Liv is the best example: the up-and-coming car influencer (Instagram: @withliv), real name Livia, is 28 years young - and still a classic car fan. Nevertheless? Yes, because the scene is in danger of running out of new blood. Liv talks glowingly about what fascinates her about classic cars: "You still have to work and think while driving." She talks about the emotions, but also the hurdles of the scene. "You have to get to know people first. So I proactively went to events."

It is precisely this exchange and access that a new platform aims to create. The fact that older men dominate the scene is a networking problem: where can I meet people with the same passion? Which old or youngtimer is suitable? Where can I buy it, who can repair it? What events are taking place? The classic car umbrella organization Swiss Historic Vehicle Federation (SHVF), supported by the classic car trade fair Swiss Classic World (SCW), has taken matters into its own hands and launched a campaign and website for the SCW in Lucerne.

The SHVF's young4vintage.ch platform aims to break down fears. "It will not be a commercial platform," emphasizes SHVF President Daniel Geissman. The idea is for everyone who wants to get into the hobby and is looking for information, advice and community to meet up here - and all the protagonists of the scene who want to promote it, whether clubs, vehicle owners, garages, event providers and so on. There are also plans to hold 30 to 40 events a year at locations such as shopping centers where young people can look at old cars, drive them and talk to people who know the scene.

A good example of the campaigns is "Old cars for young people" by the Lucerne Museum of Transport and SCW: young people could apply to drive a VW Beetle or Porsche 944 for a year. SCW founder Bernd Link: "We have to tackle the problem of young talent. For example, by making classic cars more accessible and organizing more events with youngtimers." And Daniel Geissmann adds: "Today, only two percent of classic car owners are female." So the event is also aimed at young women. Livia is already involved - and click here to go to young4vintage.ch.

Still skeptical about Chinese cars? Then a Smart is worth considering: the half-German (Mercedes), half-Chinese (Geely) brand combines the best of both worlds. It combines the high-quality materials and chassis expertise from Stuttgart with advanced electric drive technology and China's favorable production conditions. Smart has already demonstrated this with the #1 and #3 models - but now the brand with Swiss origins is going one better.

This is because the new #5 surpasses everything the manufacturer has offered to date, and not just in terms of size. The 4.70-meter-long SUV is equipped with a 100-kWh battery - something only luxury-class models can offer. Charging takes place at an incredible 400 kW - no one else is that fast. The WLTP range of up to 590 kilometers is also nothing to sneeze at. And the all-wheel drive top model called Brabus delivers a hair-raising 475 kW/646 hp and sprints to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds - otherwise only super sports cars can achieve this.

Plus points wherever you look
As if that weren't enough of an argument, the unconventionally designed SUV rolls up with a chic full equipment package, a fantastic sounding Sennheizer sound system with 20 speakers, a large head-up display with augmented reality display and various pampering features - all at a killer price starting at 59,500 francs. The competition will have plenty to nibble at. The equally well-equipped base model with rear-wheel drive and a smaller battery (76 kWh) starts at CHF 44,500.

That all sounds impressive. But does the #5 deliver what it promises? The first test drive in the top-of-the-range Brabus model dispels any remaining doubts. The clean workmanship and the high quality of the materials are surprising - the small details inside and outside the car are evidence of very high-quality manufacturing. The space on offer is very good, in all seats and also in the trunk (630 to 1530 liters, plus 47 liters of frunk). The #5 is also impressive on the road: even the top-of-the-range Brabus version is well-balanced, which was not yet the case with the #1. The Smart takes corners with aplomb, and there is nothing to complain about in terms of ride comfort and steering feel. It is only the digital equipment that could divide opinion - here the Chinese genes are evident in the form of a playful infotainment system that may not be to everyone's taste in this country. But with so many plus points, this is bearable.

The 500 miles of Indianapolis - or as they are called for short: Indy 500 - is the holy grail of motor racing. The most famous car race in the world is held on the 2.5-mile oval (called the noodle pot) with four banked turns. 500 miles to motorsport heaven, speeds of well over 300 km/h, 300,000 spectators in the grandstands - and tradition to the max: the winner receives a bottle of milk. This year's winner Alex Palou raved: "It's the best milk I've ever drunk."

