SPECIAL MODEL With the exclusive F-Pace SVR Edition 1988, Jaguar commemorates one of the most famous racing successes in its history and rolls the first edition of the 550-hp high-performance SUV to the starting line.
Editorial - 15 June 2022
The new model comes from the personalization experts at SV Bespoke and will be produced in just 394 units worldwide. It features a special Midnight Amethyst paint finish, 22-inch forged wheels, Sunset Gold Satin exterior and interior details, and a "One of 394" badge with SV Bespoke branding.
Special color Midnight Amethyst The specially developed Midnight Amethyst exterior color has never been used on a Jaguar before and will be reserved for the 1988 edition of the F-Pace SVR.
Richard Woolley, Creative Director at Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations, says: "The design of the F-Pace SVR Edition 1988 draws its inspiration from Jaguar's legendary endurance racing cars. The Midnight Amethyst Gloss paint appears black until its amethyst undertones emerge in bright sunlight, further accentuating the dynamic exterior."
Other details reserved for the 1988 Edition exterior include a Jaguar Leaper (leaping feline predator) in Sunset Gold Satin and air vents in the front fenders with Edition 1988 badging.
The limited special edition 1988 model of the Jaguar F-Pace SVR costs £101,550 in the UK.
Supercharged 5-liter V8 with 550 hp The F-Pace SVR is Jaguar's most powerful SUV. It is powered exclusively by the 5-liter V8 supercharged gasoline engine with 550 hp, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 286 km/h.
With a comprehensive package of technical enhancements, Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) experts ensure that even the standard F- Pace SVR offers a performance-oriented driving experience.
Top of the F-Pace models with all-wheel drive The 1988 SVR Edition marks the top of the F-Pace model pyramid, which includes the all-wheel-drive S, SE, R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE, R-Dynamic Black, 300 Sport, 400 Sport and SVR models.
PASSION Fredy Lienhard, ex-racing driver, entrepreneur, car collector and sponsor of racing drivers, has expanded his fleet of cars. A new addition is a Maserati MC20 as a fitting complement to the MC12.
Editorial - 15 June 2022
It's a well-known fact that old love never rusts. The love of supercars also often lasts a lifetime. Fredy Lienhard knows this very well. His lifelong passion is so strong that he has passed it on to his son Fredy Alexander Lienhard.
The junior is also a car enthusiast and continues his father's legacy with Classic Cars at the autobau Erlebniswelt in Romanshorn.
Fellow racers Andrea Bertolini (center), Fredy Lienhard and Fredy Alexander Lienhard (left), with the MC20.
Andrea Bertolini delivered the MC20 As a former racing driver, Fredy Lienhard knows exactly what a super sports car should be like. That's why Maserati couldn't wait to let the experienced driver test the MC20 he had chosen and configured.
As a surprise, Fredy got his new model delivered right to his doorstep - delivered by his friend and motorsport colleague Andrea Bertolini, with whom Fredy Lienhard raced an MC12.
Naturally, Fredy Lienhard was delighted to test his MC20 to discover its outstanding performance features. Inspired by the MC12, the MC20 is an icon of the present that continues the legacy of the past. Much like Fredy Lienhard and his son.
ALL-AROUND UPDATE Toyota is updating the long-selling Corolla with a refreshed exterior and interior design and improved digital use. In addition, hybrid technology has been further improved in the fifth generation.
Editorial - 14 June 2022
The facelifted Corollas will again be available as hatchbacks and touring sports. An SUV will follow a little later.
Although the Toyota Corolla has been offered for more than 50 years and in the meantime was also called Auris for a few years, it has always adapted to the needs of the clientele.
Since 1966, for example, it has reached the world record mark of more than 50 million vehicles over twelve generations. Now the announced new Corolla is to prove its versatility once again.
Sedan, station wagon and SUV as Cross The upcoming facelift version is recognizable by its refreshed design, fifth-generation hybrid drive system and improved digital user experience.
With the Hatchback and Touring Sports body variants, the Corolla meets different requirements. In addition, an SUV will be launched in the second half of 2023 in the form of the Corolla Cross.
The new model lineup is said to have a more refined overall look with a new grille pattern, new fog lights and alloy wheels, and is also more richly equipped.
Self-charging hybrid with 196 hp The new Corolla is equipped with the fifth generation of the familiar selfcharging hybrid system. As with the previous models, there are 1.8- and 2-liter gasoline engines with electric assistance.
The 1.8-liter powertrain produces 140 hp and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds. In the 2-liter version, output rises to 196 hp and the 0-100 acceleration time is reduced to 7.5 seconds.
