The SLR McLaren GT model, which emerged from a Formula 1-inspired collaboration between Mercedes and McLaren, represents a chapter of its own in McLaren's history. This is now also reflected in the McLaren Technology Centre, where not only the car but also the people who brought it to life are honored.

Four examples of the Grand Tourer designed to supercar standards - an SLR Stirling Moss, an SLR MSO, an SLR HDK and the SLR 722 GT prototype - will be on display on the boulevard in front of the company's headquarters, along with items from the cars' development histories.

Chassis development and carbon technology

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren project was presented at the 1999 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. At the same time, it was confirmed that McLaren decided to cooperate with Mercedes-Benz to bring the Mercedes-Benz SLR Vision concept, which was shown at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, to the road as a production vehicle under the name Project 7. McLaren and Mercedes-Benz were partners in Formula One from 1995 to 2009, during which time McLaren won four world championships. This successful combination of McLaren chassis development and carbon technology with Mercedes engine performance was also to be offered to buyers of a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

5.5-liter V8 supercharged engine with 626 hp

The first prototype of the Project 7 was developed by a team of former McLaren Formula 1 mechanics, as the first car to be assembled by hand at the then newly opened MTC. The shape and design of the car were kept as close as possible to Mercedes' requirements and the design of the Vision SLR concept.

In addition to the new carbon developments, a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 engine developed by Mercedes-AMG was used, which delivered 626 hp and 780 Nm of torque. In 2010, the newly formed McLaren Special Operations (MSO) introduced the McLaren Edition SLR, an optimized package for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

cars.mclaren.com

The Düsseldorf-based bank has commissioned the Forsa polling institute to conduct this car study every year since 2016. This year's survey again focused on the decision-making criteria for buying a car, attitudes toward different types of drive, and fundamental views on current transport policy issues.

Against combustion car ban

What was surprising in this survey was the comeback of the gasoline engine. Expressed in figures: 30 percent of respondents give priority to this drive. In 2022, the figure was still 22 percent. In line with this, 65 percent also reject the ban on internal combustion engines that will come into force in 2035.

The popularity of alternative drive systems is therefore declining compared with the previous year. Only just under 36 percent of respondents are planning to switch when they next buy a car. In particular, the popularity of hybrid cars, which 18 percent would still choose, is declining, and a pure electric car would still be an option for 16 percent.

Image of e-cars suffers

However, the popularity of diesel drive remains slightly in decline. The much-discussed e-fuels have become much better known. 78 percent are familiar with the term, and 54 percent think the technology should be pursued further. In contrast, the environmentally friendly image of electric vehicles has been steadily declining since 2016. Only 39 percent of respondents still consider e-cars to be more environmentally friendly than internal combustion engines across the board. Compared with modern combustion engines, as many as two-thirds believe that e-cars are not a more environmentally friendly alternative.

Majority for speed limit

The results of the survey on the introduction of a general speed limit on highways in Germany remained constant compared with the previous year. Here, 63 percent still agree with a general limit, while 35 percent reject it. The level of the speed limit perceived as appropriate also remained almost at the previous year's level, at 135 kilometers per hour. With regard to traffic development in inner cities, 77 percent generally reject car-free inner cities or a blanket speed limit of 30km/h.

Source: auto-medienportal.net
targobank-magazine.com

More is always possible - in keeping with this motto, the Munich-based company has also made the M versions even better during the model revision of the X5 and X6. And they look even more evil: Flatter headlight units, an all-black kidney with horizontal grille bars, and even larger model lettering set striking accents.

1800 to 5800 revolutions

More important, however, is a technical innovation: For the first time, a 48-volt mild hybrid system is now also used in an M model. The new 4.4-liter biturbo gasoline engine in the X5 and X6 M Competition with 625 hp is now supported by an electric motor integrated into the housing of the 8-speed automatic transmission. It generates an electric boost of 9 kW (12 hp) and 200 Nm. This means that a constant torque of 750 Nm is now available between 1800 and 5800 rpm - and the power SUV reacts to throttle commands with corresponding venom.

Better action and reaction

The variable all-wheel drive system M xDrive, which offers various driving modes up to pure rear-wheel drive, and the active M differential are now not only networked with the driving stability control DSC, but for the first time also with the actuator-based wheel slip limitation - this further improves traction and enables even faster and more precise reactions to changing driving situations.

New features such as the elegant curved display in the cockpit including the new infotainment system, enhanced driving assistance systems or the dashboard with backlit light strip round off the model revision.

Prices start at 179,200 Swiss francs (X5 M Competition) and 182,300 Swiss francs for the X6 M Competition.

bmw.ch  

The autobau Swiss Kart Championship is entering its decisive phase. Motorcycle ace Dominique Aegerter is also at the start. The two-time Supersport World Champion will be racing for the KartBox.ch team in the manual karts. The 32-year-old Aegerter has already completed a first test. However, it was raining when he completed his first laps in Levier.

