In a world where green car taxation and the fight for the preservation of our planet set new standards, electric luxury cars are sprouting up like mushrooms. They embody a future where innovation, refinement, and sustainability embrace each other. But even cars with combustion engines are still making their debut as gems.
Text and composition by Anja Van Der Borght
Volvo EX30
Globally, there is a growing demand for small, fully electric premium SUVs. Many city dwellers are looking for a car that offers the convenience of commuting to work while reflecting their personality or carrying the necessities for their hobbies. The Volvo EX30 perfectly meets this demand. Although it may be the smallest SUV ever from the Swedish car manufacturer, it still offers ample space. Additionally, it is as safe as you would expect from a Volvo and is designed to protect you and others in a busy urban environment. For example, the EX30 features a special safety function that helps prevent so-called ‘door’ accidents by warning of approaching cyclists, scooters, or runners when you are about to open the door. Production of the Volvo EX30 started earlier this fall in Zhangjiakou (China), but Volvo Cars has also decided to build the fully electric SUV in its factory in Ghent in 2025, making it a bit Belgian too. Starting price €38,990.
www.volvocars.com
BMW i5
The eighth generation of the world’s most successful business sedan, the BMW 5 Series, which will be available from spring, also marks the introduction of the fully electric BMW i5. At launch, you will have a choice of two variants. The BMW i5 eDrive40 Sedan with a combined energy consumption of 18.9 – 15.9 kWh/100 km. This variant delivers a power output of up to 250 kW/340 hp and has a range of 498 to 582 kilometers. The top model of the series is the BMW i5 M60 xDrive Sedan, with an impressive power output of up to 442 kW/601hp (combined energy consumption: 20.6 – 18.2 kWh/100 km). Not much is known yet, but it is known that a unique torque control optimizes the traction, dynamics, and driving stability of the very first fully electric BMW 5 Series Sedan. Prices not yet known.
www.bmw.be
Polestar 4
Also worth looking forward to is the Polestar 4, the new electric performance SUV coupe from the Swedish-Chinese brand, which combines the aerodynamics of a coupe with the space of an SUV. Notable is the absence of a rear window. The standard glass panoramic roof runs the entire length of the car and beyond the heads of the occupants, creating a unique atmosphere inside the car. Optionally, the roof can be equipped with an electrochromatic function, allowing it to be both opaque and transparent. Instead of a traditional rearview mirror, the Polestar 4 has a high-definition screen that displays a real-time image from a roof-mounted rear-view camera. This provides a much wider field of view than is possible in most modern cars. The digital images can also be switched off, so the driver can see the rear passengers if necessary. The Polestar 4 is also the fastest Polestar production car to date, with design elements that were first seen in Polestar’s concept cars. In terms of size and price, the Polestar 4 is positioned between the Polestar 2 and the Polestar 3. Price not yet known.
www.polestar.com
Audi Q6 e-tron
While the technical details are still pending, the new Audi Q6 e-tron offers an ideal balance between impressive driving and charging performance and technical innovation. The electric SUV is the first model developed based on the new PPE platform (Premium Platform Electric) and the new E3 electronic architecture. Both served as the basis to reinterpret the interior design and functionality. Technology, aesthetics, and sustainability are thus perfectly balanced. The three-dimensional applications create a generous sense of space, lightness, comfort, and coziness. The so-called Softwrap extends from the doors, through the entire cockpit to the center console, creating a homogeneous and welcoming sense of space. The colors and high-quality materials, some of which are made from recycled materials, are also reflected in the seats. This brings all interior components together as if they were designed as a single space, giving the occupants the feeling of sitting in a cozy cocoon. Price not yet known.
www.audi.com
Fully Electric Mini Cooper
The driving experience of an electrified go-kart combined with an impressive user experience, that’s the purely electric Mini Cooper in a nutshell. This fifth generation of the three-door model comes with a completely new drivetrain and is available as the Cooper E version or, with higher power and a larger range, as the Cooper SE. The 135 kW/184 hp electric motor of the Mini Cooper E generates a torque of 290 Nm, allowing the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The Mini Cooper SE, with its power of 160 kW/218 hp and maximum torque of 330 Nm, takes just 6.7 seconds for the same sprint. The driving range according to the WLTP test cycle is up to 305 kilometers for the Mini Cooper E based on the high-voltage battery with a capacity of 40.7 kWh. In the Mini Cooper SE, the driving range increases to 402 kilometers thanks to a battery capacity of 54.2 kWh. At a fast-charging station, the battery can be charged from ten to eighty percent in just under thirty minutes. Price €34,500.
