Category: Car Events

Celebrating 140 years of the good Mercedes star with a world tour visiting 140 places…and Belgium!

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car History, Car manufacturers strategy, Car presentations, Classic cars, Lifestyle, New ModelsLeave a comment

Exactly 140 years after Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile, three new Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloons set off on a journey around the world on 29 January 2026: Bertha, Carl and Gottlieb, named after the pioneers of individual mobility, Carl and Bertha Benz and Gottlieb Daimler. On 17 October, the four-wheeled globetrotters returned safely to where their intercontinental journey began – the Mercedes-Benz Museum. See the photo here above.

Over the course of nearly nine months, they covered more than 65,000 kilometres, averaging around 450 kilometres per day. Bertha and Gottlieb travelled from time to time in parallel to reunite again on the road across 55 countries on six continents. The journey involved a total of 67 border crossings, the clocks had to be reset 28 times and the climate control systems in the S-Class vehicles regulated the temperature across 13 climate zones. The ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ tour was among Mercedes-Benz’s most ambitious activities.

Of course the tour also visited Belgium. You see here Bertha and Gottlieb in front of our royal palace in Brussels…

But it was also a good occasion to photograph the travelling S classes along the Mercedes that made a hit in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps! This was the 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, affectionately known as the “Red Pig” (Rote Sau). It didn’t take the overall victory but achieved a sensational class win and second place overall, a result that put the then-young AMG tuning company on the map.

The birth of AMG…

In 1971, AMG founders Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher entered this  modified luxury sedan. Despite weighing 1,635 kg (already 195 kg lighter than the production version), the car’s immense power on the long straights of the old 14.8 km Spa circuit allowed drivers Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz to compensate for its thirst for fuel and heavy tire wear . While many faster, lighter cars retired, the reliable Mercedes survived the night and crossed the finish line in second place overall.

The original “Red Pig” was eventually sold to … Matra for aircraft tire testing and was later destroyed, so it no longer exists . However, its legacy is secure: this single race transformed AMG from a small engineering firm into a globally recognized performance brand . Mercedes-AMG has since built exact replicas to honor the car, and its spirit lives on in the modern AMG lineup.

The technical specifications of the 1971 “Red Pig” were extraordinary for a touring car of its era: the Engine: a 6.8-liter M100 V8,  was enlarged from the production 6.3-liter unit. Its power was 428 hp (315 kW), combined with a massive torque of 620 Nm.

It would sprint from 0–100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, top speed being over 265 km/h… rather sensational then…

But back to the present: we will soon test the new C Class for you, the C 400 4Matic AMG Line Electric. Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The 2 CV concept: the unique philosophy of “La Deuche” lives on…

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Concept Cars, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Fashion, Future car technology, Lifestyle, prototypesLeave a comment

In our age cars are becoming bigger an heavier, and it was in the cards that with the mobility challenges we face nowadays, creative minds would return to the core values where the original 2 CV has always stood for: affordability, lightness, practicality, versatility and of course originality which appeals to humanity.

Indeed, the starting point was not to recreate a 2 CV, but to imagine the small electric car of the future – practical and desirable, bringing some “joie de vivre” – bringing pleasure and excitement in your everyday short journeys.

Of course, the Stellantis Group has a solid strategy behind it: To bring about a new generation of small electric cars, in line with the new European E-Car regulations, positioned between the Ami and the C3, to offer greater freedom of movement without compromising on character.

Indeed, to launch a model manufactured in Europe, with a target starting price of around 15,000 euros, to help make electric mobility accessible to as many people as possible.

Therefore the design choices take into account mass production and ease of repair: flat surfaces and direct air intakes beneath the windscreen (which however have been sadly abandoned in the light of present safety regulations we hear) , bumpers separated from the bodywork and replaceable independently…

Make no mistake, the 2 CV is modern: it is “cool” through its styling, its on-board comfort and all the practical features for everyday use, re-imagined in the spirit of the 2 CV to make life easier for its occupants.

Pierre Leclercq, head of design Citroën and his team stress that the design of the 2 CV aims to breathe new life into an icon, not by copying it, but by reinventing its design language to ensure it is fully rooted in the present day.

You can tell what they mean when you look at the exterior: an instantly recognizable silhouette, with the unique proportions and curves of the 2CV, but using tauter lines and generous volumes to convey greater energy. Round headlamps are set apart from the bodywork, conveying an expressive LED signature, a sculpted, sweeping bonnet.

