We attended a very interesting presentation by Stellantis Belux CEO Stéphane Lévi, last but not least about Stellantis Belux itself. We start with this topic in this report.
But of course, the future of the Stellantis Group holds many different interesting aspects, and this will be covered in further reports. Just stay tuned!
Hans Knol ten Bensel
The merger between FCA and PSA leading to the birth of the Stellantis group has been very well managed in Belgium, and is now properly settled indeed.
Mr. Lévi explained that it was a very good strategic decision to bring the different brands with their respective departments as soon as possible under one single roof, notably at the premises at the Avenue de Bourget in Brussels. Indeed the implementation of Stellantis Belux in this “Stellantis House” in Evere took merely three months after the merger, which was done in January 2021. The organisation of Stellantis Belux was finalised in July this year. 20 % of the employees working in Stellantis Belux have now taken a new position within this organisation.
“It is important that the staff also feels physically that they belong to one family, and are able to interact and meet on one single work and office space”, stated Mr. Lévi.
“The staff of the several brands immediately started to figure out not why, but concentrated rather on how they would work together”, he concluded.
New working spaces are being finalised at Stellantis House to adapt to the changing working conditions brought about by the Corona pandemic.
Strong market position… and investing in the future.
Stellantis Belux has an enviable market position in Belgium and Luxembourg with a market share of 23,07 %.
The Stellantis Group is further focused on investing in new technologies: the planned total investment in electrification and software will exceed 30 billion € between 2021 and 2025.
Stellantis targets to continue to be 30 % more efficient than the industry. This figure is based on the simple aggregation of capital expenditure and R & D spent by PSA and FCA, as a percentage of industrial revenues; this is then compared to the average of 6 large OEM competitors over the period 2017-2020.
A further EV model offensive in 2022…
EV launches were 11 models in 2021, and this will be not less than 22 models in 2022…
It expects also its LEV mix to grow fast. For Europe, it forecasts the LEV share of total passenger car and LCV sales to rise from 14 to not less than 70 %, for the US market, the corresponding figures would be a rise from 4 % to 40 %.
Earlier this month, actually on December 7, Stellantis announced that it targets about € 20 Billion in Incremental Annual Revenues by 2030 Driven by Software-Enabled Vehicles.
Indeed, it 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.
We will come in detail back on this in a special report later. In the next report about this press conference we will focus on further presentations on what the different Stellantis brands will have in store for 2022…
It had to happen: the cute Citroën My Ami city car was due to convert itself in a robust, go-anywhere champion for the outdoor-loving crowd, and here it is… as a concept car.
“This concept expresses without reservation the style of Citroën and draws its inspiration from non-automotive worlds such as building games, industrial design and fashion. The My Ami Buggy Concept” says Citroën, “it has an unbridled style, but remains fully rooted in real life, being at once playful and functional, aesthetic and ergonomic, but also eminently practical and ecological.”
We just cite here its designer, Samuel Pericles:
“The My Ami Buggy Concept is a proposal in line with the philosophy of Ami that is not a car. That is why we have sought inspiration from the world of building games for the playful and functional, industrial design for ergonomics and aesthetics which include everyday objects (furniture, lighting, etc.), fashion accessories (sneakers, sports equipment, glasses, etc.), for example, the camera and smartphone holders with their simple, extruded shapes are inspired by the work of designers who in the second half of the last century created essential and timeless utensils. My Ami Buggy Concept is minimalist, functional, simple, in the purest spirit of iconic contemporary industrial objects.”
My Ami Buggy is indeed a mischievous concept car that every kid from 14 to 77 might want to put on their Santa wish list… more details about this concept car here, and some photos.
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Cute robustness…
Standing firmly on its large notched wheels, the My Ami Buggy has a distinctly adventurous character, which is emphasized at the front and rear by its bull bars, headlamp shrouds and grilles, bumper panels and front panels with the chevrons in the middle.
On the sides, reworked fender flares and tubular protectors on the undersides of the doors give the car a more muscular appearance. On the roof, the roof rack and spare wheel reinforce the adventurous spirit of the concept. All these decorations are in a single black color, which is dyed directly into the mass.
The LED light bar on the front of the roof adds to the sense of adventure when driving at night or in fog. Once the vehicle is stationary, everything is set up for a “campfire atmosphere” thanks to the light diffused by this bar and the sound of its playlist, distilled through the nomadic loudspeaker.
The doors have been removed and replaced with clear watertight covers that can be pulled up in bad weather, a reference to the Mehari. These use sliding latches to close off the cab with a high opening reminiscent of the glass doors of classic vehicles. The practical covers can be removed, rolled up and stored in the backs of the chairs in special covers.
My Ami Buggy Concept is available in a total of three colors: black, khaki and yellow. The black, inspired by camping equipment, enhances the functional and robust character of the vehicle. The different shades of black – anodized black on the wheel arches and roof, textured speckled black for a hammered effect at the rear – match with the anodized khaki and lemon yellow, giving the vehicle a bold look with careful detailing.
My Ami Buggy Concept comes in a two-tone color scheme: Anodized Khaki at the front and Speckled Black at the rear, a play of symmetry that also aims to clearly distinguish the front from the rear of the vehicle.
The color anodized khaki is a nod to nature, because black, synonymous with strength and modernity, catches the light and dramatizes the colors with which it is associated. The choice of black was also motivated by the desire to use a dark, less messy color.
Many key elements of My Ami Buggy Concept are accentuated by a speck of Citric Yellow, such as the seats, the charging cable, the graphics capsule on the doors, all luggage and many accessories. This acidic color also indicates that the articles marked in this way are functional.
It’s all in the details…
The chevron theme, a key Citroën styling feature, is repeated with the same graphic elements on various exterior and interior elements to create a rhythm reminiscent of the Traction’s grille, the center console of the 19_19 concept car, the front roof panels of the Ami One Concept and the design of the Ami’s storage compartments. On the My Ami Buggy Concept they can be seen on the outside of the wheel covers, fascia’s, hood, side skid plates, light rail brackets, underside of bumper and rear of mirrors; and inside on the accessory brackets, storage bins and dashboard.
The word ‘Pilot’ can be seen on the roof on the driver’s side and ‘Copilot’ on the passenger’s side, and in a similar nod to motorsport, the number 01 is engraved on the driver’s seat and 02 on the passenger’s seat to indicate the location of each. Cool!
Yellow arrow stickers under the nose cone indicate the direction of the wind, a reference to aviation. This type of decoration can be found on the wheel arches.
A “+” badge appears on the driver’s side mirror, referring to the electric motor and battery terminals, just like in the parking spaces reserved for electric vehicles.
Originality also continued in the cabin…
The interior design of My Ami Buggy Concept has been meticulously (re)worked on in three areas: the seats, the storage space and the luggage.
The My Ami Buggy Concept has new Advanced Comfort® seat cushions with an increase in foam thickness from 35mm on the “City” Ami to 70mm. The combination of memory foam and seat cushions makes them both light and soft. They are easy to remove from the shell, interchangeable and washable. Their construction, consisting of two shells mounted one above the other, is inspired by the design of a buoy, thus establishing a link with the world of beach accessories.
The storage units are smart and mobile. Each has its own function in the cabin, but can also be taken outside for a picnic or outing.
The storage compartments on the dashboard, accessories already available on My Ami, have been redesigned especially for My Ami Buggy Concept. A matte gold metal gallery is attached above the bins to prevent objects from sliding.
A specific luggage line has also been created, with each piece in harmony with the interior spaces of the vehicle. Storage space is also built into the doors at seat height.
It can hold all kinds of items or a large detachable bag, which is custom and can be opened from the inside. It works like a bag. A nice push button is used to unlock the doors, which, like the Ami, always open in the opposite direction.
The charging cable is attached to the passenger door frame by means of a handle-like element that makes it easier to hold and operate.
Functional, well-designed accessories…
The accessories of My Ami Buggy Concept are not just a mere exercise in style. They had to be also truly functional. The designers adopted the mindset of a leisure enthusiast and came up with functional items to make a trip on board of the My Ami Buggy Concept are both fun and practical.
The design of the interior components was self-explaining to make their use very intuitive. For example, the turning wheel used to hold or adjust objects is used several times, in a spirit of homogeneity. The design instinctively suggests its operation. The fastening mechanisms of many accessories are designed according to the same model and are arranged transversely, so that they can be detached and placed in different places in the passenger compartment, as a mounting kit.
This is for example the case with the support for attaching a camera or camera, a must for capturing and sharing the highlights of a journey or the landscapes you pass… Equipped with a universal screw suitable for all types cameras, it can be retracted thanks to the release button integrated into the part and can thus be placed on the four anchor points located on the vertical moldings of the driver and passenger doors. A touch of genius!
The exterior mirrors can be adjusted by means of the ball joint integrated in the mounting device and can be mounted in the places provided in the door pillars. They are also removable.
The cup or bottle holder can be placed on the dashboard or on the holder instead of the My Ami bag holder.
The smartphone clamp developed for My Ami, located on the right side of the driver’s seat, transforms in the My Ami Buggy Concept into a support in the form of a cylinder with a clamping wheel at the right end of the object to hold the device. The tube can be engraved with the owner’s name and surname, a must for some.
A new conical bracket has been designed to fit the mobile speaker into the rounded shape of the dashboard behind the steering wheel.
Thanks to 3D printing, the step from idea to reality is made quickly. Each of these accessories has been the subject of an original design, as they are 3D printed and can therefore be reproduced at will.
The My Ami Buggy Concept, is for the moment a style study that you might want to put on your Christmas list. It illustrates one of the many faces that Ami could take on, the atypical mobility object developed by Citroën, ready to explore new areas. A runabout that I would love to have in my holiday home, but then, could it be sitting there for several (winter) months without using it? Would the batteries endure this? Hmmmm, wait and see…
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…
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.
Toyota now takes the BEV market very seriously: Akio Toyoda, President of the Toyota Motor Corporation, seen on the photo above, today presented news concerning the company’s carbon neutrality strategy, by outlining its plans to offer 30 battery electric models by 2030 (Toyota & Lexus combined).
The company expects total global battery electric vehicle sales to reach 3.5M by 2030, and this announcement underpins the plan of for a 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles sales by 2035 in Western Europe.
Toyota’s bZ (beyond Zero) battery electric family in Europe is also soon to expand with introduction of a compact SUV as follow up to bZ4X launch. Not less than three battery electric ‘Toyota bZ’ vehicles are planned for Europe by 2025.
Toyota will further increase its investment in batteries from the 1.5 trillion yen – which was announced in September – to 2 trillion yen (15 billion euros).
The Lexus electrified sport will have formidable performance and range…
Now let’s turn the spotlight on Lexus:
Lexus aims for 100% battery electric mix in Europe, North America and China by 2030
The full name of the new Lexus BEV (that will be launched towards the end of 2022) was revealed: the Lexus RZ450e. See the photo here below…
The Lexus Electrified Sport (Sports BEV) concept was also shown: it offers impressive Lexus driving performance, with an acceleration time that will be in the low 2 second range and a cruising range over 700km.
There were also two other future concepts were shown: the Lexus Electrified Sedan (BEV Sedan), and Lexus Electrified SUV (SUV BEV). We show you the photos here.
The Lexus electrified sedan…
More interesting Toyota/Lexus news to come. Faithful readers know that we are the a satisfied owner of a midnight blue Lexus CT 200h, which proves to be not only frugal with an average consumption this year of 4,7 liter/100 km, but also utterly reliable and recently passed the yearly technical inspection with flying colours. A report will follow soon. Stay tuned!
Here is some further Opel news, and it is an important feat for Stellantis: the first hydrogen transporter from a vehicle manufacturer which is ready to go. Indeed, the first Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN off the production line will begin its emissions-free work in the fleet of the German manufacturer of premium domestic appliances, Miele.
Clever concept: Long driving range, zero emissions, quick refuelling
The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN is based on the existing battery electric Opel Vivaro-e, the “2021 International Van of the Year”. With full tanks of hydrogen, the driving range is more than 400 kilometres (WLTP1). The 45 kW fuel cell is capable of generating enough power for continuous highway driving. It takes only three minutes to refuel with hydrogen – about the same time needed to fill up a conventional diesel or petrol vehicle.
The 10.5 kWh lithium-ion battery 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. The battery also enables regenerative braking, while the plug-in capability offers the opportunity to recharge the battery externally if necessary, e.g. at a charging station, providing 50 km of pure battery electric range. The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN features a three-phase on-board charger (11 kW) and a mode 2 charging cable as standard.
The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN demands no compromises on space compared to the combustion engine versions, offering up to 5.3 or 6.1 cubic metres of cargo volume. The fuel cell electric LCV is available in lengths M and L (4.95 and 5.30 metres) with up to 1,000 kilogrammes of payload.
Production takes place at Opel Special Vehicles (OSV) in Rüsselsheim, and, as said, makes Stellantis the first to offer a Hydrogen powered LCV to fleet users…
You want a Mercedes with the panache of an elegant sedan with a coupé like character? Then the brand with the star has the car for you: the CLS.
Over the years, it has had its share of faithful followers, which has thinned somewhat due to the SUV trend.
But Mercedes is not forgetting this faithful clientele, and is offering now a latest facelifted generation of its elegant car with the star. We drove for you the smooth, lively and frugal 2 litre Diesel version. Indeed, tradition and timeless elegance go hand in hand here with durability and economy. Making it a true Mercedes-Benz automobile!
Hans Knol ten Bensel
The CLS is sleek, and its front end got even more impressive with this facelift, with the car gaining also overall in sheer elegance. The front bumper and air inlets breathe now the same styling language as the C, E and S-Class or other recent models in the MB range, and one also finds a star pattern in the grille. In the interior, the electronic age has also arrived. Two large screens under one single glass panel present you the wonders of the MBUX, providing indeed a delightful user experience.
MBUX actually means Mercedes-Benz User Experience. The whole system has a quite logical buildup, it is largely intuitive, and makes interacting with the car the proverbial breeze. The system is however so comprehensive that it is time well spent to familiarize yourself with it.
The system is touch based, but the user can use different ways to choose the functions, and use what suits her or him most. So you can use the central touchpad instead of the touch screen to swipe, touch or pinch and get the function or info you want.
This touchpad also features handwriting recognition for instance. Then you can also control the system functions via the steering wheel if you prefer that. Of course there is also voice control. The system will also save your personal settings, like for your seat, mirrors, etc. It can manage not two, but up to seven different user profiles!
The CLS doesn’t have the large central screen as in the latest C or S Class, but then you are spoiled with a palette of veneer/wood finishes, and by the way, the excellent seats can be had in a wide array of leather qualities and stitching patterns.
The legendary qualities of a state-of-the-art diesel…
Under the hood of our 220 d sits a… 2 liter diesel engine, 1950 cc to be exact, which develops a (very) healthy 143 kW or 194 PS at merely 3800 rpm. Even more important is the impressive torque of 400 Nm at 1600 rpm. Don’t forget, this sleek (almost) 5 meter long sedan does not have to lug around a battery pack, and weighs a slender 1800 kg. Performance is therefore impressive: 0 to 100 km/h is absolved in merely 7,5 seconds, top speed is 235 km/h. You guessed it, this Mercedes is decidedly an “Autobahnmeister”, or freely translated master on the Autobahn. High cruising speeds are indeed its absolute forte.
But it is equally well at home in tight urban traffic and the CLE will absolve quiet boulevard rides with utmost ease. The silky smooth 9 speed automatic sees to that. It shows again how outstanding modern diesel engines have become. Because they are not only quiet and docile, they are frugal too. It proved no trouble at all to achieve consumption figures between 5 and 6 liters/100 km, the manufacturer quotes an average consumption of 5,5 liters/100 km, according to WLTP standards. With a 50 litre tank, this means a useable range close to 900 km, and let’s admit, it is an outright blessing to see this range figures on your screen.
The engine is smooth, but then it’s not a six cylinder, but when you don’t use the full power, it remains as we said, quiet and unobtrusive enough.
That Mercedes is still offering diesel engines in its range has good reasons, besides its excellent qualities.
When we look more closely at our environment, and notably the “Green Europe” plan with its energy transition, we have to agree that, if this transition wants to gain speed and momentum in the coming years, it HAS to include the existing combustion engined cars presently on our roads. The German Automobile Association ADAC relies on the long term on e-fuels and hydrogen from renewable sources to achieve this inclusion. The good storage capacity and synergy effects in the context of the sector coupling of electricity, heating market and transport speak also in favor of both alternative fuels.
ADAC technology president Karsten Schulze says it clearly: “Millions of combustion engines are on the road in Germany (and the whole world) and have a long service life ahead of them. If the climate protection goals in traffic are to be achieved, a solution is needed for this inventory.”
Apparently, the German Ministry of Transport also sees it that way. In January 2021, it announced a renewable fuel subsidy program. Around 1.54 billion euros are available for this until 2024. According to the ministry, 640 million euros of this will flow into development and demonstration projects for the production of renewable fuels. Another 900 million euros are for the retrofitting or the construction of new generation plants as well as for the market launch of Bio or Electric energy based fuels…
The CLE 220 d breathes this philosophy, in the purest sense of the word. No plug-in hybrid version is available so far.
Superb comfort
This Mercedes with its elegant, classic styling scores of course very high in suspension comfort . The CLE rolls on the E Class platform, but here it comes very close to the flagship S Class. Even large potholes are absorbed superbly and the ride offered is truly sublime. Also the sound insulation is of top level. The aerodynamic qualities of this Coupé shaped sedan are excellent, and only the road/tire noises are heard when on the move. The steering is rather direct, and this big sedan/coupé is engaging to drive on winding roads, with some sporting driving pleasure to be had.
Of course, there are more powerful versions of this sleek CLS. Two more six-cylinder diesel engines are offered, of 265 and 330 PS respectively. Petrol engine versions are also possible, with 367 or 435 PS.
Due to its excellent comfort and sound insulation, the CLS is very relaxing car for hours on end, with of course the excellent seats also helping a lot. Admittedly, with its coupé shape, the passengers in the rear have less headroom, but when you are not taller than say 1,80 m, you are fine.
There is more than enough room for your luggage, with 520 liters available.
Conclusion
A fine, classic Mercedes, timelessly styled as a coupé/sedan, embodying all the superb qualities of the brand. Comfort, workmanship, luxury, state of the art electronics, infotainment and a drivetrain built for eternity. Add to this performance and economy, and you can agree with us that this car has it all.
Of course, it is not electrified (in the base diesel version) nor is it an SUV. But – in the light of what we said about the coming of age of E-based synthetic fuels – it certainly has a future and makes (a lot of) sense. It will give you many years of proud, noble and joyful ownership behind its wheel with that star…
Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz explains: “With the new Astra, we are starting what we will consistently continue in all upcoming models – intelligent software applications for the maximum benefit of our customers. We call this ‘Detox to the max’. Drivers and passengers are not overwhelmed with nonsensical information and unnecessary functions. Instead, we offer the best ease of use with innovative technologies such as the new voice control and personalization of customer profiles,” explains.
Indeed, The German car manufacturer has access to top technologies from the parent company Stellantis. Stellantis already presented trend-setting innovations at its Software Day, on which we will also report further soon…We will also be driving the Opel Grandland next year, so look out for our Opel driving impressions!
