THIS IS HOW YOU CAN SAVE Because of inflation, premiums for car insurance, among other things, are also rising. The average premium has risen by an impressive 17 percent compared to the previous year. It pays to compare offers.
Editorial - September 5, 2023
Adjustments for insurance are likely to increase at different rates depending on the provider.
There are drastic price increases for car insurance. This is shown by an analysis of comprehensive premiums for new customers by the online comparison portal comparis.ch. In the second quarter of 2023, the average premium for various vehicles was 17 percent higher than in the second quarter of the previous year. That is a price increase of 142 francs.
More expensive repairs
Background: Prevailing inflation is driving up premiums as prices for spare parts and repairs have risen. For example, according to the Comparis consumer price index, the cost of electricity alone has risen by 25.5 percent compared with the same quarter last year. In addition, insurers are facing higher premiums from reinsurers for coverages such as hail.
It pays to compare
That is why it is important to compare different insurance policies. Despite the massive price increase in recent months, insurance premiums are still slightly lower than five years ago. Those who have not changed their car insurance for a while may be able to benefit from lower premiums.
Tip from the experts: Check which coverages are really needed. For example, comprehensive insurance is usually no longer necessary, especially for older vehicles.
SALES The upward trend on the car market in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein continued in August. With 18,977 registrations of passenger cars, there was an increase of 15.8 percent compared to the same month last year.
Editorial - September 5, 2023
Are harder times coming soon for electric cars in Switzerland?
Despite twelve consecutive months of market growth, the cumulative year-to-date level remains around 20 percent below that prior to the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. In addition, electromobility is at risk of being squeezed by ongoing supply uncertainty, rising electricity prices and the reintroduction of industrial tariffs due to the extension of the automobile tax to electric cars.
Significant increase
With 161,328 new registrations, the Swiss car market is expanding its cumulative increase in 2023 compared with the previous year to 13.9 percent, and alternative drives already account for 55.3 percent of the market. But a look behind the numbers brings to light the current challenges facing the Swiss automotive industry. The post-Covid recovery effect is still manageable, and the lower market volume is causing massive losses at many economic levels - from the small family-run village garage to the large vehicle importer.
Sagging to be feared
When looking at the market share of all-electric passenger cars, in terms of CO2-The market is also enjoying the high level of demand in August, which is higher than ever before at this point in the year. But dark clouds are gathering on the horizon for electromobility. Peter Grünenfelder, president of auto-schweiz: "Although politicians want to see electric vehicles on our roads in order to achieve climate targets, the same policies are worsening the framework conditions by the metre. Counterproductive to the transformation to electric driving is the Federal Council's plan to reintroduce an industrial tariff by extending the four percent automobile tax to electric vehicles from 2024. This will put the brakes on further growth."
Demands on politics
Politicians are now called upon to back up their climate-friendly words with actions that make a switch to zero-emission vehicles attractive. This includes a rapid expansion of domestic electricity capacities to ensure a secure supply of sufficient quantities of CO2-low electricity, a faster and simplified expansion of the charging infrastructure, and a waiver of the automobile tax on electric cars.
IAA Mobility 2023: Show appearance of the Cupra Dark Rebel 🎥
THREE WOW The design of the Dark Rebel concept car debuting at IAA Mobility was developed in the hyperconfigurator with the Cupra Tribe. As an all-electric Shooting Brake, it embodies the brand's DNA.
Editorial - September 5, 2023
The design of the Cupra Dark Rebel show car was also created taking into account suggestions from the Cupra Tribe, i.e. fans and brand ambassadors such as several FC Barcelona players and actor Daniel Brühl. The Tribe had supplied more than 270,000 designs in the hyperconfigurator. With them, the virtual model has now also been transformed into a real one.
In Munich, Cupra's Dark Rebel demonstrates the leap from the virtual to the real world.
Sporty and sexy too
Cupra CEO Wayne Griffith: "Thanks to the passion and creativity of the CupraTribe, we have managed to turn one of our greatest obsessions into a real show car. A maximum provocation of our design. It's a rebel with a goal and purpose: to prove that the electric cars of the future can be sexy and emotional."
The Dark Rebel is 4.50 meters long and only 1.30 meters high - but when the doors are open, the height rises to 2.20 meters. The asymmetrical center console is aligned with the driver's bucket seat, and the shape of the steering wheel is reminiscent of racing cars.
Design director Jorge Diez: "The Dark Rebel embodies the brand's DNA and values. With broad shoulders, a long hood and a lower passenger compartment, it is fully focused on the driver."
