Whether as a coupé or open-top Cielo, the MC20 from Maserati is a true super sports car with its three-liter six-cylinder engine with 463 kW/630 hp. The Zurich-based Binelli Group was able to deliver six of them; no wonder Roland Staehler, Head of the Maserati DACH region, stopped by.
Jürg A. Stettler - May 8, 2025
Six Maserati MC20s are ready for delivery to their owners at the Binelli Group. Photo: Maserati Switzerland
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.
Binelli CEO David Rygula (left) and Roland Staehler, Head of Maserati DACH region. Photo: Autosprint
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."
Photo: Maserati Switzerland
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."
Photo: Maserati Switzerland
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.
Photo: Maserati Switzerland
Retrofitting trailer couplings: So that the hook has no hook
Since the boom in rear-mounted bike carriers, trailer couplings have never been more in demand. But there are a few things to bear in mind when retrofitting. We provide tips and explain why retrofitting abroad is not a good idea and what you need to know about the red bike rack control plate.
Timothy Pancake - May 7, 2025
Trailer couplings are extremely popular today because they make it easy to mount bike racks at the rear. Photo: iStock
Since the spread of rear-mounted bike carriers, towbars have become an issue even for many drivers who have nothing to do with trailers. But how does your own car - for example a newly purchased used car - get a towbar if it doesn't already have one?
Retrofitting towbars is basically no magic trick. It is possible for almost all cars and there are offers from both car manufacturers and independent suppliers, whereby the electrical connection box is required in addition to the actual hook. The costs vary depending on the car, the model, the desired drawbar load, the intended use and the design. Rigid towbars (i.e. with a fixed ball head) are the cheapest in terms of costs (material and labor). However, they also have disadvantages. The exposed, fixed ball head is constantly exposed to the weather and quickly causes damage and often bruises on the shins when maneuvering. The solution could be a detachable towbar, but it is more expensive. However, there is a much more elegant solution: Although towbars that can be folded in and out are a popular solution, especially for new cars, they are also the most expensive solution when retrofitting.
Do-it-yourself is not advisable
It starts with the fact that the towbar and the electrics must be type-approved and suitable and permitted for the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle, this can be a bit of a science in itself, which is why garages are the right people to contact. Furthermore, simply googling can lead you down the wrong path. For example, the internet likes to claim that it is sufficient to carry the relevant documents once a towbar has been fitted. In fact, there are countries where this is the case. But beware: In Switzerland, a retrofitted towbar must always be checked and registered in the vehicle registration document. An ideal choice are therefore specialist garages that have a permit for self-acceptance. These garages are allowed to carry out the inspection themselves, eliminating the need to go to the MFK. The addresses of these specialist companies can be obtained from road traffic offices or from the sections of the AGVS car trade association, for example.
Strictly speaking, the red license plate is not a license plate at all, but it saves the constant pulling of the rear white license plate to the bike rack and back. Photo: Astra
Isn't it cheaper abroad?
This common tip should be taken with a grain of salt. Of course it is possible to have the towbar fitted abroad. However, foreign companies are not necessarily familiar with Swiss regulations. Not to forget: The time and travel costs for the journey there and back are quickly quite high. But above all, there is the customs: the planned retrofitting must be declared as active processing at customs on departure. On the return journey, the retrofit must be declared again if the work and parts cost more than CHF 300. Although foreign VAT does not have to be paid, Swiss VAT does have to be paid. And in the end, despite all the effort involved, there is still no way around the motor vehicle inspection, because the towbar has to be entered in the vehicle registration document. All in all, it makes sense to retrofit a towbar in Switzerland.
Legal regulations that need to be observed with a trailer coupling are often overlooked. For example, the permissible drawbar load and whether the weight of the packed bikes is within the permissible limits must be taken into account. In the case of e-bikes, it may be necessary to stow the batteries inside the vehicle. In the case of detachable and retractable towbars, it is important to check whether they need to be removed or folded away when not in use. To do this, it is advisable to check the vehicle registration document: if the entry requires this when not in use, it must be done. But beware: If nothing is stated in the vehicle registration document, it is still necessary to check whether the towbar could cover parts of the license plate or the lights - because then it must be removed or folded in when not in use, even if this is not explicitly stated in the vehicle registration document.
