Mercedes-Benz: The Red Sow conquers Lake St. Moritz 🎥

WHERE TO MEET Soon sporty and luxurious Mercedes-Benz classics will once again be dancing on the ice of Lake St. Moritz. Legendary cars can be admired at The I.C.E. St. Moritz on February 23 and 24.

 

The abbreviation I.C.E. stands for International Concours of Elegance. At the same time, the three letters allude to the ice as the surface of the Concours area and the circuit. This time, four Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be demonstrating how sportiness and luxury have always come together in the history of the brand. Last year, Mercedes-Benz also presented the iconic C 111 and the prestigious Mercedes 600.

The I.C.E. St. Moritz
The 300 SEL 6.8 AMG racing touring car (W 109) from 1971 is also known as the Red Sow.

Tradition of the luxurious S-Class

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the epitome of a luxurious car. However, predecessor vehicles were also used in motorsport. Mercedes-Benz Classic is bringing two of them to St. Moritz: the 300 SE racing touring car (W 112) from 1963 and the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG racing touring car (W 109) from 1971, the Red Sow. The 300 SE saloon in motorsport version bears the starting number 102 of the Belgian team Robert Crévits/Gustave Gosselin, the overall winners of the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in 1964. Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz achieved class victory and second place overall in the 1971 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps with the Rote Sau.

Ice revue with a full program

The history of The I.C.E. St. Moritz began in the mid-1980s. Back then, British Bentley fans drove their classic cars around the race track, which is still set up every year on the frozen Lake St. Moritz. The ice, which is around 50 centimetres thick, proves to be a spectacular stage for historic vehicles. In 2019, the idea was taken up for a successful test run with sports cars, and the automotive ice revue has been taking place with a full program since 2022.

Various categories at the start

2024 I.C.E. vehicles will compete in the categories Barchettas on the Lake, Open Wheels, Concept Cars & One Offs, Icons on Wheels and Racing Legends. On Friday, February 23, the presentation of the exhibition vehicles and the evaluation by the judges will take place from 9 am to 4:30 pm. On Saturday, the races will take place on the ice of the circuit from 9:15 am.

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Lancia: Comeback of the year with the Ypsilon 🎥

TRADITION The Lancia Ypsilon compact class model marks the start of the Lancia comeback in several countries. Its 115 kW electric motor (156 hp) ensures good driving performance. Ranges of up to more than 400 kilometers.

 

The new Lancia Ypsilon marks the beginning of a new era for the traditional Italian brand. It starts in Italy with the special edition Cassina model, limited to 1906 units. In its home country, the new model replaces the predecessor model of the same name, which was still in third place in 2023 with around 45,000 units sold and even took the top position in the B segment. In total, more than three million units of the Ypsilon series have been sold across Europe in just under 40 years.

Lancia Ypsilon
Lancia boss Luca Napolitano is proud of the Renaissance model Ypsilon.

Stainless steel brand name

Just 4.08 meters long, the Ypsilon visually follows the design direction introduced with the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE concept car. The characteristic lines are created by layering and superimposing basic geometric shapes such as circles, rectangles and triangles. Numerous design elements are reminiscent of historic models such as the Aurelia and Flaminia as well as the Stratos and Delta Integrale. A typical element on the front of the vehicle is the brand name, which is made of satin-finished stainless steel and will also be found on other models from the brand. The round LED tail lights at the rear are a tribute to the legendary rally hero Lancia Stratos. The letter Y is integrated into these lights.

Up to 80 percent in 24 minutes

The Ypsilon is based on the Stellantis Group's e-CMP platform and is the first step in the brand's renaissance with its all-electric drive. The electric motor produces 115 kW (156 PS) and provides a maximum torque of 260 Nm. The 54 kWh battery ensures a WLTP range of more than 400 kilometers. With fast charging up to 100 kW, the battery can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in 24 minutes.

Rich sound and eight colors

One technical highlight is the S.A.L.A. interface: Sala, Italian for living room, is Lancia's abbreviation for Sound, Air, Light and Augmentation. The system centralizes the audio, air conditioning and lighting functions. For example, it is possible to control the rich sound specially tuned for the interior and the eight colors of the ambient lighting by touching a single button or using voice commands.

