With its enormous performance potential and impressive design, the last-generation special model has raised the bar for high-performance cars even higher. Thanks to its low weight, the V8 biturbo engine ensures good distribution of axle loads. This makes the V8 RS6 a true cornering specialist.

Abt increased the standard 630 hp of the RS6 Performance to 760 hp with a maximum torque of 980 Nm using the in-house Power-R technology. The Abt RS6 Legacy Edition is compatible with the myAbt app. Thanks to the insights it provides into the vehicle's performance data, owners can now also experience this performance increase visually via Apple Carplay.

Aerodynamics replenishment

One of the aerodynamic highlights is the carbon front hood insert integrated into the car's hood, which improves heat dissipation from the performance-enhanced V8 biturbo engine. But that is only part of the extensive aerodynamics kit Abt has given the car.

Numerous add-on parts made of visible carbon such as the front lip, mirror cap attachments, side skirts, rear skirt insert or the rear wing already make it clear visually that this RS6 is a very special vehicle. The coilover suspension and the sports stabilizers on the front and rear axles ensure that the power is perfectly transferred to the road. The tires with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport 295/30 ZR22 on high-performance forged rims Abt IR22 in Glossy Black also contribute to this. The Abt stainless steel muffler system provides the right sound.

Sporty look also inside

Abt enhances the interior of the RS6 with Dinamica soul fabrics on the shift paddles, the door sill trims, and on the dashboard and seat frame trims. Dinamica is characterized by a fine fiber composition. The flame-retardant soft surface is optimally protected against moisture and soiling by a Teflon coating.

The steering wheel stands out with its Alcantara finish and sporty 12 o'clock marking, which shines subtly red through the perforated material. The fact that the Legacy Edition is a limited special model is also clearly visible with the refinement of the front seats with the Abt logo in the headrest and the RS6 LE logo in the head of the backrest.

abt-sportsline.ch

The traditional event on the Allmend counts as the fourth round of the 2023 Swiss Slalom Championship. The season kicked off on April 16 at the Bière armory and continued on April 29 and 30 with a double round at the Ambri airfield. Philip Egli (gallery left) won in Vaud and the race in Ticino while Lukas Eugster secured the first SM round in Ambri with a Ligier-Honda sports car. With his Dallara race car, the Glarner, who lives in Zurich, is already aiming for his eighth consecutive victory in the Frauenfeld race.

Philip Egli: "I like racing in Frauenfeld. The track suits me and the Dallara F393 very well. The atmosphere on the Allmend is always great, too. I have by far the most friends and acquaintances who stop by here. For sponsors, too, this slalom is an event where they get the most response from their advertising."

Joel Burgermeister with 300 hp

In front of the home crowd, Joel Burgermeister naturally wants to put himself in the limelight. For the 32-year-old car mechanic from Egnach, the Auto Race Days are the starting signal for the 2023 racing season. With his 300-hp Tatuus-LRM F4 (gallery on the right), he will then concentrate on the hill climbs. After Burgermeister had to cancel at short notice a year ago for technical reasons, he is now looking forward to his home race all the more.

Joel Burgermeister: "I'm not a slalom specialist like Philip and Lukas, and I don't yet have any driving experience in 2023. Nevertheless, the day's victory is of course my goal. I'm very ambitious and will do my best to finally end Philip's winning streak at the only race in Thurgau."

Three more drivers from Thurgau are registering their ambitions. Christoph Zwahlen from Pfyn (Porsche 997 GT3 Cup) and Manuel Santonastaso from Müllheim (BMW 320) want to celebrate their first class victories this year in the InterSwiss group. Stephan Burri from Berne, who has made his home in Affeltrangen as a garage owner, is in a good fifth SM intermediate position after two victories in the newly acquired VW Scirocco behind four drivers without losing points from the three races so far.

