All posts by Francis Mitterrand

New regulations for motorcyclists on the Nürburgring Nordschleife

The Nürburgring Nordschleife is one of the most famous race tracks in the world, but it also gives adrenaline fans the opportunity to test their cars and motorcycles. However, the management has made a new decision that prohibits motorcyclists from using the track for tourist trips, and the decision will come into effect soon.

“The different driving dynamics of two- and four-wheeled vehicles create a risk of misunderstandings, especially when it comes to motorcyclists. In order to make driving safer for everyone, cars and motorcycles will be strictly separated in future. In the meantime, we have changed and expanded our offer for motorcyclists. From now on, the famous tourist drives on the Nordschleife, where anyone with an approved vehicle can take to the track, will be reserved for cars only. Motorcyclists will still be allowed to use the 20.8-kilometer route, but only as part of “sightseeing during professionally organized training sessions,” the statement said.

Motorcyclists will still be able to use the Grand-Prix-Strecke, which is more modern and safer, and special routes will also be organized.

Source: Nürburgring Nordschleife

Dacia is developing a new EV that will cost around 18,000 euros

Dacia has been the European market leader for years with its most successful and best-selling model in Europe, the Dacia Sandero. However, now the Romanian brand is developing a new model that will cost around 18,000 euros.

In an interview with Autocar, Renault Group CEO De Meo said that the new car will be developed over a period of 16 months, which means it will hit the market in mid-2026. He also said that the company has reached the speed of new car development currently experienced by Chinese companies, after starting a research and development partnership with a Chinese consultancy for the Renault Twingo E-Tech project.

Some are already questioning whether the new model also means that Dacia will soon withdraw the Spring from the market, which debuted five years ago. Dacia has not yet commented on this.

What we do know about the new Dacia model is that it will have similar characteristics to other affordable electric cars currently being developed by Nissan. It will be based on a shortened version of the AmpR Small platform specially developed for electric vehicles. This platform is derived from the CMF-B platform, which is currently used by Dacia’s entire fleet with combustion engines.

Source: Dacia

New Mitsubishi Grandis coming soon

Between 2003 and 2011, Mitsubishi produced a seven-seat MPV, the Grandis, as a successor to the Chariot. Now, the Japanese company is announcing its return, but as a version of Renault’s Symbioz crossover.

New Mitsubishi Grandis coming soon

There is not much information about this car yet, and what we do know for now is speculation. Several teasers have been released that suggest that the car could share much of the bodywork and interior design with the 4.4-meter-long Renault Symbioz.

Also, some sources say that it could be equipped with an ADAS system package and Google services. Mitsubishi announced that this model will be presented in July, while it will reach the European market at the end of Q3 2025.

When it comes to the powertrain, the new Grandis will be offered as a mild hybrid and a hybrid, and a new compact EV crossover will join it a little later. Rumor has it that it could be Mitsubishi’s version of the Renault Scenic E-Tech.

More information is coming soon.

Source: Mitsubishi

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