The world premiere took place in the surfing hotspot Huntington Beach on the Pacific Coast Highway near Los Angeles on the occasion of the largest VW bus meeting in the USA. At the same time, America welcomed the electric transporter with a grand gesture. Between New York and San Francisco, June 2 will be a holiday in the future as Volkswagen Bus Day, and in three weeks, the new model will make its European debut at the international VW Bus Festival from June 23 to 25 in Hanover, northern Germany, the birthplace of the Bulli.

25 centimeters more wheelbase

With the T4, the VW Bus bid farewell to the USA and Canada 20 years ago. Nevertheless, the rear-engine generations T1, T2 and T3 are still a familiar sight in beach parking lots in California, Florida and Long Island. So now Volkswagen is bringing the VW Bus back to North America - this time first with electric rear-wheel drive.

GTX version with all-wheel drive  

With a length of 4.96 meters and seating for up to seven, the long ID.Buzz is perfectly prepared for the launch in North America. The extra length from 25 centimeters more wheelbase creates space for a third row of seats and for up to 2469 liters of trunk space. The larger 85 kWh battery allows even more range, and in addition, the big ID.Buzz will be launched with a new 210 kW E-engine (286 hp).

A GTX version with all-wheel drive and an output of 250 kW (339 hp) has also been announced for next year. Delivery of the first ID.Buzz in America is scheduled to start in 2024. Almost in parallel, the new model will also go on sale in Europe.

volkswagen.ch

Since the beginning of the year, 98,538 new passenger cars have hit the roads in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein - that is 10,215 or 11.6 percent more than after five months last year. The supply chain tragedy has been overcome in many places, and order times for many models are back to normal. Electric and hybrid drives have a market share of 54.3 percent since the beginning of the year.

Familiar figures not again until 2024

Auto-Schweiz media spokesman Christoph Wolnik: "Even if the cumulative market level of 2019 is still around 30,000 new cars short, the ninth consecutive monthly increase shows that the recovery is sustainable. Nevertheless, we won't see the usual level of registrations again until next year, perhaps not until 2025."

Alternative drives grow more strongly

The market shares of hybrid and electric vehicles increased by six percentage points year-on-year in May to a combined 55.2 percent. Exactly one in five new cars is purely electric, while another 7.8 percent are rechargeable plug-in hybrids. The remaining 27.4 percent are full and mild hybrids. Since the beginning of the year, the number of new passenger cars with electric, hybrid, gas or hydrogen engines has grown by 22 percent, outpacing the overall market. 54.3 percent of all new PWs are alternatively powered. Detailed figures are available at www.auto.swiss.

car.swiss

Following Polestar's sustainability strategy, the new Polestar Space is designed from recycled containers and in the brand's minimalist Scandinavian style. Visitors can book test drives and receive advice from Polestar specialists on the products and the topic of electromobility in general without any pressure to buy.

Contact with the audience is important

Together with local partners in Switzerland, Polestar operates Polestar Spaces in Zurich, Bern and Lucerne. Customers can take delivery of their vehicles at the three handover centers in Thalwil, Geneva and Solothurn.

Sascha Heiniger, Head of Polestar Switzerland: "In our business model, physical contact points with the product and the brand are also very important, and we plan to gradually expand these in Switzerland."

Horwerstrasse can be reached ibeasily by public transport or via the A2 freeway. Interested parties can experience the performance of the all-electric hatchback Polestar 2 during a test drive in the Lucerne area. It's worth it.

polestar.com

More and more often, you see a red-yellow-black sign on trucks and coaches showing either a truck or a bus. However, the French inscription "Attention, Angles Morts" (Attention, blind spot) may cause confusion. This sign has been mandatory in France since the beginning of 2021 for vehicles with a total weight of more than 3.5 tons.

Default also for mobile homes

In France, trucks and coaches from abroad also need this sticker, and motor homes are also affected by this change in the law. A total of three signs must be affixed to the vehicle - on the side and on the rear.

The notices must be at a height of 0.9 to 1.5 meters. The Angles Morts sign must be 25 x 17 centimeters and have a red frame. Inside, it must be black and yellow and show a stylized intersection. In addition, four triangular warning signs with exclamation marks, a stylized vehicle are mandatory.

