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We drove the Mercedes 450e S Class: the pinnacle of luxury motoring…

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The Mercedes S-Class has been the benchmark of luxury limousine comfort since 1972. Now we are at the W223 series, and it is still unsurpassed in terms of comfort, workmanship, mechanical and electronic excellence, and last but not least, panache.

Our test car is the plug-in hybrid version of the S-Class, designated as the S 450 e. Furthermore, we drive the “L” or long version, which, of course gives you totally superb rear passenger comfort.
 

Don’t think that this imposing S Class version will be difficult to drive in town: thanks to the rear-axle steering (optional) the turning circle of the S-Class is reduced by up to two metres. The steering angle at the rear axle goes up to 10 degrees…The steering is also surprisingly direct: only 2 turns are needed to steer from full right to left.   

Stepping behind the wheel in this magnificent limousine will however still require some caution, certainly if you wear a hat. The a-pillar is  raked rather steeply for good aerodynamic reasons, but this means that you will still have to tilt your head slightly…

Once your are sitting down you are enveloped in superb somfort. The front seats have a 4 way back support, electronically adjusted, and of course there is a whole (optional) massage program waiting for you, just touch the “comfort” symbol on the large central control screen and you can choose your favorite session…

You can also opt for an active “multi-contour” package, which gives you extra lateral support when you are cornering at speed.
 The cabin bathes you in a wonderful light ambiance, which, of course you can adjust at will.

The instrumentation is clear, the immense screens both in front of the driver and the central screen are largely self-explanatory, although we would still suggest that you take some time to get acquainted with all its wonderful features.

Superb and ultra-refined performance…

The fourth generation of the hybrid drive celebrated its premiere in the S-Class in 2021. The present 450 e version has a 3 litre straight-six cylinder under the hood, developing 220 kW or 299 hp, combined with a rather powerful 110 kW or 150 hp electric motor. The battery is not enormous with 21,96 kWh, but powerful enough to give the 2,5 tonne “e” S-Class a range between 105 and 70 km.

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You can calculate it for yourself on the simulator which you can find on the Mercedes website.

We show you it here in two screenshots: assuming 35 % of the trip made on the Autobahn, the electric only range with an outside temperature of 20° is 100 km, when the ambient temperature drops to 10°, the range drops to 77 km. Quite sufficient in our opinion to perform a daily commute on E-power…

You can charge the battery with a maximum power of 60 kW, and on an ordinary wallbox or public charging point (Max 20 kW on DC) you can charge the battery from 10 to 80 pct in merely 20 minutes.

The outright performance leaves nothing to be desired: this S-Class will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 5,9 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

But the beauty lies of course, in the smooth way all this performance unfolds. The electric engine is totally inaudible, the 6 cylinder 3 litre engine is ideally balanced and vibrationless, and only a soft purr is heard when accelerating hard. The engine is mated to a smooth and alert 9G-TRONIC Plus automatic gearbox, which makes imperceptible gear changes. You have gearchange paddles at the steering wheel, but with 9 gears to choose from, one is soon overwhelmed… and we chose to let the clever gearbox do the work. The 9th gear allows very relaxed cruising at very low revs. At 120 km/h,  the engine exceeds barely 1500 rpm.

Consumption is, of course, very much in function of the battery status, or rather, whether you drive on e-power or not. The WLTP standard consumption is officially quoted at 2,4 l/100km. The manufacturer’s official figure for average e-consumption is 17,4 kWh/100km, which I find a rather more realistic indicator. On the open road, your flagship is still quite economical, due also to its excellent aerodynamics: it has a Cw coefficient of merely 0,22. When you drive at fast cruising speeds, the consumption hardly exceeds 11 l/100 km. Town driving will cost you around 10,5 l/100 km.

Floating carpet comfort…

The S-Class can be considered to be the ultimate standard in limousine driving comfort. It has standard an air suspension with adaptive dampers, and you can opt for E-Active body control, which keeps the car body stable even under very fast cornering. The suspension swallows any road irregularities totally smoothly and this even at very slow speeds, and one truly enjoys a “floating carpet” ride. You can choose between different suspension settings, but even in the “sport” mode the ride remains totally smooth.

Heating and ventilation are also in a class of its own. Two-zone airco is standard, but you can opt for four-zone airco. Of course the rear passengers are spoilt too. You can obtain all conceivable extras, from heated side panels to heated and ventilated seats fore and aft, dark window curtains at the rear; you name it..

Infotainment reaches into the stars…

Mercedes is quite proud of its MBUX infotainment system, and deservedly so. As we said above, the system is quite intuitive, provided you take the effort to study the system and carefully go through all the menus. The indications are chrystal clear and seen on a massive 12,8 inch central touchscreen.  

