As always, Zwischengas' annual magazine summarizes the past classic year and provides an outlook for the coming year. The cover story of the new issue is the joy of shifting gears. Accordingly, the history of the manual gearbox is told, and the Zwischengas authors and guest authors philosophize about their favourite gearboxes.

Highlights for classic car fans

The majority of the booklet is made up of portraits and driving testimonials of more than 30 classic cars from Aero, Aston Martin, Bentley, Bitter, Bugatti, Talbot, Tatra and Triumph. Cars from 25 manufacturers including Ferrari, Porsche, Renault and Spyker are described and photographed.

Karl Ludwigsen looks at the Corvette designer Larry Shinoda, Wolfgang Blaube at the rather exotic Lane Museum in the USA. There are also the popular and informative analyses of the 2023 auction year as well as reviews of trade fairs, concourses and driving events.

Order conveniently via the Internet

260 pages are packed with the best pictures and texts from the Zwischengas editorial team. Almost half of them were written especially for the annual magazine. The comprehensive work is available for 16.90 francs. You can order it online.

intergas.com

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1, in cooperation with title and technical partner Petronas and the logistics partners, has saved 339 tons of CO₂ equivalents and reduced the emissions of race and hospitality trucks and generators by two thirds by using the biofuel HVO100 in the course of the European Formula 1 season this year.

As part of the strategy to reduce the impact of road freight transport, the trucks and generators were refueled with second-generation biofuel wherever possible during the European races from May to September. The trucks covered 386,000 of the total 460,000 kilometers with HVO100, resulting in a reduction of 307 tons of CO₂e for the fleet and another 32 tons for the generators.

Complete use

The team will use the findings from the 2023 season to drive forward the full use of HVO100 in the trucks in 2024 and increase the use of HVO100 in the generators.

Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability at the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: "We are delighted that we have been able to achieve such positive results and reduce emissions for freight and generators at the European races. The use of HVO100 is one of the key pioneering initiatives within the sustainability strategy, which aims to achieve net zero emissions with our racing team by 2030."

New regulations from 2026

Together with the Mercedes-AMG F1 team, Petronas is well on the way to mastering the technical challenges of the new 2026 regulations. These stipulate that all cars must run on 100 percent sustainable fuels.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal and Managing Director of the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: "Formula 1 is the best-known global sport in the world. It is therefore important that we use our platform to drive change."

mercedesamgf1.com

When the Coca-Cola Christmas truck drives through the snowy landscape in the commercial, young and old know that the festive season is just around the corner. What started out as an idea for a TV commercial is now one of the highlights of the Christmas season for millions of people around the world. Now the eye-catching tractor is touring Switzerland again.

Santa Claus at the wheel

One of the main attractions of the tour is Santa Claus, who is just as much a part of Coca-Cola as the truck. Visitors can meet him on site in his festively decorated living room. Other photo and video subjects include a 360° platform and a selfie tower with a view of the truck, as well as a generator for snow globe postcards. Another outdoor attraction is the VR sleigh ride with Rudolph and the other reindeer through Santa's winter wonderland.

Support for the Swiss food bank  

Whether it's helping a neighbor carry their shopping bags, lending a hand to a stranger in need or sharing the last Coci. Coca-Cola Switzerland supports various charitable commitments. For this year's campaign, Coca-Cola has also developed a digital quiz. This allows people to make a virtual donation to the "Schweizer Tafel" foundation at the same time. The foundation collects perfectly good, surplus food from retailers and distributes it free of charge to 500 social institutions.

Santa Claus is waiting in Lapland

The quiz can be played on the Coca-Cola app, which can be downloaded via QR code on the 500ml, 900ml and 1.5 liter Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Zero bottles. There are also a number of prizes to be won via the app and codes on the products - including a trip to Lapland to meet Santa Claus in person.

Find out when and where the Christmas truck stops HERE

coca-cola.ch

The lightshow at the front of the new Volvo EM90 is particularly striking. The radiator grille and the illuminated Volvo logo are framed by headlights in the brand-typical Thors Hammer design. At the rear are the illuminated Volvo badge and the vertical tail lights - inspired by the skyline of modern cities. 19 or 20-inch wheels demonstrate aerodynamic efficiency, and customers can choose from four paint finishes.

Just like in the living room at home

The variable and spacious interior guarantees great comfort thanks to high-quality materials and practical solutions. Comfortable lounge seats make up to six people feel like they are in a living room.

Jim Rowan, President and CEO of Volvo Cars: "It's an age-old cliché, but no place compares to home. A place where you are with your loved ones. This feeling of home inspired us to create the new EM90 - a car that offers space to live."

Naturally, the Volvo EM90 is optimally networked. In addition to 5G connectivity, the van features the Snapdragon cockpit platforms from Qualcomm Technologies and their high computing power. Many functions can also be controlled via a voice assistant, which is visualized by an avatar on the 15.4-inch infotainment screen. Like all new Volvo models, the EM90 also receives regular software updates over the air.

