Category: Lifestyle

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

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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…

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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…  

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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…

We spoke with Charles Fuster, VP Global Marketing and Communication at Lancia: “Lancia is back in Belgium”

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Lancia is back in Belgium, and was indeed also present at the Brussels Motor Show with the New Ypsilon hybrid & full electric. The Ypsilon Rally4 HF was also showcased, marking the return of Lancia in Rally in 2025. The HF took a central place on the Lancia stand, and as it was developed and fine-tuned by Miki Biasion, the motorsport legend and World Rally Champion with Lancia. Miki was also present at the Belgian event.

The HF Rallye version wans unveiled on the Lancia stand at the 101st Brussels Motor Show…

The renaissance of Lancia is very important for Stellantis, and a well balanced internationalisation process is under way. It is an essential part of of Lancia’s Renaissance, which includes an initial network of 70 new showrooms in 70 major European cities.

Charles Fuster presenting the Lancia Ypsilon HF on September 10th last year in Aartselaar…

The first markets involved are France, Spain, Belgium-Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and, by 2025, Germany. All of these showrooms will feature the brand’s new corporate identity, which reflects the four pillars at the foundation of its strategic plan: quality, electrification, sustainability, and an innovative sales model.

Lancia celebrated its return to Belgium-Luxembourg last September with the inauguration of six showrooms in Aartselaar, Overijse, Kortrijk, Ghent, Gilly and Bertrange, and the recent addition of locations in Drogenbos, Hasselt, Namur and Herstal. as well as 14 service points. Your servant was present at the inouguration in Aartselaar, and you find my report in our columns.

Reason enough for us to have an interview with  Charles Fuster, VP Global Marketing and Communication.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

HKTB: My question turns around the strategy of the brand in the coming one or two years.

CF: When we started with saying “Lancia is Back” three years ago, we said that we have three pillars for this comeback. First of all, there is the product line up. And we are keeping our promises, with the introduction of the Ypsilon, and after six months we launched the HF version, which you see here on our stand in Brussels. The return is super positive, by journalists and the public.

Lancia goes with its new Ypsilon from mainstream to premium…

The further product is the Lancia Gamma, which will roll of the production line in our factory at Melfi. It will come in 2026. The second pillar is to build a new brand identity, we have now 160 new showrooms in Italy, all refurbished. Back in the day Lancia was presented in a corner in the showroom, now we have a dedicated showroom and dedicated sales people.

The elegant Ypsilon at the Brussels Motor Show…

The third pillar was then to launch Lancia in Europe. This is our internationalisation process, and in November we have officially relaunched Lancia in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Spain.

HKTB: What will you do in 2025?

CF: This year, it will be the first full year of the Ypsilon, and the HF which will hit the market this spring and summer. With this car, we are back into Rally Motorsport. We start in Italy in April, with the Italian Cup, next year the European Championship, and at the end of 2025 we start getting ready for the launch of the new Gamma.

HKTB: What do you expect for the Ypsilon in the Belgian market?

CF: The Belgian public loves Italy.  They also love cars and motorsport. When you put Italian cars in the rally scene, you end up with Lancia, so our ambition is quite strong here. I think we can do well, 10 years ago we were doing well in Belgium, so we expect the same results more or less.

HK: Thank you very much for this interview!

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

We drove the Skoda Octavia Combi : an all-round (family) bestseller…

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Skoda’s are popular family friends, and indeed the Octavia steals the hearts of many. For good reason: Skoda builds on the platform of the Golf (now it is the Golf VIII) an even more roomy and practical version, the Octavia Sedan and Combi. It tops the charts in many (European) countries, as it is well built, stylish, marvelously practical and offers last but not least very good value for money.

We tested for you two versions: the 115 HP 1,5 TSI with the 6 speed manual in “Corporate” trim and the 150 HP 1,5 TSI m-HEV with the 7 speed DSG auto box in the top of the line “Selection” trim.

Sliding behind the wheel of the Octavia puts immediately a respectful smile on your face. It’s interior certainly impresses. Roomy, well finished, big instrument and infotainment screens, lavishly  equipped, certainly in the equipment versions we tested.
 