The sliding volume control for the superb Burmeister (31-speaker!) sound system takes some practice, but soon you become a master at it. You can also choose the instrument layout on the screen in front of you, and the overhead display of our test car was also eminently readable. You can also enjoy the optional augmented reality feature on this display, which shows you, with clearly visible arrows, which route to take…

This flagship Mercedes was updated last year, and has further optimized the MBUX user interface: suggestions for assisted parking are now located more intuitively in the menu. The Mercedes-Benz Automatic Lane Change (ALC) function now offers a further intelligent development: if a slower vehicle is traveling ahead, the car can initiate a lane change itself.

Indeed, if the radar recognizes sufficient open space and lane markings are detected, it can overtake the slower vehicle in front… fully automatically(!). The prerequisites are a motorway-like road with at least two lanes and a speed limit as well as a vehicle equipped with MBUX Navigation. The system does not require any further input from the driver to carry out the automatic lane change. Brave new world, we would say…

Let there be light…

The LED headlights are state of the art, with light shining in bends, combined with excellent long-range visibility with dynamic headlight assistant and extra powerful LED elements. The headlights shine up to a distance of … 650 meters (!).


 

The Long version of the 450 is as you can expect enormously spacious at the rear. But also in front there is enough head- and legroom for 2 metre tall adults. Boot space is of course also sufficient with 450 liters.
 
 Conclusion

The Mercedes S Class continues to be the absolute benchmark in luxury, mechanical and electronic perfection, comfort and sheer performance. Add to this the legendary quality seen in the perfect fit and quality of the materials used, and you know that this car is built for a lifetime of superb motoring.

Of course, all this doesn’t come cheap, even more so when you take into account the long list of optional extras.

But then, when one reaches the pinnacle of what a series production luxury saloon can embody and represent, it is still quite reasonable when compared with exotic supercars…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Photographer’s notes: I used for this test exclusively the Sony Alpha 5100 with the Zeiss Vario Tessar E 4/16-70 ZA OSS lens, again proving to be the ideal companion in difficult low light conditions. One exception, however, is the photo of the driver’s door under the blue ambient lighting. It was taken with our Xiaomi 11T smartphone at f/1.8, handheld at 1/9 sec, with ISO 7800. Proving again how formidable today’s smartphones have become. As the photo was taken in the darkness of an underground garage, we overexposed it 3,3 times using the “pro” mode on our phone to get details of the door and cabin surfaces. The photo below of our Sony camera with its Zeiss lens was also shot with our Xiaomi 11 T. F 1,8 at 1/60 sec with no exposure compensation.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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

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

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Elegance and comfort

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Intuitive user interface…

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

Spacious…

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

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


The magic of a powerful straight six…

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

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

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

Electric support…

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

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

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

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

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

Dynamic handling?

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

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

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

Entering the digital age…

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

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

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

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


Enjoy also personal routines…

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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

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

The iconic city centre of Gouda…

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

Your spacious travelling companion…

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

Superb seating and driving comfort…

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

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

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

Performance and economy

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

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

Fit for urban use

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

Conclusion

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Compact looks

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

Quality…

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

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

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

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

Lively performance 

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

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

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

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

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

Versatile and practical

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

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

Posted in Automobilia, Car News, Car presentations, Car technology, Car Tests, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Environment, Fashion, Lifestyle, New ModelsTagged , Leave a comment

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Modern times…

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

Cocooning

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

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

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

Smooth power

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

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

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

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

Practical

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

Comfort and handling

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

Conclusion

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

BMW makes you dream in the sky…

Posted in Automobilia, Car Events, Car manufacturers strategy, Car News, Car presentations, Concept Cars, Design, Fashion, Lifestyle, New Models, prototypesTagged , Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

Color harmonies…

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

…and luxury in brogue-style leather…

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

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

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

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Lancia is back in our low countries…

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Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg have always been “home” for Lancia. Indeed, our roads were marked 4 to 5 decades ago by the presence of the elegant Fulvia’s, and connoisseurs were at the wheel of the Flaminia’s, not to speak of the beautiful Superleggera’s and later, last but not least, the 4WD Lancia Delta “Integrale”, which still makes the hearts of aficionados beat faster.

The rear lights of the new Ypsylon are reminiscent of the legendary Stratos, with also the “Y” Calice symbol worked in…

Even your servant fell for the brand with the elegant chromed “calice” on its radiator, namely a Dedra 1,8 i.e. By then, Lancia was already part of the larger Fiat concern, and it proved to be an utterly reliable and pleasant companion for four years in my stable, and I still remember it fondly. It already had the beautiful dark blue body paint and equally blue Alcantara interior and seats.

