The new Long Range ZS EV from MG has arrived! It's powered by a new 72.6kWh battery, and has new styling and new tech:
As is our wont, we like to showcase the capabilities of BEV's, so when and where we can, a road trip is planned in order to do so. As luck would have it, we had received invites to the official opening of Silverstone's Lap of Lights Festive Event. Held on their legendary Formula 1 Grand Prix race track, the Lap of Lights gives you the chance to experience their Chistmas Lights Trail.
The new ZS EV is - technically - a facelift, although SAIC have really listened to their customers, and the new model has had some improvements.
The Grenadier by INEOS - conceived in the United Kingdom, engineered in Austria and built in France.
Right now, it's on tour - and it's aim is to test this 4x4 over multiple terrains and over a million miles in order to prove that this workhorse is capable of anything. One of it's stops was Duncombe Park in North Yorkshire, and Ben got the chance to see the Grenadier up close in it's natural habitat.
During the test day, Ben was able to passenger in one of their prototypes as it was put through its paces off road:
It will be available with the choice of two BMW engines, a diesel and a petrol, both 3 Litre and both 8 speed automatic. The diesel tops the torque, producing 550 Newton meters, with the petrol producing 450.
With just a small variety of trim levels available, what sets the Grenadier apart is how you can make it your own with the myriad accessories available, including a winch, snorkle, safari windows and an exterior ladder. The interior floor mats even have built in drain valves if you opt for the heavy duty option. Honestly, it's quite a lot of fun just playing with the configurator on their website.
All 5 seats are Recaro's, offering lots of comfort as well as style - match this with the wipeable fabric option, and you have a no nonsense utility vehicle that offers stylish practicality. And to clarify, practicality is a key factor in the design of this 4x4, with switches that are designed to be used when your hands are cold and wet, or when you are wearing gloves.
At the moment, the Grenadier is available as a 5 seater station wagon and a 2 seater utility wagon, with plans to follow it up with a 5 seater utility wagon, and a double cab pick up. Some might scoff at the £48,000.00 plus starting price (all prices TBC) but if you are still using your Grenadier as a workhorse 30 years after buying one, you might well end up having the last laugh.
It's right up there, ready to compete with their nearest competitors (as well as some of their higher priced rivals) as it aims to take the place of the discontinued Land Rover Defender.
The new SsangYong Tivoli may not look too different to the previous gen, however there are changes to the front, back and even the interior - for example there is new styling round the LED front fogs, grille and headlamps as well as some shaping on the rear bumper and that's just exterior.
The interior is where you'll see the biggest changes, it has a new cluster and if you go for the ultimate you get a full digital cluster which has multiple displays some of the styling has changed on the dash, including the shaping, position of things like vents, you still have rotary dials but the central one for the air-conditioning has now gone, overall its more minimalist and flows better, and it's not just styling that has changed either, we now have new engines.
Well the car shows are truly upon us, which ones have you already been to? and which are planning on heading too, we plan to hit a few as our Mk2 Golf is being prepped for show season 2014.
Already we have fitted a steering rack, recon gearbox with welded seams, linkgage kit bushes and rods. As you can imagine it's an interesting job looking for Mk2 Golf parts.
Welcome to Salon Prive, a prestigious event that comprises of 4 days of automotive delight, each day offers something different whether it's Ladies day with Boodles or Supercars and Classics with Pirelli, this sadly is one of the only shows to run this year.
This was the media day, meaning very few people and perfect for Annabelles vulnerabilities.
This year the UK and the rest of the world world are going to need a good day out, as sadly, there have been many cancellations and postponements of amazing automotive events.
As of today the New British Motor Show is going ahead in August, this is straight from Andy Entwistle the CEO, therefore very good news.
So what better event than the British Motor Show? That's right - the classic automotive adventure is back and takes place over four days, thats's August 20th to 23rd at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre and it's going to be rather a big deal.
The first thing you want to know is the price: a family of four can attend for under £40, yes that's right, a family ticket for the event is £37 for you and your children (family tickets are for two adults and two children) and an adult ticket is £18.50, Trade tickets cost £10 and VIP tickets £100 - however, these will be limited to 500 and will include alot of things and that money cannot buy.
There are also concessions for students, military, emergency services and disabilities, also health care workers are being given complimentary entry.