The interior of the 115 HP “Corporate” equipment version. It already has everything you might need…

Starting the 1,5 TSI results in a quiet purr, and you move the slick lever into first gear. The gearbox changes are precise and smooth, the engine is flexible and willing. It develops a healthy pulling power with maximum torque of 220 Nm, developed from 1500 to 3500 rpm. This means you can flow along with the traffic in the higher gears, with only a whisper of engine sound, and enjoy urban consumption figures between 7 and 8 litres/100 km. On the open road, adopting the same quiet driving style, you will see consumption soon dropping below 6 litres/100 km. Skoda officially quotes 5,2-5,7 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions given between 118 and 129 g/km, putting it in class D.

This 1,5 TSI engine belongs to the ultra-modern EA211 TSI series,  Thanks to Active Cylinder Management (ACT), two of the four cylinders are switched off as often as possible, and this is almost inperceptible.

Of course, this Octavia can stand its own on long fast trips and Autobahnen. It will sprint in 10,5 seconds to 100 km/h and has a top speed of 203 km/h. It is a beautiful high speed cruiser, along with many other good handling qualities. It has the platform of the Golf VIII, remember, and Skoda knows something about chassis and suspension tuning, just think of the RS versions. The top RS beast has not less than 265 HP, which is identical to the sixties super car, the Jaguar E-Type.

But again, the “base” version with its 115 HP coupled to a 6 speed manual will satisfy most. Since our silver grey test car came second in the contest of the “family car of the year” organized by the Belgian VAB magazine during our test, the car was needed for photo and marketing purposes by the Belgian importer D’Ieteren, so we had the opportunity to test also the 150 HP 1,5 TSI m-HEV, which is the mild hybrid version of the Octavia.

Like the 115 HP engine, the 1.5 TSI with 110 kW (150 PS) delivers its maximum power between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm. This diminishes both consumption and emissions. The maximum torque of the 110 kW engine is 250 Nm and this is also available between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm.

The 150 HP version came with leather seats and leather covered dashboard panel surfaces , giving the interior extra panache and a touch of luxury…

The m-HEV version has a 48 V lithium-ion battery, which supplies the 12 V vehicle electrical system and drives a 48 V belt-driven starter-alternator. This belt-driven starter-alternator takes on the role of the alternator and starter while simultaneously operating as a small, lightweight electric motor that instantly boosts the drive torque when moving off. The output of the generator is transferred by the belt drive. It also starts the combustion engine – which is switched off as much as possible while the vehicle is moving – in a barely perceptible way. In this case, the 48 V battery supplies energy to all the important systems of the car.

Luggage space is absolutely cavernous…

We liked this smooth extra EV power, and the engine switching off really enhances your quiet driving style. It adds greatly to the “zen”feeling when driving in busy traffic. We also liked the coasting function when you lift the throttle at speed. It is astonishing how frequently one can profit from the kinetic energy of the car when you drive it just a bit with anticipation. It certainly results in lower fuel consumption in urban driving situations, where we achieved averages of around 7 liters/100 km in town without any effort. Skoda quotes averages of 5 to 5,8 liters/100 km, and indeed in practice this Skoda was about 0,5 liters more economical than the 115 HP 6 speed version. CO2 emissions are quoted between 114 and 133 g/km.

Coupled to the smooth 7 speed DSG the Octavia really comes into its own, and it is a delightful everyday car.

Our test car had drive mode selection, which added further to driving pleasure and well being behind the wheel. Performance is here truly admirable, with 0 to 100 acceleration in 8,6 seconds and a top speed of not less than 226 km/h.

Put in the proper driving mode, this Octavia can really be moved with zest on winding roads, and has excellent Gran Turismo qualities. Leaving it in the comfort mode makes it a very restful (long distance) car for both driver and passengers.

Roomy and practical

Skoda engineers have a talent to create room on the platforms of the group, and what they have built on the Golf VIII platform is nothing short of astonishing. It is a fully fledged five seater, with luggage space to match. You have 640 liters with the rear seats up, and up to 1700 liters when everything is laid flat.  

Seating comfort is also one of the strong points of the Octavia. The position behind the wheel is nothing short of ideal, with in the top equipment  version we tested anatomical seats with adjustable seat  functions throughout. The rear passengers enjoy ample legroom and also headroom is more than sufficient. The 150 HP Octavia sported also very aesthetic beige leather seats which added a touch of panache to the interior.

