By the end of 2025, or from 2026 at the latest, Subaru will be fully electrified. This is made possible by an electric platform developed together with technology partner Toyota, which offers more power, a greater range and faster charging. In addition to the revised Subaru Solterra, a new electric outback and the completely new Subaru Uncharted electric model will soon be arriving at Swiss dealerships from the all-wheel drive specialist. A software-controlled all-wheel drive system now distributes the torque automatically and intuitively between the front and rear axles to further improve grip, traction and cornering, even on slippery surfaces.

More power, range and traction
The Solterra is expected to make its debut towards the end of 2025. The revised E-SUV is immediately recognizable by its new, slimmer front end. Much more important, however, are the technical modifications under the stylish hood. The Solterra is clearly more dynamic on the road, as the two electric motors on the front and rear axles now deliver 249 kW/338 hp, which is easily 120 hp more than before. This means that the crossover now sprints to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Another positive aspect is that the E-Subaru has not only improved in terms of power delivery, but also in terms of efficiency and range. Thanks to the larger high-voltage battery with 73.1 kWh, an electric range of over 500 km should be possible in future.

If new juice is needed, this is also done more quickly. The Japanese vehicle now manages the jump from ten to 80 percent at the quick-charging station within 30 minutes - particularly exciting for Switzerland and the winter operating areas of the Subaru models - thanks to intelligent preconditioning even at temperatures as low as minus 10° Celsius. The towing capacity of the new Solterra generation has also been improved, climbing from 750 to a whopping 1500 kg. The redesign is rounded off by a newly designed interior, a modern 14-inch infotainment display and additional camera support for recognizing the various terrains.

Robustness meets agility
The Subaru Uncharted will be slightly more compact and, with a length of 4.51 meters, almost 20 centimeters shorter than the Solterra from 2026. The city SUV has 21 centimetres of ground clearance, is equipped with X-MODE and has suspension and steering optimized by Subaru engineers. With a turning circle of 11 meters, it is also very agile. Inside, there is an ergonomic steering wheel, 14-inch infotainment display and two wireless cell phone charging stations so that the driver and front passenger can now charge their smartphones.

The Uncharted comes with three variants of electric drive. As with the Solterra, the all-wheel drive model with the 77 kWh battery delivers 249 kW/338 hp for dynamic performance. They allow the Uncharted to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. It also has an electric range of 470 km and a towing capacity of 1500 kg. For those who do not necessarily have to rely on 4×4, the electric Subaru is available as an inexpensive front-wheel drive model with a smaller drive battery (57.7 kWh) and a range of 445 km or the larger 77 kWh battery, with which the Uncharted can then boast a full 585 km electric range.

Flagship also under power
In 2026, Subaru will also electrify its crossover pioneer Outback. As an e-Outback, it combines everything that drivers have so far appreciated about its proven 2.5-liter boxer engine and the combustion engine version: Versatility, performance and reliability. These characteristics are now complemented by impressive electric driving performance and an electric range of over 450 km thanks to the 74.7 kWh battery. The Subaru flagship with its symmetrical all-wheel drive, X-Mode and 21 centimeters of ground clearance will soon have a 276 kW/375 hp electric drive to provide the necessary thrust. The "Subi", which is around 4.85 meters long, not only shines with its usual spaciousness, but is also extremely athletic: from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds! The E-Outback also boasts a robust look, roof rails and 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels. And when it comes to safety, it continues to impress with its practical emergency braking function and other helpers based on the EyeSight driver assistance system.

Even if the legendary Swedish steel with the large bumper still has its charm today and the first Volvo 240 - so typical of the brand - set standards in terms of safety with crumple zones and a reinforced passenger cell: for our test drive, we take a seat in the brand's new customer: the Volvo XC60. The model series has been in the range for 17 years and, with 2.7 million sales worldwide, has just overtaken the 240, which was produced from 1974 to 1993, in the Volvo sales hit parade.