Will we be there?, Yes of course Planet Auto will be there. We will be filming content as well as live broadcasts. We will also be giving away some tickets for our 5000 subscriber celebration on the Planet Auto YouTube Channel. We will hold off on this because of the way the world stands at the moment, as we want as many of you to get the chance to actually win these British Motor Show 2020 VIP tickets.
What's happening at British Motor Show 2020?
There will be lots of places to explore: Indoor and Outdoor Arenas, Car Owners Clubs, New Cars, EV's, you name it...and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Live celebrity stages will be a main part, and you can even test drive cars and buy new cars, there's also lots of live content and interactive displays.
The British motor show is changing, bringing it into this century with lots of interactivity, hands on experience, and a new era automotive event.
There wil be packed halls including new cars, you'll be able to see the latest models from lots of manufacturers and dealers, as well as new launches and new releases. You will be able to see some the latest vehicles that you've not even seen on the road.
Tech halls will showcase the latest autonomy, modifications, styling you name it, and the show is also going to push alternative fuels in a big way as well - yes petrol and diesel - which play a big part of mobility in the UK, however moving forward we are going to be seeing more EV's, hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, you name it.
A fan of Motorsport? well there will be lots to see, combined with the live-action arena, and there will be a range of cars representing motorsport over the years. Don't worry if you're a classic car fan, as there are lots of owners clubs to explore, everything from Mustangs to Fiat 500s, this means you will see the cream of the crop when it comes to classic gems.
Now to the zones: a clever idea for example is the EV zone. This will show you the latest electric vehicles even concepts, historic cars and technology as well, so you can see how electric vehicles and their technology has progressed.
Everybody loves a supercar, whether it's the Countach from the Cannonball or the latest Ferrari, with the paddock holding some of the finest and rarest vehicles in the world. They will all be on display for you to see.
We've been watching Retro EV's for many years - an LA company released a VW Betle with an electric powertrain some years ago, so expect to see this type of electrified classic car, and the retrofitting of EV power to classics. There maybe even be a certain electric JDM car there...
Now with any of these events, you want a nice place where the children can play safely, so there's a kids zone that's dedicated to the younger car enthusiast. Lego building slot car racing and much more.
Now everybody loves a modified car, and of course film cars and that's what the crazy car corner is all about.
No show would be complete without a place to buy things, and this is where the Marketplace comes in. Suppliers and product retailers - with styling, tuning parts, memorabilia, you name it. You can even get a poster of that car you once coveted...
Something that we've been seeing more of lately is automotive arts and crafts: they are even going to bring in a mystery car to be painted live - all this is and more under the Piazza!
The live stages are going to play a major part (and 500 VIP's can really get involved) there will be celebrities on stage, answering questions, taking part in guest panels, interactive sessions and lots more...
If you like the latest tech, the tech theatre is probably up your alley. This runs throughout the show, and delivers sessions dedicated to teaching you interesting aspects about the automotive world, with everything from myth busting to sorting out the jargon in your head. "What's an autonomous vehicle?" "How does an EV work?" "What's an MHEV?" And things like this.
You can look at beautiful cars, talk to people, listen to tech guys, and even see your favourite drivers demo in the live arena. You will also see stunt shows performed by Paul Swift and his team.
Thinking of getting a new car? Mike Rutherford will be heading up a celebrity group test panel, and he also offers some buying advice for people interested in purchasing one.
You can even test drive one that takes your fancy, using the internal 2 kilometre track. If you really like the car, you may even be able to drive a little further than that...
You can test hybrid, petrol, diesel and EV's - in fact, any car that's for sale, you can drive it!
Now, we did touch on the live content before, however it really is going to be something, and includes:
Paul Swift Stunt Show Motorsport
Demos Supercar and classic car parades
Mountainbike displays Celebrity Q&A
Interviews Live product demonstrations
Tech sessions the Sporting bears with dream rides
A wall of death Go-karting
Under 17 year old driving lessons - yes even if you're not driving age you can drive cars at this event Drift rides
Simulators
And the list goes on...
Now automotive careers of late have been suffering somewhat. At the British Motor Show, why don't you see if you can find the perfect automotive career for you? This is a call to arms for all!
The show takes place from the 20th-23rd of August, and we look forward to seeing you there.
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