The Department of Energy has announced that on 5 October 2016 the retail price of 93 octane petrol will increase by 44 c/litre, 95 octane petrol by 43c/litre and diesel by 23c/litre.
What's the biggest reason for the increases? Well, for once, it was not the weak rand/dollar exchange rate. Although the national currency declined last month, it recently made a decent recovery. "The Rand declined early in September against the US dollar, but has since strengthened. Only around eight cents of this month's increase will come from Rand weakness. It is oil strength which has been the major contributor," said the AA.
It's interesting to note that the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has reached a preliminary agreement to limit oil production, the first time this has happened since 2008. If this deal goes through, outputs could be curtailed by up to 700 000 barrels a day which will stimulate international petrol prices. However, non-OPEC countries could up production and affect the price negatively. It's all a case of supply and demand.
The AA is more concerned about our currency. "If the Rand remains volatile, South Africans will be more exposed to changes in the oil price, and we advise motorists to continue to economise in the absence of a clear picture of what effect the OPEC decision may have," the Association concluded.
The second iteration of the Volvo S60 Polestar has arrived in South Africa and, unlike its first arrival (at the end of 2015), there will be more of these fast Swedes to go around.
What’s not to like about a fast Volvo? We reviewed the previous-generation Volvo S60 Polestar (of which only 28 units were allocated to our market) and generally liked it. A few months on and there’s a new version, but this time 45 units will be availed to customers; they’re likely to get snapped up quickly too.
The big changes occur under the bonnet, where the 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder motor has been replaced by the new-generation Drive-E engine. This new powerplant is a turbo- and supercharged 4-cylinder unit with peak outputs of 270 kW and 470 Nm. Power is directed to all 4 wheels through a new 8-speed transmission and Volvo SA claims its new Polestar is faster than the outgoing model: it is claimed to catapult to 100 kph from standstill in just 4.7 seconds and max out at 250 kph.
Perhaps the biggest improvement comes from the fuel consumption where Volvo claims 7.8 L/100 km on the combined cycle and its emissions are down to 179 g/km. Other technical changes include new lightweight alloy wheels, an upgraded power-steering setup and beefed-up new brakes.
“This car is properly quick,” says Niels Möller, Chief Operating Officer at Polestar. “But it’s more than that. It combines Polestar’s 20 years of racing pedigree with Volvo’s inherent pragmatism and engineering heritage. This is a very fast car that you can use every day of the year.” The ace in the Volvo S60 Polestar’s sleeve is the level of specification on the vehicle. There are no options and what you see is what you get.
Standard features include:
revised 20-inch Polestar alloy wheels
automatic bi-xenon headlights with Active Bending and Active High Beam (including anti-dazzle for other road users, a feature usually restricted to LED headlights)
auto-dimming mirrors inside and out
front and rear parking sensors with a rear-view camera
CleanZone automatic dual-zone climate control with rear seat ventilation and remote pre-conditioning
an 8-speaker Harman/Kardon multi-media infotainment system with USB, Bluetooth and Internet compatibility, and voice control
satellite navigation
heated leather/alcantara steering wheel
leather/alcantara upholstery with heated front and rear seats
cyan contrast stitching
genuine carbon fibre “floating centre stack”
active TFT digital instrument cluster
gear-shift paddles
sunroof
keyless access and starting
an active twin-pipe Polestar exhaust system
adaptive cruise control with a toggle switch to cruise control
Being a Volvo, the S60 Polestar features comprehensive a level of safety technology. There are 6 airbags, ABS, EBA, BAS, HAS, ESC and IntelliSafe, which besides City Safety (AEB) includes the likes of Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Alert, Road Sign Information and a Driver Alert system.
Volvo S60 Polestar price in South Africa
The new Volvo S60 Polestar retails in South Africa for a recommended R749 500 which continues to include a 5-year/ 100 000 km full vehicle warranty, a 5-year/ 100 000 km full maintenance plan, laminated glass and Tracker Connect.
The 5th generation of the Nissan Micra has been unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Let's take a closer look at this compact hatchback, which the Japenese manufacturer is considering for the local market.
The new Nissan Micra has grown up. It looks less radical than its predecessors, yet retains styling cues from the latest Nissan products. It is lower, wider and longer than the previous model which means a nicer drive and improved cabin space. There are also new engines as well as innovative safety features.
