Next to all the electrical novelties, you almost feel like you're in the wrong movie. It roars, roars and roars out to the huge oval tailpipes - and that's even when the car is at a standstill. Get in, buckle up, put your foot gently on the gas, and yet the enormous power of this vehicle is immediately physically palpable.

Zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds

Clear the way, put your foot down, and the world flies past the window in Schlieren. Zero to a hundred in 3.4 seconds may no longer seem impressive in the new age of electric hypercars.

Behind the wheel it still is, and how. Because the new Audi RS6 Avant Performance doesn't just accelerate enormously quickly to 100 km/h, as the new battery-powered vehicles do. In it, the sprint becomes an emotional experience.

Maximum torque of 850 Nm

Of course, Audi will soon have to electrify its RS models as well - there's no way around it, at least in Europe. But the engineers from Ingolstadt can still count on pure V8 power. The new performance versions for the technically identical RS6 Avant (top gallery) and RS7 Sportback (bottom gallery) have been made 30 hp and 50 Nm more powerful thanks to slightly more boost pressure. The 4-liter eight-cylinder biturbo gasoline engine now produces 630 hp and generates a maximum torque of 850 Nm. This makes them both stronger and faster than ever before. And to make it all a bit more impressive, 8 kilograms of damping material have been removed, primarily between the engine and passenger compartment. This makes the RS a bit lighter, but above all significantly louder.

High performance tires and cast aluminum wheels

The setup has also been tweaked. The self-locking center differential has been optimized. Lightweight cast aluminum wheels in 21 or 22 inches reduce the unsprung mass. Added to this are new high-performance tires from Continental (Sport Contact 7), which reduce the braking distance from 100 km/h by two meters. The standard equipment at the base price of 159,500 Swiss francs (RS6 Avant Performance) and 162,000 Swiss francs (RS7 Sportback Performance) also includes the dynamic package with sport differential on the rear axle, all-wheel steering and a speed increase to 280 km/h. The new tires are also available in a new design.

As a result, the two RS models steer even more precisely, grip the racing line even more aggressively, are even more direct, safer and also easier to drive. It's hard to tell just how big the difference is compared with the basic RS. The basic versions of the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback are already superb. But a little more power, that simply always goes.

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The theme of the film is an extraordinary story about family ties, passion for automobiles and the symphony of life. Ferzan Özpetek is an Italian film and opera director and screenwriter of Turkish origin.

Trident attraction

Set in the most beautiful landscapes of Italy, the short film follows three siblings as they set out on a journey across the peninsula. Their goal is to meet their father again, a famous orchestra conductor. The story shows the personalities of a family that goes on a quest with the MC20 Cielo (gallery on the left), Gran Turismo and Grecale (gallery on the right).

The journey demonstrates the close connection between people, automobiles, hearts and art. Viewers should be touched by the attraction of the tridents that Ferzan Ozpetek focuses through the lens.

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In some cantons the vacations have already begun, in others it will soon be time. Many Swiss are drawn to the south. In addition, travelers from neighboring countries are also heading to France, Italy or Spain in their cars or motor homes during July and August. The TCS is therefore expecting an extremely high volume of traffic this year. Strikes in France and Italy as well as the problems in air traffic are expected to make the situation even worse.

Long waiting times at the Gotthard

There are long lines of traffic jams in both directions in front of the Gotthard tunnel. A large part of the tourists travel in July between Friday and Monday in the direction of the Italian border. During these days, the traffic jam at the Gotthard north portal can exceed the 10-kilometer mark. If you want to avoid long waiting times, you should drive towards Ticino between Tuesday and Thursday during the week. In principle, it is worth leaving early in the morning or later in the evening.

Recommended alternative routes

To avoid the traffic jam in front of the Gotthard tunnel, the A13 via San Bernardino is often used as an alternative. However, traffic jams can also occur on this route. The route through the canton of Graubünden is mainly suitable for travelers from eastern Switzerland and Zurich. As an alternative to the Gotthard tunnel and the San Bernardino route, the Gotthard Pass and other Alpine passes are particularly suitable for travelers.