As a reward, the current generation of the XC60 has been given a visual and technical fine-tuning. To recognize the exterior changes, however, you have to be a connoisseur or lover of the Swedes: The front grille with the typical "Iron Mark" logo has been adapted, as have the front air intakes. At the rear, the tail lights have been kept darker, some new wheel designs and also new exterior colors - including the green-greyish "Forest Lake" and the pink to violet undertone "Aurora Silver", two completely new colors - have been added, that's it.

Inside, there is the typical Swedish chic with pretty wood inlays, fine leather, chrome air vents and excellent workmanship. Practical: the wireless smartphone charging station in the center console is now easier to access. And the infotainment system, which has already celebrated its premiere in the two electric models EX30 and EX90, is now also used in the XC60. Its layout has been adapted. More importantly, various Google functions are now integrated and there is now the option of online updates. The new functions and applications are accessed via the free-standing, central 11.2-inch touchscreen, which enables sharp displays thanks to increased pixel density. The new system is also more than twice as responsive.

In addition to the two-liter petrol engine with all-wheel drive and 184 kW/250 hp, the compact SUV is powered by two plug-in hybrids. In the T6 Twin Engine, the 18 kWh battery is combined with a four-cylinder engine with 186 kW/253 hp, which gives a system output of 293 kW/350 hp and an electric range of 65 to 80 kilometers. In the T8 Twin Engine, the drive battery is even paired with 228 kW/310 hp from the combustion engine, which gives the SUV even more dynamism and sportiness. Despite weighing over two tons, the XC60 accelerates to 100 km/h in under five seconds thanks to a total of 335 kW/455 hp. However, if you take advantage of this sporty acceleration too often, the electric range dwindles noticeably. But it's still fun!

Just like every drive in the dignified Swedish car. Thanks to the improved noise comfort, including the laminated windows, we now glide along in the XC60 even more comfortably and quietly than before. The revised Volvo XC60 can be ordered from CHF 66,700, while the plug-in hybrid versions start at CHF 79,900.

We all know this situation: a tractor or bicycle is driving slowly across the country in front of us. No oncoming traffic, we could overtake. But there is a safety line or a no overtaking sign or both. Are we allowed to overtake or not? Problem: Driving school was a long time ago, rules are forgotten. And some infringements are so common that we get used to them - until a fine reminds us what would be correct. In addition, when the safety line is drawn out and overtaking is prohibited: similar situations, but different rules.

The safety line is always off limits
The uninterrupted safety line. It must never be crossed or even touched - no matter how slow the vehicle in front of us is. It may only be crossed if there is an immovable obstacle, if you would otherwise be stuck. Cross the line to overtake a Postbus at the bus stop? No. Breakdown car? Yes. But: The safety line is not an overtaking ban! If another vehicle can be overtaken at a sufficient distance (at least 1.5 meters) without touching it, it is permitted. If there is no no-overtaking sign.

There are exceptions to overtaking bans
The overtaking ban logically prohibits overtaking. However, there are exceptions - namely those that are often mistakenly referred to as the safety line: Despite the overtaking ban, all single-lane vehicles are allowed to overtake, as well as all those that can travel at a maximum of 30 km/h due to their design. This means that a vintage car or tractor with a 40 km/h sticker that is traveling slowly uphill may not be overtaken, but a bicycle or tractor with a 30 km/h sticker may. If, as is often the case, a safety line is marked in addition to the overtaking ban, it must never be touched during the maneuver - see above.

Violations of these rules can be really expensive: a 140-franc fine in urban areas and a 400 to 500-franc fine outside urban areas, including fees. It gets even more expensive when overtaking is prohibited, especially in the case of - even theoretical - danger. And by the way: The solid line to the emergency lane on highways and motorways may only be crossed in an emergency. In other words, in the event of a breakdown or accident, for a rescue lane, in the event of a traffic jam at the exit or if the acceleration lane is not sufficient for merging.

