Last year, the engine range of the Cupra bestseller Formentor was significantly enriched - both with further 4×4 versions and plug-in hybrid drives. The special Inicio model now adds a 1.5 TSI engine (150 hp) with 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to the powertrain range.

Several drive variants on offer
The engine delivers 250 Nm and accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. The top speed of the Formentor Inicio is 203 km/h, and average consumption is 7.4 l/100 km.

The Formentor Inicio is also available in the already familiar 2.0 TSI (190 hp) engine, coupled with 7-speed DSG and 4Drive all-wheel drive. The 1.4 e-Hybrid version (204 hp, 6-speed DSG) also benefits from the new optional equipment.

Heated steering wheel and voice control
The basic Inicio equipment includes a heated multifunction steering wheel, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, voice control, DAB+, 3-zone Climatronic, Kessy locking and starting system, LED headlights, sports seats, as well as numerous assistants and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Prospective buyers can see what else is included in the standard equipment and why the price of 39,800 francs is so attractive on the Internet.

cupraofficial.ch

For the brand's 120th birthday, which is coming up in 2024, students created design proposals for a reinterpretation of the 1911-1914 Hispano Suiza T45.

The car was designed by the Swiss engineer and brand founder Marc Birkigt on behalf of the Spanish king and car enthusiast Alfonso VIII. The sports car was equipped with 60-horsepower four-cylinder engine and reached 120 km/h as the top speed.

Innovation and passion for design
The task of the design students was to draw the interior and exterior of a Hispano Suiza Alfonso VIII of the future for the anniversary in two years.

Francesc Arenas, Design Director of Hispano Suiza: "Innovation and passion for design are the key elements of Hispano Suiza's past, present and future. For me, working with the young talents has been a very enriching experience."

Revived in 2000, the Hispano Suiza brand unveiled new all-electric Carmen and Carmen Boulogne models in 2019 and 2020 (AutoSprintCH reported).

hispanosuizacars.com

The new VW Amarok is coming to the global market with a wealth of new features. These include numerous driver assistance systems that will make everyday life easier for future Amarok customers.

The completely new development gives the model even better off-road properties than the previous generation thanks to increased ground clearance.

At the start again with a diesel V6
The new Amarok from Hanover again comes with a V6 TDI engine. The entire exterior of the vehicle is a testament to power and traction, and the interior has also been upgraded. Comfort, operating concept, connectivity and ambience ensure that the benchmark for the pickup segment in the global one-ton B segment has shifted significantly upwards.

The new edition of the Amarok has grown by ten centimeters to a length of 5.35 meters and the width has also increased.

Striking front and memorable X design

Albert-Johann Kirzinger, Head of Design Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: "The new Amarok is a convincing all-rounder with its lines. The striking front and above all the memorable X design clearly set the new Amarok apart and emphasize its claim to leadership. We have given clear expression to the strength and power of the new Amarok - with clear Volkswagen DNA, inside and out."

Production in Silverton, South Africa
The name Amarok is derived from the North American Inuit language and means wolf. In its twelve years of production, more than 815,000 units have been sold to date. Developed by teams in Australia and Europe, the next generation is produced in Silverton, South Africa.

In Switzerland, the new Amarok will be available to order from the end of 2022. The market launch is planned for early 2023.

volkswagen-nutzfahrzeuge.ch
volkswagen.ch

Even the design of the XBus is unusual. Initial surveys have shown that people like the car.

The XBus is coming onto the market with some delay because the global supply chains are not functioning properly due to the pandemic. Production is scheduled to start in Itzehoe in northern Germany in the middle of the year. The price for the basic model will be less than 20 francs.

CEO Martin Henne: "Three years ago, we set out to change mobility for the long term. We won't give up on that, even because of the pandemic. We are now using the time to drive forward the development of the XBus and other products."

Short supply routes and sustainability
For production, the components are delivered pre-manufactured and then brought together in assembly. For this purpose, the manufacturer was able to get suppliers on board who meet all the requirements for short delivery routes, sustainability and recyclability.

Electric Brands also wants to use the delay for significantly more testing than is actually required in this class. Numerous active and passive safety systems are also to be installed in the XBus models.

electricbrands.com

The Cherokee can travel up to around 50 kilometers in pure electric mode.

