Sunday, June 12, 2022

No Plans For Affordable Electric Volkswagen ID. Rival From Skoda




Skoda has yet to commit to a more affordable electric car that could sit alongside the Volkswagen ID. SEAT el-Born in the forthcoming range of MEB models, the CEO has admitted. The Czech manufacturer will launch its first vehicle based on the MEB all-electric platform next year. A production version of the Vision iV large SUV coupe, built on the longer MEB wheelbase shared with the likes of the VW ID. Crozz, it will be built on the same line as the Octavia at Skoda鈥檚 home factory in Mlada Boleslav. 鈥淲e have two MEB cars coming. One is the basis and the other is the derivative of that first model,鈥?Maier said. These cars are understood to be the Vision iV coupe and a regular SUV with a more conventional roofline. However, Maier said Skoda is 鈥渟till working on鈥?the idea of a more affordable MEB model - in the same way as VW鈥檚 stated goal of selling the entry-level ID. Golf. 鈥淭his platform is really multi-functional. It is usable for different car sizes and different car segments,鈥?Maier said. 鈥淲e are looking for a lower-specced car as well. He added, 鈥淲e want to do a car like the ID. Born, but it has to be one step after the other. What do you think of Skoda's electric plans?





Our example insurance quotes demonstrated that the Golf will be the cheapest car to insure here. Our numbers show an annual premium of 拢416 for the 308, 拢510 for the Toyota and just 拢397 for the VW. Testers鈥?notes: 鈥淭he Peugeot鈥檚 EAT8 automatic gearbox is smooth, but it鈥檚 not as fast as the Golf鈥檚 dual-clutch unit. The Golf is a stand-out winner in the family hatchback class because it鈥檚 such a fine all-rounder. It鈥檚 comfortable, good to drive, practical and economical - all key areas for most buyers looking for this type of car. But its strengths go even further than that, because it鈥檚 also great value, has a superb infotainment system, is quiet, refined and roomy in the rear. It鈥檚 little wonder why the VW is one of Britain鈥檚 best-selling cars. For ride and handling, the Corolla is close to the best in class. The chassis is fun but comfortable, and while keen drivers will find the powertrain frustrating, it鈥檚 yet another improvement with greater refinement than before. If relaxation is a priority and you want to maximise economy, the Toyota is a top choice, and while Excel trim is pricey, low running costs mean it鈥檚 a better pick for many buyers, despite poor infotainment tech. The 308 drops behind its rivals because of its slightly lumpy ride and poorer economy. It鈥檚 well equipped and has the biggest boot here, but it鈥檚 not an order of magnitude more practical than the others, plus other foibles such as quality, the driving position and infotainment hobble it. There are positives, though, including its entertaining, punchy engine, smooth gearbox and decent refinement. Mazda's new 3 will offer clever tech called SkyActiv-X that promises diesel-like running costs from a petrol engine. For now, only a mild-hybrid petrol is available, although our early impressions were positive.





With how little room they have, backseat passengers may not be as happy to spend long drives in the Macan. There鈥檚 a big hump in the middle of the floor, and the panoramic roof cuts headroom. At 6 feet tall, I felt shoehorned into the backseat. There鈥檚 significantly more room in the larger X6 and GLE450 AMG, which you can compare with the Macan here. Another signature Porsche interior characteristic is a massive center console littered with buttons 鈥?not only for typical controls such as Sport mode or heated seats, but also independent buttons for each available airflow direction for the climate system. It鈥檚 actually not a bad setup. I acclimated to the layout quickly and appreciated having buttons at my fingertips for functions that are normally hidden within layers upon layers of touch-screen menus. The Porsche Macan鈥檚 standard multimedia system features a 7-inch touch-screen and 70-plus physical buttons that litter the interior.





2,990 Infotainment Package. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren鈥檛 available on the 2016 Macan, but CarPlay will debut on the 2017 Macan GTS. Other options include just about everything under the sun 鈥?including a fire extinguisher and two optional stereos. The standard 11-speaker stereo features a USB input with iPod connectivity. 5,690. The mid-level Bose is decent enough but doesn鈥檛 stand out in any particular way for its hefty price. The small-interior theme continues in cargo and storage space. A center console overrun with buttons doesn鈥檛 leave room for extra storage, and there are just two cupholders and a small, square-shaped, shallow storage bin under the center armrest. The BMW X4 and X6 at least provide a nifty sliding cover over their cupholders to store loose items, and the GLE-Class coupe has a separate cubby area for phones and other items. Luggage space behind the Porsche Macan鈥檚 40/20/40-split folding backseat is a small 17.7 cubic feet that鈥檚 deep but narrow, and the aggressively sloped roofline doesn鈥檛 provide much room for taller objects.





Cargo space is more similar to a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (17.2 cubic feet) or BMW X4 (17.7 cubic feet) than to the roomier X6 (26.6 cubic feet) or GLE-Class coupe (23 cubic feet). The Porsche Macan had not been crash-tested as of publication. Available safety systems include blind spot monitoring, called Lane Change Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist, which automatically nudges the vehicle after it veers from a lane. A backup camera is also optional and comes with front and rear parking sensors. Also cryptically named, Porsche Active Safe is the Macan鈥檚 forward collision warning system with autonomous braking. 1,440. See all the Macan鈥檚 safety features here, and check out how well child-safety seats fit in the Macan in the Car Seat Check. The Porsche Macan鈥檚 combination of small size, high price, sports-car-like handling and luxurious interior make it a genuinely unique compact luxury SUV. The bulk of Macans in Cars.com鈥檚 national inventory are more expensive than similarly sized X4s or Evoques. 42,470. At that price, though, you get only 240 hp, making it far less of a performance buy. 66,025) as closer competitors, considering the cost to get into one is closer to what it will likely take to buy a Macan. The Porsche Macan S is at a size disadvantage compared with the GLE450 and the X6 in terms of both cargo space and backseat room, but it manages to not feel overpriced for its small size. 69,455, wasn鈥檛 offensive given its impressive quality, performance and distinctive Porsche flair. Year-end sales placed the Porsche Macan as the No. 2 best-selling model in Porsche鈥檚 lineup for 2015, behind the Cayenne SUV. We will see what 2017 brings with the added Macan GTS.

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