Hard times are coming for traditional European manufacturers.

The situation on the European market is changing. The key players are also changing, and one electric car made it onto the best-selling list.

September 2022 is the first month when a Tesla car was the best seller on the Old Continent. The honor went to the Model Y crossover.

A total of 29,000 Model Ys were delivered to customers in September, while the Peugeot 208 took second place with 19,000 units.

Tesla's Model Y and 3 combined sold 42,000 units, which is four times more than the sales of Volkswagen's electric models ID.3 and ID.4.

Hard times are coming for traditional European manufacturers. Although they still count on gasoline and diesel cars, which sell well, there is a danger that manufacturers like Tesla and Chinese competitors will erode their market share in the future.

Tesla strategically took root in the European market by opening a factory near Berlin, which produces the Model Y.

SUV with sports suspension, 19-inch wheels and 300 hp.

Opel is expanding its performance-focused electrified range with the Grandland GSe, following the recently introduced Astra GSe.

The new top-of-the-line trim doesn't give this compact SUV any extra power over the standard AWD PHEV drivetrain, which delivers 300 hp (220 kW / 300 hp), but it does bring a sportier suspension setup and minor visual enhancements that set it apart from the rest of the range.

The Grandland GSe also owes its athletic nature to a set of 19-inch wheels inspired by the Manta GSe concept, a new diffuser and a GSe emblem on the tailgate.

A black hood is optional, matching the gloss black details on the emblem, fender vents, mirror housings, roof, spoiler and alloy wheels.

Like the regular facelifted Grandland, the GSe also features LED lights and the signature Opel Visor front fascia.

Inside we find a pair of AGR-certified sports seats upholstered in Alcantara, adding more lateral support without sacrificing comfort.

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As already mentioned, the drive system is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 1.6 turbo gasoline engine with two electric motors, which gives a total of 300 hp.

As expected, it is equipped with e-AWD all-wheel drive, and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in 6.1 seconds. The maximum speed is 235 km/h (135 km/h if driving exclusively on electric drive).

According to the WLTP, the consumption is 1.3 l/100 km, of course provided that you regularly charge the battery.

The GSe signature also indicates some additional modifications. Opel's SUV thus has stiffer springs and shock absorbers with KONI FSD (frequency selective damping) technology, which enables different damping characteristics for handling versus comfort.

The price has not been announced yet, but Opel has announced that the Grandland GSe will arrive on the market soon.

Toyota embraces polemical design with the Avalon's tall four-door successor, the 2023 Crown.

Nobody ever argued about the Toyota Avalon, which was universally described as "perfectly nice." But Toyota, in case you haven't noticed, is no longer content with inoffensive competence. So it replaced the Avalon with the 2023 Crown, a jacked-up four-door coupe-roof sedan that looks like a 1999 Subaru Legacy SUS and a Local Motors Rally Fighter had a baby. The fact that this thing succeeds the Avalon reveals a lot about Toyota corporate culture right now, which we imagine as Rumspringa in Toyota City. What will it build next, and will it be the result of a dare?

The Crown—a nameplate that dates to 1955 in Japan—is 3.7 inches taller than a Camry and twice as extroverted. The high-riding stance is mostly posturing, given that the Crown's ground clearance is only 5.8 inches, just a tenth of an inch higher than the Camry's. But its optional 21-inch wheels look concept-car enormous on a vehicle this size, and the Platinum model's available two-tone paint brings some Maybach attitude to the near-luxury-sedan segment.

The Crown's two available hybrid powertrains differ in more than just power output. It's really like there are two Crowns—the base XLE and Limited for people who might actually be replacing an Avalon, as well as the Platinum Hybrid Max models that step brazenly into Lexus territory in terms of pricing and performance. All-wheel drive is standard either way, with the XLE and Limited using a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with three electric motors to deliver a total of 236 horsepower through a continuously variable transmission. The rear axle is electric-only—there's no driveshaft—and its motor makes 54 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. That's enough, Toyota tells us, to ensure that all-wheel drive remains available at all speeds, although we can't imagine the rear end is doing much if you boot it at 80 mph. This powertrain isn't the enthusiast choice, with Toyota claiming a safe and sane 7.6-second 60-mph time, but it does have an impressive EPA combined fuel-economy rating of 41 mpg. Curiously, while the revised 2023 Corolla Hybrid gets a lithium-ion high-voltage battery, the upmarket Crown sticks with nickel-metal hydride.

