We photographed the GTAm for you this summer at the Chateau of Princess Lea in Humain…
The Giulia GTAm certainly stole our car loving heart, and apparently we are not alone. The iconic Italian design, combined with 540 hp engine power, convinced also the readers of AUTO BILD SPORTSCARS.
They elected the Giulia GTAm, the most powerful car ever produced by Alfa Romeo, “AUTO BILD SPORTSCAR of the Year 2021”. A total of 109 current sports car models were put to the readers’ vote. The Giulia GTAm won topped the import rankings in the category “Sedans & Station Wagons”.
Who wouldn’t like to be behind the wheel of this Alfa…
Last year, the readers of AUTO BILD SPORTSCARS elected Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio as the winner. This year, it was the turn of the Giulia GTAm to be chosen for the award. A major achievement and a source of great pride for the Italian brand. Both awards embody the high regard in which Alfa Romeo is held by German sports car fans.
As you know, the GTAm is built in just 500 numbered units. The Giulia GTA’s well-known acronym stands for “Gran Turismo Alleggerita” (‘lightened grand tourer’), paying tribute to one of the most legendary cars in the brand’s glorious history: the 1965 Giulia Sprint GTA. With the widespread use of ultralight materials, the Giulia GTA’s weight is reduced by up to 100 kg compared to the Giulia Quadrifoglio, and is equipped with an upgraded version of the 540-hp Alfa Romeo 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo engine with a best-in-class specific output of 187 hp/L.
Bentley celebrates the holiday season with a campaign inspired by magical fusion of craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability. Indeed, an eagle-eyed group of crafty apprentices, designers and artisans avert a Christmas decoration catastrophe in Crewe by leaving nothing to waste; they handcrafted a set of 12 unique Christmas decorations that could only be made by Bentley. The decorations feature beautiful wood veneers and leather offcuts, reclaimed straight from the factory floor…
Under the guidance of Bentley’s Head of Design Collaboration, Brett Boydell, the 12 beautiful jewel-like decorations were covertly designed by Bentley’s in-house apprentices and crafted with help of the artisan craftspeople based at the factory in Crewe.
From a delicate bauble inspired by ombré effect stitching in the Odyssean special edition, which incorporates an interior air vent and a range of thread, to a beautifully designed to a leaping reindeer precision lasered from a selection of veneer offcuts – alongside an elegant Christmas trees cut from open pore Koa veneer finished with Danish oil – the designs showcase the range of natural materials used at Bentley.
We will drive for you at the end of this year the latest Qashqai, and look forward to have a go next year at their new (EV powered) products; In the meantime, there is some interesting Nissan news.
Did you know that by 2026, this is merely within some four years, more than 75% of all Nissan passenger cars sold in Europe will be electrified?
Nissans “CHILL OUT” concept foreshadows the future 100% electric crossover to be built in Sunderland, and there is a new battery recycling facility planned in Europe…
Just read further!
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Unveiled the Nissan Ambition 2030, the brand’s new long-term strategy that goes beyond mobility.
Earlier this year, Nissan launched the EV36Zero concept, the world’s first fully integrated EV production ecosystem, which connects mobility and energy management to help achieve carbon neutrality for Nissan. The future hub is centered around the production facility in Sunderland, UK, and will include the production of an EV, a new giga production facility and use of 100% renewable electricity. Initially, £1 billion will be invested.
The AMIEO Region, centered on the EV36Zero, will play a leading role in realizing the “Ambition 2030” vision, which will help Nissan achieve carbon neutrality across the entire lifecycle of its products by fiscal year 2050. Here are some key points:
By the end of fiscal 2023, Nissan will offer electrified versions of all models offered in Europe, and by fiscal 2026, more than 75% of all Nissans sold are expected to be electrified.
The now-unveiled CHILL OUT crossover concept, as announced in Sunderland in July as part of the EV36Zero project, uses the Renault-Nissan Alliance CMF-EV platform to deliver the European handling and performance customers expect. The model has a sleek and modern design, is both attractive and aerodynamically optimized, fun-to-drive, has advanced safety technologies and has a practical and comfortable interior, according to Nissan.
Nissan plans to expand battery recycling and reuse facilities outside of Japan with a new location in Europe during fiscal year 2022. This infrastructure will support a circular economy for energy management. Nissan plans to fully market its ‘vehicle-to-everything’ and ‘home battery’ systems in the coming years.
Building on the success of the Nissan LEAF, Nissan will soon introduce innovative e-POWER technology in the all-new Qashqai and X-Trail. With the 100% electric crossover Ariya and the future all-electric Townstar Van on the way, an electrified European model program is in the works.