Experience on three levels
The luminous logo, the triangular front light signature and the large wheels with the Cupra logo are particularly striking. The control system, which combines the analog and digital worlds, is also cutting-edge. The Exponential Scare, Exponential Cube and Exponential Infinite experience levels can be controlled from the steering wheel. This allows the exterior, interior, lighting and sound to be varied as desired.
The unusual car can be seen at the IAA Mobility in Munich until September 10.
IAA Mobility 2023: Renault thinks about families 🎥
SPACIOUS AND SILENT The Renault Scenic has been a typical family car for 27 years. It remains so in the electric age - with a powerful drive and a travel-friendly range of up to 620 kilometers.
Editorial - September 5, 2023
The current version can be examined at the IAA Mobility in Munich until September 10. Almost three decades after its first presentation, the Scenic with all-electric drive is still a decidedly family-friendly car. Its namecontinues to stand for plenty of usable space with modest exterior dimensions. With a length of 4.47 meters and a wheelbase of 2.785 meters, the car offers space for five people and 545 liters of luggage.
After the Espace, the Scenic is another Renault model that has been repurposed into an SUV.
Now also in SUV look
The beltline of the Scenic E-Tech, now also in SUV guise, runs all the way to the rear side windows, emphasizing the dynamic silhouette. The roof racks are included in all variants and, like the interior, are perfectly tailored to the needs of families.
The 19- or 20-inch wheels with their characteristic look round off the vehicle's design. The 20-inch wheels of the Esprit Alpine equipment variant are special. Like the daytime running lights, the two taillights are spaced as far apart as possible and look like two arrows facing each other to visually stretch the vehicle's width.
Interior offers a lot of comfort
The Solarbay glass roof and Ingenious armrest complete the range of comfort-enhancing interior amenities. The Open R Link multimedia system is better connected than ever and comes with more than 50 apps. It is compatible with Android Auto and Apple Carplay and as easy and intuitive to operate as a tablet - even via voice control. The cockpit consists of two surfaces in a continuous L-shape with a horizontal 12.3-inch screen on the dashboard and a vertical 12-inch touchscreen in the center of the console.
Electric drive with 218 hp
Key components of the powertrain are the 87 kWh battery and the compact, externally excited synchronous machine with 300 Nm and 160 kW (218 hp) maximum output. Manufactured at the Megafactory in Cléon, this motor contains no rare earths, making it more environmentally friendly. The battery capacity allows a range of 620 kilometers. Four levels can be selected for regenerative braking.
SPORTY With the ID GTI Concept show car, Volkswagen is giving new impetus to its electric offensive. The popular GTI versions of selected models in the all-electric ID family will also be available again in the future.
Editorial - September 5, 2023
Volkswagen plans to launch eleven new all-electric models by 2027 - from the compact car for less than 25,000 euros to the large ID.7 family sedan. And again, there are to be GTI versions of these. The ID GTI Concept show car presented for the first time at the IAA in Munich (until September 10) now provides a first glimpse of how VW intends to transfer the GTI label into the electric future.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the VW brand: "The perfect combination of driving pleasure and everyday practicality - that's what the three letters GTI have stood for decades. With the ID GTI Concept, we are bringing the GTI DNA into the electric age - unchanged sporty, iconic. Driving pleasure and sustainability go together. This is how GTI has a future - for our brand, for the fans."
Not the gasoline engine, but the GTI label is thankfully reappearing even in the electric age.
Only electric vehicles from 2033
Volkswagen will only produce electric vehicles in Europe by 2033 at the latest. Until then, efficient combustion engines will continue to play an important role in the product portfolio. In the future, the brand will focus primarily on its successful core models Golf, T-Roc, Passat and Tiguan. At the IAA Mobility, visitors will be able to take a closer look at the new generations of the Passat and Tiguan. There will also be a plug-in hybrid version of both models with an electric range of around 100 kilometers and DC fast charging function.
Affordable mobility offers
With realigned model planning, however, VW intends to continue providing affordable mobility offerings for all. In 2026, the affordable ID.2all is to expand the portfolio in the entry-level segment. The design language at Volkswagen is also new. In the interior, it focuses on high quality appeal and intuitive user experience. In infotainment, VW is strengthening the product substance of all models with the IDA voice assistant, larger displays and functions-on-demand services for navigation.
