In the end, it was only a question of time: After the smart van recently became a touring sedan with a lounge character, the Espace will become an SUV after 40 years. Renault has announced the new model with the old name as a world premiere for the spring.

Up to seven people have space

After all, the sixth model generation is to offer up to seven seats. The elongated window areas emphasize the elegant design and generous interior dimensions. With a length of 4.72 meters, the new model is 14 centimeters shorter than its predecessor, but at 2.48 meters up to the third row of seats, it offers significantly more generous interior space. The new SUV model is available in two versions with five and seven seats.

Genes like the previous generations

According to the manufacturer, the sixth generation of the Espace MPV meets future mobility requirements even better with its proportions. The rear of the new vehicle gains dynamism thanks to a spoiler extending the roofline. Thus, the model novelty has the same genes as previous generations.

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From April, the Cooper SE Convertible will be available in a small series of 999 units throughout Europe. Each vehicle is numbered consecutively. The engine delivers 135 kW (184 hp) and accelerates the open-top four-seater to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The standard range is around 200 kilometers.

Special E logos for the Stromer

The Mini Cooper SE Convertible is available in Enigmatic Black and White Silver. It also comes with small exterior accents in Resolute Bronze and, among other things, heated leather sport seats with adjustable thigh support. The nappa leather steering wheel can also be heated.

Various e-logos on the car indicate the electric drive. The start-stop toggle and various decorative seams are yellow, which is also familiar from the closed electric Mini.

Wheels from recycled aluminum

The 17-inch alloy wheels of the special series with their spoke 2-tone design match those of the Cooper SE, but are cast from recycled aluminum. The standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, head-up display and various assistants such as forward collision warning, automatic high beam and traffic sign recognition.

The roof with gray Union Jack pattern also opens partially as a large sunroof, as in the combustion convertibles. The open Mini is 3.86 meters long and 1.73 meters wide. The wheelbase is just under 2.50 meters.

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In addition, CO2 emissions from new vehicles are to be cut by around half by 2030. There can be no talk of an overwhelming majority: The decision was made with 340 votes in favor and 279 against.

Missed opportunity for the EU in Brussels

President Jürgen Karpinski, President of the German Association of Motor Trades and Repairs (Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe, ZDK): "Anyone who wants to achieve rapid success in CO2 reduction must look at the current vehicle population of around 46 million passenger cars in Germany alone. Here, the EU has missed the opportunity to make a breakthrough for synthetic e-fuels with which the fleet can be operated in a climate-neutral manner."

The electric plans are too ambitious

In addition, vehicles with combustion engines would continue to be registered outside Europe after 2035. The ZDK also expresses doubts about the ambitious electric plans.

Jürgen Karpinski: "The goal of 15 million battery-powered electric vehicles by 2030 postulated in the coalition agreement can only be achieved if the necessary framework conditions are right. However, neither the cuts in funding nor the sluggish expansion of the charging infrastructure fit in with this. Perhaps, in the end, alternatives such as e-fuels are urgently needed to achieve the climate targets."

Incidentally, politicians are also leaving this loophole open - despite the almost final decision. The Commission wants to put climate-neutral fuels to the test again in 2026.

Source: Car Media Portal, tagessschau.de
commission.europa.eu

For ABT Sportsline it is the start of a new motorsport partnership with the Italian sports car brand. Parallel to the racing cooperation, Abt is also expanding its range of refinements for the Urus to include the Lamborghini brand.

Thomas Biermaier, CEO of ABT Sportsline: "We are delighted about this new motorsport partnership. Lamborghini is a brand full of history and passion for motorsport. We have already experienced many emotional moments on the Nordschleife over the past two decades and now want to start a new chapter together with Lamborghini."

Tenth Appearance at the popular classic

The program includes test drives as well as participation in two rounds of the Nürburgring Endurance Series before the 24-hour race with the option of further races in preparation for the 2024 season. For ABT, this will be the tenth appearance at the endurance classic. The debut was in 1999 with a natural gas-powered Audi A4 quattro. Entries with the ABT Audi TT-R from the DTM, the Audi R8 LMS and the Bentley Continental GT3 followed.

