The radiator grille in piano lacquer look and the L-shaped headlights of the new Suzuki Swift run directly into the flared fenders. Viewed from the side, the firm contours that trace the profile of the new model create an impression of lightness.

The three-dimensional rear lights and the wide rear bumper also give the vehicle a robust appearance. The new Swift is available in nine single-color and four two-color paint finishes.

Quick and easy operation

The new model offers convenient equipment. The instrument cluster and all controls ensure quick and easy operation. The all-round, two-tone dashboard in black and light grey and the front door panels with satin-finish surfaces give the interior a sporty look. A precisely responsive 9-inch touchscreen offers smartphone connectivity via Apple Carplay and Android Auto, voice recognition and Bluetooth music playback.

Optionally with Allgrip all-wheel drive

The new 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine is designed to combine low fuel consumption and low emissions with higher torque, resulting in better responsiveness. The combustion engine is combined with a 12-volt mild hybrid system to improve the eco-balance of the drivetrain.

For perfect transfer of power to the ground, the new Swift has the option of Allgrip all-wheel drive, a system that automatically engages if too much slip is detected on the front wheels. The torque is then transferred to all four wheels via a viscous coupling. The new model will be launched in Switzerland in the spring.

suzuki.ch

As official technical partner of Lamborghini Squadra Corse, the motorsport department of the sports car manufacturer, KW takes the next important step and enters the top class of the sports car world championship FIA WEC and the IMSA Weather Tech Sportscar Championship with its suspension technology. The new KW dampers V6 Formula Racing CPR Heave and V5 Formula Racing CPR Roll will be used for the first time in the Lamborghini SC63.

Prototypes with hybrid drive

In recent months, the Lamborghini SC63 had a successful test phase after tuning work on the KW 7 Post driving dynamics test bench (center gallery), during which KW accompanied the Lamborghini Squadra Corse on the racetracks as a technical partner. Now the suspension manufacturer from Fichtenberg in southern Germany is proud to be able to equip Lamborghini's first LMDh prototype with hybrid drive for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring as well as for the entire endurance championship.

Next generation at the start

The new Formula series from KW is based on through-rod displacement technology and is available in different versions for prototype sports cars such as Le Mans hypercars, LMDh hypercars and formula cars as CPR heave, CPR roll and CPR wheel dampers. What is new is that KW uses a continuous piston rod for the V6 Formula Racing CPR heave damper and V5 Formula Racing CPR roll damper used in the SC63. Due to their design, such displacement piston dampers with their continuous piston rod construction have the great advantage that there is no throttle extension force and the after-effect is lower. This means that temperature fluctuations in the damper have no influence on the ride height of the racing car. This is particularly important for vehicles with a lot of downforce.

kwsuspensions.ch
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On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, the 18th Day of Swiss Garages will take place in the Kursaal in Bern - the largest specialist conference in the Swiss automotive industry with around 850 participants. The program is entitled "Innovation meets garage" and is generating a great deal of interest, as the number of registrations already received shows. The framework conditions for the members of the AGVS and their partners are constantly changing - even more so today than in previous years.

Focus on young talent

For example, the topic of junior staff is important. Olivier Maeder, AGVS Head of Education, and his team deal with questions such as: How can talented people be attracted to automotive professions and how can good skilled workers be retained in the industry? Maeder brings these topics to the stage of the Kursaal with young specialists in the automotive professions. Young automotive and commercial vehicle mechatronics engineers provide a direct insight into their day-to-day work.

Lack of sources of income

According to Markus Aegerter, AGVS Head of Industry Representation, the challenges posed by dwindling sources of income are high on the garage owners' list of concerns. However, change also always offers opportunities and new possibilities - be it in aftersales and aftermarket or in the development of new business areas. Mathias Gabler, Managing Director of Amag, and Marcel Guerry, CEO of Emil Frey Switzerland, will join Aegerter on stage to discuss how losses can be compensated for.

In addition, Anja Schulze from the University of Zurich will use the Swiss automotive supply industry to show that the Swiss like to put their skills in the shade. Helena Wisbert will look at the international innovation comparison between China, the USA and Europe. She is Director of the Center for Automotive Research in Duisburg.

agvs-upsa.ch

Porsche presented its agenda for 2024 at the annual Night of Champions. As part of the gala at the Weissach Development Center, Swiss driver Nicolas Leutwiler was awarded the Porsche Cup as the best amateur driver in 2023. The 63-year-old amateur driver collected 17,312 points at the wheel of Porsche customer cars. He relegated Robert Renauer and last year's winner Ralf Bohn to second place.

Leutwiler has celebrated numerous successes at the wheel of the 911 GT3 R in the Asian Le Mans Series and the GT World Challenge as well as in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport in the GT4 European Series. As a prize, he will now receive a Porsche model of his choice worth up to 150,000 euros. The traditional award is based on an idea by Ferry Porsche and has been presented to successful amateur drivers every year since 1970.