The optional Hybrid Max powertrain, available only in the Platinum, more closely aligns the Crown's performance with its bold sheetmetal. A turbocharged 2.4-liter four teams up with two electric motors to deliver 340 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, while EPA combined fuel economy drops to 30 mpg. In the Max, the water-cooled rear motor makes 79 horsepower and 124 pound-feet and is always engaged (the base powertrain goes front-drive until the rear wheels need traction). Stacking the gains, Toyota bolts the turbo four to a six-speed automatic that uses a wet clutch instead of a torque converter. Hello, silky rev-matched downshifts. Intriguingly, the clutch will allow a high-rpm launch-control mode, which Toyota says is in the works and would likely drop the claimed 5.7-second 60-mph sprint even lower. The Platinum trim also gets adaptive dampers that make the Crown a surprisingly willing partner when the road gets twisty.

Inside, the Crown's cabin is reminiscent of the dearly departed Land Cruiser—not flashy but impeccably assembled with quality materials. It looks as if a scuffed driver's seat bolster might be the only tell when the odometer hits 200,000 miles. The Platinum's leather front seats are heated and ventilated, and the rear seats are also heated. The sleek climate control panel, immediately below the 12.3-inch touchscreen, would look perfectly at home in a $100,000 Lexus. The only letdown is the 11-speaker JBL audio system in the Limited and Premium (XLEs get a basic six-speaker system). The JBL sounds as if 10 of its 11 speakers might be tweeters, and yes, we checked the settings and tried different cars. Toyota says the system was "acoustically tuned for Toyota Crown to match unique vehicle characteristics," so maybe that means it expects the Crown demographic to listen to crime podcasts and NPR.

Like the old U.S.-market Land Cruiser, the Crown is built solely in Japan, at the Tsutsumi plant. And perhaps Toyota hopes that the Crown might capture a few orphan Land Cruiser owners in search of that signature anti-brand-snob Toyota luxury experience. Crown pricing starts at $41,045 for an XLE and ranges up to $53,445 for a Platinum. Is that too expensive for a Toyota sedan?

We'd say not, but the Crown's value proposition is up for debate as much as its style. Toyota hopes to sell about 20,000 Crowns a year in the U.S., which is a healthy goal but not one that demands mainstream conformity. Maybe you hate the way the Crown looks—that's fine. Toyota is fully aware haters gonna hate, and it truly doesn't care. If we're bickering over the Crown, we're talking about the Crown.

To that point, you don't offer two-tone paint if you're looking for unanimous consensus. That option, only available on the Platinum, brings a gloss black hood, roof, and rear decklid, set against extroverted lower-body colors like "Bronze Age." The two-tone paint costs $550 extra, and we'd say it's mandatory. But we'd be happy to argue about it.

Source: caranddriver.com

Recently, Volkswagen's CEO and chairman of the board of Seat, Thomas Schaefer, told the UK's Autocar the following:

"We are not killing Seat. We just need to decide on its future. We are still working on plans for Seat. Everything is fine until 2028 or 2029. It is an entry-level brand for young buyers. It is really doing well in Europe, especially Spain, the UK and Austria."

It is interesting that despite the drop in sales of Seat, the CEO of Volkswagen reassures British journalists and says that they do not intend to kill Seat. This becomes even more interesting when it is known that a little later in the conversation for Autocar Schaefer adds that the Cupra is the future of Seat, that it is its new version.

It is she who must first undergo electrification.

But Schaefer claims that they are still working on the direction Seat will go. He also says that it may be a "mobility brand", but it is difficult to say what is hidden behind such a phrase. Seat fans suspect that it is no good.

Cupra instead of Seat?

Cupra is certainly a success of the VW group, writes the website Automobili.ba. From a name that stands for a package of equipment, they developed a new brand from scratch that hit the wallets of customers.

Although at first it was thought that it was just a rebranded Seat, after Cupra presented the Formentor - no one was laughing anymore.

If you don't believe that this is a sales hit, just look at the numbers - 50,000 units sold in 2021, and this year will be even better, because by the end of August alone, 57,000 vehicles have already found buyers.

Meanwhile, since the Cupra made its debut as a separate brand, Seat sales have started to fall month after month. In July 2022, they sold 45% less than in July 2021, and in August that drop was 42%.

According to information from the British Autocar, Seat has the lowest priority in the VW group in terms of semiconductor procurement, and it also does not offer any electric cars.

Cupra has Born. Some may not remember, but this car was presented in concept form in 2019 as the Seat El-Born, but then suddenly disappeared from Seat and reappeared under the Cupra logo. Coincidence or not?

VW realized that the Cupra hit the target group perfectly

Young people with money buy a car with emotions, eyes, and only then with calculations. Also, there is the Spanish temperament which is visible at first glance.

If Seat does not take the job seriously, its future will not be bright, because the Volkswagen group, like any large concern, is not too sentimental.

The Paris Motor Show brought many news, in the form of new models, but also stories about the future of certain brands. Alfa Romeo, an Italian company that has been in financial trouble for several years, still has a bright future, according to the main man of Stellantis.

Carlos Tavares talked to the media during the Paris Motor Show and talked about the legendary brand Alfa Romeo. On this occasion, he stated that the Italian brand will achieve record financial results this year.

"The most difficult times have definitely passed and Alfa is on the right track." Alfie is doing very well, we have turned the business around and it is now profitable. This brand is now in a situation where it can finance its own future," said Tavares. According to him, the turnaround was done even before the launch of the Tonale model.

Tavares guarantees that Alfa's future is secure, and for many years to come. "This will be a record year for the brand." Alpha is quiet for the next 10 years. "Since we created Stellantis, her turnaround has been spectacular," adds the Stellantis chief.

As a reminder, recently Alfa Romeo was in a hopeless situation with only two active models. Tonale was recently introduced, a compact SUV model that immediately won the place of the brand's best-selling model. At the same time, a number of novelties were announced for 2024, including a sedan positioned above the Giulia model.

As Index.hr writes, Carlos Tavares emphasized that Alfa Romeo, DS and Lancia are three premium brands in Stellantis and that as such they can now make a "limited contribution to the group compared to other brands". However, much more is expected from these brands in the future.

Cadillac has been laboring in the shadow of European luxury brands for several decades, but it hasn’t given up: witness the company’s new electric flagship, the Celestiq sedan. This stunner shares a family resemblance to the new Lyriq EV SUV, but its sleek lines, sweeping roof, and bustle rear end give it dynamic proportions and jaw-dropping presence. Cadillac’s designers say that they have incorporated design elements from the past alongside high-tech systems that predict the future direction of the American luxury brand. The cabin is just as dramatic as the exterior styling, and it dazzles with brightly colored leather, a 55-inch digital dashboard, and Eames-inspired bucket seats. The Celestiq’s assembly line will be manned by a small team of craftspeople who will hand-build each one. Customers will design their own Celestiq when they order, similar to the Rolls-Royce method of bespoke production. Will that be enough to launch Cadillac out of the shadows? We’ll see once we get to drive one.

What's New for 2024?

The Celestiq is heading for production as an all-new model for Cadillac’s 2024 lineup but don’t expect to see this showstopper sitting on your local dealer’s showroom floor. Celestiqs will be special-ordered, tailored to each customer’s specifications, and likely will be delivered as discreetly as they are purchased.

The Celestiq will be a unique model in the Cadillac lineup for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that each one will be built to order. By hand. Celestiq (pronounced “cell-es-teek”) production will necessarily be limited as a result. Cadillac says there’s essentially no limit to customization opportunities, so we expect some buyers to create Celestiqs that turn heads today and and years from now when the cars turn up at future Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Although Cadillac has yet to release pricing information for its new flagship sedan, the company has said that it will start “north of $300,000.” Customization choices will no doubt push prices even higher.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

While much of the Celestiq is highly customizable, its powertrain is not: All models come with a dual-motor all-wheel drive electric powertrain that Cadillac estimates will make around 600 horsepower. The company says that’s enough to launch the Celestiq to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, which would put it in the same league as entry-level models of the Audi e-tron GT and the Porsche Taycan. Rather than attempting to be a big sports sedan, we expect the Celestiq to take a much tamer, comfort-oriented approach to road manners—more Bentley than Blackwing. An adaptive air suspension system is standard, as is a rear-wheel steering feature that helps the long sedan maneuver more lithely in tight spots and swing tighter u-turns. It will be a while before we are able to test-drive the Celestiq, but when we do we'll update this story with driving impressions and test results.

The Celestiq will draw its electrons from an Ultium battery pack that’s large enough to deliver around 300 miles of EPA estimated driving range per charge. While that’s likely to be enough for most drivers, it’s already far behind the best. For reference, the longest driving range available in a Tesla Model S is a 402 miles, and the new Lucid Air sedan boasts a range of up to 516 miles. The Celestiq is capable of recharging on a DC fast charging connection and Cadillac says that on a 200-kW connection the battery can be juiced with 78 miles of range in just 10 minutes.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

There's no information yet about the Celestiq's fuel-economy ratings, and we likely won't know for some time just how efficient this electric luxury sedan will be. For more information about the Celestiq's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Starting with an instrument panel that is essentially one giant digital display, the Celestiq's cabin is a technological powerhouse. Four bucket seats mean each occupant will enjoy their own bubble of space. The roof is made from an electrochromic glass panel that can be adjusted from transparent to opaque, and every passenger can control their own little corner of the sky. Buttery leather, available in practically any color, lines much of the cabin, and other interesting materials are used throughout as accents. Brushed metal trim intermingles with ecologically sourced open-pore wood, which has been perforated to allow sparkles of light to shine through from the ambient interior lighting system. The cargo area is also lined with leather, is generously sized, and features attractive metal inlays on the floor. The Celestiq, by the way, is a hatchback rather than a traditional three-box sedan, similar to cars like the Audi A7 and Kia Stinger.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Most luxury cars boast large infotainment displays measuring 10.3 or 12.3 inches, but the Celestiq’s is all of w 55.0 inches spanning the entire width of the car's dashboard, much like Mercedes’ new hyperscreen. Rear-seat occupants can also enjoy their own 12.6-inch displays for watching movies, checking the internet, or controlling the car's stereo system. Speaking of stereo, the Celestiq boasts a 38-speaker AKG Studio Reference stereo system with three amplifiers and 3D surround sound.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

All Celestiqs will come with a host of driver-assistance features from basics such as automated emergency braking to advanced hands-free driving via GM’s new Ultra Cruise system, the next generation of the company’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology. For more information about the Celestiq's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Like the rest of the Cadillac lineup, the Celestiq will come with a powertrain warranty that trumps that of other luxury sedans. Cadillac currently covers the first dealer maintenance visit, but rivals such as the BMW 7-series offer longer periods of free maintenance. We would expect that the Celestiq's battery warranty will match that of the Chevy Bolt's at eight years or 100,000 miles.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
Electric components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit

Source: caranddriver.com

For those who need more space in the passenger cabin.

The MX-5 is no longer the only rear-wheel drive Mazda on sale in Europe, as the CX-60 recently arrived in showrooms on the Old Continent. For those who need more space in their vehicle, Mazda has confirmed that the three-row CX-80 will launch in 2023, as a larger seven-seat variant of the CX-60.

Technical specifications are yet to be revealed, but the two SUVs are likely to be stylistically identical, apart from the difference in body length.

Not only does the CX-60 ride on a rear-wheel drive platform, it's also the first Mazda to use a new family of inline 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engines complemented by a plug-in hybrid setup.

The Mazda CX-80 will likely inherit the powertrains and the option of either standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Power will be transmitted through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

How big will the CX-80 be? Mazda isn't saying yet, but we'll remind you that the standard two-row CX-60 is 4,740mm long and has a 2,870mm wheelbase.

In its heaviest configuration, which is PHEV, the CX-60 weighs almost 2,100 kilograms. Needless to say, the CX-80 will be slightly heavier as a result of the body being extended to accommodate the third row of seats.