Norton Way Corporate Magazine - April 2020

APR 2021 ISSUE 76

NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 76 • APRIL 2021

HONDA

HONDA E NAMED ‘CITY CAR OF THE YEAR’ IN THE UKCOTY AWARDS 202

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he Honda e has claimed the City Car of the Year title in the 2021 UK Car of the Year Awards.

The UK Car of the Year Awards (UKCOTY) are an independent set of awards, which are designed to highlight and advise the buying public on the cars that excel on the UK’s unique road network and surpass the average customer’s wants and needs. The awards are judged by 29 of the UK’s leading names in automotive journalism, with all test and analysis conducted on British roads.

Commenting on the Honda e’s City Car victory, UKCOTY judge Nargess Banks, said: “It epitomises the spirit of electric urban transport.

This car – with its cute, anime looks – takes Honda in the right direction.”

The Honda e’s unique blend of style and substance was regularly drawn upon by the judges, with fellow judge David Ross adding; “those retro looks, combined with a wonderfully high-tech cabin make this a winner. It’s a car everyone wants.”

The Honda e is refreshingly simple to navigate, with just two trim levels available. Both are generously equipped, with a range of advanced safety and assistance systems putting occupant safety first. The Advance model also adds a number of convenient technologies to make urban commuting easier, and less stressful. These include a class-first use of digital external and interior mirrors to ensure optimum clarity and visibility in all conditions.

Judge Paul Barker commented: “Characterful, fun and good to drive, the Honda e proves that EVs can keep us amused,” with fellow judge

Anthony French-Constant adding: “Funky. A rare example of an electric car design celebrating the difference rather than trying to disguise its battery-powered underpinnings.”

“This is another fantastic win for our urban electric vehicle, the Honda e,” commented Rebecca Adamson, Head of Automobiles at Honda UK. “The car has already won many accolades in the UK and across Europe, and it is great to see that momentum continuing in the New Year with the UKCOTY class win and overall shortlisting”.

This is the latest accolade bestowed on the Honda e, and takes its awards to 15 in total. Other titles awarded to the Honda e include ‘City / Small Car of the Year’ in the News International Motor Awards 2020, ‘Best Electric Vehicle’ at the Stuff Gadget Awards and ‘City Car of the Year’ at the recent BBC Top Gear awards.

This is another fantastic win for our urban electric vehicle, the Honda e, The car has already won many accolades in the UK and across Europe, and it's great to see that momentum continuing in the New Year with the UKCOTY class win and overall shortlisting.

Rebecca Stead Head of Automobile, Honda UK

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 76 • APRIL 2021

GWR KIA

Kia E-Niro Named 'Best EV Small SUV', At the Fleet World Great British Fleet Awards

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he Kia e-Niro has added yet another award to its already impressive portfolio, winning ‘Best EV Small SUV’ at the third-annual Fleet World Great British Fleet Awards.

The awards are run by industry-renowned publication Fleet World and centres on the best cars available for fleets today, including a subsection for electric cars under the EV Fleet World banner. The expert panel of judges concluded that the e-Niro’s impressive range of up to 282-miles, practical and well-equipped interior make it the ideal choice for businesses looking to go electric.

Martyn Collins, Editor of Fleet World, commented: “The e-Niro might not be the newest model in its class, but recent tweaks have kept the SUV shape looking fresh. The reason it is still top of our ‘EV Small SUV’ pile is that this model offers a scarcely believable 282-mile real-world range. A tidy drive too, the Kia is confident and competent on the road. Plus, the e-Niro interior is impressively practical, spacious and well-equipped.”

The award follows the e-Niro topping the UK EV sales charts for the first two months of 2021, with some 75% going to fleets in February alone.

Featuring a lengthy standard equipment list including a 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and telematics featuring UVO Connect Services, as well as a battery heat management system for efficiency and a choice of two battery sizes – 64kWh and 39kWh – there are plenty of reasons why the e-Niro has found favour with fleet customers. Furthermore, Kia recently launched KiaCharge to offer drivers of its plug-in car range with access to more than 15,000 charge points across the UK from one simpleto-use app.

John Hargreaves, Fleet and Remarketing General Manager at Kia Motors (UK) Limited, added: “This latest recognition for the e-Niro reflects the car’s considerable fleet appeal and demand ever since its launch in 2018.

“The e-Niro’s many strengths help establish Kia’s electric future, as well as making a superb first choice for fleets thanks to its reassuring long range, rapid charging, practicality and high levels of standard equipment, which add to its low total cost of ownership and high residual values. It’s no wonder why the e-Niro has become the de facto electric car for the discerning fleet customer.”

