The latest from the Opel model range can be seen - and also experienced - in a showroom on Utoquai in Zurich. There, the company from Rüsselsheim presented the new edition of the Astra, one of the most popular models in the compact class. Also completely new is the Rocks-e citymobile for city and agglomeration use. Both models are available for a test drive until June 22, 2022.

Astra also comes as a pure electric vehicle
With the Astra L, Opel is now entering the new era in which CO2 is the important currency. That's why the eleventh generation is now also available as a plug-in hybrid for the first time and as a fully electric model from 2023. The new Astra is also intended to be a design statement for the brand. The sleek lines on the outside and inside are characteristic. At 4.37 meters long, it is roughly the same length as the outgoing model, but has a wheelbase that is 13 millimeters longer.

Completely new infotainment systems
The interior also underscores the new philosophy, with a fully digital cockpit, Pure Panel with widescreens and no connecting cables. The new generation of infotainment systems can be used via the touchscreen or voice recognition - with "Hey, Opel," the Astra becomes bright-eyed.

Diesel version for customers with fleets
The powertrain is still conventional for the time being. It will be launched at the end of June with a 1.2-liter gasoline engine and a 1.5-liter diesel with revised turbocharged engines producing 110 and 130 hp. Fleet customers will be particularly interested in the diesel. Both models can be combined with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.

Prices start at 32 640 francs
The top version with plug-in hybrid system follows a little later. This consists of a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor with a system output of 180 hp. A 225 hp version will follow later. The PHEV version is equipped with a 12.4 kWh battery, which is enough for around 60 kilometers of electric operation.

The price of the Astra L starts at 32,640 Swiss francs, the plug-in version at 39,370 Swiss francs, and the Sports Tourer station wagon version, which will be available from 2023, will cost an additional 1200 Swiss francs. The Astra-e will also hit the road in 2023.

Under 10 000 francs into the Opel world
Opel is now also represented in the subcompact segment: The Citroën Ami's corporate sibling, which is only 2.41 meters long and 1.39 meters wide, is powered by a 9-kW electric motor, reaches around 45 km/h and will be available towards the end of the year at a price of less than 10,000 francs.

One charge of the 5.5 kWh battery is enough for 75 kilometers, and charging the battery at a household outlet is said to take only four hours. The fact that there's no air conditioning shouldn't be too much of a disadvantage in the Rocks-e's small territory. Of course, the small car can be ordered online.

opel.ch

The Genesis Electrified G80, as the new model is called, rolls out onto the road as a 100-percent battery model with only minor exterior changes compared with its combustion engine predecessor. With a length of 5.00 meters and a wheelbase of 3.01 meters, the main dimensions remain unchanged.

A solar roof provides power supply
Both axles are now driven by two electric motors, which together deliver 272 kW (370 hp) and a total torque of 700 Nm. The 87-kWh battery enables ranges of up to 520 kilometers, and thanks to 800-volt technology, charging from 10 to 80 percent at the 350-kW fast-charging station takes just under 22 minutes.

In addition to the charging cable, the solar roof, which can be supplied on request, also provides electricity. According to the manufacturer, it can produce energy for a range of more than 1000 kilometers over the course of a year. Another useful feature of the Electrified G80 is its vehicle-to-load capability, thanks to which it can be used as a mobile power source - for example, when camping as a charging station for the coffee machine, laptop or e-bike.

Comfortable heavyweight with 2325 kilos
In the new model, the radiator grille with flush aerodynamic surface, two-tone grille surround and virtually invisible load connection flap stands out. Thanks to underbody panels and aerodynamically optimized 19-inch turbine-design alloy wheels, a favorable drag coefficient cW of 0.26 has been achieved.

However, with its 2325 kilogram unladen weight, the Electrified G80 weighs almost 400 kilograms more than its predecessor with conventional drive. This extra weight may have a slightly negative effect on energy consumption, but in terms of ride comfort, the extra kilograms tend to benefit the vehicle even more.

