Latest news with #plug-inHybrid
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
VW Caddy Cargo eHybrid is a smooth, silent van that's a Golf in work gear… hardest choice is which cabin trim to have
EVERYONE knows what a Golf is. It's the go-to family car. 3 3 Solid. Dependable. Reassuring. Classy. Yet classless. Not so long ago, Golf 8.5 was updated with a next-gen plug-in hybrid system that doubled its electric range to 80-odd miles. So you could glide around your neighbourhood without waking the petrol engine for much of the week. Saving your pocket and the planet. Then let the 1.5-litre turbo do the heavy lifting on longer journeys. It's not just me who rates it. Autocar recently crowned it Hybrid of the Year, praising it as 'one of the most versatile cars on sale today'. Why am I telling you this when I'm reviewing a van? Because the Caddy Cargo eHybrid is essentially a Golf in work gear. Same petrol/electric combo with a 19.7kWh battery pack. Same composed feel behind the wheel. Same on-board tech. Just a little less electric range at 73 miles. And a bigger boot, obviously. Inside the Volkswagen ID One geezer was convinced it was electric when I pulled up beside him at Wickes because he didn't hear it coming. No, mate. It's a plug-in hybrid. The best of both worlds. But it is smooth and silent at low speeds, I'll give you that. Now let's get the tape measure out. Caddy Cargo eHybrid comes in two sizes, short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase, like the regular 2-litre diesel. 3 The SWB has a load length of 1.7 metres and a load volume of 3.1 cubic metres. Stretching to 2.1 and 3.7 for the LWB. Both can swallow two Euro pallets. Maximum payload is 740kg. Your next choice is the cabin trim. The cheapest, called Commerce, has cruise control, a lockable glovebox, and a 10in infotainment screen. All you need. Commerce Plus makes life a little comfier with electric lumbar support and a driver's armrest. Commerce Pro adds heated seats and built-in satnav. I'd go Commerce and spend any spare cash on a 230v socket in the cabin, LED cargo lights, and roof rails that can take up to 100kg. Job done. One last thing. Ford's Transit Connect is actually a rebadged VW Caddy.
ArabGT
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
2025 BYD Seal 7 Review
2025 BYD Seal 7; In a global automotive market once dominated by American and European titans, BYD has risen from China not just to compete, but to lead. The BYD Seal 07 DM-i, formerly known as the Seal DM-i until its renaming in 2024, is the brand's ambitious full-size plug-in hybrid sedan. Revealed in prototype form as the Destroyer 07 at Auto Shanghai 2023, the production model symbolizes BYD's aggressive push into the upper tiers of the hybrid segment. Exterior Design At first glance, the BYD Seal 7 DM-i signals a clear focus on aerodynamic performance. Its sleek, flowing lines are designed to reduce drag and enhance efficiency, not just to please the eye. The aggressive front fascia features interactive LED headlamps (on the Premium model) and functional air vents that aid in both cooling and aerodynamic balance. A front radar and cameras suggest the presence of advanced semi-autonomous features. Along the sides, its nearly 5-meter length is well-proportioned, offering generous cabin space. Flush-fitting retractable door handles add a futuristic touch, while the dual-tone 18-inch wheels provide a sporty yet comfortable stance. At the rear, droplet-inspired taillights create a distinctive light signature, and the hands-free power trunk lid opens to reveal 465 liters of cargo space—adequate, though slightly compromised by the battery layout. 2025 BYD Seal 7 Interior Step inside the Seal 07 and you're met with a tech-forward, premium cabin that feels more cockpit than car. The Premium trim features high-grade leather upholstery, and customers can choose between sophisticated gray-black or bold red-beige color schemes. The centerpiece is a 15.6-inch rotatable infotainment display (12.8 inches in the base model), which shifts from landscape to portrait with a tap. While visually impressive, its functional value may be limited beyond showmanship. Comfort is a priority: the front seats are well-cushioned and supportive, while the rear legroom is generous. The middle rear seat, however, may feel stiff and elevated for taller passengers. Highlights include a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system with engine noise isolation, a 50W cooled wireless charger, ambient lighting, and abundant charging ports—all contributing to an upscale, thoughtful interior. Mechanical Specifications The Seal 07 DM-i is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 