Autoworld Brussels has again an exquisite exhibition ready for us: until April 19 we can admire a carefully curated selection of about 12 absolutely iconic Lancias. It shows us the elegance and innovation through design, as the title of the exhibition indicates. But we would add, the pop-up exhibition also showcases innovation through ingenuity and engineering excellence.
The cars are beautifully displayed at the beginning of the vast and inviting central hall of Autoworld, taking you on a journey of more than a century of technical innovation, refined design, and engulfing you in its rich motorsport heritage.
My eyes first fell on, at least to my taste, the absolute beauty of the show, the Lancia Astura Roadster by Pinin Farina. This 1935 Astura is a technical gem. The V8 engined car was introduced on the Paris Motor Show in 1931. This Astura on the show belongs to the third series, built between 1933 and 1937, with 1,243 units made.
The third-generation Astura was offered in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase variants, and was powered by a new, larger engine. Indeed, it was enlarged from 2,6 to 3 litres, and the 17° narrow angle V8 single overhead camshaft engine now developed 82 hp. This short wheelbase you see on the photos was ideal for coachbuilders to show their talent.
ounded with the moral and financial support of Vicenzo Lancia, the Carrozzeria of Battista “Pinin” Farina witnessed a revival and produced breathtaking bodies. Of the just 328 “Corto” chassis built, many were clothed by Pinin Farina. The contours of this roadster are from the artistic hand of Mario Revelli di Beaumont, an independent stylist who worked actually for several “carrozzerie”…
Another car by the hand of Pinin Farina was for me the Lancia Flaminia. I was therefore elated to see the conceptual predecessor of the Flaminia, the Florida. The “bellezza” and elegance of this car deeply moves me. Just look at the photos. The car was built by Pinin Farina on an Aurelia B56 chassis, and it was a technically quite daring four-door pillarless saloon.
It was shown on the 1956 Brussels salon, and as a young boy, I dreamt about it. Just like the Boano styled Ferrari’s, it was for me the pinnacle of what human art, intellect and craftmanship could reach in terms of sheer contemporary beauty.
The pillarless doors had to go in the production version, the Flaminia, therefore the elegance of this Florida truly stands out.
Much more to follow on this Lancia show at Autoworld soon, about the D50 racing car, the iconic rally cars like the Stratos… just remember, go and see it, it is on show until April 19.
Practical info: Autoworld, Parc du Cinquantenaire 11 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
Please note, the museum is closed Wednesday 11 March, Thursday 12 March and Monday 16 March 2026.
The latest Brussels Motor Show proved to be a treasure trove for us car enthusiasts. At the impressive wonderful Mercedes stand on the show we met on the press day with Robert Lesnik, Director of Exterior Design. In front of the iconic and already legendary Concept AMG XX, he presented styling examples of what Mercedes believes stands for the brand.
He started off with this AMG XX, and commented that this car embodies a rare combination a very aggressive sporting front end, the side view with the timeless proportion of the long bonnet, a very round shaped rear end and an amazing interior. He also showed the legendary Autobahnkourier, and he also focused on the grille of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Renncoupé, being so iconic and a typical design hallmark over the years for the sport coupés and cabrios of the brand. He also commented further on the Concept AMG that this car is the harbinger of what is to come for the series version of this AMG Electric sports coupé.
Robert Lesnik commented further: “For the new generation we were inspired by our past cars and design heritage, which doesn’t mean that we are doing retro design. You can see it on the radiator grille of the new GLC Electric SUV, with just three horizontal bars illuminated, it is a modern interpretation of a classic design icon.”
Beauty and attraction…
“There are two elements, beauty and attraction, which are the goals when we design a Mercedes”, Robert continued. Something that attracts the customer and what he perceives as beautiful.”
“Obviously, this goes for both the exterior AND the interior. There must be a certain power. I would say the sweet spot for every Mercedes is the three-quarter rear end perspective, where you really see the shoulder, and you see also a very iconic graphic with two roundish rear lights, with three lights for the AMG versions.”
We asked also about the interior, although he is responsible for exterior design, but nevertheless…
“For the interior,” he continued, “there is always a combination of the digital and the analog. For the first time, we have a hyperscreen, made of three screens being seamlessly positioned together. Also when the instruments and screen is shut off, it is not uniformly black, the air vent openings are still illuminated, the touch fields and items on the screen are also still visible, the inside door handles have a metallic coating, silver shadow galvanized so to say, these elements were there earlier, and will stay also in the future. I always say, Mercedes has always a chromium strip more.” We could only agree…
Focusing further on the front of the car, Robert stressed that it is still somewhat higher, which results in a spacious frunk. We will also strive to have clean lines.
