WHERE YOU MEET An important date for friends of old vehicles: On Saturday 27 and Whit Sunday 28 May, hundreds of classic cars will once again roll at O-iO in the village center of Sarner, which is closed off to normal traffic.
Editorial - May 23 2023
For the kick-off on Saturday, around 500 classic cars from 1904 onwards will be on display in Sarnen. The highlights of the O-iO -program (means Oldtimer in Obwalden) range from free cab rides with classic cars, one also fueled with eFuels, to test drives with current e-cars.
Well-kept vintage cars and music are typical for the meeting in Sarnen.
Young people can take part in a photo competition and record their creative view of classic cars (Galerie Mitte). From 4 p.m., three bands with suitable repertoire will provide musical entertainment.
Drifting with the vice world champion
On Whitsunday, about 370 classic cars will start at 10 a.m. in Sarnen to the event center in Seelisberg/Uri. There, too, not everyday experiences await the participants with classic cars and spectators: Drifting with the vice world champion Yves Meier and driving with special vehicles over the roof, a ramp over the main building of the facility makes it possible.
Simracing: These are the champions of the 2023 season 🎥
FINALE The Swiss Simracing Champions of the 2023 season were chosen over twelve races per series. A total of 77 entries were received for the Formula 3 and GT3 series.
Editorial - May 22 2023
In the classic open-wheeler series with Dallara Formula 3 cars, the twelve scoring races were each split into a 20-minute heat race and a 40-minute feature race. This is the Swiss championship classification:
Alessandro Romanelli
Claudio Costarelli
Luca Philipp
Best international driver and winner of the series classification was Fabian Siegmann.
Champion celebration 2023, group picture of the podium drivers F3 and GT3: back row Claudio Costarelli, Pascal Tschopp, Luca Philipp, Adnan Grozdanic. Front row: Alessandro Romanelli, Johannes Belitz, Niklas Last.
The GT3 class held its twelve scoring races over 60 minutes each, with one pit stop mandatory per race. The best in the Swiss championship:
Pascal Tschopp
Tobias Herzog
Adnan Grozdanic
Best international driver and winner of the series classification was Niklas Last.
2024 season starts in September
The race directors and the official jury of Auto Sport Schweiz, with sports commissioners from real and virtual automobile sports, ensured live compliance with the regulations. The Swiss Simracing Series races were all broadcast live by SRA TV on Youtube. In addition, there were junior races in the Formula 4 class to watch in the prelude to the GT3 series.
During the championship celebration of the Flanc.ch series, the winners were honored at the A Plus Simracing Lounge & Events in Hinwil ZH.
The 2024 season kicks off next September with the official tests. The qualifying rounds will begin in October.
CHALLENGE In June 2023, Alpine will take part for the first time in the legendary hillclimb, the Race to the Clouds, on Pikes Peak in the US state of Colorado. The Alpine is registered for the Time Attack 1 category.
Editorial - 21 May 2023
Recently, the French started with the first rides the model A110 Pikes Peak, developed specifically for this event. After tests in the Drôme and Val Thorens to validate the technical solutions, the team is now preparing to leave for the United States, where the challenge begins in June.
Laurent Rossi, CEO Alpine: "Mountain racing has always been a passion of Alpine enthusiasts. Today, our thirst for competition leads us to Pikes Peak, a motorsport event that has captured the imagination for decades. We look forward to being there with our partners at Signatech and Raphaël Astier." The video shows test drives with the pilot.
On Sunday, June 25, 2023, the Alpine A110 will tackle the nearly20 kilometers up the 4400-meter-high Pikes Peak.
Air pressure difference influences performance
However, the motorsport competition, which has been held in the Rocky Mountains since 1916, remains one of the most demanding challenges. Known as Race to the Clouds, the competition consists of a 19.93-kilometer course with 156 turns that begins at an altitude of 2865 meters and ends at 4400 meters.
The difference in air pressure significantly affects engine performance throughout the course, while drivers often have to contend with a particularly dusty road, changing weather conditions, varying levels of sunlight, blind corners and the ever-present threat of the abyss.