The velodrome becomes a car racing track"
Once a year, this exceptional event from the Midwest of the USA makes a guest appearance at the Open Racecourse in Zurich Oerlikon - at least in a figurative sense. The man who pulls the motorsport strings at the racetrack is Georg Kaufmann. The passionate racing driver (81) has been (co-)responsible for the organization since the first event in 2002. What many people are probably unaware of today is that the open cycling track, which was built in 1912 and is the oldest sports stadium still in use in Switzerland, used to host not only cycling races but also competitions for racing cars - as a poster from 1946 that Georg Kaufmann once bought at auction in London proves.

The special environment requires driving skills and timing. The strain on the equipment and riders on the steep bends should not be underestimated. This is why Kaufmann and his crew attach great importance to ensuring that only experienced drivers take part in the event: "We only allow drivers who race regularly and are used to such situations". After all, up to eight vehicles are on the track at the same time - and at speeds of up to 100 km/h.

Waiver as a condition
Race director Kari Marty keeps a watchful eye on all participants and their origins. In addition, each rider must sign a waiver stating that they waive any legal claims in the event of damage. If the event is held this year on July 22 (with alternative date on July 24) will take place for the 23rd time, there will be many historic vehicles on display that will make every motorsport heart beat faster. In 2024, for example, visitors will be able to admire various pre-war racing cars such as the Alfa Tipo B P3 from 1934, the Bugatti 37/35 B and T35 B from 1927 and 1929 and a Lagonda M-45 Le Mans from 1934, as well as many racing and sports cars from the post-war period and the 1950s and 60s. A total of 60 cars will be doing their laps - and this in three time slots (6.00 to 6.30 p.m.; 7.30 to 8.00 p.m.; and 8.30 to 9.00 p.m.).

In addition to the racing cars, there are also factory racing bikes on display, the oldest of which date back to the 1920s. Four of the nine groups consist of two-wheeled machines. Georg Kaufmann's younger brother - Jo Kaufmann - is responsible for this part of the event. He is also jointly responsible for ensuring that the timetable is adhered to exactly. The aim is to keep noise pollution in the neighborhood as low as possible: "After 9 p.m., the loud engines are over," says Kaufmann.

Cycling at the center
At the same time, he emphasizes that there will also be normal racing on this evening: "There will be bike tests and stand-up races - after all, the sport should not be neglected on this special occasion." Kaufmann is referring to the original idea of the Indianapolis meeting. Former TV reporter and great racecourse fan Willy Kym was once looking for a way to bring the slightly dusty sports facility back to the attention of a wider and new audience. Kym, a man with a broad outlook and a great affinity for sport, put forward the idea of a vintage car exhibition to the racing romantic Bernhard Brägger.

Important financial support
And the event was born. Kaufmann, who took part as a rider at the beginning, remembers: "1200 spectators came to the first event. Since then, the event has grown continuously." Today, with almost 6,000 spectators, it sets the annual attendance record at the racecourse. And because twice the admission price (CHF 20) is charged on this evening, the classic car show makes a decisive contribution to financing the racecourse throughout the year. And this is exactly what organizer Kaufmann wants: "Every franc we raise goes back to the racecourse." Kaufmann raves about the "magical atmosphere" of this place - especially in combination with the roaring engines of the historic racing cars: "The atmosphere in the oval is hard to describe. You won't find anything like it anywhere else in the world."