IAA Mobility 2023: The star shows its hypermiler 🎥
FUTURE At the IAA Mobility (until September 10), Mercedes-Benz wants to make the Concept CLA palatable as a new experience of electromobility. The hypermiler sees itself as the one-liter car of the electric age
Editorial - September 5, 2023
Unveiled in Munich, the Concept CLA Class offers a near-production preview of the future family of entry-level vehicles for the Mercedes-Benz brand. Heading into a new, electric era, it represents the company's vision to upgrade this important vehicle class. Designed on the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, the exterior signals dynamic driving performance.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group: "The Concept CLA Class is the pioneer for a new, purely electric vehicle segment. Its entry into the new world will comprise four new models - a four-door coupé, a Shooting Brake and two SUVs - each with upgraded product substance."
The wheel arches of the CLA Class study frame striking 21-inch wheels with the unmistakable star pattern.
Design for the electric age
The sporty "shark nose" with the characteristic radiator grille defines the new dynamic front design for the electric age. Added to this is the signature graphic with stylized star as a light motif. The new model is also pioneering with its use of interior materials such as paper and bamboo. The full-length MBUX superscreen extends across the entire width of the cockpit. It features the mini-LED technology and immersive 3-D graphics that debuted in the Vision EQXX study.
Range of 750 kilometers
In the powertrain newly developed by Mercedes, the concept car shows great efficiency. With a consumption of around 12 kWh per 100 kilometers, it is set to become an electric hypermiler; Mercedes quotes a possible range of 750 kilometers with the 800-volt system. A further 400 kilometers should then be possible to recharge in just 15 minutes. And of course bidirectional charging will also be possible.
The manufacturer achieved efficiency improvements through optimized components such as the silicon carbide inverter and the silicon oxide anode in the battery cell. Production of the MMA vehicles will initially take place in Rastatt, Keckskemet, Hungary, and Beijing.
HINGUCKER BMW is presenting the vision vehicle New Class at the International Motor Show IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich until September 10. The model comes with a strikingly reduced design language.
Stefan Donat - September 4, 2023
Characteristic features such as the BMW kidney and the Hofmeister crease in the side window graphics thus come into sharper focus. The exterior design is defined by powerful wheel arches, the recessed greenhouse and the vehicle front end projecting far forward in Shark Nose style. 21-inch aerodynamic wheels pick up on the classic motorsport-inspired cross-spoke design.
BMW's New Class is defined by the vehicle's front end jutting forward in Shark Nose style.
Real and virtual worlds
In the interior, the next generation of BMW iDrive ensures a user experience in which real and virtual worlds merge. The increased use of secondary raw materials, resource-conserving production and an all-electric drive with sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology reduce the CO2 footprint of the New Class over the entire life cycle of the vehicles. Analog controls are reduced to a minimum in the BMW Vision New Class. The new, all-electric vehicle architecture also offers new interior design options.
Shared user experience
With the next generation of BMW iDrive, the projection of information ensures a shared user experience. Drivers can move content shown on the Central Display to the BMW Panoramic Vision with a simple gesture. The new BMW iDrive is based on a highly integrated software architecture that brings together data about the driving experience and infotainment, as well as from the vehicle's electronic wiring system and the BMW Cloud.
High efficiency electric motors
The leap in new BMW eDrive technology includes not only highly efficient electric motors but also newly developed round battery cells. The sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology helps the New Class models to achieve a charging speed that is up to 30 percent faster, as well as a range that is also up to 30 percent longer. The sum of all measures is expected to increase overall vehicle efficiency by up to 25 percent.
Bergrennen Gurnigel: Does Marcel Steiner grab the title? 🎥
WHERE TO MEET Automotive athletes from all over Switzerland will come to the National Hill Climb on Gurnigel on the weekend of September 9 and 10. The event is the second-last round of the 2023 Swiss Hill Climb Championship.
Editorial - September 4, 2023
The focus is on the battle for the stage win, which promises to be particularly exciting this year. With his triumph over last year's winner Eric Berguerand on a Lola-Cosworth (gallery on the right) at the last hillclimb race in Oberhallau, local hero Marcel Steiner has put himself in a good starting position in the hillclimb championship for racing sports cars.
After six races, he leads the standings by twenty points. However, after deducting the obligatory scratch result, which Berguerand has already taken by not starting the European Championship race in the Jura, the two riders are tied at the top of the standings. The title decision between the riders from Berne and Valais will therefore normally not be made until the final race a week later in Les Paccots.
Marcel Steiner's LobArt Honda Turbo and other cars are running on synfuel this season.
