This year's Porsche Junior program for young drivers is entering the decisive phase. Twelve racing talents are applying for a professional career and can look forward to a sponsorship package of up to 225,000 euros. The greatest common denominator of all invited candidates is that they are no more than 24 years old and have finished in the top five of one of Porsche's more than 30 one-make cup series around the world in the current year with the around 510-hp 911 GT3 Cup.

Performance and collaboration
Now, on a largely dry track in Jerez, Spain, they had to prove their skills on and off the 4.428-kilometer Grand Prix circuit: For the jury, in addition to the pure lap times and the general performance on the track, it also depends on the cooperation with the race engineers, the technical understanding of the participants, their interaction with the media and the result of mental and physical fitness tests.

In the coming days, the intensive analysis of the results and findings collected will serve as the basis for deciding who will be allowed to compete as the new Porsche Junior in 2023. The winner will be announced at the Night of Champions on December 17 at the Porsche Development Center in Weissach.

Youngest participant from Switzerland
Dutchman Loek Hartog, Italy's Giorgio Amati and Switzerland's Jasin Ferati could make the dozen as wildcard entrants. Hartog, 20 years old and almost two meters tall, finished fifth in the Carrera Cup Germany and eighth in the Supercup as the second best rookie. Amati (23) finished his second season in the Carrera Cup Italy in fourth place, while Ferati was the youngest among the rookie drivers.

Holistic concept of a career
The successful Porsche Junior Program goes far beyond financial support. The holistic concept focuses on all aspects of a professional motorsport career. For example, former Porsche works driver Sascha Maassen is on hand to support and advise the juniors before, during and after the race weekends. The University of Potsdam provides sports medicine support. Mental training, media seminars, PR appointments and other marketing activities are also part of the promotion of young talent.

Former juniors very successful
The concept is working: Since 1997, Porsche's Junior Program has supported the careers of 28 racing drivers. Brand ambassadors Timo Bernhard (Porsche Junior 2000 and 2001), Marc Lieb (2000 to 2002), and Earl Bamber (2014) are particularly well-known: All three won the 24 Hours of Le Mans at least once in the Porsche 919 Hybrid as well as titles in endurance racing.

porsche.ch

The noble chronometer from Bamford London refers directly to the automotive legend Land Rover Defender. Like the new edition of the off-road vehicle, the watch, which goes by the label LR001, is defined by design and precision. While Land Rover designers are responsible for the design of the exclusive watch, production takes place at watchmakers Bamford London. However, only 100 pieces will be manufactured worldwide.

Watch case with long life
Like the robust off-roader, the watch also features clear forms and smoothed surfaces. The 40-millimeter-diameter titanium case and the Sellita SW200-1b automatic movement ensure a particularly long service life. The high-quality ruthenium anthracite finish also stands for durability.

Corn based bracelets and cordoba
Hidden under the gray-toned dial is the luminescence, which facilitates reading in low light with a subtle greenish glow. The dial is adorned at the six o'clock mark with the Bamford logo including LR001 lettering in aquamarine.

Four straps are available for the watch, made on the basis of renewable raw materials. The black and brown straps made of special leather are produced on the basis of corn. The navy blue strap is made of Cordoba, a woven recycled nylon.

bamfordlondon.com

The twelve-member jury of experts awarded the all-electric Genesis GV60 (gallery right) the coveted title of Swiss Car of the Year 2023 in the specialist poll. In the representative vote conducted in all parts of the country by Schweizer Illustrierte and AutoScout24, another electric SUV, the Škoda Enyaq Coupé RS iV (gallery left), won the trophy in the public vote.

Public vote with over 28,000 votes
For the twelfth time, Schweizer Illustrierte, together with its partners AutoScout24, Panolin, Blick, SonntagsBlick, L'illustré and La Domenica, searched for the Swiss Car of the Year. There were two categories: a jury of Swiss experts and a public vote, with first, second and third place being awarded in each category. With over 28,000 votes cast in the nationwide public vote, the number of participants matched the previous year's level.