Given this enthusiasm, it is hardly surprising that Stellantis decided to pick the Benelux as one of the ideal places in Europe to have the renaissance of the brand, in line with the “Stellantis Dare Forward” strategic plan.

The Lancia Ypsilon is the much loved debutante…

The Ypsilon has maintained the brand alive in Italy, and has been highly popular there over the years. Not that the new Ypsilon has anything in common with its predecessor. It carries the Lancia Pu+Ra Design (the name a combination of ‘pure’ and ‘radical’), the one-of-a-kind Lancia design language with a timeless touch. The new Ypsilon It is available as a pure EV and in hybrid form. The 156 HP EV with a 51 kW battery has a WLTP measured range of 403 kilometers, the 3 cylinder, 100 HP 48 V hybrid caters for a wide(r) public and can be bought at an attractive base price of 24,000 Euros. The EV has the same technical basis as the Peugeot e-208 and the Opel Corsa Electric, but it certainly has quite different looks.

Lancia presented us their Ypsilon at the launch in a very attractive top notch “Edizione Limitata Cassina” version, whith an iconic “Lancia Blu” color for interior and bodywork, ”panno” wool upholstery for the seats executed in “cannelloni” pattern and as icing on the cake, one is seduced by an iconic “tavola” or small round table in the centre of the dashboard, sitting on top of the centre console. This brings you in the unique S.A.L.A. or “living room” atmosphere, which the Lancia designers created in collaboration with Cassina.

The abbreviation S.A.L.A., meaning living room in Italian, actually stands for Sound, Air, Light, Augmentation and is the new name used for the infotainment system. Its command module sits as a disk on top of the dashboard. We will come back on this system more in detail when we will get acquinted with the Ypsilon, hopefully soon…

This Cassina edition is exclusive: only 1906 units will be produced, and the number is actually also quite symbolic, as 1906 is the year Vicenzo Lancia was born…

The Benelux customer can now order this Ypsilon, and besides the top Cassina and the “base” version, one can also opt for the premium LX version. LX is also symbolic, as it is the Latin acronym for 60, created in 1966 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the brand.

Even the base version is well equipped, with multifunctional steering wheel, automatic airco and keyless entry/start/lock. There is also one 10,25 inch digital instrument screen and an equally big  central touchscreen. Of course Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also provided.

A new dealer and sales network

The renaissance of Lancia comprises also an all-new network made up of 9 new showrooms in Belgium, 6 in the Netherlands, and 1 in Luxembourg, with 12, 6, and 1 after-sales service points respectively. You can order also your new Ypsilon online, if you wish.

Should you opt for a “pure” EV, it is good to know that Lancia offers “Free2move Charge”, a simple, complete, and integrated ecosystem that allows worry free charging at home and gives you access to 600,000 charging points across Europe. Lancia offers also the Easy Wallbox Home Charging solution and has interesting financial renting offers in store, worked out in collaboration with Stellantis Financial Services.

Last but not least, we had at the presentation an interview with Barbara de Mol, Marketing Director for Lancia and Alfa Romeo, about Lancia’s dealer/sales and marketing approach in our country. It to be published soon, so stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

We drove the Nissan X-Trail e-Power e-4ORCE : the best of both worlds?

Posted in Automobilia, Car News, Car Tests, Design, E-mobility R &D and solutions, Lifestyle, New Models, UncategorizedTagged , , , , Leave a comment

Nissan is carving itself a wonderful niche in the electrified SUV world, with both its popular Qashqai and the all new X-Trail.

It offers a bold technological solution for these two popular models by decoupling the engine entirely from the proper drivetrain, letting it act solely as a generator to one (and in this case two) electric motors.

The idea behind it is obvious: it offers the pulling power and mechanical refinement of the electric motor and at the same time it avoids the inefficiency of the combustion engine when it operates under low charge  situations combined with relatively high revs, like in urban stop start traffic.

It lets the engine do its charging work under ideal thermal working conditions and loads, and uses a small(er) battery to deliver the extra electric energy when needed in specific driving situations, like starting off from standstill or engaging in fierce acceleration. Ideal? Let’s find out…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Smooth…

The driving impressions are indeed very convincing: progress is silky smooth, and indeed the X-Trail is delightful to drive in town and slow traffic.

The ample torque of both electric motors inspires confidence, and lets you master every driving situation. The combustion engine, a 1,5 litre three cylinder, is well insulated and hardly audible. Its recharging task depends of course on how much e-power you want it to deliver, and therefore the more relaxed your driving style, the less you hear it. Whether it will rev higher depends also on the driven speed, soo clever! The Nissan engineers did a very good job here, as this gives a very “natural” impression to driver and passengers.

Total power of our top op the range e-Power e-4orce X-Trail is not less than 213 HP, and the torque is even more important with 330 Nm at the front and 220 Nm at the rear. Smooth performance is the result: the 1,9 tonne 7 seater will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds and the top speed is an impressive 180 km/h. Indeed, this X-Trail will never feel underpowered.

Geared for comfort…

Does the X-Trail awaken the sporting driver in you? Well, rather not. Its utter smoothness puts you rather in a “Zen” mood, and the comfortable suspension does the rest. The car is well balanced and stable in all circumstances, and this adds to the overall relaxing character of the car.

Well being is also found in the cabin. Of course, the top Tekna+ equipment version spoils your senses. The interior is also well laid out, stylish and the designers did keep wisely an array of knobs so you quickly find your way intuitively to all the functions of this X-Trail. We also liked the look of the digital instruments and screen display.

The X-trail e-4ORCE AWD is with its dual motors and 4WD very well at home off- road too…

… but also for economy?

The Nissan engineers had first and foremost the mechanical smoothness of e-propulsion in mind, and combined this with range comfort. Consumption seemed not to be an absolute priority. Nissan opted for a smaller  battery, not least because it would cost room, make the car heavier and pricier. This means that the engine has nowhere to dump its generating power when the battery is full. Of course, the drivetrain software will shut the IC engine down as soon as possible, or let it turnover purely on e-power. Having said this, if you adopt a relaxed driving style, it is quite possible to achieve a consumption between 7,5 and 8 litres, which is quite efficient for a car weighing close to two tonnes. Official figures indicate an average consumption of 6,4 litres/100 km, and 146 g/km of CO2 emissions.

A seven seater…

Indeed, this X-Trail will transport two youngsters on the third row seat, but this is not meant to be for super long trips. But a short run to the supermarket or football club is always in the cards, and this can be quite practical on more occasions than you would expect.

Conclusion

This Nissan X-Trail e-4ORCE is a very well balanced, refined car which offers you all the sophisticated “Zen” pleasures of electric driving combined with the range and long distance cruising panache of IC engined cars. It is very well finished, is lavishly equipped and offers more than adequate space.

We were so seduced by all its good qualities that we decided to join a Nissan e-Power e-4ORCE to our stable of cars, so soon we will inform  you regularly about how it behaves in long term use…

Hans Knol ten Bensel 

D’Ieteren offers innovative and tailored mobility solutions to its B2B clients…

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It is a significant trend: the major automotive brands in our Belgian market organize targeted events to approach their customers in the absence of a Belgian Motor Show this year.

So from March 12 onwards, Mobility Solutions by D’Ieteren, formerly Group Mobility Solutions, immerses its B2B audience in an exclusive experience that focuses on innovative solutions and the leading trends in sustainable mobility.

“Developing seamless and sustainable mobility for everyone by offering our customers a connected mobility ecosystem: that is, in a nutshell, what we stand for,” says Joris Spigt, director of Mobility Solutions by D’Ieteren. “During our Mobility Experience by D’Ieteren, we therefore invite the B2B audience to get up close and personal with all the novelties within the entire ecosystem of mobility solutions that D’Ieteren has to offer today.”

News from the  VW Group car brands…

There is quite some news. For example, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will not only be showing the new Tiguan e-Hybrid at this event, the ID.7 Tourer will also be present, just like the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase and seven seats. One can also see the latest generation ID.3 and the ID.2 all-concept: a design study of a compact, fully electric model that will have a base price from € 25,000.

Škoda, for its part, is presenting two Belgian premieres: the new Superb Combi and the Kodiaq iV.. The latter is now available as a plug-in hybrid, further strengthening its B2B potential.

CUPRA presents the new Tavascan, the brand’s very first fully electric, sporty SUV. It is flanked by the also fully electric, compact UrbanRebel concept car that provides a glimpse of the future of CUPRA, and by the current Formentor and Born models.

Audi’s long-term vision is given concrete form by the camouflaged prototype of the Q6 e-tron that will be unveiled very soon. A new SUV that perfectly embodies the electric DNA of the four-ring brand with even more autonomy thanks to the new Premium Platform Electric technology platform.

Finally, Porsche will be showing its latest Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, which with its combination of power and emotions guarantees an unparalleled driving experience.