Favorite relies on its technology
Marcel Steiner: "It's difficult to predict which of us will win at Gurnigel. I'll just do my best and hope that the technology of our self-developed LobArt Honda Turbo (gallery on the left) continues to work as well as it has so far, then we'll see what comes of it."
Other contenders for the coveted overall winners' podium include 25-year-old Robin Faustini from Aargau in an Osella FA30 and his canton colleague Thomas Amweg, the 2019 Gurnigel winner, in a Reynard F3000.
Opportunities for Bruno Sawatzki
In the mountain championship of the touring cars, Bruno Sawatzki in a Porsche 991 GT3 Cup from the InterSwiss group and Roger Schnellmann in a good 800 hp Mitsubishi Evo VIII J-Spec from the E1 group won their categories in all starts. Because Schnellmann deliberately skipped the Massongex hillclimb in July, which was very demanding for the equipment, Sawatzki can secure the title early with another group victory at Gurnigel.
220 drivers roll to the start
Around 220 drivers are expected at the start in Rüti near Riggisberg in the various categories. The medium-fast and winding mountain race course ends after 3734 meters in the Gurnigelbad and is considered technically demanding. In the starting area, on the Laas and in the finish bend, the public can enjoy a beautiful view of the racing action from the natural grandstands (center gallery). What visitors can expect can be seen in the video from last year.
History worth knowing
On Saturday, three practice runs for all categories are on the program from 7 a.m. until about 5:30 p.m.. On Sunday morning, the first race run will start at the same time. The classification will be based on the addition of the two fastest times from three runs. The easiest and quickest way to purchase tickets is in advance via the homepage www.gurnigelrennen.ch. On the Internet and via the Sportity App (password: Gurnigel2023), you can find out more information and many interesting facts about this mountain race on the Gurnigel, which was already held in pre-war times.
Photos: Eichenberger ASS, Friends of Swiss Motorsport (Video)
AWARD The Genesis G80 premium sedan was named the model with the lowest depreciation in the luxury class - the "Value Champion 2023" - by Auto Bild magazine and the residual value experts at Schwacke.
Editorial - September 3, 2023
The G80 impressed the experts with its powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine.
For their annual "Auto Bild Wertmeister 2023" award, Auto Bild magazine and the residual value experts at Schwacke determine the value stability of vehicles. Taking into account an annual mileage typical for the class, the expected percentage and absolute loss in value after 48 months is determined. This year, almost 4,000 models were evaluated. The winners in 13 vehicle classes can call themselves value champions.
Design language, comfort and interior
As the sedan flagship of the Korean brand, the Genesis G80 combines the design language of Athletic Elegance with a spacious and comfortable interior. As a luxury model, it impresses with its powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that sends a maximum of 304 hp to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. In Premium Line trim, the four-door model has the lowest depreciation in its category. With an annual mileage of 20,000 kilometers, the depreciation after 48 months is around 28,291 francs.
ALTERNATIVE The Amag Group aims to become the leading mobility and energy provider in Switzerland. Together, the Amag Leasing and Noviv Mobility business units are now launching the first Microlino leasing.
Editorial - September 3, 2023
The Microliono electric dwarf from Turin is available in different equipment variants.
Amag Leasing as financing partner, Noviv Mobility as intermediary and Microlino as vehicle manufacturer. This defines the roles for the distribution of the small electric two-seater. The purchase of the vehicle takes place exclusively digitally via the website www.microlino-car.com, the collection and conclusion of the lease takes place at the Amag Retail locations in the greater Zurich, Bern and Geneva areas.
Additional delivery locations
Noviv Mobility acts as an intermediary and thus submits the leasing applications, delivers the vehicle to the customers and thus represents the physical point of contact for the clientele. To ensure coordinated delivery throughout Switzerland, Amag Buchrain, Basel and Noranco are additional delivery locations. Microlino leasing is the first offering in Switzerland to be distributed within such an agency model.
ModelEdition Urban comes 2024
The Microlino, which is hand-built in Turin, is available in four versions. The Pioneer Series, a limited edition of 999 vehicles, is already sold out and currently only available on subscription from Clyde. Immediately available are the Dolce and Competizione editions. The model range will be completed in early 2024 by the Urban edition, which will be available at a price of 16,490 Swiss francs. Three battery sizes are available in Switzerland. The battery can be fully charged in four hours at a standard household outlet.
Nicole Pauli, Managing Director of Amag Leasing: "After launching all-inclusive leasing for e-bikes, we are now ideally diversifying our portfolio in the micromobility segment with Microlino."
