An exclusive place to immerse yourself in the different brand worlds of Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-AMG and G-Class - this is what the store in Zurich Seefeld offers. As a luxury brand, Mercedes-Benz sets standards in terms of unique brand experiences. The new top-end models can always be experienced in the ambience of the respective sub-brand.

Unboxing your Star is part of the concept

Whether Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-AMG or G-Class: in two rooms of 72 and 276 square meters, the lighting and design elements are adjusted depending on which highlight vehicle is currently on display. The aim is definitely to present only the new stars. In order to perfect the individual configuration of a new vehicle, there are numerous samples of exclusive manufacture equipment elements available on site. The concept allows customers to collect their dream car directly from the store (unboxing your star). The existing Mercedes-Benz showroom and workshop at the Merbag branch on Färberstrasse will remain as usual.

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The company, which many had already written off, has been resurrected: 14.3 billion euros turnover (2022: 10.9), 625 million euros operating profit (2022: 33) and 519,176 cars sold (2022: 385,592). Anyone who presents figures like these is not on their last legs.

CEO Wayne Griffiths knows exactly how it works: "Last year was a year of great challenges for the automotive industry and for our company, in which we navigated through a sea of uncertainty and at the same time underwent the biggest transformation in our history."

Cupra is the growth driver

Despite wars in Ukraine and Gaza, high inflation, logistics problems and increased raw material prices, Seat took off. "In 2023, Seat took a big step on its path to transformation," says CFO David Powels.

Clear: from a low level, 2022 was a miserable year. And also very clear: Cupra was the big growth driver. It increased by over 50 percent and achieved 230,739 sales. This corresponds to almost half of all Seat cars sold. At first glance, this looks like a creeping end for Seat. After all, there will not be a single electric car from the main market in the future, unlike Cupra.

But CEO Griffiths sees things differently: "We can't do everything at once. The top performance of Cupra also benefits Seat. When the time is right, we will come up with an electric solution. Seat has the youngest customers and therefore the brand is ideal for an entry-level e-car model. The best is yet to come. Versporochen"

Center of electrification

The CEO leaves no doubt that our future belongs to e-mobility: "Building emission-free cars is our job!" With Seat, he wants to make sun-drenched Spain the center of electrification in Europe. Seat and VW are investing around 10 billion euros. He is now calling for politicians in Spain and the EU to do their homework and move away from the current overregulation.

For Griffiths, one thing is clear: "There are two options: Actively ensure upheaval - or you get upheaved. We press the pedal to the metal. Now also in the USA. Cupra will enter the US market by the end of the decade. Initially with two electric cars. An electrified Formentor and an SUV specially designed for the USA."

Largest product offensive to date

What else? The Seat Ibiza and Seat Arona will receive a facelift in 2025. The Leon will also be rejuvenated in the course of 2024. It is not yet known how much it will differ from its Cupra twin. The Ateca will also be updated. At Cupra, 2024 marks the start of the biggest product offensive to date: the Tavascan and Terramar will be presented this year (center gallery). And that's not all: updated versions of the Leon and the Formentor will be added in the coming weeks. The Spaniards want to know.

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And the ID.Buzz is serious about this: the van can mobilize 250 kW (340 hp) at the two driven axles. This pushes the minibus to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. There is a choice of two battery sizes and wheelbases: 84 kWh in the battery for the short wheelbase and 91 kWh for the extended ID Buzz.

Wheels are available with 19 or 21 inches

The sporty electric VW bus is due to go on sale in the second half of the year. There is no danger of confusion with the more civilian versions: The bumpers are more massive, black air deflectors are further distinguishing features. 19-inch wheels come as standard, but 21-inch wheels are also available as an option

Panorama glass roof like in the Samba

Inside, a black headliner and comfort seats in a diamond pattern with red contrasting stitching signal that this is no ordinary ID.Buzz. Like the other electric buses from Hanover, the GTX can be ordered with five, six or seven seats. As a six-seater, it has three rows of two individual seats. The panoramic glass roof, which is available for the ID.Buzz with a long wheelbase, is reminiscent of the famous, lavishly glazed Samba bus. It can be darkened at the touch of a button to block out the sun and new eyes.

Exit warning system also recognizes bikes

Innovations such as a parking assistant with remote control also benefit the other ID.Buzz models: remote-controlled parking via smartphone is now possible. Another new feature is an exit warning system: it detects cars and bicycles approaching from behind and prevents the door from opening. This prevents dangerous dooring accidents with cyclists, for example.

