Category: Car presentations

We spoke with Barbara De Mol, Marketing Director Lancia and Alfa Romeo…

Posted in Car manufacturers strategy, Car presentations, Design, Interviews, Lifestyle, men women and cars, New Models, Service & Repair, women and carsTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

HKTB: Let me first congratulate you with your new responsibility, and thank you for granting this interview. You have already built up quite a career in the automotive world…

BDM: Indeed!  I made my first steps at Renault, then joined the Group D’Ieteren, where I worked in the Marketing department at Porsche, and then took a new challenge by joining Electric by D’Ieteren, putting their product in the market. Then, as I was launching a new product in a premium (electric) automotive market, it was a logical step for me when an iconic brand like Lancia was (re)launching itself in our market, to take up also this challenge and this is how I landed here as a marketing director for Lancia and Alfa.

HKTB: Lancia is a unique premium brand with a noble Italian elegance and spirit, embedded in a rich history…

When I heard that 9 dealers will represent the Lancia brand in our country, with 1 in Luxemburg, it intrigues me to know how they will receive and approach the client and give him this premium impression and “feel” the moment he enters the showroom. What kind of support do you provide to these dealers?

BDM: Indeed, our support goes further than just marketing, and contains other aspects. For instance, the appearance and “look” of the showroom itself. We prescribe a premium level here. But there is also the sales person, i.e. the person who makes the first contact with the client. So we have established a training programme, where learning how to establish a good “face to face” contact is very important. We also have to address any doubts the client may have about the quality of our Italian cars, and therefore we offer an extended guarantee for the entire duration of the contract on our products.

HKTB: Do you work together with Italy to develop this training program for the sales staff?

BDM: Indeed, we have a very good collaboration. They communicate about their best practices, and of course we also have in Belgium our own training team. We have also developed a specific sales course, not only focusing on the technical aspects of the car, but also pointing out which elements constitute a premium brand.

HKTB: And the philosophy of the brand…

BDM: Of course. This has also a special appeal for them. The Italian elegance, the rally successes, there are many aspects. The history of Lancia is also very important.

HKTB: Can you tell us a bit more about the geographical distribution of the dealerships, for instance, there is no dealer in Knokke…

BDM: Indeed, there might come one in 2025… The first idea is of course to spread the dealerships  across Belgium, and the person who lives in Knokke or rather has his second residence there, lives usually also in one of the main Belgian cities.

HKTB: You have a dealership in Courtrai…

BDM: Indeed! The (first) locations have been chosen in function of the potential sales volumes. We need motivated dealers who want to invest in the brand, and therefore we need to offer them an opportunity to grow…

HKTB: What about the dealerships who previously sold the Lancia Ypsilon, now some years ago?

BDM: These dealers will still exist for after sales service. Presently there are only two dealers in this situation. They can service the new Ypsilon, even when they don’t have the car in their showroom.

HKTB: The car has many technical similarities with other cars in the the Stellantis group, not to mention the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa …

BDM: Indeed, but when it comes to selling and servicing the Ypsilon, the approach is to maintain its strictly Italian character, which is reflected in the dealer strategy…and which is to be applauded!

HKTB: Do you have a cooperation with the Netherlands?

BDM: We are different, but we work together, as the Ypsilon is launched simultaneously in both countries.

HKTB: Within the Stellantis group, DS is also a brand which addresses a premium client base. Is there a “cross fertilization” concerning client approach, an exchange of best practices in this field?

BDM: Not really. Indeed, we have three premium brands in the group, Alfa, DS, Lancia. We can share some training programmes on how to sell a premium brand, but then for Lancia and Alfa the passion for the automobile, its elegance and its design are rather more important. It is more “Italian”.

HKTB: Can you tell a bit more about the plans and potential for the fleet market for this Ypsilon?

BDM: We know that in Belgium the premium is very much fleet oriented, but as the Ypsilon is a city car, we reckon that about 50 % will be sold in the fleet market and indeed 50 % will find its way to private clients, who will opt rather more for the hybrid version.

HKTB: There will also be a follow up in the Lancia model range with the Gamma…

BDM: Indeed, and next year also there will be the more engaging HF version of the Ypsilon.

HKTB: Are the dealers exclusively Lancia?

BDM: No, they are also Alfa. They are so-called multibrand, but they will have a specific showroom, dedicated to the brand. The showrooms of the different brands have also to be clearly separated, and indeed the sales people are also specific. There is a dedicated sales person for the brand, who has an intimate knowledge of the brand.

HKTB: Are you going to engage with Lancia in cultural and other events? Will you for example sponsor in the future events like the Concours Reine Elisabeth?

BDM: Not in 2024, we now concentrate on the launch of the brand; but the retailers will probably organize or sponsor (local) events. There will be however specific events for the fleet clientele.

HKTB: I am (also) an artist myself and have a keen interest in artistic events, and I could see Lancia sponsoring events in the cultural sector…

BDM: This is a very good suggestion! Maybe in 2025. But you can always contact me, I am always open to new ideas and suggestions! The first event is now the opening of our retailers. The 22nd of May, the Luxembourg retailer will open its doors…

HKTB: Thank you very much for this interview!