Information around the clock

Information about traffic incidents and road conditions is available at any time via the free TCS traffic app and the TCS-Twitter account with the traffic information as well as on the TCS website. In this way, you can quickly and reliably find out about the current situation on the Swiss road network before and during your journey.

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For the first time in the history of the Swiss Rally Championship, the Rallye du Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise is part of the SM calendar. For the rally with its hub in Chalon-sur-Saône (between Dijon and Lyon), 15 teams have registered in the Modernes category. In the VHC, i.e. in the historic class, four representatives from Switzerland are at the start.

Old master Olivier Burri at the start

Jonathan Hirschi will not be taking part. The overall leader, who won the first two rallies that count towards the 2023 Swiss Championship, has to forgo the start at the Rallye du Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise because he is in action at the Nürburgring. Hirschi's absence means that second-placed Jonathan Michellod with co-driver Stéphane Fellay and his Škoda brand colleague Mike Coppens from the Valais (this time with Jérôme Degout, who is familiar with the area, as co-driver) are moving into focus.

But that doesn't make them the only contenders for victory. Old master Olivier Burri is also competing. The four-time Swiss champion, who last competed in Burgundy in 2015, is taking part with his Hyundai i20 N Rally2 and could take important points away from the two title contenders Michellod and Coppens if he wins.

Thibault Maret is one of the chasers

Lurking behind this trio are Sacha Althaus/Lisiane Zbinden and Thibault Maret/Florian Barral, two teams that have intact chances of making the podium. Althaus has already finished third on the podium at the Critérium Jurassien and the Rallye du Chablais this season. Thibaut, who is only 22 years old, achieved his best result to date at the Chablais with fourth place and is seen as a promise for the future.

Also at the start with a Rally2 is Stefano Mella. He will be driving a VW Polo GTI R5. Sergio Pinto will also be fighting for Swiss championship points in Burgundy. In his class, the Michelin Trophy Alps Open, the man from the Valais faces two competitors from France and is in fourth intermediate place in the Rallye-SM before the third round.

Michaël Volluz in action as co-pilot

Michaël Volluz is also making his comeback. The co-driver of Jonathan Hirschi, who suffered burns in a fire incident at the Rally Monte Carlo, is in action as co-driver of Laurent Bérard on his Honda Civic Type R. The duo will compete against Clio drivers Claude Aebi and Olivier Ramel in the Michelin Trophy Alps 2WD and the Swiss Rally Cup.

Who has a chance against Pascal Perroud?

The SM victory in the historic class VHC can (under normal circumstances) only go via Pascal Perroud. The BMW M3 driver from Lake Geneva has won the first two rallies. His opponents in Burgundy are Claude-Alain Cornuz (Ford Escort RS 2000), Nicolas Jolidon (BMW 325i) and Steve Gaspardi (Opel Corsa). In the VHRS, which is all about even driving, there is only one Swiss on the grid: championship leader Laurent Pernet (BMW 325ix).

The rally gets underway on Friday, July 7, with the shakedown starting at 11 am. The first of a total of twelve stages starts on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. in Buxy. On Sunday, July 9, action is on the agenda from 9 a.m. onwards. A total of 440.1 kilometers will be covered, of which 158.2 kilometers will be classified. For more information, visit www.rallye-bourgogne-cote-chalonnaise.fr.

Dates Swiss Rally Championship 2023

• July 8 and 9, Rallye de Bourgogne - Côte Chalonnaise (F)
• August 31 - September 2, Rally Mont-Blanc Morzine (F)
• September 29 and 30, Rally del Ticino
• October 26-28, Rally International du Valais

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The first generation of the VW T-Cross has taken a top position in its class in four years. Around 1.2 million people have already opted for this model. With an average of around 300,000 units produced each year, the T-Cross, which is offered outside Europe as the Tacqua and Taigun, is one of the brand's most successful models.

Fresh colors complement the offer

Imelda Labbé, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales: "We have listened carefully to our customers and further expanded the strengths of the T- Cross. The revised design, the new infotainment and the high-quality interior are oriented toward the next higher vehicle segment."

From the outside, the new T-Cross is immediately recognizable by its front and rear end. LED headlights and daytime running lights as well as LED taillights are new. Three fresh colors enrich the range: Grape Yellow, Clear Blue Metallic and Kings Red Metallic.

