Fast Lane: Rent an electric Audi, electric Ferrari to launch in 2025

The Bentayga S is powered by a 542bhp 4-litre twin-turbo V8. PHOTO: BENTLEY

More dynamic Bentayga

Bentley has released a slightly more dynamic variant of its Bentayga SUV.

The Bentayga S is powered by the same 542bhp 4-litre twin-turbo V8 found in the Bentayga V8. But Bentley says the car has a sports suspension "calibration for greater dynamic ability".

It has dark tinted headlamps, Bentayga 'S' badging, 22-inch wheels and new tailpipes. A two-tone interior with more bling accommodates either five or seven seats.

Volvo Cars' carbon neutral goal on track

An employee working at the production line of Swedish auto maker Volvo Cars's Torslanda production plant in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Aug 27, 2020. PHOTO: AFP

Volvo Cars has taken another step towards its ambition of making its global manufacturing network climate neutral by 2025, announcing that its Torslanda site in Sweden is its first car manufacturing plant to reach fully climate neutral status.

This makes Torslanda the second plant in its overall manufacturing network to achieve the status - after the Skovde engine plant, also in Sweden, did so in 2018.

The Geely-owned company counts a manufacturing site as fully climate neutral when it registers no net increase in emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere as a result of the electricity and heating used by the plant.

The Torslanda plant, the company's oldest, has been powered by climate neutral electricity since 2008. It now also has climate-neutral heating. Half of its heating comes from biogas, while the other half is predominantly sourced from district heating through industrial waste heat.

Topless M4 hits 100kmh in 3.7 seconds

BMW M4 Competition Convertible. PHOTO: BMW

BMW's latest M4 Competition Convertible is powered by a high-revving 3-litre inline-6 making 510hp and 650Nm of torque.

The all-wheel-drive hits 100kmh in 3.7 seconds, making it one of the quickest topless cars around. Production commences in July.

Electric Ariya makes public debut

Nissan Ariya. PHOTO: NISSAN

Nissan Ariya has made its first public appearance, doing laps around the iconic Circuit de Monaco in the glamourous French Riviera.

The electric compact comes in several variants - two-wheel-drives and four-wheel-drives in either 63kWh or 87kWh form.

Outputs range from 160kW/300Nm to 290kW/600Nm, allowing the cars to accomplish century sprints of between 5.1 and 7.5 seconds, and top speeds of 160kmh to 200kmh. Driving range is between 388km and 497km.

Singapore will get the 87kWh all-wheel-drive variant, which is expected to be priced around $250,000 andslated to land next year.

Electric Ferrari to launch in 2025

Ferrari will launch its first electric car in 2025,rumoured to be a quad-motor two-seater.

The Maranello manufacturer will also roll out several hybrid variants, but is unlikely to abandon its soul-stirring V8 and V12 combustion engines.

Meanwhile, its first SUV, the Purosangue, is scheduled to be unveiled next year.

Rent an electric Audi

Audi's premium mobility concept, Audi On Demand, now offers an electric model.

The e-tron 55, currently the most powerful battery-powered Audi here, offers 300kW of instant power and nearly 400km of driving range. It is available for booking at www.audiondemand.sg.

BMW to roll out hydrogen fuel cell X5 next year

BMW plans to unveil a limited-series hydrogen fuel cell X5 SUV next year as it continues to research zero-emission alternatives to battery-electric cars, Reuters reported.

The Munich manufacturer is one of a small number of car companies that sees possibilities for the mass adoption of hydrogen fuel cells, which emit only water.

Hydrogen fuel cells also provide greater range than battery-electric cars and significantly shorter refuelling time.

But there is very little fuelling infrastructure currently in place to support mass adoption of the technology.

Last December, Toyota unveiled its revamped Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car. BMW has forged an alliance with Toyota to focuson developing fuel cells.

Honda and Hyundai have fuel cell models. Earlier this year, Jaguar Land Rover said it will have prototypes using hydrogen fuel cells on Britain's roads within the next year.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen has joined Tesla in rubbishing fuel cells, saying they are both cost- and energy- inefficient.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.