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 76 • APRIL 2021

NISSAN

Nissan Unveils New Colours Designed for The Upcoming Electric Ariya

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arking the rise of a new dawn in Nissan electric vehicle design, Nissan unveils a rich palette of ten exterior colours for Ariya, inspired by its powerful spirit of innovation and the thrill of the future.

The vivid paint palette defines the visual identity for Ariya, inspired by the next-level electric powertrain, state-of-theart connectivity and advanced driving assistance features.

With four monotone and six two-tone options, the paint portfolio was crafted to elevate Ariya’s premium look and feel.

Best of all, these stunning hues are applied by a highly advanced, environmentally sustainable paint production technology that reduces carbon dioxide output by 25% – substantially reducing the environmental impact of this zero-emissions vehicle.

New colours for a new era of electrification

The design team has sought to represent the essence of Ariya’s power, technology and sense of serenity with two unprecedented colours. Named Akatsuki Copper and Aurora Green, these captivating paints were developed especially for the all-electric coupé crossover.

“The ingenuity the Nissan Ariya represents inspired us to adopt an entirely new mindset for colour design,” said Lesley Busby, Colour Manager at Nissan Design Europe.

“Ariya is the culmination of Nissan’s electric mobility expertise and a strong statement of intent for the future of EV design. We therefore worked hard to introduce a truly futuristic and technology-driven design language for the colours, analysing them in detail to create the perfect match for Ariya’s 6

innovative personality,” Lesley Busby continued.

Inspired by the Japanese phrase for ‘dawn’, Akatsuki Copper’s striking appearance mimics the brilliance of a sunrise, reflecting the beginning of Nissan’s new brand identity. Its metallic sparkle is enhanced to evoke the conductivity of copper wires, honouring the model’s advanced EV technology.

Aurora Green takes its name from the beautiful ‘Northern Lights’ phenomenon, aurora borealis, commonly seen in the arctic. A sophisticated blend of different tones means the colour may appear green or purple depending on the angle that it is viewed, creating a sense of wonder and intrigue.

technology innovation in colour

Continuing in this spirit of innovation, Ariya introduces an all-new level of detail and depth

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to customer-favourite colours, created with state-of-theart paint production techniques.

At the heart of Pearl Black is an all-new pigment, developed to elevate the depth of the paint and to create a rich, captivating appearance.

Highly advanced production techniques were employed to achieve a complex, clean and crisp composition with Pearl White, which offers more brilliance and clarity than ever before on a Nissan vehicle. The two-tone appearance is complete with a contrasting rich black roof, using the all-new pigment to achieve an unprecedented level of depth.

Lesley Busby commented: “We know that black and white colours are some of the most popular options with vehicle owners in Europe and around the world.

With Ariya, we have introduced a new level of richness and a premium veneer for these customer favourites.

Combined with the quality and attention to detail seen throughout the colour palette, we’re excited for customers to experience Nissan’s new era of colour design for themselves.”

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Ariya is the culmination of Nissan’s electric mobility expertise and a strong statement of intent for the future of EV design. We therefore worked hard to introduce a truly futuristic and technology-driven design language for the colours, analysing them in detail to create the perfect match for Ariya’s innovative personality Lesley Busby, Colour Manager Nissan Design Europe

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 76 • APRIL 2021

ŠKODA

2021 Skoda Enyaq iV – Order Books Open

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he Skoda Enyaq iV is available to order in the UK now. Prices start from £34,085 (including the government’s £3,000 plugin car grant), making the new EV a slightly larger alternative to the Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric.

Skoda’s entry-level Enyaq iV 60 Nav is powered by a 62kWh battery pack, which feeds a 178bhp electric motor mounted on the rear axle for a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds.

More importantly, Skoda claims a maximum range of 256 miles, and when connected to a 50kW DC rapid charger its battery takes on an 80 percent charge in as little as 35 minutes.

The more powerful Skoda Enyaq iV 80 features an 82kWh battery and a 201bhp electric motor. The upgrades boost the SUV’s claimed

maximum range to 333 miles and drop its 0-62mph time to 8.5 seconds, although the larger battery pack means an 80 per cent charge increases to around 40 minutes.

Both battery options can also be specified with support for faster DC charging (100kW for the 62kWh battery, 125kW for the 82kWh), with charging time between 6-8 hours using a 7kW wallbox.

Skoda Enyaq iV: prices and specs

Skoda has separated the Enyaq iV line-up into five models: Loft, Lodge, Lounge, Suite and ecoSuite.

Standard equipment for the base-model includes 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, black roof rails, rear parking sensors and a pair of heated, electrically adjustable folding door mirrors.