Music for the ears
To mark International Jazz Day, Honda combined the sounds of the bold Jazz e:HEV compact car with the music of renowned saxophonist Otis Lawrence.
en.honda.ch

Toyota sends a strong signal for para-sport and Swiss Paralympic
Toyota is supporting Swiss para-sports, including athletes Fabian Blum (left) and Abassia Rahmani, as a new Premium Partner of the foundation until the end of 2028.
en.toyota.ch

Mixed doubles
Zurich tennis player Jenny Dürst wants to move up into the top 100 in the WTA rankings and is now playing doubles with Peugeot - a partnership for ambition and success.
peugeot.ch

Baschi's "tour bus"
The Swiss musician, entertainer and songwriter Baschi has been on stage for over 20 years - sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly, but always with heart. Now he drives in the same way: with the Ford Capri with electric drive.
ford.ch

New star in Miniatur Wunderland
The all-electric VW ID. Buzz with roof rack and caravan in 1:87 scale is now the smallest moving vehicle on the world's largest model railroad layout in Hamburg (Germany).
vw-utility-vehicles.ch

After almost three decades on the job, you think you've made up your mind - and then this little guy from Wolfsburg comes along and tattoos away my objectivity. Driving a police car at last! Blue lights on, siren on - and then do a few laps of the cordoned-off area with a big grin on my face.

The 1992 Police Polo of the Berlin police force is a treat for the 50th anniversary of a model that once helped save VW. At the beginning of the 1970s, VW was on the brink of ruin. Wolfsburg had relied on the Beetle and co. for too long and missed out on modernity. The first Golf (1974) alone would not have achieved the turnaround. So VW reached for the shelf of the DKW brand, which had only been purchased in 1965 and renamed Audi: the Audi 80 became the first VW Passat in 1973. And the Audi 50 with the VW logo on it became the Polo. A hit: over 20 million Polos in six generations since 1975.

The measure of small cars
Today, the Polo is the benchmark for small cars and the current Polo VI is a full-size vehicle at 4.07 meters. That wasn't always the case: on a test drive in the oceanic blue Polo I - base "L", 45 hp, 683 kilos, 3.50 meters long - we feel vulnerable behind cardboard-doored doors and stand in the way of 40-tonne vehicles overland. The Polo III from 1994 - the one that was also available in four color combinations 3806 times as the colorful "Harlequin" - still feels good even after 21 years. Which shows how modern it was. The rest is history: the Polo became cooler, more beautiful and stronger.

The Polo as a "wolf car"
VW even brought cars that never existed to the anniversary. We drive the only Polo V R WRC Street with all-wheel drive (2013) and the legendary Polo G40: still cool today with a G-charger and 115 hp. VW advertised it in English as the "wolf car". And we marvel at prototypes such as the Polo II Sprint from 1983, with a G40 four-cylinder boxer with 155 hp in the rear! And what will follow today's Polo VI (currently also available as a special "Edition 50" model from CHF 34,800)? A study of the future ID.2 electric speedster was recently shown. Rumor has it that the Polo name will somehow live on.

BYD Europe has just appointed Dimitris Chanazoglou, the former Swiss head of Polestar, as Country Manager Switzerland, and has also announced a partnership with Uber: As many Uber drivers as possible are to switch to electric or plug-in hybrid models from the Chinese car giant (which has now replaced Tesla as the largest electric manufacturer in the world). And the BYDs are certainly attractive and efficient, as our test with the BYD Seal U DM-i in Design trim shows: Behind the awkward name lies a plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive.

The family SUV has one electric drive on the front axle and one on the rear axle (150 kW/204 hp and 120 kW/163 hp respectively). In the Seal U DM-i, these are combined with a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with 96 kW/130 hp. This results in a system output of a whopping 238 kW/324 hp, 550 Nm and astonishing liveliness and dynamics. Thanks to the 18 kWh battery, the plug-in hybrid can officially cover up to 70 kilometers on electric power alone, and around 60 kilometers in everyday use. If more electric range is required, the Comfort version is available instead of the Design version: a rear-wheel drive model with "only" 160 kW/218 hp, but a larger battery (27 kWh).