"When the first Micra appeared more than 30 years ago, it marked a revolution in the small hatchback segment and opened a new chapter for Nissan. The fifth generation Micra is just as revolutionary, and will raise expectations for what a hatchback can, and should, deliver to its customers," said Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan Motor Company, "Following in the wheel tracks of distinctive cars like Qashqai and Juke, the latest Micra reinforces Nissan's position as a leader in automotive design. It also shows our intent to compete right at the top of Europe's B-segment market – the largest and most competitive B-segment market in the world."
Personalisation of the new Nissan Micra is one of the key changes, and Nissan offers 10 vivid colurs as well as numerous interior and exterior personalisation options which allows up 125 different creations. The cabin features a lower driving position and the steering wheel is fully adjustable.
The new Nissan Micra features Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition, as well as Intelligent Around View Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition, High Beam Assist and Blind Spot Warning. In terms of entertainment, the Micra comes with an all-new six-speaker Bose® Personal® sound system as well as a 7-inch full-colour display featuring satellite navigation, apps and Apple CarPlay. Micra Gen5 comes with a 7-inch full colour central display, providing access to the audio system, satellite navigation, mobile phone, downloadable apps and Siri voice control via Apple CarPlay.
At launch, the car will offer the choice of a 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel, both developing 66 kW. The range will be expanded with a naturally-aspirated 54 kW 1.0-litre petrol engine. The Nissan Micra will go on sale in European sales in March 2017.
But what about the Mica's arrival in South Africa? Nissan South Africa media liaison Veralda Schmidt comments: "Our product planners are in the final stages of studying plans to introduce the new Micra in the local market. We are certainly optimistic that we will be able to make an announcement in this regard soon. The new Micra will certainly make for an attractive option in the highly contested upper B-segment."
This fiery-mouthed SVR transforms the F-Type from a stylish sportscar to fun track-day tool.
Design, like art, may be a naturally divisive subject, but few could argue against the claim that the Jaguar F-Type is one of the most beautiful cars on the planet. Its smooth, curvy lines converge with piercing taillights and create a side profile that’s so perfectly proportioned it will make you want to remove the family photos from your living room wall and replace them with a big motivational F-Type poster.
Just stand behind this new F-Type SVR (Special Vehicle Racing) when its rear wing is deployed and tell me you don’t see the tips protruding like devil horns. The taillights even look like evil, demonic eyes. This car is bad… but the good kind of bad, and that's before you even get behind the wheel.
"Devil horns" and "demon eyes". Jaguar living up to its slogan, "it's good to be bad"
The SVR I'm stepping into is the only one in the country, used as a marketing tool to promote the SVR badge as an AMG, M and RS competitor. The engineers haven’t gone overboard with the power increase, it has a meagre 18 kW and 20 Nm advantage over the F-Type R AWD. The weight saving on this car is around 50 kg due to the carbon ceramic brakes, carbonfibre roof, carbon interior trim and the lighter exhaust system, but the hardest work, from a developmental point of view, has gone into the optimisation of the SVR's aerodynamic efficiency and suspension tuning.
Jaguar claims the SVR creates zero lift, but in V-Max mode (the rear wing folds down) it will top 200 mph (320 kph). Contrary to everything manufacturers usually say about performance suspension, Jaguar has made the front end slightly softer, but the rear firmer, to promote better turn in. Finally, just in case you couldn’t hear the F-Type R's exhaust note, Jaguar has ensured the SVT's flaps open at a lower RPM and so it can roar with even more ferocity.
Exhaust is made from Titanium and Inconel (space ship superalloy) and saves 16 kg over the standard exhaust
Seated behind the steering wheel, a notable change is that leather trim has been replaced with sporty Alcantara, but it’s business as usual as far as design goes. The infotainment system has some added features that allows the driver to track their lap times, check how many Gs they've pulled in the corners, as well as a bar graph that plots throttle and brake applications in 120-second bursts (a feature track-day aficionados will certainly appreciate).
We had a chance to spend some laps at Kyalami with an instructor beside us. Right from the first go, the louder exhaust gets your adrenalin levels rocketing. Instantly, you’re more attuned to the finite changes on the SVR. The machinations of the transmission are quicker, on both up, and down shifts. The steering feels heavier but faster. The AWD F-Type’s steering can feel light and vague on track but this SVR is communicative with perfect heft.