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Renault: 1100 kilometers range with the Rafale 🎥

VOLLHYBRID Renault is accelerating its electrification offensive with an SUV coupé class, the Rafale E-Tech Full Hybrid. The Techno and Esprit Alpine versions will be launched in the summer, followed by the E-Tech 4×4 at the end of the year.

 

Unveiled at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget in June 2023, the Rafale is one of the model highlights of Renault's Renaulution strategic plan. Its dynamic SUV coupé design alone promises an intense driving experience. Available to order now, the Rafale E-Tech Full Hybrid is 4.71 meters long, 1.86 meters wide, 1.61 meters high and is based on the CMF-CD platform.

Rafale E-Tech Full Hybrid
The brand's top-of-the-range SUV coupé, the Rafale, is now also available as a full hybrid.

Efficient full hybrid with 146 kW

The powerful E-Tech Full Hybrid drivetrain with 146 kW (200 hp), together with the multi-mode transmission, ensures WLTP fuel consumption of just 4.7 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2-emissions from 105 grams per kilometer. This enables ranges of up to 1100 kilometers. The chassis ensures a dynamic driving experience, which is further enhanced by the 4-Control Advanced all-wheel steering system, depending on the equipment.

The networked infotainment system OpenR Link with open source software fits in seamlessly. The system includes numerous Google functions and more than 50 available apps.

Special chassis tuning

Prices for the Rafale E-Tech Full Hybrid start at CHF 44,300 (Techno) and CHF 47,900 (Esprit Alpine), with deliveries due to start in summer 2024. The high-performance 4×4 version of the E-Tech with 220 kW (300 hp) will follow at the end of 2024. This version has a special chassis set-up and an additional electric motor that drives the rear wheels.

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AutoSprintCH: This is what people are talking about in Switzerland

The Golf, the Swiss family's favorite model for many years, is turning 50 and there is an interesting look back. The Geneva International Motor Show, or GIMS for short, wants to return to the forefront of car fans' and the industry's favor. Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the popular show.

AutoSprintCH 2024/1

The content, teased for you:

  • Why Jeep is so successful
  • The Mitsubishi Colt on the move
  • Bern invites you to a biker party
  • This is the Porsche Macan E
  • These models are celebrating their anniversary

 

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Audi: The Schweizer family loves the four rings

HEARTBREAKING In the Brand Asset Valuator 2024 study, Audi achieved top marks. In the study, in which 9600 Swiss people were asked about more than 600 brands, the Four Rings proved to be the most popular brand.

Audi car brand Switzerland
Katharina Momani's heart beats for the all-electric RS e-tron GT.

Loyal love is what makes a brand valuable. Audi, which has been associated with Swiss-Ski for 55 years, achieved top scores in the Brand Asset Valuator 2024 (BAV) brand ranking, making it the "most loved" car brand in Switzerland. Whether innovation, design, technology or brand experience - these values should pave the way for the Four Rings into a new era. As one of the drivers of innovation, Audi is able to inspire time and again.

Perfect interaction

Katharina Momani, Head of Marketing Audi Switzerland, explains: "We are proud that Mr. and Mrs. Swiss have chosen Audi as the most loved automotive brand. The top scores show what can be achieved with a world-class team. A perfect interplay between the strategies of Audi AG, our local partners such as the full-service communications agency Wunderman Thompson and Audi Switzerland is essential to achieve this overall ranking at World Cup level."

Representative results

The Brand Asset Valuator is the largest and most comprehensive brand study worldwide. The study has been conducted in Switzerland since 1995. Since 2023, the study has been conducted jointly in annual waves by the WPP agencies Wunderman Thompson, Ogilvy and Scholz & Friends. This has made it possible to massively expand the BAV. Swiss people aged between 18 and 74 are now surveyed annually about their brand preferences. The study is representative of the Internet population in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland according to Switzerland's official structural data.

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Mercedes-Benz: G-star as a diamond edition 🎥

DAY OF FLOWERS For Valentine's Day, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a campaign with the G-Class Stronger than Diamonds. In the exclusive model, limited to 300 units, the G 500 presents itself in an unprecedented look.