Connectivity up to date The Corolla will also be able to benefit from the latest digital and multimedia features, and upgrades will be installed over-the-air. The 10.5-inch multimedia display offers high-resolution graphics and is easy to read in all lighting conditions thanks to an anti-reflective screen.
The Voice Agent understands input in natural conversational language. Furthermore, the Corolla is equipped with the Toyota T-Mate, which combines the latest generation of the Safety Sense Package with other assistance systems.
The new edition will go on sale in Europe in the first quarter of 2023.
E-MOBILITY BUSINESS Jeep rewards customers of 4xe models for the most environmentally conscious driving behavior. The reward program was developed by green tech start-up Kiri Technologies in collaboration with Stellantis E-Mobility.
Editorial - 14 June 2022
Jeep encourages its 4xe customers to drive in an environmentally friendly manner - with rewards.
The project will be rolled out across Jeep's 4xe product range. It also includes the plug-in hybrid versions of the Renegade, Compass, Wrangler and the new Grand Cherokee, which is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter.
The service, which is integrated into the updated Jeep mobile app and valid in 13 European countries, rewards customers who regularly top up their 4xe models with Kiricoin, a virtual currency that can be spent in a dedicated marketplace.
Start with the Fiat 500 and Kiricoins After launching in March 2021 for the Fiat 500 and now with more than 6000 customers active on the Kiri platform, Kiricoins is now being extended to the entire 4xe range from model year 2022. The initiative was developed by green tech start-up Kiri Technologies in collaboration with the Stellantis e-Mobility Business Unit.
In the Jeep app, customers can view their Kiricoin balance, charging performance and driving style in real time. The program is primarily aimed at promoting the charging of the high-voltage batteries of 4xe models and thus the use of the all-electric driving mode.
Program example for implementation The Kiri program is an example of the implementation of the $30 billion investment plan in electrification and software that the Group announced at EV Day in July 2021 and confirmed when it presented its long-term strategy.
Anne-Lise Richard, global head of e-Mobility, said, "The goal of the initiative is to create a community of people who live more environmentally conscious lives thanks to this loyalty program."
Bergrennen Hemberg: Eric Berguerand remains boss in the ring
HOW IT HAPPENS Splendid summer weather, 8,000 spectators and new track records: the first hill climb of the 2022 season in Hemberg offered everything racing fans could wish for.
Christian Eichenberger - 13 June 2022
Eric Berguerand thrilled the fans in Hemberg with his massive Lola FA99.
Almost three years to the day after the last event in 2019, Hemberg last weekend marked the start of the Swiss Mountain Championship 2022. 8,000 fans did not miss the first race of the post-Corona era. And they got their money's worth thanks to Eric Berguerand & Co.
Enthusiasm for the brute Lola FA99 The Valais native has not competed in a race since September 15, 2019. Back then - in Les Paccots - he left the field as the clear winner with a lead of more than six seconds over Robin Faustini. 1000 days later, it was Eric Berguerand again who thrilled the fans with his brute Lola FA99.
But this time the margin of the garage owner from Martigny was smaller. Berguerand was just 1.12 seconds faster in the addition of the two best runs. And yet he left no doubt at the season opener as to who is (still) the boss in the ring.
Second final place for Robin Faustini on Osella Robin Faustini (center gallery) was actually satisfied with his performance after three runs and second final place. The 53.13 sec, which the Aargauer burned into the asphalt, were not from bad parents. This meant that he was the same as Marcel Steiner in 2019 to a hundredth of a second.
Third-placed Steiner on his LobArt Honda also didn't quite know whether to be happy or angry.
Marcel Steinner: "After all the problems we had, we can be satisfied with what we achieved. The new turbo engine didn't give us the decisive advantage on this track. We knew that in advance. But we're on a good track."
Thomas Amweg with father's car without luck Thomas Amweg had no chance to intervene in the fight for the top 3. The 2019 Gurnigel winner had to make do with his father Fredy's ex-Lola F3000 because his new work machine, the Reynard 95D, is not yet ready for action: Amweg saved 14 hundredths of a second in the addition of the two best runs on perennial contender Philip Egli. In his Dallara F393, Egli had the 2-liter formula race car class under control and was even seven hundredths of a second faster than Amweg in the first run. Second behind Egli in the 2-liter class was Joël Burgermeister - 0.21 sec behind Egli.
Powerful performance with a motorcycle engine Joël Grand also put in a strong performance in his Osella PA21. The Valais native finished seventh in the final standings. And that with a 999 cm3 motorcycle engine. Grand was even faster than Michel Zemp, who had a good first run in his 2-liter Norma, but then had technical problems and was without a chance against Grand & Co.
