Blog

Jul 11, 2023

Monthly Review August 2023: new car and van models

Stay up to speed with Fleet Europe’s Monthly Review featuring new car and van models that will hit your fleet shortlist soon. Last month, the Shanghai Motorshow unveiled some surprising newcomers, not

Stay up to speed with Fleet Europe’s Monthly Review featuring new car and van models that will hit your fleet shortlist soon. Last month, the Shanghai Motorshow unveiled some surprising newcomers, not only from Asian manufacturers. And Mercedes unveiled the new generation of one of its fleet favourites.

Featuring BMW’s latest plug-in technology the new 550e XDrive and 530e benefit from more battery storage (19.4kWh) and an enhanced electric motor, combining a small package with a big boost. The maximum zero-emission range has increased to 90 kilometers for the first and 101 kilometers for the latter. More good news is luggage space is on par with the combustion-engined siblings.

BYD's sixth model is an SUV version of the Seal, and a rival to Europe’s best-selling EV, the Tesla Model Y. With a length of 4.7 meters the Chinese contender offers two battery sizes (71.8kWh and 87kWh), offering a competitive range of 412 and 500 kilometers. The Blade technology of the packs offers cheaper LFP chemistry and reaches high safety standards as well as excellent efficiency. In dedicated markets only.

Newcomer Fest wants to stir up the e-LCV market in Europe with the E-Box M, its first model. The battery of 41.8kWh is rechargeable in 45 minutes and comes with an above-average warranty of 200,000 kilometers (or five years). Destined for urban deliveries, the E-Box M holds a range of 270 kilometers (WLTP) and a payload of 1,045 kilograms. Despite its novice status in Europe, Fest offers a service center every 50 kilometers.

Entering the B-segment at a price point of around 35,000 euros, Fiat brings its version of the Avenger from its sister brand Jeep to market. Technology and performance are mostly comparable, featuring a 54kWh battery pack and a WLTP range of 409 kilometers. With a weight of 1,520 kilos, the small SUV doesn’t put too much weight on the scales. There’s no four-wheel drive, and unlike the rivaling Volvo EX30, Fiat hardly mentions recycled interior materials.

The renewed Mercedes GLA & GLB can be spotted by their “stellar” radiator grille with light strip, adopted from the brands’ high-end EVs. Modest modifications such as enhanced drag and lower resistance tires (standard on all models) increase the range, with 20 kilometers at most (250+: 560 kilometers). Power trains and battery size remain unchanged. The latest generation infotainment also features a Range Monitor, warning for redundant onboard energy-consumption.

Thanks to a bigger battery pack of 74.4 kWh, the Extended Range version of the MG 4 can reach 520 kilometers in between charges. The car will be launched first in the UK, before it hits EU shores. With peak charging at 83 kW, the Extended Range can refill from 10-80% in approximately 40 minutes.

Not one month passes without a new Chinese brand entering Europe. The latest one is Omoda, part of the bigger Chery group, accelerating the launch of its SUV 5 on most European markets by Q4 later this year or the beginning of next year. In the electric version, the Normal accumulates 300 kilometers of range, mounting to 450 kilometers on the Extended Range. The ICE version is already on sale in Italy and Spain, while the Benelux is a gateway for the all-electric edition.

It’s old-school, boxy, rough-an-ready and comes in Europe exclusively with diesel technology. Utility company’s fleets still cherish the Toyota Land Cruiser, of which the new, albeit smaller, generation allows ample suspension travel, easy maneuverability over rugged terrain, and a towing weight of 3.5 tons. The body-on-frame structure makes it easy to fix, and advanced ADAS features imply the legendary Toyota doesn’t miss out on modernity. A mild hybrid version will follow in 2025.