Kia Optima Tour De Tested Touareg Gen 2 Is Clever and Green

No 111 November 2010 Oman’s Best Automotive Resource OMR 0.500 AED 5.00 QR 5.00

2011 kia optima tour de Tested touareg gen 2 is clever and green

2010 bmw GT 2010 cadillac cts coupe 2010 mitsubishi asx paris & SHARJAH motor show 1st harley-davidson Freedom tour in jordan F1: Thrills and spills in singapore, JAPAN & KOREA exclusive!

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K editor-in-chief Mohammad Al Taie More motorshows and models The past couple of years have seen a churn in both the automotive sphere and in neighbouring Dubai. Home to the regional offices of many car brands, the emirate has been through a rough patch that seems to mirror the travails the brands are facing on a global AL ROYA PRESS & PUBLISHING scale. We have seen enough professionals move sideways into consultancy or look for PO Box: 343, Postal Code 118 Al Harthy Complex greener pastures elsewhere, reminding one of the fact that ordinary people bear the brunt Sultanate of Oman of errors of systems and governance. While similar uncertainty rules across most of the developed economies it is heartening Email: [email protected] Website: www.automanweb.com to see the outcome of Paris motorshow. New models were there in force after the lean quarters ahead of it and what’s more interesting is that car makers seem to have a better Editorial office: understanding of the product chain that will lead them into 2012. Of course all that is Tel: +968 24479888 Extn 300, Fax: +968 24479889 Circulation office: governed by the caveat that there is no slide back into recession in key economies. Tel: +968 2456 2360, Fax: +968 2456 2194 Closer to home, our executive editor Chandan Mallik was part of the jury that selected the winners of the Middle East Motoring Awards, presented as a part of the Sharjah motorshow. publisher Hatim Al Taie [email protected] Hopefully the long-term benefits of initiatives like this will help the show, which hasn’t quite shaken the image of being a dealer-represented marginal event, much like our own home- EDITOR & GM spun show in Muscat. Raj Warrior [email protected] The next big event we can look forward to is December’s Abu Dhabi motorshow. This Executive Editor biennial event plays leapfrog with the Dubai event on alternating years. There is a growing Chandan B Mallik [email protected] level of awareness and the presence of the regional arms of manufacturers raises the

Co-ordinator standard of the event. What we are hoping to see is a good amount of regional premieres Pratibha N Kadam [email protected] and hopefully some exotics that are chasing the fabled money of the region. The new model year is also well and truly on us and we will see more launches happening, Design Sawsan Al Muharbi [email protected] both inside and away from the motorshows. Hopefully the money market will be conducive to a growth in sales. Credit is increasingly becoming central to the purchase decision. HEAD OF marketing Another factor that influences sales is the degree of comfort with which people perceive Maged Aziz [email protected] their immediate futures. This month has already seen the launch of the KIA Optima, VW marketing Touareg, Mitsubishi ASX and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, all of which we have featured in Supreme Philips [email protected] either this or previous issues. circulation As this Eid comes upon us, to be followed by the landmark celebrations around the 40th [email protected] National Day, we wish all our readers a great time and the wherewithal to buy one of the new cars on offer. FINANCE & ADMIN Abraham Daniel [email protected]

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{spotlight} News {First Drive} {First Drive} From across the 4 Walking in region and around tandem With the world giants

This year’s last European motor show in Paris had a clear cut brandwatch message: technology and innovation are the buzzwords for future mobility and corporate success. Automan finds out more at the show Author: Chandan B Mallik

ast month’s Paris Motor Show was an unusual mix of enthusiasm However, automotive aficionados will not forget how Jaguar turned the and charisma from car manufacturers. The level of enthusiasm Paris venue into a ‘best-of-British’ celebration with its awesome C-X75 Porsche’s future 18 Lamongst domestic players, European and Asian rivals was seen as supercar concept along with Lotus, which also left no one in doubt that Perhaps more than any other model in its line-up, KIA’s Optima the beginning of the much needed industry revival after several years it was a force to be reckoned with, stunning the automotive world with of downturn as a result of the global economic crisis. Not that the crisis no fewer than six new models that it hopes will revolutionise the brand brings to the fore the great leaps that the brand has taken in is entirely over, the industry is moving forward with cautious optimism once again. and most are of the opinion that the swing is the beginning of the ‘feel The Jaguar concept was unlike any other at the show, it was least catching up with and beating established competitors. The third good’ factor. Besides the stunning displays, introduction of new cars, expected and its purpose was loud and clear. Ian Callum has cre- visitors to the show were also treated to possible technology-oriented ated an exotic supercar outside of the usual box thinking with the idea generation of the Optima packs in quite a few surprises solutions or applications designed specifically to meet the forthcoming that it could theoretically be produced in the near future. Besides the plans new regulations, emissions norms and performance factors. six teasers from Lamborghini prior to the show which ended up as a Author: Raj Warrior Some of the technology led solutions – hybrids or extended range ve- jaw-dropping new superlightweight carbon-fibre-clad super-sportscar hicles or simply all-electric plug-in models were equally vying for atten- concept, dubbed the Sesto Elemento, most automakers had something tion as super or sports cars. Interestingly, the influence of alternative to say. However, there were some disappointments too. As they always technology solutions appearing in hyper performance cars was quite say, expect the unexpected and this show had quite a few of them. evident and so was some of the automotive brands entering into new Read on… Paris SHOWand uncharted segments. 21 first drive 48 21 48 49 spotlight Paris Mondial 21 {Special feature} {Special feature} {First drive} {First drive}

he global recession over the past couple loop tour of the Jordan covering most of the of years didn’t just hit the automotive important historical and touristic destinations Tsector. The two wheeler industry too, such as Petra, Wadi Rum and swanky port was affected and the impact of recession can city of Aqaba. The sojourn began at the new be measured by the fact that many of the dealership located on the outskirts of capital On a road less leading Japanese brands didn’t make or of- Amman and nine different productions models news analysis fer significant or new 2010 models, opting were made available for testing. instead focusing on ways to get rid of unsold My ride began with arguably the most rec- bikes in large markets such as US and Europe. ognized H-D bike in the world -- the Fat Boy Even sales of Harley-Davidson have been hurt Lo. The road and drive towards Petra took us globally, but according to Mi- through the mountain passes chael Carney, marketing man- with stunning ager Harley- Davidson Middle views of the Dead East & Africa, sales in the re- Sea. Dressed in Top headlines that 22 gion were pretty good and the satin chrome and company managed to achieve pea, the model its retail sales targets. featured a re- Harley-Davidson has used shaped seat to my the downturn period as an liking and handle- opportunity to rework its bar that placed me Travelled business strategies and fo- ‘in’ the motorcycle. cus business in areas in The Fat Boy Lo also grabbed our attention which it has identified as the boasts of having the strategic growth markets lowest seat height of which also includes Middle any H-D model in the he solid foundation of Cadillac’s rear- CTS Coupe is almost identical to the concept C-pillar, and a hidden B-pillar which make the East. As per the business line-up which is su- wheel-drive platform CTS family started shown. It sits in an elite segment and com- car look shorter than it really is [it’s actually plan, the iconic brand will perb for short-legged Teffectively with the arrival of the second petes with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, longer than the E-Class coupe, one of its key increase its dealer network brethren like me. The generation four-door saloon in 2003. Actu- BMW 335i coupe, Audi A5, Lexus IS 350 C and rivals]. The rear end treatment features a in the territories of Sub half-moon footboards, ally, the arrival heralded a major change for Infiniti G37 coupe. The car’s design is a break- centrally placed dual-exhaust tips [similar to a Sahara, North Africa and alloy wheels and leath- a model series that had been dependent on through despite its very close connection with Porsche] under the bumper that complements Middle East. Currently, these territories fall er tank panel help the front-wheel-drive architecture for many years. the saloon. The now familiar chiseled design all of the other design elements on the car under the Cape Town, South-Africa based set- model rock to a singular, fat-custom beat. The After success with the rear wheel drive CTS, from the saloon looks identical on the coupe and the tail lamps look remarkably similar to up subsidiary. suspension responded very well in insulat- Cadillac added a high-performance version by but on closer inspection, the difference in de- the concept with a slight revision to incorpo- As part of the initiative has the flipside is ing the rider from the road irregularities and shoehorning a variant of the Chevrolet Cor- tailing is evident. Only the headlights, front rate the indicators and reverse lamps. that even at a time when some of the global though its rear-suspension design that mimics vette V8 engine with manual transmission and mudguards and grille come directly from the Although it has a traditional boot, the CTS markets are stagnating, Harley-Davidson is the lines of a vintage hardtail frame, it surpris- badged it as the CTS-V. Finally, Cadillac added saloon while a new sculpted bonnet and bum- Coupe also appears as a fastback at times. Also cover story very excited with the opening up of a brand ingly is modern when it offers the comfort of a station wagon variant and what was miss- per contribute to its more aggressive design. faster is the new windscreen which is laid at an new market in the Middle East – Jordan. It modern suspension that is hidden under the ing in the CTS line-up was a replacement of Meanwhile, the lower front valance incorpo- angle of 62.3°, while the rear glass is nearly may be recalled that this destination was chassis. The oil tank is located below the seat, Worthy Cadillac’s last coupe, the Eldorado, which was rates vents for cooling the brakes. flat, making this one of the most dramatically closed for nearly three decades for bikers. The forward foot controls or foot boards, and the discontinued in 2002. There’s no doubt that the design language of styled Cadillacs since the day GM Design Guru lifestyle motorcycle maker has wasted no time classic five-gallon Fat Bob fuel tank are no- The arrival of the second generation coupe the CTS is strikingly handsome from any angle Harley Earl designed cars with tall tail fins, a in setting up shop in this new territory and ap- table styling details of each Softail model. The was incident filled. Had the economic down- and certainly unique in the class. The angular notable example being the 1959 Eldorado. In 44 propriately branded its first media ride event engine is a counter-balanced 1,584cc Twin turn not affected the automotive industry es- sheetmetal on the coupe follows Cadillac’s phi- spite of the very fast look of the coupe, the 2011 Cadillac CTS-Coupe in the country as ‘Freedom Tour’. Meanwhile, Cam 96B V-Twin, rigid-mounted in the frame. pecially in the US, the new CTS Coupe which losophy of combining art and science in a car actual drag coefficient number is high for a a resurging Harley-Davidson has introduced The rigid powertrain allows tight packaging of was penned in 2006 by Bob Munson, chief de- by borrowing cues from the Cien concept car. coupe and high in this class, just under 0.36, After lifting the 28-year-old ban on two-wheelers recently, the three new additions to its Middle East line-up, the engine within the frame. Rated at 93.67 ft. signer of the Cadillac CTS and presented as a Mechanically, this classic two-plus-two has the when some of the competition is down around beginning with the Sportster 883-based Su- lbs. of peak torque at 3,000 rpm, the engine addition concept in 2008 would have been introduced same wheelbase dimensions as the CTS four- 0.26. The CTS Coupe focuses more on the lux- Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has re-opened its doors for perLow, re-introduction of the Softail Deluxe features Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injec- as a 2009 production model. Although on the door saloon and this arrangement has bene- ury part of the equation in the segment and motorcycling. Harley-Davidson let us discover this fascinating and the XR1200X. tion (ESPFI) and is finished in black powder- Just over two months ago, the Coupe version of Cadillac CTS- cards, the CTS coupe programme was frozen fited designers and engineers who have been very much like its saloon sibling, its follows destination with its 2011 line-up of motorcycles as part of its For the ‘Freedom Tour’ media event, Har- coat with bright machined highlights on the badged models joined the Middle East line-up for 2010-11. for a full year and positive feedback from GM able to put in wider doors and create better the “more space for less money” philosophy 56 ley-Davidson designed an extensive two-day cylinder fins, and satin-chrome engine and top brass, visitors and analysts post Detroit access for rear seat occupants. In dimensions, in a stylish way. There are no traditional door 2011 VW Touareg first ‘Freedom Tour’ in the country. Auto Show in 2008 helped fast track the proj- overall length is two inches shorter than the handles outside or inside; instead, the CTS Automan drives the car in Lebanon ect. saloon, while its overall height is two inches Coupe uses touchpad type openers adapted | Author: Chandan B Mallik| Photographs: Adrian Wroth | Author: Chandan B Mallik Landing at US dealerships in 2009 as a lower. However, it is the profile where the CTS from the Chevrolet Corvette. We had liked the first drive 64 first drive2010 model and now in the44 Middle East, the coupe really shines with its sharp door, angled interior of the CTS saloon and couldn’t find a 64 65 44 45 first drive

{First drive} {First drive} {preview} {preview} 2010 Mitsubishi ASX 12

t’s no secret that globally Mitsubishi Mo- tors has had a very rough road the last Ifew years. Despite its troubled period, the company with the triple diamond logo On never abandoned its big plans or its principle of “iimono nagaku” [this was adopted as the Evolution more 34 corporate policy of the entire Mitsubishi Mo- 2010 BMW GT tors Group in March 1998, reflecting the company’s rethinking of its traditional stance to place greater emphasis on“value for the customer”], and under the leadership of Osamu Masuko, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Mo- active duty tors Corporation there’s been a definitive shift than a revolution in product policy in recent times. Mitsubishi is deliberately moving away from a past littered 2010 Kia Optima 48 with larger saloons and SUVs and now the focus is on building smaller and more efficient Heavily inspired by the original Chargers of the 1960s, the revised vehicles on global platforms. The latest car to arrive in the regional mar- for 2011 Dodge Charger gets an extensive makeover inside out kets under the new philosophy is the ASX crossover SUV, also known domestically as Author: Chandan B Mallik the RVR. In its current line-up in the region, it is the mid-sized Outlander crossover SUV that sits he current generation of the full-size lies both over and under the sheetmetal. by isolating powertrain, road and wind noise directly above the Lancer. The Mitsubishi Out- Dodge Charger saloon was designed From the exterior, the famous crosshair by maximizing structural stiffness of the car’s lander is a tidy and versatile sport utility ve- Tduring the Daimler-Chrysler era to de- grille returns and headlamps have been re- unibody to world-class levels. hicle that offers a choice of a thrifty 2.4-litre liver pony car excitement, style and recall a designed and placed at a slightly more ag- The incoming car, depending on the trim, four-cylinder engine or a responsive 3.0-litre bygone era. The Charger and its siblings, the gressive angle. The Charger’s side profile is will feature the new 3.6-litre Pentastar engine V6 [depending on markets], two-wheel drive Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, were part now much sleeker thanks to the tighter wheel as its entry ticket. The R/T versions will con- preview or four-wheel drive, five or seven-passenger of the trio cars engineered on an older version arches and lowered bonnet. And running front tinue with the 5.7-litre HEMI™ V8 engine with seating. of Mercedes-Benz’ E-Class platform, but using to rear is the iconic horizontal “coke bottle” or seamless displacement on demand four-cylin- With the proliferation of the sub mid-sized Chrysler powertrains. At the time of launch “double-diamond” body-side styling with the der mode for optimizing performance and fuel SUV/CUV segments with new models such it wasn’t seen as a compromise as rehashed biggest cosmetic change at the rear, where a economy. All-wheel drive will be available in as Nissan’s Qashqai, VW Tiguan, Audi A5 or product that Daimler-Chrysler was seeking to full-width tail lamp arrangement visually links R/T trim, and the system includes a front-axle Suzuki SX4, Mitsubishi spotted an opportu- strike when it launched the range of new LX the Charger with both past Dodge models disconnect function to aid in fuel economy. 38 nity to build and position a smaller crossover full-size cars in 2005-06. But as we all know, and the company’s Dodge Challenger sibling. On the safety front, there are more than 65 based on the Lancer platform. In doing so, it was the stylish Chrysler 300C designed by Dodge calls the tail lamps a “racetrack” graph- safety and security features, including stan- Dodge Charger Mitsubishi is targeting an audience that wants Ralph Gilles which actually stole the show put- ic when their 164 LEDs are illuminated. Below dard Keyless Enter-N-Go and Electronic Sta- something big - but not that big. So, it’s no ting the Dodge in somewhat behind, despite the tail lamps, new squared-off tailpipes exit bility Control (ESC) with segment-exclusive surprise that the focus has been on content it being a useful car offering drivers and pas- a more refined-looking diffuser. Ready-alert Braking and Rainy Day Brake Sup- and packaging in this model. sengers benefits of a rear-wheel drive layout The Charger has been aerodynamically port safety system. Safety and security fea- The ASX is built off the same platform as and aggressive in-your-face looks. Despite its refined in the wind tunnel and several cues tures available for the first time on the Dodge the Outlander and Lancer and sits on the same interior space limitations, the Charger was point to this, such as the revisited lower sills Charger include adaptive-cruise control (ACC) wheelbase as the Outlander, but is 25mm quite successful in avoiding the anonymous and race-car-like flat underbody. While, the with forward-collision warning (FCW), blind- 2012 Tata Aria shorter and 65mm lower. The series produc- styling limitations in the segment. car still uses the original E-Class chassis, but it spot monitoring (BSM) with rear cross path 58 tion car is actually very close in appearance to After the separation with Daimler, now a re- has been extensively tweaked to offer world- (RCP) detection and ParkView™ rear back-up the initial Concept-cX prototype Mitsubishi first charged Chrysler LLC wants to give its Dodge class suspension-tunings with re-designed camera with grid lines. The car will be built displayed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. brand motor cars the necessary boost in order geometry to help it offer a nimble and bal- at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, The ASX is 4,295mm long overall, 1,770mm to help the line-up come back and be noticed. anced character. The outgoing model was Ontario, Canada. wide and 1,615mm high. From the styling In its stable, the strongest point is the avail- moderately nose-heavy and had the tendency perspective, many punters may mistake the ability of cutting edge and flexible Pentastar to understeer. ASX as an Outlander derivative initially as the V6 engines, which it is introducing in phases The cabin has also been revisited with the front end with the large Lancer Evo-styled jet in the line-up. So, it’s not surprising that the focus on premium soft-touch materials and Mitsubishi thinks its new crossover, the ASX, is a ‘game changer’ for the fighter grille and short overhangs, is almost revised for 2011 Charger takes its assigned four interior colour combinations. The car brand. Automan thinks it is a Lancer and Outlander rolled into one. identical. However, upon closer inspection, task quite seriously. Set to arrive in US show- now also integrates world-class infotainment the differences in styling are clearly evident rooms later this year and in the Middle East and convenience technologies. Sound dead- | Author: Chandan B Mallik – especially in the sheetmetal. The character a couple of months later, the incoming model ening material has been used throughout and Road Test 12 lines in the ASX are more pronounced than preview 38will be immediately recognizable from its fa- Dodge engineers claim to have tuned the cab- miliar profile and design, but the real story in for sound quality (rather than sound level) special feature 12 13 38 39 Harley-Davidson / 64 Freedom Tour {Cover story} {Cover story} motorsports he completely re-developed second generation Volkswagen screen between the tach and speedo dials that is colour-coded and Touareg had its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show ear- provides additional information on infotainment and navigation func- Tlier in the year. The first generation Touareg was co-developed tions for the driver. This new screen is very sharp with vibrant colors F1 & WRC 72 with Audi and Porsche [all the three shared the same platform and at and provides quite a bit of information at the driver’s request. All in all, Tour de least one powertrain] and hence it was not surprising to find some the new Touareg represents a significant upgrade to what was already elements of Audi [build quality] and performance [Porsche] in the a very nice interior. Also among the other new systems in the car, the Touareg. Since the Touareg launch in 2003, the crossover SUV seg- most notable is the absence of the foot operated parking brake lever. ment has witnessed many changes as a result of several factors – Like upmarket cars, it is now electronically operated via push button. world economic crisis, new and tougher legislation related to safety, With the panaromic glass roof fad catching up in the segment, the performance and emissions among others. Besides these factors, the Touareg is also available with a large panoramic sunroof and top trim Chicane crossover segment is also getting extremely busy and crowded with version offers a radio-navigation system with a 60GB hard drive and Touareg more and more new arrivals. And Volkswagen is in no mood to give up 3D representation of buildings on its screen. its technical excellence, one of the key elements in the model’s global The bigger news, however, is in the drivetrain department. While retial success of more than 500,000 units. the car was launched with diesel and petrol powertrains plus a mild On people who are 80 As VW has more than one crossover SUV in its line-up, the job of hybrid for Europe, for the region, till the bigger V8 version arrives next introducing engineering upgrades and content changes actually began year, an optimised version of the current V6 FSI engine will continue to in the smaller Tiguan. As the investment proved to be a successful, in a serve the model series. Compared to the set-up of the previous model, way it prompted VW to carry forward the experience into the Touareg this entry level engine and gets several tweaks largely to help improve filthy rich and can buy line-up for its second innings. emissions and fuel economy. It also gets new fuel management, a new Much like its predecessor, the incoming unibody constructed five- fluid honing process, new piston rings and lightweight forged pistons seater Touareg sits somewhere between mid-size and large SUVs, but round out the changes to the venerable narrow-angle engine. The ul- it carries its bulk well. From the design perspective it retains its profile tra smooth 24-valve six-cylinder unit develops 280hp and a maximum a Bugatti Veyron and elegant proportions despite a marginal increase in dimensions. torque of 360Nm. The calibration is designed to offer constant power VW’s new corporate design language plays well on the Touareg with a between 3,000 and 4,000rpm [the working range]. Peak power arrives more squared off look, and manages to cover most of the dimensional at 6,200 rpm. changes quite well. Overall length is up 1.5 inches, all of that within Realising that an engine upgrade by itself wouldn’t be able to sat- the wheelbase, and width is up half an inch, although height is down isfy the performance requirements, two more cogs have been added a half an inch. A corporate grille now adorns the car, paired with flush to the six-speed gearbox. The eight-speed automatic transmission is November fit trapezoidal cluster headlamps with LED daytime running lights and designed to cope with engine torques of up to 850Nm [the Touareg kia pop wrapping up the profile are the bumpers with shorter overhangs and line-up also has high torque producing diesels] and one of the benefits Fri 1 ...... Sat 2 ...... improved arrival and departure angles. is that due to the additional gear levels, gearing spread between first Sun 3 ...... From the exterior or interior it’s hard to believe that the SUV has and eighth gears a 20 per cent larger and the result of this is that it al- Mon 4 ...... been put on a rigid diet plan where it has almost shed 10 per cent of its lows the engine to operate with even greater efficiency over all speed Tue 5 ...... Wed weight depending on the variant. The entry level V6 powered Touareg ranges, making them both more fuel efficient and responsive. Mean- 6 ...... Thu 7 ...... is lighter by 208kg and that’s not to suggest that weight losses were while, the top two cogs also act as engine speed-reducing overdrive Fri 8 ...... effected by random measures. Actually, the job has been done with gears. At 9.9 l/100 km, the V6 consumes 2.5 litres less now than the Sat 9 ...... the finesse of a plastic surgeon where for example the weight of the previous version, while the combined fuel consumption is equivalent Sun 10 ...... Mon 11 ...... body-in-white has been reduced by five per cent to 398kg. to CO2 emissions of 236 g/km - 60 g/km less than before. The V6 FSI Tue 12 ...... Inside the cabin, the revised interior appears classy and more func- version has a top speed of 228 km/h and accelerates from standstill to Wed 13 ...... tional. Whereas the last-generation Touareg felt a bit cramped inside, 100 km/h in respectable 7.8 sec. Thu 14 ...... the occupants benefit from the extended wheelbase, particularly those As a dual purpose vehicle, there are some changes in the car’s run- Fri 15 ...... Sat 16 ...... in the rear. The redesigned seats are more contoured, body hugging ning gear. Volkswagen seems to have applied the philosophy of ‘differ- Sun 17 ...... with adequate bolstering and extra leg room in the rear is markedly ent strokes for different folks’ in deciding the overall packaging for the Mon 18 ...... improved. The rear seat can also be adjusted now and so can the variants. The base Touareg [our test vehicle] was kitted with 4Motion Tue 19 ...... backrests. For convenience, the rear seat can be unlatched at the all-wheel with a torsen differential, same as used in the Audi Q7. VW Wed 20 ...... Thu 21 ...... press of a button and when flat folded it creates 1,642 litres of cargo says it will continue to offer the older 4xMotion system with low-range Fri 22 ...... space. As before, a space saver tyre comes with an electric air com- gear reduction and locking centre and rear differential as an option as Sat 23 ...... pressor neatly tucked in the boot. it is better suited for higher spec variants kitted with adjustable air- Sun 24 ...... The influence of Audi doesn’t go unnoticed, be it trims or build suspension. The logic for these options is understandable: the removal Mon 25 ...... Tue 26 ...... Just introduced in the region, the second generation all-new 2011 of the 4xMotion and air suspension, which the majority of Touareg quality or materials or tolerances. New climate controls appear to be Wed 27 ...... borrowed from the Audi Q7 bin and a new eight-inch RDS-810 touch owners probably will really never need, has helped shave a substantial Thu 28 ...... Volkwagen Touareg is lean, mean and greener. Automan checks screen provides the much expected upgrade to the navigation and en- 75kg of weight off the vehicle and also reduce drivetrain losses. Mean- Fri 29 ...... Sat tertainment set-up. Volkswagen has added a seven-inch TFT full-color while, the dial an off-road driving programme can be activated via the 30 ...... coverout the new arrival and findsstory it more of a technology-led 56 revolution. Sun 31 ...... Notes ...... | Author: Chandan B Mallik ...... 56 57 ...... 111|November 2010 oster ...... P ...... {regional news}

