Category: Car Shows

Brussels Motor Show: Some thoughts about the styling future at Citroën, our talk with head of design Pierre Leclercq…

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Conceiving the automotive future is always a very challenging task. Some brands have also  a future-oriented attitude more than others in their DNA, and one of them is certainly Citroën.

75 years ago, they brought us the 2 CV, a car which embodied nothing less than a four-wheeled French revolution, embodying Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Indeed, this adagio of the French revolutionists fitted the post-war French “citoyens” admirably, as the 2CV brought them just that. Freedom for all, with low-cost mobility, practicality, and go-anywhere capacity.

This revolutionary dream of the brand with the double chevron has never died. And Pierre Leclercq, the Belgian born head of design, proved its love for practicality, out of the box progressive “back to authentic basics of automotive mobility” thinking  already with its wonderful and stunning OLI.   

Your servant was at the presentation of this OLI in Paris, and now stood eye to eye with the equally intriguing ELO. On both occasions, he met the designer, Pierre Leclerq. We talked to him again in Brussels…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

A creative career…

Pierre Leclercq started in 1998 at BMW as an intern, he joined the Italian coachbuilder Zagato in 1999, which he left after three months to join Ford Ghia. Here he designed the interior of the Ford Street Ka concept. In 2000 he returned to BMW, where he worked for 13 years. There he notably designed the BMW X5 E70, BMW X6 E71 and the rear of the first Mini Countryman. He also worked on a successor to the BMW M1 based on the BMW i8, but the project was ultimately abandoned.

Pierre Leclercq headed the design studio of Great Wall Motors from 2013 to 2017. He then became design director at Kia, but stayed only one year with the South Korean manufacturer. Needless to say that he acquired a keen understanding of the design philosophy and DNA of both European and Far East manufacturers.

In November 2018, he took over the head of Citroën’s design office, succeeding Alexandre Malval, who had moved to Mercedes-Benz. The first project he led entirely at Citroën was the C4 X, a 4-door version of the third-generation C4.

Three pillars to keep in mind when building this concept car…

On the Brussels show, at the presentation of the ELO and the subsequent talk we had with him, Pierre stressed that this concept car is first and foremost a laboratory of ideas. He also wants to demonstrate the three pillars of the design philosophy of this car;  he told us: “The ELO must become your third place (after home and office – editor’s note) to live in which you must be able to play, work and rest ”   

Work…

Pierre presented the ELO to us, showing the highlights of its design. “We start with a six seater”, with the driver in the center and two seats on both sides. The second row is made of three other seats.”

“Fold two seats under the rear seats and then you can rotate the driver’s seat 360 degrees, either for a good entry or when you want to work. Ideal for people who want to work – our first pillar –  in another place than the office.”

Play…

“I told you the second pillar is play”, he continues. “The cooperation with Decathlon was so inspiring and led to new ideas and applications. We developed an app together with them. You can plan your trip, plan your weekend, so that you don’t forget anything that you need, you have electricity and (compressed) air for your bikes and toys…”

Compressed air and electricity for your E-bikes are provided…

Rest…

“The third pillar is rest. You fold the seats in the back row, and you have a flat floor. You then use two matresses, again an innovation from Decathlon. You inflate them to have perfect rigidity. We also have a larger screen that can unfold and we have a projector that is on the side of the car, and the little roof opens up at the back of the car to let you look at the stars in the sky.”

We asked him also about the cooperation with Decathlon on this project…

PD: “We liked Decathlon because we carry the same values.” was his answer. “Decathlon is innovating because it makes well designed and well thought products and is not reverting to expensive technologies. We worked together from the beginning to the end on this project, and it was a big learning experience for us.”

What are the futher design hallmarks of the ELO, we asked.

PD: “The car is compact, but has a lot of glass, which is very important both for the driver and people in the back, and more importantly, children.”

Can you tell us more about the materials used, we wanted to know.

PD: “Many materials are recyclable and we even recycled materials from the OLI for this project. Also the interior panels for example. They are also cheap and easy to replace when scratched due to intensive use…”

You took advantage of the EV architecture, we remarked…

PD: “Indeed, we could maintain very compact dimensions whilst offering much room. We could move driver forward, even putting him in the centre.”

We will see much of these solutions in forthcoming models?  