The small power increase is noticeable in the mid-range, especially upon corner exits – that's where the SVR does everything just that little bit faster. The suspension delivers the biggest surprise, under braking the SVR feels alive, even a little bit loose, like it could break away at any second and send you farming. It won’t though, it’s all part of the engineers' plan to get the SVR into a prime position to arrow into the apex quicker. It’s impressive to watch it work, but don't hestitate – you can floor the throttle earlier with the extra downforce pushing the SVR into the tarmac like it’s being stood on by the Hulk's left foot.
SVR makes good use of additional aero features in order to improve corner speed.
The Pirelli P Zero tyres just hold on and are prone to overheating quickly under this sort of continuous pressure. An upgrade to the P Zero Corsa tyres may be just what the SVR needs if it wants to be more than a one lap specialist.
Our time in the SVR is over all too soon, but it leaves a lasting impression. For what is essentially an add-on pack for an F-type AWD, it feels like so much more than that. It’s a proper sportscar with racing pedigree; much more powerful than the Porsche Cayman GT4, less hardcore, but probably as visceral as the BMW M4 GTS and seeing that the aforementioned rivals are no longer available from new, the Mercedes-AMG GTS and Nissan GT-R are probably the only adequate rivals. What we'd absolutely love to see is a comparison between the SVR and an Audi R8 V10 or the McLaren 570S to evaluate just how good it is as an all-round powerhouse. Frankly we can't think of a loftier complement to pay the Jaguar than that…
You can order an F-Type SVR for R2 134 100 (depending on stock availability), which puts it a fair chunk below the price of an R8 and McLaren 570S.
The Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey, in partnership with leading data specialists, Lightstone Consumer, forms an integral part of the awards programme, with the survey accounting for 50% of the final result in each category. The brand-specific data incorporates feedback from thousands of South African new vehicle owners, based on their experiences of their vehicles (must be less than 5 years old and serviced through franchised outlets).
While supercars and other “exotics” are mere fantasies for most motorists, there are cars priced below the magical R1 million mark that offer near-supercar thrills and performance. In this category we are not only looking for sizzling performance, but also driver engagement, whether driven on the track or on the road. For a car to be considered in this category, the following criteria apply: its listed price must be between R600 000 and R1 000 000 at the time of semi-finalist voting (September 1, 2016) to ensure that this doesn’t become a category dominated by extravagant and unattainable exotics.
Following a mild facelift and a few technical upgrades, the Mercedes-AMG A45 4MATIC remains the most potent performance hatchback available in South Africa. Its turbocharged engine is a technological marvel that squeezes a scarcely believable 280 kW from a 2.0-litre powerplant. And the standard all-wheel drive system allows all that power to be harnessed most effectively. The A45’s turbocharged 2.0-litre engine offers a significant bump in power and torque over its predecessor with a total of 280 kW (+25 kW) and 475 Nm of torque (+25 Nm). Those numbers are delivered to all four wheels using a revised 7-speed dual clutch transmission that can be operated manually by utilising the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
With the exception of the NSX supercar, Honda hasn’t built a serious everyday performance car since the demise of the much-loved S2000; previous iterations of the Civic Type-R struggled to keep up with their turbocharged rivals. So Honda went back to the drawing board and came up with an all-new take on the Type-R. It’s no wallflower, that’s for sure, but it also packs a colossal punch and loves track days… To match its overt boy racer looks, the Type-R packs a mighty punch with its newly developed 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC engine. Enthusiasts are in for a treat with 228 kW and 400 Nm powering the front wheels through a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission.
RS is a special badge in Ford's product line-up and, therefore, the Blue Oval applies it sparingly. RS models are exceptionally desirable, fast and, most importantly, personify everyman appeal. While many people dream about exotic machinery, an RS-badged Ford is widely regarded a working class hero.
Given the heady price of the Focus RS, that notion may no longer be applicable, but this iteration could one day be remembered as one of the best of the breed. The iconic 2.5-litre 5-cylinder of the previous car is gone and in its place is a 2.3-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol unit. Anoraks will point out it’s the same motor as in the Mustang Ecoboost, but while that's fundamentally true, there are some modifications to the unit that allow it to produce a tad more power.
The BMW M2 was easily one of the most talked-about introductions of 2016. It appears to have everything that any sports car aficionado would want. Muscular looks. Check. Exciting engine sounds. Check. Sizzling performance. Check. Engaging, smile-inducing handling. Double check! The M2 is powered by an engine that has “future legend” written all over it.