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

We drove the Volkswagen ID.7: your electrifying flagship…

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Volkswagen has gained over the years already quite some experience in designing, developing and building EV’s with its already iconic ID series. All this know how is now brought together in the ID.7, the big EV limousine at the top of their ID range. The result is manifest: this car is full of good qualities, and earns indeed top marks in virtually all aspects. We found it clearly one of the best bigger EV’s we have come across lately.
Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Imposing and well proportioned

The ID.7 has the same styling and form language as the smaller models in its ID range, but its proportions are even better, not in the least because of its  longer weelbase. The overall length of 4,97 meters lets the lines and contours flow more gradually and elegantly and indeed, this ID.7 looks good from any angle.
The ID.7 is also very aerodynamic, with a Cw value of merely 0,23. This is very crucial to reduce energy consumption at higher cruising speeds, and to achieve longer ranges on long distances. But there is more: the VW engineers gave the ID.7 also a brand new electric motor. It drives like in the other ID models the rear wheels and develops 210 kW or 286 HP.

Plenty  of power, to say the least, and this ID.7 is very agile indeed. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 6,5 seconds and overtaking becomes the proverbial breeze. The ID.7 behaves also wonderfully when you drive it more quietly, and the car then rewards you with a very reasonable consumption. We achieved during our test an average of 17.60 kW/100 km, and we think that this tells the whole story.
Indeed, VW succeeded in giving their flagship EV an impressive range of close to 500 km. Of course, the usable range varies with outside temperatures and driven speeds, but let’s say that this ID.7 has its merits as a long distance Gran Turismo.
This good range is achieved with the 77 kW battery which is also found in the other cars of the ID  range, and all this is due to the improved motor and the better aerodynamic qualities. Of course, as you already know by now, EV cars just LOVE slow driving. The slower the (constant) speed, the further you go. Even to very slow speeds, like say 40 km/h, EV’s are frugal, where IC engined cars need to revert to lower gearing to keep the revs up and are therefore less efficient. Also the outside temperatures are relevant. So at a nice springtime outside temperature of 20 degrees and at a cruising speed of say 90 km/h, you will drive far beyond 600 kilometers with your stylish ID.7. Top speed is sensibly limited to 180 km/h.

This electric flagship will also recuperate its kinetic energy nicely. If you put it in Eco mode, it will also decelerate smoothly and anticipate for bends and crossroads.

Comfort and space…

We found the suspension of the ID.7 actually “just right”, offering excellent comfort in all circumstances and under all driving styles, with outstanding handling and agility. A superbly balanced car indeed.

But it is not only the suspension which stands out, the generous dimensions in the cabin do the rest. Indeed, this is a limousine fit for the very tallest. Even when the front seats are put back to accommodate 1,95 meter tall front passengers, you will still enjoy ample legroom in the back. Indeed, this is a car to fit four basket ball players, and this is pretty unique.
Your servant is barely 1,70 m tall, so you can imagine that I was absolutely spoiled.

Climate comfort

The seats itself also merit superlatives. The front seats are optionally equipped with so-called ’Adaptive Climate Control’.  It has to be felt to believe it. Humidity sensors in the backrest will prevent transpiration, small jets will cool or heat the seats for optimal comfort.
Besides this, the seats will also spoil you with an array of massage functions.

The light atmosphere in the cabin can be changed almost at will, 10 different colour shades are standard, and can optionally be as many as 30…

Our test car came with a panoramic roof, which has a layer of polymer dispersed liquid crystals, so you can control the transperance with a simple touch.

Heating and ventilation are controlled on the immense central touchscreen, although there is an illuminated control bar at the base of the screen which lets you adjust with sliders the basics like air  temperature and airflow volume. The direction of the airflow through the vents can only be adjusted on the touchscreen however. Your servant is very sensitive to colder airflows, and was very surprised to feel an intermittent air stream on his face. Indeed, the airvents can be set to turn constantly on a horizontal axis, like a stand ventilator in your home…

A range of well over 500 kilometers is quite possible with the ID.7..

On a public charging point it will accept power up to 11 kW, and the battery will be 80 pct charged in about 4 hours…

Touch controls…and clear instrumentation.

Again the haptic touch controls are the hallmark of this VW, as is typical for the entire ID range. It takes some getting used to, and for instance you are well advised to set the voice command sensor on the steering wheel properly, otherwise she will ask you what she can do for you at every turn of the way.

What we loved is the very clear and concise driver information the instrument display puts in front of you. Indeed, less is more. There is also a very readable head up display. It informs you about speed, the direction you should take and energy consumption.

Practical

In good VW tradition, the boot space is enormous. When you fold the back seats and load until the window openings, you can store 888 liters…
There is even a small separate 25 litre storage space for the charging cables.

The ID.7 is rather wide for urban traffic, but its turning circle is a modest 10,7 meters, and indeed the car is thanks to the driving aids also a breeze to park.

Fast charging is a strong point of the ID.7. It will accept up to over 180 kW charging power, and under these conditions it will take little more than half an hour to recharge this flagship from 10 to 80 pct. On a public or wallbox charger it will typically accept 11 kW, and you have to reckon with a charging time of some 8 hours.

Conclusion

The ID.7 is indeed a totally convincing limousine EV. It is hard to find any weak points, and it is therefore not surprising that it earns many top laurels in the international motoring press. Notably it was given the very best note ever for an EV by the German ADAC in their test.

Quality doesn’t come cheap, but then this is a rather formidable EV, and we sincerely regretted to part with it…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Lancia is back in our low countries…

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Design, Interviews, Lifestyle, New ModelsTagged , Leave a comment

Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg have always been “home” for Lancia. Indeed, our roads were marked 4 to 5 decades ago by the presence of the elegant Fulvia’s, and connoisseurs were at the wheel of the Flaminia’s, not to speak of the beautiful Superleggera’s and later, last but not least, the 4WD Lancia Delta “Integrale”, which still makes the hearts of aficionados beat faster.

