Latest news with #Renault5E-Tech
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This Tiny $7,000 Electric Car Is More Popular in Japan Than Toyota's EVs
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Japanese startup KG Motors is building a stylish, single-seat electric car for just $7,000, and has pre-sold 3,300 that it plans to deliver to customers by March 2027. That's more than the 2,000 EVs Toyota sold across Japan in all of 2024, according to Bloomberg. Called the "mibot," KG's car has a limited 62-mile range and a 37mph top speed. "The mibot is a small mobility robot packed with surprises and fun in its small body," KG Motors says on its website, as translated from Japanese. "It can navigate even narrow roads with ease, turning everyday short rides into special experiences." The tiny EV gets over-the-air tech updates, has air conditioning and a small trunk. It charges up in five hours on a standard 100V household outlet; no need for "special charging equipment." At $7,000, the mibot is about half the price of Japan's most popular EV, the Nissan Sakura. The brand is packed with personality; blog posts about vehicle development feature titles like "A slightly nerdy story about door design." In that one, designer Pokomichi discusses the challenges of designing a door that comfortably accommodates passengers, given the vehicle's small size. They also imagined the mibot fitting into a "parking lot that is sized for light vehicles," and the importance of sliding into a spot without the door crossing the lines when it's open. "Cars are simply too big," says KG Motors founder and CEO Kazunari Kusunoki. "Seeing so many big cars travelling Japan's narrow streets – that's where this all began for me." Japan has been slow to embrace EVs, but it has more hybrids than traditional gas-powered cars on the road. In 2023, hybrids made up of new car sales there, followed by 36% traditional gas cars. EV adoption is at just of new car sales, which is even lower than the US's 8% and far below the 20% + in China and Europe. Toyota's former president spoke out against converting to an all-electric lineup in 2022. A supposedly EV-friendly leadership changeup in 2023 hasn't gained much traction, although this month, Toyota launched new EVs. However, it still intends to invest in a variety of powertrains, including ramping up its plug-in hybrid sales in the US. "Toyota said EVs aren't the only solution and, because it's Toyota, Japanese people assume it must be true,' Kusunoki says. 'A large number of people in Japan seem to believe EVs won't become popular." Perhaps a cheap, small EV can carve out a unique place in the Japanese market. In the US, there are no similar options, and the market is full of huge SUVs. The Fiat 500e is small and fun to drive, but it's not cheap ($34,000 starting). Volkswagen is working on a $21,000 small EV for urban drivers, but it's only launching it in Europe due to lower demand in the US. The Renault 5 E-Tech is another new, small EV launch aimed at accelerating electric adoption in Europe. In China, automotive powerhouse BYD offers several small, affordable models and is working on a new one, Electrek reports.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Alpine's Electric A110 Will Be Lighter Than Its Gas-Powered Rivals
An often-touted gripe against high-performance electric vehicles is how heavy they can be, lugging around a massive battery to power the motors for longer than a few minutes. However, Alpine is flipping the script with the next iteration of its venerable sports car. The French manufacturer claims that its next-generation A110 EV will be lighter than its internal combustion competitors when it debuts next year. This is the same car Alpine hopes to sell in the United States. Alpine revealed the A390, its second-ever EV, on Tuesday. While the A290 is an uprated badge-swapped Renault 5 E-Tech, the new tri-motor sport fastback is bespoke to the brand. The five-seater A390 produces 470 horsepower with a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.8 seconds and debuts a new active torque vectoring system. The fastback's 89-kWh battery will get 345 miles of range in Europe and is equipped with 190-kW fast charging. Don't worry if this all-wheel-drive car isn't agile enough for your taste, Alpine isn't abandoning its sporty roots. The French brand is gradually unveiling a seven-model electric "Dream Garage" lineup over the rest of this decade to revive the automaker's image. The A110 EV is believed to be the next car in the works, with Alpine developing a new electric sports car platform that will also underpin a four-seat A310 model. Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo told Autocar, "The next A110 will be lighter than a comparable car with a combustion engine but with no compromise in performance." De Meo compared how Porsche doesn't use the 911 platform for anything, but cars like the Cayenne and Taycan are shared with other models — like how the A390's platform is shared with the Renault Scenic. Read more: These Are The Cars You'd Buy If They Were $20,000 Cheaper Alpine becoming a French Porsche is an appealing idea, and the French brand has toyed with an electric sports car before. The A110 E-ternité concept was revealed in 2022 as a harbinger of its all-electric future. It attempted to replicate a traditional ICE A110 as closely as possible, but there was still a performance deficit. The E-ternité was 568 pounds heavier and had 80 miles less range, but was 0.3 seconds faster from 0 to 60 mph. One can only imagine the performance gains the A110 EV will benefit from when shifting to a completely bespoke platform. The only other question that remains is if we will actually see these new Alpine electric vehicles in the United States. It's fair to say that President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs have thrown a wrench in the plans of any European manufacturer considering an expansion into the American market. Alpine was in talks with AutoNation to distribute its cars across the country, but that was before "Liberation Day." Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Nissan Micra goes electric, unveiled in Euope markets. Will it come to India?
