Category: Car News

Stéphane Lefebvre drives DG Sport’s C3 Rally2 in Belgian Rally Campionship with the support of Citroën Racing

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Team presentation in Brussels in the old premises of Von Thurn und Taxis, now “Maison de la Poste”: from left to right: Andy Malfroy (co-pilot), Xavier Portier (co-pilot) and Stéphane Lefebvre (Pilot)

This week in the “Maison de la Poste” the team was introduced that will use the colors van Citroën Racing will defend this year in the Kroon Oil Belgian Rally Championship 2022. The experienced Stéphane Lefebvre will be at the wheel of the C3 Rally2 from DG Sport, taking up the challenge against the fierce competition. This weekend he is already participating in the Rally of Haspengouw. He never drove in this event, but that only makes the challenge only bigger and more exciting.

The C3 Rally2 is in shape, more than ever…

Since 2017, Citroën Racing has put its many years of experience in rallying at the service of customers and has put in more than 15,000 test kilometers to increase performance, add more reliability and still better handling to the C3 Rally2 drivers and teams.

Jean-François Grandclaudon of Citroën Racing explains: «Since its introduction in 2017, we have worked hard to offer our customers ever faster cars, suitable for all types of pilots and always with a view to reducing operating costs.

In the past two years, the car has changed a lot and our efforts have paid off with national and world titles claimed in recent years in major championships.”

DG Sport is on high alert at home and abroad.

DG Sport has been a loyal partner of Citroën Racing for years and is looking forward to participate in the international WRC2 and the Belgian BRC championship with the Citroën C3 Rally2.

“Thanks to the support of Citroën Racing, we will start with the duo Stéphane Lefebvre – Xavier Portier in the BRC this season. This is a perfect complement to his involvement with Andy Malfoy in the WRC2 Championship.

By participating in both championships, Stéphane will be able to keep up his rhythm and build up even more experience.

Although we are currently only confirming our presence on the first two meetings of the BRC, we aim to be at the starting grid of at least seven rallies to be there and to take home the championship title,” said Alain Georges from DG Sports.

From left to right: Andy Malfroy (co-pilot), Stéphane Lefebvre (pilot), Xavier Portier (co-pilot) and Jonathan Vercellino (Director Marketing Citroën, Belux)

Stéphane Lefebvre is looking forward to the Belgian season.

 “I am looking forward to the start of the Kroon Oil Belgian Rally Championship 2022 this weekend. I like to come to Belgium, all the more because I have already won both the Rally of the Condroz and of Ypres. With a slight handicap in terms of terrain knowledge in Sint-Truiden, I know I will have to drive a perfect first loop and I will be forced to take some more risks than my opponents. But this won’t stop me from approaching this rally in the same way as everyone else: we intend to make our mark from the very beginning in the race,” warns Stéphane.

He admitted to us that in the meantime he has a great love for the Belgian rallying scene and their iconic rallies.

Stay tuned for the Rally of Haspengouw this weekend!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Two F1 drivers behind the wheel of the new Tonale …

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We reported to you already, dear readers, about Alfa’s new Tonale, the brand’s first compact electrified SUV.

As the entire Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN gathered in La Thuile, Italy, for a break to build up maximum concentration and recharge the batteries ahead of pre-season testing in Barcelona, something was bound to happen with this Tonale.

Valterri Bottas was seduced by the new Tonale…

Indeed the two new Alfa Romeo drivers – Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu – made a stint behind the wheel of this well proportioned and timelessly styled Tonale. The 275-hp Plug-in Hybrid Q4 version with all-wheel drive must have proven certainly entertaining for them!

Impressed as they were about the good road qualities of this Alfa, so significant for the iconic brand, the team had come to La Thuile to focus on their strategies and objectives for the upcoming world championship.  La Thuile, known as the Wild Side of Mont Blanc, maintains and preserves its characteristics as a mountain resort far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Zhou Guanyu, the Chinese racing driver now entering the Alfa F1 Team ORLEN, competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship for UNI-Virtuosi Racing from 2019 to 2021, having finished 3rd in the 2021 campaign…

An ideal setting for the CEO of Alfa Romeo Jean-Philippe Imparato and the Team Principal of the Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN, Frédéric Vasseur, flanked by the entire management and communications team, to prepare the next F1 season…with the Tonale setting the tune!   

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the 360 HP DS9 E-Tense 4×4 in Nice… and witnessed the launch of the DS Supercar!

