In addition to the standard E-Four all-wheel drive, the 309-hp NX 450h+ comes with increased ground clearance and 17-inch all-terrain tires suitable for off-road use. A roof rack is also available.

The Lexus ROV Concept goes one step further. The 3.12-meter short, two-seater side-by-side vehicle is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder that burns hydrogen.

Cooperation art pilot and car manufacturer
The appearance at the Makuhari show will be completed by a 1:3 scale model of the Zivko Edge 540 V3 aircraft, which Yoshihide Muroya and his Lexus/Pathfinder Air Racing team will use to compete in the inaugural Air Race World Championship this year.

The partnership between the aerobatic pilot and the automaker is intended to accelerate technological development. Lexus intends to use the experience it has gained in hard-fought air races in the areas of aerodynamics, cooling and weight reduction, as well as the know-how it has acquired, for vehicle construction.

lexus.ch

tokyoautosalon.jp

The sound was and remains an important part of the typical AMG driving experience.

The EQS 53 4Matic+ luxury sedan with a power output of up to 560 kW has been newly developed or refined in all relevant areas in Affalterbach.

Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: "The AMG EQS 53 is the first all-electric ambassador in the performance segment made in Affalterbach. It is tailor-made for enthusiasts who are looking for a combination of innovative electromobility, luxurious ambience and agile driving dynamics."

From zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds
At the heart of the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4Matic+ is the performance-oriented drive concept with two engines. It offers the fully variable AMG 4Matic+ all-wheel drive, which optimally distributes the drive power to the wheels under all driving conditions.

The basic version achieves a total output of 484 kW (658 hp), and maximum torque is 950 Nm. With the Dynamic Plus package, which is available on request, the maximum output rises to up to 560 kW (761 hp) in Race Start mode with boost function.

The e-machine torque then reaches 1020 Nm. Thus, the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h.

Electric motors on front and rear axle
The AMG-specific electric motors on the front and rear axles are permanently excited synchronous machines with a good balance of power increase, efficiency and noise behavior. The machine on the rear axle is particularly powerful.

The three-stage selectable recuperation power of up to 300 kW is also remarkable. The 108 kWh battery can be charged with up to 200 kW at fast-charging stations. This allows the 2655-kilogram vehicle to be recharged with power for up to 300 kilometers in just over 19 minutes.

And that is also important: AMG vehicles have always stood for emotionality. The EQS 53 brings a new, sonorous sound to electric driving, generated with special speakers, bass actuator and a sound generator.

mercedes-benz.ch

A total of 41,346 passenger and freight transport vehicles took to the roads of Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein last year. This corresponds to an increase of 7.3 percent compared to the previous year's figure.

Motorhomes in particular continued to benefit from the trend toward individual travel, with growth of 26.4 percent. With 7588 new registrations, they reached a new record level.

Lightweight rolls continue to gain ground
Van enrollments rebounded 4.3 percent, while heavy-duty vehicle enrollments hovered around year-ago levels. However, both categories are well below market levels prior to the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic due to the semiconductor shortage.

Auto-Schweiz media spokesman Christoph Wolnik: "Without the negative influences of the shortage of semiconductors and other electronic components, the plus would certainly have been greater."

Severities are at previous year's level
The market for heavy commercial vehicles remained in pandemic mode in 2021. However, with 3565 placements on the market, only just 14 units were missing to repeat the previous year's result.

Before the start of the Corona crisis, the market level in 2019 was still 4291 new trucks. The absence of semiconductor products and other commodities is also clearly noticeable in heavies. In addition, there is a strong volatility of this market segment.

Passenger vans report records
Probably mainly thanks to the pandemic, passenger transport vehicles are rushing from record to record. Also in 2021, more new vehicles were redeemed than ever before. With 8530 registrations, there was an increase of 23.2 percent. Driving this development are motorhomes, which form the core of the segment with almost 89 percent.

Together with the 238,481 passenger cars, 279,827 new motor vehicles were put into circulation in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein in 2021.

car.swiss

With the launch of many new electric cars last year, social media channels also have a new, important topic on offer. The English portal Quotezone.co.uk has now investigated which models were particularly popular on Instagram and Tiktok under "Best electric car 2021".

Tesla double unstoppable at the top
The Tesla Model 3 took first place - well ahead of the Tesla Model S. Social media users also showed great interest in the Audi e-tron (3rd place), the Porsche Taycan (4th) and the Ford Mustang (5th).

