Category: Lifestyle

The star of your dreams: we drove the Mercedes CLE 450 4Matic AMG line.

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A Mercedes coupé has always been a car of legends. My father had a 1955 220 S coupé, based on the first Mercedes ponton and it was in the mid fifties an iconic and elegant dream car indeed.
Then came ’heckflossen’ generation and its coupé version is still a pure beauty and a very desirable classic indeed with a unique panache. Mercedes carefully honed this 4 seater coupé/cabriolet tradition right until this day, and indeed the CLE we tested for you is a true delight. The new CLE Coupé uses the conceptual and technical innovations of the C-Class and E-Class, and has the classic ingredients the brand uses since decades now to achieve appealing looks.

It offers the necessary efficiency we expect nowadays by downsizing its engines and making them electrified. Indeed, all engines are mild hybrids with an integrated starter generator and 48-volt electrical system. There is a choice of four-cylinder units and – as the most powerful engine – a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol unit, which we enjoyed in our test car. Connoisseurs will agree: nothing surpasses the sound and fury of a powerful straight six, and indeed, it has plenty of power, all 280 kW or 381 HP of it.

But driving a Mercedes Coupé is also very much about enjoying its interior, space and comfort. Here the CLE also sets again standards. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Elegance and comfort

Long wheelbase, a strongly inclined A-pillar, a short front and a slightly longer rear body overhang, as well as pronounced shoulders and large wheels, these are the recipies for elegance as the brand with the good star understands it. This CLE impresses with its forward leaning “shark nose”, flat LED headlights and a newly designed, three-dimensional radiator grille.

Of course, the overall body lines are smooth and softly curved, as the laws of aerodynamics now dictate, and iconic angular designs are a thing of the past. Therefore it is very important that the overall proportions of the car are “just right”, and here the Mercedes stylists succeeded admirably.

A Mercedes coupé always stands out with a magnificent interior, and the CLE truly lives up to the tradition. Opulence reigns, with a top choice of excellent materials and a beautiful finish. Opening the wide door, your eyes meet the free-standing 12.3-inch, fully digital instrument display and the 11.9-inch, driver-oriented central display in portrait format. Modern times embrace you. Your shoulders are smoothly held by the front seats in so-called  “integral sport design”, developed exclusively for the CLE. Beautiful, and very comfortable indeed.

Before stepping in, your hands are searching for the release handle of the front seats, to put your jacket, purse or camera, tablet or laptop on the rear seat, only to discover that the release handle is not there. Indeed, the Mercedes stylists have made a little surprise for you. They replaced the knob with an elegant loop made of Nappa leather.

It is conveniently located at the upper edge of the backrest, the only thing is that you have to pull it straight up and not a bit sideways, because then it did not function. It took some getting used to, but soon enough we got the hack of it. But the seats are a dream. In conjunction with the optional Burmeister® 3D surround sound system, which we enjoyed in our test car, they each have two speakers at the level of the integrated headrests, creating an immersive music experience with Dolby Atmos close to the ears. The premium sound system has a total of 17 speakers…The front seats are heated and have an electro-pneumatic four-way lumbar support as standard. Seat climate control and a seven-zone massage are also available in conjunction with the optional ENERGIZING Plus package.

Enjoy now further the Mercedes world. Additional panache is created by the dynamic ambient lighting in not less than 64 colors. There is  ambient lighting with indirect light on the trim strip of the instrument panel, the cup holders on the centre console, the overhead control unit, the door handles, the seat adjustment unit and in the front footwell. All this is standard.

The AMG Line comes standard with ARTICO/MICROCUT black, which is made of 65 percent recycled materials in the seat area and 85 percent in the inner lining. Our test car had a macchiato beige/black colour scheme.

Intuitive user interface…

The display graphics and their arrangement are taken from the C-Class. The styles “Classic”, “Sport” and “Ambiente” can therefore also be selected in the CLE Coupé and are optionally supplemented by a full-screen map in the instrument cluster. All relevant settings for media, vehicle, telephone, comfort, etc. can be found on the central display. The new main icons in the central display were recently introduced in the new E-Class, and are self explaining. Here the highlight in the AMG line is a new trim part with a silver-coloured mixed-metal fabric. Also new is an open-pored, black wood veneer that is interspersed with fine real aluminium inlays. Superb!

Spacious…

With its dimensional concept – in particular the 25-millimetre longer wheelbase – the CLE Coupé offers more space than the C-Class Coupé.

The rear passengers enjoy 10 millimeters more headroom, 19 millimeters more shoulder and elbow room and 72 millimeters more knee room. The trunk offers 60 litres more volume, with a total of 420 litres. Indeed, we were able to transport one of my larger paintings to an exhibition with it, which could be conveniently and safely placed flat on the luggage compartment floor.


The magic of a powerful straight six…

As the happy owner of a classic 3.4 litre Jaguar Mk II we know something about powerful straight-six petrol engines. I also vividly remember my long drive in Marbella at the wheel of a 300 SL Gullwing at the anniversary celebration of this legendary car.

So straight-six petrol engines are close to my heart. This one incorporates of course all the up to date engine technologies.
This M 256 M as the factory designates it, combines a twin-scroll turbocharger with ISG, eliminating all turbo lag.  The exhaust ducts of three cylinders each are combined in the dual-flow exhaust manifold and only rejoin directly in front of the turbine wheel. This leads to a spontaneous build-up of boost pressure and torque as well as rapid engine response and spontaneous revving from low engine speeds. This of course means abundant power and performance.

The CLE 450 4MATIC develops 280 kW (381 hp) and 500 Nm of torque, resulting in a 0 to 100 sprint in merely 4,4 seconds, hurtling further to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. We can assure you, it is a true delight to put this coupé through its paces. The instant responsiveness of this engine makes everyday both relaxing and enjoyable indeed. The 9 speed auto gearbox reacts instantaneously and is well tuned to the sporting character of the CLE. It will show some jerkiness under some conditions when parking and moving slowly back and forward when manoeuvring, but is otherwise super smooth.