The rear lights of the new Ypsylon are reminiscent of the legendary Stratos, with also the “Y” Calice symbol worked in…

Even your servant fell for the brand with the elegant chromed “calice” on its radiator, namely a Dedra 1,8 i.e. By then, Lancia was already part of the larger Fiat concern, and it proved to be an utterly reliable and pleasant companion for four years in my stable, and I still remember it fondly. It already had the beautiful dark blue body paint and equally blue Alcantara interior and seats.

Given this enthusiasm, it is hardly surprising that Stellantis decided to pick the Benelux as one of the ideal places in Europe to have the renaissance of the brand, in line with the “Stellantis Dare Forward” strategic plan.

The Lancia Ypsilon is the much loved debutante…

The Ypsilon has maintained the brand alive in Italy, and has been highly popular there over the years. Not that the new Ypsilon has anything in common with its predecessor. It carries the Lancia Pu+Ra Design (the name a combination of ‘pure’ and ‘radical’), the one-of-a-kind Lancia design language with a timeless touch. The new Ypsilon It is available as a pure EV and in hybrid form. The 156 HP EV with a 51 kW battery has a WLTP measured range of 403 kilometers, the 3 cylinder, 100 HP 48 V hybrid caters for a wide(r) public and can be bought at an attractive base price of 24,000 Euros. The EV has the same technical basis as the Peugeot e-208 and the Opel Corsa Electric, but it certainly has quite different looks.

Lancia presented us their Ypsilon at the launch in a very attractive top notch “Edizione Limitata Cassina” version, whith an iconic “Lancia Blu” color for interior and bodywork, ”panno” wool upholstery for the seats executed in “cannelloni” pattern and as icing on the cake, one is seduced by an iconic “tavola” or small round table in the centre of the dashboard, sitting on top of the centre console. This brings you in the unique S.A.L.A. or “living room” atmosphere, which the Lancia designers created in collaboration with Cassina.

The abbreviation S.A.L.A., meaning living room in Italian, actually stands for Sound, Air, Light, Augmentation and is the new name used for the infotainment system. Its command module sits as a disk on top of the dashboard. We will come back on this system more in detail when we will get acquinted with the Ypsilon, hopefully soon…

This Cassina edition is exclusive: only 1906 units will be produced, and the number is actually also quite symbolic, as 1906 is the year Vicenzo Lancia was born…

The Benelux customer can now order this Ypsilon, and besides the top Cassina and the “base” version, one can also opt for the premium LX version. LX is also symbolic, as it is the Latin acronym for 60, created in 1966 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the brand.

Even the base version is well equipped, with multifunctional steering wheel, automatic airco and keyless entry/start/lock. There is also one 10,25 inch digital instrument screen and an equally big  central touchscreen. Of course Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also provided.

A new dealer and sales network

The renaissance of Lancia comprises also an all-new network made up of 9 new showrooms in Belgium, 6 in the Netherlands, and 1 in Luxembourg, with 12, 6, and 1 after-sales service points respectively. You can order also your new Ypsilon online, if you wish.

Should you opt for a “pure” EV, it is good to know that Lancia offers “Free2move Charge”, a simple, complete, and integrated ecosystem that allows worry free charging at home and gives you access to 600,000 charging points across Europe. Lancia offers also the Easy Wallbox Home Charging solution and has interesting financial renting offers in store, worked out in collaboration with Stellantis Financial Services.

Last but not least, we had at the presentation an interview with Barbara de Mol, Marketing Director for Lancia and Alfa Romeo, about Lancia’s dealer/sales and marketing approach in our country. It to be published soon, so stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

We drove the Peugeot e-2008: a bestseller goes electric…

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The stylish 2008 has already won many car loving hearts in its B-SUV segment over the last three years, and Peugeot now again improved its styling, equipment and last but not least gave it a new electric motor, bigger battery and longer range.

Reason enough for us to have a go for you behind its cute, dynamic and very pleasant small steering wheel, which gives this 2008 the extra panache and feel to brighten up your daily driving. We drove the top notch GT version here, and were spoiled indeed…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The E-2008 was already quite popular in its earlier  version, with not less than 75,000 units sold. It accounted for 17.4% of sales in 2022, placing it on the podium of European sales of electric SUVs in the B segment.

Even more style…

The 2008 had already an appealing overall design, but now after the new 508 saloon and 508 SW, the 2008 is the second model to adopt the new PEUGEOT signature light. This consists of three vertical light claws which are integrated into the gloss black inserts on the bumper. In the GT versions, the effect of the three claws is extended in the lighting of the full LED headlamps through the use of three light modules. We liked it…see the photo below.


The new LED rear lights on all versions of the new 2008 are redesigned. The emblematic three claws are made up of three superimposed horizontal double slats, giving the 2008 optically a wider stance.

The new 2008 has a new front end, which features the new PEUGEOT emblem, and we liked very much the new Selenium Grey which was chosen as the launch colour. It gives the 2008 a decidedly upmarket appeal.
The wheel design is now in line with those introduced on the PEUGEOT 408. Several models are available, in 16-inch “NOMA” (ACTIVE versions), 17-inch “KARAKOY” (ALLURE and GT) or 18-inch “EVISSA” (optional on GT). All alloy wheels feature a 4-spoke wheel centre, stamped with the PEUGEOT crest…

A pleasant cabin and a new digital instrument cluster

Ideally located at eye level, just above the steering wheel, the new 2008’s instrument cluster is digital on the ALLURE and GT versions. Its 10-inch digital display has a new design and, on GT versions, a 3D display. The colour of the display, the hierarchy and the layout of the information can be fully adjusted to suit the driver’s preferences, and indeed, is quite intuitive to use. We like the Peugeot idea of putting the instruments in your line of vision, just above the upper rim of the small steering wheel, but we would suggest that you test this out for yourself so that you feel comfortable with it.

