AVTOVAZ presented an SUV Lada Niva Travel KHL. This is a new special version designed for hockey fans. It was created on the basis of the maximum Luxe configuration and additionally includes the Off-Road package (snorkel, off-road tires, black wheels), and of the features – KHL symbols on the pillar and body sills, floor mats in the cabin and trunk, an organizer bag for placement in the left or right niches of the trunk. The kit also includes a backpack, a thermal mug and an apron of the trunk carpet, which can be used to cover the bumper of the car when loading or unloading. Such cars will appear on sale before the end of April, but the price has not yet been announced.
Sedan premiere date set Mercedes-Benz E-class new generation W214: the car will be declassified on the evening of April 25th. So far, only a teaser with a profile of the car has been published, but the interior was fully shown back in February. Already in the summer, new sedans will appear at European dealers. The station wagon and its cross-version will follow, while the coupe and convertible will be separated into a separate CLE family, which will also replace the already discontinued two-door versions of the C-class.
And the presentation of the Italian startup is scheduled for May 3 Laffite Automotive. It was founded by former racing driver Bruno Laffite, who started his career back in the eighties and recently celebrated his 50th birthday. Five electric hypercars will be presented at once – three different models, two of which are prepared in different modifications. It is stated that GFG Style (Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro) worked on the design, and LM Gianetti, which has been producing racing cars since 1966, is responsible for the development and future production of cars. Deliveries of commodity hypercars are promised in the winter of 2024.
Presented modernized supercar Lexus LC, which has been produced since 2016 with minimal changes. He got a new media system: a passive 10-inch screen was replaced by a 12.3-inch touchscreen. For ease of use, it was placed closer to the driver, so the front panel had to be redrawn. Other updates include different interior trim materials, different wheels, an improved preventive safety system, a reconfigured chassis and reinforced power unit mounts. The petrol version of the LC 500 (464 hp) and the hybrid LC 500h (359 hp) have been preserved in the range, and the convertible can only be gasoline. Production of the upgraded vehicles will begin in May.
Mazda 3 has undergone minor improvements: the announcement of an improved version took place in Japan. A new widescreen media system screen with a diagonal of 10.25 inches (previously 8.8 inches) has appeared, wireless charging for a smartphone, an additional USB Type-C connector and a remote engine start system have been added. A new driver assistant has appeared: if an obstacle is detected in front or behind (another car, wall, pedestrian), the electronics will not allow the car to move. Finally, a new “ceramic metallic” body color has been added to the palette. Modified cars will appear at Japanese dealers in June, prices – from 17,300 dollars.
Honda starts deliveries of Chinese-made cars to Japan. A minivan will become a pioneer at the end of this year Honda Odyssey. The fact is that the Sayama Honda plant near Tokyo, where the Odyssey, Legend and Clarity models were made, was stopped and closed back in December 2021. But if the Legend and Clarity sedans have already outlived their usefulness, then Honda does not intend to leave the Japanese segment of minivans yet, so it organizes the supply of cars from China. The Chinese Odyssey is generally identical to the Japanese model, although this generation has been in production since 2013. Only hybrid versions will be delivered to Japan, orders will be open in the fall.
Minivan announced GAC Trumpchi E9. This is a variation of the Trumpchi M8 model introduced last summer, but if the G8 is offered with a gasoline engine or a hybrid power plant (without plugging into an outlet), then the Nine is a rechargeable hybrid with a relatively large traction battery and the ability to drive in electric mode for at least 100 km. Trumpchi E9 will have a two-liter turbo four, two-speed transmission and two electric motors, as well as original body design. The premiere will take place at the Shanghai Motor Show.
A Chinese company is preparing to return to the Russian market Pancreas. She worked in Russia from 2010 to 2016, but only 5,680 cars were sold all the time. According to the portal “Chinese cars”, MVL Auto became the new distributor of the Haima brand. The formation of a dealer network is already underway, two models have been sent for certification – the Haima 8S crossover and the Haima 7X compact MPV. At home, they have been on sale since 2019 and 2020, respectively. The start of sales in Russia is scheduled for the summer, prices have not yet been made public.
Also today we talked about the hatchback e2 WORLDnew brand Earth and range of cars Jaguar and Land Rover from Russian dealers.