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No 110 October 2010 Oman’s Best Automotive Resource OMR 0.500 AED 5.00 QR 5.00 << PREVIEW: PARIS MONDIAL << DON BUTLER ON CADILLac’S FUTURE << LAND ROVER LR4 << HONDA CROSSTOUR OUPE C S-V CT 2011 CADILLAC S ROLLINGGT F1: THRILLS AND THUNDER SPILLS IN ITALY AND BELGIUM 2012 BMW M3 Visit us online at www.automanweb.com www.landrover-me.com NOW LUXURY COMES WITH GREATER VALUE *Offer valid from 22.08.10 to 21.11.10. The LR2 & LR4 are now available with free service for 3 years/72,000 kilometres (whichever is earlier) and free insurance.* Drive away the most advanced, most powerful, most luxurious Land Rover vehicles this festive season. MOHSIN HAIDER DARWISH L.L.C. LR2 & LR4 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mohammad Al Taie Paris portends a new phase As this issue goes to press, we have seen the Paris motorshow beginning to evolve. Manufacturers from every continent have been informing us about the new models they are AL ROYA PRESS & PUBLISHING likely to show and for the European marques, the show could not have come at a better PO Box: 343, Postal Code 118 time. The great fears that were rampant in the corporate suites and assembly lines of the Al Harthy Complex European manufacturers of recession beating them to the ground are now a memory in the Sultanate of Oman rearview mirror. Email: [email protected] Europe is going through a painful period of readjustment with some countries having come Website: www.automanweb.com out of recession and others trying tol get their financial affairs in order. Critically, Germany, Editorial office: France and the United Kingdom have seen a certain degree of customer confidence Tel: +968 24479888 Extn 300, Fax: +968 24479889 returning and with continued growth from the Asian continent and Western Rim of the Circulation office: Pacific, European exports have been enjoying a bit of a renaissance. Tel: +968 2456 2360, Fax: +968 2456 2194 It is during this phase that the Paris show opens. Mainstream manufacturers are increasing PUBLISHER the lineup of environmentally responsible models with hybrid and electric drivetrains gaining Hatim Al Taie [email protected] more acceptance, largely because of the dual effects of improved battery technology and EDITOR & GM volume production bringing down costs and improving reliability. Raj Warrior [email protected] Interestingly, there will also be a slew of high-end models, model variants and premieres. There is an increased acceptance among manufacturers that customers in that bracket are EXECUTIVE EDITOR Chandan B Mallik [email protected] looking for a degree of custom couture in terms of the models they drive. Whether it is the tie-up with high-end luxury non-automotive brands or the limited run production series, car CO-ORDINATOR makers look at improving return from their existing lineup. Pratibha N Kadam [email protected] In the meantime, this issue also has two signature powerhouses on its cover. Both the M3 DESIGN GTS and the Cadillac CTS -V Coupe take the art of turning a mainstream luxury saloon into Sawsan Al Muharbi [email protected] a screaming banshee into the rarer parts of the atmosphere. While the former is the last HEAD OF MARKETING attempt to bring out the beast in the current platform, Cadillac’s attempt manages to show Maged Aziz [email protected] the future direction in which the American brand is evolving. Another brand that will interest is Honda, that has taken the Accord platform to new levels MARKETING Supreme Philips [email protected] with the CrossTour. It is an interesting attempt at monetising an existing platform. Initially considered underwhelming, the car did however manage to surprise our team. CIRCULATION [email protected] FINANCE & ADMIN Abraham Daniel [email protected] PRINTER Ruwi Modern Printers LLC Tel: +968 2479 4167, 2479 8157 Fax: +968 2470 0545 © 2010 All editorial content of Automan in the magazine and its website is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the manage- ment of AL ROYA PRESS & PUBLISHING Automan accepts unsolicited exclusive editorial material, but reserves the right to publish any such material. Once published, the copyright for any such material will vest with AL ROYA PRESS & PUBLISH- ING k in this issue 107 10 NEWS From across the 4 region and around the world BRANDWATCH Cadillac’s future 18 plans PARIS PREVIEW 24 FIRST DRIVE 10 PERFORMANCE Hot new V8s 20 NEWS ANALYSIS Top headlines that 22 grabbed our attention CURTAIN RAISER Paris Mondial 24 COVER STORY FIRST DRIVE 32 FIRST DRIVE 38 2012 BMW M3 GTS 10 2011 Cadillac CTS-V 46 Coupe FIRST DRIVE Honda CrossTour 32 Land Rover LR4 38 Mazda2 60 PREVIEW ROAD TEST 60 PREVIEW 56 2011 Dodge 56 Durango 2011 Bentley 58 Continental GT MOTORSPORTS F1 & WRC 64 CHICANE