We asked Robert also when looking back at the elegantly styled cars for the hand of Paul Bracque, the cars were lean, low, with excellent all round visibility. Do we see these styling elements back in the Mercedes cars of today and the future?
“Indeed, cars were (much)smaller, but now cars are electric, and they need more volume because of the batteries. Cars therefore need to be higher and this also calls for bigger wheels. This means also that cars are wider and have longer wheelbases. So cars are bigger and later hopefully will get smaller again. But cars as elegant as the Pagode will never appear again because of the safety regulations… But for the next five years, our horizon is set, we have a good idea what our design strategy will be.”
We thanked Robert for the interview and show you here some photos.
In a further episode we will have a further interview with Oliver Löcher, Vice President Vehicle Engineering and Overall Vehicle Functions Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Xpeng introduced on the Brussels Motor Show their P7+, an “intelligent fastback” brimming with advanced features…
AS everybody knows, Chinese manufacturers are entering our automotive markets, and indeed we have already applauded the very convincing Leapmotor C10, just read the test report in our columns.
In the coming weeks we will cover the Chinese brands which were present at the Brussels Motor Show, and we start this series here with Xpeng. An interesting story follows…
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Xpeng, a fascinating company history…
The full name if Xpeng is actually Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology Co., Ltd. XPeng was co-founded in August 2014 by Xia Heng and He Tao, former senior executives at GAC Group with expertise in automotive technology.
Let’s delve a bit more into this GAC Group. This is the Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. As of 2021, it was the 5th largest automobile manufacturer in China.
Maybe it is also good to know that on 17 November 2023, GAC Group announced the independent development of key technologies, including all-solid-state batteries, cobalt-free batteries, low-cobalt batteries, and sodium-ion batteries. The company aims to achieve the integration of all-solid-state batteries into automobiles by 2026. Say no more…
But back to Xpeng. The Initial backers were amongst others the founder of UCWeb and former Alibaba executive He Xiaopeng, namesake and current Chairman of XPeng, and Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi.
The spacious interior of the P7+…
Collaboration with Volkswagen…
On 26 July 2023, the Volkswagen Group announced its investment of $700 million in XPeng for purchasing 4.99% stake of the company. The VW Group will collaborate with XPeng to develop two VW brand electric models for the mid-size segment in the Chinese market in 2026.
In February 2024, XPeng and VW signed a technology cooperation and joint development agreement on platform and software.
In August 2025, XPeng and Volkswagen Group signed an Agreement on Expanding E/E Architecture Technical Collaboration (“Expanded Technical Collaboration”). The signing of this agreement marks that the E/E Architecture will be not only integrated into Volkswagen’s electric vehicle platforms, but also deployed across its ICE and PHEV platforms in China, thereby significantly expanding the strategic technical collaboration to broader markets.
In November 2025, Xpeng announced a new driver-assist system designed for navigating narrow roads, which they say will be rolled out by the first quarter of 2026. The system is claimed to be able to navigate cars smoothly through the narrow streets and will be opened to other car makers, with Volkswagen being its first client. Brave new world we would say…
We spoke with Bart Hamminga, Country Managing Director of Xpeng Benelux.
Initial sales success in Belgium…
On their stand at the Brussels Motor Show, we had an interview with Bart Hamminga, Xpeng Country Managing Director of Benelux.
“Last year we announced our debut at the Brussels Motor Show, and we actually had a dream start. 12 months later, we could sign our 1000th sales contract.” Bart told us proudly.
“It shows that the Belgian car market is open for innovation and new technology” he continued. “The success is also due to the quality of our cars, which impressed the Belgian buyers. I think a very important contribution to the success was, last but not least, the cooperation with Hedin Automotive. It is, of course, essential to have a very good and solid partner. The combination of these three factors led to the very positive development we see on the Belgian market.”
Smiling faces: Bart Hamminga, Country MD of Benelux to the left, and XPeng Public Relations Manager René Aerts jr.
An impressive range
The P7+ has massive computing power, supporting the XPILOT ASSIST Advanced Driver Assistance System that uses a variety of cameras, radars, and sensors to offer support in three main areas: driving, parking, and safety.
