+++ Anyone holding out hope that ALFA ROMEO is going to launch a new 2-seater sports car or a reborn Spider any day now will have to keep that flame burning for a bit longer. In an interview, Alfa’s marketing boss Cristiano Fiorio revealed the brand needs to prove it can sell mainstream models in significant numbers before being able to even consider making a successor to the lightweight 4C sports car that was axed in 2019. This is because “huge investment” has gone into creating the all-new Stelvio that’s due to be unveiled later this year, and the next-generation Guilia that’s coming in 2026. Both will sit on a brand-new architecture and will be offered with the choice of hybrid or pure-electric power. Fiorio explained: “Any person working in Alfa Romeo would tell you that at a certain point in time we would like to have another reachable performance car. But I always believe that before going into dreams, like when people said why don’t you go back into motorsport, we have to deliver. Alfa Romeo doesn’t have the means of Audi or Mercedes or Porsche because of the volumes that we generate, and we have to do things step-by-step. So in the last 3 of 4 years we have been very diligent in putting in order again the accountability of the brand, in terms of results. “Why have we been doing this? If we want to fulfil the dreams of you, our fans and our clients, we need to be able to produce results, because at a certain point if a brand doesn’t make money it will not be able to sustain its future, and Alfa Romeo has always had a problem of not delivering on promises”. He continued: “We have to generate credibility, so do one model every year and prove that we are able to execute that, make it profitable and make numbers which are acceptable for the investment. Once we have a track record on that, then we can dream”. Alfa Romeo product manager Mario Lamagna echoed this point, as he told: “Portfolio is key. If you build a portfolio, then you can do very interesting things”. Lamagna added: “We see a bright future for Alfa, and things will come. We are a sports car brand, 100 percent, so let’s continue on our path and not hurry it too much. Otherwise, we focus on “we are doing a Spider!”, and then miss all the other opportunities on the market”. Would a new Alfa Romeo sports car be electric? While Alpine, Audi, Caterham, Porsche and Lotus are all working on pure-electric sports cars, if Alfa Romeo does get the green light, the direction it could choose has yet to be decided. I asked Lamagna if a new Alfa sports car would have to be electric, to which he replied: “We are evaluating the best options. There are many choices on the table, so flexibility is key”. I was also curious to know his thoughts on electric cars, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which have used some virtual trickery to create a more engaging driving experience. “Personally, I’m not in favour of, I would say, in faking an experience like that”, Lamagna responded. “At Alfa Romeo, we believe in a true experience. So, regardless of the fact that you have a sound or not, we want to do something that has to be real, people have to fall in love anyway with the car, even if it is electric, it doesn’t matter. Honestly, I don’t see that as a big thing for our customers. But again, we need to be committed to the experience somehow”. Marketing boss Fiorio described Alfa Romeo to us as “a very sporty brand, but always sort of reachable”, so I asked him how that computes with the company’s latest halo product: the 33 Stradale, just 33 of which are being built and each costing around €2 million. He told me the 33 Stradale was not just a “manifesto” for the brand, it was a project born from motorsport and “was done by a crazy bunch of people that said, okay, let’s go against the odds”. He continued: “It was a project managed outside the normal, day-to-day business of the company. The agreement was to not impact the brand’s day-to-day activities, because if it did that then we wouldn’t do it. But if you want to do it, you want to dream or play, prove yourself that you are not impacting anything and that you can self-sustain that business on the pinnacle of the brand, then we are okay in supporting you”. +++
+++ AUDI is putting the finishing touches on the new Q9, its largest and most opulent SUV model to date. It’s aimed primarily at markets such as the US, China and the UAE, but is understood to be bound for the Netherlands as well. The new model will sit above the existing Q7, rivalling the likes of the BMW X7, the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Range Rover. Like the Q7, it will be offered as a 3-row 7-seater, although a 6-seat layout similar to that offered in the Bentley Bentayga is also on the cards. It’s most likely to be underpinned by an extended version of the Volkswagen Group’s new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). This supports longitudinally mounted powertrains that range from a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine through to a V8. The V8 is most likely to be deployed in the sporting SQ9 as part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain to help it to meet global emissions standards. It appears that the Q9 is finally approaching market readiness, having faced several delays. Audi first hinted at the Q9’s existence at the launch of the Q8 in 2018 and prototypes were first spotted testing in 2021. It has been redesigned since then to align it with Audi’s latest ICE models, gaining thinner led daytime running lights, a honeycomb-pattern front grille and, like on the new A6, a light bar spanning the width of its rear end. The Q9 is expected to be revealed next year but may not arrive in Dutch showrooms until early 2027. Pricing is expected to start around €130.000. It comes as Audi rethinks its plan to launch its final ICE cars next year. “For all global regions, we are going to take a look at the life of combustion engines”, CEO Gernot Döllner said earlier this month. “2032 was the date we had communicated to phase out ICE cars, but we have to reassess those dates and deadlines”. +++