PD: “Yes, this concept car is a laboratory of ideas, there is not one idea which we will not try to put into production. Of course, this is the beauty of our craft, of being a designer, is to make and develop many projects, and to put them on the road, and last but not least to sell them, because these concept cars are not made for us, but for the cliënt.  

Needless to say it was a big pleasure for us to meet up again with Pierre Declercq, and see and admire his stunning concept car, the ELO.

In the next report on the Brussels Salon we will talk to Robert Lesnik, Director Exterior Design Mercedes-Benz and Oliver Löcher, Vice President Vehicle Engineering and Overall Vehicle Functions Mercedes-Benz Cars. Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

World premieres in Brussels…

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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!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

InterClassics Brussels 2025 was an absolute hit…

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car Shows, Classic cars, Manufacturer's Classic Centers, Museums, Service & Repair, UncategorizedTagged , Leave a comment

In the vast “palaces” of the iconic Brussels Expo, the 10th edition of this event proved quite popular, with no less than 29.472 enthusiasts admiring the four-wheeled classics. Special theme of the show was the celebration of the looks, fury and sound of the V12 engine, which is of course at home in many supercars. The good news is that these wonderful engines are here to stay, as our Brussels EU politicians are going to allow combustion engines to live on after 2035…

The festival of supercars: a Koeningsegg was admired by many…

The show also focused on the 75th anniversary of Formula 1. Many supercars were therefore to be seen on the show, and this inspired the organiser MECC Maastricht to provide a special “Supercar Foyer” at the InterClassics Maastricht, which is to be held from 15 to 18 January in Maastricht.

International character

Organiser Erik Panis also mentions the international character of the show, and indeed, it is becoming one of the hallmarks of the Brussels event. It has now grown to the biggest indoor classic car event in the Benelux. Also, if you look at the number of cars which changed hands on the show, one notes that the classic car sector is still growing…

BEHVA promotes youth education…

One of the important partners of MECC is the Belgian Historic Vehicle Association (BEHVA). They worked actively to support students and teachers in car maintenance, repair, and service. Indeed, without the (specialized) professional mechanical and service know-how in repair and workshops and classic car care centres, the classic car industry and sector simply cannot survive and have a good future.

Many beauties were to be found on the show, and our beloved Royal Historical Vehicle Club Belgium, which had put up a beautiful stand at the InterClassics show, won a special prize with a well-preserved Lincoln Continental Mark II built in 1957. The club also celebrated its 50 years of existence…

The body, interior, and chassis of this Continental are totally original; of course, the mechanics underwent a thorough overhaul to make it roadworthy and reliable. For Emmanuel de Menten, (here far left in the photo), the proud owner of this Lincoln with classic “European” and Latin/Italianate styling language, hence the name “Continental”,  owning this car is the fulfillment of a child’s dream…

On the photo below you see the counselor and member of the executive committee of Autoworld Brussels, Leo Van Hoorick, handing over the Special Price of the BEHVA Jury to RHVCB President Michel Van Eesbeeck.    

Celebrating 50 years of VW Polo…

Your servant vividly remembers driving the Audi 50 as a test car, and soon after I sat behind the wheel of the first Polo, a more dressed down version of the Audi sister model, launched in 1975. The original Polo 1 was sold in not less than 1,1 million units, and was built, including a facelift, until 1981. Of course, the history of the Polo merits a special article by itself and we will come back on this.


 

We limit ourselves here to the remarkable Polo models on the VW stand of the show, the Polo Harlekin and the Polo R WRC.

The story of the “Harlekin” is a special one. When the third generation of the Polo was introduced in 1994, Volkswagen also launched its modular production system. This allowed some parts to be exchanged with other models and brands within the group.

To highlight this approach, a small group of production engineers decided to fit ten Polos with body parts of different colours, and the Wolfsburg marketing department liked the idea and decided to make a limited production run for the German market. In total, from 1995 to 1997, 3.806 units were built, with 103 extra right hand drive Polos for the UK market.

The Polo R WRC is an icon of the World Rally Championship! Over four seasons, this car ensured that Volkswagen Motorsport and its beloved duo Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia won four world titles for manufacturers, and the same number for drivers and co-drivers. Of the 52 rallies in which the Polo R WRC participated, the car won 43 (or 82.7%) and at least one of its drivers finished on the podium 50 times.

The Polo R WRC, which is showcased at the Belgian VW Club stand during InterClassics, is the car that Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia used in 2013. The 1.6-litre turbo engine produces around 315 hp, a power that is transmitted to all four wheels via a sequential gearbox. Good for a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than four seconds!

