Category: Lifestyle

We drove the Mercedes GLC 400e  4MATIC: a plug-in hybrid with the luxury and panache of the good star…

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Mercedes is an expert in designing and building premium lifestyle cars, and has with its new GLC Coupé a new and strong contender in this segment. The Coupé version is a more sporty and stylish looking variation on the GLC SUV, which is indeed one of its absolute bestsellers. This Mercedes combines good proportions with stylish surfaces and, certainly in the AMG Line version we tested, a beautiful interior. Mercedes says when stepping into its cars, it feels like coming home. We can only agree. All this is combined with state of the art plug-in technology. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Indeed, the Mercedes GLC looks good, albeit the overall silhouette of these bigger SUV Coupés are a bit chunky. The AMG Line version we drove The AMG Line is available with 19-inch or 20-inch mixed-profile tyres and wheel arch liners in the vehicle color. Also offered as optional extras are easy-entry running boards and last but not least a so-called “Night package.”

The interior is a chapter on its own…

Indeed it is… The color of the seats and upholstered panels was very well matched to the exterior, and indeed the generous trim area flows seamlessly into the curved centre console. Standard for the AMG line is the leather-lined dashboard with nappa-look beltlines, and it is a pleasure to see and touch. Some trim elements have innovative surfaces. In our test car, these included interpretations of open-pored wood veneers in brown, with aluminum inlays.

Of course, we find a further improved MBUX operating system in front of us. . The 12.3-inch (31.2 cm) LCD screen in front of the driver appears to float freely above the trim surface. The 11.9-inch (30.2 cm) portrait format central display rises from the centre console and likewise seems detached from the trim surface. Like the dashboard, the screen surface is slightly angled towards the driver, which makes it a bit awkward for the front passenger to imput commands on the screen and seeing the resulting information…There is a special tactile slider command for the sound volume, which reacts indeed more positively and faithfully to your finger input.

A new feature which we liked aesthetically is the floating control cluster, into which the door opener and seat adjustment controls are integrated.

Driving: enjoying workmanship and efficient performance…

There is something unique about driving a Mercedes. It is the feeling of solidity, absolute workmanship, enhanced by the opulence of the interior and the experience of an ultra solid bodywork and chassis. A Mercedes will never really invite you to throw it around corners but nevertheless lets you feel its sheer power and high performance capability. You feel indeed that it is fully ready to do great things, but it will rather invite you into a sedate and responsible driving style. Of course it has the performance.

We tested the 400e, which is the plug-in hybrid version with a 2 litre petrol engine, delivering not less than 185 kW/252 hp at 5,800 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 2,000-3,200 rpm. But that’s not all. It is assisted by a 100 kW electric motor delivering also 440 Nm of torque. You understand that this makes for effortless, instant accelerations. This Mercedes will catapult you from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,6 seconds, and the top speed is also almost in supercar league with a good 239 km/h. Total system power by the way is 280 kW/381 hp, and total system torque not less than 650 Nm.

But don’t expect a nervous supercar when you are driving it in town. The 100 kW electric motor will take most of the honors, and drive you whisper smooth over the city boulevards. If you choose the hybrid driving mode, it will in default configuration (you can select another configuration of course) run on battery first, until it is depleted, and this especially in urban driving conditions.  According to the WLTP test cycle, the electric range varies between 119-131 kilometers. But you can also choose to hold the battery charge constant for later use, and then there is also the obligatory sport mode. You can also choose for instance the electric “all-terrain” mode, the choice is yours…indeed, it is a 4MATIC…  

The battery has a rated capacity of 31.2 kWh, and is an in-house development by Mercedes-Benz. . Starting from empty, a full recharge with the optional 60 kW DC charger is completed in around 30 minutes. The GLC Coupé is equipped as standard with an 11 kW three-phase AC charger.

The full electric power is available up to 140 km/h. It should also be noted that in the new GLC Coupé, Mercedes-Benz uses a so called “electromechanical brake booster”. It automatically  controls the flexible transition between hydraulic braking and recuperation, depending on the driving situation, to ensure optimal energy recovery and braking performance at all times. Indeed, we noticed that even in the “battery hold” position, after we braked almost to a standstill, we then drove for a few hundred meters on battery power when we continued our route, just based on the electric energy we recuperated during the previous braking.

Excellent agility and comfort The GLC Coupé is also surprisingly agile. It has a new four-link front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension mounted to a subframe. The hybrids have air suspension and level control at the rear axle as standard too. On request the new GLC Coupé is available with the so-called “Tech Package.” This includes the AIRMATIC air suspension system and active rear-axle steering with a 4.5° steering angle. A very positive handling is the result. The steering has a variable ratio as standard, and this also helps to give you the impression of steering a smaller car. Of course, comfort is paramount in this GLC.

The optional ENERGIZING Plus package brings them to life at the touch of a button or by voice command and bundles them in up to seven comfort programmes. At the same time, the system creates a matching atmosphere in the interior – e.g. invigorating in case of fatigue or relaxing in case of an elevated stress level. The ENERGIZING COACH suggests an appropriate fitness or wellness programme based on vehicle and trip data… need we say more? We can only say that the seats are excellent fore and aft, and that indeed long trips are restful in this Mercedes. Of course the GLC offers excellent stability on motorways and open roads, with very little road or wind noise reaching the cabin.

Another novelty with the GLC Coupé: there is a trailer menu and towing route planner for navigation: In the central display, routes can be planned that are suitable for driving with the previously defined trailer. This takes into account permitted widths and heights along the route, among other aspects.

Efficient

Plug-in hybrids have a varied consumption pattern, largely depending on how you use it. WLTP figures for combined fuel consumption are 0.6-0.5 l/100 km, with weighted combined power consumption being 22.4-20.2 kWh/100 km. We noted that when cruising in the “battery hold” function between 110-120 km on the open road, that the excellent aerodynamics of the GLC resulted in a consumption of… 5,7 l/100 km.

Practical

The GLC has of course all the thinkable infotainment on board, and we also enjoyed the masterful Burmester® surround sound system, offering 15 premium speakers and a total output of 710 watts.  With even more boot volume than before, the GLC Coupé offers 390–1,335 litres in plug-in hybrid form. The EASY-PACK tailgate is standard. This opens or closes at the touch of a button using the ignition key, the switch in the driver’s door or the unlocking handle on the tailgate.