VW Touareg arrives in Oman

lose on the heels of its Middle East de- direct-injection petrol engine offers 280hp Cbut in UAE, followed by Abu Dhabi, Mus- and 360Nm of torque and is paired to a stan- cat-based Wattayah Motors launched Volk- dard 8-speed automatic transmission – the swagen’s second generation all-new 2011 first of its kind in the world in the SUV seg- Touareg, at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah ment. [Eds note: read our first drive impres- Hotel in Muscat last month. “About 500,000 sions on page 54]. drivers chose to buy the first generation of the Touareg worldwide, and it quickly established itself as our flagship vehicle in the region after its Middle East debut in 2003,” said Abu Dhabi launch Stefan Mecha, managing director of Volkswa- gen Middle East during the unveil. “Seven years later, the new Touareg has taken its winning concept into the future and heralds a paradigm shift in the idea behind multipurpose SUVs. This, combined with the Touareg’s existing popularity, has generated overwhelming interest already. The Touareg is the keystone of our regional plans, and is integral to expanding our Middle East presence,” continued Mecha. Launched in Europe first with hybrid options, the Middle East versions will be powered by a 3.6-litre V6 FSI initially while customers opting for the larger V8 will have to wait a few more months. The

Ford showcases driver connectivity OTE Hyundai Ramadan winners announced technology at GITEX in Dubai yundai officials and OTE Group chairman ord returned to GITEX Technology week, in-car technologies and their digital lives, and HSheikh Saad Bahwan felicitated the win- Fas official automotive partner for the third GITEX is the perfect platform to debut the ners and handed over the mega prize of 1kg year straight. The Blue Oval is on an overdrive latest MyFord Touch technology,” said Theo gold and gold diamond pendants to ten other in technology – be it Ecoboost for engine per- Benson, Ford Middle East’s Regional Market- winners. OTE Group is the exclusive dealer of formance or featuring yet another industry ing and Product Director. “MyFord Touch will Hyundai’s range of vehicles in Oman. With a first technology led solution, pioneer the nationwide network of showrooms and ser- MyFord Touch™. The latest next-gen- vice centers, OTE Group ensures that Hyundai driver connect technology from eration ve- customers are never far from getting a wide Ford debuts on the new 2011 hicle expe- range of high quality after-sales service. It is Edge and Ford found it appro- rience for this strong partnership that continues to lead priate to introduce it during customers more custom- the annual technology festival around the ers to join the in Dubai last month. Powered region as it Hyundai by SYNC®, MyFord Touch redefines how addresses family. drivers interact with their vehicles, replac- the info- ing many of the traditional vehicle but- t a i n m e n t tons, knobs and gauges with clear, colorful explosion, launching vehicle interiors into the LCD screens and 5-way buttons. The screens realm of popular personal electronics, such as can be personalized to display information rel- laptop computers, mobile phones, digital cam- evant to each individual driver using a simple eras and MP3 players. We are really excited button click, voice command or touch screen to show everyone this exciting new feature tap. “Once again we are presenting a new in- which debuts on the new 2011 Edge cross- novation from Ford, that promises a smarter, over,” added Benson. safer and simpler way to connect drivers with

4 {regional news}

Kia moves up market with Optima/Magentis

he first generation Kia Optima/Magentis fornia, the all-new Optima is longer, wider and from everything else in its segment. Using an Trepresented value. The second generation all-new platform the new Optima moves our improved on that. Although it wasn’t not the mid-size saloon product up to the next level of segment leader, or the most powerful, or the Kia’s design revolution. Customer clinics with best-known model but it did offer a combi- the new Optima have generated strongly posi- nation of an attractive price, a spacious in- tive responses and we are confident that our terior and stylish appearance after its facelift latest model will greatly increase Kia’s share of in 2009. The third generation all-new Optima the mid-size saloon market around the world, launched last month in Muscat is an image said Hyoung-Keun Lee, vice -chairman, Kia turner for Kia Motors and comes at a time Motors Corporation. when there is intense competition in the seg- Kia’s product concept behind the creation of ment for midsize saloons. new Optima had focused on four key areas For a model that started its career as a very including stand-out styling, class-leading per- appealing and logical choice for the sensible formance, superior packaging and a host of consumer looking for a lot of value for the customer focused options. Optima models will money, the third generation is a stunning rev- be offer to consumers with a choice of two elation. A completely fresh design from the normally aspirated four cylinder petrol engines ground up, Kia’s popular mid-sized Optima is - 2.4-litre MPI multi-point injection unit and absolutely transformed, embodying a bold, lower (by 45, 25 and 25 mm, respectively), a 2.0-litre with six-speed automatic transmis- athletic and sporty visual energy, thanks to than the outgoing model. sions. Two equipment levels, LX and EX will the various design teams working under de- “With the all-new Optima, our global design also be offered from Reliable International Au- sign director Peter Shreyer. Designed at Kia’s team has created a vehicle with distinctive di- tomotive, the official retailers in Oman. [Eds studios in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, Cali- mensions and proportions that stands apart note: first drive impressions on page 48].

All new Jeep Grand Cherokee in oman Audi offers child safety driving experience he all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee two for off-road use (raising 1.3 and 2.6in Twith a new, upscale interior, advanced four above normal, to a maximum 11.1in of ground udi driving experience, which is based wheel drive system, 290hp Pentastar 3.6-litre clearance), “aero” (lowering .5in for aerody- Aat the Dubai Autodrome has extended V6 and 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with MDS, five-speed namics at speed), and entry/exit, which low- its course portfolio to include a special Child automatic, numerous standard features, and ers the car by 1.5in. For off-roading, there’s Safety driving experience. The half day course towing capability was formally unveiled at the a new Select Terrain Control traction control featuring the Audi TT and the Audi Q7 is de- refurbished Dhofar Automotive LLC Chrysler, system that allows driver to choose from the signed to give parents, particularly those who Dodge and Jeep showroom in Al Wattayah last menu, the best matches depending on driving own SUV’s, the opportunity to practice chal- month. High on features and content, the new conditions. Interestingly, the incoming Grand lenging emergency situations under the in- Grand Cherokee will be offered in Laredo and Cherokee was both designed and developed struction of experienced driving trainers. This LTD trims as before with all-new and state-of- before the Fiat partnership and the reason for particular course is tailored especially for par- the-art Pentastar engines. Standard features dropping the front limited slip differential of ents with kids as well as motorists driving in in the Laredo include keyless entry, stability the older version was because Chrysler was areas with child pedestrians and will be using control with anti-roll, hill start assist, trailer able to developed its Quadra-Drive II system props to highlight child safety procedures and sway control, side curtain airbags for both with a variable transfer case, rear electronic exercises. Exercises include demonstrations rows, active head restraints, power driver’s limited slip differential and offer better differ- on the correct usage of child safety seats, the seat, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering ential performance than the older model with impact of not utilizing seat belts in emergency wheel with audio controls and 17in alumini- electronic limited slip differential set-up. situations, as well as practice of blind spot sit- um wheels. The Limited adds Quadra-Trac uations as well as braking and avoiding tech- II® with Selec-Terrain, front and second-row niques practice with life-size dummies. heated leather seats, memory settings, High Intensity Discharge auto-leveling headlamps, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sun roof, rear back-up camera, rear park assist, premium audio, automatic temperature control and 18in aluminium wheels. The new Grand Cherokee will be offered with air suspension call Quadra Lift as optional. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system has five height settings,

5 {Regionalnews} news}

Omanexpo widens exhibitor Aston Martin to produce Cygnet platform for 2010 ndorsed by the Ministry of Commerce and Ethe Oman Chamber of Commerce & In- dustry, this year Omanexpo is set to meet the growing demand for more vehicles and for the aftermarket industry in the Sultanate. The 15th Oman International Motor Show will be held from December 2 to 5, 2010 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre. The event also promises to bring in more excitement with the introduction of its new features, such as the Auto Shoppers Zone and the Outdoor Adventure Zone. The Auto Shoppers Zone will give car owners the opportunity to purchase spare parts and other items for their vehicles, ston Martin has confirmed plans to launch also be available. Although powertrain details while the Outdoor Adventure Zone will show- Athe Toyota iQ-based Cygnet as early as for the Cygnet haven’t been revealed, it will case the unique features and capabilities of next year. Designed to set “a new bench- likely use a sub1.4-litre petrol engine with different brands of four-wheel drives. Other mark for compact luxury,” the Cygnet is Aston 97hp 23Nm of torque. This should enable the features include a 4WD test course, driving Martin’s answer to increasingly stringent fuel car to get a combined 55 mpg (UK) and emit simulators, BMX stunts, and stage activities. economy and emissions standards. The three- 120g of CO2 per kilometer. According to Aston The latest addition to the event is the partici- metre long, 3+1 city slicker is positioned be- Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, “Whatever we do, pation of Step Up Oman, who will entertain low the Yaris in the Toyota line-up. However, we do right. If we do performance, we do per- visitors with its own brand of fun sport and none of that has stopped it from being an formance; we don’t downsize or compromise arts and entertainment activities, such as a Aston Martin. Said to be part of its DNA is a our sports cars. The Cygnet needs to satisfy car show, a soap football pitch, music perfor- hand-stitched leather/ Alcantara/ aluminium the demands of emissions and space. It is a mances, and graffiti competition. blended interior, just like certain other Astons. car without compromise, just like every other Personalisation and customisation options will Aston Martin.”

Jaguar may produce the C-X75 New Hertz appointment

n theory at least, the concept C-X75 by battery pack. The million dollar question is: ertz, the world’s largest general use car IJaguar could go into production. Well, that what business model is Jaguar likely to opt Hrental brand, has appointed Lisa Munro was the original idea when the concept was for this project and how long will it take to presented. Even if potential customers green- engineer, validate components and factor lighted the project today, it will take minimum in turbine reliability for the job. Because the three to six years for a production ready mod- technology behind the C-X75 is complicated el. Unlike the limited production Porsche 918 and untested, by conservative estimates it will hybrid which opted for a conventional route take “two-to-three years for implementation using a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid approach, of the gas turbine technology, then another Jaguar, it seems fascinated by the world of three-to-four years to integrate into a vehicle,” gas turbine power in a hybrid set-up. As of according to Jaguar’s head of advanced pow- now, the C-X75 is strictly a plug-in gas-electric ertrain, Tony Harper. hybrid which has a 68-mile electric-only ini- as Partnership Sales Manager for the Middle tial range. Once East and Africa region. Munro, who has 11 the voltage de- years experience in the automotive industry, pletes, the two will report directly to Gina Costa, commercial micro-gas tur- director for the Middle East and Africa region, bines spinning at the company’s regional office in Dubai. at 18,000rpm The appointment underlines the importance are supposed to placed by Hertz on the development of long help recharge term partnerships both within the MEA region the lithium-ion and globally. Munro joins Hertz from her role as Business Development Manager for Lease- Plan Emirates based in Abu Dhabi.

6 {Regional{ news}

Smart moves in with Nissan to make new car

elationships can be strange in the auto- through the Smart USA retail dealership net- handful of Renaults and the Nissan Cube. The Rmotive business and unpredictable too! work in the United States,” Smart USA said in latest Micra, introduced earlier this year at the Seemingly out of the blue, Smart USA - the a statement released to the media. Geneva Motor Show, is likely to arrive in North North American market distribution arm of The vehicle will not be created in collabo- America in about a year. From the two sketch- Daimler’s Smart - and Nissan have announced ration with Smart’s global headquarters near es Smart released, resemblances to the Micra plans to build a new B-segment (subcompact) Stuttgart, Germany, as it will be primarily for are obvious. Smart hasn’t even hinted at pow- vehicle. The two companies have signed a consumption in the US only. Smart USA, which ertrains or specifications, but the Micra was memorandum of understanding saying that is a subsidiary of Penske Corporation, oper- launched with a pair of three-cylinder gasoline Smart USA will “obtain the rights to procure ates independently of Daimler-owned Smart. engines in Europe, including a 79hp standard and distribute a five-door, gasoline -pow The new model will not put a strain on Smart unit and a 100hp supercharged model. Both ered, B-segment vehicle from Nissan for sale USA’s relationship with the German home of- engines are mated to five-speed manuals and fice, according to Penske CEO Roger Penske. are optionally available with CVTs. This isn’t the first time that Penske has had a conversation with Renault-Nissan about purchasing a vehicle for North American consumers. It may be recalled that when General Mo- tors was trying to offload its now-discontinued Saturn brand, Penske’s interest in purchasing it hinged on his ability to buy Nissan-built vehicles. At that time, Penske was looking primarily at Korean-market Renault-Samsung vehicles. The new car is clearly based on the Nissan Micra’s B-platform, which also underpins a

Lincoln to replace Town Car with mkt BMW extends CEO contract ynonymous with limousine drivers every- iincreasing passenger comfort. The third Swhere in North America, the Lincoln Town row seat has been removed and the second MW AG has extended the contract of CEO Car has become a veritable cultural symbol, row has been repositioned to allow for more BNorbert Reithofer until 2016, handing him but sadly, its fate has been sealed with the im- stretch-out legroom. Like the Town Car, a rear a fresh five-year term some 12 months be- minent closure of Ford’s St. Thomas, Ontario, seat-mounted switch can move the front pas- fore his current contract was due to expire. assembly plant in Canada. But Ford has alter- senger’s seat forward for even more space. Dr Reithofer has led BMW since 2006 and, nate plans to fill in Despite the re- most notably, has forged a host of alliances the void. Lincoln positioned sec- with rival manufacturers, including Daimler, says that it will of- ond row, Lincoln PSA Peugeot Citroen and General Motors. fer two limousine says that cargo Last month, he also announced a powertrain and livery vari- capacity exceeds alliance with Swedish carmaker Saab, now ants of its MKT that available in cut from GM, which will use a version of the crossover which is the Town Car. 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine based on the Ford On the me- from the BMW owned Mini range for its next- Flex to for-hire chanical front, generation 9-3, due for release late in 2012. users. A number the MKT Lim- of changes have ousine features been made to the an upgraded basic consumer- suspension and oriented MKT to the car will be make it more ap- offered in both pealing to heavy-duty limousine users. The front and all-wheel-drive. The new car is ex- variant adds comfort and convenience for sec- pected to be launch in about a year and a ond-row passengers, while the limousine vari- half roughly six months after the last Town ant comes with a heavy-duty chassis that can Car rolls down the line. No powertrain details be stretched by third party builders. Most of have been released yet. the MKT Livery’s features are focused around

7 {news}

Modest turnout of brands at Sharjah International Automobile Show and Middle East Motor Tuning Show

is Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Moham- swagen Touareg, Mitsubishi ASX. facelifted Ruler of Sharjah, including a 1928 Rolls Royce Hmed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince Mercedes-Benz R-Class and exotics such as and a 1949 British made Riley. and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah formally opened the SLS AMG, Audi R8 Spyder and RS5 among This year the IAS also ran in conjunction with the 10th edition of the International Automo- others. the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

bile Show (IAS) at Expo Centre Sharjah last At the show there was something for vintage The Tuning Show which also ran its own com- month. The show is run alternatively to the car enthusiasts too. The 20 classics on display petition also awarded the Custom Design Cup Dubai motor show. Although participation by came from Sharjah’s Classic Car Museum, be- to budding designers who were assigned the some brands were conspicously absent, nota- sides some private collections. Five of these task to re-work the interior and exterior of a ble entries for the first time included Infiniti’s cars were driven by His Highness Sheikh Sul- Ford Mustang. M luxury saloon, second generation new Volk- tan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al-Qasimi, the

Germans dominate at first regional car awards erman manufacturers Mercedes-Benz Gand Porsche have each taken home three awards at the first Middle East Motor Awards (MEMA) today. Overall, Mercedes-Benz was nominated in five categories, picking up the Best Premium Saloon section for the E-Class, and Best Luxury Saloon for its S500. Its performance AMG sub brand was equally acclaimed as it won the Best Premium Sports SUV category for the ML 63 AMG. Porsche clean sweeped all sports categories, winning Best [l-r] MEMA award winners; executive editor of Automan and jury member receiving Sports Car for the Cayman S, Premium Sports a memento from Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the show Car for the 911 Turbo and Luxury Sports Sa- loon with the Panamera Turbo. Other notable Italia) and Best Large Saloon (Nissan Maxima), motoring experts and journalists from across winners included Range Rover, which claimed the MEMAs included two special categories for the MENA region voted independently for the the Best Premium Luxury SUV title and the environmentally friendly vehicles; Best Hybrid vehicles in 17 categories. As patron of the Rolls-Royce Ghost – the company’s “compact” Saloon, which was won by the Lexus LS 600 awards, Vice President of the FIA and Presi- car – which was named Best Premium Luxury HL, and Best Hybrid SUV, given to the BMW dent of the Automobile and Touring Club of Saloon. In addition to the 15 regular awards, X6 Active Hybrid. The MEMAs were this year the UAE Mohammed Ben Sulayem presented which also included Best Compact Car (Volk- held alongside the International Automobile the trophies at the lunch time ceremony to swagen Scirocco), Best Exotic Car (Ferrari 458 Show (IAS) at Expo Centre Sharjah. A panel of both the winners and jury members.

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NHTSA revises safety standards

eceiving a top-tier five-star crash test no longer qualify, and for model year 2011, and compares those results to the average Rrating from the National Highway Traffic NHTSA will test a total of 24 passenger cars, risk of injury and potential for vehicle rollover Safety Administration just got tougher, and 20 SUVs, two vans and nine pick-up trucks. of other vehicles. Also included now is a side we have the explanation as to why. According pole crash testing and crash prevention-tech- to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the nologies. previous test had begun to allow for too many NHTSA also recommends consumers consid- five-star ratings, and in an effort to raise the er vehicles with crash avoidance bar on safety and give consumers more abil- technologies that meet the five- ity to differentiate between products, NTSA Star Safety Ratings minimum has modified the test to make it tougher on performance tests, such as for- the cars. “More stars equal safer cars,” said ward collision warning (FCW), LaHood. “With our upgraded Five-Star Safety lane departure warning (LDW) Ratings System, we’re raising the bar on safe- One of the most significant and electronic stability control ty. Through new tests, better crash data, and changes to the ratings program (ESC) systems. So far, only two higher standards, we are making the safety is the addition of an Overall Vehicle Score for vehicles have managed to receive the top rat- ratings tougher and more meaningful for con- each vehicle tested. The Overall Vehicle Score ing of five, the 2011 BMW 5-Series saloon, and sumers.” Naturally, the changes mean some combines the results of a frontal crash test, the late-release 2011 Hyundai Sonata (early cars previously awarded five-star ratings will side crash tests and rollover resistance tests release obtained a four-star rating). recalls galore in october this month

ot so long ago, the pinnacle of automotive mune to recalls. Aston Martin has announced nage. The recall affects 596 vehicles from the Nengineering standards Toyota faced its its plans to call back a total of 1,090 cars built British automaker, of the Arnage, Brooklands worst nightmare with a series of recalls world- as 2007-2008 models in the US. Models af- and Azure models from 2007-2009. wide.While Toyota was bearing the brunt of a fected include the DB9 Coupe, DB9 Volante, PR disaster, rival carmakers quietly went on V8 Vantage Coupe, V8 Vantage Roadster and Mercedes-Benz with their recall programmes as pre-emptive DBS. A bolt that secures the front suspension German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz and measure. Car recalls are not exclusive to any arm could crack, increasing the risk of a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis- manufacturer and irrespective of competency Aston Martin says. tration have announced the recall of roughly levels, there are times when recalls just be- 85,000 E-Class and C-Class vehicles in the US come a necessity. Cadillac steering system failures. The problem stems General Motors says that its Cadillac division from a faulty power steering pump that can Rolls-Royce and BMW will recall 3,996 2010 SRX crossovers over a create a shortage of power steering fluid, ulti- BMW and Rolls-Royce have announced a power steering line that could leak if dam- mately reducing the aid given from the power worldwide recall. Around 345,000 vehicles are aged. If the line leaks, GM says that fluid steering system. The recall includes various affected and the recall includes several models could spray on hot engine parts, resulting in 2010 C-Class and E-Class models, including that share common technology for the braking an under bonnet fire. GM is aware of at least the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models. system, including the 5-Series, 6-Series and one fire incident in an unattended SRX and it 7-Series model years 2002 through 2008. Also says only 2-3 SRXs are potentially included in the recall are 5,800 Phantoms, affected, but it’s playing safe and model years 2003 through 2010. Of the total calling back 3,460 US-specification recalls, around 198,000 units are located in and 341 Chinese-market SRXs the US. The cars in the US are either V8 or built at the automaker’s Ramos V12-powered. The issue itself stems from a Arizpe, Mexico, assembly plant. possible leak that may develop in the braking vacuum system, which in turn can result in a Bentley Motors loss of vacuum pressure and reduced braking Bentley Motors has announced assistance. Braking is still possible, but it will that it was recalling nearly 1,500 require additional force from the driver on the cars because of fears that their pedal. iconic “flying B” mascot on the bonnet may fail to retract in a Aston Martin crash – and impale a pedestrian. While Aston Martin has been named the ‘Cool- The company said it was recall- est Brand’ in the UK for a remarkable fourth ing 1,436 vehicles globally from time in five years, but it seems that, high-buck, three of their top-end models, high-performance that it makes are not im- the Brooklands, Azure and Ar-

9 {news} News headlines that grabbed our attention Automan’s take Range Rover confirms 5-door Evoque

Automan’s take:This was an expected move and we can expect at least a prototype to be shown at the Los Angeles motor show this month. Land Rover’s managing director Phil Popham used Paris motor show to confirm the production of the model and also issue the first official photograph of the forthcoming model. Both models will eventually become a major part of the launch line-up in the third quarter of 2011, forming a range that as previously reported will include both two wheel drive and 4WD versions and petrol and diesel engines, including the same Ford-sourced 2.0-litre Eco- Boost engine that will power many Ford models in future.

Tata Motors stock sales oversub- Mike O’Driscoll to retire next year scribed Automan’s take: Largely seen as the archi- Automan’s take: When Tata Motors an- tect who led the Jaguar brand through the sale nounced it would sell shares of stock worth process to India’s Tata Motors, Mike O’Driscoll, $750 million with proceeds to be utilized to managing director Jaguar Cars, moved to the help pay down some of the $4.5 billion in debt UK from the US in 2007 and oversaw the in- the automaker owns, global analysts were a troduction of an all-new product line-up com- bit unsure. Although $750 million may be a far prising the award-winning XF, XK, and new XJ. cry from the tens of billions being discussed O’Driscoll, will retire from day-to-day opera- for General Motors’ upcoming IPO, this sale, tions at Jaguar Land Rover at the end of March for starters, was not an IPO, but only an isolat- 2011, but will continue as Chairman of Jaguar ed release of shares. Secondly, as Bloomberg Heritage and will advise on related matters. manages Jaguar’s museum, archives and pointed out, it is a significant amount because Jaguar Heritage is an independent trust that extensive car collection globally. the automaker had originally announced in- tentions to sell $525 million worth, but higher than expected demand drove Tata to increase Mercedes-Benz to offer four-cylinders in S-Class the bid. However, Tata Motors has reported Automan’s take: How low can you go? The A start/stop function further reduces fuel con- that the offering was oversubscribed by 3.4 idea of shoe-horning a thrifty four-cylinder sumption and emissions. Mercedes-Benz says times by domestic and international investors. engine displacing just 2.2-litres in its range- that the car averages about 42 mpg [Impe- The strong demand for Tata shares can only topping S-Class for European markets just rial] using the European combined cycle test. be taken as a positive sign, as investors have doesn’t quite right. Mercedes-Benz is fully Despite the extra girth of the luxury flagship voiced increased faith in the automaker’s abil- aware about the market reaction to such a sedan, Mercedes-Benz says that the S250 will ity to turn a profit from the Jaguar Land Rover proposition. “Some might call this sacrilege - still hit 100k/mh in an acceptable 8.2sec be- firms, something Ford struggled to do when it we call it progress. We want to be efficiency fore topping out at 250km/h. Who said down- owned the three brands. world champions... and we will be,” said Di- sizing can’t work wonders? eter Zetsche, Daimler’s CEO. So what’s on offer? The S250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY will emit just 149 g/km of CO2, about the same as a moderate economy car, thanks to its 204hp four-cylinder diesel turbocharged engine. Mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, the engine puts out an impressive 369 lb-ft. of torque available at just 1,600 rpm.

