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now, the region’s Best Automotive resource

march 2014 Issue no 151

14

YEARS

2014

ce fAce to fA ÖS V tV müLLer-Ö ceo torSten

! g n i m o C e r a s t C a p m o C roLLS-royce

egment dynAmic s t s o m ’s d the worl tested merging in e g in k in h t f o e t v 2014 Audi A3 ncep A new wA uLt KWid co oSport A n re 2014 Ford ec rcycLe iews v to e o r m p 1 s -0 u c S n emAn Bo Lotu 2014 mini pAc LiForniA t io A c br A ri c A S3 rr i Fe d Au 2014 oncept t 108 LexuS rc F c 2014 peugeo V Su t ep c n o c VW tAigun ts ow repor motor sh deLhi go And neW From chic A iser A curtAin r 2014 geneVA

34

COVErstory |

MINI Paceman

With the seventh MINI model in the Sultanate

firstdrive |

28 Barrier breaker

New Audi A3 sedan has its job description cut out in the segment

40

46

72

in this issue cover story 28-33 2013 audi a3 34-39 2014 mini paceman

CONtENt MEtEr

0

oman and regional news 6-9 classic nissan pathfinder back in Oman, audi

NEXt issUE 2014 MasErati ghibli

Oman intrOduces new a3 sedan, renault twizy launched fOr middle east, qatar mOtOr shOw

10

highlights, mhd intrOduces apprOved jlr pre-

Owned sales, kia regiOnal technician cOntest, renault Oman Organizes rally with fluence Owners

brandwatch 10-13 fOrd’s ex-pOrtfOliO Of “expensive hObbies”

20

jlr, vOlvO, astOn martin – where are they nOw? pOrsche tO add seventh mOdel, ecObOOst fOr

lincOln navigatOr, pOOr safety scOres fOr basic

indian cars, nissan drOps hai assOciatiOn in india, lifeline fOr peugeOt, bmw tO revive shOrt film

making, daimler Offers suv platfOrm tO astOn martin, mitsubishi tO sell rebadged renault

30

prOducts, peugeOt designer jOins fOrd, subaru

teases new legacy, nO amg tags fOr astOn martin

26

9

Qs, CEO tOrstEN MüllEr-ÖtVÖs

rolls-royce Motor Cars

14 ars, tion c ng c u d o i r Star p cles, stunn y @ c r e moto s and mor t p conce lhi e D New

international news 14-17 2014 autO expO new delhi repOrt 18-21 2014 chicagOr mOtOr shOw repOrt

40

curtain raiser 22-25 2014 geneva mOtOr shOw face to face 26-27 rOlls-rOyce mOtOr cars ceO tOrsten

müller-ÖtvÖs

50

first drive 40-45 2014 fOrd ecOspOrt 46-48 2013 hOndajazz previews 50-51 audi s3 cabriOlet 52-53 chevrOlet adra cOncept suv 54-57 ferrari califOrnia t 58-59 lexus rc f cOncept 60-61 peugeOt 108 hatchback 62-64 renault kwid cOncept 66-69 tOyOta ft-1 cOncept 70-71 vOlkswagen taigun cOncept 72-73 lOtus c-01 mOtOrcycle

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70

motorsports 74-79 fOrmula One, regiOnal happenings, uae

desert challenge, wrc, mOtO gp

80 chicane

80

editor-in-chief

2014

Mohammad Al taie

AL roYA PreSS & PUBLiShinG Po Box: 343, Postal code 118 Al harthy complex Sultanate of oman email: automan@alroya.net Website: www.automanweb.com Editorial office: tel: +968 24479888 extn 300, fax: +968 24479889 distribution: tel: +968 24490386, fax: +968 24121045 Subscription: tel: +968 24493701, fax: +968 24121045 PUBLiSher hatim Al taie

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editor & GM raj Warrior

raj@alroya.net

execUtive editor chandan B Mallik chandan@alroya.net contriBUtinG editor Anne Kurian annekurian@alroya.net heAd of deSiGn Sawsan Al Muharbi sawsan@alroya.info PhotoGrAPhY elvis John ferrao MArKetinG Sayantani Ghosh

sayantani@alroya.net

circULAtion books@alroya.net finAnce & AdMin Sumy Mol

sumy@alroya.net

WeBSite & it Mohammed f draz

mohammed.draz@alroya.net

Printer ruwi Modern Printers LLc tel: +968 2479 4167, 2479 8157 fax: +968 2470 0545 © 2013 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 management 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 & PUBLiShinG

As consumers, all of us have to contend with trends. Some tend to be flash in the pan moments, dictated by some hollywood star’s choices. Others tend to stay around for years and decades, but they nonetheless also fall victim to time and our changing tastes. take the compact car. for a product that has ever grown from one iteration to another, the car has seen some tectonic moments when downsizing played a role. the second world war brought with it limited availability of resources, a poorer populace and a shift in people’s expectations. the british car industry thus shifted to a whole generation of small cars perhaps highlighted best by the original mini. Other markets have seen similar trends to small cars. the japanese market has an additional love affair with miniaturisation. as well as the challenges of existing as a large population on a small group of landmasses. so the small car is considered a status symbol, with some of these little stars being souped up and decked out so that they cost more than a large one does. in other parts of the world, the challenges of urban transport, low incomes and skewed taxation have also made the small car, well, big. most of asia plays host to the small car and we have been told by many industry leaders that if they had to have a chance in a growth market like india, they needed small cars in their portfolio. it is little wonder then that this year’s crop of releases at various motorshows include a fair share of small or compact cars. renault went so far as to debut their kwid concept at the delhi auto show. volkswagen has similarly shown their taigun and we can expect other global giants to bring out their compact offerings in the coming months. for the market for compact cars remains significant, even as large cars are being challenged for the reason to exist by the new breed of suvs.

Oman, thankfully, remains a market where the compact car makes sense. there are enough challenges with affordability and the eminent sense of making do with less is understood here. while we don’t really much room for sub-compacts like smart’s fortwo here largely due to safety concerns, the compact car will continue to rule the roost even as more people buy compact suvs to give them the ‘active’ lifestyle they seek.

14

YEARS

We congratulate all the winners of the automan Car of the Year 2013. look out for a web-based voting scheme this year!

Oman & region news

T

wo years after it was first showcased, with the launch of the A3 sedan in Oman, Audi is entering the world’s largest market segment, the class of compact sedans. The dynamic four-door car offers all of the strengths of the model series like low weight thanks to lightweight design, powerful and highly efficient engines and numerous high-end solutions for infotainment as well as driver assistance systems.

Ahmed Shariefi, general manager of Wattayah Motors, said, “This is the right car at the right time for Audi. Premium compact sedans are one of the fastest growing segments in the Sultanate thanks to their compact dimensions, sporty dynamics and attractive pricing; and the A3 Sedan epitomizes these characteristics. With Audi’s renowned engineering and performance expertise behind it, we strongly believe the A3 Sedan has tremendous potential in the market and expect it to contribute substantially to Audi’s sales in the country. It will no doubt be a valued addition to Audi Oman’s product portfolio.”

Two engine variants will be offered. Key performance parameters of the 1.4-litre TFSI four-cylinder are 120hp and 250 Nm and the 1.8-litre TFSI produces 180hp and 250 Nm. It utilizes an extensive package of high-end technologies, including dual injection into the combustion chambers and the induction manifold. Both engines are paired with S tronic dual-clutch transmission and larger engine variant is also available with quattro all-wheel drive. The base price for the 1.4 TFSI is under OMR10,000.

NissaN tO sEll bOth VErsiONs Of PathfiNdEr iN OMaN

aUdi OMaN iNtrOdUCEs a3 sEdaN

YUtONg bUsEs iNtrOdUCEd iN OMaN

I

t’s not unusual to have both incoming and outgoing models selling together and Nissan Middle East seems to have experienced the same with its outgoing Pathfinder SUV. While the new Pathfinder was launched in 2013, its development and packaging revolved around user-friendly efficient technologies on a new unibody platform with advanced drivetrain and effectively moved the new model into the lifestyle segment, but as Nissan discovered post launch of the new Pathfinder that there was still a strong demand for the body-on-frame Pathfinder.

Nissan found a way to oblige its faithful, by ensuring allocation of the Pathfinder Classic [as it is known now] from its Spain manufacturing facility. As a result of this effort, the Pathfinder returns after absence of over a year in the Middle East. The Pathfinder classic is built on a high strength fully boxed, all-steel frame [it is based on the full-size Nissan Armada SUV] and comes with a normally-aspirated 4.0-litre VQ40DE V6 engine tuned to offer 261hp and 389Nm of torque.

The SUV is offered with either 5-speed automatic with Tiptronic manual function. This version of the Pathfinder offers first-class amenities with standard three-row seating.

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march 2014

Y

utong claims to be the world’s largest Chinese bus manufacturer with a sales volume of over 58,000 units in 2013. This bus brand has been selling luxury coaches to companies that cater to the tourism and service sectors in the Middle East for several years.

Now, as part of its expansion programme, Yutong is partnering with Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan LLC in the Sultanate in introducing the brand, its products and after-sales services. “We are delighted to tie up with China’s leading bus-maker to promote the popular Yutong in Oman. We envisage a promising market for this brand in the Sultanate, particularly in the tourism and high-end corporate transportation service sectors,” said Virendra Agarwal CEO, Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co LLC. The first product to be introduced is the ZK6122H Euro 2/Euro 3 compliant luxury buses. Yutong also specializes in school buses and has played a pioneering role in China in helping drafting standards for such buses.

rENaUlt iNtrOdUCEs tWizY

I

t’s official now. In the past few weeks, the Twizy, Renault’s two-seater 100 per cent electric-motor driven quadricycle has been spotted in wearing UAE registration plates.

Renault Middle East decided to wait for an appropriate moment to officially launch this product and the timing of the Qatar Motor Show seemed to be perfect for the occasion.

The Twizy has an urban driving range of approximately 85km on a single charge. The lithium-ion batteries can be full charged in less than four hours using a normal domestic household 220-240v AC supply. The battery pack is mounted beneath the seats to lower the centre of gravity. The Twizy is now available for pre-booking in the Middle East countries, starting with Qatar and UAE.

iNtErEstiNg rEVEals at Qatar MOtOr shOW

H

E the Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed alSulaiti officially opened the fourth annual Qatar Motor Show and as many as 42 different cars and motorcycle brands were showcased at this year’s event. Volkswagen, Porsche, Bentley, Ford, Renault, Lamborghini, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Infiniti, Nissan, McLaren, Toyota, Lexus, Chevrolet, Cadillac, BMW, Mini, Maserati, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and Bugatti were among the participating brands. Here are the key highlights.

Audi The new Audi A8 range and nanuk quattro concept were the key highlights for the brand.

Bentley Bentley Motors unveiled the newest member of its Continental GT line-up - the Continental GT V8 S. The new model builds on the V8 platform to deliver improved performance and a sleeker and sportier look and feel, and will officially go on sale across the region in April 2014.

BMW Alfardan Automobiles presented the BMW i8, described as the “sports car of the future.”

Available in both coupe and convertible forms, the

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march 2014

new Continental V8 S models feature an uprated version of Bentley’s twin-turbo, 4.0-litre engine that now develops 521bhp and 680Nm of torque, together with suspension modifications and a selection of new exterior and interior features.

BugAtti Bugatti presented an exclusive version of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse designed in honour of renowned Chinese star pianist Lang Lang. The Lang Lang edition has an 8-litre W16 engine which generates 1200PS and torque of 1,500Nm at 3,000 to 5,000rpm and can rocket from zero to 100km/h in only 2.6secs. With a maximum recorded speed of 408.84 km/h with the top down, the Vitesse is the world’s fastest production roadster. generAl Motors GM entertained the audience with the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and the 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan. infiniti Nissan’s premium brand had both the Q50 and its Hybrid version on display. lAMBorghini Besides new showroom opening and private viewing

of the Gallardo-replacing Hurracan Lamborghini showcased the Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster at the show.

MAserAti Alfardan Sports Motors officially launched Maserati’s new four-door sports executive sedan, the Ghibli.

With the Ghibli, Maserati enters the E-segment of the sports premium market with stunning design, performance and handling qualities.

Mercedes-Benz Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles unveiled the Mercedes-Benz Concept S-class Coupe and the new CLA 45 AMG four-door coupé.

Porsche Key regional highlights was the introduction of the all-new Macan SUV, the 918 Spyder and 911 Targa 4S in particular. Also on show were the new Cayenne Platinum Edition and a long wheelbase Executive version of the Panamera Turbo S. VolksWAgen Volkswagen’s new Golf R was among the stars for the brand along with the regular fare.

rEgiONal skill COMPEtitiON OrgaNizEd bY kia MOtOrs

G

Mhd tO OffEr PrE aPPrOVEd Jlr Cars

ood news for customers in the region now who are in the market for premium pre-owned Jaguar Land Rover motor cars. Jaguar Land Rover MENA has launched two dedicated pre-owned branded certified vehicle programmes -- ‘Jaguar Approved’ and ‘Land Rover Approved’, across its key dealer network in the region.

In Oman, Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC, the official retailer of the British brand launched the programme in the third week of February 2014. Richard Gouverneur, Business Development Director for Jaguar Land Rover MENA, said: “Jaguar Land Rover has gone from strength to strength in this region with continued year on year growth in the new car segment. The pre-owned car industry is a growing business with greater demand from consumers for guaranteed quality and excellent customer service standards. With APPROVED, we worked with our global teams and regional dealers to ensure that we have a certified, reliable customer focused programme that delivers a guaranteed standard of product excellence and increased consumer confidence.”

David Aziz, CEO Automotive, MHD LLC said: “This new initiative from Jaguar Land Rover will provide a new level of confidence to our customers. The rigorous checkup of the APPROVED Jaguar & Land Rover vehicles along with a minimum 12 months warranty and road side assistance will certainly add value to the package.” For convenience, a vehicle search function is now integrated within landrover-me.com/approved/mhdmuscat or jaguar-me.com/ approved/mhdmuscat.

rENaUlt OMaN OrgaNizEs rallY

K

ia Motor Corporation conducted its fifth Regional Skill Competition at the Al Majid Motors training facilities in Dubai, UAE. Fifteen National Technician Skill Cup Winners from nine countries in the Middle East and Africa region battled it out for the title ‘Best Kia Technician in the Region’ and the chance to participate in the Kia World Skill Cup, scheduled to take place in the second quarter of this year in Korea.

