Category: New Models

Stellantis Belux Press Conference: news from Opel and Peugeot in 2022…

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In this third episode of our report we tell you more about what to expect in the coming year from Opel and Peugeot in the coming year… 

Wim Verloy, Press Officer at Stellantis, told us more about these two brands. First of all, Opel is embarking on an impressive electrification programme, and indeed, faithful readers have now already noticed that Opel is converting the Citroën and Peugeot LCV-s for hydrogen propulsion, so alternative and “green” energy use is no empty word for them. What’s more, their technological know-how in this field must be considerable indeed… 

This year, Opel has 9 electrified models in its range, including a fully electrified LCV range. You could read already here about the first fuel cell version of the Vivaro. Opel also launched this year the e-Rally Cup, world’s first electric rally one make Cup. 

In 2024, 100% of the Opel portfolio will be fully electrified, in 2028 Opel will go purely electric in Europe. 

The stylish Astra and its elegant Tourer version will be valuable trump cards in the coming year. 

Peugeot has been working on its new brand identity, and its new logo is – as they call it – a “symbol of power and desire.” Peugeot indeed wants its brand to be more upmarket, and in terms of styling and panache, they are certainly succeeding. 

It focuses also on an enhanced customer experience, and wants the time behind the wheel of a Peugeot to be quality time for the customer. 

This year, not less than 70% of all the Peugeot models are electrified in Europe. The new 308 impresses also with clean styling, and a lot has been done to make the cockpit and dashboard effortlessly informative and ergonomic. 

Fuelled with the punch of electric power comes for Peugeot also a “neo-performance” range, and last but not least Peugeot will enter the world of electric endurance and long-distance racing… 

Your servant is also intrigued about the efforts Stellantis as a group is making towards battery production and its future development, and will bring a special report about this subject soon.

Stay tuned!   

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

Stellantis Belux press conference: much news to be expected for 2022…

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Dominique Fontignies, PR & Communications Director, highlighted the news we can expect the coming year from Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Fiat and Jeep.

Here follows, dear reader, the second part of the interesting press conference held by Stellantis Belux. Dominique Fontignies, PR & Communications Director, highlighted the news we can expect the coming year from Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Fiat and Jeep.

Alfa Romeo will launch in the spring and autumn respectively the MHEV and PHEV versions of the beautiful Tonale, Citroën has a strong market position with its C4, also in the EV version, and has not to forget the Ami and the ë-Berlingo in its model range.

The stylish C5 X

The new flagship, the C5 X, will certainly also make its mark the coming year. DS Automobiles will also surprise with a new model in March. It has exceptional products which breathe French “Savoir Faire” and provide a unique customer experience.

DS Automobiles is the CO2 champion among the multi-energy brands, and last but not least has been two-time Formula E world champion.

In 2022-23 it will increase its electrified mix and consolidate its leadership, leveraging on the E-Tense line-up.

In 2024 it will launch only BEV cars, and in Europe it will sell exclusively electrified automobiles.

Fiat is the #1 volume brand of Stellantis, and caught the spotlights this year with its “roof garden” or the “Pista 500” on the top floor of the iconic former Lignotto plant. It is the largest hanging garden in Europe…

It also opened in September the “Casa 500”, a museum dedicated to the Cinquecento, and it is more than a simple car museum. Casa 500 tells the future of the FIAT brand, starting from its roots; ones that are indeed the inspiration for the future. The common thread is the ‘metamorphosis’ of the FIAT 500 across its three generations, a model that has made history in the automotive industry and has always inspired new ways of thinking and living. An icon of our times whose evolution conveys the culture of a country and the history of its city.

Your servant will be very interested to see it, Corona pandemic permitting!