Standard equipment of the new GLC Coupé already includes the AVANTGARDE Line, among other features. This includes large displays, smartphone integration, wireless phone charging and heated seats for drivers and passengers.

The new GLC Coupé has LED High Performance headlamps as standard. DIGITAL LIGHT is available as an optional extra. The light is created by a matrix of LEDs in the headlight unit that can be individually controlled.

Conclusion

This stylish premium SUV in the plug-in hybrid form as we tested here for you marries the best of all worlds. It gives you the pleasant “Zen” feeling of E-driving, with the range and long distance performance of a conventional IC engined supercar. All this in utter quietness and comfort, combined with sleek styling, a cabin which is a pleasure to look at and touch, with an opulent and tasteful interior and instrumentation which makes you indeed feel utterly at home. It offers all the room and space you want, is at home on any road, and even off the road too. Last but not least, it is even a very practical and sturdy towing car. Last but not least, it is future proof with its 140 km E-range… so a car to have and cherish indeed…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the new Mercedes A-Class AMG line: a compact gem…

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The ever so popular A-Class recently got a face-lift, and it was for us an  excellent opportunity to get behind the wheel of the latest edition of this very capable car with the iconic star. To tell you right away, it proved a wonderful experience, proving amply how good, well balanced and mature this A-class has become. An an icing on the cake, our good looking test car was sprayed in iridium silver and was equipped with the very tasteful AMG line, which gave this A-Class just this extra panache which made it stand out as a true Mercedes-Benz, just as we liked it.

We would say, read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Dynamic looks

The facelifted A-Class looks sporty, even more so in the hatchback version we tested. The front end is dominated by a distinct shark nose, as Mercedes puts it, and the sloping bonnet shows two distinct power bulges, reminiscent of the legendary 300 SL…ah, it reminds us from the beautiful time we had behind the wheel of one in Marbella, celebrating 50 years of SL…

But also this A-Class lets you dream. Just have a look already at its gleaming AMG alloys, the dual exhausts and the new rear diffuser.

A cabin with the unique atmosphere of the good star… The cabin of this AMG line A-Class has plenty of atmosphere. The steering wheel is not only a steal to look at, it also feels great in your hands, the double horizontal spokes let you have all the functions at your fingertips. The latest version of the MBUX makes your life easier, and the dual screen display puts all the info crystal clear in front of you. Of course, the central screen is a touchscreen, but can also be controlled via the commands on the steering wheel.

The latest  version of MBUX has a plethora of useful functions. For instance, did you know that you can prepare the car optimally for a car wash by a simple touch? All the well proven driving aids are of course also at your fingertips, and we appreciated very much in urban manoeuvring and parking the 360 degree camera which offers very crisp images. The camera retracts under the boot lid and so shields itself from the elements, staying always nicely clean.

The look of the digital instrument display can be customised of course. You can choose the “Classic” layout with round dials for speed and revs, “Sporty”  with the dynamic rev counter, or “Discreet” with reduced content. There are also three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service) and seven colour worlds.

The dashboard is studded with beautiful round air vents, which have become a hallmark for the Mercedes passenger cars, and are nicely sculpted and heavily chromed here, providing a striking contrast with the dark interior. Below these vents one finds a row of buttons for all the necessary ventilation and heating functions, making daily life with the A Class a pleasant experience for everyone, even when unfamiliar with the car.

Of course you will find Android Auto and Apple Carplay in this Merc, so using your phone fully is a proverbial breeze…you also have extra charging points too.

Ideal seating and comfort The AMG Line sports excellent looking seats with integrated headrests, with a nice looking contrasting red stitching, which is also seen on the steering wheel and door panels.  The seats, with their three dimensionally embossed Artico upholstery, as Mercedes puts it, offer excellent support and comfort, are adjustable over a very wide range.

The same goes for the steering wheel, so an ideal seating position is soon found. Seating comfort is one of the strong points of a Mercedes, along with the well studied and honed ergonomics. We also liked the positioning of the small gear lever on the steering column, so you have hardly to lift your hand from the steering wheel when choosing forward, reverse or parking.

Dynamic driving pleasure…

Your servant owns now already for seven years a 180 B Class, which with its smooth 1,6 litre engine is laid out for silent and comfortable transport. The present A Class has clearly a different, more dynamic and sporting  character. This is already manifest when pushing the starting knob. The 1332 cc four cylinder emits a pleasant throb, and indeed lets itself heard. The engine revs willingly at the slightest blip of the throttle, and is quite dynamic of the mark. Even in comfort or eco mode, the engine tends to rev up from standstill, giving you quite brisk accelerations.

The governing electronics of the 7 speed automatic has clearly been laid out for this. Despite this sporting bias, the new belt-driven starter-generator (RSG) noticeably improves the comfort in start/stop situations. A lower-vibration and quieter start is the result, and in addition, it allows ‘sailing’ with the combustion engine switched off during steady cruising. During braking and overrun, the RSG recuperates and thus supplies the 12-volt on-board network and the 48-volt battery. The energy thus generated can then be put to good use when accelerating,  giving the combustion engine an extra boost of 10 kW. It makes the A 180 quite dynamic, even in the 100 kW version we drove. It increases the torque and pulling power of the 1,3 litre engine massively at small throttle openings, and lets you drive with zest in city traffic without impairing economy. Soon enough, one learns to avoid the engine revving too high when moving from standstill, by gently lifting the throttle as soon as revs increase above 2000 rpm.

It triggers the gearbox to change into second, and you repeat this for the third gear. Afterwards, the electronic steering system of the gearbox notices that you use small throttle openings at higher speeds and will further inequivocally choose the highest gear possible. Not only does this increase the pleasure of a “zen” driving, it also greatly helps economy. Urban consumptions dropped from 11-12 litres/100 km to around 8 l/100 km after we learned this.

Mercedes drivetrain engineers must have honed the gearbox and engine management to do this, despite the sporting bias, as when you lift the throttle gently in first gear, it immediately starts to coast when changing up, making the operation very smooth. Of course, in the “sport” mode, the gearbox will keep the gears engaged until at least 3000 rpm, and its behavior is decidedly sporting. At constant speed, even in the sport mode, economy is very good indeed. Mercedes quotes 6.4 – 5.8 l/100 km as combined fuel consumption according to WLTP standards, with combined CO2 emissions being 145.0 – 133.0 g/km.