‘In the past period, Europe has been leading in the transition to electrification. Our goal for the next decade is to accelerate this development, with new products and technologies that will enhance the driving experience for Nissan’s customers,” said Guillaume Cartier, President of Nissan AMIEO Region.
Not only will we be offering an electrified version of every Nissan model in Europe, our 360-degree vision of sustainable mobility also means using 100% renewable electricity in our EV Hub in the UK. New battery recycling and reuse facilities will also be built in Europe.
To spearhead the transition to full electrification and carbon neutrality, our teams and products in Europe will serve as a source of information and support for our plans for electrified cars in the rest of the AMIEO Region and other markets.”
Bold new plans… we will report on them regularly as they unfold!
Faithful readers know that we were very impressed when testing the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe, which’s propulsion system combines two electric motors, a 2.0-liter I-4 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission for nearly silent propulsion and enhanced 4×4 off-road capability, without EV range anxiety.
For 2022, the Wrangler 4xe range is further enhanced with advanced technology content and a full set of last generation ADAS features including Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control, Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus with Advanced brake assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop Function.
You can enjoy a sunrider fliptop…
All this is offered as standard on the 2022 model year models alongside standard Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path Detection, rearview camera and front and rear Park Assist on the previous model year.
There are also new paint colors and a factory Jeep® Performance Parts (JPP) Gorilla Glass windshield
More Authentic Jeep open-air adventures are to be had with the new Sunrider Flip top by Mopar® joining the several top combinations offered on Wrangler (three-piece hardtop, soft top, power soft top and topless).
With the introduction of the 2022 model year, 100 percent of the Wrangler range in Europe is offered in the 4xe plug-in hybrid variant only.
This is fully in line with the brand’s strategy towards sustainable mobility and its commitment to sell 70 percent of the Jeep range as electrified vehicles worldwide by 2025!
Austral, which comes from the Latin word “australis”, is a commonly used word in many European countries languages It is written in full and refers to the French roots of the constructor.
Sylvia Dos Santos, Name Strategy Manager of the Global Marketing Directorate of the Renault brand, clarifies: “Austral” also refers to the colors and warmth of the southern hemisphere. It is a name that invites you to travel and that fits perfectly with an SUV. The phonetics of Austral are harmonious, balanced and easy to pronounce by everyone and at the same time internationally.”
Austral is the new range of the Renault brand in the segment of compact SUVs with new connected technologies and responsible driving pleasure. Austral also offers comfortable seats 5 passengers with a total length of 4.51m.
With this new model, Renault continues its offensive to retake the C-segment, launched with Arkana and New Mégane E-TECH Electric.
Austral will replace the current Kadjar in the range and will be introduced in the spring of 2022…
The 2021 sports season ended with magnificent fireworks for DG Sport Compétition. After the victory of Stéphane Lefebvre and Renaud Jamoul in the Condroz Huy Rally, it was now the turn of Yohan Rossel, fresh WRC3 world champion, and Valentin Sarreaud with the Citroën C3 Rally2, to win the Spa rally…
The DG Sport Compétition armada was impressive at the start of the 2021 edition of the Spa Rally, with not fewer than three Citroën C3 Rally2s for Rossel-Sarreaud, Lefebvre-Jamoul and De Cecco-Humblet. Two French top drivers, but with a lack of knowledge of the ‘Spadoise’ specials, a possible handicap compared to the other top names in the Belgian competition. Add to that the difficult weather conditions, typical of December, and the challenge was formidable to say the least…
Yohan Rossel admitted to being surprised by the slippery surfaces and lack of grip in the first stages. But as conditions continued to deteriorate, the pilot from the French Gard region started to attack, taking advantage of the delicate WRX section on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps to take the lead. And he never abandoned this lead position during this Spa Rally …
This time we are entering the fascinating world of gaming. Did you know for instance that Gran Turismo™ is a video game developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc? It was launched in Japan first in 1997, and is now regarded as the best and most authentic driving simulator due to true-to-life graphics, authentic physics technology and careful attention to detail. Addictive it must be. Your servant was decades ago already crazy about the first versions of flight simulator. Imagine this…
The news is that Porsche and the Japanese video game development studio Polyphony Digital Inc., present a spectacular virtual vehicle concept. Porsche has been a partner of Polyphony already a few years now.