Loosely based on the single-turbo N55 engine of the M235i, but with internals borrowed from the current M3/M4 and expertly tweaked by the masters at BMW’s M division, the M2’s six-pot delivers 272 kW and 465 Nm of torque, enough to blitz the benchmark 0-100 kph sprint in 4.3 seconds. The engine is mated with BMW’s superb 7-speed M-DCT dual-clutch transmission. It’s a thoroughly engaging combination, and wringing the engine’s neck all the way to the red line is seriously addictive.
The Audi TT claimed the Fun Car title in last year’s Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, but its price has put it out of contention in that category. But there’s good news: it’s faster, sharper sibling, the TTS, is an ideal fit for the Performance Car category. Compared with the standard TT, there’s a substantial power hike. Although the displacement of the engine has remained the same as the 2.0T models, the power and torque outputs have increased to 228 kW and 380 Nm respectively. These gains may seem moderate (especially in terms of torque), but the TTS feels noticeably more eager and faster than standard Audi TTs.
The second generation of Audi Q5 has just been revealed at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Let's see what it's all about.
"The first Audi Q5 was for many years the world's best-selling SUV in its class. It was no easy task to design its successor, but that is precisely why it is so very exciting," says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG. "With the new Q5 we are setting the bar a notch higher. Among the great innovations are the quattro drive system with ultra technology, highly efficient engines, the air suspension with damper control and a comprehensive line-up of infotainment and assistance systems."
The Audi Q5 has quite a reputation and the new model has changed substantially. The exterior hasn't changed dramatically, but there are a few changes. The headlights are available with headlights that are either in LED or high-resolution Matrix LED technology with dynamic turn lights. The vehicle comes with quattro permanent all-wheel drive system and the tail lights are also available with optional dynamic turn signals. There'll be 14 exterior colours to choose from, while five equipment lines are available – sport and design, the S line sport package, design selection and the S line exterior package. Under the skin, the new Audi Q5 is up to 90 kg lighter than the exterior model, despite it being a physically larger vehicle. Audi is claiming its new Q5 is the cleanest in terms of aerodynamics with a cd figure of 0.30.
The new Audi Q5 has five engines: four TDI engines and one TFSI. They have added up to 20 kW of power, with fuel consumption being significantly reduced.The 2.0 TDI engines in the new Q5, with outputs of 110 kW, 120 kW and 140 kW, are highly efficient. The two-liter diesel is also a highly efficient engine in the version with 140 kW. The two top engines combine ample power with efficiency. The further developed 2.0 TFSI has an output of 185 kW, yet it only consumes 6.8 L/100 km. The also revised 3.0 TDI increases output to 210 kW with 620 Nm of torque.
Audi's Virtual Cockpit is now available as an option and it features graphics on the high-resolution 12.3-inch screen. The MMI system can now recognise handwritten entries as well as gestures familiar from consumer electronics such as zooming gestures. MMI navigation plus utilises the Audi connect module to integrate a LTE module and a Wi-Fi hotspot which can connect up to eight mobile devices. The free Audi MMI connect app produces a close interconnection between the car and smartphone or a smartwatch and offers other services. They include remote checking of important vehicle states, online media streaming and transmission of a calendar from a smartphone to the MMI. The Audi smartphone interface also brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the new Q5.
The new Audi Q5 also features semi-autonomous driving tech. These are divided into three packages – Tour, City and Parking. The predictive efficiency assistant helps the driver save fuel by specific information on the car's surroundings. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) including traffic jam assist can handle some of the steering work in slow-moving traffic. Audi active lane assist makes it easier to stay in lane. Distance warning alerts the driver when the distance to a vehicle drops below a safe distance. The vehice also features cross traffic assist rear, the exit warning system, collision avoidance assist and turn assist. orm excellently in pursuit of safety.
Audi Q5 South African Availability
The new Audi Q5 is made in Mexico. It will arrive at dealers in Germany and other European countries at the beginning of 2017. Audi South Africa have said that the new Q5 will be arriving in the second quarter of 2017.
The Lexus UX Concept has made its official motor show debut in Paris, showcases CT 200h replacement.
Lexus took the covers off its latest concept at the Paris Motor Show. The UX Concept is an SUV/Crossover vehicle set to compete with new premium products such as the Audi Q2 and BMW X2.
