Unique
Is it new to talk about consumption of electric vehicles in Le/100 km? I devour automotive news and it’s only you (in my readings) who use this measurement.
Jean M.
This unit of measurement is currently used by Natural Resources Canada. It allows an easier comparison with vehicles equipped with a thermal engine. And it is less abstract than the traditional kWh/100 km for consumers in the context of the current energy transition.
Volontary simplicity
PHOTO ARCHIVES GENERAL MOTORS
The rear view camera is mandatory in Canada.
Are there still vehicles without these driving aids like lane departure warning, reversing camera and many other unnecessary gadgets that have a direct impact on the base price and the increase in premiums? insurance? Our vehicles are becoming more and more expensive to repair because of these “accessories”.
René S.
Our vehicles are indeed becoming more and more expensive to repair, heavier too, but they are also safer. Moreover, some of these driving aids (the reversing camera, for example) are now mandatory in Canada. It is difficult to envisage a step backwards, especially since several of these devices are converging towards the implementation of fully autonomous driving. But until the advent of this technology, the United Nations General Assembly has already set an ambitious target: halving the total number of deaths and injuries due to road accidents by 2030.
Return of Renault
PHOTO GONZALO FUENTES, REUTERS
Renault 5 E-Tech
I’m looking for a small electric hatchback. I’ve been (patiently) waiting for a Bolt for over a year…and now expect to wait at least another year. I started looking elsewhere and came across the Renault website. This brand currently offers six electric models of different sizes, three of which are quite small, including the Renault 5, my first car and which I enjoyed driving so much. Amazing ! Do you know if it is possible that Renault will resurface in Quebec in the coming years? Don’t they know that they would have a huge market here, where small cars are becoming increasingly rare and many of us don’t want an SUV that is not at all an ecological choice?
Michelle P.
The Renault 5 was indeed very successful, but only in Quebec. For now, the chances of a return of the French brand to Canada are zero. On the other hand, there is still the hope of seeing Renault’s sports subsidiary, Alpine, arrive. The latter is preparing to market the A290, a model closely derived from the new Renault 5, and is currently in discussions with the AutoNation network to market its products in the United States. Alpine’s French management did not want to specify whether similar discussions were underway for the Canadian market.
Biting
PHOTO ÉRIC LEFRANÇOIS, SPECIAL COLLABORATION THE PRESS
Alfa Romeo Tonale
I have a 2020 Mini Countryman JCW and I love driving it. As all good things must come to an end, I am thinking about my next vehicle. I am looking for a vehicle with similar characteristics, but hybrid (plug-in or not). By that I mean a four-door, all-wheel drive vehicle that accommodates four adults and some luggage and, above all, provides driving pleasure. All for less than $80,000. Is there a model with these features currently on the market? I took a good look at the Volvo S60, BMW X3 and Audi Q5, but they all lack bite. »
Matthew D.
And why not a fully electric vehicle? Porsche’s future Macan EV might interest you. In the hybrid category, you might consider the Alfa Romeo Tonale.