Latest news with #EV3
NZ Autocar
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
New Suzuki e Vitara undercuts Elroq and EV3
The compact Suzuki e Vitara electric SUV is now available in the UK and is selling for less than EV3 and Skoda Elroq. That makes it amongst the most affordable in its class. It also comes with the option of all-wheel drive. Expect it here in 2026. An entry-level variant will be available with a 49kWh battery. Every other version gets a 61kWh battery pack, good for almost 400km of range. New electric Vitara cannot compete on range with the EV3 and Elroq, both being around the 600km mark. Despite a claimed maximum charging speed of 150kW, the e Vitara takes around 30 minutes to recharge from 15 to 70 per cent. See our Suzuki Swift RSC review here. The base model has a 106kW/189Nm motor. A medium-spec variant will come with a 128kW motor also driving the front wheels. Meantime, the top AWD variant has dual motors good for 135kW/300Nm. An Allgrip e 4wd system has a Trail mode that brakes spinning wheels and can send torque across the axle for improved traction. Normal, Eco and Sport modes are also available, while a button on the centre console ramps up the regen. Available to order from July, Suzuki hasn't yet revealed full specifications for the two trim levels. However, much is already known about this newcomer. New electric platform The e Vitara sits on a new EV-dedicated platform called 'Heartect-e'. Suzuki jointly developed it with Toyota and Daihatsu. A heat pump comes standard fit. At 4275mm long and with a wheelbase of 2700mm, the e Vitara is 100mm longer than its ICE power sib. There's an extra 200mm between the wheels for added interior space. It is wider and taller too, though is obviously heavier. The lightest version weighs in at 1702kg, while the dual-motor variant is nearly 1900kg. By contrast, the heaviest petrol Vitara is 1375kg. The design of the e Vitara echoes that of the Suzuki eVX concept revealed in January 2023. Key features include angular wheelarches, a sloping roofline, and extensive use of plastic cladding. There's a three-point matrix lighting signature at the front and rear. Both 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels will be on offer. The e Vitara has slightly more complex body surfacing than the concept while there's no faux-skid plate. Production versions use conventional door handles versus flush-mount items for the concept. The rear ones are hidden in the C-pillar. Its charging port is above the front-right wheelarch. Interior and practicality The concept's interior design isn't quite so motor-show ready but is a step forward on that of the ICE Vitara. Behind the two-spoke steering wheel is a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, part of a widescreen set-up that includes the 10.1-inch central infotainment screen. There's a small row of physical climate controls located on the dash, and a floating centre console. Also present are a rotating gear selector, a wireless charging pad, cup-holders and a large storage area underneath the centre console with charge outlets. The floor in the rear, while flat, is set high which might not suit taller adults. There's another pair of charging ports and two sets of ISOFIX child-seat mount points in the rear. Its 306-litre boot isn't huge; the smaller Jeep Avenger has 355 litres, by comparison. The Suzuki does feature a 60:40-split sliding rear bench though. It can be pulled forward by approximately 20cm. Even so, a high boot floor means maximum e Vitara luggage space is only 320 litres. Suzuki's will share electric tech with Toyota Toyota's Urban Cruiser is a rebadged e Vitara. It is the second electric model in its passenger car range after the bZ4X. And these will also be joined by the C-HR EV soon. Toyota and Suzuki have been working together on vehicles since 2016. In the UK, Toyota's Corolla Touring Sports and RAV4 PHEV have been rebadged as Suzuki Swace and Across, respectively. We asked Suzuki New Zealand about its intentions for e Vitara and it says it plans to launch the EV here next year. Timing is yet to be confirmed but CEO, Gary Collins, says it will likely here early to midway though next year.