Always follow official instructions

According to t-online.de, there are also versions with a camper van on the Internet. However, these do not comply with the official specifications. The ADAC therefore advises caravan drivers to use the sticker with the bus, as it is a vehicle for transporting people.

tcs.ch
adac.com

Together with the three new SUV models ZR-V, CR-V and e:Ny1 on four wheels (AutoSprintCH reported), the brand is launching the first electrically powered two-wheeler in Europe. Since the scooter is also part of the Japanese company's sustainability program, it takes part of its name from the automobiles. In its case, "e:" stands for electric drive.

Maximum speed of 45 km/h

With the electric motor, whose maximum output is 1.7 kW and maximum torque 90 Nm, and the 1.5 kWh battery, the EM1 e: reaches a top speed of 45 km/h and travels about 30 kilometers according to WLTP - in practice, however, 40 kilometers are usually possible, explain the Honda specialists.

The battery is located under the seat and can be easily and quickly removed for charging at home. From 25 to 75 percent this is done in 160 minutes. The manufacturer confirms that more than 2500 charges are possible.

With battery 95 kilogram weight

The small Honda motorcycle is a fairly international product. It was developed by Honda in Japan, the battery, which also comes from Honda, is manufactured in India, and the two-wheeler is made in China. With battery, it weighs only 95 kilograms. It will be available from dealers in the fall in three colors: white, black and gray, but the price is not yet known.

honda.ch

At the classic car and sports car auction in Romanshorn on Saturday, July 1From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., around 50 high-quality and tested classic cars as well as sports cars and rare automobilia will go under the hammer.

From the Alfa Romeo 6C Mille Miglia in 1/8th scale to the original Ferrari Testarossa, from the luxury Topolino estimated at 30,000 francs to the Lamborghini Huracan Performance or from the Aston Martin DB One-Owner Car to the Lotus Esprit V8, a high-quality variety is offered.

Bidder admission and catalog

During the auction there will be the opportunity to visit the impressive vehicle collection of Fredy Lienhard. Parking spaces are sufficiently available. The entrance fee including bidder admission and catalog is 30 Swiss francs.

Interested parties can already find out which vehicles and other products will be offered in the auction. The vehicles offered in the auction will be available for viewing in the Autobau Erlebniswelt from 2 to 7 p.m. from June 28 to 30. Registrations are accepted from Goodtimer gladly accept.
Please contact us by phone +41 71 466 00 66 or Mail.

autobau.ch
goodtimer.ch

Competing in the GTE-Am class, the female racers known as The Iron Dames have already been involved in fierce battles for best times. Thanks to teamwork, they made it onto the podium in Portimão, and Sarah Bovy even took pole position at Sebring. Now the team is also expecting a podium finish at the anniversary of the 24 Hours of le Mans.

Hopes of the audience

In the LMP2 category, French Iron Dame Doriane Pin experiences a highlight of her still young career. She makes her first appearance at Le Mans at the wheel of the LMP2 car Oreca 07-Gibson Prema Racing (gallery on the right) with start number 63 - together with experienced team partners Daniil Kvyat and Mirko Bortolotti. The Le Mans crowd has high hopes for them. On the Thursday before the 100th anniversary race (gallery on the left), which will be held on June 11 and 12, the Iron Ladies face questions from sports journalists.

ironlynx.it

Following the relaunch of the battery-electric Jeep Avenger (which translates as Avenger) and its selection as European Car of the Year 2023, its TV premiere is now starting with the first commercial. The 30-second clip "Built for the Real World" is scheduled to air in prime time on the TV channels RTL, Vox, Super RTL, Nitro, Sat 1, Pro 7, Kabel 1, Sat 1 Gold, DMax, Welt and Sky.

Retrospect and future of the brand

The commercial shows a Jeep Avenger moving through imaginary environments in a virtual world and being driven by an equally fictional character. The turning point takes place when the protagonist of the video removes a virtual reality headset from her eyes and returns to the real world. The woman, now driving a real Avenger, enthusiastically embarks on a real Jeep adventure. The campaign connects the brand's storied past and its future, showcasing the Jeep Avenger as a landmark.

