ordered a XC60 D4, getting a B4!

[nu11eaf]

I think you have come out very well indeed getting the Upgrade.

Reminds me of when I ordered my XC90 and was told a short while after,
"sorry to tell you that your delivery date will be put back a little as Volvo have shut down production to change over the the new Power pulse cars, you will be getting the Power pulse engine and the cost will be reduced as some of the options you have specified are now standard". So much so I added heated rear seats and 7 seat comfort pack and still had change. Was I a happy chappy, you bet I was.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by MaDProFF

Re Mild Hybrids, in my opinion, a con, and stop gap that will be obsolete soon I bet.

In the long term everything is obsolete of course......

I am just waiting for an electric XC40 with a 300 mile range for less than a 40k sticker price and I will chop in the V60 for it. That said, for all the noise about electric cars and the progress of battery technology there doesnt seem to be an awful lot of progress in what is actually launched and available to buy..... Think I might be waiting a few years yet.......

[nu11eaf]

Hydrogen is what we need, so we can do quick refills enroute or whenever required, electric is not a very good option, electric cars take too long to recharge.

[MaDProFF]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

In the long term everything is obsolete of course......

I am just waiting for an electric XC40 with a 300 mile range for less than a 40k sticker price and I will chop in the V60 for it. That said, for all the noise about electric cars and the progress of battery technology there doesnt seem to be an awful lot of progress in what is actually launched and available to buy..... Think I might be waiting a few years yet.......

Still a couple of years but Dyson, and solid state battery car suppose to be 2021

[MaDProFF]

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

Hydrogen is what we need, so we can do quick refills enroute or whenever required, electric is not a very good option, electric cars take too long to recharge.

Do not think 15 mins for 80% is too long, some cars now, many soon.

Battery is the way forward, just needs a few more years.

[Wizzpop]

Originally Posted by MaDProFF

Do not think 15 mins for 80% is too long, some cars now, many soon.

Battery is the way forward, just needs a few more years.

The problem with electric cars is the generation of the electricity to charge them. It's all very well having targets for all cars to be electric by whenever, but we need to build a few nuclear power stations. I doubt we will be able to meet the demand with renewables.

[m2srt]

Originally Posted by Wizzpop

The problem with electric cars is the generation of the electricity to charge them. It's all very well having targets for all cars to be electric by whenever, but we need to build a few nuclear power stations. I doubt we will be able to meet the demand with renewables.

That sounds dangerously close to common sense!

As for the concept of mild hybridization, from what I've read, it does seem a bit geared up to pander towards the WLTP tests. Although replacing the starter motor and alternator with an Integrated Starter Generator may reduce the parasitic load on the engine. I also think that some applications also have an electric water pump to further reduce parasitic load. My wife currently drives a V40 CC D4 Auto, whilst it's not a direct comparison, it will be interesting to see how the B4 behaves compared to it.

[nu11eaf]

Originally Posted by MaDProFF

Do not think 15 mins for 80% is too long, some cars now, many soon.

Battery is the way forward, just needs a few more years.

Yes, I do not think electric cars are the future anyway. And those quick chargers shorten the battery life, they put far too much heat into the batteries in one powerful surge.

On a lighter note: Just spotted my first Swift of the year flying high around my house, is summer here now.

[volvocat]

PHEV or mild hybrid +LPG.
Half the price of petrol/diesel, cheaper to produce, currently not stupidly taxed, approx. half the pump price of petrol/diesel, only marginally longer to fill up, reasonably readily available - and less polluting than either.
Best of both worlds...?

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

Yes, I do not think electric cars are the future anyway. And those quick chargers shorten the battery life, they put far too much heat into the batteries in one powerful surge.

On a lighter note: Just spotted my first Swift of the year flying high around my house, is summer here now.

We spotted the first ones maybe 3 weeks ago. Maybe it is just me but they seem later this year.