Category: E-mobility R &D and solutions

We drove the Mercedes 450e S Class: the pinnacle of luxury motoring…

Posted in Car Tests, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Lifestyle, New ModelsTagged , , , , Leave a comment

The Mercedes S-Class has been the benchmark of luxury limousine comfort since 1972. Now we are at the W223 series, and it is still unsurpassed in terms of comfort, workmanship, mechanical and electronic excellence, and last but not least, panache.

Our test car is the plug-in hybrid version of the S-Class, designated as the S 450 e. Furthermore, we drive the “L” or long version, which, of course gives you totally superb rear passenger comfort.
 

Don’t think that this imposing S Class version will be difficult to drive in town: thanks to the rear-axle steering (optional) the turning circle of the S-Class is reduced by up to two metres. The steering angle at the rear axle goes up to 10 degrees…The steering is also surprisingly direct: only 2 turns are needed to steer from full right to left.   

Stepping behind the wheel in this magnificent limousine will however still require some caution, certainly if you wear a hat. The a-pillar is  raked rather steeply for good aerodynamic reasons, but this means that you will still have to tilt your head slightly…

Once your are sitting down you are enveloped in superb somfort. The front seats have a 4 way back support, electronically adjusted, and of course there is a whole (optional) massage program waiting for you, just touch the “comfort” symbol on the large central control screen and you can choose your favorite session…

You can also opt for an active “multi-contour” package, which gives you extra lateral support when you are cornering at speed.
 The cabin bathes you in a wonderful light ambiance, which, of course you can adjust at will.

The instrumentation is clear, the immense screens both in front of the driver and the central screen are largely self-explanatory, although we would still suggest that you take some time to get acquainted with all its wonderful features.

Superb and ultra-refined performance…

The fourth generation of the hybrid drive celebrated its premiere in the S-Class in 2021. The present 450 e version has a 3 litre straight-six cylinder under the hood, developing 220 kW or 299 hp, combined with a rather powerful 110 kW or 150 hp electric motor. The battery is not enormous with 21,96 kWh, but powerful enough to give the 2,5 tonne “e” S-Class a range between 105 and 70 km.

:

You can calculate it for yourself on the simulator which you can find on the Mercedes website.

We show you it here in two screenshots: assuming 35 % of the trip made on the Autobahn, the electric only range with an outside temperature of 20° is 100 km, when the ambient temperature drops to 10°, the range drops to 77 km. Quite sufficient in our opinion to perform a daily commute on E-power…

You can charge the battery with a maximum power of 60 kW, and on an ordinary wallbox or public charging point (Max 20 kW on DC) you can charge the battery from 10 to 80 pct in merely 20 minutes.

The outright performance leaves nothing to be desired: this S-Class will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 5,9 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

But the beauty lies of course, in the smooth way all this performance unfolds. The electric engine is totally inaudible, the 6 cylinder 3 litre engine is ideally balanced and vibrationless, and only a soft purr is heard when accelerating hard. The engine is mated to a smooth and alert 9G-TRONIC Plus automatic gearbox, which makes imperceptible gear changes. You have gearchange paddles at the steering wheel, but with 9 gears to choose from, one is soon overwhelmed… and we chose to let the clever gearbox do the work. The 9th gear allows very relaxed cruising at very low revs. At 120 km/h,  the engine exceeds barely 1500 rpm.

Consumption is, of course, very much in function of the battery status, or rather, whether you drive on e-power or not. The WLTP standard consumption is officially quoted at 2,4 l/100km. The manufacturer’s official figure for average e-consumption is 17,4 kWh/100km, which I find a rather more realistic indicator. On the open road, your flagship is still quite economical, due also to its excellent aerodynamics: it has a Cw coefficient of merely 0,22. When you drive at fast cruising speeds, the consumption hardly exceeds 11 l/100 km. Town driving will cost you around 10,5 l/100 km.

Floating carpet comfort…

The S-Class can be considered to be the ultimate standard in limousine driving comfort. It has standard an air suspension with adaptive dampers, and you can opt for E-Active body control, which keeps the car body stable even under very fast cornering. The suspension swallows any road irregularities totally smoothly and this even at very slow speeds, and one truly enjoys a “floating carpet” ride. You can choose between different suspension settings, but even in the “sport” mode the ride remains totally smooth.

Heating and ventilation are also in a class of its own. Two-zone airco is standard, but you can opt for four-zone airco. Of course the rear passengers are spoilt too. You can obtain all conceivable extras, from heated side panels to heated and ventilated seats fore and aft, dark window curtains at the rear; you name it..

Infotainment reaches into the stars…

Mercedes is quite proud of its MBUX infotainment system, and deservedly so. As we said above, the system is quite intuitive, provided you take the effort to study the system and carefully go through all the menus. The indications are chrystal clear and seen on a massive 12,8 inch central touchscreen.  

The sliding volume control for the superb Burmeister (31-speaker!) sound system takes some practice, but soon you become a master at it. You can also choose the instrument layout on the screen in front of you, and the overhead display of our test car was also eminently readable. You can also enjoy the optional augmented reality feature on this display, which shows you, with clearly visible arrows, which route to take…

This flagship Mercedes was updated last year, and has further optimized the MBUX user interface: suggestions for assisted parking are now located more intuitively in the menu. The Mercedes-Benz Automatic Lane Change (ALC) function now offers a further intelligent development: if a slower vehicle is traveling ahead, the car can initiate a lane change itself.

Indeed, if the radar recognizes sufficient open space and lane markings are detected, it can overtake the slower vehicle in front… fully automatically(!). The prerequisites are a motorway-like road with at least two lanes and a speed limit as well as a vehicle equipped with MBUX Navigation. The system does not require any further input from the driver to carry out the automatic lane change. Brave new world, we would say…

Let there be light…

The LED headlights are state of the art, with light shining in bends, combined with excellent long-range visibility with dynamic headlight assistant and extra powerful LED elements. The headlights shine up to a distance of … 650 meters (!).


