In addition to orange and silver, the classic Land Rover Defender off-road vehicle is now also available in a striped safari look (gallery on the right the original) and in British Racing Green. The 50-centimeter-long remote-controlled model in 1:8 scale has all-wheel drive and highly interlocking axles for miniature off-road excursions.

LED headlights and up to 20 km/h fast
The ground clearance is seven centimeters. At the front, the model, which can reach speeds of up to 20 km/h, is equipped with LED headlights, and the roof rack provides a playful element.

The recommended retail price including battery, charger and remote control is 170 Swiss francs. The manufacturer states a runtime of around 20 minutes. The recommended age is eight years and up.

carson-modelsport.com

VW models and special vehicles from the factory or from bodybuilders will be on display at the IAA Transportation in Hanover, which is open until next Sunday.

These include, for example, the ID.Buzz as an emergency ambulance, which the Bösenberg company has upgraded. The Multivan launched last year can now also be ordered ex works as a large-capacity cab, while a vehicle from the Dutch body manufacturer Snoeks combines passenger transportation and goods transport.

Courier vehicles and mobile workshop
In the case of the VW Crafter, the spectrum ranges from flatbed trucks and courier vehicles to buses suitable for off-road use. In addition, new workshop equipment will be on display, including the mobile e-bike workshop from Kögel and Flexmo, where fire protection has also been taken into account. Various motorhomes from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will also be on show.

volkswagen-nutzfahrzeuge.ch
iaa-transportation.com

Since the introduction of the Subaru Leone 4WD Estate Van in September 1972, the company has produced around 21 million 4×4 vehicles to date. The Leone 4WD was Japan's first mass-produced passenger car with all-wheel drive.

When the Subaru brand was launched in Switzerland in 1979, the market share of all-wheel drive passenger cars was still barely one percent. Since then, however, it has increased sharply. Today, it is close to 50 percent.

Boxer engine and symmetrical 4×4 drive
The most distinctive feature of Subaru's all-wheel drive system is its symmetrically laid-out drivetrain in conjunction with a longitudinally mounted boxer engine.

The combination of the low center of gravity due to the boxer concept and the balanced weight distribution of the symmetrical powertrain improves the vehicle's stability and traction and ensures optimum handling in a wide range of weather and road conditions.

subaru.ch

In addition to the popular Marco Polo camping bus based on the V-Class mid-size van, the portfolio now also includes a flexible camping module that can be fitted and removed ex works.

The so-called Marco Polo module with standard bed and optional kitchen unit will be available from Mercedes dealers from the end of the year.

Increasing demand for small campers
The new T-Class with Marco Polo module can be seen for the first time in Switzerland on the Mercedes stand in Hall 2.0 at the Caravan Salon in Bern, which runs from October 27 to 31.

Klaus Rehkugler, Head of Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Vans: "The motorhome market is of strategic importance to us. The new T-Class with Marco Polo module is our response to the growing demand for small campers, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among the young, fast-growing vanlife fan community."

Comfortable double bed for two persons
The Marco Polo module transforms the T-Class into a camper: The bed unit offers space for two people with a 2.00 x 1.15 meter lying surface. A disc spring system and a thick mattress ensure comfortable lying.

During the journey, the bed frame with folded mattress is located in the trunk. The rear seats can then be used without restriction. The standard equipment also includes blackout elements for all windows and a ventilation grille with insect screen.

Kitchen with gas stove, sink and cool box
The optional kitchen unit is based on a drawer system with push-to-open and soft-close function. It includes a sink with a 12-liter water tank, a 15-liter cooler and a gas cartridge stove. The entire Marco Polo module has a stylish design in the color anthracite.

As a result, it blends seamlessly into the high-quality interior of the Mercedes-Benz van. Prices for the new T-Class start at 37,400 Swiss francs, and the price of the camping module will be known towards the end of the year.

mercedes-benz.ch

The Swiss was recruited by Team Peugeot TotalEnergies to work on the 9X8's test and development program for the remainder of the year.
From 2023, it will participate in the entire FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) as well as in the 24-hour race celebrating the 100th anniversary of Le Mans in June.