Autobahn Meister

As a German car befits, this Mercedes feels totally at home on the Autobahn. With a pleasant throb and in total unstressed stability, the speedometer needle rises to 215 km/h. Overall, the performance leaves nothing to be desired, with the 0 to 100 km/h sprint being absolved in 9,2 seconds. And this is just the “base” power version of the A Class range…

Impeccable handling

Of course, performance means nothing if it is not well controlled. Here the beautiful handling of this AMG Line A-Class has to be applauded. With virtually no body roll, it steers with precision, with excellent feedback felt in the delightful steering wheel, which is such a pleasure to touch. Winding roads are the preferred playground of this A-Class, combined with as we said, excellent high speed manners and stability. Of course, the brakes are fully up to the task. The suspension strikes also an ideal balance between comfort and sportiness.

Living with the A-Class

Mercedes tells us it is the Class for everyday, and we can only agree. We drove the hatchback version, and it is a roomy four seater. Standard luggage space is not enormous with 350 liters, but then the split rear seat folds back in seconds, to transport for example the larger paintings I had to bring to my solo exhibition I held at the District House in Wilrijk, nearby Antwerp. We already mentioned the MBUX infotainment system, which makes life pleasant with the A-Class. When you think you know everything, just read fully its manual. You will discover even more… The same goes for all the driving aids you have at your disposal.

Conclusion

The A-Class has matured over the years into a truly superb automobile. Carriying the unique panache of the brand in looks, finish quality and styling, it continues to do so in handling, comfort, performance, economy and durability. You enter in the world of the three pointed star, as you get indeed everything the brand stands for when you slide behind its wheel. Just push the button. It’s a Mercedes.

We drove the new Opel Astra Electric: combining pleasure and efficiency with style…

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The e-version of the successful Astra was unveiled on the Brussels motor show in January this year, and has recently hit our roads. The dynamic PR department of Stellantis offered us the top equipment version for an extended test drive, and indeed we were very keen to get behind the wheel.

The Astra e seduced us with its refined smoothness and its remarkable efficiency. Driven sedately in dense urban traffic, we used only 12,4 kW/100 km, which is impressive indeed. The Astra is a worthy member of a new generation of compact EV’s with sufficient power, lower weight, reasonable battery sizes and a usable range of some 360-400 kilometers. On top of that, they are agile and a pleasure to drive. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Stellantis is doing fine in the EV field, offering sensibly sized compact models across its range like the DS 3 we tested earlier. Here in the Astra we find the same new electric motor, good for 156 hp and 270 Nm of torque.

This offers zesty performance, which will satisfy virtually all of us in daily life. Indeed, the Astra will sprint with a whisper from standstill to 100 km/h in 9,2 seconds, and has a very creditable top speed of 170 km/h.

You can choose between three driving modes, eco, normal and sport. In the eco mode, engine power is reduced to 108 hp, but in practice this leaves you still with enough oomph thanks to the excellent torque characteristics of the electric motor. It gives you excellent efficiency, like we pointed out earlier. One drawback with the very hot weather we had during our test is the reduced power of the air conditioner in this eco mode. In the normal driving mode, power is set at 136 hp, with 156 hp being reserved for the sport mode. Nevertheless there is a kickdown function which puts the full engine power at your disposal irrespective of the chosen mode when you floor the throttle.

The screen in front of you displays the chosen driving mode, and is a school example of clarity and simplicity. You find all the essential information in a nutshell: battery capacity, range, driven speed and the music you are listening to… of course, it can be configured to suit your personal preferences.

The unique feeling of ’’ZEN’’…

More and more we start to like EV driving, especially in town. There is the uncanny smoothness when parking, maneuvering or driving very slowly in traffic jams. It is so beautifully stress reducing. On top of that, it is silent.  So you discover the merits of a good audio system, and indeed, the beauty of music… it makes spending time in heavy traffic a soothing and restful experience. This can be said more than ever when driving this Astra Electric. The DAB+ radio provides of course crystal clear sound, and with the display right in front of you informing you about the composer, the piece of music and performer, you just sit back and enjoy…

Ideal seating and ergonomics…

At Opel they take good seating very seriously. The driver’s seat is a so-called “active sports” seat, especially designed to give your back the best possible support. It carries the certificate label AGR, which means nothing else than that it is certified by the organisation ’’Aktion Gesunder Rücken”, or Campaign for Healthier Backs. Indeed, they give excellent support. The seat is also eminently adjustable, so sitting behind the wheel of this Astra is an undisturbed pleasure.

This feeling of absolute well-being is further enhanced by the excellent ergonomics of displays and commands in the cabin. Opel designers are convinced that less is more, and they have adopted this philosophy when designing the dashboard and its controls. Indeed, the dashboard layout is a model of simplicity and clever design.

All the controls are clearly labeled and tactile, and you don’t need a manual to get acquainted with all the functions in this Astra. The instruments, or rather the two coupled 10 inch screens are also a school example of clarity and readability. Some will say that everything is rather austere and without stylish drama and panache, but then you come to appreciate it increasingly in daily use.

Lively and agile

The suspension strikes also a very good balance between comfort, steering precision, handling and high speed stability. The Astra steers very pleasant and its overall agility on winding roads totally belies its 1,7 tonne weight, which is quite light anyway for EV standards. As said, the Astra strikes a very good balance between engine power, battery size and vehicle weight.

Just a word about the batteries. It is a 54-kWh lithium-ion battery with  102 battery cells housed in 17 modules. The Astra Electric can cover up to 418 kilometres in accordance with WLTP1.

Charging times are also quite reasonable. It can be charged to 80 pct of its battery capacity in under 30 minutes at a 100 KW charging station. The car is standard equipped with a three-phase 11 kW onboard charger for the wall box at home…

We already told you about the efficiency of the Astra. Thanks to the standard heat pump, this five-door Astra requires just 14.8 kWh of electricity per 100 kilometres (WLTP2 ). A word of praise again here, as in the test of the DS 3, is warranted for the ”B’’ position, where the car will use the regenerative braking to the full. This allows very smooth one pedal driving indeed, with the regenerative braking force being very progressive and smooth.

Practical

The Astra also has an estate version, and soon the Astra Electric will also be available as such. This makes this EV then a very practical proposition indeed. The batteries are housed in the platform floor and beneath the rear and front seats, and take some boot space too. The Astra Electric offers 352 litres of luggage space in the boot – with the seats folded down, the capacity increases to up to 1,268 litres. Sufficient we would say, but the soon to come estate version will offer more…

Electronic driver assistance…

On-board as standard are electronic aids from the front collision warning system with automatic emergency braking to the adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function and the Intelli-Vision 360-degree camera. In addition, the Intelli-Drive 2.0 system with semi-automatic lane change and intelligent speed adaptation is optionally available for the Astra Electric for the first time. The adaptive Intelli-Lux LED®Pixel Light ensures bright, glare-free illumination of the road at night. We also liked the very clear and readable head up display.

