In doing so, the video game, of which a first version appeared for the PC back in the mid-1990s, leaves the original single-track world to allow racing on the famous orange plastic tracks in multiplayer and online modes as well.

At the start, three racers from the rich Hot Wheels collection are randomly generated. All car models have different braking, handling and acceleration characteristics.

Five different environment scenarios
The many preconfigured and selectable tracks meander through five different environment scenarios, such as a skate park and college campus. Most of the time you can drive at full throttle, but if your opponents are getting too close, the one or other braking maneuver can't hurt to shake off the annoying opponent. Dangers are always lurking during a race, such as a spider that casts its web.

Own tracks with virtual rails
Additional appeal is provided by routes that are suddenly interrupted and where the car rolls across the floor of the hobby basement, for example, to get back on track somewhere.

Some paths can be shortened with daredevil jumps. In addition, you can build your own tracks with the virtual plastic rails and share them with other players. Then it's literally over tables and benches. The virtual environment can even be redecorated a bit.

Fiat 500, Aston Martin DB5 and DeLorean
The story mode "City Rumble" has more tasks in store. With time-limited "Season Challenges" - like the current Batman expansion - the developers keep the community in line. In addition to the fantasy cars from the Hot Wheels collection, there are also models like the Fiat 500 or the Aston Martin DB 5 as well as movie cars like the DeLorean from "Back to the Future".

Hot Wheels Unleashed is available for Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One consoles, Nintendo Switch and PC. Prices are available on request.

toyassociation.ch

Since its launch in our country, the Dacia brand has been synonymous with great practical benefits and affordable purchase prices. The new Jogger model is no exception: In the five-seater variant, it is already available from 15 990 francs, and the seven-seater starts at 16 790 francs.

With a load length of up to two meters, the Jogger meets the needs of family, work and leisure and covers both the station wagon and van markets in the compact class.

Three equipment levels to choose from
Even in the basic Essential trim, the new Dacia model has LED headlights and numerous comfort and safety features. The Dacia Media Control infotainment system with DAB+, which can be easily paired with a smartphone, also comes as standard.

The Comfort level starts at 17,590 Swiss francs and comes with air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking assist and an 8-inch Media Display infotainment system. The Extreme level includes automatic climate control and a rear-view camera, as well as the keyless access and start system Keycard Handsfree.

Three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine produces 110 hp
The new TCe 110 gasoline engine is used in the Dacia Jogger. It is combined with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 1-liter turbocharged engine with three cylinders and direct injection delivers 110 hp and a maximum torque of 200 Nm at 2900 rpm. The new Dacia Jogger is available to order from January and will arrive at Swiss dealers in March 2022.

dacia.ch

The new OTO Retail project - OTO stands for "Online To Offline". It is being set up in close cooperation with car dealerships and is intended to offer new opportunities for sales as well as an innovative purchasing offer.

Digital tools support sales, while dealers retain their central role. Customers are thus given the opportunity to decide for themselves which aspects should be discussed on site at the dealer and which can be carried out digitally.

Exceeding customer expectations

Chief Commercial Officer Bernard Loire: "At Maserati, the focus is always on the customer. That is what defines the history of this brand, its tradition and its quality. The realignment in the sales area should also be seen in this light. As a premium brand, we are committed to exceeding customer expectations."

Nevertheless, e-commerce is only one part of Maserati's strategy. The boundaries between online shopping and on-site sales are becoming increasingly blurred. The new retail model offers a seamless transition across the entire sales process.

As a pilot project first in North America
However, the digital approach is not limited to the screens at home. A gradual implementation is also taking place in stores. Virtual assistants, for example, offer comprehensive online services, while at the same time the sales outlets are also being further expanded and new offerings added. Maserati stores worldwide will gradually adopt the new design.

The start with OTO Retail will be made by the newly developed showrooms in Milan and Shanghai. A pilot project will also be launched on the North American market.

The new services include My Maserati Showroom, My Maserati Expert, Remote Test Drive and Multi-Channel Service Booking. Detailed information on Switzerland is not yet available.

maserati.com

Nissan is positioning itself for the future. With the vision "Nissan Ambition 2030", the Japanese automaker has presented its new long-term corporate strategy.

In addition to a new kind of customer experience, an intelligent ecosystem for integrated mobility is to be established

Three concept vehicles in one fell swoop
Over the next ten years, Nissan will launch new electrified vehicles and technical innovations and expand its activities worldwide. The goal thereafter is to offer climate-neutral products over the entire life cycle by 2050. Electrification is at the heart of "Nissan Ambition 2030".

23 new electrified models by 2030
By fiscal 2030, 23 new electrified models will be introduced, including 15 pure electric cars. With the introduction of 20 new models with electric and e-Power hybrid powertrains, Nissan aims to increase the E share in all major markets as early as 2026.

Now the company has unveiled the three new concept vehicles Max-Out, Hang-Out and Surf-Out. They embody the next generation of the electrified future. The studies show the possibilities that Nissan intends to offer with a wide range of new vehicles and ecosystems.

