At this year's Salon, Mercedes-Benz will be showing a wide range of leisure vehicles at Stand E003 in Hall 2.0 - from motorhome conversions by Rogus based on the Mercedes Sprinter to the all-electric small van EQT with camping conversion by Sortimo and the new camping bus, the new V-Class Marco Polo. And as a special highlight at the stand, brand ambassador and mountain bike pro Jolanda Neff is expected to sign autographs.

More comfort and functionality

With a new look and even more comfort and functionality, especially thanks to added connectivity, the new V-Class Marco Polo is even better equipped for a luxurious van-life experience. The first eye-catcher is the revised exterior design. It is characterized by a striking radiator grille and a powerfully drawn bumper. If the optional AMG Line design package is selected, the radiator grille is also framed with an LED light band. The adaptive multi-beam LED headlights add a further visual accent. At the rear, there is a new bumper and redesigned LED lights.

Instrument panel with two displays

The interior has also become even more attractive. New features include the instrument panel with two 12.3-inch widescreen displays and the steering wheel generation with capacitive hands-off recognition. The center console supports optional wireless smartphone charging. Optional new comfort features include steering wheel heating and dimmed rear lighting for nighttime driving. The introduction of the current MBUX generation brings additional functions on board on request. The V-Class Marco Polo becomes a true smart home on wheels thanks to the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Control interface module.

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The e-boom continues in the Swiss online marketplace. In terms of body variants, SUVs dominate the street scene and also dominate the supply market. Vehicle prices are currently showing a sideways movement, but remain at a high level. Only vehicles with alternative drive systems, such as electric vehicles or used hybrid vehicles, were slightly cheaper in the third quarter.

More new cars on offer

In the third quarter, a total of more than 319,000 vehicles were advertised on AutoScout24. The slight decrease of 1.7 percent compared to the previous quarter is due to slightly fewer used cars. The garage business continues to develop positively. New car registrations have only gone in one direction in recent months: up. On AutoScout24, the supply of new cars has also increased compared to the previous quarter. From July to September, for example, around 51,700 new cars were available on the platform.

SUVs are also in demand as e-cars

The supply of new station wagons (+11 percent), new minivans (+8.5) or new SUVs (+3) grew the most, while all body styles declined slightly in the case of used cars. SUV inventory held its own and accounted for more than a third of total supply. In the case of new cars, it even accounted for around 50 percent of the vehicles advertised.

Maurice Acker, Director Business Customers at AutoScout24, puts the figures in context: "SUVs have been established in Switzerland for some time now, and demand is still unbroken. You also have to take into account that SUVs are now available in every conceivable dimension. And we see that the current boom in new electrified vehicles is also giving the SUV range an additional boost."

Prices are hardly changed

The average prices of new and used cars hardly changed compared with the previous quarter. A new car cost an average of CHF 60,681 on AutoScout24, while the average price of a used vehicle was CHF 36,951. Average prices also remained mostly stable when looking at the various body types.

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During the exhibition period until October 30, the organizers expect around 50,000 camping and caravanning fans from all over Switzerland. A total of nine camping vehicles will be on display at this year's Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stand - from the new VW Amarok with 140TRT roof tent from Dometic to the complete California family with Caddy Maxi, California 6.1 and Grand California 600 to the electric ID. Buzz with Ququq-Box equipment.

The California Concept show car is celebrating its Swiss premiere (see gallery). With the latest drive, assistance and infotainment systems and motorhome equipment, it is recommended as the successor to the successful California 6.1 model. The car is based on the long-wheelbase version of the Multivan, which will be launched in 2021, and is therefore more generous in its dimensions than its predecessor. It is equipped with plug-in hybrid drive and can therefore power through everyday urban life with zero emissions.

New living and kitchen area

Completely rethought the living and kitchen area. This California will also be equipped with a sliding door on the kitchen side. This extends the usability to the outside of the pitch, opening up a new dimension of camping in nature. The kitchenette including sink, sliding induction hob and refrigerator will also be accessible from the outside in the future. In addition to the induction hob, there is also an integrated gas stove. Another highlight is the compact grill, which is stowed in the kitchen block and can be conveniently removed from the outside. The California Concept shows that VW Commercial Vehicles will continue to accompany Bulli fans on their journeys around the world in the future. This future will become the present in 2024 with all drive systems of the Multivan.