Reto Meisel showed again all his power The best touring car driver was Reto Meisel (left gallery). At this point we would like to apologize for an unfortunate preview. The author of these lines has probably not studied the starting list in detail... Sorry, dear Reto!
Nevertheless, the 51-year-old from Leuggern was a force in his Mercedes SLK 340. Meisel's best time (set in the second heat) was one second faster than that of Roger Schnellmann in his Mitsubishi Evo 8. Third in the cars with roofs and thus even faster than the fastest Porsche of Danny Krieg was Romeo Nüssli in his Ford Escort Cosworth.
Denis Wolf won the Renault Clio Classic Cup In the Interswiss up to 1.6-liter displacement, Martin Bürki (VW Polo) was once again the man of the day. As one of the few, he even managed to improve his time in the last run. Marco Geering (Opel Kadett) won the IS class up to 2 liters in a thrilling duel with Patrick Hedinger (Peugeot 205 GTI).
In the Renault Clio Cup, Denis Wolf won (also in record time, gallery rtechts)( - followed by Philipp Krebs and Michael Schläpfer.
La Roche - La Berra awaits fans and teams The hillclimbers don't have much time to rest. The second race, La Roche - La Berra, is already scheduled for next weekend. The 3.5-kilometer course in Fribourg is making its comeback this year. La Roche - La Berra was last part of the mountain calendar in 2015 (winner: Joël Volluz on Osella FA30).
It starts on Saturday, June 18, from 7.30 a.m. with training runs. On Sunday, June 19, there will also be another practice run in each category from 7.30 am. The first race run will start at 9.45 am. As in Hemberg, each class will have three runs (if possible). The two fastest times will be added together. Time and location plan are attached.
And so it goes on:
June 18-19, La Roche - La Berra. Find out more about the La Roche - La Berra hill climb at courselaberra.ch
July 23 and 24, Ayent - Anzère
August 19 to 21, St.Ursanne - Les Rangiers
August 27 and 28, Oberhallau
10 and 11 September, Gurnigel
Photos: Christian Eichenberger bergrennen-hemberg.ch motorsport.ch
Le Mans 2022: Toyota and Porsche on the podium 🎥
CONGRATULATIONS Sébastien Buemi, Ryo Hirakawa and Brendon Hartley win the 24 Hours of Le Mans ahead of teammates Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López. Porsche triumphs in GTE Pro.
Editorial - 13 June 2022
The 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been entered in the history books - and as in the previous year there was a one-two for the Toyota hypercar.
The driver trio of Sébastien Buemi, Ryo Hirakawa and Brendon Hartley narrowly prevailed ahead of teammates Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López (who were the 2021 winners). It was Toyota's fifth consecutive victory in the great classic on the French Sarthe.
The Japanese are thus unbeaten since 2018. Third place went to the Glickenhaus 007 LMH driven by Ryan Briscoe, Franck Mailleux and Richard Westbrook.
The driver trio Sébastien Buemi, Ryo Hirakawa and Brendon Hartley celebrate their success.
New distance record for GTE cars Porsche has won the GTE-Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Works drivers Gianmaria Bruni from Italy, Richard Lietz from Austria and Frédéric Makowiecki (center gallery) from France crossed the finish line in first place at the end of an intense and thrilling 350-lap race.
The trio at the wheel of the number 91 Porsche 911 RSR thus set a new distance record for GTE cars: 4769 kilometers.
Customer team at the top of the podium The sister car with Kévin Estre (France), Michael Christensen (Denmark) and Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium) at the wheel finished the 90th edition of the endurance classic in fourth place. In the GTE-Am category, the Porsche customer team WeatherTech Racing finished on the podium.
THERE'S EVEN MORE With software optimization, a sports exhaust and a sports suspension individually tuned to the Audi Avant, the Zurich-based tuner helps the Ingolstadt car get up to speed with plenty of boost pressure.
Editorial - 12 June 2022
Sportec delivers beefy turbo power discreetly hidden under the RS4 Avant body.
For around 25 years, the Swiss tuning company Sportec has made a name for itself both nationally and internationally. The Zurich-based company is now making an impressive comeback with a new project: they have taken the Audi RS4 from the B9 series under their wing to perfect it with various measures.
From 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds The Sportec E.O. software optimization. Stage 1 is just the beginning. With adjusted torque limitation, Stage 1 initially helps the B9 to 510 hp, i.e. 60 hp more than the standard version. With 760 Nm of torque, the Sportec variant outperforms the series by 160 Nm. This allows the Sportec-RS4 to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. At the same time, a maximum speed of 299 km/h is possible with the optimization.