In the meantime, we are driving our all-wheel drive test car through Switzerland. Even though we don't charge the battery at every opportunity and therefore don't drive as often as possible using only electricity, it has a respectable test consumption of 6.2 l/100 km. Cheap cars from China? Nothing like that: The SUV handles well and offers the necessary comfort even on rough stretches of road. The only thing we can't get used to is the somewhat indifferent steering, which could be more precise.

The BYD interior is beautifully made and impeccably finished. Not a plastic desert, but with soft-touch surfaces and double contrast stitching: The Chinese car really makes a statement here. The highlight is not the practical wireless charging surface for two smartphones, but the rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen in the cockpit. It provides an aha effect for 100 percent of passengers. You can choose whether the display should be in portrait or landscape format in the center of the cockpit - really cool and, depending on the display, really practical!

The 4.78-metre-long and 1.89-metre-wide family SUV also shows its practical side in terms of space. There is even enough head and legroom in the rear, and the trunk has a capacity of 425 liters. As the rear seat can be folded down in two parts (60:40 percent), the storage space can be expanded to 1440 liters. That's impressive, as is the price for our 4×4 test vehicle. It is available from 49,900 francs. Not cheap, but certainly attractive and fair for what is on offer. And to dispel any doubts about the quality of the Chinese SUV among Swiss customers, there is also a six-year or 150,000 kilometer full warranty and an eight-year or 200,000 kilometer battery warranty. That gives peace of mind.

Expert opinion: BYD Seal U DM-i Design
The BYD is a beautifully designed family SUV with plug-in hybrid drive and an appealing electric range at a fair price.

Advantages
+ good workmanship
+ convincing drive
+ fair price

Disadvantages
- somewhat indifferent steering
- Reflections in windshield

The starter battery - colloquially known as the car battery - supplies the power to start the car, supplies the ignition system, fuel injection and, when stationary, the electronics so that they do not need to be reset every time the car is started. The starter battery usually reaches its performance limit in freezing temperatures, where batteries do not feel comfortable - especially with automatic stop-start systems, as more charging cycles cause them to age more quickly. Often overlooked: In addition to their large high-voltage drive battery, electric cars also require a 12-volt starter battery for low-voltage systems. And for starting - which is why the starter battery is also one of the most frequent causes of breakdowns in electric cars.

Please check regularly
A starter battery usually has a service life of four to five years. However, depending on stress, it can be due for replacement after just three years. It is therefore important to check it regularly and charge or replace it if necessary before it collapses on a vacation trip or in freezing conditions. If you want to check it yourself, you can do this with a voltage tester 30 minutes after driving. A good battery should show a voltage of 12.4 to 12.7 volts. If the value is lower, the battery should be recharged or replaced immediately - and you should rely on the garage for this assessment. What can you do yourself to protect the battery? Park in the shade in hot summer temperatures! Heat ages the battery quickly - then it will no longer last in winter.

The carXpert network
The name says it all: Behind the name carXpert is a Switzerland-wide network of over 280 independent quality garages and over 40 independent body stores - all experts for your car. In these multi-brand garages, every car feels at home with the qualified specialists because it is serviced and repaired according to the manufacturer's instructions with original equipment parts - guaranteed to keep the warranty! The premium network offers the highest level of expertise and service quality as well as, for example, assistance and used car warranties. The carXpert partners are also ideal contacts for topics such as vacation checks and starter batteries! Many offer a vacation check at reasonable fixed prices. This usually involves checking the starter battery. If a replacement is required carXpert partner a wide range from economy to high-tech premium batteries. carxpert.ch

*The content was created by the Autosprint editorial team in collaboration with carXpert. Cars of all makes are welcome in the carXpert garages and body shops.