Of course, the central display will also show your Android Auto connection…

All 2008 models now come with a 10-inch central touchscreen as standard, and on the ALLURE and GT versions, the central screen has improved readability thanks to HD technology. It is indeed a breeze to use, also thanks to the row of piano keys under the central screen, giving quick access to key functions. We also liked very much the big round audio volume control knob, it is always the most intuitive and useful tool for radio listening, no matter what…

The cabin is pleasant, the seats not only look good, but give excellent comfort and support. As icing on the cake, the GT version we tested offers ambient lighting which can be customised in eight different colours, coordinated with those of the central touch screen and even taking into account the selected driving mode (!).

If you plan to take your E-2008 to snowy alps or muddy country roads, it is good to know that the 2008 comes with Grip Control, which provides access to three driving modes: sand, mud and snow. Depending on the country, this grip control offer is combined with ‘3PMSF’ all-season tyres.

A new electric engine and longer range…

Stellantis installs now a more powerful 156 HP electric motor in the 2008, and this engine is also found in the E-208 and E-308. The same goes for the improved battery, now good for 54 kWh. All this results in a longer range – according to WLTP standards – of 406 km.
Everybody now knows that outside temperatures and driving styles greatly influence the possible range of an EV. And it must also be said that for EV driving, the slower is the better, contrary to IC engined cars, which in the top gear have a so called ”sweet” spot for economy driving at some 70-85 km/h. At this speed, an EV is already consuming a LOT MORE kWh than at say 50-60 km/h. Speeds between 30 and 40 km/h are most economic for an EV, this is the reason why it excels in urban traffic, and this is the main reason for adopting hybrid drivetrains to lower overall consumption in frequent urban use.

To achieve decent efficiency at higher speeds and more dynamic use, manufacturers of electrified cars have adopted the so-called ”drive modes” systems, as is of course also found on this E-2008. In this ”Eco” mode, the engine power is harnessed to some 109 HP, which is indeed more than sufficient for everyday driving. The excellent torque characteristics of an electric motor make up for this, and one never has the feeling that the car is underpowered.


What remains is the uncanny and brilliant smoothness of EV driving, and indeed, nothing comes close if you want pleasant (urban) mobility. On the open road, we try to achieve in the milder springtime temperatures a decent range of some 350 kilometers, and this means cruising in the ”Eco” mode at some 100 km/h, which means that you truly can enjoy the jazz or classical music coming from the very melodious sound system.
On the practical recharging level, it is good to know that you can fast charge the 2008 at up to 100 kW. This means that you can recharge this Peugeot in merely 27 minutes from 10 to 80 %.

We also appreciated here the very well dampened rolling noises, making a longer trip a very relaxing and enriching experience.
EV cruising is indeed under these circumstances a marvelous ”Zen” activity, where we are of course grateful that the distances in our rather small country are not by any means large. A word of praise also for the sound system, very important now in an EV.

French car builders have a unique “savoir faire”, when it comes to making suspensions which are both comfortable and well balanced, offering excellent road manners. The small steering wheel inspires you to adopt a more active driving style, and indeed, the 2008 doesn’t miss a beat, on any road and at (almost) any speed…Having said this, this 2008 feels however most at ease when you adopt a zesty, but a still rather relaxed driving style.

With 156 HP the E-2008 offers quite adequate performance, if not sensational. It will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,1 seconds, top speed being limited to 145 km/h.

Practical

The 2008 scores well in everyday life. Offering good seating comfort fore and aft, luggage space is still very much OK with 434 litres, and you can extend the luggage space by folding the 60:40 split rear seats. When it comes to equipment, there are three levels you can choose, Active, Allure and the Gt version we tested. The Allure version seems the ideal compromise in terms of value for money, as it offers most of the things you get in the GT  version, although we must admit that we liked the extra panache of the GT nevertheless…

Conclusion

The 2008 convinces in styling, above all a fantastic looking interior and dashboard. It is smooth and comfortable, seats four easily, has adequate boot space, and is reasonably e-efficient. It is very well possible to achieve an average consumption of around 15 kW/h given a relaxed driving style.

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

Photographers’ notes: this time we used an older Nikon camera from our collection: the D3000. It saw life in 2009… Is a 15 year old digital camera with a 10.2MP DX-Format CMOS sensor and an EXPEED image processor still able to hold its own? The experts then said: “Image quality overall is excellent with accurate colors, sharpness, and great exposure metering. Although cameras within this class aren’t especially known for their speed, the D3000 holds it own.” Well, judging from the photos here, taken with the 18-140 f 3,5/5.6 zoom lens we bought with it at the time, it still does! This begs the question: do we need the 20 and more millions of pixels to produce good results? Well, eh, no…

D’Ieteren offers innovative and tailored mobility solutions to its B2B clients…

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It is a significant trend: the major automotive brands in our Belgian market organize targeted events to approach their customers in the absence of a Belgian Motor Show this year.

So from March 12 onwards, Mobility Solutions by D’Ieteren, formerly Group Mobility Solutions, immerses its B2B audience in an exclusive experience that focuses on innovative solutions and the leading trends in sustainable mobility.

“Developing seamless and sustainable mobility for everyone by offering our customers a connected mobility ecosystem: that is, in a nutshell, what we stand for,” says Joris Spigt, director of Mobility Solutions by D’Ieteren. “During our Mobility Experience by D’Ieteren, we therefore invite the B2B audience to get up close and personal with all the novelties within the entire ecosystem of mobility solutions that D’Ieteren has to offer today.”

