Motors in Hitchin

Vibrating device has been designed to win over car drivers who miss the buzz of an internal combustion engine

Hyundai and Kia are exploring the idea of making their electric cars vibrate in an effort to win over petrol and diesel car drivers who don't like the silent motion of an electric car. The Korean brands have filed patents in the US for a device that can mimic the vibrations of an internal combustion engine and hopes that it will win over drivers who miss the thrum of a traditional engine.

Since the arrival of the electric car, car manufacturers have introduced numerous systems designed to appease petrol and diesel car owners and make them feel more at home in an electric car. Brands such as Porsche, Ford and Mazda all offer artificial motor sounds that can be piped into the cabin. While most can be turned off, the lack of an engine sound is often seen as a barrier for adoption among car enthusiasts – especially those with performance cars.

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Volkswagen pull wraps off ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo

By Ginny Buckley - Motoring Correspondent

23rd Mar 2022 | Reviews

Two tone colour schemes hark back to the classic campers

The wraps have finally been peeled off one of the most exciting, interesting and practical electric vehicles ever created – the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo.

The all-electric van and MPV will arrive in the UK this autumn, and use the same basic mechanical parts as the familiar ID.3 and ID.4 models.

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The Dacia Spring's dismal EuroNCAP rating of just one star has threatened to limit the car's appeal

Dacia is planning to call time on the budget Dacia Spring electric car ahead of an all-new model arriving in 2024. The plan, which was announced as part of Renault Group future electric car strategy, will see the Spring make way for a more advanced model based on the same underpinnings as the forthcoming Renault 5 EV.

During the Renault Group's annual press conference, boss Luca de Meo showed a number of slides highlighting the group's launch plan across all brands (Renault, Dacia and Alpine). For 2024, De Meo confirmed that the Group plans to launch six new all-electric cars: the reborn Renault 5, a new Renault 4, an un-named Renault electric car, an Alpine version of the Renault 5, a van and what De Meo called a "successor to the Spring".

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The end for kerbed wheels? Fisker brings tech to prevent alloy damage

By Ginny Buckley - Motoring Correspondent

9th Mar 2022 | Reviews

The Fisker Ocean is due to hit the UK in mid 2023

Do your alloys look like a dog has been chewing on them? The new Fisker could make kerb damage to your precious wheels a thing of the past, thanks to a sophisticated radar warning system.

The Fisker Ocean, which had its European debut this week, has what Fisker describes as "ground-breaking Digital Radar technology" with five high-definition sensors on the four corners and the front of the car to provide 360° coverage.

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