Tag Archives: EVs

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Renault’s Answer to Range Anxiety: Horse EREV Technology Could Change the Electric Game

All-electric cars still walk a narrow path between promise and practicality. While the technology has matured rapidly, customer hesitation—most notably range anxiety—remains a stubborn obstacle. Renault appears to have acknowledged this reality, and its response comes in the form of extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology, developed through Horse, the joint venture between Renault and Geely.

The confirmation follows recent sightings of a camouflaged electric Renault Megane undergoing testing with what appeared to be an additional power unit on board. That unit, it turns out, is not a step backwards but a strategic pivot: a compact internal combustion engine designed not to drive the wheels, but to generate electricity when the battery runs low.

A Retrofit Solution to a Lingering Problem

Horse’s EREV kit is particularly intriguing because it is designed to be adaptable. Rather than requiring a ground-up redesign, the system can be retrofitted to existing electric platforms, effectively transforming a pure EV into a range-extended hybrid. In doing so, it directly targets one of the most significant barriers to widespread EV adoption: the fear of running out of charge far from a plug.

This development arrives at a crucial moment. With Europe easing its stance on the 2035 ban and allowing internal combustion engines to survive in alternative forms, Renault—like many other manufacturers—has recalibrated its long-term strategy. EREV technology offers a way to continue investing in electrification without betting everything on battery-only solutions.

Compact, Light, and Technically Ambitious

At the heart of Horse’s solution is a newly developed three-cylinder engine with a displacement of 999 cc. Despite its small size, the unit is impressively versatile. Featuring direct injection and a turbocharger, it can run on standard unleaded petrol as well as E100 ethanol. Continuous output is rated at 95 hp, with peak power reaching 115 hp, while torque remains a healthy 200 Nm in both configurations.

Crucially, this engine is not intended to dominate the driving experience. Instead, it plays a supporting role, acting primarily as a generator to supply electricity to the battery and electric motor. Horse describes it as a “high power density unit,” and it complies fully with stringent Euro 6d emissions standards.

Packaging is where the engineering effort truly shines. Weighing just 135 kilograms and measuring approximately 700 mm in length and 600 mm in width and height, the engine is compact enough to fit into the front of the electric Megane. How Renault’s engineers have managed this remains an open question, potentially involving a rear-mounted electric motor and a complete rethink of front-end architecture.

Efficiency by a Different Measure

Traditional fuel consumption figures are difficult to apply here, as the engine does not directly propel the car. Instead, Horse quotes consumption in terms of energy generation: 0.49 liters per kilowatt when running on E100 ethanol. While ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol—meaning higher volumes are required to produce the same energy—real-world estimates still appear promising.

Translated into more familiar terms, consumption is estimated at around 4.4 liters per 100 km for the 95 hp configuration, rising to approximately 5.5 liters per 100 km at 115 hp. For a vehicle capable of operating primarily as an electric car, those numbers are remarkably restrained.

Nearly 700 Kilometers of Freedom

The payoff is range. With the EREV system installed, the electric Renault Megane could achieve close to 700 kilometers of total driving range—enough to all but eliminate the need for meticulous charging planning on long journeys. It’s a compelling middle ground between full electrification and conventional hybrids.

That said, patience will be required. Horse plans extensive validation and durability testing, with a targeted market launch in the first quarter of 2027. If all goes according to plan, the technology could appear either late in the current Megane E-Tech’s lifecycle or debut with the next generation of Renault’s compact hatchback.

In a market increasingly divided between ideology and usability, Renault’s EREV strategy feels refreshingly pragmatic. Rather than forcing customers to adapt to technology, Horse’s solution adapts technology to customers—and that may prove to be its greatest strength.

Source: Renault

News

Bentley’s First Electric SUV Takes Shape in the Arctic

Bentley’s transition into the electric era is beginning to look very real indeed. Spotted undergoing cold-weather testing in northern Sweden, the British marque’s first fully electric vehicle has been revealed in its most production-ready form yet, shedding much of the heavy camouflage that cloaked earlier prototypes.

Officially due to be unveiled towards the end of next year, the model – internally referred to as Bentley’s “Luxury Urban SUV” – represents a landmark moment for the Crewe-based manufacturer. And while some key design elements remain hidden, what’s now visible offers a compelling first look at how Bentley intends to translate its traditional values into an electric future.

Without the bulky disguises of earlier test mules, the SUV’s proportions are far clearer. A Bentayga-inspired bonnet line sits above production-spec front lighting, while a wide, low stance gives the car a planted and purposeful presence. The overall silhouette is notably monolithic, drawing strong inspiration from the EXP 15 concept, signalling that Bentley is serious about carrying concept-car drama into its production EVs.

That said, Bentley is still keeping its cards close to its chest. Portions of the nose and rear remain covered, concealing the final details of the design. Even so, the car already looks unmistakably Bentley – an important consideration for a brand entering unfamiliar territory.

For the first time, photographers have also caught a glimpse inside the cabin, and here the blend of old and new becomes even more apparent. Traditional Bentley cues remain front and centre, particularly the familiar round, metal air vents carried over from the Bentayga. Alongside them, however, is a clear step forward in digital technology, borrowed from the closely related Porsche Cayenne Electric.

A 14.25-inch curved digital instrument display sits ahead of the driver, complemented by a large 14.9-inch central infotainment touchscreen. The layout suggests Bentley is aiming to balance tactile luxury with cutting-edge tech, rather than abandoning its heritage in favour of minimalist futurism.

