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The 2024 Car of the Year will be announced on February 26 on the eve of the opening of the Geneva Motor Show. On that occasion we will know the car that will succeed the Jeep Avenger which won the title in 2023 ahead of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz and the Nissan Ariya, all three electric. Also among the 7 finalists this year there are 6 out of seven electric ones, of which 4 are full electric, the BYD which is also the first Chinese car to enter the list of finalists, the Kia EV9, the Renault Scenic and the Volvo EX30 to which are added the two electric ones also offered in thermal variants, the BMW 5 Series and the Peugeot 3008, plus a hybrid, the Toyota C-HR full hybrid and petrol plug-in. Here is a brief presentation of the seven models in competition.
Car of the year 2024, towards the proclamation of the Car of the Year
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BMW 5 Series, the eighth generation is also electric
The 5 Series is a BMW classic: the progenitor of the luxury sedan debuted in 1972. The latest generation model is almost 10 cm longer, exceeding 5 meters in length and is offered with turbo petrol or petrol engines. diesel, mild and plug-in hybrids, but there are also electric versions marked i5 which differ in a few details. The bodywork, as well as being larger, has more angular shapes, with some cues taken from the luxurious 7 Series flagships. In the modern and spacious interior obtained thanks to a 3-metre wheelbase, a record in the sector, almost completely devoid of physical buttons, the curved display stands out oriented towards the driver. And it features both a 14.9-inch digital dashboard and a 12.3-inch screen for the multimedia system.
Byd Seal, the Tesla Model 3 has a new rival
The Seal is an electric sedan 480 cm long, 187 cm wide and 146 cm high with four doors and five seats. It is characterized by a low and streamlined line dictated by aerodynamics, the coefficient is 0.219. The front is distinguished by two sharp headlights and two lower air intakes which feature a sophisticated lighting system. Viewed from the side, you can see the rib that runs under the flush door handles and the arched roof line. The rear is simpler, where the shape of the headlights connected by an LED strip contributes to giving a bit of movement. The Byd Seal stands out for its Cell-to-Body technology where the lithium-iron-phosphate battery is integrated into the floor of the car, helping to create a sandwich-type structure.
Kia EV9, the electric in six or seven seater format
Ls EV9 is a battery-powered Korean SUV with important dimensions: the square style, the rounded wheel arches and the geometrically shaped lights make it truly imposing. But it is endowed with personality with refined solutions, such as the retractable door handles and the large panoramic sunroof. The Kia EV9 can accommodate up to seven people on board in three rows, favored by the space and flat floor. There is also an optional seven-seater version which features two armchairs that can rotate, transforming the passenger compartment into a lounge. There are three screens inside: two 12.3 inches, separated by one 5.3 inches. The EV9 was born on the basis of the E-GMP platform of the Hyundia-Kia group and is available with rear-wheel drive or 4×4.
Peugeot 3008, original both outside and inside
The 3008, now in its third generation, is 454 cm long, 9 more and is all new. This is the first car produced on the STLA Medium platform of the Stellantis group designed from scratch, it is optimized to be combined with electric motors and thermal engines. The Peugeot 3008 is striking for its external style with original solutions and the almost coupé-like rear part, but also inside. A panel above the dashboard contains two 10-inch screens side by side or in the most complete versions, a single 21-inch panel. To the right of the steering wheel is the automatic gear shift lever. The dashboard is connected to the tunnel by a bridge which includes the parking brake.