www.mini.be
Mercedes EQG
If you think the G-Class by Mercedes-Benz hasn’t achieved enough iconic status yet, then the fully electric version, the EQG, will certainly meet those expectations. The EQG will feature four electric motors and four gearboxes. With these, it can perform what Mercedes has dubbed a ‘G-turn’, i.e., a U-turn on the spot by turning the left wheels in the opposite direction of the right wheels. All four motors are also connected to two-stage gearboxes, with both a low and high gearing. You will be able to choose from different power variants, with the strongest one carrying an AMG label. The latter will be able to match the performance of the Mercedes-AMG G63. More details are still to come. The car will make its world premiere at CES in Las Vegas. Price not yet known.
www.mercedes-benz.be
Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition
After 75 years of producing sports cars, Jaguar is celebrating the end of its combustion engine sports car line in 2024 with an exclusive, limited edition F-Type, inspired by two iconic E-types from the 1960s. The new F-Type ZP Editions are equipped with a 423 kW/575 hp supercharged V8 petrol engine and special interior and exterior details designed by the personalization experts at SV Bespoke. The F-Type ZP Edition is available in two color combinations reminiscent of the first race-winning ‘Project ZP’ E-types, which competed shortly after the model’s introduction in 1961: Oulton Blue Gloss paint with two-tone leather interior in Mars Red and Ebony, or Crystal Grey Gloss paint with two-tone leather interior in Navy Blue and Ebony. Neither of these paint colors has been offered on the F-Type before. These colors correspond to the two specially formulated paints for seven pairs of E-type Project ZP Collection cars that Jaguar Classic announced earlier this year. Both feature hand-painted Porcelain White Gloss roundels in racing style on the doors and Porcelain White Gloss edges around the radiator grille. Available in only 150 units. Starting from €236,252 for the coupé and €241,312 for the convertible.
www.jaguar.be
Range Rover Sport SV
The new Range Rover Sport SV is not only the most powerful Range Rover ever, but it also brings several firsts. It offers a perfect balance thanks to the hydraulic, interconnected 6D Dynamics suspension (a world first) with dive and roll control that ensures an almost flat position during extreme acceleration, braking, and cornering. The streamlined body has a new front and bottom profile, a carbon fiber bonnet, and four exhaust pipes. The optional 23” carbon fiber wheels contribute to a total weight saving of 76 kg and minimize the weight to enhance handling, acceleration, and ride comfort. The 635 hp ‘mild hybrid’ Twin Turbo V8 engine propels this Range Rover from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. For the first time in Range Rover, lightweight and powerful carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes are available as an option, with exclusive SV brake calipers with eight pistons for outstanding braking performance. The new ‘Body & Soul Seat’ introduces the latest sensory audio technology for cars, allowing not only to feel the sound but also to experience wellness benefits. The top model SV, which will be introduced in 2024, is equipped with the new 550 hp plug-in hybrid. Price not yet known.
www.landrover.be
Peugeot E-3008
Peugeot aims to offer a complete EV range by 2025 and to market exclusively 100% electric cars in Europe by 2030. The new Peugeot E-3008 plays a crucial role in these future plans. This next-level electric fastback SUV is the first model to use the brand new STLA Medium platform from Stellantis, which will also serve as the basis for the group’s future electric vehicles. The innovative platform is designed for the best possible performance, reflected in a wide range of up to 700 km, short charging times (30 minutes), maximum driving pleasure, top performance, efficiency, and various connected services and functions (trip planner, smart charging, remote functions, and over-the-air updates). The new Peugeot Panoramic i-Cockpit® adds to the driving pleasure, with a curved ‘floating’ panoramic 21-inch high-definition panel that brings together the head-up display and the large central touchscreen. With the new E-3008, Peugeot clearly elevates the qualities of the 3008 to a whole new level. €49,500.
www.peugeot.be
Tesla Cybertruck
Elon Musk has long imagined what it would be like to drive around on Mars. With the new Tesla Cybertruck, we get a good idea of how he plans to do it. The production version of the 2019 sci-fi pickup concept (in an almost unchanged form) is indeed made to drive on any planet. Its ultra-hard stainless steel exoskeleton helps reduce long-term damage and corrosion, making repairs easy and quick. The armored glass can withstand the impact of a baseball traveling at 112 km/h or class 4 hail. Moreover, you can count on a payload of 1,134 kg, a towing capacity of 4,990 kg, a ride height of 432 mm, and a range of 547 km. Up to 235 km can be recharged via a supercharger in just 15 minutes. Furthermore, the Cybertruck supports bidirectional charging, so you can use the vehicle to charge tools, another electric vehicle, or provide power to your home during a blackout. In Beast mode, this four-wheel-drive truck sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds while maintaining stability at high speeds. With steer-by-wire and rear-wheel drive, it behaves like a sports car and has a tighter turning circle than most sedans. Let’s hope that ‘the beast’ will be allowed on European roads, although that seems unlikely with our strict European regulations. Expected price for the U.S. is $49,890 for the rear-wheel-drive version.
www.tesla.com
BAIC X55
The Chinese state-owned company BAIC, which since 2019 also holds nearly ten percent of Daimler, is today one of the most progressive automotive companies with a visionary idea about the electrification of cars. This seems to be increasingly appreciated in Europe as well. For instance, the BAIC X55 recently won the VAB family car election in the category of family cars up to €38,000. The BAIC X55 convinced – us too – especially with its comfort, interior space, and the modern ‘bi-fuel’ engine on petrol and LPG. This combination allows you to drive on both petrol and LPG, a versatility made possible by two separate tanks, one for petrol and one for LPG. This combination not only scored the BAIC X55 high in terms of performance and responsive acceleration but also in terms of cost per kilometer. Refueling is easy as petrol is available at all gas stations, and LPG at about one in four stations in Europe. And for those who didn’t know: you can also enter underground garages with this type of car. Its good price-quality ratio completes the picture: a complete standard version and a net price of €31,990. At BAIC, there are no extra costs for packs, metallic colors, etc.
www.oneautomotive.be/baic/
Smart #3
The Smart #3 – the largest Smart ever – not only surpasses its smaller sibling, the Smart #1, by 13 centimeters in length but also the Volvo EX30 by a significant 16.7 centimeters, measuring 4.40 meters. It also boasts the largest wheelbase at 2.785 meters, 13.5 centimeters more than the Volvo EX30, with whom it shares the platform. In other words, the Smart #3 could pose a serious challenge to its competitors. This SUV coupe evokes strong emotions with its looks and can further boast excellent performance and a dynamic design. It stands out with its athletic curves and powerful ‘shark nose’, overturning the premium EV segment as a sporty SUV coupe. The large 19-inch wheels contribute to its sporty appearance. In the Brabus version, the #3 even has 20-inch wheels. Naturally, its sporty exterior creates expectations regarding performance, but these are neatly fulfilled. Acceleration varies from 5.8 seconds to 3.7 seconds, and with power ranging from 200 kW in four models to 315 kW in the Brabus, it sets a benchmark in the market segment. The electric Smart #3 charges from ten to eighty percent in less than 30 minutes. Starting at €37,495.
be.smart.com
BYD Dolphin
BYD – short for Build Your Dreams – the world’s largest manufacturer of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and power batteries, has just introduced the fully electric BYD Dolphin to the European market. This brand-new hatchback in the C-segment combines a striking ‘playful’ design aesthetic – as known from the Chinese car brand – with versatility, agility, rich standard equipment, and BYD’s pioneering EV technology. The BYD Dolphin epitomizes safe, efficient, and practical environmentally friendly driving and is attractively priced starting from €29,990. It’s no wonder this car won first prize at the VAB Family Car Election in the ‘electric’ category. “Price/quality/range unbeatable,” summarized the opinion of many jury members. Moreover, many praised it for offering plenty of space inside despite its compact exterior dimensions and for being pleasant to drive. The BYD Dolphin with a 60.4 kWh battery has a range of 427 km.
bydauto.be
Citroën ë-C3
With the electric version – and fourth generation – of the popular Citroën ë-C3, the first affordable electric vehicle ‘made in Europe’ is now a reality. For a starting price of €23,300, you get quite a lot. For instance, the ë-C3 offers for the first time the acclaimed Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspension in combination with the new Advanced Comfort® seats, boasting a ‘flying carpet feeling’ and the best comfort in its class. Additionally, it provides a higher driving position (ten centimeters more than the average city car in this segment) to ease getting in and out, more space on board with handy and smart storage compartments, increased maneuverability, greater ground clearance, as well as protective elements on the exterior for a heightened sense of comfort and safety. The 83 kW/113 hp electric motor delivers the power and torque needed for daily commuting and long journeys, while the 44 kWh LFP battery offers a range of about 320 km. Furthermore, it only takes 26 minutes at a fast charger to recharge from 20 to 80 percent capacity. Citroën already promises an even more affordable ë-C3 with a range of 200 km by 2025, starting at €19,990.
www.citroen.be
MG Cyberster
MG just announced the production of the MG Cyberster, a spectacular electric sports car with a revolutionary design that combines the iconic roadster heritage of the originally British car brand with MG’s modern design language. The high-performance Cyberster’s design pays homage to the cherished roadsters in MG’s rich heritage, with its distinctive long hood, low nose, and curved surfaces, but it also introduces striking new features such as the signature wing doors and the Kammback design at the rear. In addition to the powerful, all-electric drivetrain, it boasts a contemporary cockpit and advanced driver technology. The Cyberster is expected to be available for sale in the summer of 2024. A fantastic way for the brand to highlight its hundredth anniversary that year! Price currently unknown.
www.mgmotor.eu
DS 9 E-Tense
As DS Automobiles holds the spirit of the art of travel in high esteem, the French car manufacturer places great importance on the atmosphere inside its vehicles. The introduction of the new Opéra pack for the DS 9 E-Tense, alongside the existing Performance Line+ and Rivoli+, represents the latest achievement in this regard. The new top-level equipment includes many standard features. Consider technology such as camera-controlled damping, the Extended Safety Pack with DS Drive Assist level 2 semi-autonomous driving, and comfort-oriented features like the Focal Electra® sound system, the DS Lounge Pack for rear passengers, including lounge headrests for the outer seats, the button to slide the front passenger seat forward from the back seat, extensive dual-zone automatic air conditioning, and heated, massaging, and cooled outer rear seats, as well as the sunroof, electrically operated tailgate, etc. The new Opéra version is offered with nappa leather upholstery with watch strap structure in two different colors: ruby red or art basalt black for the front and rear seats, the center console, and the extended dashboard. Also new for the DS 9 model year 23 is the Alcantara® headliner in Pebble Grey, which brightens the interior. Starting at €75,650 for the DS9 Opéra Première E-Tense 250 plug-in hybrid.
www.dsautomobiles.be
Bentley Flying Spur Speed Edition 12
The Bentley Flying Spur Speed Edition 12 is one of the final vehicles to be fitted with the luxury British automotive brand’s legendary 6.0-litre W12 unit. This powerful engine ensures the Flying Spur Speed 12 is one of the fastest, four-door sedans in the world. Capable of 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 333 km/h, the phenomenal W12 also produces 659 PS and 900 Nm of torque. First introduced in the original Continental GT in 2003, the engine has since become an icon of Bentley’s DNA. A genuine collector’s car, the Flying Spur Speed 12 Edition is also afforded a range of unique commemorative features. The dashboard fascia displays a visual representation of the W12’s firing sequence, while every owner will receive a scale model of the engine, handcrafted from a genuine recycled W12 block and housed in a special presentation case. The supremely powerful sedan is due to end production in 2024. Limited to only 120 examples. Price €348.573,80.
www.bentleymotors.com
Porsche Panamera
The third generation of the Porsche Panamera stands out with a wider range of digital features, a fresh and expressive design, and an expanded balance between dynamic performance and driving comfort. More powerful E-Hybrid powertrains and a new high-quality suspension system emphasize its claim to be the most dynamic sedan in the segment. Porsche offers a total of four efficient E-Hybrid powertrains for the sporty luxury sedan, in response to high demand for this type of drive. All E-Hybrid variants boast improved performance, greater driving range, and increased efficiency. The heart of the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid’s powertrain is a thoroughly revised 4.0-liter V8 turbo engine. The power of the newly developed electric motor is 140 kW (190 hp). Combined, they deliver a system power of 500 kW (680 hp) and impressive torque of 930 Nm, enabling it to sprint to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds. Its top speed is 315 km/h. With a battery capacity of 25.9 kWh, it has an electric driving range of 91 kilometers (WLTP). A new 11 kW AC onboard charger reduces the charging time at suitable charging points to 2 hours and 39 minutes. Prices start at 199,620 euros for this model and from 112,120 euros for the other variants.
www.porsche.com
Alpine A110 R Turini
Alpine is revamping its A110 range by providing the A110, A110 GT, and A110 S versions with richer standard equipment. This offers each model more content and value. In addition, Alpine is expanding its model range for 2024 with the A110 R Turini, a new version of the A110 R, equipped with matte black 18″ GT Race alloy wheels to enhance its versatility on the road. Named after the famous Col de Turini in the southern French Alps, a staple of the Rally Monte Carlo, the Turini inherits the DNA of the A110 R. With its sharp chassis and 300 hp, 340 Nm engine, the A110 R is the most radical variant of the A110: lower, faster, and more dynamic. It allows its driver to enjoy speeds of more than 280 km/h on the track. The front spoiler lip, hood, side skirts, rear spoiler, diffuser, and engine cover of the A110 R are all made of carbon fiber, a material often used in Formula 1 due to its low weight. A race version for the road, thus. Price €106,000.
alpinecars.be
