D’Ieteren innovates and launches for the first time a national multi-brand campaign…

On a special website, D’Ieteren presents Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, CUPRA, ŠKODA and Porsche, to make buyers choose more easily…

In the first days of this new year, interesting auto news is reaching our desk. Last but not least big Belgian importers are doubling their efforts to reach the car buying public, as there is no Automobile Salon this year due to Covid reasons.

Indeed, the salon period in January is traditionally the time for the Belgian public to think about a new car, even when the Show is not taking place. Today, where the range of models is ever increasing, making the right choice has become more complex. This is how the idea was born at D’Ieteren to offer a comfortable solution in a few clicks by bringing together all the models of the importer and making a ‘short list’ with the ideal model in the first place.

The site suggests these models, but of course the buyer can freely click away and make his personal choice…

D’Ieteren therefore launches for the first time a national multi-brand campaign from January 3 to 31 to coincide with the show period. Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, CUPRA, ŠKODA and Porsche are joining forces on the new platform Dezewordthet.be/voicimavoiture.be, on which visitors can discover their ideal Top 5 cars based on personal criteria.

Once the visitor has selected their ideal model, they can use the platform to find the contact details of the nearest dealer, request a quote or even book a test drive.

José Fernandez, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer D’Ieteren comments: “This innovative approach takes advantage of the entire model range of the Volkswagen Group and has been designed as simply as possible to guide customers in their choice. It takes into account their criteria of use and the technological developments, especially in the field of hybrid and electric vehicles.”

The launch of the internet platform will be supported by a major communications campaign, including a digital campaign and a major TV and radio campaign.

The platform’s address is www.dezewordthet.be or voicimavoiture.be

Just click away!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Stellantis Belux press conference: much news to be expected for 2022…

Dominique Fontignies, PR & Communications Director, highlighted the news we can expect the coming year from Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Fiat and Jeep.

Here follows, dear reader, the second part of the interesting press conference held by Stellantis Belux. Dominique Fontignies, PR & Communications Director, highlighted the news we can expect the coming year from Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Fiat and Jeep.

Alfa Romeo will launch in the spring and autumn respectively the MHEV and PHEV versions of the beautiful Tonale, Citroën has a strong market position with its C4, also in the EV version, and has not to forget the Ami and the ë-Berlingo in its model range.

The stylish C5 X

The new flagship, the C5 X, will certainly also make its mark the coming year. DS Automobiles will also surprise with a new model in March. It has exceptional products which breathe French “Savoir Faire” and provide a unique customer experience.

DS Automobiles is the CO2 champion among the multi-energy brands, and last but not least has been two-time Formula E world champion.

In 2022-23 it will increase its electrified mix and consolidate its leadership, leveraging on the E-Tense line-up.

In 2024 it will launch only BEV cars, and in Europe it will sell exclusively electrified automobiles.

Fiat is the #1 volume brand of Stellantis, and caught the spotlights this year with its “roof garden” or the “Pista 500” on the top floor of the iconic former Lignotto plant. It is the largest hanging garden in Europe…

It also opened in September the “Casa 500”, a museum dedicated to the Cinquecento, and it is more than a simple car museum. Casa 500 tells the future of the FIAT brand, starting from its roots; ones that are indeed the inspiration for the future. The common thread is the ‘metamorphosis’ of the FIAT 500 across its three generations, a model that has made history in the automotive industry and has always inspired new ways of thinking and living. An icon of our times whose evolution conveys the culture of a country and the history of its city.

Your servant will be very interested to see it, Corona pandemic permitting!

Fiat also entered a multi-year partnership with RED, a charity organization fighting against pandemics. Co-founder of RED is Bono, and he stated: “This partnership with FIAT, Jeep and RAM is a powerful shot in the arm for (RED)’s fight against pandemics and the complacency that fuels them.” He continued:” the New (500)RED they won’t even need petrol to do it. FIAT wants to be as green as they can while they’re going (RED) and that’s a reason to punch the air.” The whole RED range of Fiats will be launched in January next year.

Jeep continued in 2021 its electrification program with the Renegade, Compass, and this year also the Wrangler joined the 4xe range.

