Category: Car technology

We drove the Audi Q4 e-tron: the magic of electrified four rings…

Posted in Car News, Car technology, Car Tests, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, New Models, PhotographyLeave a comment

My love affair with the Audi’s goes a (very) long way. The first one I drove, when I was a young law student, was the Audi 50.  It was a test car, for the car column of the weekly illustration magazine “De Post”, where my father was editor in chief. I vividly remember this “mini Audi”, nimble, vivid, well styled with a fake wood finished dashboard as a touch of luxury. It was developed as early as 1970, when the engineers at Audi NSU Auto Union AG started work on the project, spearheaded by Chief Technical Officer Ludwig Kraus, (who had developed earlier also the Audi 100, which established Audi as a premium brand.)

My father and I found it a vivid and wonderful car. Light it was, the NSU engineers in Neckarsulm, where the car was initially developed, knew everything about “Leichtbau”, or the art of making light cars. This car was also to become the first… VW Polo, rolling off the Wolfsburg production lines in March 1975. The Audi bug continued: I personally owned for many years an automatic Audi 80 S, and yes, I presently own an A5 Cabrio, designed by Walter Da Silva, a beauty with – of course- an Audi Exclusiv leather interior.

But let’s now turn to the present electric age, behind the wheel in the stylish cabin of the face lifted Q4 e-tron. Just read further!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Facelift brings more for the eye and improved efficiency and range…

The Q4 e-tron was launched in 2021, and for this bestseller, it was time for a facelift. The grille is now color matched, it carries new LED lights front and rear, and in the superbly designed cabin you can now optionally enjoy  a third screen exclusively for the passenger. It also gets an improved version of the permanently excited synchronous motor driving the rear wheels. Better battery efficiency, faster charging, and bi-directional capability. Read more below…

Indeed, externally the car really looks attractive. We like the color match of the grille, with the The S line variant adding  vertical blades in Selenite silver matte to the corners of the front and rear bumpers. The whole car looks elegant and also muscular. We love it from every angle, and we liked also the 5 spoke “aero” alloy wheels on our test car.

Interior: stylish panache…

The designers brought true Audi panache into the redesign of the dashboard. It impresses with fit and finish, and gives you this unmistakable premium “Audi” feel. We like the matte aluminum inserts. Its centerpiece is the panoramic display, pairing an 11.9″ instrument cluster and a 12.8″ MMI touch display with large tiles for a quick overview of features and services. Indeed, for the first time in this segment, an optional 12″ passenger display is also available – the largest ever in an Audi, featuring a customizable standby design.

Our test car came with an optional augmented reality head-up display. This projects information onto the windshield in two layers: in the upper layer, turn arrows from the navigation system, starting points and destinations, and prompts from selected assist systems appear in the appropriate position on top of the real environment. Below this, the status layer shows speed, traffic signs, and assistance and navigation icons, visually placed around three meters ahead of the driver. Wonderful and intuitive…

There are four easily accessible charging options for smartphones: two cooled inductive charging trays (up to 15 watts each) and two USB-C ports under the center armrest.

Driving: comfortable and sporting

Our test car came in the 210 kW performance version, and this is synonymous with brilliant performance. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,6 seconds, and top speed is limited to 180 km/h. But the beauty lies of course in the whisper smoothness of how all this power is delivered.

The Q4 offers you the choice of several driving modes, and we chose most of the time the balanced mode, which is an ideal mix between comfort and sportiness. We enjoyed also the three regeneration modes, but were also truly impressed by the “auto” mode, which is fed by navigation and sensors monitoring surrounding traffic.

Besides, our test car came with the Adaptive driving assistant plus is available for additional convenience – it helps with acceleration, braking, maintaining speed and distance, and lane guidance. It works ever so smoothly, gently coasting wherever possible when you lift your right foot, and smoothly slowing down to a full stop when the vehicle ahead does so too.

It makes city driving a wonderfully relaxing affair. Our test car came with a superb Sonos audio system, and you can imagine how I enjoyed every minute behind the wheel.

The comfort of the Q4 is outstanding, also the standard sport seats deserve an accolade. Besides boulevard driving and motorway trips in “comfort” mode, the Audi lives also up to its iconic tradition of sportiness. You can really have a go on winding roads. The steering is precise, the point of gravity is quite low with the big 82 kWh battery sitting quite deep in the MEB electric platform that is also used for the VW ID.4 and the Skoda Enyaq.

This means that the Q4 holds the road really well… We also found it quite nimble in town and narrow streets. Of course, the surround view camera’s help when manoeuvring in tight parking spaces, and parking alongside kerbs.

Consumption depends of course on your driving style, weather conditions, you name it. The manufacturer quotes a range of up to 578 km with a combined consumption between 18,4 and 15,6 kWh/100 km, which proved indeed quite realistic and achievable.

The Audi Q4 e-tron is the first Audi with bidirectional charging. With Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), the car directly powers electric devices. It does so via a domestic power socket in the trunk (providing continuous power of 2.3 kW at 230 V AC) or an optional adapter on the side charging port with a domestic power socket (2.3 kW) or a camping power socket (3.6 kW). Ideal for your electric mountain bike!

The DC charging capacity of the 82 kWh battery in the Audi Q4 SUV4 performance increases from 175 kW to up to 185 kW – charging from 10 to 80 percent at a fast-charging station in just 27 minutes. Up to 185 km of range can be added in ten minutes…

The luggace space is quite good, with 520 litres seats up and 1,490 litres seats down. There is  a compartment underneath the floor in which you can tuck away the charging cables.

Infotainment: versatile and state of the art…

We were also impressed by the quality and layout of the information we got on the touchscreens in front of the driver and in the centre of the dashboard. Chrystal clear maps, superb navigation, clear layout of functions and apps to choose from on the central screen, with functions like for instance the choice  between different “ambiance” moods.

