We ride up the local mountain Montjuic on the Avenida Miramar in his home town of Barcelona with an Ibiza born in 1984. If someone had springs like these in their bed today, they would never get a good night's sleep. And 40 years ago, designers thought that plastic in car interiors was the measure of all things. But: the fun factor is huge. Of course, a car is more comfortable in cities with lots of traffic jams. But to be able to really lean over and accelerate - that awakens the child in the man. And the 85 hp 1.5-liter engine thanks you with a powerful roar and roar.

Prominent partners

Even better: the people on the sidewalks don't give you the bird - they raise their thumbs and rejoice with you. Although the Ibiza was the first very own Seat after the separation from Fiat, the Spaniards relied on renowned partners. Giorgetto Giugiaro was responsible for the design, Karmann for the interior and Porsche supplied the drivetrain.

Open house

If you want to see the original Ibiza up close on your next trip to Barcelona: once a year, when Barcelona hosts an open day, Seat also opens its doors to the hall with the historic models. In addition to concept cars, race-winning cars and rarities from the company's 70-year history, there are some fantastic one-offs to marvel at. For example, the Papa-Mobil based on the Seat Panda Marbella for Pope John Paul II's first visit in 1982 and the first car that King Felipe received from Papa Juan Carlos for his 18th birthday: a golden Seat Ibiza 1.5 built in 1986.

Exclusive Graphene Grey

Back to the future: the new Ibiza Anniversary Limited Edition (gallery below) now comes in an exclusive Graphene Grey, the 18-inch alloy wheels are in Cosmo Grey. Inside, textile bucket seats provide comfortable support. The matt surface of the doors and console is made of dark aluminum. A laser-engraved logo on the door sill is an eye-catcher. In terms of technology, everything remains the (tried and tested) same.

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All three body variants - Sport Saloon, Cross Turismo and Sport Turismo - will benefit from the numerous modifications to the new Taycan models at market launch. Four engine versions are available, with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. To date, Porsche has produced almost 150,000 Taycans. The most important markets are the USA, Great Britain, Germany and China.

Kevin Giek, Head of the model series: "We entered the era of electromobility with the Taycan at the end of 2019. It immediately proved to be a game changer and a strong pioneer in the electric vehicle segment. We are continuing this success story with the updated Taycan. In terms of performance, the model series has reached a new level. Driving dynamics and driving pleasure are unique, and at the same time we have been able to significantly improve efficiency, range and comfort."

Sportier acceleration values

All new models accelerate even faster than their predecessors. The sportier acceleration values are the result of a higher system output. The entry-level Taycan has 60 kW more power than before, and the Taycan Turbo S even has 140 kW more when Launch Control is used. This increases the system output to 700 kW (952 hp).

Depending on the body variant and engine, the WLTP range increases to up to 678 kilometers. Compared to its predecessor, the updated Taycan not only requires fewer charging stops, it can also be charged more quickly. It can be charged with up to 320 kW at DC charging points with 800 volts. Charging capacities of more than 300 kW can be achieved for up to five minutes.

Air suspension is standard

All new models are equipped with adaptive air suspension as standard. The Active Ride suspension can be ordered as an option for the all-wheel drive versions. This offers an unprecedented range between ride comfort and driving dynamics. It keeps the body of the vehicle horizontal at all times, even when braking, steering and accelerating hard. When driving smoothly, it absorbs bumps in the road almost completely. In Switzerland, prices for the Taycan with rear-wheel drive start at 113,900 Swiss francs.

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The VW Golf also has a long history of success in Switzerland. It was launched at the beginning of July 1974 and since then the compact car has been number 1 in Switzerland a total of 41 times. No other model has ever achieved this. At the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg, where the Beetle with its air-cooled rear engine had dominated the scene for decades, 1974 marked the beginning of a new era with a transverse front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive. Designed by Italian Giorgio Giugiaro and the Volkswagen design team, the Golf I was to continue the success story as the successor to the Beetle, of which more than 21.5 million were built. This worked, as the sale of the one millionth Golf was celebrated in October 1976.