Revision of kinematics and damping
François Letort, technical director for all customer sports activities at Alpine: "We focused on the lightweight construction of the car to maintain the Alpine DNA. We started with the Alpine A110 GT4 Evo at 1080 kilograms and developed the Alpine A110 Pikes Peak at 950 kilograms. We also revised the kinematics and damping. The goal was to keep engine power constant throughout the climb, and we chose Michelin Pilot Sport H S5C+ with tire sizes of 17 inches in the front and 18 inches in the rear."
Petra Klingler is new brand ambassador
Good news number 2: Alpine Cars Switzerland appoints a new brand ambassador with immediate effect. With Petra Klingler (center gallery), Switzerland's currently most successful and versatile female sports climber is cooperating with the French sports car brand. The 31-year-old looks back on great successes in many different disciplines.
Lamborghini: There's no hurdle for the Huracán Sterrato 🎥
MULTITALENT On its way through the landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park, the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato offered plenty of ride comfort on the road and showed on unpaved terrain that it is also a daredevil.
Editorial - May 20, 2023
The adventurous character of the Italian is evident at first glance. Compared with the Huracán Evo, the ground clearance has been increased by 44 millimeters, the track widths at the front (+30 millimeters) and rear (+34 millimeters) increased to ensure longer suspension travel. In addition, the front aluminum underbody protection, the reinforced sills, the rear diffuser and the robust wheel arches protect the body.
With V10 power and all-wheel drive, the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato also mastered unpaved roads without any problems.
The race was held at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, a racetrack in the desert of the Coachella Valley in California, which offers a total length of around four kilometers of asphalt track and rough terrain. Perfect for testing in almost all conditions. The Bolide mastered every hurdle without any problems.
Specialty tire Dueler AT002 from Bridgestone
The striking air intake on the tailgate, which further emphasizes the model's sporty character, supplies the engine with clean air on dusty roads. 19-inch alloy wheels with special Bridgestone Dueler AT002 tires offer maximum versatility and adaptability on any surface. They also contribute to a better driving experience in all conditions.
At the end of the test, the Sterrato, looking even more stunning with a layer of fine desert sand, returned to Palm Springs, where its driver struck a calmer pace and demonstrated the car's versatility amid the city's palm-lined boulevards.
50 YEARS AGO The Hyundai Pony Coupé Concept, put on wheels by Italian design firm GFG Style, recalls the nearly 50-year-old Hyundai small car Pony with its name and styling elements.
Editorial - May 20, 2023
The shapes of the 1974 Pony Coupé concept car were brought into the present day by Giugiaro's GFG Style design studio.
The concept study of the Pony Coupé was originally presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1974. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the car is still considered a design icon by South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. Today, the concept coupe is described as a retro-futuristic classic and is intended to provide inspiration for future brand design.
Hyundai Motor unveiled the relaunched Pony Coupe Concept study at Lake Como, where traditional and new design classics and their creators were on display. Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio, also a successful designer for many years, created the groundbreaking coupe study of the first independently designed high-volume car in Korea.
Angular surfaces and smooth roof line
Under the leadership of Fabrizio Giugiaro, the GFG Style company took advantage of its diverse resources and technologies to create a model unlike anything seen before. Drawing on drawings, graphics and photographic material from the period and based on a Hyundai platform, the designers gave the concept car angular surfaces and a smooth roofline. The front end painted in body color and the round headlights are also typical. Further design references can also be seen in the interior of the coupe.
Porsche: Hand-painted 356 SC for the anniversary 🎥
UNIQUE Swiss industrial designer Alfredo Häberli and the Porsche Center Zurich have joined forces to create an artcar worth seeing: a hand-painted Porsche 356 SC from 1964.
Editorial - 19 May 2023
In 1948, Ferry Porsche realized his personal dream of a sports car with the 356 model. To mark its 75th anniversary, the Porsche Center Zurich has now had a model of this original transformed into a work of art.
The 356 Häberli Art Car will tour Switzerland this year.
During the transformation of the original Porsche into the 356 Häberli Art Car, the Keko advertising agency accompanied the artist with its camera. In this way, an intimate portrait was created in which Häberli gives viewers insights into his creative process.
December auction
The 356 Häberli Art Car will be on display at various trade fairs and exhibitions. In December, the vehicle will return to the Porsche Center Zurich, where it will be auctioned off together with the Koller Auction. The proceeds will go in part to a good cause.
Carsten Menge, Managing Director of Keko: "The creation of the Art Car was a journey full of dedication and passion, which also became a project of the heart for us. It is precisely because of commissions like this that we have also been burning for Porsche for decades."