The UX concept provides a hint at Lexus’ future design direction and if you consider that the UX200, UX250 and UX250h monikers were recently trademarked in Europe, we are very likely to see multiple engines and variants of the SUV.
Details of the UX concept are limited at this stage, but judging by the images, it’s clear that the UX crossover concept features sharp, angular styling, much like the current NX and RX models. If the UX does indeed become a reality, it’s expected to slot in below the current NX. It could even ride on the recently released Toyota C-HR platform.
Lexus stated: “Its strongly differentiated identity is meant to appeal to a progressive, urban audience living in a connected environment. The UX Concept also showcases imaginative technologies for an immersive driver experience, while the interior marries traditional craftsmanship with high-tech manufacturing techniques.”
Lexus UX Interior
The UX crossover concept features a futuristic cabin that could very well inspire a new crossover model from Lexus.
The interior of the UX crossover concept features a transparent, floating hologram globe. The faceted crystal centre console houses a hologram style display that controls the infotainment system and the air-conditioning system. Electro-chromatic windows are fitted and the side mirrors have been replaced with e-mirror cameras. Furthermore, conventional switches are replaced with electrostatic switchgear, which are found under transparent covers in the cabin. The UX has been designed with 4 seats in mind. The 2 up front focus on a more sporty or involved experience where the back seats are all about comfort and relaxation.
“Our brief was to create a new genre of compact crossover; a vehicle that could create something unique from a customer's point of view?an innovative, three-dimensional, fully immersive user experience,” said Stephan Rasmussen, Designer at Lexus’ European Design Centre.
BMW previews X2 compact crossover in Paris [with Video]
BMW has revealed its new X2 compact crossover at the Paris Motor Show. Though still a concept car at this stage, the production version is likely to look almost identical when it goes on sale early in 2018.
The new X2 is essentially a sportier derivative of the X1, much in the way that the X4 complements the X3 and the X6 the X5. It rides on the company's front-wheel drive UKL architecture, so you can expect a line-up of predominantly front-wheel drive offerings, with all-wheel drive available on some models. Also, much of the X1's engine range should be carried over to the X2.
So what is the surprise, then? Well, where most onlookers had expected the X2 to be merely an X1 with a coupe-like profile, BMW's designers were clearly given a far less restrictive brief. The X2 is a bold machine, with several design cues from recent concept cars seemingly headed for production. "This is a sporty vehicle with a bold character, and it allows us to open up some fascinating new design possibilities for the BMW brand,” says Karim Habib, Head of BMW Design.
Inspired by BMW coupes of the past
According to the press release it "draws on BMW's history of coupe-making," and it is clear, at least to yours truly, that the famous kidney grille is starting to gain depth again, and closely resembles the design of the grilles featured on the recent 3.0 CSL Hommage R and Vision Next 100 concept cars. It is, says its designers, the first BMW grille where the kidneys are wider at the bottom than the top. Those concepts, of course, were, in turn inspired by the "shark-nose" BMWs of the past… Another throwback to yesteryear's coupes is the positioning of the logo on the C-pillar.
This being a concept, there are of course some details that are unlikely to feature on the production version or, at least, not on all of them. This concept rides on very striking bi-colour 21-inch wheels, for example. But we expect much of the headlight detailing to remain. The classic BMW twin circular lights look gets a more hexagonal form on the X2, and the laser light technology allows for very slim headlamps. We don't anticipate laser lights to be offered on all X2s, but expect the graphic to be similar. At the rear, too, BMW has put a new twist on its traditional "L" design, with a more 3-dimensional appearance.
So, in summary then, and perhaps surprisingly so, the X2 could be quite important from a design perspective, as it seemingly steps slightly out of the current BMW design language on several fronts and represents a more emotive take on the brand's current look.
Watch a video of the X2's unveiling at the Paris Show:
Renault Shows Off Wild Trezor Grand Tourer Concept at Paris Motor Show
Renault has unwrapped a breathtaking concept at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Let’s meet the Renault Trezor – an all-electric Grand Tourer concept car.