News from the  VW Group car brands…

There is quite some news. For example, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will not only be showing the new Tiguan e-Hybrid at this event, the ID.7 Tourer will also be present, just like the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase and seven seats. One can also see the latest generation ID.3 and the ID.2 all-concept: a design study of a compact, fully electric model that will have a base price from € 25,000.

Škoda, for its part, is presenting two Belgian premieres: the new Superb Combi and the Kodiaq iV.. The latter is now available as a plug-in hybrid, further strengthening its B2B potential.

CUPRA presents the new Tavascan, the brand’s very first fully electric, sporty SUV. It is flanked by the also fully electric, compact UrbanRebel concept car that provides a glimpse of the future of CUPRA, and by the current Formentor and Born models.

Audi’s long-term vision is given concrete form by the camouflaged prototype of the Q6 e-tron that will be unveiled very soon. A new SUV that perfectly embodies the electric DNA of the four-ring brand with even more autonomy thanks to the new Premium Platform Electric technology platform.

Finally, Porsche will be showing its latest Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, which with its combination of power and emotions guarantees an unparalleled driving experience.

Seamless mobility offered…

In addition to the product novelties, Mobility Solutions by D’Ieteren will make time and space available during this show for all the mobility services it offers. The best known are probably the financial solutions of VDFin and the mobility sharing service Poppy/MyPop, but providers such as Joule, Taxis Verts/Husk, My Way/Audi Approved+, EDI/Go Solar and Mbrella are also present.

Finally, Wondercar is part of the mobility ecosystem in its own way and highlights this with a creative activation that tests the stress level of fleet managers when someone damages their company car.

Interactive workshops are also organized…

“But with our Mobility Experience by D’Ieteren we go one step further,” explains Joris Spigt, “by also strategically familiarizing our B2B audience with the mobility of today and tomorrow. In four interactive workshops we inform them about how they can integrate new transport modes into their policy, how new technologies can provide guidance and how they can tailor a mobility strategy to the ambitions of their company and the expectations of their employees.”

We show you the photos here, and needless  to say that we are keen to test for you the numerous novelties D’Ieteren has in store for us…

Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the EV Car of the Year: The Jeep Avenger Electric

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Jeep has conquered many hearts over the years, and its popularity keeps steadily rising. The iconic brand for outdoor lovers has also chosen the path of electrification, which has been very well received indeed. The Avenger earned also top marks right after its introduction. It is designed and built in Europe, and is – for the time being – available only on our EU markets.

The Jeep Avenger Electric is only front wheel drive, but has the cutest proportions and overall looks, and just that makes it so desirable. It is unmistakably “Jeep”, and small styling details both inside and out remind you of this. We tested for you this ultrasmooth (urban) icon, just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Indeed, the looks and proportions are top notch, whereby the overall dimensions remain beautifully compact. Overall length is only 4,08 meters, which is 16 cm shorter than the Renegade. Of course, the platform comes from the Stellantis group, is built in Poland in the state of the art Tychy plant and harbours the latest EV technology, of which much more here below. The side view is marked by the classic trapezoidal wheel arches, allowing more wheel travel for maximum articulation. The seven bar grille is of course classic Jeep…


At the rear, the Avenger carries signature-lights inspired by the classic X fuel cans. This “X” is a recurring theme inside and outside via the “X-Camo”, a pattern which combines the concept of “camouflage” with the letter “X”. Cute!

Practical

The interior space feels in our modest opinion “just right” and the height is wonderfully suited to get in and out of the car most easily. The clean design of the dashboard breathes the “design to function” premise. It was inspired by the Jeep brand’s history and particularly by the Jeep Wrangler. It certainly looks refreshing and we just loved it

The upper part of the dashboard is shaped by a single horizontal function ‘beam’ which includes all the air vents, ambient lighting and a centrally located 10.25 inch touch screen, which can be seen by both the driver and passenger. The lower side of the dashboard is then marked by a wide-open storage shell, where you can put not less than 34 liters of all your stuff which you think are unmissable in your daily life. Below the buttons controlling the automatic transmission, this space has a neat folding magnetic cover which let you hide it from other’s eyes… Below it you can for example charge a cell phone while simultaneously storing a 1.5-liter bottle of water.

The front seats are electronically adjustable and can be had with massage function, and we found them quite comfortable indeed. Boot space is good with 380 liters, and is practical with the sill height lowered to 72 cm. Also the boot lid which is more than 1 meter wide.

Second generation BEV powertrain…

The second-generation 400 Volt electric powertrain is the first one to be launched by Emotors, a joint venture between Stellantis and Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding. It supplies 115 kW, corresponding to 156 horsepower, and 260 Nm of maximum torque. This means zesty performance…It runs on the “small” STLA platform. We tell you here that Stellantis has designed four EV platforms. STLA Small platforms vehicles will house packs with capacities between 37 kWh and 82 kWh. STLA Medium EVs will carry between 87 kWh and 104 kWh, STLA Large will use packs of 101 kWh and 118 kWh, and the big STLA Frame will require between 159 kWh and 200 kWh packs. 

Each platform can be built to up to 2 million units a year. Volume and a high degree of shared components are of course key for both speed to market as well as cost control, according to Stellantis.

There will be three core drive modules that package the electric motor together with the transmission and power inverter. These drive modules also will be suitable for front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive applications, as well as 4xe in the case of plug-in hybrid Jeeps. So much here about the Stellantis platform strategy.

As rather typical for an EV, the acceleration leaves little to be desired. It will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds. A rapidly diminishing range will prevent you to put your right foot very deeply on the motorway, and therefore the engineers already limited the top speed to 150 km/h.


A useful range.

The new 54 kWh battery, which is also produced by Stellantis, is made up of 17 modules and 102 cells utilizing NMC 811 Lithium-Ion chemistry and delivers 400 km of range in the WLTP cycle, which becomes 550 km in the urban cycle, still according to Stellantis.