Goals for the coming season

Porsche Motorsport is starting the 2024 season with ambitious goals. Next year, the sports car manufacturer will be on the hunt for titles with works teams in the world's biggest endurance series, Le Mans, Formula E and esports.

Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG: "Motorsport is the core of the Porsche brand. New developments from motorsport improve our production vehicles. In motorsport, we rely on our pioneering spirit, courage and sportiness. The passion for Porsche begins on the race track."

Start in the Le Mans Virtual Series

The Porsche Coanda Esports Racing Team works team will also be competing on the best-known virtual racetracks in 2024. A start in the ESL R1 series based on the racing simulation software is already certain, as is participation in the Le Mans Virtual Series. The team, based in Gronau, North Rhine-Westphalia, will be fielding works drivers Joshua Rogers, Dayne Warren and Charlie Collins, among others. The Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup based on the iRacing sim racing platform will also take place in 2024. 30 starters have qualified for the upcoming season and will compete for the well-filled prize money pot.

Michael Steiner (center gallery with Nicolas Leutwiler) , Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche AG: "With the FIA WEC, the IMSA series and Formula E, we are competing in three fantastic championships. We are well represented here with Andretti, JDC-Miller, Proton, Jota and our works teams."

porsche.ch

The more powerful Enyaq 85 and 85x model versions will replace the 80 and 80x versions in model year 2024. Just like the sporty RS models (see video), they derive their increased power from a new drivetrain with a permanent magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle. Compared to the previous Enyaq 80, the Enyaq 85 increases by 60 to 210 kW (286 hp), while the Enyaq 85x version with all-wheel drive also delivers 210 kW, 15 kW more than its predecessor.

The Enyaq RS even has a peak output of 250 kW (340 hp), an increase of 30 kW. A battery with advanced thermal management enables ranges of more than 560 kilometers or more than 570 kilometers (Coupé). The entry-level version Enyaq 60 remains technically unchanged.

Improved menu structure

The batteries of the all-wheel drive versions Enyaq 85x and Enyaq RS can now be charged even faster. DC charging capacities of up to 175 kW are possible at fast-charging stations. The 82 kWh high-voltage battery can thus be charged from ten to 80 percent in 28 minutes. Thanks to the new vehicle software, the Enyaq family now supports battery preconditioning.

Škoda has also redesigned the Enyaq's user interface and introduced an improved menu structure. The driver can now define shortcuts for frequently used vehicle settings and apps, and the navigation system now shows a larger map section with new graphics.

Adapted version Enyaq L&K

The Laurin & Klement version, familiar from other model series, is characterized by a particularly rich range of standard equipment. These include full LED Matrix headlights and full LED tail lights with animated indicators as well as a chrome radiator grille with Crystal Face. Škoda offers 20- or 21-inch alloy wheel designs exclusively for the L&K variant.

skoda.ch

The model was created as part of the VGT (Vision Gran Turismo) series by Polyphony Digital. The 2024 Genesis X Gran Berlinetta VGT Concept embodies the most emotional expression of the brand's signature Athletic Elegance design philosophy. The concept, which was unveiled full-size in Barcelona, was born from a design study intended to showcase Genesis' passion for the Vision Gran Turismo series.

Catalyst of inspiration

John Krsteski, chief designer at Genesis: "Our goal was to create a timeless design that is rooted in the essence of motorsport. We have an incredibly diverse global design team made up of car and racing enthusiasts. The designers have relished the opportunity to create a race car that incorporates design elements of the brand as well as technical performance features. It became a catalyst of inspiration for our other programs."

Korean ethics of the brand

The Magma color continues the theme of the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta VGT Concept. Inspired by the Korean ethos of Genesis, the striking hue references Korea's volcanoes and the emotion, passion and vibrancy of the country's culture.

The interior is derived from Genesis' Beauty of White Space by creating a purist environment for the driver. The essential functions are highlighted to maximize concentration on the racetrack. The digital panoramic interface serves as an information center. It is connected to a digital monitoring system that provides unrestricted visibility of nearby vehicles.

Lambda 11 V6 engine as drive

The Genesis X Gran Berlinetta VGT Concept is powered by a front mid-mounted Lambda 11 V6 engine, electrically assisted by E-SC technology. The hybrid powertrain delivers a total of 1071 hp and 986 Nm of torque, ensuring that this car is as powerful as it is beautiful. The V6 delivers a maximum output of 870 hp and 790 Nm at 10,000 rpm, while the Yasa electric motor generates an additional 201 hp and 196 Nm of torque.

genesis.com
gran-turismo.com

On 26 November, the team set a new world altitude record for electric vehicles on the Ojos del Salado in Chile at 5,950 meters above sea level. Powered by solar energy from the mobile solar power plant, the adventurers covered 390 kilometers from the Pacific coast near Puerto Viejo to a point near Camp Tejos on the border between Chile and Argentina. This week, the team will attempt to break their own record and beat the overall record for all vehicle types, which stands at an altitude of 6694 meters.