Buying stuff off the 72 internet COVER STORY 46 {regional news} MITSUBISHI’S BABY CROSSOVER LAUNCHED man was the first market in the region for longer than the Concept-cX, but still much of either 2WD or 4WD, the latter coming with OMitsubishi’s all-new ASX crossover SUV. shorter than the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 or Mitsubishi’s renowned electronically controlled The Japanese automaker appears to be right BMW X1. The new model has a squarer nose 4WD system using one centrally located dial on schedule with the car, having just launched than the concept car, while being stretched to switch between three driving modes – ei- the production version of the ther the fuel efficient 2WD, 4WD AUTO compact Concept-cX SUV. First or 4WD LOCK. On the safety front, the unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor ASX has received the highest NCAP Show last year, the new model safety rating available in the world will replace the now discontin- for collision-worthiness. The car also ued Pajero iO [pronounced as comes fully equipped with anti lock Ee-oh] in some markets but braking system (ABS), Active Stability will slot in just below the Out- Control (ASC), multiple air bags, front lander in the Mitsubishi prod- seat belt pre tensioners all as standard uct portfolio in Oman. With items. The 4WD model also comes with the ASX, Mitsubishi Motor Cor- hill start assist (HSA) which prevents paration expands its crossover the vehicle from rolling backwards by line-up, which already includes automatically braking when starting on the full-size Pajero, and the an incline. The ASX will be offered in mid-size Outlander. three specifications levels - GLX 2WD, The ASX is built off the same GLX 4WD and GLS 4WD which have platform as the Outlander and Lancer and sits a bit in the rear. The crossover will be avail- been designed in mind with flexibility in ca- on the same wheelbase as the Outlander but able with Mitsubishi’s proven 2.0 -litre MiVEC pability, trims and customer budgets. The ASX is 25mm shorter and 65mm lower. The light- engine that develops 150PS and is combined benefits from many features new to the Mit- weight vehicle measures roughly 4,3mm long, with a CVT gearbox. The powertrain offers subishi line-up such as engine keyless switch about the same size as the Toyota Yaris sa- maximum torque of 197Nm with a top speed and UV treated panoramic glass roof with loon. Actually, the production car is 200mm of 190km/hour. The ASX comes with a choice night time illumination. FIRST MOTORING THEMED PUB IN MUSCAT KIA SPORTAGE GETS HIGHEST ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY inally, someone has thought about creat- So, Nuts & Bolts becomes a unique tribute to CERTIFICATION Fing a themed bar cum restaurant for mo- these automobile fans – a place for everyone toring aficionados in Muscat. A new initiative to hang out,” said Al Rawahi. This is also the orld-renowned German certification from House of Foods LLC, the idea took two place where you will find on the menu, steaks, Wagency TUV Nord has awarded the all- years from concept to creation. Located con- burgers, sandwiches and cocktails come with new Kia Sportage its highest environmental veniently in the Le Grand Hall of Al Falaj Hotel motoring inspired names such as Top Gear, certificate following a rigorous assessment of in Ruwi, a strategically-placed custom made Rocket Fuel, Accelerator, Gasoline, Coolant all environmental aspects, from production to bike invites punters. “The bike is made entire- day-to-day running through to recycling. TUV ly of nuts and bolts, which is also the name of Nord certified that the stylish new crossover our new pub. It sets the tone for what lies in complies with the strict environmental stan- wait for you inside,” said Ali Moosa Al Rawahi, dards of the ISO 14040 life cycle assessment. manager at Nuts & Bolts located. The new Sportage is produced in Kia’s Euro- Inside, the ambience is of a mini museum- pean factory in Zilina, Slovakia. The factory cum-garage where a bright yellow real BMW was certified according to the ISO 14001 life Z3 convertible is perched atop the bar, while cycle assessment standards in 2007 and was a custom stretched Mercedes limo and trailer granted a certificate as an environmentally parked host guests. Various motoring para- friendly production facility. phernalia adorn the walls for that authentic garage feel. “Auto-themed pubs are common around and Reverse Gear. “In every nook and corner the world and have proved to be big draws. of any car, truck or motorbike, you will find As the idea of starting a pub came up, we nuts and bolts connecting the parts together researched and concluded that this concept to provide a smooth drive. ride,” said Al Raw- fits in best here.