270 hp and 220 Nm of torque. Power is delivered through an e-CVT transmission to the front wheels. Its 17.6 kWh battery offers an impressive electric-only range of up to 75 kilometers—sufficient for most daily commutes without using fuel. Weighing in at 1,915 kg, the sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed electronically limited to 180 km/h. Fuel efficiency is a standout, with consumption rated at just 6.2 liters per 100 km under ideal conditions. The ride quality is exceptional thanks to a multi-link rear suspension that smooths out rough surfaces, rivaling the comfort of German luxury sedans. Handling is composed, noise insulation is excellent, and overall performance is well-balanced for a hybrid vehicle. 2025 BYD Seal 7 Price In the UAE, the BYD Seal 7 DM-i starts at $29,920 (approximately AED 109,900 or SAR 112,220). The fully loaded Premium trim is priced at $35,370 (around AED 129,900 or SAR 132,640). With its blend of tech, comfort, and economy, the Seal 07 positions itself as a compelling alternative to established hybrids like the Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, and Ford Taurus.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chinese firm's hybrid EV offers 1,250-mile range with lithium iron phosphate battery
Chinese auto maker Chery has announced that it is all set to begin pre-sales of its flagship plug-in hybrid sedan, the Fulwin A9L, towards the end of this month—with official launch in the domestic market scheduled for early July. Previously previewed as just Fulwin A9, the car caters to the mid-to-large sedan segment, competing with BYD's Han DM-i and the Geely Galaxy Starshine 8. The A9L debuted at the Hong Kong International Automotive and Supply Chain Expo on June 12, with pricing expected between $20,700 and $27,600. The car measures 5.018 meters in length, 1.965 meters in width and stands at a height of 3 meters. Under the hood, the sedan is powered by Chery's advanced Kunpeng Super Hybrid Electric 6.0 system, paired with a stepless DHT Pro transmission. Its 1.5T turbocharged engine produces 160 kW of peak power and 310 Nm of torque, working alongside a 33.7 kWh lithium iron phosphate Kunpeng Blade Battery. The hybrid setup enables a pure electric range of up to 161 miles and a total combined range of roughly 1,243 miles when fully charged and fueled. Chery has equipped the A9L with a high-performance infotainment system driven by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8255 chipset, a streamlined variant of the more advanced 8295. For driver assistance and autonomous functions, the vehicle relies on 27 intelligent sensors—including LiDAR, millimeter-wave radars, surround-view and panoramic cameras, as well as ultrasonic sensors—all connected to the Orin Y 200T computing platform for enhanced situational awareness and semi-autonomous capabilities. Thanks to this sensor suite and computing power, the A9L supports features like memory parking, Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) for both highway and urban driving, intelligent obstacle avoidance, and blind spot lane change alerts. However, some variants may forgo LiDAR, offering standard Level 2 driver assistance instead. This month at the 2025 International Automotive and Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong, the company's Chairman Yin Tongyue announced that Chery will soon become the first Chinese automaker to export over 5 million vehicles. This event also marks Chery's first appearance at the Hong Kong Auto Expo, and the company plans to officially launch its vehicles in Hong Kong later this year, CarNewsChina reported. According to figures, between January and May 2025, Chery Group sold 1,026,517 vehicles, marking a 14% increase over the previous year. New energy vehicle (NEV) sales soared 111.5% year-on-year to 287,798 units, while exports reached 443,940 cars—meaning, on average, one Chery vehicle ships overseas every 29 seconds. In May, Chery Group sold 205,732 vehicles, a 9.1% increase, including 191,567 from Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., up 7.2%. New energy vehicle sales rose 47.7% to 63,169 units, and exports grew 7.7% to 100,737 units. By the end of May, Chery had over 16.7 million users worldwide, with more than 4.94 million outside China. Now, the Chery Fulwin A9L is gearing up for its global launch in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the company's dedication to growing its international footprint and advancing its global expansion plans. Executives also confirmed that funds raised from Chery's upcoming IPO will mainly be invested in NEV research and development, as well as expanding into overseas markets.
