Ducati: Exclusive special models of the world champions
WEG REPLICAS This year, Ducati won both the Moto GP and the World Superbike Championship. The company is celebrating the double success with special series of the Panigale V4, inspired by the Desmosedici GP and the Panigale V4 R.
Editorial - 21 December 2022
The new machine will be accompanied by autographs from world champions Francesco Bagnaia and Alvaro Bautista.
The new models were inspired by the Desmosedici GP and Panigale V4 R of world champions Francesco Bagnaia and Alvaro Bautista. The two edition machines bear the liveries of the motorcycles of these pilots with the starting numbers 63 and 19. Each motorcycle of the series becomes unique by the original autograph of the rider on the tank.
Reminder of the founding year
The two motorcycles are limited to 260 pieces each, which is meant to commemorate the brand's founding year of 1926. Like the race bikes, the Panigale V4 2022 World Champion Replica is offered only in single-seat configuration and is enhanced by the billet aluminum upper triple clamp with laser engraving of the model name and sequential number.
Powerful machines with 215 hp
Technical equipment includes a 9-disc dry clutch, a lighter Akrapovic muffler with road approval, a special Brembo brake system, adjustable aluminum footrests and a racing fairing disc. The 1100cc engine produces 215 hp, and the bikes weigh 172 kilograms each.
Various parts such as the fenders are also made of carbon. Each motorcycle is supplied in packaging with special graphics and includes a certificate of authenticity, a special cover and the Ducati Data Analyser+ data acquisition system. Also available are accessories for use on the racetrack.
The Ducati Panigale V 4 S World Champion Replica costs around 63,000 euros.
STROMER IM SCHNEE The e-tron GT quattro, Audi's electric spearhead, was exclusively dressed in the look and feel of the new Swiss racing dress design Levada.
Editorial - 21 December 2022
Dieter Jermann, Brand Director Audi Switzerland, with the freshly dressed Audi e-tron GT in the Look & Feel.
For many years, Audi Switzerland has been helping to ensure that snow sports enthusiasts reach the finish line safely and comfortably. For the 2022/23 Ski World Cup season, the Audi e-tron GT quattro was allowed to dress up especially.
Dressed in the look and feel of the Swiss ski stars' new Levada racing dress design, the electric model is not only an eye-catcher off the slopes, but also provides an extra dose of power on the road together with the Audi ambassadors.
Aerodynamics is crucial
The final touches were put to the new Levada racing suit in the Audi wind tunnel in Ingolstadt. The electrically driven e-tron GT was also tested in the wind tunnel for months and now achieves a drag coefficient cW of 0.24. Thanks to this low cW value and the large 93-kWh battery, the e-Audi has a range of up to 500 kilometers. By comparison, a value of around 0.20 is measured for a streamlined ski racer.
New Swiss Ski squad member
Freshly foiled and ready for a Ski World Cup tour, the Audi e-tron GT quattro in race dress design becomes probably the most eccentric member of the current Swiss Ski squad. The progression from red tones to white flatters the silhouette of the Audi e-tron GT quattro.
Visitors to the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in St. Moritz were also able to see this for themselves. But the sleek Audi e-tron GT will not only cause a stir in the Engadine, but also at the World Cup races in Adelboden and Kitzbühel.
Fast charging at the charging hub
Before each Ski World Cup, the e-tron GT will charge its batteries at the Audi Charging hub in Zurich (gallery left). The charging process there takes just under 30 minutes. Together with Didier Cuche, the electric car will soon be keeping its fingers crossed for the Swiss ski athletes in Kitzbühel, Austria. The Audi will then make its final appearance at the World Cup race in Kitzbühel - again together with Streif specialist Didier Cuche.
MULTIPLE-Track For the new generation of the iconic Kona city SUV, Hyundai started with the EV variant in order to transfer the technology-oriented design to the entire model range with different drive systems.
Editorial - 21 December 2022
The new Kona combines uniform architecture with independent design and drive options.
The new generation of the Hyundai Kona will be available in all-electric (EV), hybrid (HEV) and thermal (ICE) drive variants, and as the N Line it will also be particularly sporty. What they all have in common is the universal architecture of the all-electric variant. Nevertheless, the EV, HEV and ICE models all have their own distinctive styling.
EV variant is longer and wider
Sang Yup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the Design Center, says: "The unique character of the Kona has been further enhanced in the new generation with a dynamic presence. To offer customers maximum interior space, the new model has grown to 4.36 meters in length in the EV variant, and there have also been increases in width and wheelbase."