NZ Autocar
4 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Sharp-looking Nissan Leaf unveiled with 600km of range
In its third generation, the Nissan Leaf is now a sleek and slippery family crossover that ticks plenty of boxes. The Nissan Leaf kicked off the electric revolution, it's fair to say, as a slightly awkward family hatchback. Forget all that because for two generations, it was leading to something special. The latest Leaf is completely reimagined and is no longer wanting for range. It will front up handsomely to the likes of Kia EV3 and Kona Electric. Nissan will be targeting the urban dweller but also high-mileage business users with a 75kWh long-range battery pack. That gives new Leaf up to 600km of range on a single charge, up with EV3. Powering the newcomer is a front-mounted 160kW motor that gives it a claimed 7.6sec sprint time, while top speed is 160km/h. Nissan also says peak DC charging speeds of up to 150kW are possible, so a 20 to 80 per cent recharge takes under half an hour. Its long-range Leaf will even offer around 325km of range at sustained motorway speeds of up to 130km/h (UK testing). The entry-level fronts with a more modest 52kWh battery, and while it aims for urban users, it is still said to be capable of 432km from a charge (WLTP). This version uses a 130kW electric motor. Its maximum charge rate is 105kW. It can still manage a 20-80 per cent top up in 30 minutes. Acceleration to 100 takes 8.6sec and it too tops out at 160km/h. Design Where the former Leaf had a Cd of 0.28, this has a sloping roofline, a Kamm-tail rear, and ero management up front. All contribute to a Cd of 0.25. The sloping roofline is key to the new design, the shape being modern, attractive and at the same time aero-efficient. Nissan has also sprinkled heritage elements into the design of the new Leaf, like the blacked-out rear panel. It isn't a large vehicle, being 4350mm long, only around 50mm more than rival Kia EV3. Eighteen and 19-inch wheels are available. The cabin is a mix of clean digital interfaces, and practical physical controls. Its twin-screen layout is new to Nissan, the dual 14.3-inch screens bigger than Ariya's. They also run the latest electronic hardware, and include intelligent voice control and a Google-based navigation. Below the main screen are touch-sensitive controls for the HVAC system and there's a volume knob, track-seek buttons and a shortcut for the parking cameras. High-spec models will feature a Bose sound system, with a speaker dedicated to hazard warnings and navigation. Practicality The rear seats evidently offer good knee and legroom for a relatively compact crossover. A flat floor means okay foot room too, while there is said to be generous headroom, despite a sloping roofline. Higher-spec models will have a sun-sensitive glass roof which helps increase headroom by 30mm. Expect plenty of oddments storage, while a 437L boot is 50L up on that of the previous Leaf. Evidently, there will be four trim levels available, at least in the UK and Europe. Specific features and pricing for each of these will be revealed closer to launch in Q4 of this year. Expect standard equipment and pricing to be competitive with the likes of Kia EV3 and Hyundai Kona Electric. With this new generation of Leaf, Nissan is committed to returning back to the sharp end of the EV class. Here in New Zealand, Nissan says 'It's very exciting to see the unveil of the next-generation Leaf! However, we have no news to announce at this stage'.
Auto Express
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
The Nissan Leaf is back, and it's got a controversial new look
One of the big EV innovators that helped push electric cars into the mainstream has been completely reimagined, because where once the Nissan Leaf was a sensible, somewhat awkward C-segment hatchback, this all-new generation is much more interesting. That's not just because of its arresting design, but also because it now packs some impressive numbers that will bring it right back into play against key rivals, such as the Kia EV3 and Volkswagen ID.3. Advertisement - Article continues below It's those two key competitors that Nissan has its eye on, appealing to both the short-range urban dweller and, thanks to a new long-range battery option, high-mileage business users. The new long-range battery is a 75kWh unit that gives the Leaf up to 375 miles of range, which matches the EV3's best efforts and besting the ID.3's maximum claimed 369-mile figure. This feeds power to a front-mounted 214bhp electric motor and will go from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, before topping out at 100mph. Nissan quotes DC charging speeds of up to 150kW, topping up the battery from 20 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes. However, a UK-based development team has also been testing the Leaf during sustained high-speed driving that should give owners a better idea of motorway efficiency. In this case, Nissan says the long-range Leaf will still offer around 204 miles on a single charge at a sustained 80mph. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The entry-level 52kWh battery, which is aimed more at urban use, is still impressive on the WLTP cycle, reaching 270 miles from a charge, with 138 miles achieved on the in-house 80mph test. This version is powered by a slightly less powerful 174bhp electric motor, and slows down the charging to 105kW – yet the smaller battery retains a 30-minute 20-80 per cent refill figure. Its 0-62mph time is 8.6 seconds and hits the same 100mph top speed. Yet a big battery is only one of the elements required for long range figures, and in this respect Nissan's designers have worked hard to make the Leaf into a much more slippery and efficient EV. The sloping roofline, Kamm-tail rear end and clever aero tricks around the front contribute to an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.25 – excellent for the class and above many key rivals. Advertisement - Article continues below The sloping roofline has also been a key driver of change when it comes to the car's overall form, with Giovanni Arroba explaining to Auto Express about the latest model's design philosophy. 'The Leaf is all about muscularity, wheel orientation, agility, but it should still have a sense of chic, urban, sleek and sexiness,' he explained. 'The shape of the Leaf very much is again, shaped by bringing 604 kilometres [of range] to the customer within that price range.' Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Nissan has also sprinkled in plenty of nineties-inspired design details, which was a heyday for the brand. Elements such as three-dimensional rear lights and their clever 'Ni-San' (or two-three in Japanese) graphics, plus references to sports models like the 300ZX around the blacked-out rear panel, all suggest that the company is leaning into something the newer Chinese and Korean brands don't have: heritage. It might appear like a big car, but pictures don't quite do the Leaf justice, because it's one of very few EVs that looks smaller in the flesh. At 4,350mm long, it's only around 50mm lengthier than the boxy Kia EV3. The Leaf is available with 18 or 19-inch wheels, although specific trim levels and pricing have yet to be confirmed for the UK market. Advertisement - Article continues below The cabin's interior design is much more contemporary, with the clean and uncluttered dash layout prioritising a digital-heavy interface, but without totally relegating physical controls to the bin. The twin-screen display is new for Nissan, and comprises dual 14.3-inch screens that are even bigger than the Nissan Ariya's. They also run a fresh native interface that's powered by the latest electronic hardware, and include elements such as intelligent voice control and a Google-based navigation system. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Just below the main screen bank is a set of touch-sensitive controls for the air-conditioning, and between the air vents are a simple volume knob, track-seek buttons and a shortcut for the parking cameras. High-spec models will also feature a Bose sound system, including a dedicated speaker that can relay navigation and warning sounds to the driver without interrupting passengers. The rear seats are spacious for the class, with good knee and legroom. A flat floor means foot room is decent, while there is plenty of headroom, despite the sloping roofline. Nissan will offer a glass roof on higher-specification models, which includes the same changeable glass that can block sunlight across the roof in stages. As well as making the cabin brighter, the glass roof also increases rear headroom by 30mm. Advertisement - Article continues below There's plenty of space in the cabin, with good storage for small items combined with a vast, open area under the dashboard to really hammer home that this is a bespoke EV, rather than one based on an existing ICE platform. The 437-litre boot is also a good size and is 50 litres bigger than the previous-generation Leaf. However, more upright rivals will likely be more versatile when it comes to loading bulky items. Nissan will split the Leaf into four trim levels: Engage, Engage+. Advance and Evolve. Specific features and pricing for each of these will be revealed closer to its launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, but Nissan has suggested that both the standard equipment and pricing will be competitive with the Volkswagen ID.3, Cupra Born, Kia EV3 and Hyundai Kona Electric. So while the Nissan Leaf might have been a trailblazer when it first brought EV motoring to the masses, its relative inability to capitalise on that lead has made the previous model something of an afterthought in the era of bespoke EVs from Europe, Korea and, now, China. However, this new generation signals that Nissan is committed to getting back to the sharp end of the class, and has ensured that its Sunderland factory in the UK is equipped for the sales volume the company hopes to see. Auto Express Find A Car can help you find the best deals out there on used Nissan Leaf models ... Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can't be anything but popular Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can't be anything but popular The Kia Sportage has earned its popularity over the years and deals like our Car Deal of the Day for June 14 won't do it any harm at all.
Korea Herald
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Tesla's retreat in Europe fuels Hyundai-BYD showdown
Hyundai doubles down on quality, tech features as BYD gains ground with low-cost EVs Tesla's shrinking presence in the European market is setting the stage for cutthroat competition between Hyundai Motor Group and China's BYD. While the Korean auto giant has maintained its stronghold in the world's second-largest electrified vehicle market, the Chinese EV maker is rapidly eating into Tesla's share as it aggressively offloads excess domestic inventory in global markets. According to reports on Wednesday, Tesla may lose its position as the third-largest EV brand in Europe to BYD for a second consecutive month. Recent data on new EV registrations show that BYD has already overtaken Tesla in the United Kingdom and Germany — two of the region's key EV markets. Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority reported that Tesla's sales in Germany fell 36.2 percent on-year to 1,210 units, while BYD's volume surged nearly ninefold to 1,857 units. In the UK, Tesla's new registrations dropped 36 percent to 2,016 units, while BYD recorded a staggering 407 percent increase to 3,025 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. This shift follows a major milestone in April, when BYD surpassed Tesla in monthly European sales of battery-powered vehicles for the first time, even with the countervailing tariffs of up to 35 percent on Chinese EVs in effect since November. BYD sold 7,231 units in April, edging out Tesla's 7,165 units, according to data from London-based market tracker JATO Dynamics. Although the difference was just 66 units, industry insiders see the moment as a major inflection point. Tesla has been in a back-and-forth battle with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia for the No. 2 position in European monthly EV sales. In April, the Korean duo sold a combined 16,447 battery EVs, trailing only Volkswagen's 23,514 units. If Tesla fails to rebound from its sluggish performance — partly attributed to CEO Elon Musk's political entanglement with the Donald Trump administration — the competition for market share in Europe will likely center on Hyundai Motor Group and BYD. With BYD holding a clear pricing advantage, the Korean legacy automakers are ramping up their survival strategies. 'Kia's EV3 (a compact electric sport utility vehicle) has been well received in Europe, and our smaller EV2 SUV is set to debut next year,' said a Hyundai Motor Group official. 'Our strategy is to highlight quality and performance.' Kia also plans to roll out the EV4 sedan and the EV5 midsize SUV later this year. The Kia EV3 and its competitor, the BYD Atto 3, are priced starting at approximately 35,990 euros ($41,000) and 32,690 euros, respectively. New round of chicken game? Experts say Hyundai Motor and Kia need to enhance customer experience to stay competitive against BYD, which is gaining ground with its affordable, high-performing EVs. 'Compared to Tesla, which earns around $10,000 in profit per EV, Hyundai and Kia's per-unit profit is only about one-tenth of that,' said Lee Ho-geun, a professor of automotive engineering at Daeduk University. 'This leaves them with limited room to cut prices.' He also noted that while Korean cars tend to benefit from better resale value and less consumer backlash compared to Chinese brands in Korea, BYD could narrow the gap in Europe by redirecting its swelling EV inventory abroad. Last week, China's central government reportedly warned domestic automakers against irrational price cuts. The ongoing price war, led by BYD, has seen discounts of up to 34 percent as it tries to defend its home turf from increasing competition, Lee explained. Im Eun-young, an analyst at Samsung Securities, noted that BYD's significantly higher selling prices in Europe — 2.5 to 3 times more than in China — could help offset profit losses from those domestic price cuts. 'BYD and Kia are drawing attention as they roll out affordable EVs in the 30,000-euro range,' she said. 'Hyundai and Kia should look into improving infotainment systems, possibly through partnerships with European telecom companies to enhance connected services,' Lee added. 'Expanding service centers could also go a long way in improving the overall customer experience.'