 

As a brand ambassador, the G-Class Stronger than Diamonds Edition is intended to embody eternal beauty, which is enhanced by the preciousness of diamonds. The market launch of the G-Class special model is accompanied by the campaign "A love that lasts forever. Stronger than diamonds", which will be launched on the brand's social media channels on Valentine's Day. The campaign film tells the story of how the exclusive G-Class becomes a gift on Valentine's Day.

G-Class Stronger than Diamonds
The special model G-Class Stronger than Diamonds is extremely exclusive - both in terms of equipment and price.

G-Class for Valentine's Day

Manufactory rosewood grey magno paint color developed exclusively for the special model. All four stainless steel door pins feature an embedded diamond, each weighing 0.25 carats. The outer door handle is decorated with a diamond-design embossed logo and the spare wheel bears the name of the special edition. The vehicle key also has an exclusive design with a real silver plaque on the back, the special model name and a diamond embossing.

The interior includes a Manufactory full leather package in black nappa leather with contrasting topstitching in rosé. The grab handle on the passenger side and the illuminated door sill trims in stainless steel also bear the Stronger than Diamonds badge.

Certificate ensures authenticity

Buyers receive a certificate from the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) to ensure that the diamonds come from ethically, socially and environmentally responsible production. The recommended retail price for Switzerland is CHF 252,500. Five of these G 500s will be sold in this country.

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Škoda: Octavia Combi defies the SUV trend 🎥

IMPROVEMENTS It doesn't always have to be an SUV. The Octavia is still Škoda's bestseller. In the new model year, the Czech model, which is only available as an estate in Switzerland, has grown to almost 4.70 meters.

The exterior upgrade includes redesigned front and rear bumpers and a modified radiator grille. Also new are the second-generation Matrix LED headlights and revised LED tail lights with animated indicators.

Škoda Octavia
In Switzerland, the Octavia is only available as a 2.0 TDI with 150 PS.

Two-zone air conditioning included

The modified Octavia has up to ten airbags and advanced driver assistance systems. There are four equipment lines and nine interior designs. The dual-zone air conditioning is now standard. The USB-C ports will charge three times faster in future and the range of storage compartments has been expanded, particularly in the rear. There are optional tablet holders for the front seat backrests and a luggage compartment cover for the estate that rolls up automatically when the tailgate is opened.

Good price-performance ratio

A look back. For 27 years, since production of the modern version of the Škoda Octavia began in 1996, this model has been a cornerstone of the company and is considered a customer favorite. The four generations to date have impressed over seven million buyers in more than 60 countries with their spaciousness, technologies, safety levels and value for money. The Octavia has also been praised by the international trade media. An expert jury nominated the fourth Octavia generation for the final of the European Car of the Year 2021. In the same year, the Octavia was voted Car of the Year in Switzerland.

Prices for the new model for Switzerland are not yet known.

skoda.ch

Bugatti: A good 400 km/h is no problem 🎥

THERE'S MORE For Bugatti, it goes without saying that even a fast roadster has to offer its occupants plenty of luxury and an intoxicating sound at the same time. The W16 Mistral harnesses the full power of the wind.

 

Development work on aerodynamics was of fundamental importance to Bugatti in the case of the open-top W16 Mistral. Development began in the world of simulation, which enabled the engineers and designers to create new aerodynamic shapes. At extremely high speeds and with such high demands, the level of performance required by Bugatti can only be achieved with many years of experience.

Following detailed technical analyses carried out with the help of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) software, the W16 Mistral entered the important wind tunnel phase. The carefully optimized aerodynamic body behaved exactly as expected when driving.

Bugatti Mistral
The W16 Mistral is Bugatti's most aerodynamic and emotional roadster to date.

Matching airflows

For Bugatti, the exceptional top speed of a roadster - in this case more than 420 km/h - must not come at the expense of comfort and luxury in the interior. The development team rose to this demanding challenge by creating a design inspired by aerodynamics in combination with the latest technical solutions.

The intelligent design directs the air away from the occupants and at the same time ensures that the 16-cylinder powertrain can breathe freely. The symphony of air flows is directed by a spoiler mounted above the windshield. This directs the airflow away from the driver and front passenger and at the same time ensures that it reaches the rear wing efficiently to maximize downforce.