At the beginning of 2025, the Chinese brand Leapmotor in Switzerland with the support of Stellantis, which holds a 20 percent stake in the brand, and imported by the Emil Frey Group. In doing so, the group aims to build on the pioneering role it already played with the successful import of Japanese and later Korean manufacturers.

Leapmotor is not the first Chinese brand to try its hand in Switzerland. None of them have yet achieved a major breakthrough. So why Leapmotor? Swiss brand manager Patrick von Bachellé sees the distribution network and aftersales as the main strengths. Instead of exclusive "city stores" and online purchasing, there is a classic dealer network: 23 dealers in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland already sell the new brand and carry out maintenance, repairs and warranty work.

Von Bachellé is convinced that the company's down-to-earth and service-oriented approach sets it apart from the competition. The entire aftersales processes are integrated into Emil Frey's workflows; in addition to a spare parts warehouse in Switzerland, the company can also draw on the Stellantis warehouse in Rivalta, Italy, for parts procurement and is not reliant on direct orders from China. This ensures trust among Swiss customers - who are still wary of Chinese brands.

The main argument for buying is definitely the price-performance ratio, says Roger Küng from the Gross Garage in Baden AGone of the first Leapmotor dealers in Switzerland. Many customers are surprised at "how much car they can get for so little money". And nine out of ten who are interested in a car and test it would buy it. The cheaper of the two models available so far, the electric city runabout T03, has an entry-level price of CHF 16,900, which is well below the "magic limit" of CHF 20,000 - and offers a range of almost 400 kilometers. The larger C10 SUV also impresses with a price of 37,900 francs.

The plans are ambitious: The current market share of 0.3 percent in Switzerland is to be significantly increased in the future, and seven models are to be on offer by 2027. A new variant of the C10 will celebrate its world premiere at Auto Zurich in November - with all-wheel drive. According to von Bachellé, the manufacturer confirmed its development within two weeks in response to an explicit request from Switzerland. This makes it clear that the brand really is moving at what is known as "China speed" and is pushing ahead with projects and developments in record time. International growth too Emil Frey with Leapmotor: Europe's largest car dealer has secured the rights as official importer in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia.

The new Mitsubishi Grandis is the right car for all users who need space, versatility, efficiency and performance while relying on the latest technology and stylish design. Mild hybrid and full hybrid powertrains ensure efficient performance and reduce emissions and running costs. Together with the future all-electric Eclipse Cross (see box), the new Grandis will soon expand the range in the particularly popular SUV segment.

The name Grandis - derived from the Latin word for "large" and "impressive" - is reminiscent of the practical family van offered in the 2000s. Like the latter, the all-new Mitsubishi Grandis also impresses with a large and versatile interior. The brand-typical Dynamic Shield front end combined with an athletic side view gives the 4.41-metre-long and two-metre-wide compact SUV an unmistakable character. The hexagon motif with the horizontally arranged LED lights at the rear is intended to further express the power and robustness of the SUV.

Inside, the new Grandis combines functionality and utility with connectivity and quality. The variably adjustable rear seat bench can be moved forward or backward by up to 16 centimetres to create even more luggage space (434 to 1455 liters with the rear seats folded down) or to give the occupants in the rear seats more legroom. The attention to detail and the use of high-quality materials convey an atmosphere of well-being and spaciousness, which is further enhanced by the large panoramic glass roof. The electrically dimmable glass roof, which is covered with an electrochromic film, allows passengers to effortlessly regulate the light transmission at the touch of a button and thus individually adjust the amount of light entering the interior.

The Mitsubishi, which will roll off the production line in Valladolid, Spain, from the last quarter of 2025, will be powered by a mild hybrid or full hybrid drive. Both the 1.3-liter mild hybrid variant (103 kW/140 hp) combined with a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, as well as the 1.8-liter full hybrid variant (116 kW/158 hp) impress with low fuel consumption and powerful acceleration. The various drive modes and power delivery are optimized according to power requirements. The Grandis is also prepared for all eventualities, as it has a whole range of advanced assistance systems.