Electric support…

In addition to a turbocharger, the CLE has a second-generation integrated starter generator (ISG). This will also deliver extra push, albeit only from a 17 kW motor, so it is only useful to propel the car on E power at low speeds or in city driving situations.

The ISG includes a 48-volt vehicle electrical system. Besides boosting with extra power,  it also allows coasting and recuperation. Another advantage is an  almost imperceptible start-stop function.  Also the transition from coasting with the engine switched off to propulsion with engine power is not noticeable. Refined city motoring is the result, fitting for a coupé of this stature, we would think.

A plug-in hybrid propulsion is in the cards too…

Besides the formidable straight six, Mercedes has a wide array of engines to choose from, as we told you already here above. The four-cylinder petrol engine (M 254) is available in two output levels at market launch: with 150 kW as the CLE 200 and CLE 200 4MATIC and with 190 kW as the CLE 300 4MATIC . The entry displacement is 2.0 litres. There is even a 2 litre diesel engine available under the hood of the CLE 220 d Coupé developing 145 kW.

Soon a plug-in hybrid version is available. Of course, this 450 CLE is efficient, and its fuel economy depends largely on your driving style. Official WLTP figures for combined consumption are 8.6-7.8 litres/100 km, with Co2 emissions between 196-176 g/km.

Dynamic handling?

The CLE enjoys the so-called 4MATIC all-wheel drive, which has
been further developed. It increases the surefootedness of the car, especially in the wet. Our test car came with the technology package, which includes the DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL suspension with continuously adjustable damping on the front and rear axles as well as rear-axle steering. Truly state of the art!

Of course you can use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to choose between a comfortable or a sporty, taut setting. In conjunction with this DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL, the CLE Coupé is equipped with sports direct steering.

Just a few words more about the 4 wheel steering. The steering angle on the rear axle is up to 2.5 degrees. This reduces the turning circle by 50 centimeters. At speeds below 60 km/h, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels. The wheelbase is thus virtually shortened, making the more agile. From a speed of 60 km/h, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front wheels. The resulting virtual longer wheelbase increases driving stability and safety at high speeds, fast lane changes or sudden evasive manoeuvres.

Entering the digital age…

The CLE Coupé adopts the third generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, as we told you already. This makes the sporty two-door the most intelligent coupé with the star. The MBUX infotainment system, the MBUX language assistant, the instrument cluster, the central display and the optional head-up display share a very powerful central vehicle computer.

For entertainment, a new Android compatibility layer allows the installation of third-party apps. The “Mercedes me” Store has also a new App Store. The offer will be gradually expanded. The MBUX entertainment package is optionally available from the Mercedes me Store. It includes Internet radio, music streaming and a data package from a selected third-party provider. With the online music service, Mercedes-Benz has fully integrated the largest music streaming providers – Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music – into the MBUX infotainment system. MBUX enables access to the personal user profile of the linked music providers. Classical and jazz music lovers as we are, we certainly enjoyed this…

But there is more: with the “Just Talk” function, the intelligent voice control can now also be activated without the keyword “Hey Mercedes”. The customer must be alone in the vehicle for this. When the function is activated, a red microphone symbol appears in the display. Then the CLE Coupé is ready and waiting for voice commands.

Hey Mercedes also explains vehicle functions and helps, for example, if you want to connect your smartphone via Bluetooth. If compatible building technology and household appliances are available, these can also be networked with the CLE Coupé thanks to the Smart Home function and controlled from the vehicle by voice. The language assistant can also recognise occupants acoustically. After the individual voice characteristics have been learned, this can be used to access personal  data and functions via profile activation.


Enjoy also personal routines…

The CLE Coupé goes one step further in terms of automated adaptation to personal habits. You can use templates of standard routines, or have the opt for creating our own routines. You can link several functions and conditions with routines.  Examples here include “Cold days” (switching on the seat heating at a certain outside temperature, ambient lighting changes to warm orange) or “Date night” (romantic music is played via Bluetooth audio, the ambient lighting turns pink)…

Conclusion

This CLE Coupé sets again very high standards in its class, in the legendary tradition of the brand.
First comes the excellent quality of materials and workmanship, the unique design language, the mechanical refinement and solidity.

The panache of the interior and the excellent infotainment add to the magic of Mercedes coupés, as does its performance and handling, combined with a great amount of comfort.

In this age of energy transition, Mercedes here follows the path of mild hybrid technology, which could prove to be a future proof mobility solution in world markets…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The Citroën C5 Aircross, or the magic of a voyage in total comfort…

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The fine art of travel: we drove the C5 Aircross for a stay in Hotel des Indes in The Hague…

Driving between and into the iconic cities of Europe in a Citroën has always a special touch. Our test car indeed added the unique aura of the brand on our tour through Belgium, Holland and Germany. Comfortable, smooth, spacious, frugal and efficient, being last but not least also fast and safe. These are the qualities of this C5 plug in hybrid SUV we appreciated on motorways and narrow inner city roads along Dutch canals and their historic houses. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Enjoying Utrecht by staying a few nights in a historic house in the beautiful city centre along the grachten…

The Citroën we tested came with a 180 HP engine, combined with a 81 HP electric motor coupled to a battery pack which gives you close to 60 km range. A wonderful hybrid drivetrain, smooth and pleasantly frugal when you drive it sensibly, of course. This C5 is not unduly heavy, with a kerb weight of 1.825 kg, which indeed makes it future proof when weight coupled road taxes will be imposed increasingly in the coming years.

The iconic city centre of Gouda…

We liked the looks and the typical Citroën styling language with a preference for well-rounded shapes while keeping an eye for boxy room efficiency in its overall proportions. The silver grey paint scheme and the judicious use of chromed accents added a touch of luxury and panache to “our” C5. Since its facelift in 2022, its overall looks have dramatically improved, especially on the front end.

