At an event in Laguna Beach, California, the brand presented two model series based on a new, mid-size vehicle architecture. Only the R2 was announced in advance. The slightly smaller R3 is therefore a real surprise.

Compact SUV with two rows of seats

The R2 is an electric SUV with two rows of seats, which at 4.71 meters long, 1.90 meters wide and 1.70 meters high is aimed at the Tesla Model Y, among others, but has classic off-road vehicle proportions. Stylistically, it looks like a smaller brother of the well-known R1, with propulsion provided by an electric drivetrain with one, two or three electric motors. There are two battery sizes, both of which are fitted with the new, efficient 4695 cells. The rear window can be lowered electrically and the seats can be folded down completely. Prices in the USA are expected to start at 45,000 dollars.

Premium variant R3 X for the terrain

Another model joins the R2. Nobody had expected the R3 and the premium variant R3 X (gallery). It shares the drive and platform with the R2, but is even more compact and is also to be priced more affordably. The X model is designed to be sportier than the regular R3 and will have better off-road characteristics.

Both the R2 and R3 are designed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around three seconds in their top versions. In terms of style, the designers of the R3 were inspired by European compact cars of the 70s and 80s such as the VW Golf and the Lancia Delta, but also by the Russian off-road icon Lada Niva.

Launch in Europe in two years' time

Both models are set to roll off the production line in the US state of Illinois. The R2 will be launched in 2026, followed by the R3 a year later. Both will also be available in Europe from 2027. According to Rivian, the R1 models already launched in the USA are too large for Europe, and the EDV/ECV van originally developed for the online mail order company Amazon has already been on our roads for a short time for the parcel service.

rivian.com

To celebrate the company's 60th anniversary as well as its tradition, there is a reissue of the first Majorette vehicle. The First Ever is a formula racing car in the style of the 1960s, complete with driver in the cockpit. The car is being reissued in six colors for its 60th birthday.

Company logo of the respective era

The other edition models bear the company logo of the respective era on their flanks. These are so-called deluxe vehicles with moving parts. Some miniatures come in a nostalgic metal box and pay tribute to the long-standing cooperation between Majorette and partners such as Volkswagen, Ford, Nissan, Renault, Lamborghini and Porsche.

Deluxe series for specialties only

Another deluxe series is dedicated to French specialties such as baguettes, macarons, Dijon mustard and cheese. The French Touch series also focuses on the home country. The colors of the bodies are juxtaposed to form the French flag. One of six Parisian sights is also depicted on each vehicle.

The 60th anniversary edition will be available in stores from spring, the French collection from summer - just in time for the Olympic Games in Paris.

majorette.com

The Italians' electric offensive, which runs under the label Maserati Folgore (the Italian word for lightning), is set to gain further momentum this year with the GranCabrio Folgore. The Italian manufacturer is planning the MC20 Folgore for 2025. A new E-SUV is to follow in 2027 and the Quattroporte Folgore in 2028. The latter was actually already planned for 2025, but development was apparently halted.

Production entirely in Italy

The Maserati model range is designed, developed and manufactured entirely in Italy. It is currently delivered to more than 70 countries around the world, which corresponds to an export rate of 86 percent. Modena continues to be the beating heart of the brand, which has been based in the historic factory in Viale Ciro Menotti (Center Gallery) for more than 80 years.

Derived from the formula E

Maserati believes more than ever in the future of electric mobility. The brand is currently organizing itself in all areas to improve its competitiveness and exceed the expectations of new luxury consumers. The company has already begun its journey into the new electric age by unveiling its first two BEV vehicles: The GranTurismo Folgore and the Grecale Folgore (gallery left, Folgore refers to the all-electric Maserati models) are already available. The GranTurismo Folgore, an icon of the brand, offers state-of-the-art technical solutions derived from Formula E. With motorsport in its genes, Maserati has also been the first Italian brand to compete in Formula E since 2023.

