This wasn't the first time I'd participated in this marathon. Last year, I had already had the chance to participate. This year, it was on behalf of the JDG. An unusual marathon with some nice surprises among the vehicles to test and a finale that lived up to expectations.
AMAM or when the media pull together
AMAM is the Association of Automotive and Motorcycle Media. Simple, basic. And in media, there are ALL media represented, from the written press to websites, including YouTube. The association is now 9 years old. These two worlds bring together enthusiasts at a remarkable level. And it's frankly great. As evidenced by the voting session at the end of the two days. We were there debating our feelings, sometimes completely different, to the point of giving this (true) breakdown.
Two days, 26 cars, 4 convoys, 4 loops
The system is now well-established. Unlike last year, the Duplex tour (which cost no less than 1,000 euros for the two days) was over.
The four convoys had fun on various loops ranging from the city to small country roads, including the highway. Each session lasted about 3 hours.
The vehicle changed every half hour. Obviously, playing with the Alpine A290 on small roads and driving with the top down in the rain on the highway with the MG Cyberster was more fun than maneuvering the huge Mazda CX80 through the small streets of the Parisian suburbs. It was a case of luck.
But the result is interesting. Besides the variations in environment, there were the variations in driving. An excellent way to get an average consumption close to reality, much more so than the WLTP, because it takes into account human imperfection.
The other very positive point, and not the least, is the immediate observation of ergonomic, technical, sound and mechanical disparities. Switching from one model to another is very revealing, especially when you only have 5 minutes to settle in and adjust your seat, GPS and radio.
I was able to see the differences in quality between the sound systems, the ergonomics of the multimedia systems, the comfort of the driving positions. In 4 minutes, no one was able to adjust the height of the Xpeng G9 for example.
More precisely, during driving phases, the differences between the pedal responses, the ground connections, the traction, the cornering behavior, and the noise in the cabin are immediately noticeable. We don't have time to get used to the vehicles.
The competing vehicles
Very eclectic, all the vehicles had an electric component. Some relied on a starter alternator while others were 100% electric.
- Alpine A290
- Audi A6 eTron
- Audi A3 PHEV
- BMW iX
- Citroën ë-C3
- Cupra Tavascan
- Dacia Bigster
- Honda HRV e:HEV
- Kia EV3
- Mazda CX80 PHEV
- MG CYBERSTER
- MG EHS PHEV
- MG ZS Hybrid
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Porsche Macan electric
- Renault 4 e-Tech
- Škoda Elroq
- Smart #3
- Suzuki Swift allgrip
- Suzuki Vitara hybrid
- Toyota CH-R PHEV
- Vinfast VF6
- Volvo EX90
- VW Golf eHybrid
- VW ID. Buzz 7 seats
- Xpeng G9 Performance
Some manufacturers with models in the same year have refused or simply could not supply a vehicle. Manufacturers who have left their cars to "go to the wolves" are therefore to be commended.
Positive findings
During this little marathon, things have brought us together. We all enjoyed playing with the manual gearbox on small roads, the cute style of the Alpine A290 and its red boost button on the steering wheel, the dynamic quality of the Macan, the fun of the 7-seater ID Buzz, the assumed opulent side of the BMW iX, the reassuring pragmatism of the Suzuki Vitara or even the rationality of the Golf.
Audi also surprised everyone, both positively, with the quality of the A6 E-tron Sportback's handling and pedal response, and negatively, with its enormous piano black haptic control panel.
We all love buttons and we all curse the touchscreen. All touchscreen that systematically hides behind a voice command that works once in twenty times.
While Tesla (which was not present and did not offer the new Model Y) retains some advantages over its ecosystem, this marathon proved to us that other manufacturers are no longer lagging behind and now even offer better road handling, unfortunately, not yet at the same price.