Your spacious travelling companion…

Right away we were very seduced by the excellent luggage capacity and the overall shape of the boot, as it allowed to stow our large suitcases upright on their side which allowed us to take maximum use of the available space of without having to fold down the rear seat backrests at all, leaving the cabin uncluttered and free for passengers. Indeed, the three individual back seats can be moved back and forth over a distance of not less than 15 cm. In the plug in hybrid version we drove, the available space is at least 425 litres. One can enjoy that the luggage load is discreetly stowed away, which makes city visits more safe when on tour between hotels and cities with a fully loaded car. A major practical advantage which is often not fully appreciated…

Superb seating and driving comfort…

Citroën goes to great lengths in making their seats comfortable, and indeed, they are a class of their own. They provide smooth and restful support, due to the clever use of foam material. Citroën calls them Advanced Comfort, and they are also pleasantly wide.

Infotainment is up to scratch, and Android Auto as well as Apple Car play are possible; we liked very much the dual digital clusters, which enabled the navigation map to be displayed both on the central screen as well as in the instrument panel in front of the driver, which is so useful when you have to find your way in unknown iconic city centres.

The suspension of the C5 is also calibrated and set up to combine good handling and surefootedness with excellent comfort, both at high and low speeds. We were also quite impressed by the high speed stability on German Autobahnen, where this hybrid SUV left nothing to desire in terms of fast GT cruising. It just goes to show again how good cars have become nowadays…The C5 is also remarkably silent, even at higher speeds.

Performance and economy

On this voyage we never ever felt the desire for more power, and indeed the C5 Aircross has all what it takes. Its 180 HP engine combined with the 81 HP electric motor develop a total of 224 HP, resulting in an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in under 9 seconds, and a top speed of not less than 225 km/h, as we could enjoy on German Autobahnen, where the Citroën truly impressed with its silent ease at these high speeds.

Economy of this hybrid depends totally on the way you drive and use it. You can recharge it regularly and drive only on E power over its 50 km useful E-range, or choose one of the several ’E-Save’ modes, and drive it as a hybrid. In the E-save modes, one can keep or recharge the battery up to a certain chosen level for later use in emission-restricted zones. Driving in hybrid mode, one can achieve easily values ranging between 7 and 8 litres/100 km. The drivetrain, also thanks to the super smooth Aisin 8 speed auto transmission, is beyond reproach, responsive and refined.

Fit for urban use

The C5 needs some vision aids when driving in town centres, and we appreciated these accessories indeed very much. The C5 is rather wide with its 2,11 meters, but then reasonably compact again with a total length of 4,5 meters. It has distance warnings fore and aft as standard equipment.

Conclusion

The C5 Aircross is a bestseller in the Citroën range, and with voyage we found all the good reasons for it. Last but not least it is good to know that the C5 Aircross is offered with a wide choice of different drivetrains, from the 136 HP petrol engine and a Diesel version with the same power to the (plug in) hybrid versions with respectively 180 and 225 HP system power.

It is marvelously versatile, has genuine GT qualities, is roomy, comfortable, is frugal and fast, has distinct, characteristic looks, and indeed drives like a true Citroën…

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

Fiat celebrates 125 years and launches a new iconic “grande” Panda for the world…

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Fiat has now for more than a century been the pounding heart of Italian engineering and industrial genius. It has given the world wonderful cars, and to me, besides the pre-war Balilla and Topolino, the post-war cars are even more iconic and are absolute milestones in automotive history. Let’s begin with the Fiat 1100 or millecento compact four dour sedan, which is still serving in India as a taxi and has been built there until a few years ago. I absolutely loved the PininFarina styled six cylinder 1800/2100 four door sedans launched in the sixties, and then of course the Seicento and the Cinquecento in ‘57…

About ten years later came the Fiat 124, the 1967 European car of the year, which put the whole east-bloc and Russia on wheels, built in Russian Togliattigrad as the Lada.

Then there was the Fiat 127, putting front wheel drive and excellent performance to the disposal of the masses. Soon then came the Panda, an absolute icon which I photographed in the Galerie de la Reine in Brussels for Keesings Auto Magazine at the time. This car I still find absolutely modern, by the way.

The iconic Panda, born in the 80s, still totally modern and contemporary today…

Now we live in different times, but the Panda is still inspiring many. Therefore only logical that Stellantis put its new Fiat Grande Panda on the new global line-up based on a multi-energy platform.  FIAT now starts its transition from local-based production to a global offer through a common global platform. But there is still an Italian DNA left, as it has been styled at the Centro Stile in Turin, and certainly has lots of character as the photos show.


 

The new Grande Panda…

Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis Global Chief Marketing Officer, summarized it well at the presentation: “Currently we have launched FIAT’s comeback to the global mainstream based on 3 pillars: Italian design and development, global platform and local relevance—and the Grande Panda is the first member of our new global family.”

The Grande Panda will first land in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and will be available in both electric and hybrid versions.

Proudly presenting the big new Panda: John Elkann, Chairman of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, and Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis CMO.

Needless to say that we eagerly await to get more acquainted with the Grande Panda soon, both in hybrid and E-versions, which, as we read, will be aggressively priced.
 

A Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani

But at this anniversary, celebrated on the iconic “Pista 500”, the circular test track on the roof of the famous Lignotto factory building, now converted in a hotel, where the walls of the guestrooms are decorated with mural size photos of details of historic Fiats and a MUST to spend a night when you are in Turin, Fiat stylists and Giorgio Armani designed together an elegant version of the 500e.