(Left to right) All-new 2022 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, 2022 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe and Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe

There will be more electric models in 2022, with MHEV versions of the Renegade and the Compass, and of course a brand new Grand Cherokee 4xe.

In the next report of this press conference, we will tell you more about Opel and Peugeot.

Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Driving Home for Christmas: the song you will enjoy behind the wheel…

Dear reader, I will be driving a BMW Z4 Coupé until the 24th of December, on Christmas eve… so indeed, driving home for Christmas. And I will certainly be listening to the iconic song by the same name… Also the choice of the BMW is fitting, as MINI belongs to the same group.

And this because that the all-time classic “Driving home for Christmas” was composed by Chris Rea in 1978 in… the Mini of his wife. MINI is now dedicating a specially produced video clip to the song that gets people all over the world in the mood for the festive season every year, starring the global MINI community.

The production of the video is another highlight in the MINI’s current brand campaign titled BIG LOVE. The motto is, as MINI puts it, “an expression of diversity embraced in practice in all its forms, welcoming fresh thinking and new ideas no matter where they come from.” The MINI community’s characteristic blend of individuality and the sense of belonging together plays a central role here, MINI says too.  The diversity of this community is summed up by the slogan “We are all different, but pretty good together”.

With the video clip production initiated by MINI, “Driving Home for Christmas” returns to where it all began: in a very special British automobile. Because the journey that inspired Chris Rea to write his successful song was taken in a classic Mini. In the video clip, the original journey from London to the north of England is reflected upon and combined with scenes showing MINI fans of today on their pre-Christmas journey. You MUST see it, and here is the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2we7JdB7iY

We just let you look at some photos to get you in the mood, and enjoy also the sound track!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

A new Scudo for Fiat Professional…

A new Fiat Scudo is available for ordering. This new Scudo, after the E-Ducato, is the second Fiat Professional commercial vehicle also available in an electric version.

This is another important step in Fiat’s Electric journey. Of course, here we also await a Hydrogen version soon. The Scudo runs on the same platform as the Citroën Jumpy, and is built in the same French factory. So it is certainly in the cards that it will also be converted to Hydrogen in Rüsselsheim…

The Scudo for now has a 50- or 75-kWh battery, and offers a range of up to 330 km (WLTP)

Flexibility is important in the cabin, and thanks to the “Moduwork”, it can commute the double passenger seat bench in a workstation and in a loading bay extension.

The “car-like” driving comfort, the “urban-fitting dimension” (max height 1,9mt), the ergonomic cockpit and complete set of ADAS and safety features delivers to the customer a stress-free, zero-emissions together with outstanding comfort, according to Fiat.

The Scudo is available with full-electric and diesel powertrain with manual or automatic transmission and can now be ordered in four versions and up to three lengths: Van, Crew Cab, Cab with platform, and Combi M1.

By the way, did you know that Stellantis will produce the Fiat Scudo also in Russia and export them to other markets?

Stellantis owns a 70% stake in a car plant in the Russian city of Kaluga, where it plans to produce the vehicle by 2022. Mitsubishi  owns the remaining 30% stake…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Stellantis also includes Citroën in its LCV Hydrogen strategy…

The development of fuel cell technology is now taking on a new dimension at CITROËN with the production of the first ë-Jumpy Hydrogen. Indeed, the CITROËN ë-Jumpy Hydrogen, assembled in France in the SevelNord-factory, is being adapted to hydrogen in the hydrogen-fuel cell expertise center of the STELLANTIS-group in Russelsheim, Germany…

This ë-Jumpy Hydrogen has therefore the same technical specifications as its Opel sister car, the Vivaro e-HYDROGEN. Like the Opel, it retains a 10.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, which provides dynamic peak power when required, for example, at start-up and under acceleration. Since the battery covers power needs in such situations, the fuel cell can run at optimum operating conditions.