Aegerter, who is competing in the World Superbike Championship this year for Yamaha: "Of course, that's only an advantage if it also rains on race day. Dry, I only know the track with the Supermotard."

Hope for a good result

Aegerter's opponents in Levier will not be Bautista, Rae or Locatelli. Instead, Frigomosca, Castagnetti, Stoller & Co. will make life difficult for him.

Aegerter: "I don't know the guys who ride there. But I'm looking forward to this challenge. I hope that I can improve over the course of the weekend and thank Team KartBox.ch and team boss Kurt Wenger for their trust in me with a good result."

For Aegerter, it's not the first time he's made a guest appearance at the Karting World Championship. In 2018, he finished tenth in the final in Lignières. Back then he was already driving for KartBox.ch.

Source: Auto Sport Switzerland
motorsport.ch
go4race.ch

Hip-hop artists such as Xzibit, DJ Muggs, Tony Touch, Fame, Speech and many more provide authentic insights into the history of the globally significant youth culture. Porsche and Backspin magazine are honoring the anniversary of "50 Years of Hip-Hop" with the film documentary. On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc hosted a memorable party in the Bronx.

With two turntables connected together, he created beats that friends accompanied with chanting, while others moved to them with acrobatic breakdancing interludes. This evening is considered a key moment in the youth culture that is now known worldwide as hip-hop.

Value system at the center

Fifty years later, music journalist Niko Backspin embarked on a journey across the U.S. as part of "Back to Tape 3" to talk to artists in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta about their influences on the culture.

The result is an almost two-hour documentary that can now be viewed free of charge on YouTube (Backspin TV) and in the Porsche Newsroom. In addition to the hip-hop elements of breakdancing, graffiti, rap and DJing, the documentary focuses on a value system characterized by respect, tolerance and self-realization.

Hip-hop breaks boundaries for 50

Niko Backspin: "Respect, tolerance and integration are values that the hip-hop movement has exemplified for 50 years now and have thus shaped several generations and decades in language, music and also fashion. And what's nice is that there are so many ways to celebrate all that. With Back to Tape, we're giving the appropriate stage for that."

Backspin and Porsche have already been working together since 2018 to give space to the values of hip-hop as a youth culture.

porsche.ch

The first Lucerne beauty contest for automobiles took place in 1928 and was held until 1955. The highlight of the events was always the presentation of the cars on the Nationalquai in Lucerne. The Concours d'Excellence International was revived in 2016 by Urs P. Ramseier and Bernd E. Link revived. The competition was then still held at the Nationalquai in Lucerne in 2017 and 2018 before being moved to the Museum of Transport.

In 2022, the longstanding tradition of the event was successfully continued after a two-year forced break. With a new, driving format, the organizers broke new ground and thus ensured positive feedback. That is why the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne is continuing to expand this high-profile event.

VW with attractive competition

In addition to the categories and prizes already announced last year, this year the award "75 Years of Volkswagen in Switzerland" will be given for a classic VW. Therefore, the OC of the ACS Concurs d'Excellence grants all participants with a VW a one-time discount of 75 Swiss francs on the entry fee. The main prize is a visit for two to the Autowelt in Wolfsburg, including flight, hotel and admission to the VW Museum. The prize will be awarded by the jury to one of the participating VW vehicles from all categories.

There are still a few places available

For the Concours d'Excellence on 8 and 9 September are

places are still available. Further information about the event and the possibility to register with your vehicle can be found on the website of the Museum of Transport Lucerne. Historic automobiles from various eras will also be on the road in Lucerne and will ultimately be awarded prizes in ten categories at the Swiss Museum of Transport.

traffichouse.ch
intergas.com

The testers of the automobile club determined a real consumption of 15.5 kilowatt hours. The excellent drag coefficient of just 0.21 played a major part in this. The Ioniq 6 scored 58 out of a possible 60 points for fuel consumption/CO2 and 49 out of 50 points for pollutant emissions, taking into account the German electricity mix.

Range of over 500 kilometers

In test operation, the ADAC was able to recharge power for more than 400 kilometers of driving in 20 minutes, thanks to charging powers of up to 236 kW. The model tested was rear-wheel drive with a 77.4 kWh battery, which according to the automobile club's calculations has a range of 555 kilometers.

The Ioniq 6 is made from environmentally friendly materials such as ecologically processed leather and recycled yarn from plastic bottles and marine waste. It is available from 67,900 francs.

hyundai.ch

The drive of the Swedish Volvo FH truck is still freely selectable. But the electric version shown as a special edition at the Wacken Open Air Festival additionally bears the number 666 on the driver's cab as an indication of the engine power - still in horsepower currency.

Black and golden leaves

All Volvo FH Swedish Metal are painted black and decorated with gold flashes and emblems. On the side panels there is a silhouette of a Volvo FH with bull horns. Other features include a deep sun visor, low front spoiler with two yellow lights incorporated underneath, as well as an illuminated roof sign and round LED headlights.

Silent power electric trucks

Together with the well-known drummer of former Motörhead and now German band Scorpions, Mikkey Dee, Volvo Trucks already launched a campaign of contrasts last year. Under the motto "Silent Power," the campaign juxtaposes electrifying loud music with extremely quiet electric trucks. The native Swede from Volvo's hometown of Gothenburg holds a truck driver's license and has seen for himself the "Silent Power" of the e-trucks in several videos.

volvotrucks.ch

With the 4.39-meter-long Honda e:Ny1, the Group is launching a compact electric car. It is driven via the front axle, because the new model is based on the Honda HR-V. The looks are clearly in the direction of the HR-V, which is not a bad idea. The look clearly goes in the direction of the HR-V, which is not a bad idea. Like the compact SUV with hybrid drive, the new electric car has character without being visually loud. With smooth surfaces and sleek lines, the Japanese car has a strong appearance.

And if the launch video is to be trusted, the e:Ny1 is pronounced in English. So "ih-en-wai-one". It can be better recognized by the white H on the nose. The first letter of the company name in white stands for the manufacturer's electric vehicles.

Range of 412 kilometers

Unlike the Honda e, the e:Ny1 is not designed as a city car. The relatively large 68.8 kWh battery is supposed to allow a range of 412 kilometers according to the realistic WLTP cycle. The electric motor produces 204 hp and comes to 310 Newton meters of maximum torque. During DC fast charging on the highway, the e:Ny1 draws a maximum of 78 kW - not a top value, but sufficient to charge from ten to 80 percent in a good 45 minutes. When AC charging, the e:Ny1 manages up to 11 kW, which means around six hours of charging time.

With surprisingly precise steering and good comfort despite front-wheel drive, the almost 1.8-ton SUV drives like it looks: pleasing and unagitated. It reaches 100 km/h from a standstill in a good 7.6 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 160 km/h. That's not really necessary. That's all it really needs

A completely new chassis

Honda is known for its sophisticated technology, cars like the Civic or HR-V are excellently made. In the electric segment, the small Honda e may cost premium prices, but it is a king of the city. Expectations for the driving behavior of the first electric all-rounder are correspondingly high.

For e:Ny1, Honda has developed a completely new chassis specifically for battery-powered electric vehicles and improved torsional rigidity with high-strength steel. The e:Ny1 stays cleanly in its lane even when cornering at high speed. You feel very safe.

Touchscreen, but also keys

In the interior, the large 15.1-inch display catches the eye and serves as the command center for the infotainment. So the Japanese also rely primarily on touchscreen operation. Nevertheless, there are buttons on and around the center console for conventional operation. There is also a tray for inductive charging. Other striking features are the many storage options and the generous amount of space, which is due to the e:Ny1's platform and typical for electric cars. In the second row, even passengers taller than 1.80 meters can sit comfortably and enjoy the ride.

Our test vehicle had the panoramic glass roof. Thanks to a special coating, 90 percent of the IR radiation is supposed to be reflected so that the interior does not heat up. This worked quite well. You should treat yourself to this option.

Standard amenities

The e:Ny1 can already be configured and is available as Elegance from 45,990 Swiss francs, then with quite lush equipment and standard amenities such as Internet connection, navigation and a wireless smartphone charging station. The Advance version (from 48,990 Swiss francs) offers even more extras: for example, a 360-degree camera system and the panoramic glass roof described above. Not to mention the numerous standard assistance systems such as lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control.

en.honda.ch

The Brooklyn Garage, Horgen, invites you to the Big Cruising Lake Zurich on August 19 and 20. On Saturday between 2 and 8 p.m. and on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., the focus will once again be on the joy of cruising and meeting other US classic cars along the way. There are no start and finish locations, nor is there a fixed meeting point.

Lake crossing by ferry

A special highlight is the lake crossing with the ferry Horgen-Meilen-Horgen. This year, for the first time, the official cruising route will be extended to include Lake Obersee. On the way, the culinary partners are happy to feed the cruisers during a pit stop. In addition, the Brooklyn Garage has opened its doors and looks forward to welcoming visitors. Also very important: The organizers emphasize that other Classic Cars - up to the Fiat Cinquecento - are also welcome.

Street cruiser like in the 80s

Since driving takes place in both directions, you will encounter as many US cars as was the order of the day in Switzerland until the 1980s. Visitors on the roadside will have the opportunity to experience the road cruisers, pony and muscle cars, in full swing.

Of course, all traffic rules must be observed as normal when cruising. For example, convoys may consist of a maximum of 15 vehicles along the entire route, and a time interval of three minutes must be maintained between convoys. In addition, for the section over the Seedamm and in the city of Rapperswil-Jona, there is the restriction that only convoys of a maximum of eight vehicles are permitted.

thebrooklyn.ch