+++ The Ceed (or ‘Cee’d as it was known back then) was the car that kick-started KIA ’s success in several European countries almost 20 years ago and a new one is just around the corner. The family hatchback sector will wave goodbye to the Ford Focus this year, as it did with the internal-combustion-engined Renault Mégane a few years ago. However, Kia obviously thinks there’s still life in the segment, and it hopes to cash in with a new generation of the Ceed. However, the new, 4th generation variant will no longer be a model specifically for Europe. As Kia looks to globalise more of its models, the next Ceed will be a version of the C-segment K4 hatchback that’s just been revealed for South Korea and the USA. With the South Korean firm now having a more regular design language through its global line-up, I already have a pretty good idea how the new Ceed will look. It’s clear the overall body will be longer and lower than before, but it’ll take on Kia’s modern design signatures such as slim, vertical headlights, a thin upper grille and clever use of black trim; most of which we’ve seen on Kia’s new all-electric EV-badged cars. Those LED lights will likely copy Kia’s new ‘Star Map’ design, framing the front end for a striking look. Don’t be fooled by the bulges on the rear doors, though, as the door handles will be located on the C-pillar to give the Ceed a sportier, three-door-inspired look. The overall shape also looks much wider and more aggressive than today’s Ceed, framed at the rear by thin LED lights that loop their way around from the middle of the tailgate to the far edges of the tail. The cabin will also be a direct carry-over from the K4 hatch, so that should see the use of a much more modern dual-screen set-up perched on top of a thin and minimalist dashboard. Not yet confirmed for Europe is the funky asymmetric colour scheme available on the K4 saloon in Kia’s native Korean market, which actually sees the driver and passenger’s doors finished in different colours. The range of engines will probably include a selection of small petrol units, most with some form of mild-hybrid assistance and all powering the front wheels. A plug-in hybrid is on the cards too, but a Golf-rivalling diesel is not likely due to limited demand in markets outside of Europe. Given that the car’s already been unveiled for overseas markets, I suspect we won’t have to wait long to see the new European Ceed model in full. +++
+++ The MG 4 ELECTRIC will be updated for the Dutch market in the coming months, but there are no immediate plans for it to get the same wide-ranging redesign that was recently revealed in China. The electric car will instead get an extensive interior refresh to mirror that of the new and technically related S5 EV crossover. This includes higher-quality materials, bigger and clearer screens and a new array of console-mounted buttons that make minor operations quicker and easier. The 4 will also receive that car’s new Level-2 ADAS. Given the car is made in China alongside its home market stablemate, it will likely eventually adopt the changes introduced by that second-generation model last week. However when that will be is yet to be determined; a spokesperson said: “Whether Europe will take this particular vehicle and on what timeframe, is something MG is still considering”. Last week, the second-generation 4 EV was launched. +++
+++ PEUGEOT will launch a GTi variant of the e-208, new boss Alain Favey has confirmed, with the hot hatch set to spearhead an effort to “nurture the reputation of the brand for driving sensations”. It will be the first GTi model since the previous-generation 308 went off sale in 2021 and Peugeot’s first sporty electric car. Speaking to media, Favey said: “I’m in a position to confirm that we will reintroduce the GTi on the e-208 as soon as possible. We’ve made the decision that Peugeot GTi will be reintroduced”. He added that it is a “signal” about “what it means to reconnect to our past, our history” and that it would link the French brand’s road cars to its involvement in motorsport (in the World Endurance Championship). “We want to continue to nurture the reputation of the brand for driving sensations and the fact that our cars produce particular driving sensations, either as a driver or as someone that is being driven in the car”, Favey said. As for a broader GTi line-up or a sporting model with a combustion engine, Favey suggested it will depend on customer feedback. He said: “We will start with the 208 and [are]definitely listening to your inputs, or what our customers will say as well. We don’t exclude that there might be other executions of the 208 GTi under the GTi badge, but for today there’s absolutely nothing planned in that sense. Confirmation of the GTi badge’s return comes after Favey last month said that he would consider it as one of his first jobs since taking over as Peugeot CEO. The new e-208 GTi is most likely to use the same powertrain as the new Abarth 600e, which is based on the same e-CMP platform as the e-208. The Italian hot crossover gets a 240 hp motor mounted up front with a Torsen limited-slip differential. It weighs 1.625 kg and delivers a 0-100 kph sprint time of 6.2 seconds. It’s possible that a lighter and lower-set e-208 equipped with the same powertrain could cut that to below 6.0 seconds. The Abarth is also offered with a punchier 280 hp motor in limited-run Scorpionissima form, leaving room for a special edition in the vein of the previous 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport. Green-lighting the e-208 GTi for production is also likely to result in a hot version of the Opel Corsa Electric, given that the two models are twinned. +++