Nissan's new electric Micra has been unvieled in Europe, featuring an updated design and advanced EV capabilities The all-new Nissan Mircra EV somewhat retains the circular design aesthetic from the older ICE model. Check Offers Nissan has unveiled the electric iteration of its Micra in the European markets. With most manufacturers turning to making SUVs, Nissan is placing a confident bet on its humble small hatchback. The iconic Nissan Micra will now be entering its sixth generation. Based on the same underpinnings as the Renault 5 E-Tech, the new Micra brings fresh design flair and EV tech to a familiar nameplate. Nissan Micra: Design Designed at Nissan Design Europe in London with the continent's urban buyers in mind, the new Micra breaks away from the conservative styling of its past. It features bold, circular headlights and taillights with body-coloured inserts—an eye-catching detail reminiscent of the 2011 Smart Forspeed Concept. The LED lighting even performs a 'wink' animation when locking or unlocking the car. While the Micra remains a hatchback at heart, it borrows a few SUV-like styling elements, such as black body cladding on the bumpers, side profile and wheel arches, giving it a slightly rugged edge. All variants ride on 18-inch wheels, with a total of 14 colour combinations—including two-tone options with black or grey roofs—to add more visual personality. Also Read : Nissan Kicks scores 5 stars in Latin NCAP crash test Nissan Micra: Dimensions Despite its SUV-inspired design cues, the new Micra sticks to its city-friendly roots. It measures under 4 metres in length and rides on a 2.54-metre wheelbase. The cabin is configured as a five-seater and offers 326 litres of boot space—ample for urban runs and daily errands. Nissan Micra: Interior Inside, the dashboard is nearly identical to the Renault 5 E-Tech, with dual 10.1-inch digital displays taking centre stage. Nissan adds its own brand identity and unique touches like a moulded Mount Fuji outline between the front seats to distinguish it. Nissan Micra: Powertrain and range Built on the CMF-BEV-based AmpR Small platform, the Micra will be offered in two configurations. The base variant features a 121 bhp electric motor paired with a 40 kWh battery, offering up to 308 km of WLTP-certified range. The higher-spec version gets a 148 bhp motor and a larger 52 kWh battery, extending the range to 408 km. The larger battery supports 100 kW DC fast charging, enabling a 15 to 80 per cent top-up in just 30 minutes. Both variants are equipped with a heat pump, battery heating and cooling functions, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability that allows the Micra to power external devices. Nissan Micra: Handling Nissan promises 'best-in-class' ride and handling, thanks to a low centre of gravity, balanced weight (ranging from 1,400 to 1,524 kg), and a multi-link rear suspension setup. While similar claims were made about the Renault 5 E-Tech, only real-world driving will reveal whether the Micra delivers on this front. Nissan Micra: India Launch? The new Micra is expected to arrive in European showrooms by late 2025. While official pricing has not been announced, it is expected to cost slightly more than the Renault 5 E-Tech, which starts at around €25,000 (approximately ₹ 22.5 lakh). Nissan is positioning the Micra as a more premium offering within its compact EV portfolio. It will soon be joined by other electric models like the new Juke and an upcoming Leaf-based crossover. While there is no official word on whether the new electric Micra will make its way to India, given the rising demand for compact electric cars in urban centres, the Micra EV could potentially be a strong contender. With brands like Tata, MG, and Maruti Suzuki aggressively expanding their electric lineups, Nissan's move could add welcome diversity to India's small EV segment. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India, Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date: 22 May 2025, 16:27 PM IST
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Nissan Micra makes comeback as restyled EV-only Renault 5
Earmarked predominantly for Europe means the Micra is unlikely to return to South Africa anytime soon. Modelled on the Renault 5, the Micra will now, solely, be offered as an EV. Image: Nissan Teased as far back as 2022, with comparatively little having emerged since then, Nissan has resumed its Re:Nissan restructuring strategy with the unveiling of the all-new sixth generation Micra. New approach Billed as a key model for the struggling marque, the Micra signals the biggest departure of any previous generation in that it adopts an electric-only powertrain sourced from alliance partner, Renault. ALSO READ: All-electric Nissan Micra successor teased Effectively a restyled take on the new Renault 5 E-Tech, the Micra retains the same dimensions, but incorporates a model unique appearance in that the bonnet, 18-inch alloy wheels, circular LED daytime running lights that 'wink' when the doors are unlocked and front bumper are all new. Rear has been restyled to indirectly resemble that of the AMC Pacer. Image: Nissan Retaining the same side profile as the Renault, complete with the hidden rear door handles recessed into the C-pillar, at the rear, the almost AMC Pacer-inspired redesign comprises a new bumper, circular light clusters, a central LED bar with a lettered Nissan script, and a slightly bigger window with a U-shaped design. Inside Inside, the interior, sans the Nissan badge on the steering wheel, is near identical to that of the Renault as the column shift selector has been carried over, along with the pair of 