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Brussels Motor Show has interesting news – part 3

January 22, 2017Posted in Car News, Car presentations, New ModelsLeave a comment

Further car news and novelties to be enjoyed, and beautiful styling and bodywork shapes to be admired, as well as to be tasted… we just lead you further on our tour…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

La bella Giulia… and amazing Fiats

The thoroughbred Giulia which turns eyes comes on the Brussels Show with a sporting “Veloce” versions, but also the MiTo and Giuletta have been refreshed. We recently drove the 170 HP “Veloce” version of the MiTo with the dual clutch auto box, and we enjoyed every meter we drove it. Read our test report soon…

We are presently driving again the formidable Fiat Tipo, a car which documents impressively the “savoir faire” of the Fiat group in building harmonious and flawless cars coming at an attractive price. We drove both the 1,6 and 1,3 liter MultiJet Diesel versions, with the hatchback body, and they are nothing less than the benchmarks in their (price) class.

There is of course also the stunning Abarth 124 Spider, a car which is also very high on our test drive list.

Renault unpacks the Koleos and delights the senses…

Centre stage at the Renault stand was taken by their new Koleos, which has gained immensely in styling and panache. We already told you time and again that the styling people conducted by Laurens van den Acker are doing a great job, and this shows again in this latest Renault SUV, which will be available in spring this year in our country. In Brussels, the top equipment version “Initiale Paris” makes its debut.

Electric cars are also quite important for Renault and the Alliance for that matter, and Renault presents the ZOE with an extended range to not less than 400 km. The car is immediately available by the way… The new Kangoo Z.E has also a 50 pct bigger range.

Renault in good tradition delighted our culinary senses again with a heavenly luncheon on press day at the salon, with Wout Bru as Chef. Wout has done this for Renault at the show now already for 10 years…

We show you here a photo of him on the left, with a smiling Karl Schuybroeck, Director Communication at Renault Belgium Luxembourg to the right.

Last but not least, the Scénic is also to be admired, which has won in our country the VAB Family Car of the Year, and this for good reason…

Sporting news for the good three pointed star…

At the Brussels Show, Mercedes unveiled its GT-R Coupé, with 585 Horses to hurtle you down winding roads at record breaking speed. It has of course the suspension to take all this in safely, and awaked the (safe) driver in you. It looks also stunning indeed. There is also a cabriolet version of the AMG GT, and of course the E-class is present “en force”, with a break and also a crossover version, dubbed the “all-terrain”, which is the 4WD version of the break.

The C 180 Coupé adds also a touch of elegance as a debut at the Brussels show…

The range of crossovers has been facelifted, and there is also the rejuvenated GLA to be admired, a few days after its premiere in Detroit…

Soon more here, we just say good bye for now together with a charming biondina leaning on her shining Maserati… just dream away!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Brussels Motor Show has interesting news – part 2

January 18, 2017Posted in Car News, Car presentations, New ModelsLeave a comment

Further on our visit we stood eye to eye with some more fascinating cars and novelties. Indeed, many brands put their best feet forward, just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Jaguar presented a world premiere on the show, an upgrade of the F-type. Its looks are refreshed, and this feline beauty is now also equipped with a state-of-the-art Touch-Pro infotainment system, which allows to combine vehicle data with GoPro HD videos via the ReRun app. Celebrating the introduction of the new F-TYPE, Jaguar also brings for one year the exclusive 400 SPORT edition.

The revamped F-type will go on sale in our country in the first quarter of 2017. We can’t wait to get our hands on one!

The new Discovery takes centre stage on the Land Rover stand. The fifth generation of this versatile SUV will be in the dealer showrooms in March. Range Rover also shows the SV Autobiography Dynamic. Needless to say that we will plan for you these SUV’s in our test calendar for 2017.

A short stroll took us then to the Skoda stand, where the Kodiaq took centre stage, alongside the new Octavia sedan and station wagon. The Octavia gets a high-tech update with a new three cylinder 1.0 TFSI engine, and a revised suspension with adjustable damper settings now also available, dubbed by the manufacturer “Dynamic Chassis Control.” It is also redesigned, has a wider radiator grille – enhanced even further by additional crystalline headlights – reminiscent of the tradition of Czech craftsmanship in making Bohemian crystal glass. The car has halogen headlights as standard, which are complemented by LED daytime running lights.

The Octavia has now not less than nine engines ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 l: four TSI, four TDI and one CNG; power output ranges from 63 kW (86 PS) to 135 kW (184 PS). We are keen to drive these new versions soon, faithful readers know that we were very impressed by the Octavia when we took the car to the French midi last summer. Just look further on our site, we give you here again the link: http://www.autoprova.be/2016/08/09/a-sporting-grand-tour-with-the-skoda-octavia-combi-rs-184-hp-2-0-crtdi-dsg6-4×4/

More Brussels Salon news to follow!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

2017 Brussels Motor Show has interesting news… Part 1

January 16, 2017Posted in Car Events, Car News, Car presentations, New ModelsLeave a comment

Futuristic dashboard and instrument cluster of the Tesla Model X… are promises kept by E-cars?

