In the youngest category, the Super Minis (8 to 12 years), it was Albert Tamm who took home the biggest trophy. The Ticino native beat last year's champion Dan Allemann (12) in a highly dramatic final in Wohlen. Yven Ammann (12) came third in the category. In addition to the trophies, the champion also received a non-cash prize Rookie of the Year is Diar Islami (11).

Chiara Bättig defends her title

Chiara Bättig successfully defended her previous year's title in the OK Junior category. The 13-year-old from Wettswil scored exactly 306 points in the 2023 season - more points than any other rider. Bättig was also lonely at the top in terms of the number of victories with eleven race wins. Second place among the juniors went to Arnaud Voutat (13), who was also celebrated as the best rookie and can now also practice on the Carrera slot car racetrack at home. Third place went to Bättig's team-mate Neil Russell (14).

First success for Alessio Strollo

Alessio Strollo (18) came out on top in the X30 Challenge Switzerland. It was the Fribourg native's first title in the autobau Swiss Kart Championship. Samuel Ifrid (16) stood on the second-highest podium in the X30. The Basel native, who lives in neighboring Alsace, switched to the Swiss Kart Championship this season and was named "Rookie of the Year". Kilian Boss (17) came third in the category with IAME unit engines, one of three drivers to achieve a Grand Slam (pole position, fastest race lap, three race wins in one weekend) in the 2023 season. The others were Chiara Bättig and Jérome Huber.

Pascal von Allmen is the champion

Jérôme Huber, soon to be 17, took the trophy for second place in the OK Senior category. The 2023 champion was Pascal Von Allmen (28). The third rider on the podium was Samuel Schär (16). Rookie of the Year was Kilian Streit (21). The Bernese rider was champion in the X30 Challenge Switzerland last year.

Victory for Ethan Frigomosca from Ticino

The biggest trophy in the shifter kart category (KZ2) went to Ticino. Ethan Frigomosca (22) was the clear winner in 2023 and was flanked in Romanshorn by runner-up Kevin Wälti (29) and Paolo Castagnetti (24) in third place. The title of best newcomer went to Michael Pemsing (15).

The women's ranking went to Chiara Bättig with a clear lead. Victoria Philipp (13) followed in second place. Lalou Zbinden (14) came third.

Support for young racing talent

A total of 5000 Swiss francs in prize money was distributed per category. Trophies, prize money and non-cash prizes were presented by LMP3 driver Samir Ben (Graff Racing) and Fredy Alexander Lienhard, the son of autobau founder Fredy Lienhard. Lienhard and autobau Erlebniswelt have been supporting the Swiss Kart Championship for years and are helping to ensure that young Swiss racing talent can achieve great things - as they did most recently in the 2023 season.

The top 3 of the five categories at a glance

Super Mini

1. Albert Tamm, Team Tamm
2. Dan Allemann, Spirit Racing
3. Yven Ammann, Innovate Competition

OK Junior

1. Chiara Bättig, KartBox.ch
2. Arnaud Voutat, Spirit Racing
3. Neil Russell, KartBox.ch

X30 Challenge Switzerland

1. Alessio Strollo, MH Racing
2. Samuel Ifrid, UBIQ Racing
3. Kilian Boss, Spirit Racing

OK Senior

1. Pascal von Allmen, Max Busslinger Motorsport
2. Jérôme Huber, KartBox.ch
3. Samuel Schär, UBIQ Racin

KZ2

1. Ethan Frigomosca, Gerber Team Corse
2. Kevin Wälti, Team Wälti
3. Paolo Castagnetti, Di Pietro Racing

Photo: Christian Eichenberger
Source: Car Sport Switzerland
motorsport.ch

The new retrofit products are designed to provide an additional motorsport feeling in current BMW models. Technology that is transferred directly from the race track to the road can be found, for example, in the wheels with central locking, which are available for selected high-performance models. Design and functionality make these forged light alloy wheels highlights in the BMW M Performance Parts range.

Weight-optimized forged wheels

In the special BMW 3.0 CSL model, which was presented on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of BMW M GmbH, the weight-optimized forged wheels are part of the chassis technology specifically tuned for racetrack performance.

M-Performance center lock rims are currently offered in the original BMW accessories range for the M2, the M3 Touring Competition with M xDrive and for all model variants of the M3 Sedan, the M4 Coupé and the M4 Convertible.

Quick wheel change like the pros

Central locking wheels were developed for motorsport, where they enable particularly quick wheel changes and therefore short pit stops. Instead of the usual five bolts, each wheel is fastened to the wheel bearing with just one central bolt. An extremely solid connection is already ensured during the assembly process by applying a torque of 930 Nm when fitting the central fasteners. This technology with racetrack DNA reduces the rotating masses and also optimizes the visual impression.