Balance at Le Mans and endurance racing
Nico Müller: "This is a dream come true for me to get the chance to win the Le Mans classic. That wouldn't be possible with Audi in their current situation. I'm thrilled to be part of this adventure. For me, it's a great opportunity to switch to an automobile manufacturer that has an impressive record at Le Mans and in endurance racing, especially in view of the new regulations and the expected strong competition."

Old acquaintances in the new Peugeot team
Peugeot TotalEnergies continues to follow its roadmap to fight for victory in the Le Mans hypercar class of endurance racing. The 9X8 is already benefiting from the experience the team has gained in racing and private testing, and has further intensified its preparations with the signing of Nico Müller.
In his new team, Nico Müller will not be in completely unfamiliar territory, as he already knows some of the previous drivers, in particular Loïc Duval and Jean-Eric Vergne, as well as the technical team.

The most eye-catching hypercar on the market
Nico Müller: "At my debut at Le Mans in June, I took a look at the 9X8 that was on display in the fan village. It was spectacular. Then I had the opportunity to see it in action when it competed for the first time at Monza in July. You can see more in the video. In my eyes, it's the most eye-catching hypercar on the market and immediately recognizable as a Peugeot. Above all, it has real potential, as the progress at Fuji shows. I have full confidence in the team and its ability to make the 9X8 a winner."

peugeot.ch

With the Manifesto, Dacia presents a collection of new design and material ideas for future series models. Reduced to the essentials, the vehicle for outdoor adventures builds on classic brand values such as simplicity and economy.

Since there are neither doors nor windows and even a windshield has been omitted, the Manifesto definitely offers an unfiltered open-air experience.

Headlight is also flashlight
While the equipment follows Dacia's simple bring-your-own-device approach, the full integration of the dash-mounted smartphone allows it to be linked to the on-board computer.

This system is already available in other models of the brand and will be further expanded in the future. With Youclip, the Manifesto also has a sophisticated attachment system for smaller objects. Instead of the usual headlights, the vehicle has a single light unit that is removable and can then be used as a flashlight.

All-wheel drive, plenty of ground clearance, large wheels
The study has all the features of an off-road vehicle: all-wheel drive, plenty of ground clearance, large wheels and a torsion-resistant body. The interior can be cleaned with the water, and the seat covers can be turned into sleeping bags in no time at all.

Also very useful for outdoor use is the removable battery, which is equipped with a household socket.

Car body made from recycled materials
The low weight of the vehicle contributes to modest energy requirements. A large part of the concept car's body is made of recycled plastics produced from reprocessed polymers. A typical feature is the speckled surface called Starkle.

Another striking feature of the Manifesto is the airless tires - tires that are puncture-proof and designed to last. Natural materials are used in the interior, such as a cork covering for the dashboard.

dacia.ch

In the 1980s and 1990s, Romano Artioli designed and produced the Bugatti EB110 Supersport, a lighter and more powerful version of the EB110 GT with a modified design. In developing the new Centodieci hyper sports car, the Bugatti design team drew inspiration from the EB110 and its derivatives. Achim Anscheidt, Bugatti Design Director: "The EB110 is unique in the history of Bugatti. With the rebirth of the brand in the 1980s, the EB110 emerged with these timeless sports car proportions."

Similarities with the EB110 Supersport
The similarities are obvious. The EB110 Supersport is equipped with five cooling holes in the B-pillar, which are necessary to supply air to the 3.5-liter V12 engine with four turbochargers.

In the Centodieci, these elements have been reinterpreted: Air flows through the cooling vents at the apex of the reshaped Bugatti C-line, over the W16 engine and out through the rear, including new light strips that look like the vents on the EB110 Supersport.

From 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds
Every single detail of the Centodieci must not only be aesthetically unique in itself, but also provide a performance that even the EB110 Supersport cannot match.

The 1600-hp Centodieci sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, to 200 km/h in 6.1 seconds and to 300 km/h in 13.1 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 380 km/h.

