Interested companies can apply on the online platform www.family-business-award.ch until May 15, 2024. The prize is open to Swiss family businesses that are characterized by a sustainable entrepreneurial spirit and employ more than 25 people. In addition, there must have been at least one generational change and the chairmanship of the board of directors or the operational management should be held by a family member.

Memory of the founder of the company

Amag has donated the Family Business Award in memory of company founder Walter Haefner since 2012. The award is intended to highlight the mindset, values and commitment of family businesses and emphasize their importance for the Swiss economy. Family businesses make a decisive contribution to the high level of prosperity in our country. Around 90 percent of all companies in Switzerland are family businesses.

The winning company is selected by a jury consisting of experienced, professionally recognized personalities.

amag.ch

In less than 170 days, the mountain village will once again be the venue for the international Arosa Classic Car hill climb. This year marks the 20th edition of the popular classic car event. The Arosa Classic Car race route demands a lot from the drivers. Between the start in Langwies and the finish in Arosa, there are 7.3 kilometers to cover, 422 vertical meters to climb and 76 bends to master. It is the only hill climb in Switzerland with a downhill section of 1.2 kilometers.

The race will be held in the competition, regularity and demonstration class categories. Interested participants can submit their entry for the invitational race immediately. For planning reasons and due to the high demand, the closing date for entries is May 31, 2024.

Free access to the paddocks

The hill climb for historic sports and racing cars was held in Arosa for the first time in 2005. Since then, the event has been held annually in Schanfigg and is now celebrating its 20th edition in 2024. The supporting program also gives reason to celebrate, as the races will be supplemented with attractive events this year.

Dario Neuhäusler, project manager of the Arosa Classic Car: "We are grateful for the many years of support and would like to express this to the classic car fans and the local population. The drivers, locals, guests and all interested parties can look forward to a supporting program with music, culinary delights and entertainment." Once again, participants and spectators will have access to both paddocks.

Porsche is Car Partner again

Last year's Arosa Classic Car was held under the race management of Alex Maag. With his motorsport experience from managing the Auto-Renntage Frauenfeld, the Oberhallau Hill Climb, the Steckborn Memorial Hill Climb, the Arosa Classic Car and as a member of the Auto Sport Switzerland Officials Committee, Maag and his team will also manage this year's race. The organizing committee is also proud of the long-standing collaboration with car partner Porsche, which will be back on board in 2024.

arosaclassiccar.ch

Many Rolls-Royce customers are important personalities in the international fashion industry and in the designer scene. Influenced by these individuals, Rolls-Royce designers developed the Ghost Prism model, a vehicle that combines deep darkness with neutral tones and colorful accents. The contrast between solid shapes and bright spectral tones ultimately resulted in the name of the model: Prism.

Polished by hand for 16 hours

Each Ghost Prism is painted in gunmetal in a ten-step process with four coats of paint. The body is then polished by hand for 16 hours, making each vehicle unique, as no human can replicate the finish exactly 120 times. The paint is characterized by a mineral finish and is complemented by contrasting accents in Forge Yellow, Turchese, Mandarin or Phoenix Red. The color accents can be seen on the coachline, the brake calipers and the lower skirt inserts. All metal parts of the body are also given a manual finish

Contrast with the bold paintwork

While customers can choose the interior from an almost limitless variety, the first Prism models come with a light and vibrant color palette that contrasts with the bold paintwork of the exterior. Only 120 units of the Rolls-Royce Ghost Prism are produced in Goodwood worldwide - in keeping with the age of the noble carmaker.

rolls-roycemotorcars.com

New 30 km/h speed zones are being created in many towns and cities, even though the general speed limit in Switzerland is 50 km/h in built-up areas. Lucerne FDP National Councillor Peter Schilliger wants to put a stop to this uncontrolled growth with his motion "Hierarchy of the road network in urban and rural areas". After the National Council in the fall, the Council of States has now also followed this demand and referred the motion to the Federal Council.

30 km/h also has disadvantages

The Federal Council is instructed to adapt the provisions of the Road Traffic Act in such a way that the hierarchy and functions of the road network in urban and rural areas are respected. In principle, a 50 km/h speed limit applies in built-up areas and a 30 km/h speed limit is permitted on residential roads. 30 km/h should not be introduced chaotically on random and traffic-oriented roads. Creeping at 30 km/h on traffic-oriented roads leads to avoidance traffic through side streets and neighborhoods, which can be prevented by accepting this motion. A 30 km/h speed limit can still be introduced in sections if it makes sense - for example in neighborhoods and near schools.