Conclusion

This Opel Astra is now even more endearing to drive in the electric version. It has lost nothing of its agility, the dynamic driving experience is now even better thanks to the smoothness of the drivetrain and the power delivery. Handling is just as good, striking a good balance between comfort and overall handling. The excellent ergonomics, the host of electronic driver assistance systems make daily life with the Astra a further pleasure…and just wait for the estate version!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the DS 3 E TENSE: French panache and style

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The latest generation of the DS3 has truly impressed us. It has gained further in style with a redesigned front end and light units, reworked dashboard controls and better touchscreen, and the E-TENSE version has definitely gained in practicality with a more powerful electric motor and a bigger battery, greatly improving range and driving experience.
Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel


We like the look and styling of the DS automobiles, and the DS3 is no exception. We personally find the DS 3 one of the best looking compact crossovers, and indeed the styling department of DS really does a very good job to let the brand truly stand out within the Stellantis group.


There is a redesigned grille, wider and enhanced with gloss black or chromed diamond tips depending on the model. The distinguishing DS WINGS have been tweaked to subtly join the grille and headlamps. The new LED headlamps – standard across the range – give New DS 3 a sharper look with three feature modules set in satin chrome.

The new daytime running lights feature two LED lines vertically arranged either side of the front for a wider light signature, consistent with the latest DS Automobiles design language. At the sides we find again the the distinctive DS 3 shark’s fin, flush flitting door handles and invisible exterior window seals.

Also the rear has been refined: the lights and the tailgate are  enhanced by a lacquered black strip. This gets the “DS AUTOMOBILES” signature through a unique technology, the letters in polished stainless steel being divided and set one by one in the trim. Very premium, and indeed, reminiscent of what Porsche is doing to their cars.

Cabin gets even more style…

The interior of the DS 3 certainly brings you into the unique atmosphere of the DS world. The finish is excellent, and the form and shape of the controls really stands out. Some might say it is form over function, but I always say that owners drive their cars a lot longer than we journalists test them, so one has to be very careful not to criticize unduly functional idiosyncrasies, as they only will take some getting used to. That being said, reading a manual is rather the exception than the rule these days, so when controls are intuitive, it is certainly an advantage…

One enjoys the wonderful design of the controls in the centre console and the lozenge shaped tactile controls below the very readable touchscreen. Indeed, a new 10.3-inch high definition central screen is now offered as standard, with the new DS IRIS SYSTEM infotainment system built in. Top notch.

Driving with refinement…

We tested here for you the 100 % electric E-TENSE, and it certainly is an ultra smooth performer. Compared to the previous generation, the new DS3 has a new electric hybrid synchronous motor, offering 115 kW (156 horsepower) of power and 260 Nm of torque at a voltage of 400 volts. The new 54 kWh battery (51 kWh usable) is thermally controlled through liquid circulation and a heat pump that enables rapid charging, better range and increased lifespan. The onboard charger takes 100 kW in direct current (10 to 80% in 30 minutes) and 11 kW in alternating current (0-100% in 5 hours 45 minutes).



Performance is brisk, the E-TENSE will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds, with top speed being limited to 150 km/h. Of course, for an EV these performance figures are not exactly overwhelming, but the emphasis with the new electric drivetrain lies on increased efficiency. According to DS automobiles, the WLTP range is now 404 kilometers, increasing to 500 km in urban conditions. In practice, we saw that given a cool driving style, a range of some 360 kilometers is quite achievable.

The DS 3 is indeed the proverbial dream to drive in town as well as on the highway, and its nice pulling power will let you also enjoy B roads. In town, one can use the ”B” mode for smooth one pedal driving, and we have to admit that it is one of the smoothest and most natural feeling setups so far. The deceleration when lifting the throttle is very progressive and unobtrusive indeed.



In city driving we very much appreciated the multiple cameras in front and rear combined with a 360 degree view to assist you when maneuvering, it is truly excellent and indeed should be present in any premium car worth its name.

Compact but comfortable

The DS 3 offers plenty of room in the front, somewhat less in the rear. Also boot space is not exactly overwhelming with a good 360 liters or thereabouts, with still some extra room needed for charging cables and stuff.



The suspension is unchanged from the previous generation, and that’s a good thing. The DS 3 is comfortable, with just the right amount of firmness to let you enjoy a spirited driving style. The DS 3 is very stable and precise to steer on winding roads.


Conclusion


The full electric version of the DS 3 is a compact crossover with a unique personality, with a drivetrain which utterly convinces in efficiency and usability. Premium in style and finish, it has timeless elegance too. Compact, it is excellent for effortless city driving, thanks also to its camera vision aids. It certainly doesn’t feel out of place on open roads either, and can be driven on longer distances given its comfortable suspension, reasonable range and rather short recharging times. The price of the E TENSE, starting at slightly above 40.000 Euros for this full EV, is also within reason…
So a closer look at this stylish crossover is certainly warranted!

Hans Knol ten Bensel












Texas Wheels…

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Our latest trip to the US included also a visit to Texas, where we were able to use a Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace on its wide and sometimes very busy roads.

We used the Tiguan SE amongst others for visiting art galleries in the charming old centre of Austin, parked here in front of the Wally Workman Gallery…

Indeed, we stayed in Austin, where the local economy is rapidly expanding, with gigafactories being put up by the likes of Samsung, Tesla amongst others. All this has of course a very big impact on its road infrastructure, which can hardly cope with the extra volumes of commercial and commuting traffic caused by this new economic activity. We found the traffic being quite dense, being combined with quite spirited driving habits in true Texan style. Something the Tiguan we drove took of course ideally in its stride…cruising happily along at 80 mph on its wide expressways, flanked by big trucks and the omnipresent big pickups, the car type par excellence which seems to be most preferred by most Texans. Indeed, the Texans like it energetic and fast. The speed limits are quite realistic, with a maximum allowed speed on the so-called expressways up to 85 mph.

Electric driving in Texas…in its infancy?