The standout exterior design element are the wheels, representing the GA logo on a macro scale. They become the car’s star feature, ensuring it stands out…

We hoe you enjoyed here the photos of the celebration, a very enjoyable event for a brand we always kept very close to our car-loving heart…

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

We drove the Volkswagen T-Cross 115 HP DSG R Line

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The most compact SUV in VW range is now already a few years with us, but has lost nothing of its appeal since its recent major facelift . It seduced us greatly during our test with its looks and revamped interior and infotainment, overall agility and  driving pleasure, zesty performance and immense practicality. On top of that, it is beautifully compact. We drove it with the 115 HP 1 litre 3 cylinder, mated to a 7 speed dual-clutch transmission. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Compact looks

The T-Cross is actually only 5,4 cm longer than the Polo, but some 13,8 cm taller. Its stance is quite muscular, and we liked very much the wide front grille and even more the horizontal reflector band at the rear, which gives the T-Cross a distinct VW family character and modernity. Three new, fresh colours have been added to the model range: the solid colour Grape Yellow (a crisp, sporty yellow), Clear Blue Metallic (an elegant and friendly light blue) and Kings Red Metallic (a vivid, striking red). As you can see on the photos, the Grape Yellow suited our R-line T Cross very well…

Quality…

Stepping into the car one is inevitably seduced by the overall no nonsense solidity and quality the materials and the outstanding fit and finish. The recent facelift brings a redesigned dashboard, with a free-standing infotainment display. The top sporting equipment version, the so-called R-Line,  we tested, has a 9.2-inch display with a diagonal of 23.4 cm. Android Auto and Apple Car Play are of course standatrd. The dash panel in the T-Cross has also undergone a complete redesign: as in larger VW models, the dash panel features soft-upholstered and significantly higher-quality surface materials.

The nice firmness of the seats, the look and feel of the (now again physical touch) controls, one has the overwhelming impression of stepping into a long lasting quality product. 

Despite its compact size, the four doors are quite large, and one doesn’t feel cramped at all. VW proudly comments that this is an advantage of its so-called modular transverse matrix, which allows the front axle to be placed much closer to the front of the car. 

The generous 2,55 m wheelbase does the rest. On top of all that, the SUV character of the T-Cross lets you sit pleasantly high. The driver and front passenger sit some 60 cm above the road, the rear passengers even some 5 centimeters higher.  

Lively performance 

The T-Cross is powered with the 1.0 TSI three cylinder engine with gasoline particular filter. This is a well proven unit with sits all across the Polo range, coded in factory terms as the EA211 aggregate. It comes in several power versions, and we tested the 85 kW/115 version.

With this power, the T-Cross leaves little to be desired in terms of performance. 0-100 km is absolved in just over 10 seconds, with an Autobahn worthy top speed of 195 km/h. The impressive pulling power of this eager 3 cylinder and the reactive 7 speed DSG does the rest. One can choose between normal and sport settings, and indeed, driving pleasure is to be had.. 

With a lighter right foot, the DSG makes full use of the available power at low revs, and the fuel consumption is therefore quite good, even when one adopts a rather dynamic driving style. We achieved an average test consumption well below 7 litres, which is very creditable indeed, and amply shows that a state of the art ICE has not said it last word at all. 

The latest news at the moment of writing is that Volkswagen intends to allocate shift some of its EV-designated funds to continue developing petrol engines. Company Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz recently stated that it would spend around $65 billion to “keep our combustion cars competitive.” It seems that VW would invest a third of its planned EV funds in combustion engine technology , and this is a change in its strategy for the time being.

So, remember what we wrote in the test of the Polo GTI. Just cherish your ICE engined VW, it will be useful for years, if not decades to come… We liked this 1 litre engine, with excellent smoothness and excellent pulling power at low revs, making it very “zen” to drive in urban traffic.

Versatile and practical

The T-Cross has been, despite its compactness, convinced with excellent versatility. The rear bench seat that can be moved by 140 mm. When all the seats are occupied, the T-Cross offers a luggage compartment capacity of between 385 and up to 455 litres when loaded up to the height of the rear bench seat.

When the rear bench seat is folded down (60:40 split), this creates a flat load area with a stowage volume of up to 1,281 litres (loaded up to the height of the front seat backrests). But there is more. The front passenger seat can additionally be folded down as standard from the Life specification package and up.

The continuous load area from the rear to the front is then 2,398 mm long and can stow everything “from surfboards to para gliders”, as VW puts it.

Volkswagen has also increased the draw bar load of the T-Cross from 55 to 75 kg, so you can transport safely those heavier E-bikes.

Let there be light…and safety first with “assist” systems.

The T-Cross now has new LED headlights (instead of halogen) and new LED taillight clusters as standard equipment. The IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights are a completely new Volkswagen development by the way.

Safety is paramount, and indeed our test car came with the optional Travel Assist. Depending on the traffic ahead and the permitted speed, the T-Cross can control the vehicle’s speed with automatic acceleration and braking.

Within the system limits, Travel Assist can also include speed limits, bends, and roundabouts in its control interventions. Wonderful, although sometimes you just want to cruise quietly along at the slower speed imposed by the new speed limit, and not being catapulted vigorously to the previous original speed limit when this new lower limit ends. But you can set all this, so you are well advised to do this homework first at the start of your trip.

The new T-Cross can also automatically perform stop-and-go operations when fitted with the DSG, and this is something we appreciated very much indeed…

Conclusion

The T-Cross totally convinces, and it embodies indeed perfectly what a ICE engined Volkswagen should be: superbly built, powerful and fast on Autobahnen, fit for Grand Touring yet smooth and “zen” in town, quite frugal if you let it show its qualities by adopting a more relaxed driving style.

It offers genuine driving pleasure and offers also all what the dynamic owner and his/her family wants: a versatile interior, offering also excellent towing talent.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Alfa Romeo victorious again in the 1000 Miglia 2024…

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The Villa Trasqua team’s 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Super Sport driven by the duo of Vesco and Salvinelli took the top step of the podium

The 42nd edition of the 1000 Miglia has been run beautifully again. The “Mille” is a race which has a very special place in my heart, as I have participated in it forming a team with my father in the official Mercedes Factory team, at the wheel of a works car. In the Mercedes team entry was then also Stirling Moss, and you can imagine that being in the same team, talking to him and wearing the same Mercedes Team racing overall as the celebrated champion was the pinnacle of what we would ever experience in our motoring life. I still have and cherish the Mille Miglia Shopard Watch with our entry number, 147, engraved in the back. 