Fiat also entered a multi-year partnership with RED, a charity organization fighting against pandemics. Co-founder of RED is Bono, and he stated: “This partnership with FIAT, Jeep and RAM is a powerful shot in the arm for (RED)’s fight against pandemics and the complacency that fuels them.” He continued:” the New (500)RED they won’t even need petrol to do it. FIAT wants to be as green as they can while they’re going (RED) and that’s a reason to punch the air.” The whole RED range of Fiats will be launched in January next year.

Jeep continued in 2021 its electrification program with the Renegade, Compass, and this year also the Wrangler joined the 4xe range.

(Left to right) All-new 2022 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, 2022 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe and Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe

There will be more electric models in 2022, with MHEV versions of the Renegade and the Compass, and of course a brand new Grand Cherokee 4xe.

In the next report of this press conference, we will tell you more about Opel and Peugeot.

Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Seat is putting Spain (and the world) on electric wheels…

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The Seat Cupra Born was in September 2021 still built in Mosel / Zwickau at Volkswagen Sachsen .

The electric age has certainly also arrived at Seat. Not that they produce impressive petrol engined cars. I am presently driving a very able Seat Arona 1.0 TSI Xperience, its three cylinder 110 HP 1 litre engine purrs very nicely indeed, coupled to a 7 speed DSG, and feels very well at home on the motorway as in the city. The somewhat higher stance of the Arona proved also a blessing and we would judge it “just right”.  But as said, the electronic age is certainly dawning at Seat.

The SEAT S.A. team is producing working for instance at the Martorell plant the SEAT Leon e-HYBRID, the first hybrid model manufactured in Martorell. But there is more.

Beatriz Matute, head of Project Management for the launch of the CUPRA Born, has spent this year going between Barcelona and Zwickau (Germany). She’s led a team of more than 50 employees from different areas in charge of overseeing the start of series production for the CUPRA Born, CUPRA’s first 100% electric car, in Europe’s largest electric vehicle factory. “It’s been a valuable learning experience that we will certainly build on for the electrification of Martorell” she says.

The international Press Presentation of the Cupra Born was stunning indeed…

The CUPRA Born signals the start of CUPRA’s electric offensive and is a key element in the brand’s international expansion. For this reason, “we knew that the International Press Presentation of the CUPRA Born needed to be different” says SEAT S.A. Global Communications Director Cécilia Taieb. “We made it happen thanks to the help and participation of many of our employees” she continues. The first 100% electric car brought together 440 journalists from 27 countries in Barcelona. In total, 62,000 kilometres of testing were carried out over four weeks by the invited media.

The brand’s marketeers and top experts around the world have been just as dedicated in preparing to sell the CUPRA Born. More than 1,000 CUPRA Masters from 43 markets took part in the CUPRA Master Convention 2021 to deepen their knowledge and transmit their expertise to customers.

The IAA International Motor Show in Munich last September was the backdrop for the world premiere of the CUPRA UrbanRebel concept, the CUPRA team’s unconventional challenger. “The concept laid the foundations for our future 100% electric city car, which will arrive in 2025” says CUPRA Director of Strategy, Business Development and Operations Antonino Labate.

Leading the electric competition. CUPRA made motorsport history this year by winning the first ever electric touring car championship. Along with Mattias Ekström, they have been named “Kings of the season” for the PURE ETCR. With the CUPRA e-Racer, a technical feat of 500 kW (680 hp) of power, the brand successfully completed the challenge it set itself in 2017: to create the first electric racing touring car in history, and win.  “The future of racing is electric, and we have already taken the lead” maintains Xavier Serra, head of CUPRA Racing.

A step forward with 1.3 Megawatts of power…

The Test Center Energy (TCE) is another of the company’s major commitments to electrification. “We’ve made a great effort to create this pioneering battery research and development centre in Southern Europe, which will enable us to develop the energy systems for electric  and plug-in hybrid vehicles” says Francesc Sabaté, head of the TCE. To give an example of its testing capacity, 1.3 megawatts is equivalent to the energy consumption of 350 homes operating at maximum power.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

A new Scudo for Fiat Professional…

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A new Fiat Scudo is available for ordering. This new Scudo, after the E-Ducato, is the second Fiat Professional commercial vehicle also available in an electric version.