10 {news}

BMW engines to power Saab cars First ‘Made in India’ Nissan Micra Mulally’s business model for Ford Automan’s take: What a pairing but not at exported limits to 20 nameplates all surprising. Saab is desperate to find a pow- Automan’s take: This is a big milestone for ertrain source from its forthcoming compact Nissan India. Nissan is fairly new to the Indi- new range of front wheel drive cars and BMW an market and has so far been selling models finds additional use of a version of the Mini’s assembled out of CKD kits. The all-new ‘Made turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol en- in India’ Micra will be sold domestically and gine. Although neither car-maker has specified exported to over 100 countries worldwide in- which version of the British-built engine will be cluding Africa, Europe and Middle East. The Automan’s take: Sometimes having too used by Saab, but experts think that the high first consignment of 3,866 cars to Europe was much can prove as futile as having too less. perfor- flagged off from the Ennore port, north of Well, Ford CEO Alan Mulally, who has already mance ver- Chennai in the first week of last month. De- earned a reputation somewhere between sions are signed and tested in Japan, the Micra will be “saviour” and “cost cutter,” could be thinking the most produced in China, India, Thailand and Mex- on these lines. Although, Mulally has helped likely can- ico only. The new Micras are kitted with new the Dearborn automaker stay out of bank- d i d a t e s . 1.2-litre three-cylinder supercharged engines ruptcy at the expense of dramatic personnel Meanwhile, producing 98hp and impressively low 95g/km and brand reductions. Now, Mulally says Ford BMW’s an- of CO2. Such is the efficiency of these new might need to reduce to as little as 20 name- nouncement at the Paris Motor Show stating petrol engines that new Nissan Micra will not plates in the future - down dramatically from that it will also be introducing a smaller FWD be offered with a diesel option. The model the 97 it had just four years ago.“There will be car to slow beneath the 1-Series in the US has line-up is simple with just one five-door body less than 30, on our way to 20 to 25 [name- also raised some eyebrows. The announce- style, two engine options and two transmis- plates],” Mulally told reporters in London. ment was made by BMW’s own board member sion choices - either a five-speed manual or a But, in this numbers game one shouldn’t for- and head of sales and marketing, Ian Robert- highly advanced compact Continuously Vari- get that a few nameplates have already van- son, who revealed to reporters that, “It will able Transmission (CVT). ished by way of attrition. Ford has sold off be a relatively big segment because we have all of its European divisions - Aston Martin, several body styles.” This also means BMW is Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo - and it is clos- dive head first into an all-new territory, using ing its Mercury brand by the end of this year. both front-wheel drive and testing waters in Although new Ford and Lincoln nameplates the subcompact segment in a typically “bigger have been introduced, many are being dis- is better” American market. For now BMW is continued. Over the next couple of years, ag- referring to it as the UKL - which comes from ing and unproductive models such as the Ford an abbreviation of lower compact class cars Ranger, Explorer Sport Trac and Lincoln Town sold in Germany. The biggest question is: will Car will be dropped without direct replace- these new cars fall under BMW brand or will ments. Currently, Ford has about 26 different BMW create a sub brand or revive one of the nameplates on offer, not including hybrid and two brand names that it has rights to? coupe variants of some products.

Gemballa saga ends in tragedy Will VW’s thirteenth brand be lucky for the group? Automan’s take: Uwe Gemballa was an Automan’s take: VW Chairman Ferdinand prevent Ford from acquiring it and stop the US ambitious entreprenuer who was in a bit of Piech made it official that he wants to make carmaker from gaining restricted Italian fac- a hurry. One of his last business visits was at Alfa Romeo the German giant’s thirteenth tory capacity for its own products. Due to the the 2009 Dubai Motor Show where Gemballa brand and that he was targeting a deal be- lackadaisical attitude of the parent company, was close to inking a partnership with a local ing struck to acquire the century-old Italian Alfa Romeo’s fortune has dwindled and it re- partner. And shortly after, came the news of sports name in two years’ time. We have been mains as a brand totally confused. the man missing in South Africa. What was monitoring rumours circulating for years about While he future of Fiat Group’s Alfa Romeo di- initially reported as a business trip was not VW’s interest in Alfa Romeo, but, this is the vision dominated much of the conversation in what Gemballa had anticipated. While de- first time that the German carmaker has open- Paris and following VW Chairman Ferdinand tails are limited, police believe that Uwe was ly discussed its ongoing interest, so it can’t Piech’s comments, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchio- murdered by a syndicate involved in illegal be taken as a passing statement. Indeed, VW nne respond yesterday by telling reporters at money laundering. Airport surveillance cam- attempted to turn its Spanish SEAT brand into the Paris Motor Show: “None of our brands era showed Uwe being picked up by an asso- an Alfa competitor after previously failing to are up for sale.” Marchionne only late last year ciate of the syndicate. Prior to the collapse of prise the Milanese marquee from Fiat’s grasp, publicaly questioned the very future of the Alfa the Gemballa Automobiletechnik, Uwe called and poached its top designer Walter de’Silva Romeo brand and froze development of new his wife and ask for one million dollars. Unfor- to push it towards their sports-oriented mar- models while he carried out a comprehensive tunately, when the money didn’t arrive, Uwe ket space, a strategy that never paid off. review of the unit. We think Marchionne will was bumped off. A case of high stakes and It’s well-known in circles that Fiat Group never fight tooth and nail to revive the brand for US desperate lives? wanted Alfa Romeo, but bought it in 1986 to markets and thwart VW’s advances.

11 {Road Test} On active duty

Mitsubishi thinks its new crossover, the ASX, is a ‘game changer’ for the brand. Automan thinks it is a Lancer and Outlander rolled into one.

| Author: Chandan B Mallik

12 {Road Test}

t’s no secret that globally Mitsubishi Mo- tors has had a very rough road the last Ifew years. Despite its troubled period, the company with the triple diamond logo never abandoned its big plans or its principle of “iimono nagaku” [this was adopted as the corporate policy of the entire Mitsubishi Mo- tors Group in March 1998, reflecting the company’s rethinking of its traditional stance to place greater emphasis on“value for the customer”], and under the leadership of Osamu Masuko, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Mo- tors Corporation there’s been a definitive shift in product policy in recent times. Mitsubishi is deliberately moving away from a past littered with larger saloons and SUVs and now the focus is on building smaller and more efficient vehicles on global platforms. The latest car to arrive in the regional markets under the new philosophy is the ASX crossover SUV, also known domestically as the RVR. In its current line-up in the region, it is the mid-sized Outlander crossover SUV that sits directly above the Lancer. The Mitsubishi Out- lander is a tidy and versatile sport utility vehicle that offers a choice of a thrifty 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine or a responsive 3.0-litre V6 [depending on markets], two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, five or seven-passenger seating. With the proliferation of the sub mid-sized SUV/CUV segments with new models such as Nissan’s Qashqai, VW Tiguan, Audi A5 or Suzuki SX4, Mitsubishi spotted an opportunity to build and position a smaller crossover based on the Lancer platform. In doing so, Mitsubishi is targeting an audience that wants something big - but not that big. So, it’s no surprise that the focus has been on content and packaging in this model. The ASX is built off the same platform as the Outlander and Lancer and sits on the same wheelbase as the Outlander, but is 25mm shorter and 65mm lower. The series production car is actually very close in appearance to the initial Concept-cX prototype Mitsubishi first displayed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The ASX is 4,295mm long overall, 1,770mm wide and 1,615mm high. From the styling perspective, many punters may mistake the ASX as an Outlander derivative initially as the front end with the large Lancer Evo-styled jet fighter grille and short overhangs, is almost identical. However, upon closer inspection, the differences in styling are clearly evident – especially in the sheetmetal. The character lines in the ASX are more pronounced than

13 {Road Test}

<< The ASX is actually very close in appearance to the initial Concept-cX prototype Mitsubishi first displayed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show >>

the Outlander, and plain Jane sheetmetal of into the wheel wells. Seats come straight from the donor has given way to a nice balance the Outlander and again it is a bit of a misfit of concave-convex surfaces. While the A-pillar in the ASX as the ideal driving position is very and its rake are similar, also similar are the difficult to get and the despite a sporty ap- bulges of the wheel arches, both front and pearance, the lumber and lower side bolster- rear. More or less in profile, up to the B-pil- ing is a bit inadequate and hence they don’t lars, the proportions and design execution are offer that sporty body hugging feel. The build similar. However, the real change starts hap- quality and tolerances are mostly at par with pening as you move towards the C-pillar. In industry standards, but we feel that Mitsubi- the Outlander it ends rather abruptly and it shi should pay a bit more attention in getting is quite wide. In the ASX, the rear end exhib- that premium feel. Somehow, the cabin lacks its as masterful stroke with a narrow C-pillar the Outlander’s panache. But what offsets the [for better visibility] and hints of a hatchback niggles are the levels of kit, and not forget- styled waistline. The rear end of the car is ting the trendy panaromic glass roof, which more contemporary in design than the front. makes the cabin feel a bit bigger that what it The car rides on either 16 or 17in wheels shod actually is. Mod cons include engine start-stop with 215/65R or 215/60R tyres. push button [it seems like an afterthought the Inside the cab forward cabin, there’s a mix way it has been fixed on the dashboard], in- of styling and Mitsubishi have tried to get best tegrated Bluetooth, cruise and audio controls of both the Lancer and Outlander in it. We on the steering wheels and high end Rock- think the effort has been mixed in its results ford Fosgate audio system. On the practicality as far as styling goes. We would be of the front, the rear seat split folds 60:40 for access opinion that the dashboard of the Outlander to the 416-litre – 1,193-litre, flat luggage area is much classier and definitely better executed and to conserve space the ASX uses a stan- in terms of material and ergonomics. The in- dard Spacesaver’ spare wheel. And depending strument panel in the ASX is placed a bit low- on the trim level, the kerb weight of the ASX er than usual and this has one advantage and ranges between 1,350kg and 1,445kg, which one disadvantage. The plus side is that visibil- is about 200kg less than the Outlander. ity for the driver is clear and unobstructed, but Although two petrol-derived powertrains taller drivers will find that it also encroaches are available, for Oman, the ASX borrows

14 {Road Test}

the Lancer’s normally-aspirated 2.0-litre four- cylinder MIVEC power plant that produces Driving impressions maximum power of 147hp at 6,000rpm and peak torque of 197Nm at 4,200 rpm when The first thing one does note in the ASX is the inely as they should in a cogged set-up, and mated with CVT transmission. The CVT also clear front and rear views. Like most cross- in manual mode, it feels like the real thing offers pseudo six-speed Tiptronic like function overs the ASX’s extra headroom makes the C- with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, we which can be operate either through the pad- segment hatchbacks seem desperately snug were able to enjoy and extract some spirited dle shifters on behind the steering wheel or in comparison. Although the seating position driving. Being able to change gears manually gear shift lever. The car also gets Mitsubishi’s is a bit awkward, the commanding view is made for a more enjoyable drive experience electronically-controlled 4-Wheel Drive sys- much like that of an MPV than an SUV, which through the twisty sections in and around tem. And at the base of the central console is is a plus. Also the blind spot limitation of Muscat. a rotary switch which locks into 2WD or 4WD the Outlander is not encountered, thanks to The car’s suspension grips well and ab- with the option of locking the differentials in the thinner C-pillars and oversized door mir- sorbs bumps reasonably, although the bigger 4WD mode. As the ASX shares Outlander’s rors. On the move, the car appears notice- wheels with lower profile tyres on the ASX did long wheelbase of 2,670mm, shorter ASX es- ably more refined than the larger Outlander, make for a slightly firmer ride. We also noted sentially carries over most of Outlander’s low- thanks to better wind and tyre/road noise that pushing the car hard, some bodyroll was er structure as well as the basic architecture insulation. However, the engine can be a bit encountered, but in everyday driving situa- of its chassis including MacPherson struts up slow on acceleration and is a bit noisy initially. tions we think is quite normal. Steering feel front and multi-links at the rear in the suspen- We found the reach/rake steering wheel ad- is light, much like the Lancer and The well- sion kit. The anti-roll bars are 2mm thinner justment better than the driving position and weighted though. The car never felt any less and the suspension has been recalibrated for overall noticeably better than the Outlander. than safe, thanks to the more than adequate this smaller and lighter model. On the safety The CVT gearbox in the ASX is one of the braking [brakes are also lifted from the larger front, there are seven SRS airbags, active sta- finest we have encountered in recent times. and heavier Outlander] distances, however, bility control and traction control and hill start Although, the industry in general reckons the pedal travel is on the stiffer side. Some assist, ABS with EBD. Brakes are also lifted Nissan scores top scores with its application of the useful features we really liked was the from the larger and heavier The ASX uses of CVT technology in its cars, the Mitsubishi ease with which would could access Bluetooth electric power steering system. And recently, is definitely closing in, if not better with the phone connectivity and use the Mitsubishi the car was awarded a maximum five-star ASX. First, the gears appear to hold genu- Multi Communication System (MMCS). safety rating from Australia’s independant safety group ANCAP.

15 {Road Test}

<< The latest vehicle developed from MMC’s “Project Global” mid-size platform, Mitsubishi ASX aims at blending Lancer’s passenger car on-road attitude with Outlander’s clever all-wheel drive systems >>

<< key rivals >>

Nissan’s Qashqai has been a huge hit in Europe as a family 4x4 and is offered with several engines displacing 1.6 to 2.0-litres, but it tastes defeat in front of the new Asian Tigers. The Kia Sportage and Hyundai’s Tucson or iX35 are arguably the respective automaker’s best effort yet, mixing exciting looks, stylish interiors decent ride comfort and tidy handling. Both are available with 1.6- to 2.4-litre powertrains. VW’s similarly sized Tiguan tops the performance segment with its 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder pumping 200hp.

16 {Road Test}

Verdict

As an overall package, the qualities most buy- lander. With its compact exterior dimensions that the possibility of an overlap is minimised. ers expect in this segment are there in the but spacious interior, in theory, the all-new Although, it misses out on a few of the bells ASX. The first impressions of the new ASX ASX has the possibility to poach sales from and whistles but is still worth a look for family suggest the all-new model competently fills both its donors. But in practice, the overall car buyers. the gap between the Lancer and the Out- package has been presented in such a way

<< Outlander vs ASX >>

Like the Outlander, instrumentation is the conventional two-gauge display with secondary information such as fuel tank level displayed on a compact screen between the two and providing clear blue graphics. The four- wheel-drive selector dial (2WD, 4WD or Lock) is mounted on the centre console near the gear lever. Top spec ASX gains leather seats (heated fronts), keyless operation, rear privacy glass, automatic wipers and lights and an optional 954mm x 860mm panoramic glass roof.

17 {Brandwatch}

‘Porsche prefers cautious optimism for new models’

Deesch Papke, MD, Porsche ME & Africa

18 {Brandwatch}

Michael Macht hands over the wheel to CEO Mathias Mueller

t the recently concluded Paris Martin Winterkorn had told German lot of questions still to be answered and Motor Show, it seems that Porsche newspaper Der Spiegel that the Porsche we want to create a business case” for Aappears to have confirmed that line-up will be joined by “a new SUV, a production. As part of the process, the it will produce an all-new mid-size smaller brother to the Cayenne, which sportscarmaker will conduct a review luxury SUV to be positioned beneath the might be called Cajun”. to determine what models are viable Cayenne. It’s no secret that the German Speculation of a sub-Cayenne SUV and appropriate to help the company sportscar brand has long toyed with began well before Porsche registered the achieve its ambitious goal of doubling the idea of using the platform of Audi’s ‘Roxster’ trademark in 2007 and, after its production to 150,000 units. popular Q5 to develop a smaller sibling takeover by Volkswagen, Porsche said Meanwhile, close to home, Porsche for its Cayenne – which has become the platform sharing with the German giant Middle East is riding high on a successful backbone of its sales volume in recent and its various brands was appropriate sales year with 6,275 units delivered years. At Paris Walter de’ Silva, VW only if Porsche led the development. to customers across the Middle East Group’s design chief, said in an interview However, it seems now that Porsche’s and Africa region. And with 952 sales with an industry publication: “I really CEO, Matthias Mueller, has put a in June 2010 alone, Porsche broke all hope to be able to add something temporary hold on the several of the previous records for this summer month positive to Porsche’s new models, which new models proposed. and enjoyed one of its best order intakes will remain coherent with the great Speaking with motoring journalists ever. tradition of Porsche...The Cajun will be recently, Mueller said the company needs Meawhile, at the first MEMA Awards the first new Porsche created under my to “...clarify how we are to spread out our ceremony in Sharjah last month, Porsche influence.” Further confirmation came product program - below, above, left and made a clean sweep in three categories. from the fact that Volkswagen CEO Dr right and so on.” He added, “There are a

{spotlight}

This year’s last European motor show in Paris had a clear cut message: technology and innovation are the buzzwords for future mobility and corporate success. Automan finds out more at the show Author: Chandan B Mallik

ast month’s Paris Motor Show was an unusual mix of enthusiasm However, automotive aficionados will not forget how Jaguar turned the and charisma from car manufacturers. The level of enthusiasm Paris venue into a ‘best-of-British’ celebration with its awesome C-X75 Lamongst domestic players, European and Asian rivals was seen as supercar concept along with Lotus, which also left no one in doubt that the beginning of the much needed industry revival after several years it was a force to be reckoned with, stunning the automotive world with of downturn as a result of the global economic crisis. Not that the crisis no fewer than six new models that it hopes will revolutionise the brand is entirely over, the industry is moving forward with cautious optimism once again. and most are of the opinion that the swing is the beginning of the ‘feel The Jaguar concept was unlike any other at the show, it was least good’ factor. Besides the stunning displays, introduction of new cars, expected and its purpose was loud and clear. Ian Callum has cre- visitors to the show were also treated to possible technology-oriented ated an exotic supercar outside of the usual box thinking with the idea solutions or applications designed specifically to meet the forthcoming that it could theoretically be produced in the near future. Besides the new regulations, emissions norms and performance factors. six teasers from Lamborghini prior to the show which ended up as a Some of the technology led solutions – hybrids or extended range ve- jaw-dropping new superlightweight carbon-fibre-clad super-sportscar hicles or simply all-electric plug-in models were equally vying for atten- concept, dubbed the Sesto Elemento, most automakers had something tion as super or sports cars. Interestingly, the influence of alternative to say. However, there were some disappointments too. As they always technology solutions appearing in hyper performance cars was quite say, expect the unexpected and this show had quite a few of them. evident and so was some of the automotive brands entering into new Read on… and uncharted segments.

21 {spotlight} Audi

t’s been a bull run for the four-ringed brand ner for quattro technology which celebrates breathtaking lateral acceleration and light- Iand the momentum continues unabated. its 30th anniversary debut this year and this ning-fast from its enhanced package. Audi was in full force and form at Paris with was the second concept from the brand. The The output of its 5.2-litre V10 has been in- an impressive array of concept and production Audi quattro Concept moves up to a futuristic creased to 560hp and vehicle weight has been models. Audi has revealed not one but two interpretation of this philosophy into the fast reduced by roughly 100kg helping the car to innovative concept cars. lane. The package is irresistible: create a thor- accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.6sec Audi flashed its environmental credentials oughbred driving machine with a five-cylinder with a top speed of 320 km/h. Featuring the once again with the e-tron Spyder Concept, turbocharged engine with 408hp and mate aluminium Audi Space Frame body and a but also communicated features most consis- it to a lightweight body and the latest gen- number of new components made of carbon tent evolution of the current Audi design lan- eration of quattro permanent all-wheel drive. fiber composite, the GT tips the scales at just guage. In one shot, we could not fail notice With its exterior dimensions (length x width 1,525kg for a power-to-weight ratio of only initial hints at the design language of future x height) of 4,280m, 1,860mm and 1,330mm 2.72kg. The 19in wheels keep the car planted Audi sports cars. While the current concept respectively on a wheelbase of 2,600mm, firmly on the asphalt, and the carbon fibre reinterprets the most important design ele- the Audi quattro Concept fits neatly into the ceramic brakes easily keep the power under ments that already characterized the previous sports car segment. No surprises here as the control. e-tron concept vehicle, the necessary formal concept car’s wheelbase is 150mm shorter differentiation to the purely electric-powered than the RS5. Audi e-tron shown at Detroit earlier in the Also on show were the Audi year was the key message. Compared to the A7 Sportback, Audi R8 coupé concept car in Detroit, the length and Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro, width have increased to underscore the sporty the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI aspiration of the design. The Audi e-tron with 185hp as well Spyder, with plug-in is equipped with a 300 as the high-perfor- p twin-turbo V6 TDI at the rear axle and two mance sports car R8 electric motors producing a total of 64 kW at GT. The R8 GT is a the front axle.Audi has always had a soft cor- driving machine with

Automan take Interestingly, the Spyder variant is longer and wider than previous e-Tron Coupe concept and comes as a hybrid instead of being an all-electric supercar.

Alfa Romeo t’s no secret that for the past two years it’s replaces the 147, received its première in Ibeen quiet at Alfa and its financial woes are Geneva earlier this year and Fiat hopes it will far from over. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has help lift sales for the brand which could end been struggling with the brand, and in De- up as Volkswagen’s thirteenth brand. It may cember 2009, Marchionne said a product-de- be recalled that Fiat Group never wanted Alfa velopment freeze on medium and large-sized Romeo, but bought it in 1986 to prevent Ford Alfa Romeo models was one of two alterna- from acquiring it and stop the US carmaker tives Fiat was considering to stem the flow of from gaining restricted Italian factory capacity losses and declining sales for the Italian pres- for its own products. tige brand. The stylish all-new Giulietta which

22 {spotlight} Bentley he Continental GT was the key star at the Tstand and it shows its slight restyling as it attempts to continue the success of this model for Bentley. The Continental GT has been redesigned, taking on a few elements of the Mulsanne, but otherwise essentially the same. This car also has a few interior upgrades with a new multimedia system being the focus. The caris equipped with the W12 twinturbo Flexfuel engine with an updated power figure of 575hp mated to a brand new six-speed ZF Quickshift gearbox which combines with the engine for an acceleration time to 100 km/hr of 4.6sec and a top speed Automan take Bentley marked a new chapter with the ever popular CGT at Paris. of 318km/h. Fuel consumption stands at an average of 16.5 l/100km. BMW esigned to preview the production model, what engine powers the concept, the produc- Dthe concept has a wide twin-kidney grille, tion model will likely offer a 300hp 3.0-litre distinctive LED headlights, a glass roof, and inline-six, a 400hp 4.4-litre V8, and a 3.0-litre large 20in aluminium wheels, the Concept 6 turbodiesel with 204hp and 245hp. Later on, Series Coupe is the first BMW in some time to BMW will introduce the 570hp M6 and pos- feel totally comfortable in its own skin – minus sibly an ActiveHybrid variant. the famous Bangle butt. Besides the new X3, BMW also showcased The car’s interior is more closely related to its some 3 Series cars with dressed in perfor- predecessor, with an evolved, more dynamic mance kit. While the sheetmetal stays largely driver-centric IP. While the interior is ostensi- the same in the X3, the line-up receives new bly production-ready, the car’s color and trim engines and an eight-speed automatic gear- — mottled carmel and coffee saddle leather, box. The X3 also becomes the first model to suede headlining and exquisite detailing such adopt electric power steering, while the vari- as the steering wheel’s metallic center marker able sports steering is now optional, as well as – bestows it with a genuinely opulent grand optional Damper Control and Dynamic Drive touring cabin. Control which adorns saloons and sports car Automan take While the company hasn’t announced models in the ever increasing line-up. Bye-bye Bangle butt.

ugatti he Bugatti Veyron isn’t new a car, but the earlier in the year. Limited to a production of B Torange and carbon SuperSport version just 40 units, the first five cars will be painted is officially acknowledged as the undisputed in the same black and orange paint scheme as fastest production car in the world. With light- the record breaking car. er, more aerodynamic carbon fibre bodywork Bugatti test driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel took and an uprated 8.0-litre V16 engine now pro- the Super Sport to 425.44km/h in one direc- ducing a massive 1,183bhp and 1500Nm of tion, then 431.68km/h in the other to com- torque, the Super Sports set a new Guinness fortably claim the title from America’s SSC World Record at VW’s Ehra-Lessien test track Ulitmate Aero TT.