The battery, is found under the front and rear seats and the central tunnel. Furthermore, it is protected by a high ground clearance and underbody skid plates during off-road.

Speaking of range, in the real world where we drove the Avenger in winter, and this affects of course battery performance. The range using the heating normally and doing some brisk highway and motorway driving at the legal maximum speeds, is reduced to some 230 km, with close to 300 km available when you use the Avenger exclusively for (sedate) urban driving. We said it already many times before in these columns, the smoothness and silence of E propulsion is just wonderful, and indeed the Avenger is a pure delight to drive.

Off road talent maintained…

The full electric Avenger we tested is only front wheel drive. But make no mistake, it is a Jeep. Therefore, it is equipped with standard Selec-Terrain® and Hill Descent Control which, together with the good  approach and departure angles and the vehicle’s ground clearance, make it very fit to discover nature’s off road paths. We tried it, and indeed we were astonished…

The Selec-Terrain® system offers six modes: “Normal” for everyday driving; “Eco” to enhance range; “Sport” for more driving fun; “Snow” for maximum traction on icy roads or trails; “Mud” to optimize mud performance and to enhance grip; and “Sand” to limit the risk of becoming stuck on sandy soil.  Needless to say that we used on the open road almost exclusively the ”Eco” mode…

Infotainment and driving aids…

The Avenger offers of course Android Auto and CarPlay; you can mix and match content to build your own interface (up to twelve widgets per page, up to six pages); you can enjoy embedded navigation by TomTom with enhanced natural voice recognition; and last but not least over-the-air updates. 

The new Jeep Avenger also offers a suite of remote services and functionalities. For example, thanks to the Jeep Mobile App, users can locate the location of their cars directly from their smartphones. Users can even lock and unlock their doors, check the battery level, set the climate functions and recharge the vehicle, as well interact directly with the Avenger through a vocal assistant.

The Avenger offers also Level 2 autonomous driving, which automatically adjusts speed and trajectory, and makes use of Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering. We found it together with the “zen” character of E driving quite relaxing indeed…

We liked the pleasant compact dimensions of the Avenger, yet offering excellent head and legroom fore and aft even for tall adults. It is a marvelously well balanced car with, as we said earlier, pleasing and iconic looks and proportions.    


Conclusion


The Avenger has many qualities which impressed us greatly. It looks good, drives beautifully, offers enough room for four adults and their luggage, is marvelously fit for urban use and is also surprisingly well at home on unhardened country roads. It is also an excellent cruiser, comfortable and silent, but when you have Gran Turismo high speed aspirations, look rather for the hybrid version.
We look forward to testing this e-Hybrid version soon…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We shot the photos here again with our Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-1000. The mid winter light lacklustre conditions were very well mastered with sufficient colour rendition, brightness and contrast. The Leica Vario Elmarit aspherical f 2.8-4 25-400 mm lens delivers excellent sharpness also at full lens openings.


We drove the Cupra Formentor 2.0 TSI 4Drive: punch and style

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Faithful Autoprova readers remember the test report of the Cupra Formentor 1.5 TSI, and we liked very much the Cupra’s style, handling and overall behaviour. We found also the performance more than adequate, but the dynamic PR team of the Belgian importer D’Ieteren suggested that we make a test drive with the 2.0 TSI 4Drive version, as it will show even better the superb balance and true grit of the Cupra. So we did, and indeed, we finished this test with a smile on our face…Just read on!

By the way, do you know what “Formentor” actually means? We looked it up for you: Formentor refers to a place or location, and is often associated with scenic or picturesque natural landscapes and can be found in various regions around the world. For example, Formentor is a well-known cape in the island of Mallorca, Spain, renowned for its breathtaking views and beautiful beaches. Now you know!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Smooth power…

As soon as we push the starting knob and put the 7 speed DSG in “D”, we are impressed by the pulling power of this 2 litre unit, developing not less than 320 Nm of torque over a wide rev range, i.e. between 1500 and 4100 rpm. Not that you need any high revs to get ahead with verve, and indeed this is a nice big pulling engine for your svelte and relatively light Formentor, which only puts some 1521 kg on the scale. This is the Volkswagen Group EA888 series engine, a well proven DOHC unit with DCVV (continuously variable valve timing), developing 140 kW/190 HP between 4200 and 6000 rpm.

The performance leaves nothing to be desired. The acceleration figures speak for themselves: it costs only 7,3 seconds to reach 100 km/h, and the top speed is not less than 220 km/h. Aficionados will say this is more like a Cupra is supposed to be… Intermediate acceleration figures also speak volumes: from 60 to 100 km/h costs only 4 seconds, 80 to 120 km/h only 5,4 seconds.

The engine feels and sounds never stressed, and is silent and smooth. In combination with an alert DSG with fast and imperceptible changes and a variable 4 wheel drive you soon feel light-hearted and start truly enjoying this Formentor.

As revs remain low even with spirited progress, consumption stays very reasonable indeed. We achieved an average of 7,3 liters/100 km, with a fair amount of faster driving involved. We find this an excellent value. Of course, when one uses the performance to the full, well over 8 liters is consumed over 100 km, a figure which is however still quite creditable, given the performance achieved. CO2 emissions are set at 202 g/km.

Excellent handling

The 190 HP Formentor can be had optionally with the DCC variable suspension setup and you can choose between  good comfort up to firm sporting fit for razor sharp, flat cornering with virtually no body roll whatsoever. Combined with the sensitive and precise steering, it is a delightful car for the expert driver or the ordinary mortal who now and then wants to have some sporting pleasure behind the wheel. Motorway stability at (very) high speeds is excellent, and the steering is not too nervous, so this Formentor is totally fit for effortless high speed long distance driving.

