Artikkel

Teardrop-shaped camping pleasure

Posted 12/02/2025 by Terje Bjørnstad

lifestyle camper — Lifestyle Camper – Photo: Terjes Biler

The camping concept Teardrop Trailers are said to have originated in the 1930s in the United States – with sleeping space for two in the front and an open kitchen in the back. Now they have returned as Lifestyle CampersI've seen them many times along the road, but at eCarExpo I got to take a closer look at one of these vehicles for the first time.

The cart in the picture is hand-built by Lifestyle Camper in Ukraine. The model is called X-Line Premium and has, among other things, a roof rack with awning and Webasto diesel heater. In addition, you can mount a roof tent on the trailer. Then 4 people can go on a trip together.

What kind of camping life do you prefer?

Caravans like this are marketed to a target group that you could probably call “young, active and sporty”. I imagine people who spend their days doing activities – such as hiking, off-road cycling, pole hunting, kayaking, hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, to name a few. Put on the tip, the caravan becomes a gathering place for the evening before a warm, dry and comfortable overnight stay with breakfast the next day – before moving on to new adventures.

At the other end of the camping spectrum, we find those who keep their caravan standing all year round with a pitched tent and a fenced-in deck – like a cabin.

Wilderness camping?

Light weight, high ground clearance and tires with a thick tread bring to mind forest roads and off-road driving. In that case, you should know a kind landowner. Camping in nature is not prohibited, but few landowners welcome wilderness campers. Quite the opposite. Small exits and forest roads are often closed with boulders or barriers. I know motorhome owners who have spent a lot of time looking for idyllic campsites, you know the kind you find in brochures. It's not easy. With a little luck, you can find a driveway parking without a "Camping prohibited" sign.

Be prepared that it can be difficult to find a good place to camp in the wilderness. In practice, this means that you have to seek out campsites. In Sweden and Denmark there are large rest areas with toilets and screened areas where private cars can also stay overnight. But not in Norway. According to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Norwegian rest areas are not intended for camping. If you stay overnight in a location clearly visible to everyone traveling along a main road, you may also risk getting unwanted visitors during the night.

Lifestyle Camper

The bed is ready! Lifestyle Camper

Camping is not a bad choice

Even with an outdoor shower and Portapotti, it can be good to have access to electricity, hot showers and toilets. You can still live a nice camping life and enjoy the benefits of a Lifestyle Camper. The trailer in the picture has a curb weight of 723 kg (not the lightest on the market) and a total weight of 1000 kg. The total width at the wheels is 1,98 meters, but the body is only 1,45 meters wide, so that the rear view through the side mirrors is maintained. The chassis is from German KNOTT with torsion suspension, shock absorbers and overrun brake. The frame is galvanized and V-shaped. The trailer in the pictures meets the authorities' requirements for Tempo 100.

Vegvesen.no – Approval of trailers to drive at 100 km/h

Radio, USB, bar - everything you need.

Solid roof rack where it is possible to mount a roof tent.

Suitable for electric cars

The small teardrop-shaped caravans are well suited to electric cars – both in terms of weight requirements and low air resistance that does not steal too much range. The photos were taken at KIA's stand at eCarExpo 2025. The towing vehicle is a KIA EV9 with 4-wheel drive that can tow a trailer of 2500 kg. I have taken the liberty of photo-editing two of the photos. The main photo has a "new" background and in the photo below the caravan is clipped together with a KIA EV3 which is a smaller model. It can only be delivered with front-wheel drive but is approved to tow a trailer.

x-line — Lifestyle camping (Photomontage)

Kia EV3

Let's EV3

KIA EV3 legroom

KIA EV3 at eCarExpo 2025 (Photo: Terjes Biler)

A real "boxy" design! The EV3 is 4,3 meters long, takes 430 liters of luggage and offers a class-leading range of 601 km with a battery pack of 81,4 kWh.

See

Xcamp.no (Norwegian retailer)
TuristplanNorge.no – Find camping here!

American Dream Trailers

Posted in: Artikkel, Caravan, Kia EV3, Lifestyle Camper X-line | Tagged: kia ev3, lifestyle camper, teardrop camper, x camp, x-line, xcamp | Leave a comment

eCarExpo 2025

Posted 08/02/2025 by Terje Bjørnstad

Mazda 6e at eCarExpo Oslo 2025

Mazda 6e

Mazda 6e

Several new products were shown at eCarExpo 2025. The biggest was the Mazda 6e, which was unveiled to a Norwegian audience. The new Renault R5 and R4 E-Tech pick up the lines of previous models, and may bring back fond memories for many. Another, more unknown product was the Nammi Box, a price bomb from China with surprisingly good space.