Automan take The Bugatti Veyron isn’t new, but the SuperSport version is the undisputed fastest car in the world.

23 {spotlight} Cadillac

M’s luxury performance brand Cadillac Ghad its full repertoire including the CTS Coupe, CTS Sport Wagon, CTS-V saloon, CTS-V Coupe, SRX Crossover and the Esca- lade Hybrid. Cadillac is set to debut its Euro- pean operations with a fresh dealer network, consisting of about 40 dealers in key Euro- pean markets. Cadillac has also established a pan-European network to manage its mainte- nance and servicing operations.

Automan take

Cadillac marks new start in Europe.

Chevrolet hevrolet’s first entry into the European 1.8- to 2.0-litres. The new Aveo 5-door model rear overhangs. It also gets ‘hidden’ rear door CMPV segment, the 2011 Orlando, had its was also introduced which represents the full handles. Compared to the current model, the world premiere here. The Orlando is inspired production version of the Aveo RS show car new Aveo is longer and wider and now offers by the show car concept displayed at Paris in unveiled at the Detroit and Geneva earlier. ESC and ABS brakes as standard. European 2008 and is mechanically based on the Cruze buyers will be offered a choice of petrol and saloon. The stylish new MPV features a low diesel powertrains. swept roof line, a Meanwhile, this at- Corvette inspired tractive hatchback ver- dual cockpit and sion of its new compact ambient blue back- car – the Cruz concept lighting to the cen- hatch also made its tre console. Well- debut. Details of the specced, standard revised new Captiva kit includes elec- had been released a tronic stability con- few weeks prior to the trol, six air-bags, air conditioning and electri- show. It comes with a new front end design cally heated and adjustable door mirrors. The The new Aveo will feature exposed twin-head- and a range of enhancements to the interior Orlando will be offered with three of Chevro- lamps and dual port grille, compact taut body along with efficient new powertrains. let’s latest fuel efficient engines ranging from panels with a rising shoulder line and short

Automan take General Motors certainly impressed the crowds with new and refreshed Europe-specific models. Citroën learly, a brand on the move Citroën is now roën styling. The DS4 will be available with Cmuch more focused as it continues to ex- several engine choices that can be paired up pand its DS line-up. The first model-launched with either a six-speed automatic or manual with the DS styling was the DS3, and now transmission. Word on the virtual street is comes the all-new Citroën DS4. The five-door that a sportier DS4 Racing model is also in the hatchback shows off the new direction of Cit- works.

24 {spotlight} Dacia Fisker irst previewed in Geneva, the Logan- Fbased SUV will be cheap and cheerful he latest iteration of the Fisker Karma achieving 100-plus miles per gallon in regu- alternative to mainstream brands when it Tplug-in hybrid petrol/electric sports car lar use. So, what’s exactly different about arrives at the end of 2012. Since 1999 Re- made an appearance and Henrik Fisker, the the factory-built version? Well, the most no- nault’s revamped Dacia budget value brand designer and founder, said the display model table exterior modification is the addition of has sold more than 1.25mn vehicles. was the first to be produced in the Scandi- a (blacked-out) B-pillar, which was apparently navian factory, where all future production required to increase the vehicle’s structural ri- Karmas are intended to be built. Staying true gidity. Fisker still lists a base price of $88,000 to its concept form, the car retains the con- and anticipates that deliveries will begin early cept’s massive 22in wheels, sensuous styling, next year. 403hp rating and the company’s promise of

Ford ord’s first global high performance model Fand a star attraction in Paris was arguably the ‘Tangerine Scream’ 2012 Focus ST, a new generation of the sporty hatchback. This range-topping Focus will be completely true to Ford’s ST model heritage, offering driving enthusiasts an intoxicating cocktail of exhila- rating performance and handling, an addic- Automan take tive sound and muscular sports design. At the

Although many questions remain about the Karma unanswered, including its performance in federal certification, crash-testing and fuel economy tests, but Paris marked the production car’s first public appearance. Ferrari heart of the appeal of the next-generation lthough it was the Aperta concept that Focus ST is a high-output 247hp derivative of Acaught a lot of attention, one model that the efficient and advanced new 2.0-litre Ford didn’t seem to flow with company’s pure per- EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine which formance DNA seemed to be the California succeeds the turbocharged 2.5-litre five- with the new HELE System. Ferrari says it is cylinder unit of the current European model, doing its best to continue to build the cars which also marks the first application of Eco- it’s known for while staying in tune with the Boost technology also showcased the new current climate of the world. HELE stands for Mondeo and the C-MAX, and also debuted High Emotion Low Emissions and is a system the ultra-low CO2 Mondeo ECOnetic version. designed to reduce C02 emissions without milliseconds, intelligent engine fan and fuel taking away from the joy of driving a Ferrari. pump control, electronically controlled vari- Automan take Ford is banking on Ecoboost The HELE System works by utilizing a variable displacement air-conditioning technology technology even in smaller ety of technical measures including a start/ and adaptive gear shifts. The result is a 23 per displacement engines now. stop function that can restart the car in 230 cent reduction in C02 emissions.

25 {spotlight} Honda Hyundai n the past, Honda has dazzled show visi- yundai officially replaced its dated Ma- Itors with an array of concepts. Compared Htrix MPV with a new people-mover called to that, this year the main star from the brand ix20. The ix20 is the second European model was the new hybrid version of its Jazz super- to adopt Hyundai’s new ‘fluidic sculpture’ de- mini. The hybrid Jazz uses the same Integrat- sign language. Positioned as an alternative to details have not been release and the car will ed Motor Assist (IMA) mild hybrid system as the standard boxy minivan, buyers will have be available in three- and five-door guise when the Insight and CR-Z paired with a 1.3-litre the option of either petrol or diesel power- it goes on sale early next year. petrol engine. trains generating the same power. The pro- Also making its global debut in Paris, is the Meanwhile, Honda duction ready ix20 will hit European dealers i10 Blue with an all-new super-eco three-cyl- was really trying this month. inder, 1.0-litre engine, emitting a remarkably to emphasize that Hyundai also unveiled the i20 Sport Edition low 99 g/km of C02. Hyundai have also built the CR-Z as a sport which it has jointly developed with Car Re- a new Pikes Peak contender, the PM580, look- hybrid at Paris by search and Development (the company being more like an LMP1 car, also powered by adding things like hind StarTech and Brabus). The i20 Sport fea- a Genesis powertrain, in an attempt to break larger wheels, a mesh grille, unique blue- tures an aggressive front bumper, revised side the 10-minute barrier. tinged headlights, some carbon fibre trim skirts, and 17in Brabus wheels. Other goodies The fourth and final new model on display and a rear spoiler. The kit may help promote include a mesh grille insert, tinted windows, this year at the Hyundai stand, is the ix35 Blue an image of sportiness, but even the fanciest and LED daytime driving lights. Inside, design- with an extra efficient and brand new 1.7-litre of body kit won’t help boost the not-entirely- ers installed Recaro seats, leather upholstery, diesel engine, which emits just 135 g/km of sporty and not-so-efficient hybrid powertrain a chrome gear shift knob, and a 7-inch touch C02 as a benefactor of the company’s efficient under the bonnet in this car. screen with GPS navigation. Engine upgrade ‘Blue Drive’ technologies.

Infiniti Jaguar hat Infiniti is becoming ambitious, was ev- hile, the Paris Motor Show had loads of Tident when it launched IPL, its brand new Wnew supercars and new “green” vehicles performance division a few months ago. The but only a handful can claim to be unconven- proof of the pudding had to be Paris where tional – traditionally bound, yet futuristic in exit showcased a modified G model – in both ecution. And this is where we think the Jaguar looks and performance departments. The G C-X75 Concept car scored a perfect bulls-eye. and efficiently recharge the Lithium-ion -bat convertible features a tweaked 3.7-litre V6 The goal of the design team responsible for teries. When the turbines are running, CO2 engine that at 348hp, offers 18hp more than the Jaguar C-X75 Concept were given the task emissions are just 28g/km and each of the the regular G37 Coupe and 375 Nm of torque. of producing what would be considered one of micro gas-turbines which weigh 35kg and pro- IPL made adjustments to the suspension, the most beautiful and most innovative Jaguars duces 94bhp of power. steering and exhaust systems to boost per- ever built to commemorate the company’s 75 Combined energy from the power sources gives formance and handling of the car. years of design excellence. In one single pack- the car supercar performance. On the perfor- age it has three elements masterfully incul- mance front, it has a top speed of 330km/h) cated – design, technology and performance and can blast from standstill to 160km/h in potential. In fact, it can be considered as an 5.5secs. Aluminium is used for body and electric car, a hybrid and a turbine-powered chassis instead of carbon fibre. Jaguar says car – all three rolled in to one ultra efficient it has no plans to produce the car, although environmentally friendly module. it would be more than a worthy successor to First, it is also capable of running in purely the notorious XJ220. Designed to celebrate Automan take electric mode for 109km on a six-hour do- the marque’s 75th anniversary, the concept mestic plug-in charge. Four electric motors of heralds a new direction for high-performance Nissan launched Infiniti in Europe with 195hp capacity each propel the wheels indi- Jaguars with low (or even zero) emissions. disastrous timing with no dealer network vidually. This means zero emissions and when Automan take or diesel engines. With new engines and the initial charge runs out, then the wildly some key components coming from a re- unique use of lightweight micro gas-turbines cent Daimler tie-up, it could be the much kick in at mind boggling 80,000rpm to quickly A befitting tribute to celebrate 75 years needed breakthrough for the brand. of Jaguar design and innovation.

26 {spotlight} Maserati et to break the 300km/h barrier, the gor- Sgeous Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, is being touted as the fastest, lightest and most powerful model in the company’s range when it goes on sale early next year. This car is inspired by the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and the GT4 motorsport models and ratchets up the excitement by pushing power output to 450 horsepower. The chassis has been tweaked and the body slightly updated for increased aerodynamics. The MC Stradale manages to increase the levels of downforce without caus- Automan take ing a noticeable increase in drag. The GT MC Stradale was created in response to demands for a GranTurismo, “which can balance on- The GT MC Stradale is the result of the combination of the handling and aerody- road driving needs with race-driving desires.” namic lesson from Maserati’s three racing programmes. Mercedes-Benz ercedes-Benz officially unveiled the rede- F-CELL that goes into limited production. Msigned second generation 2011 CLS-Class Based on the five-door, five-seat standard which draws design cues from the Shooting Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the car features a Brake Concept. Highlights include flared wheel 95PS electric motor with two lithium-ion bat- arches, a sloping roofline, and optional LED teries. headlights. Inside, the cabin boasts leather upholstery, wood trim, and bright metal ac- cents. Motivation for this new CLS is expected to come from a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, as well as a BlueHybrid model that will use the same hybrid system as the S400 BlueHybrid. One engine that has been confirmed is a new 435hp twin-turbocharged

4.6-litre V8. Expect an AMG variant sporting Automan take the Bi-turbo 5.5-litre V8 to come later. The car maker also introduced the new E- CELL, its second electric car, after the B-Class Mercedes will introduce the A-Class E-CELL as a limited series run of 500 units.

hile, Kia had an impressive array of 20 exhausts, solar glass and indicators on the Kia Wcars at the show, the focal point was its wing mirrors. Depending on the trim level, electric concept car POP. Unveiled for the first fog lights, heated exterior mirrors, exterior time at the event, the POP is Kia’s first electric chrome or body-colour door handles along car concept, fitted with electric motor with a with 17in alloy wheels and 215/55 R17 tyres. power output of 68bhp, and a top speed of The interior of the Kia Optima has an overall 140km/h.The vehicle is also fitted with lithium sporty feeling with precise gauges and con- polymer gel battery pack that provides a driv- trols. There is an optional glass panoramic ing range of up to 160km on a full charge.. sunroof that will provide an open air feeling. The Paris Motor Show is also provided the This new Kia Optima will also offer a dynamic perfect stage for the company’s mid-sized and responsive driving experience, combined saloon [domestically known as K5] European with a high standard specification and a range debut. The new Kia Optima will offer numer- of optional high-tech features usually associ- ous standard exterior features including dual ated with premium brand vehicles.

27 {spotlight} Lamborghini

amborghini had been teasing the motor- Ling world in recent weeks with a series of photographs of a concept that was wildly believed to be the next-generation Murcielago. But the real game turned out to a technology demonstrator called Sesto Elemento [Sixth Element]. The name is derived from the pe- riodic table, where carbon is classified as the sixth element. The question is: if it’s not the real deal, then what is Lamborghini up to? Actually, Sesto Elemento shows how the future of the super sports car can look. Super and extreme sports carmakers are desper- sational power-to-weight ratio of only 1.75kg 300km/h. The entire car is constructed from ate in finding technology solutions for their per hp and helps the car catapult from zero the lightweight materials such as carbon fibre cars that can combine extreme lightweight to 100 km/h in a 2.5sec with top speed over and carbon fibre reinforced plastics. engineering and offer performance results as the trend demands. With low curb weight Automan take of less than 1,000kg, 570hp output from a high-revving, naturally-aspirated V10 engine The way things are going now, every future Lamborghini will be touched by the spirit and permanent all-wheel drive allows sen- of the gound breaking Sesto Elemento.

Aston Martin Rapide and Audi A7 Sportback. Lotus And very similar to Esprit concept, the Eterne will use an identical 5.0-litre V8 powertrain. learly, a talented brand that’s on an The optional hybrid drivetrain will use KERS Coverdrive and arguably was one of the energy recuperation system, and the Lotus show’s greatest crowd pullers. The Malaysian saloon will be available in both rear- and all- Proton-owned company displayed as many wheel drive configurations. as five new sports car models which it plans Elise is currently one of the mainstream to introduce gradually. The Lotus five pillars Lotus production models that literally put the were represented by Elan, Esprit, Elite, Elise carmaker back on track along with the Exige, and Eterne concepts which were the key at- its hard-core cousin. The new Elise will con- tractions among sports car enthusiasts. The will also get a hybrid version using a Kinetic tinue with a Toyota-sourced a turbocharged extraordinary reception from both media and Energy Recovery System similar to those seen 2.0-litre four-cylinder, but will produce a stag- aficionados just goes to show that Group Lo- in Formula One a season ago. gering 320hp through a six-speed manual tus is back on track after a long lapse from Lotus plans to revive the Esprit for the 2013 and optional paddle-shifted automatic trans- the industry. model year and the concept is an indication of mission. This supercharged model promises 0 The Elite is a four-passenger GT with a re- what it will look and feel like eventually. Taking to 100km/h in 4.3sec. Both hard and soft-top tractable, folding hardtop powered by a modi- cues from the old Esprit, the Esprit Concept models are planned. fied version of the 5.0-litre V8 out of a Lexus has a mid-ship engine configuration. Instead The sixth car on the Lotus was a compact IS-F. The unit offers 611hp which propels the of using the turbocharged four-cylinders that urban extended range electric city commuter. car to a sub-four-second 0-96km/h time and a powered the originals, the concept uses a Power comes from an electric motor that pro- top speed of 195 miles per hour. The Elite will meaty supercharged 5.0-litre V8 from the Lex- duces 72hp, the city car has the ability to run also be fitted with KERS for a quick boost of us IS-F. The two-seater will produce 620hp, from 0 to 100km/h in nine seconds with a top recovered energy. accelerate from 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds and speed of 169km/h. With a full charge of its The new Elan is slated for a debut in 2013 then blast onward to a 205-mile-per-hour top 14.8 kWh battery pack, the compact urban and is powered by a Toyota-sourced 450hp speed. The Esprit will also be fitted with KERS vehicle can travel a total of 59km until the supercharged 4.0-litre V6 engine with a sev- for a quick boost of recovered energy. charge runs out. Once the battery pack is de- en-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The package With the Eterne, Lotus takes a huge step pleted, a flex-fuel 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine offers 0 to 100km/h sprint time in just 3.5sec in a different direction. In design, the Eterne kicks in chipping around 47hp and increasing and on to a top speed of 193 mph. The car follows the profile of the Porsche Panamera, range to 496km.

28 {spotlight}} Land Rover version of the all- new Range Rover of delears prior to the show that a five- Evoque ushers in a new direction for door version was also on the way. Pow- the British off-roader brand. The debut ertrain for the Evoque will come from continues the company’s march toward Ford and the latest light-pressure turbo the softroader segment, a movement four cylinder Ecoboost 2.0-litre engine first started with the LR2/Freelander which will offer 240hp through a new and now resulting in the handsome new permanent all-wheel-drive system. three-door seen here. Earlier rumours Key options for the Evoque include suggested Land Rover would only bring Adaptive Dynamics and Magneride a three-door version of the Evoque to adaptive damping and a massive pan- market – which seemed to be supported oramic roof which makes the interior

Automan by the company’s Paris show car – but feel like a greenhouse even on the Paris take Land Rover revealed to a select group show floor.

and Rover’s first all-new product since Land Rover, like Lotus have done some shrewd thinking about outsourcing the Lthe Tata Motors takeover, the production latest powertrains for the Evoque. Renault he French car maker which now has global of the Twizy marketing will focus on the vari- drag coefficient of 0.25 which helps it get to Tambitions had several interesting cars on ous graphic treatments available. The three 50km/h from a standing start in just two sec- show. The European version of the 2011 Lati- examples were finished in graphic schemes onds and to 100km/h in 5 secs. Top speed is tude, a business-class saloon model which Re- entitled Dot Dot, Circuit and Totem, with a 180 km/h. The car will also come with kinetic nault is keen to promote as its flagship model. further nine liveries shown on the surrounding energy recovery system. The car was earlier unveiled at the Moscow displays. International Auto Show. The Latitude will be The range-extended electric hybrid Zoe available with either a 2.0-litre four-cylinder concept is what the automaker calls “a realis- engine paired with a CVT or a 2.5-litre V6 tic glimpse of the forthcoming mass-market”. mated to a six-speed automatic. As the car The Zoe is 4,100mm long model and its styling expands into other markets, it will feature suggests it could be the next Clio. an expanding lineup of engine and gearbox Previewed a few months back, the DeZir choices. concept is the first design study under the But the biggest news from Renault was that tutelage of Renault’s new chief designer, Lau- it showcased two surprises on the opening rens van den Ack- press day. Both concepts originally shown at er. The DeZir is a last year’s IAA show – a revised version of the two-seat coupe Zoë concept and the production version of the with a mid- electric powered Twizy. The Twizy, which will m o u n t e d go on sale late next year, is the third vehicle electric mo- in Renault’s Z.E. (Zero Emissions) product line tor which and looks more like a covered motorcycle with p r o d u c e s four wheels than an actual city car. It seats 147hp and two, with the passenger sitting behind the 226Nm of driver. The car is 2,320 mm long, 1,191 mm torque. The wide and stands 1,461 mm tall. The Twizy 24kW lithium-ion comes with a 18hp electric motor with 57Nm battery is good of torque. Top speed is 75 km/h, although Re- for a range of nault will be selling a version in certain coun- about 160km and tries limited to 45 km/h. Driving range of the is neatly stacked Twizy is around 97km and charging from a behind the seats. standard 220V 10A outlet takes three hours The coupe has for a full charge. Reanult says that a big part an impressive

29 {spotlight}

Rolls-Royce Mazda

ff late, Rolls-Royce has been focusing on Ocraftsmanship and bespoke editions in its line-up and as expected there was a lot of that at the show. The premium luxury British carmaker launched five special personalised versions of its line-up which included two Ghosts, a long-wheelbase Phantom, a Phan- tom Drophead Coupe and a Phantom Coupe.

Low fuel consumption, lightweight design and reduced emissions were the focus of attention on Mazda’s stand. For Europe, Mazda unveiled three new models including the facelifted Mazda2 and upgraded Mazda3 and 5. Peugeot Nissan s a strong player, the French marque was concept. Peugeot says that it has been de- Aexpected to deliver – and it did and enter- signed to be a little bit of everything — city tained in the same spirit. First off the lot was run-around, coupe and SUV— all rolled into the production version of the replacement for one car, the HR1 features electric scissor doors, the 407 and largely domestic only 607, in the a double bubble roof and LED lighting units. garb of the new Peugeot 508 saloon and its Inside, there’s a driver-focused cockpit with a estate sibling. The 508 will also be marketed head-up display, ‘stowaway’ rear seats, and an and built in China to compete with the VW Pas- innovative movement recognition system. The sat. Peugeot will offer the model with 8 differ- latter enables users to “scroll through func- ent engine tions and select issan’s hottest car, the Nissan GT-R is due configura- available settings Nfor a facelift and some power upgrades tions, with with a simple for 2012. The white car with restyled front power out- movement of the end, air-intakes, LED daytime running lamps, put rang- hand.” A 1.2-litre new diffuser and new lightweight wheels was ing from three-cylinder quietly tucked in one corner, away from the 112bhp to petrol engine glaring spotlights! Was the updated GT-R 2 0 4 b h p , pumping 110hp given its official world premiere treat in Paris? in keep- and a 37hp elec- Yes and no. Although, the car made its first ing with tric motor com- public appearance in Paris, oddly enough, Nis- its combine together to san said it wouldn’t release any information petitor, the offer propulsion until mid October as the engineering guys are VW Passat power. Like the with the car at the Nordschliefer in Germany which offers an array of 10. In 2012, the 508 other HYbrid4 models, the HR1 can operate in finalizing the upgrade package. will also get Peugeot’s 4HYbrid drive technol- EV mode, petrol mode, and four-wheel drive Meanwhile, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is ogy which features a 1.6-litre direct-injection mode. Thanks to these technology applica- pretty serious about electric revolution in mo- turbocharged engine coupled with an electric tions, the car has a combined fuel consump- tor cars. With the Nissan Leaf already creating motor on the rear axle for an all-wheel drive tion rating of 81 mpg and CO2 emissions of 80 waves, the show saw several solutions across system with a total of 197hp on tap. g/km. The young-at-heart hybrid micro-SUV the bandwidth such as the Townpod concept. Peugeot stand also aroused quite a bit of cu- concept is expected to provide a design refer- Nissan says it is a compact van concept and riosity with the unveiling of the stunning HR1 ence point for forthcoming models. bills as a “vehicle for entrepreneurs”.

30 {spotlight}}

Automan take The new regulations drawn up by the Fédération Internationale de l `Automobile Citroën (FIA) sees some downsizing and new entries in the field.

he Citroën DS3 Racing and Citroën DS3 WRC will make its competition debut during TWRC unveiled during the Paris Motorshow the 2011 season, and its aim will be to win represent two incarnations of Citroën’s sport- more world titles for Citroën. Two crews have ing capabilites. With the Citroën DS3 R3, al- been confirmed: Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena ready presented this summer, Citroën Racing and Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia. now has a range of three cars based on the flagship DS3. Citroën Racing has developed a completely new DS3 WRC car that complies with the new regulations drawn up by the Fédération Inter- nationale de l `Automobile (FIA). The 1.6-litre direct injection turbo engine has been designed and built in house by the engineers in the Versailles-Satory factory. The Citroën DS3 Ford ust as Citroen Racing is downsizing its WRC onship which begins in February with the Rally Jentry, going to the smaller DS3 shell from Sweden. the C4, Ford is doing the same with this new Fiesta WRC, replacing the Focus WRC which has been rallying since 1999. The Fiesta RS WRC competition car will form part of a new era for the world championship. The Fiesta rally car will boast four-wheel drive transmission and a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, based on the all-new Ford EcoBoost engine family, to comply with new regulations. Spe- cialist engineers from Ford and M-Sport have co-operated closely in the development of this 1.6-litre engine, with highly-respected French tuner Pipo Moteur bringing additional exper- tise to the power plant. Ford will be racing the Fiesta WRC in the 2011 World Rally Champi-

MINI INI is set on making a comeback on Martin boss David Richards. At the heart of Mthe international rally circuit. Starting this rally car is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo- in 2011, the brand will compete at selected charged engine from BMW Motorsport, which rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship complies with the new Super2000 regulations (WRC) and will go on to contest the entire put in place by the International Automobile season from 2012 onward. At Paris, MINI has Federation (FIA).Although, MINI’s 2011 en- pulled the blankets off its new WRC candidate try will be limited to just 6 rounds, Prodrive Automan take which is based on the Countryman. MINI will has plans to make cars available for privateer be aided in its efforts by a partnership with teams. It will be interesting to see how it motorsport outfit Prodrive, headed by Aston shapes up eventually.

