Volkswagen is assisting the Vatican City State in its shift toward sustainable mobility. Starting in 2024, the company will supply nearly 40 fully electric models from its ID. series, including the ID.3, ID.4, and ID.5. These vehicles are part of the Vatican’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality for its fleet by 2030. Imelda Labbé, a member of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars board, and Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Financial Services AG, personally delivered the first two electric vehicles, ID.3 Pro Performance models, to the Vatican.
The Vatican City State is committed to implementing innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the environmental impact of human activities and protect the planet. Central to this effort is the “Ecological Conversion 2030” program, which aims to decrease the CO2 footprint of the state’s vehicle fleet. To achieve this, the Vatican plans to gradually replace its current vehicles with electric ones, ultimately reaching a CO2-neutral fleet by 2030.
Volkswagen has been selected as the partner for this project and will provide the Vatican State with a fleet starting in 2024 through Volkswagen Financial Services. Subsequently, additional zero-emission vehicles from Volkswagen Group brands will be progressively introduced, leading to a complete fleet replacement by 2030.
Imelda Labbé stated during the vehicle handover in Vatican City: “The electrification of fleets is becoming increasingly important across the globe. The fact that Vatican employees will now also drive our ID. models in the future is a great honor for our brand and highlights the appeal of our all-electric ID. models.”
Dr. Christian Dahlheim added, “We are pleased to support the Vatican in this important project. This is a unique opportunity for us and demonstrates our competitiveness in providing mobility solutions.”
Information for editors: Volkswagen Financial Services is a division of the Volkswagen AG group and includes Volkswagen Financial Services AG, Volkswagen Bank GmbH, Porsche Financial Services, and financial service companies in the USA and Canada under the Volkswagen AG umbrella, with the exception of the Scania brand and Porsche Holding Salzburg. These businesses cover dealer and customer financing, leasing, banking, insurance activities, fleet management, and mobility services. Volkswagen Financial Services employ approximately 17,713 people globally, with 7,692 in Germany alone. They report total assets of around EUR 240 billion, an operating profit of EUR 5.60 billion, and a portfolio of around 22.0 million current contracts (as at 31.12.2022).
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand operates in over 140 markets and manufactures vehicles at 29 locations in twelve countries. In 2022, Volkswagen delivered approximately 4.6 million vehicles, including popular models like the Polo, T-Roc, T-Cross, Golf, Tiguan, Passat, and the all-electric models ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.6. Last year, the company supplied over 330,000 all-electric vehicles to customers worldwide. Volkswagen employs around 170,000 people globally, and with its ACCELERATE strategy, it aims to become the most sought-after brand for sustainable mobility.
In today’s era of electric-powered and smaller engines, Lamborghini’s V10 is starting to appear outdated from a regulatory perspective. The natural 5.2-liter engine is set to phase out next year when the final Huracan is produced. What will take its place? A listen to what appears to be a smaller gasoline engine intended for the upcoming “entry-level” supercar may hold the answer.
This lengthy spy video takes us around the streets of Italy, showcasing numerous supercars and SUVs adorned with the raging bull emblem. Some of the footage was captured right outside the factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese. The 19-minute clip gives us a close look at the Huracan’s successor, clad in full camouflage and sporting some Gallardo-like stickers covering the headlights and taillights.
Mercedes recently started delivering the AMG One hypercar, but it seems that testing of prototypes is still underway. A total of four prototypes were spotted at a rest stop in Granada, Spain, accompanied by a GT 4-Door Coupe in the 63 S variant from Affalterbach. This sighting is special because the F1-engined hypercar will be a rare sight, with only 275 customer cars being produced.
It is unclear what Mercedes was testing, considering that production of the One began over a year ago. The possibility of a successor hypercar has already been ruled out due to the challenges of meeting emissions regulations. With the Euro 7 standard coming in 2025 and the increased stringency of emissions regulations, it is unlikely that another F1-inspired car for the road will be developed. However, the hybrid technology developed for the AMG One could potentially be utilized in future performance models from AMG, even though the 1.6-liter V6 engine might not be used again in a street-legal car.