Mazda 6e

The presentation of Mazda's new electric car focused more on design and equipment than technology. The design follows Mazda's new guidelines that were set out with their Vision Coupe ConceptIt comes in two different variants – long range with an 80 kWh battery and a range of up to 552 km and standard with a battery that can provide a range of 480 km.

Renault R5 E-Tech

Renault R5 E-Tech – candidate for Car of the Year 2025

Renault R5 E-Tech Green Pop

The trunk of the R5 E-Tech

Rear seat with the driver's seat adjusted for an adult male.

The interior of a yellow Renault R5 E-Tech.

Renault R5 E-Tech could become one of Europe's most important electric models. First, it is European – second, prices start at 249.900 kroner. Range of up to 411 km is good for a car like this. A smart feature is that you can read the remaining battery capacity as LED diodes on the outside of the engine hood. Length just under 4 meters and 326 liters of luggage space place the car in the so-called B-class. The bright colors Yellow Pop og Green Pop reminiscent of the ones you could get on the original R5 from the 1970s. Maybe we'll see more cars in colors other than gray tones?

Renault R4 E-Tech

R4 E-Tech with design elements from the original R4.

Renault R4 R-Tech dashboard

The Renault R4 E-Tech carries design elements from the legendary Renault 4, but in reality represents a completely different car concept. Don't get me wrong. This is a great electric car that is big enough as a family car, but is unlikely to appeal to old R4 enthusiasts. The original model, which came out in 1961, was very light and ingeniously simple. Getting behind the wheel of the new R4 E-Tech, you get a completely different feeling. The dashboard here is like a Boeing 737 compared to the original model. Length: 414, trunk: 420 liters.

Dongfeng Nammi Box

Dongfeng Nammi Box

Candy Box trunk

Surprisingly good legroom in the back of the Nammi Box

Dongfeng Nammi Box

We've written about before Nammi Box. It's probably the closest you can get to a price bomb with a starting price of just under 200.000 kroner. The smallest battery pack gives a range of only 200 km, but if you add 20.000 you get a larger battery pack that gives a decent range of 310 km. Nammi Box has impressively good interior space, thanks to a long wheelbase. The trunk can take 326 liters, but no split folding rear seat.

Kia EV3

Kia EV3

Let's EV3

KIA EV3 legroom

The trunk of the KIA EV3

If you want a really "boxy" design, Kia EV3 worth a closer look. It is 4,3 meters long, takes 430 liters of luggage and offers a class-leading range of 601 km with a battery pack of 81,4 kWh.

Tesla Cyberspace

Behind the wheel of the Tesla Cybertruck

The Tesla Cybertruck is not EU-approved for European roads. Elon Musk has announced that a European version will also be made. The problem is that today's cars do not meet European requirements with regard to pedestrian collision protection. However, one used imported CyberTruck has been approved under special rules that cannot be used for ordinary imports. In any case, the Cybertruck will have such a high total weight that it must be registered as a light truck requiring a C1 driving license.

Audi A6 Avant e-tron

Audi S6 Avant e-tron

Audi S6 Avant e-tron.

The Audi A6 Avant e-tron is perhaps one of the cars at the exhibition that most people (including myself) would like to take home to their own garage. Technically, it shares a platform with the Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan. You can see that Audi has managed to produce a model in a beautiful passenger car design. Inside, you drive in first class with camera side mirrors.

See

Renault R4 E-Tech
New 2025 models from China

eCarExpo.no

Posted in: Artikkel, Car show, eCarExpo | Tagged: eCarExpo, ecarexpo 2025, eCarExpo Oslo | Comment

What cars does Trump want us to buy?

Posted 07/02/2025 by Terje Bjørnstad

Photo: Pascal Huot/Shutterstock.com

«- They don't take our cars. Yet, they send cars to us by the millions! »
Trump's claim that Europeans don't buy American cars is true. But what cars does he want us to buy?

We have gradually learned that what comes out of Donald Trump's mouth is unfortunately often false accusations, harassment and threats. He probably makes his statements without checking the facts. This may also apply to his knowledge of the car market in Europe. But the claim that Europeans do not buy very many American cars – it is actually completely true.

What about Tesla?

In 2024, the Tesla Model Y became the fourth best-selling car model in Europe. It will likely be a big seller this year as well, despite Elon Musk's anti-social tendencies. But the vast majority of Teslas sold in Europe are manufactured in Berlin or Shanghai - not in the US. They contribute little or nothing to Trump's steel industry.

GM canceled its European plans

In 2023, GM's European president said they would establish themselves in Europe with their new electric car models. Work was started in Oslo to create a showroom, but it was cancelled. It is uncertain om, or when, GM will return. Electric Cadillac Lyrics could have been well received. The less expensive models, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Blazer EV, would be able to compete with Tesla og Mustang Mach-E.