At the Brussels Motor Show, Xpeng made the Eurpean premiere of the P7+, a model that was already on the Chinese market in 2024.
The car now got a facelift, and is in “pure” EV available in a RWD Long Range or an AWD Performance version. The rear end is completely restyled, and Xpeng defines the car as an “intelligent fastback”.
The Long Range will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,2 seconds, the Performance version does this in merely 4,3 seconds. There is a lot of luggage space in this 3 m long wheelbase elegant 5 seater, with a volume of 573 l up to 1931 l with the rear seats reclined.
Needless to say that we look forward to put this high-tech and elegant P7+ EV through a test soon…
The 7+ has a 800-volt Si-C platform, which means that you can charge it from 10 % to 80 % in merely 12 minutes.
There is also the G6, which has a WLTP range of up to 525 km and also has the XPILOT driver assist system. It will also fast charge up to 451 kW and has also the 800 Volt SiC platform, which means that also with the G6 you can charge it from 10 % to 80 % in merely 12 minutes. It has a slightly shorter wheelbase of 289 cm compared with the P7+, but luggage space is still quite good with 571 l/1374 l.
The RWD standard range goes 470 km on a full charge according to WLTP standards. It will accelerate from 0 to 100 km in 6,7 seconds. The RWD Long Range has similar performance, but a slightly longer range of 525 km.
The dashboard and interior of the G6…
Last but not least there is of course also a full size SUV in the range, the G9. Its wheelbase is 299,8 cm or let’s say 3 meters. Luggage space is 660/1576 liters. Its kerb weight is an impressive 2,4 tons. An induction motor is at the front, a permanent magnet motor at the rear for the AWD version. Combined output is here not less than 423 kW…
The car is available in 3 versions, RWD standard and long range, then last but not least the AWD Performance. This flagship SUV in the standard range gets you 502 km far, the long range is good for 585 km. Almost supercar performance is warranted in the Performance version: in will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,2 seconds.
Also this car has the Ai speech command feature, and of course the same XPILOT driver assist system. As with all the Xpeng cars, the high-tech company will see to it that you get automatic wireless updates of its built in software.
The dashboard and interior of the G9…
he G9 has the so called “Full-Stack Logic” architecture, functioning with a binocular front camera and a rear camera. Much more on these clever cars when we drive them…
The Brussels Motor Show is now in its 102nd edition and will be quite important, with an impressive array of world premieres to admire.
You can stand eye to eye with the Citroën ELO concept car, the Ford Ranger (facelift), Hyundai’s biggest EV so far, the Staria EV, KIA will show its new EV2 and powerful GT versions of the EV3 , EV4 and EV5, Mercedes-Benz will bring its new GLB, Mazda probably the European version of the EZ-30. Last but not least there is the Opel Astra and Peugeot E-408.
Indeed, Citroën has chosen Brussels to unveil the world premiere of ELO, a concept car designed as a veritable laboratory of ideas. ELO is firmly rooted in society and evolving lifestyles: responsible, functional, clever, multi-purpose, accessible and resolutely friendly. Compact (4.10 m) but incredibly spacious, ELO is “the little car that thinks big”. Its 100% electric architecture is optimally exploited to offer a modular space that can accommodate up to six people.
Kia will unveil the EV2, an all-electric B-segment SUV dedicated for Europe, on 09 January 2026, at the Brussels Motor Show. It is expected to have one E motor, borrowed from the Kia Inster. The 115 HP EV will be built in Žilina, in Slovakia.
Hyundai will launch new EVs in 2026, starting at the Brussels Motor Show with the world premiere of its biggest EV yet,” the automaker said in a statement. “The new model will showcase state-of-the-art electric technology, including an advanced 800-volt charging system.”
The all-new Mercedes GLB is built for everyday life. Available as a 5-or 7-seater, it adapts to all customers’ needs. It has more space, a new design, greater comfort, and even the ability to tow a full-size caravan.
The new Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer will celebrate their world premieres at the 102nd edition of the Brussels international motor show. The compact class bestsellers ‘made in Germany’ are sharper and more technical than ever, featuring the permanently illuminated Opel Blitz in the centre of the modernised Opel Vizor brand face for the first time, as well as the segment-unique, adaptive Intelli-Lux HD light.
