Latest news with #plug-inhybrid
Edmunds
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Edmunds
Tested: 2025 Volvo V60 Polestar Says a Quick Goodbye
Thanks to that 14.9-kWh battery, the V60 Polestar is good for an estimated 41 miles of electric-only range, and during our testing, it was also capable of accelerating to 60 mph under electric power in 11.2 seconds and finishing the quarter mile in 18.4 seconds at 76.5 mph. Hardly thrilling numbers, but it proves the V60 Polestar is capable of moving itself around up to and at freeway speeds without disturbing its internal combustion engine. But you're here for the quick stuff, so here it is. Selecting the Power drive mode and briefly overlapping the full throttle and full brake pressure (we call it powerbraking) activates the Volvo's low-key launch control system. This results in the V60 Polestar sprinting to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds with a quarter-mile dash done in 12.6 seconds at 109.3 mph. Our test driver tells us what it's like: "The V60 moves away quickly, but without drama, and simply piles on the speed. It's so powerful that we nearly hit the car's 113-mph speed limiter before the end of the quarter mile. Not bad for a station wagon. The engine doesn't sound nearly as exotic as you'd think (and hoped) it would, but it's generally pleasing and refined. Shifts from the transmission are quick enough but never feel too aggressive." Secure your belongings Adding a plug-in hybrid powertrain with two electric motors definitely incurs a weight penalty. All in, our V60 Polestar tipped the scales at 4,488 pounds — 341 pounds more than a V60 Cross Country we tested a little while ago. Combine that extra weight with relatively modest 235 section tires (the same width as we had on a recent Hyundai Sonata) and our expectations for decent braking and handling numbers were a bit low.
The Herald
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Jaecoo J7 SHS plug-in hybrid confirmed for South Africa
Jaecoo has confirmed its J7 SHS plug-in hybrid will go on sale in South Africa in June. The J7 SHS is powered by a 1.5 l turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor and a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. According to the Chinese manufacturer, the system — dubbed 'Super Hybrid System' — delivers fuel consumption of under 5 l /100km, placing it among the more efficient vehicles in its segment. An 18.3kWh battery enables up to 90km of electric-only range and when connected to a 40kW DC charger the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in about 20 minutes. Standard equipment includes leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, 19" alloy wheels, wireless charging, a 10.25" digital instrument cluster, 360° camera system, an electric tailgate, an eight-speaker Sony sound system and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A comprehensive suite of driver assistance features is also included, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic assist with automatic braking. Local pricing and detailed specifications will be confirmed closer to the launch date.
Auto Express
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Posh Passat plug-in hybrid estate for just £235 a month is a steal
High-spec Elegance model Plug-in hybrid; 77-mile EV range Just £234.49 a month The Volkswagen Passat has always been a sensible choice for both company car drivers and family buyers over the past 50 years on account of its mature image, high-quality build and practical interior. You can now add strong value for money to the mix, too, judging by this deal, because First Vehicle Leasing is offering the Passat for just £234.49 a month right now. That means it's cheaper than its supposedly more downmarket sister, the Skoda Superb, by around £30 a month. There's a £3,112.90 initial payment to sort first, and this is a two-year deal with mileage limited to 5,000 a year. You can, however, nudge this cap up to 8,000 miles annually for just under £25 extra a month, should you need more flexibility. Advertisement - Article continues below The latest Passat so nearly didn't happen thanks to the popularity of SUVs and crossovers, but at the last hour Volkswagen gave the long-running model a reprieve. It now only comes as an estate, though, which will please those after SUV-like levels of interior space, with a massive 530-1,760-litre boot being a highlight. This deal nets you the posh Elegance model. It comes with a range of luxuries as standard such as matrix LED headlights, sports comfort seats that have a 13-feature massage function, a tilting and sliding panoramic roof, a pair of screens up front, and an electric tailgate with hands-free functionality. Plus, it gets fancy LED rear lights that can dance in different ways, which will really impress the neighbours. Under the bonnet you'll find a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid petrol combo. With 201bhp, performance is brisk enough, with 0-62mph taking 8.1 seconds, and you won't be visiting the petrol station often if you keep the car's 19.7kWh battery pack topped up, because it will give you 77 miles of pure electric power. 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 dealers 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 Volkswagen Passat leasing offers from leading providers on our Volkswagen Passat hub page. Check out the Volkswagen Passat deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here…
Motor 1
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The New Audi RS5 Sounds Pretty Darn Good
In the age of downsizing, Audi appears to be bucking the trend with its next-generation RS5. Prototypes of the hot sedan (technically a five-door liftback) and wagon were spotted at the Nürburgring, making sweet engine noise. The sound we hear definitely comes from something with more than four cylinders. Our money is on a V-6, likely a plug-in hybrid to comply with stricter emissions regulations. Audi has pledged never to produce a four-cylinder RS car, so it's not surprising that the next RS5 could retain all six cylinders. We haven't forgotten about the five-cylinder unit, but the 2.5-liter TFSI is now basically confined to the RS3, as the TT RS is long gone and the RS Q3 is unlikely to return with the inline-five. In September 2019, Audi promised that the RS4 Avant successor would come with an electrified six-cylinder powertrain . The new RS5 models are clad in swirly camouflage but don't hide the fat oval exhaust tips, which now sit closer together, giving off Porsche vibes. The two exhausts are very much real, with Audi having pledged to stop fitting fake exhausts on its cars, not that RS models were ever guilty of that anyway. While I generally think bigger is better, these ovals might be just a tad too large. Feel free to disagree. Elsewhere, the RS5 duo sports larger air intakes and bulging fenders, with the front ones appearing to have big (and hopefully functional) vertical vents to cool the brakes or for aerodynamic purposes. Large wheels with low-profile tires fill the arches nicely, and Audi has added a small spoiler at the rear of the not-a-sedan. If you're concerned about the new RS5 gaining weight, so are we. The outgoing RS4 Avant tipped the scales at 1,745 kilograms in Europe, or 3,847 pounds. Keeping the six-cylinder setup while adding a battery and electric motor could push the super wagon above 2,000 kilograms, around 4,409 pounds. On the plus side, it's bound to offer more power than the RS4 Edition 25 Years , which had 464 hp and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. New Audi RS6 Avant Photo by: Carspotter Jeroen But this spy video isn't just about the new RS5. The larger, next-gen RS6 Avant also appears, sporting similarly positioned oval exhausts, now closer to the center of the rear bumper. It has even wider fenders and sounds aggressive as well. It's unclear if the new RS6 will also go the plug-in hybrid route, but it's a strong possibility given how a V-8-only setup might struggle under Europe's tightening emissions rules. Ex-Audi design boss Marc Lichte has said these cars will represent the 'last-generation RS ICE models,' adding that the next RS5 and RS6 will be 'mind-blowing.' We're here for it. The regular A6 has just been revealed, so the RS6 will have to wait, especially since the new S6 has yet to break cover. Audi might debut the new RS5 before the end of the year or sometime in 2026. Catch Up With Audi: 2026 Audi A6 Sedan: This Is It The New Audi A5 Plug-In Hybrid Has S5 Power Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Carspotter Jeroen / YouTube Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
