Jaguar Classic is celebrating the E-Type's successful racing debut by building seven exclusive pairs of the E-Type ZP Collection. The new collectibles honor two of seven early models Jaguar built under the project name ZP for use in motorsport. Just weeks after their world premiere at the 1961 Motor Show (center gallery), the models scored their first victories: the ECD 400, piloted by future Formula 1 world champion Graham Hill, and the Buy 1 with Roy Salvadori at the helm.

Paul Barritt, Director Jaguar Classic: "Each pair of models tells a fascinating and often unknown story of the E-Type. The ZP Collection honors not only the cars, but also the racers who led them to victory on the race track. "Jaguar Classic's craftsmen have devoted 2,000 hours to each car."

From 2025 purely electric luxury brand

If that's not enough, the personalization team at Jaguar's special order division, SV Bespoke, will launch a limited edition F-Type customized from E-Type ZP Collection vehicles in the second half of the year. From 2025, Jaguar will open an exciting new chapter for the brand founded by Sir William Lyons in 1935 as an all-electric luxury brand.

Lighter flywheel and racing clutch

Jaguar Classic's ZP Collection models take their designation from seven E-Type examples that Jaguar had modified for racing shortly after their world premiere in 1961. Claude Baily, Jaguar's chief designer at the time, laid down the specifications for these seven Project ZP cars just one day after the premiere in Geneva.

In addition to a lighter flywheel and a racing clutch, the 3.8-liter inline-six also received a closer-ratio transmission. Shortly afterwards, the ECD 400 and Buy 1 took first and third place in the Oulton Park Trophy for GT cars.

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On July 1, the qualifying round for the 2023 Swiss Automotive Championships took place at Mobilcity in Bern. 20 candidates received the entry ticket for the final. The final will be held from September 14 to 17, 2023, at Bernexpo during the BAM trade fair.

Apprenticeship as automotive mechatronics engineer

Four items had to be completed in the subject areas of transmission, engine diagnostics, electrical circuits and MFK test. Nevio Bernet from Ufhusen, Canton Lucerne, was the winner with the highest score.

The 19-year-old had completed his apprenticeship as an automotive mechatronics technician at Dorfgarage Wagner AG in Zell and is already a familiar face in the industry. After all, he jumped onto the podium as runner-up at last year's championships as part of SwissSkills 2022. So now he wants the title.

Winner wants to top result

Nevio Bernet after the award ceremony: "I had a good feeling, but I didn't expect to win. Now it would be good if I can also top the place from last time in the final. But I don't put myself under much pressure."

He will then have to prevail against the runner-up, Janis Kimo Messer from Fraubrunnen, as well as Matteo Glielmi from Vaulruz, who came third.

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The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which celebrated its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (see video), sets new standards for compact high-performance electric vehicles. As Hyundai N's first electric car, it represents a new segment of driver-oriented high-performance vehicles. The new model combines the standard model's Electrified Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with N's motorsport technology, maximizing performance and ensuring the vehicle meets the three performance pillars of cornering predator, track capability and everyday sports car.

Sharper turn-in behavior

To further increase the cornering dynamics of the Ioniq 5 N compared with the base model, improvements were made to the body-in-white structure - through additional welding points and more bonding. In addition, a subframe ensures greater rigidity. To improve steering response and feedback, the steering column has also been reinforced. The N-pedal was developed to improve the turn-in and cornering behavior of the larger electric cars. It was based on the responsive handling characteristics of the i20 N WRC, with which Hyundai won the World Rally Championship.

Fast drifts are also possible

The N Drift Optimizer helps to drive long drifts with a constant angle. To do this, several control parameters of the Ioniq 5 N are balanced in real time. The integrated Torque Kick Drift function allows the driver to simulate the clutch kick of a rear-wheel-drive combustion vehicle. N Torque Distribution also enables variable torque distribution between the front and rear axles.

Together, the electric motors produce 478 kW (650 hp) with N Grin Boost activated. This enables the Ioniq 5 N to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds.

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Swiss drivers are constantly delivering top results in LMP2. In the WEC, Louis Delétraz (1st) and Fabio Scherer (2nd) are two drivers on course for the championship. The latter celebrated his greatest career success to date with his magnificent victory at Le Mans.

Neel Jani secures overall classification

Swiss success stories continued over the weekend. At the ELMS in Le Castellet, Neel Jani defended his overall lead with a second place. And Delétraz secured his second win of the season in the ProAM classification. This puts the Geneva native in front in this class with the maximum number of points. The success was completed by Alexandre Coigny from Vaud, who is in second place in the mixed teams (pro/amateur) championship.

Nico Müller with best result

The Formula E doubleheader in Rome was chaotic. In the first race, a mass collision that also involved Sébastien Buemi and Edoardo Mortara caused a lot of electric scrap. Both drivers got away with the scare, but were not present at the restart. Nico Müller (right gallery) fared all the better. The ABT driver secured the best result of the season so far for himself and the team with 6th place in this chaotic race.