PEUGEOT will unveil its new saloon car, the PEUGEOT 408, in Brussels. A true ambassador of French dynamism and panache, says the manufacturer in its press message, the new PEUGEOT 408 boasts an expressive and unexpected design. Wow effect guaranteed…
This will also be an opportunity for the Belgian public to discover the NEW PEUGEOT E-208 GTi.
The Brussels Motor Show will open its doors to the public from January 10 until 18 January. Your servant will attend the press day on January 9, and you will soon read my impressions in these columns… Don’t miss it!
Indeed Renault is looking back, but then only to inject its unique iconic true DNA into the cars it designs for the E-future. This is a clever strategy of this iconic French automaker. Indeed, in the roaring sixties and seventies, it did put cars on the road which continue to inspire several generations, and this right until this day.
Besides the ”4L” or charmingly called in the Gallic language ” la quatre elle” , there was the Renault 5, lovingly called “la Cinq”.
Another Renault icon is the starting blocks by the way, the new Twingo E-TECH, and all these new characterful cars are based on the same platform which Renault has developed for the new age of very efficient, compact and financially accessible EV’s.
Renault showed a prototype of its electric “5” already in 2021, and we are delighted to see that virtually all the styling elements of this project car are found back in the series production model.
The “5” is indeed an absolute pleasure to look at, it is wonderfully proportioned and stacked with delightful details.
Like the big letter “5” on the hood which gradually lights up when you charge the car, so you can immediately see how far the battery is recharged. So cool!
The headlamps are also wonderfully styled, and accompanied by square led light patterns below them.
The rear lights are sculpted as on the legendary R5 Turbo. By the way, the power and panache of this Turbo classic is not much more in driving practice than the torque and immediate pulling power of the 150 HP electric motor of our test car. And then there is the 218 HP Alpine Version, which we hope to drive soon…
A wonderful cabin…
The fun continues in the cabin. We find here the typical square design style of the seventies, which is continued in the yellow colour and graphic patterns of the displays found in front of the driver and the centre.
The screens are quite practical after some obvious acquaintance, and we liked the extra row of physical knobs and controls for heating and ventilation below the panels.
We liked the seventies styling of the seats which are also comfortable and well adjustable. The driver seat is also height adjustable as standard. In the front there is is ample leg and headroom, at the rear the available space is only adequate for adults. But this is a (city) car for young (at heart) adults, so in the rear you will mostly find kids or grandchildren..
The boot space is more than adequate for this compact EV, with 255 liters under the luggage cover. There is no separate stowing space for the charger and cables, just a stylish bag is provided.
Rediscovering driving pleasure…with an EV.
This is where this Renault 5 E-Tech really stands out: it gives you TONS of driving pleasure behind the wheel. No small feat for an EV. Not in the least because it steers and handles like a dream. The steering is precise, the suspension is sporting but not too harsh, and it just LOVES winding roads.
The car is wonderfully agile, and when you steer it into corners with abandon, it will even oversteer, which is of course easily corrected. Just great. Straight line and high speed stability is excellent. Does this 5 inspire you always to a sporting driving style as a must?
Not at all, it is whisper quiet, and the excellent sound system (can be optionally equipped with a Harman Kardon sound system) lets you enjoy classical or your preferred music along the route. Wind and tyre noise are virtually absent and this makes the compact “Cinq” a car with the manners and driving refinement of a premium automobile. Fit for long journeys too!
With outstanding performance to match…
What about range and performance you will ask. Our test car was equipped with the 150 HP or 110 kW engine, and this means vigorous accelerations, considering that the weight of the 5 is reasonable with 1450 kg. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint is absolved in some 8 seconds, top speed is reasonably limited to 150 km/h.
The car with this engine version has a 52 kW battery, which results in a average range of some 350 km, based on a consumption of 17 kW/100 km. City driving will easily give you average consumptions around 13-14 kW, corresponding with a range of some 400 km. Brisk motorway driving will limit the range, as the boxy 5 E-Tech with a Cw value of 0,32 is not a champion in aerodynamics. Speed charging up to 100 kW is possible with the Cinq, so within a 30 minute coffee break the battery is easily recharged from 20 to 80 pct.
Up to date infotainment
Of course, noblesse oblige, in this day and age the 5 E-tech has Android Auto and Apple Carplay, also handles voice commands over Google Assistant, offers two USB C connections. The navigation system is based on Google Maps. You can also plot your charging points en route. You can personalise the system via your Google account and of course you can be further informed about your car by using the Renault App. With over the air updates, your Renault can always be kept up to date…
Conclusion
This 5 E-Tech has the looks and offers you pleasure behind the wheel. It is indeed fun to drive and look at, and will also spoil you with the whispering silence of a premium car.
