FAST NEWS - The Hubshop Weekly Roundup / Week #45

1. This Week's Performance Releases & New Models

• A French icon makes a striking comeback: The Alpine A290 (the electric, sporty version of the upcoming Renault 5) keeps building anticipation. It has been confirmed as one of the most anticipated electric sports models for 2025 and promises to retain the brand's signature agility.
• EVs under €25,000 are becoming a reality: Many manufacturers are preparing to launch affordable electric city cars in 2025. The Volkswagen ID.2 (450 km range) is on track, along with versions of the Renault 5 E-Tech and the upcoming Fiat Grande Panda.
• New in the SUV segment: Dacia is in the spotlight with details on the Dacia Bigster, a larger, more rugged SUV that will compete in a fast-growing segment.

2. Industry News & Manufacturer Announcements

• Falling Sales and High Prices: The French car market continues to post declining figures. Industry professionals point to the high price of new vehicles, the "anti-car" climate and the impact of the French emissions penalty (malus) on purchases, even for entry-level models.
• Mixed Fortunes Among Manufacturers: In France, Renault Group is still holding its own overall, thanks in particular to the performance of the Clio and the Sandero. Conversely, Tesla took a "nosedive" (a 60% drop in registrations in April, a trend that is continuing).
• Affordable EVs, the Only Solution? Faced with stagnation, manufacturers are betting everything on affordable electric cars. The Citroën ë-C3 and its version priced under €20,000 (with a 200 km range) are seen as a model for reviving the market through pricing.

3. Motorsport - Weekend Results

• ⭐ Formula 1 - Brazilian Grand Prix: The title fight has taken a new turn! Britain's Lando Norris (McLaren) won the Mexico City Grand Prix, ahead of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull). The next round takes place on November 9 in Brazil. We'll see whether Lando can keep up the pace and stay at the top of the standings.
• WRC - Next Round: The World Rally Championship (WRC) is gearing up for the penultimate round of the season: Rally Japan (scheduled for November 6 to 9), which will be decisive ahead of the finale in Saudi Arabia.

4. Upcoming Car Events & Must-Sees

• EpoqAuto takes place this weekend in Lyon. Calling all classic car enthusiasts: EpoqAuto opens its doors this weekend. A must-attend event for every enthusiast.

5. Performance Pick of the Week

The Most Powerful Engine Ever Seen on the Road: Our pick goes to American tuner Hennessey for its latest monster, the Venom F5 Revolution. In "Track Pack" form, this street-legal hypercar's twin-turbo V8 delivers 1,842 hp, an output never before reached by a mass-production vehicle. It has also proven particularly effective in track testing, showing that raw power can go hand in hand with aerodynamic performance.

See you next week for a new edition of Fast News!