This is another important step in Fiat’s Electric journey. Of course, here we also await a Hydrogen version soon. The Scudo runs on the same platform as the Citroën Jumpy, and is built in the same French factory. So it is certainly in the cards that it will also be converted to Hydrogen in Rüsselsheim…

The Scudo for now has a 50- or 75-kWh battery, and offers a range of up to 330 km (WLTP)

Flexibility is important in the cabin, and thanks to the “Moduwork”, it can commute the double passenger seat bench in a workstation and in a loading bay extension.

The “car-like” driving comfort, the “urban-fitting dimension” (max height 1,9mt), the ergonomic cockpit and complete set of ADAS and safety features delivers to the customer a stress-free, zero-emissions together with outstanding comfort, according to Fiat.

The Scudo is available with full-electric and diesel powertrain with manual or automatic transmission and can now be ordered in four versions and up to three lengths: Van, Crew Cab, Cab with platform, and Combi M1.

By the way, did you know that Stellantis will produce the Fiat Scudo also in Russia and export them to other markets?

Stellantis owns a 70% stake in a car plant in the Russian city of Kaluga, where it plans to produce the vehicle by 2022. Mitsubishi  owns the remaining 30% stake…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Toyota goes forward with full global battery electric line-up…with Lexus following suit!

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Toyota now takes the BEV market very seriously: Akio Toyoda, President of the Toyota Motor Corporation, seen on the photo above, today presented news concerning the company’s carbon neutrality strategy, by outlining its plans to offer 30 battery electric models by 2030 (Toyota & Lexus combined).

The company expects total global battery electric vehicle sales to reach 3.5M by 2030, and this announcement underpins the plan of for a 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles sales by 2035 in Western Europe.

Toyota’s bZ (beyond Zero) battery electric family in Europe is also soon to expand with introduction of a compact SUV as follow up to bZ4X launch. Not less than three battery electric ‘Toyota bZ’ vehicles are planned for Europe by 2025.

Toyota will further increase its investment in batteries from the 1.5 trillion yen – which was announced in September – to 2 trillion yen (15 billion euros).

The Lexus electrified sport will have formidable performance and range…

Now let’s turn the spotlight on Lexus:

Lexus aims for 100% battery electric mix in Europe, North America and China by 2030

The full name of the new Lexus BEV (that will be launched towards the end of 2022) was revealed: the Lexus RZ450e. See the photo here below…

The Lexus Electrified Sport (Sports BEV) concept was also shown: it offers impressive Lexus driving performance, with an acceleration time that will be in the low 2 second range and a cruising range over 700km.

There were also two other future concepts were shown: the Lexus Electrified Sedan (BEV Sedan), and Lexus Electrified SUV (SUV BEV). We show you the photos here.

The Lexus electrified sedan…

More interesting Toyota/Lexus news to come. Faithful readers know that we are the a satisfied owner of a midnight blue Lexus CT 200h, which proves to be not only frugal with an average consumption this year of 4,7 liter/100 km, but also utterly reliable and recently passed the yearly technical inspection with flying colours. A report will follow soon. Stay tuned!

The Lexus electrified SUV…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Stellantis pioneers in the Hydrogen LCV market with its Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN.

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Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen (2021)

Here is some further Opel news, and it is an important feat for Stellantis: the first hydrogen transporter from a vehicle manufacturer which is ready to go. Indeed, the first Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN off the production line will begin its emissions-free work in the fleet of the German manufacturer of premium domestic appliances, Miele.

Clever concept: Long driving range, zero emissions, quick refuelling

The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN is based on the existing battery electric Opel Vivaro-e, the “2021 International Van of the Year”. With full tanks of hydrogen, the driving range is more than 400 kilometres (WLTP1). The 45 kW fuel cell is capable of generating enough power for continuous highway driving. It takes only three minutes to refuel with hydrogen – about the same time needed to fill up a conventional diesel or petrol vehicle.