Years of sales records

The first Golf models were equipped with 50 and 70 hp four-cylinder engines. After six months, 3875 vehicles were on Swiss roads. Sales figures rose steadily until the record year of 1979, when 22,140 Golf models were sold in Switzerland. With slight fluctuations, this sales success continued for decades. Only in recent years has demand shifted towards the new SUV models. Nevertheless, the Golf is still one of the most popular models in the VW range. By the end of December 2023, 676,385 units had been sold in Switzerland.

Generation VIII facelift

In its anniversary year, Volkswagen is now presenting the evolutionary stage of the eighth Golf generation (gallery), which features visual refinements, new assistance systems and drives as well as next-generation infotainment and software. The new plug-in hybrid drive is particularly efficient and enables an electric range of up to 100 kilometers. The advanced hardware and software is based on the fourth-generation modular infotainment platform (MIB4). Pre-sales will start in just a few weeks, and the latest evolutionary stage of the Golf will be on Swiss roads from the summer.

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Alpine Motorsports has unveiled the new cars for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship and the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship at its Enstone site in the UK. In Formula 1, the BWT Alpine F1 Team is preparing for a record 24-race season with the A524. At the wheel of the monoposto cars are proven drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. The two regular drivers will be joined again in 2024 by Australian Jack Doohan as reserve driver. The A524 is a completely new concept that has been developed for the next two seasons and is characterized by solutions that result from the experience of the previous vehicles.

Debut for Mick Schumacher

In the World Endurance Championship, Alpine will start its first season as a works team in the hypercar category with the A424 in 2024. Mick Schumacher will be competing in the renowned endurance championship for the first time in the number 36 car. He will be joined on the grid by experienced drivers Nicolas Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxivière. The number 35 car will be driven by newcomers Ferdinand Habsburg and Paul-Loup Chatin as well as Charles Milesi. Jules Gounon will act as reserve driver for the 2024 season.

Bright patterns in Alpine blue

The color scheme of the A524 and A424 models is modern. It is inspired by Alpine's partnership with the artist Felipe Pantone. The design is black at its core with bright patterns in Alpine blue. BWT will be a partner of the F1 team for the third year in 2024. The pink branding of the manufacturer of specialty chemicals and water treatment systems will also characterize the appearance of the A524 in the new season. In addition to BWT, the Alpine F1 team relies on a strong group of loyal sponsors for its motorsport commitment, including bp, Castrol and Renault E-Tech. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer H. Moser & Cie. will be a new addition in 2024.

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The wheelbase has increased by two centimetres to a class-best three meters. The trunk capacity is 570 to 1700 liters. Sports seats are now standard, as is the digital curved display, which consists of a 12.3-inch display screen and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen.

All-electric top model with 442 kW

Two diesel engines and a plug-in hybrid are on offer, as well as two purely electric versions, some of which have all-wheel drive. The top model is the all-electric BMW i5 M60 x-Drive Touring with 442 kW (601 hp), which accelerates to 100 km/h in under four seconds and whose top speed is only limited at 230 km/h. The standard range is between 440 and 500 kilometers. The standard range is between 440 and 500 kilometers.

Prices start at 72,700 francs for the 520d Touring model.

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The engine range of the new Ford Puma initially comprises three Ecoboost three-cylinder engines with 48-volt mild hybrid technology and 125, 155 or 170 hp. However, the all-electric Puma Gen-E will also be unveiled later this year. All drive variants will roll off the production line at the Otosan plant in Craiova, Romania. The Puma, which is just over 4.2 meters long, combines compact dimensions with good space and roominess. Even with five passengers on board, the luggage compartment still offers a volume of 456 liters. 80 liters of this is accounted for by the so-called megabox in the floor. It has an integrated water drain and is therefore easy to clean.