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Arriving late last night from Nice, we report you here immediately about the wonderful driving experience with the most powerful DS9, enjoying its pure GT talents over the winding roads around Grasse and the iconic Côte d’Azur. We will soon tell you more about it.

But the gentlemen of DS Automobiles did even more than just letting us have a drive in their flagship DS9, they also unveiled in the flesh at their press conference a wonderful Supercar, with absolutely stunning looks and performance.

DS Automobiles puts their E-Formula racing experience into practice on our roads… What to think of 815 HP or 600 kW, developed by two electric motors of 250 kW in the front, and 350 kW driving the rear wheels.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is done in a fantastic 2 seconds…and the car is a beauty too!

Much more about this superfast E-“bolide” and the impressive top-level DS9 soon on these pages!

Hans Knol ten Bensel    

Porsche launches the “T” version of its Macan: exclusive sportiness…

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The letter T has represented a unique form of dynamic driving at Porsche since the 1960s. It stands for ‘Touring’ and identifies models that offer an especially authentic driving experience thanks to precise tuning, exclusive equipment and efficient engines.

It all started in ’68 with the Porsche 911 T. Lightweight and dynamic. Your servant vividly remembers being at the wheel of this “Ur” 911 T… I drove it full bore on the winding small roads along the Leie in the region of Deurle.

The same recipe maximizing agility is used for the Macan T.  Besides the sportier setup, it has a lightweight, two-litre turbo engine. This concept positions the Macan T between the Macan and the Macan S.

Lightweight, for an agile response

The two-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine of the Macan T combines, Porsche says, “great agility, low weight and a compact design to create a package that offers an ideal balance of weight and performance.”Compared to the 2.9-litre biturbo V6 engine in the Macan S and GTS models, the powertrain in the Macan T weighs 58.8 kg less on the front axle.

Power galore

The Macan T has an output of 195 kW (265 PS) and 400 Nm of torque. The engine is coupled with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK) and the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system. A broad spread of torque provides, according to Porsche, “responsive acceleration in all driving situations.” When fitted with the standard Sport Chrono Package including the mode switch and Sport Response button on the steering wheel, the Macan T accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 232 km/h.

Specially tuned chassis lowered by 15 millimetres or more

The Macan T is the only Porsche model to feature steel suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard, combined with the body being lowered by 15 mm. The anti-roll bars on the front axle are more rigid and the car’s chassis tuning has been optimized to create the perfect suspension for the vehicle and powertrain, resulting in very responsive steering behavior and agile handling.

Get the tail out sideways…

The Porsche Traction Management (PTM) has also been adapted to the driving demands of the Macan T and has been specially designed with a rear-wheel bias. Adding adaptive air suspension with PASM and lowering the body by a further 10 mm is also an option – a new feature for Macan models with four-cylinder engines. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) can also be added: the system has been adapted to the dynamic characteristics of the T model and further sharpens the driving dynamics.

Exclusive details inside and out

Design elements painted in Agate Grey Metallic on the front, flank and rear of the Macan T differentiate the vehicle from other models in the series. The exclusive contrast colour can be seen on the painted front trim, exterior mirrors, side blades, roof spoiler and logos on the rear. Sports tailpipes and side window trims in Black (high gloss) are included as standard and the side blades feature the ‘Macan T’ logo in Black. Twenty-inch Macan S wheels, exclusively in dark titanium, come as standard. Customers can choose from a range of 13 plain, metallic and special colours for the exterior.

The interior of the Macan T has its own distinct ambience. The standard, eight-way electrically adjustable heated sports seats feature an upholstery based on the Black leather package. The centres of the front seats and the outer rear seats are delivered with the Sport-Tex Stripe pattern and the front headrests each have an embossed Porsche crest. The contrasting colour from the exterior continues inside the vehicle in the form of decorative silver stitching on the seats, headrests and steering wheel.

Porsche panache in the cabin

Standard equipment also includes a multifunction GT heated sports steering wheel and the Sport Chrono stopwatch in the upper part of the dashboard. The door entry guards come in black aluminium as standard and feature a Macan T logo. Optional features include the multifunction GT sports steering wheel in Race-Tex with carbon trims and an ioniser.

The Macan T also benefits from all of the new elements of the model generation revised in summer 2021, such as the new centre console with its sophisticated glass-look and touch-sensitive surface, as well as the fully networked Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with a 10.9-inch touch screen and online navigation as standard.