So for example your display will show a forest picture with soothing music when you take a power nap… Of course, you can adjust your optional Sonos system also and choose between concert, lounge, neutral and podcast sound setups…

We liked also the simple and clean controls on the central console: intuitive and to the point.

Conclusion

The Q4 hits the mark again, offering an ideal combination  between style, size, practicality, build quality, performance and efficiency.

It looks very good, has wonderful colour combinations, exudes the unmistakable  Audi panache and aura. It comes with quite a few power combinations, starting with a 150 kW e-motor at the rear wheels and a 63 kW battery, up to a 250 kW and the 82 kWh battery for the top Quattro version. But the performance version we drove was (already) truly impressive…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographers’ notes: We used here again our Fujifilm Finepix FinePix S100FS, and despite the fact that its design dates back to 2008, now almost two decades ago, it still delivers absolutely professional results.

Of course, the definition of the electronic viewfinder as well as the bigger foldable screen is not up to present standards, but the actual sensor and the Fujinon 28-400 mm (35 mm equivalent) lens really mean business. Note that the photos you see here are compressed to cope with the website technical requirements…so the original photos are still more detailed. Remember, I bought this versatile camera used some years ago for just 59 Euros… The photo of the camera here above is taken with my Xiaomi smartphone.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Volkswagen and their world class efficiency record cars…

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Volkswagen’s pursuit of efficiency records spans over two decades, transitioning from ultra-light diesel concepts to electric prototypes.

Their first car was presented in 2002 at the VW shareholders meeting, where I was present, and – as could be expected – with no regular automotive photographers with their cameras being around. It was the surprise which Ferdinand Piëch had in mind, presenting at the shareholders’ meeting also Bernd Pischetsrieder as the new VW chairman, who sat in the back seat of the 1-Liter Concept Car with Ferdinand Piëch driving the car from Wolfsburg to Hamburg.

I was there with my faithful Nikon analog camera, the …. and the ektachrome photos are in my archives. I will publish them soon, but in the meantime here is first some history of the cars…

The 1-Liter Car Concept (2002)

The story began with Ferdinand Piëch’s vision for a car that could travel 100 km on 1 liter of fuel. The first prototype, unveiled in 2002, was an extreme exercise in minimalism: a 290 kg tandem two-seater with a 0.99 L/100 km consumption . It was never meant for production but proved the concept was possible. For better aerodynamics, the car seats two in tandem rather than side-by-side. There are no rear view mirrors and it instead uses cameras and electronic displays. Of course, the car is totally light, using an unpainted carbon fibre skin over a magnesium-alloy subframe.

The engine is a one-cylinder 299 cm3 (18 cu in) diesel producing just 6.3 kW (8.4 hp). It drives through a six-speed transmission that combines stick-shift mechanics, weight, and drive efficiency with automatic convenience and efficiency controls. There is no clutch pedal. The gear selection (forwards, reverse or neutral) is made using a switch on the right-hand side of the interior. The engine is switched off automatically during deceleration and stops, and auto-restarted when the acceleration pedal is pressed.

According to Volkswagen, the vehicle consumes 0.99 L/100 km , giving it a 650 km driving range on one tank of fuel.

The Mission Efficiency 2 + 2 seater… an aerodynamic engineering marvel, based on ID Polo technology…

The car was presented in august this year, and besides being able to set a world record, in terms of technology, the Mission Efficiency is based on the MEB+ platform with front-wheel drive, showing the potential of the new ID. Models.

During an officially documented consumption drive over a distance of 1,278.36 km from Volkswagen’s German Research & Development Centre in Wolfsburg via Poznań (Poland) and Olmütz (Czech Republic) to the Austrian capital Vienna, the Mission Efficiency electric drive motor came in at a real consumption of just 7.51 kW/100 km including charge losses (6.89 kWh/100 km without charge losses).

The route was completed at an average speed of 67.72 km/h; the top speed was 138 km/h.

The 54.9 kWh battery was only charged once during the journey. Upon arrival in Vienna, the remaining range was 164.0 km.

Practical

Visually, the Mission Efficiency is based on the new Volkswagen “Pure Positive design” language. It’s a two-door coupé with a large boot lid, 2+2 seats, a variable luggage compartment (481 litres) as well as additional stowage compartments under the rear seats and in the side of the body (e.g. for the charging cable). While the interior can be used without restriction at the front, the two rear seats are intended for passengers up to a height of approx. 1.60 m.

The coupé is nevertheless characterised by extremely good space use for a record-breaking high-efficiency vehicle. The concept car was designed in such a way that it could theoretically be used by a young family of four.

State of the art aerodynamics

The low drag is the result of the drag coefficient (Cd = 0.158) and small frontal area (A = 2.08 m2) is the central aerodynamic feature of the Mission Efficiency.

The Mission Efficiency is 1,392 mm high, 1,744 mm wide and 4,775 mm long. Compared with the ID. Polo, this results in a significant increase in length (+722 mm). This additional length is due to a 100 mm longer wheelbase (2,700 mm) and a large rear overhang, which allowed the technical and design team to realize the teardrop shape of the body and the related pioneering aerodynamics.

Drivetrain and body…

The Mission Efficiency and the ID. Polo share the same drive system, the front axle including steering and the basic design of the rear axle.

When comparing the concept car and the production vehicle, it is clear that numerous components of the ID. Polo had to be adapted to the new proportions and new design of the Mission Efficiency.

The body combines the body structure of the ID. Polo with a likewise self-supporting aluminium structure. The doors, bonnet, boot lid as well as the wings and add-on parts are made of a high-strength CFRP aramid composite.

The prototype also has EU road approval and meets the corresponding protection, strength and crash requirements.