Recently oil state Texas signed a legislative proposal into law on May 13 that will make all electric vehicle (EV) owners in the state responsible for paying a $200 annual fee. But that’s not all… Indeed, this law, which takes effect on Sept. 1, will also require new electric vehicle (EV) owners to pay a one-time fee of $400 to register their cars in addition to the $200 yearly toll. The idea is that EV owners don’t pay the fuel taxes, and so Texas aims to recoup some of the tax losses. The state already has nevertheless over 200,000 EVs on the road, with more than 30,000 EVs added this year.

The State, which is indeed very big indeed, about 22 times Belgium, has only over 2,000 electric charging stations in place. Even Belgium has more, let alone the Netherlands, which is about 1,5 times the size of Belgium. It has not less than 90.000 charging points! However the state plans to put more charging points along its freeways, aiming to support one million electric vehicles and allow for easier long-distance driving with work starting in 2023. Let’s see…

Test drive with the Lucid Air…

Needless to say full EV’s are still a relative rarity on the roads in and around Austin, although in its centre we were able to have a brief test drive in the elegant Lucid Air Grand Touring. The car looks sleek and stylish, and it is indeed a very impressive four door only battery powered EV luxury sedan. This Grand Touring version has dual motors developing together not less than 1050 hp in the performance oriented version. Plenty of power to enjoy a most exhilarating performance. You can pull from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3 seconds, and if you drive it with somewhat more restraint, the range is a good 425 miles.

What impressed us also was the rich and spacious interior. Passengers in the rear will find any amount of seat and legroom on the massive back seat and also behind the wheel one enjoys the grace of space. The glass roof enhances further the airy impression in the cabin. The drive is also very smooth and silent, and in chosen “Smooth drive” mode, the coil sprung car proved very comfortable indeed. Infotainment is also top notch with a large upper touchscreen and a tablet type lower touchscreen, which is used for additional functions and can be retracted into the dashboard.

Really impressive, this Lucid Air. There is even a ”Sapphire” version which has not less than 1200 hp. But this Grand Touring version has already a lot to please.

There is also a quite lavishly equipped Touring version, which has 620 hp, with more than sufficient performance to match. It will set you back around 90.000 USD in the US, depending of course on the options you choose. Suffice to say that Lucid is an American based company, and it really stands out with its product in this luxury EV passenger car segment. We let you enjoy the photos here of this elegant Lucid.

A look into Texan car service…

We also have one of our American acquaintances working at O’Reilly Auto Parts, and so – noblesse oblige – it was for us an excellent opportunity to respond to his invitation to visit one of their local stores. First of all we want to stress that O’Reilly Auto Parts offers its services nationwide and has stores all across the USA. We were impressed by the wide range of parts and accessories available. Quite naturally what motorists most often need in everyday life are batteries, and every O’Reilly store has them in all possible kinds and sizes. They will of course also test your battery, and inspect at the same time the health and functioning of your alternator.

The parts service O’Reilly is offering its clients online is nothing short of mind blowing. You can order specific parts for any make, any year, and it covers a formidable range from mechanical to interior up to body parts.

O’Reilly will also offer free electrical testing and checks also for free what the source is of your engine light glowing up…

If you have a tricky job and need special tools, O’Reilly will loan it to you…

Pickups are THE thing in Texas, and O’Reilly has all the necessary trims in store for your beloved truck...

We were also very surprised to hear that O’Reilly offers a LIFETIME guarantee on its brake pads, and this for good commercial reasons. They will indeed hand out new brake pads to their clients when the pads are used, but then the clients come back in the store, and will invariably buy something else. It indeed enhances client loyalty…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Porsche celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 911 with a special purist edition: the 911 S/T

Posted in Automobilia, Car News, Design, Lifestyle, men women and cars, New Models, Sports and Racing, WatchesLeave a comment

The 911 S/T here in black, with the Special Heritage Edition in the background. The new exterior colour Shoreblue Metallic and the wheel rim colour Ceramica are exclusive for this special edition.

The 911 is now already 6 decades with us. As soon as your servant hit 18 years, he sat behind the wheel of a 911 S 2,4 press car. What a legendary experience it was. My love for this car has remained unbroken ever since. Already the hissing sound of its (then air-cooled) flat six made you addictive. So Porsche takes us back to the “pure” original, with of course the power and panache of the modern day 911.

In a limited run of 1,963 examples, the Porsche 911 S/T offers lightweight design and the sound and fury of the high-revving engine from the 911 GT3 RS. The purity lies in the fact that it delivers its power to the road via a manual gearbox and lightweight clutch.

The naturally aspirated, 386 kW (525 PS) 911 GT3 RS engine has a capacity of 4 litres, and the gearbox has – noblesse oblige – short ratios. This is complemented by a resolutely lightweight construction and a running-gear setup optimised for agility and drivability. The 911 S/T weighs just 1,380 kilograms (DIN kerb weight, incl. all fluids), so you can imagine that this Porsche is to be enjoyed more than ever.

Unlike the 911 GT3 RS, the focus of the development of the 911 S/T has been not for track use, but rather for journeys on public roads. The name marks out the new 911 S/T as the descendant of a particularly performance-focused version of the first 911 generation. From 1969, Porsche offered a special race version of the 911 S. Internally, these vehicles were called 911 ST.

Modifications to the chassis, wheels, engine and body then significantly improved acceleration, braking, traction and cornering grip. The anniversary model combines elements of the 911 GT3 RS with the body of the 911 GT3 with Touring Package and supplements it with lightweight components specially developed for the 911 S/T.

Of course, performance is paramount: coupled with a six-speed manual transmission with shorter gear ratios compared to the 911 GT3, the high-revving engine in the 911 S/T propels the 911 S/T to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. It achieves a top speed of 300 km/h. With that comes the beautiful sound of the flat 6 through the lightweight sports exhaust system… need we say more?

A Heritage Design Package

The 911 S/T is offered with an optional exclusive Heritage Design Package. The new exterior colour Shoreblue Metallic and the wheel rim colour Ceramica are exclusively available for this variant. On the doors, a starting number from 0 to 99 as well as a decorative foil can be applied on request. The classic-design Porsche crest from the original 911 that adorns the front, the hub caps, the steering wheel, the headrests and the car key underscores the historic roots of the 911 S/T.

The interior also features cloth seat centers in Classic Cognac with black pinstripes, which are another homage to heritage. Two-tone semi-aniline leather trim in Black/Classic Cognac leather with extensive leather surrounds, a roof lining in perforated Dinamica, and other elements from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur round out the package. The Porsche logo and the 911 S/T model designation on the rear of the car are in Gold.

