The five-seater, family-friendly Fiat 600 crossover has now also been stung by the scorpion and is the second electric Abarth to be launched in Switzerland. Available in two power levels, the Abarth 600e offers 174 kW/240 hp as a Turismo or 207 kW/280 hp as a limited Scorpionissima edition. This special edition, limited to 1949 units and thus commemorating the founding year of the Italian brand, is also available in the exclusive color "Hypnotic Purple". The color, which takes on a different shade of purple depending on the sunlight, is intended to have an almost hypnotic effect, just like the countless scorpions on the wheel hub, in the rear spoiler, on the front and rear aprons and also in the interior.

Because even if the look with the athletic exterior and the sporty handling thanks to the low center of gravity and a mechanical Torsen limited slip differential fit, they cannot hide the rapidly dwindling e-range, especially with a dynamic driving style predestined for this vehicle. The up to 321 kilometers according to the WLTP combined cycle are simply wishful thinking in everyday life. On the plus side, you have more time to admire the new Scorpio and its details at the charging station (DC charging is possible up to 100 kW) or to let yourself be admired. The Sabelt racing seats made of Alcantara with integrated headrest and recesses in the back or the steering wheel with leather and Alcantara inserts are really successful.

On the road with three driving modes
With its 205 kW/280 hp electric motor, the most powerful Abarth to date accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.85 seconds (Turismo: 6.24 seconds). Both versions are equipped with three driving modes. When driving in "Turismo", acceleration is smoother, torque is limited to 300 Nm and the top speed to 150 km/h. In "Scorpion Street" there is 150 kW (Turismo) or 170 kW (Scorpionissima) power and 345 Nm, but the Abarth 600e's spine is pulled at 180 km/h and above. Scorpion Track" clearly offers the most fun thanks to a sportier steering and ESP setup. In addition, the full power of 280 hp and 345 Nm can be called up here - at last, one is almost tempted to say.

After all, anyone who treats themselves to an Italian Abarth for at least around 45,000 francs wants performance coupled with sportiness and dynamism. Which - as the test drives on the TCS circuit in Lignières NE showed - can also be brought to the asphalt thanks to good traction and excellent handling. And to ensure that the e-crossover can be kept safely under control, the brakes on the 600e, which were developed in collaboration with British specialist Alcon, are very powerful.

A car that is given an affectionate nickname by the vernacular almost has to be likeable. The Renault 4, built between 1961 and 1994, has various nicknames: In France, it is known as "La Quatrelle", i.e. the four, or "La Motte de Beurre", which translates as lump of butter. In Italy it is a "frog", in Finland they call it a "droplet", the Spanish speak of "Cuatro Latas", which translates as "four cans". For whatever reason.

Now the French are relaunching the legendary Renault 4. Like the recently reanimated R5, the former high-roof estate also comes as a modern electric car with a retro design - however, the R4 has now been designed as a fashionable SUV. The length of just 4.14 meters has been used efficiently, with comfortable and spacious seating in both rows. The trunk with 420 to 1405 liters is also impressive. There is no "frunk" under the hood.

Two motor variants
The frugal interior of the "Quatrelle" is a thing of the past; the cockpit in the new R4 with its dual display, ambient lighting and chic quilted upholstery is just as fashionable as its body shape. This applies at least to the top-of-the-range "Iconic" version we drove, which is only available in conjunction with the more powerful engine (110 kW/150 hp), larger battery (52 kWh) and thus a higher WLTP range of 409 kilometers and faster charging speed (up to 100 kW DC) and is offered from CHF 36,500.

But even the entry-level model with 90 kW/120 hp, 40 kWh battery, 308 kilometers range and 80 kW charging power from 29,500 Swiss francs is still very well equipped: The digital cockpit, a comprehensive assistant package, parking sensors, reversing camera and much more are on board as standard in all versions.

Driving fun guaranteed
On the road, the new R4 surprises with a taut setup, direct steering and a compact driving experience - something we were used to from the "Quatrelle" of the past. The good all-round visibility deserves praise, and if you tick the box in the right place when ordering, you can even see upwards - a large folding roof is available on request.