Cadillac Lyrics

Chevrolet Equinox EV

chevrolet blazer ev

Never came to Norway. Ex Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Chevrolet Blazer EV.

But GM is not coming to Europe. Their profits come from selling large full-size pickups and SUVs that are not suitable in Europe. Sales of electric models were not as expected, and GM's small and mid-size gasoline-powered models are unlikely to do very well here. Moreover, they are not produced in the USA, either.

American pickup culture does not fit in Europe

The cars that Trump probably has in mind are Ford F series og Chevrolet Silverado, S og Tahoe – cars that have been top sellers in the US for several years. All the large frame-built cars are still built in the US. For many Americans, this is the ultimate type of car. If you can't afford a new car, you buy a used one. The success can be explained by a culture based on American patriotism and Western idealism. Americans have always loved big cars – many of the owners are big people themselves – and after several years of downsizing, pickups represent the latest big car models. One could also add that having a new full-size pickup in front of your house signals that you have succeeded in life – which is important in the US.

Large American pickup trucks and SUVs are a poor fit in European cities. They are too long and wide, and with a poor turning radius, they are best suited to straight, wide roads. They are also disproportionately expensive in European countries with taxes calculated according to engine power and weight.

Left: (Built in USA) Chevrolet Traverse Z71 AWD 2.5 liter Turbo 4-cyl. 8-speed automatic. Mid-size SUV with 3 rows of seats on a self-supporting body. Length 524 cm, width 200 cm. Price: $47.795. Number in Norway: 2.

Right: (Built in USA) Dodge Durango GT Plus 3.6 liter V6 Pentastar. 8-speed automatic. Mid-size SUV with 3 rows of seats on frame. Length 502 cm, width 194 cm. Price: $40.565. Number in Norway as of 2020: 16.

New US tariffs will hit ordinary Americans

Trumps Secondly, The claim is that the United States imports millions of cars. This is about car models in lower price ranges – cars that most people depend on. Because in the United States, most people depend on cars. 16-year-olds need a car to get to school. If you have a job, you need a car no matter how little you earn. The expensive, huge pickup trucks reign at the top of the sales charts, but affordable car models like Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic og Nissan Sentra coming close behind. Toyota Corolla og Honda Civic Hatchback is manufactured in the USA, while Honda Civic Sedan is manufactured in Canada and Nissan Sentra in Mexico. Many of the cars in the lower price ranges are manufactured outside the United States but are adapted for the U.S. market. The prices of these cars will likely rise regardless of where they are manufactured.

Left: (Built at GM South Korea) Buick Encore Avenir 1.3 Turbo. 9-speed automatic. Compact SUV. Price AWD $34395. Length 435 cm, width 181 cm. Number in Norway: 0.

Right: (Built in USA) Buick Enclave Avenir 2.5 Turbo 4-cyl. 333hp. 8-speed automatic. Mid-size SUV with 3 rows of seats. Length: 527 cm, width: 202 cm. Number in Norway: 0.

American cars that are manufactured outside the United States

Numbers in parentheses are numbers sold Q4 2024.

Chevrolet
Trax – South Korea and Mexico (50900)
Equinox – Mexico (64200)
Trailblazer – South Korea (22000)
Blazer – Mexico (7800)

Buick
Envista – South Korea (12400)
Buick Encore GX – South Korea (13600)
Envision – China (12900)

Ford
Bronco Sport – Mexico (30300)
Mustang Mach-E – Mexico (16100)
Maverick (pickup) – Mexico (22100)
The Escape (Kuga) and Ranger are produced elsewhere for the European market.

Dodge
Hornet – Italy (5000)
Charger – Canada (2800)

Chrysler
Pacifica – Canada (11900)

Jeep
Compass – Mexico (27200)

Foreign car brands in the United States

Several foreign automakers have established production in the United States. In the last quarter of 2024, 82300 were sold. Toyota Camry there, 55800 Toyota Corolla as well as 25300 Corolla cross – all made in the USA. Volkswagen has established production in both the USA and Mexico. Their US-made SUV, Atlas og Atlas Sports, sold a total of 32000 cars in Q2 2024. Manufacturing facilities in the US provide protection from tariffs, but could potentially face new tariff barriers when exporting to Canada. Honda manufactures the Civic in both the US and Canada, and therefore transports car parts between the factories. This could result in tariffs being applied multiple times.

Chevrolet Colorado at The 2020 North American International Motor Show (Photo: Steve Lagreca/Shutterstock.com)

Ford Maverick pickup

Left: (Built in USA) Chevrolet Colorado, frame-built mid-size pickup. Number in Norway: 105. Photo: Steve Lageca/Shutterstock.

Right: (Built in Mexico) Ford Maverick, mid-size pickup built on the same platform as the Escape/Kuga. Number in Norway: 1.