Negative findings and connection
Not everything is rosy, some negative points we all agreed on, such as the entirely tactile ergonomics of the Xpeng G9 (which did not bother me during the test, because I had all the time in the world), the "On/Off" brake pedal of the MG ZS, the sluggish side of the 140 hp of the Bigster, the sonic surges of the Honda HRV's engine or the persistent little whistle of the electric motor of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
But what we all combined was the crazy price of today's vehicles, the majority of which are simply not accessible to ordinary mortals, without turning to a LOA or a LLD, and even then!
There is the Swift which has managed to keep an attractive price, but which, without a severe penalty, had to reduce the power of its engine to a minimum to avoid being lit, widening a phenomenal gap with the old engine.
Disparities between journalists
Not all opinions are identical, so there were disparities.
Thus, I was not more bothered than that by the inhomogeneous combination of the 6-cylinder diesel and the electric motor of the Mazda CX80, but I complained about the general ergonomics and the road behavior of the Volvo EX90. The Renault 4 did not win me over like the other journalists. Which doesn't really make sense when the Alpine A290 made me want to say "Shut up and take my money" to the point of saving a configuration that I could never afford.
Generally speaking, I found interiors that could accommodate 4 people that didn't offer air vents in the rear to be a turn-off. The kind of detail that matters to some and not to others, and I noticed a lack of efficiency in the control interfaces, which are now mostly touch-sensitive.
The quality of the sound system was not equally important to everyone, like sound insulation.
The worst vehicle and the nicest
If there is one model on which we all agreed, it is the Vinfast VF6. Nothing is going right and the car was unanimously displeased.
Conversely, the MG Cyberster made everyone smile, between the convertible side, its poorly thought-out airplane cockpit and the electric doors with elytron opening (in reference to the wings of the eponymous insect).
Finally, the Alpine A290 put everyone agreed and it wasn't (only) out of chauvinism.
The Vinfast VF3 and its "super deformed" side
On the first day, the Vinfast VF3 was presented to us, in the form of a non-functional machine. It looks like a giant Howheels or a Jeep Wish left too long in the dryer. A small 3.11 meter machine capable, according to the data sheet and an attempt at a situation, of carrying 5 people.
Here are the characteristics for the more curious.
Power: 43 hp (32 kW)
Torque: 110 Nm
Transmission: Rear-wheel drive (rear-wheel drive)
Battery: 18.64 kWh (lithium-ion phosphate)
Range: Up to 210 km according to the NEDC cycle
Fast charging: From 10 to 70% in 36 minutes in DC
Acceleration (0-50 km/h): 5.3 seconds
Length: 3190 mm
Width: 1679 mm
Height: 1622 mm
Wheelbase: 2075 mm
Wheels: 16-inch rims
The results
What you're definitely expecting when reading the article:
Best Electric
- Skoda Elroq
- Kia EV3
- Audi A6
Best Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
- Volkswagen Golf
- Audi A3
- Toyota CH-R
Best Hybrid (HEV) so not plug-in
- Dacia Bigster
- Honda HR-V
- Suzuki Swift Allgrip
Best Large SUV
- Porsche Macan Electric
- BMW iX
- Xpeng G9
Best Compact SUV
- Skoda Elroq
- Kia EV3
- Dacia Bigster
Best Family
- Audi A6 e-tron
- Porsche Macan electric
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz 7 seats
Best City Car
- Renault 4 e-Tech
- Alpine A290
- Citroën ë-C3
Best Interior
- BMW iX
- Skoda Elroq
- Alpine A290
Better Ergonomics
- Renault 4 e-Tech
- Dacia Bigster
- Skoda Elroq
Better driving pleasure & approval
- MG Cyberster
- Porsche Macan
- Audi A6 e-tron
Favorite Prize (AM-AM)
Awarded ex-aequo to the MG Cyberster (two-wheel drive version) and the Alpine A290.
And you, what would have been your favorite, and conversely, the vehicle that doesn't interest you at all? Don't hesitate to mention it in the comments; it's always interesting to know what people like and don't like.
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