Infotainment

The Octavia comes with a large touchscreen in the centre, combined with a digital instrument cluster in front of the driver. Skoda has increased the functionality of its infotainment functions with artificial intelligence, and it is now possible to have a more efficient dialogue with your car. It just shows how much importance Skoda is giving to stay competitive in its class. Skoda was indeed also quite clever to use touch/roll buttons for the various commands at the steering wheel column, instead of the haptic/touch sliders used in the VW (ID) range.


Conclusion

The more you drive this Skoda Octavia, the better you come to appreciate its qualities. It is indeed an all round practical car which literally ticks all the boxes. It is elegant with no thrills or frills in its overall styling, both inside and out, offers acres of room for passengers and their luggage, is mechanically smooth and well honed.

It offers impressive performance and allows you a ’zen’ driving experience in town. It is quite frugal too, when you adopt a reasonable driving style. So that families just love this Octavia is obvious. Indeed, enduring success is based on solid qualities, and this Octavia continues to have them…

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

Photographers’ notes: The photos of both cars were taken with our trusty Canon G9 X, which has been used so extensively over the years that its battery/ compartment lid has come loose. To keep it closed, as it houses also the SD card, we use here a two decades old Hama flashlight holder bracket, which holds the lid into place on the camera base…

It makes the small camera also much easier to keep steady… Despite its small size, this Canon camera has more than 20 MP sensor size, has excellent colour balance and a Canon zoom of about 28 to 90 mm equivalent, with a reasonably fast aperture between f 2 and f 4,9, making it perform also well in low light situations.

We drove  the Alfa Giulia ’’ Tributo Italiano’’ 280 HP : a true driver’s delight..

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There are sporting sedans which are engaging to drive. But then there is the Alfa Romeo Giulia. It sets the absolute standard in its class when it comes to balanced handling and panache. And since its introduction in 2017, this Giulia remains unchallenged in its class until this day. We experienced this again at the wheel of the new ”Tributo Italiano” version, equipped with 4 wheel drive and its legendary 280 HP 2 litre direct injection petrol engine. Read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Thoroughbred looks

This Tributo Italiano version certainly makes your car loving heart beat faster. The timelessly well proportioned body is painted either in ’’Rosso Alfa”, ’’Verde Montreal’’ or ’’Bianco Alfa.’’ You guessed it, these are the colours of the Italian flag… this Giulia also has wonderful 19 inch black alloys and red painted brake calipers.

In the cabin the black sports seats are adorned with red stitching, also found in the door panels and the dashboard edges. The front seats are heated and ventilated, your ears are spoiled by a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Behind the wheel…

Sitting in the Giulia is low and sporting, with everything beautifully within reach. Certainly the big sized gearchange paddles on the steering wheel, worthy of a supercar, and so easy to reach also when you are making extensive steering movements. Totally Pur Sang, and one asks oneself why not every car with sporting aspirations has this too. The engine starts smoothly by pressing the knob on the steering wheel. A true gem is this 2 litre four cylinder, with ample torque and power. It develops not less than 280 HP, which indeed results in supercar performance.

What to think of a top speed of some 257 km/h, and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 5,5 seconds? Thanks to the ample torque, the pulling power is also quite massive at intermediate speeds, where of course the excellent and alert 8 speed auto box comes also into play. Leaving the lever in ’’D’’, the Giulia sprints from 70 to 120 km/h in just 5,8 seconds.

The Giulia is also reasonably frugal at constant speeds, at a cruising speed of 130 km/h, consumption is around 7,51 liters. In town, with some restraint, one can achieve between 8,7 and 9,5 liters/100 km, cruising at 110 km/h will cost you around 6,4 liters. Our average consumption during a quite extended test resulted in 8,1 liter/100 km.

Beautiful handling

What one feels behind the wheel of this Alfa from the first few meters is its the wonderful balance and handling. It still runs on the Georgio platform, developed long before electrification, and this in collaboration with the chassis engineers from Ferrari and Maserati.  This resulted for instance in a truly ideal weight distribution of 51% at the front and 49 % at the rear.

You guessed it, this Giulia has a balance, steering precision and handling which is honed to absolute perfection. Steering this Giulia on winding roads is totally a dream. The suspension set up strikes an ideal compromise between precise handling and comfort, and indeed this Giulia is surprisingly comfortable considering its excellent agility. On top of all that this 280 HP Giulia has 4wd, which sets in when necessary. Normally, the rear wheels are driven.