The 10.5 kWh lithium-ion battery provides dynamic peak power when required, for example, at start-up and under acceleration. Since the battery covers power needs in such situations, the fuel cell can run at optimum operating conditions. The battery also enables regenerative braking, while the plug-in capability offers the opportunity to recharge the battery externally if necessary, e.g. at a charging station, providing 50 km of pure battery electric range. The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN features a three-phase on-board charger (11 kW) and a mode 2 charging cable as standard.

The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN demands no compromises on space compared to the combustion engine versions, offering up to 5.3 or 6.1 cubic metres of cargo volume. The fuel cell electric LCV is available in lengths M and L (4.95 and 5.30 metres) with up to 1,000 kilogrammes of payload.

Production takes place at Opel Special Vehicles (OSV) in Rüsselsheim, and, as said, makes Stellantis the first to offer a Hydrogen powered LCV to fleet users…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Europe pioneers the electrification within Nissan Ambition 2030 vision…

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We will drive for you at the end of this year the latest Qashqai, and look forward to have a go next year at their new (EV powered) products; In the meantime, there is some interesting Nissan news.

Did you know that by 2026, this is merely within some four years, more than 75% of all Nissan passenger cars sold in Europe will be electrified?

Nissans “CHILL OUT” concept foreshadows the future 100% electric crossover to be built in Sunderland, and there is a new battery recycling facility planned in Europe…

Just read further!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Unveiled the Nissan Ambition 2030, the brand’s new long-term strategy that goes beyond mobility.

Earlier this year, Nissan launched the EV36Zero concept, the world’s first fully integrated EV production ecosystem, which connects mobility and energy management to help achieve carbon neutrality for Nissan. The future hub is centered around the production facility in Sunderland, UK, and will include the production of an EV, a new giga production facility and use of 100% renewable electricity. Initially, £1 billion will be invested.

The AMIEO Region, centered on the EV36Zero, will play a leading role in realizing the “Ambition 2030” vision, which will help Nissan achieve carbon neutrality across the entire lifecycle of its products by fiscal year 2050. Here are some key points:

By the end of fiscal 2023, Nissan will offer electrified versions of all models offered in Europe, and by fiscal 2026, more than 75% of all Nissans sold are expected to be electrified.

The now-unveiled CHILL OUT crossover concept, as announced in Sunderland in July as part of the EV36Zero project, uses the Renault-Nissan Alliance CMF-EV platform to deliver the European handling and performance customers expect. The model has a sleek and modern design, is both attractive and aerodynamically optimized, fun-to-drive, has advanced safety technologies and has a practical and comfortable interior, according to Nissan.

Nissan plans to expand battery recycling and reuse facilities outside of Japan with a new location in Europe during fiscal year 2022. This infrastructure will support a circular economy for energy management. Nissan plans to fully market its ‘vehicle-to-everything’ and ‘home battery’ systems in the coming years.

Building on the success of the Nissan LEAF, Nissan will soon introduce innovative e-POWER technology in the all-new Qashqai and X-Trail. With the 100% electric crossover Ariya and the future all-electric Townstar Van on the way, an electrified European model program is in the works.

‘In the past period, Europe has been leading in the transition to electrification. Our goal for the next decade is to accelerate this development, with new products and technologies that will enhance the driving experience for Nissan’s customers,” said Guillaume Cartier, President of Nissan AMIEO Region.

Not only will we be offering an electrified version of every Nissan model in Europe, our 360-degree vision of sustainable mobility also means using 100% renewable electricity in our EV Hub in the UK. New battery recycling and reuse facilities will also be built in Europe.

To spearhead the transition to full electrification and carbon neutrality, our teams and products in Europe will serve as a source of information and support for our plans for electrified cars in the rest of the AMIEO Region and other markets.”