The Renault Trezor is a Grand Tourer concept car that blends all-electric powertrain and autonomous driving. “The Renault range has now been completely renewed and upgraded with a spectrum of complementary models, each one of which has its own assertive identity. With the Trezor, we have pursued this renewal by introducing a new lifecycle sequence. This concept car is the fruit of a freedom of expression and prepares the way for the trends we are likely to see in our upcoming vehicles. These trends fall into two categories: French Design and Easy Life.” said Laurens van den Acker – Senior Vice-President, Corporate Design
It’s a beautiful and eccentric design, and the Renault Trezor features a metallic finish and styling of a classic GT. The bonnet features a honeycomb-styed air intake which opens and closes for extra ventilation, giving the impression the car is alive and breathing. On the left-hand side of the body, the fuel filler hatch has been replaced by an analogue gauge that indicates the vehicle’s charge level, drawing on traditional sports car practice.
Engine & powerplant
The engine of the Renault Trezor comes straight from the Renault e.dams, two-time winner of the Formula E Teams’ world title. It has outputs of 260 kW and 380 Nm, which is enough to see it hit 100 kph in under four seconds. There are two batteries each featuring their own cooling system as well as a brake-based energy recovery system, lifted straight from a Formula E racecar. The Renault Trezor has 50:50 weight distribution and features rear-wheel drive. It also features 21- and 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in specialised Continental tyres.
Interior
The cabin of the Renault Trezor introduces an all-new dashboard design with a unique L-shaped display which combines multimedia system as well as dashboard controls. The Renault Trezor sees the brand explore a new approach to dashboard design with a unique L-shaped display that combines the dashboard controls and the multimedia system. The Ultra High Definition screens ensure crisp images with superior contrast and colour reproduction. Being in the age of the smartphone, the Renault Trezor caters for the driver as it features a dedicated storage area for devices. The phone is recognised and a greeting displayed. Personalisation of the touchscreen interface is present and drivers can adjust apps and widgets to suite their needs.
Autonomous Driving Capability
The Renault Trezor offers three driving modes: neutral, sport and autonomous. The car changes while in autonomous mode and the exterior lighting signature changes and extends to the lateral and rear logos, to indicate to other road users that driving has been delegated to the computer. When in autonomous mode, the steering wheel opens up to display a cinema screen, which provides entertainment to the driver and passenger in the form of watching a film, playing a game or flicking through photographs.
This VW I.D concept is planned for a 2020 public release. Demonstrates VW’s plan for a fully automated mode by 2025.
Last week VW announced it would be showing multiple electric vehicles at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. This is the first and it’s called the I.D which will lead Volkswagen’s electric lineup of cars that is said to reach 30 models by 2025.
This I.D will hit the road by 2020 and features plenty of new technology – not only in its drivetrain system. The electric motor has an output of 125 kW and is capable of sprinting to 100 kph in 8 seconds. Top speed is also decent at a claimed 160 kph with VW saying the batteries will last anywhere from 400 – 600 km on a single charge. Thanks to fast charging it can also be topped up to 80% charge in just 30 minutes. The I.D has both cable charging and inductive charging capabilities. Inductive charging requires the driver to park over a ‘charging plate’ where it is then charged. It’s sort of like wireless charging on modern smartphones.
Volkswagen is also debuting its automated driving system that it says will be available from 2025. In order to activate auto-pilot, you have to press the VW badge on the steering wheel for 3 seconds, at which point the steering wheel retracts and the car takes over driving duties. A simple touch of the brake or pedals will return the I.D to manual mode and extend the steering wheel back into place.
Inside the I.D is where Volkswagen plans to show initiative with its electric vehicle lineup. The I.D features new technologies such as multifunction steering wheel where the gear selections can be pressed. There’s also the more basic functions such as phone and infotainment switches. The infotainment system has been increased to 10-inches and includes 3D navigation. The screen can also control functions on the steering wheel or be divided up into 3 separate sections.
An e-Mirror system replaces the standard rear-view mirror but still looks just like a rear-view mirror. Information from both the wing mirror cameras and the rear camera are fed to the single rear-view system. The removal of the wing mirrors improves the car’s aerodynamics.
In multi-storey car parks, Volkswagen's concept car can find a parking space all on its own. All the driver has to do is stop the I.D. in a specially marked zone in the entrance to the car park that is suitably equipped with the necessary infrastructure and activate the "Pilot for multi-storey car park" using the Volkswagen app, and off the I.D. goes! To ask the I.D. to leave the parking space again, all the driver has to do is tell the Volkswagen to return to its starting zone again via the app.
At the moment the I.D looks far from a production-ready vehicle so, the next four years will be fast-tracked in order to meet the prescribed deadline of 2020.