Taveri, Bugatti and the Junghans boss
This always includes prominent visitors: Swiss motorcycle legend Luigi Taveri was one of the regular guests with his old machines. In 2019, Caroline Bugatti, a granddaughter of the legendary car manufacturer Ettore Bugatti, did her laps in Oerlikon. And the local racing celebrities always do the honors on four wheels (Marc Surer, Marcel Fässler) and two (Randy Krummenacher). In 2025, Kaufmann and Co. also have a very special man on the guest list: Arturo Merzario. The now 82-year-old Italian raced in Formula 1 for eight seasons in the 1970s, although he was denied a victory. Nevertheless, his place in motorsport history is forever assured. Merzario was one of the drivers who saved Niki Lauda's life after his devastating accident at the Nürburgring on August 1, 1976. The Austrian was trapped in his burning car. Merzario stopped his car - and freed Lauda. This is another reason why he is the perfect guest of honor on July 22, 2025 at the Open Racecourse in Zurich Oerlikon. Solidarity, loyalty and a genuine sporting spirit are paramount here. Otherwise this magnificent place would no longer exist.

Striking lines already characterized the original Panda by designer Giorgetto Giugiaro from the 1980s. The new 3.99-metre-long and 1.76-metre-wide five-seater with the three-dimensional "Panda" and "Fiat" lettering inserted into the sides at the rear and LED pixels as headlights inspired by historical elements also immediately catches the eye. This bold appearance is further emphasized by rims with an x-shaped spoke design and black inserts. The Italian, which is available as an electric version with 83 kW/113 hp or as a mild hybrid with a 1.2-liter petrol engine and electric motor (system output 81 kW/110 hp), attracts a lot of attention at the roadside.

It's almost a shame that people can't take a look inside the well-designed interior while we whirr through the foothills of the Jura in the comfortable but not too spongy Stromer and even take a detour to the 114-metre-high Chasseral transmission tower. In the interior, in which a lot of recycled materials and bamboo fibers were used, the oval surround of the central 10.25-inch touchscreen and the digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel are reminiscent of the legendary test track on the roof of the ex-Fiat Lingotto plant, complete with miniature panda on the Plexiglas. Fiat lettering is emblazoned on the doors - really funny, just like the 4.5-meter-long spiral cable in the special storage compartment under the hood for charging.

Coffee roastery and home of watches
We drive through the beautiful Jura landscape towards St. Imier, home of the famous watch brand Longines, and the chessboard-like planned town of La Chaux-de-Fonds. As a typical Italian, which incidentally has a range of up to 320 kilometers thanks to its 44 kWh battery, you like espresso. And you should treat yourself to one here at La Semeuse. Founded 125 years ago, the company runs a coffee roasting plant at 1000 meters above sea level. Around 15,000 jute sacks of the finest beans from all over the world are processed every year. After this short break, we continue in the Grande Panda, which offers space for a pack or two of coffee thanks to its 361 (hybrid: 412 liters) to 1366 liter trunk. We briefly consider whether we should make a detour to one of the countless watch manufacturers in the region - from Rolex to Audemars Piguet and Certina. Or should we enjoy pure nature and drive to the world-famous, horseshoe-shaped Creux du Van? We prefer to stay behind the wheel of our Grande Panda and follow the navigation instructions that lead us to Neuchâtel.

In the cantonal capital, the Fiat shines with its maneuverability and good overview. There is also certainly a charging station here to supply our electric car with fresh juice via the standard charger for alternating current with 11 kW output. The charging cycle from 20 to 80 percent takes just two hours and 50 minutes. You can use this time to explore Neuchâtel's old town, the castle and the three-aisled collegiate church, for example, or to treat yourself to a meal at the Restaurant de l'Hôtel DuPeyrou. Tip for cheese lovers: be sure to have a plate with a selection put together in the hotel's own cheese vault!

And if you want to spend a little more time in the Three-Lakes Region and the Jura, you might treat yourself to the luxury of staying at the Hotel Palafitte with 38 individual pavilions right on the lake. Not cheap, but given the fair prices for the new Fiat Grande Panda, which is available as a hybrid from 18,990 francs and as a purely electric vehicle from 24,990 francs, it is definitely an option.

Of course, purists will claim that a real Mini John Cooper Works - or JCW for short - needs a powerful petrol engine under the hood. Which is still the case, but with the three-door Mini Electric and the Aceman, there are now for the first time two electric variants that put a smile on your face even without the combustion engine - which also turns into a broad, satisfied grin from bend to bend. Because the instantaneous power delivery of the electric drive with its 190 kW/258 hp and 350 Nm is a stunner.