Charging to 80 percent in 25 minutes

The ID.Buzz GTX is not only a charging master in the trunk (1121 to 2469 liters), but also at the charging station. The 79 kWh battery can be charged with up to 185 kW direct current. This means it only takes 25 minutes to charge from ten to 80 percent. The 86 kWh battery can even handle up to 200 kW kilowatts. The only remaining question is how much it will cost: Knowing VW's surcharge policy, we would guess a price around a good 80,000 francs. This would make the ID.Buzz GTX not only the most powerful, but certainly also the most expensive Bulli.

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Car model maker Amalgam reveals that it has begun development of a limited edition 1:18 scale model replicating the Ferrari 812 Competizione Tailor Made, which sold at auction in New York last October for US$5.1 million. The special edition of the Art Car, limited to 250 pieces, is a tribute to the passion and craftsmanship of Ferrari Centro Stile and will become a coveted collector's item that will appeal to the most passionate Ferrari fans. Models of this exceptional edition can already be pre-ordered directly from Amalgam Collection.

The Centro Stile controls

Using the original CAD data provided by Ferrari Centro Stile, Amalgam's craftsmen are able to accurately recreate every detail of the 812 Competizione Tailor Made, from precisely blended original car paints to an interior that perfectly captures the art of the real car. The model only receives the approval of Chief Design Officer Flavio Manzoni (center gallery) and his design team once the accuracy of the rendering is completely satisfactory.

812 Competizione made to measure

Specially commissioned by Ferrari North America for the Ferrari Foundation Gala Dinner and Auction, the car is considered one of the now iconic yellow cards on which Maranello designers transfer their ideas, insights and notes from their minds onto paper. The design perfectly captures the balance between technical realization and craftsmanship that emerge from Flavio Manzoni's drawings. The 1:18 model is around 25 centimeters long and has no moving parts. The price for the faithfully reproduced Ferrari model is 1695 dollars.

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In the first part of the evening, stories about the 17,490-kilometer London-Sahara-Munich Rally of 1974 will be read and told. In the second part, Roland Beiküfner will talk about his Sahara trips in 1985, 1988 and 1990, during which he drove sections of this extreme motorsport event from 1974. The event promises all spectators a historical insight into the earlier years of rallying and motorsport. The Deborah Handschin Trio from Raperswilen/TG will provide the musical backdrop for this event.

World Cup Rally 1974 with 52 vehicles

70 teams from all over the world signed up on the entry list. 52 cars started in London, 26 reached the finish in Munich and 19 were classified. However, only five vehicles completed the entire distance of 17,490 kilometers. The gap between the first-placed Australian team with a Citroën DS 23 and the second-placed team, a women's team from France with a Peugeot 504, was 28 hours, 27 minutes and 31 seconds, a record that still stands today in the history of motorsport.

The route led from London to Southampton, then onwards by ferry to Le Havre and via Bilbao to Algeciras, then from Tangier via In Salah to Tamanrasset. By ferry to Sicily and on to Brindisi, then to Greece, by ferry to the Turkish mainland, from Izmir to Ankara and on to Yugoslavia via Istanbul. Then across Yugoslavia to Austria and over the Grossglocknerstrasse to Salzburg and Munich.

Lecture and music at the event location

The event "50 Years UDT World Cup Rally 1974 London - Sahara - Munich and Trans-Sahara 1985-1988-1990" on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at autobau erlebniswelt Romanshorn begins at 4 pm with a tour of the event location. Then 5 to 5.30 pm welcome aperitif in the Pitlane Lobby, 5.30 to 6.30 pm part 1 lecture and music, 6.45 to 7.45 pm part 2 lecture and music, 7.45 to 8.30 pm discussion and get-together at the bar.

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Mercedes wants to focus fully on luxury from now on - this also applies to the van sector. This is a good thing, because a trend from Asia is spilling over into the West: luxury vans are all the rage there. Instead of long limousines, the well-heeled prefer to be chauffeured around in feudal vans, which are designed to provide the best possible comfort in the rear and offer features like the finest private jets. Naturally, the Stuttgart-based company also wants to jump on this bandwagon.

Waiting for the new platform

Klaus Rehkugler, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Vans: "We want to offer the most desirable vans and services. As we have to wait for the new VAN.EA platform designed for electric vans, which will not be available until 2026, the V-Class is now being redesigned once again. At the same time, its all-electric brother, the EQV, will also benefit from the facelift."