AGVS supports the motion

The AGVS welcomes Parliament's decision because it slows down the widespread introduction of 30 km/h and ensures a clear hierarchy and functional interaction of the road network.

agvs-upsa.ch

The two Taycan models Turbo GT and Turbo GT with Weissach package briefly achieve peak outputs of up to 815 kW (more than 1100 hp). The maximum torque for both versions is up to 1340 Nm, and the range is up to 555 kilometers according to the WLTP.

In combination with lightweight construction and aerodynamic measures, the all-electric GT sports cars set new standards in terms of driving dynamics. Even more efficient power electronics with silicon carbide as the semiconductor material are used on the rear axle. The first Turbo GT models are due to be delivered to customers soon.

Record holder in Laguna Seca

The Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package secured the title as the fastest electric production car at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca in California on February 23, 2024. With a time of 1:27.87 minutes, Porsche development driver Lars Kern completed the lap faster than any other driver in a road-legal electric car.

And just recently, a pre-production version of this model set a new class best time on the Nürburgring. Kern was also at the wheel here and lapped the Nordschleife in just 7:07.55 minutes. With this official lap time, he was 26 seconds faster than on his last record drive in August 2022 in a Taycan Turbo S Sport Sedan with the Performance package.

A strong overall package is important

Head of the model series Kevin Giek: "The two records at Laguna Seca and on the Nordschleife show the great circuit potential of the Taycan. To succeed in the supreme discipline of circuit racing, it is not enough to have as much power as possible. The overall package of longitudinal dynamics, lateral dynamics, aerodynamics, stability and detailed tuning has to be right."

Instead of the rear seat system, the Turbo GT Weissach model features a high-quality carbon panel with storage compartment behind the seat shells for the driver and front passenger. In Switzerland, the Taycan Turbo GT is equipped with the Porsche Swiss Package, which includes numerous options at no extra charge.

porsche.ch

The new electric Torres from Korea uses an underfloor battery from BYD in China. The new model charges with a maximum of 140 kW. The 73.4 kWh battery should be charged from ten to 80 percent in 37 minutes at the fast charger and take nine hours at the 11 kW wallbox. Thermal management of the battery is standard. With 207 hp and 339 Nm of torque, the EVX is not exactly a weakling, and the stated 8.1 seconds for the 0-100 km/h sprint seem credible.

Sales launch in Switzerland in April

KGM plans to increase its global market share by launching new models, expanding its product range and tapping into new markets. In Switzerland, the market launch of the Torres EVX is scheduled for April. Import and distribution will be handled by KGM Switzerland, a brand of Astara Switzerland.

The all-electric Torres EVX builds on the success of the Torres mid-size SUV. It is not only characterized by its unique design, but also by its electric drive and impressive trunk capacity of 703 liters.

Marc Brunner, Brand Director KGM Switzerland: "The unveiling of the Torres EVX represents a significant step in our vision to push the boundaries of electric mobility while maintaining the authenticity of an SUV. The vehicle symbolizes our determination to build KGM in Switzerland as a solid brand - with modern vehicles and a strong dealer network."

KGM Chairman Kwak Jea-sun added: "The Torres EVX is our first electric vehicle to be launched in Europe since the company changed its name from Ssangyong to KGM. We define Europe as an important market for us, accounting for more than 50 percent of KGM's exports, and a growth market where sales of our models have increased by 20 percent since 2022."

Further models and new markets

KGM is planning to expand its dealer network worldwide and open up new markets. KGM is also focusing on the introduction of further models to expand these markets and increase its customer base. An SUV with the project name J120 is planned for this year.

kgm.ch

The new McLaren Artura Spider has significant upgrades compared to the previous base model. The new Spider and the new Coupé are scheduled for the 2025 model year. Both can be ordered now and will be delivered from mid-2024.

Extreme response behavior

The hybrid system with 3-liter V6 and electric motor drivetrain now has a maximum output of 700 hp and delivers a maximum torque of 720 Nm. The open-top version, the Artura Spider, has an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 480 hp per tonne or 2.1 kilograms per hp. It weighs just 1457 kilograms dry. In addition, the electric motor provides an extremely fast response to accelerator pedal movements with up to 225 Nm for short periods. The acceleration times are: 0-100 km/h 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h 8.4 seconds and 0-300 km/h 21.6 seconds. A maximum speed of 330 km/h is achieved. The occupants are totally blown away.

Shifting operations 25 percent faster

Thanks to the revised transmission calibration and the new pre-fill function, gear changes are up to 25 percent faster. Manual shifting and the McLaren Dynamic Modes settings are possible without taking your hands off the steering wheel. The crescendo sound of the new exhaust system envelops the driver, especially with the roof or rear window down. The one-piece hardtop can be opened electrically in eleven seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

Warranty without mileage limit is optional

In addition to new exterior colors, there is also a new black stealth badge. Every new Artura comes as standard with a five-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, a six-year battery warranty with a mileage of 75,000 kilometers and a ten-year bodywork warranty against perforation. These warranties can be extended. A three-year service plan is also included, as is a five-year breakdown assistance package.