The Lancia Autrelia’s of the Automobile Club di Brescia were then the car on the winners podium, and now today Alfa Romeo’s undisputed dominance of the 1000 Miglia continues. 

The 1927 Lancia Lambda Casaro VII Serie, crewed by Fontanella and Covelli, won the silver medal.

The route of the Mille Miglia is in itself totally epic…

From Brescia it went for the first time in 76 years also to Turin, then from Genoa and the beaches of Viareggio to Via Veneto in the heart of Rome, then returning north via Siena, Ferrara and Lake Garda, to end with the traditional parade on Viale Venezia in Brescia, where it all began back in 1927.

Once again this year, the pass-by of this epic “traveling museum” aroused enthusiasm and curiosity among the throngs of spectators who crowded the route of over 2,000 km. 

Also remarkable was the participation  of the Alfa Romeo Junior, the new compact car that brings Alfa Romeo sportiness back into the largest segment in the European market.

The New Lancia Ypsilon finished at the third position participating for the first time at the 1000 Miglia Green. And this on the very same days the model became available at Italian dealerships! Needless to say that we are keen to drive both cars soon…

As you will recall, I mentioned this already earlier in my columns, I have been a Lancia owner for four years, driving a dark midnight blue Lancia Dedra. It NEVER missed a beat, come what may and accompanied me in many iconic European places and cities. After that, I drove for half a year a Lancia Gamma, which also was fast, reliable and full of panache. 

But back to the Mille Miglia: what a fantastic event, it still moves my heart. 

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

We drove the Polo GTI 25th anniversary edition: celebrating true driving pleasure…

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Sooner or later, every car enthusiast dreams to be behind the wheel of a true classic car. Know that since 1976 already, Volkswagen offers you this classic driving pleasure with absolute panache and everyday reliability in the form of an icon: the Golf GTI.

Can you imagine if your father had bought one new and would have introduced you to the delights of GT driving by storming with you over the Gottardo or the Stelvio at the wheel of this car? If he would have kept and cherished it and would have passed it on to you, you could now participate with it in classic car events…

But all is not lost if your father wasn’t so wise. Volkswagen still sells the Golf GTI and also since 25 years now the Polo GTI, more compact that the Golf and maybe a bit closer to the “ur” Golf GTI. Delightful? Yes. To be lovingly kept and enjoyed for the rest of your motoring life? We would think so…

We drove it for you, and indeed, we are sold…just read further!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

This modern day Polo GTI follows the classic VW tradition when it comes to building a GTI. A bigger powerful direct injection series production VW engine is shoehorned under the hood, this time the cornerstone of the VW group 2 litre engine family, the EA888, developing not less than 207 HP and 320 Nm of torque over a wide rev range all the way from 1500 to 4500 rpm. It is coupled to a delightfully smooth and fast 7 speed DSG box. Manual gearboxes are not available, and let’s face it, Verstappen doesn’t use them either anymore.

The thoroughbred sound of the engine is an acoustic delight, something no electric motor will ever be able to offer, and who’s car loving heart doesn’t beat faster when the engine revs in staccato under lightning fast gearchanges?

The performance is nothing short of superb: 0 to 100 km/h is absolved in 6,2 seconds, top speed is over 240 km/h. With this GTI, long stretches of Autobahn at cruising speeds between 160 and 200 km/h are an everyday affair, something which a EV simply cannot match without its usable range melting like snow, even if it can reach these speeds…

On your Gran Turismo trip, you can further concentrate on good restaurants, iconic hotels and stopping places with breathtaking vistas, and enjoy totally carefree mobility…no calculations, no recharge planning, no range anxiety.

The handling is top notch, certainly if you opt for the adjustable suspension. You can choose between sport, comfort and normal, with steering, gearbox and engine reactions to match. An electronic limited slip differential is standard, wisely so.

Iconic cabin

The GTI driver finds excellent seats with of course the GTI logo stitched in the upholstery, then the digital instrumentation of the Polo family, which has here large round clocks and is eminently readable and clear. The “haptic soft touch” controls on both arms of the steering wheel are gladfully replaced with true touch buttons, much to our delight. The sliding controls of heating and ventilation below the central touchscreen still need some concentration, and need more often than not a controlling eye, which can be distracting.

What one appreciates however is the excellent finish and the quality and durability of the materials. One feels clearly that this car is built to last, as a VW product befits. We also liked the red accents around the nice dashboard surfaces with a gleaming lacquered effect finish.

One finds of course the overall practicality of the Polo, with enough room for four and a boot space of  302 liters, up to almost 1100 liters when you put the rear seat backrests down. Infotainment and driving aids are top notch, and you instantly feel at home in this Polo, with everything lying “just right” within reach in your hands.

An allround Gran Turismo…

Last but not least there is the question of the true character of this beautifully performing Polo.

This GTI certainly has lots of zest and panache, but in everyday use can be utterly docile and civilised when you are not in a sporting mood. This, in our opinion, is the (very) strong point of this Polo GTI. It is totally versatile, and indeed will please all family members in their daily life(s.) So there is absolutely no reason why this GTI shouldn’t be the evergreen family favorite, and be delightful for shopping as well as for a fast trip or even circuit track day. 

The fuel consumption is of course totally dependent on how you use the available power. It is very well possible to achieve close to 6 liters/100 km on the open road, with below 9 liters/100 km in town.

Conclusion

If you want a classic GT high performance car with all the build quality and practicality of the Polo, then this car is for you. It handles beautifully, will take you comfortably on long, fast trips and voyages and excels with superb performance.