Suzuki starts with two races

As part of the LOC event on Saturday, there will be two races for points in the fiercely contested Suzuki Swiss Racing Cup, which is led by local hero Marcel Muzzarelli (center gallery) from Riedt near Erlen. In addition, there is a regularity test for historic vehicles. Here, it is not about best times, but about the smallest possible deviation of the two running times.

Höck for classic cars on Sunday

With around 360 registered participants, the Frauenfeld 2023 Auto Race Days are fully booked. As in the past two years, there will be racing on the 3.2-kilometer course with 49 gates. On Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m., there will also be the Oldtimer-Höck, an informal gathering of owners of older vehicles. As in the previous year, visitors can move freely in the signposted zones. The track announcers Christian Mettler and Marcel Muzzarelli will provide information on everything worth knowing about the race. Further information before and after the event is available on the homepage.

Photos: ACS Thurgau Section
author-days.ch

Based on real-life events in the life of British racing driver Jann Mardenborough, it's about a young Gran Turismo gamer who wins several virtual Nissan car races thanks to his gaming skills and is subsequently trained to become a professional racing driver.

Background: In 2011, the successful former kart racer took part in the GT Academy, a competition run by Nissan and Sony that determines a winner through virtual car racing on PlayStation, who is given the chance to enter professional motorsport. The young driver prevailed against 90,000 participants.

Success through gaming skills

The film tells the ultimate dream come true of a young Gran Turismo gamer whose gaming skills earned him victories in multiple competitions - and who went on to become a real-life professional racer.

Directed by Neill Blomkamp ("District 9", "Elysium") the strip comes on the August 10, 2023The film, with a prominent cast and lavishly filmed on international locations using state-of-the-art technology, hits the big screen.

sonyinteractive.com

Under the working title Small, the Czechs are planning a mini SUV (left gallery), the all-electric successor to the Karoq compact SUV will be called Elroq, the Combi (right gallery) will carry the brand's strengths into the electric era, and the production version of the 7-seater concept car presented in August will round off the range upwards under the working title Space. Škoda plans to invest a total of 5.6 billion euros in electromobility by 2027. In short, there is a model to suit every need and every budget.

Combustion engines remain in the program

During this transformation phase, combustion engines and plug-in hybrid drives continue to play a significant role in the brand's portfolio. With the new generations of the Superb and Kodiaq, the upgraded Octavia, Kamiq and Scala, and the new battery-electric models, the brand will soon offer the most versatile model portfolio in its corporate history.

Klaus Zellmer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Škoda Auto: "With the upcoming battery-electric models, Škoda Auto is moving even faster in the direction of sustainable individual mobility. Together with our new conventional combustion and plug-in hybrid models, we offer the best of both worlds."

Customized design and updates

Enyaq iV and Enyaq Coupé iV will receive a major update in 2025 to express the new design language that will characterize all future Škoda electric vehicles. For Škoda, the focus is on serving the needs of customers across all markets. In the coming years, the company aims to offer a broad portfolio of affordable models that address the individual mobility needs of its customers - be it with e-drives, combustion engines or plug-in hybrids.

skoda.ch

Racing cracks like Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Bob Wollek, John Watson, Vern Schuppan, and Jochen Mass sat behind the wheel of the Porsche 962C in many endurance races in the 1980s. Now, the car - with a 1985 vintage and chassis number 004 - will be on display at the Le Mans auction organized by RM Sotheby's on June 9. The privately owned factory race car with Le Mans history is expected to fetch an estimated six to nine million euros.

Aston Martin for 1.35 million euros

In addition to the legendary Porsche 962 C, an Aston Martin Le Mans LM8 of the 1932 vintage (gallery left) will also be on the auction stage. This vehicle finished seventh overall in the 1932 24 Hours of Le Mans. After 1955, it remained with the same owner for more than 60 years, and now it is expected to find a buyer at an auction price of 950,000 to 1.35 million euros.