Simon Yim from Kia Motor Company Middle East and Kia Africa Regional Headquarters announced the winners. Gold medal went to UAE-based Al Majid Motors, whose representative was awarded Best KIA technician in the region while silver medals went to South Africa and Jordan and Bronze medals to South Africa, Reliable International Automotive [Oman] and the Al- Majid in UAE.

PEUgEOt rEgiONal MiddlE East CONVENtiON hEld iN OMaN

E

uropean Motors, the official distributor of Peugeot vehicles in Oman, played host to Oman’s first ever Peugeot Middle East Convention. Hosted at Shangri La’s Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa in January, the twoday convention was attended by Peugeot dealerships from across the GCC as well as Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, including representatives from European Motors and Peugeot’s Middle East & Africa Regional office.

Commenting on Peugeot’s success in the region in 2013, Phillipe Geze, the Director Peugeot - ME and Africa said, “Last year was an exceptional year for Peugeot in the region, with the brand experiencing a growth of 51 per cent year-on-year. The driving force behind our success was our aggressive marketing strategies coupled with new model launches such as the 301. Not only did these new models exceed their initial sales target, they continue to outperform with every passing month.”

T

hirty five owners of Renault Fluence sedans participated in a day-long event organized by Renault Oman. The idea was to set fuel efficiency records for the car. Participant’s had their car’s tanked up and sealed and were given a route from the showroom to Al Nahda Resort to complete. The top performers were felicitated at the venue.

MiNi fUN EVENt iN UaE

Over 120 MINI fans and owners from across the UAE set off on an exciting adventure last month. A 40-car-strong city rally was organised for MINI fans to enjoy driving models like the Paceman and Countryman and also put them through their paces at the Dubai Autodrome track.

march 2014

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fOrd’s EX-POrtfOliO Of “EXPENsiVE hObbiEs” Jlr, VOlVO, astON MartiN – WhErE arE thEY NOW?

Figures prove it once again.

What was once considered as a portfolio of “expensive hobbies” by Alan Mulally at Ford before Blue Oval offloaded Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo and Aston Martin to focus on the Ford brand globally, must now be causing heartburns to those in the management circles who are beginning to realize now that the investments to fix two globally known and respected brands would have worked out much cheaper in the long run than trying to resurrect a domestic American brand from the dead.

S S

everal auto makers have leveraged growing global demand to return to sizable profits following the global economic crisis.

Ford’s ex-brands – Jaguar Land Rover has performed exceptionally under India’s Tata Motors ownership, Volvo has appeared at times to be stuck in reverse amid a lacklustre performance in two of its primary markets: the US and Europe and Aston Martin struggles.

VOlVO

Volvo Car Group, which is now owned by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company has reported that reported a 1.4per cent rise in sales last year, as enormous gains in China over the second half of 2013 offset a continued decline in the US. The performance followed a 6 per cent sales decline in 2012, which led to financial losses. Three years into its stint as a Chinese-owned company, the Swedish brand now appears to be inching closer to a sustainable future.

The Swedish car maker has launched a single-minded, ambitious and risky vision for its future large cars, which will be based on one chassis architecture, with just one basic engine type instead of its existing four-, five- and six-cylinder units. Volvo’s Environmental Architecture (VEA) modular four- and three-cylinder diesel and petrol engines and Scaleable Platform Architecture (SPA), effectively a single chassis capable of being lengthened or widened, will appear in soon in new models beginning with the the XC90 replacement this year and will phase-wise be adopted in all large Volvos.

astON MartiN

JagUar laNd rOVEr

J

ust a few days ago, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) released performance figures which suggest that profits from the Tata Motors owned and managed carmaker has more than doubled in the last three months of 2013. JLR made profits of £842m, up from £404m for the same quarter in 2012, on revenues of £5.3bn. Sales during the third quarter rose 27 per cent year-on-year to 112,172 vehicles, driven by the popularity of the Jaguar XJ and XF, and the Range Rover Sport. During 2013 as a whole, JLR sold a record 425,006 vehicles, with sales particularly strong in Brazil, China, India and the US. India’s Tata Motors bought JLR in 2008 from Ford for $2.3bn and has invested heavily in new models and research. Ford’s claim to fame with a luxury brand is now Lincoln which it is struggling to make its only legitimate contender. We’ve asked senior company executives whether Ford has any seller’s remorse over getting rid of Land Rover and Jaguar in 2008 to Indian automaker Tata Motors. The biggest difference is between Ford ownership and Tata Motors is that with Tata management, there was a clear cut plan about the brand. Tata Motors is very focused on making both brands profitable and successful, and there is commitment. With Ford, things drifted year to year.

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I

n October 2013, Aston Martin reported a $39.3mn pre-tax loss, an increase from the previous year’s $33.9mn. Citing a nine-per cent drop in sales for its range of sportscars (and a now discontinued city car) and a nearly 50per cent drop since its 2007 peak, AM only managed to bring in $736.6mn.

Aston has a target of boosting annual sales to about 7,000 vehicles in 2016 from about 3,400 cars in 2012, with growth propelled by catering to growing demand in Asia, North and South America. The carmaker also plans to appoint a new CEO in the next three months. Current CEO Ulrich Bez, who has led the carmaker since 2000, will probably become a non-executive chairman.

London-based investment firm Investindustrial purchased a 37.5per cent stake last year, the carmaker laid out plans in January to spend $785mn on expansion in the next four years to challenge rival luxury brands. Aston Martin’s other shareholders are Kuwaiti companies Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co., which bought the carmaker in 2007 from Ford Motor Co. Aston Martin is the only global luxury-auto producer that doesn’t belong to a larger manufacturing group.

brandwatch

big ChaNgEs iN tOYOta Oz OPEratiONs

news

is lUCkY sEVEN thE NUMbEr POrsChE is lOOkiNg fOr?

With the type of volume aspirations that Porsche has and the access to VAG technology, there’s no reason why Porsche can’t replicate the success of say rival Maserati’s new Ghibli and become a credible alternative to fellow Germans like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

W

ell, indications from Germany suggest that the sports car maker is ready to expand its product range beyond the recently introduced Macan compact SUV to seven models. This information comes from chairman of the executive board Matthias Mueller directly.

Speaking at the Macan SUV launch in Germany, Mueller confirmed that the brand was looking to move into even more segments and the executive even further to suggest that the optimal size of Porsche’s product portfolio would be seven models.

Porsche currently offer six models [Cayman and Boxster are considered one model] and there’s place for a seventh one in the line-up. “If you include the super-sportscar, the 918, (our range) adds up to six. In our opinion, a seven model series would be perfect. The typical lifecycle of a vehicle is seven years and by way of calculations we would have a major launch event every year,” said Mueller.

In such a scenario, the hot favourite to join the Porsche range would be a BMW 5 Series-rivaling large sedan to sit beneath the Panamera, in much the same way as the Macan sits below the Cayenne. The new car codenamed by some as ‘Pajun’ [short for Panamera Junior] could be built on the updated MLB architecture sourced from the A6 and tweaked like the Macan to offer pure Porsche characteristics.

CadillaC gEariNg fOr ‘fUll POrtfOliO’

It seems that GM’s luxury brand Cadillac is taking a pragmatic approach when it comes to deciding the number of models it wants to offer consumers. Cadillac’s Senior Vice President Bob Ferguson has revealed the company is working on a handful of new models to create a “full showroom for our consumers and our dealers.”

While Ferguson said the company’s expanded line-up would meet consumer demands, it would fall short of the countless models that are now offered by German premium brands like BMW and Mercedes. Ferguson explained, “I think we can satisfy the markets that we are in by doing an excellent job with what I would call a full portfolio but not an excessive portfolio.”

In a recent statement, Ed Welburn [GM’s Vice President of Global Design] said there are more Cadillacs under development than at any time in General Motors’ history.”

Welburn, who’s been at the helm of GM Design North America since 2003 and is the first to hold the position of VP of Global Design, has been instrumental in the styling renaissance at GM.

A

ustralia’s reputation as a car producing country has taken a big hit after Ford and GM’s announced that they would stop building cars. That left Toyota as the lone player, but, as it happens, Toyota is finding that with extremely tough operating conditions and a fragile supplier base, it would be difficult to continue operating as a manufacturer. As a result, Toyota has officially has called it a day as far as manufacturing cars in that country goes. Toyota is the last carmaker to confirm a withdrawal from Australia following Ford and GM’s announcement they would stop building cars by 2017 at the latest.

Besides winding up manufacturing, the measure will also affect Toyota designers at its Technical Center Asia Pacific Australia (TTCAP-AU). The TTCAP-AU, which carries out all its Australian design and evaluation operations employs 150 designers and modelers. Since this set-up will also be chopped, it means that on-going work with future Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion models could also be affected.

The Camry and Aurion sold in Middle East comes from Australia and in future they will be sourced from Toyota’s other global set-ups.

President Akio Toyoda said: “We believed that we should continue producing vehicles in Australia, and Toyota and its workforce here made every effort. However, various negative factors such as an extremely competitive market and a strong Australian dollar, together with forecasts of a reduction in the total scale of vehicle production in Australia, have forced us to make this painful decision.”

Toyota will continue selling cars and trucks in Australia and will gradually see transition to a national sales and distribution company. The carmaker will enhance its sales, services and distribution efforts.

For Oz, the Camry and Aurion will be imported from Toyota’s other manufacturing plants post 2017.

ECObOOst fOr EXPEditiON

A

s part of the downsizing drive, Ford has announced that it will be ditching the current V8 in its largest, body-on-frame sport-utility vehicle, the Expedition line-up for 2015 during its mid-cycle upgrades and shoehorn it with a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6. Ford says that by doing this it brings the Expedition up to the expectations of a new decade of SUV shoppers who now expect higher mileage from their vehicles. The Expedition been carried over mostly unchanged for many model years and Ford wants to play catch up with rivals from redesigned full-size GM SUVs (the Chevrolet Tahoe and Silverado, and the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL), which have been given quieter, more stylish interiors, more features, and a fuel-saving engine line-up. This also means that for the first time in SUVs at Ford, turbocharging makes an entry.

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t’s no secret that AMG offers some of its engines on an exclusive basis to some exotic car makers like Pagani.

And when you see under the bonnet of the rear-engined Pagani Huayra, the engine covers proudly sport the AMG logo. But that will not happen with Aston Martin. It may be recalled that in 2013, Aston Martin inked a deal with Mercedes’ AMG division for engines and other vehicle components.

The decision not to sport any kind of ‘Powered by AMG’ badges in future Aston Martin models comes from Mercedes CEO Dieter Zetsche himself. “A subtle involvement with Aston Martin is better for us,” Zetsche said.

“Our customers will know about it without us making too much of the link. That is enough for us.” While Mercedes won’t interfere with Aston Martin’s product plans, but the company is open to other collaborations, such as platform development. Aston’s VH bonded and riveted alloy chassis is now a decade old and logically it should be upgraded or replaced in due course. Aston is mum about its chassis programmes.

While it is true, that premium luxury brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley are working on SUV projects, the difference is that both brands have access to proven in-house technologies and have deep pockets [finance and resources] as back up. Aston has neither those and conservative Aston purists or custodians of the brand we are sure won’t digest the ‘borrowed’ idea and no matter how smart marketing and PR puts it, the SUV project based on Mercedes architecture and AMG engines could eventually end up as a costly mistake for the brand.

iNdia-bUilt basiC Cars fail iN safEtY

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s automakers try to make their models cheaper and cheaper for emerging markets, safety takes a back seat to the bottom line. Global NCAP, a charity based in the United Kingdom, tested India’s five most popular cars in basic testing: Volkswagen Polo, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Ford Figo, Hyundai i10, and Tata Nano. All cars were tested in base-model spec, meaning none were equipped with airbags.

Not a single vehicle tested was able to score even one star in the frontal impact test at 64km/h. In the less stringent UN standard test – a 40 per cent offset frontal impact test at 56km/h – only the Ford Figo was given a pass, though narrowly, among nonairbag equipped models.

In response to the results, Volkswagen has agreed to remove their non-airbag equipped Polo from the Indian market. Global NCAP then tested the airbagequipped Polo and it was given a four-star rating.

F

PROPOSED ASTON MARTIN SUV TO RIDE ON MERCEDES PLATFORM?

NO ‘POWErEd bY aMg’ tags fOr astON MartiN

As luxury and supercar manufacturers join the SUV/SAV bandwagon, Britain’s Aston Martin which had showcased the Lagonda concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show still thinks it has a fighting chance, thanks to an offer from Mercedes-Benz chief Dieter Zetsche. Zetsche has recently revealed that a possible Aston Martin SUV could fructify using the GL-Class platform.

While it widely believed that Aston Martin will stick to building sports cars and its future models will be powered by an AMG-sourced V8 engine [as a result of last year’s signed collaboration between Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division], it seems that the British brand led by Dr Ulrich Bez has to depend on outsourcing more than banking on its own resources. Zetsche told reports that it’s up to the British marque to decide if they want to use the GL platform.

sUbarU tEasEs PrOdUCtiON lEgaCY

S

India does manufacture vehicles for export that perform much better than those sold locally, so it’s not a matter of knowledge or expertise in building these vehicles. Considering the increasing number of road fatalities in India, it is surprising that the Government of India has no clear cut vision about automotive safety, let alone even basic guidelines.

ubaru has in recent years built devastatingly beautiful concept cars, truly attracting the automotive imaginations of every inner 12-year old. Yet, as they bring their concept vehicles to production, things seem to take a different, much more conservative turn. Revealed at the 2013 LA Auto Show next to the new production Subaru WRX, the Legacy Concept was certainly a piece of work that set our hearts aflutter. Now, three months later, the production version is set to be shown to the public at the Chicago Auto Show.

