Car presentations – Page 36 – Autoprova

Brussels Motor Show has interesting news – part 3

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

La bella Giulia… and amazing Fiats

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

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

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

Renault unpacks the Koleos and delights the senses…

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

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

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

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

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

Sporting news for the good three pointed star…

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

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

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Brussels Motor Show has interesting news – part 2

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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

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

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

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

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

More Brussels Salon news to follow!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

2017 Brussels Motor Show has interesting news… Part 1

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

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More to come in following reports…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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

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

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

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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Audi shows at 2017 CES piloted driving with artificial intelligence…

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

BMW at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas: shaping the future of mobility…

January 7, 2017Posted in Car presentations, Future car technology, Future technologies, prototypesLeave a comment

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017, taking place in Las Vegas on 5 – 8 January 2017, BMW reveals a vision of an interior whose architecture and user interface are extensively adapted for fully automated driving on board a vehicle that is seamlessly integrated into the driver’s digital life.

BMW is also showcasing the potential of connected mobility with demonstration drives in a prototype based on the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. Drivers experience innovative digital services underpinned by BMW Connected and the flexible Open Mobility Cloud platform.

Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel Continue reading “BMW at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas: shaping the future of mobility…” →

The all-new ŠKODA Kodiaq celebrated its world premiere on 1st September 2016 in Berlin…

September 5, 2016Posted in Car presentationsLeave a comment

Finally, we now have a look at the Kodiaq in the flesh: Indeed, the Kodiaq is a big SUV: It is 4,700 mm long, 1,882 mm wide and 1,676 mm high. The Kodiaq uses the largest version of the VW Group’s MQB chassis technology built for the European market. The VW Tiguan XL is the only car in the group which will have the same wheelbase.

The new MQB chassis makes the car also relatively light, thanks to the use oif the latest lightweight construction techniques. It puts 1,452kg on the scale in FWD, with the 4WD only adding 80 kgs.

Frugal power

The Skoda Kodiaq will be available immediately with a range of two diesel engines and three petrol units . The diesel engines are the well proven 2.0-litre four-cylinder units, offered in two versions, – 148bhp with 340Nm and a more powerful 187bhp version with 400Nm or torque. The petrol engines start with the 1.4-litre with 123bhp and 200Nm, a more powerful 1.4 with cylinder deactivation technology and good for 148bhp and 250Nm, and a 2.0 litre with 177bhp and 320Nm.

The most powerful diesel and petrol engines are available only in combination with four-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox. The more sedate diesel and 1.4-litre engines are available only with the DSG when in front-wheel-drive lay-out, but one can order them also with DSG or six-speed manual coupled with four-wheel drive.

In the interior one finds the new Skoda world with elegant and timeless design, with even vertically placed ventilation openings. One can opt for the Bolero version with a 8.0-inch display, instead of the standard 6,5 inch unit. The phone box incorporates inductive wireless charging for smartphones.

There is always a lot of luggage space in Skoda’s, and this Kodiaq offers will all the seats folded slightly more than 2,065 litres…

As you can expect, the whole range of Driver Assistance Systems can be had, including surround view cameras, becoming now the class norm in this segment.

We just let you have here a brief look at the exterior of this Kodiaq, which we will be keen to drive soon…

Kodiaq was a city in Alaska…for one day

The Alaskan city Kodiak renames itself for announcement of ŠKODA’s all-new SUV… indeed, how would you react if a carmaker from another continent came to your city and proposed changing its name? Surprised? Bemused? Or perhaps delighted that, finally, your hometown was getting some long-overdue recognition worldwide? Well, on May 6th, 2016 Kodiak, Alaska became for one day Kodiaq, to coincide with the official announcement of the all-new SUV…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Nissan NP 300 Navara: a pickup which brings you (very) far…

April 10, 2016Posted in Car presentationsLeave a comment

The new Nissan NP 300 Navara is already earning (very) high marks with international jury’s: it has won a few weeks ago the coveted “Pickup of the year 2016” prize.

Nissan is poised to (re)gain a very important place in the global pickup market, and last but not least in Belgium and Luxembourg, and all this is reason enough to attend the driving presentation of this Nissan NP 300, which the efficient and dynamic PR team of Nissan Belgium had prepared for us in Wavre, with a very scenic and challenging off road test track amidst the flowing hills of the surrounding countryside.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Nissan NP 300 Navara: a pickup which brings you (very) far…” →