How much the new Mitsubishi Grandis, which will be available in Germany from the end of 2025, will cost is still open. But it is already clear that it will also come with the comprehensive eight-year warranty plus eight-year assistance.

The Eclipse Cross arrives in September
The new Eclipse Cross will be the first all-electric model to be launched by Mitsubishi Motors in Europe since 2010. At that time, the i-MiEV was the first electric vehicle to be produced in series by a major manufacturer. In addition, the Eclipse Cross is an important strategic step in the renewal of the brand in Europe. This aims to maximize the core segments with an SUV-focused model range that includes contemporary assistance and infotainment systems and all drive technologies - from the combustion engine to hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) through to 100% electric drive. The stylish, all-electric Eclipse Cross will be available in Switzerland with two different drive batteries: a long-distance version from market launch and a medium-distance version that will follow in 2026.

For a long time, there were only small cars or SUVs with electric drive. But the estate cars that are popular with families and companies in Switzerland despite the SUV hype? Not a thing. Fortunately, that has changed. With the BMW i5 Touring, for example - or the VW ID.7 Tourer, the electric estate car that fits the bill. The ID.7 is a sporty GTX - VW's GTI for electric cars - with all-wheel drive. A 210 kW rear-wheel drive and an 80 kW electric motor on the front axle merge to form an electric 4×4 and a system output of 250 kW/340 hp - more than enough, as our test shows. With the impressive 4.96-meter-long estate, you can speed through bends with astonishing dynamism. But actually, it is above all a dignified glider with power reserves - it goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. In the test, however, we tend to hold back when it comes to spurts and end up with a test consumption of a good 16.9 kWh/100 km.

Cool head-up display
The interior of the VW is really pretty with red decorative stitching or the red GTX lettering in the front seat backrests. And the head-up display, which comes as standard in the GTX, is really practical. It projects information into the driver's field of vision. This frees up space in the actual dashboard, where the classic instruments are now clearly smaller. However, not every technical advance can convince us. Whether you really need ambient lighting with 30 colors is a matter of taste. We think the air conditioning controls are a step too far: When stationary, it might be fun to individually adjust the air flows on the large central display. But while driving, we would like to have simple buttons or manually adjustable air vents back.

Silent space glider
The voice control of the VW ID.7 GTX Tourer also still has room for improvement. On the other hand, the VW is a space-saver with long-distance comfort. And at night, we appreciate the standard "IQ.Light" (LED matrix headlights), which ensures perfect visibility. Among other things, it has dynamic bend lighting and continuous high beam, which cuts out oncoming vehicles and thus does not dazzle anyone with optimum illumination. Even after long journeys - even at night - we get out of the prestigious car feeling very relaxed. And the five-seater has space, lots of space! Five people travel comfortably in it and, despite the large battery pack (86 kWh for up to 685 km WLTP range, around 640 km in the practical test), there is also enough space for luggage: 605 liters is a lot of space. If the rear seats are folded down, up to 1714 liters fit inside.

Offer has its price
However, the comprehensive capabilities also come at a price: the VW ID.7 GTX Tourer starts at 77,700 francs, which is 16,200 francs more than the entry-level ID.7 estate, which has to make do as a pure rear-wheel drive vehicle with a 77 kWh battery. If you add the optional heat pump to the GTX to preheat the battery optimally for charging and to heat the interior in winter without losing too much range, and extend the warranty to four years and 100,000 km, the price tag quickly shows an 8 on the front. On the other hand, there is a cool e-combi with all-wheel drive - but not every VW customer will be able or want to treat themselves to that.

Expert opinion: VW ID.7 GTX Tourer
The GTX is a dignified glider with ample space and all-wheel drive, which is particularly popular in Switzerland.
Advantages
+ Head-up display as standard
+ Solid interior with plenty of space
+ Very balanced handling
Disadvantages
- Air conditioning adjustable via display
- Space, dynamics and 4×4 have their price