The engine revs to a beautiful staccato when called for, but this never gets unobtrusive, and also high speed cruising does not unduly raise the noise levels in the cabin, making the Giulia a magnificent Gran Turismo, as we experienced driving it into France.

Practical

The Giulia offers adequate room in the rear, and luggage space is also quite reasonable with 378 liters. Infotainment is now since the latest facelift where the Giulia also received new LED headlights up to the mark, with of course Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity installed. The digitalized instrumentation in the cluster in front of the driver is well executed with an excellent rendering of both speedometer and rev counter, and indeed, instrument buffs as we are, we did not miss the previous beautiful analog instruments. We liked to find again the trusted DNA driving mode selector on the centre console.

Conclusion

This Giulia truly stands out, and is nothing less than a true supercar within the Stellantis portfolio. Its engine is a marvel, and it is therefore with good reason that we will see this formidable unit soon in top of the range Peugeots…
Then there is the Georgio platform, which breathes the aura of ’’Puro Sangue.’’ Precision, agility and wonderful balance between comfort and superb roadholding and stability is the hallmark of this platform, and it has to be experienced behind the wheel to fully appreciate it.

Last but not least there is the overall styling, the ideal proportions and the panache of the Giulia. It is for many the quintessential Alfa, and this is the best compliment we can give this car…

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

Photographers’ notes:

We again used our Nikon D5600 for this photo session. The strong autumn light of the French midi created vivid contrasts, which the camera handled well… We used B & W for one interior photo, to give it a “classic” look…

We drove the Lancia Ypsilon electric: elegance, character and smooth panache

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Lancia has always embodied style and elegance, coupled with mechanical refinement. This makes the new Ypsilon a very fitting candidate for EV propulsion. Indeed, after an extended test behind the wheel of this Lancia, we can only agree. It is most endearing as an EV, and indeed, it is a delight to steer it in town and on every road you may drive it.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Renaissance on a well proven platform

With the birth of Stellantis it was clear that a revival of Lancia was in the cards. We already told you in length about the introduction of this Ypsilon. It carries typical styling icons of the brand, like the “calice” on the front end, and the round rear lights reminiscent of the legendary Stratos.
In my opinion it is the most attractive of the Stellantis compact range, but that is of course a very subjective preference.

Iconic cabin

The elegance and the Lancia typical panache continues in the interior. We loved the layout of the dashboard, the resolutely square screens, the cute and well finished little central table or ”tavola”.

You can leave flat and light objects on it, everything else is of course hazardous when you drive  your Lancia with verve. We loved the blue/grey/black colour palette in the interior, so in tune with the tradition of the brand. Of course, it is a pleasure to find “real” commands and knobs for ventilation/heating for instance, and one feels quickly at home in this Lancia. One has Android Auto or Apple Carplay, and you can stream La Callas and delight in hearing how beautifully she brings Casta Diva. Indeed, the sound system is up to scratch.

The seats are quite comfortable and give excellent support. Space for the rear passengers is adequate, but of course one cannot expect miracles from a car with an overall length of 4,08 meters. Boot space is more than adequate for its class, with a standard available space of 309 liters.

Smooth EV power…

The Lancia shares its EV drivetrain with other cars in the Stellantis group, like the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600. This means we’ll proven technology, with a 115 kW electric motor and a 54 kW battery, of which 51 kW is available in practice on the road.

This drivetrain is quite efficient, and indeed it is well possible to achieve consumption averages of 14-15 kW/100 km. It  results in a practical range of some 360 km under reasonable temperatures. Fast charging is possible up to 100 kW, which means you can charge your Lancia in less than 1/2 hour from 20 to 80 pct.

The smoothness of the EV drivetrain is an absolute delight and suits the character of the car wonderfully. Performance is quite zesty with an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 150 km/h, which is very wise indeed, as high speed driving with an EV is a very wasteful affair.

Handling is brisk and precise, and indeed even  when driven with abandon on winding roads, this Lancia will delight you.

Conclusion

We found this Ypsilon utterly pleasing with the EV drivetrain. The silence and smoothness of EV power is just what this car needs. We are curious to see how it behaves with its 1,2 litre 16 V combustion engine, and even more so in the hybrid form. But here in our eyes, it already earned top marks…

Hans knol ten Bensel 

Photographer’s notes: we used for our photos here again our trusted Nikon 5600 D, a 24.2 megapixel upper-entry level, APS-C sensor DSLR. It delivers nice, crisp, well balanced photos, and is an absolute pleasure to use.

