Category: Car News

Twenty years after inventing the world’s first compact MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) with the Scénic – which has since sold to the tune of almost five million units and which was named European Car of the Year in 1997 – Renault has completely overhauled its offering in this segment with the fourth generation of its iconic model. It is of course a very important model for Renault, with compact SUV’s gaining ground in the buyer’s hearts and MPV’s becoming less attractive. But designer Laurens Van den Acker gave it a go and endowed the Scénic with stunning looks, and wants the practical people carrier to be a winner – once again.

The new SCENIC carries over the hallmarks that helped to forge its success, namely versatility, space, user-friendliness and travelling enjoyment.

The new SCENIC is a benchmark in the MPV segment as a vehicle that is  , practical, efficient and high-tech, while also meeting the needs of families.

It is attractive with its svelte silhouette, its two-tone colour scheme and the fitment of large 20-inch wheels as standard across the range – a global first for the segment.

It is also practical, thanks to the biggest stowage capacity and boot space in its class, and efficient, with a broad range of powerplants comprising six diesels and two petrol engines. Last but not least, the core range diesel version incorporates Renault’s new Hybrid Assist technology.

The Scenic is of course also quite high-tech thanks to a raft of driving aids and other features, such as its Active Emergency Braking System (AEBS) with Pedestrian Detection – a standard feature across all equipment levels.

In both its short and long guises, the fourth-generation SCENIC is of course firmly focused on winning over again loyal owners of its three previous generations who have long been drawn by the innovative features of the model which introduced the first sliding centre console.

We hope to lay our hands on one soon…in the meantime, just look at the photos!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We told you already about the dramatic style and (mechanical) panache of the new Panamera, now it is time to take a further step into environmental efficiency. It launches the 2018 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, which succeeds the Panamera S E-Hybrid. This hybrid Panamera will make its debut at the Paris auto show, but can now be ordered at Porsche Centres in Belgium.

The four wheel drive plug-in hybrid delivers system power of not less than 340 kW (462 HP), as the 2.9-liter, twin-turbo V-6 making 330 hp/400 Nm couples with a new electric motor pushing out 136 hp and 400 Nm of torque. All this power is sent to all four wheels via Porsche’s velvety eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Indeed, more smoothness is offered. Besides the new transmission, a new engine decoupler is now actuated using an electric clutch rather than an electro-hydraulic mechanism, as in the last generation. This Electric Clutch Actuator (ECA), enables a smoother transition between electric and engine power.

The Panamera is a true sports car: top speed is 278 kmh, and it catapults you in 4,6 seconds to 100 kmh.

Electric range is improved up to 50 km. It uses a new liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that’s up to 14.1 kWh from 9.4 kWh, without getting heavier. A full charge takes 5.8 hours using a 230-volt 10 Ampere 230 V plug, , but with the optional 7.2-kW charger with a 230 V 32 Ampere connection, this can be brought down to 3,6 hours.

Through the Mode switch and the PCM, different driving modes can be activated. Besides Sport and Sport Plus modes for top performance, there are various hybrid-specific modes form the 4 E-Hybrid. E-Power is the all-electric mode, while in Hybrid Auto Mode, the car defines the best balance efficiency and performance. E-Hold maintains the current level of electric charge, and last but not least E-Charge helps restore electric charge.

The Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid canb be ordered now at the official Porsche Centres in our country. The car is priced at 110.957 euro including VAT.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

There are cars which mark their epoch. Such a car is the Porsche Panamera. There is simply no sedan in the world which embodies in such a superb manner sportiness, pur-sang styling and performance than this sleek and imposing sedan.

It takes courage to change this winning combination. But the Porsche engineers and styling people took on this challenge.

The result is a further evolution of the iconic Panamera. A car to enjoy, just simply by looking at it. We therefore tell you here what’s new, and show you the pictures, for you already to enjoy, before we can tell you soon how this gem handles and drives… Just read on!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “The new Porsche Panamera: the very quintessence of a sporting sedan” →

With its stunning looking “work hero”, the Fiat Fullback Pick Up, it is only fitting that Fiat Professional builds on the panache of this car to start up a title sponsoring programme for the FIM World Championship Motorcross MXGP, which takes place next weekend July 30 and 31 in Lommel. We just tell you a bit more here about the car…and the programme.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “Fiat Professional supports world championship motorcross…” →