+++ RENAULT will continue to tap into its back catalogue with plans to revive iconic “Fast and Furious cars” of the 1990s and early 2000s. Speaking at the launch of the new Renault 5 Turbo 3E, group design chief Laurens van den Acker said he believes there is “a window of opportunity” for more desirable retro revivals, like the Renault 4 and Renault 5. “If you wait too long, people have forgotten about them”, he said. “If you’re too early, it’s still not cool enough. 10 years ago, we did the Alpine A110. It was perfect, because it was a ’50s, ’60s kind of car, and we said ‘we need to do this car now, because if we wait 10 years, they will all be gone’. And I think now is the time for ’70s, ’80s cars, and in 10 years time we will be doing ‘Fast and Furious’ cars”. Giving us a flavour of the kind of cars to expect on our roads in the future, van den Acker said: “We will be doing Subarus, Hondas, Datsuns, Volkswagen Golf GTIs”, before explaining that the models “grow with the people”. This strategy could result in a revival of cars such as the Clio V6 or even the Sport Spider, both of which were rear-driven and could potentially be underpinned by the all-aluminum, rear-driven electric car platform under the 5 Turbo 3E. Van den Acker explained that revivals of cars like this could be achieved thanks to the changing relationship between engineers and designers at the Renault Group. “The times where designers and engineers were enemies are long past”, he said. “Now we work together like never before, and it’s the way to go, because that makes this sort of stuff happen”. The launch of the 5 Turbo 3E is the latest in a series of retro revivals from the French firm and comes as part of van den Acker’s overall vision for its future models. Summing it up, he said he wants to “make the best of the past and the best of the future”. +++
+++ The SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW has been growing in significance over the last decade. It’s no longer considered a local show full of domestic debuts; the 2025 expo (opening to media on 23 April) will see global launches from Chinese makers and global giants alike. Plans have also been reported for the show’s organisers to host a ‘2025 global automotive leaders closed-door summit’ on 22 April, suggesting the industry’s most influential executives will be out in force on the eve of China’s biggest motor show. I’ve got the full rundown of all the major car reveals and rumours, so keep reading for all you need to know: Audi won’t be showing anything relevant to the European market, but I’ve been told that the China-only AUDI brand will be there, possibly pulling off the covers off its first production car. Widely reported to be a production version of the AUDI E concept first shown last year, the car will be built as part of a joint-venture with MG parent company SAIC. It won’t use the company’s recognisable 4-ring logo, and will have the AUDI lettering instead. While we don’t expect a specific show car from BMW, it will use Shanghai to reveal more about its Vision Driving Experience; a test car that previews its future electric M-car tech. I had a ride in the crazy quad-motor saloon earlier this year, describing it as a “thrilling” experience. Let’s see what BMW has to say when it takes the car to Shanghai. It’s almost certain that BYD, along with its sub-brands Denza and Yangwang, will have a sizeable presence at its home show. While unconfirmed, there are rumours circulating about a new Denza sports car, which could launch in Europe sooner than you can say “Build Your Dreams”. Like BYD, Leapmotor is expected to reveal new and updated products at this year’s Shanghai show, though exactly what form that takes remains to be seen. The brand has now officially launched in Europe with 2 models: the tiny T03 and the C10. The B10 is the next model in line, which we’ll be driving in China shortly after the show. I don’t expect Mercedes to shy away from the Shanghai show given its significance in the Chinese market, though at this stage it’s not clear what the firm will bring to the table. Either way, it should be an opportunity for local customers to have a poke around the latest CLA, if nothing else. The new MG 4 was revealed in China only last week, so it’s certain to make an appearance in Shanghai. Since its reveal, however, MG has suggested the softly-styled hatchback won’t be sold in Europe, at least not for now. Instead, the current car will be given a series of updates to help keep it competitive, possibly including a more efficient battery for a little added range. Despite this being a Chinese show, I expect some of the major Japanese manufacturers to make an appearance in Shanghai. Given their global footprint, Toyota and Lexus are top of the list, but concrete information on what they’ll exhibit is still thin on the ground. Volkswagen is gearing up to present a brand-new concept car in Shanghai, though I understand European relevance of the vehicle is still to be confirmed. Given China’s penchant for EVs, it’s certain to be electric, but we’ll have to wait and see what form it takes. +++
