Le Pays De France - News from Paris, France, the EU and the world, around the clock every day

Alfa Romeo has given its Tonale compact SUV, launched in 2022, a very subtle but effective update. Three years after its debut, the designers are drawing on Alfa's typical heritage and sharpening its profile: The front now features a more pronounced, concave Scudetto radiator grille, which references the historic ‘33 Stradale’ with horizontal struts. The grille is flanked by a redesigned front apron, in which a wider air intake and side openings give the Tonale a more dynamic look. Alfa Romeo has also shortened the front overhang and widened the track, giving the car a more muscular appearance. Newly designed alloy wheels in sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches and fresh paint finishes – including Rosso Brera, Verde Monza and Giallo Ocra – underline the refreshed look.Interior: new colours, more comfortThe interior also benefits from ‘a little cosmetic surgery’. Alfa Romeo is expanding its range with new colours and materials. In addition to the familiar black fabric and leather upholstery, bright red leather seats or a two-tone combination of white imitation leather and black Alcantara are available for the first time. A new ‘Cannelloni’ seat design with pronounced cross-beading is reminiscent of the sports seats from the 1960s. Perforated Alcantara upholstery with white or ‘Ice’ contrast stitching is available for the Sport Speciale variant; the dashboard is also trimmed in Alcantara. LED ambient lighting in various colours, including a serpentine pattern paying homage to the coat of arms of Milan, further enhances the cockpit. In Europe, a flat rotary knob replaces the previous gear lever, while the US version retains a classic gear selector – both variants feature large aluminium paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The infotainment system includes a 10.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital speedometer; a 360-degree camera, wireless charging and a Harman Kardon sound system are available as options.

The seventh generation of the BMW 7 Series will be presented in a comprehensively revised form from 2026. We have created a graphic preview in the form of a photo, but whether this corresponds to reality is still questionable, to say the least. Around four years after the series made its debut, the Munich-based manufacturer's flagship model will undergo a so-called life cycle impulse, which offers much more than just cosmetic changes. The first prototypes, which were spotted on test drives around the Nürburgring, reveal that BMW is becoming bolder in its design: the striking double kidney grille remains divided into two parts, but appears lower and less bulky thanks to horizontal bars. In addition, the narrow daytime running lights have been redesigned into more delicate daytime running light clips. The rear end will feature a clearer, horizontal light signature based on the design of the 5 Series. Four trapezoidal tailpipes reveal that powerful combustion engines will continue to be used, while an extended body variant is unnecessary as the current G70 model already comes with a long wheelbase as standard.In the interior, BMW is focusing on a technological revolution. The new Panoramic iDrive – a further development of the classic head-up display – projects driving-related information across the entire width of the windscreen, largely replacing the conventional instrument cluster. The driver operates the system via a central touch display with Quick Select logic and a new multifunction unit on the steering wheel, whose buttons provide haptic feedback. Together with the optional 3D projection in the driver's field of vision, the system enables intuitive, distraction-free operation. Another highlight is the integration of innovations from the ‘New Class’, which BMW will gradually roll out in all model series from 2025 onwards. These include more connected on-board electronics and more powerful computers, which are a prerequisite for new Level 3 assistance systems. Additional sensors in the front apron indicate the use of the Personal Pilot system, which is designed to enable temporary autonomous driving in defined situations.