decline in the number of young people engaging with their faith. Many feel disconnected from the Church and believe it no longer speaks to them in a way they understand. In response to this, the Surf Church movement was born. Every Sunday, young people gather on the beach to surf together before walking to a nearby church to worship. Their motto: 'We love waves, and we love Jesus'. Reporter Colm Flynn travels to Porto to discover more about this innovative approach.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AC Milan sack coach Conceicao after six months in charge
AC Milan have sacked coach Sergio Conceicao after just six months in charge of the Serie A club. Former manager Massimiliano Allegri - who spent four years in charge at San Siro between 2010 and 2014 - is reportedly set for a return. Conceicao, 50, was handed the job last December after the the sacking of Paulo Fonseca and signed an 18-month deal. He won won 11 trophies in six years at Porto and won the Italian Super Cup with Milan just a week after taking the job. But they lost the Coppa Italia final to Bologna and their league form never really picked up. Under Conceicao, they finished in eighth place - meaning no European football next season - while rivals Inter play Paris St-Germain in this weekend's Champions League final. Milan said: "The club would like to thank Sergio and his staff for their commitment, professionalism and dedication in leading the team in recent months. "The Rossoneri family bids farewell to the coach who contributed to the conquest of the 50th trophy in Milan's history, wishing him the best for his future." Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone
