Category: Car News

We tested the Leapmotor C10: superb space and comfort for your money…

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Stellantis made an interesting strategic move to include Chinese EV manufacturing in its portfolio. Besides obvious geopolitical reasons, there are also good technological grounds: Leapmotor has designed its own EV platform and battery technology, and it adopts the so-called “cell to chassis” design method. The battery is part of the platform structure and is not divided into cells, which offers extra rigidity and therefore is  improving handling. It leaves also extra space for the passengers too. It seems to be a good alternative technology, and BYD has adopted it too.

By the way, just as BYD, Leapmotor uses LFP technology for its batteries. Indeed, Lithium-Ion phosphate batteries are safer than Li-ion due to the strong covalent bonds between the iron, phosphorus, and oxygen atoms in the cathode. The bonds make them more stable and less prone to thermal runaway and overheating…But now let’s return to the findings of our test…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Classic styling…

The C10 is a big D segment SUV, and its longer roof line gives it a traditional look, which is altogether rather pleasing. We liked especially the “glazed green” colour of our test car, and we found the C10 also well proportioned.

Impressive interior

Stepping in the C10, we were surprised by the softness of the comfortable, well cushioned seats, and the clean layout of dashboard and commands, which bear some resemblance with Tesla models. The whole layout is quite clean, and besides two rolling buttons on the steering wheel, for controlling audio and cruise control, everything else is found on the two touchscreens. It takes some studying, but soon you will find your way. The most important functions are easily found and controlled in a self explaining manner. You are also reminded that this is a Chinese EV as Apple Car Play and Android Auto are…absent.

The C10 gives to priority to driver safety, and indeed the driving assistance systems remind you of this during your drive, and if you want to enjoy a truly “Zen” trip, you might want to shut it off.

We found the navigation system quite up to scratch, and appreciated the plethora of functions and amenities the C10 can offer you. Of course, there is a 360° chrystal clear vision available, seat warming and ventilation, heated steering wheel, you name it. Just a credit card type key card will open and start the car, indeed, the C10 is totally user friendly in everyday practical use.

The C10 will also watch over you, for safety’s sake…

Smooth performer

The C10 is meant for ”zen” driving in absolute comfort. The British would call it motoring. At least, this is how we personally ’feel’ this car. It is smooth and very silent. The suspension is softly sprung, and also the seat cushions are soft to the touch and feel. Of course, there are different driving modes to choose from via the touchscreen. We stuck most of the time in the standard mode. You can also select four regeneration modes. Three modes, low standard and high can be engaged while driving. The fourth mode, the one pedal mode, can only be selected from standstill.

The electric motor and its accessories are well tucked away deep under the bonnet…

The permanent magnet synchronous motor develops 215 HP, and this offers excellent performance. 0 to 100 km/h is absolved in merely 7,5 seconds, and top speed is set at some 170 km/h. The battery capacity is 69,9 kWh, and the practical range depends of course on your driving style. In practice, we found a range between 420 and 350 km being quite realistic.

Fast charging is of course possible, up to 84 kW. We noticed again that on “ordinary” public charging points the available charging power can be down to the proverbial trickle, sometimes to merely 2 or 3 kW/h. At one stage, we found that charging the battery from 69 % to full charge would cost… 6 hours!

Charging at a trickle on an ordinary public charging pole…To charge it from 80 % to full takes close to 5 hours!

Steering is light and precise, and has a very “soft” feel. Again, this car is designed for comfortable driving, so we did not mind that your palms are insulated from the  horrors of our Belgian road surfaces.  Via the touchscreen you can however select Comfort, Standard or Sport. In the comfort mode steering is very light and this we found beautiful for parking and slow urban driving.

Plenty of storage space on the centre console…

Of course the C10 will show predictable handling and performance, and it will take long bends with no fuss whatsoever at very high speeds. It is also quite stable at high cruising speeds, but will nevertheless inspire you to take a “Zen” attitude behind the wheel, and we juts loved this car for that, and made it most endearing to us.  

Space and practicality

As said, boot space is very much OK with standard 435 liters, extendable with the rear seat folded down to up to 1410 liters. The boot floor has extra storage space underneath the floor, divided into two spaces, one for the cables and another for the tire inflating kit and sundry.

So remember that when you are packing the car for a holiday trip, to keep the cables at hand…

There is a nice extra space underneath the centre console, and indeed also the door bins are nicely wide, and of course there are plenty of USB slots to charge your phones.

Conclusion

The Leapmotor C10 certainly scores in looks, comfort, standard equipment and last but not least (Family) space. It’s ride is smooth and quiet, and this is indeed just what you need in a large family SUV. Its price is also right too, and it offers more than adequate performance and economy, which translates in a fairly good range between 420 and 350 km. It is sold throughout the vast Stellantis dealership, and this also inspires confidence…

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

Photgrapher’s notes: we used for the photos here of this test our trusted Canon G9X. The battery lid has broken due to intensive use of this camera, so we have this nice stable bracket…

We drove the new Opel Grandland: a “big” Opel with distinct premium character and style…

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The second generation of the big Opel SUV impresses with a stylish makeover which adds further character and panache to the car. The “vizor” front end has received a transparent cover with the Opel lightning badge being now illuminated for the first time.

The rear the letters “Opel” across the boot lid are now boldy styled and illuminated  in red coloured led light. Opel calls this its “edge light” technology.

The styling language is elegant and simple, and this same styling philosophy is found in the cabin, where Opel’s strategy of keeping instrumentation as minimal and clear as possible for driver and passengers is continued under the adage “less is more”. This doesn’t mean that the information provided is incomplete, only that nothing but the relevant information is displayed when asked for it. We love this quiet simplicity. We found also the cabin very well finished and the quality of the materials used add a distinct premium touch.

This second generation Grandland comes after 7 years, and it runs on the Stellantis Platform which it shares amongst others with the Peugeot 3008 for instance.  Nevertheless, the new Grandland was developed in Rüsselsheim and is assembled and built at the Opel plant in Eisenach.

The biggest news is that the Grandland is now also available in full electric form, with a battery package of up to 98 kW. This allows a range of up to 700 kilometers on a full charge, thanks to the new more efficient electric motor and provided the heat pump is installed.

As Opel caters for a wide(r) public, a plug in hybrid version is also offered which offers a 85 km useable “pure” electric range and last but not least a so-called Mild Hybrid which is the subject of this test.

Under the hood of this MHEV Grandland lies the 3 cylinder 100 kW engine which is shared in so many Stellantis group cars.  The MHEV Grandland has a kerb weight of a good 1,6 tonnes, but nevertheless, thanks to the good torque charcteristics, accelerations are still quite brisk with an acceleration up to 100 km/h in just over 10 seconds.

On the autobahn, this Grandland still shows its panache with a top speed of 202 km/h. Consumption depends here greatly on your driving style, where the efficient drivetrain with an electric motor of 28 HP and 51 Nm of torque coupled to the transmission allow you to make good use of the E-power when starting from standstill and driving at slow speeds.

When you really concentrate and use an anticipatory and relaxed driving style, you can cover up to 50 % of urban distances on E-power, and consumption drops to between 5,5 and 6 liters, even  in busy urban traffic.

On the open road, cruising at legal maximum speeds will show the good efficiency of the drivetrain with consumption hardly exceeding the 6,5 litre mark on 100 km.

The six speed eDCT transmission is smooth and responsive, well adapted to the engine’s torque characteristics. We found the engine not overly smooth, also emitting a distinct throb, but this actually adds to the dynamic character of the new Grandland. At constant speeds, the engine is smooth and virtually inaudible.

We liked the way the now 17 cm longer and markedly bigger Grandland steers and handles. It has lost nothing of its predictive handling and responsiveness, and if any, this has even improved. It remains utterly stable at high speeds and is indeed very engaging and pleasant to drive.

Comfort is also very good, and here we have to applaud the overall roominess of the cabin. As said, the Grandland has grown 17 cm in length, and this allows also the rear passengers to really stretch their legs. There is also more elbow room, as the new Grandland is also 6 cm wider…

Luggage space is also abundant with a standard 550 liters.

Driving assistance systems are also well cared for, and adaptative intelligent cruise control with stop and go function is standard, together with emergency collision braking and speed limit recognition. You can opt for Opel’s Intelli-Drive-2.0 system which helps you when parking and offers you also a 360° view of the car’s surroundings. One good note also for the excellent lighting system. Now the Grandland shines (literally) with Intelli-Lux Pixel Matrix HD-Lights, which dispose of not less than 25.000 light elements on each side. The front camera of the Grandland recognizes uncoming traffic and corrects the light beam accordingly. A head-up display lets you keep focused on the road.  

Conclusion

The Grandland has matured to a premium class SUV, with even in its “base” MHEV version offering many qualities, last but not least it pleases with its agility thanks also to its 1,6 tonne weight, which is markedly less than the plug-in and full EV versions. Furthermore there is the excellent finish, the quality of the materials (all recycled) in the interior, the roominess, the stylish details and the overall good proportions of the car. Then we have said nothing about its very good overall performance and efficiency, its roominess and practicality. Last but not least it offers good value for money, certainly in this Mild Hybrid version…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographers’ notes: the photos here were also taken with our “Leica” Panasonic Lumix DMC – FZ1000. Photographing a black car in sunny daylight is no small feat, but the processor still managed the extreme contrasts reasonably well.

We drove the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida…

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The Alfa Romeo Junior series has always been a sporting icon for the Alfa Romeo enthusiast. It stood for pure efficiency, with a somewhat smaller engine and less power, but had the same undiluted sportiness as its faster and bigger brothers in the Alfa range.

So when Stellantis launches today’s Junior again for its Alfa Romeo brand, we expect something special indeed, and we were very keen to drive for you the Alfa Junior Ibrida, which has a 1,2 litre 3 cylinder turbo under the hood and enjoys a 48 volt mild hybrid system. Does this Junoir retain the unmistakable Alfa Romeo thoroughbred qualities with a drivetrain and platform, which it has in common with its many sisters in the Stellantis group?

With this Junior, Stellantis aims also at efficiency and some degree of practicality and comfort, as it wants to attract a wider range of young customers to the iconic Milanese brand. We will find out in this test whether this new Junior fulfills all these high expectations…

Hans Knol ten Bensel.

Sporty looks…

When approaching the new Alfa Junior we are seduced by its good proportions. The front grille has character, the led headlights accentuate things further and the air inlets add an agressive touch. The car looks good from the side, the rear end with its peculiar headlight shapes is somehow a departure from the typical Alfa styling language, and shows us that Alfa is also entering a new era.

But there are Alfa styling icons which remain, like the wheel alloys with circular spokes, which suit the car very well.

The cockpit has also much Alfa Character, although aficionados will miss the typical large gear-change paddles on both sides of the steering wheel column, but then again, the smaller paddles indicate that this Alfa has somehow a different mission, and indeed this Junior wants also to convince the Alfa driver with somewhat different qualities.

But we liked very much here again the digital instrumentation, the 10 inch large central touchscreen which is set in a stylish cluster directed towards the driver, with below it a leaner centre console, which houses the Stellantis-typical drive selector, contributing to an air of sportiness with a large circular start/stop button towering above it.

The illuminated ventilation openings adorned with the Alfa symbol also add character. We liked the color pattern of the seats, with a large central red stripe, which gives the distinct optical illusion of a glowing ribbon. The seating position is rather deep, which again accentuates the thoroughbred panache of this Alfa. Note that the seats have heating and massage functions, a distinct plus..

Everything is well finished, some harder plastics are found, but the panel surfaces of the dashboard still exude a distinct premium feeling. The ergonomics are beyond reproach, and below the central touchscreen one finds still a row of “analog” touch buttons for ventilation with, last but not least, the volume control of the radio…


 

Performance and handling: the DNA of a true Alfa.

The Junior uses a 48V mild-hybrid system that combines a 1.2-litre three-cylinder Miller cycle petrol engine,with variable-geometry turbo and distribution chain for maximum reliability. The electrical component consists of a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and a 21-kW electric motor built into the 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which works together with the inverter and transmission control unit to ensure maximum efficiency.  The total power output of the system driving the front wheels is 134bhp, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.

Indeed, performance leaves nothing to be desired, and thanks to the support of the electric motor the acceleration from standstill is smooth and powerful. The changes of the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are silky smooth under spirited acceleration, and indeed we found the whole drive-train behaving wonderfully when your right foot is somewhat heavier and you engage in a more spirited driving style.

The engineers have worked beautifully to give the 3 cylinder 1,2 litre unit, which is also found in many Stellantis models, this typical Alfa growl, reminiscent of the classic weber carburetted Veloce’s from the sixties and seventies. We just loved it.

So acceleration pleasure is to be had, and this is paired with a low fuel consumption which the classic Alfa’s never had to this extent. Yes, when cruising leasurely and avoiding high revs and (very) brutal accelerations, it is very well possible to achieve average consumptions in the 5-6 litre range, and even less.

The Ibrida is a so-called mild hybrid, this means that the electric motor, which is integrated in the transmission, has 28 HP, and the battery is also rather small with a gross capacity of 0,89 kW/h. But it does the job of giving that extra E-power smoothness and delivering E-propulsion at crawling speeds typical for start/stop situations.

The Ibrida is of course an excellent long distance motorway cruiser, with a top speed of a good 206 km/h. But it is also very much in its element on winding roads, and is both agile and completely predictable in its handling. So is this Junior an Alfa which can be driven with verve? Yes indeed, and it brings joy to motoring…

Practical and well equipped…

The luggage space is standard a good 415 liters, up to a maximum of 1218 liters. Of course Android Auto and Apple Car Play is provided, and the safety features as standard include level 2 autonomous driving, connected navigation, 180° rear camera, a handsfree electric tailgate, and a keyless system with proximity access technology as standard.

Conclusion

Is the Junior offering an attractive proposition for the die-hard aficionados of the brand? Yes it does, for us it breathes the DNA of a true Alfa. On the other hand, it offers ease of driving in town, practical everyday docility and last but not least excellent fuel economy and energy efficiency..

There are still more powerful versions, like the 280 HP Junior 280 Veloce all electric version, which  weighs only 1,590 kg. It emits also a typical “Alfa Sound” during acceleration, it appears. We are very keen to lay a hand on this throughbred EV-bomb in the not too distant future…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographers’ notes: for the photos here we used again our Panasonic Lumix with its Leica 25-400 mm zoom lens. Early spring wheather warranted good light conditions, which allowed a low ISO and smaller apertures, enhancing sharpness and detail.

We drove the Leapmotor TO3: a surprisingly adult EV city car…

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Things are moving at the bottom end of the EV market. More affordable EV city cars are offered, and Stellantis has also quite literally made a bold leap forward. Last year it took a 51 pct share in the Amsterdam-based joint venture Leapmotor International BV, and now brings the city car TO3 to our shores, as well as a large SUV, the C10.

Needless to say that we were very keen to have a test drive with this TO3, which at first sight looks not unfamiliar, as it resembles a Smart ForFour. It certainly is fit for the city, with its compact overall length of 3,62 meters. But we discovered it has a lot more good qualities. Just read further..

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Roomy, well equipped and comfortable…

The cute TO3 really surprised us. Stepping into the car, we found ample headroom and even the tallest can sit comfortably behind the wheel of this Leapmotor. Even the rear passengers don’t touch their heads and can step in comfortably as the TO3 has wide opening four doors. No cramped mini car feeling whatsoever. Luggage space is also reasonable, with 210 liters with the rear seat backrest up, and up to a maximum of 880 liters with everything folded down.

Don’t expect bare austerity either when it comes to infotainment. One soon notices that the Chinese are masters in the game. The TO3 has a 10 inch touchscreen with a christal clear rear view camera, which indicates even the remaining centimetres when you back up close to another vehicle or wall…

It also has an excellent navigation system, DAB radio and you can choose between not less than three driving modes. On the central display you can choose “vehicle control” and then make your choice. We left it in the ”standard” driving mode virtually all the time.

The ventilation/heating controls take some getting used to, and are not logical at first sight. But soon enough you get around it…

The T03 has a range of some 250 kilometers in practice…

Also fit for the open road…

With its small turning circle and good visibility it is a pleasure to drive in town, where at urban speeds, that is to say up to 30 km/h, you are constantly accompanied by a well audible whine. This disturbs a bit the totally “ZEN” feeling which normally the absolutely silent EV power conveys, but for the sake of safety it is of course very useful.

The standard equipment is lavish: below the central touchscreen one has even two USB C ports, a 12 V plug and room for your phone…

When you enter the motorway, the compact TO3 shows remarkable ”adult” behaviour, staying remarkably silent and stable at speed. It is fully capable of cruising at say 120 km/h, and this means this TO3 is also a perfect intercity motorway commuter…

LED headlamps are standard…

As the range is rather limited, you need to recharge it frequently between commutes, but when a charger is available both at home and the office, this Leapmotor is perfect for the job. The manufacturer quotes a range of up to 265 km, and WLTP consumption is 16,5 kWh/100 km. We found that this figure is easily achieved in practice, and indeed we experienced that a range of around 250 km is very realistic.

Blind spot monitor, cruise control, distance control and lane assist are also standard…

Performance is zesty with a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 12,7 seconds, top speed is electronically limited to 130 km/h, which is totally sufficient given the vocation of the TO3.

The TO3 is also very keen to keep you safe under all driving circumstances, and constantly warns you when you don’t keep your eyes on the road, ignore speed limits and the like, and is constantly buzzing and chiming to warn you of imminent dangers.

The driver is constantly watched by camera’s, and it warns you to keep your eyes on the road…

This can be annoying at times, and it is good to know that these audible warnings can be muted, although they will reset themselves soon as you restart the car…

The TO3 comes with a warranty of 3 years and 100.000 km, which will satisfy most.

Conclusion

The TO3 impressed us, with its all-round qualities, making it the perfect urban runabout, also fit for faster intercity motorway commuting. It has sufficient room to sit four, and its range is limited,  but still sufficient when charging opportunities are easily available both near home AND office/workplace.



It is well finished, has impressive standard equipment and infotainment. So if you want to step into the EV world with a smaller ”entry” budget, just take a very close look at this endearing Leapmotor…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographers’ notes: we used again our Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000. Its Leica zoom lens is also ideal for photographing details, as shown above…

We drove the Kia EV3: steering into the EV future…

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Kia has not only adopted a new logo, it is now building cars with an avant-garde touch and style. Their EV3 has continued this new path with success, as it had been chosen European Car of the Year 2025.

For all the good reasons: not only does it run on the same dedicated, bespoke EV tech platform as its bigger sister, the also award winning EV9, it offers style, practicality, roominess, and range which put it at the top of its segment.

Needless to say,our expectations were high when we crept behind the wheel of this EV3 and admired the clean yet superbly well-designed dashboard… just read further.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Aiming higher…

We have always believed that this Korean brand would reach the top, when we drove its cars almost a decade ago. They learned very fast, and their commitment towards innovation was unseen, while offering affordable quality, technical sophistication, and style.   

Now we drive the result of this strategy, with this EV3. Just look at its overall contours and one sees that it breathes with its angular looks the styling language of today. This is a car for NOW and the years ahead.

We liked its boxy contours, its wheel contours and the styling treatment fore and aft. Also, the angular styling of the LED headlamps and rear lights are adding to a distinct lighting signature. The proportions are well chosen, and even the 19 inch alloys do not disturb the balanced contours of the car. It truly stands out, and the result is that soon the wide public will recognize it as a new generation Kia.

Modern and clever…

The same can be said of the interior. When you step in the car for the first time, you have the distinct impression that you are entering the future. A 30 inch wide display dominates the dashboard, and combines seamlessly instrumentation, infotainment and connectivity functions. Of course you can adjust heating and ventilation via the screen menus, but thankfully there are analog switches and button controls beneath the screen, which let you adjust all the functions manually. We also liked the centrally placed roll-shaped volume control, so that the front passenger can also use it. The driver has of course the same roller-styled volume control on the steering wheel…

Everything is well thought out, and indeed one can find its way and expertly use all the controls and functions of this Kia without having to use a manual, although it is ALWAYS very wise to read it…it is time very well spent!

We also liked the leather-like seat upholstery, which had a very pleasant feel and touch, with the seats also being comfortable indeed. The front seats also fully recline, so you can take a restful nap while recharging the battery.

There are also a lot of nice details on this EV3 Kia. It has aerodynamic door handles, which flip open when you press the remote key to open the car. It has a central armrest with a sliding table underneath which fits your portable PC.

After you have locked the car,  you can still move the car fore and aft into tight spaces with your remote key. The sun visors can also be extended when flipped sideways to block lateral sunlight, and the central screen has a small separate cluster of symbols on its left side to make climate control a breeze. The backs of the front seats are styled to be used as coat hanger, which is indeed so practical…  

Comfort put first…

The EV3 offers plenty of legroom, and this is thanks to its relatively long wheelbase of not less than 2,68 meters. The luggage space is also more than adequate for an EV, varying between 460 and 1251 liters. No worries about charging cables lying around, they are neatly tucked away in the frunk, which holds 25 liters.

The EV3 has a very comfortable suspension, and this you notice from the first meters you drive it. Its ride feels like a (very) large SUV, one is cocooned in comfort, and well insulated from potholes and rough roads. The whole cabin has also an excellent sound insulation, with virtually no tire noise entering the cabin. This allows easy listening to classical music, even at cruising speeds.

Good driving range…

This Kia invites you to drive in absolute “Zen” mood to your destination, and it is indeed a very restful car. Peace of mind abounds, also when one considers the very good driving range. Consumption according to WLTP standard is 14,9 kW/100 km, which is quite efficient for a car with a kerb weight of a good 1,8 tonnes.

The EV3 has an 150 kW/204 HP  electric motor driving the front wheels, and you can choose between a standard 58,3 kW or a larger 81,4 kW battery. This means that in summer temperatures around 20 C°, a motorway range of over 400 kilometer is very well possible. Of course this range shrinks rather drastically in winter temperatures.

Say that you are cruising at 100 km/h, the range then dwindles from 401 km at 20 C° to 341 km at 0 C°. We find this still quite reasonable. When you drive somewhat slower on wintry roads, at 90 km/h, the range is then still a good 378 km at 0 C°. The manufacturer quotes higher ranges, but we consider these figures as more realistic.

When you opt for the bigger battery, the picture gets of course even more rosier. Driving at 100 km/h at 0 temperature will give you a range of 473 km, and in summer conditions at 20 C° this raises to 557 km.

In normal, everyday use, the smaller battery might be sufficient, we would think. Because the EV3 can take up to 100 kW fast charge, and this means that it will cost less than 30 minutes to recharge the battery from 10 to 80 pct, and these figures are almost reached in wintry conditions, provided one pre-conditions the battery.

Lively performance…

The 150 kW of the engine and the ample torque of 283 Nm make this EV3 truly sprint. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h costs merely 7,6 seconds, top speed is electronically limited to 170 km/h. More than enough for everyday driving, we would say. Maybe it is good to know that the Kia EV3 can tow up to 500 kg with the smaller battery, and even up to 1 tonne with the larger 81,4 kW battery.

Conclusion

The Kia EV3 has won its accolade as “Car of the Year” for all the good reasons. Spacious, styled for the future, practical and well equipped, with excellent efficiency and range and more than adequate performance, it offers smooth transport from A to B. It is well built and finished, it is attractvely priced and enjoys the 7 year Kia guarantee, need we say more?

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Volkswagen Passat 1,5 eTSI 150 hp DSG7 Elegance: a perfect bestseller…

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The Passat is almost a lifetime with us: some 51 years now. It is now since last year in its ninth generation, and still has many followers, for all the good reasons. It offers massive space, comfort, style and economy. It is the absolute showcase of the expertise Volkswagen has achieved in building “classic” combustion engine cars, now also electrified with (plug-in) hybrid versions. It is nothing less than a benchmark in its class and even beyond. It is a top notch business and family car, and therefore only available as a station car. We drove this Passat with the “base” 1,5 eTSI engine, and Volkswagen proved here again its masterful know-how when it comes to combustion engines.

Just read further…

Space and grace

The new Passat is actually a disguised Skoda Superb, and this means that it is nothing less than a space miracle. It is 4,92 meters long, and that is a solid 15 centimeters more than its predecessor.  

The wheelbase is now 2,84 meters, and you know what this means: more rear passenger legroom and premium comfort overall.  Load capacity is nothing less than cavernous: from 690 to 1920 liters! Of course, the designers put practicality first, and this results in a very low loading floor height.

These generous overall dimensions of the Passat make it easier for designers to draw long fluid lines, and the Passat “Elegance” version is indeed elegant from any angle.

Stepping behind the wheel, one is impressed by the size of the car, and the aura of opulence which pervades you. Excellent fit and workmanship with soft, padded materials in the upper regions of dashboard and cabin, followed by generous and comfortable ergonomic seats, it all has distinct premium character.

VW has revamped the dashboard and infotainment of its flagship bestseller, and one finds now an optional 15 inch central display (standard it is 12,9 inch). The infotainment/navigation functions are fast and stable, even the touch/slider functions for heating/ventilation below the screen are easier to use and always illuminated.

DAB+ radio, live traffic info, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are provided of course. Voice command and partly also ChatGPT functions are also built in.

Engine and drive train know-how…

The “base” engine is the 1,5 litre 150 HP eTSI. It carries the “e” letter because it has a 48 volt mild hybrid system. The integrated belt driven starter generator has some 15 kW power and assists the engine when pulling away from standstill or accelerating at very low speeds. It you creep or drive very slow in traffic jams, it will let you run on its E-power. If you lift the throttle at speed, the transmission will also let you freewheel, and the engine shuts completely off only to be smoothly restarted by the starter generator when you push the throttle again, optimizing the use of the kinetic energy of the Passat. It also has the selective cylinder shut off (ACT Plus). In driving situations when little power is needed, it will run on two cylinders, almost totally imperceptible by the driver.

The 7 speed DSG is smooth and reactive, so all this results in excellent economy. Driven with anticipation in urban traffic, consumption between 6-7 liters in town is very well possible, and on the open road, it drops easily between 5-6 liters. The manufacturer quotes an average consumption of 5,4 liters with CO2 emissions at 124 g/km.

Performance is quite sufficient, even with this “base” engine. 0 to 100 km/h is absolved in 9,2 seconds, top speed is a worthy 222 km/h. The beauty is that even high speed driving doesn’t cost you much more than 6 liters/100 km.

Comfort

VW engineers have payed great attention to make the Passat as quiet and refined as possible, and indeed wind, tire and mechanical noises are very subdued. This makes the Passat totally “zen” to drive over long distances. Add to this the comfortable suspension combined with stable and predictable handling, and we can put the comfort of this Passat clearly in the premium segment.

Conclusion

In these SUV times, the elegant Passat surely stands its own. It is very well equipped and finished, honed almost to perfection.

We were impressed by the overall refinement, also of the “base” version engine. Moreover, it is good to know that the Passat can be had with a wide choice of not less than 8 different engines and electrified (plug in hybrid) drive trains. We are convinced it will continue to win many hearts…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Nissan Juke Hybrid N-Sport: stylish and frugal…  

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The Nissan Juke pioneered the compact SUV with its very original styling, and has remained an iconic car indeed. Since 2019 the Juke is in its second generation, and has last year received a facelift with minor exterior changes but with a revamped interior and a bolder colour palette. It runs on the same platform as the Renault Captur, but as said, it’s the styling which makes this Juke really stand out.

Since 2022 it is also offered in hybrid version, and as hybrids are gaining in popularity, it is this version we preferred to put here through its paces for you.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Proven hybrid technology

The hybrid version inherits the know how built up in this field by Renault, which is also technically speaking understandable as it shares, as we said, its platform with the Renault Captur. It has a 16 valve 1598 cc four cylinder under the hood, developing 69 kW or 94 HP at 5600 rpm. It has two electric motors, an alternator and a traction motor, bringing total system power to 143 HP/100 kW.

It has the same Renault engineered E-TECH multi-mode automatic gearbox, and it lets you select between three driving modes, standard, ECO and Sport. When starting from standstill, the computer controlling the transmission will select the electric motor and will continue to do so, until more power is asked by your right foot and the combustion engine has to set in.

The power transitions are smooth and virtually imperceptible, resulting in quite stress free and pleasant city driving. The lithium battery is of course not a formidable power source with a capacity of merely 1,2 kW, and this means that the combustion engine has to recharge the battery frequently, which it does preferably when you are driving at a slow (urban) constant speed.

This can result in the combustion engine starting to rev quite significantly when you are cruising quietly at some 35 km/h on a city boulevard, which can initially be quite unsettling, but no alarm, the computer is doing its intelligent job to let you progress as efficiently as possible. The multi-mode transmission chooses not less than 15 gear- and power combinations for you.

All this wizardry results in good (urban) consumption figures of around 5,5-6 liters/100 km. On the open road the Juke is quite efficient too. We clocked on a drive to Amsterdam and back an average of 5,4 liters/100 km.

CO2 emissions are some 107 g/km by the way.

Acceleration performance is pleasantly brisk with 0 to 100 km/h absolved in merely 10,1 seconds. It is the punch at slow speeds which is impressive (and important), with for example going from 15 to 30 km/h in just 1,2 seconds.

Top speed is a reasonable 165 km/h, but indeed, absolute high speed driving is not the forte of this Nissan. Of course it is perfectly capable of cruising effortlessly and comfortable on our motorways at legal speed limits…

We also liked the “e-pedal”, where the generator motor will use the kinetic energy even more intensely to recharge the battery. You soon learn to use this to the extent that you will hardly need the brakes…

Travelling in style, and oh, that sound…

The SUV character of the Juke makes you sit pleasantly somewhat higher, and getting in and out if the car is also easier. We found the seating position excellent, and everything fell “just right” in our hands.

The Juke has now a bigger central touchscreen of 12,3 inches and a revamped digital instrument display with identical 12,3 inch dimensions. Very readable and elegant round dials are displayed in front of the driver, and you can choose to display the navigation function also between the dials. Of course Apple Car Play and Android Auto are installed and voice commands are also reliable and reactive.

We liked the big round knob for the sound system volume and the further touch buttons for audio functions and last but not least the camera. There are also welcome “physical” commands for the ventilation/heating system.

Our test car came with the Bose Plus personal audio system with not less than 10 audio speakers, two of which are also positioned in the headrests, and this offers a very impressive sound experience.

To enjoy classical music however one has to take into account that you are driving a compact SUV, and besides the fact that tire/road noise levels are good for its segment, it can still impair a perfect listening experience.

Our test car came also with the so-called “technology package”, and this includes adaptive cruise control, lane change warning and further driving aids like blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert. It also has the Intelligent Nissan Round View Monitor, which we liked very much, as the visibility towards the rear is rather poor due to the original styling of the Juke.
 

The N-Sport equipment version pleased us optically with its nice black lacquered 19 inch “Akari” alloys, lacquered bumpers, the two-tone paint finish.

More room and comfort

The Juke is comfortable, the suspension is never too harsh and seats are fine. Passenger space at the rear has been improved since 2019 with a lengthened wheel base by some 10 centimeters, resulting in about 6 centimeters more space for your knees in the back. Due to the bold styling of the Juke, the floor of the luggage compartment is rather high. Luggage volume is reasonable, varying between 354 to maximum 1237 liters.

Positive handling

The Juke is stable and has predictable handling, but does not actually invite you to throw it around corners. It steers precise and pleasant however, and is relaxing to drive also on winding roads. It feels very surefooted on motorways, and indeed it is also an excellent companion on long distances.

Conclusion

For those who like to travel in style, enjoying this unique higher stance and feel so typical of an SUV, then the Juke is the choice. It truly convinces in its hybrid configuration, delivering smooth and fast accelerations in town, combining it with excellent economy. Infotainment and driving aids are up to scratch, and will please younger hearts. The Juke inspires confidence due to its finish and workmanship, the cabin is well equipped and pleasant, so enjoy the ride…

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

Photographers’ notes: we used again our Lumix DMC-FZ1000 with its Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 2.8/4.0 25-400 mm (35mm equivalent) lens. Its extended zoom range is very useful for photographing car details and avoiding extensive cropping. In lower light conditions however, the depth of field is of course quite small…

We spoke with Sébastien Decarris, Head of Product Strategy & Advanced phase – DS Automobiles: “DS offers elegance, comfort and luxury with a unique French touch”.

Posted in Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Car production and factories, Car Shows, Car technology, Concept Cars, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Interviews, New ModelsTagged Leave a comment

DS Automobiles made headlines at the 101th edition of the Brussels Motor Show by presenting its beautiful N° 8 to the public. This car will undoubtedly make its mark in the D segment, with its stunning looks, comfort and up to date EV technology. This car also means a lot for DS Automobiles. So we thought that an interview about the strategy of the brand would be very interesting , and we thank the dynamic PR department of Stellantis Belgium for arranging this interview. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The DS Automobiles N°8 made its debut on the Brussels Salon…

HKTB: It is always quite a challenge to combine the typical DS styling language with the imperatives and constraints modern cars in this D segment have to respond to and offer in terms of safety, performance and space efficiency.

SD: Indeed, we have to show that in terms of elegance and French “savoir faire”, we offer something remarkable. We have shown this with the ASL (Aero Sport Lounge) concept car, which was designed by exterior designer Thomas Duhamel. We wanted to bring a dynamic saloon.

A designers’s drawing of the Aero Sport Lounge Concept Car…

HKTB: What is now on the European and global market the strategy of DS Automobiles?

SD: The strategy is to occupy a strong presence in the premium segment, with an emphasis on electrification in a market which is now fully involved in this energy transition. We want to keep this exceptional French character, with a “savoir faire” in the use of the materials, performing the art of elegantly rendering details, with this attention to styling and design down to the very details, which is not immediately found with our competitors.

We bring elegance, not only in the contours and proportions, but also in the light signature of the car. This makes the car stand out in traffic. This has worked well from the first DS3 onwards and is the unique hallmark of DS Automobiles. Of course we keep this on our new N°8, and this signature will be found further on our future cars.

HKTB: The adoption of numbers is also a step..

SD: Indeed, it is a further evolution, an eye-wink towards further sophistication… What is also important is the reference we make to French coach-building tradition with a dual tone paintwork, a sophistication which is not immediately found on other cars in this D segment.

Your servant together with Sébastien Decarris at the Brussels Show in front of the Ds N° 8…

HKTB: Indeed, the styling language is also a continuation of the angular tradition so typical in French coachbuilding, like the iconic Voisin cars…

SD: En effet! Indeed, when we work on the design of DS cars, we indeed talk about Voisin… and then, there is the comfort, which is also very important for us. It is more than just a “must have”, it is crucial. It concerns the suspension, the seats, and also the thermal comfort. It is especially important in EV cars, and we worked hard on it. For instance, we introduced neck-area heating, which is hitherto only seen on cabriolets…

HKTB: As DS also puts forward “the art of travel” or “l’art du voyage”, I personally would like to see an infotainment software which delivers automatically audio info about the region(s) and cities you are travelling through, and where you can choose political, social or cultural history…

SD: It is an idea we are working on. Of course, in the first place we want to reassure the client driving an EV car, and inform him about charging possibilities on his trip.

HKTB: On the charging infrastructure, are you considering the idea to build a dedicated “DS Automobiles” charging network?

SD: We offer our clients an infrastructure via the “free to move” network. We want to reassure the client in the first place with the car we offer him, i.e. having a long range and an outstanding fast charging capacity. (Up to 160 kW) We wanted to reassure the client, giving him peace of mind with a long(er) range. We think that having a long range is more important than the possibility of (ultra)fast charging.  The automobile is for us (and our clients) first and foremost an object of freedom, of “liberté.” This means that you have to offer a range of around 500 km and more on the motorway.

HKTB: Quality and workmanship is of course also very important in the premium segment. Where is the N°8 built?

SD: It is built in Italy, at the plant in Melfi. The N° 8 is running on the STLA Medium platform, and this is decisive in the industrial strategy and where the cars will be produced.

HKTB: The batteries are also important…

SD: Indeed, they are produced by ACC, (Automotive Cells Co, with as stakeholders SAFT, which is wholly owned by TotalEnergies, and Stellantis and Mercedes – note from the author). We planned from the outset a premium car with a maximum 750 km range, using batteries manufactured in the EU.  

HKTB: Will the N°8 be future proof and be able to accommodate new developed batteries and electric motors during its production run?

SD: Certainly, the platform is able to receive newly developed components during the production life of the N°8. We have a modular strategy and the platforms are designed to accommodate them. This concerns the batteries as well as the electric motors. For all the models of the DS Automobiles range, we were from the outset prepared for its electrification, it is an essential element of our policy and you see this now unfold in the D-segment.

HKTB: I thank you for this interview.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove  the Alfa Giulia ’’ Tributo Italiano’’ 280 HP : a true driver’s delight..

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There are sporting sedans which are engaging to drive. But then there is the Alfa Romeo Giulia. It sets the absolute standard in its class when it comes to balanced handling and panache. And since its introduction in 2017, this Giulia remains unchallenged in its class until this day. We experienced this again at the wheel of the new ”Tributo Italiano” version, equipped with 4 wheel drive and its legendary 280 HP 2 litre direct injection petrol engine. Read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Thoroughbred looks

This Tributo Italiano version certainly makes your car loving heart beat faster. The timelessly well proportioned body is painted either in ’’Rosso Alfa”, ’’Verde Montreal’’ or ’’Bianco Alfa.’’ You guessed it, these are the colours of the Italian flag… this Giulia also has wonderful 19 inch black alloys and red painted brake calipers.

In the cabin the black sports seats are adorned with red stitching, also found in the door panels and the dashboard edges. The front seats are heated and ventilated, your ears are spoiled by a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Behind the wheel…

Sitting in the Giulia is low and sporting, with everything beautifully within reach. Certainly the big sized gearchange paddles on the steering wheel, worthy of a supercar, and so easy to reach also when you are making extensive steering movements. Totally Pur Sang, and one asks oneself why not every car with sporting aspirations has this too. The engine starts smoothly by pressing the knob on the steering wheel. A true gem is this 2 litre four cylinder, with ample torque and power. It develops not less than 280 HP, which indeed results in supercar performance.

What to think of a top speed of some 257 km/h, and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 5,5 seconds? Thanks to the ample torque, the pulling power is also quite massive at intermediate speeds, where of course the excellent and alert 8 speed auto box comes also into play. Leaving the lever in ’’D’’, the Giulia sprints from 70 to 120 km/h in just 5,8 seconds.

The Giulia is also reasonably frugal at constant speeds, at a cruising speed of 130 km/h, consumption is around 7,51 liters. In town, with some restraint, one can achieve between 8,7 and 9,5 liters/100 km, cruising at 110 km/h will cost you around 6,4 liters. Our average consumption during a quite extended test resulted in 8,1 liter/100 km.

Beautiful handling

What one feels behind the wheel of this Alfa from the first few meters is its the wonderful balance and handling. It still runs on the Georgio platform, developed long before electrification, and this in collaboration with the chassis engineers from Ferrari and Maserati.  This resulted for instance in a truly ideal weight distribution of 51% at the front and 49 % at the rear.

You guessed it, this Giulia has a balance, steering precision and handling which is honed to absolute perfection. Steering this Giulia on winding roads is totally a dream. The suspension set up strikes an ideal compromise between precise handling and comfort, and indeed this Giulia is surprisingly comfortable considering its excellent agility. On top of all that this 280 HP Giulia has 4wd, which sets in when necessary. Normally, the rear wheels are driven.

The engine revs to a beautiful staccato when called for, but this never gets unobtrusive, and also high speed cruising does not unduly raise the noise levels in the cabin, making the Giulia a magnificent Gran Turismo, as we experienced driving it into France.

Practical

The Giulia offers adequate room in the rear, and luggage space is also quite reasonable with 378 liters. Infotainment is now since the latest facelift where the Giulia also received new LED headlights up to the mark, with of course Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity installed. The digitalized instrumentation in the cluster in front of the driver is well executed with an excellent rendering of both speedometer and rev counter, and indeed, instrument buffs as we are, we did not miss the previous beautiful analog instruments. We liked to find again the trusted DNA driving mode selector on the centre console.

Conclusion

This Giulia truly stands out, and is nothing less than a true supercar within the Stellantis portfolio. Its engine is a marvel, and it is therefore with good reason that we will see this formidable unit soon in top of the range Peugeots…
Then there is the Georgio platform, which breathes the aura of ’’Puro Sangue.’’ Precision, agility and wonderful balance between comfort and superb roadholding and stability is the hallmark of this platform, and it has to be experienced behind the wheel to fully appreciate it.

Last but not least there is the overall styling, the ideal proportions and the panache of the Giulia. It is for many the quintessential Alfa, and this is the best compliment we can give this car…

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

Photographers’ notes:

We again used our Nikon D5600 for this photo session. The strong autumn light of the French midi created vivid contrasts, which the camera handled well… We used B & W for one interior photo, to give it a “classic” look…

We drove the Lancia Ypsilon electric: elegance, character and smooth panache

Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Car technology, Car Tests, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Lifestyle, New Models, UncategorizedTagged Leave a comment

Lancia has always embodied style and elegance, coupled with mechanical refinement. This makes the new Ypsilon a very fitting candidate for EV propulsion. Indeed, after an extended test behind the wheel of this Lancia, we can only agree. It is most endearing as an EV, and indeed, it is a delight to steer it in town and on every road you may drive it.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Renaissance on a well proven platform

With the birth of Stellantis it was clear that a revival of Lancia was in the cards. We already told you in length about the introduction of this Ypsilon. It carries typical styling icons of the brand, like the “calice” on the front end, and the round rear lights reminiscent of the legendary Stratos.
In my opinion it is the most attractive of the Stellantis compact range, but that is of course a very subjective preference.

Iconic cabin

The elegance and the Lancia typical panache continues in the interior. We loved the layout of the dashboard, the resolutely square screens, the cute and well finished little central table or ”tavola”.

You can leave flat and light objects on it, everything else is of course hazardous when you drive  your Lancia with verve. We loved the blue/grey/black colour palette in the interior, so in tune with the tradition of the brand. Of course, it is a pleasure to find “real” commands and knobs for ventilation/heating for instance, and one feels quickly at home in this Lancia. One has Android Auto or Apple Carplay, and you can stream La Callas and delight in hearing how beautifully she brings Casta Diva. Indeed, the sound system is up to scratch.

The seats are quite comfortable and give excellent support. Space for the rear passengers is adequate, but of course one cannot expect miracles from a car with an overall length of 4,08 meters. Boot space is more than adequate for its class, with a standard available space of 309 liters.

Smooth EV power…

The Lancia shares its EV drivetrain with other cars in the Stellantis group, like the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600. This means we’ll proven technology, with a 115 kW electric motor and a 54 kW battery, of which 51 kW is available in practice on the road.

This drivetrain is quite efficient, and indeed it is well possible to achieve consumption averages of 14-15 kW/100 km. It  results in a practical range of some 360 km under reasonable temperatures. Fast charging is possible up to 100 kW, which means you can charge your Lancia in less than 1/2 hour from 20 to 80 pct.

The smoothness of the EV drivetrain is an absolute delight and suits the character of the car wonderfully. Performance is quite zesty with an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 150 km/h, which is very wise indeed, as high speed driving with an EV is a very wasteful affair.

Handling is brisk and precise, and indeed even  when driven with abandon on winding roads, this Lancia will delight you.

Conclusion

We found this Ypsilon utterly pleasing with the EV drivetrain. The silence and smoothness of EV power is just what this car needs. We are curious to see how it behaves with its 1,2 litre 16 V combustion engine, and even more so in the hybrid form. But here in our eyes, it already earned top marks…

Hans knol ten Bensel 

Photographer’s notes: we used for our photos here again our trusted Nikon 5600 D, a 24.2 megapixel upper-entry level, APS-C sensor DSLR. It delivers nice, crisp, well balanced photos, and is an absolute pleasure to use.