 

The Long version of the 450 is as you can expect enormously spacious at the rear. But also in front there is enough head- and legroom for 2 metre tall adults. Boot space is of course also sufficient with 450 liters.
 
 Conclusion

The Mercedes S Class continues to be the absolute benchmark in luxury, mechanical and electronic perfection, comfort and sheer performance. Add to this the legendary quality seen in the perfect fit and quality of the materials used, and you know that this car is built for a lifetime of superb motoring.

Of course, all this doesn’t come cheap, even more so when you take into account the long list of optional extras.

But then, when one reaches the pinnacle of what a series production luxury saloon can embody and represent, it is still quite reasonable when compared with exotic supercars…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographer’s notes: I used for this test exclusively the Sony Alpha 5100 with the Zeiss Vario Tessar E 4/16-70 ZA OSS lens, again proving to be the ideal companion in difficult low light conditions. One exception, however, is the photo of the driver’s door under the blue ambient lighting. It was taken with our Xiaomi 11T smartphone at f/1.8, handheld at 1/9 sec, with ISO 7800. Proving again how formidable today’s smartphones have become. As the photo was taken in the darkness of an underground garage, we overexposed it 3,3 times using the “pro” mode on our phone to get details of the door and cabin surfaces. The photo below of our Sony camera with its Zeiss lens was also shot with our Xiaomi 11 T. F 1,8 at 1/60 sec with no exposure compensation.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Fiat Grande Panda Elettrica: EV driving with panache and style…

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

Italy is the birthplace of style and elegance, and this Grande Panda truly shows it. We personally love it and both the exterior and cabin styling solutions have won our hearts. It truly stands out in character and practicality and shows many competitors how a compact B-segment car can also be designed and built.

The Grande Panda Elettrica runs on the Stellantis compact EV platform, which it shares with the Citroën C3 (Aircross) and Opel Corsa/Frontera.

It has a 44 kW battery, and a 83 kW/113 HP electric motor. Perfect for town driving, where the less ideal aerodynamic boxy bodywork doesn’t spoil the fun. This means that in town, a practical range of some 300 km is quite realistic.

On the open road and certainly on the motorway, you better have a somewhat lighter foot, as the wind resistance pushes the consumption higher into 18-19 kW/100 km, reducing the range below 220 km.

The engineers wisely limited the top speed to some 132 km/h, which is totally reasonable. Cruising around 110 km/h will get you around 250 km useable range. The WLTP consumption is quoted at 16,8 kW/100 km. Charging on an 11 kW charger will cost 4,5 hours from zero to a full battery.

The Grande Panda is very much in its element both in town and on the open road. It steers light and precise, is quite comfortable on city pavés and is also remarkably silent, also at speed.

The electric engine is smooth and inaudible, just a faint whirr is heard when it recuperates energy when slowing down. Wind and tyre roar increase with speed, but it never gets obtrusive.

A model of the original Panda, remembering the banked round curves of the famous “pista” on top of the iconic original Fiat factory in Turin…

Besides the silence and smoothness of the electric engine, one can also enjoy the zest and power offered by the 83 kW motor. It will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 11 seconds, but actually the intermediate accelerations tell you the whole story: accelerating from 60 to 100 km/h costs slightly over 6 seconds…

Handling is quite good and predictable. This Panda doesn’t mind to drive with speed on winding roads, with good motorway stability also guaranteed.
 

A pleasant cabin

So much for the driving part. Stepping into the car one enjoys the modern and stylish “ambiance” of the interior. Well done! We liked the styling elements and surface texture of the glove box, the square shaped ventilation openings, the layout of digital dashboard screen and the 10,25 inch centre screen. Everthing is simple, yet there is every information you will ever need.

Of course, no navigation is provided, so the apps on your phone will via Apple Car Play or Android Auto will have do the work. It also pays to have an app on your phone which shows charging stations…

There is plenty of room on the dashboard to put your stuff and the centre console has room for your phone. Two USB C slots are provided in front near the centre console.  

We liked the “Panda”lettering on the seats, and the front seats were pleasantly soft and comfortable. We were further seduced by the evident controls of heating and ventilation: three round knobs, which were a child’s play to use… When the battery is charged more than 30 pct, you can even pre-heat your Panda in the morning.

Also in the rear there is enough room for two rather tall adults.  The luggage space is also more than adequate with 361 liters, with the rear seat down this increases to 1315 liters. The charging cables have no separate space, so they occupy the boot…

Conclusion

If you are looking for a B segment car which stands out in style, then this Grande Panda is the one to look at. It offers enough room for four adults and their luggage, is a dream to drive in town and will let you tour through Europe in comfort.

Its personality will let you enjoy EV motoring, that’s for sure, and last but not least, the price will also make you smile…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographers’ notes

The photos were taken in abysmal rainy and windy autumn weather, where a camera and lens which performs well in low light conditions is paramount. It also pays to have a chamois at hand to keep your camera and lens dry..

We used again our Sony Alpha 5100 with the Zeiss Vario Tessar E 4/16-70 ZA OSS lens, and it delivered again wonderfully with sharp photos having good contour contrast.

We used a second camera which is a long time favorite, the wonderfully compact and stylish Fujifilm X10, having a Fujinon aspherical lens, 7.1-28.4 mm, f. 2 to 2.8. This boils down to 28-112 mm for 35 mm equivalent. The large lens opening makes it an excellent candidate for low light situations. The sensor of the Fujifilm X10 is now 13 years old, and it is a 12 MP 2/3 CMOS X-TRANS I Sensor, but still holds its own wonderfully.

The desktop shot here of the X10 was taken with the Fujifilm Finepix S100FS Bridge Camera, with a 28-400 Fujinon zoom lens, which we bought used some years ago, for… 75 Euros (!). The handheld shot was taken at 1/40 sec, with f at 3,2, and sensitivity set at 800 ASA. The camera has, of course, image stabilization and an 11,1 MP sensor, which proves to be quite sufficient in many situations… We still think it is an impressive camera, considering also its massive zoom range and having also film simulation built in, letting you choose between Provia, Velvia and Soft and Portrait modes. On top of that you can choose between High, Mid and Low colour profiles and of course Black & White.