It is not a dramatic hot hatch, but the beautiful sound of its powerful four cylinder will put a smile on your face every meter you drive it… so buy and keep this one, as it is a limited edition of 2500 units, and if you have a heart for classic motoring, maintain it lovingly and cherish it, only to pass it on to the next generation…for another delightful 25 years!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Renault Megane E-Tech Iconic EV60 220 hp

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Renault has been very early in the EV game, with its fittingly called ZOE, which has been for years an absolute bestseller. The new Megane has been completely redesigned and is the first Renault model to run on the new so-called CMF-EV platform, co-designed with Nissan. The new Megane is compact with its 4,20 meters, which is almost identical with the previous, fourth generation Megane, but that’s were any similarity ends. The new Megane stands proudly on its big wheels (20 inch in the version we tested) and its proportions are beautiful indeed. The longer weelbase of some 2,70 meters clearly shows that this is a latest generation EV. It certainly has style and panache. Will it also convince as an EV? Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Modern times…

The Megane has not only a contemporary flair, it also offers quite enough room for four adults and their luggage. They are greeted by a pleasant and premium interior, with impeccable styling. On the top version we tested, your eyes wander over a well finished dashboard and meet with a crisp 12 inch central screen which offers state of the art infotainment and connectivity. Of course, Apple Car Play and Android Auro are provided. But this is also standard in the base model. Indeed, the latest Megane generation comes very well equipped. Then you get a 9 inch screen, but a rear camera and speed limit recognition combined with cruise control are also standard.

Cocooning

Indeed, the digitalized instrumentation leaves nothing to be desired. Renault has integrated Google functions in its OpenR link, and offers very good information for the EV driver. First of all it uses the chrystal clear Google maps, and when plotting the chosen route for you, it will take into account the charging situation of your battery, and even indicate the estimated remaining charge status at your destination.

Of course it will also suggest stops and places where you can recharge your battery. The layout of the dashboard is quite practical, and it is good to see that the commands for heating and ventilation are placed on a separate physical touchboard below the central screen. One also finds the legendary and iconic audio command stick on the right side of the steering column, which is typical for every Renault since the R 25 sedan, launched way back in the seventies…

The finish level of the  cabin and seats is high indeed. In the top “Iconic” version we tested, Renault has also provided electric powered front seats with memory and massage functions. The seats are very comfortable and the upholstery is firm.

Smooth power

We tell you nothing new when I tell you that EV’ s spoil you with lots of super-smooth power. With its 300 Nm and 220 HP you can expect very sporting performance. Not only is this Renault very quick off the mark with a sprint from 0 to 100 kmh in merely 7,5 seconds, it excels in traffic with very brisk accelerations. From 60 to 100 kmh costs merely 3,6 seconds, which makes overtaking or joining faster traffic the proverbial breeze. Besides the silence and smoothness, it is this permanent presence of this abundance of power which makes an EV truly delightful to drive. The pleasure stops at 160 kmh, as the electronic limiter sets in quite sensibly. Indeed, high cruising speeds wreck havoc to the range of your EV.

There is a round knob at the steering wheel column where you can choose the different driving modes from eco to sport, and with the paddles on both sides of the steering wheel you can select the amount of energy recuperation you want on your drive. 

Despite being only front wheel drive, the drivetrain copes well with all this power. When it comes to consumption, the slower you accelerate and cruise, the better your range will be. We learned to drive EV’s with restraint, despite their abundant power, and this is the only way  to achieve a consumption which comes close to the official WLTP figures. We regularly achieved values between 15 kW in urban traffic and 17 KW on the open road, at moderate cruising speeds. When you use this Renault more briskly, you have to reckon with 19-20 kW, which is still a very good value indeed.

The battery has 60 KW capacity, and this means a range between 370 and 400 km is quite realistic and achievable when you drive it with restraint and achieve a consumption of around 15-16 kW. It accepts up to 130 kW fast charging, and this means that you can charge it from 10 to 80 pct in merely 41 minutes. The battery is guaranteed to deliver 70 pct of its capacity for a period of 8 years or 160.000 km.

Practical

We already applauded the excellent infotainment and good cabin layout. The boot space is adequate with some 330 liters, with the rear backrests down this raises to some 750 liters. The boot floor lies very deep, and this makes loading heavy objects a bit cumbersome. One minus point in everyday life might be the rather poor backward visibility, due to the small rear window, high waistline and the large C pillar. But then the Megane has a rear camera as standard equipment, and in the top version we were spoiled with an electronic rear view mirror.

Comfort and handling

The Megane is in good French tradition laid out for comfort, it is also at home on winding roads and offers excellent stability at motorway speeds. We already applauded the comfortable seats, and getting in and out of the car is also easy due to its higher stance.

Conclusion

A well styled car, well built and finished, powerful and reasonably frugal, the Megane betrays the excellent ”savoir faire” of the French car builder in making EV cars. It is full of panache, both inside and out, and certainly deserves a good look if you are looking for an EV in this segment.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

BMW makes you dream in the sky…

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Designers can make you dream, and at BMW this is no exception. It brought to this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este a unique design study: the BMW Concept Skytop. It has clearly athletic proportions, and Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design, commented: “It offers a combination of driving dynamics and elegance at the highest level, comparable to its historic ancestors, like the BMW Z8 or BMW 503.”

Indeed, it does, its lines, surfaces and volumes breathe the classic proportions of its iconic predecessors. Is it a harbinger for future BMW styling? It certainly has interesting details, like winglets integrated into the door shoulders replace conventional door handles. Light-alloy wheels with precise lamellas are also adding elegance and drama.

We like the impressive long bonnet and the classic kidney grille, and also the retracted rear end and the pronounced central spline, which runs over the bonnet through the interior and ends an aluminium trim positioned on the tailgate, add both panache.

The LED headlight units, positioned on milled aluminium carriers, were custom developed for the BMW Concept Skytop, utilizing the latest technology and design for automotive headlights with the slimmest profile currently available.