Just look further at the vertical windscreen, the curved and flowing roof, rounded wings and taut flanks; contoured door handles, tapered indicators on the C-pillar, 18-inch steel wheels inspired by the 2 CV, and Michelin tyres bearing the Heritage logo and the Citroën chevrons. Just wonderful…

A distinctive roofline accentuated by a black tailgate extending down to the bumper, just like on the first-generation 2CV, which had originally a canvas instead of a metal boot lid. There are LED lights on either side of the tailgate, three horizontal stripes, a short overhang, a visible tailgate handle and a number plate displaying the 2CV’s nicknames in different countries.

With 3.76 m, the 2CV is also shorter than its iconic predecessor, no small feat!

The interior plunges you in a world of joie de vivre: no traditional dashboard, but a cylinder to which the following are attached: a single-spoke steering wheel, a single control lever, a paddle-shift gear selector and a Citroën Smart Vision display which prioritises essential information within the driver’s field of vision.

An 8-inch square ‘phygital’ touchscreen, with graphics inspired by comic books.

Your eyes meet the “Radioën”, a detachable radio that doubles as a speaker and accompanies occupants both inside and outside the vehicle.

We show you here some photos, and we hope we can have a written interview with Pierre Leclercq soon!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

New Opel Astra GSE Line makes debut at Paris Motor Show 2026

Posted in Car Events, Car News, Car presentations, Car Shows, New ModelsLeave a comment

The new all-electric everyday sports cars Opel Mokka and Corsa GSE  and  are now available since a few days, and Opel is already following up quickly, bringing the GSE experience to other models – with the latest Astra debuting the new trim. The compact class bestseller made in Rüsselsheim will be on display as the Astra GSE line  at the Paris Motor Show for the first time.


 With the new trim, customers can opt for the GSE design while retaining a full choice of powertrains. GSE stands for ‘Grand Sport Electric’ by the way. The new GSE Line, which will replace the existing GS trim from spring 2027, gives the Astra an even sharper look, and can be combined with battery-electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid powertrains, as well as conventional internal combustion engines.


 There is even more soon: after the official launch of the Astra GSE Line in spring 2027, Opel will introduce a very special variant with an output of 206 kW (280 hp) and additional highlights later in the year!

We would say, fasten your seat belts, and have in the meantime a look at the photos here…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Stellantis will have a big presence at the Paris Motor Show…

Posted in Car Events, Car News, Car Shows, Concept Cars, New ModelsLeave a comment

Stellantis will showcase nine concept cars from eight brands, along with over 60 vehicles at the Paris Motor Show.  

The iconic brands Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Lancia, Leapmotor, Opel, and PEUGEOT will welcome visitors in Hall 4.  

The largest stand at the show, covering over 5,000 m², will offer an interactive and multisensory experience, highlighting Stellantis’ renewed ambitions.

The show will notably feature the international premieres of the premium compact SUV DS N°7, the brand-new Fiat Grizzly, the new Lancia Gamma marking the brand’s return to the C-segment crossover market (C-SUV), the B-segment compact electric vehicle Leapmotor B03, the D19, Leapmotor’s next-generation flagship SUV, as well as the Opel Corsa GSE.

More soon on the cars and the concept cars… stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Audi brings superb efficiency into the EV world with its A2 e-tron…

Posted in Car Events, Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Car production and factories, Car technology, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Environment, New ModelsLeave a comment

Audi is working hard to carve its niche in the compact EV world with its latest A2 e-tron.

It brings memories of the absolutely genial A2, which was far ahead of its time and been mostly misunderstood.

The overall shape of the new EV is reminiscent of its iconic predecessor, and likewise also reaches new levels of efficiency: just 12.8 kWh/100 km and a range of up to 646 kilometers according to WLTP.

Not only the car is efficient, so is its production process. It is built in Audi’s home plant in Ingolstadt, and we will tell you soon more about its production process…

It has a drag coefficient of 0.24 – the best value in Audi’s compact segment. It has four power levels and three battery sizes, but bi-directional charging is unfortunately only an option. It is spacious on a compact footprint, moreover pleasant with a 1.6-square-meter panoramic glass roof.

It has standard the Audi assistant with artificial intelligence, e-tron route planner, standard MMI panoramic display with 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus and 12.8-inch MMI curved touch display.