31 {spotlight}

So end of the day how would one sum up the 2010 edition of Paris Mondial? It’s not tough to answer. Below are our observations brand wise, which we think were Hits appropriate candidates in the list of hits and misses. Misses Automan take Hits As expected Audi is on a product and aces at the right time – be it technology or green cars. But watch out, rival Audi may technology overdrive. The next level of devel- design outpace you soon opment of the e-tron concept was interesting, and so was its taken in new segments Kia’s power to surprise. Even the mun- MINI is going places with new segments [A1 and A7] dane Optima/Magentis has been metamor- and WRC racing ambitions phosed into a classy design statement with Bentley revisited and sharper CGT engineering and performance to match Nissan becoming funky and innovative at the same time Chevrolet’s new Europe specific offerings Land Rover’s new direction with the will give the brand a better presence Evoque and its 5-door sibling announcement Peugeot is proving to be a consistent player with new ideas and approaches Cadillac’s European ambitions get a cred- Lotus dazzled everyone with its pretty ible shot in the arm with the new CTS Coupe focused and ambitious future policy which in- Renault’s ambitious image makeover for and its performance variant cludes invading into new segments. Question global markets is beginning to work is: can they pull it in the long run? Despite the fire scares in the 458, the After scoring a bulls-eye with the Ghost, California with HELE technology is a consola- Maserati’s steady new product [variant] Rolls-Royce’s focus on bespoke options tion for Ferrari introductions. Way to go, when you’re in this segment or class of business If Seat really puts the new design lan- Ford’s Ecoboost technology application guage of the IBE concept into practice even in smaller cars now Domestic player Citroen is now able to convince its global credentials Volvo’s new product direction under new Hyundai’s persistent and conscientious ownership and management efforts in adding substance to its new cars Lamborghini’s Sesto Elemento design and technology study As a closely-knit automotive organisation, Infiniti’s ability to convince masses with all the brands under the Volkswagen Audi engineering and design prowess for the Lexus is a bit slow now, but will catch Group umbrella had something to say at the newly create performance IPL sub brand with the crowd sooner or later show.

Jaguar’s confidence in serving the right Mercedes-Benz with its new CLS and Misses In a sea of uncertainty and frozen wasn’t on the list here. seems to know where this luxury brand new product development, Alfa Romeo For over a year Honda has been is heading banking too much on one model, the tantalizing the masses with concepts at Guiletta only motor shows. Is Honda running out of Does Opel’s design study reflect a creative ideas? case of too little, too late? No word on Bugatti’s four door 16C Galibier Lamborghini disappointed the Not the year for Saab really masses for not suggesting a Murceilago BMW has been presenting its clean successor Toyota’s woes are beginning to slow- and green side with Efficient Dynamics down and hopefully, there will be some concepts in past motor shows. Sadly, it Is Maybach coming or going? No one better stuff in forthcoming shows

32 {spotlight}}

Audi Quattro Concept: Like a legend, Top 12 cars at the the Audi Quattro Concept has been recreat- Editor’s choice 2010 Paris Mondial ed. Reborn with cutting edge technology, it is a befitting salute to its 30-year-old heritage.

Jaguar C-X75: No one had expected this Lamborghini Sesto Elemento: This exotic-looking concept would be a befitting wonderful bundle of technology applications tribute to Jaguar’s 75th anniversary. But more probably won’t be built, and if the rumours than that it explores the outer limits of both are to be believed, quite a few styling cues performance and sustainability. will make its way on to future Lamborghinis.

Lotus Eterne: Inspired by the success of first timers such as Aston Martin and Porsche in the high-end four-door luxury coupe segment, it’s a segment worth tapping.

Kia POP : Kia’s increasing focus on striking Renault Dezir: Is this a “passionate” design and new technologies in global mod- signal of the French automaker’s new design els is becoming evident. direction? If so, we are interested to see wider applications.

Range Rover Evoque: a bold evolution and direction for the brand which is in tune with the times and future trends.

Bugatti Veyron :Because no one has to BMW 6 Coupe: Proof that controversial argue with the world’s fastest production car. styling of Chris Bangle’s era is now over.

Cadillac CTS-Coupe: Slowly and steadily, the brand is proving that it will continue to be a serious competitor in the premium market. honda jazz hybrid: becomes by far swat ibe: The IBE hints at more than just the most efficient model in the Jazz range. the Spanish firm’s electric car aspirations.

33 {First Drive}

New turf, new territory Is BMW trying to pre-empt competition by building a car in every possible niche segment with models such as the all-new Gran Turismo while not deviating from its core philosophy? Automan decides Author: Chandan B Mallik

34 {First Drive}

In 2007, BMW Group CEO Norbert Reithofer own interpretation of a saloon with intelligent that makes the GT truly unique. It’s an inter- revealed plans about several all-new models features. esting mix of something more than a car and that were to be high on the list of the auto- Before we move forward, a couple of things something less than an SUV. Take for instance maker’s business strategy for the coming de- related to the nomenclature of the 5 GT needs the front seat hip point which is about 2ins cade. In the list, besides the usual suspects to be cleared. First of all, the 5 GT is not based higher than that of a regular 5 Series, but al- and replacements models was concept model on the 5 Series as some people have misin- most 4in lower than that of an X5. This means called the Progressive Activity Sedan or PAS. terpreted it. In fact, the wheelbase and both anyone can literally slide in behind the wheel At the following year’s Geneva Motor Show, track widths are identical to those of the cur- of the GT rather than sinking down or step- the car maker indicated that it was not specu- rent generation 7 Series, with which it shares ping up to it. Behind the wheel one does get lating, but pretty serious with the idea of PAS its modular chassis. For punters, this chassis a better view of the road ahead which BMW and the first tangible evidence it provided was [internal code F01] will be used in several new tags it as a “semi-command” driving position. in the form of the 5-series Gran Turismo (GT) models within existing line-up. Meanwhile, Rest of the interior execution is typical BMW, concept vehicle at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor the GT’s 120.7in wheelbase and front and rear be it the fourth generation simplified iDrive Show. tracks are virtually identical to those of the system, black panel instruments, and optional So what was it in the GT that caught ev- short wheelbase 7 Series. But it’s three inches heads up display [from BMW’s top of the line eryone’s attention and why? To begin with, shorter overall. it’s an unlikely design study from the brand. More critically, it The concept GT’s body styling featured a curi- just over three ous mix of design elements – a crossover, a inches taller and hatchback and station wagon – all rolled into all these contrib- one. Well, if the idea was to focus on efficient ute in giving the packaging and high levels of functionality in car its distinc- a car, then why not look at a MPV, more spe- tive profile while cifically a Mercedes-Benz R Class fighter, in- maintaining the stead? Two things, it seems went against such core signature a move. According to Reithofer, products like styling. a MPV didn’t fit BMW’s image and secondly While, some M-B’s dismal performance with the ‘R’ could may argue that put any one off. Reithofer, therefore felt that the GT is a sta- the logical idea of producing a “Progressive tionwagon on Activity Sedan’ made much sense as it gave stilts, it’s the the carmaker an opportunity to introduce its interior package

35 {First Drive}

Driving impressions

We drove both versions of the GTs in and with the oddly non-linear active steering. For ensured a smooth, seamless surge of accel- around Munich, Germany. Both were shod a 2,085kg car, the GT is remarkably light on its eration. Most of the time, we noted the engine with 19in wheels and sports tyre Sport Pack- feet and remarkably agile in cornering. Most hovering around 1,600 rpm while cruising at age -- 20in wheels with sport tyres. The stan- of the time one feels like chauffeuring a 7 Se- street legal speeds. The powertrain is relaxed dard set-up uses 18in wheels on all-season ries and the one begins to feel the difference and much like the luxurious 7 Series, the GT’s tyres. One of the cars had the optional luxury when the GT is pushed through tight corners throttle, transmission and suspension calibra- rear seat package while the other had the op- and the car rolls over onto its front tyres as tions can be tuned to ‘comfort’, ‘normal’, or tional Integral Active Steering system. The ac- lateral acceleration increases. ‘sport’ modes. Even in sport mode, the GT rides tive steering system electronically varies the Of the two powerplants, the 3.0-litre direct remarkably well, feeling more coherent and steering ratio and also turns the rear wheels injection, single turbo straight six is a killer en- composed than any crossover we have driv- up to a maximum of three degrees. At low gine although it is not quite as silky smooth en till date. What we realized during the day speeds, the rear wheels are steering in the op- as old-school BMW straight sixes. Engine has long sojourn was the fact the more we drove posite direction to the front, reducing the car’s been calibrated to offer plenty of punch right the car, the more we liked it. The car seems turning circle by two feet. At high speeds, the off idle and the best part is that peak torque of to grow on you and virtually shrinks around wheels are turned in the same direction as the 300 lb-ft is available as low as 1,200 rpm and you on a winding road, yet it has an aura of a fronts to improve stability, according to BMW. remains pretty constant all the way through luxo-barge everywhere else. Although, it’s not After driving both versions, our preference 6,000 rpm. In fact, at times it felt so good that a svelte, road hugging stunner, but it surely would be for the car with the standard steer- we could happily forget that there’s a 160kg has a commanding presence on the road. But, ing. In normal driving, we felt it was more heavier, V8 powered 550i GT also available. more importantly, it’s a genuinely luxurious communicative, more organic than the car The eight-speed transmission is superb and and impressively flexible inside.

saloon]. Actually, there’s a lot of 7 Series in The long wheelbase of the 7 Series and rear seat slides 3.9in fore-aft, and will spilt fold the Gran Turismo with the exception of the heavily coupe-like roofline means there’s plen- 40:20:40. BMW wants to promote the car as gear shifter, which is located at the base of the ty of leg and headroom inside. Rear seat pas- a lifestyle model and hence offers an optional central console instead of column. sengers get an extra treat also. The standard luxury rear seat package, which also includes

36 {First Drive}

Verdict

There’s no doubt that the business of cars and variants are getting a bit complicated with each manufacturer trying to offer a niche in the line-up. Just try to remember a few years ago when the idea of a crossover was mooted – who would have thought then that the idea to build a sort-of car on a car chassis but tall almost like an SUV would turn out to be a runaway success? While many people may think of the BMW GT as a vehicle with identity crisis, we would beg to differ and argue our case on the grounds that it is actually well cut for the purpose. The purpose here being BMW performance, SUV practicality, but not at the cost of being an all-out 4x4. In the region, the 5 GT is available and we think it was sensible decision to market the car as a GT as the pre-fix numeral ‘5’ could lead to confusion in the line-up or model series. Well at first glance we need to identify and plug the car in an appropriate segment. The saf- est and closest in that respect we think would be a crossover – not in terms of architecture or fundamental engineering but because in some countries such as Europe, the GT is being clearly positioned as an alternative car for those who are against buying big, thirsty SUVs.

rear window sunshades tuner and DVD entertainment system at the and four-zone climate rear. Two powertrain set-ups are being offered control. In this option, in this model series and common to both is the rear accommodation will ZF-built eight-speed automatic transmission be for two occupants. that recently debuted on the new 760Li. Cargo space flexibility The top end 550i version uses the same is a strong point in this 400hp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 that powers the car as it can be config- 750i and the 302hp in-line turbocharged 6-cyl- ured by the user. The inder will propel the 535i. Both engines use cargo capacity can be direct injection for fuel delivery and BMW’s increased to 1,700litres Valvetronic technology for performance and with folded rear seats. efficiency. Both cars get all-wheel drive sys- Unlike most hatchbacks, tems. wagons and SUVs in the The suspension uses the same double pivot market, the GT features multi-links up front, and lightweight aluminium a variable partition be- components at the rear. The calibration has tween the cabin and the been done to suit the dynamic nature of the cargo space. In normal car, especially variants that are equipped with conditions, the partition Dynamic Drive Control with optional Adaptive and parcel shelf appears Drive. fixed like a regular car, The chassis offers the flexibility of several but when it is removed it allows access to the apanorama glass roof, telecommunication and driving modes including comfort, normal, cargo bay. And the best thing is that the de- navigation systems, a USB port, a 80 GB hard sport and sport plus modes. The best part is tachable shelf stores neatly in a compartment disc for navigation data and music collection, the reduced stability control intervention in the under cargo bay. The top end model also gets a multi-channel audio system, a DAB double sport plus setting and in the traction mode.

37 {preview}

Evolution more than a revolution Heavily inspired by the original Chargers of the 1960s, the revised for 2011 Dodge Charger gets an extensive makeover inside out

Author: Chandan B Mallik

38 {preview}

he current generation of the full-size lies both over and under the sheetmetal. by isolating powertrain, road and wind noise Dodge Charger saloon was designed From the exterior, the famous crosshair by maximizing structural stiffness of the car’s Tduring the Daimler-Chrysler era to de- grille returns and headlamps have been re- unibody to world-class levels. liver pony car excitement, style and recall a designed and placed at a slightly more ag- The incoming car, depending on the trim, bygone era. The Charger and its siblings, the gressive angle. The Charger’s side profile is will feature the new 3.6-litre Pentastar engine Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, were part now much sleeker thanks to the tighter wheel as its entry ticket. The R/T versions will con- of the trio cars engineered on an older version arches and lowered bonnet. And running front tinue with the 5.7-litre HEMI™ V8 engine with of Mercedes-Benz’ E-Class platform, but using to rear is the iconic horizontal “coke bottle” or seamless displacement on demand four-cylin- Chrysler powertrains. At the time of launch “double-diamond” body-side styling with the der mode for optimizing performance and fuel it wasn’t seen as a compromise as rehashed biggest cosmetic change at the rear, where a economy. All-wheel drive will be available in product that Daimler-Chrysler was seeking to full-width tail lamp arrangement visually links R/T trim, and the system includes a front-axle strike when it launched the range of new LX the Charger with both past Dodge models disconnect function to aid in fuel economy. full-size cars in 2005-06. But as we all know, and the company’s Dodge Challenger sibling. On the safety front, there are more than 65 it was the stylish Chrysler 300C designed by Dodge calls the tail lamps a “racetrack” graph- safety and security features, including stan- Ralph Gilles which actually stole the show put- ic when their 164 LEDs are illuminated. Below dard Keyless Enter-N-Go and Electronic Sta- ting the Dodge in somewhat behind, despite the tail lamps, new squared-off tailpipes exit bility Control (ESC) with segment-exclusive it being a useful car offering drivers and pas- a more refined-looking diffuser. Ready-alert Braking and Rainy Day Brake Sup- sengers benefits of a rear-wheel drive layout The Charger has been aerodynamically port safety system. Safety and security fea- and aggressive in-your-face looks. Despite its refined in the wind tunnel and several cues tures available for the first time on the Dodge interior space limitations, the Charger was point to this, such as the revisited lower sills Charger include adaptive-cruise control (ACC) quite successful in avoiding the anonymous and race-car-like flat underbody. While, the with forward-collision warning (FCW), blind- styling limitations in the segment. car still uses the original E-Class chassis, but it spot monitoring (BSM) with rear cross path After the separation with Daimler, now a re- has been extensively tweaked to offer world- (RCP) detection and ParkView™ rear back-up charged Chrysler LLC wants to give its Dodge class suspension-tunings with re-designed camera with grid lines. The car will be built brand motor cars the necessary boost in order geometry to help it offer a nimble and bal- at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, to help the line-up come back and be noticed. anced character. The outgoing model was Ontario, Canada. In its stable, the strongest point is the avail- moderately nose-heavy and had the tendency ability of cutting edge and flexible Pentastar to understeer. V6 engines, which it is introducing in phases The cabin has also been revisited with the in the line-up. So, it’s not surprising that the focus on premium soft-touch materials and revised for 2011 Charger takes its assigned four interior colour combinations. The car task quite seriously. Set to arrive in US show- now also integrates world-class infotainment rooms later this year and in the Middle East and convenience technologies. Sound dead- a couple of months later, the incoming model ening material has been used throughout and will be immediately recognizable from its fa- Dodge engineers claim to have tuned the cab- miliar profile and design, but the real story in for sound quality (rather than sound level)

39 MY OMANI ACTIVITY BOOK ABC & NUMBERS {preview}

India’s Tata Motors has moved into the crossover Moving up utility segment with the all-new Aria

ndia’s growing market has attracted many global coil springs and stabilizer bar at the rear. For the Indian players, but domestic automotive brands such as market, Tata will offer its 140hp 2.2-litre direct injection ITata Motors are giving even the seasoned a run for common rail (DICOR) engine with variable turbine their money. Taking advantage of the growing segments, technology mated to a newly developed close Tata Motors has introduced its first crossover seven ratio manual gearbox. seater SUV, Aria, for domestic markets. Tata has been The Aria has been extensively tested eyeing this segment for several years and at the 2005 at the Tata Motors European Technical Geneva Auto Show revealed a strikingly similar concept Centre, the company’s research codenamed ‘Xover’, which is now widely believed to be and development (R&D) outfit the Aria’s international version. in UK and also at the Engi- The seven-seater Aria has been conceived on the glob- neering Research Centre al lines of offering car like finesse and ruggedness of a (ERC) at Pune, India. SUV. It is 4,850mm long and uses a rugged frame-based Besides India, the design. The three row theatre styled seats and cabin will Aria satisfies all come wrapped in premium leather and among the con- current crash venience features are multifunctional steering and mood safety norms sensing cabin lighting, sat-nav and reverse camera. in Europe- Configured to be fitted with a range of Euro IV engines an mar- including Tata Motors’ own next generation powertrains, kets. the car offers most of the technology and conveniences that the segment offers such as traction control, climate control with personalized zones, navigation system, driver-, passenger- and side-airbags, anti-lock braking system, four wheel drive and other comfort, convenience and safety options. Sporting 17-inch wheels, the car’s superior ride-comfort and handling will be ensured by independent double wishbone coil spring suspension with a stabilizer bar in front, and a five-link suspension with

41 {Newswatch} Redefining brands in new markets At least three car brands from Europe are looking at emerging markets seriously with specific offerings. Automan takes a look at what Aston Martin, Citroën and Renault are up to

Author: Chandan B Mallik

hen we got this news alert last take chances. The common factor to both as- promoting its C3 hatchback as a DS3 premium month that Citroën and Aston Martin pirations is the market where they are keen hatch. But realizing that the Chinese buyers Whad confirmed two of their most un- to play in. To be more specific, it is the busi- are beginning to acquire taste in big chauffer likely concepts for production – the Metropolis ness potential from ‘emerging markets’ such driven motor cars, it was decided to jump start and Lagonda SUV respectively, the informa- as China and Russia that are in sight of these a production version of its Metropolis concept, tion was received with a bit of disbelief and players. At least Citroën realizes that in order which Citroën is confident will do the job. skepticism. to be successful as a premium European glob- Citroën’s CEO of Asian operations, Gre- The reason for this is understandable. Why al brand it has to completely redefine what goire Olivier, has recently confirmed that the would two established players want to jeop- its brand means for local buyers who are now company has green-lighted the Metropolis ardize their image [and possibly bottomlines] being bombarded with latest products from all concept. “The Metropolis will happen - it will in producing cars which are not really wanted over the globe. become a real car. The same styling elements in most markets they operate? Well, looking Citroën’s business strategy for China is will be used for a high-level Citroen car to be at the fine details, it now emerges there’s a based on the fact that it wants to go decid- developed in China. We want to build up the mission statement which the respective CEOs edly upmarket. And to do that that the French premier line in China - the Metropolis is em- are justifying such a move and are willing to automaker could have opted for a short cut by blematic of our approach.”

42 {Newswatch}

The 5.3m long, 2.0m wide and 1.4m tall Me- tropolis concept was based on the C6. It gets a plug-in hybrid drivetrain which that uses a 268bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 54bhp electric motor. This combination allowed the car to run on electricity alone (at low speed), on petrol alone (typical commuting), and on both together. In the latter mode, the engine and electric motor produced a combined 454hp and 430Nm of torque. Meanwhile, Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez has said at an event in Amsterdam last month that the Lagonda concept which debuted at the 2009 Geneva auto show was going to production. Bez is eyeing lucrative markets such as China, Russia and the Middle East for the future performance oriented luxury SUV. The revival of Lagonda nameplate has been on the agenda for a while and the Lag- onda Concept was created specifically to celebrate 100 years of car production under the Lagonda brand. However, the Lagonda concept received very poor reception at Geneva during its debut where it was considered ugly by both critics and the public so much so that Aston Martin Chairman David Richards put a stop to the project right away. Marek Reich- man, Aston Martin’s Director of Design, de- scribed the Aston Martin Lagonda Concept’s design language as a fusion of fluid shapes mixed with hard, constructed lines. Now, it seems that the Lagonda is a go again but, although Dr Bez didn’t offer design details, one can assume it will undergo a complete redesign. However, Dr Bez admitted that the new vehicle would likely have to be built with a production partner. The four-seat international tourer Lagonda concept was based on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class platform, and hence there’s a possibility that Aston Martin may co-develop the new Lagonda with Daim- ler and fulfil its long-term vision of bringing performance luxury into new markets and territories around the world for Aston Martin Lagonda. Although, not as extreme or elegant as above, Renault announced the debut of a new derivative based on the SM5 platform called Latitude at the 2010 Moscow Auto Show. The car is already on sale in Korea as the Samsung SM5, and it is this Korean version that will probably make it to the GCC eventually as a replacement for the Renault Safrane. The Lat- itude will be built in Russia for domestic consumption and powertrain options will range from 2.0-litre four cylinder to V6 3.5-litre with CVT and automatic transmissions.