NZ Autocar
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Kia EV3 is now on sale in New Zealand
Fresh from claiming the 2025 World Car of the Year title, Kia says its new EV3 is set to be an ideal choice for Kiwi motorists. For it is an advanced medium-size fully electric SUV capable of around 600km on a single charge. The EV3 Light LR model claims 605km, while the Earth and GT-Line aim for 563km. All three are powered by an 81kWh battery pack. The entry-level Light SR variant ($55,520) manages a claimed 436km on its 58kWh battery pack. Read our review of the EV3 Light LR here. Todd McDonald, the MD of Kia New Zealand says: 'The new Kia EV3 has debuted to outstanding reviews all around the globe, including winning numerous awards and accolades, most notably the World Car of the Year. 'It is following in the footsteps of our flagship EV9, not just in terms of awards won, but also incorporating the same striking styling. EV3 features similar advancements in technology and connectivity. It brings cutting-edge innovation to a wider audience than ever before and setting new standards in the segment. 'Moreover, it boasts a bold, progressive exterior and an innovative, practical interior that maximises space, functionality, and comfort. 'Impressively, it is also tuned for Australian and New Zealand conditions. A team of Kia engineers conducted more than 20,000km of local testing. Their efforts have delivered a vehicle that feels right at home in our environment. That's thanks to a unique combination of hardware and shock absorber settings, making the new EV3 the ultimate urban SUV.' At the heart of the Long Range models (three of the four available) is a sizeable 81.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. The EV3 Light Long Range has the most range of any Kia EV model currently available for sale. All models use a 150kW/283Nm electric motor, which integrates with an inverter and reduction gearbox to form a single unit mounted at the front of the vehicle. V2L capability Further, all EV3 models offer two Vehicle-to-Load outlets as standard, enabling electric devices to draw on the power supplied by the car's battery. All models can hook up to 350kW DC fast chargers, meaning a 10-80 per cent refill in 30 minutes. Styling borrows cues from the EV9 and the 'Opposites United' design philosophy. Smooth lines give it an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.26, contributing to an extended driving range. Three different styles of aero alloy wheels available, in either 17-inch (Light) or 19-inch diameters (Earth and GT-Line). Spacious simplistic interior The interior is also up to the minute and simple in a luxurious minimalistic manner. Like others in the line-up the EV3 uses the E-GMP platform that optimises interior space, all within a compact exterior. All versions feature a 29.6-inch Panoramic Display screen. The top two models sport a full colour 12-inch Head-up Display, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. They are also ventilated on the GT-Line. Luggage capacity is 460 litres, expanding to 1251 litres with the seats in a car just 4300mm long. A 25-litre frunk is ideal for charging cables. EV3 has already undergone ANCAP testing and achieved a five-star crash rating. It features the same ADAS and vehicle dynamics system as the EV9. Thanks to the Kia Connect app, there are nine different vehicle functions that can be applied to the new EV3. These include Remote Climate Control, Remote Lock, EV Charging Locations and Status as well as Real-time Vehicle Tracking. This smart technology is available for free for the first five years of ownership. The Kia EV3 is available in six exterior colours. A 'Kia Confidence' package, a feature of all EV3s, comprises a seven-year/150,000km manufacturing warranty, eight-year/ 160,000km battery warranty, five-years of roadside assistance and a five-year Kia Connect programme with Over the Air updates. More information about the new Kia EV3 is available here.
