A CLEAR Matter In the summer of 2022, Audi announced its Formula 1 plan for 2026, but a change in the top job fueled rumors that it was coming to an end. The clear announcement by the boss of the four rings provides clarity.
Editorial - December 17, 2023
Despite all the rumors, Audi wants to enter Formula 1 in 2026. Audi announced its entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season at the Belgian Grand Prix in August 2022.
The then Audi CEO and Formula 1 supporter Markus Duesmann: "With the new regulations, now is exactly the right time for us to get involved. Audi wants to do Formula 1 to show what it can do. The Olympic idea of just wanting to be there doesn't carry us."
Audi is already preparing for the 2026 Formula 1 season together with Sauber.
Change of boss unsettled
Former Porsche man Gernot Döllner, who has replaced Duesmann since September, first gained an overview of Audi. As he had a kind of 100-day silence obligation and did not comment on topics such as the planned and internally controversial entry into Formula 1, rumors arose about an exit. However, Audi has long been preparing to enter Formula 1. The engine is built in Neuburg an der Donau, and the chassis comes from Hinwil from the Sauber team. Audi has long since acquired shares in the traditional Swiss racing team.
Gernot Döllner: "There is a clear decision from the Board of Management and the Supervisory Boards of Audi and Volkswagen that Audi will enter Formula 1 in 2026. The plan is in place."
Auction: Classic highlights at the end of the year
WHERE TO MEET The Oldtimer Galerie Toffen invites classic car enthusiasts to a special auction to be held in Gstaad on December 29. The auction will present 50 top-class collector's vehicles.
Editorial - December 16, 2023
This Bentley 3.5-liter Derby Drophead Coupe from 1934 is part of the offer.
With the Gstaad Classic Car Auction 2023, the Oldtimer Galerie Toffen in Gstaad is presenting around 50 collector's cars worth 6.8 million Swiss francs. The selected pieces include pre-war models such as the Bentley 3.5-litre Derby DHC and the Alvis Speed Twenty SC DHC from 1934. The variety continues with the legendary Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz from 1959, which embodies the epitome of the American way of life.
Ferrari, Maserati and MV Augusta
The Italian vehicle range is broad and impresses with the Ferrari models 599 GTB, FF and 512 BBi as well as a Fiat Dino 2000 Spider and a Maserati 3500 GT. Motorcycle enthusiasts will also get their money's worth at the auction. With a 1974 MV Augusta 750 S and a Vincent H.R.D. Black Shadow from 1948, two highly coveted two-wheelers will be auctioned off.
Rolls-Royce from Winston Churchill
In addition to these classics, contemporary vehicles will also go under the hammer, including the AMG GT Black Series from 2022 and the Porsche Speedster from 2019. A highlight of the auction is the newly restored Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith from 1948, in which Winston Churchill was chauffeured. The highlight of the event, however, is the 1964 Aston Martin DB 5 known from the James Bond films.
The vehicles can be viewed on December 28 from 10 am to 7 pm and on December 29 from 10 am to the start of the auction at 4 pm. The auction will take place in the Festival Tent, Sportzentrumstrasse 5, 3780 Gstaad. Further information can be found on the Website of the Oldtimer Gallery Toffen.
Vignette. Advantages of the electronic alternative
Since the beginning of December, the electronic vignette has been available alongside the familiar adhesive vignette. This offers numerous advantages. The price and validity period remain unchanged.
Editorial - December 16, 2023
The adhesive vignette 2024 (left) is highway green, the e-vignette is only available virtually.
After 38 years with an adhesive vignette, the electronic vignette is now available as an option. For the time being, both variants are still available. However, if the share of the adhesive vignette falls below ten percent, the federal government may abolish it. The rules for the new version are the same as for the 2024 freeway green adhesive version. The price remains at CHF 40 and the validity period is from December 1 of the previous year to January 31 of the following year. Without a vignette on freeways, a fine of 200 francs plus a valid vignette will be charged.
Transfer to new license plate
Unlike the adhesive vignette, the e-vignette is not linked to the vehicle, but to the number plate. This means that if you change vehicles and the number plate remains the same, you can transfer the e-vignette to the new car. In the case of a new license plate, for example after a move, a transfer to the new license plate is possible if the owner and vehicle remain the same. In addition, a windshield replacement no longer requires a vignette change.
Change plates for redeemed vehicles
With interchangeable number plates, one e-vignette is sufficient for all redeemed vehicles. The same applies to U license plates. One e-vignette is sufficient for weekend trips with various vehicles. For multiple purchases, companies can register on the Via portal for easy fleet management.