43 {First drive}

Worthy addition Just over two months ago, the Coupe version of Cadillac CTS- badged models joined the Middle East line-up for 2010-11. Automan drives the car in Lebanon

| Author: Chandan B Mallik

44 {First drive}

he solid foundation of Cadillac’s rear- CTS Coupe is almost identical to the concept C-pillar, and a hidden B-pillar which make the wheel-drive platform CTS family started shown. It sits in an elite segment and com- car look shorter than it really is [it’s actually Teffectively with the arrival of the second petes with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, longer than the E-Class coupe, one of its key generation four-door saloon in 2003. Actu- BMW 335i coupe, Audi A5, Lexus IS 350 C and rivals]. The rear end treatment features a ally, the arrival heralded a major change for Infiniti G37 coupe. The car’s design is a break- centrally placed dual-exhaust tips [similar to a a model series that had been dependent on through despite its very close connection with Porsche] under the bumper that complements front-wheel-drive architecture for many years. the saloon. The now familiar chiseled design all of the other design elements on the car After success with the rear wheel drive CTS, from the saloon looks identical on the coupe and the tail lamps look remarkably similar to Cadillac added a high-performance version by but on closer inspection, the difference in de- the concept with a slight revision to incorpo- shoehorning a variant of the Chevrolet Cor- tailing is evident. Only the headlights, front rate the indicators and reverse lamps. vette V8 engine with manual transmission and mudguards and grille come directly from the Although it has a traditional boot, the CTS badged it as the CTS-V. Finally, Cadillac added saloon while a new sculpted bonnet and bum- Coupe also appears as a fastback at times. Also a station wagon variant and what was miss- per contribute to its more aggressive design. faster is the new windscreen which is laid at an ing in the CTS line-up was a replacement of Meanwhile, the lower front valance incorpo- angle of 62.3°, while the rear glass is nearly Cadillac’s last coupe, the Eldorado, which was rates vents for cooling the brakes. flat, making this one of the most dramatically discontinued in 2002. There’s no doubt that the design language of styled Cadillacs since the day GM Design Guru The arrival of the second generation coupe the CTS is strikingly handsome from any angle Harley Earl designed cars with tall tail fins, a was incident filled. Had the economic down- and certainly unique in the class. The angular notable example being the 1959 Eldorado. In turn not affected the automotive industry es- sheetmetal on the coupe follows Cadillac’s phi- spite of the very fast look of the coupe, the pecially in the US, the new CTS Coupe which losophy of combining art and science in a car actual drag coefficient number is high for a was penned in 2006 by Bob Munson, chief de- by borrowing cues from the Cien concept car. coupe and high in this class, just under 0.36, signer of the Cadillac CTS and presented as a Mechanically, this classic two-plus-two has the when some of the competition is down around concept in 2008 would have been introduced same wheelbase dimensions as the CTS four- 0.26. The CTS Coupe focuses more on the lux- as a 2009 production model. Although on the door saloon and this arrangement has bene- ury part of the equation in the segment and cards, the CTS coupe programme was frozen fited designers and engineers who have been very much like its saloon sibling, its follows for a full year and positive feedback from GM able to put in wider doors and create better the “more space for less money” philosophy top brass, visitors and analysts post Detroit access for rear seat occupants. In dimensions, in a stylish way. There are no traditional door Auto Show in 2008 helped fast track the proj- overall length is two inches shorter than the handles outside or inside; instead, the CTS ect. saloon, while its overall height is two inches Coupe uses touchpad type openers adapted Landing at US dealerships in 2009 as a lower. However, it is the profile where the CTS from the Chevrolet Corvette. We had liked the 2010 model and now in the Middle East, the coupe really shines with its sharp door, angled interior of the CTS saloon and couldn’t find a

45 {First drive}

Driving impressions

To get in the car one just has to softly press fer nearly 50:50 axle weight distribution front performs some of its rivals as a much better the concealed touch pad switches and then and rear and the 19in rims with fat low profile handling on road with more precise turn-in, swing open the door. Aside from the heft of asymmetric sports tyres [245/45 in the front but slightly tarnished by a tendency to under- the door and the lowered roofline, anyone and 275/40 in the rear] help in its vice like steer when exiting a corner which where we familiar with the CTS saloon will feel right at grip and composure. The stiffer suspension think the car doesn’t get any respite from the home inside this car. Although the interior is settings helped the car in its point and shoot laws of physics involving nearly 1,880kg of identical to the saloon, the car’s cabin feels handling, although one does miss the benefits mass trying to hold onto the road. Thanks to smaller due to chopped roof and sharply raked of the magnetic ride of the V-version in this the wider rear track, tail-wagging is very much windscreen. car. However, somewhat surprisingly, the chas- contained. The engine has a good note to it through sis and suspension calibration effective offsets While overall, the car offers a reasonable the twin exhausts, but it doesn’t sound quite the coupe’s extra weight [when compared to package and kit, it is not without flaws. De- as sweet as one of BMW’s inline-sixes. Actu- some of its rivals] and proved to be a non- spite its sporting character, the plain Jane ally, very few engines do and while the torque- factor in our overall first drive experience. seats are not prepared to cope with the its converter six-speed automatic is no dual- We encountered quite a lot of bumpy off- handling capability as they don’t offer enough clutch gearbox it shifts quite fast and smooth camber corners in the mountain roads in lateral support and despite the fact the steer- nevertheless as demanded. We drove the car Lebanon and were happy to note that the ing-wheel-mounted shift buttons do the job in various terrain in both sport and manual suspension competently can handle just about well, but we think column-mounted paddles modes, and the gears hold all the way until anything a road can throw at it, never getting would have been a better option if provided. redline. The benefit of the lower axle ratio unsettled even in harsh driving conditions. The It seems that the Cadillac’s steering wheel- is immediately noticeable when pulling away car’s variable-assist steering starts off lighter mounted ‘buttons’ were bolted on as an af- from standstill. What we also noted in sport and tightens up nicely once speeds increase terthought. mode that it may decide to drop a gear unex- and at no time feels overboosted. This is one pectedly. The car has been engineered to of- of the reasons why the Cadillac actually out-

Specifications

Engine: 3.6-litre V6 Transmission: 6-speed automatic with clutchless manual Max output: 304hp @ 6,400 rpm Max torque: 273 ft-lbs @ 5,200 rpm 0-96km/h: 5.8sec

46 {First drive}

valid reason not to dislike the coupe’s cabin seat legroom and cargo volume departments from a 3.6-litre displacement. In contrast, the as the layout and ergonomics are pretty much when compared with some of the leading ri- old 8.1-litre Cadillac V8 made 400 hp, or 0.8 the same as those of the saloon. The only dif- vals such as the Infiniti G37 coupe. There’s hp per cubic inch, and generated unspeakably ference is that since the cabin is a bit smaller, only one engine available in the coupe which bad fuel economy, whereas the new engine it appears busier and business-like with a mo- is the proven normally-aspirated 3.6-litre V6 can reach 27 mpg on the highway easily. The torcycle-inspired three-pod instrument cluster engine with four valves per cylinder, variable CTS Coupe is available with all-wheel drive. that combines analogue and digital readouts. valve timing and direct fuel injection also used The CTS Coupe offers a six-speed automatic Since the gauges are bathed in a very nice, in the saloon. The engine is as modern as any transmission and is also available with an Aisin crisp blue light, they are easy to see and read. other V6 engine available on the planet and six-speed manual transmission, which comes Build quality, tolerances and trim materials are it is capable of producing a whopping 1.4hp with summer performance tyres and rear- top notch. The extra footprint gives the coupe per cubic inch at engine speeds approaching wheel drive. a considerable advantage in the shoulder, rear- 7,000 rpm. This translates to healthy 304hp

Verdict Cadillac expects the CTS Coupe to lead its and refined cars as the Audi A5, BMW 335i, segment. Chasing the competition led mainly and Infiniti G37 Coupe. Although, things have by the Germans premium brands is not an changed in the industry since the Eldorado, easy task. Cadillac has taken them up on the but modern Cadillac coupes are still best challenge and has done well so far and we when cruised graciously from a luxurious des- think it’s a fairly achievable goal, consider- tination to another luxurious destination. ing this car will compete with such capable

47 {First Drive}

Walking in tandem with Giants

Perhaps more than any other model in its line-up, KIA’s Optima brings to the fore the great leaps that the brand has taken in catching up with and beating established competitors. The third generation of the Optima packs in quite a few surprises

Author: Raj Warrior | Images: Jorge Ferrari and Shakeel Al Baloushi

48 {First Drive}

49 {First Drive}

<< Optima’s design team led by Peter Shreyer involved the KIA’s Frankfurt and Irvine studios >>

KIA’s attention to detailing, jewellery, build quality and trims have genuinely metamor- phosed an ordinary point A to point B model to the top of its class. Besides the two trim levels offered, there’s also a sports pack which is more focused on styling than performance. In terms of kit, it even surpasses its own sibling, the Hyundai Sonata and can confidently lay claim in terms of image and exceptional value in one single package. By far, it is one of the breakthrough models from KIA

50 {First Drive}

f we hadn’t actually been part of the event, fice president Byung-Tae Yea said at the press visual lessening of overhangs, pronounced you could have forgiven us for falling into conference that preceded the media drive of treatment of the greenhouses and the usage Ithe same error of identity that so many lay the car in Dubai, the past few years, including of latest generation features with an inspired drivers are having nowadays. We were driving the time during the economic slump that saw overhaul of the passenger space. The sum on the road from Dubai to Oman and there so many other brands slow down on launch- total of the improvements has resulted in an was a stylish new sedan in our rearview mir- es, have seen KIA continue on its product of- entire new generation of KIA’s of which the ror. With striking LED daytime running lights fensive. The brand now has the unique dis- Optima is definitely the best example. and a fascia that even looks good from a 100 tinction of having an almost completely new For those of us who are familiar with the metres away in the mirror, the car that was product line-up and all the models in question second generation Optima, the car came following us could have been any new model have the touch of a new identity. The hand across as a rather staid, yet reasonably ca- from the European brandspace. However, like of Peter Schreyer and his design teams based pable contender in the lower to mid-segment. the car we were in and a dozen other cars on in Korea, Europe and the US is visible in cars At a pinch you opted for the Optima because it that particular road, the new face in town was as varied as the Mohave, new Sportage, new was larger than the general C-segment car at that of the third-generation Optima from KIA. Cerato and now the new Optima. The way the a price that remained C-segment in every way. KIA has in recent years been a source of car looks is just an extension of a pronounced As with its other models, KIA has chosen this many new models. Like their new regional of- design direction that involves the usage of a model generation to upgrade the model posi-

51 {First Drive}

tioning along with looking at an entirely new efits that the Optima provided, along with the trims. The top of the line is the SX model with customer segment. The car has already been benefits of the two engines – the 2.0-litre and ten-spoke, solid feel 18” alloy wheels and a launched in Oman a couple of weeks ahead of 2.4-litre – straddling the segment in such a feature pack that will make every ‘competing’ the media drive. Of course a certain degree of manner as to allow them to provide suitable car mentioned blush with shame. exclusivity was maintained due to the phased variants for various buyers. The interiors of the car have been similarly roll-out across the region and in various coun- The regional event however saw officials upgraded. No longer do we have the muted tries around the world. At the launch in Oman, use the opportunity to show us how their car plastic feel of gen-2. The newest Optima is company officials focused on the feature ben- stacked against competition. And the compe- anything but muted in its treatment of the tition they see is in the form of the triumvirate interiors. Starting from the very driver-biased of Japanese D-segment sedans – the Camry, layout of the console, to the busy environs Altima and Accord (all in the 2.4 – 2.5-litre of the four-spoke steering wheel, right to category). Now does the car really have the the welcome intrusion of the seat ventilation wherewithal to compete in that segment? controls on the centre-console (unfortunately To give Peter Schreyer and his team due not available in Oman), the cabin speaks of a credit – the Optima is just about the most really upmarket space for people who are in- distinctly styled sedan on the road today. terested in driving. If anything, KIA has made From the stance, to the signature treatment sure that the Optima aspires to almost Lexus of the grille, to the headlamp and running qualities with the lighting of the IP console, light cluster and then on to the swoosh of the the way in which the dials do their dance and greenhouse and the unique way in which the the silken wood feel on the top of the steering sedan gets an almost fastback treatment of wheel. the reardeck, you won’t mistake this car for As for the sport like appeal – let’s admit, anything else on the road, even the Sonata. with a 2.4-litre normally aspirated engine, Oddly enough, different colour combinations there is only so much sporting appeal that you with the choice of a black panoramic sunroof can start out with. The six-speed automatic make the car look different in light and dark gearbox is a major plus-point in the transmis- colours. In Oman the car will be sold with sion equation with smooth shifting comple- both the engine versions and in three levels of menting a reasonably balanced gear distribu-

52 {First Drive}

tion. With 180PS, the larger engine allows the firmed up suspension does not compensate However, to a test driver, the process of car to accelerate to 100km/h in a healthy 9.1 enough for the perceptible body roll in turns. finding fault with the car is almost like trying seconds. As for the sporty feel, it’s all there. On the other hand braking is top-of-the-line, to clutch at straws. For it is a winner in all From the leather wrapped steering wheel, to with large brake discs and assist features. respects for the brand. It achieves every goal nicely contoured seats, paddle-shifters behind On hard acceleration the engine’s sound it sets out to – like moving the KIA brand up- the steering wheel and the external combina- does manage to break through the excellent market in perception, providing an excellent tion of twin oval exhausts and large 18” discs acoustic damping. And at speeds and a hint product that feature on feature can take on – the features are there. So is the space to of cross-wind, there is just a little bit of intru- competition not just from the three large Jap- make it a family car. Rear legroom and head- sion from wind noise generated by the large anese sedans we named, but a whole host of room are good, even taking into account the mirrors. other cars that crowd the segment and brings sweep downward of the roof. The doors open If there is any concern at all – it is about with it a new feel to what buyers should ex- generously and the rear seat can accommo- how much more the buyer has to pay for this pect from the brand. As far as the product date three grown men. remarkable product. It is at this point that you goes, we have to give KIA full marks. They As for performance on the road, the car is stop to think about how much the brand has have made the Optima larger without making a quiet, composed cruiser. For the everyday moved upmarket and what the position will it seem so, packed it full of features and have run, features like key-free entry, stop/start be like 3 or 4 years in the future. Our verdict ingeniously used tried and tested engines with button and a nicely tuned infinity sound-sys- is that some increase in the price point should extremely modern gearboxes. The only reason tem add weight to the buying argument. And be factored in – in most cases you will be still we won’t see a larger 6-cylinder engine in the for a change the panoramic sunroof operates paying the price of a C-segment competitor car is because that space is already taken by on a one-touch trigger both ways, open and and getting a larger car, with better features the equally interesting Cadenza, making it su- close. Now try to match that! and an equivalent build quality. And while the perfluous. If you are in the market for a family When the car leaves the highway and en- car is still available with only one airbag as car, you should take a drive on the Optima. ters the mountain stretch, you find just why standard on the entry model, you should be We bet you’ll enjoy the car as much as we did the Optima misses out on being a sport sedan. ready to pay more for the better specced vari- and will end up buying it despite all the argu- 180 PS falls a bit short of requirement and the ants that offer two airbags. ments you have against it [see rivals box].

<< And the competition they see is in the form of the triumvirate of Japanese D-segment sedans – the Camry, Altima and Accord >>

53 {First Drive}

The third generation 2011 Kia now belongs to the region’s valuable mid-size car segment. This is a highly busy segment that’s home to several of the region’s top- selling nameplates whose offerings range from modest to potent packages. Rivals The Optima will have to face competition in several categories based on its content, packaging and pricing. The opposition list is quite wide and includes heavyweights such as Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Mazda6, Mitsubishi Galant, Ford Fusion, Dodge Avenger, Chevrolet Malibu and even cousin Hyundai Sonata.

Toyota Camry Honda Accord Mitsubishi Galant

The current Camry Although, the Optima is marginally smaller The current Galant was introduced in 2008. is in its sixth gen- than the Accord in exterior dimensions, but The Galant is offered in several distinct trim eration when it it offers more head and leg room at the rear. levels and three performance levels, provid- was introduced in The build quality of the Optima compares fa- ing the wide array of choices that mid-sizes 2007. While, emotion is vourably with the base Accord but the latter’s saloon buyers seek. The top end is a Ralliart typically less important to a Camry owner fine balance – smooth powertrain, delicate performance edition. Styling and perfor- than efficiency, for 2010, there are some mi- steering and composed road manners are mance have been the selling points. The Op- nor changes and modest power upgrades. hard to emulate. Pricing, packaging and low tima scores on style and creature comforts, Compared with the Camry, the Optima cost of ownership of the Optima can help Kia but will fall short of the Mitsu’s performance shows that mid-size saloon shoppers don’t in getting cross shop- editions. have to settle to design boredom or a lack of pers from Honda. features, but in terms of brand image, Toyota still rules the roost.

Dodge Avenger Nissan Altima Mazda6

The smallest Dodge saloon, the Avenger was The redesigned Altima goes for the throat Arguably, one of the stylish models in the introduced in 2008 as an all-new mid-size with styling and even the base models are market, the exterior design appeal of the 6 saloon that combined bold, very well-equipped. Nissan wants the driver is combined with a spacious and functional aggressive styling with in- to feel sporty and hence employed its long- interior is one of the current model’s stron- novative interior features stroke 2.5-litre four cylinder and CVT with gest selling points. Mazda’s new family face and high-levels of safety. A a responsive suspension. The Optima will is introduced with the updated model for a revised inside out Avenger have to fight tooth strong, sporty look that’s carried out in solid is on its way for 2011 and will and nail to build quality. boast of a new interior and Pentastar 3.6-litre sway Nissan V6 engines. The 2.4-litre engine has also been customers. recalibrated for efficency.

Chevrolet Malibu Ford Fusion Hyundai Sonata

Styled well for its exterior, the interior is ex- Ford has substantially upgraded the Fusion There’s definitely a case of sibling rivalry out ecuted with hard plastic, glaring panel gaps with styling, revised front and rear. Ford’s here. Although mechanically related, both and ragged mould lines indicates the period new 2.5-litre in line-4 cylinder engine has cars also offer stylish interpretations of a of GM’s cost cutting. In terms of fit and fin- been upgraded for both improved fuel econ- mid-sized saloon. However, Kia’s packaging of ish, the new Optima outclasses the American. omy and power. There’s also a hybrid in the the Optima is much better than the Sonata. However, in the mid-size car segment so pop- line-up besides a V6 [not sold in the region]. The Sonata appeals more to fleet, while the ular with families, safety rat- With revisions, the Fusion even more appeal- Kia should appeal more ings play an increasingly ing to customers eager to customers looking important factor in the for a fun-to-drive at comfort a n d decision to purchase. mid-size saloon. conve- nient The Optima offers just features. one airbag.

{Cover story} Tour de Touareg

Just introduced in the region, the second generation all-new 2011 Volkwagen Touareg is lean, mean and greener. Automan checks out the new arrival and finds it more of a technology-led revolution. | Author: Chandan B Mallik

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he completely re-developed second generation Volkswagen screen between the tach and speedo dials that is colour-coded and Touareg had its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show ear- provides additional information on infotainment and navigation func- Tlier in the year. The first generation Touareg was co-developed tions for the driver. This new screen is very sharp with vibrant colors with Audi and Porsche [all the three shared the same platform and at and provides quite a bit of information at the driver’s request. All in all, least one powertrain] and hence it was not surprising to find some the new Touareg represents a significant upgrade to what was already elements of Audi [build quality] and performance [Porsche] in the a very nice interior. Also among the other new systems in the car, the Touareg. Since the Touareg launch in 2003, the crossover SUV seg- most notable is the absence of the foot operated parking brake lever. ment has witnessed many changes as a result of several factors – Like upmarket cars, it is now electronically operated via push button. world economic crisis, new and tougher legislation related to safety, With the panaromic glass roof fad catching up in the segment, the performance and emissions among others. Besides these factors, the Touareg is also available with a large panoramic sunroof and top trim crossover segment is also getting extremely busy and crowded with version offers a radio-navigation system with a 60GB hard drive and more and more new arrivals. And Volkswagen is in no mood to give up 3D representation of buildings on its screen. its technical excellence, one of the key elements in the model’s global The bigger news, however, is in the drivetrain department. While retial success of more than 500,000 units. the car was launched with diesel and petrol powertrains plus a mild As VW has more than one crossover SUV in its line-up, the job of hybrid for Europe, for the region, till the bigger V8 version arrives next introducing engineering upgrades and content changes actually began year, an optimised version of the current V6 FSI engine will continue to in the smaller Tiguan. As the investment proved to be a successful, in a serve the model series. Compared to the set-up of the previous model, way it prompted VW to carry forward the experience into the Touareg this entry level engine and gets several tweaks largely to help improve line-up for its second innings. emissions and fuel economy. It also gets new fuel management, a new Much like its predecessor, the incoming unibody constructed five- fluid honing process, new piston rings and lightweight forged pistons seater Touareg sits somewhere between mid-size and large SUVs, but round out the changes to the venerable narrow-angle engine. The ul- it carries its bulk well. From the design perspective it retains its profile tra smooth 24-valve six-cylinder unit develops 280hp and a maximum and elegant proportions despite a marginal increase in dimensions. torque of 360Nm. The calibration is designed to offer constant power VW’s new corporate design language plays well on the Touareg with a between 3,000 and 4,000rpm [the working range]. Peak power arrives more squared off look, and manages to cover most of the dimensional at 6,200 rpm. changes quite well. Overall length is up 1.5 inches, all of that within Realising that an engine upgrade by itself wouldn’t be able to sat- the wheelbase, and width is up half an inch, although height is down isfy the performance requirements, two more cogs have been added a half an inch. A corporate grille now adorns the car, paired with flush to the six-speed gearbox. The eight-speed automatic transmission is fit trapezoidal cluster headlamps with LED daytime running lights and designed to cope with engine torques of up to 850Nm [the Touareg wrapping up the profile are the bumpers with shorter overhangs and line-up also has high torque producing diesels] and one of the benefits improved arrival and departure angles. is that due to the additional gear levels, gearing spread between first From the exterior or interior it’s hard to believe that the SUV has and eighth gears a 20 per cent larger and the result of this is that it al- been put on a rigid diet plan where it has almost shed 10 per cent of its lows the engine to operate with even greater efficiency over all speed weight depending on the variant. The entry level V6 powered Touareg ranges, making them both more fuel efficient and responsive. Mean- is lighter by 208kg and that’s not to suggest that weight losses were while, the top two cogs also act as engine speed-reducing overdrive effected by random measures. Actually, the job has been done with gears. At 9.9 l/100 km, the V6 consumes 2.5 litres less now than the the finesse of a plastic surgeon where for example the weight of the previous version, while the combined fuel consumption is equivalent body-in-white has been reduced by five per cent to 398kg. to CO2 emissions of 236 g/km - 60 g/km less than before. The V6 FSI Inside the cabin, the revised interior appears classy and more func- version has a top speed of 228 km/h and accelerates from standstill to tional. Whereas the last-generation Touareg felt a bit cramped inside, 100 km/h in respectable 7.8 sec. the occupants benefit from the extended wheelbase, particularly those As a dual purpose vehicle, there are some changes in the car’s run- in the rear. The redesigned seats are more contoured, body hugging ning gear. Volkswagen seems to have applied the philosophy of ‘differ- with adequate bolstering and extra leg room in the rear is markedly ent strokes for different folks’ in deciding the overall packaging for the improved. The rear seat can also be adjusted now and so can the variants. The base Touareg [our test vehicle] was kitted with 4Motion backrests. For convenience, the rear seat can be unlatched at the all-wheel with a torsen differential, same as used in the Audi Q7. VW press of a button and when flat folded it creates 1,642 litres of cargo says it will continue to offer the older 4xMotion system with low-range space. As before, a space saver tyre comes with an electric air com- gear reduction and locking centre and rear differential as an option as pressor neatly tucked in the boot. it is better suited for higher spec variants kitted with adjustable air- The influence of Audi doesn’t go unnoticed, be it trims or build suspension. The logic for these options is understandable: the removal quality or materials or tolerances. New climate controls appear to be of the 4xMotion and air suspension, which the majority of Touareg borrowed from the Audi Q7 bin and a new eight-inch RDS-810 touch owners probably will really never need, has helped shave a substantial screen provides the much expected upgrade to the navigation and en- 75kg of weight off the vehicle and also reduce drivetrain losses. Mean- tertainment set-up. Volkswagen has added a seven-inch TFT full-color while, the dial an off-road driving programme can be activated via the

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<< What`s In What`s Out>>

rotary button and doing so also involves ABS, and 1,676mm in the rear. Models with 4MO- corners. VW’s new Touareg active and passive EDS, ASR. The active system also activates TION all-wheel drive system and rear limited- safety measures, and support kit are top notch Hill Descent Assist and adjusts the automatic slip Torsen differential offer 40:60 distribution for the class. The effort begins with stiffening gearshift points on demand. of powere between the front and rear axles. of the bodyshell by five per cent, introduction As expected in the flab reduction exercise, The steering of the new Touareg uses hydrau- of number of electronic driving aids from lane the Touareg extensively uses aluminium in its lic rack-and-pinion with variable ratios. The departure systems to cruise distance control double wishbone suspension, which has also ratio is more directly configured across the systems besides 360° degrees views from helped in reducing the unsprung mass of the entire steering stroke compared to the previ- strategically mounted cameras and an array vehicle. The increased track widths compared ous model. Safety in crossover SUVs is an area of nine air bags. to the previous model are 1,656mm in front that no carmaker would want to avoid or cut

<< What`s In What`s Out >> << What`s In What`s Out >>

rotary button and doing so also involves ABS, EDS, ASR. The active system also activates Hill Descent Assist and adjusts the automatic gearshift points on demand. As expected in the flab reduction -ex ercise, the Touareg extensively uses aluminium in its double wishbone suspension, which has also helped in reducing the unsprung mass of the vehicle. The increased track widths compared to the previous model are 1,656mm in front and 1,676mm in the rear.

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<< VW Touareg also has an “Off-road driving programme”, which - at the press of a button - tunes the ABS, EDS and ASR for off-road duty, activates Hill Descent Assist and adjusts the automatic gearshift points >>

Driving impressions

The first drive impressions of this car we scope for deviation. However, this doesn’t it would affect the general composure of the would frankly admit was carried out very mean that we weren’t able to extract 100 per outgoing model. Here we encountered our much in controlled conditions in an around the cent information from the car, but in that time first disappointment: it seem since a lot of new Banyan Wadi Resort in Ras Al Khaimah in frame, a score of 70 per cent would be con- work has gone in increasing torsional rigidity, UAE. The whole exercise which lasted a couple sidered fair. the car is as composed as before. of hours was part of the Middle East media One of our initial missions was to detect any On the move, the first thing to be noticed is launch-cum-drive programme. Both on- and after effects of weight reduction in the over- how effortless the whole experience was, part off-road driving was done in convoy fashion all performance of the car. The car has shed thanks to the better power-to-weight ratio. and strictly under supervision with hardly any around 208kg and we initially suspected that The new transmission is super smooth with its

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gear changes, and the computers seem smart automatic seems to know this isn’t a big en- but one doesn’t mistake that for anything soft enough to choose the best gear at all times. gine and where the power lies, and it quickly or wallowy. Since it rolls on 17in wheels and The spread of ratios also meant that the en- shifts to the appropriate gear. As always, the 235/65 VR rated sports tyres, the comfort gine actually has to work less and we noted sport mode quickens shift response for more level it endowed in the V6 with a gentler ride that at about 2,200rpm we were lazily cruising enthusiastic driving styles. The lighter stan- than some bigger-rimmed competitors was at 130km/h on the highway. The eight-speed dard suspension has been tuned for comfort, impressive. The steering’s feedback is pretty

<< Hybrid Touareg

The VW Touareg will also be the first and only 174-pound high-capacity nickel metal hydride off-roader in Europe by a German car maker battery consisting of 240 individual cells resid- to be available in a hybrid version too. It sets ing in the spare tyre well. That change means standards among fully off-road capable SUVs the hybrid rides on run-flat tires, which are with petrol engines that have a fuel consump- also designed for low rolling resistance. Ad- tion value of just 8.2 litres fuel per 100 kilome- ditionally, the hybrid uses an electro-hydraulic tres. The Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid can be steering system and a regenerative braking driven up to 50 km/h in purely electric mode - system that can re-charge the batteries during emissions-free. The hybrid module is integrat- braking to further increase efficiencies. ed between a supercharged 328hp 3.0-litre The hybrid system permits the Touareg to V6 petrol engine and the new eight-speed au- be driven purely on electric power without the tomatic transmission. The system integrates combustion engine up to 50km/h. In practice a dry clutch mechanism as well as a 51hp this works, however the Touareg is neither electric motor to boost the supercharged V6, small nor light and if you want to keep up with which is borrowed from Audi’s S4. To make it quick-moving traffic, you’ll need to press the compatible with the hybrid setup, the air con- accelerator down often enough to activate the ditioning compressor and water pump have gasoline engine. The hybrid also has an ac- been replaced by electrically-driven units. The celeration “boost” mode that permits you to hybrid module delivers a maximum of 221 lb- take advantage of the full power of the engine ft of torque. Unique to this system is a clutch and the full power of the hybrid drivetrain re- mechanism that permits the car to shut down sulting in the potential to tap into 374hp and the engine any time you are coasting at speed a healthy 427 lb-ft. of torque. No firm plans but keeps the hybrid drivetrain running to sup- have been announced for this version in the plement power needs. Electricity is stored in a region.

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Touareg’s with standard steel suspension and 4MOTION produces an approach angle of 22°; the rear scores points with a 23° departure angle. With the 4XMOTION, these values increase to 26°each. It gets even more extreme in air suspension versions: In the 4MOTION version, the values are 24° and 25°. The combination of air suspension and 4XMOTION produces the maximum angle of 33°, front and rear.

<< The new Touareg is flatter around curves, tighter in the steering rack and with less dive and controlled chassis >>

accurate for a car that weighs close to two drive, air-suspension and capable of doing 45° With the 4XMOTION system, it is also possible tones. Although it responds to driver input gradient climbs demonstrated that it had no to deactivate ESP and on vehicles with air sus- quickly, it still lacks the razor sharpness of issues with some serious dune bashing. The pension, the “Lock” switch can also prevent say the BMW X5 or Caynenne. Off-road, with 280hp V6 engine seems quite capable of en- unwanted lowering of the vehicle from the off- deflated tyres and off-road settings activated, during whatever is thrown at it. Interestingly, road level to the normal level by locking the the car comfortably does soft dune duties on both the 4MOTION and 4XMOTION drive system at 70km/h. without any fuss. Our accompanying higher systems, it is possible to manually deactivate spec variants with the 4xMOTION all-wheel the Stop-Start system during off-road driving.

<< Hybrid Touareg

Key highlights

1. Technically, the Touareg Hybrid is a full eight-speed automatic with a disc-shaped hybrid, capable of traveling up to 1.6km electric motor mounted internally. Electric and at speeds of up to 48km/h in all-electric energy is stored in 155 pounds worth of drive mode. nickel metal hydride battery pack stored 2. The Hybrid powerplant marries an Audi- under the rear cargo floor. built, supercharged 3.0-litre V6 and an

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{Cover story}

Specifications

2011 Volkswagen Touareg

Engine: 3.6-litre V6 FSI Transmission: 8-speed automatic Max output: 280hp @6,200rpm Max torque: 265 lb-ft @ 3,000rpm Dimensions l/w/h: 188.8/ 76.4/ 68.2in

CM Verdict MY CY

The 2011 Touareg is significant in the bigger CMY picture for the Volkswagen Group as it shows K VW is serious in its commitment to build an even better product, while improving fuel economy at the same time. The incoming car is a major step up where significant weight and performance improvements are most significant. Like a matured personal trainer, the second generation Touareg has grown up and matured into a leaner, more athletic, more focused machine with vast improvements that everyone can benefit from. Prices range indicated are in the range of R0 14,000 to RO 17,000.

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CMY

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On a road less Travelled

After lifting the 28-year-old ban on two-wheelers recently, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has re-opened its doors for motorcycling. Harley-Davidson let us discover this fascinating destination with its 2011 line-up of motorcycles as part of its first ‘Freedom Tour’ in the country.

| Author: Chandan B Mallik| Photographs: Adrian Wroth

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satin-chrome engine and primary drive covers. fed frequently]. At the first fuel stop at Potash, Meanwhile, some improvements have been The six-speed transmission features a new I parted with the Fat Boy and took charge of made to the switchgear, which looks same as helical-cut fifth gear for smooth operation. a Heritage Softail Classic with all the bells and before from the outside but uses electronic The bike is packaged exceptionally well and it whistles. Although, this bike is designed as relays instead of older mechanical contacts. is rider friendly as well being a powerful long a grand tourer, I personally felt its handling The engine and gearbox is the same as in the haul cruiser. was a bit tighter than the perfectly balanced Fat Boy and the addition of ABS in braking has The ride from the new dealership past Dead Fat Boy. The bike has raised handlebars and made a world of difference now, especially in Sea to Dilagha junction was about 200km with guys like me have to stretch both arm and leg mountain roads where a rider would not want two fuel stops for the Sportsters [which have to get a good riding position. The seat base to shift the weight of this machine drastically. 8-litre fuel tanks and like children had to be is also wide and more suited to bigger fellas. As a long distance cruiser, this is a nice bike

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with detachable windscreen. The handling nervousness over gravel road surfaces. From and overall performance was a shade below handling perspective, it wasn’t to my liking. the Fat Boy. But it seems a lot has changed in two years At the second stop and coffee break at with this premium touring model. First is Bier Mathkour, I got the majestic Street the involvement of Harley’s Custom Vehicle Glide. Brightly painted in two-tone metallic Operations (CVO) division which takes a colours with individual air-brushed graphics standard model and retrofits them with extra [as opposed to mass vinyl stickering], there’s chrome, custom paint, loads of accessories, definitely a class appeal about this model and special Screamin’ Eagle high-performance and what strikes you immediately is its poise powerplants to create the pinnacle of Harley’s and detailing. My first impressions with the lineup. CVO now calls the shots and defines Street Glide in 2008 during the Egypt ride the ultimate vision of Harley-Davidson styling, with H-D were somewhat mixed. I remember features and performance. In that respect, the its harsh ride, front heavy handling and its 2011 Street Glide lives up to the expectations

and for me personally, I was impressed the great, the cruise control holds steady speeds, way the earlier niggles has been done away and the self-cancelling turn signals performed with. As an urban classic, the Street Glide is flawlessly. The Street Glide was one of my one fine performer with its outbored 1,690cc favourite models on the trip that ratchets up engine, refined suspension and ABS. The the performance, finish quality and luxury car-like cockpit is a pleasant place to watch items to give it even greater appeal. the odometer roll up in front of you and Post lunch the drive to Petra was relatively the seven-inch tinted windscreen from the short at 70km and in a way I was pleased Electra Glide provides better protection while because not that I was riding the Sportster still offering a suitably sporty style. A very XR1200, but because I was able to get rid of neutral riding position [thanks to the lowered it soon enough! Out of all the bikes ridden seating] helps the rider feel fully in control during the two-day event, the XR1200 turned and comfortable. The audio system sounds out to be the most unlikely H-D member

and I have a couple of pretty good reasons at your command. The chassis is extremely of saying so. Although, from the styling agile and allows the riders to lean heavily in perspective it closely resembles the family curves. The bike loves left hand curves more order, on closer inspection the difference in as both exhaust pipes are located on the right details emerge. The XR1200 was introduced hand side and in an upswept arrangement. in 2009 as a new addition, it was reminiscent This bike is more of a Buell sportsbike than a of the famous XR750 flat track motorcycles laid back Harley in its genes. And the mountain ridden none other than daredevil stunt rider roads with aggressive curves on the way up Evel Knievel. With a background like that, it’s and tight hairpin bends downhill, showed me not surpising that the fuel tank itself looks that I’ve can improve my riding skills, since derived from the XR750 and is painted in the XR1200 had way more ability than I did classic retro Harley fashion. Riding position is to negotiate the fast and furious curves. Most upright with the pegs underneath you to the of the agile handling has to do with chassis rear and your arms fully extended if you are and suspension design. The Showa inverted six footer or taller. front forks did their job exceptionally well by The XR1200 has snappy acceleration absorbing bumps, while offering solid control through the five gears and the exhaust note is in tight turns. And that superlight-but-rigid distinct and insistent as the bike leaps forward rear swingarm and twin preload adjustable

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rear shocks also contributed. The swingarm is cast-aluminium [like sports bikes and is 40 per cent stiffer than the steel version] and 3.3 pounds lighter, which makes a big difference in unsprung weight and, therefore, handling. For short rides, this is a blast, but for longer periods, the drawbacks in ergonomics show up. It’s not a comfortable bike and that’s why I was happy to part with its company. My personal ride at home is a 1200 C Custom and any new derivative arriving in the Sportster family arouses more than a passing interest. The first time I saw the Forty-Eight I initially felt that this bike had sacrificed comfort for the sake of art. The bike gets the air-cooled Evolution 1200 engine mated to five-speed transmission. I think Sportster fans [me included] will most likely be attracted by the radical new stylistic approach. Rather than sporting its family dress code, it comes with low profile custom handlebar with under-mounted mirrors, a

shorty-style front mudguard and a cut-down rear one, both being wrapped around 16in fat, 150-section tyres. The bike is designed for solo riding and I liked the seat position which stands at only 26in from the ground. The bike looks mean, thanks to a multitude of blacked-out components. The latest Sportster 1200 qualifies as an entry-level H-D with high-end finishing touches and H-D offers an abundance of options for upgrading, including a pillion seat kit. The main question here is: how does it feel? The handlebar’s mild forward placing puts the rider into sporty, aggressive stance, offering good steering leverage, yet the position wasn’t so sporting as to feel uncomfortable – there’s a nice compromise here! The bike has spirited acceleration and was especially grunty off the bottom with its classic, big Twin torque response. This bottom end-biased power proved great for quick launches from stoplights and occasionally

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lighting up the rear tyre. Despite a fat 130/90 x 16 front tyre, steering effort was much lighter than expected. The bike’s steering geometry is marginally milder than that of, say the Nightster. The brakes were a bit on the spongy side in the first half of lever travel, but the single caliper/rotor set up ultimately provide adequate stopping force, and feel improved in the latter half of lever travel. If I were to replace my Sportster 1200C Custom, I could go for the re-introduced Softail Deluxe. This bike has the exact temperament and kit that makes it a worthy successor for riders like me who are generally considered conservative and not flashy. I would not hesitate to rate the Softail Deluxe as one of my favourites alongside the Fat Boy Lo. First, it has got standalone styling and detailing which breaks the sometimes seemingly insignificant intra-family monotony. I took this epic 128km ride from Petra to Aqaba and discovered a few things on the way. Most importantly, I had a fantastic, relaxing time and although we had been riding most of the day I wasn’t concerned with how long it was taking or how fast I was going. I didn’t worry

about anyone else on the road [there’s not bars come back to you and the floorboards for its success among first-time Harley buyers much traffic on Jordan except when entering aren’t too distant. The wonderfully torquey and women riders in the past few years. Aqaba]. Like the Fat Boy Lo, the handling on 1,584cc Twin Cam 96B V-Twin and six-speed Technically, the SuperLow is an all-new model the Deluxe suited me fine. I particularly liked transmission play their respective roles in which is based on the low-rider theme, but its composed nature, attitude in the turns and perfect harmony to ensure that you’re traveling checks in with new suspension calibrations on the highway, the front end staying on line. in exactly the right rev range. Acceleration is front and rear, new wheel and tyres sizes, new The weak link in the pretty impressive too, up to about 100km/h. fork and petrol tank, even a new and better- This bike practically drives itself and isn’t padded solo seat. Although, this bike was with about how soon you arrive rather it’s about us during the whole tour, it’s more of an urban not wanting the ride to end. Among the commute than a long distance hauler. There nine bikes driven, I think it had the best are two reasons for this – it’s has very low clutch and braking for a stock H-D. ground clearance [even the smallest speed It’s no secret that H-D gave the breaker scrapes the underchassis] and its Sportster-based Low a complete makeover driving range is limited due to a small capacity for 2011 to improve its suspension for fuel tank. On the handling front, it’s not shy a softer, more compliant ride, while and readily joins in with its siblings. It’s pretty maintaining the low seat height of 25.3in, impressive as H-D’s second lowest price point which is same as on the current 2010 model. edition. But the new model’s chassis is so During the presentation, it came as a bit improved that the revised bike deserves of a surprise to learn that Harley-Davidson’s drive, I felt was in a new name. Enter the SuperLow for 2011. best-selling bike globally, in fact is the Electra the rear suspension which seemed to suffer At first glance, the SuperLow appears pretty Glide Ultra Classic. The upgraded model from hydraulic lock on potholes. The seating much similar to the same low-to-the-ground confidently approaches CVO levels of opulence position is both relaxing and effective, as the model which H-D says is one of the reasons and detailing. The centre piece is the Twin

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Cam 1,690cc engine [formerly part of the CVO line for 2010 and now exclusive to this model]. We all remember that the current Ultra Classic Electra Glide was decently equipped with modcons such as cruise control, Harman/Kardon audio system, adjustable wind deflectors and vented fairing lowers. All those accoutrements remain and the new Limited adds a new benchmark level of kit. Meanwhile, H-D’s Tour-Pak luggage also receives upgrades -- a full-size rack adorns the large top- case, and inside is a 12v power supply to go along with the accessory plug located in the fairing’s console. On road, the Ultra Limited feels like an open top luxury convertible. It’s an effortless cruiser, with mellow vibes coming from the rubber-mount engine and smooth tunes pouring from the powerful stereo. Although, bikes in this category aren’t generally known for their handling qualities, the stiffer frame H-D introduced last year is definitely a revelation. The previous tendency just 3.0in of travel and the ABS-equipped Brembos slowed the big rig surely and effectively. At Wadi Rum, we got the opportunity to check out the TriGlide, H-D’s ultimate touring three-wheeler, its first factory built three-wheeler. Most of the time on-road we were following the trike, but its performance off-road while approaching the flats at Wadi Rum was simply overwhelming. Now, we are not suggesting that this is an ultimate off-roader. It hasn’t been designed to do that, despite the fact it has a robust tubular chassis and big and broad wheels with decent rear track. The Tri Glide’s engine is marginally larger than the Ultra Classic’s Twin Cam 96 and it also uses a heavy-duty clutch with a differential rear end. It has a set of 15in and dual disc brakes out back to go along with a 16in wheel up front. The ergonomics on the TriGlide really spoil you. It has large floorboards, laid back reach to the bars, big comfy seat and the controls have the same lever effort as in the Ultra. A parking brake and electric reverse gear is also included as standard kit. Riding this trike evokes memories of a three-wheeler rickshaw or Tuk Tuk. The key difference is this one is more powerful in torque deliver, pretty fast in acceleration and quite composed on road. Coming straight off a motorcycle, it takes a while to become confident to wallow when hitting a bump in the middle of a corner is long gone, in a trike’s front end as the steering feel is different and you have to and it did offer a confident use of fairly generous ground clearance learn to manouevre the vehicle instead of using body weight to turn it! and decent grip from new dual-compound tyres. On the suspension The first time it feels as if it wants to drift away, but using ATV-riding front, the air-adjustable rear shocks do a fine job considering they have techniques, one mastered its handling in just a few minutes.

<< Harley-Davidson appropriately branded the first official media ride in newly opened territory of Jordan as the “Freedom Tour”. It’s more than just a symbolic motorcycling riding event >>

70 {Motorcycle news} Out of ecession Despite the global economic downturn holding the motorcycle industry in a tight grip, the INTERMOT 2010 in Cologne last month had some facesavers

ike motor car shows around the world, the effects of the economic downturn Lhas also filtered in to the ranks of the two-wheeler industry. Last year, the main venues – Tokyo, Milan saw significant players dropping out, but at least there’s some sign of recovery at this year’s INTERMOT in Cologne. While the number of new reveals or concepts has dwindled in numbers due to frozen development budgets, the focus is clearly on sustainability. Even with these limitations, there were still some bright lights shining at the show. Most spectacular among the stars was BMW’s super-tourer in its two forms, the K1600GT and K1600GTL. Of the four large Japanese manufacturers, Kawasaki and Suzuki introduced meaningfully new models, Kawa- saki with its ZX-10R, Ninja 1000, the Z750S, Vulcans and W800 retro-bike, and Suzuki with its GSX-R600, GSX-R750 and GSR750. Honda and Yamaha were conservative and just displayed new colour schemes to their basically mechanically unchanged 2010 models. Meanwhile, Triumph released the updated Speed Triple with new styling, lighter weight and more power, plus a special version of the Thunderbird cruiser called the Storm with moody black paint and an upsized 1,700cc engine. KTM appeared with the production version of the baby 125 Duke and RC8 R Track. At EICMA in 2009, KTM had unveiled the small but very attractive concept bike, a 125cc supermoto conceived for those with a taste for spirited riding. This little zapper will be built by Bajaj at its Chakan plant in India to keep the price down. Of the Italians, only Ducati and the Piag- gio Group were represented, both introducing updated versions of their respective su- perbikes: Ducati its 1198 and Aprilia with a special RSV4. We think there’s more to come, at next month’s EICMA show in Milan. Watch this space for more news.

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Alonso wins in Korea, double DNF for Red Bull

errari’s Fernando Alonso scored one of wall in Turn 13 on the 19th lap, collecting Ros- keeping a badly worn right front intermediate the biggest wins of his career in a rain- berg. Out came the safety car again until Lap tyre alive, and was 14.9s adrift as a delighted Faffected Korean Grand Prix on Sunday 24, whereupon Vettel resumed control ahead Alonso took his fifth win of the year and his afternoon, and a day of total disaster saw of Alonso and Hamilton. After their pit stops 26th overall. The day was also a disaster for neither Red Bull driver finish. Mark Webber between Laps 31 and 32, Hamilton jumped the fifth title contender Jenson Button, who crashed out early while running second, and Alonso for second as the Spaniard had a mi- lacked Hamilton’s pace as he suffered brake Sebastian Vettel’s engine blew up as he was nor delay due to arriving slightly sideways and problems and was taken off the road at one leading on the 46th lap. making it difficult for mechanics to reach the stage by Force India’s Adrian Sutil, who was The result puts Alonso into an 11-point right front wheel, but they were racing under involved in five other incidents in an adven- championship lead over Webber, 231 to 220, the safety car again after Toro Rosso’s Sebas- turous afternoon. Button’s McLaren sustained with just two races left. tien Buemi had taken out Virgin’s Timo Glock some damage, and that and his brake prob- As dusk fell and the race was just com- on the 31st under braking for Turn Three. As lems limited him to a 12th place finish. With pleted before the two-hour cut-off point, what racing resumed on the 35th lap, Hamilton ran 189 points he is almost out of the title fight. had begun as impending disaster for Korean wide in Turn One as his front wheels were Felipe Massa made it a great day for Fer- race organisers turned instead into a brilliant locking, handing second back to Alonso. And rari and boosted their once flagging hopes triumph. But it was edgy. After the rain got that’s how it seemed likely to stay as Vettel in the constructors’ championship, by taking heavier just before the start, the race was red- built a lead of 2.7s by Lap 41. But then Alonso a distant third place ahead of Michael Schu- flagged after just two laps had been run be- and Hamilton began to move in, and going macher, who had his best race of the year to hind the safety car. That led to a lengthy delay into Turn One on Lap 46 the Ferrari dived fourth place in the second Mercedes. Red Bull until it was resumed as conditions got mar- inside the Red Bull to take the lead. On the still lead that, with 426 points, but McLaren ginally better, but after the restart at 16.05 exit to the corner Vettel’s engine blew, and as now have 399 and Ferrari are back in the the safety car continued to lead the field for Mark Webber breathed a sigh of some relief, hunt with 374. The race was also a disaster another 15 laps before racing finally began on Red Bull had their head in their hands. for Williams, who had Rubens Barrichello and the 18th. Now it was Alonso’s race to lose, but though Nico Hulkenberg running fifth and sixth with Vettel sprinted into the lead from Webber Hamilton gave it everything he had, annihilat- five laps to go, but then the latter had to pit with Alonso third and Mercedes GP’s Nico ing the Ferrari in the first two sectors, Alonso for fresh tyres on Lap 51, and the former got Rosberg deposing McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton was able to make it all back in the final one. sideways and lost places to Renault’s Robert for fourth. But then Webber spun and hit the Towards the end Hamilton dropped back, Kubica and Tonio Liuzzi on Lap 52. The Brazil-

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ian’s moment ruined the Italian’s chances of fighting the Pole, on whom he had been clos- Vettel heads Red Bull one-two ing in his Force India after a superb drive, but sixth place was a great fillip for a man who is in Japan frequently underrated. Barrichello recovered to take seventh, ahead of the BMW Saubers of Kamui Kobayashi and Nick Heidfeld, and Hulkenberg recovered to snatch the final point from Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersuari on the last lap. Force India thus have 68 points, with Williams right behind on 65. Behind Button, Lotus’s Heikki Kovalainen survived a bruising race, having initially fought Glock’s speedy Virgin until Buemi tapped him into a spin. His was the first new team car home, in a valuable 13th place, ahead of the HRTs of Bruno Senna (who was hit early on by Jarno Trulli’s Lotus) and Sakon Yamamoto. Sutil was the first non-finisher, having spun on Lap 29, then had incidents with Button and Kobayashi, run wide in Turn One and lost a place to Alguersuari, then hit Kobayashi and brought about his own retirement on the 47th lap with damaged front suspension. Behind Vettel, Vitaly Petrov went off in a sizeable accident on the 40th lap, trashing another Renault R30, while Glock looked a likely new team winner until Buemi’s assault eliminat- ed them both. With Di Grassi getting short- braked by an HRT and crashing into a tyre wall, what at one time looked like a promising race for Virgin as Glock ran 13th early on soon became a major disappointment. The world championship fight is still raging, s expected, nobody could hold a candle en’s 381 and Ferrari’s 334. The race began but now the odds are beginning to swing in Ato the Red Bulls in Suzuka as Sebastian with a bang - several of them, actually. Vitaly Ferrari’s favour. Vettel led home team mate Mark Webber by Petrov didn’t quite clear slow-starting Nico nine-tenths of a second in a gripping race in Hulkenberg as they raced off the line, and the which the five title contenders finished in the Renault was pitched into the wall to the left top five places. Vettel’s third triumph of the as he cut across the Williams. Then in the first season, and Fernando Alonso’s third place for corner Ferrari’s Felipe Massa made a wild run Ferrari, 1.8s behind Webber, moves the Ger- down the inside of Hulkenberg, before spearing man into joint second place with the Spaniard, across the road to crash into and take off very each on 206 points, as Webber moved out to fast-starting Force India of Vitantonio Liuzzi on 220 to extend his lead to 14. Jenson Button’s the outside of Turn One. Hulkenberg was also bold decision to qualify on the harder Bridge- involved, so at a stroke four cars joined non- stone tyre paid off with fourth place, after the starter Lucas di Grassi, who had a huge shunt Briton had run longer before pitting than his in 130R in his Virgin during his out lap on the main rivals and led from Lap 26 until his stop way to the grid. Then, while the safety car on Lap 38. But fortune favoured him as he was controlled the race for the first six laps, Rob- able to catch and pass McLaren team mate ert Kubica’s brilliant start to run second, ahead Lewis Hamilton when the latter’s MP4-25 lost of Webber, came to naught when he dropped third gear around the 40-lap mark. Hamilton out at the hairpin on the second lap when his finished fifth and lies fourth overall with 192 Renault threw its right-rear wheel. Apart from points, Button fifth with 189. Button’s intervention due to McLaren’s differ- In the constructors’ stakes Red Bull moved ent strategy, Vettel had complete control of even further ahead, with 426 points to McLar- the race, keeping Webber’s challenge under