Opel Astra Sports Tourer (2021)
For the moment, “Hey Opel” – two words are all it takes and the new Opel Astra is all ears to what the driver and passengers want. The new natural voice recognition works fully networked like the entire infotainment of the latest generation. “Detox to the max” is the motto against any form of digital stress. The basis is the unique “Pure Panel” cockpit with its intuitive operability, which is already available in the Opel Mokka, the new Grandland and the Astra. Now the manufacturer from Rüsselsheim is igniting the next stage of digitalisation.
Save your preferences…
The new 2021 Opel Astra
Personal preferences can be saved in future as profiles. The infotainment recognises drivers or passengers by their smartphone. Different people can thus activate their individual settings with a touch on the widescreen. The Opel designers have created avatars for different characters. When navigation is called up in the Pure Panel, it is supported online in real time (Connected Navigation Plus), which means that traffic jams, for example, can be detected as they occur. Map updates are also available “over the air”, so that the latest version is always made seamlessly available to customers. The new Astra also features the latest generation of fully networked assistance systems for even more comfort and additional safety… we all like this very much!
We are driving now the magnificent CLS 220 d. This sleek limousine embodies all the good qualities of the cars with the star. By the way, its diesel engine is also superb. But Mercedes gears up for the future. And takes now a major step towards automated driving…
Indeed, Mercedes-Benz is the first automotive company in the world to meet the demanding legal requirements of UN-R157 for a Level 3 system. SAE Level 3 means that the automated driving function takes over certain driving tasks. However, a driver is still required. The driver must be ready to take control of the vehicle at all times when prompted to intervene by the vehicle. But nevertheless, the driving elements which it takes over become more important…
13,191 kilometers of highly automated driving on Germany’s iconic Autobahnen…
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has granted system approval for this on the basis of the technical approval regulation UN-R157, thus paving the way for offering such a system internationally, provided that national legislation allows it. The ECE contracting states (57) incl. states of the EU, GB, Japan, Korea, Australia…
Germany has taken a pioneering role in this with the opening of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) for Level 3 systems already in 2017. This is why the first customers will be able to buy an S-Class with DRIVE PILOT in the first half of 2022, enabling them to drive in conditionally automated mode at speeds of up to 60 km/h in heavy traffic or congested situations on suitable stretches of motorway in Germany! The special DRIVE PILOT equipment takes the strain off the driver and allows him or her to perform ancillary tasks on the central display such as online shopping or processing e-mails in the in-car office. Which secondary activities of the driver are legally permissible depends on the respective national road traffic regulations. Important to note that the system approval also applies to the EQS.
A milestone reached, says the management…
“For many years, we have been working to realize our vision of automated driving. With this LiDAR based system, we have developed an innovative technology for our vehicles that offers customers a unique, luxurious driving experience and gives them what matters most: time. With the approval of the authorities, we have now achieved a breakthrough: We are the first manufacturer to put conditionally automated driving into series production in Germany,” says Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Purchasing. “With this milestone, we are once again proving our pioneering work in automated driving and also initiating a radical paradigm shift. For the first time in 136 years of automotive history, the vehicle takes over the dynamic driving task under certain conditions. At the same time, we are pleased that Germany is continuing its pioneering role in automated driving with this approval.”
The technical approval regulation with which such a system can be certified did not come into force until the beginning of 2021. Since then, it can be implemented in Europe – an opportunity that Mercedes-Benz was quick and the first manufacturer to seize. With the opening of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) for Level 3 systems in 2017, Germany was the first country to create a legal basis for the intended use of these systems.
Mercedes-Benz is initially offering DRIVE Mercedes-Benz is initially offering DRIVE PILOT on 13,191 kilometres of motorway in Germany. Extensive test drives for this systems are already underway, for example in the USA and China. As soon as there is a national legal framework for conditionally automated operation in additional markets, the technology will be rolled out step by step! Again, we repeat ourselves, brave new world!
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.
