New times have also dawned on the farm, the CO₂-footprint is moving into the center. CNG (compressed natural gas) and biogas are already good alternatives to diesel.

The higher energy density of liquefied natural gas (LNG) makes it possible to achieve greater ranges and longer operating times without interruption.

New tank for the liquid gas

The liquefied gas is stored in a newly developed cryogenic tank at a temperature of minus 162 °C. The prototype New Holland T7 Methane Power LNG has a maximum power of 27 hp and a top speed of 50 km/h. The prototype New Holland T7 Methane Power LNG has a maximum output of 273 hp and reaches a top speed of 50 km/h. The engine is equipped with an electric motor.

cnhindustrial.com

Jeep's Avenger mini SUV meets all the requirements for holding its own in the urban jungle with its compact dimensions, pretty design, decent range and respectable comfort equipment.

But a Stromer is basically made for off-road use, because what do you need to climb over hill and dale in crawl speed? Bullish traction from the very first revolution. And that is precisely the much-cited specialty of an electric motor. There's also something appealing about the idea of moving silently in nature instead of startling it with a nail-biting diesel.

Cleanly drawn contours

Quite contrary to its name (Avenger), the SUV, which is only 4.08 meters long, is a friendly appearance with cleanly drawn contours, harmonious proportions and a suggested 7-slot radiator grille. The latter connects it to its brothers Renegade and Compass, which both tower over it by several centimeters.

The interior is also immediately pleasing with a stretched instrument panel that offers all the controls, the air vents, ambient lighting and the central touchscreen. The lower part is mostly storage space. At 380 liters, the trunk is one of the largest in the segment. It can be opened by a sensor-controlled, electrically driven tailgate and filled via a low loading sill.

Classic off-road features

Unlike its brand brothers, the newcomer does not have all-wheel drive. But a Trailhawk version is already in the pipeline. In any case, the Avenger already has the classic off-road features, such as 20 centimeters of ground clearance and slope angles of 20 degrees at the front and 32 degrees at the rear.

A hill descent control and the Selec Terrain system with the driving modes Sand, Mud and Snow, on the other hand, still seem a bit overambitious for a front-wheel drive vehicle. Eco, Normal and Sport, on the other hand, fit well in urban everyday life.

Range up to 550 kilometers

The 400-volt electric motor delivers 115 kW (156 hp) and a maximum torque of 260 Nm. The 54 kWh battery enables a range of 400 kilometers, and in city traffic even up to 550 kilometers should be feasible. With 100 kW, the battery can be filled from 20 to 80 percent in 24 minutes, and at the wallbox this is possible in three phases with up to 11 kW in five and a half hours. Prices have not yet been set.

jeep.ch

Worldwide, Astara is by no means a newcomer, with branches in 20 countries on three continents and 4500 employees. With more than 230,000 vehicles sold in 2022, the Spanish company is aiming for annual sales of 5.5 billion euros.

Jorge Navea, CEO Astara: "We see further business areas and have therefore been working with the US software provider Salesforce since 2015. That's why we can grow profitably and align our strategy with what our clientele wants. Salesforce has made this journey possible for us."

Move as a new flexible subscription offer

Nicolas Carbonell, Marketing Director of Astara Mobility Switzerland AG: "Switzerland is ideal for implementing new mobility ideas. All vehicle distribution is already done via the Salesforce ecosystem for all brands in the Astara portfolio."

With Astara Move, the company is launching a flexible subscription offer that adapts to the constantly changing needs of its customers. In addition, the Spanish company will soon be offering a new online shopping experience in a completely digital environment with the Astara Store.

Astara sales are to be distributed differently worldwide in the future. In 2015, 25 percent was still generated in Europe and 75 percent in South America; in three years' time, the Spaniards' more than 30 car brands are to contribute 45 percent of sales in Europe, with a further 45 percent earmarked for South America and ten percent for the rest of the world.

Partnership with Swiss dealers

Nicolas Carbonell: "As an importer, we aim to partner with dealers in Switzerland and do not want to push digital showrooms or sales via VR glasses. To this end, Astara is not aiming for a linear sales system, but rather an ecosystem around mobility in which customers benefit from apps or from networking with other mobility offerings. We also still want to have garages that take care of customers' concerns and repairs."

Every customer contact is also an opportunity to offer additional services or perhaps even bring the customer closer to a new car. In any case, the Spaniards want to continue growing - by three years, the company is aiming for a market share of 15 percent in this country.

astara.com

Since all production slots for the Bugatti Chiron are already spoken for, the auction of the special Profilée model on February 1, 2023 in Paris is the last opportunity to still acquire a creation from the atelier in Molsheim powered by the W16 engine.

Variants between Basic and Pure Sport

The Chiron Pur Sport, the highest development stage of the Chiron series to date, was presented in 2020. Characteristic features of this model are the 183-centimeter-wide, permanently mounted rear wing, the shorter gear ratios, the lightweight magnesium wheels and other innovations.