Porsche Design is also offering customers the 911 S/T the Chronograph 1 – 911 S/T.

Featuring a titanium case, uncoated and blasted for weight-saving reasons, this exclusive timepiece goes all in on the lightweight design principle of the new purist 911 special edition.

The heart of the chronograph is the Porsche Design WERK 01.240 with its COSC certification and flyback function. It is operated with a rotor in the design of the magnesium wheel of the 911 S/T.

Already dreaming? We invite you to just look at the photos…and it is good to know that in Belgium this anniversary edition can now be ordered for 327.743,04 euro including VAT. With the chronograph 1 – 911 S/T included…  

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Volkswagen ID.Buzz: the “E”- renaissance of an Icon …

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

 Volkswagen designers and engineers recreated the iconic “Bulli” and made it fitting for our modern E-Times. Their ID.Buzz is a indeed a car which brings at least the aura and panache of the original VW bus, and is adding even more character to it. It underlines the stylistic hallmarks of the original, and has masterfully translated it to steal the hearts of many of us. But not only that: this ID.Buzz now also brings along the well proven VW E-technology. We drove it for you, just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Cool functionality…

The ID.Buzz has character indeed, and the two tone paintwork of our test car even accentuated its early heritage. The cool character of its predecessor goes even further. Indeed, the original “Bulli” was very functional in its interior, and VW designers have somehow continued this approach in the interior of the Buzz.

Everything is functional, the “less is more” philosophy is applied in every detail.

The instrumentation is wonderfully simple, and even the size of the central touchscreen is also kept within reasonable limits. The instruments and screens are put on a wooden finished large dashboard panel, which is set in a large matte aluminum band, running horizontally across the whole width under the windshield.

This certainly looks stylish, but also brings lot of reflections on bright sunlit days, so be sure to wear your sunglasses when you are behind the wheel. A lot has been said about the practical functionality of the “haptic” controls of VW’s ID generation, and indeed it takes a delicate hand to use them with success. But soon, one gets the hang of it.

The finish of the bodywork and interior is of the usual very high VW standards, the upholstery of the seats, certainly in the front, is also quite appealing. There is less padding on the plastic panels in the interior, certainly also in line with the “practicality first” philosophy of the original icon, but then we must not forget that this is a car commanding a price tag of around 75.000 Euros. But we personally think that very few users/buyers would have any objections here, as indeed the unique character of its original icon is preserved and this is what the lovers of the ID.Buzz want to experience and feel.

In terms of connectivity driver and passengers cannot complain. Of course one has DAB+ radio, Apple Play and Android Auto, and enough USB slots for passengers fore and aft. The navigation system with online functions and Live Traffic helps the E-driver wonderfully. It calculates also when and where to recharge the batteries. It will also recalculate them continuously in function of driving style and traffic conditions.

Driving

The ID.Buzz has the power, 150 kW of it and not less than 310 Nm of torque, but it has also the weight: 2,4 tons of it. Not that the Buzz is a slow car, far from it: it will accelerate with zest from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 10,2 seconds, and has powerful intermediate accelerations. But it does not invite you to use all this power. It rather suggests a more relaxed driving style, and this is indeed where this ID.Buzz excels. The gear lever can be turned either in “D” or in “B” position, and in the latter it will regenerate the kinetic energy when you lift the throttle. We used it actually all the time, and soon one learns to adopt fully “one pedal” driving with this setting. On motorways and higher cruising speeds, wind resistance of this ID.Buzz takes its toll, and wind and road noise are rather prominent. This will let you intuitively cruise at legal speeds of 120 km or thereabouts, and even slightly lower. The ID. Buzz has by the way an electronically limited top speed of 145 km/h. This makes absolute sense, as kW consumption rises markedly above these legal cruising speeds. Driving with some restraint, we averaged a test consumption in the neigbourhood of 19-20 kW/100 km, and this is very creditable indeed. A driving range around 450 km is achievable indeed.

The ID.Buzz is very stable, with a rather firm, but not uncomfortable suspension. Steering is precise, cornering/handling indeed being very predictable, with a tendency towards understeering. For the moment, the ID.Buzz cannot be had with adaptable suspension, but then the standard setting strikes a very good compromise for most.

Brakes are also OK, and the transition between engine braking and “pure” proper braking is very well balanced. One might be surprised that the Buzz has drum brakes at the rear, but then the electric engine sitting at the rear assists the drum brakes with its regeneration somewhat, so that even under more sporting driving no fading or diminishing efficiency occurs.

What we liked very much was the very small turning circle of merely 10,9 meters, which makes the Buzz a very nice car to drive in urban traffic.

Practical

When it comes to charging, the ID.Buzz has a 77 kW battery, and can be charged with the AC Type 2 plug or the DC type CCS unit. AC charging on a 11 kW wallbox takes some 8 hours, with DC charging one can go clearly much faster. The ID is fit for charging up to not less than 180 kW. So after a short break for a coffee or light meal one is on the road again, with the batteries up to about 80 pct charged…

The ID.Buzz has of course a (very) strong point: it is roomy. Fore and aft, the driver and his passengers have ample head- and legroom, one has to be taller than 2,15 meters to brush the front seats or the roof.

The boot space is also cavernous. Up to the cover, the boot space is 1.160 liters. When you stow things further until the roof, it is 1.760 liters. When you fold everything down, one has a massive 2.835 liters at its disposal.

There is no “Frunk” in front, so be careful that you have your charging cables stowed elsewhere when you load your Buzz fully, and consider also that avoid (parking) situations where you cannot open the rear lid, and cannot reach the cables…

We also liked the armrests on the front seats. Be sure to order the armrests on both sides of the seat, as the armrest in the door is set too high to achieve a comfortable position.

There is a large bin between the front seats, where you can also charge your smartphone, and of course there is storage space for large 1,5 and 1 litre bottles in the doors.