In the second race, there was a novelty from a Swiss perspective: all three drivers finished in the points. Mortara finished fourth, Buemi fifth and Müller tenth. The wins in Rome went to Mitch Evans and Jake Dennis. The latter holds a commanding lead in the championship ahead of the finale in London (July 29 and 30).

First podium finish for Alain Valente

Alain Valente (left gallery) claimed his first podium finish at the third race weekend of the ADAC GT Masters at the Nürburgring. Under difficult conditions, the Mercedes driver, together with teammate Ralf Aron, managed to improve from 8th on the grid to 2nd. In the second race, the driver from Emmental had to settle for 10th place.

Raffaele Marciello in the points

Another Mercedes driver has once again come out on top at the GT World Challenge in Misano: Raffaele Marciello. The former Formula 1 test driver won the first of two races alongside Timur Boguslavskiy. In the second race, the duo finished 4th, with Marciello thus extending his lead in the overall standings and in the Sprint Cup.

Giacomo Altoé celebrated the 2nd place

Emil Frey Racing secured its first podium result of the season at the second round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge powered by AWS Sprint Cup at the Misano Circuit. With second place, the number 14 Ferrari 296 GT3 celebrated a solid result in Race 1, which particularly pleased Giacomo Altoé (center gallery) at his home race. In a persistent heat wave, the team otherwise struggled with a few problems, but thanks to faultless driving by all drivers, secured valuable points for the championship standings with fifth place in Race 2.

Source: Auto Sport Switzerland
Pictures: © Jani archive, ADAC GT Masters, Emil Frey Racing, ABT sportsline
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Although the weather gods didn't want to cooperate, the revived Hispano Suiza brand presented its high-performance Carmen Boulogne model at Goodwood. Luis Pérez-Sala, the former Formula 1 driver and current brand ambassador (center gallery) drove the exotic car up the famous hill at the Festival of Speed.

Luis Pérez-Sala: "Tackling the hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival is always an exciting experience, but especially with a car like this. In addition, the race track gives us information about the car's technology, for example the battery."

Up to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds

Only five of the upgraded Carmen Boulogne will be built - at a price of around two million Swiss francs each. In return, there's not only plenty of carbon, but also electric sports technology at its best. 828 kW (1114 hp) and 1600 Nm are matched by 1630 kilograms. This allows the car to reach 100 km/h in less than 2.6 seconds and then 290 km/h. The video shows the car during a test in Las Vegas.

Victor Cobos, Board Member and Head of Marketing at Hispano Suiza: "Goodwood is much more than just the hillclimb, though. At the festival we were able to present our new corporate identity and also meet journalists, influencers, car enthusiasts and customers."

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For the first time in the almost 60-year history of the famous pony car, Ford sends the Mustang where the roads know no asphalt, on a rally track. The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally celebrated its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The new model variant of the electrically powered sports utility vehicle is to be launched in Europe and the USA in the fall. The Ford Puma Hybrid Rally, with which M-Sport Ford competes in the World Rally Championship, served as inspiration.

Enjoyment of exhaust-free locomotion

The performance the vehicle is capable of proved on the spot. In the hands of former world rally champion Ott Tänak, the Mustang roared up the hillclimb course in the Lord of March Park in front of thousands of automotive and motorsport enthusiasts.

Darren Palmer, responsible for the electric vehicle model program at Ford: "The Mustang Mach-E combines the joy of locally emission-free locomotion with the feeling of fun and freedom that has always characterized the Mustang series. With the Mustang Mach-E Rally, our customers can now enjoy this experience off the beaten track."

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This year, for the first time, not only teams from the Aftersales area but also from the Sales area competed in the international Audi Twin Cup. Audi partners from a total of 26 markets took part. The final teams had qualified for the showdown in Munich via a multi-stage tournament. Until now, the Twin Cup stood for the two aftersales categories of service and technology. The name now stands for the two business units Sales and Aftersales.

Amag Thun at the top

At the finale of this year's event, Team Amerikhana from the USA secured first place in the overall standings. Victory in the Sales category went to Team Audi India. In the Aftersales category, Team "Not fast but furious" from Switzerland prevailed.

Philipp Lüchinger, Head of Aftersales Audi Switzerland: "The team from Amag Thun was able to win the national Audi Twin Cup this year in the Aftersales category. Now also the victory in the aftersales category at the international Cup. I am extremely pleased about this. They delivered a top performance in both the national and international finals."

Skills and advice

During the two-day event, the teams presented their expertise as well as their technical skills and impressed with first-class advice in sales and aftersales. The teams also had the opportunity to get to know the Audi brand and its products even better. A Q8 Sportback and an SQ8 e-tron were available for a Driving Experience.