Infotainment display in focus

The central element in the interior is the free-standing infotainment display. The diagonal of the touchscreen is 20.3 centimeters, in the top version it is a display with a diagonal of 23.4 centimeters. In addition, all versions of the four-door five-seater are now equipped with digital instruments as standard. As in larger VW models, softly upholstered surface materials characterize the instrument panel and door trim.

Planned availability in Switzerland

Information on the drive systems is not yet available. Pre-sales and activation of the online configurator will start in the fourth quarter, with market launch at dealers in the first quarter of 2024. The second-generation T-Cross is to be offered at an attractive base price.

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Four legendary Alfa Romeo racing cars were on display at the Le Mans Classic: a 6C 3000 from 1953, a 33 Stradale from 1967, a Tipo 33 TT 12 from 1975 and a Tipo 33/3 that took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970. The brand from Arese also organized for the second time the Tribe Days, a meeting for collectors, customers and enthusiasts, as part of the Le Mans Classic.

Four Quadrifoglio at the start

The Le Mans Classic is one of the world's largest events for racing cars from the 1920s to the 1970s. Alfa Romeo sent the four cars to the track where the brand celebrated four overall victories in the 24-hour race. Also in 1923, Alfa first displayed a four-leaf clover as a good luck charm on its factory race cars. This symbol also adorned the four Le Mans Classic models this year. The historic race cars were accompanied by current models from the brand.

Special editions sold out

With its plug-in hybrid drive, the Tonale represents the brand's move into electromobility. Already sold out to mark the 100th anniversary of the Quadrifoglio are the special editions of the Giulia and Stelvio, produced only 100 times. Even more strictly limited is the Giulia SWB Zagato, the coupe reminiscent of the legendary Zagato creations. The show car stood side by side with an original Tipo 33/3rd factory car in the Village des Constructeurs at Le Mans.

Highlight on the race track

In 1975, the Alfa Romeo 33 TT 12 was the benchmark in the World Sports Car Championship. The crews were also in a class of their own, as Formula 1 stars Mario Andretti, Jacky Ickx, Henri Pescarolo, Arturo Merzario and the German Jochen Mass, among others, drove for Alfa Romeo. By the end of the season, they had won seven out of nine races - and Alfa Romeo was celebrating the title of world brand champion.

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Team Abt Cupra XE has scored a coup. For the next round of the Extreme E, it has brought on board a well-known rally driver in the form of Frenchman Sébastien Loeb. With the driving skills of the 49-year-old record rally world champion and his vast experience in Extreme E, the Abt team wants to fight for victory at the Island X Prix on July 8 and 9 in Sardinia.

Podiums and victories as the goal

Loeb will drive the Cupra Tavascan XE and team up with up-and-coming rallycross driver Klara Andersson. Loeb looks back on a unique career with numerous titles. In addition to winning the Extreme-E championship last year, Loeb has claimed nine world championship titles in rally racing.

Sébastien Loeb: "I'm looking forward to returning to the Extreme E. It's a competition similar to rallycross, so I think I'll be in rhythm. In any case, I'm ready to fight."

Mixed driver teams

What also sets Extreme E apart from other racing series is the concept of competing with mixed driver teams. This approach fits perfectly with Cupra's commitment to gender equality.

Xavi Serra, Head of Cupra Racing "With Sébastien in the team, our goal is clear: we want to fight for podiums and victories. To be part of the Cupra Tribe, you need the right attitude. We are proud to live this ethos both on and off the track. We look forward to welcoming Sébastien at the upcoming race in Sardinia."

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But there are also four BMWs (all Z8s), three Chevrolets, one Lancia, six Mercedes-Benzes and a young Abarth 695 Biposto up for auction. All cars are offered without a minimum price, the estimated values are sometimes surprisingly low, averaging 158 194 francs. The average age of the vehicles is not quite 36 years, the oldest car dates back to 1955.

Models in different colors

What is striking about the auction is that there are several examples of some vehicle types (some in different colors). This is the case, for example, with the 1973 Porsche Carrera RS Touring, which is offered in orange and yellow between 350,000 and 450,000.

