Fast lane: McLaren W1, VW ID.7 Pro S, Renault Twingo
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The McLaren W1 features advanced aerodynamics and succeeds the P1 and F1 that came before.
PHOTO: MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE
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1,241hp super big Mac
In McLaren’s alphabet, W comes right after P. The W1 succeeds the P1 from 2013 as the ultimate flagship for the British brand. Suitably electrified, the hypercar calls on a 255kW motor (342hp) to boost its 916hp, 4-litre, turbocharged V8 engine. Combined, the car has 1,241hp and 1,340Nm of torque.
At just 1.4kWh, the battery powering the electric motor is small, giving the W1 an electric-only range of 2km. When hydrocarbons and electrons are both in use, the W1 completes the 0-100kmh sprint in 2.7 seconds. Maximum speed is electronically limited to 350kmh. At 280kmh, the car has 1,000kg of downforce to keep it pinned to the ground.
Production is starting only in 2026. All 399 units planned have been sold.
When the W1’s predecessor, the 903hp P1, made its debut, it counted as its contemporaries the Porsche 918 Spyder (887hp) and the Ferrari LaFerrari (947hp). All three hypercars were launched in 2013.
VW hypermiles through Zurich
Long range: The VW ID.7 Pro S has a larger battery than the ID.4 and ID.5 that are sold in Singapore.
PHOTO: VOLKSWAGEN
To prove just how efficient its latest electric vehicle (EV) – the ID.7 Pro S – is, German carmaker Volkswagen had Swiss driver Felix Egolf drive it through parts of Zurich over two days in the middle of the week without going near a charging plug.
The two-day drive covered 794km. The average energy consumption worked out to be 10.3kWh/100km, lower than the claimed 13.6kWh/100km.
Egolf is known for driving in a way that maximises the energy efficiency of a vehicle. Previously, he had applied the technique, known as hypermiling, on cars from VW, German carmaker Opel and Chinese brand JAC to show how much farther he could travel beyond the manufacturers’ claims.
Intended as a car for long drives, the ID.7 Pro S is larger than the ID.4 and ID.5 that are already in Singapore. The ID.7 has an 89kWh battery, which is the largest capacity among VW’s range of EVs. In Europe, the ID.7 is also available in the estate body style called Tourer.
1990s Kia budget car gets EV treatment
One-off: The Kia Pride EV is a special commission to mark Kia’s 80th anniversary.
PHOTO: KIA UK
In the beginning, Kia models were based on older models by other car brands. To mark its 80th anniversary, Kia has commissioned a one-off electric version of the Pride, a small hatchback it used to sell in the 1990s.
The Pride was based on the Ford Festiva. For the one-off electric car project, a 1.3 LX model, registered in 1996, was used.
Most of the car’s original internal combustion engine components have been swopped for a fully electric powertrain. Only the five-speed manual transmission and the drive shafts were retained. The Pride EV maintains its 1990s look, down to the original 12-inch steel wheels and covers.
The new electric drivetrain boasts 80kW, a significant upgrade from the 1.3-litre engine’s 59hp (44kW). The motor mounted under the bonnet draws power from two 10kWh battery packs. The charging socket is fitted under the filler flap. The on-board charger is rated at 3.3kW, so it takes six hours to charge up the batteries.
The petrol to electric conversion added only 20kg to the car’s overall weight. The engineering work was done by Electrogenic from the UK, which also produces EV-conversion kits for old Land Rovers, and also the Porsche 911 and the Jaguar E-Type.
Kia UK said it will confirm the Pride EV’s performance figures later in 2024.
Kia began as Kyungsung Precision Industry in 1944 making bicycle parts. Renamed Kia Industries in 1952, the company’s first motorised vehicle, a three-wheel light truck, made its debut in 1962. Today, Kia sells around three million units globally.
Renault shows new EV concept at Paris Show
Twist, swing and tango: The Renault Twingo returns as an EV in 2026.
PHOTO: RENAULT
Renault will be showing the Twingo E-Tech electric prototype at the Paris Motor Show taking place from Oct 14 to 20. This is the first public showing after the concept was revealed at the Capital Markets Day event in Paris for Renault Group’s Ampere EV spin-off entity in November 2023.
Referencing the design of the first-generation Twingo hatchback of 1992, the show car previews a new electric hatchback that Renault plans to launch in 2026.
At the 2023 event, Renault Group boss Luca de Meo said the Twingo will be a price-competitive product, matching the offerings from Chinese carmakers.
The Twingo is the latest Renault EV model to use an old model name and design elements. Among the cars at the recent unveiling were the Renault 4 and 5 EVs. Both are planned to be launched in 2025.
Hyundai and Toyota track day
Tag team: Hyundai and Toyota invite motorsport fans in South Korea to Everland Speedway, Yong-in, on Oct 27.
PHOTO: HYUNDAI
To be held on Oct 27 at Everland Speedway in South Korea, the Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival is the first event to be jointly hosted by Hyundai and Toyota.
The two brands will showcase their latest rally cars and performance models. Professional drivers from each company’s World Rally Team will do demonstration runs in the cars.
“This special collaboration aims to propel Korean motorsport culture to new heights,” the two automotive giants said in a joint media statement on Oct 8.
For more information, go to www.hn-tgr-festival.com