Subaru promises the new Legacy, due to go on sale as a 2015 model, will offer a “sleeker, more coupelike profile” to create a sedan that’s more sporty and modern. We just hope the production version looks as close to the concept as possible and preferably not like another WRX bait-and-switch.

PEUgEOt dEsigNEr JOiNs fOrd

ord’s design department has seen a number of major changes over the last few months including the retirement of J Mays and the resulting promotion of Moray Callum. The latest addition to the design team is Adam Bazydlo, who has been appointed manager of Ford’s interior design strategy. He takes up this newly created position reporting directly to global director of Interior Design Amko Leenarts. Bazydlo will be based in Dearborn and responsible for everything based around the carmaker’s interiors strategy and works with the global interior design teams. This isn’t the first time Bazydlo and Leenarts have joined forces. The two first worked together at Peugeot, where Leenarts held the position of interior design director until May 2012. Bazydlo, who first joined Peugeot in 2006, had been promoted to senior designer in 2011. Bazydlo’s first major project at Peugeot was the 2011 508’s interior from first sketch to production. He also led the team working in 2011 HX1 concept’s interior. For the 2013 208, he was responsible for the full development process from sketch until production.

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2014 aUtO EXPO, dElhi, iNdia India’s 12th flagship automotive show Auto Expo kicked off with global and domestic car, 2-wheeler and commercial vehicle manufacturers eager to showcase their best production and concept creations. There were subtle messages for global markets too.

Authors: Chandan B Mallik | Faisal Khan Photography: Faisal Khan

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he importance of India as one of the promising emerging BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India and China] markets was in full evidence as 70 new models were revealed for the domestic market and 15 for the global markets.

Read on...

spotlight news

Audi

Audi, presented an exhilarating line-up of luxury cars including the Audi Sport quattro concept. The Audi A3 sedan was the key new model in addition to ‘Special Editions’ of SUVs ranging from the Q3, Q5 to Q7. Audi also launched the RS7 for the India market. In 2013, Audi achieved new sales records in India and moved 10,002 units.

chevrolet

Chevrolet is looking at the sub 4-metre compact SUV success story in India which has given Renault and Ford a good reason to be happy about with the Duster and Ecosport respectively. The new Chevrolet Adra concept designed on GM’s Gamma 2 platform, which also underpins the Trax compact SUV. For the India market, the production Adra will use a Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre Multijet common rail diesel engine that powers a host of cars in Fiat and GM stable. For petrol variants, GM could introduce its new three-cylinder 1.0-litre Ecotec engine. The new Trailblazer and a facelifted Beat hatch also made their respective entries. It’s the same Beat that was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

chevrolet Adra concept

Chevrolet’s new Adra concept is the first car to be designed by General Motors Technical Centre India (GMTC-I) in Bangalore exclusively for the emerging Indian market. The compact SUV concept uses the usual Chevrolet global design language while taking into account the needs of younger Indian buyers, and will compete in the market with the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster.

datsun

Datsun finally launched the much awaited production version of Go hatchback which had its world premiere in India on July 15, 2013.

The Go-is based on an old Micra platform and powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that also does duty to the Nissan Micra. Datsun’s first new concept the Redi-GO concept had its world premiere.

dc design

Well-known India-based design house and low volume producer of cars and concepts headed by Dilip Chhabria had two concepts on display. The first one called the Eleron is a four-seater convertible SUV, which is not rationally dimensioned, and secondly, an extremely small car with a smaller name TIA dimensionally smaller than the Tata Nano or Smart. DC Design has made its presence felt among the Indian people due to its exquisite craftsmanship and impeccable designing skills.

honda

Along with the Vision XS-1 concept, the car maker has also unveiled compact MUV Honda Mobilio which is anticipated to be launched in India by second half of 2014. The Honda Vision XS-1 concept is a creative study model which embodies Honda’s vision for the future of manufacturing. Based on Honda’s original M/M (man maximum, machine minimum) concept, the Honda Vision XS-1 fuses together two different values, a sporty exterior styling and practicality in the compact body. Furthermore, based on the Honda design concept,

“Exciting H Design,” Honda’s human-centered design concept was embodied in this model.

Other than this, the company has also unveiled next generation Honda Jazz and Honda Fit.

hyundai

Hyundai India launched an India-specific sedan version of the i10 hatchback called Xcent. The South Korean carmaker also showcased the next generation luxury coupe concept HND9 Venace at the show. The coupe concept is a representation of the Korean car maker’s future of the current Fluidic Sculpture Design language. Hyundai also brought in the i20 WRC (World Rally Championship) car for display as a part of a brand building exercise. Hyundai wants to showcase its motorsports capabilities that will soon be visible in the road going cars.

fiat

The Fiat Punto Avventure or crossover Punto showcased will rival Volkswagen’s Cross Polo

and the upcoming Toyota Etios Liva Cross hatchback turned CUVs. It will be the fourth such model genre in the Indian market.

The Avventura is a global product based on the Punto hatchback and boasts of visual enhancements such as tail gate mounted spare wheel for SUV-inspired looks with the practicality of a hatchback. The Avventure is similar to the regular Punto hatchback in length at 3,987mm. While the tail mounted spare wheel makes the Avventura longer than 4,000mm, it will still qualify for the excise duty benefits that cars in this category enjoys in India. A turbocharged Fiat Multijet diesel motor is expected to power this car.

ford

Ford India’s luck with the Fiesta has been sluggish at best and hence a Fiesta facelift was top priority. Ford has shoe-horned a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine under the bonnet of the new Fiesta that is also used in the EcoSport in India.

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fare. The first one was the S-Cross which technically is the hatchback version of the SX-4 without the trappings of a regular hatchback. It is a compact CUV. The SX4 S-Cross won’t be launched in India right now but Maruti Suzuki has made it clear that it surely has intentions of venturing into new segments. The second car was Ciaz concept sedan. Suzuki Motor Corporation executive vice president T Suzuki said: “In 2004, we had the first global model launch of Swift and these two are in line with that. The two cars we are unveiling today are aimed to meet the growing demand of sedans in India, China and elsewhere.”

The concept Ciaz, is a classy urban A3-segment sedan and has been approved for production..

nissan

Nissan Motor could soon be joining the likes of Maruti-Suzuki, Hyundai, and Honda in the race to get a share in the fast-growing compact sedan segment in India. “The market is suddenly changing with the B+ hatchback segment growing 10 per cent and the sedan too developing with the sub compact sedan segment doing really well. This is a growing segment in the Indian market and cannot be ignored.” said Toru Hasegawa, Corporate Vice President, Africa, Middle East and India.

renault

Ford also sneaked in the less than 4-metre long global B-segment Figo Concept sedan as a surprise entry.

Ford India President Nigel Harris said, “Consumers expect and demand great fuel efficiency and low cost-of-ownership from the initial price throughout the life of the vehicle. It is the company’s vision for an all-new global compact car which will offer advanced technology and clever design.”

isuzu Motors

Isuzu Motors showcased its India-manufactured and BS-4 compliant sports utility vehicle “MU-7” and India’s first multi-utility pick-up truck “D-max” Space Cab along with the D-max Single Cab and rally car version. The MU-7 inherits Isuzu’s diesel-engine expertise and is endowed with superior fuel efficiency and outstanding engine performance. Isuzu has a contract manufacturing agreement with Hindustan Motors (HML) under which HML is contract assembling CKD kits of the SUV and pick-up truck at its Thiruvallur, Chennai plant.

Jaguar land rover

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) essentially repeated its new product and concepts which it showcased in several international shows in 2013 at Delhi, including a fiveseater version of Jaguar’s sports crossover concept C-X17, the new F-TYPE coupe sports car and Project 7,

a single-seater all-aluminium bodied roadster.

Mahindra

Mahindra is one of India’s most aggressive carmakers making its strong presence felt not only in the UV market but also with tractors and heavy vehicles.

This Indian carmaker also owns Ssanyong and for domestic market, Mahindra presented its portfolio and concept suggesting a new chapter in the brand’s strength in the utility vehicles market. Mahindra is concentrating on the new design language for the first time rather than developing a new product language. The automaker is expected to develop a new MPV based on the Ssangyong X100 platform and there will be an MPV on the W201 platform as well as a rugged SUV on the U301 platform. Mahindra will also launch two compact SUVs codenamed S101 and S102 which are currently in the development stage.

Meanwhile, Reva, is pure electric car company, also owned by Mahindra has taken it portfolio one step further by showcasing the Reva Halo which is an electric sports car capable of producing 140hp of power with 0-100 km/hr taking under 8sec. On a full battery charge, the range of Reva Halo is 200km.

Maruti suzuki

Maruti Suzuki largest volume car player unveiled two interesting concepts at the Expo besides the regular

Renault India launched the facelifted Koleos SUV prior to the show and it was the Kwid Concept, that turned out to be the star of the show. The concept reflects Renault’s commitment to new markets, like India, as well as the company’s ability to produce appealing products in the compact car segment. The Renault Kwid Concept was designed with inputs from Renault Design India and is covered by the ‘Explore’ petal of Renault’s lifecycle-based design strategy.

The vehicle’s exciting proportions and dimensions as well as very short overhangs give the impression of a bouncing vehicle, while its oversized wheels protrude past the fenders and make the Kwid Concept look like a buggy car.

tata Motors

Tata Motors is looking at global markets in addition to domestic presence and hence its future portfolio will reflect those aspirations. Tata Motors came well prepared for the occasion with 18 stunning vehicles and concepts. All these come under the company’s product strategy called Horizonext. While the passenger vehicles were primarily based on the elements of DesigNext, DriveNext and ConnectNext, the commercial vehicles’ key pillars were defined as DesigNext, PerformanceNext and FuelNext.

The new compact Zest and Bolt sedan and hatchback cars showcased among the other displays respectively are a result of collaborative design inputs from the three Tata Motors design studios in Pune, Coventry (UK) and Turin (Italy).

Volkswagen

Volkswagen presented an advanced version of the near-production concept of the Taigun SUV. Compared to the first conceptual design – presented in São Paulo, Brazil in October 2012 – the new sport utility vehicle features a new rear section with outside-mounted spare wheel.

2-wheelers on overdrive in india Bajaj

For Indian bikers, Pulsar 375, Pulsar 200 SS are all things of the past after Bajaj Auto unveiled two new hot bikes. Both concept bikes – Pulsar CS400 and Pulsar SS400 – can be treated as distant cousins of the KTM Duke 390 respectively. The CS400 was presented as a naked street-fighter while the SS400 is a full faired machine. Powertrain details were not released by Bajaj, but if they go into production, the most like engine will be a 373.2cc single-cylinder unit.

Besides swanky styling, awesome detailing and some Ducati influence [like the all digital console], the bikes will come with ABS.

harley-davidson

Besides the regular entourage, the much awaited allnew 750cc for India. After unveiling the bike at the India Bike Week earlier in January, Harley-Davidson has officially launched the most awaited Street 750 cruiser in India at the 2014 Auto Expo. The Street 750 carries forward all essential values of a Harley on its shoulders and is designed at attracting younger customers to the fold. The Street 750 has the Harley DNA embedded in its design, but has been tweaked to be more fun and practical as opposed to the regular Harley’s. The bike was designed ground-up after H-D conducted an extensive survey in 11 countries with 3,000 young potential customers. The result is such that the bike has received some customer specific changes. The handle bars are wider, extra two-inches of more suspension travel have been provided for comfort. The bike retains the masculine lines and has a striking presence. The Street 750 uses a 749cc, fourvalve, V-Twin engine with liquid cooling (a smaller version of the water-cooled engine co-designed with Porsche used in the V-Rod) and is called Revolution X. The engine is capable of producing 65 Nm of torque at 4,000rpm and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The bike uses a completely new platform and weighs around 218 kgs. The cruiser features a 2-into-1 exhaust and rides on 17in front and a 15in rear wheels with tyres that have been specifically developed for this bike.

hero Motocorp

Once a long standing partner of Honda in India for over 25 years, renamed Hero MotoCorp is now 100 per cent Indian after the separation. The bike and scooter maker unveiled a series of concept bikes -- Hastur, a 620cc super premium street fighter motorcycle, iON, hydrogen-fuel cell powered two wheel vehicle, and SimplEcity, first light weight urban electric motorcycle for India. Besides these, Hero also showcased innovation in existing 100 cc range by introducing youth focused variants -- Splendour Pro Classic, India’s first 100cc bike with cafe racer styling, and Passion TR, India’s first 100 cc on-off bike. And prior to the show, Hero unveiled the RNT, a dieselpowered scooter concept.

honda

Honda launched its all-new CBR500R. In India, Honda has been aggressive mode in the two-wheeler market in India since it split up with Hero MotoCorp. The Honda CBR500R is a fully faired sports tourer that

was first unveiled in November 2012. The bike gets its styling cues from its elder siblings, the CBR600R and CBR1000R. The riding position is rather upright deemed fit for touring. The CBR500R will be offered in the standard solid colours namely red, white and black as well as with a Repsol edition. Powering the Honda CBR500R is a 500cc, parallel-twin, liquidcooled engine capable of producing 47bhp of power and 43Nm of torque. 0–100 km/hr comes up in 5.7 seconds, while the top speed is 185km/hr even with a hefty weight of 194 kgs. The stopping power on the CBR500R comes from a 320 mm disc in the front and a 240 mm disc at the rear. Honda will be offering ABS as a standard feature in India.

suzuki

Suzuki offers a variety of two wheelers that cater to every price point in India. By launching four new products, Suzuki endeavours to be a part of every Indian’s life. Apart from the regular stuff like Hayabusas, the new Suzuki V Strom 1000 ABS was among one of the key highlights. Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra officially launched the female centric 110cc autoscoot- the Suzuki Let’s for the brand.

tVs

In the past, Chennai India-based Indian scooter and motorcycle manufacturer had technical collaboration with Suzuki. Now, it is on its own and the manufacturer had something interesting to present for the motorcycle aficionados. The company unveiled the Draken concept bike. The stylish Draken is a sports bike in the 250cc segment powered by a 4-valve, DOHC liquid-cooled engine. The 134kg bike comes with performance free flow exhaust and rides on a wheelbase of 1,340 mm with ground clearance of 170mm.

yamaha

First shown at Tokyo in November 2013, this is the second outing for the R25 Concept. The concept looks much like Vale’s M1 MotoGP bike and there are good chances that the production model will not deviate much from the design study. Aimed at rivaling the Honda CBR 250 and Kawasaki Ninja 300, the production R25 will use a 250cc parallel fuel-injected twin motor offering around 35PS. It will come mated to a six speed manual transmission. Structurally, R25 will be built on a new frame that features tubular elements instead of the R15-like steel spars.