Some customers had asked whether a Chiron model could not be developed that combined the elegance of the first Chiron with the sporty character of the Pur Sport. That was the birth of the Profilée.

Exclusive single type approval for Europe

The Chiron Profilée meets all the high quality standards that Bugatti applies to each of its vehicles. It has received individual type approval for Europe. The special design with the short rear wing fulfills two essential functions: First, the rear wing provides stability at speeds of up to 380 km/h by increasing downforce, and second, it uses negative pressure to suck hot air out of the engine compartment. The front of this unique hypercar received wider air intakes and an enlarged horseshoe-shaped grille to allow more air to pass through the radiator. A revised front splitter and aerodynamic underbody further maximize downforce and airflow.

Hits 100 km/h in 2.3 seconds

The Profilée is powered by the 1500 hp version of the W16 engine, and the gear ratios are 15 percent shorter than on the Chiron Sport. As a result, the Profilée accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.3 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 5.5 seconds.

Handcrafted in the Molsheim atelier, the cockpit is familiar to Chiron owners. The design follows a minimalist philosophy, where each part has been reduced to its simplest and most beautiful form.

bugatti.com

In the presence of Chilean Energy Minister Diego Pardow, the Haru Oni e-fuels pilot plant was officially opened in Punta Arenas, Chile. Porsche board members Barbara Frenkel and Michael Steiner pre-fueled a Porsche 911 with the first locally produced synthetic fuel to kick off production. e-Fuels produced from water and carbon dioxide using wind energy allow combustion engines to run on a virtually CO2-neutral basis.

Production of synthetic fuels

Barbara Frenkel, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Procurement at Porsche AG: "With a view to the entire transport sector, the industrial production of synthetic fuels should be further advanced worldwide. With the e-Fuels pilot plant, Porsche is playing a driving role in this development."

And Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Development and Research at Porsche AG, adds: "The potential of e-fuels is very great. There are more than 1.3 billion combustion vehicles in the world today. Many of them will still be on the road for decades. As a manufacturer of high-performance engines, Porsche has broad expertise in fuels."

Target is a good 550 million liters per year

In the pilot phase, e-fuels production of around 130,000 liters per year is planned. The fuel will initially be used in lighthouse projects such as the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and in the Porsche Experience Centers. After the pilot phase, the project in Chile is expected to reach around 55 million liters per year by the middle of the decade when it is first scaled up. Around two years later, capacity is then to be increased to a good 550 million liters.

The wind turbines can run at full load

Southern Chile offers ideal conditions for the production of e-fuels. The wind blows so strongly on around 270 days a year that the wind turbines can run at full load. In addition, Punta Arenas is close to the Strait of Magellan. From the port of Cabo Negro, the e-fuels can be transported all over the world in the same way as conventional fuels and distributed via the existing infrastructure.

porsche.ch

An internal group of enthusiasts called "Passion and Friends" had already taken on the ID.3 last year - and turned it into the twin-engine ID.X, which could at least be an inspiration for future R models. Now it was the turn of the ID.4 - and the developers opted for a decidedly martial off-road look, garnished with improved technology and numerous refinements.

During the concept phase, many things were considered - even raising the car by means of a tubular frame like the iconic Golf Country. In the end, however, the team led by Sven Wachendorf opted for a less invasive solution in favor of the driving characteristics.

Lifting and 18-inch OZ off-road rims

Track widening, height adjustment and 18-inch OZ off-road rims, a front apron with metal bar and significantly improved angle of repose, a large metal roof rack and an eye-catching paint job in three colors underscore the special character of this model. The underbody is completely protected by aluminum panels.

Dashboard covered with microfiber

The independent look continues in the interior: With anthracite gray microfiber seats embroidered with the Xtreme logo, an instrument panel completely covered in microfiber, a glass roof with a view of the large metal carrier, and accents in matte orange, the ambience has a decidedly sporty feel. Armrests and center console have been carried over from the China variant of the ID.4. And the graphic display on the screen has been specifically adapted.

New drive in the rear delivers 205 kW

In addition, there are changes to the powertrain: While the electric front engine with 80 kW (109 hp), which comes from the ID.4 GTX, remains untouched, the rear engine, which normally produces 150 kW (204 hp), makes way for a new unit with 205 kW (340 hp). This engine already provides a glimpse of a future production unit.

Total output rises to an impressive 285 kW (387 hp). The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 5.3 seconds, and the top speed is likely to remain unchanged at around 180 km/h. The single-speed transmission remains. The single-stage transmission remains unchanged.

Precise steering despite off-road tires

At the wheel of the ID Xtreme, the leap in performance is absolutely noticeable. The acceleration is downright brutal, and the propulsion hardly diminishes until well over 100 km/h. The steering is still convincing; despite off-road tires, the steering precision remains good. And at low speeds, the off-roader confidently makes its presence felt: The exterior sound system was adopted from the J1 platform (Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron GT). Only the "outdoor roof rack" with its dazzlingly bright LED light bar would need some aerodynamic fine-tuning if it were to actually go into series production: The whistling is unmistakable even at city speeds.

