All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

VW is discontinuing the T-Roc Cabriolet

VW T-Roc was the third best-selling car in Europe last year with over 200,000 units sold, and Volkswagen plans to launch a new generation of this model already next year. But not the VW T-Roc Cabriolet.

Volkswagen debuted the T-Roc in 2017, and a soft-top convertible version arrived three years later. The new generation will be built on the MQB Evo platform, which will allow VW to add technology such as plug-in hybrid powertrain and adaptive suspension. The same platform will be used by the upcoming redesigned Golf, as well as the new Passat and Tiguan. However, buyers are more hoping for the return of buttons and switches of secondary functions, which were also announced by VW as a novelty for new models.

The new T-Roc will be VW’s last model with internal combustion engines. There is only a small group of buyers for convertibles,” said VW head of development Kai Grunitz.

According to Dataforce, in the 11 months of last year, VW sold 11,693 convertible versions of the T-Roc, which was the second best result in Europe. Only the Mini Cabriolet was better than it.

Source: Volkswagen

Gallery:

VW is discontinuing the T-Roc Cabriolet
News

Renault is reducing the price of its EVs

Renault previously announced that it plans to launch seven new electric cars by the end of the decade, in an effort to return to the throne on the domestic market in the segment of electric vehicles. The compact hatchback Renault Megane E-Tech with a lower price thanks to a government subsidy could help them in this.

In an interview with Reuters, Renault sales director for France Ivan Segal said: “The main focus of the Renault brand in 2024 is to go back on the offensive in the electric vehicle segment, since we are currently second.”

The French carmaker is currently third in the domestic market with almost 18,000 electric Meganes sold last year, while other manufacturers have achieved much better results. Tesla has sold 25,000 Tesla Model 3s and more than 37,000 Model Ys, and is the leader in the French electric vehicle market. The second is the Chinese brand MG, which sold 20,000 units of the MG4 compact hatchback in its first year on the French market.

Renault’s response in the effort to regain the position of the largest car seller in France will be the electric SUV Scenic and the electric Renault 5, which is expected in the summer. Also, the reduction in the price of electric cars (subsidy) should contribute to this, making them more accessible to a larger number of customers compared to the main competitors (Tesla and MG). Now the price of the Megane E-Tech will be 34,000 euros, or 29,000 euros with the subsidy.

Megane E-Tech is based on the CMF-EV platform and is powered by an electric motor with 218 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. It is equipped with a 60 kWh battery that enables a range of 280 miles (450 km).

Source: Reuters

News

Audi is seriously considering the SUV Q9

It has been rumored for many years that Audi could produce the Q9 SUV, and according to the latest information, it could happen soon. This could fit into the plans of the German company, which previously announced that it will introduce several new models in the next two years, and the Q9 could be one of them.

“Yes, of course. If you look at our volume compared to other brands, you will see that we are not in some segments unlike them,” said Managing Director of Audi Australia Jeff Mannering.

He also said the name sounds good, and if it goes into production, it should represent the top of the range. It would be significantly larger than the Q7 model, with a focus on comfort and luxury for passengers. The current Q7 offers three rows of seats, but it is far from competing with Mercedes and BMW models when it comes to luxury. Thus, the new SUV would be Audi’s response to the competition.

When it comes to the powertrain, it is not known whether the Q9 will be fully electric or powered by an internal combustion engine, but if we remember that Audi plans to produce only EVs from 2026, electric motors are a closer option. However, we should not forget that the VW Group has a number of ICE options such as V6 diesel and gasoline, as well as twin-turbo V8 engines for potential S and RS versions.

Source: Audi