Inside, buyers get fabric seat upholstery, dual-zone climate control, LED ambient lighting, an eightspeaker stereo and a 13-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s plenty of standard safety equipment, too, such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, cruise control and a speed limiter.

The remaining Enyaq models all feature the same level of standard equipment, with changes limited to interior cosmetics. Lodge models are priced from £34,600 including the government grant and feature natural wool seat upholstery and some extra trim pieces for the dashboard.

Skoda’s Enyaq iV Lounge is priced from £35,200

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and receives leat some anodised t £35,370 and fea black dashboard Enyaq iV EcoSui leather upholster Buyers can c specification with 20-inch alloy wh and Skoda’s imp heated front and heated washer n As a bonus, Convenience Pa practical add-on tailgate, keyless driver monitoring glass and extra s

Skoda Enyaq iV: chassis and platform

The Skoda Enyaq is 4,648mm long, which makes it around 50mm shorter than Skoda’s flagship offering, the Kodiaq. But the Enyaq’s wheelbase is 2,765mm, just 26mm shorter than the Kodiaq’s, reflecting how the engineers have reduced the car’s overhangs to help free up extra cabin space.

The Skoda’s styling comes LED backlighting for the front grille (standard on high-end versions), eight wheel designs ranging from 19 to 21 inches in diameter.

The regular Enyaq’s boot capacity stands at 585 litres, which is a little up on that of the Skoda Karoq mid-size SUV, and better than the Kia e-Niro’s. The Enyaq is also packed with Skoda’s trademark ‘Simply Clever’ design features, such as a door-housed umbrella and a 12-volt power socket in the boot.

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Please note: images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not reflect UK specification.

ther-and-Alcantara upholstery and trim inserts. Suite cars are priced from ature leather seat covers and piano d trim. Finally, the £35,625 Skoda ite comes with cognac brown ry. choose to add to the Enyaq’s h a host of optional extras, such as heels, electrically adjustable front seats proved climate package, which features d rear seats, a heated windscreen, nozzles and three-zone climate control. buyers can opt in for the Skoda ackage Plus which has a range of ns, including a foot-activated electric entry and go, wireless charging and a g system. Buyers also get rear privacy sound deadening.

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 76 • APRIL 2021

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PEUGEOT

PEUGEOT INTRODUCES NEW BRAND LOGO ON THE NEXT-GENERATION PEUGEOT 308

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eugeot has brought together a multicultural talent pool launch a new logo and brand identity, in only the 11th update to its iconic lion emblem since 1850.

Created by the Peugeot Design Lab, the new and updated roaring lion logo introduces a new visual identity for Peugeot, with a focus on minimalism and more elegance. This is not just a new logo, but a completely new experience for users, from the brand's website to its retailers.

Matthias Hossan, Peugeot Design Director, said, “With over two centuries of history, Peugeot is a pioneer of mobility and a legendary brand for automobiles and bicycles. This emblem and this new brand identity are a link between our history and our vision for the future. This logo has been conceived, designed and developed in-house with the same stringent requirements that we apply to every detail of our vehicles: the quality of materials, the quality of execution and the quality of the finish.”

Peugeot Design Lab, the instigator of PEUGEOT's new identity To create the new logo, Peugeot designers from different areas of expertise (exterior style, colours and materials) joined forces with the Peugeot Design Lab studio teams. Specialising in Global Brand Design, the studio designs products and services for clients outside the automotive sector.

Arnault Gournac, Director of the Peugeot Design Lab studio said, " Peugeot is the only

manufacturer to have developed its identity in-house. The studio acts as a laboratory of ideas for Peugeot and the other Stellantis group brands in non-automotive territories.”

LIONS OF OUR TIME Campaign

Peugeot marketing teams in collaboration with the OPEn agency is launching a global campaign to support its new brand identity, a first for the brand in 10 years. The ‘Lions of Our Time’ campaign was devised to redefining the mindset of a Lion in 2021: to go beyond the quest of power or money, to share the philosophy of those who class self-fulfilment as quality time. Featuring both new and existing Peugeot customers, the campaign aims to celebrate ‘Today’s Lions’ of all ages and cultures and highlight the value of quality time in our lives.

The New Peugeot 308

Arriving in showrooms later this year, the new Peugeot 308 will be the first car to proudly wear the new Peugeot logo. The new model combines an attractive new design and a premium interior with class-leading technology and safety in the compact family car segment.

Powerful and efficient plug-in hybrid engines are available for the first time on this model, and are complemented by advanced petrol and diesel powertrains.

With a range of new trim levels, the new Peugeot 308 will arrive in showrooms later this year.

