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We drove the Mercedes C 400 4MATIC: an EV with the unique character of the iconic star…

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There are manufacturers who evolve and change their original character over the years, certainly in modern EV times. But not Mercedes. Their technology may change, but not the unique and unmistakable way they drive and feel.  The Mercedes engineers indeed made a formidable “tour de force” with their electric version of their C-Class, presently their bestseller in the passenger car range. It puts a smile on our faces, and indeed, made me vividly remember all the Mercedes passenger cars we had in the family… starting with the ponton 180 Diesel in 1954, the first Mercedes my father owned.

Together with my father, we drove the 180 D again as a Mercedes works entry in the historic Mille Miglia, a wonderful way to revive history as father and son. But over the years, we just loved the other cars we owned: the Uhlenhaut “heckflossen” Mercedes 220 SE, the later S Classes, finishing with the Pagode 250 SL.

All this comes back when we slide behind the wheel of this electric C-Class. The smoothness, the workmanship, the comfort, the luxury, the sense of safety, and immense solidity. Indeed, only cars with the star can convey all this in a wonderful and unique mix of their own. The performance of this C 400 reminds me of the revolutionary power of the Paul Braque-designed elegant 300 SEL sedan with the 6.3-liter M100 V8 engine. We drove it flat out on the Antwerp-to-Liège motorway, now the E313. Remember, the car was the so-called W109, which was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1968 and produced from 1968 to 1972. It changed our notions of executive luxury saloon performance forever…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Styling with the star…

The C 400 is sleek like a coupé, with the iconic Mercedes grille as a hallmark, re-emerging from its saloon car history. We talked at the latest Brussels Motor Show with Robert Lesnik, Director of Exterior Design, and he spoke with passion about the design hallmarks of the brand, its flamboyant curves and, last but not least, the typical radiator grille. He told us: “For the new generation we were inspired by our past cars and design heritage, which doesn’t mean that we are doing retro design. The radiator grille is a modern interpretation of a classic design icon.” Read more about this in our columns, “The Mercedes Styling Philosophy Uncovered.”

Also, Bastian Baudy, Chief Design Officer Mercedes-Benz Group AG, commented at the launch of the C 400: “From the iconic illuminated grille to the star-design headlights, every detail instantly symbolizes our new era of MercedesBenz.”

The fastback rear also evokes sportiness, as does the sloping edge and four round, deep-red, star-design taillights.

The sleek styling is also inspired by the need for an excellent aerodynamic profile. Remember, Germany is still the country of Autobahnen, and this means that—EV or not—high-speed capability is a must. With a drag coefficient starting at 0.22, the all-electric CClass ranks highly in its segment. Top speed of the C 400? Yes, 210 km/h…

Interior with luxurious charisma…

Stepping into the C-Class puts you in the Mercedes world among the stars.  Indeed, 162 stars are illuminated in the SKY CONTROL panoramic roof of our test car. They take on the color of the individually selected ambient lighting to put you in the right mood.

The all-new electric CClass welcomes its driver with a comprehensive “Welcome” sequence too. Outside, the panel surface of the grille and the taillights come to life with light animations, while the aura sound of the selected Sound Experience plays simultaneously.

Of course, digital high-tech has arrived: you are totally immersed in a 39.1inch or 99.3 centimetres seamless MBUX Hyperscreen, creating a truly spatial experience. It welcomes youi with hundreds of stars when it lights up, and has over 1,000 individual LEDs and independently adjustable brightness zones, offering clear information for you and personalized entertainment for your front passenger.

Your eyes wander over the beautifully finished surfaces of the centre console, door handles and window controls. You admire the horizontal line graphic with 3D relief and a two-tone design for the speaker grilles. From the Burmester® 3D Surround Sound System upwards, as fitted in our test car, they are made of high-quality stainless steel. A feast for the eye, and of course also for the ears…

With the optional Burmester® 4D Surround Sound System, music can also be felt. Two body sound transducers are integrated into the backrests of each high-end front seat.(!)  The seats also feature speakers close to the ear for a high level of speech intelligibility, for example, when making phone calls.

We found all the controls intuitive to use, and liked the controls on the steering wheel, featuring the popular volume roller switch as well as a rocker switch for the limiter and DISTRONIC.

The seats are also spoiling you: they are electrically adjustable with a memory function. The seat backrest can also be adjusted to the natural curvature of your spine using the electro-pneumatic 4-way lumbar support.