The hope is the solid-state battery
Nissan plans to further develop the lithium-ion battery and also introduce a cobalt-free solution to reduce costs by 65 percent by 2028. By then, electric vehicles will also roll onto the market with the company's own solid-state batteries. A pilot plant is already being built near the company's headquarters in Yokohama by 2024.

Developers expect this new battery technology to deliver more power and range, as well as shorter charging times. Nissan also expects the cost of this type of battery to drop to $75 per kilowatt hour by 2028. To meet the growing demand for electric vehicles, Nissan plans to establish a global battery supply system.

Competitiveness of electric vehicles
In addition to new technologies, Nissan will localize manufacturing and procurement to increase the competitiveness of its electric vehicles. To meet the increased pace of innovation, the company will hire more than 3,000 research and development employees worldwide.

nissan.ch

Under the outer skin is a vehicle architecture related to the X5 and X7.

With the XM - once the model drawing for a Citroën - BMW has interpreted its current design language even more expressively, perhaps even more brutally. The wide double kidney, which was still illuminated in the study, characterizes the front end together with two narrow lighting slits positioned high up.

Logos etched into the glass at the top edge
The side section is characterized by a wide trim strip, which can be painted in different colors in the series. The roof structure has an unusually steep design and is lowered in the center in Zagato style.

The rear in turn features boldly folded taillights and a rear window with two BMW logos etched into the glass at the top edge. They serve as a reference to the classic M 1. The study stands on 23-inch wheels and 295 Series 35 tires.

Plug-in hybrid with 750 hp and 1000 Nm
Under the outer skin is a vehicle architecture related to the X5 and X7, while the electronics will already be on a par with the all-electric iX. But unlike the latter, the XM will be powered by a V8 engine with a displacement of 4.4 liters that, thanks to plug-in hybridization, produces 750 hp and a smooth 1000 Newton meters of torque. Other engine variants will certainly follow, and they are all to be plug-in hybrids.

Three-dimensional headliner
The XM can excel on the racetrack, but it should primarily distinguish itself within M GmbH as a luxury concept, smoother than an X5 M or X6 M, for example. This is matched by the futuristic dashboard and luxurious interior, which should make it into series production. The same goes for the three-dimensional headliner. BMW is so proud of this that there will be no glass roof.

bmw.ch
artbasel.com/miami-beach

Mulliner presents a darker side to the fast four-seater with a black alternative to the chrome trim on Bentley's Grand Tourer. The Continental GT Mulliner Blackline, crafted by accomplished craftsmen, features many changes compared to the current Mulliner versions of the GT and GT Convertible pair. These add an extra touch to the top-of-the-line GT models.

A lot of black dominates outside and inside
On the Blackline version, all exterior trim elements are black with the exception of the Bentley emblem on the hood, including the radiator grille frame. Instead of the upper mirror housings in satin silver typical of a GT Mulliner, the mirrors of the Blackline version are finished in gloss Beluga black.

Color combination fulfill all wishes
The interior of the GT Mulliner Blackline remains unchanged from the previous Mulliner edition. Customers can choose any color combination from the almost limitless range on offer. In the standard Mulliner Driving Specification, the interior includes Bentley's double diamond stitching on the seats and doors, as well as on the C-pillar trim. Contrasting and accent stitching runs through the diamond pattern.

Cars for particularly demanding customers
Depending on the region, customers can choose between the legendary 6-liter biturbo W12 with 635 hp and the 4-liter biturbo V8 with 550 hp. The addition of the Blackline Edition to the Mulliner GT model range underscores Bentley's position as a major manufacturer of sporty, luxurious grand tourers.

Mulliner is known in the automotive world for producing particularly individual Bentleys. The company has already handcrafted over 1000 cars for demanding customers.

bentleymotors.com

The designers have tried out numerous new ideas for Project Maybach. For example, solar cells are arranged under the glass front hood to provide additional power for the batteries. The vehicle is characterized from front to rear by a longitudinal element in which a chrome strip is arranged vertically at the front and a third brake light at the rear.

The roof dome is fully glazed but protected by a tubular structure. The side skirts and protective bars at the front and rear have the same look. A roof tent can theoretically also be erected on the roof.

Tubular construction in a sand colored tone
While the front hood, cab and end panel are finished in high-gloss black or glazed, the side sections and tubular structure are painted in a sand-colored shade. It refers to the classic Mercedes color Coloradobeige, which was particularly popular in the 1970s.

The fender flares are bolted on, and massive front and rear underride guards are designed to protect the underbody and batteries from damage on heavy terrain. The sand-colored Maybach study, which by the way - unlike the current Mercedes-Maybach models - no longer features a Mercedes star, stands on 17-inch steel wheels and chunky off-road tires of the BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A type.

Lighting element over the front part
The horizontal lighting element at the front, which runs across almost the entire width of the vehicle, is visually echoed by the chrome bar at the rear. In addition, two main headlights and a total of eight auxiliary headlights turn night into day. Two round, large-format taillights sit on the concave cover plate. The exterior mirrors are designed as cameras.