With the launch of the new Grand Cherokee, Jeep has now fully electrified its entire SUV model range in Europe. The fifth generation of the Grand Cherokee appears with an all-round renewed architecture, fresh body design, cutting-edge Uconnect 5 infotainment system and large screens.

Start with the Exclusive Launch Edition
It starts with the Exclusive Launch Edition with full equipment and a package of special services. Just a few months after its world premiere, the new Grand Cherokee 4xe can now be reserved in the major European markets.

Those who want to be among the first can discover the aforementioned Exclusive Launch Edition on the website www.bethefirst.jeep.de/ and express their interest.

The advertisement shows the new Jeep in a wild environment with interesting animals.

Gasoline turbo engine and electric machine
The introduction of the Grand Cherokee 4xe is another milestone in the strategy to electrify the entire Jeep model range. 4xe represents the new breed of SUV and its ability to combine competence with sustainability, efficiency, safety and driving pleasure.

The 4xe hybrid drive consists of the main components gasoline turbocharged engine and electric motor, which together deliver 380 hp (280 kW) of system output and make a maximum torque of 637 Nm available. Up to around 50 kilometers can be covered in urban areas purely on electric power and thus locally CO2-free.

Off-road capabilities and safe dynamics
Designed for the best off-road capabilities and safe driving dynamics with sophisticated electric assistance systems, the Grand Cherokee competes with Quadra-Drive II 4×4 drive, Quadra-Lift air suspension and Selec terrain traction management system with five driving modes: Auto, Snow, Sand/Mud, Rock and Sport, depending on the version.

Prices for the new Grand Cherokee 4xe will not be available until April 2022.

jeep.ch

Like the 911 T from 1968, the Macan T has a particularly dynamic set-up.

At Porsche, the letter T - as in Touring - has denoted a special form of sportiness since the 1960s. T-models offer a purist driving experience with targeted tuning, special equipment, and a lean engine.

Like the 911 T from 1968, the new Macan T has a particularly dynamic set-up and a lightweight two-liter engine. With this concept, the T finds its place between the Macan and Macan S.

Lightweight two-litre engine and top speed 232 km/h
The turbocharged engine produces 265 hp and puts 59 kilograms less on the front axle than the 2.9-liter V6 biturbo in the Macan S and GTS in the Macan T. This enables high starting performance and optimum cornering characteristics. This enables high starting performance and optimum cornering characteristics. The maximum torque of 400 Nm also matches the purist concept.

The engine delivers its power to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. With the standard Sport Chrono Package, the Macan T accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 232 km/h.

Body is lowered by 15 millimeters
Exclusively for the Macan T, Porsche combines the steel chassis with a lowering of the body by 15 millimeters as standard. With stiffer stabilizers on the front axle and optimized tuning, it harmonizes perfectly with the vehicle and powertrain. The Macan T is fitted ex works with 20-inch wheels - exclusively in dark titanium.

The first deliveries in Switzerland will take place in April. The price of 85,800 Swiss francs includes the extended warranty and the contents of the Swiss Package - i.e., among other things, the Power Steering Plus, the 75-liter gasoline tank and the LED main headlights with Dynamic Light System Plus.

porsche.ch

At the beginning of the 1970s, Volkswagenwerk AG was in a phase of upheaval, and the company had to overcome major challenges. Strong competition, saturated markets and new customer needs led to a difficult market environment.

The company countered the first signs of crisis by cutting costs in its operations. On the other hand, however, it also had to invest heavily in a new model range.

The excellent sales figures of the Beetle enabled VW to start a new success story with the Golf from 1974. Instead of the rustic air-cooled boxer engine in the rear, the new model generation got water-cooled front engines, and from then on the front wheels were driven.

Wolfsburg relegated Tin Lizzy to 2nd place
Even before the Beetle left the big stage to the Golf, it set a new record. A Beetle 1302 S rolled off the production line in Hall 12 of the Wolfsburg plant at around 1:45 p.m. on February 17, 1972: The 15,007,034th car assembled in series surpassed the Tin Lizzy, the Model T built by Ford from 1908 to 1927.

Not everyone believed this of the little people's car at the start of production: Even Heinrich Nordhoff, who took over management of the VW plant in January 1948, was initially skeptical about the Beetle. Designed in the 1930s, the car still had a number of shortcomings, but these were minimized by constant improvements.

