The Piaggio 1 combines e-scooter advantages such as agility, light weight, easy accessibility and great utility, as well as reliability. This is combined with safety, road holding, design, comfort, driving performance and a technology package that includes a digital color display and full LED lighting. The Piaggio 1 also features a spacious under-seat storage compartment.

Two performance variants on offer
Accessible from the age of 15, the small motorcycle version with a maximum speed of 45 km/h has a power of 1.2 kW. A 2 kW version is available for more speed. In all versions, the battery is stowed under the seat. It can be removed within seconds and is easy to carry, so it can be conveniently recharged at home or in the office.

The Piaggio 1+ (45 km/h, range up to 100 kilometers) and Piaggio 1 Active (60 km/h, range up to 85 kilometers) versions are offered.

Appearance and quality of materials
The design of the Piaggio 1 is minimalist, as required by the practice of urban electric mobility, but does not sacrifice grace as well as quality of materials. The front shield reveals the brand-typical tie on the upper part. The two LED headlights integrated into the side of the front shield give the model a dynamic look.

Great attention has been paid to ergonomics. Despite compact dimensions, the dimensions of the triangle between the seat, footrest and handlebars correspond exactly to the proportions of traditional Piaggio scooters.

The Piaggio 1+ and 1 Active are each equipped with a 2.3 kWh battery that weighs 15 kilograms and can be charged in six hours.

Prices start from 3995 francs.

piaggio.ch
ofrag.ch

Hyundai Motor and the marine conservation organization Healthy Seas are extending their partnership. Through this collaboration, they are tackling marine pollution, promoting marine ecosystems and supporting a sustainable circular economy.

Collection actions with beach cleanups
Last year's joint actions ranged from trash collection events with beach cleanups and scuba dives to educational programs that taught children and local groups about the importance of keeping the world's oceans clean.

Veronika Mikos, Director Healthy Seas: "Thanks to the renewal of our partnership with Hyundai, we will also be able to make an even greater positive impact on the environment in 2022. And we can realize a next dream by becoming active in Asia as well."

Floor mats are made from plastic waste
The inaugural event in Ithaca, Greece, is considered Healthy Seas' largest project to date. Thanks to 45 participants, 20 divers and 15 organizations, the event cleaned four beaches and two bays and recovered five tons of ghost nets, 32 tons of metal and 39 tons of plastic waste.

But the partnership's activities went beyond cleanup. The collected waste was processed into the sustainable nylon Econyl, which is used to make the floor mats in the Ioniq 5.

Prevention of marine pollution
In addition to the cleanup campaigns, the partnership also held educational events for future generations. Last year, for example, 900 children learned about the importance of protecting the oceans and how to prevent further marine pollution.

Michael Cole, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe: "What has been achieved so far with this partnership has been a very positive first step. Now, in turn, I am excited about the ambitious plans Hyundai and Healthy Seas have to tackle marine pollution."

hyundai.ch

Autolina has been offering autofox.ai, an image editing smart app for the automotive industry, alongside its virtual showroom since 2020. Already more than 500 garages and car dealerships use the cropping app, which offers professional image editing using AI (means artificial intelligence).

With around 65,000 advertised vehicles, Autolina is one of the largest automobile platforms in Switzerland.

Development of strategic partnerships

Wolfgang Schinagl: "The potential of autolina.ch and autofox.ai is very great. It will be my task, together with the team, to further expand the awareness and functional scope of the offerings. In addition to the visibility of the company on the market, this also includes the development of strategic partnerships."

Most recently, Wolfgang Schinagl spent eight years as Managing Director of auto-i-dat ag. He is regarded in the industry as an entrepreneurial, creative and networked service-oriented leader and sales personality with a wealth of experience.

autolina.ch
autofox.ai

Interested parties can choose between six color and interior combinations, coupes in black, red and orange at prices starting at 119,300 Swiss francs or convertibles in white, gray or blue for 126,700 Swiss francs (see video).

Against a refundable deposit of 2000 Swiss francs, the limited Swiss Edition models can be reserved immediately.

Touring car or race track car
Common to all these special models is the heart of every Corvette Stingray, the 482-horsepower naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine that accelerates the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.

In addition, there is an extensive range of equipment, especially the Z51 Performance Package, which enables a quick change from a comfortable touring vehicle to a race track car. This includes the Brembo brake system, the electronic limited slip diff and the high-performance exhaust system as well as the front splitter and rear spoiler.

Upon request delivery also to your home
The Swiss Edition can be reserved online via Chevrolet Switzerland. More information about the limited models can be found on the website. After the reservation, the ordering process will be completed in spring. The first cars will be delivered after that.