Pixel graphic details on the radiator grille
The Kona EV features pixel graphic details on the grille and rear bumper, 19-inch alloy wheels, a black surround line with black side mirrors, and a black roof. The hybrid variant and the combustion engine version share the robust design of the bumper and underride guard as well as black wheel arch linings.
Finally, the N-Line comes with optional black side mirrors and black roof, wing spoiler, more aggressive front and rear design, striking 19-inch alloy wheels and silver side apron.
Plenty of space for driver and passengers
The universal architecture derived from the EV enables a sporty layout in the interior with a horizontal C-pad and plenty of space for the driver and passengers. The 12.3-inch wide screens and the floating module give a high-tech impression.
Moving the shift column from the center console behind the steering wheel creates a clear cockpit with additional space for items in the center console area. More details on the new Kona will be revealed later.
Ford: As a farewell, the GT 40 Mk IV gets 800 hp 🎥
AND GOODBYE As a farewell to the series, Ford is putting out 67 special examples of the GT. The number of units is a reference to 1967, when the then GT 40 Mk IV won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Editorial - 21 December 2022
Ford has saved the best for last and introduces the most extreme version of the GT yet. There have been many retro special editions of the supercar and now the new Mk IV joins them. The 2023 Ford GT Mk IV follows the GT LM Edition, which was unveiled in early October as the last road-going version of the supercar. While the latter had to make do with 660 hp, the new variant promises more than 800 horsepower.
The price per Mk IV is 1.7 million US dollars (about 1.61 million Swiss francs).
Front skirts and a huge splitter
The Mk IV is hand-built in Canada, gets a carbon fiber body, racing transmission, and an Adaptive Spool Valve suspension system. Other features include a carbon fiber roof scoop, front skirts and a huge splitter that could double as a snow plow. The side air intakes appear to be larger, presumably because the revised engine requires more cooling.
Special application for interested parties
Solvent interested parties must go through an application process (https://www.ford.com/performance/gt/mk-iv/) for this supercar. Customer selection will be confirmed in the first quarter of 2023. Deliveries will start in late spring 2023.
Cupra: This is how Nico and Robin start in Formula E 🎥
PREVIEW It is the royal class of electric racing - and Cupra, together with its long-standing partner ABT, will be at the start for the first time in the coming season! And Formula E doesn't just excite the Cupra Tribe.
Editorial - December 20, 2022
More and more people around the world are following the innovative racing series - and now it offers even more racing spectacle. This is ensured by the 22 world-class drivers and the most significant names from the racing and automotive world - now including the ABT Cupra FE Team with drivers Robin Frijns and Nico Müller - as well as the Gen3 race cars. In Valencia, the two drivers completed their first laps in the all-electric race car, which can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (AutoSprintCH reported).
Compared to the previously driven model, the Gen2, the new Cupra represents a quantum leap
Team faces challenges
ABT Cupra FE has two experienced Formula E drivers. In Valencia, they gained their first experience with the new Gen3 vehicle and went into fine-tuning. Robin Frijns made his Formula E debut in the 2015/16 season and won his first race in the series at the 2019 Paris E-Prix. The 31-year-old Dutchman was impressed by his first laps in the ABT Cupra FE vehicle.
Robin Frijns: "New car, new colors, new team and a new teammate - even though I've been in Formula E for a long time, almost everything is new to me. We face some challenges as a team, that's clear even after the test days, but we've already achieved a lot and are getting to know our car better and better."
Anticipation for the new season increases
Teammate Nico Müller has been active in Formula E since the 2017/18 season, initially as a test, development and reserve driver before making his racing debut in the 2019/20 series. The 30-year-old Swiss returns to the racing series after completing his last race to date at the Monaco E-Prix in 2021.
Nico Müller: "It feels really good to be back in the Formula E paddock and in the ABT Cupra FE team We have completed a respectable number of laps and the team understanding was already very good. You can say that we are growing together more and more and the anticipation for the new season is rising."
Start of a new motorsport era
In addition to the team and drivers, the main focus is on the vehicles - and this season they are smaller, lighter and faster than ever before. The most important thing in advance: All the vehicles on the grid have the same chassis and the same battery.
So unlike in Formula 1, for example, it is primarily the drivers' skills and the race strategy defined by the teams that decide the outcome of a race. What's more, the ninth season of Formula E marks the start of a new motorsport era not only for Cupra, but also for the all-electric racing series itself, because: The 2023 season will see the debut of the Gen3 race car - the fastest, lightest, most powerful and most efficient electric race car ever built.