The base price for the Artura Spider is 295,540 francs - like the open-top body. The coupé version is available from CHF 268,975.

cars.mclaren.com

No sooner said than done! The Swiss Auto Sport Association is promoting the use of fossil-free fuels in 2024 and, together with its partner Swiss Motorsport Promotion, is rewarding all drivers with a Fossil Free Fuels Cashback of CHF 500 to mark its 20th anniversary.

Sustainability in Swiss motor racing

The aim is for more than just individual drivers such as Simon Wüthrich, Marcel Steiner (center gallery), Mathias Schläppi and Martin Epp to drive on fossil-free fuels. Auto Sport Switzerland wants to specifically promote sustainability in Swiss racing so that as many drivers as possible go green.

Fossil-free fuel is not a disadvantage

Paul Gutjahr, member of the management of Auto Sport Switzerland: "We want to set an example with this campaign. If we still want to see racing in Switzerland in ten or twenty years' time, we have to move with the times. Marcel Steiner's example has impressively demonstrated that fossil-free fuel does not put you at a disadvantage. Steiner was one of the first drivers to switch to synfuel in 2023 and became the Swiss hill climb champion for racing cars."

Requirements for participation
To take part in the Auto Sport Switzerland campaign, drivers must meet the following requirements:

• The driver must register and take part in at least four events of the Swiss Automobile Championships (slalom, hill climb, rally) using fossil-free fuel. These four events can also be contested across championships (e.g. two rallies and two slaloms or two slaloms and two hill climbs).
• The pilot must demonstrably drive with fossil-free fuel (the technical commissioners may carry out spot checks). The properties of the fuel must comply with the applicable regulations (including RON 95 to 102) and regulations for fossil-free fuel (similar to the P1 fuel used by Steiner & Co.).
• The driver must drive at the relevant events with the green start numbers in accordance with the NSK regulations. The driver must also affix a sticker provided by Auto Sport Switzerland in the area of the fuel tank during the events.

Photos: Eichenberger
motorsport.ch

Drifting between the fir trees of a remote forest in Finland in a fully electric test vehicle with 800 kW (1088 hp) - that is exactly what Oliver Schwab and Björn Förster, who are responsible for the Porsche GT4 e-performance development program, had in mind. In Levi, around 170 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, the two have overseen another exploratory mission for the Porsche customer racing of tomorrow.

Tests in extreme cold

The GT4 e-performance project led by Schwab started at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the summer of 2022 and then continued in Europe, the USA and Asia. Before arriving in Australia in March, in time for demo runs as part of the third round of the current Formula 1 season, the car made a detour to northern Finland to undergo some testing in the extreme cold.

These took place as part of the Porsche Ice Experience. The site in Levi covers an area of 422,000 square meters and offers optimal opportunities in two training areas with 32 different handling tracks. A fleet of 123 different Porsche models is available for 1350 participants, who come from all over the world for a total of 36 events.

Spikes and longer suspension travel

To prepare the GT4 e-Performance for such an environment, it was fitted with spike winter tires and longer suspension travel to increase wheel arch clearance and ground clearance. The central air intake was closed due to the constantly low outside temperatures, while the chassis was fitted with aluminum underbody protection. Otherwise, the GT4 e-Performance did not require any modifications. The same oil-cooled electric drivetrain with an output of 800 kW (1088 hp) was used in the qualifying configuration.

porsche.ch

The Kia EV9 had previously won the SUV category of the competition. With this award, Kia is following on from last year's success of the Niro as World Women's Car. The up to seven-seater EV9 has already received several awards, including the Golden Steering Wheel 2023 in the Family Car category and the title of German Luxury Car of the Year 2024. The electric SUV is also in the final of the World Car Award 2024. The winner will be announced on March 27.

Aerodynamics, design and loading capabilities

The new Kia flagship impressed the jury of 75 female motoring journalists with its aerodynamics, design and loading capabilities. There were 62 models to choose from in five categories for this year's Women's World Car of the Year award. The winning model was determined in a comprehensive evaluation process with driving tests, detailed analyses and thorough studies. 800-volt technology and a range of 563 kilometers

Like the Kia EV6 electric crossover, the 5.01-metre-long model is based on the dedicated E-GMP electric vehicle platform and offers a spacious and variable interior with lounge-like comfort. With a range of up to 563 kilometers, the EV9 is a good companion for family trips. Thanks to the 800-volt fast-charging technology, it can be charged in 15 minutes under ideal conditions for a range of up to 249 kilometers. There is a choice of rear-wheel drive models with 150 kW (204 hp) or all-wheel drive and 283 kW (385 hp).

kia.ch