Combination of images and texts

In the video, a combination of images and text highlights the key features of the Jeep Avenger. Responsive driving characteristics in all weather conditions, thanks in part to Selec-Terrain functionality. In addition, the Avenger with 54-kWh battery offers up to 400 kilometers of range in the combined WLTP cycle and even up to 550 kilometers in the city cycle city traffic.

These themes are combined with other typical factors: the functional design, the spacious interior, the all-electric drive and the practical charging features.

jeep.ch

During the trial of strength in the Alpine foothills south of Lake Geneva, which are characterized by large differences in altitude, the participants in the world's first electric rally one-make cup will complete a total distance of 565 kilometers, including ten special stages over 98 kilometers.

Fully electric Corsa models in use

The second round of the Swiss Rally Championship has long been one of the traditional events and, in addition to the usual CH championships, also counts for the ERT (European Rally Tour), the TER (Tour European Rally), the EHRC (European Historic Rally Championship) and the ADAC Opel E-Rally Cup. The latter ensures a novelty in Swiss motorsport history with its 15 all-electric Corsa models.

Live timing of the Swiss premiere online

The start will be at 11:49 on Friday (June 2), and after three more special stages the race will enter the parc-fermé at 20:02. The second stage starts on Saturday morning at 9:46, with the finish in Aigle at 20:39.

The TV station n-tv will report on the Swiss premiere of the ADAC Opel Rally Electric Cup in its magazine "PS - Die Deutsche Rallye-Meisterschaft" on June 17 from 12:10 pm. Rally fans will find live timing at www.opel-motorsport.com and www.adac-motorsport.de.

Jonathan Hirschi relies on Citroën C3 Rally2

In the field of 45 modern rally cars, the focus is on starting numbers 1 to 3. Opening winner and last year's champion Jonathan Hirschi still has a score to settle with the Chablais. Last year, the man from Neuchâtel should have won the rally around the service park in Aigle (VD), but two ten-second penalties threw Hirschi back to second place. As in the Critérium Jurassien, Hirschi will be navigated by stand-in co-driver and partner Sarah Lattion in the Chablais. The duo is relying on the Citroën C3 Rally2.

Jonathan and Mike want to know this time

Championship runner-up and last year's winner Jonathan Michellod (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) is considered the number one Hirschi chaser at the Chablais. The young man from the Valais is only too keen to repeat his triumph of 2022. Third in line is Michellod's brand colleague Mike Coppens. The 2021 champion totally fumbled on the first day of the Crit and only finished fourth. Logically, he wants to shine again in front of a partly home crowd (the Chablais takes place on Vaudois and Valais soil).

Source: Auto Sport Switzerland
rdch.ch
opel.ch
motorsport.ch

With its market launch in 1998, the Lexus RX was one of the pioneers in the luxury SUV market segment. Since then, it has been continuously developed further, and in 2005 it set new standards in the premium market with the 400h hybrid version. The new appearance is a perfect match for the Japanese car.

21 inch wheels with high gloss finish

The new equipment variant is offered for the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid and the RX 350h self-charging hybrid model. The black lower bumper with satin front inserts and the rear bumper set accents. This is complemented by seven paint colors, including F White and Sapphire Blue, which are exclusive to the F Line. Black 21-inch wheels with a high-gloss finish and black exterior mirror housings complete the look of the new models. Also typical is the emblem, which is mounted on the side and shows the legendary Lexus F on a silver background.

Multicolor ambient lighting

The interior benefits from the inviting luxury created by Lexus Takumi craftsmen. Multicolor ambient lighting and smooth leather seat covers come standard. They complement four interior color combinations, including the bright Ammonite Sand and Hazel hues.

Predictive Efficient Drive saves gasoline

Thanks to the Link app, the RX 350h and RX 450h+ with integrated navigation system are now even more efficient in terms of fuel consumption. This is made possible by the Predictive Efficient Drive system, which learns the driver's driving behavior while driving and uses real-time navigation data to offer fuel-saving solutions in a predictive manner. This automatically achieves a more economical driving style. The Lexus RX also offers the customer promise of worry-free driving with the service-activated 10-year warranty including Assistance 24/7 add-on package.

lexus.ch