You can write the next InterClassics Brussels in your agenda: it is scheduled from 20 to 22 november next year!

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

Alfa Romeo shows its sporting panache at the Lago Di Como

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car History, Car presentations, Car Shows, Car technology, Classic and Vintage Cars, Concept Cars, Design, Fashion, History in photos, Lifestyle, men women and carsTagged , Leave a comment

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…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We spoke with Sébastien Decarris, Head of Product Strategy & Advanced phase – DS Automobiles: “DS offers elegance, comfort and luxury with a unique French touch”.

Posted in Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Car production and factories, Car Shows, Car technology, Concept Cars, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Interviews, New ModelsTagged Leave a comment

DS Automobiles made headlines at the 101th edition of the Brussels Motor Show by presenting its beautiful N° 8 to the public. This car will undoubtedly make its mark in the D segment, with its stunning looks, comfort and up to date EV technology. This car also means a lot for DS Automobiles. So we thought that an interview about the strategy of the brand would be very interesting , and we thank the dynamic PR department of Stellantis Belgium for arranging this interview. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The DS Automobiles N°8 made its debut on the Brussels Salon…

HKTB: It is always quite a challenge to combine the typical DS styling language with the imperatives and constraints modern cars in this D segment have to respond to and offer in terms of safety, performance and space efficiency.

SD: Indeed, we have to show that in terms of elegance and French “savoir faire”, we offer something remarkable. We have shown this with the ASL (Aero Sport Lounge) concept car, which was designed by exterior designer Thomas Duhamel. We wanted to bring a dynamic saloon.

A designers’s drawing of the Aero Sport Lounge Concept Car…

HKTB: What is now on the European and global market the strategy of DS Automobiles?

SD: The strategy is to occupy a strong presence in the premium segment, with an emphasis on electrification in a market which is now fully involved in this energy transition. We want to keep this exceptional French character, with a “savoir faire” in the use of the materials, performing the art of elegantly rendering details, with this attention to styling and design down to the very details, which is not immediately found with our competitors.

We bring elegance, not only in the contours and proportions, but also in the light signature of the car. This makes the car stand out in traffic. This has worked well from the first DS3 onwards and is the unique hallmark of DS Automobiles. Of course we keep this on our new N°8, and this signature will be found further on our future cars.

HKTB: The adoption of numbers is also a step..

SD: Indeed, it is a further evolution, an eye-wink towards further sophistication… What is also important is the reference we make to French coach-building tradition with a dual tone paintwork, a sophistication which is not immediately found on other cars in this D segment.

Your servant together with Sébastien Decarris at the Brussels Show in front of the Ds N° 8…

HKTB: Indeed, the styling language is also a continuation of the angular tradition so typical in French coachbuilding, like the iconic Voisin cars…

SD: En effet! Indeed, when we work on the design of DS cars, we indeed talk about Voisin… and then, there is the comfort, which is also very important for us. It is more than just a “must have”, it is crucial. It concerns the suspension, the seats, and also the thermal comfort. It is especially important in EV cars, and we worked hard on it. For instance, we introduced neck-area heating, which is hitherto only seen on cabriolets…

HKTB: As DS also puts forward “the art of travel” or “l’art du voyage”, I personally would like to see an infotainment software which delivers automatically audio info about the region(s) and cities you are travelling through, and where you can choose political, social or cultural history…

SD: It is an idea we are working on. Of course, in the first place we want to reassure the client driving an EV car, and inform him about charging possibilities on his trip.

HKTB: On the charging infrastructure, are you considering the idea to build a dedicated “DS Automobiles” charging network?

SD: We offer our clients an infrastructure via the “free to move” network. We want to reassure the client in the first place with the car we offer him, i.e. having a long range and an outstanding fast charging capacity. (Up to 160 kW) We wanted to reassure the client, giving him peace of mind with a long(er) range. We think that having a long range is more important than the possibility of (ultra)fast charging.  The automobile is for us (and our clients) first and foremost an object of freedom, of “liberté.” This means that you have to offer a range of around 500 km and more on the motorway.

HKTB: Quality and workmanship is of course also very important in the premium segment. Where is the N°8 built?

SD: It is built in Italy, at the plant in Melfi. The N° 8 is running on the STLA Medium platform, and this is decisive in the industrial strategy and where the cars will be produced.

