Your favorite car?
A fantasy for the driver, a heresy for the environment, a melody for the hearing. The harsh sound of the 5l V8 of the new Mustang GT rings at the edges of an unreasonable memory. An ode to muscle cars, an aftertaste of Bullit, a snub to voiceless electricity. A car with character, transgressive and sulphurous. One of the last American myths still available on European soil. Totally irrational and unreasonable. But so pleasant.
The car that disappointed you?
Announced with great fanfare, the rebirth of Lancia was to make the brand “a respected and credible player in the premium market”. Wow ! An automobile version of Sleeping Beauty, what a wonder. And yet! The Lancia Ypsilon gives the distinct impression of being blurry. Blurry in its contours, blurry in its positioning, blurry in its intentions. A chic ersatz of the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa, the city car lacks identity and character. Lancia no longer rhymes with dolce vita. Damage.
The 2025 model you’re looking forward to?
The Alpine A390. To find out how the Dieppe brand, after the A290, is continuing its electric history. The idea of a sports coupe SUV with batteries made in France is interesting. But transcribing the Alpine spirit on a sedan is still damn daring. The elements of the show car, unveiled during the Paris Motor Show, show a unique line, a link between the Berlinette and the SUV. Alpine calls it a “sport fastback”. Looking forward to seeing the final version.
In the auto news, what annoyed you the most?
The policy regarding the electrification of the national park lacks clarity. Two steps forward, two steps back. Due to a lack of long-term consistency, the spread of electric vehicles within the national vehicle fleet is struggling. Reduction in the ecological bonus, reduction in the budget allocated to electric leasing, end of the conversion bonus… If we add the high prices of battery models, all the ingredients for the electromobile to stagnate are there. From words to actions, there is something of a catch in the policy of democratization of the electric car.
Anne Hidalgo is leaving: any comments?
In Paris by bike, you overtake cars. By bike in Paris we overtake taxis… No cars at all, almost no cars. The mayor of Paris wanted and succeeded in drastically reducing the role of the automobile in the city. Dividing, annoying, exasperating, excessive, impulsive, passionate about soft mobility, Anne Hidalgo had the merit of doing what she said in terms of automobile policy. Pedestrianization of the road on the bank, ring road at 50 km/h, limited traffic zones etc. Nothing resisted his will. The mayor followed her course of action. Motorists are crazy about it. The Parisians will perhaps say thank you.
The departure of Tavares, a shame or a good thing?
O Captain! My Captain! Our dreadful journey is over
The ship has passed all the milestones, the sought-after reward has been won
The port is close, I hear the bells, the crowd exulting,
While the eyes follow the fair keel, the ship mournful and daring.
But oh heart! heart ! heart !
O the red drops that bleed
On the deck where my Captain lies,
Stretched out, cold and lifeless.
When will you go electric?
My first electric experience was with a Tesla Model S P85+ in 2013. Enthusiasm about the discovery of a new automotive world. Driving pleasure, life on board and this silence, both pleasant and disturbing. The classic automotive references were hackneyed, but that gave the charm and appeal of the novelty. However, 11 years later, I still drive on gasoline. Electric, yes when family models will be more affordable and infrastructure more developed outside the main roads.
Your car wish for 2025
Let the automobile as a whole be viewed positively again. The automobile industry represents 10% of the national GDP and contributes to hundreds of thousands of jobs in France. At the individual level, the car is a service. In rural areas it is often the only means of transport available. Stop the stigma and caricature! The motorist is not a dangerous antisocial person who does not care about the environment and other road users. In town, as elsewhere, sharing the road leads to respect for each user, including motorists.