A red license plate on the bike rack is the perfect addition. The red plate has been available since 2022 and saves you having to remount the white rear license plate from the car to the bike rack and back. The red plate is not mandatory, so the white plate can still be fitted voluntarily. Incidentally, the red license plate is not a license plate at all: it is only valid as a copy, not as a license plate itself, and may only be mounted on the vehicle with identical white plates and only on the bike carrier. The red plate is available from road traffic offices, usually via online ordering. Delivery times vary, but you should always allow four weeks to be on the safe side. The costs vary depending on the canton, usually from 10 to over 30 francs - sometimes including, sometimes plus shipping.
McLaren: New home for fast Brits
For the first time, the McLaren showroom, workshop and storage area in Zurich will be united under one roof. The new location also marks a new chapter for the British sports car brand in this country.
Jürg A. Stettler - May 5, 2025
The new McLaren location in Zurich at Alpenstrasse 3 in Opfikon ZH. Photo: McLaren
McLaren continues to step on the gas in Switzerland. The elegant British super sports cars are very popular in this country, with 39 sold last year and ten new British cars rolling onto Swiss roads this year with the five McLaren 750S, four McLaren Artura and one McLaren GTS. They all now have a new home, namely at Alpenstrasse 3 in Opfikon ZH. This is McLaren's new location in Zurich. The showroom offers an impressive 455 square meters of presentation space and the adjacent workshop, which opened in March 2025 and covers an area of 613 square meters, meets the latest technical standards. This opens up completely new perspectives in terms of customer care, service quality and operational efficiency.
"The opening of McLaren Zurich marks an exciting milestone for our brand in Switzerland," says Matthew Boguradzki, Regional Director Europe, Middle East, India & Africa at McLaren Automotive Ltd. "By seamlessly combining the showroom, studio and workshop under one state-of-the-art roof, the McLaren Zurich team has created an exceptional space that enriches every customer interaction. Their genuine passion for the brand sets consistently high standards - and this new facility allows them to raise those standards even further."
Roderick Pike, General Manager of McLaren Zurich. Photo: McLaren
Iconic vehicles in a new light To celebrate this milestone, McLaren Zurich is presenting an exclusive selection of legendary McLaren models at the end of April - from classics such as the 12C, the McLaren P1 and the Senna GTR to current super sports cars such as the Artura Spider, the 750S Spider and the GTS. The aim is to bring the entire spectrum of the brand's model history to life in an impressive way - for enthusiasts and guests alike.
The new location is the result of over a year of renovations. After temporarily relocating to an interim building in April 2024, a comprehensive modernization began. The showroom was able to move into the first part of the new building in October 2024. Now that all the work has been completed, the new McLaren hotspot in Zurich is officially ready for the future.
A year of transformation and recognition Alongside the refurbishment, McLaren Zurich was recognized as one of the world's best McLaren dealers in early 2024. As one of only four finalists in the EMEIA region, the team was accepted into the prestigious "McLaren Premier Club" and competed for the title of "McLaren Global Retailer of the Year 2023". This annual award recognizes excellence in sales, service and customer satisfaction within the global McLaren dealer network. It will be interesting to see where the team led by Roderick Pike, General Manager of McLaren Zurich, can place in the next award with the new premises and facilities in Opfikon.
"This opening is a proud moment for our entire team. The new facility allows us to bring our passion for McLaren to life in a more immersive, personal and intimate way than ever before," explained Roderick Pike at the opening. "We have created a space that is not just for showcasing exceptional cars, but also for creating exceptional experiences."
Renault 5: Good humor as standard
Sometimes a test almost makes us nervous: during the first short test drive, we thought the Renault 5 was terrific. But is our verdict still correct after a major practical test? We can give the all-clear: The new R5 really does everything right.