Next in the top ten are the Nissan Leaf, the Volvo XC40 Recharge, the BMW i3, the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

quotezone.co.uk

The popularity of motorized two-wheelers in Switzerland has never been higher. Motorcycles and scooters are now strongly represented in all age and income groups. This popularity also resulted in encouraging figures for the Swiss motorcycle and scooter market in 2021. The barrier of 50,000 units was already exceeded after the third quarter - setting a new all-time record.

Young talent class a success right from the start
With an increase of 19.4 percent, the class up to 125 cm3 displacement was particularly successful, as models with a maximum engine output of 15 hp are now also open to 16-year-old newcomers in Switzerland - as in the rest of Europe.

With 8480 units, this newcomer class has immediately become the strongest displacement segment on the market, just ahead of the big hulks with more than 1000 cm3 displacement.

According to the Swiss Motorcycle and Scooter Research Center (SFMR), neither the pandemic-related closures and delivery problems nor the unpleasant early summer weather were able to stop the positive market development.

Pure electric scooters are in high demand
The electric age is now taking hold with vigor in the case of scooters used primarily in the agglomerations for short distances. At 1775 units, the share of electrically powered new scooters was 9.5 percent of the total scooter market, which grew by four percent.

The situation is different for motorcycles: For technical reasons, and therefore due to the lack of attractive models, electric drive is still a wallflower for the time being.

The brand ranking in Switzerland is headed by Yamaha with 10,792 units sold, followed by Honda with 7095, Vespa with 4599, BMW with 4140 and Kawasaki with 3272. The top ten also includes KTM, Triumph, SYM, Harley-Davidson and Ducati.

motosuisse.ch

The series of new posters of the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 is now complete, after the fifth and final piece of the collection was revealed at the end of December.

The five posters show the limited edition supercar, of which all 112 have already been sold. The new edition was unveiled in Pebble Beach in August 2021 as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the original Countach.

New interpretation of the Countach LPI 800-4
The limited edition Countach LPI 800-4 also reflects the cult status of its seventies predecessor, which defined a new horizon for automotive design.

The image of the original Countach has left a lasting impression on the passion of car lovers, as well as on the young people of a generation who chose a Countach poster for their walls. The five new posters from Automobili Lamborghini bear the signature of artists and illustrators specializing in 3D and digital works.

Works by artists from around the world
The participating designers each contributed their own interpretation of the Countach LPI 800-4 as an icon of the future. Omar Aqil, a Pakistani 3-D illustrator, places the Countach at the center of technological development. Yegor Zhuldybin, a Russian artist, explored the integration of the new Countach into today's world.

Andreas Wannerstedt, a Swedish artist, proposed a reinterpretation that stages the encounter between nature and new technology. Lorenzo Ceccotti, designer and illustrator, highlights the graphic qualities of the new Countach, focusing on extreme minimalism and high-tech vibes.

Shy studio, which specializes in 3D animation and still life, has reproduced the Countach design with abstract elements and objects in a modern setting.

lamborghinistore.com

All the RED models have a Welcome Kit with a fluid dispenser and sustainable floor mats.

As part of its partnership with RED, Fiat is adding the 500 RED to its lineup with the Tipo RED and Panda RED models, which were introduced last fall.

The RED organization, named after the alarm color red, was founded in 2006 by musician Bono and U.S. activist Bobby Shriver - originally to fight AIDS. Today, the organization also supports the management of the Corona pandemic.

More hygiene in the fight against Corona
Fiat actually stands for the value of the Italian "dolce vita". Since the sweet life does not currently exist in times of Corona, the two companies are now strengthening their partnership with an expanded lineup.

For example, Fiat offers a number of simple solutions that contribute to improved hygiene on board: All models in the Fiat RED family are equipped with a cabin air filter in the air conditioning system that uses a biocide substance to retain up to 99.9 percent of bacteria and prevent the formation of aerosols. The steering wheel and seat surfaces are also treated with a biocide that combats viruses and bacteria.

Disinfection with a UV-C lamp
In addition, the RED models receive the finishing touches with the Welcome Kit. This consists of a special key cover, a liquid dispenser and sustainable floor mats.

The Fiat 500 RED is also now equipped with a Sanitizing Glove Box. This system is based on a UV-C lamp installed in the glove box that disinfects surfaces of smartphones, keys and other everyday objects.

Several model novelties on offer
The new Fiat Panda RED is based on the City Cross equipment variant and features the same body colors, logos and seat covers as the also new Fiat Tipo RED.