It is also well priced, and its timeless iconic shape will let you enjoy it for many years to come…
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Photographers’ notes: the photos here are made again with our Sony Alpha 5100 with its F4 16-70 Zeiss lens, which produces punchy, sharp photos with rich contrast.
But we also used here a recently bought second hand 50 mm Canon EF F1,8 II lens, mounted here on our trusted EOS 1100 D Canon DSLR. It produced the detailed photos of dashboard screens and further bodywork details, creating an interesting bokeh due to its shallow depth of field at wide openings, yet being razor sharp and offering good contour contrast. The 50 mm lens is often overlooked, yet it is an excellent tool due to its luminosity, interesting bokeh and excellent sharpness…
The Opel Mokka, one of the bestsellers in the Opel range, has got a facelift combined with some important technical refinements. More than reason enough to put the hybrid version through its paces for you here. It was the first Opel to receive the now iconic characteristic brand fascia, the so-called “Opel Vizor”, and now it got even more character: with the facelift the black Vizor visually integrates the new Blitz and the headlights into one element. Black elements are decidedly en vogue: a black design line runs from the bonnet to the rear above the side windows. Black claddings at the front, rear and wheel arches also give a more sporting look.
Also in the cabin things have further improved. First of all, there is a new steering wheel, flattened at the top and bottom and made from vegan material, with the new Blitz emblem proudly at the centre.
The centre console between the front seats, in a matt silver tone, has a cleaner, upmarket style and the design of the remaining switches for the electric parking brake and the selectable driving modes is identical to the all-new Opel Grandland. The material of the seats consists now of recycled material, but it is good to know that the whole cabin gives now a decidedly more upmarket impression.
A hybrid with 48 Volt technology…
Opel calls it a “modern hybrid”, and it consists of a 100 kW (136 hp) 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 21 kW (28 hp) electric motor and an electrified six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission is very smooth, the electric motor assists the engine in accelerations with helpful extra torque and all this results in very pleasant performance combined with excellent efficiency.
When accelerating slowly and driving at moderate constant speeds on city boulevards, the engine will run at very low revs in the highest possible gears, and this without any noticeably noise or vibrations. Pushing the trottle a bit further will cause the E-motor to react immediately and the transmission will intantly choose the correct gear for the engine to step in.
Driven with restraint, you will easily achieve a consumption in city driving at around 6 litres/100 km, and even slightly lower, whereas cruising on the open road will let the consumption drop to around 5,2 litres/100 km. According to WLTP standards, fuel consumption is 4.9 l/100 km, CO2 emissions are 110 g/km; the CO2 label is a C.
The 3 cylinder engine has now a chain driven distribution system, and the Continetal-developed oil lubricated belt has been abandoned, resulting in improved reliability.
A drivers’ car…
We find Opels always very attractive drivers’ cars, striking a very good balance between comfort, performance and a predictable, engaging handling. The Mokka again proved this wonderfully. It responds admirably to a brisk driving style, but will never let you feel uncomfortable when you decide to drive smoothly and leasurely.
Seating position behind the wheel is also excellent. The knee room for rear passengers is somewhat more restrained, and boot space is not cavernous either, but with 350 litres is still sufficient for most.
Performance is excellent, with the Mokka proving to be an “Autobahn Meister” with a smooth top speed of 207 km/h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 in just above 9 seconds. This Mokka is a fast GT, let this be said. This performance is almost identical to the original Porsche 2 litre 911, don’t forget!
… with up to scratch infotainment
The facelifted Mokka also is no laggard when it comes to modern infotainment. The cockpit uses Qualcomm Technologies’ next generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform and Snapdragon Auto Connectivity Platform3 to enable premium in-vehicle experiences, including state-of-the-art graphics, multimedia and enhanced connectivity capabilities such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 4G, says Opel.
A 10-inch digital driver information display and an equally large colour touchscreen are also standard. The latter can be easily operated via widgets, just like a smartphone – alternatively and in combination with the optional navigation system, a ‘Hey, Opel’ is enough to use the natural voice recognition.