Damper with Dual Flow Valve Technology To get the power onto the road in the best possible way, the tuning team also gave the sports station wagon a suspension makeover. Using the original strut mounts and thanks to the adjustability of the rebound and compression damping, the station wagon is 20 to 35 millimeters lower. Thanks to the use of dual-flow valve technology in the damper, however, a considerable amount of residual comfort is retained.
Matching sporty sound of the engine The RS4 sports exhaust designed by Sportec has already passed DTC approval. Made of stainless steel and equipped with large, double-sided tailpipes, the exhaust system provides the sporty sound. The original flap control is adopted, a Sportec flap control is optionally available.
NEW RALLY VERSION The Škoda Fabia Rally 2 is nearing completion of development. In final tests, the technicians pushed the rally Fabia to its limits on gravel tracks at the Fontjoncouse test center.
Editorial - 12 June 2022
The homologation date for the new generation Škoda Fabia Rally 2 is approaching. According to the rules, the technical characteristics of the car will be fixed from that day. After that, further developments are only possible in certain areas.
Most recently, the developers at Škoda Motorsport therefore concentrated on ensuring the reliability of the new vehicle.
During the test days in the Fontjoncouse center, the new rally Fabia had to pass extremely demanding tests.
Touchstone gravel road in the test center The final touches were therefore applied to the new vehicle precisely where previous generations of rally cars from Mladá Boleslav have already proven themselves: on the tracks of the Fontjoncouse test center in southern France.
Some of the gravel tracks in this extensive area put such a strain on the material that teams are regularly prepared here for the Dakar Rally.
Speed and reliability are right
Andreas Mikkelsen, WRC2 World Champion and FIA European Rally Champion, also took to the wheel during the 600 test kilometers in Fontjoncouse: "The Fabia Rally 2 has always been a reliable vehicle. The new model generation is no exception: we completed the test drives without any problems. In terms of speed, the new one is already better, and in terms of reliability we are at least on the same level."
Andreas Mikkelsen won both his titles in the 2021 season with the current Fabia Rally 2 evo and can therefore compare with the new generation of vehicles.
REMEMBER Where there was automobile production for decades, the Amag Classic Day will be held for the first time on June 25 and 26, 2022: on the grounds of Amag Schinznach-Bad.
Editorial - 11 June 2022
Since 2021, Amag Classic in Schinznach-Bad has been taking care of classic and vintage cars.
The Amag Group has been importing Volkswagens into Switzerland since 1948, adding Porsche in 1951, Audi in 1967, SEAT in 1984 and Skoda in 1992. From 1949 to 1972, around 30,000 Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Standard, Studebaker and VW Karmann-Ghia vehicles were also assembled at the Schinznach-Bad import location.
Special exhibition shows car assembly Now, 50 years after the end of car assembly in Schinznach and one year after the launch of Amag Classic, the first dedicated competence center for classic and vintage cars, the first Amag Classic Day is being held in Schinznach-Bad. Automontage Schinznach is also the subject of a special exhibition.
Particularly welcome are owners of vehicles of all Amag brands older than 20 years, i.e. from the VW Beetle to the Chrysler Valiant, from the VW Bulli to the Audi quattro, from the Standard Vanguard to the Škoda Favorit, from the Seat 600 to the Porsche 911.
Historical collection and test drives Anyone who does not yet own a classic car but still wants to experience the special driving experience can take a test drive of a classic car on Classic Day. And a special highlight awaits just a few minutes' walk from the festival grounds: part of the historic Amag collection opens its doors to the interested public for the first time.
Admission is free for visitors with or without oldie. Door opening Saturday, June 25: 12 to 20 h, Sunday, June 26 9 to 16 h.
FCA Switzerland: Daniel Fuchs represents Alfa Romeo and Jeep
CHANGE New name at the top. Daniel Fuchs has taken up the position of Brand Director for the Alfa Romeo and Jeep brands in Switzerland.
Editorial - 11 June 2022
Daniel Fuchs has gained experience in the Swiss car scene over many years.
Daniel Fuchs has many years of experience in the automotive industry, in both the retail and marketing sectors, with various brands such as Opel, Chevrolet, Alfa Romeo and Jeep.
Reinforcement for Astara Central Europe Team The Swiss brings in-depth knowledge of the Swiss market. Most recently, he was Marketing Director for Citroën and DS Automobiles Switzerland.
Daniel Fuchs will report directly to Thomas Odier, Managing Director FCA Switzerland. He will strengthen the Astara Central Europe team.