Urus comes in the typical ABT aero look

The Urus is the first Lamborghini available with a power performance upgrade from Abt. In the second half of 2023, the fast SUV will once again become a pioneer. Its most striking feature is the aero package.

Hans-Jürgen Abt, Managing Partner of the Allgäu-based tuner: "The Urus is the super sports car among SUVs. With our carbon aero package, we will add even more speed and drama to the front, flanks and rear. We've also found a new design for the perfect set of forged rims for the vehicle - let us surprise you."

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Driving a car has become noticeably more expensive in recent months. The reasons for this are supply chain problems, semiconductor shortages, and higher raw material prices, which have led to massive price increases in some cases. Added to this have been new minimum standards for assistance systems and stricter emissions regulations for internal combustion engines. The war in Ukraine and the lockdowns in China have also made component availability more difficult.

Average 75 centimes per kilometer

The TCS sample car used for this year's calculation is based on a new price of 39,000 francs. The average annual mileage is 15,000 kilometers. Using the TCS calculation rates, the sample car with an internal combustion engine has fixed costs of 6543 francs per year and variable costs of 4717 francs. This results in a price per kilometer of 75 centimes - four centimes more than in the previous year. With this calculation, the vehicles are depreciated after nine years and 135,000 kilometers.

Acquisition price is most important factor

Fuel costs are only responsible for around 18 percent of total operating costs. So even if prices remain high this year, this will only have a moderate impact on the cost per kilometer. Currently, 63 percent of all passenger cars have a gasoline engine and 28 percent have a diesel engine. With electric cars, fuel and service costs are lower, but the purchase price is higher. This results in a certain cost compensation, which is significant for particularly high mileage.

Uncomplicated and quick calculation

The USB stick TCS-Kilometerkosten 2023 is a useful tool for company accounting and HR departments. It enables an uncomplicated calculation of the operating costs of several company vehicles. The stick also contains labor law and tax information regarding company cars and private cars used for business purposes.

With the 16GB USB stick you can quickly and easily calculate the mileage costs of cars and motorcycles. The USB stick is bilingual DE/FR.

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Škoda leads the way in the model statistics for new registrations in January. A total of 16,437 new cars - 3.4 percent more than in the previous year - rolled onto the roads of Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein in the first month of the year.

In the Auto-Schweiz statistics, the Škoda Karoq ranks first with 387 units sold. This is surprising, as the same model was only seventh in the previous month. Close on the heels of the bestseller is brand colleague Enyaq with 338 vehicles sold.

By the way, Škoda's popular SUV is now available as a special Karoq Tour model, and it comes with a comprehensive range of standard equipment as well as a savings advantage of up to 3870 francs.

Toyota in off-road look in third place

Contrary to expectations, however, neither Tesla nor VW follow in third, fourth and fifth place. Toyota moves into third place as a newcomer with the Yaris Cross (318 units), and is followed by the Audi Q3, the BMW X3 and the VW Tiguan. All these three remained below the 300-vehicle mark. It is also striking that three other Škoda models still make it into the bestseller list up to 15th place: the Octavia (7th), the Fabia (13th) and the Kodiaq (15th). Places eight to ten are occupied by the Dacia Sandero (236 cars), the Mercedes GLC (215) and the Porsche Macan (212).

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The Audi Business Session took place with all Audi dealership partners at the Audi e-tron Destination in Andermatt. Television presenter Rainer-Maria Salzgeber guided through the event. After the unveiling of the fourth member of the Sphere model family, the Audi Activesphere Concept (AutoSprintCH reported), the Dealer of the Year award ceremony was eagerly awaited.

Strict criteria in three categories

The dealers had to meet ten demanding criteria from the areas of sales and aftersales in order to qualify for the award. There were three categories in total - depending on the size of the business. The three best dealers in each category were selected from the sum of various evaluation points.

Partners achieved record figures in 2022

In addition to the awards, Dieter Jermann, Brand Director Audi Switzerland, also presented each with value vouchers for a team event. "We are proud of our strong partner network, which was once again able to achieve record figures despite difficult general conditions. This shows once again how important personal commitment and a clear focus on customer orientation are."