Leaked images of Alfa Romeo’s upcoming small electric SUV have surfaced, giving us a glimpse into the new entry-level model from the Italian brand. Set to be launched in early 2024, this SUV will take the place of the Mito supermini in their lineup.
Originally known as the Brennero, the small SUV will now be given a different name when it hits showrooms. It will sit below the Tonale crossover and will be built on the e-CMP platform, which is also used by the Fiat 600 and Jeep Avenger.
Alfa Romeo has not made any official comments on the leaked images, which first appeared on Instagram and are now circulating widely.
The new electric SUV is expected to measure around 4.1 meters in length and 1.8 meters in width. It will be the smallest Alfa Romeo since the Mito was discontinued in 2019. The company has suggested that it will remain as the smallest car in their lineup due to the declining demand for upmarket superminis.
According to Daniel Guzzafame, the head of products at Alfa Romeo, the new B-segment SUV will indirectly replace the Mito. He stated, “The Mito will not be replaced as it was, but it will for sure be indirectly replaced by the B-segment SUV. The premium B-segment doesn’t exist, and around the world, we need to fill it. With an infinite amount of money, resources, time? Fantastic, I’ll do everything. But without that, I need to rationalise; I need to pick the segments that are actually relevant for the base customers in the premium segments. We considered a lot. We needed to decide whether to go two doors, four doors, so we made a decision, and the Mito will not be replaced as it was. But we will see. All of the world is evolving, small cars are becoming more important again.”
Priced at around £35,000, the new small Alfa Romeo SUV will be targeted towards new customers, including families and females. The brand aims to move away from being seen as a solely “sporty brand” favored by middle-aged men.
Munich. The world premiere of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse marks a new beginning for the BMW brand, one characterised by a completely fresh way of thinking and approach. THE NEUE NEW is the title of the multi-channel campaign accompanying the Bavarian premium carmaker’s ongoing process of transformation. The campaign’s storytelling captures the central areas of action contained within this transformation and brings an unusual angle to the idea of “the new”.
The campaign THE NEUE NEW – developed and implemented by the agency THE GAME created specially for the BMW Group and the BMW brand – explains in an authentic and accessible way what underpins the “NEU” of the forthcoming NEUE KLASSE. The use of the German word for “new” references the name of this new-generation model series and has an effective and memorable impact in non-German-speaking markets around the world as well as at home. At the same time, the campaign shines the spotlight on the brand promise “Freude forever.” and opens a window to BMW as a future-facing brand focused on meeting peoples’ needs.
“THE NEUE NEW represents our journey into a completely new era of mobility, in which we are putting people front and centre. And its visual implementation is likewise very authentic, accessible and human,” says Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer and BMW Brand. “The campaign provides an initial example of how we are also employing innovative communication approaches to drive forward the transformation process BMW is currently navigating.”
THE NEUE NEW tells the story of the transformation alongside the key future-focused fields the BMW Group has set itself: the ideal of a circular economy as a progressive mindset geared towards preserving resources; digitalisation focused on identifying and meeting peoples’ needs; and a commitment to electrification with the aim of making the driving pleasure for which the brand is renowned something future generations can also experience.
As a central hub in which these three elements converge, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse embodies a fresh departure fuelled by optimism for the future. Recalling the “mk1” Neue Klasse, which revolutionised the brand’s product range in the 1960s, the storytelling approach is deliberately playing on the German “Neue” in non-German-speaking markets as well as at home and, in so doing, redefining the idea of “the new” itself.
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse shows us here and now how Sheer Driving Pleasure will be interpreted in the years ahead. At its heart is the design language of “intelligent reduction to the essentials”. Meanwhile, the latest generation of BMW iDrive delivers a digital, immersive user experience in which the driver takes centre stage. Every aspect of the development process took sustainability and efficiency as the guiding themes.
THE NEUE NEW: 360-degree campaign follows a “social first” approach.
The campaign strategically orchestrated by THE GAME feeds all the main touchpoints of the various target groups. Alongside various influencer collaborations, the campaign focuses primarily on the brand’s social media channels. A filter for Instagram and Snapchat developed specially for the campaign also allows the BMW Vision Neue Klasse to inspire its audience within an augmented reality experience.