Soon on our roads…

The new model is available to order now. Deliveries in Germany will commence in April 2022.

More Porsche news soon!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

BMW launches visually appealing “Gold Play” edition for is X2…

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The distinctive design of the BMW X2 projects a sense of athleticism that reflects the car’s sporty driving properties, according to BMW, and we can agree. Now the dynamic brand from Munich adds some additional zest to its X2 range.

It launches a new special edition of the compact Sports Activity Coupé with visually more striking exterior touches and creates an interior ambience distilled to maximise driving pleasure.

The BMW X2 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid, super-sporting BMW X2 M35i and all other engine variants will be available in this special-edition form from March 2022.

The new special edition combines equipment highlights, such as the extended M High-gloss Shadow Line, the “X2” logo projection from the driver’s side mirror or the optionally available Adaptive LED Headlights including a four-segment matrix high-beam headlight function, turning lights and adaptive light distribution, with exclusive exterior details and special interior appointments.

More BMW news soon!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The new Jeep® Grand Cherokee is arriving in Europe…

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Great news for the European Jeep lovers:  the Grand Cherokee arrives at our shores. Thanks to its 4xe plug-in hybrid technology, this is now the most efficient Grand Cherokee in terms of fuel consumption.

This first Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid delivers 380 hp of combined power and 637 Nm of torque, up to 51 km of range in electric in urban areas and offers three drive modes: hybrid, electric and e-save. Jeep brand’s portfolio now includes a full line-up of electrified SUVs.

The fifth generation of this iconic SUV comes with renewed architecture, new interior and exterior designs, a 10” digital display, Uconnect 5 system. Of course, The Grand Cherokee comes with a high level of luxury and refinement.

The Quadra-Drive II 4×4 drive systems, Quadra-Lift air suspension and the Selec-Terrain traction management system are offering a choice among five driving modes: Auto, Snow, Sand/Mud, Rock, and Sport.

The first model available for ordering at debut is the Exclusive Launch Edition, featuring full-option specifications, and a package of dedicated services and exclusive advantages.

Indeed, the interior is luxurious, the standout features of which include walnut accents and door/seat upholstery in Palermo leather. The driver and passenger seats can be electrically adjusted into 16 positions, are equipped with lumbar support and memory function, and also offer a massage function built into the backrest.

Orders for the Exclusive Launch Edition – once in dealerships – will only be open to customers who have expressed their interest on the dedicated website  from 17 February to 30 March 2022.

It will be available in the dedicated full-option Exclusive Launch Edition configuration, to include wide-ranging specifications as standard with high-tech accessories and driver assistance systems and a specific launch package that might vary markets by markets. 

More Jeep news soon!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Lexus lifts a veil of its BEV Sport Concept car: formidable!

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Lexus has released a gallery of new pictures and animations of its possible next-generation BEV Sport, Sedan and SUV concepts. The models were first revealed on December 14, 2021, in the corporate battery electric vehicle (BEV) announcement made by Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corporation President and Lexus Brand Holder. The new Sedan, Sport and SUV concepts are proposed to be part of a full line-up of BEVs Lexus recently unveiled under the collective vision known as “Lexus Electrified.”

We show you here already some photos of the absolutely stunning all electric sports car…

It has bold proportions and low ride height, and of course all the sophisticated aerodynamics typical for a high-performance sports car.

According to Lexus, the Lexus BEV Sport concept symbolizes the future of the luxury brand, while also reviving the spirit of the iconic Lexus LFA.

The performance is nothing short of sensational. What to think of acceleration from 0-60 mph in the low two-seconds bracket, with at the same time a cruising distance which could exceed 430 miles, thanks to the possible use of solid-state batteries.

More news to come, also on the BEV Sedan an SUV Concept cars, but just admire already the breathtaking shape of this BEV Sport “Bolide”…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Bentley Continental GT wows the readers of Auto Motor und Sport…but also Abarth and Alfa!

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Indeed, Bentley wins its first-ever ‘Best Cars’ 2022 award in the luxury class import category, with over 100,000 readers voted on 386 models in 12 categories.

This was the 46th edition of the ‘Best Cars’ awards from auto motor und sport.

Collecting the ‘Best Cars’ award on behalf of Bentley Motors, Dr. Matthias Rabe, Board Member Engineering.