40 percent energy from recuperation
Compared with the previously driven model, the Gen2, the new bolide represents a quantum leap in many respects. In short, it delivers higher top speeds, faster acceleration and a significant increase in regenerative capability. In the process, over 40 percent of the energy consumed during a race is recovered through regenerative braking (recuperation) - instead of only around 25 percent previously.
Narrower, shorter, flatter and also lighter
At just under 5.02 meters long, the Gen3- is 18 centimeters shorter, ten centimeters narrower at 1.70 meters wide and at least four centimeters flatter than its predecessor at a height of around 1.02 meters.
This results in significantly lower air resistance. The more compact dimensions also make the electric race car much lighter: the minimum weight including the driver will be only 840 kilograms in the coming season instead of the previous 900 kilograms.
0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds
But it's not just the lower weight and reduced air resistance that make the Gen3 faster and more agile: The electric motor's maximum output has been increased from the previous 250 kW (400 hp) to up to 350 kW (476 hp). It's no wonder, then, that the top speed will be 40 km/h higher next year, now at 320 km/h. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds. All this with twice the efficiency of an equivalent combustion engine.
Seasonal races in eleven metropolises on the schedule
The Gen3 and the ABT Cupra FE Team will complete its first official laps on January 14, 2023, at the start of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship 2022/23 in Mexico City. A total of 16 races are scheduled in eleven cities around the world in the coming season, including four events in Europe. The season finale will be held in London on July 29 and 30.
Škoda: From Nobody to Favorite of the Schweizer Family
THREE YEARS OF SUCCESS As part of the Amag family, Škoda Switzerland is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, crowning the brand's success story.
Editorial - December 20, 2022
The Škoda Felicia came to Switzerland in 1993 and impressed with its generous amount of space and attractive prices.
It is hard to imagine Swiss roads without Škoda vehicles, because the brand stands for attractive value for money, high quality, generous space and practical Simply Clever ideas.
Brand Director Markus Kohler: "Škoda did not have an easy start in Switzerland. It is therefore all the more pleasing that the brand is now a permanent fixture in our automotive market and enjoys great popularity among the Swiss family."
From zero to fifth place in 30 years
On January 3, 1992, Amag founder Walter Haefner (center gallery) signed an import contract for the distribution of Marks in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. In that year, 60 Favorit and Forman models were sold.
This was followed by the Felicia (1993) and the Octavia (1996), which was the best-selling car in Switzerland four times between 2017 and 2020. Today, the dealer network includes 30 Amag dealerships and 51 independent partners. In 30 years, the brand has gone from zero to fifth place in the Swiss car market. And: Today, 40.9 percent of all new Škoda models in our country are equipped with 4×4 drive.
Brand presence accelerates the e-offensive
The Škoda Enyaq Coupé RS iV was recently voted the favorite car of the Swiss in 2023 (gallery on the right). In previous years, the Enyaq iV and the Octavia won this title. To mark Škoda Auto's 120th anniversary in 2015, the Fabia, Rapid Spaceback and Octavia models were available in Switzerland as an exclusive Swiss Edition.
The Czech car manufacturer is now accelerating its e-offensive. Škoda will launch three new all-electric models by 2026, with more to follow.
Markus Kohler: "The Vision 7S concept study (gallery left), a seven-seater electric SUV, gives a first glimpse of one of the new models. A fully electric small car and a compact SUV are also planned. The new brand image accelerates the e-offensive and positions the brand even more strongly for the decade of transformation."
ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES The car-sharing company Mobility has had 300 electric cars in operation since this December and is thus on track. By 2030, the entire fleet is to be converted to electrically powered vehicles.
Editorial - December 20, 2022
Ten percent of Mobility's customers already rely on an electric model.
The Mobility cooperative is celebrating a milestone this week. In Thun, the 300th electric car, including charging station, has been put into operation at the station/parking garage City Süd. This means that one in ten of the car-sharing company's vehicles is purely electric.
And the number will continue to rise, because Mobility's goal is to run its entire fleet of 3,000 cars on electricity by 2030. This is to fulfill the company's sustainable purpose, which is laid down in the cooperative's articles of association.
Fear of contact is a thing of the past
Thomas Schmid, head of the supply network at Mobility: "The e-cars have been well received by customers. Our customers have overcome their initial fears. At virtually all locations where there are both electrically and fossil-fueled cars, the electric vehicles are much more heavily used."
For Mobility, however, the switch to electric drives also poses a number of challenges. The 3,000 or so parking spaces throughout Switzerland are rented, so it takes a lot of individual discussions and negotiations to set up power connections everywhere.