The C-Class also makes you fit for winter: automatic climate control ensures a comfortable temperature in winter after just a short time – even without preconditioning. For example, on a 20-minute journey at a frosty -7 degrees Celsius, the interior heats up twice as fast as in conventionally powered models – and, thanks to the multi-source heat pump, requires only about half the energy.

And there is more: Soothing sounds, energising massage, activating light—with the diverse ENERGIZING COMFORT programmes, you enjoy a true wellness experience… Just take your time to study all the programme controls!

Driving

The iconic little stalk which has been so typical of every Mercedes over the last decade lets you start away swiftly. Move it to D and there you go. Whisper-smooth and quiet. Indeed, the cabin of the C-Class is a relaxing cocoon.  Decoupling elastomer mounts between the suspension and body see to that, besides a special design of the electric motors, as well as the new air conditioning unit. In addition, the front windows of the all-new electric C-Class are equipped with noise-insulating laminated safety glass as standard. The comfort you enjoy is very much on the same level as the S-Class..

The C 400 has power. The electric drive unit features a permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM) on the rear axle.  The 4Matic also features a powerful PSM on the front axle. This front motor functions as a “boost” drive. Depending on the driving situation and driving programme, it is activated via a disconnect unit (DCU), for example when a corresponding power requirement or traction is needed. Under low load, the electric motor is almost instantaneously decoupled for greater efficiency and remains stationary. This reduces losses on the front axle by up to 90 percent and increases the range. By the way, battery-to-wheel efficiency over long distances is 93 percent.

Total system power is 360 kW, and this results in exhilarating performance. 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in 4 seconds. We already told you that the top speed is set at 210 km/h. We found the car quite frugal when your driving style is relaxed: averages around 14-17 kW/100 km are quite achievable, and we liked the power indicator on the instrument panel right in front of the driver, which shows you how to drive and coast economically… Cruising on the motorway at around 110 km/h lets the consumption drop as low as 12.5 kW/100 km. No small feat!

Besides the excellent aerodynamics, another factor is the two-speed transmission on the rear axle. Power is transmitted in first gear via claws and in second gear via discs. The first gear has a short ratio of 11:1, enabling excellent acceleration from a standstill, a high towing capacity and great efficiency even in urban traffic. The second gear (ratio 5:1) is designed for power delivery at high speeds and high efficiency on the motorway, ensuring excellent range and comfort on long journeys.

The practical range lies somewhere between 762 and 592 kilometres; consumption, according to the manufacturer, lies between 18.5 and 14.1 kWh, which is indeed quite realistic. Thanks to 800-volt system technology, a range of up to 325 kilometres (WLTP) can be recharged within just 10 minutes. The C 400 4MATIC electric has a new lithium-ion battery with a usable energy content of 94 kWh.

Sporting pleasure… with exemplary energy recuperation.

We drove the car during our test most of the time in comfort mode, but we must tell you that sporting pleasure is also to be had. Indeed, the blend of sporty driving dynamics and high long-distance comfort is impressive, to say the least. Our test car came with the optional AIRMATIC air suspension with intelligent suspension control and the 4.5degree rear-axle steering, offering a particularly wide spread between the “Comfort” and “Sport” driving programmes.

The air suspension lowers the vehicle when the “Sport” driving programme is selected, enhancing both driving dynamics and stability. It has to be experienced to be believed. The AIRMATIC features intelligent, predictive damping and indeed offers top-grade comfort.

Range is further enhanced by the so-called “One-box” braking system, offering a natural brake pedal feel combined with impressive recuperation performance. Indeed, almost all braking processes are carried out entirely by recuperation. Surprisingly, even during ABS braking or on icy roads, it can recuperate to ensure maximum efficiency. The recuperation power is up to 300 kW. The recuperation output can be adjusted using the shift paddles, and the C 400 can even brake electrically to a standstill, thus recovering kinetic energy, which we did many times in urban driving during our test.

Intelligent driver assistance systems…which you can expand at will by ordering through the app…

Let us first point out that via the MercedesBenz Store and the MercedesBenz app, customers can flexibly customise their CClass with Digital Extras at any time and adapt it to changing needs. The continuously growing portfolio ranges from entertainment, navigation, charging and GUARD 360° to MB.DRIVE driving and parking assistance systems. The entertainment offering currently includes more than 40 apps in various categories, including audio, video, gaming and other services.