Seamless mobility offered…

In addition to the product novelties, Mobility Solutions by D’Ieteren will make time and space available during this show for all the mobility services it offers. The best known are probably the financial solutions of VDFin and the mobility sharing service Poppy/MyPop, but providers such as Joule, Taxis Verts/Husk, My Way/Audi Approved+, EDI/Go Solar and Mbrella are also present.

Finally, Wondercar is part of the mobility ecosystem in its own way and highlights this with a creative activation that tests the stress level of fleet managers when someone damages their company car.

Interactive workshops are also organized…

“But with our Mobility Experience by D’Ieteren we go one step further,” explains Joris Spigt, “by also strategically familiarizing our B2B audience with the mobility of today and tomorrow. In four interactive workshops we inform them about how they can integrate new transport modes into their policy, how new technologies can provide guidance and how they can tailor a mobility strategy to the ambitions of their company and the expectations of their employees.”

We show you the photos here, and needless  to say that we are keen to test for you the numerous novelties D’Ieteren has in store for us…

Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We drove the Cupra Formentor 2.0 TSI 4Drive: punch and style

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Faithful Autoprova readers remember the test report of the Cupra Formentor 1.5 TSI, and we liked very much the Cupra’s style, handling and overall behaviour. We found also the performance more than adequate, but the dynamic PR team of the Belgian importer D’Ieteren suggested that we make a test drive with the 2.0 TSI 4Drive version, as it will show even better the superb balance and true grit of the Cupra. So we did, and indeed, we finished this test with a smile on our face…Just read on!

By the way, do you know what “Formentor” actually means? We looked it up for you: Formentor refers to a place or location, and is often associated with scenic or picturesque natural landscapes and can be found in various regions around the world. For example, Formentor is a well-known cape in the island of Mallorca, Spain, renowned for its breathtaking views and beautiful beaches. Now you know!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Smooth power…

As soon as we push the starting knob and put the 7 speed DSG in “D”, we are impressed by the pulling power of this 2 litre unit, developing not less than 320 Nm of torque over a wide rev range, i.e. between 1500 and 4100 rpm. Not that you need any high revs to get ahead with verve, and indeed this is a nice big pulling engine for your svelte and relatively light Formentor, which only puts some 1521 kg on the scale. This is the Volkswagen Group EA888 series engine, a well proven DOHC unit with DCVV (continuously variable valve timing), developing 140 kW/190 HP between 4200 and 6000 rpm.

The performance leaves nothing to be desired. The acceleration figures speak for themselves: it costs only 7,3 seconds to reach 100 km/h, and the top speed is not less than 220 km/h. Aficionados will say this is more like a Cupra is supposed to be… Intermediate acceleration figures also speak volumes: from 60 to 100 km/h costs only 4 seconds, 80 to 120 km/h only 5,4 seconds.

The engine feels and sounds never stressed, and is silent and smooth. In combination with an alert DSG with fast and imperceptible changes and a variable 4 wheel drive you soon feel light-hearted and start truly enjoying this Formentor.

As revs remain low even with spirited progress, consumption stays very reasonable indeed. We achieved an average of 7,3 liters/100 km, with a fair amount of faster driving involved. We find this an excellent value. Of course, when one uses the performance to the full, well over 8 liters is consumed over 100 km, a figure which is however still quite creditable, given the performance achieved. CO2 emissions are set at 202 g/km.

Excellent handling

The 190 HP Formentor can be had optionally with the DCC variable suspension setup and you can choose between  good comfort up to firm sporting fit for razor sharp, flat cornering with virtually no body roll whatsoever. Combined with the sensitive and precise steering, it is a delightful car for the expert driver or the ordinary mortal who now and then wants to have some sporting pleasure behind the wheel. Motorway stability at (very) high speeds is excellent, and the steering is not too nervous, so this Formentor is totally fit for effortless high speed long distance driving.

During our test, we had a stint of (very) impressive snowy winter weather, so we were able to put the variable 4WD through its paces. It proved very efficient and kept us on the slippery and frozen snowy country roads always on the right path…

Conclusion

The Cupra Formentor really comes into its own with this lively 2 litre engine. The performance levels are excellent. In our country, the fiscal treatment of this version is not too good, and therefore one should – with this in mind – also have a look at the 1.4 litre e-Hybrid version(s), with 150 kW/204 PS and 180 kW/245 PS respectively. Maybe within the foreseeable future we can test one for you…

Stay tuned!

Hans Knol ten Bensel  

Photographers notes:

We shot the photos here agan with our Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-1000. The Leica Vario Elmarit aspherical f 2.8-4 25-400 mm lens delivers excellent results, with excellent sharpness and contrast, despite its very wide zoom range.