Interior and infotainment: less is more…

The interior of the Mission Efficiency is largely individually customised – in line with the character of a concept car. Modules such as the multifunction steering wheel, steering column switches, slightly shortened air conditioning block with haptic buttons and the central volume control have been adopted from the ID. Polo.

Unlike the ID. Polo, there is no permanently integrated infotainment display. Instead, a concept called ‘Bring your own device’ was developed here. The name says it all: the function of the infotainment screen is taken over by the driver’s own Android or Apple tablet/smartphone, which is locked in position by a clamping rail and connected wirelessly to the vehicle. All of the infotainment system’s functions are displayed on the screen of the paired device.

Brave new world, we would say. The overall design of this car is also typical for the German car engineering philosophy of combining (E-)efficiency with higher speed travel on Autobahnen, where aerodynamics play a predominant role…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Renault hypnotizes Paris with a limited top edition of its Rafale…

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Renault marks its presence on the Paris Motor Show with a special edition of its Rafale flagship model, called ’hypnotic’. 

Built in just 1,500 numbered units, this limited edition takes the style cues of Rafale hyper hybrid E-Tech 4×4 300 hp Atelier Alpine. 

It has an exclusive satin-finish forest black paintwork, gloss black detailing, a specific interior and premium features as standard.

A ’hypnotic’ character both inside and out…

This flagship Rafale has a darker front end with a black grille, 21-inch satin-finish alloy wheels, a gloss black roof trim and boot spoiler

and last but not least a black ’Atelier Alpine’ badge.

A cabin of exceptional quality…

Showcasing the unique character of this limited edition, Renault Rafale hypnotic features special materials and finishes. These distinctive details create an environment that is sporty, sophisticated and also high-tech, with:

Upholstery mixing titanium black Alcantara® and black textured coated fabric, with blue, white and red top-stitching and a backlit Alpine “A” logo. Also an individually numbered plate.

Front and rear door panels with gloss black inserts and blue, white and red top-stitching and a titanium black Alcantara® trim strip on the  upper dashboard, black door compartments matched with a black carpet

To deliver an experience on a par with its positioning, Renault Rafale Hypnotic is expanding the range of standard features. It has the following extras:

The Solarbay® opacifying glass roof, a heated windscreen, head-up display.

A limited edition of 1,500 numbered examples…

Renault will open orders for the limited-edition Rafale Hypnotic on Thursday 1 October 2026 in 14 European countries: France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Belgium, Austria, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Greece.

In Belgium, a price of €60.500 is set. The first vehicles will be delivered in late 2026.

High-tech plug-in hybrid technology from the ‘Atelier Alpine’.

Behind its design, Renault Rafale hypnotic embodies the high-tech of the Renault Rafale hyper hybrid ETech 4×4 300 hp Atelier Alpine. 

The plug-in hybrid powertrain combines an ICE with three electric motors to deliver 300 hp of power, while maintaining efficiency for everyday use with a range of up to 105 km in all-electric mode. 

The sport-tuned chassis developed by the engineers of Alpine Cars combines four-wheel drive, “4Control Advanced” four-wheel steering and self-adjusting smart suspension with a camera for predictive control. State of the art, we would say..

Needless to say that we hope to drive this impressive flagship beginning next year! 

Stay tuned…

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung: your dream performance car with the good star…

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Mercedes makes our hearts beat faster with a highly limited “Mythos Series” model, handcrafted in Affalterbach. A 646 hp (475 kW) AMG 4.0litre V8 biturbo engine and rear-wheel drive makes us smile…

Your eyes are spoiled with a unique wide-body, a newly developed coil over suspension and extensively engineered aerodynamics.

Weight reduction was also paramount: the car is not less than 170 kg lighter.

Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The story began in Affalterbach…

The MercedesAMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung began with a simple question: How can a CLE be developed even further towards maximum driving dynamics? Yet this was not driven by a traditional product development brief, but by an idea born within the AMG engineering team.

A small group initially began by building a prototype. The goal was not a collection of individual performance upgrades or a conventional special edition. Instead, the vehicle was completely re-imagined as a complete performance system.   

AMG 4.0Litre V8 Biturbo Engine with 646 hp…

Let the star roar, we would say. At the heart of the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung stands the extensively enhanced AMG M177 EVO 4.0litre V8biturbo engine. Its output of 646 hp (475 kW) is reflected in the model designation itself. Maximum torque stands at 850 Nm and is available across a broad engine speed range from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. The engine’s flat-plane crankshaft reduces rotating masses, improves revving characteristics and promotes exceptionally responsive throttle response, further supported by dedicated engine mapping. 

To ensure thermal stability even under extreme loads, the V8 engine features three separate cooling circuits: a high-temperature circuit for the engine itself, and two low-temperature circuits for charge-air and transmission-oil cooling as well as the 48volt components.

Of course there is a bespoke high-performance exhaust system featuring increased flow capacity and a sound signature engineered with a strong emotional focus.

Rear-Wheel Drive for this dramatic handling under power.

The AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system of the donor vehicle has been removed entirely, with the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung transmitting its power exclusively to the rear axle. 

This completely changes the car’s dynamic character. An electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential optimizes torque distribution between the rear wheels through variable locking action as required. 

AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G Transmission for those lightning fast changes.

The standard AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission has been retained, and justly so, as it is absolutely superb.

The torque-converter transmission can execute multiple downshifts in rapid succession to access the engine’s full performance almost instantaneously. The transmission’s overall character can be tailored via AMG DYNAMIC SELECT, which offers a range of drive programs with specific drivetrain settings.

The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 custom-made Launch Control system has also been specifically adapted to the rear-wheel-drive layout. The Mythos bolide accelerates from a standstill to 200 km/h in 11.4 seconds. Top speed is 310 km/h. Need we say more?