Buyers have the choice of having their Corvette delivered to their home or to another address in Switzerland. And, of course, they can also take delivery of their car at the first mobile showroom, in Volkiland in Volketswil, Zurich (center gallery).

chevrolet.ch

With the offer structure in place from May, Volvo is simplifying the online ordering process. Customers can choose from several equipment levels and add various options to suit their personal needs.

By concentrating on pre-selected variants, the manufacturer aims to increase price transparency and reduce the complexity of the model range.

Frameless radiator grille and closed front
Volvo is strengthening the relationship between its electric models for the new model year. The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric has been given a facelift that brings it closer to its sister model. As with the C40 Recharge, a new bumper and a frameless radiator grille now characterize the face of the XC40 Recharge.

The characteristic Thors Hammer headlights feature pixel LED technology for the first time. They adapt to the lighting conditions and switch on and off independently to ensure optimum road illumination. While the exterior can be customized with new paint finishes and wheels, the interior features new leather-free seat upholstery.

Second drive version for C40 Recharge with 231 hp
The C40 Recharge, which was recently awarded the Top Safety Pick by the U.S. IIHS Institute for its special level of safety, is now available in an additional drive variant.

In addition to the AWD model, an entry-level model with front-wheel drive and 231 hp (170 kW) is now also on offer. In conjunction with the 69 kWh battery, it offers a range of up to 434 kilometers. At fast-charging stations, the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 32 minutes.

From 2030 onwards, Volvo will have exclusively pure electric cars in its range

volvocars.com

Electric car manufacturer Aiways, headquartered in Shanghai, has started a roadshow through Europe with its U6ion concept car. The SUV coupe started the tour in Antwerp and will visit another eight European countries. The Swiss date has not yet been set.

U6ion is a foretaste of the U6
Interested parties will then have the opportunity to get to know the U6ion. The model provides a foretaste of the new U6, which is due to be launched on the European market later this year.

Alexander Klose, Vice President Overseas Operations, says: "Look forward to the production model, whose exterior almost matches that of the study. With the Aiways U6 coming out at the end of the year, we're showing that the brand is alive and well and we're keeping our promise that we'll release a new model every year."

Large-capacity coupé with fastback glass roof
The U6ion was designed as a large-capacity coupe. The fastback-style roof comes with a glass surface that ends in a sharp-edged C-pillar. The LED headlights are paired with a daytime running light system that also includes position lights and turn signals.

Under each headlight is an independent air intake that directs a stream of cooling air to the braking system. At the rear of the vehicle is a two-tone spoiler that emphasizes the vehicle's sleek design. The 21-inch sports wheels are not only eye-catchers, they also ensure good heat dissipation.

Completely new electrical world in the interior
The rectangular multifunction sports steering wheel in the airy interior gives the impression of the car's capabilities. Behind the steering wheel is a free-floating 7-inch instrument panel that provides all the driving and system information for the driver.

The racing-style door handles complement the four integrated sports seats. For rear passengers, there are safety handles on the back of the front seats. To control the multimedia system, the U6ion has a floating 14.6-inch touchscreen positioned centrally on the dashboard.

ai-ways.eu

Renault's unique Power Compact, a Clio V6 of the second stage of development, achieved the record price of 90,000 English pounds (around 110,000 Swiss francs) also due to its low mileage and its paint finish in bright yellow with metallic pearl effect. And only 18 examples worldwide were equipped with the leather interior shown in the auction car.

3-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine delivers 255 hp
Literally at the center, of course, is the 3-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine installed in front of the rear axle and delivering 255 hp. In 2005, with just 27,000 kilometers on the clock, the vehicle was used as a safety car in the Clio Cup races.

In the same year, the V6 Renault was driven around the short circuit at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by Formula 1 driver Patrick Tambay. The car sprinted to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, and a maximum speed of 245 km/h was quoted.

collectingcars.com

Mr. Wyler, what do you have to bring with you to pass the professional examination?

At the examination, those who bring practical experience with them and who have learned during their training to master the action competencies according to the qualification profile stand out. It is important that candidates not only rely on the theoretical content of the training centers, but have also gained practical experience in a suitable workshop parallel to the training course.

How does the professional examination relate to everyday working life?

Vehicle restorers should later be equipped to advise, calculate, plan and implement practical work as workshop managers in a restoration company. This is precisely the goal we are striving for with the professional examination. The Interessengemeinschaft Fahrzeugrestaurator (Igf, editor) offers adequate training to professionals from the automotive industry. During a good two years, eight modules are attended and trained at different institutions.

Which eight modules are attended during the training?