Internal combustion and electric vehicles

The Peak Evolution project was launched in Switzerland in 2019 by David Pröschel and David and Patrik Koller. The aim of the Terren Electric Drive Systems project is to prove the superiority of electric mobility in heavy off-road use. While the prototype shares the chassis with an existing diesel vehicle from Aebi Schmidt, the future series production will be fully optimized for electric drive.

240 kW power for 5700 kilograms

The record-breaking vehicle is road-legal and weighs 5700 kilograms with the expedition box. It is powered by two electric motors with 120 kW each. The energy is stored in a 90 kWh battery. It is charged by a mobile solar system. The team in Chile needs around ten hours to charge the battery from 10 to 100 percent. The vehicle has a range of around 120 kilometers on paved roads and around 70 kilometers on loose sand.

peakevolution.ch

Available from 2024, the Renault 5 E-Tech 100% electric reinterprets the iconic Renault 5 and brings it into the electric age. Even before the official unveiling, Renault is now giving a preview of the first details of the exterior design.

Typical features of the design

The headlights are one of the typical design features of the R5. They are characterized by their shape and the central marking of the lens, which is reminiscent of the pupil of the human eye. In the upper part of the hood, a charge indicator light replaces the air intake of the historic model.

It lights up as the number 5 when the vehicle is fully charged. The comeback of the Renault 5 will be accompanied by a Europe-wide advertising campaign highlighting characteristic design features such as the 5 logo. This will be available in yellow, blue and green.

Small, maneuverable and V2G technology

With a length of 3.92 meters, the Renault 5 E-Tech 100% electric corresponds to the concept of a city car. With the 52 kWh battery, it achieves a WLTP range of up to 400 kilometers. A 40 kWh battery will also be offered at a later date. Another new feature is the "Reno", Renault's official avatar. This virtual passenger offers a digital experience that fully immerses the user in the Renault world. Equipped with a bidirectional charger, the Renault 5 E-Tech is also the brand's first production vehicle with V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology.

renault.ch
genevamotorshow.com

To celebrate the production of 100 GR Supra GT4s, Toyota Germany has developed an exclusive special model of the GR Supra. The model can be seen at the Essen Motor Show. The special edition GT4 100th Edition Tribute for public roads is based on the GR Supra Lightweight with manual transmission and shares the body color Plasma Orange with the collector's edition 100 Edition of the GT4 racing car from Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Tuning components of the family

Carbon exterior mirror caps, carbon rear wing, black brake callipers with GR logo as well as front splitter and pedal caps from AC Schnitzer emphasize the show car's affiliation to the Toyota motorsport family. Another core element is the Evo-T1 suspension from cooperation partner Bilstein. With easily accessible adjustment wheels, the damper setting can be set in ten stages in parallel in rebound and compression. This suspension offers more precise steering response and stepless lowering by up to 35 millimetres.

Public premiere of the C-HR GR Sport

Another highlight is the public premiere of the new C-HR GR Sport. For the first time in a Toyota, the model features new frequency-dependent shock absorber technology. There are also GR styling details such as a G-mesh pattern for the radiator grille, GR lettering and front sports seats with an embossed logo on the headrests. A head-up display and a JBL premium sound system are also part of the equipment.

toyota.de
essen-motorshow.com

The Ghanaian photo artist Prince Gyasi (gallery right) says that his portraits, which he has photographed in vivid colors, are like superheroes to him, but at the same time approachable. Gyasi is the 39th artist to have designed a Pirelli calendar. His work is the 50th edition in the 60-year history of The Cal between 1964 and 2024.

Personal awareness

When Gyasi was commissioned to design the 2024 Pirelli calendar, he first considered who he wanted to portray in it and what they represented to him, starting from his personal awareness of the West African community. As one of the youngest artists ever selected for the Cal project, he had to look back to his childhood and reflect on the personalities that inspired him throughout his 28 years.

It became a story about what makes a person timeless in Gyasi's eyes. Above all, he is concerned with perseverance and sincerity. The Ghanaian artist wants to encourage young people in particular to learn, create and in turn inspire others.

Contemporary artists

The calendar features, among others, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the historic Asante Empire in West Africa, and his royal delegation photographed at Manhyia Palace under the title Royalty. American actress Angela Bassett (gallery right) represents Altruistic, author Margot Lee Shetterly and poet Amanda Gorman are The Blueprint, and contemporary Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo is The Chosen One. Gyasi has dedicated a month to himself with the title Details. The image chosen for the cover shows the young artist portrayed by child model Abul Faid Yussif.

pirelli.com