Precise handling and braking guaranteed …

The suspension has likewise been specifically optimized. It features a steel coil over suspension system jointly developed by Mercedes-AMG and KW automotive. The setup enables exceptionally precise tuning to suit driving style, circuit characteristics, individual preferences and intended use.

At the heart of the suspension is four-way adjustable damper technology with independently configurable low-speed and high-speed rebound and compression settings. This allows the chassis to be tailored precisely to a wide range of driving requirements. 

At the front axle, internally ventilated and perforated ceramic brake discs measuring 420 x 40 millimeters are paired with six-piston fixed calipers and long-fiber technology. At the rear axle, internally ventilated and perforated ceramic brake discs measuring 360 x 32 millimeters are combined with single-piston floating calipers. 

Much carbon-fiber paired with the wide-body design.

Numerous series-production components have been replaced by solutions specifically developed for demanding road and track use.

A key element of the concept is its significantly wider stance. To achieve this, the bodyshell has been reinforced and widened. The result is an additional 60 millimeters of vehicle width at both the front and rear. The wider track enhances stability, increases cornering potential and allows the use of exceptionally wide wheels and tyres. 

Carbon fiber is used for the widened front fenders with integrated air outlets, the redesigned front apron with large cooling air intakes, the side sill panels, the bonnet with central cold-air intake, the roof and the newly developed rear apron with diffuser.

The aerodynamics of the Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung have likewise been developed with driving dynamics as the primary objective. The front diffuser, fender louvers, underbody measures and rear wing form a fully integrated aerodynamic package.

A Limited Collector’s Car- aimed for the track.

For use on closed circuits with ESP switched off, AMG TRACTION CONTROL allows drivers to individually tailor the level of support provided when managing the engine’s considerable output, without ESP stability interventions. 

Specifically calibrated for the MercedesAMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, AMG TRACTION CONTROL allows wheel slip at the driven rear axle to be preselected across nine stages. 

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung follows the same unwavering focus on lightweight construction and driving dynamics. The rear seats and acoustic insulation materials have been removed.

Ultra-lightweight high-end racing bucket seats with pronounced lateral support are fitted as standard, along with a roll-over bar that increases torsional rigidity and further enhances driving dynamics. 

The MercedesAMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is the second model in the highly exclusive MercedesBenz Mythos Series, dedicated to exceptionally rare collector vehicles produced in strictly limited numbers.

Following the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, limited to just 250 examples worldwide and featuring an open two-seat configuration without a roof or windscreen, the Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 “Spezialanfertigung” now joins the series as a road-legal vehicle limited to only 30 examples, with an uncompromising focus on racetrack performance. 

A formidable car, and just enjoy the accompanying photos!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Audi brings superb efficiency into the EV world with its A2 e-tron…

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Audi is working hard to carve its niche in the compact EV world with its latest A2 e-tron.

It brings memories of the absolutely genial A2, which was far ahead of its time and been mostly misunderstood.

The overall shape of the new EV is reminiscent of its iconic predecessor, and likewise also reaches new levels of efficiency: just 12.8 kWh/100 km and a range of up to 646 kilometers according to WLTP.

Not only the car is efficient, so is its production process. It is built in Audi’s home plant in Ingolstadt, and we will tell you soon more about its production process…

It has a drag coefficient of 0.24 – the best value in Audi’s compact segment. It has four power levels and three battery sizes, but bi-directional charging is unfortunately only an option. It is spacious on a compact footprint, moreover pleasant with a 1.6-square-meter panoramic glass roof.

It has standard the Audi assistant with artificial intelligence, e-tron route planner, standard MMI panoramic display with 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus and 12.8-inch MMI curved touch display.

It certainly looks splendid, its market launch is in December 2026, but as a premium brand, it doesn’t come cheap: prices in Germany are starting at 38,200 euros.

Needless to say that we are very keen to see the car “in the flesh” soon, and drive it for you early next year…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the new Subaru EV range: an ideal fit for Europe…

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We drove the new Subaru EV range – here you see the Solterra – on roads and terrain around the Château-Ferme de Moreinsart in Ottignies…

Subaru has now also joined the EV trend with its new range, the Uncharted, Solterra and E-Outback. Subaru, the high-tech company with an impressive sporting history and a tradition of absolute engineering excellence, develops its new EV’s in a 50-50 % in a team-building framework with Toyota.

We were welcomed by Subaru Benelux PR Manager Dick Braakhekke…

and Kobayashi Kota, Business Coordinator of Subaru Benelux…who explained the DNA of Subaru…

Of course, it conserves its proper DNA. Kobayashi Kota, Business Coordinator of Subaru Benelux, explains: where Toyota engineers concentrate on the engineering and development of the E-Axle, the traction and the advanced EV battery, and last but not least brings in the e-global platform, Subaru develops the AWD system and e-axle management, develops the (suspension) setup and drivability, and is also responsible for safety.
 

The stylish Uncharted was our first drive, and stole our hearts…

We could drive the three cars of Subaru’s new EV family on the winding roads around the Château-Ferme de Moreinsart in Ottignies. The castle also has a magnificent terrain in its surrounding woods, were we could experience the impressive AWD terrain qualities of the Subaru’s, a quality were the brand is (so) very famous for.

Indeed, the Subaru engineers have developed and honed this to perfection, and we found that the cars were totally easy to drive through terrain, and that even a total novice could steer the car safely over the most demanding off road tracks. Needless to say that we would like for you to put these cars through a more extended road and terrain test for you soon…

A well balanced range…

We start here with the Uncharted, the shortest of the three, with a total length of 4,535 meter. All the cars run on the same platform, but the Uncharted has a shorter wheelbase of 2,750 meter. It is also the lightest of the three, with 1,850 kg when you opt for the 2 WD ‘base’ version with 123 kW or 167 HP. Mind you, in this ‘2E excite’ version, you still enjoy plenty of zest with an acceleration from 0 to 100 in merely 8,2 seconds.