Following on from the success of the electric R5, Renault is also doing a lot of things right with the R4 E-Tech - driving pleasure and benevolent glances from the roadside are guaranteed with the French car. The price positioning is also right. But whether the Renault 4 E-Tech will be as popular with the public as the new R5 remains to be seen.

Choosing the right child seat can be a real headache: The multitude of models, sizes and features make the decision difficult. Whether newborns, toddlers or schoolchildren - manufacturers offer models for every age. It is therefore not always easy for parents to find their way through the child car seat jungle. To make their decision easier, the TCS has examined 20 models that are new to the market, have been revised since the last evaluation or are of great importance to consumers.

Higher test requirements
The assessment criteria were tightened up this year. In particular, the tests relating to handling and ergonomics have been further developed. In addition, the upholstery materials of the seats were tested for so-called PFAS - perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. Even if these substances, also known as eternal chemicals, are not directly harmful to users, they accumulate in nature and enter the food chain. In addition, the side crash tests were carried out at increased speed in order to better simulate real accident conditions.

Ten models "highly recommended"
Despite increased test requirements, ten models received the rating "highly recommended". They were characterized by their versatility and performance in all assessment areas. Nine other models received the rating "recommended" due to a slight weakness in one of the test criteria, but still impressed with their overall performance. It should be mentioned that most of these seats clearly exceed the legal safety requirements.

However, one model is lagging behind
The Lionelo Braam i-Size received the lowest score among the models tested with the rating "conditionally recommended". Two weak points were identified during the safety tests. Firstly, the rear part of the shell came loose in the event of an impact. Secondly, the harness exerted pressure on the child's neck. In relation to a real accident situation, these shortcomings justify the lower rating compared to the other models tested. In terms of freedom from harmful substances, all of the seats tested performed excellently or are highly recommended. One exception is the Cybex Anoris T2 i-Size, whose cover fabric contains traces of PFAS. Although it performs best in terms of front and side impact protection, it is downgraded to "recommended" due to the level of harmful substances.

The most important tip right at the beginning: After cleaning in a car wash, you should do a check around the car before continuing your journey. Because the most important rule after damage is: report the damage to the car wash operator immediately on site and record and photograph it in his presence - in great detail. And be polite: it can happen, and whether the operator takes the risk of a legal dispute or is accommodating and reports the damage to his public liability insurance can ultimately be the deciding factor. Regardless of whether there is a disclaimer on the system.

The "at your own risk" disclaimer is often over-interpreted. Today, it is displayed on almost all installations (and only applies if it was visible before the decision to wash was made, for example at the automatic pay station). But the exclusion never excludes any liability. Regardless of this, the object (car) must be handled with care by the operator as part of the contract for work and services (wash order). But: The hurdles for compensation are higher: With an exclusion of liability, the operator is only liable for gross negligence (or willful misconduct), i.e. serious fault.

However, it is not the exclusion of liability that is decisive. It is that the burden of proof lies with the injured party. The person whose car was damaged must therefore prove that the damage was actually caused by the system. If several vehicles are affected or there are witnesses, this can be helpful. Conversely, the operator must prove that his system was working properly. What comes out in court depends very much on the individual case. However, if the system was correctly maintained, the chance of compensation tends to be low.

Is it possible to prevent damage?

Theoretically, it would be conceivable to take detailed photos of the entire vehicle before washing it. But that is unrealistic. However, it is important to adhere to the rules of the system. Just one example: If small plastic covers are available for rear wipers, they should be used, and if there are restrictions regarding spoilers or vehicle height, they must be observed. In addition, even if not explicitly requested, aerials should be unscrewed, exterior mirrors should be folded down and the vehicle should always be locked before washing (so that the brush cannot open a door or tailgate). However, there is one last hope if the chances of a replacement are slim: Your own comprehensive or collision insurance is responsible for all external force to the car. Depending on your insurance, this may not necessarily work - but it's worth a try.

"I still remember how proud we were at Mazda when we were able to present the first generation of the Mazda 6 in 2002. Even today, I am proud when we show the latest generation," said Matthias Walker, Managing Director Mazda (Suisse) SA, at the Swiss premiere of the mid-size sedan. It combines functionality, dynamics and craftsmanship and is technically based on an electric model from the Chinese Mazda joint venture Changan.

