As we cross into June, a wave of teasers, reveals and other news has come our way in the car world. Here’s everything that happened this week and last week.
Nissan Sakura EV
Nissan’s first electric foray into the Japanese kei car market is here, and it’s called the Sakura. It takes clear inspiration from the worldwide Nissan Ariya and sticks to the game of maximising space within the confines of kei car regulations. As a part of these regulations, its electric motor produces only 47kW (63hp) but with no restriction on torque output, makes 195Nm (144ft-lb). The Sakura, named after the unofficial national flower of Japan, has a claimed range of 180 kilometres (112mi) from its 20kWh battery pack. Nissan says that it can provide a full day of power to a home if needed, depending on usage.
The interior puts a classier take on typically affordably priced and cheaply made kei cars, with touches of “gold” trim throughout the cabin, with piano black pieces throughout. If you’re lucky enough to live in Japan and want one of these, you’ll be needing roughly ¥2,410,000 to afford this little electric box.
Bentley Bentayga EWB
Jumping from the affordable end of the spectrum into quite the opposite, Bentley took the covers off the extended-wheelbase variant of its best-selling SUV. The Bentayga’s original release saw customers, especially from China and the US, asking for limo-like rear legroom, and with the Mulsanne’s discontinuation, Bentley leaped at the opportunity. Adding 180mm between the B-pillar and the rear axle, the British firm invested over $100 million to design and engineer over 2500 new parts for the EWB. Powered solely by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that powers the standard-wheelbase Bentayga with the same outputs, it only weighs 100kg more than a normal V8 model.
The interior is, of course, typical Bentley. However, if a fully-specified model still doesn’t fit what you are looking for, their coachbuilding shop Mulliner will happily accommodate your requirements. Bentley has also adopted rear-wheel steering for the EWB model, decreasing its turning radius to 0.6 metres less than the standard model, in which rear-steer is not an option. Now, the price. The Bentayga EWB is expected to cost 30 percent more than it’s V8 standard wheelbase cousin and seeing as that retails for roughly AU$380,000, this new model would vastly increase Bentley’s bottom line.
Honda CR-V
The fifth-generation of Honda’s mid-size SUV, which has been on sale since 2016, is finally getting a replacement. The sixth-generation, poised to launch soon, has been teased, revealing a new, fresher design to align itself with the new Civic and international-market HR-V. The teaser also reveals that the CR-V will be powered by at least one hybrid engine, although whether the current model’s engines will carry over is unknown. This follows a partial leak online, in which the CR-V’s patent showed off the next-generation model.
BMW M2
BMW teased its new M2 for the second time this week. Power is rumoured to come from the S58 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine that powers the new M3 and M4, although detuned to “just” 317kW (425hp). It’s also almost confirmed that this new M2 will feature a manual gearbox and most likely be one of the last models to feature one from the Bavarian outfit.
Fisker Pear
No, it’s not a fruit, nor is it shaped like one, it’s Fisker’s attempt to build one of the cheapest electric cars for the USA. The SUV is tipped to price at less than US$29,000 before the tax grant of $7500 is applied. It could be unveiled this year and will slot alongside the Ocean as the second model, the latter of which will go on sale later this year in the US.
DeLorean Alpha5
It’s finally back! DeLorean has unveiled its stunning new Alpha5, a gull-winged four-seater powered by electricity. However, “back” isn’t the correct term – this DeLorean has no affiliation with the company owned by John DeLorean other than name. This electric power rockets the Alpha5 from 0-60mph in an estimated time of 2.99 seconds and a top speed exceeding 250km/h. The hyper four-seater is projected to hit 88mph in 4.35 seconds too. It will be publicly unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
BMW X1 & iX1
Not only did the Munich-based firm tease its new M2 this week, but it also revealed the features of the BMW X1 and the iX1. Following their early leak online yesterday, the U11 X1 adopts X3-inspired styling, and although it brings another large kidney grille, it isn’t too large and overall is quite a decent looking car from a manufacturer struggling to rediscover its design mojo.
The X1 carries its 1.5-litre turbo petrol 3 cylinder sDrive18i and the 48-volt mild-hybrid four-cylinder turbo petrol xDrive23i over to the U11 model and drops the diesel sDrive18d. The iX1 xDrive30 has two motors, creating 200kW (268hp) with a 30kW (40hp) overboost. With a 64.7kWh battery pack, the iX1’s range is claimed to be just under 440km (273mi). Expect these two models to go on sale towards the end of 2022, or the beginning of 2023.
Lexus RX
Lexus, just hours ago, revealed its new fifth-generation RX. Available in four model grades, the RX’s design, both inside and outside, takes inspiration from the design language seen on the new NX and LX. The entry-level RX 350 is powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, driving all four wheels.
The RX 350h gains a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder sporting hybrid assistance which can drive either the front or all four wheels. The RX 450h shares this engine, however, is a plug-in hybrid, and uses its four-wheel-drive system for fuel saving.
The top model, the all-new RX 500h grade features the same 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder as the 350 combined with a hybrid system to create more power and torque than the other variants.
When official specs are released, we will be the first to let you know.
Mercedes-AMG One
To round off the week, Mercedes has finally revealed its AMG One hypercar, after five years of waiting. Its Formula One 1.6-litre V6 hybrid produces a whopping 1063hp (793kW) and features aero everywhere. This one shouldn’t porpoise, however. Another key difference between this One and the W13 F1 car is the road car’s utilisation of all-wheel-drive, allowing for it to rocket from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in a claimed 2.9 seconds, onto a limited top speed of 352km/h (219mph).
However, if you wanted one, it’s too late. Every single allocation of the 275 car production has already been filled at an eye-watering AU$4.2 million.
And that’s it for this week. What a truly bonkers week it’s been for the auto industry.