The Mercedes-Benz Operating System  enables a navigation experience based on Google Maps. Developed as part of the partnership between Google and MercedesBenz, the navigation solution is one of the first systems to integrate Google Cloud’s new Automotive AI Agent for in-vehicle conversational services in conjunction with Google Maps.;

The car tells you where to charge on your trip…

The intelligent navigation system recognises when a charging stop is necessary and automatically plans it in such a way that the total travel time is optimised.

Mercedes-Benz now makes its augmented reality navigation, available in the S-Class and EQS also available in the C-Class. It’s wonderful to see it light up with arrows and graphic displays on the head-up display.

DISTRONIC distance control is also standard. The saloon is equipped with up to 27 cameras (!) and sensors to assist you. Did you know it also has the PRE-SAFE® curve function?  When the navigation is activated, it warns the driver by tightening the seat belt if the driving speed appears to be significantly too fast for the upcoming curve(!).

Practical and spacious

At 2,962 millimetres, the wheelbase is 97 millimetres longer compared to the conventionally powered C-Class saloon. The boot has a capacity of 470 litres. The front boot (frunk) adds a further 101 litres (liquid) of genuinely usable storage space. The all-new electric C-Class can tow up to 1.8 tonnes (braked) with a semi-electric trailer coupling (optional).

Conclusion

The C 400 4MATIC indeed sets high standards in its segment, showing clearly what the brand sees as important in its cars and stressing its values of engineering and mechanical excellence, build quality, performance, safety and comfort. It also expands the boundaries in the EV segment when it comes to efficiency, speed and range. This car will be coveted by many as the benchmark for many years to come…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographer’s notes:

We used our faithful Canon G9 X, but for further interior details we also took our iconic Fujifilm X100F, a camera that has absolutely stunning classical looks and brings back the pleasure of photography.

It has an optical viewer, which also lets you see the digital image if you want. It has all the wonderful Fuji film modes to choose from, and it has a 24.3 MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor, a fast X-Processor Pro image processor, an improved 91-point AF system and an updated button layout with joystick autofocus control for easier AF point selection. I bought it second hand about 5 years ago, and it is a wonderful camera indeed…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Subaru Uncharted 4E-experience: a stylish 4WD that leaves you electrified…

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Subaru has always been a brand which we admired. Its 4WD know-how, its legendary boxer engines—all this has stolen our hearts for decades. We have driven them as (long-term) test cars, put them through their paces on indeed, uncharted terrain many times. And they always left us impressed. But times are changing, and the boxer engine has to go eventually, as we need a cleaner world. Indeed, the hybrid models will not be built beyond 2027.

So, Subaru now goes electric, and we must admit, after having tested this 343-hp FWD Uncharted 4E-xperience, it certainly is electrifying. By going electric, Subaru relies here on a formidable partner: Toyota. Indeed, their C-HR+ serves as the technical base for the Uncharted. Both cars are built on Toyota-led e-TNGA/electrification hardware. Subaru engineers brought, however, their own touch: the car should handle, feel and drive like a true Subaru. And indeed, it truly does. We will come back to this in detail below.

To sum it up: Subaru engineers’ role was mainly application engineering, AWD/vehicle-dynamics tuning, validation, and Subaru-specific integration.

Interior

The dashboard reflects the current Subaru design language also found in the latest Solterra. We liked the position of the digital instrument display very much, i.e. further towards the windscreen and higher up. It is completely in line with the driver’s view, and the Subaru stylists have flattened the steering wheel rim somewhat, so one has an undisturbed view of the instruments in the cluster.

The finish is top-notch, the front seats are also excellent, stemming, it seems, from Lexus…

At the back, the sloping roofline of the Uncharted limits headroom somewhat for the tallest, but it is still more than adequate for 3 adults.

At the centre is a large 14-inch touchscreen with intuitive menus. Of course, it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It has two large smartphone charging docks on the centre console. We were glad to see analogous HVAC controls below the touchscreen, with two large dials for temperature settings for the driver and front passenger. The seating position behind the wheel was ideal for us.

We also loved, of course, the 10-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system with subwoofer and 8 channel amplifier, and we would say, always invest in a good sound system in your EV, as its uncanny smooth silence will always be ideal for you to enjoy the finest music.