It certainly looks splendid, its market launch is in December 2026, but as a premium brand, it doesn’t come cheap: prices in Germany are starting at 38,200 euros.

Needless to say that we are very keen to see the car “in the flesh” soon, and drive it for you early next year…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the new Subaru EV range: an ideal fit for Europe…

Posted in Car Events, Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Car safety, Car technology, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Lifestyle, New Models, UncategorizedLeave a comment

We drove the new Subaru EV range – here you see the Solterra – on roads and terrain around the Château-Ferme de Moreinsart in Ottignies…

Subaru has now also joined the EV trend with its new range, the Uncharted, Solterra and E-Outback. Subaru, the high-tech company with an impressive sporting history and a tradition of absolute engineering excellence, develops its new EV’s in a 50-50 % in a team-building framework with Toyota.

We were welcomed by Subaru Benelux PR Manager Dick Braakhekke…

and Kobayashi Kota, Business Coordinator of Subaru Benelux…who explained the DNA of Subaru…

Of course, it conserves its proper DNA. Kobayashi Kota, Business Coordinator of Subaru Benelux, explains: where Toyota engineers concentrate on the engineering and development of the E-Axle, the traction and the advanced EV battery, and last but not least brings in the e-global platform, Subaru develops the AWD system and e-axle management, develops the (suspension) setup and drivability, and is also responsible for safety.
 

The stylish Uncharted was our first drive, and stole our hearts…

We could drive the three cars of Subaru’s new EV family on the winding roads around the Château-Ferme de Moreinsart in Ottignies. The castle also has a magnificent terrain in its surrounding woods, were we could experience the impressive AWD terrain qualities of the Subaru’s, a quality were the brand is (so) very famous for.

Indeed, the Subaru engineers have developed and honed this to perfection, and we found that the cars were totally easy to drive through terrain, and that even a total novice could steer the car safely over the most demanding off road tracks. Needless to say that we would like for you to put these cars through a more extended road and terrain test for you soon…

A well balanced range…

We start here with the Uncharted, the shortest of the three, with a total length of 4,535 meter. All the cars run on the same platform, but the Uncharted has a shorter wheelbase of 2,750 meter. It is also the lightest of the three, with 1,850 kg when you opt for the 2 WD ‘base’ version with 123 kW or 167 HP. Mind you, in this ‘2E excite’ version, you still enjoy plenty of zest with an acceleration from 0 to 100 in merely 8,2 seconds.

You have a 58 kWh battery which gives you a WLTP range of some 451 km. Its price is attractive with 36.995 including VAT at the moment of writing. We found the exterior (the) most pleasing, and also the interior made us smile. The seating position is excellent, and still in the revered Subaru tradition, the car handles very engaging indeed, and actually the same goes for the Solterra and the E-outback.

The compact Uncharted still seats five easily, and of course you can have more power and range, together with AWD. The top “4E-experience+” version gives you 252kW/343hp combined with a 77 kWh battery. WLTP range is then 490 km and it is good to know that the towing capacity is not less than  1,500 kg. This version is at the time of writing priced at 47.995 Euros.

The Solterra (see photo here above) comes in an ‘4E experience’ version which costs exactly the same as the ‘experience+’ version of the Uncharted, with the same battery capacity and engine power, but here the car is longer overall with 4,690 m and has a longer wheelbase of 2,850 m. It can also tow 1,500 kg and has a larger boot space of 452 l compared with 403 l for the Subaru Uncharted.

The E-Outback is the top of the range model, has the same wheelbase as the Solterra, but is the longest with 4,845 meter and also the most powerful with a 280 kW/381 HP motor, which puts performance almost in the supercar league. The car is available in 4E experience and experience+ versions, with the WLTP range in the most dynamic version being 477 km with its 74,7 kW battery.

We also put the E-Outback through its paces on the off-road course, and we were truly impressed by the uncanny ease with which it tackled every possible terrain challenge we put to it. The inexperienced driver is aided by Subaru’s unparalleled driver-assistance system.

Its ‘Hill Descent Control’ is fully integrated into their X-Mode system – an enhancement to their standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive drivetrain. With X-MODE activated, HDC is automatically engaged when it detects a descent. Subaru’s hill descent control can only be used when driving under 12 mph and controls the throttle response and brakes when moving up steep hills to ensure traction is kept.