Suspension comfort and hardly any wind noise
The electric G80 impressed on the first test drive with remarkable rolling and suspension comfort as well as extremely low noise levels. Naturally colored leather upholstery on seats and trim, as well as trim made from recycled wood, convey a luxurious yet sustainable appearance. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch instrument cluster with 3-D display keep the driver informed, and the number of buttons and switches has been kept to a minimum.

Sprint to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds
The two traction motors make a major contribution to quiet driving. At full acceleration, it takes just 4.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h, and the top speed is 225 km/h. The engine is also capable of cruising with less power when the Disconnector Actuator System ensures that the front engine is disconnected from the drive units. However, cruising is also possible with less power input when the Disconnector Actuator System ensures that the front engine is disconnected from the drive wheels and the rear wheels alone take over propulsion. Another convenient feature is the 1-pedal driving system. With four driving programs, the driving experience can be adapted to the conditions and the driver's wishes. The price for the Electrified G80 in the Luxury trim is 76,100 Swiss francs. Included is an Ionity subscription for five years. Several option packages are also available.

genesis.com

At the request of fans and sports car purists, Toyota's sports faction Gazoo Racing now offers the GR86 and GR Supra models (see photos and video) with a manual transmission. Although the new GR86 is outwardly hardly distinguishable from the GT86, many modifications have been incorporated to make the vehicle even sportier.

A high-revving four-cylinder naturally aspirated boxer engine with 2.4 liters displacement and 250 Nm as well as 234 hp, drives the rear wheels. With the new manual transmission, it manages the standard sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, 0.6 seconds faster than the automatic version.

Increased fun from 37 900 francs
Both on public roads and on the racetrack, it is evident that the larger-displacement boxer engine equipped with newly tuned direct and intake manifold injection systems responds more spontaneously to throttle commands and, thanks to a flatter torque curve, is more powerful when accelerating out of corners. The manual 6-speed transmission can be operated with perfect precision and smoothness - and therefore fulfills its task of further enhancing driving pleasure. With its base price of 37,900 Swiss francs, the GR86 is an attractive proposition.

More genes from Gazoo in GR Supra
As the first Toyota model in the Gazoo Racing series, the GR Supra, the basis of which was developed jointly with BMW, is the leader in the GR trio.

Its 3-liter six-cylinder with 500 Nm and 340 hp, originally always combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission, can now also be combined with a manual transmission. A new six-speed has been designed for this purpose. To optimize acceleration, the developers have shortened the rear-axle ratio of the manual version from 3.15 to 3.46. The new six-speed is now available with an automatic transmission.

Fitting and fast switching maneuvers
The introduction of a manual transmission is also reflected in the cockpit. The shift lever had to be repositioned to enable ergonomically suitable and fast shifting maneuvers. In addition, the lever ratio had to be adjusted and a heavier shift knob is used to reduce the effort required to engage reverse gear.

A few quick laps on the racetrack showed that the manually shifted GR Supra is a lot of fun to drive after only a short familiarization period. The gears can be engaged smoothly and quickly, and you quickly become familiar with the GR Supra's characteristic driving dynamics through corners in track mode.
Prices and equipment on request.

toyota.ch

The five-door, 4.52-meter-long GV60 is the first purely battery-electric vehicle from the Hyundai Group's premium Genesis brand. It is available in three performance and equipment variants, which can be further upgraded individually with several option packages.

And Genesis promises even more in a moment.

Dominique Boesch, Managing Director of Genesis Europe, said, "The GV60 is the first of three electric models to be launched this year - and it signals the brand's commitment to full electrification by 2025."

Original glass ball for the choice of courses
It is true that there is an outward resemblance to the Group's sibling model, the Kia EV6, and there is also a close relationship in terms of the most important drive components. Nevertheless, the GV60 SUV coupe clearly stands out.

From the outside, the completely different front end, the special headlights, the wheel design and the digital rearview mirror, whose images are displayed in the interior on a screen in the door, are striking.

A feature highlight of the GV60 interior is the glass sphere, called Crystal Sphere. It rotates before the vehicle is started and then serves as a rotary switch for the direction of travel. The other materials used in the cockpit are also of high quality.