We drove the Renault 5 E-Tech: the automotive future now embraces its historic icons..

Posted in Automobilia, Car News, Car presentations, Car technology, Car Tests, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Lifestyle, New ModelsTagged Leave a comment

Indeed Renault is looking back, but then only to inject its unique iconic true DNA into the cars it designs for the E-future. This is a clever strategy of this iconic French automaker. Indeed, in the roaring sixties and seventies, it did put cars on the road which continue to inspire several generations, and this right until this day.

Besides the ”4L” or charmingly called in the Gallic language ” la quatre elle” , there was the Renault 5, lovingly called “la Cinq”.

Another Renault icon is the starting blocks by the way, the new Twingo E-TECH, and all these new characterful cars are based on the same platform which Renault has developed for the new age of very efficient, compact and financially accessible EV’s.

Renault showed a prototype of its electric “5” already in 2021, and we are delighted to see that virtually all the styling elements of this project car are found back in the series production model.

The “5” is indeed an absolute pleasure to look at, it is wonderfully proportioned and stacked with delightful details.

Like the big letter “5” on the hood which gradually lights up when you charge the car, so you can  immediately see how far the battery is recharged. So cool!

The headlamps are also wonderfully styled, and accompanied by square led light patterns below them.

The rear lights are sculpted as on the legendary R5 Turbo. By the way, the power and panache of this Turbo classic is not much more in driving practice than the torque and immediate pulling power of the 150 HP electric motor of our test car. And then there is the 218 HP Alpine Version, which we hope to drive soon…

A wonderful cabin…

The fun continues in the cabin. We find here the typical square design style of the seventies, which is continued in the yellow colour and graphic patterns of the displays found in front of the driver and the centre.

The screens are quite practical after some obvious acquaintance, and we liked the extra row of physical knobs and controls for heating and ventilation below the panels.

We liked the seventies styling of the seats which are also comfortable and well adjustable. The driver seat is also height adjustable as standard. In the front there is is ample leg and headroom, at the rear the available space is only adequate for adults. But this is a (city) car for young (at heart) adults, so in the rear you will mostly find kids or grandchildren..

The boot space is more than adequate for this compact EV, with 255 liters under the luggage cover. There is no separate stowing space for the charger and cables, just a stylish bag is provided.
 

Rediscovering driving pleasure…with an EV.

This is where this Renault 5 E-Tech really stands out: it gives you TONS of driving pleasure behind the wheel. No small feat for an EV. Not in the least because it steers and handles like a dream. The steering is precise, the suspension is sporting but not too harsh, and it just LOVES winding roads.

The car is wonderfully agile, and when you steer it into corners with abandon, it will even oversteer, which is of course easily corrected. Just great. Straight line and high speed stability is excellent. Does this 5 inspire you always to a sporting driving style as a must?

Not at all, it is whisper quiet, and the excellent sound system (can be optionally equipped with a Harman Kardon sound system) lets you enjoy classical or your preferred music along the route. Wind and tyre noise are virtually absent and this makes the compact “Cinq” a car with the manners and driving refinement of a premium automobile. Fit for long journeys too!

With outstanding performance to match…

What about range and performance you will ask. Our test car was equipped with the 150 HP or 110 kW engine, and this means vigorous accelerations, considering that the weight of the 5 is reasonable with 1450 kg. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint is absolved in some 8 seconds, top speed is reasonably limited to 150 km/h.

The car with this engine version has a 52 kW battery, which results in a average range of some 350 km, based on a consumption of 17 kW/100 km. City driving will easily give you average consumptions around 13-14 kW, corresponding with a range of some 400 km. Brisk motorway driving will limit the range, as the boxy 5 E-Tech with a Cw value of 0,32 is not a champion in aerodynamics. Speed charging up to 100 kW is possible with the Cinq, so within a 30 minute coffee break the battery is easily recharged from 20 to 80 pct.
 

Up to date infotainment

Of course, noblesse oblige, in this day and age the 5 E-tech has Android Auto and Apple Carplay,  also handles voice commands over Google Assistant, offers two USB C connections. The navigation system is based on Google Maps. You can also plot your charging points en route. You can personalise the system via your Google account and of course you can be further informed about your car by using the Renault App. With over the air updates, your Renault can always be kept up to date…

Conclusion

This 5 E-Tech has the looks and offers you pleasure behind the wheel. It is indeed fun to drive and look at, and will also spoil you with the whispering silence of a premium car.

It is also well priced, and its timeless iconic shape will let you enjoy it for many years to come…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographers’ notes: the photos here are made again with our Sony Alpha 5100 with its F4 16-70 Zeiss lens, which produces punchy, sharp photos with rich contrast.

But we also used here a recently bought second hand 50 mm Canon EF F1,8 II lens, mounted here on our trusted EOS 1100 D Canon DSLR. It produced the detailed photos of dashboard screens and further bodywork details, creating an interesting bokeh due to its shallow depth of field at wide openings, yet being razor sharp and offering good contour contrast. The 50 mm lens is often overlooked, yet it is an excellent tool due to its luminosity, interesting bokeh and excellent sharpness…

Renault continues to improve its Full Hybrid Technology…

Posted in Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car technology, E-mobility R &D and solutions, New ModelsLeave a comment

As faithful readers know, your servant is still quite keen on the full hybrid solution to enjoy the benefits of electrified mobility. It ideally combines the smoothness of E-power with economy and total hassle-free practicality, as you can cover any distance without worrying about recharging.

Renault made a very wise strategic decision to build also an important presence in this market segment, and is indeed developing its Full Hybrid Technology always further.