You have a 58 kWh battery which gives you a WLTP range of some 451 km. Its price is attractive with 36.995 including VAT at the moment of writing. We found the exterior (the) most pleasing, and also the interior made us smile. The seating position is excellent, and still in the revered Subaru tradition, the car handles very engaging indeed, and actually the same goes for the Solterra and the E-outback.

The compact Uncharted still seats five easily, and of course you can have more power and range, together with AWD. The top “4E-experience+” version gives you 252kW/343hp combined with a 77 kWh battery. WLTP range is then 490 km and it is good to know that the towing capacity is not less than  1,500 kg. This version is at the time of writing priced at 47.995 Euros.

The Solterra (see photo here above) comes in an ‘4E experience’ version which costs exactly the same as the ‘experience+’ version of the Uncharted, with the same battery capacity and engine power, but here the car is longer overall with 4,690 m and has a longer wheelbase of 2,850 m. It can also tow 1,500 kg and has a larger boot space of 452 l compared with 403 l for the Subaru Uncharted.

The E-Outback is the top of the range model, has the same wheelbase as the Solterra, but is the longest with 4,845 meter and also the most powerful with a 280 kW/381 HP motor, which puts performance almost in the supercar league. The car is available in 4E experience and experience+ versions, with the WLTP range in the most dynamic version being 477 km with its 74,7 kW battery.

We also put the E-Outback through its paces on the off-road course, and we were truly impressed by the uncanny ease with which it tackled every possible terrain challenge we put to it. The inexperienced driver is aided by Subaru’s unparalleled driver-assistance system.

Its ‘Hill Descent Control’ is fully integrated into their X-Mode system – an enhancement to their standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive drivetrain. With X-MODE activated, HDC is automatically engaged when it detects a descent. Subaru’s hill descent control can only be used when driving under 12 mph and controls the throttle response and brakes when moving up steep hills to ensure traction is kept.

We will be driving the Subaru Uncharted and the other new EV’s after the summer holidays. Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel


 


 

We drove the N°8: French savoir vivre on wheels…

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When premium French automaker DS Automobiles designs a flagship model, one can expect something very outstanding and unique. This is indeed the case with the N°8, a sleek coupé-SUV, elegant to look at from any angle. Indeed, this car has panache, and this makes it in our eyes truly stand out.

Because, let’s face it: what makes you choose an EV in this day and age? Personally, I would say, the one that scores on style and character. The N°8 has lots of it…

Of course, there is also range, recharging capacity, efficiency and last but not least, handling and comfort. These are also elements which determine your choice. But let’s admit, drivetrain smoothness and performance is what EV’s all have more or less nowadays, so this is in my eyes hardly a determining factor anymore.

So this N°8 scores high, just by looking at it. When I walked around the car and entered the stunning cabin, staring at the four spokes steering wheel, I felt like stepping into the world of Jules Verne, tasting this unique mix of French genius with Victorian age idiosyncrasy. Well done, I would say to the designers and the other people who conceived the model’s mission status and character of the N°8.


 

A coupé-SUV

Let’s start with the exterior. A timelessly good looking car will have ideal proportions. This is what Pinin Farina and Felice Mario Boano already told us some 70-80 years ago. Just have a look at Boano’s design of the Lancia Aurelia, the GT version and of course the Ferrari 250 GT Low Roof Berlinetta.

The DS Automobiles designers have learned their lessons. Impressive, clean and tall sides, a bold front and rear end, with elegant yet expressively styled horizontal and vertical light elements on the four edges of the car.

We also liked the dual tone paintwork, the aluminum accents and the matte, brushed lettering on the rear end. The large wheels (740 mm in diameter) give the car a unique stance. The elongated and tapered profile that is illustrated by a roof stretching down to the tailgate’s spoiler. Each part of the bodywork has also been scrutinized in the wind tunnel. Its Cx is only 0.24 and its SCx merely 0.64

A premium cabin

Touches of art déco, but with an unmistakable sense of elegance, this is what the eyes meet in the interior. The photo’s tell you the whole story. Just look at the receded dashboard panel, a central screen panel which – refreshingly – is not so enormously big and imposing. The smaller panel in front of you gives you the info which matters, and not more. The design of the odometer is inspired by the world of watchmaking. The readability of the battery charge indicator and the “power meter” take precedence.

Like an airline pilot of France Aéropostal, where instruments were few and readable, as you needed all your senses to fly, like Antoine de Saint Exupéry or Jean Mermoz, on the night routes over the desert and ocean. This is how you feel behind the X-shaped steering wheel, but not hearing the sound of the single 12 V Renault 12JA aircraft engine like these heroes, in their Latécoère 26. Just silence, as the electric motor of your DS is virtually inaudible.

The heroes I described here also flew in an open cockpit, and had no radio. Things have changed for us. Just have a look at the beautiful speakers close to you on the front sides of both doors, part of a premium Focal Electra sound system with 14 speakers, a 515watt amplifier, and custom acoustic tuning developed specifically for DS interiors. You can enjoy music in this EV, for sure.      

Then there are the wonderfully designed and sculpted seats. Inspired by the DS AERO SPORT LOUNGE concept, the seats have fully integrated head restraints. The front seats are massaging, cooled and heated. Need we say more? Well, close-up thermal comfort is enhanced by the DS NECK WARMER, a device that favors heating as close to the body as possible to enhance energy consumption. These neck warmers fitted into the backrests of the front seats are illuminated by a backlit DS logo with a crystal appearance.

The rear seat comfort is nothing else but superb. There is ample knee room, 84cm of headroom and backrests inclined at 30°, without compromising their 40/20/40 modularity. Cooled and heated seat bases and backrests complete the comfort.

Driving

When you start moving behind the wheel of a DS Automobile, the expectations are high. The N°8 fully meets them. Whatever version you choose, there is utter drive train smoothness and power. The DS N°8 uses the Stellantis Group’s STLA Medium platform. This has been optimized in length and width to accommodate batteries up to a capacity of 97.2 kWh.

DS N°8 is available with a choice of three 100 % electric drive trains developing 230 hp, 245 hp and 350 hp, the latter being fitted with two electric motors for four-wheel drive. All motors enjoy excess power that periodically gives an extra 30 hp to the FWD version – 260 hp, 35 hp to the FWD LONG RANGE version 280 bhp, and 25 bhp to the AWD LONG RANGE model 375 bhp.

Performance is more than adequate: even the 230hp version accelerates in merely 7.7s from 0 to 100 km/h. Top speed is a respectable 190 km/h. The 245hp version which has the larger 97.2 kWh battery has virtually the same performance, but rewards you with a bigger range. According to WLTP figures, the 245 HP version has a range of 750 km, instead of the 572 km of the “base” version. The 350 hp version has of course close to superpower performance, with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,4 seconds. The range of this AWD DS is 686 km.

Of course one can count on impeccable road manners and comfort. We found the DS quite responsive and tout, tending towards sportiness and it copes very well with a more enthusiastic driving style. Country roads can be driven with verve, and also in urban low speed traffic the N°8 feels well at home. Nevertheless, the steering feel is not too responsive, and car will not invite you to throw it around, but  lets you rather adopt  a comfortable, relaxed driving style. At high motorway speeds, the good road and tyre insulation as well as the sound deadening laminated glass keeps noise at bay, so you can enjoy the fantastic sound system and seat comfort.

DS N°8 is fitted as standard with DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION, a variable damping system linked to a camera positioned at the top of the windscreen. Supported by attitude sensors and 3 accelerometers, it analyses the road surface in a few milliseconds and transmits its information to a computer that acts on each wheel. Noblesse oblige, we would say again here.

Practical

Despite the coupe-SUV profile which makes the roof arch somewhat lower,  over the rear seats, but headroom is acceptable for most passengers. The floor of the car is rather high, and this raises your legs and knees a bit, reducing thigh support by the otherwise excellent rear seats. We enjoyed the clever thermal glass roof in the “Etoile” equipment version we tested.

Boot space is more than sufficient with 581 liters, and offers also a small under-floor compartment. When it comes to charging speed, it is worth to mention that the N° 8 features a 400-volt electrical system, and the maximum DC charging rate is  160kW.  This means that the 74kWh battery can be charged from 20-80 per cent capacity in 26 minutes, with the 97.2kWh pack taking just a minute longer to charge to the same amount. Note that EV Routing via DS IRIS SYSTEM 2.0 simplifies trip planning.

Conclusion
 

If you are looking for a refined car which truly stands out from the rest and which is a proud four wheeled statement of French refinement and savoir vivre, then this N°8 merits a long hard look.   

It is smooth and refined for eyes and senses, looks and drives beautifully, offering up to date practicality in its class. The N°8 soothes you with style and comfort, with performance and range to match, even in the base 230 HP version with the 74 kWh battery.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Elegance in Motion: Aston Marin shines in Autoworld Brussels…

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The iconic Aston Martin DB5 used by film character James Bond: this factory-made replica on, the show is an example of the “continuation” series of the original James Bond Aston Martin.

The lovers of iconic British classics can enjoy a beautiful exhibition in the heart of Brussels: until Sunday 21st of June they stand eye to eye with the iconic cars which embody the history of this wonderful brand.

You will admire at your leisure the rare 1925 Grand Prix car, of which only 3 exist in the world today, and the one you will see in Brussels is the last one produced… Another F1 gem awaits you in the magnificent hall of Autoworld: the legendary DBR4.

But every enthusiast just loves the DB5, the iconic James Bond car. The car on the show is a replica, but it is in almost every aspect equal to the original. Did you know that the total series production of the DB5 was only 1,059 units?

On the show, iconic Aston’s from the ‘50s and ‘60s can also be admired. What to think of the gleaming black DB1, nicknamed “Spa Special”, as this is the very car that raced to victory in 1948, with team drivers Jock Horsfall and Leslie Johnson behind the wheel.

Engineer Claude Hill had designed the 2 litre four cylinder engine for the revolutionary 1939 Atom, because of the wardid not really survive the prototype s. Key to the concept was the integral construction of body framing and chassis, which were made from rectangular steel tubes.

Looking at this photo, you can easily imagine yourself sitting behind the wheel of the Aston DB1, racing towards victory in the Spa Francorchamps 24 race…

The 1948 Motor Show saw the launch of the first car to be produced under the ownership of David Brown, thTwo Litre Sports, retrospectively named ‘DB1’.  It used the Atom chassis construction, by the way…
 

There is also a Bordeaux coloured DB2/4 to be seen, which was originally owned by Belgian king Baudouin, see the photo here above. He drove not less than four Aston Martins in his life. A true connoisseur!

Noblesse oblige, and this means that an Aston Martin exhibition cannot do without a Zagato bodied example. We admired the DB4 Zagato, which was again a factory recreation of the original. The DB4 Zagato was produced between 1960 and 1963.

Originally, 25 units were planned, but the interest proved not to be large, resulting in only 19 copies being produced. Later, the popularity of the Zagato version was increasing, and two subsequent series were, “Sanction II” with 4 copies, and “Sanction III” with a further 2 copies.