Timothy Pancake - May 2, 2025
Much more than just stylish: the new R5 - officially called the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric - is available from 24,900 Swiss francs in various horsepower and battery variants, but always purely electric. Photos: Autosprint
"I practically grew up in a green R5 for nine years," says the wife cheerfully. And the neighbor exclaims: "A car frog!" We could actually write this test report on the new R5 - officially called the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric - purely with quotes: The frog-green electric car reaps enthusiastic comments. There's no doubt about it: since Fiat's 500, no automobile rebirth has been as successful as the renaissance of the legendary R5 (1972 to 1996).
The little Frenchman leaves no one cold. Not even us in chilly March: unlike many other electric cars, the R5 doesn't heat half-heartedly. And although it keeps you nice and warm, it never runs out of range from heating, contrary to the preconception of electric cars. The standard specification for our test variant with 110 kW/150 PS and 52 kWh battery promises 410 kilometers. In the everyday test, it is always at least 300 kilometers. Not bad.
Beautifully made. The workmanship is impeccable and the operation is self-explanatory.
The R5 also disproves the prejudice that electric cars are too expensive: the R5 is available from 24,900 francs. Of course, our test car with more power, a large battery and medium equipment costs 34850 francs including options - not a little for a 3.92 meter car. But lifestyle costs money, and people are happy to spend far more on Mini Coopers and the like. We think so: The R5 is worth it. Because Renault has really done everything right here - and not just with the retro design.
The R5 never feels like a makeshift, but rather mature and safe. Nevertheless, it is enormous fun: a real city artist that corners and turns so effortlessly that the four driving modes are ultimately irrelevant. The R5 always puts a smile on our faces; a good mood is built in as standard, so to speak. Comfort? Like all small cars, the R5 is not a sedan, but rather has a firm and firm ride. But it remains quiet, never hurts even on bad roads, and because the electric motor gets going spontaneously, the 150 electric horsepower is always well fed.
So no disadvantages? One: the rear is cramped. The door handle in the rear window triangle is already impractical, the entrance is narrow, and inside, your knees scrape against the front seat - okay in the Agglo, but nothing more. In the front, everything is airy and comfortable. Only "Reno", the voice control avatar, is annoying from time to time when he tries to be too intentionally cool. No matter, the large displays are puzzle-free and there are even real buttons for the important things.
Autosprint conclusion: We would be very surprised if we didn't come across the new R5 very often soon. In this class, electric not only makes sense but is also great fun, and the cool French car drives as well as it looks. My compliments!
Beautiful back: The rear in particular is reminiscent of the legendary R5 from 1972 to 1996.
Pros & cons Renault 5 + Pleasant driving behavior + Cozy-cool furnishings + Very smooth operation - Rear seat only suitable for short journeys - Seating position not ideal for everyone
Denza redefines the premium segment
The Chinese car manufacturer BYD launched its premium brand Denza in Europe as part of the Brera Design Week in Milan. The flagship model is the Z9GT. A sporty grand tourer that is offered for sale with an all-electric drive and as a super DM hybrid. Denza wants to conquer the premium market with its cars.
Jil Lüscher - April 30, 2025
Wolfgang Egger, BYD and Denza Head of Design, at the presentation of the Z9GT in Milan. Photos: Denza
During the enthusiastic and passionate presentation in the heart of the Lombard metropolis, the question arose: Can a car be reinvented? Perhaps not new, but in terms of design and technology at a level that deserves the inflationary use of the term "innovative" in the industry. At least that's the view of those responsible at Denza, who were full of praise for their flagship model Z9GT at the brand launch. A car "that will amaze people as soon as they see it", says Stella Li, BYD's Head of Europe, with conviction. She speaks of a "game changer" and uses the iPhone as a comparison, which eclipsed all the dominant products on the market when it was launched. She told the European press that the market launch of the Denza Z9GT model in Europe will have a similar impact.
Despite its length of 5.2 meters and its weight of almost 3 tons, the Z9GT will also be a success in Switzerland. Because the car is more maneuverable than any other, has a lot of power and range and is equipped with universal (all-wheel) technology. The maneuverability is a point that Denza is particularly proud of: two steering motors - one for each of the rear wheels - are controlled as required so that the right and left rear wheels steer autonomously, i.e. independently of each other as well as of the front axle. This gives the vehicle unrivalled maneuverability, improved stability when cornering and braking and, above all, revolutionary parking technology. Specifically, the car can be turned on the spot around its own front wheel vertical axle. The car masters lateral parking in the tightest of spaces by sliding the rear end in sideways, while the front is already positioned in the parking space like the tip of a compass. This technology gives the Z9GT a turning radius of 4.62 meters. A value with which the imposing Grand Tourer puts many city cars from the small car segment such as a Fiat 500 or Renault Twingo in the shade.