California production until mid-2024

The classic California 6.1 is represented in the two equipment versions Beach and Ocean on the stand in Hall 2.0. The entry into the world of the California 6.1 is the Beach Liberty for 59,780 Swiss francs. Equipped as standard with a manual pop-up roof and a 2-seater reclining bench seat including storage compartment, it offers an ideal basis for everyday life and travel. Production of the California 6.1 will cease in mid-2024.

The electric all-rounder ID.Buzz impresses with the typical Bulli driving feel of the raised seating position, the short overhang at the front and the steeply rising cockpit. Tailored for the family and leisure time and now also for camping, thanks to the easy to install and remove box from Ouquq. Incidentally, the ID. Buzz Pro with 150 kW E-machine (204 hp) with beefy torque. The sandwich floor houses the 77-kWh battery, which enables a range of up to 420 kilometers. At DC fast charging stations, the charging power is up to 170 kW, which means charging from 5 to 80 percent is done in 30 minutes.

The price starts at 69,910 francs.

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The Vegas Club is set to set the standard for premium entertainment at the GP, redefining corporate event hospitality with a venue-specific design, experience and atmosphere. The club will offer a view of the action on the race track and an immersive experience off the track with live music and cabaret, as well as fine gourmet cuisine and specialty cocktails. The hospitality spans three floors and will infuse the essence of Sin City into every aspect of the Vegas Club.

In the style of an old pub

On the first floor, visitors meet in an open area modeled after an old pub. On the second floor, a relaxed environment awaits guests. The third and top floor will offer a direct view of the race track. Other activities include a virtual pit experience powered by Snapdragon that will immerse guests in the hustle and bustle of pit lane, and a watchmaker activation from IWC. The launch of the Vegas Club follows the successful debut of the Miami Club, a similarly immersive experience introduced at the Miami Grand Prix in May.

Innovation and excellence

Victoria Johnson, Marketing Operations Director: "Innovation and excellence are at the core of everything we do here as a team. We have refined our hospitality offering and are now taking the next step. Our goal is to provide guests with a special experience. We will enable them to experience the fastest sport in the world in a way that they never have before. After two successful years in Miami, we are excited to bring the concept to Las Vegas and more races in 2024."

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The Toyota Hilux GR Sport II comes with significantly increased track width and larger brakes. This further improves handling and stability. As before, the 2.8-liter diesel engine with 500 Nm and 204 hp and the 6-speed automatic transmission provide powerful and efficient propulsion. Manual shifting is possible with the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

The Hilux with double cab not only offers improved driving characteristics, but also a best-in-class towing capacity of 3500 kilograms and a payload of 1000 kilograms. Work has also been done on the suspension and brakes to further optimize driving pleasure and comfort.

Striking body design

A dynamic appearance of the GR Sport II is guaranteed from all angles. The eye-catching red of the brake calipers contributes significantly to the look of the new 17-inch alloy wheels. Other eye-catching design details of the new Hilux GR include the black G-mesh radiator grille and the running boards, which are also black.

Perforated leather sports seats with silver stitching enhance the interior. They are comfortable and offer good lateral support. The Smart Connect multimedia system is operated via an 8-inch touchscreen. The Multimedia package includes access to cloud-based navigation with real-time traffic information. Software updates are loaded contactlessly via the DCM communication module without interruption.

Improved off-road capabilities

Off-road capabilities are also enhanced by the increased slope angles and more ground clearance. Off-road tires on the new, lighter 17-inch wheels provide plenty of grip and stability. The front brake discs have been enlarged from 16 to 17 inches, and at the rear the drum brakes have been replaced by 15-inch discs.

In addition, the Hilux GR Sport II features a new air curtain structure including a new bumper with functional fog lamp surround.

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Thanks to V2X technology, the Nissan Hyper Adventure concept vehicle can meet all the power needs for one's outdoor adventure. From a weekend trip to the mountains to a long trip to remote locations, a powerful battery serves as an energy source that users can use to charge their devices, light up camping spots, or even recharge their jet skis. Even households or a local community can be powered.

Michel Jansen, Brand Director Nissan at Astara Mobility Switzerland: "I am thrilled that Nissan is presenting the Hyper Adventure, an all-electric SUV that appeals to environmentally conscious outdoor enthusiasts and supports an active lifestyle."

Dynamic and suitable for off-road use

From the outside, the body of the Nissan Hyper Adventure is dynamic. A striking diagonal line along the sides accentuates the spacious interior. The front spoiler, the shape of the side windows and the flush rear section ensure good aerodynamics. The 4orce all-wheel drive system and special devices on the wheels and front and rear bumpers also enable driving through snowy areas or over muddy forest tracks.

Rear seat rotates 180 degrees

The instrument panel is connected to the underside of the windshield for optimal visibility. In addition, the Hyper Adventure offers space for outdoor equipment such as tents, skis or even a kayak. The rear seat bench can be rotated 180 degrees on one axis to create a comfortable seating area.

The Nissan Hyper Adventure will be presented digitally as part of the Japan Mobility Show. On its YouTube channel, Nissan will be showing a special music video on October 25 featuring all the new concept vehicles in the Hyper family.

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The C3 is the Citroën brand's bestseller. It accounts for 29 percent of European sales volume. With the fourth generation of this model, Citroën is now breaking new ground in some respects. The all-electric ë-C3 offers first-class comfort, a relaxed driving experience, a complete equipment level and a convincing price-performance ratio.

French comfortable

The ë-C3 provides a very comfortable ride by combining the brand's own Advanced Comfort suspension with the new comfort seats in a compact car for the first time. This system uses two hydraulic shock absorbers - one for compression, the other for rebound.

Laurence Hansen, Director Product and Strategy at Citroën: "Comfort is an important part of Citroën's DNA. It's important to us because it's important to our customers. That's why we've put great effort into making the new ë-C3 the most comfortable vehicle in the B-segment."

Lounge like interior

The spacious interior has been designed to offer occupants an ambience similar to that of their living room. The completely redesigned Advanced Comfort seats use extra foam to offer a comfortable feel from first contact. With the introduction of the C-Zen Lounge, the driver and front passenger can enjoy a clear view ahead thanks to the large windshield and horizontal fascia.

A real innovation is the absence of a traditional instrument cluster. The new all-electric ë-C3 is the first to feature a new head-up display that projects vehicle information onto a glossy black area between the upper edge of the dashboard and the lower edge of the windshield.

In addition, the new ë-C3 is roomier inside than its predecessor, although it is only 19 millimeters longer and 6 millimeters wider. The higher interior offers many useful storage spaces in the door panels, center console and under the center armrest. The trunk volume of 310 liters should be sufficient for most shopping trips.

Suitable for everyday life

The 83 kW electric motor (113 hp) delivers power and torque for the daily commute, while the 44 kWh battery provides a WLTP range of up to 320 kilometers. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in around eleven seconds, and with a top speed of 135 km/h, it also offers enough to handle daily trips. DC fast charging from 20 to 80 percent at 100 kW takes 26 minutes, while standard AC charging from 20 percent to 80 percent takes around two hours and 50 minutes when 11 kW is available.

Also on board is a comprehensive collection of driver assistance systems: for example, the emergency braking system, which works from 5 to 135 km/h; the lane departure warning system, which gently corrects the steering; the attention assistant, which informs the driver if the car's position in the lane is inappropriate. In addition, the rear parking sensors provide an acoustic warning of the proximity of obstacles when reversing.

Platform for cost efficiency

For the first time in Europe, Citroën has developed the new ë-C3 around a platform that was designed from the outset for an all-electric powertrain. The vehicle is based on a version of Stellantis' global CMP Smart Car platform, which makes it possible to offer the new ë-C3 at affordable prices. The car was developed at the Stellantis Automotive Design Network in Velizy-Villacoublay near Paris, and will be manufactured at the Trnava plant in Slovakia. It will be available to dealers in spring 2024.

