All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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Seat is coming back with an EV that will cost less than 20k euros

Although VW at the Munich Motor Show (4th Sept 2023) confirmed that the SEAT brand is to be fully replaced with CUPRA, the Spanish brand is coming back to the market with a new electric car that will cost under 20,000 euros.

Seat will soon reveal several novelties, and some of them are redesigned editions of the Ibiza and Arona models, and the Ateca SUV. All models will be powered by internal combustion engines. However, this will not be enough because due to the growth in demand for electric cars, Seat will have to return to EVs.

Before the Spanish brand fell into crisis, it achieved good results in the market with its electric model Mii Electric, which gives it hope that the same will happen with the new electric model. It will be a smaller and more affordable car, and the price is the key and decisive factor for Seat’s electric future. This means that the price must not exceed 20,000 euros, which is cheaper than the Cupra Raval.

Chinese car manufacturers are putting a lot of pressure on European manufacturers and are aggressively attacking the market of the old continent. Volkswagen is one of the companies that is trying to find a solution for this, and Seat could be the ace up its sleeve, because the survival of electrification in Europe lies in small car formats in lower price segments.

Source: Autocar

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2025 VW California Camper Van

The redesigned VW California camper van has arrived! A vehicle intended for all adventurers who want a better experience of freedom, with more space and several novelties, and for the first time, it will have a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Volkswagen offers the camper van with three powertrain options: a 2.0-L four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 150 hp (112 kW), a 2.0-L turbo gasoline engine with 204 hp (152 kW), and a 1.4-L four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine assisted by an electric motor for a total power 245 hp (183 kW). The van will have all-wheel drive (4Motion) and will be able to tow a trailer weighing up to 2,000 kilograms.

When it comes to design, the van got another sliding door on the left side where the kitchen used to be. In fact, the kitchen elements (stove, sink, fridge and drawers) have been moved to the rear, and now passengers can access from both sides, which is much more practical. It will be offered with five equipment packages (Beach, Beach Tour, Beach Camper, Coast and Ocean), and standard equipment includes a roof tent with an insect screen.

The VW California is equipped with awnings on both sides, which gives more shaded space to rest on hot summer days. There is also a 230V plug for powering additional devices. Inside, the seats can be rotated 180 degrees while the rear bench is used as a bed. More space inside, at least to make it easier to stand, is provided by the aluminum pop-top roof. Additional equipment includes a multifunctional tablet that controls LED lighting, USB ports and infotainment. The tablet is placed on an adjustable support so that it can be viewed from multiple angles and used for work and entertainment.

The Ocean equipment package brings two additional batteries, two 230-volt sockets, heated front seats, additional space heating, storage compartments in the roof, a folding table and a 28-liter water tank.

Source: Volkswagen

Gallery:

2025 VW California Camper Van
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1957 Porsche 356A Cabriolet sold for $85,356 USD

Porsche’s first production car, the 356, fetched six figures at auction for years, and buyers seem to be slowly losing interest in this model. One example, a 1957 Porsche 356A Cabriolet, was recently sold for “only” $85,356 USD.

The car is finished in black, well maintained and in good condition. It is equipped with a Ruetter body, a black soft top with a matching boot cover as well as dual side mirrors, a rear luggage rack with leather fasteners, polished side spears and rocker panel trim, and body-color bumpers with overriders and integrated exhaust. outlets at the rear, Koni shocks at the rear and four-wheel hydraulic drums.

Inside, the seats are covered in red leather that also covers the door panels and the upper part of the dash. In front of the driver are a two-spoke steering wheel and a five-digit odometer showing 52,076 km (~32k miles). Additional equipment includes belts on the front seats, squareweave carpets covered with black rubber floor linings, Blaupunkt push-button radio and a passenger grab handle, and a gold ASI plate is mounted on the right kick panel.

In 2023, the car was serviced, which included rebuilding the dual carburetors, replacing the fuel pump and cleaning the fuel tank. Along with the car, the new owner received import paperwork, a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, dealer consignment in North Carolina with refurbishment photos, and transferable New York State registration.

This 356A is powered by a 1.6-liter flat-four engine with dual downdraft carburetors paired with a four-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. It sits on chrome-finished 15″ steel wheels wrapped in 165-series Vredestein Sprint Classic tires.

Source: Bring a Trailer

Gallery:

1957 Porsche 356A Cabriolet sold for $85,356 USD