SPORT FOR ALL In the area of sponsorship, Toyota relies on long-standing partnerships and has been a partner of the Special Olympics since 2012. The car importer is now expanding its collaboration and becoming a Premium Partner.
Editorial - 14 March 2022
Through the intensified partnership, Toyota promotes the sports movement for people with a disability.
As a partner of the International Committee and Swiss Olympics, Toyota is not only committed to top athletes, but also supports the athletes of Special Olympics, the largest international sports movement for people with intellectual or multiple disabilities.
Toyota Switzerland has been implementing this partnership with great commitment for twelve years. Now it is being raised to the highest level of Premium Partner.
Intensification of cooperation
Christian Künstler, Managing Director of Toyota AG: "We also want to promote the joy of sport among people with intellectual disabilities. They should have the same opportunity to train regularly and take part in competitions as everyone else. We are looking forward to intensifying our cooperation."
The Managing Director of Special Olympics Switzerland doubles down.
Bruno Barth: "We greatly appreciate being able to count on reliable and long-term partners who work with us to give children, young people and adults with disabilities access to sports and exercise opportunities."
ELECTRO AND MUSIC Polestar has teamed up with Swedish composer and musician Lisa Nordström to create a unique soundtrack for the Geely Group's Swedish brand's global Spaces.
Editorial - 13 March 2022
Swedish musician Lisa Nordström created special sounds for new Polestar models.
Polestar sells its models via digital direct sales. Customers can get to know the vehicles in the centrally located Polestar Spaces and Polestar Destinations outside the cities.
The retail locations are designed to reflect Polestar's minimalist design. The sound is also designed to strike the right note.
Design with Swedish roots The brand is based in Gothenburg, Sweden, and now underscores its Scandinavian design credentials and Swedish roots through its collaboration with the artist, who is also based in Gothenburg.
Lisa Nordström, who recently won the Swedish film award Guldbagge 2022 for Best Original Score for the film Children of the Enemy, has a diverse musical portfolio.
Atmospheric soundscapes The result is a nine-hour soundtrack consisting of atmospheric soundscapes divided into four tracks. They represent the hours of morning, noon, afternoon and evening and were named after the exterior colors of the Polestar 2.
The corresponding sounds are available for download at the following links:
FUTURE 50 YEARS AGO On March 9, 1972, the Maserati Boomerang made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The futuristic car was a concept car from the hands of the design teams of Giorgetto Giugiaro and Italdesign.
Editorial - March 12, 2022
As a life-size design, the Maserati Boomerang was already shown at the 1971 Turin Motor Show. Then Italdesign built a single vehicle and presented it as an officially approved, roadworthy model in Geneva in 1972.
The technical basis was a Maserati Bora with a mid-mounted 4.7-liter eight-cylinder engine that produced 310 hp and accelerated the car to a top speed of almost 300 km/h. The power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission.
A one-off from Italdesign, the Maserati Boomerang of exactly 50 years ago caused a sensation in Geneva.
Source of inspiration for car manufacturers The two-seater sports coupe never made it into series production, but it left a design legacy that served as a source of inspiration for a wide variety of automakers in Europe and the United States.
The design was drawn along a horizontal line that visually divided the model into two halves. Characteristic features were the steeply raked windshield and the panoramic glass roof. The windows, through which a metal strip ran, were also original.
Auctions and advertising campaigns The Boomerang also had a modern interior. The instruments were integrated into the inner part of the spokeless steering wheel and the seats were positioned low. The only Boomerang ever produced celebrated further appearances at international events and competitions. It changed hands several times over the 50 years, appeared at auctions and was even used for advertising campaigns.
A pioneer in technology and design The Boomerang is often considered a work of art. It continued Maserati's tradition as a brand that is considered a pioneer in technology and design. This is reflected today in the MC20 supercar, for example, and the new Grecale and the innovative Nettuno V6 engine also represent technological progress.
WHERE TO MEET Dacia's vehicles are ideal companions for outdoor activities, with the Duster leading the way. Thus, the partnership with the UTMB World Series is a way to connect those interested with nature.