There is actually no temptation to press the red boost button on the steering wheel and call up the additional 20 kW/27 hp of engine power for ten seconds. Even so, the two Brits accelerate very quickly. And if desired, this can also be done with artificial, but never artificial sound - because the digitally generated soundscape is pleasing. Just like the silence when the electric Mini simply storms from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds (Aceman: 6.4 seconds).

E-dynamics meets go-kart feeling
Not only the dynamic acceleration, but also the sporty suspension set-up from JCW is just right. On the sometimes uneven, but above all wonderfully winding roads in the hills of the Cotswolds in the southwest of England, the Mini sometimes seems almost a tad too harsh, but shines with excellent road holding and the typical go-kart feeling when steering. Even the larger and heavier Aceman is impressive, but doesn't steer quite as directly as the three-door and remains a little more unsettled despite the adaptive JCW sports suspension. However, this is logical for the clearly more spacious, SUV-like Aceman with 95 kilos more weight and 300 to 1005 liters of luggage space - the Mini JCW has 210 to 800 liters.

Building on motorsport history
The two electric versions of the JCW are somewhat reminiscent of the brand's origins, when British sports car designer John Cooper stirred up the rally scene with his small Minis in the 1960s. New brakes and a more powerful engine turned a cheeky small car with front-wheel drive into a winner at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. Patrick Hopkirk had chased the tartan red Mini Cooper S with the starting number 37 over the Col de Turini and through the hinterland of the Côte d'Azur at the legendary rally and won as a blatant outsider. Further victories for Mini in 1965 and 1967 prove that this success was no coincidence, laying the foundation for the passion for racing that can still be felt in every JCW model today - including the electric ones. In the past, as today, people tended to underestimate the little speedsters and were always surprised by the dynamics and potential of the nimble Brits.

Sporty flair and pretty details
If you want to exploit this potential in the three-door Mini JCW Electric, the 49.2 kWh battery will certainly wave the chequered flag before the 371 km range according to the WLTP (the Aceman has a range of 355 km). However, thanks to a maximum DC charging capacity of 95 kW, any pit stop will not take forever. And both e-models deliver a range of around 100 km within ten minutes with HPC charging. Visually, there are also exclusive equipment details that pick up on the racing history, such as model-specific aeroblades at C-pillar height and eye-catching rear spoilers. In the red and black interior with the knitted surface of the dashboard and the JCW sports seats offering plenty of lateral support, red decorative stitching provides additional accents. And of course there are also such nice gadgets as a special JCW Drive Mode, which also records the G-forces, power output and much more on the large, central pizza display.

So much sportiness and dynamism come at a price: the three-door electric JCW is available from CHF 46,700, the larger Aceman from CHF 48,400. This makes it easier for Mini JCW fans to enter the electric era, as the two combustion engines, Mini John Cooper Works and Mini John Cooper Works Convertible, which have also been revised but are powered by a conventional 2-liter turbo engine with 170 kW/231 hp and 380 Nm, are even slightly more expensive at 49,700 francs and 52,800 francs respectively. However, as the test on the English country roads showed, they also offer plenty of driving pleasure.

For starters, a composition of zander, kohlrabi, peas and dill that melts deliciously in the mouth with a slight crunch. Accompanied by the Audi SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, which glides whisper-quietly into the room. Two works of art, one sense - listening. Accompanied by the enthusiasm of Liechtenstein's former ski racer Tina Weirather for e-mobility: "The silent glide is impressive every time." As impressive as this evening that Audi Switzerland presented to the guests: an innovative idea to combine models, culinary delights and emotions. There's no doubt about it: thanks to Audi Switzerland, those who attended will take home lasting experiences.