FUTURE By introducing the new modular and scalable Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA), Mercedes-Benz Vans aims to secure leadership in electric mobility and digital experiences.
Editorial - 19 May 2023
Mercedes-Benz Vans is aiming for a BEV share of up to 20 percent of total vehicle sales by 2026 and more than 50 percent by 2030. The van manufacturer's financial targets are to reduce fixed costs by around 20 percent by the middle of the decade and to achieve a double-digit adjusted return on sales by the end of the decade.
Mercedes-Benz Vans sets the course for an all-electric future
Sprinter started as a pioneer
Around 30 years ago, Mercedes-Benz Vans created the Sprinter segment - and to this day the Sprinter remains the flagship of the portfolio. As early as 2010, the business unit presented its first electric production van, the Vito E-Cell. In 2023, Mercedes-Benz Vans will offer fully electric variants in all segments from the compact to the mid-sized to the large van.
Supported by several pillars
Mercedes Vans will focus more strongly on premium segments and profitable growth. In doing so, the business unit will focus on regions, sales channels, products and industries with high margins. As the company serves both private and commercial customers, it will take a differentiated approach to each segment.
Europe is the division's strongest market, accounting for 60 percent of total global sales. The Stuttgart-based company aims to significantly increase its sales in the U.S. by 2030, and one lever for doing so is to expand the portfolio to include commercially used e-transporters. For the first time, it will also offer private vans based on VAN.EA with a new luxury positioning in order to meet the expectations of discerning customers even more closely, particularly in China.
From Las Vegas to Long Beach
Currently, the new e-Sprinter is the most efficient e-van. In October 2022, Mercedes-Benz Vans proved its efficiency with a test drive under the real conditions of an express delivery. The route led from Stuttgart to Munich and back with only one battery charge.
Most recently, the new e-Sprinter completed another test in the USA. A pre-production vehicle of the new model, equipped with a battery capacity of 113 kWh, drove the distance from Las Vegas to the Mercedes-Benz Tech Center in Long Beach without a charging stop. This corresponds to 443 kilometers.
Productivity and lean processes
As part of the introduction of VAN.EA, Mercedes-Benz Vans is reorganizing its global production network, and for the first time there will be a site exclusively for the production of large all-electric vans. The plant in Jawor, Poland, will set new standards for the production of electric vans, both in terms of productivity and lean processes as well as sustainability.
TRAVEL TO THE SOUTH As there are still winter closures at several Alpine passes, waiting times at the loading stations can also be expected at Whitsun. The opening of several passes in Uri can defuse the situation.
Editorial - May 18, 2023
On the TCS passport portal, motorists can find all the latest important information.
The Gotthard, Nufenen and Grosser Sankt-Bernhard passes and other Alpine crossings are currently still closed. These passes are not yet available as alternative routes to the south, which may lead to a shift of traffic towards the loading stations at the Lötschberg, the Furka and the Vereina.
Winter closures lifted
The situation could be relieved, at least in part, by the planned opening of the Gotthard Pass. The Klausen Pass is also to be opened. The Furka Pass, which was partially opened on May 5, could be opened in view of the Whitsun weekend. The Susten Pass is expected to open on the Uri side on June 2, with full opening planned for June 16.
Heavy traffic also on the A2
The lure towards the south side of the Alps will be felt again on the Whitsun weekend (May 27 and 28), especially on the north-south axes. Once again, many short holidaymakers, from Switzerland and the northern countries, will be on our roads. A lot of outbound and return traffic is again expected on the A2. The most intense traffic situation in front of the Gotthard tunnel is to be expected for the outward journey on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, and the traffic jam is unlikely to clear up overnight.
Important tips for the return journey
For the return journey, most motorists are likely to be on the road on Whit Monday (May 29) and Tuesday (May 30). To avoid long traffic jams, Viasuisse recommends starting the outward journey on Friday morning (May 26). Traffic jams should be kept to a minimum until around 11 am. It is also worthwhile to set off on Saturday night or early Saturday morning. The return journey should not be made on Whit Monday or Tuesday afternoon. It is advisable to plan the trip late Monday evening or through the night on Tuesday.