110 years Maserati was celebrated at Interclassics Brussels…and so much more!

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car History, Classic and Vintage Cars, Classic cars, Design, Lifestyle, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The breathtaking contours of the award winning Maserati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta by Pinin Farina, presented by the Brussels Autoworld museum on their stand.

The 9th edition of the Interclassics car show proved again a formidable event. The 40.000 m2 spread over several palaces was filled with collectible four wheeled beauties, and lovers of Italian, British, German, French or last but not least American classics could have a true delightful time from Friday 15 to Sunday. Your servant also took his Fujifilm X-A5 camera along, and shares here with you his impressions.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

D’Ieteren celebrates 345 years of heritage…

The dynamic PR department of D’Ieteren invited me to their magnificent stand, where they celebrated the anniversaries of some of the most iconic models of the brands they import into our country.

To present the rich history of its brands, D’Ieteren adopted the theme of the evolution of technology, and so displayed the vintage models of the Volkswagen Golf, Audi 100, SEAT Ibiza, Škoda Octavia and Porsche 911 alongside their current versions. The cute Microlino was also present, next to the iconic BMW Isetta…

What better for me to do than to aim my Fujinon lens to bodywork details of both current and vintage cars, visually telling the story of progress along many decades…

Down to the very essence: the “dashboard” of the BMW Isetta…

The electric Microlino continues this tradition of “less is more…”

In doing this, I found it remarkable how ”modern” the Porsches still look, and indeed a ”classic” Porsche hardly feels out of place five decades later. What’s more, its sheer performance and road manners still are impressive today. Actually, the same can be said of the ”Ur” Golf, its proportions, styling,  performance and overall stance are still quite modern.



Porsche celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 Turbo . The Porsche 911 Turbo Type 930 made its debut in 1974. I still have the fondest memories of these early Porsche 911’s. As a young car journalist I drove them to the limit, enjoying their delicate handling, the hiss of the air cooled flat six at high revs, the tout feel and precision of the whole car. Indeed, Porsche’s are unique, and once you sat behind the wheel of them, they make an indelible impression.

Celebrating 50 years of Audi in Belgium , D’Ieteren also put a truly pristine and original Audi 100 L Automatic alongside the brand new A6 e-tron, which has just hit the market. It completed this with an equally formidable 100 Coupé.

The dramatic styling details of the ’74 Audi S Coupé…

And the clean lines of the S6 e-tron…

Bentley showed a recent 2022 Flying Spur alongside a mid ‘80s Bentley Turbo R. This now classic Bentley brings back sweet personal memories, as I was invited to drive this impressive powerful V8 turbocharged saloon personally from Brussels to le Mans to attend the 2003 Le Mans 24 hour race, witnessing the event from the Bentley pit stand, and see the Bentley Speed 8 win the race!

Massive power with style…

Seat celebrated 40 years of the Ibiza, showing an immaculate 1984 model, shown here below.

Automotive technical evolution was most apparent when one compared the 65 year old Skoda Octavia Break 1201 with the present Octavia. Understandable, as in the mid sixties, the styling and technology of the products behind the iron curtain were somewhat lagging behind what was made in the west, and indeed, a time span of more than six decades  is also very long indeed.


Last but not least there was the Microlino on the D’Ieteren stand, next to the car which inspired it, the BMW Isetta. Similar in shape, but totally different in technology. 

Of course, there were some beautiful American classics on the show. Just look at the 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Sport Wagon shown here on the stand of the Royal Historical Vehicle Club Belgium…

Maserati, or the unique magic of pur sang…

The quality of the Maserati’s on display was nothing short of stunning, and the car which was prized best of show was a pale blue A6GCS/53 Berlinetta by Pinin Farina, presented by the Brussels Autoworld museum on their stand. I show you here some photos of this gorgeous coupé. I am totally smitten by its feline stance and wonderful proportions.

It just has tons of character, and it embodies everything the brand with the trident stood and still stands for. This ninth edition of the Brussels Interclassics was certainly a wonderful show, and we are already looking forward to the next edition.
Just enjoy the photos…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Renault Rafale : an elegant flagship with sporting panache…

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There are days where the life of a car journalist are very bright indeed. For example when sitting behind the wheel of the Renault Rafale, a stylish high tech hybrid full of character and ingenuity.

