Norton Way Corporate Magazine - April 2017

NORTON WAY APRIL.2017 ISSUE.30

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 30 • APR 2017

honda highlights

Geneva 2017

onda took several new and stunning developments with them to Geneva this year including the NeuV concept, making its European debut and of course the bonkers new Type R. Let’s start with the Type R. Due for release later this year, the monsterous new model is based on the all-new 10th gen Civic and like the new Civic it will be built right here in the UK. Prices are expected to sit around £32,000 which is a slight increase on the current model, but a well justified increase indeed.

With this increase Honda have aimed for vast improvements across the board with overall dynamic performance, high-speed ability and how it fares on the track all targeted for improvement.

The new model is powered by a turbocharged 2.0 litre four-cylinder VTEC engine which produced

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316 bhp, that’s a notable 10 more ponies in the stable over the outgoing model. This power will be fed through a six speed gear box into front wheel drive.

Honda are hoping that this engine will help to reclaim the Nurburgring lap record for a front drive production car, a record set by the previous Type R and stolen by the VW Gold Clubsport S. Where as the new Type R adopts more of a primal attitude towards motoring with brute power, the NeuV was on show to represent what the future may hold in motoring.

The NeuV is a pure-electric concept car with a unique ownership proposition and a state-of-theart ‘emotion engine’ that can learn about its driver.

The NeuV (pronounced “new-vee”), which stands for New Electric Urban Vehicle, was conceived to take advantage of the fact that privately-owned vehicles sit idle for 96% of the time.

The pure-electric concept car explores a financially-beneficial ownership model for

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enterprising customers, by functioning as an automated ride sharing vehicle when the owner is not using the car. It would pick up and drop off customers at local destinations, and could also sell energy back to the electric grid during times of high demand when it‘s sitting idle, further monetising the vehicle’s down time.

NeuV has two seats with luggage space behind, which also stores the ‘Kick ’n Go’ electric scooter concept designed for ‘last mile’ transit.

The scooter concept is inspired by Honda’s original scooter of the same name launched in the 1970s. The new design is powered by a detachable battery rather than a chain mechanism, and can be recharged through a connection in NeuV’s luggage space. The new ‘Kick ’n Go’ concept demonstrates that Honda is looking at all aspects of affordable electric mobility that can enrich people’s daily lives.

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 30 • APR 2017

Will Mazda tame the infamous Rotary engine?

If there’s one thing Mazda are known for with regards to engines it’s the rotary engine. An infamous and innovative design last featured in the RX-8 which was discontinued in 2012.

Despite the breath taking RX-Vision concept, Executives have been regularly denying the existence of any new rotary engine developments. However, proof has been found by Autoblog that claims otherwise.

Newly filed Patents have been filed by Mazda with the US Patent and trademark office.

The first one describes a range-extender EV on par with the BMW i3, meaning there’s an 4

electric motor driving the front wheels, while out back there’s a gasoline engine providing power to an electric generator. A lithium-ion battery is located in the middle of the vehicle. But it’s the second patent that’s far more interesting.

It’s essentially an engine start-stop system specifically designed for rotary engines. Like regular piston engines, the tech shuts down the rotary engine when it’s not needed. But where it gets interesting is that it stops the rotor "in a position that closes the intake port to ensure no fuel or exhaust emissions slip through the intake tract."

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Remember, a rotary engine doesn’t have any valves, so this latter step is a must. Also described is the concept of "firing a spark plug after the fuel has been cut to eliminate any leftover fuel emissions." Interesting. This new tech would hopefully improve fuel economy and emissions.

Now, here’s where things get even more interesting: that rotary engine start-stop patent is also combined with the range-extender powertrain patent. Think about it. By combining the technologies together, Mazda can, theoretically, still use a rotary engine, only one that’s combined with a start-stop system, an electric motor, and

lithium-ion battery.

Due to the smaller dimensions of the Rotary engine, weight is easier to keep in check. No official word has been said from Mazda on the matter but patents for tech like this isn’t don’t for nothing, the future is looking bright for Mazda’s rotary fans.