To 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds

The EM90 is powered by a 200 kW engine (272 hp). This enables it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. Combined with a 116 kWh battery, ranges of up to 738 kilometers are possible. Charging from ten to 80 percent takes just under 30 minutes at fast-charging stations. The all-electric van will initially be launched on the Chinese market, but it is not yet clear when the giant will arrive in Switzerland. We will stay tuned.

volvocars.com

The new Peugeot E-Rifter with its customized design offers customers plenty of space for optimum comfort. It is versatile and therefore ideal for weekend leisure activities, outings with friends or other sporting and cultural activities. At the same time, it meets the everyday requirements of a family with children and pets.

More dynamic front end

The E-Rifter has a new, more dynamic front section with radiator grille and new brand emblem. The striking design is further enhanced by the fresh colors Sirkka Green and Kiama Blue. They help to emphasize the shape of the vehicle, which is ideally suited for outdoor use with its wide wheel arches, large side panels, roof racks and high ground clearance.

The likewise new, perfectly finished dashboard improves the ergonomics. It is based on the familiar i-Cockpit with a small heated leather steering wheel and features a new 10-inch HD touchscreen in the upper center. The seats are upholstered in light gray fabric, and the generous window areas and the Zenith multifunctional roof make the interior even brighter.

Side sliding doors

Available with five or seven seats, the E-Rifter is available in two lengths of 4.40 and 4.70 meters. In row two, each of the three individual seats can be folded down individually. The E-Rifter has two sliding side doors and a large tailgate with a tailgate that can be opened separately to make loading and unloading as easy as possible.

The new model's batteries are located under the floor and have no noticeable impact on the interior space. The trunk holds between 775 and 4000 liters, and the folding front passenger seat makes it easier to transport long objects.

The maximum drive power is 100 kW (136 hp) and the maximum torque is 270 Nm. For Switzerland, the E-Rifter will be equipped with a three-phase 11 kW onboard charger for the 50 kWh battery as standard. Direct current charging is possible up to 100 kW. Prices start at 39,990 francs.

peugeot.ch

The German ADAC, the Dutch ANWB and the Touring Club Switzerland are merging their digital camping activities into a joint company. The new booking platform Pincamp will reach 27 million members in future. To this end, the ANWB and TCS are acquiring a stake in ADAC Camping GmbH, which will be renamed Pincamp GmbH from January 2024.

ADAC remains the majority shareholder with 52.5 percent of the shares, ANWB holds 42 percent and TCS 5.5 percent. The shareholders are investing 6.6 million euros to ensure the merger and further growth in other European markets. Pincamp country versions in English, French and Italian are to follow shortly.

Reduction in administrative costs

Merging the digital camping activities of the mobility clubs creates numerous benefits for campers and the camping industry. German, Dutch and Swiss campers spend more than 130 million nights on campsites every year. By creating a joint portal on the domains anwbcamping.nl, pincamp,de and pincamp.ch, the new Pincamp GmbH offers the camping industry around 30 percent of the overall market demand from a single source. This simplification makes processes easier and reduces administrative costs for campsites.

Over 3000 seats bookable online

Managing Director Uwe Frers: "More and more people want to spend the night on campsites. The biggest problem for campers is that they don't know where to find a free pitch. With Pincamp, we solve this problem by displaying the prices and availability of more than 3000 campsites that can be booked online. And we generate sales for pitches that are still available and would otherwise not have been found."

tcs.ch

The 2025 Ram 1500 offers customers several new engine variants: the 3-liter inline six-cylinder turbo engines from the Stellantis Hurricane family and the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque. The 3-liter Hurricane has an output of 420 hp and a maximum torque of 636 Nm, while the larger high-performance engine delivers as much as 540 hp and 706 Nm.

All engine variants for the 2025 Ram 1500 are coupled with the 8-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission. This enables a maximum towing capacity of 5.2 tons and a payload of more than one ton. In addition to the Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn and Limited models, the Ultra Premium Tungsten version is now available.

In addition to the gasoline-powered Ram 1500, Ram will also offer the all-electric 1500 REV starting in the fourth quarter of 2024. The 2025 Ram 1500 will be built in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in the first quarter of 2024. Pricing will be communicated shortly before launch.

Electronic limited slip differential

The 2025 Ram 1500 has a new rear axle to further improve the ride quality with the Hurricane H/O engine. The vehicles are available as 2WD or 4WD, the drive power is distributed via an open limited slip differential. An optional electronic limited slip differential gives the driver the opportunity to further improve the vehicle's traction. Drivers enjoy good handling thanks to double wishbone front suspension and five-link rear suspension with optional four-corner air suspension.

Interior should be the benchmark

The 2025 Ram 1500 is available in Diamond Black, Bright White, Ivory White, Delmonico Red, Flame Red, Hydro Blue, River Rock, Baltic Grey and Billet Silver. Thanks to high-quality materials that are both comfortable and durable, the new Ram 1500 is also intended to set new standards for pick-up interiors. Enhanced features include a push-button tow hitch and an accessory switch bank with buttons on the underside of the touchscreen as well as traditional controls. The Ram 1500 also features a full-color head-up display that is configurable up to 10 inches and offers several different content areas simultaneously.

ram.com

The Hamburg photographer is at home in the pin-up, burlesque and vintage scene and knows perfectly how to present the models in a varied way. This year there are nine women, some of whom are already familiar from previous calendars, such as Setty Mois and Julia Barrakuda. They are sometimes more, sometimes less clothed and pose erotically to provocatively or elegantly to chastely.