Underneath, the electric SUV will ride on the PPE platform jointly developed by Porsche and Audi. While Bentley has yet to confirm detailed specifications, R&D boss Matthias Rabe has already hinted at one of the car’s headline features: charging speed. According to Rabe, the EV will be capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in just six and a half minutes, putting it among the fastest-charging electric vehicles on the market.

Such performance implies charging rates of up to 350kW, placing the Bentley just behind the Lotus Emeya, which currently leads the UK market with 400kW capability. Of course, real-world charging will depend heavily on infrastructure, with the average UK charger delivering closer to 120kW. Nevertheless, the figures underline Bentley’s ambition to make EV ownership as seamless as possible.

Rabe also offered bold claims about the car’s dynamic ability, describing it as “very comfortable like a Flying Spur and agile like a Continental GT”. He added that both its 0–100mph and 0–200mph acceleration times would be “very fast”, concluding confidently that it will be “the best Bentley on the road”.

Positioned below the Bentayga, the new EV will be the shortest SUV in Bentley’s lineup, measuring under five metres in length. Its compact footprint is central to its “urban” positioning, with Rabe emphasising a tight turning radius to improve manoeuvrability in city environments – a notable shift for a brand traditionally associated with grand scale.

While Bentley has yet to confirm how closely its EV will mirror the Porsche Cayenne Electric mechanically, the similarities are difficult to ignore. The Cayenne Electric uses dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrains ranging from 400bhp to 805bhp, with launch control pushing output close to 1000bhp in range-topping form. A 108kWh battery provides an estimated range of up to 373 miles, offering a useful benchmark for what Bentley’s version might deliver.

Bentley CEO Frank Walliser has confirmed the electric SUV will debut “towards the end of 2026”, with customer deliveries beginning the following year. Importantly, he stressed that the timeline will remain unchanged regardless of fluctuations in global EV demand.

Attention to craftsmanship remains a core part of the story. Rabe revealed that the interior will feature 30 square metres of leather, assembled using 150 metres of thread and an extraordinary 130,000 stitches – figures that underline Bentley’s determination to preserve its artisanal identity in the electric age.

Walliser summed up the significance of the project: “Our first fully electric Bentley, the world’s first true luxury urban SUV, represents a bold step forward. It embodies our vision for sustainable luxury and technological excellence.”

“With industry-leading charging capability and unmistakable Bentley character and design, it marks the beginning of an exciting new era for our brand – a future defined by innovation, craftsmanship and sustainability.”

If this early prototype is anything to go by, Bentley’s electric future is shaping up to be every bit as ambitious as its past.

Source: Autocar

News

Jaguar Type 00 Begins Testing: A Bold Electric Gamble for a Historic Brand

The news that Jaguar has begun testing its radical Type 00 electric model is unlikely to sway the brand’s most vocal traditionalists. For those who see Jaguar’s future only through the lens of inline-six engines and supercharged V8s, this announcement changes nothing. But for the new clientele Jaguar is openly courting, it could be the first meaningful sign that the company’s dramatic reinvention is moving from theory to reality.

Jaguar is clearly in no rush to execute its ambitious plan. The British marque, now under the ownership of Tata Motors, has already confirmed that its future will be defined by low-volume, exclusively electric vehicles positioned firmly in the ultra-luxury segment. This strategy places Jaguar in a small and highly exclusive circle of manufacturers aiming to compete on prestige, performance, and design rather than outright sales volume.

Unveiled last year as a concept, the Type 00 was met with mixed—often negative—reactions from long-time Jaguar enthusiasts. Yet that reaction may be beside the point. The Type 00 is not designed to appeal to Jaguar’s past, but to define its future. With the release of the first images of a heavily camouflaged prototype, Jaguar has now confirmed that real-world testing is underway, and that the production version is scheduled to debut by mid-2027.

Internally known as the X900 project, the Type 00 is shaping up to be an ultra-luxury electric GT with formidable performance credentials. Power is expected to come from a tri-motor setup—one motor at the front and two at the rear—delivering a combined output of more than 1,000 horsepower. Energy will be supplied by a battery pack with an estimated capacity of around 120 kWh, enabling a projected WLTP range exceeding 640 kilometers on a single charge.

Although Jaguar remains tight-lipped on official performance figures, unofficial reports suggest that one of the 150 test prototypes has already reached nearly 260 km/h during high-speed testing. These prototypes are currently being evaluated across a wide variety of road surfaces and climatic conditions worldwide, underscoring the company’s intent to match its traditional refinement with modern electric performance.

The production Type 00 will reportedly ride on 23-inch wheels and feature adaptive suspension as well as rear-axle steering, reinforcing its grand touring ambitions. Measuring over five meters in length, the car’s proportions include a long, sculpted nose—an element that visually hints at classic combustion-era Jaguars. Despite this, Tata Motors has been unequivocal in its stance: Jaguar will produce only electric vehicles going forward. Even with its imposing size, engineers have set a strict target weight of under 2,750 kilograms.

Perhaps the most telling detail lies not in the hardware, but in Jaguar’s expectations. Company estimates suggest that only around 15 percent of current Jaguar customers are likely to choose the Type 00. The remaining 85 percent? Entirely new buyers, for whom this electric flagship would be their first encounter with the leaping cat.

It is a calculated risk—one that could redefine Jaguar for a new generation or further alienate its traditional base. As ever in the automotive world, only time will reveal whether luck truly favors the brave.

Source: Jaguar