Bold new plans… we will report on them regularly as they unfold!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The new Kia Sportage is soon available in the Belgian dealer network…

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The Kia Sportage fifth generation, specifically designed and developed for Europe, is available from €30,990 onwards. Orders can be taken from December 10 with delivery in January. This is one of the most comprehensive offers in the segment in terms of drive technologies: petrol, MHEV petrol, diesel, MHEV diesel, HEV, PHEV, 2X4, 4X4, manual and DCT.

Thanks to its new ‘N3’ architecture, driving behavior and handling are further improved, especially tuned for our European roads. Kia states that the Hybrid and rechargeable hybrid models provide excellent efficiency and lower consumption.

The advanced “DriveWise” driver assistance systems were developed to seamlessly support the driver in difficult driving situations and parking maneuvers. We are keen to get our hands on this new Sportage, and find out soon!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The iconic Jeep® Wrangler 4xe: what’s new for 2022…

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Faithful readers know that we were very impressed when testing the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe, which’s propulsion system combines two electric motors, a 2.0-liter I-4 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission for nearly silent propulsion and enhanced 4×4 off-road capability, without EV range anxiety.

For 2022, the Wrangler 4xe range is further enhanced with advanced technology content and a full set of last generation ADAS features including Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control, Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus with Advanced brake assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop Function.

You can enjoy a sunrider fliptop…

All this is offered as standard on the 2022 model year models alongside standard Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path Detection, rearview camera and front and rear Park Assist on the previous model year.

There are also new paint colors and a factory Jeep® Performance Parts (JPP) Gorilla Glass windshield

More Authentic Jeep open-air adventures are to be had with the new Sunrider Flip top by Mopar® joining the several top combinations offered on Wrangler (three-piece hardtop, soft top, power soft top and topless).

With the introduction of the 2022 model year, 100 percent of the Wrangler range in Europe is offered in the 4xe plug-in hybrid variant only.

This is fully in line with the brand’s strategy towards sustainable mobility and its commitment to sell 70 percent of the Jeep range as electrified vehicles worldwide by 2025!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Citroën ë-C4 in Maffliers…

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Alongside the E-powered Berlingo, we also had our first drive in the electric version of the C4 in the scenic surroundings of Paris. To tell you right away, with this velvety smooth e-power, the C4 really comes into its own. You get the impression, only after a few kilometers behind the wheel, that this car is actually built for this.

Because, as we told you already in our test of the C4 diesel, this car is all about superb comfort. Add to this the refinement of the electric drive, and subjectively, a sort of noble Rolls Royce feeling invades you.

Indeed, the progressive hydraulic cushions, like we explained, irons out the road ahead for you. Meanwhile, you sink with a smile in the advanced comfort seats. They give you just the right amount of support and comfort to let you almost feel you are in four wheeled superlimousine heaven. The superlight steering still underlines this impression. You can literally steer this C4 with your fingers…

With its 136 HP electric motor, this C4 is indeed meant to let you taste the exquisite joys of just quiet, unhurried motoring. It invites you to do this, but this does not mean that this car is sluggish at all. With 260 Nm of torque always there whenever you need it, it certainly responds eagerly at the slightest movement of your right foot. 0 to 100 km/h is absolved in 9,7 seconds. Top speed is limited wisely to 150 km/h. Add to this the unerring sure footedness of Citroën handling, whatever the road and the weather, and you will agree that it is a very nice experience to be behind the wheel of this car.

We told you here in these columns that due to the heat pump sensor changes and a modified final gearing, the WLTP cycle range is now 357 km.  

Charging times are very reasonable indeed; On a 7 kWh wallbox, you can charge the ë-C4 overnight in 7,5 hours. When you are in a hurry, it is good to know that it accepts 100 kW fast charging, and will charge in 30 minutes from 0 to 80 pct charge.

We look forward for a longer test of this smooth goddess of the road soon!

Hans Knol ten Bensel