The Audi Night's fireworks of taste came from celebrity chef and Audi ambassador Andreas Caminada and would have been worth the trip to the JED event hall in Zurich-Schlieren even without the rest of the program. Caminada on the combination of automotive engineering and the art of cooking on this evening, which presented a "Selection of Masterpieces": "Audi stands for precision, quality and attitude - these are also core values in the kitchen." Like the culinary delights, the model fireworks appealed to all the senses. "We are currently undergoing the biggest model initiative in our history - and a cultural change," said Dieter Jermann, Head of the Swiss Audi brand. "The Audi Night shows how progress sounds, looks, feels - and tastes."

Among the prominent guests that evening were Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport, and racing legend Tom Kristensen. They gave the audience insights into motorsport, the RS models, the Audi Exclusive customization program and Audi's entry into Formula 1. They had brought along the Audi R18 TDI Ultra, which became a popular selfie subject. No wonder: Tom Kristensen won the 12-hour race in Sebring (USA) with this vehicle in 2012. By the way: collectors of exclusive vehicles will be delighted to see the launch of "Audi Racing Legends" this summer: LMP and DTM cars can be purchased to drive on race tracks in private hands in future instead of being kept in the museum archive in Ingolstadt.

Throughout the pampering evening, there were five courses of pure indulgence and new items from the model range, always matching a sense. For example, dessert was all about smell - because smell is something very subtle, but nevertheless crucial, and needs to be finely tuned accordingly. For example in Andreas Caminada's rhubarb yogurt - or in the new Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron.

Why the new Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron? Fine-tuning the invisible but perceptible is not just about smell, but also about aerodynamics. Moni Islam, Head of Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics Development at Audi, gave an insight into the finer points. "Every line is the result of hundreds of simulations and hours of testing. It's all about how a vehicle moves - as silently, efficiently and elegantly as possible," said Islam. Also because good aerodynamics play a role in determining range and noise levels. And Francesco D'Amore, Audi designer, showed the A6 Avant, which could be experienced live in Switzerland for the first time, and explained further details.

A high-caliber yet cosy, convivial evening with gourmet appeal. And anything but one of those usual car events: a real production. "This night showed how much Audi can move - beyond technology. What remains is a feeling. And an experience that will live on," says Dieter Jermann, Head of Brand Audi Switzerland. We can only agree with that.

Let's be honest: we also buy cars because we want our family and friends to be amazed. The shape of the new Renault Rafale is enough to make you go "Ah!", "Oh!" and "Ui!". The SUV coupé looks dashing. Backlit blue shimmers through the black grille. Ah! Get in, press the button - and the XL glass roof changes from transparent to opaque. Oh! Drive off, first bend - and the Rafale turns in extremely swiftly for a length of 4.71 meters thanks to its all-wheel steering. Wow!

The Rafale is only available as a hybrid. Either as a full hybrid with 147 kW/200 hp or, as in the test Rafale, as a plug-in hybrid with 221 kW/300 hp and 230 Nm. The latter pushes two tons vehemently, with a perceived acceleration to 100 km/h in less than 6.4 seconds, making it all the better that there is no lack of economy and ecology. The hybrid system changes modes very smoothly and is simply a joy to drive - and in the test, the all-electric system covered an impressive 87 kilometers before the petrol engine came into play. The factory figure of 0.7 l + 21.7 kWh/100 km is only realistic for the first 100 kilometers after charging. But our test average is very good: we achieve 5.1 l + 15.4 kWh/100 km, so there's nothing to complain about. The suspension is firm, sometimes almost harsh in urban areas. But still always pleasant.

There is no digital shock: Once you have swiped and clicked your way through the XL monitor, everything quickly becomes logical. There are also buttons for particularly important functions. The (optional) head-up display is highly recommended, especially as the instrument display is somewhat overloaded with information. The excellently finished, attractive materials are impressive: yes, it feels premium. And it has to: although the price is very fair in view of what is on offer, it is not a bargain price: 200 hp is available from 44,300, 300 hp from 47,900 francs. Our test car - top-of-the-range "Atelier Alpine" plus options - comes in at 59,050 francs.