Indeed, the ‘Gran Turismo’ game series has featured Porsche sports cars since 2017, most recently the Taycan Turbo S. For the launch of the game’s seventh edition, Porsche has, for the first time, developed a vehicle purely for the virtual world. The Porsche Vision Gran Turismo is the sports car manufacturer’s first concept study created specifically for use in a computer game. It will be available exclusively in Gran Turismo 7, which will be released on 4 March 2022 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Exciting freedom for Porsche designers…
By partnering with Polyphony Digital, Porsche is not only demonstrating its special visionary approach, but is once again also demonstrating the high level of expertise among its designers. Freed from the constraints of developing models for series production, they were able to put their own ideas for a Gran Turismo concept car into practice.
“A vehicle designed purely for the virtual world opens up exciting possibilities for us that are otherwise heavily regimented in a regular design process for a series production car,” says Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche. “Projects such as the Porsche Vision Gran Turismo are particularly valuable for us in the creative process. Further developing our clearly defined Porsche Design DNA and exchanging with designers from other industries is an important part of our work.”
The Vision Gran Turismo indeed features future-oriented versions of familiar Porsche design elements. The concept car exhibits the brand’s typical proportions with a sporty height-to-width ratio, a low-set bonnet and very pronounced wings. The lights in the purist front and the integrated air intakes create a visual link to the design language of the Taycan – a nod to the car’s purely electric drive.
The rear is adorned with a markedly narrow light strip – a further development of the light signature that is familiar from the 911 and Taycan models. The clear emphasis of the brand identity continues in the interior, with the curved hologram display, tailored to the driver, which appears to float above the steering wheel. The low seating position underscores the car’s dynamic feel. The realistic surface appearances in the interior also play a major role. “We spent a long time considering the right material design consisting of carbon and titanium. The aim was to reduce weight while increasing performance,” says Markus Auerbach, Head of Interior Design at Porsche. “In addition, sustainable aspects also play a role in forward-looking projects. For example, we only used entirely vegan materials in the concept car.”
“The appeal of a Porsche comes from its purist design,” says Kazunori Yamauchi, President, Polyphony Digital. “And in terms of engineering expertise, both we and Porsche follow the same perfectionist philosophy. We share the same passion for racing and are looking to the future of the car.”
In addition to purely design-related themes, there are also new functions that contribute to a strong sports car feeling, with players experiencing haptic feedback via the controller, which mimics the feel of the steering wheel. This fast and direct feedback is reminiscent of a real racing car.
Strategic for Porsche…
Expanding its gaming activities also has strategic significance for Porsche. “We can engage young and digital target groups in the place where their automotive dreams are born: the world of gaming,” says Robert Ader, Vice President Marketing at Porsche AG. “The partnership with Polyphony Digital and ‘Gran Turismo’ is a perfect fit for Porsche, because motorsport – whether real or virtual – is part of our DNA.” The integration of the first Porsche sports car developed purely for the virtual space is an important milestone in the strategic partnership between Porsche and Polyphony Digital Inc.
Actually, Porsche has been cooperating with various companies from the gaming industry for several years and these activities are now an integral part of the marketing mix. The overriding goal is to create a lasting brand experience…
We show you the photos here… and I look forward to a Polyphony Gaming experience!
The Formula E racing is taking increasingly centre stage in motor sport, and we will also report more regularly about it.
Here is already some Porsche news. The race-bred brand took some Formula E tests from 29 November to 2 December in Spain…
The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team seems well prepared to tackle its third season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. At the official test drives in Valencia, the squad from Weissach received its final polish. With the Porsche 99X Electric, André Lotterer (GER) and Pascal Wehrlein (GER) covered a total of 1.321 kilometres. Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship begins on 28/29 January 2022 with two races in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
All eleven teams with their regular drivers took part in the test days. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team used the five test sessions on the 3.376-kilometre circuit as a final shakedown for the Porsche 99X Electric. Engineers at Weissach updated the software in Porsche’s first electric racing car, while the powertrain remains the same. Due to the pandemic, the FIA decided that, for financial reasons, only one drive system can be homologated for seasons 7 and 8.
At the last test before the season kicks off in Diriyah, André Lotterer clocked up a total of 610 test kilometres in the No. 36 Porsche 99X Electric. His teammate Pascal Wehrlein covered 711 kilometres at the wheel of his car sporting the new No. 94 starting number.
One of the key points in the extensive test programme was to simulate the new qualifying format for season 8. From now on, the 22 drivers will initially head out onto the track in two groups. They have 220 kW of power available and can turn any number of laps in twelve minutes. The four fastest in each group move into the quarter-finals, with the others allocated the grid spots 9 to 22. From the quarter-finals, drivers pit themselves against each other two at a time in a duel-stage knockout. The winner of Group 1 competes against the fourth in Group 2; the second in Group 1 competes against the third in Group 2, and so on. In the semi-finals and the finals, the drivers have 250 kW at their disposal. The winner of the final session starts from pole position and, as in the past, earns three championship points.