High-quality equipment

In addition to its exterior attributes, the new Puma focuses primarily on inner values. The clearly designed cockpit with the 12.8-inch instrument cluster and the 12-inch touchscreen take center stage. The voice-controlled Ford Sync 4 communication and entertainment system is now even faster. With Alexa Built-in, Puma drivers also have a digital assistance system at their side, which is networked with fast internet thanks to the standard 5G modem. The ambient lighting creates an elegant atmosphere, while the sports steering wheel, armrest and seats are upholstered in touch-friendly Sensico artificial leather. In addition, a special windshield coating improves noise comfort in the interior. Ford also offers a panoramic glass roof as an option for the Puma.

Driving comfort and safety

Numerous new assistance systems have been added to the Puma to further improve driving comfort and passenger safety. The adaptive cruise control system, which now also includes predictive cruise control, has been optimized, and the junction assistant scans parallel oncoming traffic when turning and detects if pedestrians or cyclists are crossing the targeted crossroads - even in the dark or if there are no road markings. The system can automatically activate the brakes to prevent collisions or mitigate their consequences.

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The phrase "wolf in sheep's clothing" is almost unheard of in light of the current discussions. Nevertheless, it comes to mind when talking about the Hyundai i30 N Optima 360. The agile front-wheel drive i30 N, which was developed in Korea and refined to European tastes with Nürburgring testing in order to convey as much driving pleasure as possible, has always been comparatively restrained on the outside. And this has not changed significantly with the Optima 360 version, which has been upgraded by the Swiss tuning company Delta Motor.

Power increase to 360 hp

But the details are. With the new ST XTA plus 3 suspension from KW Automotive, the Delta engine version is now a good 20 millimeters lower, and 245/35 ZR 19 Conti Sport Contact 7 tires are fitted to the Super Light alloy wheels from JR Wheels. The DTC-approved tuning by Delta Motor AG under the hood includes increasing the power of the two-liter four-cylinder engine by a good 28 percent from 280 to 360 hp by modifying the software. At the same time, the maximum torque was increased from 390 to 480 Nm. To achieve this, the boost pressure, injection and ignition were modified. The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission N DCT from series production is used for power transmission. It can be used automatically or operated manually using the steering wheel paddles.

The second pillar of the Delta tuning is the ST XTA plus 3 coilover suspension with adjustable support bearings. The wheel geometry remains within the normal tolerance range, with a slightly negative camber. The handbrake is still conventional. If necessary, the typical tendency to understeer can be counteracted manually in tight bends.

Fulminant acceleration

While the basic model with 280 hp is already extremely dynamic, the tuning car requires even more attention to the throttle, as small movements result in brilliant acceleration. The vehicle weight of around 1560 kilograms seems negligible when the maximum torque is applied to the front wheels from around 3800 rpm. In typical front-wheel drive fashion, feedback can then be felt on the steering wheel, but in the higher gears the ample engine power can then be transmitted well.

Purring or roaring violently

The Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes are perfectly adequate. The sound ranges from a peaceful purr to a fierce roar - accompanied, if you love it, by wild backfiring when the throttle is released in Grin mode. Although maximum power is only reached at 6100 rpm, there is plenty of power available in any driving situation even at much lower revs. And yet the Delta Hyundai also masters the increasingly common 30 km/h zones with ease - and practically as quietly as an electric car.

Remarkably comfortable

As the Optima 360 is usually driven rather defensively and at a modest speed on our roads, you soon realize that the ride comfort is hardly affected by the firm suspension. On well-maintained roads, there is little sign of a sporty set-up - the passengers are grateful for this. On the other hand, when cornering quickly, the car sits firmly on the road with almost no lateral inclination. The option of adjusting the standard dampers from hard to rock-hard at the touch of a button has now been eliminated. The low-speed and high-speed compression and rebound settings can be adjusted separately with the new dampers.

The costs for the tuning cure, which Delta Motor also offers for the Kona N, remain manageable. The engine tuning costs CHF 1950, the homologation papers an additional CHF 450 and the KW coilover suspension costs CHF 3300.