Pleasantly relaxed cruising at all times
Even the 168 kW Premium version (350 Nm, 229 hp) with rear-wheel drive and the three driving modes Comfort, Eco and Sport offers sedan comfort and always plenty of power reserves.

Two engines and all-wheel drive are part of the Sport and Sport Plus versions - with outputs of 234 and 360 kW (324 and 490 hp) and beefy torques of 605 and 700 Nm. In the Sport Plus version, in which peak power is only activated at the push of a boost button, the car accelerates to 100 km/h in just four seconds.

This model can be driven very confidently in Comfort mode and in 1-pedal mode. The car drives sportily and safely through curves without transmitting road irregularities too strongly to the inside.

Charge from ten to 80 percent in 18 minutes
Thanks to 800-volt technology, the 77.4-kWh battery is charged from ten to 80 percent in just 18 minutes at the 350-kW charging station. Various packages are available for the seats and audio system. As a further special feature, the Outdoor package can supply power to external devices thanks to vehicle-to-load technology.

Of course, the brand's typical service is also part of the GV60: Genesis' GPA (Genesis Personal Assistant) takes care of all handling for maintenance work and supplies a replacement vehicle. The first deliveries of the new electric Genesis will take place after June 7, 2022, at prices of 53,000, 59,500 and 77,700 Swiss francs.

genesis.com

The Bavarian carmaker launched the first Siebner in 1977. Now comes the new edition in its seventh generation, completely new and more varied than ever. Once again, the development goal was to combine maximum dynamics and comfort with the top model.

The first thing that catches the eye is the new front end with large, glossy black kidneys and narrow headlights. The side view of the 5.39-meter-long car is impressive, with an extremely long wheelbase of 3.22 meters and - of course - the typical Hofmeister crease in the C-pillar.

In-car entertainment on demand
In the cockpit, two information and control displays present themselves behind a huge, curved glass surface, including a smart, continuous strip of precious wood or carbon. And of course, high-quality materials are used throughout the interior.

The doors open and close automatically at the touch of a button. Rear passengers can make themselves particularly comfortable. The space is generous and the seats very comfortable, especially in the Executive Lounge option.

4-zone climate control and panoramic glass roof are standard, while a new type of in-car entertainment with a theater screen extending from the headliner for private TV or movie viewing on the 31-inch touchscreen is available as an option.

Ranges of up to 625 kilometers
When the new Siebner is launched in November, the all-electric i7 xDrive 60 model will be at the forefront. Two synchronous motors distribute their power to all four wheels as required.

This puts 745 Nm and 400 kW (544 hp) on the road. This allows the 2715-kilogram sedan to accelerate to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The 102 kWh battery enables ranges of up to 625 kilometers and can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 34 minutes with charging powers of up to 195 kW. The i7 xDrive 60 is available from 169,900 Swiss francs.

All models with xDrive all-wheel drive
Further drive variants will be available from spring 2023, all with xDrive all-wheel drive. The 740 d with 3-liter diesel and 48-volt mild hybrid system produces 300 hp and costs 139,600 Swiss francs.

The plug-in hybrid 750e with 3-liter gasoline engine delivers 490 hp at a price starting at 151 200 francs, and the M760e is the most powerful model with 571 hp. Its price starts at 169 200 Swiss francs.

bmw.ch

After the UX 300e, the new RZ 450e is already the second all-electric model from Lexus, but it is based on the new electric platform on which the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra are also built. However, the Lexus is clearly different from the related models.

At 4.80 meters, the RZ body is eleven centimeters longer than that of the bZ4X, and it features numerous design solutions of its own. The front end clearly reveals the electric drive, and the typical diabolo front grille has been developed further into the three-dimensional.

Steering wheel or rather a yoke handlebar?
When you get in, you notice the yoke steering, which can be selected as an option. Together with it, you also select the steer-by-wire steering system, which is offered for the first time in a production car.

It is said to be very precise and direct, so that a U-turn is possible with a yoke rotation of 150 degrees to the stop - cranking on the steering wheel is unnecessary. For safety, the system includes a fail-safe for the processors and an emergency power supply.