POWEr gaMEs

Smallest of the current North American motor shows encouraged automakers to talk big

Chevrolet

With some help from NissaN, Chevrolet offiCially uNveiled the 2015 City express.Based oN the NissaN Nv200, the City express has a familiar desigN But is distiNguished By a NeW froNt Bumper aNd a revised grille. the vaN uses a 2.0-litre four-CyliNder eNgiNe.

linColn

ford’s premium BraNd liNColN is keeN to preseNt its upmarket image uNveiled the 2015 Navigator ahead of the suvs offiCially deBut at the ChiCago auto shoW. liNColN thiNks the NeW suv is its Best shot at CadillaC’s popular esCalade.

Subaru

suBaru’s legaCy isN’t exaCtly a NiChe sedaN aNymore aNd With the last-geNeratioN legaCy sedaN (aNd the outBaCk Crossover WagoN With WhiCh it shares muCh of its ruNNiNg gear, suBaru realizes that it’s time to play CatCh up With its midsize C-segmeNt CoNteNder. suBaru is far BehiNd segmeNt leaders hoNda aCCord aNd toyota Camry last year aNd this year it seems it Will go oN the offeNsive With this model. the all-NeW legaCy, Besides sportiNg the NeW desigN laNguage sees a slight Bump iN fuel eCoNomy aNd a CommitmeNt to giviNg Buyers a Better produCt from the JapaNese BraNd. iNterestiNgly, Compared to the legaCy CoNCept from the 2013 los aNgeles auto shoW, the produCtioN versioN has its desigNed toNed doWN CoNsideraBly.

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spotlight news

DoDge

ralph gilles, Chrysler’s srt BraNd Chief seems to Be very proteCtive aBout the srt viper. No matter What happeNs iN the segmeNt, gilles Will Not aBaNdoN viper fuNdameNtals like maNual traNsmissioN or CoNsider a loWer-priCed eNtry level model aNd thiNgs like douBle ClutCh set-up etC.

audi’s staNd

at the shoW

Srt

srt iNtroduCed the trio of dodge Charger, dodge ChalleNger aNd Chrysler 300 satiN vapor editioNs. CosmetiCally eNhaNCed, these speCial editioNs are equipped With satiN BlaCk aCCeNts, red BremBo Brake Calipers aNd 20iN forged alumiNium Wheels. CommoN to all models uNder the BoNNet is the 6.4-litre hemi v8 that develops 470Bhp aNd 470 lB-ft of torque.

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toyota

folloWiNg a releNtless teaser CampaigN, toyota offiCially uNveiled the trd pro liNeup iN ChiCago WhiCh Will Be availaBle oN 4WdversioNs of the taComa, tuNdra aNd 4ruNNer. the trd pro paCkage kit adds a variety of offroad CompoNeNts developed By toyota raCiNg developmeNt (trd).

volvo

the Biggest NeWs Was offiCial iNtroduCtioN of the s60 aNd v60 polestar variaNts for the us markets.

Kia

kia motors ameriCa hosted the gloBal uNveiliNg of the 2015 soul ev, WhiCh is sCheduled to go oN sale iN the third quarter of 2014, the soul ev Will Be kia’s first alleleCtriC, zero-emissioNs Car sold iN the u.s. aNd expaNds the BraNd’s liNe of eNviroNmeNtally CoNsCious vehiCles. aN iN liNe With the theme of eNviroNmeNt-frieNdliNess, kia also iNtroduCed a hyBrid versioN of the optima aloNg With a refreshed optima.

forD attraCtioN for piCk-up truCk lovers atteNdiNg a maJor ma ChiCago auto shoW Was the all-NeW 2015 ford the 2014 Chi some iNterestiNg domestiC variaNts f-150 aNd a

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volKSwagen

eNCouraged By a good ChampioNship seasoN iN the World rally ChampioNship With its polo r WrC volksWageN aNd aNdretti rallyCross JoiNtly uNveiled a raCe-speCCed grC Beetle iN full raCe livery. the ChiCago eveNt also marked the germaN BraNd’s first eNtry iNto the World of gloBal rallyCross. this raCe-speC all-Wheel drive Buggy gets a supertuNed 560plus-hp eNgiNe Besides some hardWare to help it exCel oN Both gravel aNd tarmaC. While, drivers sCott speed aNd taNNer faust Will Compete iN the seasoN’s gloBal rallyCross ChampioNship iN a grC-speC polo. the grC Beetle Will make its raCe deBut at the 2014 summer x games iN austiN, tx, With the same duo of drivers at the Wheel.

niSSan

NissaN Brought to the ChiCago auto shoW its us-speC variaNt of the 370z Nismo WhiCh Comes With a feW miNor updates. the exterior NoW has grey aCCeNts aNd red stripiNg, While iNside there’s aN alCaNtara-Wrapped steeriNg While aNd red dialed taChometer from Nismo. the Car Will Be offered With oNe of the folloWiNg exterior paiNts: magNetiC BlaCk, pearl White, solid red aNd guN metalliC. at its heart is the improved 3.7-litr dohC v6 eNgiNe produCiNg 350hp aNd 276 lB-ft of torque.

MitSubiShi

mitsuBishi’s us market plaNs souNd quite iNterestiNg NoW. mmNa exeCutive viCe presideNt doN sWeariNgeN said: “We are Committed to huge iNvestmeNts iN Capital as Well as huge iNvestmeNts iN r&d. the halo produCt of that iNvestmeNt Could Be a NeW moNtero for the 2017 or 2018 model year. the proposed suv is a little smaller thaN the CurreNt ford explorer suggestiNg Crossover possiBilities. amoNg other NeWs is the us market outlaNder Will get a faCelift Next year Before a maJor restyle iN 2016 aNd a plug-iN versioN is also plaNNed for market lauNCh. march 2014

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2014

GeNeva auto SaloN European car makers seem to be quite excited this year and as always started sending out information and teasers prior to the neutral-venue international show.

CUrtaiN raisEr Geneva Motor Show has been acknowledged as a top-tier neutral international show when it comes to brands, associates and content. In terms of vehicle debuts, whether they’re production cars, forward-thinking, quirky concepts and outrageous tuner vehicles, it can’t get better. Here’s a snap shot.

tOYOta

The new Toyota Aygo will take centre stage on the Toyota stand. Geneva also marks the European Premiere of Toyota’s hydrogen-powered FCV Concept, as well as the FV2, a future mobility concept that explores new interactions between driver, car and environment.

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spotlight

astON MartiN

The Aston Martin DB9 family will grow at Geneva with the arrival of the DB9 Carbon Black and Carbon White special editions. Style and visual drama are the special editions hallmarks as they perfectly emphasise the timeless GT’s sporting nature. Also on show will be a variant of the V8 Vantage. The N430 will be shown in Coupe and Roadster form.

news

bENtlEY

Bentley has recently announces a suite of luxury options and specification updates to its Continental family of luxury Grand Tourers, led by enhancements to the styling, power, torque and performance of the pinnacle Continental GT Speed. Bentley is also expect to showcase the Flying Spur with a V8 4.0-liter twinturbo engine which the company announced a few weeks ago.

aUdi

bMW

Track influenced small car derivatives are expected to be among the key highlights. The World Rally Championship-winning Audi S1 of the 1980s has a new and fittingly thrilling namesake – the 2014 Audi S1 takes the proven framework of the A1 premium subcompact hatchback as its basis, injects it with 231PS of TFSIderived thrust and shores up the result with quattro all-wheel-drive, which appears for the first time in a series production car in this segment. The new Audi S1 and five-door S1 Sportback will be key exhibits along with the brand’s first A3 cabriolet and new TT.

Besides focusing on the newly introduced ‘I’ subbrand, BMW’s stand should be interesting for the audience in the sense that it will mark its foray in to front-wheel-drive models. Once considered forbidden territory, the 2 Series Active Tourer should offer a glimpse of BMW’s new fling with FWD vehicles. Interestingly, following an online leak of images of the 4 Series Gran Coupe, BMW decided to release full details of the car ahead of the show.

PEUgEOt

Keeping in line with Peugeot’s upmarket push, the 108 is considerably more refined than the 107 it replaces.

MClarEN

McLaren Automotive will return to the International Geneva Motor Show this year with its fastest, most engaging, best equipped and most beautiful seriesproduction supercar yet – the 650S – which will be available in both coupé and Spider formats.

hYUNdai

Hyundai officially took off the wraps off the Intrado concept SUV, the first Hyundai product to be developed under the direction of Peter Schreyer. The concept will have its first public outing next week at Geneva and also previews the Korean automaker’s future styling direction.

bUgatti

Bugatti, which now offers high-end exclusivity, will unveil a new Grand Sport Vitesse Legend Edition in Switzerland.

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laNd rOVEr

Land Rover has developed black and silver packs for the Defender in the XS specification. Land Rover will also introduce a pure performance-focused derivative from Range Rover Evoque line-up for 2015 called Autobiography Dynamic.

alfa rOMEO

laMbOrghiNi

New high-performance versions of the MiTo and Giulietta under the ‘Quadrifoglio Verde’ badging will make their world debut. The Quadrifoglio Verde has been a symbol of Italian motor racing since 1923.

kia

Besides the European debuts of the Soul EV, Optima Hybrid and GT4 Stinger concept car, Kia’s focus will be more on technology applications, especially its next-generation hybrid system which has been developed by the company’s European Research and Development Centre.

JEEP

Jeep will introduce the all-new Jeep Cherokee and possibly a smaller concept SUV/CUV that is expected to replace the Patriot/ Compass in future.

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Lamborghini will present its renewed Ad Personam program at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show - the personalization program which allows clients to create their own made-to-order Lamborghini. Currently available for the Aventador range, it will soon be extended to the all-new Gallardo replacement, the Huracán, which will have its first public unveil.

CitrOEN

Citroën began teasing a few weeks before the show some details of two significant models planned for European debut. As the brand moves forward, there are first clear signs of the bold new positioning of the Citroën range: the new Citroën C4 Cactus and new Citroën C1.

The C1 is essentially Citroën’s version of the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108, both of which are set to make their respective debuts in Geneva.

iNfiNiti

Infiniti is looking at Europe as one of its key markets globally, and hence it is expected to announce some premium offerings. The biggest news expected is the details of the engine that will power the Q50 Eau Rouge concept in production guise. Infiniti has hinted that engineers have perfectly captured the tone of Infiniti's take on premium performance, and that it will be the most powerful offering from the brand.

VaUXhall

The production version of latest edition of Vauxhall’s city chic Adam range that was previewed as a concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show as Opel Adam Rocks will take centre stage. Technically it is an urban mini-crossover featuring rugged, outdoor looks and electric folding canvas roof. It will also be the first Vauxhall to get GM’s newly developed1.0-litre three-cylinder Ecotec petrol engine.

VOlksWagEN

Volkswagen will introduce a hefty expansion to its Polo range, including the Polo BlueMotion, Blue GT and CrossPolo.

There’s also a SUV concept called T-ROC. The T-ROC offers a glimpse at future Volkswagen SUVs: it is smaller than the Tiguan, but larger than the Taigun SUV concept, which is in the development phase. The two-door, four-seat T-ROC combines the agility of an all-wheel-drive SUV with the airiness of a convertible.

VOlVO

Volvo Car Group will use the Geneva Motor Show to reveal the third in a series of concept cars – the Concept Estate concept.

MasErati

Maserati has planned two global premieres. The first is the debut of the Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition, developed from the concept car presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of 2013. The second premiere is a concept car that will give a nod to the style of Maseratis of the next 100 years.

OPEl

Opel is expected to showcase the Adam Rocks production version.

hONda JagUar

Jaguar will highlight the 2015 XF range and also unveil the XFR-S Sportbrake, the brand’s first high-performance R-S branded sports estate car.

Honda will have a full hand to offer at Geneva. Vehicles to be featured include the worldwide debut of the Civic Type R Concept model, the European debut of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Concept, and powertrain details of the new NSX and the 2014 Civic World Touring Car Championship race car.

fiat

Fiat will present the all-new Panda Cross, which is mechanically based on the Panda 4x4 crossover and endowed with even more all-terrain capability thanks to a host of new features. march 2014

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rOlls-rOYCE CEO tOrstEN MüllEr-ÖtVÖs It’s no secret that 2013 was a good year for Britain’s luxury automotive brands. Goodwood-based Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sold 3,630 units in 2013 representing an increase of 1.5 per cent. More importantly, it also represents the company’s fourth consecutive record. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös was in Oman last month and Automan met him to understand more about the brand’s aspirations and goals.

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You are expecting the Ghost/Wraith to be the volume seller for the brand.

Can the current production set-up at Goodwood accommodate future demands?

We have taken several steps to ensure sufficient capacity for the foreseeable future. We have invested in the expansion of Goodwood and are adding more highly skilled people. There is also the possibility to add further capacity if needed by some restructuring, changing shift patterns and so on. We are ready for increased demand for new Wraith, we are prepared for that.

You seem not in favour of super high growth or volumes?

I’d like to see Rolls-Royce Motor Cars grow steadily. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is not a volume driven business. While, USA and China are our two big markets [these two markets account for around half of all Rolls-Royce sales] after UK, Japan and Middle East, new emerging markets besides Russia and India are also opening up. We think that if a market has a potential of 20 cars per annum, we would like Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to have an official presence there. We have recently opened outlets in Beirut [Lebanon], Lagos [Nigeria]. These countries are in upswing mode and we are seeing more and more potential customers and for that reason we

a lot of carmakers have come under scrutiny for emissions and efficiency.