Honda e - V2X Suisse
Bidirectional charging as a pilot project
Mobility CEO Roland Lötscher: "We sense that all our partners are motivated to work on the sustainable, electric turnaround. But it is also up to the politicians to create the necessary framework conditions. The charging stations are provided by Mobility. Where it is not technically possible to electrify the parking spaces, alternative locations will be sought."
Mobility is also currently testing the potential of bidirectional charging with the recently launched V2X Suisse pilot project (gallery left). The trial is running with 50 Honda e, which can both draw electricity and feed it back into the grid. In the future, electricity providers could use these powerbanks on wheels to compensate for grid fluctuations and counteract shortages.
COOPERATION Electric car manufacturer Polestar announces a second limited edition of the Cake Makka electric scooter. For its development, Polstar has teamed up with the professionals from Cake, who build e-two-wheelers.
Editorial - 19 December 2022
Now the second limited edition run of the Cake Makka Polestar is rolling out onto the streets.
The new, electrically powered Makka light motorcycle is produced in the color Sky. This shade of blue was first used for the exterior of Polestar's electric roadster concept. This study is to be launched on the market as the Polestar 6 in series production from 2026.
Damper from high-end manufacturer
The first edition of the Cake Makka Polestar Edition in the matte Polestar color Snow was introduced in 2021 and immediately sold out. It gave the electric moped a distinctive character, bearing the design features of the Polestar brand.
In addition to the special color, the Polestar Edition features a slim headlight and shocks from high-end manufacturer Öhlins. The new edition in the color Sky also offers a removable luggage rack, with which you can better transport loads.
Top speed is maximum 45 km/h
The Cake Makka Polestar Edition has a top speed of 45 km/h and two riding modes for greater range or balanced performance. It is sold and delivered directly through the manufacturer Cake, but is exclusively available since December 14 in selected Polestar stores through the Polestar Additionals webshop at a price of 5300 francs.
Champions and Cup Winners: These are the Best 2022
END GOOD, ALL GOOD Truly a worthy end to the season. At the Bellevue Hotel in Bern, the Swiss automobile champions and cup winners were honored in a festive setting by Auto Sport Schweiz.
Christian Eichenberger - 19 December 2022
Martin Bürki (left) and namesake Martin Oliver Bürki are beaming on behalf of the winners of the 2022 season.
In 2019, the last Dîner des Champions was held at the Bellevue Palace Hotel in Bern. In 2020, there was no reason to hold a championship celebration because there were no races. And in 2021, the season finale fell through because of pandemic regulations. So it was all the more pleasing that after a three-year break, the Swiss automobile champions and cup winners could be honored again.
Honors in a total of eight championships
Around 150 invited guests attended this year's championship celebration. The winners of this year's automobile championships were honored in eight categories. Werner Augsburger, former Chef de Mission at Swiss Olympic, led through the evening-long program. Contortion artist Nina Burri provided an impressive show performance. The recorded videos were made by Bernhard Braegger, the man in charge of the Friends of Swiss Motorsport.
Double joy for champion Martin Bürki
Serial champion Martin Bürki received two trophies at once. The Uetendorf-based garage owner not only won the Swiss Slalom Championship for the ninth time last season, Bürki also secured his fourth title in the Swiss Mountain Cup with his poison-green VW Polo.
The proud champion was flanked by namesake Martin Oliver Bürki. The third-place finisher in the slalom, Philip Egli, was absent. The man from Glarus is currently enjoying his annual vacation in Mexico. In the Mountain Cup, where the prizes were donated by tire manufacturer Yokohama, Bürki was joined by 2019 champion Philipp Krebs and Jürg Ochsner, who were delighted with second and third places.
Rally championship with four awards
No fewer than four awards were presented as part of the Swiss Rally Championship. The Coupe Suisse des Rallyes Historiques (VHC) was secured by the married couple Eddy and Florence Bérard on BMW M3. Second and third place went to Florian Gonon/Michel Horgnies (Ford Escort) and Guy Trolliet/Sébastien Moulin (Porsche 911).
In the Swiss Rally Cup, Philippe Broussoux/Didier Rappo on a Renault Clio prevailed in 2022. Second and third place went to Claude Aebi/Justin Vuffray (also Renault Clio) and Laurent Rossi/Timothée Perruchoud (Peugeot 206 XS) respectively.