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In 2023, Toyota Switzerland delivered 1029 Hilux to customers, which corresponds to growth of around 45% compared to the previous year. This made this model the most popular pick-up in Switzerland in 2023, with a market share of 38%. The Hilux was first introduced in 1968. As an "indestructible" pick-up van, it has also become one of the most popular Toyota models worldwide over the past 55 years.

GR Sport II

With the Hilux GR Sport II, the model series has now reached a new dimension in terms of performance, driving comfort and appearance. Its dynamic appearance signals determination. Thanks to the extended track width and optimized driving characteristics, it always remains in control, both on and off the road. Work has also been carried out on the suspension and brakes.

The Hilux GR Sport II is powered by a 2.8-liter engine with 204 hp, a maximum torque of 500 Nm and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Deliveries to dealers will take place in the second half of 2024. The Hilux will then also ensure worry-free driving, as the new, service-activated 10-year warranty including the additional Assistance 24/7 package also applies to the pick-up.

Hydrogen prototype

Toyota has set another milestone with the presentation of the prototype of a Hilux with hydrogen fuel cell electric drive in September 2023. The powertrain essentially comes from the Mirai saloon. The hydrogen is stored in three high-pressure tanks, which should give the Hilux prototype a range of more than 600 kilometers.

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The car-sharing company Mobility is celebrating a symbolic success on the road to electrifying its own fleet. The cooperative has just stationed its 500th electric car at the Akara Tower in Baden.

Thomas Schmid, Head of Market: "For us, this is another milestone in the electrification of our range. For once, the VW ID.3 electric car doesn't come in the typical Mobility red, but with a wrap that matches the electrification theme - designed by the Real Crew artist collective. The aim is to add a splash of color to the Swiss roads."

Fears of contact overcome

By 2030, Mobility will have converted its fleet entirely to electric drives, making it an active contributor to sustainable mobility. Around 17 percent of Mobility's 3,000 cars are now electric. By comparison: in 2023, only 3.3 percent of all cars on Swiss roads were purely electric vehicles.

The fear of electric drive systems seems to have been overcome, at least in car sharing. It turns out that the more electric cars are available, the more they are driven. The number of annual e-kilometers has increased tenfold in the last five years.

Adapt framework conditions

E-car sharing is an important means of making future mobility in Switzerland more ecological and socially acceptable. However, this requires a political and regulatory framework that actively promotes this development. One example: as a tenant of around 3,000 parking spaces, Mobility is dependent on the goodwill of its tenants when it comes to electrification. A nationwide right to charge, as is the case in Germany, for example, would have a positive impact on the changeover. It is also important for Mobility to be able to remotely control third-party charging stations and have free access to their data. This is the only way the fleet operator can ensure intelligent charging and load management.

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The model, which sits between the Cooper and Countryman, will make its debut later this year. On its way to series production, the crossover is now being tested under desert conditions after cold weather testing. This will focus not least on the cooling and charging behavior of the battery at outside temperatures of up to 50 degrees.

Solar radiation and heat

Now that the Aceman has already completed the cold tests in the Arctic Circle, the crossover model is undergoing final testing in the desert in strong sunlight and heat. In addition to classic characteristics such as driving dynamics and driving comfort, the test team is focusing in particular on the demanding aspects of an electric vehicle. To this end, the air conditioning, charging and cooling of the battery, drive and control units are intensively tested in the dusty desert sand.

Battery size is 54.2 kWh

Thanks to the all-electric drive concept, the crossover takes up little space and is designed to offer plenty of comfort and versatility on the road. Its battery size is 54.2 kWh. The design of the newly developed model is in line with the brand's basic principle: plenty of interior space with the smallest possible exterior dimensions, agile driving characteristics and efficient consumption. Behind this is the functional two-box design with short overhangs. This creates maximum space for five occupants and luggage on a minimal footprint. You can look forward to it.

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