Clothing to match the bodywork

For 2024, they join almost two dozen American cars, from the 1931 Ford Model A Roadster and the 1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylark Convertible to the Plymouth Satelite from the late 1960s. From time to time, however, only legs or only half the car can be seen, because diversity is a top priority at Kella.

For example, there is the extreme pin-up motif from the second calendar week and classic vintage scenes such as on page 48. And there has rarely been as much naked skin in individual photos as this time. Once again, the image compositions in which clothing and bodywork match each other in color catch the eye.

Girls & legendary US cars 2024" is published by Verag Sway Books. The calendar in 42.0 x 30.7 centimeter format costs 44.90 francs.

carloskella.com

The latest model from the Koreans was unveiled in St. Tropez on the Côte d'Azur. Although many luxury cars can be seen on the streets of the fashionable coastal town, the EV9 caused a great stir and excitement, and not just among carspotters. The car is a successful interpretation of a premium SUV and a family-friendly van

Power up to 283 kW

The angular Korean is based on the proven E-GMP Group platform, is powered by a 99.8 kWh battery and is equipped with all modern driving assistance systems. In addition to the 203 hp (149 kW) basic version with rear-wheel drive, Kia also offers its EV9 as a sporty GT-Line with 283 kW (385 hp) and all-wheel drive, which costs at least 83,950 Swiss francs.

Easy-care handling

With a length of 5.05 meters and a width of 1.98 meters, the Kia EV9 doesn't exactly seem to be made for driving through narrow alleys and country roads. But the massive Korean surprises. It mastered the drives with aplomb, which is definitely due more to its easy-care handling than to the driver's talent. Although the top version GT-Line with all-wheel drive is no sprinter due to its unladen weight of around 2.7 tons, it also masters brisk journeys with ease thanks to its low centre of gravity. The EV9 is also ideal as a towing vehicle. It can tow up to 2.5 tons, which is enormous for an electric car.

15 all-electric vehicles by 2028

A 99.8 kWh lithium-ion battery with 800-volt technology is installed in both versions. According to the manufacturer, a range of up to 563 kilometers is possible on a single charge. However, experience has shown that this is only possible under ideal conditions. At a fast charging station (DC), the batteries can be charged from 10 to 80 percent within 24 minutes, whereas a private 11 kW wallbox takes around nine hours to charge from ten to 100 percent.

Kia has already announced further electric cars. The market launch of three models (EV3, EV4 and EV5) has been confirmed. The Koreans even want to offer a total of 15 purely electric vehicles in four years' time.

kia.ch

However, the current venue of Munich does not want to part with the newly acquired major event, which has been held in Bavaria since 2021. According to organizer VDA, talks are currently underway with Munich about continuing the event. The contract ends with the IAA Mobility 2025. Frankfurt is also seeking talks with the German Association of the Automotive Industry.

Existing contracts expire in 2025

Background: Many people are familiar with this emotional low blow. Side by side for years and then suddenly the break-up. Even worse: the ex-partner has a new flame. The city of Frankfurt am Main must feel the same way if its administration has had to look jealously towards Munich every other September since 2021. There, the IAA will be lolling about in a new look as IAA Mobility in the most beautiful squares in the city center, and at least once more in 2025. But then the contracts will expire and new negotiations will be held.

Talks with Frankfurt and Munich

This is where Frankfurt senses its chance to win back the major motor show, which has been held regularly every two years on the Main since 1951. Frankfurt has a long trade fair tradition and, as an international transportation hub, is suitable for hosting the event on the one hand and developing the IAA into a mobility trade fair on the other. Talks are now being held with the VDA. However, the VDA is largely holding back with statements. The statement, which was subsequently submitted on request, contains only one sentence that is unlikely to please Mayor Mike Josef:

Lord Mayor Mike Josef: "We are currently in constructive talks about the continuation of the IAA Mobility in Munich."

A little hope resonates

Background: At the end of 2022, the Frankfurter Rundschau ran the headline "The IAA is not coming back for now". Admittedly, a statement in which the word "for the time being" also carries a hint of hope. However, the VDA did not even wave the city on the Main through to the second round during the 2019 bidding round to remain in Frankfurt. A clear sign. Accordingly, the Bavarian capital is being combative, as the Münchener Abendzeitung reports.

In the follow-up to the IAA Mobility 2023, the organizers and venue never tire of emphasizing how successful the mobility show in Munich was. The kind of statements you hear from press offices. They say little about an actual continuation in its current form beyond 2025.

Economic advisor Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU): "The fact that the Mayor of Frankfurt wants the IAA back is a nice wish, but it will remain a wish."

Source: Patrick Lang, auto motor sport
auto-motor-und-sport.de