Did you know that Renault has sold over 750,000 vehicles equipped with this full hybrid E-Tech powertrain since its launch in 2021?

Renault developed its full hybrid E-Tech powertrain in 2021. Over 150 patents have been filed for this technology, which taps into Renault’s expertise in Formula 1, particularly in energy recovery and regeneration. Ii is found in many models, from Clio to Rafale. 

More power and full hybrid performance for Captur and Symbioz

In the same way as with the previous generation, the series-parallel hybrid architecture of this new powertrain combines two electric motors (a 36 kW e-motor and a 15 kW HSG – High-Voltage Starter Generator) with a 1.8l 4-cylinder petrol engine of 80 kW or 109 hp (69 kW and 94 hp for the previous engine) mated to a new intelligent multi-mode clutchless dog box and a 1.4 kWh battery. The dog box delivers fast precise gear changes with minimum power loss. It is also simpler from a mechanical standpoint, making it more reliable.

Driveability maintained

The indirect injection of the previous generation has been replaced by a new direct-injection system.

Torque is 25% higher (172 Nm for the combustion engine alone, i.e. +22 Nm) than for the previous version. This means that maximum torque is available at lower revs (around 2,000 rpm), for better performance and response, particularly during acceleration or when picking up speed on fast roads. Acceleration is therefore more dynamic. Captur now takes 8.9 seconds to accelerate from 0-100 km/h compared with 10.6 seconds previously, delivering a better response for a more agile driving experience.

The Symbioz also improves its 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time: 9.1 seconds compared with 10.6 seconds previously.

A new  battery with a higher capacity of 1.4 kWh

The new hybrid powertrain has a battery of 1.4 kWh battery (230V), compared with 1.2 kWh for the previous version. ower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions

Fuel consumption is optimised by a regenerative braking function, combined with the high self-charging capacity of the 1.4 kWh (230V) battery and the efficiency of the E-Tech system.

Under the bonnet of Captur and Symbioz, the new full hybrid E-Tech powertrain consumes just 4.3 litres/100 km, compared with 4.7 litres for the previous version. This optimised system delivers fuel savings of up to 40%, while also reducing CO2 emissions to as little as 98 g/km on Symbioz (99 g/km for Captur).

Smooth gear changes

The dog box transmission has been maintained: the dog clutch system replaces both a sprocket and a synchroniser ring in a clutchless layout with fewer friction parts for high levels of efficiency. The gearbox was then fine-tuned for faster, smoother gear changes. As a result, gear changing is quieter and more responsive, reducing vibration and engine noise for increased driver comfort.

Further, the introduction of a new electronic gear lever (e-shifter) provides greater precision and optimised ergonomics.

Needless to say that we are keen to lay our hand on a Renault with this improved full hybrid drivetrain… stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

E-Power for all: the Fiat Grande Panda goes hybrid…

Posted in Automobilia, Car News, Car presentations, Car technology, Concept Cars, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Lifestyle, New ModelsLeave a comment

FIAT launches the new Grande Panda Hybrid, marking a significant milestone in its global product strategy:  making the electrified transition possible for all thanks to this affordable, and cool B-segment Panda.This hybrid version marks the brand’s role as a leader in volume and accessibility, says Stellantis, echoing the golden years of FIAT when simplicity, innovation, and emotional design moved millions.

The Grande Panda project is the cornerstone of a new global vehicle family developed entirely under the guidance of the FIAT HQ and Centro Stile in Mirafiori, Turin. Your servant remembers its visit at the Centro Stile a few years ago, when he stood eye to eye with the clay model of the FIAT “centoventi” or 120, which showed already the proportions and styling language of the present day Panda. Technologically, it already incorporated the solutions we see today.

The model sits on Stellantis’ “Smart Car” Platform. At the heart of this model lies the T-Gen3 hybrid powertrain, featuring a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 110 HP, combined with a 48V Li-ion battery and a eDCT 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This system integrates a 21kW electric motor,an inverter, and a central control unit.

Through functions like e-launch, e-creeping, and e-parking, the Grande Panda Hybrid can operate in full-electric mode during low-speed manoeuvres, allowing for up to 1 km of electric-only driving at speeds under 30 km/h. These features result in smoother acceleration, silent city driving, and less fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, made possible in part also by the Miller Cycle combustion strategy. The eDCT transmission further enhances efficiency and provides a relaxed, two-pedal driving experience that embodies FIAT’s “easy drive” philosophy.


All trims, and one can choose between three levels, notably POP, ICON, and LA PRIMA, come equipped with a comprehensive ADAS suite, including Cruise Control, Speed Limiter, Active Safety Brake, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and open-door alerts. The LA PRIMA trim enhances this with front sensors and a rear view camera.
Connectivity is supported through the onboard 10” digital cluster, 10.25” central touchscreen, and wireless smartphone mirroring. Customers benefit from multiple USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and seamless digital integration.

Continuing the 4 X 4 tradition of the Panda with a 4 X 4 concept…

The new Grande Panda 4×4 concept model, presented during the Grande Panda Hybrid Media Drive, is the direct heir of the Panda 4×4 from the ‘80s. It has exclusive details, and the unique dark red livery, bringing the 80s Panda’s character into the modern era.



It has an electrified, innovative rear axle that delivers all-terrain versatility.  We look forward to see this concept hitting the road soon…

We invite you to look at the accompanying photos for now…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We tested the Leapmotor C10: superb space and comfort for your money…

Posted in Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Car technology, Car Tests, E-mobility R &D and solutions, PhotographyLeave a comment

Stellantis made an interesting strategic move to include Chinese EV manufacturing in its portfolio. Besides obvious geopolitical reasons, there are also good technological grounds: Leapmotor has designed its own EV platform and battery technology, and it adopts the so-called “cell to chassis” design method. The battery is part of the platform structure and is not divided into cells, which offers extra rigidity and therefore is  improving handling. It leaves also extra space for the passengers too. It seems to be a good alternative technology, and BYD has adopted it too.

By the way, just as BYD, Leapmotor uses LFP technology for its batteries. Indeed, Lithium-Ion phosphate batteries are safer than Li-ion due to the strong covalent bonds between the iron, phosphorus, and oxygen atoms in the cathode. The bonds make them more stable and less prone to thermal runaway and overheating…But now let’s return to the findings of our test…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Classic styling…

The C10 is a big D segment SUV, and its longer roof line gives it a traditional look, which is altogether rather pleasing. We liked especially the “glazed green” colour of our test car, and we found the C10 also well proportioned.

Impressive interior

Stepping in the C10, we were surprised by the softness of the comfortable, well cushioned seats, and the clean layout of dashboard and commands, which bear some resemblance with Tesla models. The whole layout is quite clean, and besides two rolling buttons on the steering wheel, for controlling audio and cruise control, everything else is found on the two touchscreens. It takes some studying, but soon you will find your way. The most important functions are easily found and controlled in a self explaining manner. You are also reminded that this is a Chinese EV as Apple Car Play and Android Auto are…absent.

The C10 gives to priority to driver safety, and indeed the driving assistance systems remind you of this during your drive, and if you want to enjoy a truly “Zen” trip, you might want to shut it off.

We found the navigation system quite up to scratch, and appreciated the plethora of functions and amenities the C10 can offer you. Of course, there is a 360° chrystal clear vision available, seat warming and ventilation, heated steering wheel, you name it. Just a credit card type key card will open and start the car, indeed, the C10 is totally user friendly in everyday practical use.

The C10 will also watch over you, for safety’s sake…

Smooth performer

The C10 is meant for ”zen” driving in absolute comfort. The British would call it motoring. At least, this is how we personally ’feel’ this car. It is smooth and very silent. The suspension is softly sprung, and also the seat cushions are soft to the touch and feel. Of course, there are different driving modes to choose from via the touchscreen. We stuck most of the time in the standard mode. You can also select four regeneration modes. Three modes, low standard and high can be engaged while driving. The fourth mode, the one pedal mode, can only be selected from standstill.

The electric motor and its accessories are well tucked away deep under the bonnet…

The permanent magnet synchronous motor develops 215 HP, and this offers excellent performance. 0 to 100 km/h is absolved in merely 7,5 seconds, and top speed is set at some 170 km/h. The battery capacity is 69,9 kWh, and the practical range depends of course on your driving style. In practice, we found a range between 420 and 350 km being quite realistic.

Fast charging is of course possible, up to 84 kW. We noticed again that on “ordinary” public charging points the available charging power can be down to the proverbial trickle, sometimes to merely 2 or 3 kW/h. At one stage, we found that charging the battery from 69 % to full charge would cost… 6 hours!

Charging at a trickle on an ordinary public charging pole…To charge it from 80 % to full takes close to 5 hours!

Steering is light and precise, and has a very “soft” feel. Again, this car is designed for comfortable driving, so we did not mind that your palms are insulated from the  horrors of our Belgian road surfaces.  Via the touchscreen you can however select Comfort, Standard or Sport. In the comfort mode steering is very light and this we found beautiful for parking and slow urban driving.

Plenty of storage space on the centre console…

Of course the C10 will show predictable handling and performance, and it will take long bends with no fuss whatsoever at very high speeds. It is also quite stable at high cruising speeds, but will nevertheless inspire you to take a “Zen” attitude behind the wheel, and we juts loved this car for that, and made it most endearing to us.  

Space and practicality

As said, boot space is very much OK with standard 435 liters, extendable with the rear seat folded down to up to 1410 liters. The boot floor has extra storage space underneath the floor, divided into two spaces, one for the cables and another for the tire inflating kit and sundry.

So remember that when you are packing the car for a holiday trip, to keep the cables at hand…

There is a nice extra space underneath the centre console, and indeed also the door bins are nicely wide, and of course there are plenty of USB slots to charge your phones.

Conclusion

The Leapmotor C10 certainly scores in looks, comfort, standard equipment and last but not least (Family) space. It’s ride is smooth and quiet, and this is indeed just what you need in a large family SUV. Its price is also right too, and it offers more than adequate performance and economy, which translates in a fairly good range between 420 and 350 km. It is sold throughout the vast Stellantis dealership, and this also inspires confidence…

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

Photgrapher’s notes: we used for the photos here of this test our trusted Canon G9X. The battery lid has broken due to intensive use of this camera, so we have this nice stable bracket…

We drove the new Opel Grandland: a “big” Opel with distinct premium character and style…

Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Car Tests, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, New ModelsLeave a comment

The second generation of the big Opel SUV impresses with a stylish makeover which adds further character and panache to the car. The “vizor” front end has received a transparent cover with the Opel lightning badge being now illuminated for the first time.

The rear the letters “Opel” across the boot lid are now boldy styled and illuminated  in red coloured led light. Opel calls this its “edge light” technology.

The styling language is elegant and simple, and this same styling philosophy is found in the cabin, where Opel’s strategy of keeping instrumentation as minimal and clear as possible for driver and passengers is continued under the adage “less is more”. This doesn’t mean that the information provided is incomplete, only that nothing but the relevant information is displayed when asked for it. We love this quiet simplicity. We found also the cabin very well finished and the quality of the materials used add a distinct premium touch.

This second generation Grandland comes after 7 years, and it runs on the Stellantis Platform which it shares amongst others with the Peugeot 3008 for instance.  Nevertheless, the new Grandland was developed in Rüsselsheim and is assembled and built at the Opel plant in Eisenach.

The biggest news is that the Grandland is now also available in full electric form, with a battery package of up to 98 kW. This allows a range of up to 700 kilometers on a full charge, thanks to the new more efficient electric motor and provided the heat pump is installed.

As Opel caters for a wide(r) public, a plug in hybrid version is also offered which offers a 85 km useable “pure” electric range and last but not least a so-called Mild Hybrid which is the subject of this test.

Under the hood of this MHEV Grandland lies the 3 cylinder 100 kW engine which is shared in so many Stellantis group cars.  The MHEV Grandland has a kerb weight of a good 1,6 tonnes, but nevertheless, thanks to the good torque charcteristics, accelerations are still quite brisk with an acceleration up to 100 km/h in just over 10 seconds.

On the autobahn, this Grandland still shows its panache with a top speed of 202 km/h. Consumption depends here greatly on your driving style, where the efficient drivetrain with an electric motor of 28 HP and 51 Nm of torque coupled to the transmission allow you to make good use of the E-power when starting from standstill and driving at slow speeds.

When you really concentrate and use an anticipatory and relaxed driving style, you can cover up to 50 % of urban distances on E-power, and consumption drops to between 5,5 and 6 liters, even  in busy urban traffic.

On the open road, cruising at legal maximum speeds will show the good efficiency of the drivetrain with consumption hardly exceeding the 6,5 litre mark on 100 km.

The six speed eDCT transmission is smooth and responsive, well adapted to the engine’s torque characteristics. We found the engine not overly smooth, also emitting a distinct throb, but this actually adds to the dynamic character of the new Grandland. At constant speeds, the engine is smooth and virtually inaudible.

We liked the way the now 17 cm longer and markedly bigger Grandland steers and handles. It has lost nothing of its predictive handling and responsiveness, and if any, this has even improved. It remains utterly stable at high speeds and is indeed very engaging and pleasant to drive.

Comfort is also very good, and here we have to applaud the overall roominess of the cabin. As said, the Grandland has grown 17 cm in length, and this allows also the rear passengers to really stretch their legs. There is also more elbow room, as the new Grandland is also 6 cm wider…

Luggage space is also abundant with a standard 550 liters.

Driving assistance systems are also well cared for, and adaptative intelligent cruise control with stop and go function is standard, together with emergency collision braking and speed limit recognition. You can opt for Opel’s Intelli-Drive-2.0 system which helps you when parking and offers you also a 360° view of the car’s surroundings. One good note also for the excellent lighting system. Now the Grandland shines (literally) with Intelli-Lux Pixel Matrix HD-Lights, which dispose of not less than 25.000 light elements on each side. The front camera of the Grandland recognizes uncoming traffic and corrects the light beam accordingly. A head-up display lets you keep focused on the road.  

Conclusion

The Grandland has matured to a premium class SUV, with even in its “base” MHEV version offering many qualities, last but not least it pleases with its agility thanks also to its 1,6 tonne weight, which is markedly less than the plug-in and full EV versions. Furthermore there is the excellent finish, the quality of the materials (all recycled) in the interior, the roominess, the stylish details and the overall good proportions of the car. Then we have said nothing about its very good overall performance and efficiency, its roominess and practicality. Last but not least it offers good value for money, certainly in this Mild Hybrid version…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographers’ notes: the photos here were also taken with our “Leica” Panasonic Lumix DMC – FZ1000. Photographing a black car in sunny daylight is no small feat, but the processor still managed the extreme contrasts reasonably well.

We drove the Leapmotor TO3: a surprisingly adult EV city car…

Posted in Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Car technology, Car Tests, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Lifestyle, New ModelsLeave a comment

Things are moving at the bottom end of the EV market. More affordable EV city cars are offered, and Stellantis has also quite literally made a bold leap forward. Last year it took a 51 pct share in the Amsterdam-based joint venture Leapmotor International BV, and now brings the city car TO3 to our shores, as well as a large SUV, the C10.

Needless to say that we were very keen to have a test drive with this TO3, which at first sight looks not unfamiliar, as it resembles a Smart ForFour. It certainly is fit for the city, with its compact overall length of 3,62 meters. But we discovered it has a lot more good qualities. Just read further..

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Roomy, well equipped and comfortable…

The cute TO3 really surprised us. Stepping into the car, we found ample headroom and even the tallest can sit comfortably behind the wheel of this Leapmotor. Even the rear passengers don’t touch their heads and can step in comfortably as the TO3 has wide opening four doors. No cramped mini car feeling whatsoever. Luggage space is also reasonable, with 210 liters with the rear seat backrest up, and up to a maximum of 880 liters with everything folded down.

Don’t expect bare austerity either when it comes to infotainment. One soon notices that the Chinese are masters in the game. The TO3 has a 10 inch touchscreen with a christal clear rear view camera, which indicates even the remaining centimetres when you back up close to another vehicle or wall…

It also has an excellent navigation system, DAB radio and you can choose between not less than three driving modes. On the central display you can choose “vehicle control” and then make your choice. We left it in the ”standard” driving mode virtually all the time.

The ventilation/heating controls take some getting used to, and are not logical at first sight. But soon enough you get around it…

The T03 has a range of some 250 kilometers in practice…

Also fit for the open road…

With its small turning circle and good visibility it is a pleasure to drive in town, where at urban speeds, that is to say up to 30 km/h, you are constantly accompanied by a well audible whine. This disturbs a bit the totally “ZEN” feeling which normally the absolutely silent EV power conveys, but for the sake of safety it is of course very useful.

The standard equipment is lavish: below the central touchscreen one has even two USB C ports, a 12 V plug and room for your phone…

When you enter the motorway, the compact TO3 shows remarkable ”adult” behaviour, staying remarkably silent and stable at speed. It is fully capable of cruising at say 120 km/h, and this means this TO3 is also a perfect intercity motorway commuter…

LED headlamps are standard…

As the range is rather limited, you need to recharge it frequently between commutes, but when a charger is available both at home and the office, this Leapmotor is perfect for the job. The manufacturer quotes a range of up to 265 km, and WLTP consumption is 16,5 kWh/100 km. We found that this figure is easily achieved in practice, and indeed we experienced that a range of around 250 km is very realistic.

Blind spot monitor, cruise control, distance control and lane assist are also standard…

Performance is zesty with a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 12,7 seconds, top speed is electronically limited to 130 km/h, which is totally sufficient given the vocation of the TO3.