In its standard version, however, the RZ 450e comes with a conventional round steering wheel and normal steering linkage. A new version of Active Sound Control, which transmits noise-cancelling frequencies via the audio system's speakers, ensures quiet in the interior.

Two engines and grip-dependent all-wheel drive
The RZ, which is positioned between the two plug-in hybrid models NX and RX, uses two E-Axle drive groups. They transmit their power to the wheels via the Direct 4 all-wheel drive system. The front e-motor produces 150 kW, the rear 80 kW, for a total output of 230 kW (313 hp) and 435 Nm of torque.

The 2180-kilogram Lexus newcomer accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 160 km/h. The target value for power consumption is 18 kWh/100 km. Lexus states 18 kWh/100 km as the target value for power consumption, which would allow the vehicle to travel around 400 kilometers.

The battery can be charged to 80 percent in seven hours at the wallbox and in 30 minutes at the 150-kW fast charging station.

Christian Wellauer, Director of Lexus Switzerland, expects the RZ to have great conquest potential. The new all-electric SUV can already be ordered online, and the first deliveries can be expected towards the end of the year.

lexus.ch

For many, the battery electric car seems to be the Egg of Columbus. However, the problem of energy storage has not yet been satisfactorily solved. Moreover, the electric car will only be climate-neutral if electricity production and battery manufacture are sustainable.

Two-cylinder combustor as generator
The Tesla Model Y Hyper-Hybrid, a test vehicle from the engineering company Obrist in Lustenau, can do even better. Its serial hybrid drive operates with a rather small battery and a small-volume two-cylinder internal combustion engine that acts as a generator to provide additional power for the drive motor.

The highlight here is that this range extender is powered by synthetically produced e-methanol. Obrist calls the fuel a-fuel. Ten percent of the CO2 that is filtered from the ambient air and used to produce the fuel is diverted and disposed of in the earth's interior. There it is bound in the rock and thus removed from the environment. The Obrist Tesla can therefore boast that it no longer pollutes the environment, but frees it from 24 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Drives like a normal electric car
In driving mode, the Obrist Tesla behaves like a normal electric car. Drive is always via the 120 kW electric motor to the rear wheels only. The range extender then provides additional energy at higher speeds. In the test vehicle, a restrained, non-disturbing whirring noise is audible.

Charging at the socket or station
Range worries are a thing of the past. Like a conventional plug-in hybrid, the Tesla Hyper Hybrid can draw energy for driving from both the wall socket and the gas pump.

However, the vehicle is not yet ready for series production. The Tesla is also only an experimental vehicle. Obrist is currently in talks with carmakers, fuel manufacturers and politicians.

obrist.at

According to the manufacturer's strategy, Maserati's new SUV model, which is 17 centimeters shorter than the Levante, is to embody a new design form between sportiness and elegance.

Important for the designers from Modena is the reference to the MC20 super sports car, which gave the brand a new identity. In fact, the Grecale features stylistic elements typical of the brand, even though its body is completely new.

Interior with plenty of space for passengers
At 4.85 meters in length, the five-door model is not small at all, but it still looks compact and sporty. The carefully inserted design cues include, for example, the implied boomerang shape of the taillights, which is reminiscent of Giugiaro's 3200 GT model.

Thanks to its large wheelbase of 2.90 meters, the Grecale also offers a spacious interior. Even tall people sit comfortably in the front and rear with good space reserves. In addition, the cargo area holds 535 to 570 liters of luggage, depending on the model variant.

The new design line is also evident inside. A color head-up display is available as an option for the multimedia and infotainment system. In addition to the classic instrument cluster, a centrally installed 12.3-inch unit, a smaller comfort display and the newly designed digital clock inform the driver. Almost everything works via touch control. Shortcuts can be used to avoid searching for controls.

Three model variants come to the launch
The Grecale is available in GT, Modena and Trofeo model and equipment variants. The Grecale GT combines a 2-liter internal combustion engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This results in 450 Nm and 300 hp.