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For almost 40 years, the DTM has been an attraction for drivers and professional teams. The high-class field saw 14 teams with six brands compete in the current season. Emil Frey Racing took part for the first time in what is already the 35th season of the championship and impressed with a podium in Oschersleben and a race win at the Lausitzring. The 14 races so far have resembled a rollercoaster ride, and now the team is hoping to end the season with a top result - especially because the Hockenheimring suits the Ferrari 296 GT3 very well.

Technical Director Jürg Flach: "During the finale at Hockenheim, it's important for us to put in another good performance. We had a competitive car in the Sprint Cup races as part of the GT World Challenge, so we have a good basis for the race weekend. Our goal is also to decide the Pitstop Challenge in our favor."

Ranked 7th with 119 points

In the team standings, Emil Frey Racing is in seventh place with 119 points. To make the leap into the top 5, the Swiss team must collect at least 19 points in the final two races. Even though it is not in contention for the championship, it will do its utmost to put in a strong performance at Hockenheim.

The DTM finale will take place from October 20 to 22. The weekend kicks off with two free practice sessions on Friday at 10:50 and 15:05 for 45 minutes each. Qualifying on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. will determine the starting grid for the race on the same day. On Sunday, qualifying will also take place at 9.30 a.m., with the race again at 1.30 p.m.

Long and instructive season

Lorenz Frey-Hilti, Team Principal: "It was a very exciting, but also long and instructive season for us. We had our ups and downs, but we grew as a team over the year and were able to improve enormously. Now the season finale is just around the corner and we need to have another flawless weekend. Hockenheim is a good track for us, and we're positive that we'll have two good races."

Ricardo Feller wants to reach the top

Abt driver Ricardo Feller on Audi is still in the title race after the penultimate round of the DTM at the Red Bull Ring. The driver from Aargau maintained his title chances by finishing 3rd and 15th at Spielberg. His gap to leader Thomas Preining before the finale at Hockenheim is 31 points. Feller is 21 points behind second-placed Mirko Bortolotti. With a maximum of 56 points still up for grabs, nothing is lost yet for Feller.

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At Volkswagen, it's not just its big brother the Golf GTI that can look back on a long history; the Polo also has a number of sporty ancestors. With the Polo GTI Edition 25 anniversary model, limited to 2,500 units, VW is now celebrating a quarter of a century of Polo GTI.

Imelda Labbé, Member of the Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and After Sales: "Volkswagen has a great heritage, and the Polo is one of our icons. GTI fans are of great importance to us. With this anniversary model, we are celebrating 25 years of performance, driving pleasure and sportiness in the Polo class."

Extensive optional equipment

The powerful 2-liter TSI engine with 320 Nm and 207 hp accelerates the front-wheel-drive Polo GTI Edition 25 from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The vehicle is also equipped with a specially tuned sports suspension as standard. It lowers the body by 15 millimeters and, in conjunction with the XDS electronic differential lock, guarantees the distinctive driving dynamics typical of the GTI.

The anniversary equipment includes the red-painted brake calipers and trim strips, the radiator grille in honeycomb design and chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes. Equipment features exclusive to the Edition 25 include the black roof and black exterior mirrors in addition to the 18-inch Adelaide alloy wheels in Black Glossy. Inside, sports seats with perforated black and red leather and embroidered GTI logo, as well as glossy black decorative inlays, are standard. The limited edition is also distinguished by the door sill trims with one-of-2500 logo.

Available at the beginning of next year

The LED matrix headlights with dynamic high beam assist and LED daytime running lights are on board as standard. In addition, the special model is equipped with a multifunction sports steering wheel in leather with shift paddles and 25 logo. Contemporary connectivity is provided by the Discover Pro navigation system with 23.5-centimeter display. The Polo GTI Edition 25 can be ordered now at a price starting at 42,700 Swiss francs, and the first vehicles will arrive in Switzerland in early 2024.

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