The car on the show is produced in a new series of 19 , built in 2019 on the occasion of the centenary of Zagato. is a true racing car, and is not allowed to drive on public roads…

We also found the Aston Martin 2022 Speedster-type supercar, the DBR22, totally stunning. We will return soon to this beauty, which is an homage to the legendary Aston Martin DBR1 Sports Racing Car. On the photo below, you see the cockpit details of this speedster, with the Aston Martin Victor in the background.

Below we show you a photo of the cockpit and steering wheel of the DBR22, with the steering wheel of the original 1925 Grand Prix Car in the background, with almost a century between them…

The show also includes modern creations like the Aston Martin Victor (see photo earlier) and the rare One-77. More on  these cars soon…  

Everybody knows that the name Aston Martin is tied to casino glamour and film, and this was also very much the case at the magnificent opening night of this exhibition, where your servant was invited by the very dynamic team of Autoworld.

On the opening night, invitées could enjoy a game of roulette…in the true James Bond tradition!

Sebastien de Baere, General Manager of Autoworld, welcomed the public…

and Autoworld Curator Leo Van Hoorick commented expertly on the displayed cars…

More soon on this Aston Martin exhibition, but in our columns we will also come back on the previous Lancia exhibition, with more stories and photos of Lancia’s legendary Grand Prix car, the D50…

Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Xpeng G6: an elegant high-tech and comfortable performer…

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We told you in our columns already about the successful entry of Xpeng into our domestic Belgian car market, and we test here for you their stylish mid-sized electric coupé SUV, the G6.  

Introduced on our shores in 2024, the G6 has already undergone a facelift, where the most important news is the new 80.8 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, which replaces the former nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) unit.

This makes the G6 a true champion at the fast charging terminal: you can now charge it at an impressive 451kW. This means that this Xpeng G6 is built for the future, as at the moment of writing we still have to wait for such fast chargers to arrive in our country. But the fact that this allows you (in the future) to charge the battery from 10 to 80% in merely 12 minutes, is a strong (selling) point indeed. The new battery also means less use of expensive and less sustainable materials …

Spacious…

The G6 is not small, to say the least. Compared with the Skoda Enyaq, it is still a good 10 cm longer. It virtually is as wide and long as its important competitor, the Tesla Model Y. The interior space is indeed quite generous, also and even more so for the rear passengers: they enjoy ample leg- and headroom, despite the curving roof line and the coupe-like silhouette. The car also stands quite tall, and the designers have camouflaged this judiciously by putting the sills in a darker color.  One pleasant aspect is that you can… sleep in this G6, as the front seat backrest folds down horizontally and you can  remove the headrest. You can also install yourself neatly in the backseat, use the fully folded front seat as a footrest and have your laptop snugly installed on your stretched legs, and work comfortably…

…and some facelift details

The led headlight bar now runs fully over the front of the car, at the rear there is now a small duck tail spoiler. The car has now also a digital quite panoramic rear-view mirror, which is especially useful at night or when reversing in dark-lit areas. It can change back and forth to a “classic” mirror at the push of a button on its upper rim.

You can choose between 5 colors, and we liked the “stellar purple” of our test car. There is also an optional “black edition”, which is only offered for the time being on the 4WD 2- motor “performance” edition, which is the drivetrain of the car we tested.

An impressive platform with a drivetrain offered in 3 versions…

The G6 now uses Xpeng’s SEPA2.0 platform, with a chassis of aluminium and steel, reinforced by a stressed underfloor battery pack. The body is fully aluminium, the electrical architecture (with a silicon-carbide power inverter) runs on 800 V.

The model line up starts with the RWD standard range model, 252 HP with a 68,5 kW LFP battery. Then there is the Long Range model with a 297 HP motor and a 80,8 LFP battery. We drove, as said, the 4WD Performance model with 2 motors, 297 HP  + 190 HP (total 487 HP).

Superb performance, enjoyed in safety and comfort…

Needless to say that this “performance” edition is fast. Choose on the central screen among the available drive modes the “launch control” function, and then brace yourself. The G6 will take you from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4,1 seconds. The suspension and chassis can handle all this power smoothly, and the Xpeng feels utterly stable at high speeds and also in fast corners, with some noticeable body roll however. Top speed is electronically limited to 202 km/h, wind and road noise are virtually absent at high cruising speeds.

The Xpeng is comfortable, but its body sways gently over long road irregularities and all this does rather invite you to adopt a more restful driving style, despite its excellent stability and performance. Remember, this is a heavy car that weighs over 2.2 tonnes.

You can adjust the steering “feel” and responsiveness via the central screen and it also changes in function of the chosen driving modes. It transmits adequately the road surfaces, but again does not invite you to do some sharp and fast cornering. Just enjoy the smoothness and comfort, this is what the Xpeng engineers clearly had in mind when fine tuning the steering and suspension. The comfort at boulevard speeds in the city is therefore admirable. The long wheelbase indeed also brings extra smoothness.

The brakes are eminently up to their task, and indeed the 20 inch wheels add to the overall safe handling of the G6. Of course the G6 has ESP and boasts among many driving aids, even hill descent control.

Indeed, for the manufacturer, safety is paramount.  Xpeng therefore installed its ‘full scenario’ XPilot 2.5 driver assistance technology package in the G6, which is made up of a network of 29 cameras, radar transceivers and ultrasonic sensors. Did you know that all the data output is then monitored and processed by a special Nvidia processor?

You see the result on the large central screen, which all the surrounding traffic, bikes and pedestrians clearly shown. Indeed, this is a car made by a high-tech company, and this results in a wonderful and restful experience behind the wheel. Driver assistance systems are there in abundance, from lane assistance coupled with adaptative cruise control to parking and a lot more, it is all there.

Within the plethora of 29 cameras, you also have a camera which monitors whether you keep your eyes on the road. Fortunately, you can control its sensitivity via a menu on the touchscreen, so it does not interfere overwhelmingly when driving.