The disadvantages? You have to look for them. And finds almost nothing. Almost. In the rear, extra-long legs can be stretched out in a relaxed manner, but the flat roof plus glass roof make the headroom in the back shrink considerably. Dramatic? No, pleasant. The load compartment is large with 465 to 1826 liters. We think so: The Rafale (please pronounce without the "e") is an outstanding design. And as soon as it gets dark, the instruments, center display and ambient lighting light up in the color of your choice - and even the illuminated (!) logo in the backrests of the front seats. Ah! Oh! Ui! Important? No. But cool.

Pros & cons
Renault Rafale PHEV 4×4 "Atelier Alpine"
+ Cool styling and excellent quality
+ Powerful and economical drive
+ Suitable for families despite coupé shape
- Sometimes too tight in urban areas
- Poor visibility to the rear

Whether two wheels or four, whether a racer from Alpine or a goddess from Citroën, whether a faded brand like Simca or a lively one like Renault, whether a pre-war Talbot or a Peugeot from 2025: everything with an engine and wheels that comes from France will come together at Motorworld Manufaktur in The Valley in Kemptthal ZH on Sunday, June 15, 2025, from 9 am to 4 pm. Sports cars, convertibles, vintage and classic cars in particular will turn Kemptthal into Little Paris.

The event is one of the most popular meetings in the classic car, youngtimer, brand club and tuning scene organized by Open Air Tours, which has been dedicated to a country as its motto since 2004, regardless of vehicle and drive type, brand or year of construction. This year, for example, there is the Italian Car Meeting (next time on July 6, 2025), the Japanese Car Meeting (September 8, 2025), the German Car Meeting (October 5, 2025) - or the current French Car Meeting.

Admission is free. If you want to drive your own French car onto the site instead of the many guest parking spaces, you pay five francs by Twint or cash at the entrance. Clubs that drive in together can park next to each other. Food and drink will be provided, with the Motorworld-Manufaktur Region Zürich offering several restaurants and food stalls and everything from bratwurst and burgers to sushi and steak on the huge event site of the former Maggi factory, in addition to countless car-related businesses.

Incidentally, the Motorworld site in The Valley in Kemptthal is not only close to the A1 junctions Winterthur-Töss and Effretikon: Kemptthal even has its own train station on the site. Just in case you fancy a glass of good red wine and therefore the SBB. All information about the French Car Meeting (e.g. directions, parking) can be found at openairtours.ch.

Aston Martin has a rich racing heritage and is proud to celebrate its return to the pinnacle of endurance motorsport with the unveiling of the spectacular Valkyrie LM. This ultra-exclusive and non-road-legal variant of the only racing hypercar derived from a road car will compete for overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (F) on June 14 and 15 this year.

Aston Martin took part in Le Mans for the first time in 1928, five years after the racing event was founded. After numerous class victories over the decades - and five wins since 2014 - Aston Martin's wings are now returning to the sport's top league with the Valkyrie. In 2025, Aston Martin will be fighting for overall victory for the first time since 1959, when Roy Salvadori (Great Britain) and Carroll Shelby (USA) triumphed with the Aston Martin DBR1. The Valkyrie LM was born from the Valkyrie hypercar race car - the first of its kind to be developed under the FIA's 'hypercar' regulations and will compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2025.

Like the Valkyrie, the LM is powered by a modified, lean-burn version of the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine built by Cosworth, tuned to an identical regulation-limited 520 kW (697 bhp). Adrian Hallmark, CEO of Aston Martin, said: "In all its forms, there is nothing else in the world quite like the Valkyrie. It is a rare opportunity to become part of the world's most exclusive Aston Martin Owners Club; a group that can immerse themselves in an authentic endurance racing experience comparable to a real race, otherwise only available to our factory drivers who drive at the absolute limit of top class race car racing."