We also love the leather-finished roll-over bar behind the BMW Concept Skytop’s two seats, as it is combined with side fins on the B-pillar and a fully retractable rear window. The setup is quite practical: the two removable roof parts, also finished in leather, can be stored in a special compartment in the luggage space.

Color harmonies…

The colour scheme ensures a smooth transition from interior to exterior, regardless of whether the roof is open or closed. In the rear section, the reddish-brown tone of the roof flows into the muted silver with chrome shadow effect of the exterior paintwork. The technically elaborate colour gradient was crafted by an experienced master painter at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing (!)

…and luxury in brogue-style leather…

The leather seats in the interior carry brogue-style accents. The reddish-brown tone of the leather gives the whole interior a sense of luxury and spaciousness. Chrystal elements and further are artfully embedded in the gearchange lever and the cockpit, adding to the overall impression. The interior surfaces of the BMW Concept Skytop were crafted in the traditional saddlery of the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing.

The spirit of the Z8 reigns also in this concept car: under the hood roars the most powerful V8 engine in the BMW drive train portfolio.

Of course there is much more news on the BMW front: the new 3 Series Sedan and Touring, the new 5 series Touring and the first BMW i5 Touring, to say the least. Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We spoke with Barbara De Mol, Marketing Director Lancia and Alfa Romeo…

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HKTB: Let me first congratulate you with your new responsibility, and thank you for granting this interview. You have already built up quite a career in the automotive world…

BDM: Indeed!  I made my first steps at Renault, then joined the Group D’Ieteren, where I worked in the Marketing department at Porsche, and then took a new challenge by joining Electric by D’Ieteren, putting their product in the market. Then, as I was launching a new product in a premium (electric) automotive market, it was a logical step for me when an iconic brand like Lancia was (re)launching itself in our market, to take up also this challenge and this is how I landed here as a marketing director for Lancia and Alfa.

HKTB: Lancia is a unique premium brand with a noble Italian elegance and spirit, embedded in a rich history…

When I heard that 9 dealers will represent the Lancia brand in our country, with 1 in Luxemburg, it intrigues me to know how they will receive and approach the client and give him this premium impression and “feel” the moment he enters the showroom. What kind of support do you provide to these dealers?

BDM: Indeed, our support goes further than just marketing, and contains other aspects. For instance, the appearance and “look” of the showroom itself. We prescribe a premium level here. But there is also the sales person, i.e. the person who makes the first contact with the client. So we have established a training programme, where learning how to establish a good “face to face” contact is very important. We also have to address any doubts the client may have about the quality of our Italian cars, and therefore we offer an extended guarantee for the entire duration of the contract on our products.

HKTB: Do you work together with Italy to develop this training program for the sales staff?

BDM: Indeed, we have a very good collaboration. They communicate about their best practices, and of course we also have in Belgium our own training team. We have also developed a specific sales course, not only focusing on the technical aspects of the car, but also pointing out which elements constitute a premium brand.

HKTB: And the philosophy of the brand…

BDM: Of course. This has also a special appeal for them. The Italian elegance, the rally successes, there are many aspects. The history of Lancia is also very important.

HKTB: Can you tell us a bit more about the geographical distribution of the dealerships, for instance, there is no dealer in Knokke…

BDM: Indeed, there might come one in 2025… The first idea is of course to spread the dealerships  across Belgium, and the person who lives in Knokke or rather has his second residence there, lives usually also in one of the main Belgian cities.

HKTB: You have a dealership in Courtrai…

BDM: Indeed! The (first) locations have been chosen in function of the potential sales volumes. We need motivated dealers who want to invest in the brand, and therefore we need to offer them an opportunity to grow…

HKTB: What about the dealerships who previously sold the Lancia Ypsilon, now some years ago?

BDM: These dealers will still exist for after sales service. Presently there are only two dealers in this situation. They can service the new Ypsilon, even when they don’t have the car in their showroom.

HKTB: The car has many technical similarities with other cars in the the Stellantis group, not to mention the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa …

BDM: Indeed, but when it comes to selling and servicing the Ypsilon, the approach is to maintain its strictly Italian character, which is reflected in the dealer strategy…and which is to be applauded!

HKTB: Do you have a cooperation with the Netherlands?

BDM: We are different, but we work together, as the Ypsilon is launched simultaneously in both countries.

HKTB: Within the Stellantis group, DS is also a brand which addresses a premium client base. Is there a “cross fertilization” concerning client approach, an exchange of best practices in this field?

BDM: Not really. Indeed, we have three premium brands in the group, Alfa, DS, Lancia. We can share some training programmes on how to sell a premium brand, but then for Lancia and Alfa the passion for the automobile, its elegance and its design are rather more important. It is more “Italian”.

HKTB: Can you tell a bit more about the plans and potential for the fleet market for this Ypsilon?

BDM: We know that in Belgium the premium is very much fleet oriented, but as the Ypsilon is a city car, we reckon that about 50 % will be sold in the fleet market and indeed 50 % will find its way to private clients, who will opt rather more for the hybrid version.

HKTB: There will also be a follow up in the Lancia model range with the Gamma…

BDM: Indeed, and next year also there will be the more engaging HF version of the Ypsilon.

HKTB: Are the dealers exclusively Lancia?

BDM: No, they are also Alfa. They are so-called multibrand, but they will have a specific showroom, dedicated to the brand. The showrooms of the different brands have also to be clearly separated, and indeed the sales people are also specific. There is a dedicated sales person for the brand, who has an intimate knowledge of the brand.

HKTB: Are you going to engage with Lancia in cultural and other events? Will you for example sponsor in the future events like the Concours Reine Elisabeth?

BDM: Not in 2024, we now concentrate on the launch of the brand; but the retailers will probably organize or sponsor (local) events. There will be however specific events for the fleet clientele.