What’s your take and how are you addressing the issue?

We are offering cars with state-of-the-art features and technologies. In terms of environmental impact, we don’t think we have a major role as our volumes are quite low when compared to others.

How long can you remain immune to markets where legislation or taxation dictates the nature of cars that can be imported or sold?

We think that PHEVs are promising and in moving forward the brand in countries where legislation or taxation dictates the profile of the motorcar. For me, the direction of plug-in hybrids is probably more the direction to go with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. An eight -cylinder engine with independent electric motors on the wheels could be a solution. Of course, it would have to meet the hallmark Rolls-Royce quality of quietness and waftability.

You have also experimented with pure electric cars with concepts like the eX102. What stops it from becoming a reality?

Pure electric cars, though fun, have very limited driving times, and would be seriously taxed by the weight of and energy requirements of a Phantom, Ghost or Wraith. PHEVs, on the other hand, use battery power and a regular gasolinepowered engine. There are practical limitations in pure electric cars – range and charging infrastructure in particular.

face to face

are investing there.

As a high end brand we will never enter into lower price segments. We are maintaining that highly rare and exclusive image of Rolls-Royce products.

So, in your view what could be the best alternative?

One big advantage we have is that we have access to technology from BMW Group. For Rolls-Royce we think plugin hybrid is definitely the direction to go in for. Most Rolls-Royce owners live outside cities and a pure electric car has limitations in range and charging infrastructure. We need to find that way you have range for commuting but also the ability to pass legal requirements that could force us in to driving as electric only in city centres.

news

What are prospects for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2014?

Our major markets are looking good just so long as we don’t have a catastrophe on the economic side. We think that growth to a new record level of sales is possible and I am very confident that we shall see another very good year. A part of that success will be the Wraith, our newest model. After launch last year, our order books are full and the Wraith is already sold out until the end of June 2014.

Has the customer profile changed for your cars?

A Rolls-Royce is seen as a high-end serious investment, not so much a bling thing. It is perceived by our customers as the most comfortable way to drive. Many of our customers are successful entrepreneurs and professionals. We do see a lot of interest from ladies [almost 10 per cent] for our new models like the Gost. We expect the Wraith to also attract similar profile of customers.

If you did a SWot analysis today, what would you see?

Strengths: excellent product line-up and new models, good order books, enthusiastic support from dealers, increasing numbers of high net worth individuals.

Weaknesses: legal implications or unforeseen laws enforced by countries for high end luxury cars. opportunities: new markets where the brand is unrepresented officially and the ability to balance the brand in markets globally. threats: collapse of global economy.

An eight -cylinder engine with independent electric motors on the wheels could be a solution. Of course, it would have to meet the hallmark Rolls-Royce quality of quietness and waftability. march 2014

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COVErstory | 2014 Audi A3

brEakiNg thE barriEr With the all-new A3 sedan, Audi not only has entered the market segment of compact sedans with a benchmark product, but also lifted the barrier of brand’s entry level price point. Automan checks out the new arrival in Oman Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

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ill now the entry level car from Audi was A1 which was available in both 3- and 5-door hatchback and also as a limited production Quattro model. As Audi expands worldwide, new segments are being explored and currently, the world’s largest market is the class of compact sedans – thanks to the growing sedan markets like China.

While, creating a befitting candidate for the segment, the A3 sedan, Audi seems to have minutely considered other factors like pricing, promotion and marketing. The carmaker has addressed the pricing requirement by keeping the cost of production low than that of the A3 Sportback by assigning the production to its Hungarian facility. At a future date the A3 sedan will also be built in China and Mexico.

As a product and as expected highly at first glance, the car appears expressive in every detail, part in thanks to the A3 Sportback.

The sedan version’s design doesn’t appear as if a boot was grafted to the Sportback, instead it appears like a proper design job of integrating the classic three-box concept and a coupé in its well-proportioned profile.

Another proof that the A3 sedan was redesigned is that it shares no body panels with its Sportback sibling despite being built on the same platform. This car sits atop the best iteration of the VW Group’s MQB frontdrive architecture.

The D shifTing mAp is lAiD OuT fOR mAximum fuel efficiency, while The Rev levels ARe sOmewhAT higheR in The spORTy s mODe. in cOOpeRATiOn wiTh The AuDi DRive selecT vehicle DynAmics sysTem, The s TROnic OffeRs A fRee-wheeling funcTiOn in iTs efficiency mODe

In profile and styling, the A3 sedan will always be compared with the bigger A4 and when compared to the A4, the A3 sedan is 240mm shorter. The A3 is every bit as elegant while also retaining conservatism at a time when many automakers’ are going overboard with varying degrees of outrageous styling interpretations.

Sure, there are multiple creases and the familiar “tornado line” running beneath the waistline, which sharpens up the profile nicely and like a sports sedan, the overhangs have been kept short. Dimensionally, it is also wellproportioned with 2,640mm long wheelbase and an overall length of 4,460mm. We liked the car’s simple lines, LED lights [front and rear] in the 1.8 and its grille execution in particular.

In its construction, Audi has tried to optimize weight and materials given the price point.

With the 1.4-litre engine, the sedan has a curb weight of just 1,250 kg. Audi uses many hot-shaped steel parts in the passenger compartment for low weight and maximum strength, while the bonnet is made of aluminium.

As a standard feature, Audi offers the A3 Sedan with Audi drive select (optional in Attraction line) and a sports suspension (dynamic suspension in Attraction line). The S line sports suspension is available as an option. Wheels measure 17 inches in diameter

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The D shifTing mAp is lAiD OuT fOR mAximum fuel efficiency, while The Rev levels ARe sOmewhAT higheR in The spORTy s mODe. in cOOpeRATiOn wiTh The AuDi DRive selecT vehicle DynAmics sysTem, The s TROnic OffeRs A fRee-wheeling funcTiOn in iTs efficiency mODe

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(16 inches in Attraction line). Our 1.8-litre test variant came with S line trim.

Interiors Anyone familiar with Audis will acknowledge that there’s a premium feel in terms of layout, trim, materials, touch points and features. In the compact segment the A3 Sportback did give a hint of what Audi is capable of and all that continues with the sedan. The way the cabin is designed and set-up, the A3 sedan feels like it has more interior space, an airier cabin, more comfort, and features particularly appealing younger buyers. We like its simple, uncluttered approach with the right packaging in terms of feature pack [plus extra factory options]. Adding even more class to the A3’s interior is a retractable seven-inch touchscreen. Audi has even incorporated a new touch-sensitive pad atop the standard MMI rotary knob. There’s a premium feel, especially on S-line trim models with badging and some extra features. Comfort levels are quite good and so it head and legroom.

Overall, the A3 sedan’s cabin lives up to every expectation you might have and the retractable multimedia screen is something to behold, especially in an era when the fixed screens are beginning to a bit outdated.

Powertrains For the Oman market, besides the trim levels, two powertrain options will be available. Entry level models will get the 1.4-litre 120hp and top end the 1.8-litre 180hp four-cylinder TSFI engines. Common to both is the fact they are turbocharged and use Audi’s patented stratified fuel injection and both come with six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

Higher spec models feature Audi’s new ‘drive select’ function that allows drivers to adjust throttle response, shift points, and the electromechanical steering effort The chassis settings in the entry level model are factory tuned. The retractable monitor on the dash displays the menu options for drive select consists of four settings that include Auto, Dynamic, Comfort, and Individual – each providing their own unique ride characteristics.

In our test car, the individual option seemed to be disabled. Audi’s six-speed and will seemingly offer better fuel economy thanks to its standard Start/Stop feature.

Suspension set-up The package is quite modern and comprises of a MacPherson design with A-arms and aluminum pivot bearings up frame sitting on an aluminium subframe. In the four-link rear suspension, which utilizes a steel cross

member, the springs and shock absorbers are mounted separately for better isolation.

Driving impressions We spent time with both the versions. In terms of driving, both cars appear quite similar in default mode where both exhibit balanced, but firm ride which feels more assured than say the equivalent BMW or Mercedes-Benz. This car definitely benefits hugely from the multi-link rear suspension which Audi has added to the MQB chassis besides near optimal front:rear axle weight bias [ranges from 60per cent front and 40per cent rear] for different engines). All engines are tilted twelve degrees towards the rear, while the front wheel suspensions are placed far forward so the variances are minimised.

Audi has set up the A3 to act more like rear drive than front drive in the base model.

However, the car’s character can be altered with the various available chassis settings.

Overall, we liked the car’s performance in most driving situations. Acceleration is spot on, there’s zero turbo lag and the engine’s sweet spot is definitely mid- to upper range.

The dual-clutch transmission shifts the gears without any noticeable break in propulsive power and you have to keep an eye on the tachometer to get a feel of what’s happening

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underneath.With fewer blind spots for the driver, manouevring the car in tight spots is enjoyable while braking is also very good and there’s no perceivable shift in weight or direction.

The A3 sedan uses the same electromechanical steering set-up as the Sportback, which means it gives a light, well weighted feel. There’s very little feedback from the road, however, the key difference in driving character between the two variants is the steering feedback to be precise. In the 1.8-litre variant it feels heavy and there’s a tendency of torque steer. In contrast, the lighter 1.4-litre is and very well composed and exceptionally well-mannered.

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As Audi has made available many technology applications available in the A3 like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control and these can operate together, individually or even be shut off by the driver.

While these are driver aids in terms of job description, the way they behave together makes us feel as if they are determined to take over the driver. For instance, besides a vibrating alert in case of lane departure [even in normal lane changing manouevres], there’s a tendency to correct the stance without the involvement of the driver. This means, there’s an element of override to which the driver has no control and can be irritating at times. In some respects, we feel the A3 has been over

engineered!

Verdict

In the Middle East, Mercedes-Benz broke new ground when it introduced its compact hatchback. Now, comes Audi with more commitment in the compact segment with both hatchback and sedan. With sound engineering credentials it has made a better car for the class. Audi has raised the benchmark in several places where it matters for customers looking to upgrade into a premium brand at an affordable price point.

Audi seems to have got the equation right on both those accounts. Prices in Oman begin from OMR XXX.

WHeRe DoeS tHe a3 SeDaN StaND vIS-àvIS DoMeStIC CoMPetItIoN?

vs Mercedes-Benz Cla

Mercedes has kept the entry point quite high in terms of both pricing and content in keeping with its sporty positioning. The CLA is available with high-torque turbo engines rated at up to 211hp, sports suspension and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The CLA has breathtakingly sporty proportions and powerfully dynamic design idiom, with its interplay between concave and convex surfaces give this four-door coupé its unmistakable look.

With the “Urban” and “AMG Line” equipment lines, three design packages and numerous other optional extras, the CLA can be personalised to suit every taste and pocket.

vs BMW 3 Series

The mainstay volume seller from BMW is definitely a hard proposition to beat considering it’s been around for six generations. The BMW 3-Series Sedan is the original in the compact sports sedan segment and over the years has come to symbolise the aesthetic appeal, dynamics and sporting capability of the brand. It will be interesting to see whether Audi’s A3 sedan can make a dent in the world’s best-selling premium vehicle market. What goes in favour of the Audi is that the junior executive sedan makes a BMW 3 Series look positively overpriced.

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COVErstory | 2014 MINI Paceman

sEVENth WONdEr MINI’s all-new 2014 Paceman looks a coupe version of the bigger Countryman. Is it just that or more? Automan decides Author: Chandan B Mallik |Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

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MW Group seems to be on an overdrive with model proliferation and the buck doesn’t just stop there. MINI, one of the other brands it owns has also got the irresistible itch to create a niche out of a niche.

The first such niche came in the MINI lineup when the brand created the Countryman.

In fact, the Countryman delivered a number of firsts for the British brand. It was the first

proper four-door car, it was first to benefit from all-wheel drive [branded as ALL4] as standard across the line-up, and physically, without any argument was the largest product ever to adorn the MINI badge.

In such a background, the million dollar question is: should we be surprised that MINI has come up with a new spin-off based on the Countryman’s platform? The answer

is no. This is because, in our opinion, with the success of the Countryman, such a move was expected to happen sooner or later.

Before we move any further, a quick look at where the Countryman stands and why it was so important for the development of the Paceman. First, the Countryman elevates MINI into the growing crossover territory in size and capabilities. The launch of the Countryman in 2010, saw the brand’s hallmark

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The pAcemAn is The Only membeR Of The bRAnD’s line-up TO be iDenTifieD by A ReAR nAmeplATe

driving fun literally conquering new ground not to forget off-road capabilities, thanks to the new all-wheel drive system called ALL4.

To keep visual identities intact and differentiate the Countryman and three-door Paceman respectively, designers have untouched the front end up to the A-pillar. While riding on the same platform and identical up to the A-pillar, the key differences are in the greenhouse and the rear. Compared with the Countryman, the Paceman’s roof is lower and hints at the “baseball cap” style of the smaller Mini Coupe, besides larger the rear lamps and boot design. The Paceman is 4,109mm long and as the wheelbase is same in both

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cars, the major change begins from the B-pillar onwards. It has been re-positioned and structurally widened to accommodate the Paceman’s widened doors. However, when you open the doors, then you realize they are not as broad from inside! But, that doesn’t mean getting in or out of the car is a tedious affair. The hip point in this car is actually convenient.

It also seems that MINI designers have gone overboard to give the Paceman some individualistic street credentials. Well, they come in the form of generous amounts of plastic on the exterior, oversized Paceman lettering and random chrome accents and

most of all, the large horizontal tail lamps [for the first time in the brand]. In this car, the lamps frame the MINI logo and extend to the centre of the hatch.

The cabin of the car is familiar MINI with the usual array of bells and whistles and quirky ergonomics. For people unfamiliar with MINI need to get used to features that come borrowed from the Countryman crossover like the 9in dia rim-styled speedometer in the centre of a minimalistic dashboard which also houses the digital fuel gauge and sat nav screen and the pod-type analog tachometer in front of steering wheel which also has a digital speedo read out. We’ve debated the

logic of this arrangement many a time and conclude that this is MINI’s specific idea of promoting visual elements of sportiness!