Conclusion

In 2010, my friend, the businessman, had Jonny Bunæs a meeting with Tesla's marketing manager where he said that Tesla could be an optimal electric car for the Norwegian market. The marketing manager then replied dryly that "Norway is probably far too small for us to invest in that country for many years." Who would have thought that Tesla would become a big seller in Norway – and Europe? Ford Mustang E-Mach also well suited to European conditions, although it is manufactured in Mexico, not the USA. If the USA is to succeed in selling more cars to Europe, they have to build cars that suit European conditions. But those are hardly cars that Trump is interested in, right?

See

Remarks by President Trump - Whitehouse.gov

Rosengart – the most beautiful of all French cars

Posted 15/11/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

rose garden — "La plus belle voiture francaise"

Elegant lines in Art Deco style. Drivetrain with front wheel drive from Citroën 11 CV. In 1939, this model was marketed as the most beautiful French car.

When you take pictures of old cars, as I do, it happens that you come across car brands you have never seen before. The burgundy red car in the pictures took part in the Citroën exhibition Lemonade 2024 in the French village of Sainte-Marie-la-Mer. My first thought was that the style resembled Delahaye. But it was obvious that there was a Citroën drivetrain in it, as it said SuperTraction at the back of the car. Also, it had the same gear transmission as the Citroën.

Lucien Rosengart (1881-1976) was a central figure in French industry. He set himself up as an engineer and businessman, and started the car factory Automobiles L. Rosengart in 1927, which later became Societé Industrielle de l'Ouest Parisien (SIOP). The first cars were license-produced variants of the Austin Seven that were styled to make them more attractive to the French. In the early 1930s, Rosengart got his eyes open to cars with front wheel drive and started a collaboration with German Eagle. At the time, Rosengart had a good connection with André Citroën. Perhaps it was Rosengart who inspired Citroën to choose front-wheel drive? Citroën's front wheel system must be remarkably similar to Adler's solution.

In 1938, the LR539 SuperTraction was launched. It was a luxurious car – almost 5 meters long with elegant lines. Engine, gearbox and drivetrain were taken from the Citroën Traction Avant. Citroën's 1,9-litre inline-four with 58 hp, 3-speed gearbox and front-wheel drive gave good driving characteristics at the time. The model was produced in two variants – 2-door cabriolet and coupe with fixed roof, but not with 4 doors. Lucien Rosengart had been strictly instructed by André Citroën not to build cars with 4 doors because they could compete with Citroën's own CV 11 Traction Avant. Nevertheless, at least one great 4-door version was built for the boss himself. Several may have been built, but only one remains.

Rosengart LR539 SuperTraction (Source: See advertisement)

About 1000 cars were built before the war. After the war, Rosengart was no longer supplied with engines from Citroën. The solution was V8 engines from Mercury/Ford, and SuperTraction changed its name to SuperTrahuit. The car's fine lines were retained, but the front received a more mainstream design. The domestic market for cars like this was almost dead. The company had hoped to join a government export program, but got the thumbs down, probably because the SuperTrahuit had American engines.

No one knows for sure how many of the fine SuperTraction cars are left. Some sources estimate 100, while others believe it is fewer. Nevertheless, cars occasionally come up for sale. The images of the two-tone car are taken from an active sales advertisement. The car has undergone a nut-and-bolt restoration and is for sale for €128.000. Then you get an extremely rare car where there are still wear parts available to buy. You can also boast of being able to own France's (perhaps) most beautiful car.

In retrospect, it can be said that Rosengart SuperTraction was only a brief "hitchhiker" in the automotive industry. The company's volume models were always based on the Austin Seven, even after production of the SuperTraction and SuperTrauhuit ceased. Then they introduced several new small cars (microcars) with modern bodies - but still based on the Austin Seven engine from the 1920s. The last Rosengart was called Arietta before the doors were closed in 1952 – later attempted to reopen before bankruptcy in 1955.

Pictures

Advertising poster

Hood ornament

Rosengart Ariette

1939 Rosengart SuperTraction. The car was covered in a thin layer of pollen, which can be seen in the pictures.

See

Club L. Rosengart (FR)

Saturday photo: Veterans in Lillestrøm

Posted 13/10/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

Last Saturday, RøhneSelmer, the Ford dealer in Lillestrøm and lower Romerike, invited to a veteran car day. The space in front of the sales premises was cleared of older Fords and other fine cars.

Events like this are dependent on good weather. As the day began with frost in many places, several visitors had to wait to take their summer-shod vintage cars out on the road. Some probably chose to stay at home because the meteorologists had predicted rain. The experienced conference host Per Christian Håveødegård as usual kept the show going. One of his tasks was to entice people inside to look at the offers of the Ford dealer in Lillestrøm and Nedre Romerike. He said that RøhneSelmer had a basement full of great electric cars for sale - and added that it was pure Elkjøp : )

3 red Fords

Ford 105E Anglia

Ford Cortina mk2 1600 E

Ford Cortina 1600E in the picture on the right were not common in Norway. I'm not sure if any were even sold new. E stands for "Executive" and was the top model with upgraded seats, dashboard and door sides in full walnut, glossy moldings and alloy wheels. The drivetrain was taken from the Cortina GT. An ideal company car for UK sales managers.

Two of the most beautiful

From autumn 1967, the "Taunus" designation was removed from Ford's M models. The models were designated by a number followed by "M" for "Meisterstück". From left, Ford 26M with 2600 V6 and Ford 20M 2300 V6. Originally, the Ford 26M was not a common sight in Norway. But in recent times it is jokingly said that Norwegians have vacuumed Europe for 26M cars. The black car is a P7A – a model that got a completely new design after just one year. Shame, really, because the design with the little hip snap and fake air intake on the hood looks really great.

The Return of the Jeepster

Jeep Jeepster Commando

The driver's seat in the Jeep Jeepster Commando

Jeepster Commander

After the war tried Willy's Overland to meet the growing demand for private cars by offering the Jeep in a civilian version. From 1950, the "normal" car industry was back on its feet and Jeepster production was therefore closed down. Several years later – in 1966 – it returned in a new edition as Jeepster Commando with 4-wheel drive. The Jeep shape is iconic and strongly linked to the USA, although the model was also built by EBRO in Spain under the name "Comando" (with one M) where it could also be supplied with diesel. Several of the cars are still in operation down there.

Americans

Ford F100 V8

Cadillac Seies 62 4 door

Taunus vs. Cortina mk3

Ford Cortina mk3 2.0 GT

"Salksetrapp" - period and sporty additional equipment.

"Laksetrapp" - period and sporty additional equipment.

Taunus and Cortina mk3 are often referred to as "Ford TC" because they are quite similar models. From 1971 to 1973 – the Cortina was still produced in Dagenham, UK, while the German Ford was produced in Ghent, Belgium. Both shared the same chassis and engines, but the Cortina had a more marked "Coke bottle" design and a different front. The combination of Taunus and Cortina did not happen until Taunus II went into production. Both models were then produced at the same plant in Belgium.

Volvo Limousine

760 slime — Volvo 760 GLE V6 stretched limousine.

The Volvo limousine was rebuilt at the bodywork company Nilsson. The Volvo 760 GLE transported royalty and prominent politicians. If you own a car like that today, can you earn a few kroner by driving to weddings and proms, - or perhaps use it as a "pilsner car"?

See

RøhneSelmer on Facebook

Sunday photo: Car meeting at the shopping centre

Posted 07/10/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

We have been here many times before – Carre d'Or shopping center outside Perpignan in France. On the first Sunday of each month, the parking area is used for a car meeting - in the same spirit as Cars and Coffee. Here you can brush up on your car knowledge with cars you may only see once in your life.

Maserati or Dodge?

My wife is on the trip and she really likes Maserati because of the tasteful interiors with the Maserati monogram embossed into the leather headrests. Sometimes we talk about what we would buy if we won the Lotto - for example 130 million or something like that. As we stroll among the cars on display on the Carre d'Or, she asks me which car I would buy if we won the lottery. I'm not sure, though Maserati Gran Turismo is a good candidate. I'm not going to drive fast, and I'm not going to impress anyone. I just want a pleasant atmosphere out on the road. A little further away stands one Dodge Challenger SRT with the Hemi V8. But the interior of the Challenger is far less exclusive than the Italian. Then it also costs "only" a third of what you have to pay for a new Maserati Gran Turismo - but maybe that doesn't mean much when you've won the lottery?

Ford Thunderbird mk2

1960 Ford Thunderbird

Backdated

I only needed to take a quick glance across the space where the Porsches were lined up to discover the finest of them all. It is a 1987 model "backdated" - a restomod with modern technology and the classic, original Porsche look.

BMW 2002

Panhard Dyna X

The first model after the war had an aluminum body and a 2-cylinder air-cooled engine - which would eventually become a common concept for subsequent models.

On two wheels in the turn

We had the pleasure of driving behind a Citroen Ami Break on the way to the meeting. It was wonderful to see how it rocked and dove on the road, especially on the roundabouts. My wife thought the car was going to overturn with the two guys on board. A few decades ago, the car journalists speculated whether the Citroens could topple over. They don't. The car sways and tips, but the wheels are planted to the ground the whole time.

We caught a glimpse of this Citroen Ami Break on its way to the car meet.

Citroen Ami Break series 2.

Alpine V6 Turbo

The model was developed after Renault took over Alpine. The cars are built in fiberglass on a tubular steel frame with a V6 engine in aluminium, based on the so-called PRV engine. The Alpine GTA could be delivered with two engine choices, – V6 GTA with 160 HP and V6 turbo with 200 HP.

See

Carre d'Or Perpignan

DS Automobiles revitalizes SM

Posted 22/09/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

DS Automobiles states that it will launch new models towards the end of the year, including a larger electric model with a long range. So far, they have not succeeded very well in highlighting their advantages in Stellantis, either in terms of design or technology. They need a model to highlight their own brand identity. Can SM Tribute contribute to that?

DS is one of Stellantis' prestige brands - a car brand that will compete with, among other things, BMW and Audi. The brand name DS is, as you know, linked to Citroen - and the French pronunciation "déesse" means goddess. The European automotive press has speculated whether DS will present a car that can revitalize the legendary DS model from Citroen. The head of DS Automobiles, Olivier Francois, however, has denied these rumours. But the retro rumors were still not completely groundless, because on Chantilly Arts & Élégance earlier this month they showed off their SM Tribute – a tribute to SM – another Citroen legend.

The Citroen SM was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1970. The model was developed while Citroen owned Maserati. It was equipped with a completely new Maserati engine which, among other things, was also used in the Maserati Quattroporte. Maserati's family ties placed SM in the top tier. It was ideal for riches in Paris to drive Road N7 to the Côte d'Azur. Outside the casinos, the SMs were often parked alongside Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis.

Could the SM Tribute be a prestige boost for the DS as well?

In my eyes, it is difficult to find a place for DS in the Norwegian car market. One can draw comparisons with Audi. Both DS and Audi appear as premium car brands based on another model in the group. I don't think DS has succeeded as well as Audi in highlighting its advantages either in terms of design or technology. It now seems clear that DS plans to launch a new large, electric model with the same technology and shape as another model in the same group, probably the sister model Peugeot e-408. DS has not yet developed an independent model from scratch. In light of this, DS needs a model that SM Tribute to create their own brand identity.

Electric drive

The new SM Tribute is presented today only as a design study. Well, it is also demonstrated in motion - at walking speed on the surrounding gravel Chantilly Castle - but then it also became clear that the car lacked suspension. DS has not disclosed what type of powertrain will be offered, but it will probably be one of the electric powertrains from Stellantis. It might be interesting to see if the DS offers electronic 4-wheel drive.

HyperSquare steering wheel?

Inside, the main features are designed to follow the same lines as in the original SM model. The seats are also similar to the original model. However, there is one detail that is particularly interesting: the rectangular steering wheel. Peugeot has recently launched a new steering wheel, called HyperSquare. A rectangular steering wheel with 4 grip holes - one in each corner. The steering is operated electronically without the need for a steering column. Peugeot intends to put the steering wheel into production on selected models as early as 2026. If DS Automobiles does not choose the HyperSquare steering wheel on its new SM, perhaps there will be a similar concept.

Original SM color

The displayed SM Tribute is painted in one of Citroen SM's original colors "Gold leaf". The color is similar to something that an earlier SM might have had, but it's hard to pinpoint which one. In the picture below you can see several colours. From what I can see, the color of car no. 2 fits best.

See

DS Automobiles Norway

Citroen C15

Posted 20/09/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

The Citroen C15 is a super-French car with heritage and history dating back to early vans based on the 2CV. Few cars have been more loved by French wine merchants, butchers, florists, plumbers and farmers.

Over the years, France has had its own "people's cars". Cheap and simple lightweights that most people can afford to buy and maintain. Small vans like Citroen 2CV AK400, followed by Acadiane og C15 is a type of car that the French have pressed to their chest. The Citroen C15 is one of the most popular of all time. During 22 years, almost 1,2 million were produced and the vast majority were sold in the countries around the Mediterranean. Today they are virtually extinct everywhere, but still roll around on the roads in France. Most are unrestored cars with several hundred thousand kilometers on the odometer.

If a Citroen C15 had appeared in Oslo, many people would have noticed it. If someone had asked to take a picture of the car, I'm sure the owner would have understood why. In the south of France, you don't have to go far to find a C15. But no one here would understand why someone would take a picture of you. They are not rare, nor special and certainly not beautiful. Most are white or faded red with dents and dusty interiors – often with seats where the upholstery has crumbled. Asking a foreign car owner to take a picture can therefore be perceived as an insult.

Has turned 40 years old

The Citroen C15 is based on the Citroen Visa II with rear suspension taken from the Peugeot 305 station wagon. The look brings to mind 40 years back, and this year it is actually marked that the model is 40 years old. While the Citroen Visa went out of production as early as 1988, the C15 van was produced right up until 2005 – in the last few years in parallel with the successor Berlingo.

2001 Citroen c15 (source: Citroen)

Citroen C15 (source: Citroen)

Tax-advantaged in France

It is obvious that the C15 was designed as a practical, inexpensive and affordable means of transport. Perhaps that is why so many cars are still in daily use. The diesel engines have proven to last a long time and should you need to fix something, there are countless workshops that can accept France's most up-to-date van. The success in France can be explained by the fact that the cars could be registered within a tax-friendly weight class of 1500 kg – hence the name C15.

Three series

The first series was made between 1984 and 1989. They have the front indicators positioned vertically on the outside of the headlights. From 1989, the grill got fewer ribs with the citroen logo placed above on the right side and the turn signals placed in the bumper. Further changes were made in 1992 when the cars received thick rubber strips on the sides and the logo placed centrally in the grill. The special 1-spoke steering wheel was replaced with a normal 2-spoke steering wheel. The first cars got PSA's 1,1 liter petrol engines of 55 hp or 1,8 diesel engines of 60 hp. Later, the petrol option became a 1,4-litre 75 hp or a 1,9 diesel with 60 hp. You could also get cars with four-wheel drive rebuilt at angel.

More variants

The standard version of the C15 is a van with 2 seats, with one, two or no side windows. Cars were also made completely clad with windows and a fold-down rear seat, called "Familiale", "Mixta" and other names, depending on the market. In France, a variant "Rallongé" with an extended box was sold. A variant with a cold room was also offered for the food industry. A variant that may be of interest to take care of for posterity is the pickup variant with or without tip. A very practical vehicle.

slipper — Six-wheeler – Citroen C15.6 Leotard & Chausson

A variant with 6 wheels signed was also made Léotard & Chausson - the former designer and the latter body builder. The model is referred to as C15.6. Technically speaking, the 6-wheeler is not particularly advanced. The front-wheel drive has been retained, and the bogie solution and the length of the cargo box provide room for more cargo. Although these cars were hardly chosen for their practicality. Perhaps they were acquired to create attention? Of approximately 100 cars produced, only a handful will remain today.

motorhome

Several motorhome variants of the C15 have been made. Popular conversions are Autostar by Mascot, Teilhol and British RomaHome with retractable roof solution. The interior solutions are impressive considering that the C15 is a light small car. Technical total weight is 1710 kg (diesel). With 60 hp, it pays to take it easy along the road, but once you're there, it must be fun to settle in for the night in real French surroundings.

The Peugeot 205 F (Fourgonnette) shares several similarities with the Citroen C15 and could well have become a worthy successor. Unfortunately, the van of the 205 never achieved the same popularity as the passenger cars. People preferred the Citroen C15. The Peugeot 205 F was produced for only 2 years - from 1994 to 1996.

Is the C15 a cool car? In Spain, something called Dust Race where the cars first cross through Spain and then drive through the whole of Morocco over the dunes. The only models allowed to participate are the Peugeot 205 and Citroen C15. The car in the picture took part in this race in 2023. It looks pretty cool, doesn't it?

dust race — Special Citroen C15D which, among other things, has taken part in the Dust Race 2023.

See

Dust Race

Expensive charging abroad

Posted 10/09/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

Everyone knows that it is more expensive to charge along the road than at your own wall charger. But is it also more expensive to charge abroad? Here are some fresh numbers!

Nettavisen has written about Michelle Fjeldberg from Drammen who was on a car holiday with his family in Germany. Charging prices there were significantly higher than in Norway. Although the family eventually found out which stations they had to steer clear of, their total charging expenses ended up being NOK 4000 for 2500 km. It is more expensive than what it would have cost to drive a fossil car.

We have just arrived in the south of France after driving three days across Europe – 2747km to be exact. Our charging costs were "only" NOK 2398 - quite a bit less than what the family from Drammen had to pay. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that charging along the road costs more than you might think.

It pays to plan the trip

One of our advantages was that we drove on familiar roads. We know well which charging stations are good. "Good" charging stations are not only about price, but also about availability. A family on holiday probably doesn't mind paying extra to avoid having to take detours, or charging in a deserted field with no service offer. Increased charging costs can also be incurred if you charge via a 3rd party app that mediates charging for "all" stations. The advantage is that you can charge from unknown electricity companies, but the price can be more expensive.

I recommend planning ahead, although it can spoil the impulsiveness of a road trip. One of the joys of a car holiday is being able to drive where you want, when you want. But remember that there can be a long distance between chargers - especially fast chargers. It may also happen that the charger does not work on your car, even if the app shows that it should. We have also discovered several times that charging posts have been replaced by a different brand with different IDs than what the app shows. Not only should you know if there is a charger where you are going - you should also know at least one alternative. Then you also get the opportunity to prioritize price.

Crazy charging prices?

What to say about charging prices of NOK 11 and 12 per kW-hour?

On our trip, we mainly used Tesla Superchargers - all were also open to brands other than Tesla. Converted to Norwegian kroner, charging prices per kW hour were as follows:

4,69 in Sweden average between Kungälv and Löddeköpinge
3,25 in Denmark Middelfart.
4,75 in Germany average between Kaltenkirchen, Northeim-Nord, Reiskirchen and Herbolzheim
3,78 in France, Montélimar

A couple of days earlier we had charged at the Tesla Supercharger, Brokelandsheia in Norway for 4,15 per kW-hour. Tesla is not significantly more expensive abroad, and the prices are as expected.

Stated prices

In Nettavisen's article, Ionity was referred to as a "reasonable" alternative at NOK 7,80 per kW-hour. Reasonable compared to other stations that demanded NOK 11 and 12 for one kW-hour. According to the Ionity app, 1 kWh currently costs 6,80 euros - or NOK 8,05 at today's rate in Germany (Bruchsal and Nörten-Hardenberg). In France, the stated price is 0,6017 euros. It fits well with what we had to pay. Converted to Norwegian kroner, charging prices at Ionity were NOK 7,00 both at Lyon and in Narbonne.

In comparison, one kW-hour in Norway (Ionity Brokelandsheia) costs NOK 5,40. The prices in Germany and France are therefore higher, but not exorbitant compared to what you usually have to pay to charge along the road in Norway as well. One kW-hour at refill og Connect costs NOK 5,99.

During long-term stays in France without a home charger, we are dependent on charging on external chargers. The prices here are as follows:

6,32 Lidl (mediated via Plugsharing)
6,32 Allego (mediated via Electromaps)
5,80 Electra (7,00 between 14:00-19:00)

Stated charging prices may be "from prices". French Electra, for example, offers a lower price outside "prime time", which may also be common with other electricity suppliers. As mentioned, it can be more expensive to charge via an app from a 3rd party supplier (intermediary). On random samples from well-known charging points, I can see that "my" intermediaries operate with slightly higher prices than the electricity companies themselves state, but I am unsure whether this is because the prices are not updated or whether there are real mark-ups.

Tesla charging at Electra

Toyota AurisHybrid

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Hybrid

Price examples

Number of km: 2737

Car 1 – Toyota Auris hybrid

Petrol consumption 100-120 km/h: 0,55 litres/10km
Amount of fuel: 137 litres
Fuel cost: NOK 3013 *)

Car 2 – Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV hybrid

Petrol consumption 100-120 km/h: 0,75 litres/10km
Amount of petrol: 205 litres
Fuel cost: NOK 4089 *)

*) Petrol cost is calculated according to petrol prices in the countries we have driven through and distributed according to the number of miles traveled in each country.

Car 3 – Tesla Model 3

Power consumption 100-130 km/h: 19,7 kWh/100 km
Amount of electricity: 540,7 kWh
Fuel cost: NOK 2398

Conclusion

It is cheaper to drive an electric car than a fossil car through Europe, provided you have a favorable charging agreement. In our case it was Tesla. Car owners with a charging agreement with Ionity can charge more cheaply than "street customers". If we had charged at Ionity as a "straight customer", the charging costs would have been about as high as if we had driven a Toyota Auris hybrid. For us, who cross Europe 4 times a year, we would have our annual charging costs increased by approx. NOK 4000. It is significant.

Advice 1: Charging agreement can provide price advantages.
Advice 2: Use the electricity companies' own app if possible.
Advice 3: Avoid charging when electricity is most expensive.

Electra charging station with charging prices and the option to pay by bank card (not tested). Once the person, car and payment details have been registered in the app, you can "Autocharge".

Ionity's charging agreement

By paying a fixed monthly amount, you can recharge at reduced prices. Passport Motion: NOK 65/month and 3,80 per kWh.
Passport Express: NOK 136/month and 3,00 per kWh. In Germany, Ionity's monthly price is roughly the same as in Norway, but the kW hours cost respectively 5,80 and 4,60, i.e. 1,5 times more than in Norway. See Ionity

Update 07.10.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX – Cash with a Norwegian bank card

After charging for several weeks with Electra (French electricity company), I was forced to pay by bank card because the app showed "server error". So far, Electra has been the cheapest company in our local area. Prices are €0,49 per kWh outside prime time. But if you pay by card, the price is €0,59. Fair enough - and when I had charged 59,7 kWh it read NOK 410 on the display. Absolutely correct. But when I checked the account, I saw that a fee of €15 had also been deducted so that the kWh price would have been NOK 9,96! Fortunately, the fee was refunded after a couple of days. Later, in Germany paying by bank card resulted in me being charged €45 before I started charging. Later I had the excess amount refunded.

See

expensive charging — To Europe with an electric car in 2023

Nettavisen: Michelle was shocked by high prices when she charged her electric car on holiday in Germany