All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Renault favors more aerodynamic cars instead of SUVs

The automotive industry is constantly evolving, and the rise of electric cars promises to transform not only the technology but also their design. Gilles Vidal, Renault’s head of design, is proposing new shapes adapted to the demands of today’s market.

In an interview with Autocar, Vidal said that some cities are against this type of vehicle, and have increased the cost of parking for SUVs because of their size and weight. He believes this is not justified, since no one has ever opposed other types of vehicles of similar size and weight, such as compact multi-purpose vehicles.

“There is still a big fight against SUVs. But would you say the same about MPVs? They have the same weight, the same engines, the same CO2 emissions, but no one has ever criticized MPVs – a respectable family product. Who are we to criticize aggressive-looking cars? It’s just a shape,” Vidal said.

Vidal also believes that more aerodynamic cars could soon push SUVs aside, and that smaller cars like the Fiat 500, with occasional refreshes, could be the best solution.

“In Europe, many people say it’s a shame that sedans and estate cars are disappearing one by one, but for electric cars it’s a very good idea to have a low, aerodynamic and practical product. That’s exactly what we should do as an electric car brand, for range and efficiency. So the question is how do we make desirable cars that are also smart choices in terms of size and proportions.”

Source: Autocar

The new Honda Prelude is coming to Europe in 2026

At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Honda revealed the Prelude Concept, continuing a story that began in the late 1970s. It was the first two-door coupe of the Japanese manufacturer, which will officially return to the European market after 25 years.

The new Prelude has a new design and, except for the name, almost no similarities with its predecessor. The front part is reminiscent of sports cars, thin headlights connected with an LED bar, black side mirrors, a roof line that descends towards the rear part is reminiscent of the design of the Porsche 911 and Hyundai Ioniq 6. The rear part has a black lip spoiler, a black bumper and an LED bar which extends along the entire length. The design of the interior is still unknown.

“The Honda Prelude is a legendary name, and the latest model will continue that legacy with our hybrid performance and the latest technology. Not only will it deliver excellent efficiency, but it will also offer the fun-to-drive performance that this model is known for. We are excited to bring it to Europe.” “, said Hans de Jaeger, senior vice president of Honda Motor Europe.

When it comes to the powertrain, Honda said the new Prelude will be all-electric and that a hybrid option is also being considered. They also confirmed that it will come with a new transmission .

Source: Honda

VW Moves Golf Production to Mexico

The current Golf Mk 8 with combustion engine will be sold until 2035, while the new Golf ID will arrive in 2028 on a new platform. This model will replace the Golf with combustion engine that is currently produced in Wolfsburg, and the latest information says that the Wolfsburg-based company is considering moving the production of this model to Mexico.

There is no confirmation from Volkswagen for now, and most of the talk is about Volkswagen’s largest plant in Mexico (Puebla) where one of the most famous models of the German automotive industry, the VW Beetle, was produced.

The European market has become more selective, and buyers are increasingly opting for SUVs, while once popular models like the Golf are no longer the first option. This creates additional pressure on the already difficult financial situation of European manufacturers, and moving production outside of European soil seems like a better option.

This also creates an additional problem that VW will have if the US imposes additional tariffs of 20%, which the new US president has promised.

Source: Reuters