Conclusion

We were very much charmed by this ID.Buzz, and we truly liked it. Indeed, it invites you to take your everyday driving with a “Zen” and restful mindset. Listening to the excellent audio system, looking at the world around you with a smile. The other road users are doing the same by the way when they encounter you. Such is the sympathy of this ID.Buzz. It is also remarkably frugal when you drive it responsibly, to the joy and delight of everyone who drives with you. They find comfort and lots of room…

Add to all this the absolutely timeless character of this ID.Buzz. Its shapes and contours have instant “classic” status, and this will be a desirable car for so many across the years. So keep and cherish it as a family treasure, you will hear a never ending “buzz” of joy from young and old across the generations…

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

We drove the VW Tiguan Allspace R-Line 2,0 TSI 190 HP 4Motion: an all-round bestseller…

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Did you know that the Tiguan is the most sold Volkswagen worldwide? There are many good reasons for this popularity: this is an all-round car, ideal for urban shopping, travelling long distances, towing horses, boats or caravans, or just hauling furniture. It occupies of course also the top of the sales hit parade in its homeland, and this since its introduction in 2007.

In 2021 the Tiguan got a welcome facelift: the front grille has been reworked to show a family resemblance to the bigger Tuareg. The headlight signature has also been revised somewhat and at the rear the now centrally placed Tiguan scripture distinguishes the latest generation.

VW has also been working on the engines. It is not forgetting the Diesel, which now has two SCR-catalyzers and who succeeds thanks to “twin dosing” to reduce NOx emissions by an impressive 85 pct.

In the course of 2021 a plug-in version also hit the showrooms, with a 1,4 litre 110 kW/150 PS Petrol engine and an electric motor of 85 KW/115 PS. Total system power is 180 kW/245 PS.

But let’s take a closer look at our test car: it came with the well proven 2 litre TSI petrol engine, coupled to a 7 speed dual clutch transmission. The engine has ample pulling power, with 320 Nm being delivered over a very wide rev range between 1500 and 4100 rpm. This results in good responsiveness and lively accelerations when you put your right foot more down a bit. The Tiguan will sprint from 0 to 100 km in less than 8 seconds, and will reach a top speed of approx. 213 km/h. You couldn’t wish for anything more, we would say.

The engine emits a slight throb when it’s working a bit harder under acceleration, but at constant (high) cruising speeds it remains perfectly inaudible. Of course, with this larger and weightier SUV (1,7 tonnes), the fuel consumption reflects even more how much kinetic energy is generated and lost. Therefore one is well advised to adopt an anticipative driving style in urban traffic. Then consumption stays within reasonable ranges, say around 8-9 litres/100 km or so, but then you have to really pussyfoot around! The WLTP figure for short distances is not less than 10,2 l/100 km. It is the Achilles heel of petrol engined cars, and this explains the popularity of Diesels until now. The stark truth is that only hybrid configurations can save the day for petrol engined cars in urban driving conditions, especially for weightier SUV’s. On the open road, the efficiency of the petrol engine is much better, and consumption will sink considerably. The WLTP figure for driving on country/secondary roads is 7,1 l/100 km, on motorways combined with higher speeds it’s 8,1 l/100 km, which is also the WLTP average. The WLTP combined CO2 value is 183 g/km, which is still on the rather high side. Miracles just don’t happen…Our test car was also equipped with the 4 motion package, and its electronic assistance makes you an instant offroad expert….

Excellent comfort

The Tiguan is quite comfortable indeed. It can be had with damper control, dubbed DCC, where you can choose between Normal, Comfort and Sport. Even in the Sport mode, the suspension is never too harsh and in the Comfort Mode there is not too much leaning in fast cornering. The long suspension travel swallows urban sleeping policemen optimally, and passengers are never jolted about.

This well being is also further enhanced by the ample legroom the 19 cm longer Allspace version offers, we could appreciate this when we drove also the very same Tiguan Allspace version during our recent USA trip on Texas roads, where the long distances were travelled in absolute comfort. The Tiguan steers quite precise, and its responsiveness is also altered in function of the chosen driving modes. The assistance is speed sensitive, making the Tiguan easy to maneuver in all circumstances.

Ever more digital

Of course, the age of digitalization spreads also further in the cockpits of Volkswagens, and the Tiguan is no exception. After the facelift the round knobs for heating/cooling/ventilation for instance are replaced by tactile sliders. It takes getting used to, but soon enough one gets the hang of it. I am personally always rather cautious to condemn “modern” functional idiosyncrasies, as owners have their cars for a much longer time than us journalists, who drive their test cars for much shorter periods. What seems annoying for a short term user isn’t necessarily so for a long term owner. It remains of course necessary that also occasional users find their way in it, and that cars are intuitive to use. Therefore any modification which makes this more difficult is indeed a step back…

The Tiguan has now its own SIM card and is now always online. This makes staying connected so much easier. Apple Car Play and Android Auto now also run over Bluetooth.

Roomy and functional.

The Allspace offers 400 liters boot space until the luggage cover. Also beneath the luggage floor is an extra 50 liter space, maximum luggage space with all seats down is 1920 liters. As we said before, the Allspace offrers ample head- and legroom for all its passengers.  The Tiguan is also a good load carrier: one can add up to 565 kg. Not less than 2,5 tonnes can be towed.

 Conclusion

The Tiguan truly earns its bestseller status. It is an all-round car, with excellent driving characterics combined with lively performance and good looks. Its petrol engines are pretty formidable, smooth, powerful and sufficiently frugal. A car built with excellent quality and workmanship, designed and meant to last for decades. If only our lawmakers let you…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Ford Mustang Mach-E X: a very well-balanced EV…

Posted in Automobilia, Car News, Car Tests, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, LifestyleLeave a comment

Ford has moved decisively in the electric age with this Mustang. A name which is reminiscent of its illustrious past, but actually the name is the only thing that is left over when you feel how this pleasing SUV actually drives. It is a nice handling and well performing five seater, offering practicality and sufficient range. It shows no weak points whatsoever, is actually quite fun to use and drive. Like Fords always have been, and that’s then again following the good tradition of the brand…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The Mustang can be had in two battery pack sizes, namely 76 kWh and 99 kWh. You can also choose between one or two electric motors. The entry-level Mustang Mach-E has an electric motor at the rear, delivering 198 kW or 269 HP. Enough to make your driving quite zippy and entertaining, as this means an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,1 seconds. Yes, that’s even faster than a Jaguar E-Type, gentlemen. The torque is equally impressive with 430 Nm. Ford quotes a useable range of 440 kilometers. You can choose the bigger battery, and then the range stretches officially to a good 600 kilometers. Of course, your driving style will decide whether you will reach these distances…

With the bigger battery comes also a more powerful motor, this time in this “premium RWD” version, it develops 216 kW and 294 HP, mainly to compensate for the extra weight of the bigger battery. It will accelerate in 6,2 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. If you choose 4 WD with two motors, one in the front and one in the rear, total system power is then 258 kW and 351 HP respectively, with torque now being 580 Nm. Performance is further enhanced, with an almost supercar league 5,1 seconds to 100 km/h. Range is now somewhat reduced with 400 or 550 kilometers, depending on the battery size chosen. Last but not least there is also a GT version, where total system power is now further beefed up to 358 kW and 487 hp. This results in a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in merely 3,8 seconds. Need we say more? Range with the 99 kWh battery is now officially 490 km. Top speed is here 200 km/h, in all the other versions it is limited to 180 km/h.