Editorial - March 12, 2022
The event is the ultimate trail running series in the world, bringing together stars and amateur runners at the best international events in the most breathtaking locations,
Adventures around the world The UTMB World Series is based on the passion for mountains and sustainability and offers adventures to all trail runners around the world. It is the only series where runners can qualify for the UTMB Mont-Blanc and the UTMB World Series Final.
Dacia is UTMB World Series technical and automotive partner for several years.
Events in Switzerland Dacia and UTMB World Series organizers, UTMB Group and The Ironman Group, now announced a multi-year partnership. Dacia is technical partner and exclusive automotive partner of the events in Europe and Africa...
Three races will be held in Switzerland: the Trail Verbier Saint-Bernard by UTMB from July 8 to 10, the Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB from July 15 to 17 and the Wildstrubel by UTMB from September 8 to 11, 2022.
IMPROVEMENTS IN DETAIL With the enhanced Eyesight driver assistance system, additional features, and sharpened design and improved equipment, the Subaru Forester has become even more attractive in the new model year.
Editorial - 11 March 2022
The new Forester enters with modified front end and enhanced safety features.
In the revised Eyesight assistance system, the stereo camera has been mounted directly on the windshield without any gaps. As a result, it is better protected and has an enlarged detection range.
Emergency Brake Assist thus detects potential hazards earlier and can warn accordingly. The new evasion assistant provides steering assistance to drive past obstacles and thus avoid accidents or minimize their consequences.
Advanced all-wheel drive management X-Mode The new roadside detection also detects grass verges and lane boundaries, and the steering assistance system intervenes to correct the situation.
The standard Eyesight system is complemented by adaptive distance and speed control. Additional safety is provided by the advanced all-wheel drive management system X-Mode: as soon as this off-road driving aid is activated by the driver, it regulates engagement and disengagement automatically.
Radiator grille, bumpers and LED turn signals In addition to the safety improvements, the Forester, which is equipped with the e-Boxer hybrid (150 hp plus 12 kW from the electric motor), benefits above all from a visual polish.
The front end features a redesigned radiator grille, bumpers and LED turn signals. The door handles are painted in body color, while the roof rails are set off in silver.
New wheels and three additional exterior colors complete the facelift. The interior is highlighted by brighter LED lighting.
Gesture control regulates the air conditioning The Forester is the first Subaru to feature gesture control for climate control on the Swiss Plus, Sport and Luxury trim levels.
If the open hand is held in front of the infrared sensor of the fatigue alarm for around one second, the temperature is increased by two degrees Celsius. A fist lowers the temperature.
Additional luggage compartment hooks, an auto-dimming interior mirror and leather seats in brown or black for the top model complete the 2022 innovations. The price list starts at 38,950 Swiss francs.
FITS The all-electric new edition ID. Buzz of the classic VW Bus offers something for everyone: history for the nostalgic, a new electric car for the pioneer of the traffic turnaround - and simply a convincing vehicle for the end customer.
Editorial - March 10, 2022
With the decision to place a retro bus on the electric MEB platform, Volkswagen on the one hand makes the leap into a conceptually different world, but on the other hand builds a bridge to the much-loved rear-engined models.
Because the ID. Buzz also has its engine at the rear. However, while the first three Bulli generations were equipped with characteristically rattling boxer engines, albeit mounted far away from the driver, the ID.Buzz (meaning buzz in English) gets to work almost silently.
The E-Bulli will be available as a spacious Cargo delivery van and as a family and vacation vehicle with five seats.
Ranges up to 500 kilometers The lively temperament of the ID. Buzz is convincing, as we discovered during a prototype drive of a cargo, accentuated by a surprisingly firm suspension. The 77 kWh battery, which can be charged quickly at up to 170 kW, feeds the familiar 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor, which drives the battery-powered vehicle relatively quickly up to a governed 145 km/h. The maximum torque is 310 Newton meters. The maximum torque is 310 Newton meters.
A range of around 500 kilometers should be possible. Later, the People variant will also be available with a longer wheelbase, seven seats and a larger battery. A GTX version with around 220 kW (300 hp) is also conceivable. The Cargo range, on the other hand, will be extended downwards in the future with a smaller and thus undoubtedly more environmentally friendly battery.
