Motoring: Pro-diesel campaign launched; Porsche & more
THE Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has launched a nationwide consumer campaign to raise awareness about the challenges being posed to the humble diesel engine from the latest low-emission car technologies.
The move is aimed at countering the anti-diesel lobby so motorists with oilburners are not unfairly penalised by the green lobby.
In support of the campaign, a myth-busting factsheet on diesels is being made available both online and in printed formats via car makers and dealers.
The move comes as new consumer research claims to reveal widespread confusion about diesel technology that, if uncorrected, could limit adoption of the latest low emission vehicles and undermine the UK’s efforts to meet strict air quality and climate change obligations.
The SMMT said a new poll by YouGov poll had shown 87% of UK adults were unaware of the latest Euro-6 vehicle emission technology, while 54% incorrectly blamed cars and commercial vehicles as the biggest cause of air pollution in the UK.
Just under one in five (19%) of people surveyed correctly identified power stations as the biggest contributors of nitrogen oxides (NOx). In fact, it would take 42 million Euro-6 diesel cars (almost four times the number on the roads) to generate the same amount of NOx as one UK coal-fired power station.
Joining the SMMT campaign are some of the biggest car makers including BMW UK, Ford of Britain, Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen. They are mounting a unified stand to put the record straight on diesel cars. The SMMT is also urging policy makers and those considering imposing local measures to avoid confusing motorists by penalising one fuel technology over another.
Mike Hawes, SMMT’s chief executive, said: “Today’s diesel engines are the cleanest ever, and the culmination of billions of pounds of investment by manufacturers to improve air quality. Bans and parking taxes on diesel vehicles therefore make no sense from an environmental point of view.
“We need to avoid penalising one vehicle technology over another and instead encourage the uptake of the latest low emission vehicles by consumers. The allegations against diesel cars made in recent months threaten to misguide policy making and undermine public confidence in diesel. It’s time to put the record straight.”
From September, all new cars must meet the new Euro-6 emissions standard making them the cleanest in history. Almost nine out of 10 people surveyed (87%), however, confirmed they have never heard of the term.
The SMMT said this was of particular concern given the recent decisions by some local authorities in London to charge diesel-owning residents more to park outside their homes.
The trade body claimed other local authorities around the country were imposing surcharges based on a vehicle’s Euro Standard rating; while others are imposing penalties regardless of their performance. It said this was despite almost three quarters (72%) of motorists opposing penalties for the UK’s cleanest cars.
The SMMT has called for policy makers to adopt a consistent technology-neutral approach towards vehicle incentives and penalties to encourage the uptake of the latest technologies and maximise the benefits for air quality.
“The automotive industry wants to encourage consumers to continue to choose the cars fit for their lifestyles and is committed to helping the UK reach its air quality targets by encouraging the uptake of the latest vehicles, be they petrol, diesel, electric or any of the multitude of technologies now on the market,” it said.
Porsche revs upgraded 911
With the supercar hype generated by the likes of McLaren, Bentley and Aston Martin at the Geneva Motor Show you could have been forgiven for overlooking one of the biggest names in high performance sports cars, Porsche.
As the major manufacturers shouted about their glitzy new concepts and bespoke products, Porsche in its rather understated way preferred to let the car do the talking.
Looking to capitalise on the ultra-niche road-going track cars segment, Porsche offered up its new 911 GT3 RS.
The car is intended to blur the boundary between road-going sports cars and race cars. It is equipped with the maximum degree of motorsport technology currently possible in a street-legal 911, yet it remains available for everyday driving.
So if you’re in a hurry to break your latest lap record and then potter off to the shops for a pint of milk this could be the car for you.
Porsche has carried out extensive modifications to the car’s drive system, aerodynamics and lightweight design. All of these enhance performance beyond that of even the 911 GT3.
For those in the know, the RS has set a lap time around the 14-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife of 7 minutes 20 seconds; an achievement which trumps the record set by the Carrera GT super sports car of just under 7 minutes and 29 seconds.
Motorsport expertise is given as the reason for this superior performance. The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine with 500 hp (368 kW) of power and 460 Newton metres of torque, combined with a specially developed PDK transmission. The engine, which has the largest displacement and most power of any naturally-aspirated power unit with direct fuel injection in the 911 family, accelerates the car from 0 to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds and on to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 10.9 seconds. Combined NEDC fuel consumption is in the circumstances, a respectable 22.2 mpg.
Performance is aided by the use of lightweight materials, which includes a roof panel made of magnesium; carbon fibre is used for the engine and luggage compartment lids, and other lightweight components are made of alternative materials. This makes the RS model around 10 kg lighter than the 911 GT3. In addition, the lightweight roof lowers the sports car’s centre of gravity which improves its lateral dynamic responses.
MX-5 production gears up
AT the more modest end of the sports car market, production has begun on the all-new Mazda MX-5.
The initial output is destined for Mazda’s home market in Japan, with sales starting in June.
While the car is available to pre-order, full details of UK prices and specification will be announced later this year. However, it is thought unlikely that will go on sale here until late summer.
Again drawing on the classic British roadster, the fourth generation of the iconic two-seater is little altered from the car which originally made its debut a quarter of a century ago.
However, the new model is the lightest MX-5 since the first generation and the first with SKYACTIV Technology, including a choice in Europe of two ultra-efficient lightweight petrol engines delivering 131PS and 160PS.