Side walls give a sense of security
The interior is airy and spacious, yet conveys a feeling of absolute safety thanks to the high side walls. Fine materials contrast with an almost industrial design language. The seats can be lifted out of the car with a flick of the wrist or lowered completely to a horizontal position.

Thus, the driver and passengers can sit outside or even spend the night in the car. Two blankets in a houndstooth pattern serve as headrests when rolled up. The interior is dominated by a sandy tone, cool graphite gray and polished aluminum.

The dashboard was extremely reduced
The lighting concept in the interior is also unusually sophisticated with elegant reading lamps. The extremely reduced dashboard, which incidentally has a compass mounted on it like on an expensive yacht, can be rotated. The large horizontal screen that then appears serves, among other things, as a projection surface for a specially developed computer game.

Off-roader shows possibilities of Maybach
The luxurious off-roader is not only a representation of the possibilities of Maybach, but it is also a symbol and monument to the creativity of its creators: the concept and design were developed by Daimler chief designer Gorden Wagener together with Louis Vuitton chief designer Virgil Abloh, who died a few days ago. The presentation at Art Basel takes place with the consent and at the request of his relatives.

artbasel.com/miami-beach
daimler.com

Since the beginning of the year, 213,958 new vehicles have hit the roads of both countries, 3.2 percent more than at the same point in 2020 and 22.7 percent below the pre-crisis level of 2019 with 276,641 new registrations. The delivery situation in December will determine whether there can still be a narrowly positive year-on-year result for 2021 as a whole.

Electric drives gain market share
Meanwhile, electric drives are gaining massive market share as many manufacturers prioritize corresponding models in production and delivery. In November, more than one in two new passenger cars had an electrified drive or gas engine (53.5%).

The share of plug-in vehicles that can be charged via the power grid was at a record high of 29.6 percent last month. Of these, the majority were electric cars (19.1%), with the remainder plug-in hybrids (10.5%). Full and mild hybrids accounted for 23.8 percent of new registrations.

Pandemic Influences and Supply Difficulties

Christoph Wolnik, media spokesman for the Association of Swiss Automobile Importers auto-schweiz: "In view of the success of electric drives, it is incomprehensible that the Federal Council is once again tightening the CO2 regulations for new passenger cars at the beginning of 2022. In the middle of a crisis phase with negative pandemic effects and delivery difficulties for new vehicles, this approach leads to further costs for the Swiss automotive industry that will in no way help the climate."

All hope for recovery now rests on 2022, although a sustained improvement in the supply situation is probably not expected until the second half of the year.

car.swiss

Sam's OTM is the name of the market from now on. Samantha Kleeb and Michael Nyffenegger have taken over the event and continue to run it with a new logo under the company Nyffenegger & Team GmbH.

Samantha Kleeb: "What was good stays the same, what went better will become new. Above all, we have changed the menu a lot and want to offer our guests something special. On offer are American food-style dishes with hamburgers and hot dogs. Freshness and regionality of the products are important to us."

Exhibitors come from all over Europe
In the past years, there were usually up to 1000 visitors at the classic car parts market in Brunegg. The exhibitors have grown together like a small family.

Says Samantha Kleeb, "We're looking forward to seeing the established exhibitors again, some of whom will be traveling from all over Europe in the process, but we're also excited to welcome new faces."

nicanaotm.ch

Following the launch of the successful All-Terrain concept with the E-Class in spring 2017, the C-Class is now also rolling out onto the road - or into light terrain - with a striking look and additional capabilities.

With 40 millimeters more ground clearance than the C-Class Estate, standard all-wheel drive and two off-road driving programs, the new All-Terrain takes any terrain in its stride.

Off-road design elements include the stand-alone grille, the special bumpers, the optical underride guard and the wheel arch linings in dark gray matt.

Electrified gasoline and diesel at the start
In addition, the crossover model has many features from the new C-Class. These include the 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 204 hp and 300 Nm in the C 200 4Matic or the diesel with 200 hp and 440 Nm in the C 220d 4Matic, both supported by a 48-volt mild hybrid system.

Via the 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic, the drive power is sent to all four wheels - 45 percent to the front and 55 percent to the rear axle. With a towing capacity of up to 1,800 kilograms, the All-Terrain is also well equipped for trailer operation.

The equipment also includes the adaptive and intuitive MBUX infotainment system and the latest generation of driving assistance systems.

Dynamic Select Offroad for light terrain
Compared with the conventional C-Class station wagon, the All-Terrain has grown slightly in dimensions. It has grown in length by four millimeters to 4755 millimeters and has also become 21 millimeters wider due to the wheel arch linings. The increased ground clearance has also made the vehicle slightly taller.

The standard tires are 225/55 R 17, while 245/45 R 18 and 245/40 R 19 are available as options. The comfort suspension with passive damping system ensures well-balanced ride comfort and high driving stability.

New are the two Dynamic Select programs Offroad for light terrain and Offroad+ with Downhill Speed Regulation. The C 220d All-Terrain costs from 70,700 Swiss francs.

mercedes-benz.ch