Driving

The joy of driving is rediscovered in this 343-hp EV. The acceleration performance is absolutely stellar, with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in a short 5 seconds. Top speed is sensibly limited to 160 km/h. We found the handling of this just over 2-tonne Subaru nimble and dynamic. Indeed, the Subaru engineers did their homework. The fine-tuning for ride/handling balance, body control, steering feel, and Subaru “driver confidence” character is top-notch.

This is likely the clearest Subaru engineering fingerprint: the different damping/steering/ESC calibration versus the C-HR+, where it should be remembered that the suspension architecture, wheelbase, and hard points are shared anyway, so the tuning freedom for the Subaru engineers was limited.

Then, let’s not forget, there is the X-MODE / off-road behaviour. Also a Subaru forte, embodying calibration of throttle, torque split, brake-based traction, and hill/loose-surface behaviour.

The Uncharted is also excellent at speed, with well-dampened noise and unerring stability.

Of course, in urban and busy traffic, there is also the Subaru Eyesight suite of digital safety guards, and a 360° camera is standard throughout the Uncharted range.

With such abundant power available, you are well advised to choose the more sedate “eco” mode and choose a proper regeneration level when you want to achieve some creditable consumption figures. The 4E-experience version has the 77 kWh battery, and with an average WLTP consumption of 15,6 kWh/100 km, the corresponding range is a quite reasonable 495 km.

Charging is very much in line with class standards. AC charging is possible at 22 kW, DC (fast) charging is up to 150 kW. In combination with battery preconditioning, you can charge the battery from 10 to 80 % in just under 30 minutes.

Steering is sensitive and precise, brakes are evidently up to the task.

Practicality

Luggage space is set at 403 L in normal configuration, 1.323 l with rear seat backrests down. There is no “frunk” or front luggage space available. Interesting is that in the 4WD configuration, you can tow up to 1500 kg, when you opt for the front wheel drive versions only up to 750 kg is allowed.

Conclusion

The Subaru Uncharted offers zest, performance, and this not only in its top version by the way, combined with excellent workmanship and very pleasing style. It is of course, reliable, as it is based on the Toyota C-HR+, but with added personality and character thanks to Subaru’s finetuning. It comes with  a generous 8 year unlimited mileage guarantee too… so if you go for individuality and character in a smooth and stylish package, this is the EV car for you…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographer’s notes:

All the photos here in this test were made by my trusty Canon Powershot G9 X. It is so popular and well used that the battery lid has broken, and I use a ’60 vintage flash mount bracket screwed in the tripod mount to hold the camera together.

This little one I have now about 10 years, but its small size, big one inch sensor and the fast F 2-4.9 zoom lens 28-84 mm equivalent makes it such a nice camera to use.

You have also touch screen mode, just touch your finger on the screen, it will focus on the subject spot where you touch it, and also immediately make the photo. I did not think I would use it much, but I do! This cute Canon is handy, slips in your bag smartly, and looks very nice too! To add to the style, I use a bag of the same colour as the camera…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Kia Seltos Hybrid and K4 Hybrid make their European premiere…

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The beststeller Kia Seltos goes now hybrid too…

On the Paris Mondial de l’Auto 2026, Kia introduced its Seltos Hybrid to the European market.

The globally quite succesful Seltos is now already in its second generation, and strengthens Kia’s SUV line-up in the very competitive and and fast-growing C-SUV segment. Indeed, the Seltos is Kia’s second best-selling model globally.

The Seltos Hybrid is Kia’s first model to feature an e-AWD system, enabling precise torque distribution, improved traction and enhanced stability. The model further expands Kia’s European hybrid offering, providing customers with additional choice alongside models including the Sportage, Niro and K4.

The e-AWD system lets an electric motor drive the rear wheels, when under slippery road conditions 4WD is necessary…

New Kia K4 Hybrid makes also its European motor show debut…

The 2026 Paris Motor Show marks the European motor show debut of the new Kia K4 Hybrid, ahead of the scheduled start of production on 15 October 2026.

The new hybrid powertrain completes the line-up with a 1.6-litre GDI engine paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, delivering a combined output of 154 PS.