We will be driving the Subaru Uncharted and the other new EV’s after the summer holidays. Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel


 


 

Elegance in Motion: Aston Marin shines in Autoworld Brussels…

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car History, Car Shows, Car technology, Classic and Vintage Cars, Concept Cars, Design, Fashion, films, History in photos, Lifestyle, men women and cars, Pre-War Classics, Sports and RacingLeave a comment

The iconic Aston Martin DB5 used by film character James Bond: this factory-made replica on, the show is an example of the “continuation” series of the original James Bond Aston Martin.

The lovers of iconic British classics can enjoy a beautiful exhibition in the heart of Brussels: until Sunday 21st of June they stand eye to eye with the iconic cars which embody the history of this wonderful brand.

You will admire at your leisure the rare 1925 Grand Prix car, of which only 3 exist in the world today, and the one you will see in Brussels is the last one produced… Another F1 gem awaits you in the magnificent hall of Autoworld: the legendary DBR4.

But every enthusiast just loves the DB5, the iconic James Bond car. The car on the show is a replica, but it is in almost every aspect equal to the original. Did you know that the total series production of the DB5 was only 1,059 units?

On the show, iconic Aston’s from the ‘50s and ‘60s can also be admired. What to think of the gleaming black DB1, nicknamed “Spa Special”, as this is the very car that raced to victory in 1948, with team drivers Jock Horsfall and Leslie Johnson behind the wheel.

Engineer Claude Hill had designed the 2 litre four cylinder engine for the revolutionary 1939 Atom, because of the wardid not really survive the prototype s. Key to the concept was the integral construction of body framing and chassis, which were made from rectangular steel tubes.

Looking at this photo, you can easily imagine yourself sitting behind the wheel of the Aston DB1, racing towards victory in the Spa Francorchamps 24 race…

The 1948 Motor Show saw the launch of the first car to be produced under the ownership of David Brown, thTwo Litre Sports, retrospectively named ‘DB1’.  It used the Atom chassis construction, by the way…
 

There is also a Bordeaux coloured DB2/4 to be seen, which was originally owned by Belgian king Baudouin, see the photo here above. He drove not less than four Aston Martins in his life. A true connoisseur!

Noblesse oblige, and this means that an Aston Martin exhibition cannot do without a Zagato bodied example. We admired the DB4 Zagato, which was again a factory recreation of the original. The DB4 Zagato was produced between 1960 and 1963.

Originally, 25 units were planned, but the interest proved not to be large, resulting in only 19 copies being produced. Later, the popularity of the Zagato version was increasing, and two subsequent series were, “Sanction II” with 4 copies, and “Sanction III” with a further 2 copies.

The car on the show is produced in a new series of 19 , built in 2019 on the occasion of the centenary of Zagato. is a true racing car, and is not allowed to drive on public roads…

We also found the Aston Martin 2022 Speedster-type supercar, the DBR22, totally stunning. We will return soon to this beauty, which is an homage to the legendary Aston Martin DBR1 Sports Racing Car. On the photo below, you see the cockpit details of this speedster, with the Aston Martin Victor in the background.

Below we show you a photo of the cockpit and steering wheel of the DBR22, with the steering wheel of the original 1925 Grand Prix Car in the background, with almost a century between them…

The show also includes modern creations like the Aston Martin Victor (see photo earlier) and the rare One-77. More on  these cars soon…  

Everybody knows that the name Aston Martin is tied to casino glamour and film, and this was also very much the case at the magnificent opening night of this exhibition, where your servant was invited by the very dynamic team of Autoworld.

On the opening night, invitées could enjoy a game of roulette…in the true James Bond tradition!

Sebastien de Baere, General Manager of Autoworld, welcomed the public…

and Autoworld Curator Leo Van Hoorick commented expertly on the displayed cars…

More soon on this Aston Martin exhibition, but in our columns we will also come back on the previous Lancia exhibition, with more stories and photos of Lancia’s legendary Grand Prix car, the D50…

Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Lancia 120 years in Brussels Autoworld:  elegance and engineering excellence tell us a great and beautiful story… part 2

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car History, Car technology, Classic and Vintage Cars, Design, Museums, Pre-War ClassicsLeave a comment

We continue here our report about this stunning exhibition of 12 absolutely iconic Lancias, which we can admire until April 19 at Brussels Autoworld.

A car which set Lancia apart as a brand with a unique enineering excellence is the Lambda. It was intoduced in 1922 and featured not only a revolutionary and compact V4 engine. This V-4 was banked at a tiny 13-degree angle (later 14 degrees), with a flat cylinder-head face and combustion chambers in the block. Nobody had ever seen anything like it.