Even larger is the offer of Porsche 911 Speedster (G-model) from 1989, here you can choose between five cars, which were estimated at 100 000 to 200 000 francs. There are also three cars from the 964 Carrera RS, and four from the BMW Z8. Two Porsche 356 B Carrera 2 from 1963 in beige and blue will also go under the hammer. 350,000 to 450,000 francs are set here.

Mercedes-Benz, Corvette and Co.

Not quite fitting into the Carrera theme are the seven Mercedes-Benzes, all of which are cabriolets. Two 190 SLs, two 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolets, a 280 SL (Pagoda), a 500 SL (W107) and a youthful SLR McLaren Roadster from 2008 (225,000 to 275,000 Swiss francs) are up for grabs.

In addition to the German products already mentioned, three Americans, two Corvettes and a 1969 Camaro, will also go under the hammer, supplemented by a 1969 Lancia Fulvia Rallye 1.6 HF Fanalone with rally equipment.

Vehicle registration documents for Switzerland

According to RM Sotheby's, there will be a mostly stamped Swiss vehicle registration card for all cars. Starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2023, the event will begin with previews of the cars on the first floor. The auction will take place from 2 p.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023, in the Members Club on the 2nd floor. The second part of the Carrera Collection auction will take place in Milan on July 12, 2023.

Source: intergas.com
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/cc23
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In the design of the new edition of the Evoque, new pixel LED headlights literally set highlights, and also in terms of technology, the Range Rover Evoque underlines the claim of modern luxury with even more pizzazz. Inside, the 2024 model generation comes with a new, elegantly curved 11.4-inch touchscreen. With Clearsight Ground View, interior rearview mirror with Clearsight Rear View and 3-D surround camera system, the car captures the entire environment in detail. In addition, the new Evoque offers interior air purification, sustainable interior materials, more storage options and a modified hybrid drive.

Electrified drive with 309 hp

In the Range Rover Evoque P300e, a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine is combined with an 80 kW electric motor and a 14.9 kWh battery to form a plug-in hybrid system that delivers a maximum of 309 hp (227 kW) and enables a WLTP electric range of up to 62 kilometers.

The standard fast-charging technology charges the battery from 0 to 80 percent in 30 minutes. The new Evoque allows updates to the vehicle software via over-the-air software without a workshop visit, and the In Control Remote app can be used to check the vehicle status and plan charging processes, among other things.

Colors according to customer's request

The exterior color palette now offers a choice of Arroios Grey, Tribeca Blue and Corinthian Bronze. The Narvik Black or Corinthian Bronze paint finishes for the roof provide further options for personalizing the body. In addition, there is a range of eight wheel designs up to 21 inches in size.

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Raffaele Marciello was 11.129 seconds off his second victory (in a row) at the Spa 24 Hours on Sunday. The man from Ticino, who shared his Mercedes AMG GT3 from Team Akkodis with Timur Boguslawski and Jules Gounon, was nevertheless satisfied with his performance.

Raffaele Marciello: "We did our best and didn't make any mistakes, but the Rowe BMW was just a tad faster."

Second best Swiss was Ricardo Feller. The driver from Aargau was on the same lap as the winners and was 1:33 min behind at the finish. The third Swiss Pro Cup driver, Audi driver Patric Niederhauser, was classified 16th.

Points for Fontana and Leutwiler

Swiss men and women also competed in the other categories. Alex Fontana and Niki Leutwiler (second in the Pro AM classification), Lucas Légeret (second in the Silver Cup) and Jeffrey Schmidt (third in the Bronze Cup) were particularly successful. The other Swiss missed out on a top place or dropped out - including Rahel Frey in the Lamborghini from Iron Dames.

Mike Müller in second place

Grégoire Saucy also had no racing luck at the sixth round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship in Spielberg. Although the driver from the Jura secured his first pole position (four thousandths ahead of the second fastest), he came into contact with an opponent during the race. Saucy has to pit with a puncture and drops to the back of the field.

Mike Müller scored another podium finish in the ADAC Junior Cup at the Nürburgring. The driver from Berne was on pole position in the second race and was only beaten by German Mattis Pluschkell after twelve laps. In the overall standings, the rookie is in 5th place, just 24 points behind the leader.

Source: Auto Sport Switzerland
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