Dare Forward 2030 will apply from March 

Maserati is part of the "Dare Forward 2030" strategic plan announced by parent company Stellantis on March 1, 2022 and is a fully-fledged part of the overall organizational matrix. All new Maserati models will feature electric powertrains that offer great innovation and high performance - both typical of Maserati's DNA. 2024 is a pivotal year for the company's development and growth, especially given the challenges and changes facing luxury brands in the global automotive industry.

maserati.ch

The W16 engine provides the Bugatti Bolide with lightning-fast acceleration. However, the prerequisite for such impressive capabilities is also the technology with which it can tame its speed when required. For example, the car was fitted with the largest carbon brake system ever produced by Brembo.

Tests on racetracks

Early on in the development process of the Bolide, Bugatti commissioned the Italian manufacturer Brembo to develop a braking system that underlines the uncompromising nature of the vehicle. Brembo's racing engineers worked closely with Bugatti from the initial simulation data to bench tests and analysis on the race track. The result after two years of development is a carbon-carbon system that is in no way inferior to the technology of LMh/LMDh and Formula 1 racing cars.

Lightweight carbon disks

The front brakes consist of two 8-piston monobloc brake calipers and large 390-millimetre carbon discs. The brake calipers are milled from an aluminum alloy and nickel-coated. Two 6-piston monobloc brake callipers, each with four high-performance brake pads, are used on the rear wheels. The brake calipers are also complemented by 390-millimetre carbon discs. The engineering team also managed to drastically reduce the overall weight of the brake system - each brake disc weighs just 3.175 kilograms. At the same time, it was ensured that the braking system has a thermal conductivity that guarantees optimum heat dissipation in intensive braking scenarios and prevents fading.

Efficient cooling improved

Together with Brembo, Bugatti has also significantly improved the cooling of the braking system. This development was essential in view of the high energy and torque required on the racetrack. This means that 85 to 90 percent of the air flow is directed to the discs and pads, while a smaller proportion reaches the brake callipers.

bugatti.com

For more than a year, Amag Classic and Empa Dübendorf tested engine components of classic cars and conducted road tests with synthetic petrol. The result: even classic cars can be run on it in a climate-friendly way. The Amag Group has held a stake in the Swiss company Synhelion for several years. This company has developed a technology with which solar fuels can be produced using solar heat. Synthetic fuels are a promising approach to operating vehicles with combustion engines in a climate-friendly way in the future.

Scientifically sound investigation

Dino Graf, who is also responsible for the Classic division at Amag: "It was clear to us that the majority of owners of valuable classic cars would not embark on adventures with unexplored fuel."

Now the first scientifically sound study carried out in Switzerland shows that the use of synfuels is also possible without any problems in the engines of classic and vintage cars. This conclusion is the result of extensive trials and tests carried out by Empa together with Amag and Motorex AG.

Hardly any differences were found

In the test series, fossil 98-octane fuel was compared with a biosynthetic 98-octane petrol produced from renewable methanol over a period of more than twelve months. The test vehicles were a 1978 VW Golf with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a Chrysler Valiant with a 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine from 1971, each of which covered around 3000 test kilometers. Among other things, various seals, carburetors, fuel sensors, fuel hoses and plastic parts such as carburetor floats, fuel filters and fuel caps were examined.

There were no disadvantages when using the biogenic synthetic fuel. The exhaust emissions with biosynthetic gasoline also do not differ from those with the fossil fuel. Finally, the results with both fuels show no measurable differences in either volumetric or energy consumption. A difference in performance could not be determined either.

No changes to the components

Christian Bach, Head of the Vehicle Drive Systems department at Empa: "In theory, it was to be expected that classic vehicles with old engines would also work with synfuels. But sometimes practice has one or two surprises in store. Fortunately, there were no surprises here for the most part. We did not notice any relevant changes in the components, performance or exhaust emissions."

Graf added: "I hope that this scientific experiment will motivate classic car fans to use Synfuel for their vehicles when it becomes available in the coming years. We will be taking delivery of the first supplies of solar fuel from Synhelion this year and using it for our classic cars. Because as of today we know: it works!"

amag.ch
empa.ch

The all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 was launched worldwide in February 2021. Its innovative design at the time, its driving dynamics and its pioneering 800-volt battery system for fast charging caused a sensation. There was an update for the 2023 model year. For the first time, video-based digital side mirrors are available for the Ioniq 5.

