Autocade is an international car cyclopædia that’s geographically unbiased, carefully edited for enthusiasts and media who want a quick, accurate reference. There is a greater emphasis on models produced after 1970.
Inside Autocade
Citroën Méhari/IES Safari. 1968–86 (prod. 143,747 in total). 2-door utility. F/F, F/A, 602, 652 cm³ (F2 OHV). You can’t accuse Citroën of not getting the most from its 2CV platform. The Méhari was conceived to appeal to the rapidly expanding recreational market and was minimalist in the extreme. The corrugated bodywork was made from ABS plastic, which was both durable and rugged, and the doors and soft-top designed for easy removal. Its 2CV mechanics meant any half-competent spanner-man could fix a Méhari with the most basic of tools. A four-wheel-drive version was produced, and remains desirable, otherwise the main following is in France. French production to 1986. Built in Argentina to 1980, when the French company withdrew; IES resumed production of essentially the same car as the Safari in 1984, cancelling it in 1986.
Manufacturing locations: Levallois, France; Argentina
Marque: Citroën
q.v. Citroën 2CV
Beijing U7/Beijing EU5/Beijing EU7. 2019 to date (prod. n/a). 4-door sedan. F/F, 1499 cm³ (I4 DOHC), 51, 60·2 kWh electric. Senova Zhidao U7 renamed, with a minor facelift. Range brought up to China-VI emissions’ standards. Electric models, EU5 and EU7, also part of the range, as BAIC integrated its Senova and BAIC New Energy units under one brand. EU7’s claimed range at an impressive 450 km.
Manufacturing location: Beijing, China
Marque: Beijing | Predecessors: Senova Zhidao U7, BAIC BJEV EU
Audi Q8 (4M/F1). 2018 to date (prod. n/a). 5-door SUV. F/A, 1984 cm³ (I4 DOHC), 2967 cm³ diesel, 2995 cm³ petrol (V6 DOHC), 3956 cm³ diesel, 3996 cm³ petrol (V8 DOHC). Audi’s SUV flagship, based on, but smaller than, the Q7, on MLB Evo platform. Wider with a coupé-crossover body, challenging BMW X6 (F16). Rear pillar angle meant to recall original Audi Quattro. Very advanced interior, including Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, and cameras could render a movable three-dimensional model of the vehicle in the infotainment screen to aid parking.
Manufacturing location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Marque: Audi | Model: Audi Q8
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