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control as the Australian in turn kept Alonso at bay. The two McLarens ran close behind Alonso claims Singaporew them, and until Hamilton’s transmission problem the five title contenders were all closing up for what seemed like a dramatic finish. As Hamilton slowed, however, he let Button by at the Hairpin. Michael Schumacher inherited sixth place from Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg, who stopped early because of an accident damage- induced pit stop and then lost the left-rear wheel on the 48th lap. The two of them had been battling, nose to tail, for many laps. One of the heroes of the race was BMW Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi, who did his usual energetic overtaking, mainly in the Hairpin, pit-stopped late, then caught and passed team mate Nick Heidfeld to take seventh ahead of the German despite sustaining damage wheel-rubbing his way past Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersuari. Heidfeld finished eighth, making it a fruitful day for BMW Sauber, having just fended off Rubens Barrichello’s Williams. Tenth seemed destined for Adrian Sutil until his Force India blew its Mercedes engine ernando Alonso scored his fourth win of soft-compound Bridgestone tyres to the more on Lap 44; he half spun in 130R on his way Fthe season in Singapore after a dramatic durable hard rubber, hoping to avoid stopping back to the pits. Thus Sebastien Buemi came battle with Sebastian Vettel that saw them fin- again. The Australian was followed by a host through for the final point after Toro Rosso ish only two-tenths of a second apart after a of midfield runners all hoping for similar stra- team mate Alguersuari had to make a late pit race-long fight. tegic fortune. By the time racing resumed on stop. The Spaniard finished 11th, ahead of A slow-burn event finally exploded into life the sixth lap, Webber was already back up to Heikki Kovalainen who led Jarno Trulli home just past half distance when following a safe- 10th as he swept past Timo Glock’s Virgin. for a Lotus one-two in the newbie stakes. ty-car deployment after offs for BMW Sauber’s At the front Alonso quickly regained his Virgin’s Timo Glock came through to third Kamui Kobayashi and HRT’s Bruno Senna, rhythm, holding Vettel at bay by 1.3s as Ham- eventually, and 14th overall. But for a long points leaders Mark Webber and Lewis Ham- ilton maintained third and Button began to time Sakon Yamamoto was another hero with ilton collided while fighting for third place on drift back in fourth place. a gutsy drive where he stayed ahead of Trulli the 36th lap. Webber’s recovery took him past Schu- for a long while and Glock even longer until The Englishman was pitched out of the race macher when the former champion made a his tyre stop on Lap 32. Bruno Senna ulti- with broken suspension, and the Australian mistake under pressure on the 11th lap. His mately beat him, having made an early tyre brought a vibrating Red Bull home third to in- team mate, meanwhile, was steadily losing stop, but Yamamoto brought his HRT home crease his advantage in the title fight to 202 touch with Alonso, who had a 2.3s lead after an honourable 16th behind him. points to Alonso’s 191, Hamilton’s 182, Se- 12 laps as Hamilton followed a similar distance bastian Vettel’s 181 and fourth-placed Jenson behind the Red Bull. Button’s 177. In the constructors’ stakes, Red However, the Australian’s strategy came Bull have 383, McLaren 359 and Ferrari 316. unravelled when he was unable to overtake It was Vettel who made the best start, but Rubens Barrichello’s Williams, and from 16.5s Alonso chopped across the Red Bull’s bows to his deficit to Alonso had grown to 30s after 16 take a lead he never lost. After a lap Alonso laps. Over the radio, his team told him that was a second ahead, but it didn’t take long he was now racing Hamilton for third place, for the first safety-car deployment. This came rather than for the lead. on the third lap as Vitantonio Liuzzi’s suspen- McLaren’s hopes of victory evaporated with sion-damaged Force India was cleared away serious rear tyre wear, leaving Hamilton and from its resting place just past the chicane, Button to lonely races until the mid-race in- its demise the result of early contact with Nick cident. After that the fight for the lead was Heidfeld’s BMW Sauber. back on, as Vettel hounded Alonso mercilessly, Like Ferrari’s Felipe Massa at the end of the less than a second behind. The German looked first lap - who started from the last position very aggressive on the harder-compound tyres on the grid - Red Bull’s Mark Webber took and soon closed Alonso down, but as the race advantage of the hiatus to switch from the just completed its 61 laps before the two-hour

74 {Motorsports - F1} mark, the Spaniard kept the German at bay. late departure with a blown engine and ensu- Wind tunnel boost for Lotus They raced past Heikki Kovalainen’s burning ing fire elevated Lucas Di Grassi to 15th as Racing Lotus on the pit straight as they completed the highest-placed new team runner. He was their penultimate lap, and were only two- the only one still standing, as Kovalainen was otus Racing have tenths of a second apart. But, as Alonso won classified 16th. Lconfirmed the team his fourth race of the year to move into sec- Virgin’s Timo Glock had led that category will soon start work on ond place in the title hunt, the gap was the until late retirement, while Lotus’s Jarno Trulli designing and building same. and HRT’s Christian Klien were stopped by me- a dedicated wind-tunnel Webber was a relieved third from Button, chanical problems and Senna hit Kobayashi’s facility at its Hingham while Nico Rosberg drove an unobtrusive race damaged BMW Sauber, the Japanese driver base. In addition, the to fifth for Mercedes ahead of on-form Rubens having run into the wall of his own accord at outfit and Team AirAsia, Barrichello for Williams and Renault’s Robert Turn 18. which will compete in Kubica, who drove superbly to repass the Toro Mercedes GP’s Michael Schumacher was the 2011 GP2 series, will Rossos of Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien classified 13th after a hard day in which he expand operations at the Buemi, team mate Vitaly Petrov, Massa, Wil- was attacked and pushed into a wall by Ko- existing factory to take liams’ Nico Hulkenberg and Force India’s Adri- bayashi just before the Japanese driver’s in- over a further two units. an Sutil after a Lap 45 stop for another set cident, and then had one of his own as he Meanwhile Lotus have also confirmed that of tyres. The aforementioned finished in the shoved Nick Heidfeld’s BMW Sauber into a Red Bull Technology will supply the team with reverse of the above order after running nose- spin and also spun himself. gearboxes and hydraulic systems from 2011. to-tail for much of the race, and Kovalainen’s “The announcement is obviously a massive step forward for us, both in engineering terms, and as an expression of our ambitions for next year and for future championships,” said Mike Gascoyne, Lotus’s chief technical officer. Earlier it was confirmed that Lotus had agreed to terminate their contract with current engine supplier Cosworth. They are expected to use Renault power in 2011.

Boullier to replace Bell as Renault managing director enault announced that team principal Eric RBoullier will take over the role of managing Perez to race for BMW Sauber director with immediate effect, following the departure of Bob Bell. Boullier has been team MW Sauber have announced that 20-year Kamui Kobayashi, we will have a strong driver principal since January and will add his new Bold Mexican driver Sergio Perez will race pairing.” managerial role at the French team to his for the team next season, partnering current Perez began his career in karting, where he existing one. driver Kamui Kobayashi. won a total of five championships. He followed “We would like to thank Bob Bell for his Perez, who will make his Formula One that up with two years in Formula BMW before contribution to the performance of the team race debut at the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix moving on to the National Class of the British and for helping see us through a period next March, finished second in this year’s F3 International Series, where he won a still of transition since Genii Capital became GP2 Series, winning four races, including record 14 races. In 2008 he finished fourth a shareholder in the Renault F1 Team,” the prestigious Monaco round. “Formula One in the International Class of the British F3 explained Gerard Lopez, chairman of the is the dream of every young racing driver,” International Series. In GP2 Asia he became Renault Formula One team. said Perez. “And now this dream is about to the series’ youngest race winner at the age Bell joined Renault in 2001 as deputy come true for me. I would like to thank Peter of 18. technical director, before being promoted to Sauber for the faith he’s shown in me and I’ll technical director two years later. He played do everything I can to make the most of this a pivotal role in helping the team win two wonderful opportunity.” world championships in 2005 and 2006. Late Commenting on his new signing, Peter last season Bell temporarily Sauber said: “Sergio has been on a continuous took over as Renault team upward curve over the past few years. He principal following the demonstrated his fighting spirit in races over departure of Flavio Briatore the course of last season and proved that and Pat Symonds. In he’s ready to take the step up into Formula January 2010, he became One. I look forward to working with him and managing director. am in no doubt that, in Sergio Perez and

75 {Motorsports - wrc}

Loeb wins Rally de Espana! hree weeks after clinching this year’s Daniel Elena and the Citroën Total World into the event,” laughed Sordo at the midday drivers’ World Championship, Citroen Rally Team again showed their superiority service halt. “We know that we’ll find it dif- TC4 WRC driver Sebastien Loeb has won by winning Rally Spain. Seb and Daniel led ficult to pull back much time on him inthe the Rally de Espana - adding another victory from start to finish scoring their 61st World long stage, as we can’t go flat out because to his record breaking tally. Championship victory as well as making the we have to look after tyre wear. In the short The win was the 61st at World Champion- C4 WRC part of rallying legend. This car has stage, I went pedal to the metal from start ship level for the Frenchman and his co-driver never been beaten on asphalt since its debut to finish. We’ve pulled back six seconds in Daniel Elena. in 2007. Citroën scored its fifth triple of the the two stages, which means that we’ll have The pair led the rally from beginning to season thanks to Petter Solberg / Chris Pat- problems taking second place unless outside end, eventually finishing 35.3 seconds ahead terson and Dani Sordo / Diego Vallejo. circumstances intervene. We’re going to con- of the man in second place, Citroen privateer With a lead of over 40 seconds, Loeb tack- tinue to keep up the pressure.” Petter Solberg. led the third leg of Rally Spain full of confi- Thanks to his comfortable lead, Loeb was Solberg worried that sliding wide on a cor- dence. On the other hand, second place was able to drop a few seconds: “I’m driving to ner in the final stage had dropped him be- up for grabs as Petter Solberg and Dani Sordo make it to the finish, and I adapt my pace ac- hind the hard charging Dani Sordo, but in the were separated by only 16.9s. Sordo was de- cording to the split times of my pursuers. Like end the Spaniard had to settle for third, 5.8 termined to take the fight to the Norwegian the other drivers, I had to look after my tyres seconds back, to complete an all Citroen po- for second spot, and he started the day with that were overheating in El Priorat.” dium. the bit between his teeth setting the fast- After a 30-minute service stop, the drivers Ford works team driver Jari-Matti Latvala est time in El Priorat (42,04 km), which he set off again to tackle the same stages. Sordo finished fourth, 38.4sec behind Sordo, while followed up with another first place in the kept up the pace and set another fastest time his team-mate Mikko Hirvonen completed the short Serra d’Almos (4,11 km) stage. These in El Priorat. Despite reducing the gap to 5.1s, top five places. performances helped the Spaniard to reduce the Spaniard did not manage to pass Pet- Three weeks after bagging the 2010 World the gap to 10.8s. “As Seb is way out in front, ter Solberg in the last stage: “It was a great Rally Championship titles, Sébastien Loeb, Petter and I are injecting a bit of excitement scrap. I’m a bit disappointed not to be able

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to help the Citroën Total World Rally Team to score another double, but it’s still a triple for the make. What I’ll remember about this rally is a couple of good days on asphalt, and I’d It’s all about Loeb like to thank the crowd for its unflagging sup- Unusually, Sebastien Loeb capped the perfect day with... eighth fastest time on port.” the final stage of the Rallye de France - but the recently crowned seven-time cham- Loeb, who has been unbeaten on asphalt pion wasn't remotely worried about how long it had taken him to race around his in the C4 WRC since 2007, was full of praise town for the second time. for his car : “It gives the heartstrings a little tug as ths car has given us a lot of happy mo- ments on all kinds of surfaces. Counting Mon- te Carlo, we’ve won the fifteen asphalt rallies run over the last four years. This weekend we didn’t have to do any calculations, so it was much easier than in the previous rallies.” “What Sébastien and Daniel have done is really quite incredible,” underlined Frédéric Banzet, the Citroën Managing Director. “Three weeks after the craziness of Rally France, they were able to keep up their motivation and performance level to score a victory full of panache. As Spain is Citroën’s one of biggest market, this win is very important for the marque. I’d like to congratulate the whole team, and say how much I admire their pro- he Frenchman and his Citroen C4 WRC that time in the mud - I hadn’t done any test- fessionalism and their conscientiousness in a enjoyed another inch-perfect and trou- ing in those conditions. But it’s a great feeling, relaxed ambience after winning the two titles Tble-free day. Fourth fastest in Haguenau we’re here with another podium and it’s great in Alsace.” this morning, the champion elect was second for my championship chances [of third place] in what would become the day’s only visit to to finish ahead of Jari-Matti [Latvala].” the 24-kilometre Bitche Camp stage. Even though he ended the event just 12.8 When the re-run of that test was cancelled seconds behind Loeb, Latvala was delighted due to high number of spectators, just over with his event - and the four fastest times he four kilometres stood between Loeb and his set. In fairness to the Finn, his scratch time 60th win. And those kilometres were dis- on the second run through Haguenau will patched with a smile on his face. probably be shaded by a Frenchman winning “This is fantastic,” said Loeb. “This has a bit more. But no matter, Latvala had driven been a very impressive rally. It has been very exceptionally, but he was still a little disap- difficult and I didn’t expect so many people to pointed. be here. This is the best result for me to win “The podium was close,” he said, “but the championship here in France.” when they cancelled the second run at the The crews following were full of congratu- long stage today, Petter was too far away. I lations for Loeb, but there had been battles said before the start that I wanted to be under between the other drivers to focus on. fifth, so I have to be happy that I fulfilled my Loeb’s team-mate Dani Sordo took second prediction, but without that mistake last night place, helping to confirm Citroen as winners I could have been a lot closer.” of the manufacturers’ championship again. Latvala was quick to pay tribute to his rival, With Petter Solberg not too far behind - and adding: “I have an appreciation of what Pet- fastest on Sunday’s opening stage, Sordo had ter has done here, he has driven very well to be on his mettle in Bitche Camp. again.” He was. He was fastest. Second to Loeb Latvala’s team-mate Mikko Hirvonen was again, Sordo didn’t mind this time. “I’m really fifth with a returning (following his suspension happy for Sebastien,” he said. “And I’m really damage yesterday) Sebastien Ogier sixth. happy for Citroen. There have been so many Patrik Sandell won the Super 2000 catego- people watching from the roadside, this is a ry, while Armindo Araujo mastered the Pro- good result for them.” duction class and Jeremi Ancian collected his Solberg rued the stiff set-up of his C4 on first Junior win in a Suzuki Swift S1600. the opening day, saying: “It’s a shame we lost

77 {Motorsports - wrc}

New FIA WRC Academy revealed A brand new feeder series to the World Rally Championship (WRC) will start in 2011, run in partnership by motorsport’s governing body, the FIA and the WRC’s global promoter, North One Sport.

he ‘WRC Academy’ will be the first step on the WRC ladder for Pirelli has also confirmed the continuation of the Pirelli Star Tyoung drivers and will give the stars of tomorrow an unrivalled Driver scheme, which has provided the opportunity for five young opportunity to develop their talent on the world stage in an extremely competitors to take part on six rounds of the WRC for each of the last cost effective way. two seasons in identical cars as part of a joint initiative with the FIA, The WRC Academy builds on the successful elements of the motorsport’s world governing body. Junior World Rally Championship, which is where current WRC stars The Pirelli Star Driver scheme will continue in 2011 with a fresh Sébastien Loeb, Dani Sordo and Sébastien Ogier cut their teeth, but intake of six drivers from around the world, who will take part in also sets new standards for training and development as pioneered in the WRC Academy against other young the Pirelli Star Driver programme competitors. The six Pirelli The WRC Academy is a one make series where all drivers will Star Drivers, Fredrik Ahlin compete with identical Ford Fiesta R2s prepared by M-Sport. To (Sweden), Craig Breen further level the competition, the cars will be fitted with control tyres (Ireland), Jan Cerny from Pirelli. The six round series will run as a separate category on (Czech Republic), WRC rallies in 2011, to ensure drivers gain relevant experience and Andrea Crugnola exposure alongside the main competition. The WRC Academy aims (Italy), Brendan Reeves to be accessible and affordable and the basic cost of participation (Australia) and Molly is set at 118,000 UK Pounds (approx 135,000 Euros) per season. In Taylor (Australia), were addition, drivers will have to provide for travel and accommodation selected following an for the crew, a car to participate in recce and the cost of repairing assessment process in Spain accident damage to the cars. recently. Meanwhile Pirelli has announced its continuing commitment to As well as demonstrating their talents the WRC by supporting the new WRC Academy as the Official Tyre behind the wheel, the six had to show their Supplier from 2011. Pirelli will supply asphalt and gravel specification level of physical fitness and ability to communicate with the media. tyres to the WRC Academy, which will be contested on both surfaces. All WRC Academy participants will be able to benefit from this type of A calendar for 2011 and regulations regarding tyre quantities and training when the series gets underway next year. approved modifications will be announced in due course.

Raikkonen eyes options in WRC

Citroen Junior Team driver Kimi Raikkonen has admitted he has no intention of driving for the Renault Formula 1 team next season - a move which is reckoned to all-but rule-out the Finn’s return to racing and to keep him in the World Rally Championship.

ver since the former season at rallying’s highest Olivier Quesnel remains EFormula 1 World level. adamant the French firm DUBAI RALLY GETS NEW ROUTE Champion signed up for his Speaking to a Finnish wants to retain him for first season in the WRC, newspaper, Raikkonen another year - but the Finn’s he Dubai International Rally will run in there has been speculation spoke out against what he seat will have to be funded. TDecember with a completely revised route of his return to the track. saw as manoeuvring from Both the Monster Ford featuring all new stages, and the promise of Raikkonen Renault. He said: “I am very World Rally Team and an exciting climax to the 2010 FIA Middle East has not disappointed with how they Prodrive’s fledgling Mini WRC Championship. The new stages are all fast publicly have used my name for their team are both known to flowing with short “technical” sections to test stated that own marketing. I have never have had discussions with the drivers and machinery, and they will be he will even seriously considered the 2007 world champion, in use for the first time when the competitive remain in driving for Renault and I can but those talks have yet action takes place on December 3-4. the WRC assure you that I am 100 per to extend to an offer of Smooth and forgiving desert trails in the next year, cent sure that I will not drive employment. Al Dhaid area have been carefully selected but those for Renault next season.” When asked about next with the aim to get the maximum number of close to him Raikkonen’s agreement season, Raikkonen conceded competitors to the finish. The Service Park will are now with Red Bull has yet to be it would be “probably be based on an asphalt surface and is conve- confident concluded for next season, rallying” where he would niently located close to the stages, resulting in of a second but Citroen Racing director remain. a very compact event format.

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The newly crowed 2010 World Rally Champion talks after Rallye de France

It’s every driver’s Also in the morning, when I dream to win a cham- passed in my village, Ober- pionship, you take hoffen (sur Moder), on the your seventh title and road section, all the villagers win number 60 on were waiting for me, it was home soil, the final incredible.” stage running through What has been like your home town with competing here this thousands of people weekend with all of out to cheer you on, the attention you have that must be a dream been receiving from come true! the media and from “Yes for sure it is in incred- the fans? ible feeling, and especially “I am not used to getting to win. When I arrived here, as much attention as I had I knew that there was a here. Because there are so possibility to win the rally, to many people supporting me, win the championship, and here. I was very busy, but I all that in my hometown. So tried to make it right and to it was a great challenge, and stay focused on my rally. It also a big pressure, because has been great.” I knew that everybody was Citroen also seal their waiting for this here, in the sixth manufacturers region. There was a lot of crown here at home, support, from a lot of people. so it’s a double cel- The feeling was really great. ebration It was incredible. “It has been a perfect event, “I was expecting this rally to like in Corsica in 2004, when be popular, but I was very we won both championships surprised to see so many at the same time. Here, it is people for the rally, I could even more special because not expect that there would it is really at home for me. be so many people, every- I am really happy for the where: on stages, on the team, because they did a road sections, waving in front great job all season, the of their house, in the service car is really strong, and the park, everywhere. And all difference we have to make that in a very nice atmo- it with the driving. It is very sphere. I was really happy to difficult and it is a big chal- see this.” lenge, with Petter (Solberg), Were there tears in Dani (Sordo) and (Ogier). It your eyes when you was not an easy season and got to the end of the I am happy to finish it like final stage? this.” “A little bit yes. Especially Are you ready to fight when I saw my friends for title number eight waiting for me after the next year, or will you checkpoint. It was incred- take all this in first? ible, I was not able to drive “I just try to enjoy what hap- fast in that stage. I tried, pens at the moment, and I at the start, and then I said really enjoy.” OK, just drive through. For sure, it was a great moment.

79 {Chicane}

hen the car is the gravy train

People in different parts of the world will pay varying amounts for the same product. But sometimes the differences can be astounding

his was a piece of news that seemed will actually trickle down, since most of the W designed to shake one out of a stupor. money will go to the manufacturer in Europe. The Bugatti Veyron is now officially So if you think people buying Veyrons is good, available in India through a distributor and perhaps you are a genuine capitalist at heart. the car is to be priced at 164-million rupees. Let us put aside the whole concept that we ConsiderT for a moment that while most of us need to be charitable to our fellow man. We are well aware that you can buy between 110 to can do that after we buy everything we love, all 120 rupees to the Omani Rial, this still amounts the brands we covet and the badges of luxury to a whole sack full of moolah. At latest count that set us apart from the less well to do. that amounts to almost US$3.7-million and But where does our appetite for conspicuous by the time you paid the local taxes consumption stop? A few years ago – it was and insurance and registration, you Mercedes-Benz which beat the crystal ball wouldn’t have much change left gazers in entering the nascent Indian market. over from a whole 4-million. For The highlight was an E-class, though now that that amount are you still buying has grown to be a Maybach. All the lux badges a car? Or is it just the statement are there in the growing ‘I ‘economy just as – that you have more money they are in the B,R & C. And any brand that than you know what to do isn’t present in the emerging markets is likely with, you don’t have to to go downhill. answer to anyone, not the So we can’t really blame the sellers for board members, not the tax wanting to sell these over the top cars. authorities and certainly Brands as diverse as Lamborghini, Aston not to your conscience, Martin, Rolls-Royce and Bentley are producing which is already planning models or extending model platforms in order exotic 407 km/h drives on to cater to the nouveau-riche of the emerging roads where the norm is economies. For the more established luxury 47 km/h. How long will it product markets like the oil-rich Middle East, take for the coin to drop – this isn’t anything new. Gold-plated cars share like the elusive 0 dropping space with bathroom fittings treated with the out of the car’s top speed? same brush. I can’t yet figure out whether However, is it just a case of sour grapes? the news is positive or negative. Yes How many of us will ever put together one Raj Warrior is editor of Automan and India is one of the four alphabets of the BRIC million dollars in our lifetimes? And why has been in the thick of the Automotive countries and we all look forward to having begrudge the super-rich their whims and journalism field from the past 15 years. our share of dollar millionaires and billionaires fallacies? Perhaps we all indulge in this in cropping up on the lists of the rich and some way or the other – by rushing out to Want to comment or have your say? famous. But are we forgetting for a moment buy the latest mobile phone, latest computer Email at [email protected]. that India has more than its fair share of or by being brand conscious. In the meantime Identify yourself or your message will be malnourished, poverty-stricken people? With let us congratulate those mortals who can trashed and your id blocked what heart would the buyer of the Veyron splurge millions on cars, ships, airplanes and drive past a roadside beggar and not give into palatial mansions. Maybe in some way it will his pleadings? And not much of the 4-million eventually benefit everyone.

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