"Then as now there are people who have worked with dedication behind the possibility of realizing such a product," Walker continues. "Because our engineers are Takumi, masters with a high level of skill in a craft, who strive for perfection in car building, we have gathered some other masters of their trade." The premiere of the electric Mazda 6e was accompanied by the works of Marc Schweizer, a silhouette artist, musician Shoko Igarashi, projections by calligraphy expert Taro Nordberg and Lena Heinrich, who combines design with knowledge of water and environmental technology, and the culinary skills of Lorenz Muster from the Sala of Tokyo in Zurich.

With the new Mazda 6e Mazda has put a lot of weight and focus on the rear through the design and also worked with linear lighting elements, explains Walker next to the five-door and points to the successful rear with a special kink and the integrated rear spoiler. At the front, the Mazda 6e surprises not only with a 72-liter frunk, but also with the lighting in the radiator grille. Among other things, this light signature provides information about the charge level of the electric five-door model.

"Inside, we focus on the beauty of the empty space and have left out everything unnecessary. I'm a huge fan of this car," admits the Swiss brand boss openly and proudly. And the stylish cockpit with its 10.25-inch instrument cluster, the central 14.6-inch touchscreen and, above all, the attractive details such as the imitation leather elements stitched with a check pattern in the doors are very appealing. The large panoramic roof also ensures a light-flooded interior with plenty of legroom in the rear.

Under the almost coupé-like The Mazda 6e is equipped with an electric drive with 180 kW/245 hp or 190 kW/258 hp and 320 Nm each, as well as two battery variants. On the one hand, the Mazda 6e is available with a 68.8 kWh battery, which gives it a WLTP range of up to 479 kilometers, and on the other with an 80 kWh battery. With the larger battery, the Japanese car can travel up to 552 kilometers before it needs to be charged.

The e-sedan is available from 43,600 Swiss francs and will be available from Swiss dealers from the summer, who therefore took a closer look at the Mazda 6e at the launch event at JED in Schlieren ZH.

Would you like a little more? No, we're not standing at a meat counter looking at a delicious dry-aged T-bone for the coming barbecue season, but pondering the latest model from Gaydon (UK): with the DBX S, Aston Martin is continuing a long tradition of labeling more powerful special versions of an existing model with the suffix "S". And 535 kW/727 hp and 900 Nm are a real statement for an SUV!

"Over the last two years, Aston Martin has introduced an entire core collection of next-generation sports cars and a new DBX - all with a new, fully bespoke infotainment system developed by us," explains CEO Adrian Hallmark. "The launch of the DBX S now not only reaffirms our commitment to building the most exciting, enriching and beautiful cars, but is also a clear expression of our ambition. Not just for the DBX, but for the Aston Martin brand."

To meet these ambitions, the SUV has been given a revised four-liter V8, which benefits from the use of turbo technology from the upcoming Valhalla super sports car. Compressor wheels with a larger diameter and other detail improvements boost the output by a further 20 hp to 727 hp. More pressure in the upper rev range therefore provides even more punch in the DBX S - from 0 to 100 km/h in the 2.2-ton SUV in just 3.3 seconds. The top speed remains unchanged from the DBX707 at 310 km/h.

Thanks to a nine-speed gearbox with wet clutch, which eliminates the need for a conventional torque converter, the Brit's power is transmitted in a variable ratio between the front and rear wheels - including the option of transmitting 50 percent of the torque to the front wheels and up to 100 percent of the torque to the rear wheels alone. In addition to the increase in performance, measures have been taken to reduce the unladen weight of the DBX in contrast to the DBX707. The otherwise already sporty Briton has shed almost 50 kilos and presents itself as a model athlete among SUVs thanks to an optional carbon roof, which is by far the largest carbon element ever fitted to an Aston Martin with an area of almost three square meters.

For the first time, magnesium wheels are also available as an option for a vehicle in the SUV segment. Magnesium is a robust and incredibly light material - around 75 percent lighter than steel, half the weight of titanium and even a third lighter than aluminum. The choice of this optional 23-inch wheel saves a further 19 kilos of unsprung mass. This increases steering precision and handling. The Briton is also available with 23-inch forged aluminum wheels as standard. It also benefits from a whole range of chassis improvements.