Luxury liner in van format

In the highest Exclusive equipment level, the V-Class and the EQV are now a luxury liner in van format. Two luxurious armchairs with massage, climate control and reclining functions are available for the second row of seats. They are upholstered in fine nappa leather and available in two colors. And you don't have to do without the appropriate glass of champagne: A magnetic storage surface and magnets in the glass base ensure that no fine drop is spilled. This is also supported by the harmoniously tuned air suspension, which ensures a smooth ride.

Second sliding door on the left-hand side

However, the conventional variants have also been upgraded. For example, the V-Class and EQV now have a second sliding door on the left-hand side of the rear as standard. The cockpit now features a free-standing, slightly curved screen consisting of two 12.3-inch displays, as well as a heated steering wheel that now recognizes when the driver's hands have been away from the wheel for too long and triggers a corresponding warning. The center console has also been redesigned and now offers a charging area for the smartphone.

Diesel or purely electric on request

There are hardly any changes to the engines. A 2-liter diesel in three power levels from 163 to 237 hp with rear or all-wheel drive and three body lengths (4.89 to 5.37 meters) are available. The front-wheel drive EQV is available with two battery sizes (60 or 90 kWh) for a range of 227 and 344 kilometers respectively. The electric motor has a continuous output of 70 kW (95 hp), with a peak output of 150 kW/204 hp available for short periods.

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The Swiss car market was on the road to recovery in 2023. Just under 256,000 new cars were registered - twelve percent more than in the previous year, but still significantly fewer than before the coronavirus crisis. The online comparison service comparis.ch took a close look at the most sought-after car brands in 2023.

Mercedes was searched for most frequently with a share of 13.9 percent. BMW and VW are also on the podium with 12.4 and 10.6 percent of searches respectively. They are followed by Audi, Porsche, Toyota and Ford. The Škoda, Volvo and Land Rover brands make up the final group of the top ten.

Tesla gains eight places

The ranking is once again dominated by the German manufacturers, who occupy the top five places. It is interesting to note that Mercedes and BMW are ahead of VW. In terms of new registrations at brand level, VW is clearly the most popular brand in Switzerland with 28,350 vehicles according to Auto Schweiz statistics. BMW has 21,300 vehicles and Mercedes 19,950. The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling car in Switzerland last year with almost 6,200 vehicles. However, Tesla is only ranked 16th on the online marketplace, but the interest in the brand is reflected in the fact that the US manufacturer moved up eight places in 2023.
Renault drops out of the top ten

A five-year comparison shows that VW and Volvo are the losers. The manufacturers each dropped one place and are now ranked third and ninth respectively. Renault is also among the decliners. The French car manufacturer dropped out of the top ten in 2023. The biggest winner in the top ten between 2019 and 2023 is Škoda.

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It is this one key figure by which cars are currently measured: range. Where it used to be about horsepower, acceleration or top speed, today the discussion is dominated by kilometers per battery charge. Of course, this only applies to electric cars - but there is hardly any talk about other innovations these days. This fact makes it clear that there is still a great deal of concern about range, although in our latitudes you can get from A to B or even C electrically without any problems.

Range of 625 kilometers

However, technology is developing rapidly. State-of-the-art electric cars offer ranges and charging speeds that should remove barriers. The new Renault Scenic E-Tech, recently voted European "Car of the Year 2024" in Geneva, has a standard range of 625 kilometers. And since it can be charged at a fast-charging station in 30 minutes for another two hours of highway driving, the issue of range anxiety should definitely be a thing of the past.

Stately and attractive SUV

However, the new Scenic also made it to Car of the Year for other reasons. The former family van has developed into a stately, attractively designed SUV. At 4.47 meters in length, it offers a very spacious and attractively designed interior, a state-of-the-art, naturally fully digital cockpit with a large touchscreen with Android operating system, many welcome comfort features and harmoniously tuned, pleasant handling.

However, the French car does have one small but perhaps decisive drawback for some customers: the large trunk with a capacity of 545 liters is very deep and has a correspondingly high loading sill. In addition, the rear seats cannot be folded down flat, but only with a high step - this restricts the use of the up to 1449 liters of expandable cargo space. Nevertheless, this shortcoming can be partially remedied by purchasing an optional load box, which fits into the deep recess and offers a second, almost flat load floor.

The Frenchman is an eye-catcher

Apart from that, there are only good things to say about the new Renault Scenic. The electric SUV is an eye-catcher both inside and out, with its 160 kW (218 hp) electric motor on the front axle it is fast on the road and offers everything else you would expect from a modern car. The fifth generation of the former family van therefore has what it takes to successfully lead the French classic into the modern era. Prices in Switzerland start at 43,700 francs. That's not cheap, but it's certainly fair.