The three first place winners per category are

• Christen Automobile AG, Schattdorf, Canton Uri (Left)
• Garage Heinz Stern AG, Bäretswil, Canton of Zurich (center)
• Autocorner J.-C. & C. Oberson S.A., Lutry, Canton Vaud. (Right)

audi.ch

The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter brings with it many technical innovations. It is based on a new concept with three modules that allow great freedom in the development of different extensions and superstructures. The front module includes all high-voltage components and can be combined unchanged with all vehicle variants, regardless of wheelbase and battery size.

The module for the high-voltage battery is located in the underbody, and its position between the axles together with the battery housing ensures a low center of gravity. The third pillar of the modular design is the rear module with the electrically driven rear axle. It is used in all variants of the new eSprinter according to the principle of the common parts strategy. The electric motor is also integrated into the rear module.

Adjustment the coming production

Mercedes has invested around 350 million euros in the new eSprinter. Around 50 million euros will be invested in each of the three plants in Charleston, Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde to adapt production. However, the modular concept of the new eSprinter enables maximum synergies in production and thus corresponding economies of scale.

Market launch will begin in the USA and Canada in the second half of 2023. The vehicle is a long box van with a high roof. It is equipped with the largest battery, the accumulator with a capacity of 113 kWh. The cargo volume is 14 cubic meters, and the gross vehicle weight is up to 4.25 tons. The electric range will be around 400 kilometers. In Europe, the launch of this first variant of the panel van will take place at the end of 2023.

Infotainment like in a passenger car

The permanent magnet synchronous motor is available in two power levels, 100 and 150 kW, and offers a maximum torque of 400 Nm. The new eSprinter is also impressive in terms of digitalization and infotainment. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with the latest software generation is used. Numerous features and services support the customer in his everyday life with an electric vehicle.

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The Plug&Play package offered by Lexus Switzerland at the launch of the new all-electric Lexus RZ model brings price advantages for leasing, basic and service packages, and the purchase of a charging station for the home. The offer is valid for all contracts signed until March 31, 2023, and serves as an exclusive launch offer for the RZ.

Easy entry into electromobility

Christian Wellauer, Director of Lexus Switzerland: "Getting started with electric mobility has never been easier or more attractive. With the Lexus RZ, customers not only acquire an electric car that will set new standards, but also do so at attractive terms and conditions. With a price advantage of 5900 francs, everything is included to make the switch to the all-electric RZ even easier - including an energy starter credit of 500 francs."

Additional package Assistance 24/7 is included

The Lexus RZ also promises carefree driving, as the new service-activated warranty including additional package Assistance 24/7 brings reassuring security for ten years or 185,000 kilometers. After the factory warranty of three years or 100,000 kilometers has expired, the warranty is automatically extended after each service at a Lexus partner until the next service according to the maintenance schedule. This offer is tied to the vehicle. The warranty is therefore also transferable when the vehicle is sold.

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The commercial, which premieres on the day of the Big Game, features Jeep's Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid vehicles with various animals dancing to Electric Boogie. It was designed to support Jeep's electrified lineup worldwide. It features Marcia Griffiths recording the song in a Jamaican music studio with producer and dancehall reggae icon Shaggy.

A world hit is the signpost

Electric Boogie was originally recorded by Jamaican reggae singer Marcia Griffiths and became widely popular in 1983. A version of the song remixed by Griffiths became a world hit in the early 1990s.

According to Olivier Francois, Stellantis marketing chief, "We brought the Electric Boogie into the future with our new generation of electrified 4xe vehicles to inspire our customers and a new generation of listeners through a song and dance that embodies the adventure, spirit and passion that the clientele has for the brand."

Capabilities of the Wrangler models

Shaggy explained, "Over the years I've become close friends with Marcia, so when the Jeep brand asked me to do an updated version of this classic for a new campaign in 2023, I was thrilled."

The Electric Boogie-spot, developed by Jeep in collaboration with Chicago-based agency Highdive, follows in the footsteps of the spot Earth Odyssey from last year. The spot highlights the electric mode capabilities of Jeep's Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe models by listening to wildlife and driving almost silently in nature.

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