Denza builds the Z9GT on a so-called e3 platform with two different powertrains - purely electric or as a super DM hybrid. The electric version accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h in around three seconds. Its front motor delivers 230 kW/313 hp and each of its rear motors can generate a peak output of 240 kW/326 hp at a speed of up to 21,000 rpm. Under the hood of the plug-in hybrid Super DM version of the Z9GT is a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine. Its peak output is 152 kW/207 hp with a torque of 325 Nm and, thanks to electric assistance, it achieves a total output of 200 kW/272 hp. Each of its rear electric motors then produces a further 220 kW/299 hp.
An intelligent architecture ensures a high level of safety in the Z9GT. Vehicle Motion Control (VMC) takes control of all controllable elements of the vehicle - brakes, suspension and steering. It then uses an industry-leading signal transmission rate of 10 milliseconds or less to enable faster, more accurate and more comprehensive control of the vehicle's movement. Denza calls it a revolutionary system integration that can even respond to dangerous situations such as tire blowouts at high speed (up to 180 km/h).
Design inspired by flowing silk and the golden mean The Z9GT was designed under the direction of German Design Director Wolfgang Egger "as the world's most elegant GT flagship model", as BYD immodestly communicates. The Denza design team was inspired by the "golden mean" and falling silk. Golden proportions are one of the basic laws of beauty in all of life and silk flows with an elegance all its own in this finely woven fabric. "In car design, we do everything we can to unite the golden mean and flowing lines," says Bavarian-born Wolfgang Egger, who has a past with car brands such as Alfa Romeo, Seat, Audi, Lamborghini and Lancia.
Interior: high-quality saloon space meets high-end technology With its flat silhouette, the Z9GT's appearance is similar to that of the Porsche Taycan, although the rear of the Z9GT is less sloping and more elongated. The interior shows great attention to detail, with large leather surfaces and tastefully integrated elements made of lightly smoked bamboo wood exuding a quality reminiscent of cars from the luxury segment. The front seats are equipped with massage, ventilation and heating functions. Active side bolsters, which share their air tanks with the vehicle's air suspension and offer additional support when cornering, are touted as a world first. The ultra-wide rear seats are also equipped with a heating, ventilation and massage function, all comfort components for long journeys.
The built-in infotainment system is also high-end, with the focus on a central 17.3-inch screen. This display is supplemented by an additional 13.2-inch screen, which allows the person in the front passenger seat to interact with the vehicle's own entertainment system. The Devialet sound system is equipped with 20 loudspeakers and creates a cinema-quality sound experience. A cooling compartment is also part of the standard equipment, as is a panoramic glass roof with sun protection.
The Z9GT will be further optimized for European customers Denza's product and engineering teams are currently working on a number of measures to further enhance the Z9GT when it arrives in European showrooms. These improvements include powertrain, performance, range, tire sizes and specifications, and cargo capacity. The market launch is planned for the last quarter of 2025, but the price remains to be seen.
About Denza Denza is BYD's premium brand. It was founded in 2010 as a joint venture between BYD and Daimler AG. Denza launched its first own vehicle on the market in 2014. In 2025, the premium manufacturer is celebrating its European premiere with three models, led by the impressive Denza Z9GT. Denza is the abbreviation for Shenzhen Denza New Energy Automotive Co. Ltd. Each letter of the name Denza itself refers to a key feature of the brand values. D stands for Diverse, E for Elegance, N for Novel, Z for Zenith and A for Aspirational.
Paint care after winter: How to make your car shine like new again
After the stress of winter, the car needs to be polished to a high shine in spring. And experts such as the Swiss specialist Riwax-Chemie offer the tools to do this. Here are the most important tips for tackling paint care.