The 360-degree approach of THE NEUE NEW allows it to make a mark with out-of-home activities and double-page spreads in print media, too. The campaign is supported by other measures on BMW channels such as the My BMW App, the brand’s homepage and FREUDE.FOREVER magazine. THE MARCOM ENGINE was responsible for the media planning across all channels and touchpoints.
During the IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, the campaign also becomes a physical experience. The concept behind the show stand for the BMW Group’s Open Space at Max-Joseph-Platz was the work of creative consultancy Meiré and Meiré. The installation for the BMW Vision Neue Klasse followed THE NEUE NEW campaign approach and was accompanied by communications input from Cologne-based creative agency Elastique, and the key opinion leader & talent agency Pacific took care of the on-site support programme.
Although it’s only the beginning of September, the current BMW X3 entered the 2024 model year a few weeks ago. This means that the next-generation luxury crossover will be available in the United States as a 2025 model. However, there are still some final tests that need to be completed. Our spies had the opportunity to closely analyze two prototypes, both of which had less camouflage than previous sightings, revealing the production body.
It’s important to note that the two test vehicles were equipped with combustion engines, as the future iX3 will have a substantially different appearance. The iX3 will switch to the Neue Klasse platform, as mentioned here. Currently, the electric crossover shares the same design as the conventionally powered X3, using the CLAR platform. However, this will change in 2025 with the introduction of a dedicated electric architecture.
Earlier this month, there were rumors suggesting that the V8 engine would make a comeback in the C63 and E63 models. However, these rumors have been denied by an AMG engineer, calling them “pure nonsense.” Unfortunately, it has now been confirmed by the AMG CEO, Michael Schiebe, that the V8 engine will not be returning.
In an interview during the Monterey Car Week, Schiebe definitively denied the rumors and stated that the decision to downsize and electrify the engines was the right move. He mentioned that other competitors are also introducing sporty hybrid models with smaller engines, making this a strategic decision for AMG.
According to The Detroit News, Ford has already received approximately 13,000 orders for the 2024 Mustang ahead of its upcoming shipments next week. In anticipation of sending out the first batch, the automaker has provided some insight into customer preferences.
Currently, 67% of the orders are for the V8 engine, while the remaining third are for the turbocharged four-cylinder option. Additionally, a Ford spokesperson informed Motor1.com that 27% of the shipments include the Mustang GT and Dark Horse versions and are equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.
The diesel engine has been facing a decline in Europe ever since the scandal at the VW Group, and stricter emissions regulations are further contributing to its downfall. As a result, many automakers have stopped offering diesel engines in smaller cars. The latest sales numbers from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association confirm that the demand for diesel cars is on a downward trend.
Last month, in European Union countries, the market share for diesel cars decreased to 13.4 percent, down from 17.4 percent in June 2022. This decline in demand allowed electric vehicles to surpass diesel cars for the first time ever. Zero-emission cars accounted for 15.1 percent of the total market share, up from 10.7 percent in June 2022. Self-charging hybrids were also more popular than diesel cars, with a market share of 24.3 percent, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles represented 7.9 percent of total demand, slightly down from 8.2 percent in June 2022.
Gasoline cars continue to dominate the market, accounting for more than a third of all sales at 36.3 percent. This translates to 379,067 cars, which is an 11 percent increase compared to June 2022. However, despite the increase in sales numbers, the market share for gasoline cars actually decreased from 38.5 percent to 36.3 percent due to the rise in popularity of electric vehicles.
Although diesel cars are losing favor in the European Union, there has been a significant boost in sales of diesel cars in Germany and Central European markets, with a 10.3 percent increase. In June 2023, Romania experienced the highest growth in diesel car sales compared to the same month last year, with a remarkable increase of 22.4 percent.
Overall, new car sales (across all powertrain types) in the EU increased by 17.9 percent during the first six months of 2023, reaching 5.4 million vehicles. However, this is still 21 percent lower compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association highlights that supply chain disruptions are becoming less of an issue, although some models still have long wait times.
With the implementation of Euro 7 regulations in 2025, it is expected that automakers will accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, leading to a decrease in the availability of traditional internal combustion engine cars. The VW Group has already warned that B-segment cars may be at risk, as the stricter legislation may make it too expensive to adapt their engines to comply.
Starting from 2035, automakers operating in the EU will no longer be permitted to sell new cars that emit harmful emissions.
The engineers at Toyota sat down at the beginning of the 90s with the plan of creating a sport utility vehicle (SUV) that would not only combine the elements of a road-going car and an off-road vehicle, but also add the features of a compact car, like drivability into the mix. The first generation RAV4 debuted in 1994 and was the first car with a “true” SUV to have the feel and the look of a unibody platform. It provided a more nimble alternative to the still immensely popular large SUVs.
The Toyota RAV4 was the first true crossover to hit the market, and now it’s the best-selling SUV not just in North America, but the planet. Buyers have been enticed by the sporty looks, overall drivability, excellent features, stellar economy, and low maintenance costs ever since it first hit the market. And in 2017, when the SUV first sold over 400,000 units, the RAV4’s dominance became undisputed in its category.
Still, what exactly makes this car so appealing to drivers across the globe? Is it Toyota’s long-standing association with reliability and longevity? Is it the wide variety of available trims? Is it the advanced safety features and driving technology that make the 2023 Toyota RAV4 a bestseller? In this article, we’ve rounded up ten reasons that make the RAV4 a favorite across the board.
Front 3/4 shot of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime driving on the highway.
Another reason why the RAV4 is such a massive hit in the market is because of its longevity and reliability which has become a trademark for nearly all Toyota models. Furthermore, the RAV4 offers something for everybody: The wide range of trims available can cater to various driving styles, needs, and budgets. Also, the Toyota RAV4 is among the most versatile C-SUVs (compact sport utility vehicles) available at the moment, combining the usefulness of an SUV paired with the efficiency and the nimbler handling of smaller cars, like sedans.
Furthermore, all 2023 Toyota RAV4 trims offer spacious cargo room: 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which can be extended to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This makes the car one of the most spacious cars in its category. Lastly, there’s also enough room for five passengers, and enough power to still make the spacious car feel sporty. Not to mention, it’s also capable of hauling your things around. Check out the towing capacity across the Rav4 model range below:
Toyota Rav4 Towing Capacity
Trim
Towing Capacity
LE
1,500
XLE
1,500
XLE Premium
1,500
Adventure
3,500
TRD Off-road
3,500
Limited
1,500
Hybrid LE
1,750
Hybrid XLE
1,750
Hybrid Woodland Edition
1750
Hybrid XLE Premium
1,750
Hybrid SE
1,750
Hybrid XSE
1,750
Hybrid Limited
1,750
Prime SE
2,500
Prime XSE
2,500
9It Has A Long-Standing Tradition Spanning Almost Three Decades
Toyota
Back 3/4 shot of the 1998 Toyota RAV4 soft top on the beach.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 marks the SUV’s fifth generation. First introduced in North America in 1996, it was the first SUV that came with compact car-like features. Even the first generation of the car offered a variety of nice features, such as a rolling soft top and hardtop variations and came in front-wheel or four-wheel drive options.
For its time, the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine offered a respectable 119 horsepower, which was increased to an even more appealing 127 horsepower in 1997. Later generations, like the second-generation model, either offered a 2.0-liter or a 2.4-liter powerplant, pumping out 148 and 161 horsepower respectively.
Later and current generations also started offering more and better safety and driving features, while power also received a considerable increase. Today, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 lineup has grown to include a 2.5-liter engine that’s capable of generating 302 horsepower, in the case of top-tier models.
8It Is Spacious With An Excellent Interior
We’ve talked about cargo space above and also briefly mentioned the space available for passengers. To be more specific about the latter as well, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offers a spacious five-passenger layout with a total passenger volume of 98.9 cubic feet, while the overall interior volume is 136.4 cubic feet.
These impressive numbers make the compact SUV a great car for long road trips, regardless of passenger seating. Cargo space might not be the best as with seats up/down, the RAV4 gets 37.6 and 69.8 cubic feet, which is larger than the Honda CR-V with the seats up but smaller when they’re down (36.3/76.5 cubic feet). On the other hand, another Toyota rival, the Subaru Forester gets only 26.9 cubic feet of cargo space when the seats are in an upright position.