The new Peugeot 308 11

is equipped with the latestgeneration driving aids and the Peugeot i-Cockpit® with 3D technology, plus i-Connect® Advanced, an infotainment system that is intuitive to use and always keeps you connected. The interior of the new 308 offers greater space and comfort, while carefully chosen materials emphasize the high-quality finish. Efficiency and performance are also enhanced with new aerodynamic details.

The new 308 is available with two plug-in hybrid powertrains as well as efficient petrol and diesel engines, giving buyers the power of choice to choose the powertrain that best meets their needs. By 2025 Peugeot will offer an electrified variant across its entire model line-up.

Julie David, Managing Director of Peugeot UK, said: “The compact family car class remains one of the most important and competitive segments - and one in which Peugeot has a proud record of success. It is therefore very exciting to be launching the new 308, which is one of the most efficient, practical and technologically advanced offerings in the market. With the addition of plug-in hybrid powertrains for the first time, the new 308 represents another significant step in our commitment to have an electrified variant of every new Peugeot model by 2025.”

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 76 • APRIL 2021

MAZDA

UPDATED E-SKYACTIV X ENGINE MAKES ITS DEBUT IN THE 2021 MAZDA CX-30 AND 2021 MAZDA3

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he 2021 Mazda CX-30 and Mazda3 sees the debut of the updated version of Mazda’s unique Skyactiv-X SPCCI Spark Controlled Compression Ignition petrol engine.

Renamed e-Skyactiv X, the updated version delivers increased performance and even more efficiency.

On sale from the 1st April, the 2021 Mazda3 sees the upgraded e-Skyactiv X engine introduced and benefits from 5-11g/km CO2 reductions alongside the same power and torque improvements. The nine-model 2.0-litre e-Skyactiv G line-up features SE-L, SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, GT Sport and GT Sport Tech trims with the option of an automatic gearbox on all but the entry-level SE-L. The e-Skyactiv X hatchback range features nine cars across SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, GT Sport and GT Sport Tech trims with the option of an automatic gearbox from Sport Lux onwards.

Additionally, the stylish 2021 Mazda3 Saloon is offered exclusively with the e-Skyactiv X engine with the same nine model line-up as the hatchback.

Corresponding to the renaming of the e-Skyactiv X engine, Mazda’s 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine is moving to e-Skyactiv G naming and across the CX-30’s 122ps 2.0-litre range CO2 has been reduced by 7-8g/km. On sale now, the 2021 Mazda CX-30 line-up features nine e-Skyactiv G models, which are offered exclusively with front-wheel drive in SE-L, SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, GT Sport and GT Sport Tech trim levels with the option to go for an automatic transmission on all models with the exception of the entry-level SE-L. The 12-model e-Skyactiv X range sits across the SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, GT Sport, and GT Tech trim levels with the option of automatic transmission throughout the line-up. From GT Sport upwards there’s also the option to choose Mazda’s advanced all-wheel drive system.

Commenting on the 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director Mazda UK, said: “our SPCCI engine technology is part of our multi-solution approach to powertrains and

sustainability that has also seen the introduction of Mazda M Hybrid in Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30, plus the introduction of the Mazda MX-30 – our first battery electric car. The updates to this technology with e-Skyactiv X has further enhanced the unique blend of performance and efficiency offered by our Skyactiv-X Technology. The Mazda CX-30 is now our best-selling car in the UK, and 47 per cent of CX-30s and Mazda3s sold in the UK features the SPCCI engine, so I’m delighted that the 2021 model is now ready for customers to configure, order and engage with remotely via our digitally open dealer network”.

The latest 2.0-litre e-Skyactiv X engine produces 186ps at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 240Nm at 4,000rpm an increase of 6ps and 16Nm respectively. The torque improvement is most noticeable from 2000rpm onwards, however e-Skyactiv X’s torque output has improved in almost all engine speed ranges, and particularly under acceleration from partial-load driving situations most commonly found during daily driving. Even better, efficiency has also been improved, with CO2 emissions dropping by 5 to 11g/km – depending on model, transmission and trim level. Corresponding improvement in WLTP combined economy further increases the appeal of Mazda’s unique SPCCI petrol engine.

Additionally, to the updates to the combustion engine, the Mazda M Hybrid mild-hybrid system has had a software update that enables faster reactions of the system’s belt-driven ISGs torque control. This improvement on control smooths drivability by increasing or reducing torque control when needed. For example, when the e-Skyactiv X’s air supply unit turns on – to provide sufficient air needed for a lean combustion fuel-air mixture – or off again, the units inertia creates torque fluctuations. The Mazda M Hybrid’s enhanced software enables torque reactions issued through the belt-driven ISG that are quick enough to flatten the torque curve. As a result, the engine feels even smoother during linear acceleration.

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