Visually, it can be recognized at first glance by the all-black radiator grille and red trim elements. A new splitter and diffuser reinforce the SUV's confident appearance. At the side, the new sills with pronounced, upward-curving air splitter catch the eye. The most striking visual changes to the DBX can be found at the rear, which is dominated by four exhaust pipes arranged vertically in pairs one above the other. They are available in both gloss and matt versions and bring out the rich sound of the V8 at maximum power.

The DBX S can be ordered now and is expected to be delivered from the fourth quarter of 2025. The Swiss price is still open, but as with the fine meat at the counter, it can certainly be a little more - i.e. more than the approximately 300,000 francs that were also due for a DBX707.

With 2080 registrations in April, BMW is the Swiss market leader - not among the premium brands, but overall! This alone would certainly be a reason to celebrate, but the Bavarian brand can also celebrate various other anniversaries in 2025: The BMW 3 Series, long the volume model and the backbone of the brand, and the BMW Art Cars are celebrating their 50th anniversaries, as is the Swiss import company itself. To mark the 50th anniversary of BMW Group Switzerland, the importer of BMW, BMW Motorrad and Mini celebrated with dealers, industry partners and guests at the Brand Experience Center in Dielsdorf ZH.

A country falls in love with a brand
"In 1975, 'Jaws' was released in cinemas, David Beckham and Angelina Jolie were born, the radio played Udo Jürgens' 'Greek Wine'," said presenter and Corporate Communications Director Sven Grützmacher in front of around 200 guests. "And in 1975, the BMW success story began and this country fell in love with our brand." President & CEO Sergio Solero also reviewed the history of the successful import company. Motag, with company founder Karl Hübner, had been acting as BMW general importer in this country since 1953. The businessman's family also supported BMW with loans in the difficult post-war years, which gave Hübner the sole lifelong import rights with a handshake. It was also Motag that built the Motag Automobile Center in Dielsdorf from 1967 to 1968: this is still the headquarters of BMW Schweiz AG today.

Steady progress for success
After the death of Karl Hübner, BMW Holding AG gradually took over the share packages of the community of heirs from 1975, and the new era began. "The workforce has doubled, we sell over 30,000 vehicles a year," explained the current President & CEO of BMW Switzerland, Sergio Solero, proudly. Today, the organization consists of 65 BMW dealers, 16 BMW service partners, 36 Mini dealers and 23 BMW motorcycle dealers, employs around 3,300 other people and is also active in the fleet business and with financial services as Alphabet. "Back in 2007, we also demonstrated how BMW thinks and works with Efficient Dynamics: It takes steady progress - and you also have to work on details to make progress," explained the CEO. "And there is simply no one solution for all customers. You can't just focus on one groundbreaking idea or technology. That's why we're not just focusing on electric drives, but are also advocating openness to technology. Mobility must also be realistic, affordable and reliable," says the eloquent Italian.

The legendary Art Cars as guests in Dielsdorf
Corporate Communications Director Sven Grützmacher then went into the rich history of the legendary BMW Art Cars and briefly introduced the six of the twenty models on display in Dielsdorf and their artists, before talking to Jochen Neerpasch, JP Rathgen and Max Heidegger about the fastest works of art in the world. The then head of BMW M GmbH, Jochen Neerpasch, revealed: "It was an absolute coincidence that we created the Art Cars 50 years ago. And actually, as an amateur driver, I would never have wanted to entrust the first Le Mans racer created by Alexander Calder to art fan Hervé Poulain." It turned out differently: 50 years later, there are 20 unique rolling works of art by Calder, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer and others; the Art Cars are legendary and worth millions.