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 30 • APR 2017

CROSSOVER SPIED

NEW KIA B-SEGMENT Auto Express has spied Kia’s upcoming B-Segment SUV ahead of its release in late 2017. The new vehicle is set to rival the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke in terms of size and is expected to have styling influences from the Rio and Sportage. According to recent reports on the web, the new model could be call the Stonic.

The car in the pictures is still heavily masked, but it’s possible to spot that the test mule rides on the same set of 17-inch alloy wheels available on the Rio hatchback.

The shape of the car’s windows – known as the day-light-opening – is similar, especially the threequarter windows. Under the masking it appears to sport a chunky C-pillar as well, another design trait lifted from the new hatchback. Prices should start around £14,000 when it goes on sale.

The spy shots we’ve seen of the disguised Rio SUV test car would appear to indicate that the Rio SUV will indeed have key differences to its new hatchback sibling. The raised ride height is evident from the spy shots, while a slightly roomier cabin and bigger boot will also feature.

Despitse the desire for the car to be different from the Rio supermini, Design boss Peter Shreyer is still expected to work within the brand’s existing

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styling framework for the new model, injecting some bulk into the supermini’s bumpers, boot and sills. “We have built up a design identity,” he said.

“Future cars will follow on from that”.

Key Kia styling cues such as the ‘Tiger Nose’ grille will feature, along with sporty design touches to help the car rival the funky Nissan Juke.

The cabin, however, will be carried over largely unchanged from the new supermini. Unlike the established Sportage, the smaller SUV won’t be offered with four-wheel drive.

In addition to the familiar petrol and diesel

engines available at launch, Kia is expected offer plug-in hybrid power a little later in the product life-cycle. It’s highly likely engineers will attempt to mate existing hybrid tech from the Niro with a more efficient plug-in unit.

So far little is known about the styling of the new model but it’s believed the car was birthed from the Kia Provo concept which was unveiled at the Geneva motor show back in 2013. It was designed as an ultra-modern B-segment car built for enthusiasts.

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 30 • APR 2017

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 2017:

Skoda Octavia RS 245 Unveiled

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n February, Skoda introduced us to the very exciting Octavia RS 245. In March, the car finally made its public debut at the Geneva International Motor Show 2017 in all its glory. The new Skoda Octavia RS 245 is the quickest-ever factory made Octavia to be built by the Czech automaker. Featuring a 2.0 litre TSI engine under the hood, the Octavia RS 245 can do a 0-100 kmph sprint in mere 6.6 seconds – making it one heck of a ride.

As well as being the quickest, Skoda says that the RS 245 is also the most powerful factory-made road-going Octavia ever. As the name suggests, the car's 2.0 litre TSI engine belts out 245 PS (242 bhp) and develops a peak torque of 370 Nm. Internationally, the motor comes mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed, dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. To put things into perspective, the new RS 245 makes an addition 15 bhp and 20 Nm of torque compared to its

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predecessor - the Skoda Octavia RS 230. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 kmph.

Skoda has used its special sports chassis in the making of the new Octavia RS 245, which has lowered the body by 15 mm and its rear track is 30 mm wider than that of its predecessor. The RS 245 also comes with ESC stability system with Sport mode, as well as the electronically regulated VAQ limitedslip differential that emphasises the car's dynamic character.

In terms of looks, the new Skoda Octavia RS 245 comes with a wider radiator grille and the wide honeycomb air inlets in the redesigned bumper up front. The car also receives a gloss-black treatment for several exterior bits like the grille, frame trim and the even for the sporty 19-inch alloy wheels. The new headlights have been designed in line with Skoda's new crystalline design language and feature LED technology and the adaptive front light system (AFS) all of which comes

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as standard. The fog lights, tail lights and number plate illumination also feature LED technology and a crystalline look.