Other familiar elements in the kitty include retro-toggle switches and a stop start switch.

The car is strictly a four seater if you have the extended central console version. The benefit of this is that MINI offers a host of add-ons and also runs LED mood lighting through the flexible centre rail storage system that can be adapted to a variety of needs with different holders and bins. Meanwhile, the rear seats also have reclining arrangements. But the sporty new model, appropriately, gets new sport seats. And, in a clear nod to consumer feedback, the window switches have been relocated from the base of the central console onto the doors. The front seats bear a sporty profile and are quite comfortable.

As with the other models in the MINI range, this car is offered with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with various states of tune and feeding. In the test car, the Cooper Paceman, the engine offers 122hp and 118lbs-ft of torque and was mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox which also has Tiptronic and sports mode. The control electronics of the ALL4 system integrated directly in the DSC unit enables power transmission to be altered as required, responding within milliseconds.

Based on the data captured by the DSC system, the distribution of drive power is also selectively adjusted early on when taking a sharp corner at speed, for example. The Paceman’s front suspension is a MacPherson Strut layout with a multi-links at rear. Driver aids include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) as standard across the range, with Dynamic

Traction Control (DTC). Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) is available on the higher output S model.

driVing impressions

The all-wheel drive Paceman is not lightweight as it weighs around 1,478kg. Its powertrain is programmed to let it do 0 to 96km/h sprint in 6.7sec. Considering the new breed of hatchback’s coming out from Europe these days, the Paceman’s figures are middleof-the-road. While, the car doesn’t really feel sluggish, but it also isn’t enthusiastic enough to be declared outright as a hot class performer. Performance is linear and stopping power is as expected. We have no issues with the braking performance itself.

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while RiDing On The sAme plATfORm AnD iDenTicAl up TO The A-pillAR, The key DiffeRences ARe in The gReenhOuse AnD The ReAR. cOmpAReD wiTh The cOunTRymAn, The pAcemAn’s ROOf is lOweR AnD hinTs AT The “bAsebAll cAp” sTyle Of The smAlleR mini cOupe, besiDes lARgeR The ReAR lAmps AnD bOOT Design

Our car’s six-speed automatic gearbox is a perfect choice for the MINI purist. Shifts are quick and in manual mode, it also adds to some fun and offers decent performance to the driver inputs. However, one does have to get used to the quirky paddle shifter arrangement. On either side of the steering wheel there are two of them, but you push forward to shift up, pull back to shift down. So you’re in manual mode, driving along, you think you are going for an upshift, and then you go down a gear! It’s infuriating unless you’ve mastered them!

On the handling side, the Paceman feels much bigger and secure. Considering that it uses electric power steering with Servotronic function, the steering

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Verdict

The Paceman, as the seventh model in the MINI family complements the elegant sportiness of its proportions with a new rendering of the now familiar interior elements of the brand

weight and response to driver’s feedback is exceptionally good. The car feels more like a planted rear-wheel drive most of the time than a front wheel drive. In normal mode, the engine note combined with the automatic transmission is ordinary, but in sports mode low burble throttle blips are entertaining and so is the dedicated mood lighting in the car.

The Paceman’s ALL4 [all-wheel drive] is also well suited for the car. We are aware that the ALL4 set-up was developed specially for MINIs and since its introduction in 2010, has broken new ground and won over additional target groups. The all-wheel-drive system uses an electromagnetic centre differential to distribute drive seamlessly between the front and rear axles. In normal driving situations ALL4 diverts up to 50 per cent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels, rising to as much as 100 per cent in extreme conditions, such

as on ice and snow-covered surfaces. The control electronics of the MINI ALL4 system are integrated directly into the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) management unit, enabling drive to be channelled through the wheels as required in a matter of milliseconds. This ensures sharp sports car like handling. In our view, a bigger engine should be considered for the Paceman in future to help exploit its full potential.

However, we also became aware with a couple of operational niggles. Ergonomics have never been Mini’s strong suit, and the Paceman is no different. It has tons of small switches on the center stack that you don’t know what they are without looking down. The controller for the iDrive-esque interface is also tiny. There was no navigation to speak of in this car, which some people will find as a disappointment.

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rOadtests | Ford Ecosport

COMPaCt all-rOUNdEr Ford’s all-new EcoSport CUV is proving to be a great all-rounder in markets where it has been introduced. Now, the car is available in Oman. Automan checks out the car Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

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very much in line with the trendy cuvs, the ecosport is short and high, with a flat front end and very short overhangs. it uses an efficient turbocharged engine

I

n 2013, Automan presented the first drive report of the Ecosport from India where it was globally launched.

And then at the Dubai Motor Show it became clear that Ford Middle East was considering the model for the region and following favourable feedback from visitors at the show decided formally to the launch the car.

The Ecosport comes at a time when several things are happening in the market place.

The Oman market is beginning to open up to smaller cars and this is evident with the number of new models being introduced by existing players as well as the arrival for first time brands from Asia. Secondly, Ford which has set out ambitious targets and aspirations by 2020 is supported by its ‘One Ford’ business model. This business model basically considers the global strengths of Ford and consolidates the collective effort by unifying standards and cuts out unwanted stuff. As a result, most new products from Ford are not territorial in nature. Irrespective of where they are built, they are truly global

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products in terms of content and presentation.

Among the first wave of all-new products from Ford is the Ecosport CUV. While the EcoSport name has been used before [it was used in a mini sport utility vehicle (SUV) built in Brazil by Ford Brazil since 2003]. The second generation concept model bearing the same name was launched in 2012 and the production version is also assembled in a new facility in Chennai, India. The Middle East variants are being imported from this facility.

Since the Ecosport is a crossover, it is mechanically based on the Ford Fiesta B2E platform/subcompact architecture but in no way does it appear as a Fiesta on stilts. Despite its size, the EcoSport’s chunky styling and bold front end treatment are more soft-roader-ish than a typical supermini. The most interesting design cues at the front, where a corporate flattened nose and large grille dominate the styling. The futuristic trapezoidal grille will also feature on future Ford SUVs and the SUV/CUV treatment is further confirmed with the angular headlamps and a short bonnet that folds into the thick front A-pillars. That product build quality has moved up at Ford is evident with the finish of the EcoSport’s sheetmetal. While the EcoSport may appear like a tall-boy, its aerodynamically sculpted lines ensure a coefficient drag of 0.365, which is quite good for the class and more for the quietness inside the cabin. At the rear, a large rear window that wraps around to the sides along with oblique tail-lamps and instead of a lift gate arrangement [not possible since the spare wheel is attached], it uses a side hinge arrangement. The gate handle is smartly built into the tail-lamp assembly.

Although, the cuv segment is slowly growing, automakers in the region must ensure that product pricing is equally attractive for punters to consider experience of a high-revving engine wailing directly right behind your head

Since it is a new product, it gets a lot of new technology and applications and some common corporate stuff. Stand out features include the latest Ford SYNC driver connect system, a unique voice command system codeveloped with Microsoft. Advanced climate control and a centrally mounted LCD screen with SYNC controls are also included. The main infotainment panel is familiar, as uses the same old mobile phone-theme inspired interface that Ford has been promoting since 2008. Rest of the interior is stylish, modern and well-equipped for five adults. Stand out features influenced by the Mustang are the gear shifter and from the corporate stable

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influences from ford’s fiesta is evident in the cabin. in particular, the mobile phone inspired central console and instrumentation

is the location of the manual shifter toggle switch on the left hand side of the gear knob.

The 333litres of cargo space is surprisingly practical, extending to 1,238 litres with the rear seat folded down. Safety features include dual front airbags anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP), Hill Assist and rear parking sensors.

The EcoSport is offered in the region with top-of-the range 1.5-litre four-cylinder SOHC iVTEC engine offering 118hp at 6,600rpm and torque of 148Nm at 4,800rpm. Power is transferred to the front wheels via 5-speed automatic transmission.

driVing impressions

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One of the benefits of having a tall-boy approach is that not only it allows designers to create generous head room but also facilitates a high driving [command] position for the driver. Besides good visibility, it also becomes comfortable for the driver access to the controls on the instrument panel. The small SUV’s comfort is also evident in the ergonomically friendly seating with anatomical cut-outs and side bolsters, which support the body comfortably.

Assuming the garb of a typical user in Oman, we decided to stretch the test beyond the usual. The car is basically a two-wheel drive and its on- and off-road performance is pretty impressive due to the robust turbocharged

engine and the gear shifting is quite smooth.

Considering the tiny displacement of the forced-fed engine under the bonnet, the car is surprisingly agile and swift on the move. While driving in typical city conditions, the automatic gearbox upshifts a bit early, but maintains a relatively low engine speed. This type of mapping helps improve fuel economy. A tap on the accelerator pedal is well responded.

One would normally expect turbo lag when asked for a bit more power, but that doesn’t happen as power delivery is linear. However, the engine’s lack of sporty oomph in the midrange comes through.

Under heavy loads where the engine is expected to be taxed to the maximum, the

engine can get a bit noisy but this is when the S drive mode comes in handy. The correct thing to do in such a situation is to stick the car in Sport mode where for starters gears will be held for longer and the torque band gets wider. In this mode, the CUV feels peppier and more responsive to drive. The fun part comes when you know that in S mode, the transmission will also allow manual selection gears. In terms of acceleration from standstill, the Ecosport is no match for a Mustang, but it will do the 0 to 100km/h sprint in respectable 13.5secs, which isn’t too bad either.

On the handling side, the Ecosport lives up to its promises. Unlike the Fiesta which has been the toast of its class since 2008, the

MacPherson strut-front and twist-beam rear suspension in the CUV had to be well tied down to control the high-mounted body.

Although, the suspension set-up is calibrated for a luxury ride and we know this is a tough balancing job considering the car’s smaller diameter wheels as expected, there’s a bit of body roll in corners, but the damping system is very fast to react and ensure there’s no excessive wallowing.

In general, driving the car is pleasurable, thanks to nice steering weight and feedback, which is almost as precise and responsive as the Fiesta. What’s more, the tyres offer good grip and the ride is surprisingly comfortable.

Off-road, the Ecosport takes full advantage of

its weight distribution and the light duty trails we went around with the car offered virtually no resistance or rude shocks, this despite having no all-wheel drive systems.

Verdict

Like the new trend of compact CUVs, the Ecosport has been conceived and executed very well under the Ford One global strategy.

Punters will find the Ecosport as aspirational compact utility vehicle and a befitting alternative to a typical 2WD small car.

The EcoSport is roomy and practical, with expectedly good on-road manners. A version with a four-wheel-drive option [not available yet] would have given the car more USP and so does the pricing point.

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rOadtests | 2013 Honda Jazz

Honda’s smallest car in Oman is the second-generation Jazz hatchback.

Automan spends some time with this long serving hatchback that has chequered history with the brand. Despite tough competition in the segment, the Jazz reminds consumers of what the company is all about in terms of efficiency, clever engineering, great design and minimalistic compromise Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

H

onda introduced the current version of the Jazz hatchback in the region almost seven years ago. It’s also a period where a lot of automakers have seen fortunes fluctuating and the market has seen interesting new trends – from downsizing, hybridization to all-new lightweight crossovers. Amidst all these, surprisingly, we’ve always liked the current-model Honda Jazz. And we are aware that Honda is now re-emerging its product portfolio by optimizing its line-up and

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discontinuing market specific slow-sellers and in bigger markets like Europe and US, Honda is diving deeper into the high-efficiency pool with the hybridization and plug-in hybrid models. The Middle East remains a “traditional” market and with models like the Jazz, it is still reigns among the closest traditional Honda car you can buy in the segment. But what scores with us is that amidst a proliferation of trendy hatchback-based crossovers, this is very much a vehicle for those looking forward and here’s why.

ExtEriors

Given its dimensions of 4,100mm in length, 1,694mm width and height of 1,524mm on a wheelbase of 2499.36mm, the compact car bears a cab forward stance as evident from the steep A-pillars and wheels pushed to the corners as much as possible. This arrangement helps create better cabin space and also helps in handling as it optimizes the axle weight ratios. The car’s styling follows the wedge profile and Honda conservatively evolved the design DNA from the first edition and hence there are some similarities with the older car. The current-generation Jazz had its styling revised for 2012 as part of the mid-cycle upgrades. While sheet metal is conservative by today’s standards, the character lines speak a graceful language.

Seen from the front, the large headlamps are like exotic eyes and there’s a horizontal air intake below the bumper that stretches at the bottom corners, appearing to sort of balancing the grille profile. Interestingly, the car’s liftgate is like that of a CUV. Structurally, the Jazz is quite safe as it uses Honda’s ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) architecture which was designed to enhance crash integrity. The car rides on 175/ 35 R15 wheel/tyre combo.

The Jazz shines brightly when it comes to interior versatility in particular and also delivers the efficiency and maneuverability of a subcompact while handling cargo on par with many small crossovers What’s insidE Honda offers several variants of the Jazz in different markets worldwide and because of this aspect Honda is able to pool in some of the sporty aspects for the car in our region. The cloth seats are wonderful, upholstered in a smooth comfortable material that’s pleasing to the touch, and the bolstering is just right, with excellent lateral support, similar to those found in sports cars. Then all this is married to practical CUV elements like lots of cubbies and cup holders and even stowage under the seats. Rear legroom is premium and is more than what is offered in the Toyota Yaris, Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta – key rivals in the segment. Another reminder of the crossover utility is the way Honda engineered the rear seats to fold flat. In this car, there’s a feel-good factor when it comes to touch points. The soft materials are clearly high quality, while the hard trim. The gauges are easy to read and include a big tachometer and speedometer with cool blue needles. Notably, the A-pillar is thinner than that of compatible cars and the triangular windows just behind the A-pillar are quite big. It’s a good feature for an urban-centric car.

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driving imprEssions Forward visibility is excellent thanks to the MPV-like large windscreen and front quarter windows. Surprisingly, the over shoulder view is also good thanks to the convex side mirrors. However, rear three-quarter visibility is a bit obscured due to the small side windows. The car;s four-cylinder engine is smooth and appears powerful enough which is evident from the torque delivery and stress-free nature. For an engine that small which produces around 117hp and is mapped to rev high where at 6,600rpm the maximum output is offered along with 106lbs-ft of torque that comes at 4,800rpm.