The champions of the Junior Rally Championship
In the Swiss Junior Rally Championship, the title went to Guillaume Girolamo from the Valais and his co-driver Benjamin Bétrisey. The duo won four out of five rallies, beating Yoan Loeffler/Gaëtan Aubry by a fairly clear margin. Third place went to Sarah Lattion/Charlène Greppin (all on Renault Clio Rally5).
Jonathan Hirschi successful in two classes
The driver from Neuchâtel has won the Swiss Rally Championship 16 years after winning the Swiss Formula Renault Championship. Hirschi is thus the first driver to succeed in rallying after winning a circuit title. Together with co-driver Michaël Volluz, the VW Polo driver accepted the trophy for first place from the hands of NSK President Andreas Michel.
Second place went to Jonathan Michellod (Škoda Fabia), whose co-driver Stéphane Fellay was absent in Bern. Third-placed Mike Coppens was also absent. The man from the Valais, still Swiss rally champion in 2021, was, however, honorably represented by co-driver Christophe Roux.
Routiniers determined the mountain championship
In the Swiss hillclimb championship, the veterans prevailed in 2022. Lola F3000 driver Eric Berguerand received his seventh trophy as racing champion to great applause. Berguerand won all the races in which he took part in 2022 in a new record time.
Marcel Steiner and Robin Faustini followed in 2nd and 3rd place (as they did at the last championship celebration in 2019). In the touring cars, it was Reto Meisel who secured the crown with five wins from six races. He was also the lone leader this season with five record-breaking runs. Roger Schnellmann and Bruno Sawatzki completed the podium.
Raffaele Marciello best driver internationally
In addition to the numerous trophies for the Swiss champions and cup winners, there were other awards. Raffaele Marciello was honored as the best driver internationally. The driver from Ticino not only won the ADAC GT Masters and the GT World Challenge in 2022, he also secured the triumph at the prestigious 24h of Spa-Francorchamps.
Also on stage were the participants of the FIA Hill Climb Masters 2021 (including category 3 winner Reto Meisel) and the Swiss delegation that took part in the FIA Motorsport Games in Le Castellet 2022.
Auto Sport Schweiz Award for Fredy Lienhard
Jürg Kaufmann was also bid farewell at the championship ceremony in Bern. Kaufmann was a member of the NSK, a member of the Championships and Rally Commissions, and the communications manager of Auto Sport Schweiz. A thank you also went to Peter "Pesche" Flückiger for his many years of service on the Track & Safety Committee, his work as deputy course leader of the training course for track commissioners and race director of various events.
The Auto Sport Schweiz Award of 2020 could not be presented personally to Fredy Lienhard. The founder of the autobau Erlebniswelt in Romanshorn and promoter of Swiss junior racing was unfortunately not present in Bern.
Swiss Mountain Cup
1st Martin Bürki, E1/VW Polo 2nd Philipp Krebs, RCC/Renault Clio 3rd Jürg Ochsner, IS/Opel Kadett C
Swiss Slalom Championship
1st Martin Bürki, E1/VW Polo 2nd Martin Oliver Bürki, E1/BMW E33 3rd Philip Egli, E2-SS/ Dallara F393
1st Jonathan Hirschi/Michaël Volluz, Rally2/VW Polo GTI 2nd Jonathan Michellod/Stéphane Fellay, Rally2/Skoda Fabia 3rd Mike Coppens/Christophe Roux, Rally2/Skoda Fabia
Swiss touring car mountain championship
1st Reto Meisel, E1/Mercedes SLK 340 2nd Roger Schnellmann, E1/Mitsubishi Lancer 3rd Bruno Sawatzki, IS/Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Swiss mountain championship of racing cars
1st Eric Berguerand, E2-SS/Lola FA99 2. Marcel Steiner, E2-SC/LobArt LA01 3rd Robin Faustini, E2-SS/Osella FA30
TV TIP "Everything on luxury - where is Mercedes-Benz heading?" asks SWR in a half-hour documentary with interesting information and background on the brand.
Editorial - December 18, 2022
The documentary and an interview with Ola Källenius will be broadcast on December 20, 2022.
The film can be seen on Tuesday, December 20, starting at 8:15 p.m. in the third program as well as in the ARD Media Library can be viewed on the website. This will be followed directly by a one-hour exclusive interview with Group CEO Ola Källenius at 8:45 p.m.
Consequences for locations and jobs Mercedes-Benz has set itself the goal of becoming the most valuable luxury car brand in the world. Smart cars have already gone to China and entry-level models like the A-Class are considered to be discontinued. What consequences does this have for the locations and jobs at stake? What do Mercedes drivers think of the new strategy? And how does the CEO assess the development?