The Panda has hybrid drive as standard, underlining the brand's commitment to environmentally friendly urban mobility.

The Fiat Tipo Cross model family has been joined by the station wagon body variant, which meets the needs of families in particular. Compared to the sedan, the trunk volume increases by 110 liters to 550 liters.

Prices are available on request from the nearest Fiat Garagist.

fiat.ch

The French Gendarmerie's new Alpine A110 fleet replaces the Renault Mégane R.S. models, which are also very sporty. Richard Filmotte, head of the Gendarmerie's squadron and curator of the Gendarmerie National Museum, tells how the new sports car revives a more than 50-year association between the Gendarmerie and the legendary Berlinette.

Order on French roads
For decades, the Renault R4 and Estafette models were the epitome of law and order on French roads. With the expansion of the freeway network in the 1960s, ever more powerful and faster vehicles came into focus.

Richard Filmotte. "When operating at speeds of around 230 km/h, it is crucial that our emergency drivers can trust their vehicle completely. The main task of the rapid response teams is to protect road users. In the event of an incident, we need to be able to respond quickly."

Driving training on a race track
Each team for the Alpine A110 is carefully selected. Drivers undergo a thorough examination, and their driving skills are evaluated on a race track, according to Filmotte. After the Berlinette took its leave in 1973, the Gendarmerie switched to the Alpine A310, which was in use until 1987. It was followed by the R18 Turbo, the R21 Turbo, the Mégane II and the Mégane R.S.

Equipment with specific accessories
After being assembled in Dieppe in Normandy, the 26 Alpine A110s will be handed over to the specialist company Durisotti near Lille. There they will be fitted with special accessories such as flashing lights and sirens, as well as decals and reflective markings.

In a few years, one of these new vehicles should also be parked next to its ancestors in the Gendarmerie Museum in Melun. Richard Filmotte will then look after it with the same care as the A310 that he himself was privileged to drive earlier in his career.

alpinecars.com

With maximum output of 390 hp and maximum torque of 480 Nm, the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine accelerates the all-wheel-drive top-of-the-line Formentor VZ5 from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds.

Acoustically, a four-pipe exhaust system perfectly underscores the characteristic sound of the inline five-cylinder engine - giving car enthusiasts goose bumps.

Widened track and lowered superstructure
However, the Formentor VZ5 is not only particularly sporty thanks to its powerful powertrain; the rest of the technology also bears witness to motorsport DNA. With a wider track and a body lowered by a further ten millimeters, the new model achieves even greater cornering stability.

A torque splitter is also installed on the rear axle for maximum agility. The braking system has also been adapted to the driving performance.

Only 7000 units are on sale worldwide
On request, leather sports bucket seats provide the necessary lateral support for ambitious driving. The Cup Super Sport bucket seats in black or petrol blue leather convey a real motorsport feeling. The Cupra Formentor VZ5 2.5 TSI 4Drive is available in three colors: Midnight Black Metallic, Magnetic Grey Matt and Petrol Blue Matt.

However, anyone who wants to secure a copy should not hesitate too long, because the five-cylinder Cupra is limited to 7,000 units worldwide.

cupraofficial.ch

Depending on the selected setting, white or black pigments will give the desired shade.

The body foiling is oriented to the contours of the electric car. Stimulated by electrical impulses, electrophoretic technology brings different color pigments to the surface in each case, through which the body image takes on the desired color.

White and positively charged black pigments
The surface coating of the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink contains several million microcapsules, each with a diameter equal to the thickness of a human hair. Each of these microcapsules contains negatively charged white and positively charged black pigments.

Foils also in the interior to customize the design
Depending on the setting selected, activation by an electric field ensures that either the white or the black pigments collect on the surface of the microcapsules, thus giving the body the desired shade.

Makes sense: Depending on the sunlight, the vehicle can be colored in such a way that the cooling or heating output of the air conditioning system can be turned down.

In the future, such films could also be used in the interior to customize the vehicle design, BMW announced.

Different facets of a personality

Stella Clarke, head of the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink project: "In this way, we give drivers the freedom to externalize different facets of their personality or even the joy of diversity and to redefine them on every journey. The vehicle then becomes an ambassador of different moods and situations in daily life, similar to fashion or the status displays on social media channels."

Whether e-ink foiling will ever be offered to customers and what it might cost is still an open question.

bmw.ch