HKTB: The batteries are also important…

SD: Indeed, they are produced by ACC, (Automotive Cells Co, with as stakeholders SAFT, which is wholly owned by TotalEnergies, and Stellantis and Mercedes – note from the author). We planned from the outset a premium car with a maximum 750 km range, using batteries manufactured in the EU.  

HKTB: Will the N°8 be future proof and be able to accommodate new developed batteries and electric motors during its production run?

SD: Certainly, the platform is able to receive newly developed components during the production life of the N°8. We have a modular strategy and the platforms are designed to accommodate them. This concerns the batteries as well as the electric motors. For all the models of the DS Automobiles range, we were from the outset prepared for its electrification, it is an essential element of our policy and you see this now unfold in the D-segment.

HKTB: I thank you for this interview.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Car Shows, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Interviews, New ModelsLeave a comment

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

Stellantis Belux unveils cars and future plans in a multi-brand car show …  

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Indeed, the  Management and PR team of Stellantis Belux, welcomed recently the Press and B2B to a, called ‘House of Innovation’.

A fitting initiative, set up in the absence of the Brussels Motor Shows, keeping the tradition in our country of a traditional show period and at the same time providing a platform for unveiling the latest innovations, concept cars and the future direction of the Stellantis brands.

Needless to say we were very keen to attend this event, giving your servant also the opportunity to have several interviews with the managers of several brands, which we will present soon on our columns. Here in this first report about this “Kickoff Press conference” we will focus on the future strategy of Stellantis and its plans for the Belux market. Just read further!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The event started with an inspiring introduction by Florian Kraft, CEO of Stellantis Belux…

…followed by interactive brand presentations and workshops. “This event symbolizes our continued pursuit of innovation and progress in the automotive world. We are excited to share our latest developments and our vision for the future with the press and our valued customers and partners,” said Florian Kraft, CEO.

Florian Kraft first pointed out the four core targets of the Stellantis “Dare Forward strategic plan 2030.” This plan will move Stellantis into a sustainable mobility tech company.

The first target is reducing its carbon footprint by 50 % in total CO2 emissions per vehicle compared with 2021, on the path to achieving carbon net zero in 2038. This then includes not only from well to wheel, but also throughout the entire supply chain. 

The second target is setting the course for 100% BEV sales in Europe and 50% in the United States in 2030. The third is achieving number one position in customer satisfaction. The fourth is doubling net revenues while transforming our business models and sustaining double-digit operating margins. How Stellantis will achieve this, will be the subject of a future report in our columns. Stay tuned!

Ambitions for 2024…

Looking ahead to 2024, Stellantis Belux has set itself several goals. In terms of network, the company aims to ensure a successful transition to the New Retailer Model using its existing network. Indeed, Stellantis is progressing at full speed in the execution of its Dare Forward 2030 Strategic Plan, with the ambition to be #1 in customer satisfaction in all markets, in products and services. Indeed, the customer experience will be at the core of this retailer model.

Customers will be able to take advantage of a multi-brand and multi-channel approach with a wider range of services. Dealers will have a new and efficient business model aimed at benefitting from Stellantis’ 14-brand portfolio, creating synergies, optimizing distribution costs and offering additional sustainable mobility solutions, says Stellantis. So far for the aims, let’s explain this further in more concrete terms.

In September last year, Stellantis launched the reorganization of its European dealer network, starting with four specific markets before extending it further across Europe in 2024. Stellantis announced it was ending its previous sales and services contracts with European dealers for its 14 brands and moving toward a new distribution framework based on an agency model. What is this agency model?

Under this model, the manufacturer becomes the retailer while the dealer remains the physical touchpoint with the customer. The agent/dealer receives a commission on each sale and no longer individually sets prices or discounts.

As the dealer does not have to purchase the cars from the manufacturers anymore, he does not carry significant commercial risks and has less administrative costs as billing and payment towards the customer is done by the manufacturer. It protects also the profitability of the retailer. Because, as everybody knows, profit margins on new car sales can fluctuate.

With the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE, the Lancia journey towards the future begins, drawing inspiration from the past

The advantage for the car manufacturer is a direct contact with the customer, which it did not have so far….

The manufacturer can now determine end-customer discounts themselves, in this way achieving price consistency and avoiding  competition between dealers of the same brand. They can optimize costs through centralization, and profit from the scale effect of transferring responsibilities from individual dealerships to the bigger sales organizations on national levels.