From the Grecale Modena without hybridization, the same combustion engine produces 330 hp. At the top - by far - is the Grecale Trofeo, which is equipped with a revised version of the MC20's 3-liter V6 high-performance engine. This delivers 620 Nm as well as 530 hp and enables an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h of 3.8 seconds.

The active chassis is recommended
All drive variants bring the engine power to all four wheels, and traction and driving safety are correspondingly problem-free. To ensure optimum comfort and safety in all operating conditions, the air suspension and active dampers option is recommended.

In the Modena and Trofeo, the sporty character is further emphasized by a 34 millimeter wider rear track. A powerful Brembo braking system ensures superior deceleration in all models. The Grecale will hit the road in the summer at prices starting at 86,600 (GT), 95,200 (Modena) and 124,500 (Trofeo).

maserati.ch

After Porsche, Maserati, Lamborghini and Aston Martin, the two super-sporty manufacturers Ferrari and Lotus now also want to swim along on the SUV wave.

The English do this with the Eletre model, which they call a hyper SUV themselves and which is supposed to play in the top league of electric sports cars.

Little weight and compact dimensions
Previously known under the project name T132, the new model comes with several brand firsts. Not only the body type SUV with five doors, but also the all-wheel drive and the fact that the car is manufactured in China, must first be digested by die-hard Lotus lovers.

Even the original development goals of the house, low weight and compact dimensions, are to be reassessed. After all, the new car is 5.10 meters long and the wheelbase is 3.02 meters. Even though almost everything has changed, the traditional initial letter for Lotus models has remained: E for Electre.

Different, but still 260 km/h fast
However, it goes without saying that Lotus also delivers plenty of drive power in the new, extremely unconventional model to ensure the performance demanded by the fans.

The 800-volt electric base ensures a 100-kW battery for a range of up to 600 kilometers. At least 445 kW of system power ("a good 600 hp") guarantee outstanding driving performance. The 100-km/h mark is to be reached in less than three seconds, and the manufacturer quotes 260 km/h as the top speed.

Technically, the car was prepared jointly by the development centers in Hethel, England, in Wuha, China, and in Raunheim, Germany. Production will start a little later this year at a newly built factory in Wuhan.

lotuscars.com

With its length of 4.81 meters, elegant hatchback and black highlighted wheel arches, the new Citroën C5 X is immediately perceived as something special. Sedan and station wagon form emerge from the silhouette, the proximity to the SUV from the raised body. The entrance is correspondingly comfortable.

Inside, materials with soft surfaces in the contact areas of the driver and front passenger create a pleasant ambience. What is striking, however, is how many different materials, textures and shapes come together in the interior. A large, color-enhanced head-up display projects important information directly into the driver's field of vision.

Comfortable glider in any situation
The interior offers ample space for five people and a load volume of 545 liters for luggage - up to 1640 liters even when the rear seat backrests are folded down. Those who want the best possible comfort in every situation should opt for the active suspension with Advanced Comfort suspension. This turns the C5 X into an almost floating mobile, similar to the earlier hydro-pneumatic suspension.

The system effectively irons out potholes, bumps and other road irregularities and thus optimizes travel comfort - together with the comfortable seats. On winding sections, on the other hand, you are better off with the Sport mode, because brake pitch and cornering tendency are then reduced.

Gasoline or plug-in hybrid as required
The front wheels are driven by two gasoline variants or a plug-in hybrid system. This activates 130, 180 or 225 hp. An automatic 8-speed transmission is always used for power transmission.

In the top version, a 1.6-liter turbo gasoline engine with 180 hp works together with an 81-kW electric motor. The 12-kWh battery allows up to 50 kilometers of emission-free driving. A maximum speed of 135 km/h is achievable in purely electric mode.

Highway Driver Assist for highway driving
Of course, most of the driving assistance systems are also available in the C5 X, some as standard and some as an option - such as Highway Driver Assist, which is specially designed for driving on highways and enables semi-automated driving.

In the richly equipped Swiss Edition, the C5 X is available as Pure Tech 130 for 36,890 francs and as Hybrid 225 for 45,890 francs.

citroen.ch