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Audi’s future glider
2024 will be a groundbreaking year for VW’s noble subsidiary Audi: Five models in different versions, from the compact A3 to the family electric car Q6 E-Tron, are celebrating their world premiere this year. The standout is the A6 E-Tron, which will be launched in the summer and, like all new even-numbered Audis, will be an electric car. The new A6, which will be available as both a Sportback sedan and an Avant station wagon, is based on the newly developed Premium Platform Electric (PPE), like the Q6 E-Tron (and its sister model, the Porsche Macan E). It was released in March. This will enable long ranges (up to 700 km) and fast charging performance (up to 270 kW DC) thanks to 800-volt technology. The top-spec all-wheel-drive version of the A6 E-Tron is said to produce 476 hp and 800 Nm. The RS6 E-Tron will also arrive later. Like the Audi, prices will start well above 100,000 francs.
BYD’s next joke
Chinese megacorporation BYD is dreaming big, staying true to its company motto: “Build your dreams”: “I want to be in the top five in Europe,” BYD’s European vice boss Brian Yang recently told “Automobilwoche”. The Chinese are already leading the electricity market in Sweden, and the number of registrations in other countries such as Germany is constantly increasing. After the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal models, BYD is now bringing its Seal U family electric car to Europe. The 4.79-metre-long SUV with a 218 hp front engine and a range of up to 500 kilometers will be available in some markets in the first quarter – but it’s still unclear when the Seal U will arrive in Switzerland, with prices starting from around 50,000 francs. .
Hyundai shows its superiority
The new version of Hyundai Santa Fe will arrive in the first half of 2024. The boxy, futuristic family SUV reaches 4.83 meters in length and can now accommodate up to seven passengers across three rows of seats. Behind the wide-opening tailgate there is a low loading threshold and a loading volume of almost 650 litres. The cockpit is elegant and similarly streamlined to the exterior. The two screens under the curved glass already look familiar from other Hyundai models. Santa Fe will initially be available in two gasoline versions, hybrid (230 hp) or rechargeable plug-in hybrid (265 hp) with up to 70 electric kilometers. Prices are likely to start at just under 50,000 francs.
Mazda’s late blooming flower
Mazda’s new SUV flagship, the CX-80, was originally planned to be launched in Europe last summer. It’s not scheduled to start until fall 2024. The CX-80 is based on the wide platform of the CX-60, which is 4.75 meters long, but thanks to its length of almost five meters, it can accommodate up to seven people in three rows of seats. The family SUV should also have significantly more cargo volume than the already generous 1726-litre CX-60. When it comes to traction, customers can choose between a conventional diesel engine with 200 hp and rear-wheel drive, or a plug-in hybrid system with 327 hp, 65 kilometers of electric range and all-wheel drive. However, the price of the CX-80 will most likely be much higher than its younger sibling, starting at 58,950 francs.
Mercedes’ electric giant
For many, one of the greatest innovations of the year is the new, all-electric Mercedes G-Class. After six years of development, the electric cult car is now celebrating its premiere. And the EQG should be in no way inferior to its combustion engine counterpart in terms of off-road capabilities. Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius (54) saw this for himself during his visit to Graz (A), where the G-Class is produced by Magna. “Since each wheel of the EQG has an electric motor, the vehicle can be turned in place practically like a tank.” Details about the electric legacy model (also interesting: the nine longest-produced cars of all time) are little known, although it will be unveiled soon. It is rumored to have up to 1000 hp or even more Newton meters of torque, a battery of over 100 kilowatt hours, and a price around 200,000 francs.
Skoda’s winning model
Even before the second generation of Skoda’s Kodiaq family SUV was released, the public voted it the country’s favorite car in the “Swiss Car of the Year 2024” election held in December. The length of the Skoda flagship, which will be available in the spring, will increase by six centimeters to 4.76 meters. Passengers in the (optional) seven-seater’s third row should particularly benefit from this. However, the luggage volume increases from 340 to 910 liters without folding the second row of seats. Available powertrains include two petrol engines with 150 HP or 204 HP, two diesel engines with 150 HP or 193 HP and, for the first time, a plug-in hybrid system with 204 HP and up to 100 electric kilometers. Based on the current Kodiaq, we estimate starting prices to be around 50,000 francs.
Renault’s big handsome boy
With the new Rafale, Renault further expands its SUV range. Named after a French sports plane, the model is the SUV coupé, the cool brother of the Espace, which was recently relaunched and is now available as a 4.72 meter long SUV instead of a minibus. Being a centimeter shorter, the Rafale is based on style on the outside and a lot of high technology on the inside, such as a panoramic roof that can be dimmed at the touch of a button, more than 30 assistance systems and extraordinary materials like the ones below. cork or slate. The SUV Coupe will be launched in the spring; initially as a 200 hp full hybrid, followed shortly by a 300 hp plug-in hybrid drive all-wheel drive model. Prices of the new Rafale are expected to start around 45,000 francs.
Volvo’s new electric king
Volvo’s new electric flagship, the EX90, shows where the Swedes are heading under the Chinese Geely banner. To make the fleet completely CO₂ neutral by 2040, every Volvo must have a fully electric drive by 2030. On the newly developed platform on which all major Volvos will be based in the future, the EX90 transforms into a mega electric vehicle with a length of 5.03 meters and a capacity of 2.8 tonnes, capable of carrying up to seven people or a boot volume of up to 1915 liters. The luxury SUV, which can travel up to 600 kilometers thanks to its 111 kWh battery, can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes, thanks to up to 250 kW DC charging power. Bidirectional charging is also possible. Depending on the version, two electric motors on the front and rear axle produce between 408 and 517 hp and maximum torque of 770 or 910 Nm. In addition to the two all-wheel drive vehicles, a rear-wheel drive only (279 hp) model will also be offered. According to the manufacturer, the safest Volvo of all time is also one of the most expensive types: starting from 94,950 francs.
VW’s endurance runner
It’s hard to believe, but it’s true: the VW Passat has been on the market continuously for 51 years and has even surpassed the permanent Golf, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. The ninth (!) generation of the popular middle-class vehicle for fleets and families reaches an impressive length of 4.92 meters (+ 14 cm) and is now available exclusively as a station wagon with a loading volume of up to 1,920 liters. The Passat will not be fully electric – the new ID.7 takes on this role – but two new plug-in hybrid modules are available with a system output of 204 or 272 hp, providing an electric range of up to 100 kilometers. There are also numerous hybrid, petrol and diesel versions available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and outputs from 122 to 265 hp. The first deliveries will begin in the first quarter and prices for the “Business” launch model will be 52,000 francs.
Source: Blick
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