Combined set painted in Jet Black

The wheels are offered as a combined set in the sizes 19-inch for the front axle and 20-inch for the rear axle. They are painted in Jet Black matt and feature milled M-Performance lettering. The tires fitted are 275/35 ZR 19 at the front and 285/30 ZR 20 at the rear.

bmw.ch

The Opera Unica Lamborghini Ad Personam celebrates ten years of Squadra Corse with a color scheme inspired by the SC63 and a new performance kit.

Rouven Mohr, Chief Technical Officer at Lamborghini: "The Huracán STO SC 10° Anniversario is not just a tribute to our Squadra Corse department, but concrete proof of how the experience gained in motorsport can be effectively transferred to a road-going model to enhance performance and driving pleasure."

Paintwork as a tribute

The color scheme is inspired by the Lamborghini SC63, the hybrid prototype in the hypercar GTP class that Lamborghini will be fielding in endurance races from the 2024 season. For the two-tone color scheme, Verde Mantis and Nero Noctis were chosen in combination with a tri-color stripe running through the coffango and roof.

The "10° Anniversario Squadra Corse" logo is emblazoned on both doors in honor of Lamborghini's motorsport division, which can look back on three consecutive victories in the GTD class at the 24 Hours of Daytona and more than 50 titles in the GT3 category. The car is equipped with an extensive carbon package, including a Rosso Mars stripe running around the bodywork, which gives the STO SC 10° Anniversario an even sportier look.

Made for the race track

The interior was designed for use on the racetrack. The Alcantara sports seats have four-point seat belts, while an aluminum roll bar protects the vehicle's occupants. The interior is rounded off by the carbon floor trim and a carbon badge on the rear bulkhead. The Huracán STO SC 10° Anniversario is the first road car for which the Lamborghini Squadra Corse engineers have developed a performance kit to optimize dynamic characteristics and racetrack performance.

New special tires developed together with Bridgestone also contribute to increased performance on the racetrack. In addition, the titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic improves the sound of the V10 engine across all frequencies.

lamborghini.com

In the competition organized by Porsche Schweiz AG, nine Swiss Porsche dealerships and service outlets competed to realize the most creative conversion of a first-generation Porsche Cayenne. For example, the participants fitted roof tents and studded tires, installed camping kitchen elements and wrapped the bodies in unusual designs.

A jury of experts selected the "#Cayenne957 Adventure" project by the team from Winterthur as their favorite. The Geneva nomination "Hippy Swiss" had already won the audience award at the Porsche Festival Mollis.

Popularity of earlier generations

Michael Glinski, CEO Porsche Schweiz AG: "All of the converted vehicles underpin the increasing popularity of the early Cayenne generations. We have noticed that the community also sees the Cayenne as an adventure vehicle, for example as a companion on camping trips. This can be observed online in particular. The competition also has a sustainability aspect: preserving classic vehicles extends their life cycle."

Personal individualization

Since last year, the first generation of the Cayenne, launched in 2002, has been on display in Switzerland at Porsche Classic, the in-house division for the preservation and care of classic and vintage cars. Unlike the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge previously organized by Porsche Schweiz AG, the Legends Alive Contest did not focus on preserving the original condition of the vehicle. What was called for were unusual ideas for individualization according to personal ideas

Unusual modifications

Rally raid components such as studded tires, raised chassis and roof racks for adventure trips were installed several times. An atypical lowering for SUVs, including 22-inch rims, was one of the more unusual modifications, as were a gas stove and electrically operated retractable and extendable shelves on the side windows.

The budget for materials (excluding the purchase of the vehicle) was a maximum of 25,000 Swiss francs. A certificate from the Swiss motor vehicle inspection authority was also required.

Cayenne Turbo (2008) "#Cayenne957 Adventure"

• Concept: Adventure mobile
• Cost: just under 25,000 Swiss francs
• Special features: Raised and shortened bumpers including integrated cable winch at the front, trunk extension with drawer system, power station and cool box, roof tent and awning

Cayenne Turbo (2004) "Hippy Swiss"

• Concept: Van conversion
• Costs: around 20,000 Swiss francs
• Special features: Trunk extension with clever storage system for equipment, Porsche roof tent and awning, detailed special foiling.

The vehicles were tested on asphalt and off-road on the grounds of the Porsche plant in Leipzig, where the Cayenne has been rolling off the production line since 2002.

porsche.ch

The Vatican wants its vehicle fleet to be climate-neutral by 2030. Imelda Labbé, Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales, and Christian Dahlheim, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Financial Services AG, presented the first two ID.3 Pro Performance models to the Vatican.

