Mobility

The automotive and design world mourns the loss of Marcello Gandini, the creator of legendary vehicles and a formative figure in Italian design. We pay tribute to the designer who created so many automotive icons. With memories of one of his most radical designs.

The BMW i7 M70 is almost everything. It is also a bit of an electric social and mobility discourse. Above all, however, it is simply good. Oh yes: a detailed price list for the optional extras is also included free of charge.

On 29 January 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for his "vehicle with gas engine operation". The patent specification DRP 37435 is thus also the birth certificate of the automobile. In July 1886, the newspapers report on the first public drive of the three-wheeled Benz Patent Motor Car, Type 1. Editor-in-chief Michael Köckritz takes this "birthday" as an opportunity to look back into the past, but also into the future.

What connects the world of motor racing with urban mobility on two wheels? Lightweight construction, functionality and performance. This can be experienced in the E-Lightbike from the Mobilty start-up NOVUS. And Formula 3 driver Sophia Flörsch is now also stepping on the gas on two wheels as an ambassador for the young brand.

If not here, then where? At CES 2024, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, everything revolves around artificial intelligence. But fortunately not only. A lot of human intelligence has also been invested in the topic of hydrogen. And AI is still a long way from the bold designs on show at CES. Our highlights,

When five strangers in the road movie "791 km" have to travel from Munich to Hamburg in a cab due to a train breakdown, we spontaneously think of our author Kurt Molzer. He has covered the distance more than once: once in a Ferrari. And then in an Audi e-tron GT.

The Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man is the most dangerous motorcycle race in the world. Our author flew to the island territory, where he met up with Klaus Klaffenböck. The three-time TT sidecar champion is sometimes surprised himself that he is still alive.

In 1989, father and son went to Le Mans. Etienne is grown up now, of course, but since that time there are a couple of things that haven’t changed.

Currently, North American manufacturers are showcasing their latest and most prestigious models in the automotive hub of Detroit. Among them: electrified game changers and real stunners in the sports car segment, classics in a new guise – and a Jeep. Of course. Our personal top vehicles.

Marcus and Nora Lehmkuhl have turned their shared passion, the Porsche 911, into their profession. But it's more appropriate to call it a calling, or even an addiction, as they themselves say. We wanted to know more about it and how the excessive use of tartan plaid came into play in the Ruhr region.

Parking Day? We can do that sometime. But if we are going to decelerate our cars and bring them to a standstill, then please do so in a beautiful way. And Andreas K. Vetter has summarised the most beautiful options in his book "Haus und Auto" (House and Car). We spoke with the professor of art and cultural history.

As expected, electrification takes center stage at the car fair IAA in Munich. But it's not alone. Design is increasingly taking the spotlight because it represents the face of a brand, a form of communication in itself. That's why we've selected our visual highlights, while not forgetting the technical aspects.

Luc Donckerwolke is considered one of the most important automotive designers of our time. As chief creative officer, he is not only responsible for the design of Genesis vehicles, but also for an entire brand world. Both are profoundly influenced by Korean culture. Which, in turn, is all about being there for others.

For car designers, good design starts with the wheels. Big wheels. Just ask industry giants like Michael Mauer of Porsche or Mitja Borkert of Lamborghini. And good vehicle performance starts with good tyres. Which are, of course, best sustainable, you'll find at Michelin. How does that work? The French revealed it to us at Le Mans.

Hay bales are a permanent fixture at the Festival of Speed in Goodwood - in case someone runs out of room in the bend. But you can also do completely different things with them. Bentley has demonstrated this in the long term and used the festival to look ahead to its future. We thought that was quite nice.