BMW presents series version of the New Class at the IAA
With the New Class, BMW can also look forward to an exciting new generation of vehicles in its anniversary year. Jochen Goller, BMW Board Member responsible for Customers, Brands and Sales, explained: "The latest e-technology combined with the switch to an 800-volt system creates new possibilities. We will present the series version of the New Class at the IAA in Munich in the fall." With it, BMW not only wants to set an example in terms of recycling and e-drive, but of course also take the "joy of driving" into the future - and not just thanks to 18,000 Nm (!) of torque. "It's not just about power, but about how you use it," added the BMW Board of Management member, citing as an example the appearance at Auto Shanghai, where the New Class easily climbed a 55-degree ramp in the best mountaineering style.

Open to technology despite criticism
"Whether electric, as a plug-in hybrid or with hydrogen drive: the New Class will have a display extending from A-pillar to A-pillar and an innovative head-up display," revealed Goller, at the same time making it clear once again that BMW will continue to drive into the future with an open mind when it comes to technology, despite some fierce criticism. "We will also be launching our X range with a new architecture. We will start with the new iX3, followed by seven to eight X models in two years' time. There is no either-or at BMW. So I have good news for all M fans: you will continue to receive BMW M models from us in the future!" More good news for the Swiss BMW partners and their customers at this all-round successful anniversary celebration.

Around 180,000,000 classic cars - just those over 30 years old, not counting all the youngtimers - are on Swiss roads and it feels like the number is increasing, especially in spring and when the weather is nice. The Swiss love this cultural asset on wheels: 44 percent of all Swiss people are happy to meet veterans. Hundreds of well-organized clubs, tens of thousands of enthusiasts and many classic car events contribute to this, as do club outings and trade fairs.

The lines of the old classics are so elegant and the emotions they evoke when they rattle past are so beautiful: In terms of driving, these gems are sometimes a challenge. Although the concept of power steering was invented back in 1876, it has only been standard in cars since the 1990s, for example. A lot has also happened in the history of the car when it comes to the chassis. Some purists may long for the wooden, imprecise handling of their car and see it as part of the classic car experience. However, there is often a growing desire for more contemporary comfort and safety, especially in youngtimers, which are much more active in terms of driving dynamics.

This is made possible by new coilover suspensions specially developed for classic cars. Because so much has happened in terms of driving dynamics over the last 50 years that retrofitting a modern suspension or vibration damper also provides a big plus in safety. The large German suspension and damper specialist KW Automotive from Fichtenberg, known primarily from motorsport, recognized this early on with its products in the company colors purple and yellow.

For years, KW has been offering dampers and complete suspensions for numerous legendary classic and, above all, modern classic cars, such as the Audi Sport Quattro, BMW 2002, Ford RS200, Jaguar E-Type, Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3, Porsche 911 or 944 Turbo or even the Ferrari Testarossa and many other models. After installation, you can drive with the ride comfort of today and significantly increased safety in a car from yesterday. The set-up is carried out on the KW driving dynamics test bench. In a complex tuning and adjustment process, the appropriate target values are achieved without having to drive the precious vehicle. If desired or required by the regulations for a classic car rally, the suspension can also be converted to a non-adjustable damper variant after evaluation and customer approval.

Depending on the vehicle-specific application, coilover struts or damper housings are manufactured from aluminum, steel or tempered stainless steel and combined with the optimal KW damper valve technology (TVR-A, TVC-A and TVCLH-A). KW offers the right suspension for every classic and modern classic car and for every requirement. The advantage: The automotive cultural asset receives a modern suspension with the latest damping technology and the option of individual lowering.

And because KW Automotive is very proud of the brand colors and their recognition value, but also knows that many classic car owners want to keep their vehicles as visually original as possible, the kits for the classics are also available in neutral black on request. Further information at: kwsuspensions.ch.

Eight models of all-terrain tires were put through their paces in the first TCS test, both on the road and off-road. The results are mixed: While all-terrain tires prove themselves off paved roads, their handling characteristics are particularly worrying on wet roads. One model was even classified as "not recommended". This is despite the fact that, according to the manufacturer, all-terrain tires are designed for different surfaces such as mud, gravel or snow, but should still offer acceptable driving characteristics on asphalt.

Is the compromise worth it?
Sure, the rubber is a compromise between pure off-road tires and conventional road tires, but who changes tires all the time when they switch from road to off-road? Nobody! This type of tire is intended for all-round vehicles such as SUVs, minibuses, campervans and pick-ups, which occasionally travel off-road and still sometimes cover long distances on asphalt.