The new Alfa Romeo Stradale: the future is already a pur-sang reality…

It also is more in line with today’s consumer preferences, which would rather see fixed prices and an equally simple buying process as they experience in e-commerce.

Stellantis is moving towards this model in big steps now. In September last year, Stellantis announced that the revised retail model will be fully effective from Sept. 4, starting with Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Stellantis is not the only one to prefer this agency sales model. BMW and Mercedes opt for it too…

The BEV line up at Peugeot: towards a leading position in the B and C segment…

Stellantis market position in Belux …

In terms of sales, Stellantis Belux aims to regain the lost market share in 2024 and further strengthen its position. In 2023, Stellantis Belux achieved a global market share of 17.2%, with more than 100,000 units sold. On the LEV (Low Emission Vehicles) market, Stellantis Belux occupies a fourth place with an 11.6% market share. The BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) and the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) occupy a fourth place with respectively 10.5% and 12.8%.

Stellantis Belgium confirms its strong position with a pole position in the segment A and with not less than six models of Stellantis (Peugeot e-208, Peugeot e-2008, Opel Corsa Electric, Jeep Avenger, Opel Mokka Electric, DS3 E-tense) in the TOP 10 of the segment B (BEV), representative 66% of the part of the segment.

Introducing petrolheads to the joys of E-power: the Abarth 500 E, waiting for the imminent 240 HP 600 E…

Last but not least, Stellantis Belux is the leader in the segment of the LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) with more than 30% of market share, of which more than 50% is electrified!

In terms of product innovation, Stellantis Belux will continue its electrification, where it currently leads in the A-B segment and LCV, and further expand it to the C segment with models such as the Opel Astra, Peugeot 308 and 3008 and Citroën C4.

As is tradition in January, the Stellantis brands start the year with super attractive “salon conditions” on their range. This applies to both private and professional customers and to electric and ‘thermal’ vehicles.

We made on this event interviews with Pierre Voineau, Managing Director Citroën Belgium & Luxemburg, (see photo here above), Asterio Perez, Managing Director of Fiat, Abarth and Fiat Professional in Belgium and Luxemburg, and last but not least Eric Laforge, Head of Jeep Brand Enlarged Europe.

This will be followed by a special report on the magnificent prototypes which were displayed amongst the 36 cars on this conference.

So stay tuned for (much) more soon!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Unique historic Porsches to be seen at Brussels Autoworld…

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Autoworld, the impressive car museum at the Brussels Cinquantenaire, holds now an exhibition ”Porsche, driven by dreams” celebrating the 75th anniversary of the brand. You can already read about it in our columns. Some 50 Porsches are displayed, many of them brought to the capital of Europe by the Stuttgart Porsche museum, with some of them never seen before on public display in Belgium.

It ranges from the 984 to the “Mission E” prototype, the latter which was a harbinger of the alternative future coming to us all.

The show was presented by PR manager Porsche Belgium Liana Picard, General director Autoworld Sebastien de Baere and last but not least car expert and curator of Autoworld Leo Van Hoorick, who showed us around the exhibition and offered us his expert comments and insights. (See photo here and further in the article).

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The 911 is now already 60 years among us, and your servant still remembers driving these 911’s with sporting abandon in the early seventies. I just loved to take these genuine drivers’ cars to the limit, their handling needed an expert hand, but they never betrayed me and on the contrary, it was a pure delight to master them. The flat six engine was then still air cooled, and the echo of their roar and hiss at high revs still echoes in my ears. Just look a bit further in our columns, click the following link: https://autoprova.be/2021/03/27/some-early-photos-from-my-automotive-beginnings/


Besides the iconic 911, of which we still found an absolute classic early version in the Museum, on display outside the specific Porsche show, just look at the photo here  above, there were indeed some very dramatic Porsche Museum Cars, and the most stunning for me was the Carrera GT with its V10 engine.  It is a stylish classic sportscar, breathing the “Zeitgeist” of two decades ago, with its clean, fluent lines, inspired by the bolides at le Mans.