Experts chose the electric SUV from Korea
In addition to the jury president, ex-Sauber team boss and e-sports entrepreneur Monisha Kaltenborn, the twelve-member expert jury included trade journalists, environmental experts and technology specialists. Among others, the jury included Swiss ex-F1 driver and TV presenter Marc Surer. They chose the Genesis GV60 electric SUV from Korea as their Swiss Car of the Year.

Favorite of the Swiss made the race
Switzerland's largest cross-language car jury, consisting of readers and users from Schweizer Illustrierte, AutoScout24, Blick, SonntagsBlick, L'illustré and La Domenica, chose their favorite from exactly 50 new models. In the end, 6.8 percent chose a favorite of the Swiss, the Škoda Enyaq Coupé RS iV - and thus the coupé version of last year's winner, which was launched this year with a new all-wheel drive system and a sporty 299 hp.

The winners of the election this year at a glance
Swiss Car of the Year 2023 - Expert Jury

• 1. genesis GV60
• 2. BMW iX1
• 3. Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron

Swiss Car of the Year 2023 - Public Jury

• 1. Škoda Enyaq Coupé RS iV
• 2. Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron
• 3. VW ID. Buzz

swiss-illustrated.ch

The entry price of the runabout is expected to be around 25,000 Swiss francs. A first glimpse of a vehicle of this type is provided by the ID. Life study, which was first presented at the International Motor Show IAA MOBILITY 2021 in Munich and is now being shown for the first time in Switzerland at "the square - new mobility hub" in the Circle at Zurich Airport. Until January 4, 2023, the all-electric study ID. Life will be on display and open to the general public.

On request cinema hall or gaming center
The vision of an all-electric small car for urban areas focuses on people and the communal experience. To achieve this, the study combines sustainability and digitization with an exceptionally flexible usage concept. For example, the ID. LIFE can be used, for example, as a movie theater, gaming center or for relaxing in the open air.

From 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds
The ID. Life is based on a smaller variant of Volkswagen's modular e-drive system (MEB) developed specifically for the small car segment. The electric motor drives the front wheels. This is the first time a vehicle designed on the basis of the MEB has been equipped with front-wheel drive. With its 172 kW (234 hp) electric motor, the ID. LIFE accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. Its 57 kWh high-voltage battery enables a range of around 400 kilometers (WLTP).

Wood chips natural body colorant
The sustainable character of the ID. LIFE is particularly reflected in the choice of materials, including the paint finish. The clearcoat for the body uses wood chips as a natural colorant and a bio-based hardener. The air chamber textile for the roof and front cover is made of 100 percent recycled PET bottles.

In the interior, wood is combined with Artvelours Eco for the seat surfaces and door trim in the dashboard and rear seat area. In addition, organic oil, natural rubber and rice husks, among other things, serve as basic materials for the tires of the ID. LIFE.

Multifunctional transformable interior
The ID. LIFE is a reliable companion for digital experiences of various kinds. It can be converted into a cinema or gaming lounge in no time at all, for example. A game console and projector are on board. A projection screen serves as a screen that can be extended from the dashboard if required. Other devices can be connected individually and are supplied with power from a 230-volt connection (16 amps) in the interior.

The seating concept is designed to be extremely flexible in line with the demand for a companion for all situations. The front bench seat can be folded down completely. Together with the rear seat, which can also be folded down, numerous variants are possible, ranging from cinema seating to a bed around two meters long to a cargo variant with maximum usable trunk space.

Until January 4, 2023, the all-electric study ID. Life and the ID.5 GTX will be on display. With the ID. ID.3, ID.4 GTX, ID.5 GTX and ID. Buzz, which are already available on the Swiss market, can be test-driven on site.

volkswagen.ch

The presentation of the Swiss Classic Awards at the end of the classic car season is already a cherished tradition. This year, the scene met at the Museum of Transport in Lucerne to find out who was among the honorees in the post-Corona year 2022.

