Page 85 - ElectriCar Magazine

Nissan Rogue MSRP $27,700
2.0L, ?kWh, 181HPc, MPGe 33/35, ?e, Wt 3,663
There is a 2.0-liter engine. It features 16 valves and all- aluminum construction. The efficiency is better thanks to the LithiumIon battery and a single 30kW electric motor. The gas engine is capable of producing up to 141hp. The electric motor adds additional 40hp, so the final output numbers are 181hp. A two-clutch control system is available, just like theidlestart/stopsystem. TransmissionisCVTXTronicand front-wheel drive is standard. However, an all-wheel-drive setup is optional. The EPA city/highway fuel economy is rated at 33/35FWD mpge, 31/34AWD mpge.
Visually, the only way to tell the Rogue Hybrid apart from the gas powered Rogue is by a set of hybrid badges on the exterior of the vehicle and an energy-flow readout in place of the standard car’s temperature gauge. Importantly, you don’t lose muchspacebygoingwiththeRogueHybrid. YoucanspecifyeithertheSVHybridorSLHybridtrimforyourRogueHybrid, andeitheronecommandsaslightpremiumoveracomparablenon-hybridRogue. TheSLHybridPremiumPackagenow bundles a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch wheels, and the Bose audio system.
Porsche Cayenne MSRP $79,000
3.0L, 14.1kWh, 455HPc, MPGe 47/47, 25e, Wt 5,060
The Cayenne E-Hybrid boasts a very unique turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 rated at 455 hybrid powerplant under its hood. Then there is Porsche’s “Tiptronic S” torque converter 8-speed gearbox. The filling in the middle, sandwiched between the engine and the gearbox, is an electric motor rated at 134hp. Included in the hybrid package is an electromechanically actuated separating clutch, which allows the transmission to uncouple from the driven wheels atwill. Thisarrangementmaximizesefficiencyasitvirtually eliminates the considerable drag of a powertrain during
coasting. There is no traditional starter or alternator as the electric motor accomplishes both tasks naturally.
Combining the power of the combustion engine and electric motor, the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s total system output is 455hp and the 0-to-60 mile-per-hour sprint is accomplished in just 4.7 seconds with a top track speed of 157 mph. Those figures best manydedicatedsportscars. TheCayenneE-Hybridfeaturesfouruniquedrivemodes;E-Power,HybridAuto,E-Holdand E-Charge which are accessed through the standard Sport Chrono dial on the steering wheel.
PorschePanamera MSRP$129,550
2.0L, 14.1kWh, 462HPc, MPGe 47/47, 25e, Wt 5,060
The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is a Plug-In Hybrid with a starting priceof$102,900. Betweenitstwin-turboV6anditselectric motor, this edition has a total output of 462 horsepower. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, $186,200, is also equipped with an electric motor, but swaps the V6 for a twin-turbo V8. Its 680-horsepower rating is at the top of the chart in the The Panamera GTS also sports a twin-turbo V8 engine. Prices start at $128,300 for this 453-horsepower model. Base Panamera models get a 330-horsepower V6 engine that goes from zero to 60 mph in as little as 5.2 seconds.
Fromthere,poweroutputsonlygoupwhilesprinttimesshrink. AtthepeakisthePanameraTurboSE-Hybrid. Itstwin- turbocharged V8 engine and electric motor have a combined 680-horsepower rating, and it can sprint from zero to 60 mph in3.4secondswhenoutfittedwiththeoptionalSportChronopackage. Allenginescomewithaneight-speeddual-clutch automatictransmissionthat’sexceptionallyrefined. The2020PorschePanameraranked#2inSuperLuxuryCars.Porsche covers the Panamera with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.
Tesla Model 3 continued from page 82
in October 2018 via a software update.
Car-design columnist and former car designer for GM Robert Cumberford said the Model 3 “is an excellent design” and praised the front fascia skin that he thinks is superior to the black plastic simulated grille of the pre- refresh Model S. Cumberford praised the Model 3’s minimalist design, and “elegant simplicity” akin to Apple products. Although he criticized the car’s spoiler, he said the Model 3 has a design that would age well, and “in 10 years it will still look contemporary and beautifully understated, not old and irrelevant”.
Automotive journalist said the Model 3 was better, though $2,000 more expensive, than the BMW 340i and that it was the “coolest car of the year,” later clarifying that this was based on the “long waiting lists, obsessive interest and news stories”. DeMuro’s review concentrated on hardware details and missed out on the bigger picture.
An automotive-industry analyst said after driving the latest Tesla vehicle in that “Overall, he found the Model 3 to be a compelling offering, and believe it is likely to further galvanize the overall Electric Vehicle category.” He was less impressed with build quality of the test samples. “Fit and finish on the two demo cars we saw, perhaps not surprisingly, was relatively poor.” He said that there were quality issues at first with the Model X which led to some concern. “This is going to be a much, much higher-volume car, and if there are any quality issues, that could overwhelm the service centers and undermine the Tesla brand.” Nonetheless, he was impressed with the ride quality, performance and interior space, and concluded that the 3 “risks cannibalizing the very expensive Model S going forward”.
The Model 3 proves that Tesla is thinking far beyond the edges of the Model S and X. Stepping out of the 3, you realize that, as far as the S and X pushed the envelope, they were always meant as intermediaries, stepping stones designed to draw people away from comfortable convention and into the future of the automobile. Model 3 is Tesla at its most unabashed. It is an automaker finally willing to abandon the false radiator grille and the tradition of a driver-oriented gauge panel.
The Tesla Model 3 was named “Car of the Year”. It was said that the car Tesla Model 3 continued on page 84
Toyota Avalon
The 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is offered in submodels styles include Limited 4dr Sedan 2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid, XLE 4dr Sedan 2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid and XSE4drSedan2.5L4cylgas/electrichybrid. ToyotaAvalon Hybrid models are available with a 2.5 L-liter hybrid engine, withoutputupto215hpdependingonenginetype. The 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include continuously variable- speed automatic. The Avalon Hybrid’s Sport mode (there are also Normal and Eco modes) draws additional power
from the hybrid system and can be used during EV mode. Hybrid trims include the XLE, the sporty XSE, and the top Limited trim. The Hybrid XSE model comes standard with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that allow the driver to shift throughtheCVT’ssixsimulatedgears. Asurround-viewcamerasystem,frontandrearparkingsensors,andautomatic reversebrakingareoptionalsafetyfeatures. Somenotablefeaturesincludesteering-responsivefull-LEDheadlights,LED taillights, a 10.0-inch head-up display, adaptive suspension, a dual-pane moonroof, quilted leather seating.
MSRP $36,650
2.5L, 245Vnmh, 215HPc, MPGe 43/44, ?e, Wt 3,715
JUNE 2020
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