Imelda Labbé: "The electrification of vehicle fleets is becoming increasingly important worldwide. The fact that employees of the Vatican will also be ID drivers in the future is a great honor for our brand and underlines the attractiveness of the ID models."

Sustainable solutions

The Vatican City State is committed to implementing sustainable solutions that make it possible to concretely reduce the impact of human activity on the environment in order to protect the planet. Mobility is at the heart of a specific program called "Ecological Transition 2030″, which aims to reduce CO₂-footprint of the state vehicle fleet.

Other Group models

Volkswagen will supply the Vatican City State with a fleet of fully electric vehicles via Volkswagen Financial Services from the beginning of 2024. In later phases, further zero-emission vehicles from the Volkswagen Group brands will be successively handed over to the Vatican.

Christian Dahlheim: "We are delighted to be able to support the Vatican in this important project. This is something very special for us and shows that we are competitive with our mobility solutions."

 volkswagen.com

The new Hyundai Kona, which has grown significantly with a length of 4.35 meters, is available with three powertrains: purely electric, as a full hybrid and as a petrol engine with all-wheel drive.

The version with full hybrid drive works with a 1.6-liter Atkinson engine. Together with the electric motor, this results in a maximum system output of 104 kW (141 hp) and a maximum torque of 265 Nm. A 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox is installed as standard. This drive ensures a combined WLTP fuel consumption of 4.8 liters per 100 kilometers. Prices start at 37,900 Swiss francs.

All-wheel drive with turbo boost

Another drive variant is the Kona 1.6 T-GDi 4WD. It is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo engine (198 hp), 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and permanent all-wheel drive. This version is likely to make friends in Switzerland in particular. During a test drive, this model proved that, thanks to all-wheel drive, it can also be driven in poor road conditions with impeccable traction and plenty of safety reserves. Like the hybrid, the 4WD Kona is available in four equipment versions. Its prices range between 39,500 and 49,500 Swiss francs (N-Line).

The top model is the Kona Electric

Two power variants of the all-electric Kona are available. With a 48 kWh battery, it has a drive power of 115 kW (156 hp) and a range of 377 kilometers. The price of this model starts at 42,900 Swiss francs. The more powerful version with a 65 kWh battery achieves a maximum output of 160 kW (217 hp) and a range of 514 kilometers. It is available for 46,900 francs.

With the Kona Electric, you get a powerful vehicle that stands out only slightly from the other two drive variants. Camping and outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted to be able to power their coffee machine or sound equipment with Vehicle-To-Load.

More security with Smart Sense

The variants with combustion engine and full hybrid drive share many design features with the electric model. The full hybrid model features upper and lower active air flaps, while the AWD version with petrol engine has an upper active air flap to improve the drag coefficient. The hybrid and AWD versions are available in the Origo, Amplia, Vertex and N Line trim levels.

The Hyundai Smart Sense safety package comes as standard in all versions. This includes Attention Assist, Collision Alert and the assistants for high beam, lane keeping, emergency braking, blind spot and highway and congested traffic.

The Vertex and N-Line trim levels offer a driver's seat with memory, a Bose sound system with amplifier, subwoofer and center speaker as well as an electric glass sunroof and the Digital Key as standard.

hyundai.ch

General Motors has conducted extensive testing in all areas of electric vehicle performance and durability, including cold weather testing at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius at its plants in Michigan and Ontario. A new 102 kWh battery was developed for the Lyriq electric model, which is arranged like a skateboard between the four wheels. The battery modules are arranged horizontally above the underbody of the vehicle, and the battery pack was also designed as an integral part of the vehicle structure in the Lyriq.

New heat pump system

The Ultium EV platform of the Lyriq has a new thermal system that uses the thermal energy of the vehicle battery to heat the vehicle interior, thereby increasing efficiency. The Ultium energy recovery system captures and reuses waste heat from the battery, drive unit, ambient energy and interior energy.

The battery can be preconditioned by setting a departure time in the infotainment system, which enables the battery to automatically reach the optimum temperature before the journey.

Heated windshield wiper area

Another function that makes cold winter driving more pleasant is the heated area of the windshield wiper parking position. This feature is designed to heat the windshield to melt ice and snow. Water frozen on the windshield increases the weight and drag of the vehicle and draws more energy from the battery. The new heating function keeps the wiper blades free of ice and snow and prevents them from freezing to the windshield. The heating element is inconspicuous and not clearly visible. It therefore offers seamless comfort even in winter.

cadillaceurope.com

Scooters with an electric drive, so-called e-scooters, are very popular as a means of transportation, especially among younger target groups. They are considered environmentally friendly and flexible, as they can be taken anywhere thanks to their folding mechanism. E-scooters in the striking bull design have recently become available from Red Bull Racing. They are designed to provide great fun on the road or when traveling.

