All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Opel Kadett C celebrates its 50th birthday

The Opel Kadett C is a name that evokes nostalgia and admiration among automotive enthusiasts. A true embodiment of German engineering excellence, this compact car left an indelible mark on the automotive world during its production run from 1973 to 1979. It is not just a car; it’s an icon. It holds a special place in the hearts of those who owned or admired it, and it continues to be celebrated at automotive shows, rallies, and gatherings.

The lineage dates back to 1936, with each generation building upon the successes and lessons of its predecessors. By the early 1970s, Opel was ready to introduce the Kadett C, the third iteration of this beloved model.

The car represented a departure from its boxy predecessors. It featured sleek lines, a more aerodynamic profile, and a contemporary design that was ahead of its time. This design was the result of extensive wind tunnel testing, ensuring improved fuel efficiency and better handling. Opel did not hold back when it came to innovations in the Kadett C. This model was among the first in its class to offer a five-speed manual transmission, giving drivers greater control and fuel efficiency. Additionally, the Kadett C introduced various engine options, including economical four-cylinder engines and sportier powerplants for those seeking more excitement on the road.

Also, Kadett C garnered numerous awards and accolades during its production run. Its blend of performance, comfort, and efficiency made it a popular choice among European consumers, and it quickly established itself as a leader in the compact car segment. In 1974, it was awarded the prestigious European Car of the Year title, a testament to its outstanding qualities.

This model found success in motorsport, particularly in rallying. The Kadett GT/E, a sportier variant, earned several victories in European rally championships, solidifying its reputation as a capable and competitive car.

Enthusiasts and collectors worldwide cherish the Kadett C. Its timeless design and reputation for reliability have kept many of these cars in pristine condition, making them sought-after classics.

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Opel Kadett C celebrates its 50th birthday
Tuning

MANSORY Gronos 4×4 based on the AMG G63 4×4 Squared

Last year, Mercedes-AMG unveiled its ultimate car, the AMG G63 4×4 Squared. It is a powerful G-wagon that is the desire of many tuners, and Mansory as one of the best tuners of Mercedes cars, presented a limited edition MANSORY Gronos 4×4 based on the AMG G63 4×4 Squared.

The Gronos 4×4 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine with 850 hp (625 kW) and 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to all wheels via a 9-speed shiftable automatic gearbox. It reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds with a limited top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). As a reminder, the G63 4×4 Squared has 577 hp (424 kW) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. It is mounted on 22″ type “FD.15” wheels wrapped in 325/55R22 tires.

The car is equipped with aerodynamic components that give it a powerful look. Front apron, wider front fenders, door extensions and rear bulkhead are just some of the carbon components that adorn this G-wagon. There are also four LED auxiliary headlights mounted on the roof, the turn signal bases, the mirror housings, the air intakes, outlets, the spare wheel covered entirely in visible carbon, the rear cover, and the spoiler on the edge of the roof, all made of carbon.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in white leather with blue accents, “Gronos” lettering and a Mansory logo on the headrest. There are also safety seat belts with embroidered MANSORY logo, MANSORY sport aluminum pedals, a MANSORY leather sports steering wheel, elaborately quilted MANSORY leather floor mats, and MANSORY lettering in the grab handles. Mansory also allows customers to choose the interior in terms of leather, colors, stitching and carbon design.

Better and more powerful, the MANSORY Gronos 4×4 is designed for extreme off-road capabilities.

Source: Mansory

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MANSORY Gronos 4x4 based on the AMG G63 4x4 Squared
News

2024 Porsche Panamera

A year ago, there were rumors about the new Porsche Panamera, which should arrive on the market by the end of this year. The car is currently in the final stages of testing which is taking place on four continents: North America, Africa, Asia and Europe, and it could be said that the car is ready for its premiere. It has now been revealed that it will be offered with four e-hybrid options, based on a more powerful electric motor.

“After already offering three E-Hybrids for the second Panamera generation, we will be adding a fourth plug-in hybrid in the new Panamera. This is our response to the enormous demand from our customers. In some countries, the proportion of E -Hybrids in the Panamera is almost 100 per cent. The new derivative is a high-performance model that fits perfectly into the versatile line-up. We are increasing the electrical performance of the Panamera in all E-Hybrid models with regard to driving dynamics and the important disciplines of electric range and charging speed. During our tests, we’re driving up to 70 per cent further purely on electric power than we did in its predecessor,” said Dr. Thomas Friemuth, head of the Panamera series.

The car is lighter than its predecessor, but with better driving performance. It is equipped with a larger 25.9 kWh battery and an 11 kW charger that shortens the charging time despite the higher energy content.

“I’m delighted with the progress we have made with electrification. The integration and combination of two drive systems in the Panamera works absolutely seamlessly and harmoniously. With the new drivetrains, the car radiates tremendous ease and reliability when accelerating,” said Arno Bögl, project manager for the Panamera series. Also, all powertrain options in the new Panamera are prepared for the new CO2 regulations.

The Panamera is equipped with a semi-active chassis with new two-valve shock absorbers that can regulate compression and rebound independently of each other. In this way, the range between comfortable and sporty settings is significantly expanded even with the new serial chassis. “With the active chassis we are setting new standards. We could feel this on every meter of our test drives – very comfortable on the cobblestones in Barcelona harbor, and highly dynamic and agile on the winding country roads outside the city,” said Thomas Friemuth.

The new Panamera will be premiered on November 24 at the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai.

Source: Porsche

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2024 Porsche Panamera