Peugeot's new car plays crossover, and AMG mixes and uses it happily

In addition to spy photos of several new cars, this issue also presents you with prediction maps for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz EQA and Volkswagen Passat.

★ Peugeot 308 coupe SUV

The French test new frontiers?

In a recent winter test resort, we found a high-chassis Peugeot test car that covered the body of the previous generation 308, while with a longer wheelbase and wider wheelbase.

There have been rumors that Peugeot will enter the coupe SUV market to compete with Renault's Arkana, and we believe this test car is the prototype of the coupe SUV. As for how it will be named in the future, we have heard of 308 SUVs, 3008 and 408, and of course we can't rule out calling a completely different new name.

Interestingly, while capturing the test car, we also found a prototype with a coupe SUV body in another place. Even if it is so tightly camouflaged that it is almost impossible to see any details, the lines of the roof and the high ground clearance cannot be concealed. At present, this new car, which is a new type for Peugeot, will be officially announced at the end of this year or next spring.

★ Mercedes-AMG E53e Hybrid

Another hybrid AMG emerges!

Not long ago we saw a new generation of C63 with plug-in hybrid system, this time we were pleasantly surprised to find the next generation of the AMG version of the E-Class, which has 4 round exhaust pipes, presumably called the AMG E53e.

The evidence for it as a plug-in hybrid is very conclusive, which is the charging socket located on the left rear fender. So will its internal combustion engine part use a 2.0T four-cylinder gasoline engine like the C63? If so, will the higher-level E63 use a V8 engine from the SL, or will it still be based on a four-cylinder engine? At present, there are still many doubts.

Looking back at the test car, AMG's typical Panamericana grille is vividly visible, while the air intakes under the camouflage film appear to be larger. In addition, four exhaust pipes, larger brakes and a lower body stance all indicate its different identities. At present, it seems that the AMG E53e will be released next year, and the more powerful E63e will not be available to you until later.

★ The next generation of Mercedes-Benz EQA

New architecture + new battery

The current EQA, together with EQB and the earliest EQC, constitutes the main force of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles - after all, the epoch-making EQS is more like a declaration of the future of electric vehicle inventors, and its expensive price is not affordable for everyone. As Mercedes-Benz moves towards electrification, EQA will also be completely updated, and the MMA pure electric platform will replace the MFA2 platform of "oil to electricity" to optimize the structure of electric vehicles from the basics.

Our German source Christian Schulte recently completed an imaginary picture of the next generation of EQA, and it can be seen that it will no longer be the SUV form of the current EQA, but an authentic sedan. Its long wheelbase, short front and rear suspensions, and closed front end are typical features of authentic pure electric vehicles. In addition to this, the next-generation EQA, which is expected to be launched in 2024, will also feature lithium iron phosphate batteries. Reducing, or even completely avoiding, the use of cobalt and nickel not only reduces costs, but also avoids potential problems in an already fragile supply chain. In addition to the EQA we've shown here, the MMA family of EQBs on the same platform, possibly known as EQA SUVs and EQB SUVs, will all come out in that year or two.

★ Volkswagen Passat

The travel version became unique

A few weeks ago we scouted the next generation of Passat's camouflage test vehicle (mule car), which was specially lengthened near the B-pillar because of the body length discrepancy. It didn't take long for us to see it for the first time now – at least in part! When it comes next year, the ninth-generation Passat will only appear as a station wagon, that is, only this variant of the car known as Weilan in the Chinese market, and it will most likely become the last generation of Passats with an internal combustion engine.

From the last test car, we can clearly see that the wheelbase of the next generation Passat will be lengthened, and the width will increase accordingly. The ninth-generation Parsat model was developed alongside the new generation of Škoda Speedpier and will be produced at the Bratislava plant in Slovakia. Both models will have a powertrain of petrol and diesel, while a light hybrid system will be standard. Models with plug-in hybrid systems will also be introduced, while the highly sought after Alltrack all-terrain version will be available at a later date.

Finally, we offer Mr. Schulte's vision of the next generation of Passats: its front is clearly characterized by the eighth-generation Golf, and the narrow grille has decorative strips running from left to right, looking like an electric car. The lettering on the grille indicates that this is an "R-line" sport version. The slender body and slightly curved roof are very different from the square of the current Passat Station wagon, reminiscent of the Arteon hunting car, the heir to the "most beautiful Volkswagen". In addition, there are some hypothetical images of the car equipped with through taillights, which look quite similar to the ID. family.

Now we are more concerned about whether, as the last product of this brilliant family, it will still be introduced to domestic production, or will it be like the eighth generation model, just import the travel version to domestic sales?

The author of this article is Kick Car Gang Alai