Powerful and off-road capable

Elektro Mobile Deutschland GmbH is now launching the top model Red Bull Racing E-Scooter RS 1200 AT as general distributor. This model impresses with its strikingly beefy exterior and good performance. Its 500-watt rear motor, which delivers up to 1 kW peak power, can be switched on in three support levels. Inclines of up to 33 percent are therefore no challenge. With a capacity of 0.96 kWh, the battery enables a range of up to 60 kilometers.

The fat 13-inch tires, suspension fork and shock absorber ensure action off the beaten track. Disc brakes on the front and rear wheels ensure fast braking performance. A large and easy-to-read display is positioned on the handlebars. If required, the e-scooter can be folded up in seconds and stowed away at home, in the office or for transportation.

There are three models to choose from

Anyone who uses e-scooters in public with the would like to drive a red bullThe top model, the RS 1200 AT, is not approved for road use. Not least due to the different licensing requirements in the various countries, the Red Bull Racing e-scooters are available in different equipment variants with prices ranging from 1100 to 3000 francs.

race-scooter.com

Among the candidates are two drivers who have already caused a stir in Switzerland. Johannes Kapfinger (gallery left) was nominated by Porsche Schweiz AG. The 20-year-old motorsport newcomer from Passau won the GT3 Cup of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Suisse and Morris Schuring (18, gallery right) finished fifth in the 2023 Carrera Cup Germany with Fach Auto Tech and fourth in the Supercup. He has already celebrated race wins in both series.

Support of 225,000 euros

Participation in the Porsche Junior Scouting is one of the most important milestones in their young motorsport careers: in addition to support of up to 225,000 euros, the winner can look forward to support from Porsche Motorsport. All candidates come from the worldwide Porsche one-make cups. Their goal: to become the 30th Junior in the 26-year history of the sponsorship program. The twelve have one thing in common: they were no more than 24 years old at the time of the selection process. At the same time, they caused a sensation in 2023 with the 911 GT3 Cup, which has around 510 hp, in one of the sports car manufacturer's more than 30 one-make cup series.

Maximum equality of opportunity

Sascha Maassen, former Porsche works driver and coach of the junior drivers: "For us, it is important to ensure the greatest possible equality of opportunity. The participants should make the difference, not the external conditions. We take this responsibility very seriously. Fast lap times and flawless performance with the 911 GT3 Cup on the track certainly play an important role. At the same time, however, we also look at how the candidates behave beyond that: How they work with the engineers, what feedback they give on the car, whether they are capable of learning and can motivate a team. A Porsche Junior automatically acts as a representative of the brand. He must be able to deal with media tasks and be mentally capable of development. In the end, it's the overall package that the talent offers us that makes the difference."

Fuel from the eFuels pilot plant

During the driving days, the candidates completed a total of 820 laps over a total of 3,841 kilometers on the Grand Prix circuit. The four Cup race cars that were available to them for this purpose were refueled exclusively with almost CO2-neutral fuel from the Chilean eFuels pilot plant "Haru Oni". The plant was the result of a joint initiative between Porsche, the Chilean company HIF Global (Highly Innovative Fuels) and international partners such as Siemens Energy.

porsche.ch

At the beginning of September, the Terren electric truck left its home in Sevelen for San Antonio, Chile. On arrival, the vehicle was partially dismantled and made roadworthy again for transportation by ship before being transported on a trailer to Copiapo, the last town before the desert. All the team members, who had traveled in two groups of three, met up there.

World height record for land vehicles

The adventurers report that a lot has happened over the past two weeks as the expedition continues. It is still a long way to the summit of Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano in the world at an altitude of 6,893 meters above sea level, before the world altitude record for land vehicles can be broken.

A challenging adventure awaits the three engineers and mountaineers, driven by the sun and the goal of breaking the world altitude record with an all-terrain electric multi-purpose vehicle and shooting a film about it together with three passionate cameramen.

Solar power plant on large panels

The team set up their solar power plant with the large panels on an empty field on the outskirts of the city. They were soon able to charge with 8 kW and the efficiency exceeded expectations. The completely empty battery can be recharged in a single day. In summary, the record hunters report that "the first two weeks of the trip went unexpectedly smoothly".
Further interim reports will follow. AutoSprintCH stays tuned.

peakevolution.ch