Copy-paste directly from the Le Mans racing car to one of the ten examples. It differs only minimally, as the Valkyrie LM was designed to be suitable for amateur drivers. Race series-specific elements such as ballast and FIA-regulated electronics are removed, and the cockpit surface is tailored for use on the race track. The user-friendly open-loop torque control (instead of the closed-loop control for competition regulation and homologation), torque sensors to control the power delivery of the race car, will be removed to optimize the driving experience for customers. The V12 engine will be recalibrated to run on common fuels.

The rear-wheel drive Valkyrie LM is powered by a sequential seven-speed gearbox, which is operated with semi-automatic paddle shifters as in the competition version. The racing suspension consists of double wishbones at the front and rear with pushrod torsion springs and adjustable side and central shock absorbers. The Valkyrie LM will run on bespoke high-performance tires from F1 tire supplier Pirelli. The cockpit is optimized for driver safety, access and visibility and features a custom carbon fiber racing seat with shoulder rest and headrest padding. It features an FIA 8853-compliant six-point safety harness and a fire suppression system, while the steering wheel has an integrated driver display and shift lights.

Owners of the Valkyrie LM are free to use their car as they wish, but Aston Martin is also developing a dedicated driver development program aimed at nurturing, harnessing and optimizing their driving skills and providing them with a world-class motorsport experience. The program is designed to help drivers build confidence in their abilities and explore the limits of a machine designed for speeds in excess of 320 km/h on the fast, flat corners of the world's most famous racetrack. The cars for the program will be stored and maintained by Aston Martin and transported to and from the Valkyrie LM Performance Club venues.

The Valkyrie LM is limited to 10 units. It will be delivered in time for the bespoke, fully supported and immersive race track program, which will start in the second quarter of 2026. You can already see how the Briton in the Aston Martin Thor team with professional drivers Harry Tincknell, Tom Gamble and Ross Gun or Alex Riberas, Marco Sørensen and Roman De Angelis performs in a real race. at the 93rd edition of the motorsport classic, where he will compete against hypercars from Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota.

The two SUV models 3008 and 5008 of the latest generation have already been available for some time. However, the electric versions were previously only available with 157 kW/213 hp and front-wheel drive. Now the French are adding the top-of-the-range 325 Dual Motor version for both models, which is very important for Switzerland - with a second motor with 82 kW/112 hp on the rear axle and therefore all-wheel drive. And with a full system output of 239 kW/325 hp and a system torque of 509 Nm.

The 4.54 meter long SUV coupé e-3008 accelerates to 100 km/h in 6 seconds in this configuration, while the 4.79 meter long SUV e-5008, which offers a retractable third row of seats and therefore up to seven seats, takes a little longer (6.5 seconds). The battery size remains at a usable 73 kWh, which means that the two all-wheel drive vehicles can achieve standard ranges of 490 and 467 kilometers respectively. The maximum charging power of 11 kW (AC) and 160 kW (DC) also remains the same as the front-wheel drive base model.

Noticeably sportier setup
Peugeot has adjusted the stiffness of the stabilizers, springs and shock absorbers to cope with the high driving power of the two engines. The steering, already very direct due to the tiny valance, has also been recalibrated to make the driving feel of the new top versions even sportier. This has certainly been successful, both models turn in greedily, remain neutral for a very long time and provide the driver with good feedback.

There are now four driving programs to choose from. In normal mode, the front engine primarily drives the car, the rear axle only engages when required, and power is limited to 230 kW/313 hp. Eco mode is similar, but the power is limited to 157 kW/213 and the air conditioning runs in economy mode. In 4WD mode, both engines work and the power is split 50/50 between the two axles. Finally, Sport mode sends 60 percent of the power to the front axle and 40 percent to the rear axle; the steering and accelerator pedal react more directly.

There are virtually no changes to the exterior design and cockpit layout in the new dual-engine version. Both models rely on the brand-typical i-Cockpit with a low-positioned mini steering wheel and a high-positioned display behind it, which is combined with a large touchscreen including a third screen for the programmable i-Toggles. Prices for the Peugeot e-3008 325 Dual Motor start at 56,900 francs, while the significantly larger e-5008 is available in this version from 59,900 francs.