The TO3 is also very keen to keep you safe under all driving circumstances, and constantly warns you when you don’t keep your eyes on the road, ignore speed limits and the like, and is constantly buzzing and chiming to warn you of imminent dangers.

The driver is constantly watched by camera’s, and it warns you to keep your eyes on the road…

This can be annoying at times, and it is good to know that these audible warnings can be muted, although they will reset themselves soon as you restart the car…

The TO3 comes with a warranty of 3 years and 100.000 km, which will satisfy most.

Conclusion

The TO3 impressed us, with its all-round qualities, making it the perfect urban runabout, also fit for faster intercity motorway commuting. It has sufficient room to sit four, and its range is limited,  but still sufficient when charging opportunities are easily available both near home AND office/workplace.



It is well finished, has impressive standard equipment and infotainment. So if you want to step into the EV world with a smaller ”entry” budget, just take a very close look at this endearing Leapmotor…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographers’ notes: we used again our Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000. Its Leica zoom lens is also ideal for photographing details, as shown above…

We drove the Kia EV3: steering into the EV future…

Posted in Automobilia, Car News, Car presentations, Car technology, Car Tests, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Environment, Lifestyle, New ModelsLeave a comment

Kia has not only adopted a new logo, it is now building cars with an avant-garde touch and style. Their EV3 has continued this new path with success, as it had been chosen European Car of the Year 2025.

For all the good reasons: not only does it run on the same dedicated, bespoke EV tech platform as its bigger sister, the also award winning EV9, it offers style, practicality, roominess, and range which put it at the top of its segment.

Needless to say,our expectations were high when we crept behind the wheel of this EV3 and admired the clean yet superbly well-designed dashboard… just read further.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Aiming higher…

We have always believed that this Korean brand would reach the top, when we drove its cars almost a decade ago. They learned very fast, and their commitment towards innovation was unseen, while offering affordable quality, technical sophistication, and style.   

Now we drive the result of this strategy, with this EV3. Just look at its overall contours and one sees that it breathes with its angular looks the styling language of today. This is a car for NOW and the years ahead.

We liked its boxy contours, its wheel contours and the styling treatment fore and aft. Also, the angular styling of the LED headlamps and rear lights are adding to a distinct lighting signature. The proportions are well chosen, and even the 19 inch alloys do not disturb the balanced contours of the car. It truly stands out, and the result is that soon the wide public will recognize it as a new generation Kia.

Modern and clever…

The same can be said of the interior. When you step in the car for the first time, you have the distinct impression that you are entering the future. A 30 inch wide display dominates the dashboard, and combines seamlessly instrumentation, infotainment and connectivity functions. Of course you can adjust heating and ventilation via the screen menus, but thankfully there are analog switches and button controls beneath the screen, which let you adjust all the functions manually. We also liked the centrally placed roll-shaped volume control, so that the front passenger can also use it. The driver has of course the same roller-styled volume control on the steering wheel…

Everything is well thought out, and indeed one can find its way and expertly use all the controls and functions of this Kia without having to use a manual, although it is ALWAYS very wise to read it…it is time very well spent!

We also liked the leather-like seat upholstery, which had a very pleasant feel and touch, with the seats also being comfortable indeed. The front seats also fully recline, so you can take a restful nap while recharging the battery.

There are also a lot of nice details on this EV3 Kia. It has aerodynamic door handles, which flip open when you press the remote key to open the car. It has a central armrest with a sliding table underneath which fits your portable PC.

After you have locked the car,  you can still move the car fore and aft into tight spaces with your remote key. The sun visors can also be extended when flipped sideways to block lateral sunlight, and the central screen has a small separate cluster of symbols on its left side to make climate control a breeze. The backs of the front seats are styled to be used as coat hanger, which is indeed so practical…  

Comfort put first…

The EV3 offers plenty of legroom, and this is thanks to its relatively long wheelbase of not less than 2,68 meters. The luggage space is also more than adequate for an EV, varying between 460 and 1251 liters. No worries about charging cables lying around, they are neatly tucked away in the frunk, which holds 25 liters.

The EV3 has a very comfortable suspension, and this you notice from the first meters you drive it. Its ride feels like a (very) large SUV, one is cocooned in comfort, and well insulated from potholes and rough roads. The whole cabin has also an excellent sound insulation, with virtually no tire noise entering the cabin. This allows easy listening to classical music, even at cruising speeds.

Good driving range…

This Kia invites you to drive in absolute “Zen” mood to your destination, and it is indeed a very restful car. Peace of mind abounds, also when one considers the very good driving range. Consumption according to WLTP standard is 14,9 kW/100 km, which is quite efficient for a car with a kerb weight of a good 1,8 tonnes.

The EV3 has an 150 kW/204 HP  electric motor driving the front wheels, and you can choose between a standard 58,3 kW or a larger 81,4 kW battery. This means that in summer temperatures around 20 C°, a motorway range of over 400 kilometer is very well possible. Of course this range shrinks rather drastically in winter temperatures.

Say that you are cruising at 100 km/h, the range then dwindles from 401 km at 20 C° to 341 km at 0 C°. We find this still quite reasonable. When you drive somewhat slower on wintry roads, at 90 km/h, the range is then still a good 378 km at 0 C°. The manufacturer quotes higher ranges, but we consider these figures as more realistic.

When you opt for the bigger battery, the picture gets of course even more rosier. Driving at 100 km/h at 0 temperature will give you a range of 473 km, and in summer conditions at 20 C° this raises to 557 km.

In normal, everyday use, the smaller battery might be sufficient, we would think. Because the EV3 can take up to 100 kW fast charge, and this means that it will cost less than 30 minutes to recharge the battery from 10 to 80 pct, and these figures are almost reached in wintry conditions, provided one pre-conditions the battery.