Viper from the engineering department

Another exciting offering at Sotheby's auction is the 1997 Chrysler Viper GTS-R (gallery at right), which came from the engineering department of Chrysler's Detroit plant. At the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans, Viper Team Oreca drove the car with Justin Bell, John Morton and Pierre Yver at the wheel. The Viper is expected to fetch between 600,000 and 700,000 euros at auction. Around 250,000 to 350,000 euros are expected for the 2000 Porsche 911 GT3 R, which completed the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Team Skea Racing (center gallery).

rmsothebys.com

The new Abarth 500e offers performance and character thanks to distinctive design elements and sporty details. Examples include the Abarth lettering in dark titanium gray on the engine and trunk hood. Special to the look are the 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels, striking side sills and matte gray exterior mirror caps, as well as the diffuser and logos on the rear fenders.

Electric guitar sound to start

The Abarth 500e also has a dynamic interior. Dark trim on the pillars and headliner, sports seats with embossed trim stripes and double stitching, and the sports steering wheel create an exclusive ambience. The central instrument is formed by two large displays, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen controls the Uconnect Radio with Navi infotainment system.

The Abarth 500e greets passengers with the rocking sound of electric guitars when they switch on and off. Even the driving noise prescribed at low speeds consists of a specific jingle that underlines the unconventional soul of the vehicle.

The electric car is nimbler than the gasoline engine

Thanks to good weight distribution and beefy torque, the new electric Abarth is even more agile than its counterpart with a gasoline engine. The 500e accelerates from 40 to 60 km/h in just 1.5 seconds, and it also outperforms a gasoline-powered car by about a second in overtaking maneuvers. In addition, the car offers secure handling, which is particularly noticeable at higher cornering speeds.

Equipped with a 42-kWh battery and a powerful electric motor, the Abarth 500e combines the performance you've come to expect from a vehicle with the scorpion with locally zero CO₂-emissions. The range is up to 265 kilometers. Three driving modes are available in both model versions, allowing the car to be tuned as desired.

Fan community meets in Pferdsfeld

By the way, the brand's fan community will meet in Pferdsfeld, Rhineland-Palatinate, on July 15 for Abarth Day 2023. On the extensive grounds of the former airfield, now a test center for the automotive industry, the focus will be on driving fun and a motorsport atmosphere for an entire day. Visitors can take their own Abarth for a spin on a real race track under the guidance of experienced instructors.

abarth.ch
abarthday2023.com

abarth.ch

Launched at the end of 2019, the Peugeot 2008 has always ranked high in SUV sales in the B segment in Europe, with almost 700,000 units produced. The success of this model is due in particular to the all-electric e-2008 model.

Matthias Hossann, design director at Peugeot: "With the new Peugeot 2008, the brand is further expanding its technological and design identity. One of the main elements of the design work is the design of the front end, which reinforces the signature with three claws."

The battery brings more power

The 2008 will be launched in summer 2023 in Active, Allure and GT trim levels and with four engine variants. These include the new Group electric motor with 115 kW (156 hp), which, together with the now more powerful battery (54 kWh), will give the new model a WLTP range of up to 374 kilometers. In addition to the electric drive, the 4.30-meter-long Peugeot 2008 is also available as a gasoline or diesel model. The three-cylinder gasoline version 1.2 Pure Tech is on offer with 100 and 130 hp, and the self-igniter 1.5 Blue HDI also delivers 130 hp. A hybrid version will follow next year.

Small steering wheel, large touchscreen

The i-cockpit, typical of the brand, is a main element of the interior. The 10-inch digital instrument cluster is located at eye level above the steering wheel. The color of the display, the sequence and arrangement of the information can be individually set. In the Allure and GT versions, the central screen is equipped with HD technology, and toggle switches have been retained below the central screen for quick access to the most important functions.