Both displays can be personalised. The system recognises the driver’s personal profile on the connected smartphone; the connection is always wireless in the new Mokka. Virtual shortcuts can be set up on the central screen and you can choose between different colour schemes.
When ordered with the integrated navigation system, map updates are made available over-the-air. The system also constantly learns and – based on the habits of the linked driver profile – independently suggests destinations and routes.
The “myOpel” app can also be used to easily send the destination and the corresponding route to your car. Furthermore, Opel offers ChatGPT4 (available in combination with Connected Navigation) for the new Mokka…
To sum it all up, we liked the Mokka Hybrid very much indeed, having style, performance, offering driving pleasure combined with excellent performance and economy, all this combined with a very reasonable price…
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Photographers’ notes: Here we used again our faithful Canon G9X. After years of intensive use, the battery lid latch is broken, and therefore we have to use a camera support bracket straight from the sixties… but this adds extra balance and stability when taking photos at slower shutter speeds…
This little gem has 20 megapixels for you, and has an optical soom with 28–84 mm equivalent focal length. It has quite reasonable low light capabilities with a maximum ISO of 12800, shoots 1080 P video and weighs only 208 grams…
FIAT launches the new Grande Panda Hybrid, marking a significant milestone in its global product strategy: making the electrified transition possible for all thanks to this affordable, and cool B-segment Panda.This hybrid version marks the brand’s role as a leader in volume and accessibility, says Stellantis, echoing the golden years of FIAT when simplicity, innovation, and emotional design moved millions.
The Grande Panda project is the cornerstone of a new global vehicle family developed entirely under the guidance of the FIAT HQ and Centro Stile in Mirafiori, Turin. Your servant remembers its visit at the Centro Stile a few years ago, when he stood eye to eye with the clay model of the FIAT “centoventi” or 120, which showed already the proportions and styling language of the present day Panda. Technologically, it already incorporated the solutions we see today.
The model sits on Stellantis’ “Smart Car” Platform. At the heart of this model lies the T-Gen3 hybrid powertrain, featuring a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 110 HP, combined with a 48V Li-ion battery and a eDCT 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This system integrates a 21kW electric motor,an inverter, and a central control unit.
Through functions like e-launch, e-creeping, and e-parking, the Grande Panda Hybrid can operate in full-electric mode during low-speed manoeuvres, allowing for up to 1 km of electric-only driving at speeds under 30 km/h. These features result in smoother acceleration, silent city driving, and less fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, made possible in part also by the Miller Cycle combustion strategy. The eDCT transmission further enhances efficiency and provides a relaxed, two-pedal driving experience that embodies FIAT’s “easy drive” philosophy.
All trims, and one can choose between three levels, notably POP, ICON, and LA PRIMA, come equipped with a comprehensive ADAS suite, including Cruise Control, Speed Limiter, Active Safety Brake, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and open-door alerts. The LA PRIMA trim enhances this with front sensors and a rear view camera. Connectivity is supported through the onboard 10” digital cluster, 10.25” central touchscreen, and wireless smartphone mirroring. Customers benefit from multiple USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and seamless digital integration.
Continuing the 4 X 4 tradition of the Panda with a 4 X 4 concept…
The new Grande Panda 4×4 concept model, presented during the Grande Panda Hybrid Media Drive, is the direct heir of the Panda 4×4 from the ‘80s. It has exclusive details, and the unique dark red livery, bringing the 80s Panda’s character into the modern era.
It has an electrified, innovative rear axle that delivers all-terrain versatility. We look forward to see this concept hitting the road soon…
We invite you to look at the accompanying photos for now…
From May 24 to 25, in the extraordinary setting of the Villa Sucota overlooking Lake Como, Alfa Romeo will be the Official Partner of the 2025 edition of FuoriConcorso, and will show its beautiful cars, with its unique sporting design language, a festival of beautiful contours and shapes which are an everlasting delight to the eyes of every car enthusiast.
Just read on and enjoy the photos…
Hans Knol ten Bensel
The FuoriConcorso is an event with a well rooted tradition: it was founded in 2019 by Guglielmo Miani, president of Larusmiani, the bespoke menswear and gentleman accessories firm which has been there for gentlemen since 1922. The passion for cars results also in a boutique to create an exclusive collection limited edition. There now you can purchase a collectors box of the Alfa Romeo 6C which contains: the numbered t-shirt with rear print depicting the car and a caption postcard with the history of the car.