It’s a carbon-fibre, mid-engined super car, and made its debut at the 2003 Geneva International Motor Show. It came three years after its debut appearance at the Paris Motor Show in prototype form – an event itself which caused such an explosion of interest that Porsche knew their dream needed to be made a reality. The birth of what is today considered one of the greatest of modern classic sports cars, says Porsche. We can only agree…

Pushing technical boundaries 23 years ago…

The Carrera GT is a car that pushed technological boundaries beyond any supercar of that time. Its beautiful profile encompassed a staggeringly powerful 612PS V10 engine that was a direct descendant of the 10-cylinder race engine developed for the Le Mans 24-hours of 2000. The only modifications the race engine required were those to meet worldwide emissions and noise regulations for road legal cars. In keeping with its push for innovation, the Carrera GT also pioneered the use of pure carbon fibre for its monocoque and subframe.  Performance is – considering even today’s standards – quite impressive. It can reach 100km/h in just 3.9secs and roar on to 200km/h in 9.9secs. The top speed of the Carrera GT is officially 330km/h.

The racing engine needs of course a fair amount of cooling. The huge air intake along the car’s flanks, along with the three radiators are five times larger in area than that of the Porsche 911 Turbo of the time.

Then there are the purposeful contours of the Carrera GT. It was designed by a team headed up by legendary Dutch car designer, Harm Lagaay. He already worked since 1971 for Porsche, and designed the 924. He moved to BMW in 1985, and designed for them the BMW Z1. Also purposeful and elegant. This purposefulness is found also in this GT. He returned to Porsche in 1989 as head of the “Style Porsche” department in Weissach, and oversaw the design of the Porsches of the period – the 968, 989 (the stillborn four door Porsche), 993 (the 1993-1997 generation of the 911 for which Englishman Tony Hatter is also credited), Boxster, 996 (the all-new 911 of 1997), last but not least the Cayenne and one of his absolute masterpieces, the Carrera GT.

General director Autoworld Sebastien de Baere…

Some 1270 units of the Carrera GT were made in total over its production life (manufacture ended in May 2006). Today, the Carrera GT Type 980 is an official member of the Porsche Classic family, which means both owners and those Porsche Classic partners and Porsche Centres who maintain the cars have access to an extensive supply of genuine parts. As you might expect, many of them are still on our roads and retail at around the $1 million range for a reasonably good example… Mind you, it cost close to half a million Euros when new…

Italian blood: the Carrera Abarth

Can you believe, looking at the picture above, that this car was built in 1960? Three years before the 911, as the dust sheet was pulled back on this brand-new Porsche model at the 1963 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Looking in profile, it is quite reminiscent of the overall proportions of the 911. Just a bit more muscular, racier, more pur-sang even. It is officially called the Porsche 356 B 2000 GS Carrera GTL Abarth, and for me, it is one of the “purest” Porsche street cars.

We go back to the early sixties here. To remain competitive in Grand Touring (GT) racing, Porsche needed lightweight versions of the 356 B. They looked south for help, and found it in the Italian-Austrian sports car builder and Porsche representative Carlo Abarth. He has enjoyed a good relationship with Zuffenhausen since their collaboration with the Type 360 Cisitalia Grand Prix car in 1947. Abarth now commissions Ugo Zagato in Milan to build 20 lightweight coupés. The handcrafted aluminium bodies featuring the characteristic air scoop on the rear are compact and streamlined. It is a true beauty with wonderful proportions, in our opinion a forerunner of what the 911 was to be.

Gave us expert information about the Porsches in the exhibition, connaisseur and Autoworld curator Leo Van Hoorick…

. The 356 B Carrera GTL Abarth weighs almost 120 kilograms less than the standard 356 B. The “marriage” of the chassis and body takes place in Milan, with the GTL receiving its finishing touches at Abarth and Porsche. The list of successes of the 356 B Carrera GTL Abarth includes class victories at the Targa Florio – in 1960 with a 1.6-litre engine, 1961 with a 2-litre Carrera unit – plus outright victory at the Lyon-Charbonnières Rally of 1960 as well as class wins at Le Mans.

Driving the Abarth GTL, racing drivers such as Hans Herrmann, Herbert Linge, Edgar Barth and Paul Ernst Strähle win world championship titles in 1961 for Porsche for GT cars with a displacement of up to 2 litres. Further international titles in 1961 include Heini Walter’s fourth victory at the European Mountain Championship and Hans-Joachim Walter’s win at the European Rally Championship.

Even with the 1,588 cc flat four, developing 135 hp or 99 kW, the 778 kg Carrera was 220 km/h fast…

There is a lot more to see in this Porsche exhibition in Autoworld, and we will come back on this in following reports, where we will delve more in detail about the Porsche prototypes and the iconic Gmünd Coupé. Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel