It's no secret that electric cars have brute acceleration. Last year, students from the University of Stuttgart set a new world record for acceleration with their e-racing car. Just eleven months later, this was broken by a team from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.

Record driven in Dübendorf

The Mythen bolide from ETH accelerated in 0.956 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. A distance of just 12.3 meters was enough for the vehicle to do this. Kate Maggetti was at the wheel. The previous world record of 1.461 seconds, set in September 2022 by a team from the University of Stuttgart, was thus beaten by more than a third.

The record was set at the military airfield in Dübendorf. Students from the University of Stuttgart also set their record there. Their electric car needs 1.461 seconds in 2022. The official confirmation that the Swiss broke the world record was confirmed by the Guinness World Records organization.

140 kilograms in weight and 326 hp

The ETH Zurich vehicle was thus significantly faster. The racing car was built and developed by around 30 students from Zurich and Lucerne. It weighs 140 kilograms and has an output of 326 hp. To prevent the car from taking off during a fast start, the students developed a kind of vacuum cleaner that sucks the vehicle to the ground, according to ETH.

ETA Zurich and the University of Stuttgart have been engaged in hot competition in e-racing cars for years. According to ETH, it has been set up twice in Switzerland since 2014 and broken twice by the Stuttgart team.

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The upcoming Mustang GTD is the counterpart to the new GT3 race car that will compete in international GT3 series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans from January 2024. Ford is aiming for a sub-seven-minute lap time for the GTD on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Technology from Formula 1

The Drag Reduction System DRS consists of hydraulically adjustable air control elements at the front and rear. The technology is familiar from Formula 1, but in GT3 the

Sport, however, is prohibited. The system changes the angle of attack of the flaps in the front underbody and the movable spoiler element of the rear wing as required. It is designed to resolve the conflict between low drag for high top speeds and high aerodynamic downforce for fast cornering.

Aerodynamic fine tuning

Greg Goodall, chief engineer of the Mustang GTD project: "Every surface, body opening and airflow on and under the Mustang GTD has a functional purpose. We use some airflow specifically for cooling, others for aerodynamics and downforce. Taken together, they ensure that the Mustang GTD is faster in all conditions, both on the straights and in the corners."

This also depends on the aerodynamic center of gravity, which must remain balanced between the front and rear axles. On the production version, the developers can manage this for the first time using the DRS.

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Forty years ago, the Fiat Panda 4×4 made everyday life easier for countless outdoor enthusiasts, farmers, hunters and other professionals who regularly had trips off paved roads on the agenda. For the first time, a small car offered the off-road capabilities required for daily commuting. To date, Fiat has sold around 800,000 units of the agile 4×4 model.

Extended standard equipment

To mark the 40th birthday of the all-wheel drive pioneer, Fiat is now presenting the special Panda 4×40° model, which will only be built 1983 times and features extended standard equipment. Based on the Cross model variant, the Panda 4×40° can be recognized by the ivory body color, the two-tone 15-inch wheels, the black caps on the exterior mirrors, and badges and stickers with the 4×40° logo.

Ivory is also the color of the interior, with the dashboard and soft-touch inserts of the seat covers. 4×40° logos and red decorative stitching provide the finishing touches. Also standard are the fog lights, LED reversing lights, red-painted tow hook and roof rack.

Pioneer of compact SUVs

The Fiat Panda 4×4 was a pioneer of the compact SUVs that are so popular today. It not only enabled unrestricted mobility, but also appealed to a heterogeneous customer base in terms of taste and age. Since its market launch in 1983, it has gone through three model generations with many special models.

Worldwide, the Fiat Panda 4×4 has a large fan base today.

fiat.ch

The last-call tribute from the U.S. brand Dodge in Europe offers fans one last chance to see a Hemi V8 engine in the Dodge Challenger and Charger models. The special models are inspired by the legendary versions of the 1970s.

They now come in limited edition as an iconic last-call edition. The Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack and Charger R/T Scat Pack Swinger follow the Challenger Shakedown and Challenger Black Ghost presented this spring.

Outside and inside retro style

Both the exterior and interior of the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack and Charger R/T Scat Pack Swinger special editions come in the style of the 1970s with the typical green paint Sublime Green (bright light) and F8 Green (dark) with various gold-colored accents. The 6-piston Brembo brake calipers are black, and inside you'll find seats with Nappa leather Alcantara upholstery and wood-like aluminum trim.

Powertrain with Hemi V8 engine

Also in the style of the glorious past is the typically American powertrain with Hemi V8 engine and Torque Flite 8-speed automatic. The maximum 640 Nm of torque and the maximum output of 490 hp are also traditionally sent exclusively to the rear wheels. Only just 55 units of the special models will reach Europe.

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stellantis.com

The switching behavior of Swiss motorists is more than just restrained, notes the comparison portal Comparis. More than half of the car users in our country have never changed their car insurance independently of changing vehicles. This is the result of a recent Comparis survey. In addition, almost half of the respondents have a contract term of more than one year.

39 percent of vehicle owners switched their car insurance to a provider with whom they already had another insurance policy when they last bought a vehicle. However, only twelve percent of respondents have used a comparison portal to compare the premiums of different providers.

Reasons for a change

Rates and premiums can vary significantly depending on the insurance provider. Switching to a provider with lower rates could reduce insurance costs. All details can be found in the policy.

Switching also allows you to choose a policy with benefits or additional options that better fit your individual needs. Examples include a lower deductible, expanded coverage options, or increased supplemental coverages. You will find more details in the policy.

... it is necessary to pay attention to this

In order to change the car insurance, the current insurance has to be cancelled - preferably by registered letter. For this purpose, Comparis offers the template termination letter. Of course, the term and the notice period of the car insurance specified in the policy must be observed. The new insurance company will ask for various details. For the quote request, you need the purchase or leasing contract, the vehicle registration document and the driver's license. It is also helpful to have the old insurance policy and any confirmation of damage claims to hand.

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Already for the fifth time, the classic car event at Lake Constance, which is not only popular with motorsport fans, will inspire young and old. 302 historic racing cars and 43 bikes with history will start in different categories.

The proximity to teams and cars is unique, not only in the pit lane in the small town, but also on the easily manageable mountain track, which is professionally supervised by ACS Thurgau.

75 years of sports cars from Porsche

Highlights will be special Porsche models from the autobau Erlebniswselt collection, as the brand celebrates the 75th anniversary of its sports cars in 2023. Equally worth seeing are successful and well-known Thurgau racing drivers with their bolides. Le Mans winner Marco Werner drives a rare Porsche 918 Spyder, built in 2014. One of the cars from the collection, and the sound alone of the Maserati 8CM, built in 1937, by Kurt Hasler from Amriswil is worth the trip to Steckborn (top center gallery).

Many starters have synfuels in the tank

Despite all the fun of the vehicles' noises, efforts are also being made to protect the climate. The Memorial 2023 is also particularly sustainable because, for the first time, a large number of the historic vehicles are taking to the track with synthetically produced fuel, so-called synfuels. Here, the past is at the starting line with the future. And that's not all.

Roger Forrer, OC President: "Part of the participation fee will be used to finance trees and plant them in the Untersee region in consultation with the forester. So exactly 345 trees will enrich nature."

With the SBB directly into the paddock

The recommended journey for visitors with the SBB ends at Steckborn station virtually in the middle of the paddock and the pit lane. Those taking the journey to Steckborn in a classic car can purchase the classic car package in advance on the Memorial Hillclimb Race website: for 50 Swiss francs, two people and their vehicle (1986 and older) receive a VIP parking space near the paddock, two daily admissions and two grandstand seats with the best view of the race track. Further detailed information is available on the Internet.

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The Polestar Synergy fantasy supercar brings together three winning designs that prevailed from more than 600 entries in the recent competition. Entrants were tasked with designing a Polestar vehicle that focuses on the experience of performance while offering a technically advanced solution.

The jury ultimately selected one winner each for the exterior and the interior. The resulting Polestar Synergy is the result of collaboration between the winners and the Polestar design team.

Super sports car silhouette

The final design of the fantasy supercar features a floating single-seat interior. It was displayed at the IAA 2023 in the Polestar Space in Munich before being seen at other locations.

Maximillian Missoni, Head of Design at Polestar: "This year is as much about collaboration as it is about performance. I'm proud that the team was able to help the winners realize their dream as a scale model."

The two winning exterior designers, Devashish Deshmukh and Swapnil Desai, live in Paris; interior designer Yingxiang Li, who designed a cabin with a performance-oriented seating position, in China. With a height of just 1.07 meters and a length of 4.56 meters, the car has proportions not previously seen at Polestar.

Series vehicles as collector's items

Following its debut, the model will make its way to the U.S. and be featured as a feature model on the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in El Segundo, California, beginning October 7. Hot Wheels will kick off by providing inspiration for the next Polestar Design Contest, which will draw on the outlandish designs from the American brand's 55-year history. Polestar's production cars will be immortalized as Hot Wheels and Matchbox collectibles in the future. Details of the next Polestar Design Contest are yet to be announced.

polestar.com

Since the beginning of June, the new premises in Rümlang have already been used for consulting, screwdriving and sales. But now comes the Grand Opening.