Timothy Pancake - April 28, 2025
You should stick to quality products when choosing polish and tools such as microfiber cloths. Photos: iStock/Riwax
Spring is the ideal time for a car polish: the environmental influences of winter - whether weather or road salt - have attacked the paintwork. Conversely, it should be fit and protected again before it has to deal with insect residues and tree resins again. The vehicle should first be thoroughly cleaned before paint care - otherwise there is a risk that dirt particles will be rubbed off when polishing the paint. However, the paintwork must be dry again before polishing. And the weather is also crucial: it should not be too cold or too hot, as both make working with polishing agents more difficult. And under no circumstances should you polish in the sun.
Quality products should be used when selecting the polish and also for tools such as microfiber cloths. It is not for nothing that professionals in the car trade, for example, rely on brands such as the leading Swiss quality manufacturer Riwax-Chemie. The Riwax product range includes, for example, complete sets for private individuals who want to do it themselves and which already contain everything you need. Our tip is the "PX Starter Set" with sanding paste, polish and sealant as well as accessories. It also makes a great gift for car fans.
Making paintwork fit - kits from brands such as Riwax, which contain everything you need, help with this.
You should ask yourself whether, as a newcomer to polishing, you want to resort to mechanical help. A polishing machine is of course practical, but requires some practice and should be used with caution, otherwise damage may occur. So it's better to do it by hand first.
The work should be divided into individual smaller sections (areas). Important: If in doubt, first work with a less abrasive polish, apply the polish sparingly - and do not work with too much force. After polishing, polish residues should be removed with special cloths. Very important: After polishing, the paintwork must be sealed in order to achieve a lasting result - after all, the shine should be retained for as long as possible.
Classic car events: classic cars make history
They are loud, nostalgic and bear witness to times gone by: Classic cars fascinate a wide audience. These five events from May to August are a must for all classic car fans and have something for everyone to marvel at and explore.
Andy Maschek - April 25, 2025
Photo: Open Air Tours
The meeting point: Open Air Tours Swiss Season Opening
"The Valley" around Motorworld in Kemptthal ZH is once again the meeting place for all people with gasoline in their blood at the start of the season. The motto here: Everyone is welcome. Open Air Tours, one of the major organizers (including Older Classics), will bring together everything with wheels on 4 May 2025, regardless of the year of manufacture, whether sports car, convertible, classic or vintage car. Info: openairtours.ch/season-opening
Photo: Hemberg hill climb
The race: Hemberg hill climb
On June 14/15, 2025, Hemberg SG will be a mecca for motorsport fans for the twelfth time and the journey to the event for participants and fans is already a guarantee for a feast for the eyes on tires. The traditional hill climb offers racing enthusiasts pure adrenaline and is also a meeting platform for informal exchange and networking in the most beautiful surroundings. Info: bergrennen-hemberg.ch
Photo: Swiss Classic World
The trade fair: Swiss Classic World (SCW) in Lucerne
The largest classic car show in Switzerland will take place from May 30 to June 1, 2025 in the Lucerne exhibition halls - with numerous scene providers in the halls and many attractions: Car market and auction, driving events ranging from rallies to rides, a meeting of pre-war vehicles built up to 1949 and, of course, the exhibition of more than 800 classic cars (four-wheelers and two-wheelers). Info: swissclassicworld.ch
Photo: O-iO/Josef Krauer
The folk festival: Oldtimers in Obwalden (O-iO)
The classic car folk festival in Sarnen OW and anderentags Seelisberg UR is one of the biggest and most beautiful events on the scene and is taking place for the 26th time this year at Whitsun, on June 7 and 8. The oldies can be marveled at as they drive past and stroll through - free holiday fun including passenger rides and concerts for the whole family. Info: o-io.ch
Photo: Autosprint
The beauty contest: Zurich Classic Car Award (ZCCA)
This annual "Concours d'Elegance" in Zurich has been bringing together historical cultural assets at an event in the heart of the city since 2012. This year's event will be held on August 13, but will exceptionally not take place on Bürkliplatz due to construction work; the new location is yet to be announced. By the way: the sister event ACCA will take place in Ascona on September 20/21. Info: openairtours.ch/carawards
TCS summer tire test 2025: Up to 17 meters more braking distance
It is always eagerly awaited during the tire change season: the big TCS tire test. In addition to tips from garage owners, it provides important information for tire selection. This time, the experts took a close look at a popular tire size for compact vehicles, the 225/40 R18 92Y.