Available in Hatchback and Sportswagon body styles, the new variant combines the K4’s design with enough room inside, and last but not least advanced technology with a full hybrid powertrain, further broadening Kia’s electrified offering in the European C-segment.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the new Subaru EV range: an ideal fit for Europe…

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We drove the new Subaru EV range – here you see the Solterra – on roads and terrain around the Château-Ferme de Moreinsart in Ottignies…

Subaru has now also joined the EV trend with its new range, the Uncharted, Solterra and E-Outback. Subaru, the high-tech company with an impressive sporting history and a tradition of absolute engineering excellence, develops its new EV’s in a 50-50 % in a team-building framework with Toyota.

We were welcomed by Subaru Benelux PR Manager Dick Braakhekke…

and Kobayashi Kota, Business Coordinator of Subaru Benelux…who explained the DNA of Subaru…

Of course, it conserves its proper DNA. Kobayashi Kota, Business Coordinator of Subaru Benelux, explains: where Toyota engineers concentrate on the engineering and development of the E-Axle, the traction and the advanced EV battery, and last but not least brings in the e-global platform, Subaru develops the AWD system and e-axle management, develops the (suspension) setup and drivability, and is also responsible for safety.
 

The stylish Uncharted was our first drive, and stole our hearts…

We could drive the three cars of Subaru’s new EV family on the winding roads around the Château-Ferme de Moreinsart in Ottignies. The castle also has a magnificent terrain in its surrounding woods, were we could experience the impressive AWD terrain qualities of the Subaru’s, a quality were the brand is (so) very famous for.

Indeed, the Subaru engineers have developed and honed this to perfection, and we found that the cars were totally easy to drive through terrain, and that even a total novice could steer the car safely over the most demanding off road tracks. Needless to say that we would like for you to put these cars through a more extended road and terrain test for you soon…

A well balanced range…

We start here with the Uncharted, the shortest of the three, with a total length of 4,535 meter. All the cars run on the same platform, but the Uncharted has a shorter wheelbase of 2,750 meter. It is also the lightest of the three, with 1,850 kg when you opt for the 2 WD ‘base’ version with 123 kW or 167 HP. Mind you, in this ‘2E excite’ version, you still enjoy plenty of zest with an acceleration from 0 to 100 in merely 8,2 seconds.

You have a 58 kWh battery which gives you a WLTP range of some 451 km. Its price is attractive with 36.995 including VAT at the moment of writing. We found the exterior (the) most pleasing, and also the interior made us smile. The seating position is excellent, and still in the revered Subaru tradition, the car handles very engaging indeed, and actually the same goes for the Solterra and the E-outback.

The compact Uncharted still seats five easily, and of course you can have more power and range, together with AWD. The top “4E-experience+” version gives you 252kW/343hp combined with a 77 kWh battery. WLTP range is then 490 km and it is good to know that the towing capacity is not less than  1,500 kg. This version is at the time of writing priced at 47.995 Euros.

The Solterra (see photo here above) comes in an ‘4E experience’ version which costs exactly the same as the ‘experience+’ version of the Uncharted, with the same battery capacity and engine power, but here the car is longer overall with 4,690 m and has a longer wheelbase of 2,850 m. It can also tow 1,500 kg and has a larger boot space of 452 l compared with 403 l for the Subaru Uncharted.

The E-Outback is the top of the range model, has the same wheelbase as the Solterra, but is the longest with 4,845 meter and also the most powerful with a 280 kW/381 HP motor, which puts performance almost in the supercar league. The car is available in 4E experience and experience+ versions, with the WLTP range in the most dynamic version being 477 km with its 74,7 kW battery.

We also put the E-Outback through its paces on the off-road course, and we were truly impressed by the uncanny ease with which it tackled every possible terrain challenge we put to it. The inexperienced driver is aided by Subaru’s unparalleled driver-assistance system.

Its ‘Hill Descent Control’ is fully integrated into their X-Mode system – an enhancement to their standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive drivetrain. With X-MODE activated, HDC is automatically engaged when it detects a descent. Subaru’s hill descent control can only be used when driving under 12 mph and controls the throttle response and brakes when moving up steep hills to ensure traction is kept.

We will be driving the Subaru Uncharted and the other new EV’s after the summer holidays. Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel


 


 

InterClassics Brussels 2025 was an absolute hit…

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In the vast “palaces” of the iconic Brussels Expo, the 10th edition of this event proved quite popular, with no less than 29.472 enthusiasts admiring the four-wheeled classics. Special theme of the show was the celebration of the looks, fury and sound of the V12 engine, which is of course at home in many supercars. The good news is that these wonderful engines are here to stay, as our Brussels EU politicians are going to allow combustion engines to live on after 2035…

The festival of supercars: a Koeningsegg was admired by many…

The show also focused on the 75th anniversary of Formula 1. Many supercars were therefore to be seen on the show, and this inspired the organiser MECC Maastricht to provide a special “Supercar Foyer” at the InterClassics Maastricht, which is to be held from 15 to 18 January in Maastricht.