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
These Are The Plug-In Hybrids The EPA Says Can Go The Distance On Battery Power
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e beats all plug-in hybrids with a battery-only range of 54 miles, ... More after which it's only limited by the amount of gas in the tank. While the majority of U.S. motorists are still hesitant to make the switch to a full electric car for a variety of reasons, those who still want to minimize both their fuel consumption and carbon footprint would find a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to be an amenable compromise. Like standard hybrids, PHEVs augment a gasoline engine with one or more electric motors to produce energetic acceleration on a fuel-frugal basis, but go a step further by packing a larger battery that allows them to operate for extended periods solely (and silently) on electricity. Once the battery charge is depleted to a certain point, the vehicle continues to operate as a conventional hybrid under a combination of gas and electric power. In both modes energy that would otherwise be lost from deceleration and stopping are recovered and sent back to the battery via a process called regenerative braking. PHEVs eliminate many of the negatives associated with full-electric cars, especially what's come to be known as range anxiety. That's because regardless of the battery's state of charge, a PHEV's ultimate operating range is limited only by the amount of fuel remaining in the tank. That makes them more viable than EVs for taking extended road trips, with gas stations being far more plentiful (and in good working order) across the nation than public EV charging stations. Plus, a PHEV owner needn't have a 240-volt (Level 2, in EV lingo) electrical service installed in the garage, as most are able to charge-up overnight using a standard 110-volt (Level 1) outlet. The best PHEV cars and SUVs afford enough charge to cover an average driver's daily commute just on battery power, which according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, is 31.8 miles round trip. That means those with modest daily needs may only rarely have to visit a gas station for a fill-up. The range-topper for 2025 is the Mercedes-Benz GLC350e all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid SUV with a 54-mile electric-only range. According to the EPA that translates into the electric equivalent of 64 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving. In hybrid mode it gets a still-decent 25 mpg, though it requires premium-grade fuel. The PHEV faring the best in terms of kilowatt and gas consumption is the Toyota Prius Plug-In that's EPA-rated at a whopping 127 MPGe on battery power for its 45-mile electric-only range, and 52 MPG while driving in hybrid mode. We've compiled a list below of the 25 PHEVs that are EPA-rated to be driven for an average of the first 32 miles on a charge, which as noted above, is sufficient for an average motorist's daily commute. We're also noting the estimated 'MPGe' fuel economy equivalent for each model while running on battery power, and the combined city/highway mileage when running in gas/electric hybrid mode. Of course, the only way for a PHEV to reach its full potential is to be tethered to the grid when not in use. Studies have shown that somewhere between 30% and 50% of PHEV owners neglect to charge their vehicles regularly. This can be attributed to a number of factors that include having to rely on street parking, limited access to public charging, a lack of understanding regarding the technology or just plain laziness. To paraphrase the 1960's counter-culturalist Timothy Leary, 'Plug in, turn on, drive off.' Plug-In Hybrids With The Longest Battery-Only Range These are the 25 PHEVs from the 2025 model year that are EPA-rated to tackle the average daily commute – and much more with the class leaders – solely on battery power and with zero tailpipe emissions. We're noting both their equivalent miles per gallon while running on electricity (MPGe) and their conventional fuel economy ratings while running on hybrid power; those with an asterisk (*) require premium-grade fuel. Source: EPA.
Auto Express
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Lease the ultimate estate car for less than you thought
Versatile plug-in hybrid powertrain Traditional M5 driving experience £898 a month After the sensational V10-powered E61 BMW M5 of the mid-2000s, we yearned to see another M5 Touring and while we've been made to wait, finally the German company has launched a new one. It's more powerful, practical and gadget-laden than ever before, but thanks to this deal we found via the Auto Express Find A Car service, you can get this stonkingly-fast super-estate for under £900 a month. This deal comes from Lease Car UK BMW Leasing and is spread out over a three-year period. There's an initial £11,132 deposit required, then monthly payments stand at £898. There's also a 5,000-mile annual limit, although for an extra £63 a month you can extend this to 10,000 miles. Advertisement - Article continues below For your money, you get a car that's only come around twice before and one that BMW M division enthusiasts have waited 16 years for. The numbers are exceptional: 717bhp from a plug-in hybrid twin-turbocharged V8, 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 186mph. But the number that really caused our eyebrows to raise when it was announced last year was the 2,550kg kerbweight. That's a hefty amount for any estate car – especially one that has built a reputation for delectable handling characteristics. Much to our relief, the M5 Touring drives beautifully. That weight is placed well and truly out of mind thanks to a wondrous chassis, rear-wheel steer, adaptive dampers and a natural feel to the quick steering. With all that power and four-wheel drive, the M5 Touring is sensationally quick, too. The plug-in hybrid side of the powertrain also impresses. It not only brings CO2 emissions down to 45g/km, but increases fuel efficiency (although you'll struggle to match BMW's claimed 141mpg). What we really like about it is the all-electric driving mode, which can provide a refined 42 miles of EV running. The cabin quality is excellent as you'd expect, and practicality is decent, too. The 500-litre boot may not be as spacious as some rivals, but it'll be more than big enough for a family weekend away. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car retailers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top BMW M5 Touring leasing offers from leading providers on our BMW M5 Touring deals hub page… Check out the BMW M5 Touring Deal of the Day or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here…