During our test, we had a stint of (very) impressive snowy winter weather, so we were able to put the variable 4WD through its paces. It proved very efficient and kept us on the slippery and frozen snowy country roads always on the right path…

Conclusion

The Cupra Formentor really comes into its own with this lively 2 litre engine. The performance levels are excellent. In our country, the fiscal treatment of this version is not too good, and therefore one should – with this in mind – also have a look at the 1.4 litre e-Hybrid version(s), with 150 kW/204 PS and 180 kW/245 PS respectively. Maybe within the foreseeable future we can test one for you…

Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

Photographers notes:

We shot the photos here agan with our Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-1000. The Leica Vario Elmarit aspherical f 2.8-4 25-400 mm lens delivers excellent results, with excellent sharpness and contrast, despite its very wide zoom range.

Abarth reveals the New Abarth 600e, the most powerful ever…

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We don’t have to wait much longer now, the New Abarth 600e is undergoing final tests and will soon be making its first public debut in Milan, where shooting is going on at the moment of writing for its commercial film debut.

Here you see already a first picture, revealing  instantly the “evil” or “pur sang” character of the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima launch version, which will be produced in a limited-edition of 1,949 units.

Equipped with 240 HP, the New Abarth 600e Scorpionissima is fiercely competitive and powerful. There has never been a more powerful Abarth. Made to be unique in the field of electric cars, the Abarth 600e will feature a mechanical limited slip differential that guarantees excellent driving stability, improved handling, and traction.

The exceptional performance of the limited slip differential takes the car to new heights, especially when combined with its high-performance tires which were jointly developed with the supplier for Formula E to ensure maximum grip and guarantee excellent racing dynamics in all kinds of conditions. A harmonious equilibrium is attained by balancing performance and limited resistance, ensuring an improved range in an electric vehicle.

Looking at the car you can see it is clearly an Abarth! The exclusive Hypnotic Purple, the launch color inspired by the post-puncture hypnotic effect, highlights its aggressiveness, while the aerodynamic rear spoiler is designed to maximize performance.

It also has expansive wheels, a low profile, and 20-inch wheels designed to accommodate an extensive brake system.

For collectors and Abarth aficionados, the New Abarth 600e Scorpionissima will come with an authenticity certificate. And of course, there is more to come….like the Abarth 695 75° Anniversario limited edition, we will tell you about it also soon!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We interviewed Asterio Perez, Managing Director of Fiat, Abarth and Fiat Professional in Belgium and Luxemburg.

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In the Stellantis Group, Fiat occupies of course a very important place, and therefore we made this interview about its future plans at the recently held press conference… Just read on!

HKTB: I propose to start this interview with the LCV market, which is very important for Fiat.

AP: Indeed, it is very important, and we have even reserved a specific brand for it, Fiat Professional. This means that we have also a dedicated network for this brand. Indeed, we have dealers who sell exclusively commercial vehicles. This means that they offer a service which is fully tailored to the needs of a professional client. For him, our vehicles are an instrument for his job, and so his needs are for example different time schedules for service and maintenance, and sometimes also assistance on Saturdays too.

Fiat has fully renewed its LCV range…

HKTB: I assisted a few years ago at the launch of the first electric Ducato…

AP: Indeed, this was the first phase in the electrification of our LCV range. Now we have a new Ducato which has been designed from the ground up for BEV use. This Ducato has an attractive range of some 400 kilometers. But the use of a fully dedicated BEV platform enabled us also to be more cost effective and reduce the price by not less than 25 pct and meet the needs of our professional clientele by offering multiple load and bodywork configurations.

HKTB: When we come back to the passenger cars, the new 600 will also be very important to introduce electrified and BEV mobility to a wider public?

AP: Our most important BEV car for the moment remains the 500. The latest generation of our iconic 500 is exclusively BEV, whereas the previous generation is still produced and offered in hybrid form.  It is very important to note that our most popular and important car is now BEV only, not many mainstream manufacturers are doing this!

AP: This goes of course also for the Belgian market: the new 500 is exclusively electric. Now we come to the 600. This is a segment B car, and everybody knows that in this segment, a big share of the volume is still consisting of IC or “thermal” cars, let’s say that of the approximately 130,000 cars sold in this segment, only 7,000 are electric.

This is why we decided to offer the 600 also in hybrid form, besides the BEV version. Its hybrid drivetrain allows you still to drive on E-power in town for some 50 % of jour journey. The first hybrid cars will be available to the public around mid summer. This car will be available at a price around 24.000 Euros, which is quite attractive.

HKTB: Finally we have also Abarth. Being an engineer, this brand will certainly passionate you…I still remember the bialbero’s, the 850 TC’s… 

AP: Indeed, as soon as you sit behind the wheel of an Abarth, you feel younger and invigorated… it gives you energy, even if you drive only at a speed of 30 km/h! There is this unique spirit…

HKTB: How do you see the energy transition for the “Abartisti”?

AP: We have already an electric version of the 500, and we will continue along this path. I understand that many enthusiasts of the brand are still somewhat skeptical, but even if you want a sporting car, its electrification is inevitable. I can assure them that they will find a car which is responsive, handles beautifully, will be full of character.

In the new 600 Abarth which will be launched this year, they will find all these unique qualities too. I cannot give more details at this moment, just that this car will be powerful with 240 HP… But in looks, feel and touch, it will be very much a pur sang and sporting automobile. The car is not only developed by Abarth, but also by the people of Stellantis motorsport.