But, the RAV4 isn’t just about cargo and passenger space. The C-SUV also boasts great interior design, which some might find more functional than luxurious, but still, there are enough soft-touch materials and double-stitching in the car that make it feel more sophisticated. Earlier models, like the third-gen RAV4, also offered three-row seating, not to mention a V-6 engine, generating a respectable 269 horsepower.
Available with two different engines, a total of fifteen trims, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, various towing capacities, and generally good to great fuel efficiency, there’s a RAV4 that will probably fit the need of every buyer. The base model starts slightly under $30,000, making it a great choice for the budget-conscious buyer who still wants efficiency, reliability, and great safety features.
Those who are looking for a little more “oomph” and like to take their car on more challenging and less forgiving terrain can opt for the TRD off-road-optimized variant that has revised damper tuning and off-road-tuned coil springs.
The RAV4 can also be alluring for the more performance-oriented crowd. More specifically, Toyota also offers the Prime models, which puts emphasis on power figures. And, with a combined output of over 300 horsepower and on-demand electronic all-wheel drive, controlled continuously variable transmission, that also comes with an optional shift mode, the RAV4 Prime might not be the dictionary example of a sleeper, but it will definitely demand some respect when you put your foot on the gas pedal.
6RAV4 Equals Legendary Toyota Reliability
Toyota
A front 3/4 action shot of a 2019 Toyota Rav4
Toyota has been synonymous with longevity and reliability, and the RAV4 is no exception. And while there are some known issues with the newer models (like EVAP canister replacements, catalytic converter failure, and oxygen sensor problems), throughout its generations, the RAV4 has consistently been held as a reliable car that’s capable of lasting for a long time and many-many miles with the right maintenance.
As a matter of fact, the Toyota RAV4 is among Consumer Reports’ most reliable models with the brand generally getting at least four out of five stars. Additionally, the J.D. Power score for the latest generation is 82 points out of 100, which means that the SUV will be road-worthy for many miles as long as it’s maintained properly.
5At The Forefront Of Modern Safety Tech
Toyota
Shot of the Toyota RAV4 Prime’s cockpit
Thanks to modern technology, the RAV4 is among the safest crossovers on the road. In 2018 the Toyota RAV4 received the NHTSA 5-star overall safety rating. This safety-first approach also carried over to newer models. The latest iteration of the RAV4 comes with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 tech, which is the manufacturer’s comprehensive driver assistance and safety system. It comes with:
Dynamic radar cruise control
Lane-tracing assist
Automatic high beams
Lane departure alert
Road sign assist
Pedestrian detection
Forward collision warning
Automatic emergency braking
Also, these features aren’t just for show – they genuinely help the driver navigate the road safely, making them all the more useful. Combine them with the functional infotainment system and other useful tech, and you can see that the RAV4 delivers a pretty appealing package for a “simple” C-SUV.
When looking at the competition, the RAV4 boasts several excellent features that people don’t find on other models. For instance, the traffic sign reader isn’t something you’ll get with a Subaru Forester, and the RAV4 comes with more driving aids, like Road Sign Assist, than, for example, its other competitor, the Honda CR-V.
Photo of the Plug-in Hybrid badge on the Toyota RAV4 Prime SUV
Hybrid engines and modern internal combustion technology make any trim of the RAV4 a reliable and effective car with appealing ongoing maintenance costs. According to expert estimates, yearly maintenance of the RAV4 will average out to around $5,531 during its first ten years, which is a considerably better figure than the industry average for its class, which is around $3,062 higher. Another crucial feature is the gas mileage you can get with these cars. The gasoline powerplants will do anywhere from 28 to 30 MPG, while the hybrid models will do between 37 and 40 MPG.
To be more specific, government sources claim that the 2023 Toyota RAV4 AWD Hybrid with the 2.5 four-cylinder engine gets a combined mileage of 40 MPG, which still isn’t too shabby for its class. When looking at gasoline-only features, the Subaru Forester gets similar mileage to the RAV4, with EPA numbers ranging from 26 to 29 MPG.