The test results differ greatly. All models evaluated offer good grip on gravel paths and muddy surfaces. On dry and especially wet roads, however, they were only moderately convincing: Four models were rated "recommended" by the experts, three "conditionally recommended", but one even had to be classified as "not recommended". Furthermore, none of the all-terrain rubbers tested could keep up with the all-season tires tested at the same time.

Good grades off the road
On non-asphalted surfaces such as gravel or mud, all the tire models tested performed well. Their properties hardly differed. The Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T 2 achieved the best results in off-road conditions, closely followed by the Pirelli Scorpion A/T+. The all-season comparison model came in third place, on a par with the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 and the BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A. "It should be noted that, in addition to the tires, four-wheel drive or a differential lock can also significantly improve driving characteristics on unpaved terrain," added the TCS experts.

Up to 15 meters longer braking distance in wet conditions
"On wet roads, the limits of an all-terrain tire become obvious, especially when braking," says Reto Blättler, project manager for tire testing at TCS. During emergency braking at 80 km/h, no all-terrain tire achieved the performance of the reference all-season tire. The deviation of the BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A is even alarming: its braking distance is 15 meters longer than that of the all-season tire. This means that if the vehicle with all-season tires is stationary, the vehicle with BF Goodrich will continue to drive at 45 km/h. This weak point justifies the "not recommended" rating for this model. In addition to the longer braking distance, a very unbalanced driving behavior was observed.

A little better in the snow
Some tires, such as the Pirelli model, have a strong tendency to oversteer. All of the all-terrain tires tested also have higher fuel consumption and noise levels than conventional road tires. This is due to the design of the all-terrain tires with their wide tread, hard rubber compounds and higher weight.

On snow, the results also vary greatly depending on the model. The Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 is the only all-terrain tire to receive a "good" rating, ranking on a par with the all-season tire. The tires from Falken, General Tire, Matador, Toyo and BF Goodrich were rated "satisfactory". Pirelli and Bridgestone, on the other hand, received a "sufficient" rating on snow.

Since March 2023, the Binelli Group has also represented the Italian luxury brand with the trident. "When Binelli does something, we do it right," explains CEO David Rygula confidently. What he means by this can be seen in the elegant Maserati showroom on Zurich's Badenerstrasse, where six super sports cars are ready to be delivered to their owners. Two open-top Maserati MC20 Cielo, three Maserati MC20 Coupé and a Maserati MC20 Notte, one of only 50 special models worldwide in special black and with elegant carbon details.

Six Maserati MC20s in one go: That doesn't happen every day. So Roland Staehler, Head of the Maserati DACH region, was also happy to stop by and explained: "Despite some headlines to the contrary, the Maserati brand is doing well. And it has emerged from the last few months stronger than ever - which has nothing to do with my name. You can also recognize a good sailor in rougher conditions, and we have successfully navigated through them."

The Italian luxury brand still has a lot in store. For example, the Maserati GT2 Stradale will be launched this year. This has received a technical update so that it can also be used in the LMP. "No matter what you hear: Basta ragazzi! We at Maserati are continuing to go full throttle and will soon be expanding the portfolio of our Grecale SUV, for example," says Roland Staehler. "Something is happening in Modena. The entire Italian car industry will come together and make even more consistent use of synergies in the future," explains the head of the German-speaking Trident markets. "We are working on a rapid relaunch of the Maserati brand. Things are progressing very positively and we will have some very nice surprises in store for our customers over the next two years."

This in turn will please David Rygula, CEO of the Binelli Group, and Antonio Comito, Brand Director Maserati at Binelli, and his team. Because the latest model version of the Grecale SUV, which comes with a 221 kW/300 hp four-cylinder mild hybrid engine, 20-inch diamond-cut wheels, leather upholstery and heated, twelve-way adjustable comfort seats, among other things, will not stop there. Since March, for example, Maserati has been offering customers the option of combining several service contracts in a single package. An exciting option for fleet and business customers in particular. "It has also been a great collaboration for us over the last two years," emphasizes David Rygula once again at the end, looking meaningfully at the six brand new MC20s.