MirrorCam for Mercedes-Benz trucks

We have been familiar with camera mirrors on heavy-duty trucks for several years now. In June 2019, Mercedes-Benz Trucks was the first manufacturer to start delivering the Actros (center gallery) with the so-called MirrorCam as standard. The digital rear-view mirror not only looks futuristic, the system can also do a lot more than the conventional main and wide-angle mirrors.

The MirrorCam consists of two cameras mounted on the left and right of the roof frame, two portrait-format monitors in the cab and the control elements in the door module and infotainment display. The main advantages of the MirrorCam are the positive effect on the drag coefficient and a better overview, even in poor lighting conditions.

Images are transferred to a display

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks similar. The cameras - one on each side - are mounted on the outside of the doors where the conventional mirrors were previously fitted. You can see the benefits of digital side mirrors and how they work in the video. In the Hyundai, the slightly wide-angle images from the two cameras are transmitted to the inside of the doors on high-resolution OLED displays, each with a 17-centimetre screen diagonal.

hyundai.com
mercedes-benz.ch
tir-transnews.ch

The package of improvements underlines the second-generation Mirai's status as Toyota's flagship model and its multi-technology approach to reducing CO2 emissions. The hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain offers smooth and near-silent performance, leaving behind only pure water.

2650 electric cars for IOC and IPC

This summer, Toyota will support Paris 2024 with 500 zero-emission Mirai vehicles. They are part of a fully electrified fleet of more than 2650 vehicles provided by Toyota in its role as mobility partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). After the Games, all Mirai vehicles will be integrated into the Paris hydrogen cab fleet.

Quick detection of accident risks

The Mirai uses new safety and driver assistance functions to detect accident risks and relieve the driver. The detection range of the safety sense systems has been extended by the use of a new camera and a new radar system. The accident avoidance system can now detect possible head-on collisions, and the intersection assistance system for collision avoidance has an extended range of functions and recognizes approaching traffic as well as cyclists and other vehicles.

The emergency steering assistant now recognizes motorcyclists as well as pedestrians, cyclists and parked vehicles. The new acceleration suppression at low speeds protects against sudden, unintentional pressure on the accelerator pedal.

Updated traffic information

The Mirai 2024 features the modern Toyota Smart Connect Plus multimedia package, which is operated via a newly designed 12.3-inch touchscreen. It provides access to the cloud-based navigation system, which provides continuously updated real-time traffic information. As an alternative to the touchscreen, the driver and front passenger can use voice commands and the in-vehicle assistant Hey Toyota.

toyota.ch

The strictly limited Hydra-Glide Revival and the models in Tobacco Fade are celebrating their premiere at Daytona Bike Week. The bikes can already be ordered from authorized H-D dealers. However, if you want to own one of these motorcycles, you should hurry, as both collections are strictly limited.

Be sure to make a note: The Icons model was also inspired by the look of the bikes ridden in the US feature film "The Bikeriders". Set in the 1960s, the film tells the story of the rise of a motorcycle club in the Midwest from the perspective of its members and is due to be released in Swiss cinemas in July 2024.

A bow to classic types

The Hydra-Glide Revival will be the fourth model in the Harley-Davidson Icons Motorcycle Collection in 2024. Its look is a tribute to the classic Hydra-Glide models - the E and F series models on which Harley-Davidson introduced the telescopic fork 75 years ago. From 1949, they helped to make exploring the United States on the interstate highways even more comfortable.

Only 1750 examples of the new Hydra-Glide Revival will be produced and will soon be available from authorized dealers. The Hydra-Glide Revival wears the special Redline Red paint finish and the sides of its tank are painted in Birch White - a look that corresponds to the 1956 models. The Hydra-Glide lettering on the front fender and chrome-plated tank badges with the H-D lettering are among the harmonious details.

Tobacco collection according to taste

The Tobacco Fade Enthusiast Motorcycle Collection (gallery) includes the Low Rider ST, which is powered by the powerful Milwaukee-Eight 117 and designed in West Coast style. Two panniers hold the luggage and the frame-mounted fairing protects against the wind.

The trike offers ideal conditions for long distances. The Batwing fairing, the large trunk, a tour pack and two comfortable seats including back and armrests for the pillion rider all contribute to this. All the technical features of the new models are the same as in the basic versions.

harley-davidson.com

The 2024 challenge is just around the corner for Emil Frey Racing. The Swiss team faced numerous challenges last year. For the first time in the racing team's history, it took part in the DTM. The Ferrari 296 GT3 experienced highs and lows - but in the end, the team led by Principal Lorenz Frey-Hilti (center gallery) achieved 7th place in the team standings and 4th place in the Sprint Cup of the Fanatec GT Word Challenge Europe.

Cooperation with Verstappen

In 2024, the DTM team will once again compete with two Ferrari 296 GT3s and drivers Jack Aitken (Great Britain) and Thierry Vermeulen (Netherlands). The successful collaboration with Verstappen.com and Thierry Vermeulen that began last year will continue. After a one-year break, the team is returning to the ADAC GT Masters with a Ferrari. Jean-Luc D'Auria, the young driver from Emil Frey Racing Acadamy in Aargau, will contest the ADAC GT Masters after a successful season in the Italian GT Championship; the second driver will be announced at a later date.

New driver pairing drives No. 69

The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup season starts on the first weekend in May at Brands Hatch and ends after five race weekends in Barcelona. The new driver pairing of Thierry Vermeulen and Italian Giacomo Altoè will share the number 69 Ferrari, while the number 14 car will be driven by Finn Konsta Lappalainen and Englishman Ben Green.

Lorenz Frey-Hilti is optimistic

In cooperation with Emil Frey Sportivo, an additional five Ferraris will be entered in the Ferrari Challenge as part of a customer program. Emil Frey Racing will also continue its collaboration with AF Corse and will be represented with a car in the Italian GT. The DTM and ADAC GT Masters season opener will take place at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben from April 26 to 28.

Lorenz Frey-Hilti: "We were able to gain a lot of experience throughout last year and are still very impressed with what a great racing car Ferrari has developed. This year we are better prepared for the season. The expectations from outside are very high, but we also have high expectations of ourselves. Our goal is to regularly finish in the top 10 - in the DTM as well as in the Sprint Cup and the ADAC GT Master."

Race calendar

emilfreyracing.com

The evaluations by auto-schweiz are based on federal surveys.

After two months of 2024, the Swiss car market is at the previous year's level with 33,757 new cars, much to the delight of the industry. The traditionally weaker first two calendar months of the year do not yet provide a clear picture of the possible market development in the current year.

Hoping for spring business

Christoph Wolnik, Deputy Director of the importers' association auto-schweiz: "We are now looking forward to the start of spring business, which was heralded by the Geneva International Motor Show. Demand from private customers is still at a low level. We hope that this will soon change thanks to the robust economic situation. A more precise analysis will only be possible with the figures for March and April."

Stabilization of alternative drives

Like the market as a whole, the number of new passenger cars with alternative drive systems stabilized in February, rising by 21.1% to 10,831 compared to the same month last year. With a market share of 31.2%, almost every third new vehicle has a full or mild hybrid drive. Fully electric models account for 17.8 percent of new registrations, with plug-in hybrids accounting for another 9.5 percent. Petrol engines have a cumulative market share of 32.4 percent and diesel engines 10.2 percent.

Target values for new cars

During the consultation on the future CO₂-Following the adoption of the Swiss Finish Act during the spring session of the Swiss parliament, the target values for new cars are still subject to annual interim targets between 2026 and 2029. With a wafer-thin majority, the National Council is insisting on this Swiss Finish, which is expensive for consumers and is clearly rejected by auto-schweiz.

Refrain from symbolic politics

President Peter Grünenfelder explains: "Adopting the European targets without interim targets is a realistic policy, as car manufacturers build vehicles for the entire continent and not separately for Switzerland. Decreasing targets every year would lead to rising CO₂-sanctions and thus lead to higher vehicle prices and should therefore be clearly rejected, as the Council of States has already done. The majority of National Councillors should now refrain from such a symbolic policy. It would be expensive and unrealistic and would place a greater financial burden on SMEs and families when purchasing vehicles from 2026."

car.swiss