But that is not all. Also Abarth took centre stage.

The More than 100,000 readers of “Auto Motor und Sport” have awarded the title of “Best Car” in the Mini Cars/Import category to the most famous model of the Scorpion brand.

With 26.1% of the votes, the Abarth 595 triumphs – for the 7th time in a row – in the competition that saw the participation of 386 models divided into twelve categories.

The readers of the car magazine “Auto Motor und Sport” have also once again voted the Alfa Romeo Giulia the “Best Car”. The sports sedan took first place in the middle class/import category in the election. Furthermore, this is its fifth win in the last six years. Of a total of over 100,000 participants in the readers’ competition, 18.8 percent voted for the Alfa Romeo Giulia as the winner in its category…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Look on your screen(s) at the new MINI World…

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The new MINI Edition models are due to hit the showrooms in spring 2022. For the first time, all current models of the tradition-steeped British premium car manufacturer will be launched at the same time, each in its own special edition. The market launch will be accompanied by an equally novel form of communication. An international campaign under the claim BIG LOVE presents the MINI 3 door with the all-electric variant MINI Cooper SE as a highlight, along with the MINI 5 door and the MINI Convertible in the Resolute Edition, the MINI Clubman in the Untold Edition and the MINI Countryman in the Untamed Edition – each as an individual vehicle character in a virtual world of its own. Each is showcased in surprising and impressive style in a 100 per cent digital format using the very latest full CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) animation technology.

The campaign adopts an integrated approach that makes use of all MINI brand communication channels along the customer journey. The numerous visual content formats targeted at the sales funnel creates a completely new look: using everything from AR animations, stories and reels through to various types of online ad, MINI gears its content precisely towards a digital-savvy audience. The innovative approach adopted by the BIG LOVE launch campaign enables MINI to address target groups in the markets even more selectively, closely aligning it with local priorities…

The central building blocks of the campaign are computer-generated images and virtual animated films. Using 3D computer graphics, images and films are created showing detailed vehicles in a setting that transcends the boundaries of reality.

The MINI Edition models always play the leading role in the animated short films. Each model is showcased and brought to life in its own lively animated world. The protagonists of the films are presented with their exclusive design and equipment features, demonstrating hallmark MINI go-kart feeling with state-of-the-art visual effects – without the cars ever touching a real road.

The campaign also includes the launch of an online showroom by MINI where fans of the brand can interactively find out about the new Edition models with pictures, videos and 360-degree views. The new vehicles can be viewed on a digital turntable from all conceivable perspectives, both as an overall image in wide angle and via close-ups that clearly show all the details. The showroom for the new MINI Edition models will go online at http://www.MINI.com as well as on the various country websites. The campaign is also available for use by all MINI dealers and branches.

So, MINI lovers, get behind your screens!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Renault Group, Valeo and Valeo Siemens eAutomotive join forces…to produce a new electric motor

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When testing the Arkana Hybrid, we already mentioned the clever way Renault sources know how and expertise across boundaries. With the electric age coming upon us, further cooperation is growing to develop and produce ever more efficient drivetrains, using ever less resources. The news came that Renault is now joining forces with Valeo and Siemens… interesting!

Indeed, Renault Group, Valeo and Valeo Siemens eAutomotive have signed on February 10th a memorandum of understanding to form a strategic partnership for the design, co-development and manufacture in France of a new-generation automotive electric motor, eliminating the use of rare earths.

Under this partnership, each of the three partners will contribute to the development and production of the two key parts of the electric motor: the rotor and the stator.

Overall architecture comes from Renault…

Renault will develop and produce the EESM (electrically excited synchronous motor) rotor technology, designed without the use of rare earths, it offers enhanced energy performance.

In addition to the supply of components based on each company’s best expertise, the overall architecture of the all-in-one motor for Renault Group will also be designed by Renault.

Valeo and Valeo Siemens eAutomotive will develop and produce the stator, which is based on Valeo’s technological expertise in copper wire assembly. Thanks to its unique know-how in this field, which allows it to use a higher density of copper in the stator, Valeo is able to generate more power without having to use more electrical energy.

Renault Group, Valeo and Valeo Siemens eAutomotive will be the first to mass produce a 200kW electric motor without using rare earths, starting in 2027. Production of the motor for the automaker’s own needs will be based at Renault Group’s Cléon plant in Normandy, France.

More Renault news soon!

Hans Knol ten Bensel