2022, a look back at a year of automotive transition
And we start this retrospective of the year 2022 with small steps with the test in January of the new star of Dacia, the Jogger! A completely new model, creator of a new segment, that of large adventurer station wagons, which can accommodate up to 7 passengers and is sold from 17,000 euros.
Dacia Jogger January 2022 test drive
Not so happy for fans of sports and prestige cars, for the third year in a row, the Geneva Motor Show has been canceled in 2022. Until then, there is nothing surprising between the COVID crisis and the disappointment of the shows. The good news is that GIMS will take place next year in November. But a little subtlety for his return, it will be held in Doha. The Qatar Geneva Motor Show!
Kia EV6 Car of the Year / February 2022
Exotic as the car of the year 2022, for the first time in history is a Korean, the Kia EV6, leading another electric model, French this time, the Renault Mégane E-TECH.
It changed the Mégane! Having a crossover and electric in this E-TECH version, the fifth generation of the French car turns heads with a resolutely modern style. And a hyper-technological cabin. In other words, the nice surprise of the beginning of the year 2022!
Benzema 35 years old and Ballon d’Or
And surprise question, in Turbo, we all go out! The proof, for the 35th anniversary of the show in March, this meeting with one of the best French footballers in history, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Yes Karim, this is the same word that escaped us a few months later when you won your first Ballon d’Or after an extraordinary season!
But let’s go back to March, a month marked by the ever-increasing success of Rétromobile, the show in Paris dedicated to vintage and collectible cars. Engine oil and smoke reveal the smell of passion.
The month of March saw a dizzying increase in fuel prices caused by, among other things, the war in Ukraine.
Gasoline and Diesel at more than 2 euros per liter, despite discounts by the government and some distributors. With the highest prices in the summer. It’s one thing to burn our wallets!
The arrival of Chinese manufacturers
In contrast to Chinese cars, more and more are represented in our market with always the same philosophy: good benefits for the canon price. The best example is the MG brand and its cheap electrics like the MG5 break, which has been on the market since spring.
The electric revolution is not only affecting Chinese brands. Everyone is gradually entering it, from generalist manufacturers to low cost without forgetting sports and luxury. An electric Porsche is already done, an electric Ferrari is for 2025. And for the Rolls-Royce Spectre, we’ll just have to wait until next year!
Le Mans Classic (June 30 to July 3)
Lovers of gasoline vapors and well-stocked sports records, you were spoiled last summer at the 10th edition of the Le Mans Classic. With, as always in Sarthe, some of the most legendary racing cars in automotive history.
Queen’s Death + Range Rover Love (September 8, 2022)
But in the year 2022, one of the world’s unexpected car lovers was lost, Queen Elizabeth 2 died on September 8 at the age of 96. In her collection, Bentley, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce limousines, and especially large 4x4s like the Land Rover Defender and Range Rover.
Ferrari Purosangue September 13
Attention thoroughbred approaching! No, that’s not a sound it’s this, the new Purosangue’s 725 horsepower V12. The irrepressible Ferrari gave way to the SUV. But an SUV that does 310 km/h and costs €390,000! Who said it better!
Lounges still exist in the US (Detroit and Los Angeles)
Event on the USA side with the return of the Detroit Motor Show! Americans’ love for major car shows was confirmed in November by the SEMA Show and the Los Angeles Motor Show. Ahhhhh if only Europe could be inspired by this!
Alpine F1 with two Frenchmen (29 years after Ligier)
In October, back to France, and more precisely to Normandy, with a small event in the world of F1, the signing of Pierre Gasly to Alpine.
He joins another tricolor, Norman Esteban Ocon, to form a 100% French duo. The first since 1994, cocorico!
Mondial de l’Auto from (October 17 to 23, 2022)
Other good news for motoring in France, is the return in October of the Mondial de Paris. Although avoided by many builders, the Porte de Versailles event brought in nearly 400,000 visitors. Some of them overcame the fuel shortage that affected France at the same time.
October, the month of love for environmental activists! Hugs to the police, kisses to the grille of the SUV and farandole holding hands for the environment.
End of thermal in 2035
Moreover, a historic decision should give them a smile. On October 27, the European Union endorsed the end of new thermal engine vehicles by 2035. Enough to leave the field open to electric vehicles, without giving up certain alternatives such as synthetic fuels.
Peugeot 408
After the horse, 2022 is the year of Leo. Turbo zoo sees the arrival of a new French star, the Peugeot 408. A funny 5-door coupé crossover with well-defined style and road performance in the pure tradition of the brand.
New proof that Peugeot is revitalizing and preparing for its future. Already available in a rechargeable hybrid version, the 408 will be 100% electric in 2023. So next year!