But let’s return to the FuoriConcorso. It has grown to an international event that every year attracts thousands of collectors, experts and car enthusiasts from all over the world. The theme selected for this year is – “Velocissimo – Italian Race Cars”, and this means that Alfa Romeo will put its mark on this event. Indeed, the splendid Villa Sucota will become this year the “Casa Alfa Romeo”.
Around 15 extraordinary models will be on show there, some from the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese and others from private collections.
The Zagato 6C…
A car which truly stands out is the 1930 6C 1750 Gran Sport, one of the most famous Alfa Romeos for its unmistakable line (Zagato), six-cylinder engine with compressor and its wide-ranging trophy haul in motorsport, spread out between the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Tourist Trophy and many other victories in endurance races.
On a model similar to the one on display, the legendary Tazio Nuvolari won the 1930 Mille Miglia, setting an average speed record of 100 km/h across the entire route, in a memorable duel with his teammate, Achille Varzi, also driving a 1750.
The Giulia TZ2…
Many aficionados still dream of the golden era of road racing, and the cars which played a prominent part in this. Like the spectacular 1965 Giulia TZ2. An evolution of the previous Giulia TZ, this car is lower, more tapered and aerodynamic, with fiberglass bodywork on a tubular chassis. Designed by Ercole Spada at Zagato, it sports a sleek and muscular line, dominated by the famous truncated tail, which consecrates it as one of the most beautiful racing cars ever.
The 1.6 twin-cam engine evolved with double ignition and dry sump, reaching 170 hp and 250 km/h. At its debut in 1965, it won its class at the 1000 km of Monza and went on to take other victories in the same season, including the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Targa Florio and the 1000 km of the Nürburgring. One year later, the TZ2 achieved the same feat at Monza, Sebring, the “Targa” and the “Ring.”
The 33 TT12…
Then there is the 1975 33 TT12. It made its racing debut on May 5, 1973 at the “1000 km of Spa-Francorchamps,” when the World Championship for Makes was experiencing a period of great popularity and commitment from the most prestigious manufacturers, including Alfa Romeo with the “Tipo 33” family.
The “33” which saw the light in 1967 has now become legendary, where the letters “TT” stand for Telaio Tubulare (‘tubular chassis’; based on its forerunner the 33 TT3 with a V8 or ’Otto Vu’ engine) and “12” is the `number of cylinders of the new 180° (‘flat’) three-liter V engine that can exceed the threshold of 500 hp. The aesthetics are unmistakable, with its side fins and famous periscope. After a year of development and initial wins in ’74, total domination came in 1975: seven victories out of eight races to win the World Championship for Makes, the fourth overall title in Alfa Romeo history. Legendary drivers such as Merzario, Andretti, Ickx, Vaccarella and many others were behind the wheel to build this immense series of wins.
The legendary F1 compressor Alfetta’s…
When you stroll a few steps away from Villa Sucota, an exclusive area pays homage to the bolides that have made Formula 1 history, starring the 1951 Alfa Romeo GP Tipo 159 “Alfetta,” the veritable ruler of the first two World Championships. An evolution of the legendary 158 of 1938, the 159 triumphed with Fangio after the victory by “Nino” Farina in 1950. After the title – the first of five for Fangio – Alfa Romeo officially withdrew from racing to devote itself to the Giulietta.
Compared to the 158, the 159’s engine was equipped with a two-stage compressor, De Dion rear suspension – the name given to the 1972 Alfetta is based on the adoption of this technical solution – and a more efficient aerodynamic look. The supercharged 1.5-liter inline 8-cylinder engine reaches incredible levels of power: in tests, it even achieved 450 hp, equivalent to 304 hp/liter. This was also made possible by the use of alcohol based special fuels, which had a considerable cooling effect when evaporating, making higher compression rates possible without corresponding high combustion temperatures.
Last but not least, the 33 Stradale…
Also on show at Villa Sucota will be the new 33 Stradale, a “custom-built” car approved for road use that ensures outstanding performance on the track.
It was unveiled in 2023 and produced in only 33 models (all of which have already been sold), the car represents the return of the legendary 33 Stradale, an icon of the 1960s, reputed by many to be one of the most beautiful cars of all time, and derived directly from the Tipo 33 – once a big name in world motorsport.
We can only suggest you to take a look at the photos, and spend some delightful ”Alfa” moments…
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…
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.
Autoprova - for the Connaisseur 