Continuing its electrification strategy which was already established when the brand was founded in 2014, DS Automobiles is continuing its energy transition with the launch of a new plug-in hybrid package for the flagship DS 9. We will drive the new DS9 for you mid January, and we are certainly looking forward to it!
The DS 9 E-TENSE 250 features a 200 hp 4-cylinder PureTech engine, accompanied by an 80 kW (110 hp) electric motor. A new 15.6 kWh (total capacity) battery, with an unchanged number of cells, delivers up to 70 kilometers on the WLTP city cycle (EAER City) or 61 kilometers on the WLTP combined cycle with an unchanged vehicle weight. The 7.4 kW on-board charger allows charging from 0-100% in merely 2 hours and 23 minutes.
CO2 emissions drop to merely 26 g/km, with a certified fuel consumption of 1.1 litres/100 km according to the WLTP combined cycle.
Performance leaves nothing to be desired: top speed of the DS 9 E-TENSE 250 is electronically limited to 240 km/h, with the possibility of reaching 135 km/h on electric drive only.
The DS 9 E-TENSE 250 costs €55,990 (incl. VAT) in Belgium in its PERFORMANCE LINE + version and €59,990 (incl. VAT) in Belgium in its RIVOLI + version.
More on this stylish flagship DS9 here below. Just read further!
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Refinement for the eye and touch… in different equipment levels
As its top of the range model, the DS9 stands out, as you could expect, in sheer refinement.
The DS 9 PERFORMANCE LINE + has chrome front door badges with the DS PERFORMANCE LINE logo, DS WINGS and a chrome boot lid. The radiator grille in brilliant black is topped off by the DS PERFORMANCE LINE emblem. The 19″ aluminum MONACO Black wheels are enhanced up by a Carmine wheel core.
In the interior, one finds mixed Alcantara®/black leather seats with Carmine and gold stitching complementing the Alcantara® center console and dashboard.
On the dashboard, your eyes rest on a DS PERFORMANCE LINE badge executed in turned aluminum.
A crystal insert on the control panel below the central screen adds a further touch of sophistication. The multifunction steering wheel is crafted in perforated full-grain leather with a leather-wrapped airbag cushion and handmade Carmine and Gold stitching.
The DS 9 RIVOLI + is inspired by the Tuileries district and combines noble materials with high-quality diamond-shaped decorations. Three different interiors are offered: Basalt Black in grained leather or OPERA with a choice of two shades of Nappa leather, highlighted by Ruby Red or Black strap-on seats.
The elegance of the OPERA version is illustrated by the use of nappa leather on the seats, rear seat, center console, door panels and upholstered instrument panel.
A high-quality rear center armrest and adjustable Lounge headrests complete the comfort package for the rear seats.
The nobility of materials sooths your senses with an all-leather steering wheel, smooth leather-covered gear knob, leather-wrapped grab handles, aluminum accents on the pedals and center console, Alcantara® headliner, sun visor and parcel shelf, and haute-couture-inspired mother-of-pearl stitching.
Building on the research carried out since the brand’s inception, acoustic insulation is also further enhanced.
Acoustic and laminated glazing is combined with a state of the art welded body which dampens vibrations. You can also enjoy the sound of a 515 W FOCAL Electra® Hi-Fi system, developed especially for the DS 9, with stainless steel tweeter grilles beneath the fourteen speakers, ideally placed throughout the cabin for an auditorium-like audio experience.
Behind the wheel, you are safely assisted by the latest tech…
The DS 9 benefits from the advanced technologies that make the other models in the DS range so outstanding. With DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION, a camera at the top of the windshield scans the road, while four position sensors and three accelerometers record all movements and transmit the information to a computer that can react to each wheel individually to improve safety, comfort and ease of use.
With DS DRIVE ASSIST, the DS 9 allows its driver to enjoy a level 2 semi-autonomous driving behavior.
The speed is controlled according to the environment in which the DS 9 is driven. The system uses sensors to precisely position the car in its lane of the driver’s choice by acting on the steering. DS DRIVE ASSIST can be used at speeds of up to 180 km/h and controls speed and trajectory under the driver’s supervision to ensure comfort and peace of mind.