As for the cabin, the new Skoda Octavia RS 245 comes with all-black interior with deep red accents. The car gets race-style bucket seats with the RS logo. Included with the 245 is a long list of cabin technology and driver assist programmes.

The car is offered with a 9.2in touchscreen infotainment system and wi-fi connectivity. Voice control and inductive smartphone charging technology top the list options, while the Skoda connect app enables users to control features such as windows and door locks via their phone.

Added to the vRS is adaptive cruise control technology and Trailer Assist, which can steer and brake the car when reversing with a trailer.

There’s also emergency braking technology to avoid impacts with obstacle and pedestrians, Blind Spot Detect, Rear Traffic Alert and Crew Protect Assist, which closes windows and the sunroof in the event of an impending collision and tensions driver and passenger seatbelts.

The price of the RS is set to increase slightly on the old 230, which costed from £25,130 for the saloon and £26,330 for the estate.

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 30 • APR 2017

TWO WEEKS, TWO WINS THE NEW PEUGEOT EXPERT  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO It’s a double win for Peugeot as the New Peugeot Expert scoops its second award in two weeks by taking the prize for the ‘Small Panel Van of the Year’ in the 2017 Vans A2Z Van of the Year Awards.

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The award was presented at a ceremony held at the renowned Twickenham Rugby Ground in West London. This award is the third accolade bestowed on the New Expert, following the What Van? 2017 ‘Light Commercial of the Year’ and ‘Medium Van of the Year’ awards presented in December.

VansA2Z Editor, Neil McIntee, said: “Being based on a modular platform means that the Peugeot Expert can offer a varied choice of load lengths and volumes, and it benefits from a state-of-the art range of diesel power units, not to mention having very car-like driving characteristics, and the icing on the cake is an enviable payload potential; a winning combination.”

Commenting on the award, Louise Neilson, Head of Business Sales at Peugeot, said, “It’s a real pleasure to receive a second award for the New Expert inside two weeks. We’re really proud of this vehicle and it’s great to see the Peugeot Expert being recognised for all it has to offer. The CV Show next month will see us showcase the longest variant of the Expert, the Expert Long, and launch the Expert Crew Van, which we are very excited about.”

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NORTON WAY CORPORATE • ISSUE 30 • APR 2017

VAN AWARDS NISSAN GLORY

integrated, making it easy to drive, and it is more than capable of completing a hard day’s work.”

The multi-award winning Nissan Navara can be specified with either a double cab or a king cab and a 190PS twin-turbo or 160PS single turbo version of the new 2.3-litre dCi engine.

Available in both commercial van and fully trimmed Combi and Evalia passenger variants, the e-NV200 line-up offers a variety of options to suit every requirement; including a panel van, five-seat and seven-seat option and a driving range of up to 106 miles on a single charge.

Acknowledging the awards, Darren Payne, Sales Director at Nissan Motor (GB), said: “We are delighted to have won these prestigious awards for the second and the third time in succession.

The Navara remains the market-leader while the all-electric e-NV200 is in a class of its own.”v

Nissan has scooped two top honours at the VansA2Z Awards 2017 with the Navara named Best Pick-Up and the all-electric e-NV200 Eco Van of the Year.

It is the second year running that Navara has won this prestigious award while the e-NV200 has won it three years in a row.

Judges crowned the Navara ‘king of the pick-ups’ and said it was “thanks in no small way to its powerful diesel, superior off-road capabilities and good on-road manners courtesy of its independent rear suspension.”

Meanwhile the e-NV200 was also singled out for praise. VansA2Z editor Neil McIntee said: “Clean, cheap to run and quiet, the batterypowered van looks like it’s coming of age and for the third consecutive year Nissan’s e-NV200 takes the top honours.

“The powertrain and controls are fully 12

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“Clean, cheap to run and quiet, the battery-powered van looks like it’s coming of age and for the third consecutive year Nissan’s e-NV200 takes the top honours. The powertrain and controls are fully integrated, making it easy to drive, and it is more than capable of completing a hard day’s work.”

- VansA2Z editor Neil McIntee

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