We note that there’s always adequate torque available and not only the car is lively on plain roads, put is able to do uphill climbs with ease. And when the driver needs extra torque, the downshifts using the steering wheel paddle-shifters do the job nicely. Very few cars in this class now offer cogged automatic transmission with genuine paddle shifting ability. In fact, Honda has also been able to dial-in a Sport mode for the car that holds the transmission in gears longer when you’re in Drive, and not using the paddles for manual shifting. This Sport mode is meant for sports car-like driving on demand.

Although, it’s been a while now we remember the previous Jazz was criticised for having too-light steering and too soft suspension. Honda’s response was to address that with some revised engineering and as a result there’s a much better steering feel and the suspension is more compliant. Brakes are good and stopping power is impressive.

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vErdict

The current Jazz has many elements that are in its favour.

What we like most are the practicality of the model and Honda’s decision to stick with a cogged gearbox instead of opting for CVT in the name of efficiency. The weakest point for the current Jazz is that despite being brilliantly engineered, it falls short on the competition’s current enthusiasm in the segment. The new generation of compact hatchbacks coming on to the market are bolder, have more emotive exterior design, a finely crafted intuitive interiors and a host of technologies. Honda has given strong indications that the new third generation Jazz will have all that and more. The current Jazz is relatively expensive among subcompacts that are now available in the market, but it justifies its premium as the best driver’s car among the rest.

nEW Jazz architEcturE Will also support a nEW cuv

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ost new crossovers CUVS like the Ford Ecosport [Fiesta underpinnings], Toyota Etios Cross [an Asian variant of the Yaris hatchback] are re-designed with specific SUVtype features when it comes to user-friendly practicality. Technically till the second and current generation Jazz, Honda hadn’t planned a crossover CUV, but that will change when the third generation arrives sometime this year. A Jazz based urban CUV has been the topic of choice among automotive enthusiasts for a long time but now the whole idea has been realized. The Vezel is the production version of Honda Urban SUV Concept which was first shown in 2013 Detroit Auto Show.

At the Tokyo Motor Show in 2013, Honda has unveiled the Jazz based production version of the Vezel.

Manufactured by Honda in Japan, domestic sales began in December 2013. The Vezel is available with two powertrains, as a conventional gasoline-powered and as hybrid electric vehicle. It shares Honda’s Global Compact architecture with Jaaz/Fit, equipped with a centrally

located fuel tank under the front seat. The Vezel is also being prepared for sale in the US and Europe. We hope this car arrives in the region as the market opens up to CUVs.

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PrEvieW | Audi S3 Cabriolet

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For the First time in its history, Audi blows the top oFF its hottest entry level model: enter the 2014 s3 cAbrio

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udi is on overdrive when it comes to creating interesting variants of well-settled models. The Audi S3, which is now built on the VAG corporate MQB platform will be available for the first time in the history of the model as a convertible version. The new S3 range has benefited being built on proven platforms and hence Audi finds it comfortable to introduce a new niche to customers who wanted a four-wheel drive compact and performance focused convertible.

From a visual standpoint alone, the Audi S3 Cabriolet cuts a sporty figure. It is 4,430mm long, has a wheelbase of 2,600mm, and is 1,790mm wide and 1,39mm tall. To give the car its standalone profile, there’s aluminium strips on the windscreen frame and waistline, aluminium-effects on exterior mirror housings and edged sill trims. The taillamps come equipped with LEDs as standard.

The luggage compartment lid has a spoiler edge, and the bumper has been also been redesigned.

An aluminium-look bar and four vertical ribs give shape to the platinum-gray diffuser, which frames the four tailpipes typical of Audi S models.

The car’s fabric roof mechanism is made of magnesium, aluminium and high strength steel and can be raised or lowered in just 18secs at the push of a button at speeds of up to 50km/h. The Audi S3 Cabriolet weighs 1,620kg.

Signature features in the cabin which comes as standard equipment, a sports leather steering wheel and aluminum door with S3 logos.

Multifunctional leather sports steering wheel is available with a flat bottom edge as option, also with optional paddle shifters.

Just like the standard S3, the cabrio is outfitted with a 2.0-litre TFSI engine developing 300hp, between 5,500 rpm and 6,200 rpm, and 380Nm of torque from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm. As expected S-Tronic double clutch automatic transmission and four-wheel drive comes as standard. The powertrain is optimized to offer both efficiency and performance. The quoted average consumption is 7.1 litre per 100 km. The S3 Cabrio is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100km/ h in 5.4secs. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km / h (155 mph), without any restriction on the retractable ceiling fabric.

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PrEvieW |

Chevrolet Adra Concept

the AdrA concept suv wAs showcAsed For the First time At the delhi Auto expo. it hAs been engineered speciFicAlly For the indiAn And emerging mArkets

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estheticically very similar to the Kia Soul, this Chevrolet CUV concept borrows many influences from of its Southeast Asian siblings, but it adds sharper creases, especially down the centre, and incorporates a rear shape and overall tall wagon-ish profile. Featuring a large grille and headlamps extending over the mudguards, it has all the attributes of a traditional SUV – such as high ground clearance and a high seating stance. Inside, a flat-bottomed steering wheel

and a central infotainment screen help create a modern aesthetic. Holden’s Global Design Centre in Melbourne, Australia, also contributed with some input, more importantly in its construction and fabrication. The concept Adra is 4.2m long and if it goes into production, there is a possibility that it could be shortened to less than 4.0m enabling it to take advantage of the Indian government’s tax favourable classification. While no powertrain details have been released, it is believed that GM

has a befitting answer to Ford’s tiny Ecoboost engine in the form of the new three-cylinder 1.0-litre Ecotec engine. The first application of this engine will be seen in Vauxhall’s Adam Rocks hatchback which will debut in Geneva this month. The new three-cylinder produces 90 or 115hp depending on the tune, while torque is 122 ft-lb from 1,800rpm to 4,700rpm in the Vauxhall. The Adra will be a direct rival of Ford’s EcoSport CUV if it gets the green nod for production.

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PrEvieW | Ferrari California T

FerrAri releAsed detAils oF the new cAliForniA model, cAlled cAliForniA t, prior to the genevA unveil. the incoming cAr signAls FerrAri’s return to turbochArging

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errari hasn’t made a turbo road car since it stopped building the F40 back in 1992. But that is about to change with the newest addition to the line-up – the California T, which will be officially introduced at the Geneva Auto show this month. ‘T’ suggests turbo charging and Ferrari promises that the California T will epitomise elegance, sportiness, versatility and exclusivity in one single package.

Well, these characteristics are expected as they have been among the distinguishing features of every California model since the 1950s. Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre in collaboration with Pininfarina, the California T maintains the overall dimensions and proportions of the outgoing model along with the key features like 2+2 concept, a

refined cabin and the retractable hard top (RHT) which transforms the car’s coupé profile into a sophisticated spider in 14secs.

The car is built on a redesigned and optimized aluminium spaceframe with the same torsional stiffness of the stock California. Weighing in at 1,625kg, the California T has the same dimensions as the previous California. The front end of the car features a new layout and borrows a number of elements from the current models. The grille is larger and has more pronounced horizontal fins.

The headlamps are positioned on top of the front mudguard lines and the air intake on the bonnet has been replaced by a central crease line and two air openings.

The side view of the car showcases a different surface treatment with a smoother, flowing effect.

A lot of the sheetmetal detailing is inspired by the 250 Testa Rossa, such as the famous pontoonmudguard styling, the front wing line stretching back towards the compact, muscular rear and the lower edge of the side vents sweeping up into the rear mudguards. All these contribute in giving the car a cleaner and more stretched profile. The rear end sign-off is a full-width diffuser which integrates the exhausts. Interestingly, the exhaust tips are now side-by-side and not stacked.

The car’s cabin has been kept simple and uncluttered. It features a new dashboard defined by horizontal lines. While, the main layout of

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instrumentation and styling elements are maintained with the exception of the new Turbo Performance Engineer (TPE) which is positioned between the two centrally placed air vents.

The TPE display boasts a capacitive (touch-sensitive) surround to scroll through screens with information on making the most of the new engine’s performance. Ferrari also introduces a new infotainment system with a high-resolution 6.5in screen featuring both touch-screen and conventional controls.

Powering the car is a direct-injection 3,855cc V8 forced-fed engine which comes from the family that is also used in the new Maserati Quattroporte. But that’s where the similarity ends as both brands have very distinct delivery requirements. As a result, Maranello’s engineers have heavily adapted and modified the engine and mods include swapping the cross-plane crank for Ferrari’s traditional flat-plane crank, three-piece cast exhaust manifold and turbo housing and created an entirely Ferrari-specific power unit, designed specifically to deliver top levels of performance, blistering pick-up and the most exhilarating soundtrack any turbo has ever yielded. As in Formula 1 this season, a turbo is used to cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and some of the derived technologies find application here.

The car uses very low inertia twin-scroll turbines to ensure ultra-sharp throttle response and virtually zero turbo lag. The engine is mounted very low in the chassis in a mid-front position and delivers 560hp at 7,500 rpm along with maximum torque of 755Nm. The California T is

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capable of doing the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in jaw dropping 3.6secs. Drivers can head out on to a track in pure racing tradition with easy access to paddle shifters behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel to operate the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

On the handling front, the California T should deliver true sports car characteristics, thanks to reduced steering wheel activity and improved steering response to driver input, courtesy of a new steering box and suspension set-up. New springs and latest-generation Magnaride dampers (which respond 50 per cent faster), combined with body motion accelerometers, reduce roll and pitch for more precise handling whilst still guaranteeing an incredibly comfortable ride. The California T also has the latest evolution of the F1-Trac traction control system for maximum acceleration out of corners, thereby underscoring the sportier side of its personality.

Capable stopping duties are ensured by the CCM3 carbon-ceramic braking system. The brakes are integrated with the latest in ESP which controls the high performance ABS for a short 100 to 0 km/h braking distance of just 34m.

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PrEvieW | 2015 Lexus RC F

how does lexus, better known For premium luxury cArs And suvs deFine power, precision And pAssion?

It’s called the allnew 2015 lexus rc F perFormAnce coupe And is the lAtest From the brAnd to sum up these three elements

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t the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit Lexus drooled audiences after the carmaker revealed its most powerful V8 engine in the all-new 2015 Lexus RC F performance coupe. “I’ve built RC F to be enjoyed by all enthusiasts - no matter what their level of expertise,” said RC F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi. “There’s a misconception that racing cars are hard to drive. In fact, they’re easy in the right hands because they’ve been purposebuilt for the skill level of their drivers. It’s the same with RC F. Electronics can be modified instantly on board to provide appropriate levels of performance and protection. But even at its basic setting, it’s a blast.”

The RC F features its own version of the Lexus signature spindle grille which dominates the front of the vehicle from bonnet line to lower lip. The

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F gets a unique front bonnet with large airs vents inspired from the LFA and the grille has a subtle F-mesh pattern on the lower half. The car also takes design cues from the Lexus LFA supercar, especially in essential air cooling and aerodynamics.

Bespoke carbon-fibre package will include a clear coated roof and active rear spoiler. The rear end of the car is F specific also with deeply sculpted corners sitting just above the quad tailpipes.

In its structural assembly, Lexus has combined several manufacturing techniques including body adhesives, laser-screw welding, laser brazing and multi-spot welding.

Interestingly, both RC F and the standard RC were co-developed and that explains those striking mechanical and styling similarities between the two. Instead of Lexus developing the standard model first and then modifying it to meet

performance targets, the RC and the RC F were developed by dedicated development teams.

The F performance model is mechanically based on the RC coupe and employs a n all-new 5.0-litre 32-valve V8 engine which for the first time in a Lexus performance car uses the Atkinson cycle at cruising speeds for enhanced fuel economy and then switches to the Otto cycle at higher rpm to develop impressive performance levels. This engine produces 450hp and 383lb-ft of torque and is transferred through a newly calibrated eightspeed Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) transmission.

Several track oriented elements have been incorporated in the package, like the Torque Vectoring Differential (TVD) feature which takes care of the amount of power the engine produces efficiently to the ground and ensure top class handling and performance and paddle shifters for

manual shifting. Three operating modes, Standard, Slalom, or Track are offered. For road and track handling, the suspension set-up includes front and rear coil-springs, monotube gas-filled shock absorbers and ball-jointed stabilizer bars. The F also gets three new 19in forged aluminium wheels.

Inside, the F is expected to come with typical Lexus refinement. And features showcased in the F so far include a large, centrally mounted tachometer and a speedometer placed to its right and an information screen to the left. The entire digital cluster changes depending on which drive mode is selected: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus. Drivers get a bespoke, fat rimmed steering wheel and ‘F’ logos embossed on the front seats.

A choice of five shades of leather upholstery will be offered.

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PrEvieW | 2014 Peugeot 108

AFter renewing its offerIng In the B- and csegments, peugeot now looks to energise its presence in the premium compAct city cAr segment. the all-new 2014 peugeot 108 should be breAth oF Fresh Air For consumers

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n less than a year, French carmaker Peugeot has achieved some remarkable milestones.

Despite difficulties, it has implemented a strategy which is backed by a wave of great new product depicting high quality, generous specifications and innovations in surprisingly affordable price brackets.

With the down-sizing trend gaining momentum globally which also happens to be one of the strongest selling points for the lion badged brand.

With the outgoing 107, Peugeot was able infuse stylish appearance and affordable purchase price and also connect with buyers with an efficient and clever response to the needs of urban mobility.

The new 108 is 3.47m long and 1.62m wide with an impressively tight turning circle of 4.8m. It weighs from 840kg and has a chic and classy design, with precise lines, technical headlamps and overhangs

which are reduced to the minimum for exceptional dynamics. The luggage space is 196 litres but this is reduced to 180 litres when a spare wheel is on board. On the practical side of things, folding the rear seats down will help create total luggage volume of 750 litres. There are several storage areas in the cabin, including a place in the door bins for a one-litre beverage bottle and another in the glovebox good for a 500ml bottle.

