All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Geely Builds a European Brain: New Tech Hub Aims to Shrink the China-to-Showroom Gap

Global expansion in the auto industry usually means more factories, more dealers, and more marketing muscle. But Geely is betting that brains—not bricks—are what it needs most right now. The Chinese automaker has merged its engineering operations in Sweden and Germany into a single entity called Geely Technology Europe, and the goal is simple: build cars for the world from day one, not retrofit them later.

This new hub consolidates research and development talent across the continent, effectively turning Europe into a central node in Geely’s global engineering network. The move builds on a foundation laid back in 2013, when the company partnered with Volvo to establish an R&D foothold in Gothenburg. What started as a collaborative engineering outpost has now evolved into a full-blown European brain trust—one designed to accelerate model launches and harmonize development across markets.

Geely Technology Europe won’t operate in isolation. Instead, it will function as a bridge between European expertise and the company’s main development center in China. The idea is to create vehicle platforms that meet global standards right out of the gate, rather than undergoing lengthy—and costly—regional adaptations later. That’s a subtle shift in strategy, but it has major implications for how quickly new models can travel from Chinese unveilings to international showrooms.

According to CEO Giovanni Lanfranchi, Europe isn’t just another market—it’s the benchmark. By creating what he calls a “borderless” R&D structure, Geely aims not only to meet regulatory and technical standards, but to help define them. That’s particularly important for the group’s expanding portfolio of brands, including premium EV players and globally minded sub-brands that need credibility in demanding Western markets.

One of the clearest performance targets underscores the urgency. Historically, Geely vehicles introduced in China could take years to reach overseas customers, slowed by certification requirements and technical tweaks. The new engineering setup is designed to slash that delay to less than six months. If achieved, it would dramatically compress development timelines and allow Geely to compete more directly with established global automakers.

The work ahead focuses on three core pillars: shared global architectures, market-specific product optimization, and AI-driven digital systems. That last category includes smart cockpit technologies and advanced driver-assistance features—areas where software development speed increasingly defines competitiveness. The recent certification of the company’s G-ASD driver assistance system for European use signals that Geely is already pushing forward on this front.

Meanwhile, the company’s broader ambitions extend beyond Europe. A massive new safety testing center in Hangzhou Bay—scheduled to open in late 2025—will feed data and development into the global pipeline. Built with lessons learned from Volvo’s safety heritage, the facility highlights Geely’s intent to compete not just on volume, but on engineering credibility.

Put it all together, and Geely Technology Europe looks less like a regional office and more like a strategic nerve center. If it succeeds, future Geely products may arrive in international markets faster, smarter, and more tailored from the outset. And in an industry where timing is everything, shaving years down to months could be the difference between chasing trends and setting them.

Source: Geely

NEW CARS

Bugatti Mistral “Caroline” Blends Brutality with Beauty

The last chapter of the quad-turbo W16 isn’t going out quietly. With the arrival of the bespoke W16 Mistral “Caroline,” Bugatti turns its swan song into something closer to rolling haute couture—equal parts hypercar, heirloom, and heartfelt tribute.

This one-off commission, created through Bugatti’s Sur Mesure division, takes the already outrageous W16 Mistral and filters it through a deeply personal lens. The customer—a long-time Bugatti collector—wanted delicacy to complement brutality, poetry to soften 1600 horsepower. The result is a hypercar inspired by flowers, named after his daughter, and executed with the kind of obsessive detail that would make a watchmaker blush.

From Bugatti’s historic atelier in Molsheim to its modern design outpost in Berlin, the Color & Material Finish team, led by Sabine Consolini, dove headfirst into botanical references and couture palettes. Lavender fields in Provence, manicured gardens in Paris, and fabric swatches worthy of a runway show shaped the car’s personality. The goal wasn’t just a color scheme—it was emotional resonance translated into carbon fiber and leather.

The exterior’s headline act is a bespoke “Lavender” paint, developed through dozens of samples and endless tweaking. It’s a hue that morphs under changing light, shifting between bluish and reddish violet tones, highlighting the Mistral’s sculptural bodywork in dramatic fashion. Beneath it, exposed “Violet Carbon” grounds the design, providing contrast while reminding you this isn’t just art—it’s a 260-mph sculpture.