Teamwork and customer experience

Hildegard Wortmann, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at Audi: "On the last two days of the Audi Twin Cup, everyone proved what customer enthusiasm means to us. Teamwork across the entire Customer Journey with the goal of creating the best customer experience."

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Although the Quartermaster has almost the same architecture as the Station Wagon as well as many similar components, its ladder frame is 305 millimeters longer. This increases the wheelbase to a total of 3227 millimeters and results in a large loading area that spreads out behind the rear seat wall with a length of 1564 millimeters and a width of 1619 millimeters. A standard Euro pallet with 1200 x 800 millimeters can therefore be loaded.

Diesel or as a gasoline engine

As in the closed station wagon model, the drive is provided by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine from BMW, either as a 249-hp diesel or as a gasoline engine with 286 hp. Both variants are coupled with an eight-speed automatic from ZF, while selectable all-wheel drive, off-road reduction and differential locks ensure traction off-road.

The young automaker with production at the former Smart plant in Hambach is also planning a Grenadier Station Wagon with 400-volt fuel cell architecture from BMW. Brand boss Lynn Calder has at least already announced a battery-electric Grenadier.

Doubling of production

More than 5,000 vehicles have now rolled off the production line at the Hambach plant. By the end of the year, Ineos Automotive expects to have delivered over 15,000 vehicles. This will be achieved by introducing a second shift at the plant from next month, doubling the production rate.

Strong demand for accessories

The brand has seen strong demand for accessories, with a third of customers so far opting for a front winch, which is more suited to agricultural use, and another third opting for the tailgate table, which is more suitable for leisure activities.

Due to the design, which makes it relatively easy to carry out special superstructures, a large number of conversions have already been registered: including a prototype safari vehicle in South Africa, a police vehicle in Spain and an ambulance in France.
From next year, therefore, chassis-cab variants of the Grenadier will also be available specifically for bodybuilders.

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The new R5 will roll off the production line at the Douai site in northern France. At present, conformity is still being checked there and the optimum level of quality is being ensured in the production process. Only authorized Renault personnel have access to the large prototype production building in the Technocentre; mobile devices are prohibited.

Established 25 years ago, the prototype center is used by Renault to simulate assembly processes as in a regular manufacturing plant. By copying the processes in detail, the center can produce prototypes in line with the manufacturing processes in future series production.

Assembly of the first vehicles

Before large-scale production of the Renault 5 starts, the so-called mules (mules), which are technically identical to the future series model, are being built in prototype construction. The Mules for the upcoming all-electric compact model, which have been in production since October 2021, were given the silhouette of the Renault Clio as camouflage. With this camouflage, the precursors underwent extensive testing in Lapland as part of the development process for the new EV platform CMF-B.

The next step will be the Vehicle Check prototypes, which unlike the Mules already match the design of the future production version. These still camouflaged vehicles are on European roads before the final adjustments are made.

Highest quality standards

Carefully coordinated processes, tools and parts enable the plant teams to focus primarily on the production ramp-up. They are supported by the experts from the prototype center, who accompany the training of the plant staff. The prototype phase serves as a bridge between design concept and large-scale production and offers the opportunity to translate preliminary approaches and numerical data into concrete solutions.

In total, more than 60 vehicles representative of the all-electric Renault 5 are produced in prototype production. The vehicles are extensively tested over long distances, in some cases under extreme conditions.

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Test drives with the Lamborghini SC63 will already start in the coming weeks. It will compete in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship in the hypercar class including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the GTP class of the IMSA Weather Tech Sports Car Championship Endurance Cup. The Endurance Cup consists of races such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Cooperation with Team Iron Lynx

Lamborghini has teamed up with the Italian team Iron Lynx to enter the car in international competitions. The brand has also attracted world-class drivers from Formula 1 and endurance racing. The LMDh project represents a new racing concept and fits the one unveiled in 2021.

Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Lamborghini: "The SC63 is the most advanced race car Lamborghini has ever produced. It follows our Direzione Cor Tauri for the electrification of the product range. This roadmap for electrification guides the company on the path to hybridize the entire model range by the end of 2024 while increasing driving performance."

New 3.8-liter biturbo V8 engine

The SC63 is powered by a new 3.8-liter biturbo V8 engine developed by Lamborghini specifically for the racing program. The hybrid system's output is limited by regulations to 500 kW (680 hp). The LMDh regulations specify the transmission, battery and motor-generator unit as unit components, which helps contain development costs.

Rouven Mohr, Chief Technical Officer at Lamborghini: "For us, motorsport is an important testing ground for the further development of our technology. Both SC63s will compete in the green shade Verde Mantis with a black stripe in the shade Nero Noctis across the cockpit and front hood, as well as with a diffuser, rear fin and wing made of carbon."
The Iron Lynx team will run the cars in both series.

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