As always, Dino Graf routinely led through the program. After a short opening speech by Bernd Link (gallery on the right with a Delage), Urs P. Ramseier first explained the modalities, then the individual nominees were introduced and finally the award winners were announced.

The evening was loosened up by short blocks of conversation. Uli Saferling gave his interpretation of the term "cultural asset" (gallery on the left with a Monteverdi), Mat Rebaud, a motorcross and freestyle artist, chatted about his experiences, about a stunt video at the Museum of Transport, and about the fact that he has a Porsche 911 but no motorcycle driver's license.

Rookie Award for Motorworld Kemptthal
The nominees for the "Rookie Award" were Motorworld Manufaktur Region Zürich, European Vintage Cars (Nils Willner) and the influencer Megan Liza Kohler. While the jury and the large audience in the summer of 2022 had been able to name proposals, which were reduced by the jury to three candidates, on which in turn the audience could vote via the web.

The Motorworld Manufaktur Region Zürich, represented by Christoph Baer, which has already been established in Kemptthal for over a year, received the most votes.

Door Opener Award goes to Brooklin Garage
For the "Door Opener Award", the Brooklyn Garage with its Big Cruising Lake Zurich, a round trip around Lake Zurich created in the Corona era without any big rules, the Lions in Classic, a regularity rally for a good cause, and the international VW meeting Châteaux-d'Oex for air-cooled Volkswagens were up for election.

Brooklyn Garage was celebrated as the winner, with Martin Sigrist giving the laudatory speech. It was easy for the audience to understand why just this informal and sympathetic event could win the door opener award.

Innovation Award for Automuseum Lömmenschwil
Nominated for the "Innovation Award" were RacingFuel Academy, a sim racing project based around the Klausen race, Alpenknattern, which gives snowmobiles a home, and the Automuseum Lömmenschwil.

Renate and Peter Hürlimann received the award and the laudation from Maja Guetg. The museum has only recently been opened and brings together countless exhibits from the Hürlimanns' passion for collecting, who are also responsible for the St. Gallen classic car fair.

Lifetime Award and unique Veston for Paul Berger
A pure jury affair is the Lifetime Award. Here, personalities are honored who have dedicated a considerable part of their lives to the automobile and the classic car.

Paul Berger fit the bill quite well, having helped to build up and make successful the only major sports car manufacturer of the sixties and seventies together with Peter Montverdi. Urs P. Ramseier gave the laudatory speech and explained why it is thanks to Paul Berger that the automobiles from Binnigen can be admired today in the Museum of Transport in Lucerne.

Photos: Bruno von Rotz
swiss-classic-award.ch
intergas.com

Anja Leuenberger was welcomed by Anita Gerber, Head of Marketing Toyota AG, and Martina Molin, Events & Sponsoring Toyota AG, and introduced to the advantages of the hybrid vehicle.

Anita Gerber: "Anja Leuenberger embodies style, beauty, elegance and focuses on sustainability. All attributes that fit very well with our brand and our vision. Anja is a remarkable young woman, and we are proud to have her as an Ambassador at our side."

Common philosophy of the partners
Anja Leuenberger was discovered as a model 16 years ago and since then has worked all over the world for major fashion brands. She is a passionate environmentalist, yoga teacher and founder of Wild Plant Food.

On the cooperation with Toyota, she says, "I've always liked Toyota's philosophy. It's important to me that I can stand behind everything I represent 100 percent."

toyota.ch

The E-Barometer is an annual representative study conducted by TCS in cooperation with the research company gfs.bern. According to the study, climate issues are still the most important reason for buying an electric car. However, there is still a generation gap when it comes to willingness to buy.

Almost 50 percent want an alternative
The in part massive increase in the price of energy sources has not led to a slump in the willingness to buy electric cars, as expected. In fact, the current e-barometer survey shows that although the willingness to buy is not increasing at the moment, there is no sign of a decline either. Vehicles with alternative drives continue to enjoy great popularity. As of the end of October, the market share in Switzerland was 49.4 percent.