Completely new roof line and a new profile
The design team focused on redesigning the EB110 Supersport's iconic silhouette, which seems to leap forward even when stationary. That meant designing an entirely new roofline and profile. As a result, the front sits much lower and the rear much higher. The new visor-inspired glass cover wraps around the body virtually seamlessly, and the new front end is inspired by the more discreet Bugatti horseshoe grille of the EB110.

bugatti.com

The new Mustang will continue to be offered as a coupe (top gallery) and a convertible (middle gallery), and it will continue to be equipped with either a 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo or a 5.0-liter V8.

In addition, Ford is already showing an extremely sporty top version called Dark Horse (gallery below), whose V8 unit produces over 500 hp: As a track-day variant, it is designed for road use and weekend use on the racetrack, while the Dark Horse R is a pure race car. There will also be a GT4 motorsport version.

Remote control for rich sound
The V8 including the Dark Horse version, on the other hand, is still available not only with the automatic, but also with a six-speed manual transmission. The V8 version with automatic can be made to rev up by remote control to please listeners; Ford calls this feature, which is unlikely to be introduced in Europe, Remote Rev. The steering is designed to be more direct than before, and six electronically controlled driving modes are available.

Optimized chassis and gimmicks
The driving dynamics treats include an optimized chassis and numerous gimmicks - such as a drift brake, which can be used to apply much higher braking forces to the rear axle than with the normal handbrake in order to make the rear end swerve.

A performance pack, available for four- and eight-cylinder engines, includes stiffeners, high-performance wheels and brakes, an oil cooler, and a limited-slip differential.

A sports car for Generation Z
The cockpit, which until now has had a very classic look, will be dominated by large screens in the future. A Bang & Olufsen hi-fi system is optionally available, and the inquisitive Alexa can always listen in if desired.

These functions are intended to appeal to the growing clientele of millenials, or better, Generation Z. Ford knows that while this clientele loves video games, they are also interested in real sports cars.

ford.ch

The Romanian car manufacturer Dacia produced various Renault models under license from the second half of the 1960s onwards and now belongs entirely to the Renault Group. There, Dacia's net price policy makes it the brand with the particularly good price-performance ratio.

As part of Renault's Renaulution strategy presented in January 2021, Dacia is now leading the way to its future with strategic measures and a new design. The values for which the brand stands will of course be retained. However, the brand's image will be refreshed and expanded in key areas.

Models with a new brand identity
Dacia wants to further increase its competitiveness and expand its model range into new segments. The Dacia Bigster Concept study gives an indication of the design direction the company will take. Dacia plans to introduce three new models by 2025.

Brand manager Denis Le Vot (gallery, left): "The brand identity is being renewed on all current models at the same time. For the logistics and production side, this naturally involves a huge amount of work."

New logo, but familiar values
Now that the new brand identity has made its way into the dealer network and communication material, it's the turn of the vehicles. The most important change is the logo on the cars. Orders for the newly branded vehicles have been possible since June, with the first deliveries expected from October.

With the launch of the renewed vehicle range, Dacia is also bringing a new augmented reality app for smartphones and tablets.

More recycled material in the future
With new model versions and an expanded range of accessories, Dacia also intends to increasingly support outdoor activities. For example, special camping equipment and various mounting systems for bikes and roof boxes are being developed.

Also part of the new model range is the extensive use of recycled plastic materials for add-on and bodywork protection parts.

dacia.ch

The high-performance Gran Turismo coupe is a true icon of the brand. It can currently be driven exclusively by selected members of the Maserati family. The livery of these vehicles has a very clear message: the return of an icon that was put on wide wheels 75 years ago.

The car of a special lifestyle
The story began in 1947 with the Maserati A6 1500, a revolutionary vehicle that became a forerunner of a class of vehicles never seen before and that had a major impact on the automotive landscape around the world and on subsequent generations of Maserati road cars. The Gran Turismo principle is a special lifestyle. It is a high-performance sports car, but also perfectly suited for long distances and comfortable travel.

Luxury mobility combines performance and comfort
The idea was born after the Second World War during the boom years of the Italian economy. It sprang from Italian strength, a new optimism, the carefree spirit and the will to work, but also from the joy of having fun.

Now Maserati is mastering a seemingly impossible task. The new concept of luxury mobility aims to unite performance and comfort once again. The new Gran Turismo generation is ready to lead the brand into the future.

maserati.com