It should also be noted that Internet stores sometimes offer the e-vignette for an additional fee. The e-vignette is available free of charge via the official Via web portal of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security.
BIG SHOW The TV channel SWISS1 will broadcast the highlights of the FIA Awards Gala 2023 on Saturday, December 16, and there is a chance to win an F1 Driving Experience worth CHF 2650 from Passion4Speed.
Editorial - December 15, 2023
The FIA Awards Ceremony is one of the most anticipated events of the year in the motorsport community. The FIA's annual awards gala brings together champions from all major areas of international motorsport to receive their official FIA awards in a star-studded evening.
The broadcast of the FIA Prize Giving Gala begins at 20:10.
Winner of all motorsport classes
The program shows a best-of of the most emotional moments of the award ceremony and includes the most important motorsport classes such as Formula 1, their drivers and well-known personalities of international motorsport.
Ronny Alder, Managing Director of Passion4Speed: "Don't miss out on the show and win an F1 Driving Experience (video below) worth CHF 2650 in the competition. With a bit of luck, one of the users of autosprint.ch might even embark on a Formula 1 adventure."
Marc Yvetot, an expert in platform architecture at Renault, explains how the engineers' creativity contributed to the coziness and clear design of the vehicle cockpit. A key factor was the relocation of the heating and air conditioning system under the hood. This offers several advantages. It creates more free space - almost seven liters - in the middle area for storage compartments and an induction charger for smartphones. A simple, uncluttered dashboard and the integration of large displays ensure a practical and comfortable interior design that benefits the well-being of the driver and passengers.
Marc Yvetot: "We decided to move some of the heating and air conditioning components to the area traditionally reserved for the engine and its peripheral parts. This was possible due to the specific architecture of the electric motor, which is much more compact than a combustion engine."
All the controls in the Megane E-Tech 100% electric are clearly arranged and easy to reach.
New fastening system creates space
The Renault engineers' idea of relocating the space-consuming heating and air conditioning system under the hood was made possible by a new mounting system that provides optimum mechanical support, while at the same time absorbing the vibrations that occur on the partition wall between the engine compartment and the interior.
This fastening system uses bolts and nuts to connect two reinforcements, which are attached to the partition wall, to four fastening straps, which are firmly connected to the heating and air conditioning system. This solution in turn gave the designers the opportunity to give free rein to their creativity when designing the dashboard. This new way of attaching the heating and air conditioning system in the engine compartment is recorded in patent PJ17 5256. The inventors are Stevens Luron and Max Lamarre.
Motor works without rare earths
Renault developed and patented a new magnet-free, electrically excited synchronous motor for the new Megane E-Tech 100% electric. This technology makes the motor more efficient while reducing the impact on the environment. The magnets have been replaced by copper coils in which the arrangement and position of the individual wires have been precisely defined to withstand the centrifugal force of the rotor. In addition to the environmental benefits, the rotor winding technology means that the Megane E-Tech electric motor operates over a wide torque and speed range in the optimum power field.
A range of 470 kilometers on a single charge
The new platform of the Megane E-Tech 100% electric features a very flat 60 kWh battery and a compact 160 kW electric motor. This allows the car to travel up to 470 kilometers on a single charge. The aerodynamically optimized body design, the comparatively low vehicle weight of 1740 kilograms and the thermal management of the battery also make the long range possible.
The all-electric Megane E-Tech 100% electric, which rolls on 18- or 20-inch wheels, also impresses with its sporty driving performance. From a standstill, it reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 160 km/h.
The Megane E-Tech 100% electric is available in the Equilibre, Techno and Iconic equipment lines and thus fulfills almost all wishes and needs. Many comfort and safety features as well as driver assistance systems are already included as standard in the basic equipment. Prices start at 36,000 Swiss francs (Equilibre), 39,000 Swiss francs (Techno) and 42,000 Swiss francs (Iconic).
Read on Tuesday, December 19, 2023: How to optimize range in cold weather.
AutoSprintCH: This is what people are talking about in Switzerland
Cars like comics, daring prototypes, new models for every taste and the best in motorsport. The old year ends with a few surprises. And an expert explains why Chinese brands are having a hard time.
PLEASE BE PATIENT Alpine is updating the A110 series for 2024 with extended equipment and the additional A110 R Turini version. This car is already available to order, but production will not start until March.
Editorial - December 14, 2023
The new version of the A110 R, nicknamed Turini, is intended to evoke the legendary rally.
Alpine is upgrading the A110 with more standard equipment and adding the new A110 R Turini model variant to the range. This is reminiscent of the Col de Turini in the French Maritime Alps, a traditional stage of the Monte Carlo Rally.
Antonino Labate, Alpine Vice President Sales and Marketing: "In addition to the A110 R, which will remain in the range in 2024, the A110 R Turini will enable us to supply customers more quickly."
With the A110 GT, Alpine offers an elegant alternative to the A110 S for everyday and long-distance driving. Its engine output is 300 hp. The list of new features ex works includes 18-inch wheels in diamond black, the A emblem on the vehicle flanks in chrome and the Focal premium audio system. Sporty drivers of the A110 S appreciate its independent sports suspension, which allows the engine's potential to be fully exploited. Semi-slick tires and a special aerodynamics kit are available on request. New standard details include forged 18-inch Fuchs wheels, front headlights with black edging and electrically folding exterior mirrors.
Homage to the Monte Carlo
Special features of the new A110 R Turini version are the 18-inch GT Race alloy wheels in black with a satin finish. The new model retains the DNA of the radically designed A110 R, which pushes the boundaries further in the direction of racing. It inherits the sports suspension optimized for use on the racetrack, which perfectly transfers the engine power of 300 hp to the asphalt. Another feature is the extensive use of carbon - including for side skirts, rear wing, front apron and hood as well as diffuser and rear cover. The Alpine A110 R Turini is available from 110,000 Swiss francs.
Bulgari: the matching watch for the Vision GT e-racer đ„
SPECIAL EDITION As part of a collaboration, the Italian luxury goods company Bulgari and the professionals at Polyphony Digital have put the Vision Gran Turismo concept car on wheels.
Editorial - December 14, 2023
Bulgari is also presenting the Aluminum x Gran Turismo Special Edition, a reinterpretation of the classic aluminum watch that was first launched 25 years ago and is specially designed to match the Aluminum Vision GT, a car for the Gran Turismo 7.
Only a limited number of the Gran Turismo Edition watches are available.
Model-specific digits
There are two versions of the new Gran Turismo Edition watch - one with a yellow dial and black counters, of which 500 will be produced, and one with an anthracite-colored dial and yellow indices, of which Bulgari will produce 1200. Prices and availability are not yet known. Each watch features model-specific numerals inspired by Gran Turismo.
The car is the result of a collaboration between Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, product development manager at Bulgari, and Fabio Filippini, car designer and design strategy consultant at Accaeffe Creative Consulting.
Fabio Filippini: "I imagined a different way of playing with Bulgari's DNA and creating a concept car that speaks the same language as the aluminum watch."
Design in the style of the 70s
The design of the car is based on geometric shapes and is inspired by the lines of the legendary Italian Gran Turismo cars of the 1970s - with sporty three-spoke steering wheels and dashboards made of walnut wood. Performance figures for the car have not yet been released, but the car is said to have a four-cylinder mid-engine that can rev up to 10,000 rpm and is coupled to a 7-speed gearbox.
A release date for the car in GT7 is still unknown, but anyone who purchases the Bulgari Aluminum x Gran Turismo Special Edition will receive a code to redeem the car in the game.
EXTREME TESTS The Range Rover Electric combines more patent applications than any Range Rover model before. The first prototypes are currently undergoing the toughest test program in the brand's history during test drives.
Editorial - December 14, 2023
The first all-electric Range Rover is preparing for its market launch.
Range Rover is also about to enter the electric age. The brand is now opening a waiting list for the Range Rover Electric - as a preliminary step to opening the order books.
Geraldine Ingham, Managing Director Range Rover: "Since its launch in 2021, the latest generation of Range Rover has set new standards in terms of appeal. Based on this success story, we are now opening the official waiting list."
Distinctive design
Range Rover's first all-electric model reinforces the luxury for which the brand stands. However, the British design remains unmistakable. At the same time, it ensures that towing capacity, wading ability and off-road characteristics are above the level of other electric luxury SUVs.
Thomas MĂŒller, Executive Director Product Engineering: "We are purposefully on track to create the quietest and most refined Range Rover ever. The ingredients that make the Range Rover's success possible remain unchanged: timeless design, quiet passenger cabin and the ability to go anywhere."
Modular longitudinal architecture
The virtual development phase lasted over a year. It included aspects such as the stability of the front end, investigations into the chassis load and virtual wading runs up to a speed of 50 km/h. Only then did the first physical models begin to be built. Only then did the construction of the first physical models begin. They have now set off on test drives all over the world - from Sweden to Dubai, in temperatures ranging from minus 40 to plus 50 degrees Celsius. The new Range Rover Electric is based on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) and is manufactured at the Solihull plant alongside current mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Batteries and electric drive units will be produced for the first time at JLR's new Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Center in Wolverhampton.
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