International character

Organiser Erik Panis also mentions the international character of the show, and indeed, it is becoming one of the hallmarks of the Brussels event. It has now grown to the biggest indoor classic car event in the Benelux. Also, if you look at the number of cars which changed hands on the show, one notes that the classic car sector is still growing…

BEHVA promotes youth education…

One of the important partners of MECC is the Belgian Historic Vehicle Association (BEHVA). They worked actively to support students and teachers in car maintenance, repair, and service. Indeed, without the (specialized) professional mechanical and service know-how in repair and workshops and classic car care centres, the classic car industry and sector simply cannot survive and have a good future.

Many beauties were to be found on the show, and our beloved Royal Historical Vehicle Club Belgium, which had put up a beautiful stand at the InterClassics show, won a special prize with a well-preserved Lincoln Continental Mark II built in 1957. The club also celebrated its 50 years of existence…

The body, interior, and chassis of this Continental are totally original; of course, the mechanics underwent a thorough overhaul to make it roadworthy and reliable. For Emmanuel de Menten, (here far left in the photo), the proud owner of this Lincoln with classic “European” and Latin/Italianate styling language, hence the name “Continental”,  owning this car is the fulfillment of a child’s dream…

On the photo below you see the counselor and member of the executive committee of Autoworld Brussels, Leo Van Hoorick, handing over the Special Price of the BEHVA Jury to RHVCB President Michel Van Eesbeeck.    

Celebrating 50 years of VW Polo…

Your servant vividly remembers driving the Audi 50 as a test car, and soon after I sat behind the wheel of the first Polo, a more dressed down version of the Audi sister model, launched in 1975. The original Polo 1 was sold in not less than 1,1 million units, and was built, including a facelift, until 1981. Of course, the history of the Polo merits a special article by itself and we will come back on this.


 

We limit ourselves here to the remarkable Polo models on the VW stand of the show, the Polo Harlekin and the Polo R WRC.

The story of the “Harlekin” is a special one. When the third generation of the Polo was introduced in 1994, Volkswagen also launched its modular production system. This allowed some parts to be exchanged with other models and brands within the group.

To highlight this approach, a small group of production engineers decided to fit ten Polos with body parts of different colours, and the Wolfsburg marketing department liked the idea and decided to make a limited production run for the German market. In total, from 1995 to 1997, 3.806 units were built, with 103 extra right hand drive Polos for the UK market.

The Polo R WRC is an icon of the World Rally Championship! Over four seasons, this car ensured that Volkswagen Motorsport and its beloved duo Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia won four world titles for manufacturers, and the same number for drivers and co-drivers. Of the 52 rallies in which the Polo R WRC participated, the car won 43 (or 82.7%) and at least one of its drivers finished on the podium 50 times.

The Polo R WRC, which is showcased at the Belgian VW Club stand during InterClassics, is the car that Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia used in 2013. The 1.6-litre turbo engine produces around 315 hp, a power that is transmitted to all four wheels via a sequential gearbox. Good for a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than four seconds!

You can write the next InterClassics Brussels in your agenda: it is scheduled from 20 to 22 november next year!

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

We drove the Opel Mokka Hybrid: the bestseller with lightning style and panache…  

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The Opel Mokka, one of the bestsellers in the Opel range, has got a facelift combined with some important technical refinements. More than reason enough to put the hybrid version through its paces for you here.  It was the first Opel to receive the now iconic characteristic brand fascia, the so-called “Opel Vizor”, and now it got even more character: with the facelift the black Vizor visually integrates the new Blitz and the headlights into one element. Black elements are decidedly en vogue: a black design line runs from the bonnet to the rear above the side windows. Black claddings at the front, rear and wheel arches also give a more sporting look.

Also in the cabin things have further improved. First of all, there is a new steering wheel, flattened at the top and bottom and made from vegan material, with the new Blitz emblem proudly at the centre.