But there were other surprises: it also had a load-bearing unitary body. Indeed, and here we cite the famous connoisseur Michael Frostick: “its unique unitary construction, in which body and chassis were one, came a good ten years before Mr. Budd succeeded in selling his idea for a monocoque to Andre Citroen.”

As if this were not enough, it also introduced an independent front suspension. This sliding pillar suspension was a trademark of all subsequent Lancias, used not only for all the cars before the Aurelia, but also for the Appia, up until its replacement in 1963 by the Fulvia. The suspension has an integral spring and shock absorber (all made by Lancia in house) working around a large vertical set pin internal to the assembly.

The pin is anchored into a beam axle at a particular angle, and camber and caster are fixed at the factory. The shock setting is easily adjustable by hand at the top of the pillar, and one can change it from soft to hard in a moment, or even (as the Lancia Owner’s Manual suggests) summer/winter. Absolute genius!

Lancia also introduced powerful four wheel brakes on the Lambda. All this resulted in a car with excellent handling, and indeed the Lambda proved faster over a winding track than anything Lancia had hitherto produced, including the big Tri Kappa, an eight cylinder with twice the horsepower. 

 The Lambda became the car to win races with, and in 1927, when Italy’s famous open road race, the Mille Miglia, was first held, a trio of Lambda’s took the first three places overall. Note on the photo above the short, sporting gear lever!

Another pre-war Lancia that won my heart was the Aprilia. Just look at its classic, timeless, compact proportions. It was born in 1936, but the car on the show is a 1947 2nd series example. It was Lancia’s first berlinetta aerodinamica. Indeed, it was one of the first designed using a wind tunnel in collaboration with Battista Farina and Polytechnic University of Turin, achieving for those days a record low drag coefficient of 0.47.

It was to be Vicenzo Lancia’s very last car, as the founder died in 1937, when series production started. It was indeed designed by Vicenzo, and featured four pillarless doors. Just look at the door handles, which are in the same position as in the pillarless 4-door Lancia Florida, which I showed you in part one. The Aprilia also featured an independent rear suspension, with inboard brakes…

The Lancia story will go further in part 3. We will tell you then more about the Lancia PF200 prototype and the legendary D50 racing car…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Practical info: The exhibition runs until April 19 at Autoworld, Parc du Cinquantenaire 11
1000 Brussels, Belgium.

Please note, the museum is closed Wednesday 11 March, Thursday 12 March and Monday 16 March 2026.

Opening hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY
10:00 – 17:00
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
10:00 – 18:00

Lancia 120 years in Brussels Autoworld:  elegance and engineering excellence tell us a great and beautiful story… part 1

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car History, Car presentations, Car technology, Classic and Vintage Cars, Classic cars, Concept Cars, Design, History in photos, Lifestyle, Museums, Pre-War Classics, prototypesLeave a comment

Autoworld Brussels has again an exquisite exhibition ready for us: until April 19 we can admire a carefully curated selection of about 12 absolutely iconic Lancias. It shows us the elegance and innovation through design, as the title of the exhibition indicates. But we would add, the pop-up exhibition also showcases innovation through ingenuity and engineering excellence.
 

The cars are beautifully displayed at the beginning of the vast and inviting central hall of Autoworld, taking you on a journey of more than a century of technical innovation, refined design, and engulfing you in its rich motorsport heritage.

My eyes first fell on, at least to my taste, the absolute beauty of the show, the Lancia Astura Roadster by Pinin Farina. This 1935 Astura is a technical gem. The V8 engined car was introduced on the Paris Motor Show in 1931. This Astura on the show belongs to the third series, built between 1933 and 1937, with 1,243 units made.

The third-generation Astura was offered in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase variants, and was powered by a new, larger engine. Indeed, it was enlarged from 2,6 to 3 litres, and the 17° narrow angle V8 single overhead camshaft engine now developed 82 hp. This short wheelbase you see on the photos was ideal for coachbuilders to show their talent.

ounded with the moral and financial support of Vicenzo Lancia, the Carrozzeria of Battista “Pinin” Farina witnessed a revival and produced breathtaking bodies. Of the just 328 “Corto” chassis built, many were clothed by Pinin Farina. The contours of this roadster are from the artistic hand of Mario Revelli di Beaumont, an independent stylist who worked actually for several “carrozzerie”…

Another car by the hand of Pinin Farina was for me the Lancia Flaminia. I was therefore elated to see the conceptual predecessor of the Flaminia, the Florida. The “bellezza” and elegance of this car deeply moves me. Just look at the photos. The car was built by Pinin Farina on an Aurelia B56 chassis, and it was a technically quite daring four-door pillarless saloon.

