Asphalte.ch is proud to team up with English Forum to bring to the expat community of Switzerland original automotive news content in english. Our editorial team is united by a common passion for cars, but is also solidly anchored in the political and societal realities of our times. Enthusiasts with their feet on the ground, petrolheads with a conscience. We bring the perspective of people who own and drive compacts, hybrids, GTs and supercars, on roads and tracks. We cover the major autoshows, write road tests about major new models hitting the swiss market and have made a specialty of factual, no-nonsense long term tests. Some of us have also been expats in North America and Asia, have passed driving licenses in "interesting conditions", imported cars, so we can certainly relate to the matters and experiences discussed in this forum. We hope that you will find our content informative and enjoyable, and look forward to reading your feedback. You can also follow us on social networks, Facebook (in french), Twitter or Google+ (in English).

A sample of the articles recently published in english:

English you say??

Google translate does a better job.

Thanks for taking a look at our work !

Are there particular articles that are not to your liking in terms of english translation ? Constructive criticism is welcome.

As he says, it's been machine translated. It makes sense, but it's easier (for most people) to read an article written in English.

Just from the main page:

What's the problem?

I work with a fellow who talks like that all the time.

I can assure you that it hasn't been machine translated.
You may actually be able to spot an occasionnal typo here and there to prove it.

I like the idea...I sure hope that the content gets updated regularly.

Probably need to employ a proof reader, then.

[btw - only one 'n' in occasional]

But everyone knows that Stephen Hawking's voice is machine generated.

Problem number one: cars!

Tom

As opposed to bikes ?

Actually, at our foundation in 2005, we picked the Asphalte name because we wanted to cross over cars and bikes. I was a biker for 20 years, on roads, race and dirt tracks, but I sold my last bike (an R1) in 2006, happy with all the great fun I had on two wheels, but concerned about the inherent risks of injury, even on track days. Still have my helmet and my old Dainese leathers though

Official announcement today by BMW of the 3 series Gran Turismo:

I like the idea, the actual articles are better written imho.

You may want to fire your translator - the articles are awful

Thanks for your feedback. If you care to elaborate and give us specific pointers on improvement areas, we can work to improve them.

The challenge with "awful" is that it is not very actionable. Do you mean that the content lacks pertinence ? That the grammar is poor ? Style perhaps ?

I guess we are to expect a few "all of the above" answers

As someone who translates motorsport articles from German to English, the articles on your website do not flow.

"Sportiness and refinement, usability and exclusivity, RS Audis enjoy remarkable success and the new RS4 Avant (B8) seems poised to be no exception to that rule."

Your's above - my re-write below. Your call!

"With a combination of sportiness, refinement, usability and exclusivity, Audi's RS brand has enjoyed remarkable success since its inception in 1994. Building on their enviable tradition, the new RS4 Avant promises to be an exciting addition to Inglostadt's bulging stable of high performance cars."

"Your call!"

Maybe not call, but probably a PM to ask if you'd like a job

Aston Martin announced yesterday the SP10, a race-series-inspired limited edition of the V8 Vantage S. Beside the tuned sports exhaust system and cosmetics, the main difference is the availability of a manual 6 gear transmission. The swiss list price announced by Aston Martin, before VAT and other applicable taxes, looks conspicuously low.

The Aston Martin Vantage SP10, so named after the GT4 class in which the car competes in the Nurburgring VLN series, is the latest of a long line of special editions inspired by the companies involvement in racing.

The SP10 is based on the standard 4.7 liter V8 Vantage S. The engine's outputs may remain unchanged (436ps and 490nm) but the addition on a bespoke exhaust system with active bypass valves, lends the SP10 a more aggressive and sporting note. The best news for driving enthusiasts is that the SP10 is fitted as standard with a 6 speed manual gearbox - with the Sportshift II available only as an option.

Available as both a coupe or roadster, the SP10 is finished in a unique Ceramic Grey Metallic paint finish, exclusive 19 inch V-style wheels with diamond finish over glossy black paint, black brake calipers, and completing the racing overtures, carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser.

The SP10 special edition is available only in continental Europe, with a pre-tax base price of CHF 117’895 in Switzerland.

(I am going to have to start charging for this)

Alfa Romeo presented today the production version of the 4C, which many enthusiasts have been lusting about since the 2011 Geneva autoshow. Only few details are confirmed, but there are pressing rumors that the production volumes will be very limited.

First official press release of the day, the Audi S3 Sportback, a 5 door version of the S3 presented at the Paris 2012 Autoshow. Same 300hp 2.0L TFSI engine, Quattro transmission, and choice of 6 gear manual or dual-clutch transmission.