It has almost become a tradition, an event that motorists dread every year. In fact, every year, the government applies an additional tightening of the screw on the automobile penalty by lowering the threshold for triggering penalties. From 1er January 2021, you will receive a penalty as soon as your new car emits more than 130g/km of CO2, compared to 138g/km in 2020. A reduction which will not only impact the automobile market, but it will also limit your choice if you plan to do so. the acquisition of a new sports car. Fortunately, not all models are affected heavily, if at all.
The essential things to know about the new 2021 bonus-malus
The birth of the bonus-malus dates from 2007. It is one of the many measures taken at the end of the Grenelle environment meeting that same year. Like the multiple ecological actions adopted to date, its objective is to reduce CO2 emissions. The principle consists of penalizing a buyer of a new vehicle whose CO2 emissions exceed a certain threshold. On the contrary, below this limit, the owner can receive a bonus.
This being said, the threshold for triggering penalties lowers from year to year. A change that seems small, but which can quickly increase the total purchasing cost of the majority of premium and sports cars. In fact, from January 2021, the penalty ceiling will be doubled. It will increase from 20,000 euros (for cars emitting CO2 above 185g/km) to 40,000 euros for those emitting 225g/km in 2022.
And with this new scale it is not without consequences. Sports cars are the most affected, because they carry the most powerful equipment. These cars are necessarily heavier, and therefore more polluting. And with this measure, the government hopes to resolve the problem at the source by limiting the circulation of less eco-friendly cars. However, although the measures are stricter, they leave a niche for fans of powerful models.
Sports cars taxed in 2021
Many models which were previously not affected by this measure will be penalized from 2021. And even city cars are not exempt. Among the best-selling cars in France, the Peugeot 208 and 308 will be hit with a big penalty of up to 150 euros. Same thing for certain references from Renault, such as the Clio Tce range, some of which may be penalized up to 210 euros.
As for supercars, several models previously spared from the tax will be included. Among the new models added to the list, we include the Audi RSQ3 which will be taxed at 35,000 euros on purchase. The new scale will also hit the Alpines A110, the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Ford Mustang hard. Here, we are talking about a penalty of 1.5 times greater for French brands and an additional 10,000 euros for American vehicles. And the bill will be even higher for the Nissan GTR. An increase which could signify the death warrant for the vehicle, as it will cause its price to explode significantly. However, sports car enthusiasts can avoid the tax, or at least the cap, by choosing among the “cleaner” models.
Sportswomen who are doing well
Certainly, just like the BMW M5 Competition, the Audi R6 Avant, the TT Roadster or even the Ford Mustang, most of the supercars favored by the French will be subject to a penalty of 40,000 euros. A tax which will represent approximately 40% of their initial value. To escape this, you can obviously take advantage of these last months of the year to make your purchase. Otherwise, and if you lack the budget, you must turn to other models.
Fortunately, some beautiful sports cars are doing well, particularly hybrid or electric cars. Electrification makes it possible to drastically reduce the rate of CO2 emissions. Among the French brands, Peugeot recently released the 508 PSE. With its 360 hp delivered to all four wheels, it is the most powerful in the series and has nothing to envy of the Audi S4. However, this little beast only releases 46 g of C02 per kilometer traveled.
Furthermore, other athletes do not reduce the penalty to zero, but are subject to reasonable taxation. Among the most coveted, you have the Porsche 718 Boxster, one of the most accessible models in the German brand’s catalog. It has also managed to maintain the price of its vehicle by anticipating the tightening of pollution standards since 2016. With a more discreet engine, 4-cylinder supercharged instead of the legendary Flat-6, and C02 emissions at 198g/km, the Boxster will be taxed at 10,980 euros instead of 20,000 euros. Finally, special mention also to the Alipine A110 and the BMW Z4 which are doing rather well with around 1250 euros of ecological penalty.
The consequences of the new scale on used cars
By climbing to 40,000 euros, the 2021 scale of the ecological penalty made noise. But the measures are rather lenient towards used cars. Indeed, the latter will escape taxes from 2021. This is in fact the disappearance of three penalties, one of which applied to vehicles of 10hp and more. This amount is between 100 to 1000 euros and decreasing depending on the age of the vehicle. The second penalty concerned cars with 36 HP and more. Finally, the annual penalty of 160 euros for cars emitting more than 190 g/km of CO2 will also disappear from 1e January 2021.
A removal which constitutes an interesting alternative for candidates for the purchase of sports vehicles. In fact, you will be able to turn to second-hand vehicles to enjoy the vehicle of your dreams at a lower cost. Supercar enthusiasts can also find their gem on specialized platforms. These classified ad sites have hundreds, if not thousands, of new models for sale every day. Prices vary depending on the condition of the automobile, its date of construction and its rarity.
How to choose your car insurance for your sports car?
Now that this clarification is made, let’s move on to the important elements that will allow you to find the right insurance.
- The price of the excess: this amount will have to be paid, whether you are responsible for the accident or not. This deductible can only range from a few dozen euros for the most efficient to several hundred.
- Guarantee against theft and vandalism: Having a nice car can create jealousy. So, for no reason, someone can scratch or even steal your car. It is therefore important to carefully look at the reimbursement conditions of the latter.
- Legal protection guarantee: this will allow you to cover your costs in the event of a dispute with another road user.