Iwan Steiner, Country Manager Harley-Davidson Switzerland: "The Zurich location is enormously important for us as a brand, as it is the largest catchment area in Switzerland. We are very much looking forward to the opening - not only close to Zurich Airport, but also close to the customers."

Vehicles, accessories and clothing

Hip food, enough drinks and sound are provided. Of course, the latest models will be on display in the showroom. They can also be test ridden - so visitors are unlikely to run out of things to talk about. And because Harley-Davidson enthusiasts like to express their brand loyalty in their style and clothing, the new premises also offer a large clothing and accessories area on three floors and 1,800 square meters, where visitors can browse to their heart's content.

Presence in the greater Zurich area

Ruedi Bütikofer, owner of Bütikofer Betriebe: "After having had great experiences with the Bütikofer Harley-Davidson Thurgau operation and the Harley community in Weinfelden, we are now of course even more delighted to soon be present in the greater Zurich area. The store in Rümlang is an investment in the future and a commitment to the brand - for the Bütikofer Group and for Harley-Davidson."

Together with plant manager Jannick Bardy and his team, various partners will also present cool ideas and strong products in the showroom. Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the show will start at Riedgrabenstrasse 1 in 8153 Rümlang.

buetikofer-hd.ch

After the hot summer, Suzuki is now gearing up for a tough winter. For all road conditions, the new special model S-Cross Piz Sulai is prepared for the cold season. It not only offers the advantages of a hybrid drive with many safety features, but also numerous practical extras. The special model includes a sporty design package, stylish door sill trims, elegant steering wheel appliqué and four additional aluminum winter wheels with brand-name tires.

Attractive price advantage for customers

Each of the four model variants offers a customer benefit of 2660 francs, exclusive decorative elements and the proven Piz Sulai quality. Features include the Suzuki Connect smartphone app, velour trunk mat, and front and rear underride guards.

The limited special series is only available for a short time and is on sale now. Prices range from CHF 31,490 (S-Cross 1.4 Compact+ 4×4 MT) to CHF 38,990 (S-Cross 1.5 Compact Top 4×4 AGS).

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But that's not all: The electricity to operate these e-vehicles is to be increasingly produced in-house with Helion and other partners. In addition, the Group has the ambition to operate Net Zero in 2040 and wants to avoid at least 90 percent of CO2 emissions. As one of the largest training companies in Switzerland, over 800 apprentices are working on solutions for the future, among other things (gallery on the right).

All-round carefree products

Helmut Ruhl, CEO of the Amag Group (gallery on the left): "Following the acquisition of Helion, we are now in a position to offer our customers complete and, above all, feasible solutions. In addition to the vehicle, the overall offering includes solar systems, heat pumps, intelligent charging solutions and energy management solutions for companies or for private individuals. For our customers, we offer new all-round worry-free products such as the purely electric ecosystem Clyde, where a BEV car subscription including electricity with a rebate of 30 Rp/kWh promotes private charging and uses decentralized renewable energy generation."

Reduction of energy costs

And it goes even further: a company's own PV system can reduce the energy costs for a BEV by around 80 percent compared to a combustion engine, and if you combine your own PV system with a BEV subscription from Clyde, the payback period drops from an average of eleven years to just eight years. Especially for companies and fleet customers, the newly founded movon AG offers a comprehensive range of fleet services from a single source. In addition to finance leasing, maintenance leasing, and full-service leasing, other services are offered such as fuel card and claims management, charging solutions, and even the installation and financing of sustainable energy systems for the corresponding electrically powered fleet vehicles.

Reduction CO2 emissions

By 2040, the Amag Group aims to reduce 90 percent of all CO2 emissions in order to achieve the Net Zero ambition. A multi-year contract has already been signed with Climeworks in 2022 to take some of the remaining emissions out of the air and store them under the earth's surface in the long term. By 2030, at least 70 percent of all vehicles sold by Amag at that time are to be purely battery-electric.

Over 75 000 m2 of PV modules will be installed on the company's own buildings by 2025 (gallery center) and processes will be transformed. Amag's goal is to bring over 400,000 battery-electric vehicles from Volkswagen brands to market by 2030. These will require around 1.3 terrawatt hours of electricity - about two percent of today's electricity production.

Ramp-up of electromobility

Helmut Ruhl: "The task now is to set the right framework conditions for the further ramp-up of electromobility. This includes a secure power supply, which means implementing the regulations of the Mantelerlass, simple charging solutions for tenants and condominium owners, implementing the targets for public charging infrastructure as agreed in the electromobility roadmap, and refraining from levying the automobile tax on electric cars."

Further detailed information on new products of the Amag Group can be found on the Internet.

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