Award for doers and plant workforce
In November 1958, a jury consisting of representatives of the five major American engineering associations awarded Ferdinand Porsche posthumously, as well as Heinrich Nordhoff and the plant workforce, the Elmer-Sperry Prize for their services to the design, manufacture and distribution of the Volkswagen.

The production anniversary of one million was celebrated as early as August 1955. On November 29, 1967, the ten-millionth Beetle rolled off the production line, and exactly 50 years ago the 15-million mark was broken.

volkswagen.ch

The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is said to be possible in the low two-second range with the Sport Electric.

Lexus gives a preview of the next-generation all-electric sports car. The new two-seater was first unveiled last December by Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation and founder of Lexus, as a harbinger of a battery-electric model offensive.

Driving Signature is designed to guarantee driving comfort
The new sports model will be part of a whole range of electric vehicles that Lexus will launch by 2030 as part of its Electrified Vision. The Toyota subsidiary aims to fully exploit the potential of electrification and offer customers a new level of driving pleasure.

The Driving Signature guarantees driving comfort combined with steering, response and braking behavior that are perfectly tuned for sporty performance.

All-electric range more than 700 kilometers
With its striking proportions and the low vehicle height typical of the model, the new sports car symbolizes the future of the Lexus brand and at the same time revives the spirit of the legendary Lexus LFA. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h succeeds in the low two-second range.

Thanks to the solid-state battery, the all-electric range is said to be more than 700 kilometers. However, the vehicle cannot yet be ordered and has not yet been homologated.

lexus.ch

The epithet Monte Carlo is intended to recall the Škoda brand's numerous successes in the legendary rally in the French Maritime Alps. The Fabia Monte Carlo is available in four engine variants with outputs ranging from 80 to 150 hp. The 1-liter three-cylinder engines deliver 80, 95 or 110 hp, while the 1.5-liter four-cylinder delivers 150 hp.

The torque range extends from 93 to 250 Nm, and power is transmitted to the front wheels via 5- or 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. In Switzerland, only the two more powerful versions are offered.

Monte Carlo is the fourth equipment line
The Monte Carlo versions complement the Active, Ambition and Style equipment lines. They are visually distinctive thanks to the black radiator grille, the specific front and rear aprons, the black rear diffuser and the likewise black light-alloy wheels with diameters of 17 or 18 inches.

The sports seats and the digital instrument cluster with special layout background are also standard. The interior is also predominantly black, and various trim strips set red accents or are in carbon look.

Travel Assist and a parking assistant for the first time
The switch to the MQB-A0 modular transverse matrix has further improved active and passive safety. Up to nine airbags are installed in the Monte Carlo. In addition, assistance systems such as Travel Assist and Park Assist, previously reserved for models in higher vehicle classes, are available for the first time.

The Manoeuvre Assist maneuvering brake function detects dangerous obstacles in front of or behind the vehicle when parking and brakes automatically. Also available are Traffic Sign Recognition and Front Assist with predictive pedestrian and cyclist protection.

Prices start from 26 210 francs.

skoda.ch

In Switzerland, the A8 is available as a diesel with 286 hp and as a plug-in hybrid with 462 hp

Audi is launching the A8 luxury liner with subtle modifications to the front and rear as well as new technology solutions. A major highlight of the new Audi luxury class is the anticipatory active suspension. It can individually load or unload each wheel and thus actively regulate the body position.

This means that the body of the A8 no longer leans out of the curve, and there is no longer any pitching and rearing during braking and acceleration.

All-wheel steering is standard in the A8 and S8. It reduces the turning radius and improves driving dynamics when changing lanes at higher speeds.

Three drive variants to choose from
In Switzerland, the new A8 is available as a diesel 50 TDI Quattro with 286 hp and as a plug-in hybrid 60 TFSI e with 462 hp, both optionally with a long wheelbase and even more legroom for rear passengers.

The diesel is available from 121,700 Swiss francs, the PHEV gasoline from 136,300 francs. There is of course also the top model, the S8, from which the importer expects the best sales figures. Its 4-liter biturbo V8 delivers 571 hp, which is distributed to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission, as in all models in this series. The starting price is 168,200 francs.

audi.ch