Unfiltered W16 sound

As the intake openings are located directly behind the occupants' heads, the inner workings of the W16 engine can be heard more clearly than ever before. When the driver takes his foot off the gas pedal, the rumbling sound of the exhaust system echoes unfiltered in the interior. It is an aeroacoustic masterpiece that only customers of the W16 Mistral can experience. At the same time, the air scoops also serve as a critical safety feature for the occupants by being reinforced with a carbon fiber crash structure.

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Opel: The Astra E estate is finally here 🎥

SPORTS TOURER With the eagerly awaited electrically powered Astra estate, which is now available in Switzerland, Opel is expanding its range of locally emission-free models for families and businesses.

The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric model is one of the first fully electric estate cars on the Swiss market. Perfect for work, family and vacations, the station wagon is available in Switzerland at a list price starting at CHF 46,000. Thanks to its 54-kWh battery, the compact estate can cover up to 413 kilometers without a charging stop in accordance with the WLTP.

Tobias Dilsch, Managing Director Opel Switzerland: "With the Astra Sports Tourer Electric, we offer one of the first all-electric station wagons from Europe. The electric vehicle combines plenty of cargo space with high performance efficiency and embodies the perfect balance between style, functionality and versatility."

Opel Astra E estate
After several SUV models, Opel is once again offering an elegant estate with the Astra Sports Tourer Electric.

Top speed 170 km/h

In addition to numerous safety and comfort assistants, the Astra Sports Tourer Electric is also equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning, LED lighting all round and the digital Pure Panel cockpit with two 10-inch displays and multimedia infotainment system. The electric motor delivers 115 kW (156 hp) and 270 Nm of maximum torque. The three driving modes Eco, Normal and Sport can be selected, and Opel states a top speed of 170 km/h. The battery can be charged to 80 percent in around 30 minutes at a 100 kW fast-charging station. In addition, the electric Sports Tourer is equipped as standard with a three-phase 11 kW onboard charger for AC charging at the wall box at home.

Transport volume up to 1553 liters

With external dimensions of 4.64 x 1.86 x 1.50 meters and a loading sill height of 60 centimeters, the Astra Sports Tourer Electric offers a luggage compartment volume of 516 liters, which can be expanded to up to 1553 liters with the seats folded down.

opel.ch

Audi: More range, more emotions

MODEL MAINTENANCE The revised Audi Q4 e-tron starts the spring with various optimizations. Both body variants have been given a new chassis and more drive power.

Audi Q4 e-tron
With 3664 deliveries, the Audi Q4 e-tron is one of the best-selling electric cars in Switzerland.

A 77-kWh battery with optimized cell chemistry is used in all Q4-e-tron models. Under ideal conditions, the car can charge up to 150 kilometers in ten minutes. The protective function automatically limits the battery's charge level to 80 percent, thus helping to extend its service life. The thermal management of the power storage unit has also been further improved. The Audi Q4 Sportback 45 e-tron has a range of up to 559 kilometers.

Drives with higher efficiency

All drive variants have a newly developed permanently excited synchronous machine on the rear axle. The improved drive ensures greater efficiency and more power. The Audi Q4 45 e-tron and its Sportback counterpart with rear-wheel drive deliver 210 kW (285 hp) to the road and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The top-of-the-range Audi Q4 55 e-tron quattro variant with 250 kW (340 PS) cracks the 100 km/h barrier in 5.4 seconds. The top speed is 180 km/h.

More sportiness and comfort

The new suspension set-up delivers even more sportiness. The steering lines and damper tuning have been optimized for all three suspension variants, which is reflected in improved steering response and firmer body control. The sports suspension lowers the Audi Q4 e-tron by 15 millimetres. Together with the new spring/damper set-up and the new steering set-up, this combination ensures increased agility in the Q4 e-tron.

The equipment scope of the Special Edition Attraction includes the infotainment package with 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit and augmented reality head-up display, 12-volt socket, Audi Phone Box and Audi Smartphone Interface. The assistance package plus is also included.

The updated base models cost from CHF 60,450, while the special models Q4 45 e-tron quattro Attraction and Q4 SB e-tron quattro Attraction are available from CHF 65,950.

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