Renault has poured all its car making know how into their latest SUV Coupé, making it very much in tune with the times: it is a full hybrid, offering electric driving without recharging, and has style too. We drove the 200 HP model  in the “Esprit Alpine” equipment version, adding to the unique panache of this Rafale… just read further.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Stylish, inside and out

The Rafale has the looks, now coming from the hand of Gilles Vidal. Surprisingly Renault has abandoned the design language which Laurens van den Acker started in 2009 when he became chief designer and which culminated in the recent Megane E-Tech electric. Now Gilles Vidal is at the designer table, and he comes from the Peugeot stable. He brought the design language of the recent Peugeot C-segment sales hits (3008) to Renault, and this is what Luca de Meo apparently wanted.

This new Renault DNA takes some getting used to, but we understand the strategy, as this styling language is trendy for the C segment and upward. Don’t forget, the Rafale is a D segment car.  Renault is also choosing different and highly original styling paths when it comes to the new “retro” 5 and 4, which are indeed amazing and bound to be successful.

But back to the Rafale. I must admit that I like the name. It harks back to the also very stylish and rakish pre-war record plane with a Renault aircraft engine, and did you know that Dassault is still building a ”Rafale” jet fighter?

Renault has also added a touch of “Alpine magic” to it. Your eyes fall on the illuminated “A” with an arrow on the backrest of the front seats. It pulses to the beat of a human heart. Wooww….The colour of the lighting matches the option selected in the MULTI-SENSE settings. Agneta Dahlgren, the design project director on the new CMF-CD platform also used for the Austral and the Espace , sees the illuminated logo when you enter the car as an invitation to experience driving pleasure…

The interior of the Rafale is quite welcoming, ergonomic and spacious. It has a high tech aura about it, accentuated by phasing out the use of leather in its cars. In the Esprit Alpine version we tested, the use of … SLATE is surprising. Renault says that “it evokes the Alps”, an environment where the rally Alpine Berlinettes stormed to victory. Present on the dashboard facing the passenger, these thin sheets of slate mould to the contours as easily as wood veneer.

The interior is also quite spacious. Understandable, as it is built on the same platform as Espace. The Rafale shares its 2.74m wheelbase, allowing not less than 302 mm knee room in the back. The long wheelbase and gently sloping roof line allow a rear headroom of 880 mm, almost the same as on Espace (892 mm). The Rafale has a standard boot space of 627 litres (532 dm3).

A digital cockpit…

The cockpit offers driver and front passenger Renault’s “Open R” digital instrumentation with two screens forming an L shape. There is a horizontal TFT dashboard display of 12.3 inches diagonally and a vertical touch screen measuring 12 inches diagonally in the centre of the
console. Eminently legible and intuitive to use.

Staying connected…

The Rafale connects indeed seamlessly with your smartphone through its in-car “OpenR” Link multimedia system with Google built-in.
The system provides access to Google Maps, Google Assistant and a host of apps (50 or more depending on the country and version) via the Google Play catalogue. Just like on a smartphone. The interface is also fully customisable and compatible with Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

As it is an open-ended system connected to the cloud, OpenR Link automatically integrates the recommended updates using FOTA firmware over the air) technology.

A clever, full hybrid drivetrain…

The Rafale has a 3-cylinder 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 130 hp (96 kW) with 205 Nm of torque underneath the hood, and two electric motors. Let’s start with the engine. It has a Miller combustion cycle, low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation, a variable-geometry turbocharger and a longstroke architecture similar to that of a diesel. The result is an extraordinary efficiency level of 41%.

You guessed it, this engine does not spoil your ears with a thoroughbred high revving staccato, but rather sounds indeed like, well, a lower revving piston aircraft engine when called to duty. Especially as the computer which controls the hybrid system lets the  engine rev up to recharge the small 2 kW battery, which it does when you are driving at a (lower) constant speed or coasting, when you are using little engine power otherwise to propel the car. The computer then cleverly takes the opportunity to rev up the engine to recharge swiftly the battery, so it can again deliver its e-power for e-driving in slow urban traffic or to e-boost swift acceleration when called for.

This typically gives the driver the impression that the engine is revving up like the original Rafale record airplane before take-off… one would almost like to sit behind the wheel with leather gloves and a leather flying cap and goggles!