The high-resolution front camera, which is optionally available depending on the equipment variant, is combined with the blind spot assistant. It provides a 360-degree image of the vehicle's immediate surroundings - a valuable aid when parking.

peugeot.ch

The original vehicle was created in 1954 in the Mercedes-Benz test workshop for the motorsport season. The separation between the driver's cab and the loading area, which is customary in commercial vehicles, is omitted. Instead, the van has a body as if cast from a single mold. Low, the cab positioned in front of the front axle ducks down toward the road, and the rear fenders read Max. Speed 105 mph can be read. That stands for the more than respectable top speed of 170 km/h at the time.

Air brake behind the driver

A 300 SLR (W 196 S) is lashed to the loading area. Mercedes won the sports car world championship in 1955 with these boldids. The fast transporter transported the 300 SLR and the W 196 R Formula 1 racing cars across Europe in that season. A special feature of the racing car on the fast transporter is the air brake behind the driver's seat. It is extended when braking from high speeds and relieves the drum brakes. With this air brake, the 300 SLR was used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Swedish Grand Prix.

Six-cylinder engine with 192 hp

The Transporter was closely related to series products of its time. The chassis came from the exclusive 300 S (W 188), and the Ponton sedan (W 120) contributed numerous body parts. The six-cylinder M 198 engine with three liters of displacement came from the 300 SL Gullwing (W 198). There, the unit produced 215 hp at 5800 rpm, while in the racing car fast transporter it produced 192 hp at 5500 rpm. The original Transporter has not been preserved, because after the brand's withdrawal from racing at the end of 1955, it was used in road tests and unfortunately scrapped in 1967.

mercedes-benz.com

Linking the digital and physical user journeys means that a new vehicle can be experienced through the augmented reality experience even before it is physically available in Switzerland. For example, the Polestar 3 can already be viewed digitally in the Polestar Space in Zurich.

Tools are an extension

Sascha Heiniger, Managing Director Polestar Switzerland: "Immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality are tools to enhance Polestar's physical brand experience with a digital component that offers clear added value."

The AR Experience makes it possible to project the new Polestar 3 over the existing Polestar 2 in the Polestar Spaces. The starting point is the Polestar 2, which is currently on display in the Polestar Spaces. On site, the customer receives a tablet, and as soon as this is pointed at the Polestar 2, the Polestar 3 appears in the same place, and the virtual tour begins.

Even seat samples are possible

The new car, which is coming to Switzerland at the end of this year, can then be examined virtually. Not only the exterior of the electric SUV can be explored with the help of the AR tool, but also the interior. And to make the discovery tour as real as possible, all four doors, including the tailgate, can be opened and closed with a quick tap on the tablet. Customers can also take a virtual seat in the front passenger or driver's seat and quickly get a feel for the space available in the Polestar 3.

polestar.com

The Brand Asset Valuator (BAV) is the most comprehensive brand study in Switzerland, in which 8,000 Swiss people are surveyed about more than 800 brands. The BAV has been surveyed since 1995, and since 2022 every year. In addition to a number of image attributes, the survey primarily measures brand strength and, since recently, brand love.

With its ranking as the "most loved brand" in the automotive sector, the four rings are clearly continuing the positive trend of the last few years and are once again able to increase the gap to other brands.

Unforgettable brand experience

Katharina Momani, Head of Marketing Audi Switzerland: "We convey an attitude to life and address our clientele on an emotional, meaningful level. The goal is to create a strong brand identity. "

In addition to classic advertising and concept studies, Audi focuses on unforgettable brand experiences. For example, through product proximity with the popular Audi Driving Experiences on the race track or on ice. In this way, the brand creates interest with a targeted customer approach and perfect marketing communication. The coordinated use of TV, print, digital and social media enables the emotionalization of Swiss customers.

Coordinated interaction

Katharina Momani: "The top scores show what can be achieved with a world-class team. A perfectly coordinated interplay between the strategies of Audi AG, our local full-service communications agency Wunderman Thompson and Audi Switzerland is important to achieve this overall ranking at World Cup level."

Interested parties can learn more about Audi's brand strategy and its implementation at the Brand Congress on June 14, 2023.

audi.ch