The centre console between the front seats, in a matt silver tone, has a cleaner, upmarket style and the design of the remaining switches for the electric parking brake and the selectable driving modes is identical to the all-new Opel Grandland. The material of the seats consists now of recycled material, but it is good to know that the whole cabin gives now a decidedly more upmarket impression.

A hybrid with 48 Volt technology…

Opel calls it a “modern hybrid”, and it consists of a 100 kW (136 hp) 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 21 kW (28 hp) electric motor and an electrified six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission is very smooth, the electric motor assists the engine in accelerations with helpful extra torque and all this results in very pleasant performance combined with excellent efficiency.

When accelerating slowly and driving at moderate constant speeds on city boulevards, the engine will run at very low revs in the highest possible gears, and this without any noticeably noise or vibrations. Pushing the trottle a bit further will cause the E-motor to react immediately and the transmission will intantly choose the correct gear for the engine to step in.

Driven with restraint, you will easily achieve a consumption in city driving at around 6 litres/100 km, and even slightly lower, whereas cruising on the open road will let the consumption drop to around 5,2 litres/100 km. According to WLTP standards, fuel consumption is 4.9 l/100 km, CO2 emissions are 110 g/km; the CO2 label is a C.

The 3 cylinder engine has now a chain driven distribution system, and the Continetal-developed oil lubricated belt has been abandoned, resulting in improved reliability.

A drivers’ car…  

We find Opels always very attractive drivers’ cars, striking a very good balance between comfort, performance and a predictable, engaging handling. The Mokka again proved this wonderfully. It responds admirably to a brisk driving style, but will never let you feel uncomfortable when you decide to drive smoothly and leasurely.

Seating position behind the wheel is also excellent. The knee room for rear passengers is somewhat more restrained, and boot space is not cavernous either, but with 350 litres is still sufficient for most.

Performance is excellent, with the Mokka proving to be an “Autobahn Meister” with a smooth top speed of 207 km/h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 in just above 9 seconds. This Mokka is a fast GT, let this be said. This performance is almost identical to the original Porsche 2 litre 911, don’t forget!  

… with up to scratch infotainment

The facelifted Mokka also is no laggard when it comes to modern infotainment. The cockpit uses Qualcomm Technologies’ next generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform and Snapdragon Auto Connectivity Platform3 to enable premium in-vehicle experiences, including state-of-the-art graphics, multimedia and enhanced connectivity capabilities such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 4G, says Opel.

A 10-inch digital driver information display and an equally large colour touchscreen are also standard. The latter can be easily operated via widgets, just like a smartphone – alternatively and in combination with the optional navigation system, a ‘Hey, Opel’ is enough to use the natural voice recognition.
 

Both displays can be personalised. The system recognises the driver’s personal profile on the connected smartphone; the connection is always wireless in the new Mokka. Virtual shortcuts can be set up on the central screen and you can choose between different colour schemes.

When ordered with the integrated navigation system, map updates are made available over-the-air. The system also constantly learns and – based on the habits of the linked driver profile – independently suggests destinations and routes.

The “myOpel” app can also be used to easily send the destination and the corresponding route to your car.  Furthermore, Opel offers ChatGPT4 (available in combination with Connected Navigation) for the new Mokka…

To sum it all up, we liked the Mokka Hybrid very much indeed, having style, performance, offering driving pleasure combined with excellent performance and economy, all this combined with a very reasonable price…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographers’ notes: Here we used again our faithful Canon G9X. After years of intensive use, the battery lid latch is broken, and therefore we have to use a camera support bracket straight from the sixties… but this adds extra balance and stability when taking photos at slower shutter speeds…

This little gem has 20 megapixels for you, and has an optical soom with 28–84 mm equivalent focal length. It has quite reasonable low light capabilities with a maximum ISO of 12800, shoots 1080 P video and weighs only 208 grams…

We took a 1969 Austin Healey Sprite Mk IV through the Belgian technical inspection…

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Enjoying and driving an oldtimer means also that you have to take it to the technical inspection in regular intervals.

In Belgium, a car is an “oldtimer” when it has been registered 30 years ago. You can then register your car with an “O” (oldtimer) license plate. This means that you enjoy reduced road tax, but on the other hand the use of the car is restricted. Any commercial and/or professional use is prohibited. You cannot use it as stage prop or décor for film productions for example. Neither can you use it for weddings and other special occasions which involves transporting passengers, even when this is done for free. Nor can you use the car as a daily commuter between home and work.