Renault’s full hybrid system is indeed very clever and astonishingly efficient. The two electric motors are respectively a main motor, developing 50 kW or 70 hp, and this is the one fed by the 2 kW 400 V battery. The other one is a starter-generator motor of 25 kW, which starts/stops the engine and performs the gear changes in the clutchless  multimode automatic dog box developed using Formula 1 technology. It  combines two gears for the main electric motor and four for the internal combustion engine. The motors and engine with this box combine 15 different operating possibilities, to offer te ideal solution in any driving situation. Soo clever!
But there is more. Renault went as far as to introduce on its flagship car so-called “predictive hybrid driving”. This function is meant to maximise the use of electrical energy while driving.

Connected to Google’s mapping data, such as the topography of the road over the next seven kilometers (or the most likely route if no destination is recorded), provides advance information to the battery management system to maximise the use of electric power….

Brisk performance

With a total system power of 200 HP, acceleration of this 1,6 tonne Rafale is quite good with a sprint time from 0 to 100 km/h of 8,9 seconds, and an intermediate dash between 80 and 120 km/h being absolved in 5,6 seconds. Of course, when driving full power for an extended period, the e-power is consumed and the petrol engine has further to do all the work, which translates therefore with its 130 HP in a relatively modest top speed of 180 km/h.

The good thing is that one is driving in urban traffic to a very large extent on e-power, which translates indeed in very good fuel economy. The WLTP figure is 4,7 l/100 km with CO2 emissions being 105 g/km.

The paddles on the steering wheel are not meant for manual gear changes, just let you choose the level(s) of e-regeneration.

Alpine agility…

The Rafale has very good handling qualities, and much testing has been done by Renault people to eke out the very best the CMF-CD platform has to offer.

The Rafale has multi-link rear suspension as standard , and the Alpine version we drove has the “4Control” four-wheel steering technology. The rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels (by up to 5 degrees), for better maneuverability on city streets. This results in a turning circle of merely 10.4m.
On the motorway, at higher cruising speeds,  the rear wheels then turn very slightly (up to 1 degree) in the same direction as the front wheels, improving vehicle stability by reducing the inertia of the rear axle.

We found the Rafale indeed quite agile and stable. Also thanks to the upgraded Vehicle Motion Control (VMC 2), an electronic system controlling the rear wheels, and ESP.  All this is further enhanced by the calibration of the steering with a direct steering ratio of 13. A truly sporting D segment car, when it comes to agility and road manners. In line with its French pedigree, it is very comfortable too.

Conclusion

With this Rafale, Renault makes an impressive statement in the D segment, offering a stylish SUV coupé with ample room, excellent handling, convincing performance and surprising economy. Its drivetrain is truly clever, its equipment and finish is full of panache, especially in the Alpine versions.

Soon there will be a 300 hp plug in hybrid 4×4 version, noblesse oblige, but already this 200 HP Rafale was very convincing indeed…

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

We drove the DS 7 E-TENSE: the art of refined motoring

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France has always been the birthplace of refined automobiles with panache, elegance and superb technology. We only have to think about the Voisins, the Delages, and of course, the post-war icon which laid the very foundation of DS Automobiles: the DS with was presented on the Paris salon in 1955.

The DS 7 breathes this heritage, and has all the qualities which made their predecessors so unique.
We drove it here for you, and bring you the story how it offers you an experience which is nowhere else to be found.

The art of style…

We were totally smitten by the stories and drawings told and presented by the designers of DS automobiles at the presentation of their range on several occasions, just look further on our columns, and we love the design language and the detail solutions they apply on the bodywork of their cars.

Take the redesigned front end of the DS 7 for example. The grille is delicately set between the new slimmer DS PIXEL LED VISION 3.0 headlamps and the DS LIGHT VEIL daytime running lights. Also the rear lights have an extra touch of stylish panache, they are also slimmer, and have now, according to the manufacturer, a vortex effect. They are executed with a dark metallic finish, and add to the refinement of the car.

..and craftsmanship

Stepping in the interior brings you really into the DS world. Here your eyes are attracted to the switch layout on the centre console, and your finger touches the lozenge styled starting knob sitting below an iconic clock which switches open for you when you start this 4 wheeled goddess.



A lozenge styled digital instrument screen in front of you gives you the necessary information, and the only thing for you to do is to flick the gear lever in drive.

The spirit of grand touring…

We tested the 225 HP front wheel drive plug-in hybrid version, which means that it has a 180 HP four cylinder 1,6 litre PureTech petrol engine and a 110-horsepower electric motor fitted to the eight-speed
automatic gearbox, transferring the power to the front wheels.

Refinement is the word. Indeed, your voyage starts on silk smooth e-Power. Indeed, the new 14.2 kWh battery will transport you up to 65 kilometers with zero emissions on the WLTP mixed cycle and up to 81 kilometers on the urban cycle. By the way, charging time is about two hours on a 7.4kW charger.

When the engine sets in, the power switch is virtually imperceptible, and you continue to enjoy the smoothness of the power flow. Depending on the chosen driving mode, the system will judiciously e-propulsion when and where it can.

In all this refinement, the engine remains unobtrusive, except under maximum acceleration, although its high revving staccato sounds never unpleasant. Performance is more than adequate, with a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in merely 8,6 seconds, hurtling further to a top speed of not less than 225 km/h. But this DS 7 will never invite you to adopt a vigorous driving style, it just lets you enjoy its excellent GT capacities.

You can guess that high speed motorway or Autobahn driving is a delight in this DS 7, showing excellent stability, comfort and very low wind noise.

Economy with a plug-in hybrid depends totally on how often you recharge and of course your driving style. The manufacturer quotes 1,2/1,3 l/100 km, and without e-Power you can expect 7,5 liters in town, 6-7 liters on the open road.

Safety and agility…


The DS7 is designed for comfort. It has the so-called DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION, which is a camera-controlled damping system that adjusts
each wheel independently according to imperfections in the carriageway. It gives you indeed the legendary “carpet ride” of its iconic 1955 predecessor.

In this day and age of electrification, there is of course much more. With DS NIGHT VISION, an infrared camera sweeps the carriageway and its edges to detect cyclists, pedestrians and animals at distances up to 100 metres. The driver receives the information in the new high-resolution digital instrument display, reinforced by a special warning in the event of danger. Need we say more?

The DS watches over you…

Safety is paramount, and therefore this DS has DS DRIVER ATTENTION MONITORING. It analyses the driver’s level of attention with two cameras.

The first  camera scans the surroundings and the second, positioned facing the driver, diagnoses where he or she is looking, also inspecting their face and eyelid movements which indicate the level of sleepiness and attention…

Of course the DS7 makes life behind the wheel easier. It is equipped with DS DRIVE ASSIST, adaptive cruise control which initiate stopping and restarting without driver intervention and of course lane assist is also installed.


The handling of the DS7 is also exemplary, but again this SUV does not readily invite you to drive it with abandon. For the more sporting souls amongst us, DS Automobiles has the DS 7 E-TENSE 4X4 360 ready for you, which has a lowered chassis, a wider track fore and aft. We are looking forward to have a drive with this powerful DS7 soon…

Comfort, practicality and infotainment

The DS7 offers ample room also for rear passengers and again the seats are in a class of their own. You can opt for different equipment levels, and enjoy the iconic leather pattern inspired by the bracelet of a luxury watch.  The seats are made of high-density foam with more material than for a traditional seat, which results in better comfort which is maintained over the years.

The new DS 7 now has the so-called DS IRIS SYSTEM. This means a totally reworked interface, completely configurable, supported
by natural voice recognition. The redesigned 12” high-resolution touch screen now has a menu made up of widgets for accessing all its functions with a single movement: for controlling the connected navigation, the ventilation, the digital audio sources and journey information.

This big screen also enables views front and rear to be displayed, provided by new high-resolution digital cameras, and one has access to the Mirror Screen function over Wi-Fi.



The displays on the new large 12-inch digital instrument panel can also be changed and personalised.

The DS7 has also a quite practical boot space of some 550 litres, which can be extended to over 1700 litres with both rear backrests folded down. One word of applause is also fitting for the excellent sound system, we enjoyed in our test car: the FOCAL ELECTRA Premium Hi-Fi System with not less than 14 loudspeakers… Music buffs as we are, we thoroughly enjoyed it!

Conclusion

When you are looking for a car with character and personality, attach great importance on comfort and want excellent Gran Turismo qualities, then this is a car for you. It is built with craftsmanship and care in Mulhouse, and its styling language has a very particular timeless aura.
It transports you in style and comfort wherever you go, and that’s what makes it truly stand out…

Hans Knol ten Bensel