Cameras and assistance systems With a length of 4.71 meters, a width of 199 centimeters and a height of 194 centimeters, the ID. Buzz isn't exactly a compact car, but it doesn't break the mold of the usual MPVs and vans.
Numerous cameras and assistance systems not only help keep the ID. Buzz in dynamic borderline situations, but also make it easier to maneuver it elegantly through the city and into parking spaces. The turning circle is just 11.1 meters.
Fauteuils from fabric or imitation leather In front of the driver in the cargo version is a very practical and hard-wearing cockpit with large storage areas. Two single seats or a driver's seat plus a double bench seat on the right can be mounted in front as desired.
The People version, on the other hand, shines with an airy, colorful interior with fauteuils made of fabric or imitation leather and a dashboard that has many overlaps with ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5.
The cargo compartments are accessible via sliding side doors and a large tailgate, which can be supplemented by swing-open side doors on the Cargo. The space on offer is impressive: With the rear seats folded down, the People can hold 2205 liters of luggage, while the Cargo has an impressive 3.9 cubic meters of stowage space.
Swiss presale start in May The ID. Buzz and the ID. Buzz Cargo will be launched in the first European countries in the fall of this year; Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is already planning to start pre-sales in Switzerland in May.
With the ID. Buzz will also mark the comeback of the microbus in the USA and Canada.
GRATULATION The new Peugeot 308 has been named "Women's World Car of the Year 2022". For this, the votes of the 56 WWCOTY jury members were counted - exclusively women representing 40 countries on five continents.
Editorial - March 10, 2022
The title "Women's World Car of the Year" is awarded in two rounds: The first round ends with the selection of the winning models in six categories. Here, the French 308 was chosen by the jury as the "Urban and Compact Car of the Year 2022".
The 308 was ahead of all the other 65 new models launched in 2021 that took part in the competition.
Award applies to both variants Out of the six finalists, the 308 emerged as the overall winner, earning the coveted Women's World Car of the Year award.
The title goes to the two variants of the 308: the sedan and the SW station wagon. This is the first time the brand has received this award.
THERE IS ANOTHER WAY With the CX-60, Mazda is launching a new flagship. The mid-size SUV is based on the new Large platform architecture, which will also be followed by the long-wheelbase CX-80 with seven seats in 2023.
Editorial - March 9, 2022
At first glance, the CX-60 looks confusingly similar to the CX-5. Even though it towers over it by a good 16 centimeters and the 2.87-meter wheelbase also creates a tidy 17 centimeters more space between the axles compared with the compact SUV.
Above all, however, the front end with its long hood and higher radiator grille makes the car look more stately. This is matched by the new drive architecture, in which a longitudinally mounted in-line engine transmits power to the rear wheels as standard and to both axles as an option.
The CX-60 will start as a plug-in hybrid. Two inline six-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines will follow later.
Entire interior to the ideas of Kaichou The interior is characterized by the Japanese spirit. No surface and no material that is not a traditional idea or technique. Thus, the entire interior follows the ideas of Kaichou, which mixes different materials and surfaces such as maple wood, nappa leather and chrome accents.
Door panels and instrument panel (in the top Takumi version) are upholstered with textiles including detailed stitching made according to musubu, the art of Japanese weaving. The various patterns and yarns of the woven fabrics are said to change depending on the incidence of light.
The bottom line is that the result is a handsome, elegant, almost Scandinavian ambience that can also be equipped with some premium content as standard or for an additional charge.
PersonalizationSystem with face recognition These include the usual comfort and safety features such as head-up display, matrix LED lights, panoramic glass sunroof, Bose sound system, as well as the usual assistance systems such as collision warning and emergency braking systems front and rear, adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function, rearview camera, and a 360-degree monitor with see-through function like those offered by Land Rover for its SUVs.
A completely new feature is the Driver Personalization System, which automatically finds the optimum seating position based on facial recognition and a one-time entry of body size and also adjusts the other settings (steering wheel, mirrors, head-up display, air conditioning, sound system, assistance systems) to personal preferences.