HKTB: I am (also) an artist myself and have a keen interest in artistic events, and I could see Lancia sponsoring events in the cultural sector…

BDM: This is a very good suggestion! Maybe in 2025. But you can always contact me, I am always open to new ideas and suggestions! The first event is now the opening of our retailers. The 22nd of May, the Luxembourg retailer will open its doors…

HKTB: Thank you very much for this interview!

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

We drove the Volkswagen ID.7: your electrifying flagship…

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Volkswagen has gained over the years already quite some experience in designing, developing and building EV’s with its already iconic ID series. All this know how is now brought together in the ID.7, the big EV limousine at the top of their ID range. The result is manifest: this car is full of good qualities, and earns indeed top marks in virtually all aspects. We found it clearly one of the best bigger EV’s we have come across lately.
Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Imposing and well proportioned

The ID.7 has the same styling and form language as the smaller models in its ID range, but its proportions are even better, not in the least because of its  longer weelbase. The overall length of 4,97 meters lets the lines and contours flow more gradually and elegantly and indeed, this ID.7 looks good from any angle.
The ID.7 is also very aerodynamic, with a Cw value of merely 0,23. This is very crucial to reduce energy consumption at higher cruising speeds, and to achieve longer ranges on long distances. But there is more: the VW engineers gave the ID.7 also a brand new electric motor. It drives like in the other ID models the rear wheels and develops 210 kW or 286 HP.

Plenty  of power, to say the least, and this ID.7 is very agile indeed. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 6,5 seconds and overtaking becomes the proverbial breeze. The ID.7 behaves also wonderfully when you drive it more quietly, and the car then rewards you with a very reasonable consumption. We achieved during our test an average of 17.60 kW/100 km, and we think that this tells the whole story.
Indeed, VW succeeded in giving their flagship EV an impressive range of close to 500 km. Of course, the usable range varies with outside temperatures and driven speeds, but let’s say that this ID.7 has its merits as a long distance Gran Turismo.
This good range is achieved with the 77 kW battery which is also found in the other cars of the ID  range, and all this is due to the improved motor and the better aerodynamic qualities. Of course, as you already know by now, EV cars just LOVE slow driving. The slower the (constant) speed, the further you go. Even to very slow speeds, like say 40 km/h, EV’s are frugal, where IC engined cars need to revert to lower gearing to keep the revs up and are therefore less efficient. Also the outside temperatures are relevant. So at a nice springtime outside temperature of 20 degrees and at a cruising speed of say 90 km/h, you will drive far beyond 600 kilometers with your stylish ID.7. Top speed is sensibly limited to 180 km/h.

This electric flagship will also recuperate its kinetic energy nicely. If you put it in Eco mode, it will also decelerate smoothly and anticipate for bends and crossroads.

Comfort and space…

We found the suspension of the ID.7 actually “just right”, offering excellent comfort in all circumstances and under all driving styles, with outstanding handling and agility. A superbly balanced car indeed.

But it is not only the suspension which stands out, the generous dimensions in the cabin do the rest. Indeed, this is a limousine fit for the very tallest. Even when the front seats are put back to accommodate 1,95 meter tall front passengers, you will still enjoy ample legroom in the back. Indeed, this is a car to fit four basket ball players, and this is pretty unique.
Your servant is barely 1,70 m tall, so you can imagine that I was absolutely spoiled.

Climate comfort

The seats itself also merit superlatives. The front seats are optionally equipped with so-called ’Adaptive Climate Control’.  It has to be felt to believe it. Humidity sensors in the backrest will prevent transpiration, small jets will cool or heat the seats for optimal comfort.
Besides this, the seats will also spoil you with an array of massage functions.

The light atmosphere in the cabin can be changed almost at will, 10 different colour shades are standard, and can optionally be as many as 30…

Our test car came with a panoramic roof, which has a layer of polymer dispersed liquid crystals, so you can control the transperance with a simple touch.

Heating and ventilation are controlled on the immense central touchscreen, although there is an illuminated control bar at the base of the screen which lets you adjust with sliders the basics like air  temperature and airflow volume. The direction of the airflow through the vents can only be adjusted on the touchscreen however. Your servant is very sensitive to colder airflows, and was very surprised to feel an intermittent air stream on his face. Indeed, the airvents can be set to turn constantly on a horizontal axis, like a stand ventilator in your home…

A range of well over 500 kilometers is quite possible with the ID.7..

On a public charging point it will accept power up to 11 kW, and the battery will be 80 pct charged in about 4 hours…

Touch controls…and clear instrumentation.

Again the haptic touch controls are the hallmark of this VW, as is typical for the entire ID range. It takes some getting used to, and for instance you are well advised to set the voice command sensor on the steering wheel properly, otherwise she will ask you what she can do for you at every turn of the way.

What we loved is the very clear and concise driver information the instrument display puts in front of you. Indeed, less is more. There is also a very readable head up display. It informs you about speed, the direction you should take and energy consumption.

Practical

In good VW tradition, the boot space is enormous. When you fold the back seats and load until the window openings, you can store 888 liters…
There is even a small separate 25 litre storage space for the charging cables.

The ID.7 is rather wide for urban traffic, but its turning circle is a modest 10,7 meters, and indeed the car is thanks to the driving aids also a breeze to park.

Fast charging is a strong point of the ID.7. It will accept up to over 180 kW charging power, and under these conditions it will take little more than half an hour to recharge this flagship from 10 to 80 pct. On a public or wallbox charger it will typically accept 11 kW, and you have to reckon with a charging time of some 8 hours.

Conclusion

The ID.7 is indeed a totally convincing limousine EV. It is hard to find any weak points, and it is therefore not surprising that it earns many top laurels in the international motoring press. Notably it was given the very best note ever for an EV by the German ADAC in their test.

Quality doesn’t come cheap, but then this is a rather formidable EV, and we sincerely regretted to part with it…

Hans Knol ten Bensel