Jürg A. Stettler - April 23, 2025
Photos: ADAC
The Test & Technology department of the Touring Club Switzerland tested a total of 17 summer tires in the dimension 225/40 R18 92Y for the 2025 season. Tires from premium manufacturers to inexpensive alternatives, so-called "low-budget" products, were examined. The TCS experts used a VW Golf 8 for their test drives. The tire size is also suitable for a large number of cars in the compact car segment and is often used for various Mercedes models such as the A and B-Class, CLA, GLA and SLC, as well as the BMW 1 and 2 Series. The rubber is also often fitted to the Hyundai i20, Renault Mégane, Ford C-Max or the Skoda Octavia, which is very popular in this country.
Big differences
"The differences in driving safety in the current summer tyre test have rarely been so great," summarizes Reto Blättler, project manager for tire testing at TCS, "one tire had a braking distance that was up to 17 meters longer!" Of the 17 summer tire models extensively tested, eleven were rated as "highly recommended", four as "recommended", one as "conditionally recommended" and one as "not recommended". "The products were assessed in 15 different test criteria," explains Blättler. The overall score is made up of 70 percent "driving safety" and 30 percent "environmental balance". The "driving safety" includes the criteria "driving behavior on dry and wet roads". The "environmental balance" includes criteria such as predicted mileage and abrasion. Fuel consumption, weight, noise and sustainability are also important for the environmental balance.
Eleven top finishers
The test winners in the 225/40 R18 92Y dimension this summer come from the following manufacturers: Continental, Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear, Vredestein, Yokohama, Firestone, Falken, Dunlop, Nexen and Toyo. Among the top-ranked tires, two models stand out in terms of driving safety. The Continental SportContact 7 and the Bridgestone Potenza Sport achieved outstanding results on dry roads with a high grip level, excellent precision and a high level of safety in critical driving maneuvers.
Dangerous driving characteristics
However, not all of the tires convinced Reto Blättler's experts. The Syron tire from China, for example, was rated "conditionally recommended". The test car cannot be steered very precisely with this tire, constant steering corrections are necessary for constant cornering radii. Even if the tire offers satisfactory performance in the wet, it is not advisable to buy this tire. The TCS strongly advises against buying this year's test runner-up, the Chinese Doublecoin DC-100, as this tire is very weak overall in terms of driving safety. On wet roads in particular, it is miles behind the field.
New design language, new size and many proven strengths that have characterized a Skoda up to now: This is how the new compact electric SUV Elroq presents itself to us.
Jürg A. Stettler - April 21, 2025
Photos: Autosprint
With the larger Enyaq, Skoda immediately had an electric model in its portfolio. With the smaller Elroq, the Czechs have recently launched an electric SUV that should once again appeal to the tastes of the Swiss. Despite its more compact dimensions (L x W x H 4.45 x 1.88 x 1.63 meters), the Elroq also impresses with its generous amount of space. We even enjoy enough legroom in the rear. In addition, 470 liters of luggage space, or even 1580 liters with the rear seats folded down, are easily enough for a large weekend shopping trip. The loading sill is a little high at 70 centimetres, but that's why you drive an SUV, appreciate the higher seating position, and shopping bags have to be lifted higher. Clever for this: There are various compartments in the trunk and an extra net and holder for the charging cable in the cover.
The Elroq is available from us So far with two batteries (63 and 82 kWh) and in two power levels (150 kW/204 hp and 210 kW/286 hp). We test the Elroq 85 with the large battery and the powerful rear-wheel drive. The Skoda test car thus packs a whopping 545 Nm onto the rear axle, but drives comfortably and not too emphatically sporty - and that's a good thing. The 2.2-tonne E-SUV goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. Much more impressive is how agile and maneuverable the urban SUV is with its turning circle of just 9.3 meters. Even without all-wheel drive - still to come, as well as a sporty RS version - the Skoda cuts a fine figure in the test.
