mia electric vehicle

Mia electric is a new electric vehicle brand that it making its UK debut at the EcoVelocity motor show at Battersea Power Station between the 8th and 11th September. Their electric cars will go on sale in the UK in early 2012 and have been designed by the former head of design at Volkswagen, Murat Gunak.

The vehicles come in three configurations, the standard shortwheel base model and two extended models – the mia L and the mia box van. The standard model weighs only 750kg (extended model is 759kg) and offers economical power consumption and low running costs at around £1.30 per 100 kms (62miles).

All three electric vehicles are powered by an 18kW electric motor at the rear with a top speed of 68mph and a range of around 120-130 km (74-80 miles) from the 12 kWh battery pack. The battery pack also features “no memory effect” charging which means the battery can be charged for short top-up periods, with no adverse effect on the life of the battery.

The mia has a central driving position which allows the driver to get in and out of the car from both sides and the standard model has three seats in total, the mia L has four and the mia box van has a cargo capacity of 1,500 litres. For further information on their models via the mia website at the following address;

www.mia-electric.com

All-new Movano

Vauxhall is launching their all-new Movano commercial van range offering 29 vehicle body type variations to choose from, front or rear-wheel drive, plus new power trains for lower commercial vehicle operating costs.

The modular platform has been jointly designed with Renault and depending on your payload category, you can also choose rear wheel drive variants with twin wheels. The full range of vehicles will include panel van, doublecab and Combi versions, chassis cabs with standard or crew cab, platform cab, three wheelbases, four lengths and three roof heights. The new Movano will be an excellent base for any conversions and the van will be available ex-works as a tipper, dropside and box van too.

Cabin comfort and safety is high on the agenda, with areas like improved driver visibility, multi-adjustable seats seats (in various configurations) and an adjustable steering column all on offer. The cargo area offers load lengths extending to 4.4 metres and a load capacity upto 17 cubic metres (L4H3 version).

Under the bonnet the van is powered by new generation 2.3-litre CDTi-four-cylinder common-rail diesel engines with three power outputs available (100PS,125PS and 150PS) all linked to a six-speed gearbox as standard. The 125PS and 150PS versions can also be coupled to the semi-auto Techshift. 

Movano cabin interior

ABS and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is standard on all models while ESP (electronic stability program) is also standard on all rear-wheel drive vans and optional for front-wheel drive. Other safety features include front airbags, side airbags integrated in the seats (optional) and seat-belt pretensioners.

The new Movano range launch phase will be staggered according to the body variants and first vehicles will be available in May 2010.