Lively performance…

The 150 kW of the engine and the ample torque of 283 Nm make this EV3 truly sprint. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h costs merely 7,6 seconds, top speed is electronically limited to 170 km/h. More than enough for everyday driving, we would say. Maybe it is good to know that the Kia EV3 can tow up to 500 kg with the smaller battery, and even up to 1 tonne with the larger 81,4 kW battery.

Conclusion

The Kia EV3 has won its accolade as “Car of the Year” for all the good reasons. Spacious, styled for the future, practical and well equipped, with excellent efficiency and range and more than adequate performance, it offers smooth transport from A to B. It is well built and finished, it is attractvely priced and enjoys the 7 year Kia guarantee, need we say more?

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Nissan Juke Hybrid N-Sport: stylish and frugal…  

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

The Nissan Juke pioneered the compact SUV with its very original styling, and has remained an iconic car indeed. Since 2019 the Juke is in its second generation, and has last year received a facelift with minor exterior changes but with a revamped interior and a bolder colour palette. It runs on the same platform as the Renault Captur, but as said, it’s the styling which makes this Juke really stand out.

Since 2022 it is also offered in hybrid version, and as hybrids are gaining in popularity, it is this version we preferred to put here through its paces for you.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Proven hybrid technology

The hybrid version inherits the know how built up in this field by Renault, which is also technically speaking understandable as it shares, as we said, its platform with the Renault Captur. It has a 16 valve 1598 cc four cylinder under the hood, developing 69 kW or 94 HP at 5600 rpm. It has two electric motors, an alternator and a traction motor, bringing total system power to 143 HP/100 kW.

It has the same Renault engineered E-TECH multi-mode automatic gearbox, and it lets you select between three driving modes, standard, ECO and Sport. When starting from standstill, the computer controlling the transmission will select the electric motor and will continue to do so, until more power is asked by your right foot and the combustion engine has to set in.

The power transitions are smooth and virtually imperceptible, resulting in quite stress free and pleasant city driving. The lithium battery is of course not a formidable power source with a capacity of merely 1,2 kW, and this means that the combustion engine has to recharge the battery frequently, which it does preferably when you are driving at a slow (urban) constant speed.

This can result in the combustion engine starting to rev quite significantly when you are cruising quietly at some 35 km/h on a city boulevard, which can initially be quite unsettling, but no alarm, the computer is doing its intelligent job to let you progress as efficiently as possible. The multi-mode transmission chooses not less than 15 gear- and power combinations for you.

All this wizardry results in good (urban) consumption figures of around 5,5-6 liters/100 km. On the open road the Juke is quite efficient too. We clocked on a drive to Amsterdam and back an average of 5,4 liters/100 km.

CO2 emissions are some 107 g/km by the way.

Acceleration performance is pleasantly brisk with 0 to 100 km/h absolved in merely 10,1 seconds. It is the punch at slow speeds which is impressive (and important), with for example going from 15 to 30 km/h in just 1,2 seconds.

Top speed is a reasonable 165 km/h, but indeed, absolute high speed driving is not the forte of this Nissan. Of course it is perfectly capable of cruising effortlessly and comfortable on our motorways at legal speed limits…

We also liked the “e-pedal”, where the generator motor will use the kinetic energy even more intensely to recharge the battery. You soon learn to use this to the extent that you will hardly need the brakes…

Travelling in style, and oh, that sound…

The SUV character of the Juke makes you sit pleasantly somewhat higher, and getting in and out if the car is also easier. We found the seating position excellent, and everything fell “just right” in our hands.

The Juke has now a bigger central touchscreen of 12,3 inches and a revamped digital instrument display with identical 12,3 inch dimensions. Very readable and elegant round dials are displayed in front of the driver, and you can choose to display the navigation function also between the dials. Of course Apple Car Play and Android Auto are installed and voice commands are also reliable and reactive.

We liked the big round knob for the sound system volume and the further touch buttons for audio functions and last but not least the camera. There are also welcome “physical” commands for the ventilation/heating system.

Our test car came with the Bose Plus personal audio system with not less than 10 audio speakers, two of which are also positioned in the headrests, and this offers a very impressive sound experience.

To enjoy classical music however one has to take into account that you are driving a compact SUV, and besides the fact that tire/road noise levels are good for its segment, it can still impair a perfect listening experience.

Our test car came also with the so-called “technology package”, and this includes adaptive cruise control, lane change warning and further driving aids like blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert. It also has the Intelligent Nissan Round View Monitor, which we liked very much, as the visibility towards the rear is rather poor due to the original styling of the Juke.
 

The N-Sport equipment version pleased us optically with its nice black lacquered 19 inch “Akari” alloys, lacquered bumpers, the two-tone paint finish.

More room and comfort

The Juke is comfortable, the suspension is never too harsh and seats are fine. Passenger space at the rear has been improved since 2019 with a lengthened wheel base by some 10 centimeters, resulting in about 6 centimeters more space for your knees in the back. Due to the bold styling of the Juke, the floor of the luggage compartment is rather high. Luggage volume is reasonable, varying between 354 to maximum 1237 liters.

Positive handling

The Juke is stable and has predictable handling, but does not actually invite you to throw it around corners. It steers precise and pleasant however, and is relaxing to drive also on winding roads. It feels very surefooted on motorways, and indeed it is also an excellent companion on long distances.

Conclusion

For those who like to travel in style, enjoying this unique higher stance and feel so typical of an SUV, then the Juke is the choice. It truly convinces in its hybrid configuration, delivering smooth and fast accelerations in town, combining it with excellent economy. Infotainment and driving aids are up to scratch, and will please younger hearts. The Juke inspires confidence due to its finish and workmanship, the cabin is well equipped and pleasant, so enjoy the ride…

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

Photographers’ notes: we used again our Lumix DMC-FZ1000 with its Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 2.8/4.0 25-400 mm (35mm equivalent) lens. Its extended zoom range is very useful for photographing car details and avoiding extensive cropping. In lower light conditions however, the depth of field is of course quite small…