It was shown on the 1956 Brussels salon, and as a young boy, I dreamt about it. Just like the Boano styled Ferrari’s, it was for me the pinnacle of what human art, intellect and craftmanship could reach in terms of sheer contemporary beauty.

The pillarless doors had to go in the production version, the Flaminia, therefore the elegance of this Florida truly stands out.  

Much more to follow on this Lancia show at Autoworld soon, about the D50 racing car, the iconic rally cars like the Stratos… just remember, go and see it, it is on show until April 19.
 

Practical info: Autoworld, Parc du Cinquantenaire 11
1000 Brussels, Belgium.

Please note, the museum is closed Wednesday 11 March, Thursday 12 March and Monday 16 March 2026.

Opening hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY
10:00 – 17:00
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
10:00 – 18:00

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The Mercedes styling philosophy uncovered…

Posted in Automobilia, Automotive drawings and art, Car Events, Car History, Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Car Shows, Car technology, Concept Cars, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Future car technology, Lifestyle, New Models, prototypesLeave a comment

The latest Brussels Motor Show proved to be a treasure trove for us car enthusiasts. At the impressive wonderful Mercedes stand on the show we met on the press day with Robert Lesnik, Director of Exterior Design. In front of the iconic and already legendary Concept AMG XX, he presented styling examples of what Mercedes believes stands for the brand.

He started off with this AMG XX, and commented that this car embodies a rare combination a very aggressive sporting front end, the side view with the timeless proportion of the long bonnet, a very round shaped rear end and an amazing interior. He also showed the legendary Autobahnkourier, and he also focused on the grille of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Renncoupé, being so iconic and a typical design hallmark over the years for the sport coupés and cabrios of the brand. He also commented further on the Concept AMG that this car is the harbinger of what is to come for the series version of this AMG Electric sports coupé.

Robert Lesnik commented further: “For the new generation we were inspired by our past cars and design heritage, which doesn’t mean that we are doing retro design. You can see it on the radiator grille of the new GLC Electric SUV, with just three horizontal bars illuminated, it is a modern interpretation of a classic design icon.”

Beauty and attraction…

“There are two elements, beauty and attraction, which are the goals when we design a Mercedes”, Robert continued. Something that attracts the customer and what he perceives as beautiful.”

“Obviously, this goes for both the exterior AND the interior. There must be a certain power. I would say the sweet spot for every Mercedes is the three-quarter rear end perspective, where you really see the shoulder, and you see also a very iconic graphic with two roundish rear lights, with three lights for the AMG versions.”

We asked also about the interior, although he is responsible for exterior design, but nevertheless…

“For the interior,” he continued, “there is always a combination of the digital and the analog. For the first time, we have a hyperscreen, made of three screens being seamlessly positioned together. Also when the instruments and screen is shut off, it is not uniformly black, the air vent openings are still illuminated, the touch fields and items on the screen are also still visible, the inside door handles have a metallic coating, silver shadow galvanized so to say, these elements were there earlier, and will stay also in the future. I always say, Mercedes has always a chromium strip more.” We could only agree…

Focusing further on the front of the car, Robert stressed that it is still somewhat higher, which results in a spacious frunk. We will also strive to have clean lines.

We asked Robert also when looking back at the elegantly styled cars for the hand of Paul Bracque, the cars were lean, low, with excellent all round visibility. Do we see these styling elements back in the Mercedes cars of today and the future?

“Indeed, cars were (much)smaller, but now cars are electric, and they need more volume because of the batteries. Cars therefore need to be higher and this also calls for bigger wheels. This means also that cars are wider and have longer wheelbases. So cars are bigger and later hopefully will get smaller again. But cars as elegant as the Pagode will never appear again because of the safety regulations… But for the next five years, our horizon is set, we have a good idea what our design strategy will be.”

We thanked Robert for the interview and show you here some photos.

In a further episode we will have a further interview with Oliver Löcher, Vice President Vehicle Engineering and Overall Vehicle Functions Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Hans Knol ten Bensel