Post-production : Astuce Productions

Citroën also wants their car to be put to the test in daily practice as soon as possible. This first ë-Jumpy Hydrogen will be delivered in the coming days to the SUEZ Group, which is preparing to test this model on a large scale at its Carcassonne site, a pilot site where SUEZ is investing in the production of green hydrogen, an important challenge for the coming years.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Auto Bild readers elect the Giulia GTAm as Auto Bild Sportscar of 2021…

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.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Stellantis presents its software strategy of the future…

Times are changing in our electronic age, and fast. Manufacturers will have to build cars with an open software-defined platform, and three new platforms will arrive as early as 2024… says Stellantis.

Indeed, Stellantis N.V. today mapped out its software strategy to deploy next-generation tech platforms, building on existing connected vehicle capabilities to transform how customers interact with their vehicles, and to generate approximately €20 billion in incremental annual revenues by 2030.

This transformation will move Stellantis’ vehicles from today’s dedicated electronic architectures to an open software-defined platform that seamlessly integrates with customers’ digital lives. It greatly expands the options customers have to add innovative features and services via regular over-the-air (OTA) updates keeping vehicles fresh, exciting and updated years after they have been built.

“Our electrification and software strategies will support the shift to become a sustainable mobility tech company to lead the pack, leveraging the associated business growth with over-the-air features and services, and delivering the best experience to our customers,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “With the three all-new AI-powered technology platforms to arrive in 2024, deployed across the four STLA vehicle platforms, we will leverage the speed and agility associated with the de-coupling of hardware and software cycles.”

Stellantis plans to invest more than €30 billion through 2025 to execute its software and electrification transformation.

The Stellantis software strategy works hand-in-hand with the Company’s vehicle electrification plans, detailed at EV Day in July 2021, which targets that more than 70 percent of its vehicle sales in Europe and more than 40 percent of vehicle sales in the United States will be low emission vehicles (LEV) by 2030. Each of the Company’s 14 iconic brands is committed to offering best-in-class fully electrified solutions.

More about this, and the strategic partnership with suppliers and software companies it implies, will follow soon!

Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

As promised: the one-millionth electrified BMW delivered…

Shortly before the end of the year, the BMW Group celebrated the delivery of its one-millionth electrified vehicle: Pieter Nota, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands and Sales handed over the milestone vehicle, a BMW iX xDrive40 (Power consumption in kWh/100 km: 22.5-19.3 WLTP), to its owner at BMW Welt on 6 December.

The company included a special bonus with the delivery: The customer not only received the keys for his new vehicle, but also a BMW Wallbox, including installation, to enable safe and convenient home charging, as well as a credit for public Europe-wide charging with BMW Charging.

“The delivery of our one-millionth electrified vehicle marks a milestone in our transformation – and we already have the next one in our sights: We aim to break through the two-million mark in just two years,” said Nota. “Thanks to our steadily growing product range, we are setting ourselves ambitious sales targets, in particular for fully-electric vehicles: In 2022, we aim to double this year’s sales. By 2025 the BMW Group will have delivered around two million fully-electric vehicles to customers. We expect at least one out of every two BMW Group vehicles sold to be fully electric by 2030,” Nota continued.

The BMW Group released two key innovation flagships, the BMW iX and the BMW i4, onto the market in mid-November. Both models are being very well received by customers worldwide – as reflected in new orders from around the globe

Over the next year, the BMW Group will expand its electrified product line-up to include fully-electric versions of the BMW 7 Series and BMW X1. The high-volume BMW 5 Series will be added to the electric portfolio in 2023. The successor to the MINI Countryman and the all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre will follow. By 2023, the company will already have at least one fully-electric model on the roads in about 90 percent of its current market segments. Over the next ten years or so, the BMW Group plans to release a total of about ten million fully-electric vehicles onto the roads.

The Neue Klasse, which is uncompromisingly geared towards electric drive trains, will make a significant contribution to BMW Group sales volumes from the middle of the decade.

The MINI product range will already be exclusively all-electric by the early 2030s and Rolls-Royce will be an all-electric brand from 2030 on. All future new models from BMW Motorrad in the field of urban mobility will also be fully electric…brave new world!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Renault reveals the name of its new SUV: Austral

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…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Citroën DG Sport Compétition wins the Spa Rally 2021 with WRC3-world champion Yohan Rossel.

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 …

Hans Knol ten Bensel