As Belgium has three regions, notably Brussels, Flanders and the Walloon region, the regulations for technical inspection for oldtimers show some differences.

In the Brussels region, cars between 30 and 50 years old have to be taken to the technical inspection every two years. When the car is older, you have to do this only every 5 years. This was the case for our Sprite…

In the Flanders region, the rules are identical. If your car is older than 1st of  January 1926, you don’t have to submit the car to a technical inspection.

In the Walloon region, cars between 30 and 50 years have also to be inspected every two years. However, when a car older than 30 years has a “historic value or interest”, it is set free of periodic inspection. The car has to be in original condition and out of production, and no major modifications are allowed, except replacing the chassis when necessary, change to radial tires, and of course all the (safety) changes and improvements which are legally prescribed over the years.

Cars older than 50 years don’t have to be taken to inspection any more.

So we took the Austin Healey Sprite out of its winter sleep two weeks before the inspection. Of course we picked a day when the weather was fine. As the Sprite has been fairly recently fully restored and has  enjoyed an extensive mechanical overhaul, we did not expect too many problems. Also the battery had been replaced recently. Starting the engine was nevertheless somewhat hesitant, as it did not fire up after two attempts after having waited previously for the fuel pump to fill the carburettor fuel reservoirs. We had the choke fully out, and were uncertain whether the air/fuel mixture was correct, so to prevent the engine from over-flooding we gently pressed the accelerator halfway on the third attempt and the engine then immediately fired up. We found the engine idling steadily, but nevertheless rather rough, so some tuning of the two SU carburetors might be necessary. We have the impression the air/fuel mixture setting is rather lean for the moment, but only a tune up using mixture measuring instruments will tell.

Oil pressure was OK, which is to be expected as the engine had been totally restored. We took the Sprite for its first spring tour over a distance of a good 35 kilometers, keeping a watchful eye on the cooling temperature and oil pressure gauges and letting the engine and drive train warm up thoroughly. Of course (hand)brake and all the controls were tested.

Several weeks later it was time to put it through the technical inspection. We did not expect many problems, and indeed there weren’t any. The inspectors admired the clean engine bay, and the 1275 cc Series A BMC engine, which is basically identical in the Mini Cooper S, save for the tuning. It makes the 714 kg Sprite quite a lively performer, where it develops a healthy 65 HP at 5800 rpm. Mind you, acceleration is rather brisk with 0 to 100 km/h reached in about 12,5 seconds. The engine is a long stroke unit, therefore quite flexible, developing a good torque for its size of 98 Nm at 3000 rpm.

The BMC A series engine is a very interesting and beautiful “classic” engine, and has a very long history. We will come back in more detail about this engine in further posts.

As said, the technical inspection went without a hitch, as brakes, suspension, chassis and all auxiliaries were found to be in perfect working order. The engine’s CO2 emissions were also found to be OK, taking into account the historic emission standards of course. Apparently it was a good idea that we left the carburetor settings unchanged for the time being, although the idle is still rather rough. 

So we received a “green” inspection report, which is now valid for another five years. 

On the way back from the technical inspection, we used the motorway for most of the trip, and the Sprite was happily cruising along with a beautiful exhaust roar at some 3500 rpm. 

We now also filled up the fuel tank, choosing 98 octane fuel, and avoiding the use of Euro E10 95 octane petrol, which contains 10 pct methanol. There is a product “Classic Valvemaster plus” sold amongst others by Anglo Parts, which protects engines originally designed to run on leaded fuel for the negative effects of Methanol. Another product they distribute is EPS Ethanol protection from Millers Oils. We performed a major cleaning and detailing session with the Sprite to bring it to (almost) concours condition before we used it our next sortie , driving it to Mechelen for the “British Car Day” organised by Anglo Parts on the 26th of April, were the Sprite was proudly present on the stand of the Royal Historical Vehicle Club and met wich much interest from young and old… 

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Luggage space is absolutely cavernous…

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

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

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

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

Roomy and practical

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

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

Infotainment

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


Conclusion

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

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

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

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Renaissance on a well proven platform

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

Iconic cabin

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

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

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

Smooth EV power…

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

Hans knol ten Bensel 

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

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

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

D’Ieteren celebrates 345 years of heritage…

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

And the clean lines of the S6 e-tron…

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

Massive power with style…

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

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


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

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

Maserati, or the unique magic of pur sang…

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel