After keeping you informed throughout the year, Automobile Propre takes stock of 2022. In turn, the members of the editorial board share their favorites and their quibbles… and begin to take a look at 2023. We continue today with Emmanuel.
The car that marked 2022
For me, the car that marked the year 2022 is it Hyundai Ioniq 6. The electric sedan of the Korean group has many advantages.
Its design is one in my opinion, with its appearance of Porsche from another universe. Although designed to be efficient, Hyundai has not sacrificed stylistic research. The result is stunning with a unique line and aesthetic details that bring it closer to the Ioniq 5.
However, the style of the two electric cars is diametrically opposed. This is especially the case thanks to the aerodynamic research that went into creating the Ioniq 6. The model actually uses principles that were reserved for racing cars.
Active aerodynamics becomes more democratic with the electric car, as it makes it possible to optimize the cars’ aero efficiency, but the Ioniq 6 is entirely designed under this prism. The Cx record it shows is proof of its success.
While I’m waiting to get behind the wheel myself, I admit it impressed me. Kudos to Hyundai for continuing to reinvent itself and further push the development of its electric vehicles.
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Hyundai Ioniq 6: the range and all the prices of the electric sedan
My favorite 2022
My 2022 crush won’t go to a specific brand or event, but to a trend. I was happy to see players in the EV industry trying to make it more affordable.
Today, the electric car is difficult to reach for many households. Whether it’s the price of cars, the price of fast charging or the difficulty of finding terminals.
So I want to say hello marked MG which comes with an electric compact, the MG 4, at an unbeatable price. The Chinese is placed at 28,990 euros at the entry level before deducting the bonus. When the latter is used, the price of the compact starts at 22,990 euros.
An unbeatable price for a vehicle with a more than correct presentation. Of course, Chinese manufacturers have many levers to bring prices down. But thanks to this kick in the anthill that it represents, we can hope for a faster democratization of electricity.
Likewise, Lidl’s approach I think it’s the same with charging stands. The retail giant has launched its charging stands, again at a very competitive price. And for these prices, the service is very honorable, as we noticed when we tested the new terminals.
Of course, there is nothing to say that these advances will not be caught up by inflation. Impossible to ensure that due to inflation, these precursors of the decline will not have to adjust their prices to increase. But at least they have the advantage of moving a market that for several months was only positive, whether it is electric cars or charging stations.
My quarrel 2022
My rant of the year 2022 goes to a personality, in this case Elon Musk. The evolution of the Tesla leader has been difficult to watch this year. Him, who was once a respected businessman and industrial pioneer, has revealed himself in a different light with the takeover of Twitter.
Until 2022, Elon Musk’s escapades were sometimes annoying, often disturbing, but rarely disturbing. This year, the billionaire’s decision to buy Twitter has placed him in an endless negative spiral. And where he trains Tesla.
The valuation of the electric car brand has indeed suffered due to Musk’s decisions. As soon as the takeover was announced in April, the company lost value before regaining it when it pulled back.
Eventually forced to buy Twitter for $44 billion, Musk had to part with Tesla stock to finance the purchase. A decision that had other consequences for the company’s value in the autumn.
But worse, it’s the risky management of Twitter once the takeover goes through that gives cause for concern. Musk first introduced a payment system, alongside layoffs, and openly claimed that the company was in financial difficulties.
Lately, his way of getting journalists who have criticized him banned from the social network is worrying. As expected, whoever claimed freedom of speech has actually become one of the most important censors in the world.
And seeing him launch conspiracy theories close to the QAnon community or reminiscent of Donald Trump’s is not reassuring. Because at the same time the Tesla share, which was worth $400 at the start of the year, is only worth $137 today. This is the lowest level in two years, and it continues to fall as I write these lines.
The news in 2023 that I expect the most
It won’t necessarily be a very original choice, but I expect a lot from it R5 electric. After seeing the concept of the future French electric city car, we cannot deny a certain impatience.
Can’t wait to see if Renault will apply the concept design to the production model. Can’t wait to see how much this electric R5 will be a worthy successor to the Renault Zoé.
The latter was actually a reference on the world’s electricity market for ten years. Renault is therefore playing its part in the face of increasingly strong competition. We hope to see the city car at a reasonable price, but also with technical options and an attractive design.