HKTB: Will it be a car for the engaging, sporting driver, will it have performance controls like a formel E racing car, so the expert and talented driver can increase the handling and outright power of the car?

AP: I cannot give you any more details of the car at this moment, except that it will be very powerful, with 240 HP…

HKTB: I thank you very much for this interview!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We spoke with Pierre Voineau, Managing Director Citroën Belgium & Luxemburg

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“On BEV-mobility In the B segment, we will indeed be the spearhead for the Stellantis Group.“

On the recently held Stellantis  Press conference where it unfolded its strategy, results and future plans for its brands, we had the opportunity to talk with the leading managers of the several brands. As Citroën is the linchpin of the group in terms of European volume sales, we were keen to talk with Pierre Voineau, more specifically about a very important EV for Citroën, the new ë-C3.

Just read on…

 Hans Knol ten Bensel

HKTB: The new electric C3 will be a very important car for Citroën on our market…

PV: Indeed, it is the most important model launch for the Citroën brand over the last decade. Of course, the C3 is the most popular car here in Belgium, and has been already over the last few years. We also want to revolutionize the EV market with this car, making it accessible for everybody and at the same time producing the car in Europe…

We are at the crossroads of a decisive moment both for the Citroën brand as well as the car market in general.  

HKTB: For you it is also a mini-SUV, the C3 has grown taller…

PV: Indeed, we have injected the DNA of an SUV into the well known C3, but we did not make the car any longer or wider. This was very important. The car does not take up more room on the road than the present C3, just by a few centimeters at most. But we heightened the ground clearance of the car by 3 centimeters, and raised the roof line considerably with 10 centimeters. The passengers sit higher and indeed the front end is more imposing with a styling reminiscent of the OLI prototype you saw in Paris. The OLI embodies the strategy of the brand in terms of the total technical concept and styling in the long term, but indeed, some elements are already incorporated in this new C3.

HKTB: Which extra market segments or client groups do you want to attract besides the existing Citroën buyers?

PV: We will not in the first instance attract other client groups. It is rather the mobility itself which changes. With this, the needs of our existing client base also evolve. Now the need arises for cheap EV mobility, and we respond to that.

HKTB: The problem for you as a brand and certainly for a big automotive group like Stellantis is that the public charging infrastructure is still insufficient to meet all the mobility requirements. What do you put forward strategically here as a brand and a large group?

PV: We have Free2move eSolutions within the Stellantis group, which accompanies the client from A to Z in purchasing and installing his home charging point. When the client is in a particular situation and has no home or office charging point, or otherwise, it is good to know that in the spring we will also offer a thermal version of the C3.

Having said this, we will also have a special application, called e-ROUTES, on our electric C3. The route planner knows how many kilometers you need to travel, it will calculate a stop at say 20 % of the battery left, indicating the position of a charging point and also whether this charging point is available. It will indicate the recharging time needed, depending on the power of the charging station. One can charge up to 100 kW by the way. This will give the customer peace of mind when traveling over longer distances. With a battery of 44 kW and a range of some 320 kilometers one responds to almost all needs. On average, customers don’t travel more than 80 km per day.

Note from the editor: This new app, developed by Free2move Charge, is a trip planner that utilizes real-time data from the car and charging points on the driver’s planned route. e-ROUTES is available via an exclusive smartphone app. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. To access e-ROUTES services, customers will need to use their MyCitroën account, either through the app on their smartphone or the car’s touchscreen, using the mirroring function.

HKTB: EV driving also needs a different state of mind and driving style…

PV: Indeed, one will embrace a different, anticipative, more leisurely and “zen” driving style… What’s more, we focus at Citroën also on comfort: the new electric C3 has a so-called Progressive Hydraulic Cushions® suspension, ensuring that you enjoy the legendary ‘magic carpet ride’ feeling of comfort on the road, thanks to the use of progressive Hydraulic bump stops.

Note from the editor: Two stops are used on each corner of the vehicle in conjunction with the shock absorber and spring instead of mechanical stops – one for compression the other for decompression.  

PV: We also have a manual airco on all the equipment versions of the C3, including a rear-end sensor. This combination of e-refinement with comfort and lavish standard equipment has great appeal and indeed the European wide orders for the new car at the end of December last year amounted to not less than 20,000. This year, we have chalked up already 1,000 orders in Belgium only. On BEV-mobility In the B segment, we will indeed be the spearhead for the Stellantis Group.

PV: I would like to comment also a bit more on the interior of the C3. Just look at the display. It reflects vehicle information onto a glossy black section between the top of the dash panel and the bottom of the windscreen. This smart solution ensures there is no duplication of information as there would traditionally be between a Head Up Display system and instrument cluster, and ensures drivers can easily access all the key information they need without taking their eyes off the road. The new multi-function steering wheel is also smaller, and so does not obstruct the head-up display.

Owners of the ‘You’ model have as standard equipment the ‘My Citroen Play with Smartphone Station’ dedicated App to access music, radio, calls and navigation via their own device.

HKTB: The clever use of the smartphone was also a solution found on the OLI prototype… actually, this C3 has everything of a compact “grande routière”…

PV: Indeed, as said, standard on ‘You’ models and features a built-in smartphone holder that allows drivers to ‘dock’ their device and auto launch the dedicated new App using NFC (Near Field Communication) wireless technology. Via this app, owners use their device to access shortcuts to Phone, Radio, Navigation and Music App services. The ë-C3’s steering wheel controls ensure drivers keep their hands on the wheel, and the ‘Home’ button makes it easy to navigate back to the homepage of the App.     

Indeed, she has everything of a “petite grande”…

HKTB I thank you for this interview.

Hans Knol ten Bensel