New portal for Swiss passports
The TCS has a new Passport portal launched. It provides real-time information on Switzerland's 40 most important passports. Information is listed on which Swiss passes are open and which are closed. Interested parties can find out whether there is snow on a pass and whether restrictions apply to certain types of vehicles or whether chains are compulsory. The TCS passport portal is accessible to everyone and free of charge. It is constantly being developed and adapted to the needs of road users.
Ford: Tourneo Courier also available as an electric vehicle
IT'S GOING ON Ford's all-electric E-Tourneo Courier offers plenty of space in a compact format. The SUV-designed newcomer marks the brand's next stop on the road to electromobility.
Editorial - May 18, 2023
Although only 4.40 meters long, Ford's new compact SUV offers a very large interior.
The just under 4.40-meter-long, five-seater Ford E-Tourneo Courier conveys a sense of adventure with its SUV-inspired design. However, its market launch is not planned until the end of 2024. By contrast, the Tourneo Courier variants with Ecoboost gasoline engines can be ordered as early as this summer.
Fully digital displays in the cockpit
The E-Tourneo Courier has been redesigned from the ground up. The front features the futuristic-looking, continuous LED light strip and a characteristic radiator grille. The asymmetrical 60:40 split-folding rear seat bench and the large luggage compartment contribute to the high everyday usability.
The driver and front passenger benefit from improved shoulder and headroom as well as numerous storage options. These include a flexibly configurable center console, a compartment under the trunk floor and a 44-liter frunk. At the heart of the digital offerings available for the E-Tourneo Courier is the Digiboard instrument panel with fully digital cockpit display and central 12-inch touchscreen.
Three drive modes and one-pedal drive
The 100 kW (136 hp) engine of the E-Tourneo Courier stands for a comfortable driving experience. The one-pedal drive, which largely eliminates the need for active braking, also plays a major role. A considerable range of driver assistance systems enhances safety and comfort. Depending on the traffic situation and personal preference, there is a choice of three driving modes: Normal, Eco and Smooth. The drive battery of the E-Tourneo Courier can recharge new energy at an AC connection of up to 11 kW or at a fast-charging station with up to 100 kW DC.
NUMBER 14 The first Avia hydrogen filling station in western Switzerland was opened in Puisdoux. The first refueling customers were a passenger car and a truck powered by sustainable fuel cells.
Editorial - May 17, 2023
Switzerland is a pioneer in the realization of the hydrogen ecosystem worldwide. Two green hydrogen production plants, the first real-world fleet of heavy-duty vehicles and the densest hydrogen refueling network for passenger cars and commercial vehicles are located in our country. Now the refueling station network is being expanded in western Switzerland. Avia Distribution SA opened its first hydrogen refueling station in Western Switzerland in Puidoux, between Vevey and Lausanne.
Jérôme Wüthrich, director of Avia Distribution SA, Jean-Rémy Chevalley, deputy mayor of Puidoux, Patrick Staubli, managing director of the Avia Association Switzerland, Daniel Flotron, prefect of Lavaux-Oron, Dr. Ellert, prof hes and Pascal Clapasson, head of service stations Avia Distribution SA.
Development of the filling station network
The Tour de Romandie also relied on hydrogen electric vehicles. This was proven by the two Hyundai Nexo, which, together with the Hyundai XCient Fuel Cell, provided the setting for the opening of the new Avia hydrogen filling station in Puidoux. Jérôme Wüthrich, director of Avia Distribution SA, and Jean-Rémy Chevalley, deputy mayor of Puidoux, accompanied the official act of opening.
The new hydrogen filling station between Lausanne and Vevey closes a gap in the supply and development of the Swiss hydrogen filling station network. With now 14 refueling stations (see chart) on the Lake Constance-Lake Geneva and Basel-Lucerne axes, the world's densest hydrogen refueling station network for has been established in Switzerland over the past three years. The members of the Avia Association alone operate five stations in St. Gallen, Gossau, Rümlang, Geuensee and Puidoux.
Plenty of space for heavy vehicles
The hydrogen filling station in Puidoux is now in operation. Its location between Vevey and Lausanne and the generous space available on site offer drivers of hydrogen passenger cars the opportunity to refuel with green hydrogen. This also applies to the heavy fuel cell commercial vehicles that have been on the road in Switzerland for more than two years. They can pull up in Puidoux with their trailers and refuel in a few minutes for a range of around 400 kilometers.