Our beloved Brussels Motor Show is now in its 95^th edition and focuses this year on light commercial vehicles, motorcycles, but also on the passenger car front there is much interesting news… We report here on our tour of the show, focusing on what’s new and interesting, and let you also enjoy the photos!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We started our tour on the Tesla stand, where we stood eye to eye with their interesting Model X. A good occasion to get acquainted with the brand, as we have never driven a Tesla so far. We had a long and lively in depth discussion with a charming Tesla representative about the merits of E-power, stressing again the need for a dense recharging network to make E-cars a thoroughly practical proposition. It is a well known fact that the “official” range of E-cars is virtually halved in winter conditions, making them rather difficult to use regularly without frequent recharging.

They promised to get in touch with us, and we are looking forward to drive a Tesla – and use one for a few days to test out their range, which is impressive on paper at least.

We strolled further to the BMW stand, where E-power is also very much in the spotlight. We drove the “long range” i3 recently, and soon we will report you about our findings. Star of the show here was the latest generation 5 series. The new car has the looks, and indeed is, as BMW puts it, “the embodiment of the modern business saloon.” It is quite athletic, well proportioned as is crammed with state of the art technology, delivering on top of all that the so legendary driving pleasure so typical for BMW.

Virtual instrumentation is also the rule at BMW… but retains the typical lettering of the brand…

We admired again the high-quality setting of the interior, and the driver is pampered with all the modern driving aids, inboard electronics and connectivity.

The big centrally placed screen keeps the BMW 5 series driver informed…

Needless to say that we are anxious to drive one in the coming months…

There was also the European Premiere of the Mini Countryman, and here on the photo you see the Plug-in hybrid version, the Mini Cooper S E Countryman all 4. The Mini is an all time hit, and BMW succeeds in combining ever more interesting technology with the iconic panache of the Mini, making it a very desirable car indeed. Driving a Mini is also synonymous to tons of driving pleasure, and this, we would say, throughout the range. So this one is also on our list for driving this year!

Dramatic both in styling and technology is the Lexus LC 500h, a sophisticated and luxurious coupé. Lexus states it is built by Takumi craftspeople, with 20+ years of experience…

It has the 3,5 litre V6 Hybrid engine, coupled to world’s first 10-speed Multi Stage Hybrid transmission, a powerful electric motor coupled to Lithium-ion battery pack, and sprints in about 5 seconds to 100 kmh. Available around mid 2017, and it will certainly be one of the test drive highlights of the year…

We also spotted the Toyota CH-R, remarkable with its adventurous styling, a very interesting hybrid crossover which we will drive for you end of March. Stay tuned!

There were quite a few stars to be admired at the Audi stand, with the new Q2, the still newer Q5 and last but not least the world premiere of the S5 cabrio.

We just show you here some photos, and you agree that the restyling is very well done and the already well proportioned cabrio stays stunningly attractive for years to come.

Audi Import Director Didier Willems and PR Officer Sofie Luyckx are unveiling the elegant S5 cabrio…

The A4 Avant g-tron and TT RS Coupé are having a Belgian première, with the Audi S5 Coupé, A5 Sportback, Q2 en Q5 making in Brussels their Belgian show debut. We saw a lot of smiling faces at the Audi stand, as the brand has done very well last year on the Belgian market.

More to come in following reports…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

VW at CES Las Vegas: Your profile travels with you in any VW you drive…

January 12, 2017Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Future car technology, Future technologies, prototypesLeave a comment

Experiencing your personal digital world in a vehicle is made possible by VW at the latest CES.

In the future, your own profile and preferences will always be with you – regardless of which Volkswagen model you’re driving. Volkswagen presents the next milestone in ease of use Visionary I.D. electric car being shown for first time in the USA.

We just tell you here somewhat more about Volkswagen’s show highlights…just read on!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “VW at CES Las Vegas: Your profile travels with you in any VW you drive…” →

Audi shows at 2017 CES piloted driving with artificial intelligence…

January 9, 2017Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Future car technology, Future technologies, prototypesLeave a comment

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key technology for piloted driving – that’s why Audi and strong partners from the electronics industry are jointly developing game-changing know-how in the field of machine learning. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Audi is presenting the Audi Q7 deep learning concept, a piloted driving car made possible thanks to collaboration with NVIDIA.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Renault launches new Scénic and Grand Scénic with dramatic looks…

September 11, 2016Posted in Car NewsLeave a comment

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

Porsche delights with more E-power: launching the new Panamera 4 E-hybrid

September 11, 2016Posted in Car NewsLeave a comment

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

The new Porsche Panamera: the very quintessence of a sporting sedan

July 31, 2016Posted in Car NewsLeave a comment

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” →

Fiat Professional supports world championship motorcross…

July 25, 2016Posted in Car NewsLeave a comment

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…” →