– My favorite car
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: it's the only electric car that has been able to thrill me. No doubt because, for me, automotive pleasure remains inseparable from the noises that grip my guts since my earliest childhood: that of the revs taken by a gasoline engine and the gear changes that punctuate them. During the test, I couldn't help but stay in the thermal driving mode, switching gears myself via the paddles on the steering wheel to find imaginary (but fatty…) low revs. Of course, this is still a simulation: but isn't a good soda able to replace alcoholic beverages? I'm not saying that the party is crazier, but I got caught up in the game, and surprised to imagine an electric city car capable of having this effect for much less money, with a lighter weight.
– The car that disappointed you
After launching its C03 city car then creating a joint venture with Stellantis to better establish itself in Europe, Leapmotor launched this year the C10: an electric SUV in e-5008 format priced from just €36,400. Its motorway consumption is not scandalous for the category, with 23,5 kWh/100 km noted during our test. But its battery only stores 67 useful kWh, it is difficult to imagine more than 250 km in one go, or 200 km with 80% battery. Worse: the maximum charging power on fast terminals remains limited to 84 kW. Or at least 40 minutes to iron from 10 to 80%. Nothing like it to give fodder to the anti-electricists!
– The 2025 model you're impatiently waiting for
The Mercedes CLA electric : the current model is already the family vehicle that I like the most aesthetically (I like streamlined sedans) and on board, I am curious to know what the future 100% electric version can give that our Manu has already been able to see it in real life, and that the brand is already announcing it capable of an autonomy approaching 700 km.
– In the auto news, what annoyed you the most?
The limitation of the Paris ring road to 50 km/h : not only because not being able to exceed this speed when traffic is flowing can be painful for those who work at a shift (often sooner or later…), but also because it makes bikers adept at inter-queueing ( of which I am a part) outside the law, the circulation of two-wheelers between the two leftmost lanes being permitted only on roads whose speed limit is equal to or greater than 70 km/h.
In fact, I'm not sure that my insurance will reimburse me for the vital organs that I might leave there. Of course, nothing obliges me to continue this practice, but it would be good to legislate fissa for those who try to make traffic flow more smoothly and preserve a little of their personal time: on a motorbike, I reach my workplace in 50 minutes so that it would take me 1 hour 30 minutes by public transport.
– Anne Hidalgo is going to leave: your comment…
Since her program was able to satisfy Parisians, who logically defend their quality of life as a priority to the detriment of those who come to work in Île-de-France, I imagine that she will be replaced by a mayor in the same vein, in 'occurrence Rémi Féraud. So nothing to rejoice about: Paris is going to become an open-air museum, so much the better for those who live there. I will no longer go for pleasure since it is complicated and expensive to get there, only for work. I will continue to ride my motorbike to stay there as short as possible and return to my bush.
The departure of Tavares: too bad or so much the better?
I had high hopes for the arrival of this automobile-loving boss at PSA. But its short-term strategy which consists of reducing costs to improve its balance sheet quickly annoyed me, as did its almost insulting salaries in times of inflation, crisis, sluggish sales, and failures in terms of quality. When we think that he proposed closing production lines and factories for next year… A priori, I would say so much the better, but that suggests that his successor stands up to shareholders who dictate their law. But Christmas being an opportunity to make wishes, I wish Stellantis, as well as any French manufacturer, a strategy which allows us to preserve or even create jobs in France. Given the prices of homemade products now, this seems possible to me…
When will you go electric?
Driving the electrics is relaxing, I could replace an unexciting everyday thermal vehicle with a so-called “zero emission” vehicle. without any problem, especially since the usage budget would be greatly reduced. For this, I would be able to accept a few additional stops on vacation, provided that the motorway relays last at least 300 km: difficult to imagine less knowing that I generally cover 2,500 km in the summer.
But there are two problems. Already, no electric family car appeals to me, apart from the unreasonable Hyundai Ioniq 5 N cited above or the future Mercedes CLA which should also blow the budget. But above all, I still devote all my car budget to old thermal vehicles which made me dream. Perhaps a second-hand electric one that's not too expensive otherwise, provided that the long-term reliability of the battery is proven.
My auto wish for 2025
Like last year: more varied bodywork. The streamlined sedans are making a comeback thanks to electric power, but I would like more of them, and at more “popular” prices. I would also like roadsters and convertibles to join the MG Cyberster in its emission-free convertible approach, but also elegant two-door coupes.
And finally that Alfa, BMW and Mercedes among others, imagine hybridization systems simple which make it possible to offer six-cylinder engines without big penalties (like Lexus some time ago), rather than overpriced plug-in systems which make no sense on a sports car like the M5. I still dream…