At the front, the Elroq as the first Skoda model with the new "Modern Solid" design language. However, the more aggressive look of the flat Matrix LED lights and the high-gloss black "Tech-Deck" cover instead of the traditional front grille are just as much a part of the modern appearance as the robust lower front bumper. The interior is beautifully finished with decorative stitching and orange seat belts. Clever: the storage compartment in the foot area of the rear center seat is removable. The head-up display impresses with its well-placed navigation and safety information, making it a pleasure to be guided or warned.
On paper the Czech car has a WLTP range of 581 kilometers. In everyday use, it is more like 450 kilometers, but that is easily enough. In addition, the Skoda Stromer proved to be quite efficient in the test with a consumption of around 18 kWh/100 km. This is despite the fact that there were often four of us on the road and most of the time we didn't use the three manual recuperation levels via the steering wheel paddles.
However, the compact e-SUV with its brand-typical "Simply Clever" details, such as the ice scraper in the trunk, the umbrella in the driver's door or retractable sun blinds in the doors, now also has its price at Skoda. The Elroq costs from 36,300 francs; our test car costs 44,511 francs.
Pros & cons Skoda Elroq 85 + Generous amount of space + Clever head-up display + Good ride comfort, very maneuverable - Somewhat high loading sill - Fair price, but not super cheap
Audi Q6 Sportback E-Tron: with a view to the rear
The Q6 Sportback E-Tron has a longer range and a coupé-like rear end. The elegant lines at the rear look good on the Audi and emphasize the sporty character of the electric Sportback.
Karin Beutler - April 18, 2025
The new Audi Q6 Sportback E-Tron is, as the name suggests, sporty and electric on the road. Photos: Audi
"The new Audi Q6 Sportback E-Tron transforms energy into enthusiasm," explains Audi Brand Director Dieter Jermann with a satisfied look at the white SUV with the coupé-like sloping roofline. "We are expanding the all-electric E-Tron family with the new Audi Q6 Sportback E-Tron and the Audi SQ6 Sportback E-Tron. This innovative premium SUV combines the essence of the Sportback features with clean lines, progressive design and even more dynamism."
The dynamically designed Sportback combines the spaciousness of an SUV with the elegance of a coupé. The E-Audi offers 511 liters of trunk space and a 64-liter frunk in the front. If the rear seat bench is folded down, the storage space increases to up to 1373 liters. Right from the market launch of the electric Q6 Sportback, a rear-wheel drive version will be available in addition to a 4×4 version and the S model - just like its SUV sister model. Compared to the SUV, the rakishly tapered rear end creates a mixture of sporty elegance and power. Analogies to the E-Tron GT family are also unmistakable. The interior is more consistently geared towards the needs of the occupants than ever before and the ambience is designed to be emphatically homely.
One battery size and two drive variants provide the necessary thrust for the stately, 4.77 m long Lord of the Rings. The electric motor of the rear-wheel drive Audi Q6 Sportback E-Tron with a 100 kWh battery (net 94.9 kWh) has an output of 225 kW/306 hp and needs 6.6 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. The all-wheel drive version with 285 kW/387 hp completes the parade sprint in 5.5 seconds. As an all-wheel drive model with 285 kW/387 hp, it completes the parade sprint in 5.9 seconds. The SQ6, designed for even more sportiness and dynamics with 360 kW/489 hp, even accelerates the Audi to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.
It is not only the Audi's performance that is impressive, but also its range. Thanks to the more streamlined body shape and 3.7 centimetres less height, but also thanks to the sophisticated thermal management of the high-voltage battery, the Audi boasts a range of up to 656 kilometers. In addition, the 800-volt on-board electrical system guarantees strong charging performance. Ten minutes at a fast-charging station to recharge under ideal conditions with a maximum charging capacity of up to 270 kW (rear-wheel drive models up to 260 kW) for a range of up to 265 kilometers - not bad!
The Q6 Sportback E-Tron Performance is available to buy in Switzerland from 82,400 Swiss francs; with all-wheel drive, the Audi costs at least 88,400 Swiss francs.