Board was quickly convinced by the project

But at the moment, the ID Xtreme is just a finger exercise - albeit one with an astonishingly high degree of perfection. Remarkably, the VW design department was not involved; technology and appearance were completely designed by the developers.
And the board of directors was also by no means in on it from the start. But it was quickly convinced by the project. After all, the ID.Xtreme makes an important contribution to emotionalizing VW's electric models. And if the fans make their voices heard enough, many elements of the ID.Xtreme could also make it into series production.

Source: Auto-Medienportal.net
volkswagen.ch

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E-Performance combines the already familiar high-performance four-cylinder engine with a displacement of just two liters and an immense liter output of 238 hp with an electric motor on the rear axle. The system thus delivers a total of 500 kW (680 hp) to all four wheels.

Unlike many plug-in hybrid suppliers, AMG is not aiming for the longest possible electric ranges, but is content with around 13 kilometers of purely electric driving. Instead, the full battery power is to be available even with repeated use.

Weight distribution in the ratio 50:50

The weight of more than two tons is almost perfectly distributed 50:50 between the front and rear axles, as the four-cylinder is 56 kilograms lighter than the previous V8 and the 89-kilogram battery is positioned above the rear axle.

The new performance seat immediately gives you that sports car feeling. The interior is not stingy with materials such as leather, aluminum and carbon fiber. The large center screen offers plenty of space for information and operation, and the head-up display rounds off the data presentation.

From 0 to 100 km/h takes 3.4 seconds

The acceleration is surprisingly powerful even in Comfort mode, but not very spontaneous. When the combustion engine is engaged, you miss the formerly sonorous eight-cylinder soundscape that was actually AMG's trademark. However, the motorsport genes are still clearly noticeable, especially on the race track. The C 63 also feels very agile thanks to the self-steering rear axle. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 3.4 seconds, and thanks to all-wheel drive and optimum weight distribution, driving has become easier and more relaxed.

Programmed circuits as a video game

There's also a bit of video game appeal in the new C 63. 20 race tracks have been programmed, on which lap times are recorded via GPS data and full-throttle recommendations are issued. In the near future, there will even be 70 race tracks. That will suit the customers. But whether they will be as enthusiastic about the four-cylinder as they have been about the V8 remains to be seen.

mercedes-benz.ch

One of the world's first megawatt charging stations is currently being built at Designwerk Technologies AG. In spring 2023, the station in container format is to charge electric trucks for the first time. It is expected to be up to six times faster than conventional high-power stations with 350 kW output. Integrated battery buffers will avoid peak loads.

The aim of the partnership-based demonstration project of Designwerk Technologies AG is also to ensure that the charging stations behave in a grid-serving manner. The scientific monitoring of the technical developments is supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy as well as renowned industrial partners. In addition, the Bern University of Applied Sciences and the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland are involved in the project.

Infrastructure for heavy commercial vehicles

Heavy-duty transport is of central importance for the energy transition and the achievement of climate targets. Around 6.6 million trucks are in use on Europe's roads. They transport around 77 percent of all freight on land. Consequently, the share of low-emission means of transport must be increased.

Vivien Dettwiler, member of the management board of Designwerk: "Especially for long-distance trucks or also for ships and airplanes, a new type of charging infrastructure is needed. It differs from the infrastructure for electric passenger cars and makes it possible to charge heavy commercial vehicles in a short time."

Deliver produced electricity to the grid

Vivien Dettwiler: "In our charging containers, we install second-life electric truck batteries as a buffer to prevent peak loads. This not only eliminates the need for grid expansion. The storage system should even be able to feed renewably produced electricity back into the grid. Similar to bidirectional charging, electromobility can thus be used as part of supply solutions."

Demonstration plants at Galliker Transport AG, Käppeli Logistik and Murg Flums Energie are to prove that this works. The demonstration plants are now to show ways in which a high-performance charging network and security of supply can go hand in hand.

designwerk.com

The American science fiction film, which will be released in Swiss cinemas next June, offers action and plenty of surprises. The director of the work based on Hasbro's Transformers toy series is Steven Caple Junior, and the screenplay was written by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber. The film stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback.

Locations include Brooklyn, New York City, as well as parts of Peru such as Machu Picchu, Cusco and Tarapoto.

500 million views in the first week

The $200 million science fiction film stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback as archaeologists from New York who discover a vendetta between three Transformer groups. The new teaser for Paramount Studios' Beast movie is said to have caused quite a stir on the Internet, with around 500 million views in its first week.

Automobile stars in the film, in addition to the Porsche 911 series 964 and the Chevrolet Camaro, are a VW bus and Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, in the form of a semi-truck.

transformers.hasbro.com