Power of 327 hp and 500 Nm torque All-new is a plug-in hybrid powertrain in the CX-60 e-Skyactiv PHEV, which Mazda is now introducing in Europe for the first time. The system combines a 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine with 191 hp and a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor with a 17.8 kWh battery for a total output of 327 hp and the lush torque of 500 Nm.
The most powerful road car Mazda has ever built accelerates from a standstill to highway speed in 5.8 seconds, and the top speed is electronically limited at 200 km/h. The Japanese manufacturer claims an ideal range of 63 kilometers according to the WLTP standard. Ideally, the Japanese state the purely electric range at a maximum of 140 km/h as 63 kilometers according to the WLTP standard.
At an 11-kW wallbox, the battery can be charged via the two-phase on-board charger with a maximum charging power of 7.2 kW.
Extensive equipment of the basic version In addition to the eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, key features on the CX-60 include full LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, emergency braking assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection and crossing function, lane departure and change warning with steering intervention, park assist, and the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen including navigation system and wireless smartphone integration, even in the base trim level.
CRAZY CAR WORLD American car collector Michael Fux is the first buyer of a Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne with purely electric drive. The car was tailor-made according to his wishes.
Editorial - March 9, 2022
In 2019, the Hispano Suiza brand came back to the car world - with the aim of building particularly luxurious and amazing vehicles. Now the first American customer has bought one of these noble cars of the new generation. His Carmen Boulogne was handed over during the 27th Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida.
The first Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne sold in the U.S. stands out for its extravagant bodywork.
Maximum output of a beefy 1125 hp Equipped with four electric motors, the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne puts a maximum output of 828 kW (1125 hp) on the road. Clearly, Michael Fux was able to select a large part of the equipment features according to personal taste.
The exterior paint finish in Ocean Song Rose was also requested by the customer - exactly the violet shade of a rose. Some components of the interior are also in Birkigt White, a white named after the Swiss brand founder.
Let's show what the brand is capable of
Miguel Suqué Mateu, chairman of Barcelona-based automaker Hispano Suiza, said, "We are very proud to deliver this unique vehicle to the first customer in the United States. It also gives us a chance to show what our brand is capable of."
And CEO Sergio Martinez Campos, who personally handed over the keys of the special car to the new customer: "I would like to thank all our employees, especially the design team. They have done an excellent job so that Mr. Fux can now drive his dream car."
FOR ALL CASES The Fiat E-Ulysse marks the Italian brand's next step toward electrification. The large passenger van is the second fully electric Fiat model after the Fiat 500.
Editorial - March 9, 2022
The E-Ulysse offers plenty of space for the family. The interior can be arranged in many ways as required.
With the E-Ulysse, Fiat returns to the MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) segment. In the 8-seater variant, the model offers twelve interior configurations, and the 7-seater Ulysse even allows 16 configurations.
Important and useful: a new air purification system that eliminates most bacteria in the interior air is standard equipment.
Ranges of up to 330 kilometers The model offers all the advantages of electric drive. The Italian is also characterized by clear dimensions and the driving behavior of a passenger car.
There is a choice of 50-kWh or 75-kWh batteries, which provide ranges of up to 330 kilometers. The e-drive produces 100 kW (136 hp) and delivers a maximum torque of 260 Nm, enabling a top speed of 130 km/h.
Standard equipment includes a 100 kW fast charging system that charges the battery to 80 percent in just 45 minutes. A Mode 3 cable (11 kW) is available for charging at home.
With glass roof much light in the interior The glass roof, which the E-Ulysse comes with as standard in the Lounge trim, lets plenty of light into the interior and opens up an unobstructed view outside. Two LED strips ensure pleasant ambient lighting throughout the vehicle.
With the two comfortable individual seats in the rear and the folding table, the E-Ulysse Longe becomes a living room on four wheels. The folding table is stowed between the second and third rows of seats when not in use.
Normal and long version as needed The 1.90 meter high new electric Fiat is available in lengths of 4.95 and 5.30 meters. The trunk capacity is up to 4200 or 4900 liters, with 900 or 1500 liters remaining when the seats are occupied.
The standard equipment also includes numerous assistance systems. Orders are expected to be accepted in the coming days.