10.1-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster. Sans the Nissan badged steering wheel, the interior has been carried over largely unchanged from the Renault 5. Image: Nissan Offered in a choice of three seat upholstery options, notable standard spec, depending on trim grade, consists of ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a drive mode selector with four settings – Eco, Comfort, Sport and Perso – and Nissan's latest ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving system. Goodbye combustion Sharing the 5's AmpR platform means not only the same dimensions and boot space – 326-litres to 1 106-litres with the 60/40 split rear seat folded – but also choice of battery packs, of which two will be available. Boot space is rated at 326-litres with the rear seats up. Image: Nissan Entrusted with moving 1 400 kg, the entry-level 40-kWh battery develops 90kW/225Nm, which translates to a claimed range of 308 km and DC charging capability up to 80 kW. With the bigger 52-kWh battery, the Micra produces 110kW/245Nm, which Nissan says will lead to a range of 408 km between trips to the plug. Tasked with moving 1 524 kg, the 52-kWh Micra supports DC charging up to 100 kW, and will require a waiting time of 30 minutes from 15-80%. Buyers will have an eventual choice of three upholsteries. Image: Nissan In both cases, the Micra supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) bi-directional charging, although like the Renault, no official figures were announced. Not for us Heading to Europe later this year with pricing to the announced then, the Micra is not expected to make its return to South Africa anytime soon as it has been earmarked mainly for the Old Continent. NOW READ: It is back: Renault 5 finally revealed as a retro-styled dedicated EV
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Should Nissan Offer This EV Here?
Nissan previews Micra battery-electric hatch, due on sale later this year in several key regions and positioned below the Juke and Leaf. The small hatch will share its underpinnings with the Renault 5, but will feature unique exterior styling. The retreat of the Leaf into a larger segment leaves Nissan without a small and affordable electric hatch in the US. If you've been to Canada any time in the past 40 years, you've probably noticed that our northern neighbor receives a bit of a different mix of cars from the same brands. And some are more noticeable than others, even if smaller in size. One of the more stealthy nameplates on offer in Canada since the 1980s (albeit with a hiatus or two) has been the Nissan Micra, which last made a cameo appearance just over a decade ago, becoming the smallest Nissan north of the border while catering to a segment not seen in the US for some time. Fast-forward a decade into the present, and with the Nissan Leaf now being "promoted" to the rank of a compact SUV, the Micra is poised for a comeback as an electric hatch. And it will be based on the reborn Renault 5 E-Tech this time around, which itself became an EV just a short while ago. Nissan has just given the world its first glimpse of the battery-electric Micra, revealing a design that will probably make some Mini execs grind their teeth. The exterior design is certainly different enough from its Renault platform sibling, at least from the front, with the Micra opting for more rounded shapes compared to the French model's boxy details. But the profile of the doors and the position of the rear handles will give away its relation to the Cinq, even though the changes to the sheetmetal include uniquely sculpted wheel arches. What could the new Micra offer? If the new Micra sticks close to the specs of the Renault 5, we could see a very compact 40-kWh battery underneath, giving the Micra a 94-hp output with power sent to the front axle, and a range of 300 kilometers in the WLTP cycle, or 186 miles. A slightly more agile 122-hp motor could be on the menu as well. A larger 52-kWh unit could also make its way into the Micra, once again following the Renault spec sheet, which could bring its range up to 248 miles in the WLTP cycle. And a more serious 150-hp motor could also be offered in the Micra, also powering the front wheels. Another key feature of this platform that should not go unmentioned is the fact that the Renault 5 E-Tech starts at only $27,000 in Europe, prior to any incentives. So far, Nissan hasn't confirmed whether any North American market will receive the electric Micra, though we'd be surprised if it skipped both Canada and Mexico entirely, given the growing popularity of small EVs in the latter country. The case for Canada, or the US for that matter, could be a bit shakier, and not just because you can buy an electric Mini Cooper here, today. Nissan's EV priorities have shifted quite a bit since the first-gen Leaf arrived on the scene, with a small batch of new and affordable EVs finally on the way, including an electric Juke. The breakup of the Nissan-Honda courtship before it even started has been viewed as putting pressure on Nissan to come up with its own EV offensive, able to rely on just a handful of existing partners including Renault. These expanded EV offerings, like it or not, do not favor a Micra launch stateside, despite some signs of a growing appetite for truly affordable pocket-sized EVs. And so far, this relatively niche demand hasn't really translated into runaway sales successes, vindicating supporters of larger electric crossovers. Should Nissan offer a small and affordable EV like the Micra in the US, or is this model more suited to the European market? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