The speed is controlled by an adaptive controller, which makes it possible to manage the driving conditions in traffic jams: the car restarts automatically after a stop of less than three seconds. If the car is stationary for a longer period of time, the DS 9 is restarted in traffic with a simple push of a button or a touch on the accelerator pedal.
DS DRIVE ASSIST’s on-board camera detects solid and broken lines. While driving, it constantly analyzes the image and deciphers situations. It keeps the vehicle in its lane, or even in the part of the lane desired by the driver. If the driver prefers to regain control of the steering, he or she cancels the correction by holding the steering wheel firmly. The change is also interrupted when the direction indicators are activated. The system can be activated from 30 km/h.
When parking, the DS PARK PILOT function detects parking spaces when driving at a speed of up to 30 km/h. The driver then indicates on the touchscreen that he or she wants to park in a stroke or a slot. Then there’s only one thing to do: press the Park button and wait for the technology to work. Acceleration, braking and steering are controlled automatically. DS PARK PILOT also makes it possible to leave a parking space.
On long journeys, DS SAFETY combines a series of key functions: DS NIGHT VISION, DS DRIVER ATTENTION MONITORING, DS ACTIVE LED VISION, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, comprehensive traffic sign recognition and active lane departure warning.
DS NIGHT VISION offers an exceptional view of the road at night. The infrared camera, located in the radiator grille, detects pedestrians, cyclists and animals on the road up to 150 meters away. The driver sees the scene of the accident on the large digital handset, with hazards displayed in yellow and then red depending on the degree of hazard. He can then respond.
DS DRIVER ATTENTION MONITORING uses an infrared camera on the top of the steering column and a camera on the top of the windshield to continuously monitor the driver’s eyes for fatigue (blinking), face (direction of gaze) and head movement for distractions, as well as the trajectory of the driver. car on the road, especially driver anomalies or steering inputs. For example, it can identify any drop in vigilance due to an anomaly in any of the factors – blinking, non-linear and erratic movements – and automatically trigger an audible and visual alarm on the central screen, day and night.
In addition to the visual pleasure provided by the modules that light up and rotate 180° at the counter, the DS ACTIVE LED VISION can be adapted in width and reach to the driving conditions and the speed of the car. Different lighting modes are automatically activated: Parking, Town Beam (increased beam from the third second of driving), Country Beam (focused on the front from 50 km/h), Motorway Beam (increased range from 110 km/h), Adverse Weather (activated when the windscreen wipers are on, increased module power and reduced high beam intensity) and High Beam (maximum illumination combined with automatic high beam switching). The “revolving headlamps” function completes the offer. By illuminating the road better and further, or with a wider beam of light, the driver – and the passengers – gain in safety.
Needless to say that we are looking forward to sample driving impressions of this new version of this refined “grande routière”, and as said, we can tell you already that we will drive the new DS9 for you mid January, so stay tuned on these columns!
We will unveil also soon some more Citroën news, a bigger range for the ë-C4 and Citroën informs its B2C and B2B clients to make still better use if their plug-in hybrid C5 aircross…
After the Dacia Duster ECO-G in 2021, the Dacia SANDERO Stepway ECO-G now wins the title of “VAB Family Car of the Year 2022” in the category up to €22,000.
A jury consisting of families and specialized motoring journalists annually selects the VAB Family Car of the Year, a tradition which has now lasted for 35 years!
Dacia takes the win for the second time in the category up to €22,000, this time with the Sandero Stepway.
As you may know, the Sandero Stepway ECO-G is equipped with the modern ‘bi-fuel’ engine on petrol and LPG, the ECO-G100. This makes the Dacia Sandero Stepway score particularly well in terms of cost per kilometer.
As you can see on the photo, with its increased ground clearance, New SANDERO Stepway presents itself as the more versatile “crossover” adventurer of the DACIA range.
This Stepway is nevertheless an excellent family car: it still offers space for three adults in the rear, a 1/3-2/3 folding rear seat (depending on the chosen version) and a family-sized luggage compartment with a capacity of 328 liters and is optionally available with a movable floor.
SANDERO Stepway is built on the modular CMF platform, and this means extra stiffness and safety.
In addition to the speed limiter fitted as standard equipment, the Sandero boasts also the latest generation ESC system and cruise control. The SANDERO Stepway offers of course also various driver assistance systems: Automatic brake assist system, Blind spot warning, Parking aid and Hill Start Assist.
DACIA offers in its range a bi-fuel solution on petrol and LPG under this ECO-G label. This technology is built and integrated in the factory, adding extra reliability and safety to its ECO-G 100 engine, making it a veyr attractive proposition indeed.
Autoprova - for the Connaisseur 