The modules are called Projects, Car Electrics, Engine, Drive, Body and Chassis, Customers, Determining Order Effort and Processing the Customer Order. In addition to the vehicle restorer specializing in automotive technology, there are also further training courses for car body painting and car body tinsmithing. There was no examination for these specializations this year. If we want to safeguard and preserve this old cultural asset in the future, it is important that we continue to be allowed to train these professions. Due to the generational change in the garage trade, experienced old hands are becoming increasingly rare.

To what extent does your role as president of the board of examiners change?

As the former head of audit part 3, I was only responsible for one audit part with three sub-items. Now I am responsible for a total of four examination parts with seven sub-items. In addition, I am also primarily responsible for the examination management of the two additional specializations of car body painting and car body tinsmithing. I am also responsible for the organizational implementation of the examination and for accompanying the examination experts on site.

How did you experience your first professional examination in your new role?

At the first exam, I wanted to gain an insight into the exam items that were still unknown to me. I conducted an expert training session, focusing on exam part 1 and 3 with the practical tasks. I focused specifically on the technical discussion and the various tasks. In addition, I presented the course of the professional examination at the examination board meeting, which confirms the examination results and decides on the final award of the professional certificates. In order to bring all this work under one hat, I am grateful for the great preparatory work of Thomas Jäggi as secretary. He is a great support to me and knows the specifications and lists very well.

agvs-ups.ch

This means that the increase after two calendar months is four percent, and 32,505 new passenger cars have hit the roads for the first time since the beginning of the year (previous year: 31,261). There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.

Pure combustion engines and other drive systems each share the market roughly equally, with alternative drive systems accounting for 48.9 percent of the market in February.

Hacker attacks and missing products
At present, auto-schweiz cannot rule out possible effects of the war in Ukraine on the Swiss vehicle market.

Christoph Wolnik from the Association of Swiss Automobile Importers auto-schweiz: "Like the entire Swiss automotive industry, we are also shaken by the warlike actions in Ukraine. The extent to which the conflict will also affect the Swiss market is difficult to assess. Individual carmakers have had to stop their production lines at short notice in recent days for various reasons - partly due to hacker attacks, partly due to a lack of supplier products from plants in Ukraine."

Almost every fourth new car a plug
Meanwhile, gains by passenger cars with electric powertrains continued in February. Electric cars (2441, +76.9% year-on-year) and plug-in hybrids (1510, +29.2%) combined for a 23.8 percent market share. This means that almost one in four new cars in February was rechargeable via the power grid.

Alternative drives continue to be in vogue
Together with full and mild hybrids as well as gas and hydrogen engines, alternative powertrains accounted for 48.9 percent of the auto market in February (year-ago figure: 37.0%). At 48.3 percent, the year-to-date alternative share is barely lower. This is another impressive increase on the comparable figure of 36.2 percent after two months in 2021.

car.swiss

The participants of The ICE started in six categories and then dashed around the track with spike winter tires.

The frozen Lake St. Moritz, 1800 meters above sea level, is a popular venue for horse racing in winter. On February 26, 2022, however, classic racing and sports cars from all over the world turned their laps at the legendary venue with appropriate sounds at The ICE, the International Concours of Elegance. IWC supported the event as Official Timing Partner.

In her second outing for the team, Austrian racing driver Laura Kraihamer steered the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" across the frozen lake. Laura Kraihamer, who has been a member of the IWC family since 2021, was already at the wheel of the "Gullwing" at the Goodwood Members' Meeting in the United Kingdom last October.

300 SLS Porter made from parts of a gullwing car
With the one-of-a-kind "300 SLS Porter" (vehicle on the left, upper gallery center), IWC brought a second unique racing car with a history to Switzerland. In 1956, American racing driver Chuck Porter bought a Mercedes 300 SL gullwing accident car for 500 US dollars, which he had converted into the aluminum "300 SLS Porter" roadster according to his own plans. Important factors were a significant weight reduction and a certain stylistic proximity to the Mercedes SLR.

After all, the entire body weighed only about 85 kilograms. The engine was virtually untouched. Only a different camshaft was fitted to the engine. All in all, about 5,000 hours of work and a financial investment of around 4,000 US dollars were necessary.

Longstanding connection with motorsport

Philippe Franke, Brand Director of IWC Switzerland: "Seeing these two legends from the 1950s compete on snow and ice for the first time together with other historic racing cars was a truly unforgettable experience."

IWC Schaffhausen has a long-standing connection with motorsport. The brand founded its own motorsport team in 2018. Since then, the IWC team has taken part in historic racing events such as the Goodwood Members' Meeting in the UK and the Arosa ClassicCar in Switzerland.

Photos: mathieu-bonnevie-print
stmoritz.com
theicestmoritz.ch