Refined and elegant interior…

With the facelift, the G6 had its interior upgraded with better ambient lighting and improved panel finishes. We liked the large wooden panel spanning across the dashboard. Besides the large and eminently readable 15,6 inch central screen, there is also a so-called digital 10,25 inch dashboard screen in front of the driver, and this gives you all the essential information right in the line of your vision.

Both front seats are adjusted electronically, and you can (pre)program your ideal individual seating position. The nappa leather seats (reserved for this performance version) are not only heated, they also have a massage function…

The wide central console allows you to charge TWO phones simultaneously, with up to not less than 50 W charging power.  

Climate control is also top notch with automatic air conditioning and a heat pump;  

All the main functions of the car, like heating/ventilation, opening/closing, navigation can be controlled using a mobile app. There is also an “Hey XPENG” speech assistant: 4 zones (also from the rear seats) , full scenario with intelligent suggestions and advisory remarks. You have also an App Store connection for music, video, social media, etc.

When you change lane or take a right or left turn, a camera view flashes up in this screen to show any upcoming traffic in the chosen lane. Indeed, you are definitively spoiled with a wide array of high-tech safety features.

These is of course an excellent DAB/FM radio, using a 16 speaker XPENG XOPERA 2.0 Surround Sound System, with two speakers in the front seat headrests…classic music buffs as we are, we greatly enjoyed each trip…

All this to say that sitting behind the wheel of this Xpeng one definitely gets a premium feeling, not in the least because of the excellent finish and the quality of the materials used.  

There are a lot of practical storage possibilities in the cabin, and luggage space is also quite adequate with 571 liters (1374 liters with rear seat backrests folded).

And what about consumption and range?

We noticed during our test a usable practical range of some 370-400 kilometers, with a 60/40 mix of motorway and city driving. Of course, in winter driving the heating/ventilation systems take also their toll, and we find this range therefore quite reasonable for a 2,2 tonne 487 HP car. When driving with some restraint, a consumption between 17 and 20 kW per 100 km is quite realistic. The manufacturer quotes 18,4 kW/100 km, and announces a WLTP range of 510 km.

Conclusion

This Xpeng G6 ticks many boxes, certainly taking into account that it offers impressive value for money. At the moment of writing, this 4WD Performance version is available for 51.990 Euros, and as we said earlier, in this price range, there is no other car that offers this charging capacity. Add to this the stylish exterior, the elegant, roomy, and fully appointed cabin, the comfortable ride, and safety-oriented stability combined with excellent performance, and you will agree that this Xpeng G6 deserves a long hard look when you consider buying a mid-size SUV.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Lancia 120 years in Brussels Autoworld:  elegance and engineering excellence tell us a great and beautiful story… part 2

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car History, Car technology, Classic and Vintage Cars, Design, Museums, Pre-War ClassicsLeave a comment

We continue here our report about this stunning exhibition of 12 absolutely iconic Lancias, which we can admire until April 19 at Brussels Autoworld.

A car which set Lancia apart as a brand with a unique enineering excellence is the Lambda. It was intoduced in 1922 and featured not only a revolutionary and compact V4 engine. This V-4 was banked at a tiny 13-degree angle (later 14 degrees), with a flat cylinder-head face and combustion chambers in the block. Nobody had ever seen anything like it.

But there were other surprises: it also had a load-bearing unitary body. Indeed, and here we cite the famous connoisseur Michael Frostick: “its unique unitary construction, in which body and chassis were one, came a good ten years before Mr. Budd succeeded in selling his idea for a monocoque to Andre Citroen.”

As if this were not enough, it also introduced an independent front suspension. This sliding pillar suspension was a trademark of all subsequent Lancias, used not only for all the cars before the Aurelia, but also for the Appia, up until its replacement in 1963 by the Fulvia. The suspension has an integral spring and shock absorber (all made by Lancia in house) working around a large vertical set pin internal to the assembly.

The pin is anchored into a beam axle at a particular angle, and camber and caster are fixed at the factory. The shock setting is easily adjustable by hand at the top of the pillar, and one can change it from soft to hard in a moment, or even (as the Lancia Owner’s Manual suggests) summer/winter. Absolute genius!

Lancia also introduced powerful four wheel brakes on the Lambda. All this resulted in a car with excellent handling, and indeed the Lambda proved faster over a winding track than anything Lancia had hitherto produced, including the big Tri Kappa, an eight cylinder with twice the horsepower. 

 The Lambda became the car to win races with, and in 1927, when Italy’s famous open road race, the Mille Miglia, was first held, a trio of Lambda’s took the first three places overall. Note on the photo above the short, sporting gear lever!

Another pre-war Lancia that won my heart was the Aprilia. Just look at its classic, timeless, compact proportions. It was born in 1936, but the car on the show is a 1947 2nd series example. It was Lancia’s first berlinetta aerodinamica. Indeed, it was one of the first designed using a wind tunnel in collaboration with Battista Farina and Polytechnic University of Turin, achieving for those days a record low drag coefficient of 0.47.

It was to be Vicenzo Lancia’s very last car, as the founder died in 1937, when series production started. It was indeed designed by Vicenzo, and featured four pillarless doors. Just look at the door handles, which are in the same position as in the pillarless 4-door Lancia Florida, which I showed you in part one. The Aprilia also featured an independent rear suspension, with inboard brakes…

The Lancia story will go further in part 3. We will tell you then more about the Lancia PF200 prototype and the legendary D50 racing car…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Practical info: The exhibition runs until April 19 at Autoworld, Parc du Cinquantenaire 11
1000 Brussels, Belgium.

Please note, the museum is closed Wednesday 11 March, Thursday 12 March and Monday 16 March 2026.

Opening hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY
10:00 – 17:00
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
10:00 – 18:00