+++ Small-car specialist SMART is investigating the feasibility of reinventing its iconic 2-seat ForTwo for the modern age, with the firm’s European boss telling us the model will “define the A-segment” by staying true to the company’s core values. Smart’s European CEO Dirk Adelmann said to “stay tuned” for more information on the next-generation city car. “The A-segment is, for us, very interesting, because it is growing”, the boss told. It’s thought the new model could launch by the end of the decade, priced from around €23.000. Separately, Smart’s head of design Kai Sieber told: “The ForTwo is the core of our brand. It’s still our very clear intention to bring it back into the range”. While the new car will most likely retain its compact footprint and spacious interior, it won’t double down on retro design, according to the company’s CEO. Asked whether he and his team are keeping a keen eye on the new Renault 5, as well as established remakes such as the modern Mini and Fiat 500, Adelmann said: “I really like the R5 from a design perspective; when you sit inside: cool, cool, and cool. But if we come back with a vehicle that is significantly smaller in size than #1 and #3, then we will make sure it’s a true Smart. That doesn’t have to be retro; Smart doesn’t usually do retro. We are looking at what’s next”, he said. Given the separation Smart has created between the visually similar #1 and #3, and the new, boxier #5, I expect the firm’s designers to take the new city car in a different direction stylistically. That said, there are certain non-negotiables, according to Adelmann: “We will definitely have some Smart-family elements”, he told. “Like frameless doors or the space concept; we’ll put the wheels in the corners. That we will keep, if we go in that direction”. It’s likely that elements such as the full-width lightbar will be carried over from other Smart models. We’ll probably see another lightbar at the rear, plus a near-vertical rear window and tall roofline to boost interior space. Inside, expect the same 2-seat layout as before, with plenty of head and legroom. The car isn’t likely to raise the stakes when it comes to significant boot capacity, but the tech offering should get a decent uplift, likely using an updated version of the twin-screen layout found in the #1 and #3. Quality should sufficiently justify the proposed price tag, without surpassing the larger, more expensive models in Smart’s product range. Elsewhere, Adelmann told that to build a new city car, Smart would “need an investment into a new platform”, suggesting that, as with its ForTwo predecessor, the new model would be considerably smaller than anything else in the maker’s product range. This platform is unlikely to be created completely in-house, but could be developed with help from parent company Geely. Since 2019, Smart has been jointly owned by Geely and Mercedes-Benz. The new car’s shape was all but confirmed by a revealing sketch posted on social media by design boss Sieber in October last year, showing what looks to be the new car’s side profile; the upright stance of the original ForTwo doesn’t appear to have been significantly diluted, carrying over that car’s short overhangs and abrupt rear end. Beneath it, Sieber has also drawn a more conventional supermini shape, presumably a successor for the ForFour and a future rival for Volkswagen’s forthcoming ID.2. The European boss went on to list important features that any future ForTwo successor should have: “Interior space, functionality, versatility”, are essential, he said. “Depending on the segment, also the turning circle, parkability and so on. If we are going in that direction, then of course we try to not lose those values, but maybe find another step of enhancing those values”, he told. While unconfirmed, I expect this new Smart will use the #2 badge, despite it being significantly smaller than the existing #1. Adelmann told us the recently launched #5 halo car apparently does not represent “the end of Smart’s portfolio strategy. We have the #1, #3 and #5, so there is still some room for the even numbers. There is more to come”, he said. If the 2-seater does take the #2 badge, we can only assume Smart is saving #4 for that aforementioned ID.2 alternative, much like we saw with the now-defunct ForTwo and ForFour, which ended production last year after a decade on sale. Little is known about what might power the next-generation ForTwo, but Adelmann confirmed that Smart is committed to being an electric-only brand. “If you want to take the traffic decarbonisation seriously, you have to do electric”, he told. “I’m 100 percent convinced that we go that direction – all of us in the industry”. He was also keen to point out that his engineers would need to make sure “the range is what we think it should be, not what the ForTwo had. What’s the next level in that segment?”, he asked. Given that both the Renault 5 and Mini can manage around 400 km of range fitted with the larger of their 2 battery options, it’s likely Smart would target a similar figure, comfortably surpassing the Fiat 500e’s 320 km maximum. The old ForTwo couldn’t even manage 160 km on the WLTP test cycle. However, while Smart has moved the goalposts with its new #5 by fitting a hi-tech 800 volt electrical architecture and ultra-rapid 400 kW charging speeds, it’s likely things will be kept more modest for the impending #2. Peak speeds of around 100 kW would keep things competitive; given the car’s urban focus, anything more might be considered superfluous. As with other models in the Smart range, there’s even the possibility of a racier Brabus model, with more power and bespoke drive modes. Don’t expect the 400 hp-plus you get on the #1 Brabus, but even 150-200 hp would ensure peppy performance without too much compromise on range or efficiency. Like the firm’s existing Brabus cars, the go-faster #2 would almost certainly get bigger wheels and a subtle bodykit, plus red detailing inside and out. Admittedly, Adelmann did keep emphasising the word “if” in his comments about a city-car successor to the ForTwo, but insisted his team is “working on it” becoming a production reality. If the boss thinks he can make it financially viable, we could see further sketches over the next 12-18 months, before the inevitable concept car and full reveal later down the line. +++