More financial incentives are needed
Around a quarter of respondents feel that their own mobility is affected by fuel prices, and around an eighth have decided to postpone buying an electric car or not to buy one at all due to the shortage of electricity.

However, there is still a clear belief in the future of electromobility. As before, however, it is the younger generations who are more willing to buy an electric car. However, these groups would also like to see politicians create more financial incentives for this.

Costs and too few charging stations
The younger population also sees room for improvement in the expansion of the charging infrastructure. The older generations, on the other hand, are fundamentally more critical of electromobility. Among the counter-arguments, the high acquisition costs, the short range and too few available charging stations were mentioned most frequently.

tcs.ch

The readers of Auto Bild Klassik have decided that the Jeep Willys MB should be the classic of the year in the off-road category. The U.S. off-road pioneer, which celebrates its 80th birthday this year, won the Golden Classic vote for the second time. In this competition, 50 classic cars and youngtimers celebrating a milestone birthday in 2022 were put to the readers' vote.

Order for an all-terrain vehicle
The history of the Jeep Willys MB began in 1941, when the Willys-Overland company was contracted by the U.S. government to be the main supplier of an all-terrain military vehicle. By 1945, more than 350,000 of these vehicles, which were given the model designation MB but were popularly called Jeep, had been produced. The MB model also formed the basis for the Willys-Overland Jeep CJ, which started production in 1945 and is considered the ancestor of all off-road civilian vehicles.

Future as a Stromer for heavy terrain
In fact, the Willys MB is not the only Jeep to be voted Classic of the Year by the readers of Auto Bild Klassik. Back in 2016, they chose the Wrangler as the winner in the off-road vehicle category.

The current Jeep range also for heavy terrain includes the Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee 4xe, Renegade as well as Wrangler 4xe models. Today, the legendary off-road capability of the vehicles is reinforced by a global electrification initiative. All Jeep brand SUVs will be offered in an electrified variant by 2025.

jeep.ch

Linked to such considerations in the case of the new edition ID. Buzz, there is also the question of whether it is even possible to travel with an electric van and what long-time fans of this model think of the electric version. The series #BULLILOVEstories, which is now being launched, provides surprising and impressive answers to these questions.

This is probably the most fascinating series about the Bulli phenomenon. For it, VW traveled 35,000 kilometers in more than 20 countries in the ID. Buzz on the road. All this can be found on the new Instagram channel vwcv_news from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

First reactions to the ID.Buzz
The VW Bus is one of the most popular cars in the world - regardless of whether it's a first-generation model or the current series. The #BULLILOVEstories are now to be as versatile as the bus itself.

The fans visited range from 19 to more than 80 years old. They have experienced a wide variety of adventures with their Bullis. Also remarkable are the reactions of the Bulli fans when they see the new ID. Buzz for the first time and can drive it themselves.

Start in Switzerland with the Duss family
More than 50 videos and postings are played out on VWN's social media channels. The first of these is a love story from Switzerland. Martin Duss lives and loves the Bulli cult together with his family. It all started a few years ago with the first VW Bus Edi, a T2 from 1974. Today, there are not only a few more Bullis, but his wife and children are also enthusiastic fans of the cult car.

volkswagen-nutzfahrzeuge.ch

Establishing a new brand is no easy task. The Chinese manufacturer Aiways therefore relies on country-specific sales and service partners in Europe with great know-how and existing structures.

The direct sales model is based on all-round online customer advice, which extends to the digital ordering process. The sales network in 14 European countries already comprises more than 160 points of sale - twelve of them in Switzerland. This means that customers' wishes can be fulfilled at the right time.

Spare parts come from Amsterdam

Pierre-Adrien Ducarre, Director Buiness Development at Aiways Overseas: "Our innovative direct sales model has enabled rapid expansion into new European markets - despite the difficult market environment. To best support customers, we have established a network of trained professionals in each market."

In addition to the sales bases, Aiways also organizes spare parts management locally and keeps wear parts, body components and components of the high-voltage battery and drive system in stock at a large central warehouse in Amsterdam.

aiways-switzerland.ch