The flourish that seals the deal sits at the rear. The retractable wing doubles as a canvas for a hand-painted floral composition layered in lilac and iris shades. Each petal is painstakingly applied, masked, and refined until the surface transforms into something closer to fine art than aerodynamic hardware. When the air brake deploys, the painting reveals itself in full—performance theater with a personal touch.

Inside, the theme continues with a serene mix of Blanc and Minuit leather, accented by violet tones and matching carbon fiber. The headrests feature mirrored floral embroidery executed with thousands of stitches, while the door panels suggest petals drifting in the wind. It’s delicate work, yet it somehow fits the kinetic energy of Bugatti’s design language.

At the center of the cabin sits a subtle nod to heritage: Rembrandt Bugatti’s iconic “Dancing Elephant,” encased in violet-tinted glass. It’s a reminder that even as the W16 era closes, Bugatti’s blend of art and engineering remains intact.

What makes the W16 Mistral “Caroline” remarkable isn’t just the detail—it’s the cohesion. Every stitch, every brushstroke, every shade converges into a single identity. It’s a hypercar that trades loudness for elegance without sacrificing presence, a farewell to the W16 that feels more gallery opening than track day.

And as final acts go, this one doesn’t just bow out—it blooms.

Source: Bugatti

News

Jeep Leverages Snow League to Showcase Electrified Off-Roading

The slopes aren’t the first place you’d expect a carmaker to go hunting for credibility—but then again, neither is a muddy trailhead at sunrise. That hasn’t stopped Jeep from planting its seven-slot grille firmly in the snow, aligning itself with the newly minted The Snow League—a globe-spanning halfpipe showdown that trades asphalt apexes for frozen vert.

Jeep Finds Its Grip in the Halfpipe

If there’s a through-line between lockers, lift kits, and lofty airs, Jeep thinks it’s adventure. The brand’s partnership with The Snow League—founded by snowboarding icon Shaun White—leans heavily on the same marketing DNA that once sold the idea of driving beyond the pavement. White now serves as a global ambassador, a move that feels less like a celebrity cameo and more like a continuation of Jeep’s long-standing courtship with outdoor culture.

The league itself is ambitious: a four-event global circuit stretching from Aspen to China’s Yunding Snow Park and culminating in the alpine playground of LAAX. Think Formula 1’s traveling circus, but with more corked spins and fewer tire blankets. The inaugural 2025–26 season crowned champions including Sena Tomita, Yuto Totsuka, Eileen Gu, and Luke Harrold—a lineup that reads like a who’s who of gravity-defying talent.

The Biggest Air, Sponsored by Torque

Jeep didn’t just show up with banners and branded beanies. It introduced the “Badge for Biggest Air,” a side quest rewarding athletes who deliver the most jaw-dropping amplitude regardless of podium placement. Winners such as Kaishu Hirano and Brooke D’Hondt embodied the kind of go-for-broke mentality Jeep has spent decades trying to bottle. It’s a clever move: celebrate boldness, and by extension, sell vehicles that promise to reach the same untamed terrain.

A Compact SUV Takes Center Stage

But make no mistake—the real star of Jeep’s alpine cameo wasn’t a snowboarder. It was the new Jeep Compass 4xe, parked front and center at LAAX like a basecamp on wheels. The refreshed C-SUV arrives with a buffet of powertrains: mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full battery-electric options, including dual-motor all-wheel drive variants boasting up to 375 horsepower and a claimed 650 kilometers of range.

Jeep insists the Compass retains its off-road credibility even in two-wheel-drive form, while the 4xe promises electrified traction for slippery conditions. Inside, practicality remains the pitch—34 liters of cabin storage, a 550-liter cargo area, and a digital cockpit featuring a 10-inch cluster paired with a 16-inch infotainment display. Level 2 driver assistance and over-the-air updates round out the tech, signaling that Jeep wants this Compass to handle weekday commutes as confidently as weekend powder runs.

From Trailhead to Terrain Park

There’s a certain logic here. Winter sports culture thrives on exploration, independence, and a willingness to chase remote locations—values Jeep has long marketed as its own. By aligning with a new league that spans continents and broadcasts to more than 175 countries, the brand isn’t just selling SUVs; it’s selling the idea that adventure doesn’t end when the road disappears under fresh snow.

Whether that message resonates with buyers remains to be seen. But as automotive partnerships go, this one feels less forced than most. After all, both Jeeps and halfpipes reward commitment. Back out too early, and you never reach the top.

Source: Stellantis