As said, the “base” performance is certainly exhilarating enough.

Behind the wheel…

In the car one immediately notices the super large central touchscreen, which is indeed intuitive to use. One is never more than two clicks away from any function you choose. The dashboard is clean and stylish, and its level of finish is also excellent. We also like the round selector knob for selecting gears and driving modes.

Smooth one pedal driving

After having enjoyed the formidable performance with a few sprints, it is time to enjoy the smoothness and refined silence of E-driving. When you select one pedal driving in the menu, you can indeed drive it totally intuitively with just using the accelerator pedal. Lifting the throttle will not cause immediate deceleration, the slowing down will set in quite gradually, which adds to the smoothness and lets you drive this Mustang in a totally “zen” manner. Also one can choose between three driving modes, active, whisper and untamed.

The range looks quite reasonable, and given an anticipative and smooth driving style, quite realistic. You can charge on AC with 11 kW, on DC up to 150 kW (if you can find this fast charging point). Experienced users already know that it is of little practical interest to charge the battery to more than 80 pct of its capacity, from then on the charging rate will be much lower, and not exceed 15 kW or thereabouts.

Responsive and agile handling…

Fords are known for their very entertaining and pleasant road manners, and this Mustang is no exception. The Mustang Mach-E is built on the Global Electrified 1 (GE1) platform, which is a heavily reworked version of the C2 platform that is used on the fourth generation Focus and third generation Kuga/fourth generation Escape. It certainly performs well. The suspension in itself is quite comfortable, even on urban cobblestones, and certainly comes into its own on the open road. The low point of gravity and the 50/50 weight distribution does the rest: this Mustang effectively steers on rails. If your corner speed is somewhat too enthusiastic, it will gently understeer, but with the ample torque and pulling power under your right foot, it is very easy to balance the car with the throttle and even induce a smooth oversteer reaction. So yes, sporting driving pleasure is certainly to be had. Steering is precise, but the self centering reaction is quite noticeable, so grabbing the wheel firmly is “de rigueur” when you want to put this Mustang through its paces.

Safety first and lavishly equipped

Of course, this Mustang has the usual raft of driving aid systems and what’s more, you can enjoy over the air updates, so it is future proof too.

The Mustang is loaded with accessories, even in its “base” version. What to think of electric adjustable front seats in 8 directions with memory function? These seats are also heated of course. Then there is the superb B & O sound system, which you can enjoy so much in this silent EV. The 15,5 inch central touchscreen is also standard, as is the panoramic sun roof. Then there is the latest generation Ford Sync, with connected navigation and voice command. The electric boot lid lets you open it “hands free”.  

Practical

The Mustang offers very good passenger room in the back, and has 400 l luggage space in the rear, with a front “frunck” good for an additional 81 liters. Handy to stow away your charging cables. Note also that the Mustang can tow up to 750 kg unbraked, and 1500 kg braked.

Conclusion

 This Mustang is a good looking, well balanced SUV, as we said in the beginning. It has many good qualities, and shows virtually no weaknesses. It is sporting, a pleasure to drive, is well finished, offers lavish equipment, exhilarating performance and is roomy and practical. It is easy to use with its large central screen and intuitive commands. Altogether, it also offers a quite reasonable range and good charging performance. A car to live with?  For sure, and indeed, the iconic Mustang name and badge has lost nothing of its appeal, albeit in a very different (EV) form…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Watch the races with your cruiseship: MSC Cruises extends its global partnership with Formula 1®!

Posted in Automobilia, Lifestyle, men women and cars, Sports and RacingLeave a comment

MSC Cruises is going from strength to strength, and May 5 it announced  that it will extend its global partnership with Formula 1®. They said this in Miami, on the eve of the Grand Prix™. MSC Cruises will therefore continue to be the official partner of Formula 1® for the cruise segment, until the end of the FIA World Championship in 2026.

MSC Cruises continues this partnership for all the good reasons: the ever growing interest in the Formula 1® universe around the world, and particularly in key markets for MSC Cruises, resulted in very strong results for the company and its product portfolio. The success of this collaboration between these two prestigious brands has enabled MSC Cruises to commit to further strengthen this partnership through an enriched program.

The MSC Ship Virtuosa will be your stay for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix…

As part of the agreement, MSC Cruises will position ships in ports throughout select Grand Prix™ weekends to provide a unique hospitality experience from the circuit to the ship. The first of these event weekends will take place in November, for the last race of the 2023 season, in Abu Dhabi. The MSC ship Virtuosa will spend the Grand Prix™ weekend at the port, offering motorsport fans unique accommodation, hospitality and transport packages, including VIP packages. This concept will be enriched and deployed in other destinations, with other ships, from the 2024 season onwards.

The Virtuosa has longest LED Dome at sea…

In addition, MSC Cruises is confirmed as main sponsor of the F1® Grand Prix™ of Belgium in 2023. Thus, the brand will offer, among other things, immersive entertainment for spectators in the Fan Zone. Further main sponsorship deals will be unveiled shortly, for further 2024 F1® World Championship Grand Prix™. Needless to say that both parties are delighted with the collaboration:

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises (on the right) said: “Formula 1® and MSC Cruises are excellent partners on many levels. Our success is partly based on teamwork, but also on our shared commitment to lasting change. We want to shape the future of our respective industries and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. Our two brands are evolving at the head of their industries and contributing to a lasting change. For all these reasons, we are committed to Formula 1® for the long term on a global scale. We look forward to seeing this special collaboration evolve over the years. »

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1®, (on the left) said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with MSC Cruises, as our two brands share the same commitment to innovation and excellence. This collaboration has already delivered outstanding results and we look forward to strengthening our relationship. Together we will continue to push the boundaries and set new standards in sports and hospitality. »

We suggest the Grand Prix Lovers to have a closer look at MSC Cruises and their offers!

Hans Knol ten Bensel