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The Suzuki Swiss Racing Cup is the most cost-effective way for amateur athletes to take part in competitive motorsport. AutoSprintCH spoke to race coordinator Christian Zimmermann about the upcoming season, which will kick off on April 28 and 29, 2024 at the Frauenfeld Auto Racing Days.

What can starters expect from the Swiss Racing Cup this year?

The upcoming Cup season promises another head-to-head race at the highest level and professionalism, which, in addition to the classic racing character, will also inspire with the family atmosphere and cohesion among the riders.

Who can apply as part of a team or as an individual rider?

The Suzuki Swiss Racing Cup is aimed at anyone who wants to take part in motorsport competitively and at a reasonable price and is in possession of a valid driver's license. You can take part as an individual rider or in a team and participation in the Cup does not require any motorsport experience or racing licenses.

Which model will be used for the Cup this season?

This year, the Cup will once again be held with a standard Suzuki Swift Sport 48V Hybrid 1.4 Turbo. With the starting position that all drivers participate with exactly the same vehicle, the Racing Cup guarantees absolute fairness and a fight for hundredths at the highest level.

What costs does a pilot have to expect?

Participants must have the Swift Sport 48V Hybrid registered in the regulations. The vehicles must be equipped with a set of the prescribed Yokohama semi-slicks, which are available to Cup drivers at a special price of 850 francs. A registration fee of 600 francs will be charged for new registrations. Travel, meals and any accommodation costs, as well as any penalty fees or repair work, will be borne by the participants.

What are the requirements for receiving a bonus?

Riders who have taken part in at least three slalom races in the Suzuki Swiss Racing Cup will receive a retroactive participation bonus of 300 francs per race at the end of the season. In addition, the riders who finish in the top 10 in the final ranking will receive prize money of up to CHF 5,000 and a Yokohama tire voucher worth CHF 1,500.

Can you already say something about next year's season?

It is still uncertain how the Suzuki Swiss Racing Cup will continue, but various discussions about the future of the Cup have already taken place. For now, we are looking forward to a successful, accident-free and great 2024 Cup season. And don't forget, if you want to take part, you have to register by Thursday, March 28, 2024.

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Auto Sport Award winner Louis Delétraz continues to ride the wave of success. The 26-year-old from Geneva, who drives for Acura-Andretti in the USA, celebrated his first win of the season in the 12-hour race in Sebring as part of the IMSA. Delétraz overtook race leader Sébastien Bourdais in the final stint and won with a mini-lead of 0.8 seconds. Thanks to the victory in Sebring (and third place in the opening race in Daytona), Delétraz and his two team-mates Colton Herta and Jordan Taylor are now level on points with the Porsche-Penske of ex-Sauber F1 driver Felipe Nasr at the top of the overall standings.

Philip Ellis' success in the GTD class

However, Delétraz' victory in the prototype class was not the only Swiss success. Philip Ellis (center gallery) from Zug, who drives a Mercedes AMG GT3 for Winward Racing, repeated his triumph in the opening race and, after the 24 Hours of Daytona, has now also won the 12 Hours of Sebring in the GTD class. In contrast to Delétraz, Ellis is the sole leader in his class with the maximum number of points.

Kilian Josseron victorious in Lonato

Kilian Josseron (left gallery) also provided another Swiss highlight at the weekend. The 13-year-old kart driver from Duillier in the canton of Vaud won the Trofeo Andrea Margutti in Lonato. Josseron started from 6th on the grid and finished third. Afterwards, he benefited from two five-second penalties against the two riders in front of him. There was also almost a Swiss victory in the senior category. Christian Canonica from Ticino missed out on his biggest success to date in the OKN category by just 0.2 seconds. Tiziano Kuznini finished fifth in the same race. Albert Tamm finished 6th in the minis (over 10s).

Sébastien Buemi best Swiss driver

There is no success story to report from a Swiss perspective in Formula E. Sébastien Buemi was the best Swiss driver in tenth place at the e-Prix in São Paulo, but has slipped to 10th place in the overall standings after 4 of 16 races. Edoardo Mortara (12th) and Nico Müller (out) are still waiting for their first points. Mortara at least had a ray of hope with 6th place in qualifying. Müller retired due to an overheating problem. Victory went to Briton Sam Bird.

Jonathan Hirschi (gallery, right) did not quite make it into the top 10 at the Le Touquet Rally. The 2022 and 2023 Swiss champion finished 11th in his second outing in France in a Citroën C3.

Photos: IMSA, Josseron archive, Cornevaux
Source: Auto Sport Switzerland
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