The big news is that as well as building three and five-door versions of the 108, the carmaker will also offer one version with a retractable fabric roof which its call the 108 TOP! Customers will be offered eight body colours, two of which are exclusive to the model, and there are three fabric roof shades for the 108 TOP! Cabrio. Two-tone schemes, interior themes and a wide range of personalisation options will also be available. The fabric roof will fold just

like the one on the Fiat 500C and can be opened to any position and there’s an integral wind deflector also.

While the 108 is primarily a city car, t is also a key part of Peugeot’s move upmarket. As part of this drive, customers will get a comfortable premium trimmed cabin with features like 7in touchscreen, reverse camera, keyless entry and start, automaticair conditioning, heated electric mirrors and automatic lighting. Innovative new Mirror Screen technology which allows the driver to display and use their smartphone’s home page will also be available.Upon launch customers will be able to choose from four power units, including 1.0-litre VTi 68bhp and 1.2-litre PureTech VTi 82bhp threecylinder units. CO2 emissions are as low as 88g/ km. The 108 goes on sale on July 1 and prices are expected to be released next month.

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PrEvieW | Renault Kwid Concept

renAult unveiled its kwid concept At the delhi Auto show. the fIve-seater compAct cAr, which is tArgeted At young customers From emerging mArkets, wAs designed with input From renAult design indiA under the ‘explore’ portion oF renAult’s lIfecycle-Based design philosophy.

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esigners from the carmaker’s global studios collaborated in the design, which has been developed specifically for Indian drivers. Axel Breun (Technocentre Design) was the overall project manager, while François Grenier (Technocentre Design, France) designed the interior based on drawings by Mishu Batra (Renault Design India). Anton Shamenkov (Technocentre Design, France) designed the exterior based on original drawings by Jean Semeriva (Studio Design Brazil). The colors and materials of the vehicle were worked on by Neha Lad and developed by Chie Yanagisawa (both of Technocentre Design).

Stylistically, the KWID’s proportional discrepancies and bulbous design elements make it hard to take seriously.

Dihedral doors, oversized fenders, color-keyed wheels and

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a visor-like cabin treatment ensure the KWID’s place as one of the more interesting concepts to be revealed in recent times.

Its interior is inspired by a bird’s nest, while the seats hang over a solid, white base.

Three passengers sit in the front, just behind the driver, who sits in a central position.

This arrangement means it can be driven in both left- and right-hand markets. Two more seats are found in the back, and passengers benefit from air conditioning operated via controls on the back of the driver’s seat. The concept’s dashboard features a centrally-mounted, open-ended steering wheel and LED display screen.

The narrow vertically-mounted TFT touchscreen provides the vehicle’s primary dash information, and also access to connected services.

On the propulsion side, the KWID Concept is designed to be converted to full electric drive with ease. Conventional power comes in the form of a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine, mated up to a dual clutch transmission. Although the concept looks allwheel-drive-capable, it is in fact only two-wheel drive.

The KWID concept’s most notable feature is its Flying Companion, with potential uses including scouting traffic and detecting road conditions. This takes off from the rotating rear section of the roof and can be manually controlled via the tablet integrated into the dashboard, or in automatic mode using a pre-programmed flying sequence and GPS location. The proprietary quadcopter is hidden beneath a rear pivoting roof section and is a world first feature that can be operated remotely from inside the cockpit.

“Customers in new markets are much younger,” says Serge Mouangue, Brand Manager and Innovative Cooperative Laboratory Manager for Renault. “Their expectations are different and customers are basically gamers. This concept car meets those needs in a variety of ways, but mainly thanks to the Flying Companion which makes driving both safe and fun. This is the very first time we can drive with an eye in the sky.”

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PrEvieW | Toyota FT-1 concept

the new ft-1 concept Is the result of toyota’s calty desIgn studio’s mission to creAte the ultimAte sports cAr. could it be the new suprA?

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xciting times are ahead for the sports car fan base of Toyota. With the success of the FT/ GT86, Toyota top management has indicated that it wants the line-up to have three models with the 86 taking middle order. This means both top and bottom slots are under consideration. As of now, the first indications of this intent The California-based design team, which also celebrates its 40th anniversary this year has produced a car that is strikingly modern, yet which makes reference to Toyota’s rich sports car history.

The name says it all. FT-1 stands for “Future Toyota,” and the number “1” represents the ultimate.

The FT-1 Concept is the ultimate expression of a Toyota coupe design, building upon Toyota’s rich sports coupe heritage dating back to the mid-1960s 2000GT, Celica, Supra, MR2 and most recently Scion FR-S. In addition, the concept draws inspiration from Calty’s more recent sports car concept work such as FT-HS (2007) and the Lexus LF-LC (2012).

The exterior captures the look of racecar with a curvilinear form, pronounced front wings and sharply defined contrasts that express powerful performance. The FT-1’s optimum aerodynamic qualities are communicated by its large air intakes, exhaust ports and retractable rear wing.

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The front engine/rear-wheel drive configuration allows the cockpit to set further towards the rear of the car, within the wheelbase, helping improve weight distribution and create classic sports car proportions. The wraparound windscreen and side glass arrangement are a clear nod to the design of the original 2000GT. The ergonomics of the cabin capitalise on the car’s low centre of gravity, helping the driver derive the maximum reward from the driving experience. A deltashaped display zone helps make the driver feel at the heart of the action, fully connected to the car. This quality is reinforced by the Formula 1-style steering wheel and a colour head-up display that projects key information just above the wheel. The designers have pushed the A-pillars as far back as possible, to increase visibility when cornering.

While no powertrain details have been released, the car does feature in Gran Turismo 6. Here it comes with actual specs in the virtual world: a curb weight of 1,320kg and 485hp, which apparently gets bumped to 518 horsepower after an oil change!

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Interestingly, Toyota’s general manager of the Racing Hybrid Project and the man responsible for the Toyota’s Le Mans prototype race cars, Hisitake Murata believes that a high performance hybrid sports car using existing technology is possible. “Our technologies are shared with the whole of Toyota Motor Company,” he continues, before envisioning a future Toyota sports car.

“If we made a conventional sports car we could apply a super capacitor system or combine a super capacitor system and hybrid battery to achieve a similar braking performance,” he says. The Japanese automaker has recently shown a high-powered hybrid drivetrain in the compact Yaris. Toyota is also working on another sports car, co-developed through a partnership with BMW that will slot below the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S. This entry-level sports car is unlikely to be considered appropriate for the Supra badge, however. Analysts suggest that suggest if the FT-1 goes into production it will take the top slot and in base guise may use a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, with potential for an upgraded version offering a 2.5-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid with up to 402hp.

BREAKING NEWS

Toyota has reportedly taken another step toward in this direction [sports cars] by renewing the Supra trademark in the US last month. Toyota’s original Supra trademark which was established in 1979 expired in 2006, four years after the last car rolled off the assembly line.

proposed trio oF sports cArs From toyotA

FT-1

Toyota is testing waters of a possible Supra revival with the FT-1 concept. First stage has been design.

Before taking his current position as chairman, Takeshi Uchiyamada last year said that he wanted Toyota’s next sports car to be a spiritual successor to the Supra.

ft86

Akio Toyoda has gone on record to say that the Toyota sports car family should be three sports car brothers, where the middle slot is permanently reserved for the 86.

future unnAMed Model

Although Toyota has yet to officially commit to using the nameplate for any new vehicles, the way things are progressing at Toyota, it is now widely believed that Toyota will develop the top two tier model themselves and assign the co-developed with BMW product as the model below the 86.

Traditionally Toyota’s design decisions have been driven by consensus among a large group of people. This approach has been fundamental to the development of the fT-1, a concept that captures Toyota’s aim of creating cars that connect more deeply with customers march 2014

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PrEvieW | Volkswagen Taigun SUV Concept

volkswAgen presented A Further developed version oF the tAigun suv concept At the Auto expo 2014 in new delhi.

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Defining characteristics of the Taigun include its sompact dimensions, spacious interior, an efficient high-tech engine and exterior-mounted spare wheel

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ompared to the first concept idea that was presented in São Paulo, Brazil, the new Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) has a new rear design with an exterior-mounted spare wheel. Trim parts added to the side sills, wheel arches and bumpers emphasise the vehicle’s rugged character; LED spotlights on the roof rails, on the other hand, highlight its contemporary silhouette.

In the spacious interior, meanwhile, the concept vehicle shows how Volkswagen is presenting a sophisticated and multi-purpose compact SUV at affordable prices. Its styling, surfaces and layout of instruments and controls - together with its orange and beige seat upholstery and numerous matt anodised aluminium accents - give the interior fresh and youthful contrasts.

The four-seat VW Taigun will be powered by a new 1.0-litre TSI engine with 81 kW /110 PS ; its combined fuel consumption is 4.7 l/100 km (110 g/km CO2). The efficient powerplant extends the line-up of three-cylinder petrol engines, adding direct fuel injection plus turbo technology. Volkswagen is writing a new chapter in its downsizing strategy here. Not only is the three-cylinder engine very lightweight and fuel-efficient; its maximum torque of 175 Newton metres is also available at a low 1,500 rpm.

The Taigun is not the only compact SUV/CUV VW has to offer now. Reports are emerging from Europe that the brand is looking at a possible in-between model smaller than the current Tiguan, but bigger than the Taigun.

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PrEvieW | Lotus C-01 Motorcycle

the c-01 Is the fIrst motorcycle to Bear the lotus Brand name, But It will be mAde by An independent germAn speciAlist. AFter two yeArs oF intensive development, the First prototype is reAdy For Action

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n 2013, we carried a snippet in Automan about this particular motorcycle project which had a connection with Lotus. In fact, it is a project conceived by German racing firm Kodewa and tuner Holzer Group. The Lotus name is used under a name licensing arrangement. Lotus Motorcycles C-01has been designed by Daniel Simon, of exVolkswagen and Bugatti fame and is the man often credited with creating the reborn Tron Light Cycles. The latest update is that this Lotus branded prototype motorcycle which looks straight out of a sci-fi movie is engineered to go.

Styled as a modern sport cruiser morphed with classic 60s cafer racers, the bike’s unusually organic shape seems to be really appropriate for a motorcycle bearing any connection with Colin Chapman and the company’s famous “add lightness” and innovative aerodynamic mantra .

Simple geometric shapes and lines are combined in a rational, balanced way. And through an array of graphic interpretation and a stance which avoids using razor-sharp lines or aggressive shapes, our choices from the options include the classic black and gold, British racing green and even a variant that resembles Martini livery combos.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that the C-01 isn’t just an embodiment of the Lotus ethos and there are some interesting bits that have us looking forward to the production version that’s reportedly due as early as two months.

The chassis is made up of composites and metal steel and includes titanium and carbon fibre.

Following some inspiration from the early 60s British café racers, seat height has been kept to around 28in. With its 65in wheelbase, the bike is a full 10in longer than a real street-legal superbike,

and its front end is raked way out in front with a 19-inch wheel. Power comes in courtesy of a modified version of KTM’s 1,195-cc 75° V-twin engine [also used in KTM RC8R] good for 200hp and power is transmitted through 6-speed jawtype shift transmission. While these dimensions suggest a sports car-like slow slung stance, in practicality those who are aware of track bike setups will agree that these dimensions won’t allow much racetrack handling prowess, unless its rider is only planning on going in a straight line. With a claimed dry weight of under 181kg, the C-01 should be quick down the quarter mile. Keeping the bike in contact with asphalt are 120/70ZR19 profile tyre up front and 190/55ZR17 at rear. The C-01 project’s promoters are planning an exclusive production run of just 100 units, in order to attract superbike collectors and fans of the Lotus brand. march 2014

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haMiltON fastEst as f1 PrE-sEasON tEsts WraP UP

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ewis Hamilton underlined Mercedes’ status as early season favourites after topping the timesheet on the final day of Formula One testing at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

Hamilton registered a fastest lap of one minute 33.278 seconds in a final display of his car’s coveted pace ahead of the start of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship in less than two weeks’ time.

The Briton came just two-hundredths of a second from matching the overall best time of the Bahrain tests. Felipe Massa, driving in his first year for

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Williams, set the benchmark at 1:33.258 during Saturday’s sessions.

Hamilton completed 70 laps for the day in his F1 W05 challenger.

The day’s running at BIC was extended until 6pm local time, giving the drivers and teams a sneak peek at what to expect when they return to the Kingdom next month for the 2014 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on April 4-5-6.

The Bahrain race will be held at night for the very first time, marking the circuit’s 10th anniversary.

But prior to Bahrain, the teams were focused on gearing up for the first Grand Prix of the season in Australia, and testing reached its climax.

Valtteri Bottas continued Massa’s good work in their Williams F1 W05. He was second-fastest for the day finishing 0.709 seconds off Hamilton’s pace.

“I think with this amount of testing we are as prepared for Melbourne as we can be,” said Bottas, who completed 108 laps. “The team has done a great job and thank you also to Mercedes-Benz.

“We still need to work very hard in these next two weeks but overall I’m happy with how testing has gone for us. I am looking forward to picking up where we left off when we get to Melbourne.”

Fernando Alonso remained consistent for Ferrari.

He finished 1.002 seconds behind Hamilton while completing 74 laps today.

Nico Hulkenberg steered Force India to a best lap 2.299s gap from the front. He had 74 laps to his name for the day.

“The final day of testing went pretty well,” said Hulkenberg, who had set the pace on different

occasions for his team.

“So it’s been two good days for me and I’m feeling pretty satisfied. You always want more time to prepare, but I think we’re in good shape. The car has come a long way since the first Jerez test and we have made progress every day.”

Jean-Eric Vergne continued to surprise for Toro Rosso as he stayed within striking distance of the leaders. Vergne cocked a best lap 2.423s behind Hamilton’s fastest.

Adrian Sutil of Sauber followed 3.189s back. He shared duties for the day with teammate Esteban

Gutierrez, who was 4.025s adrift. In between them was Max Chilton of Marussia with a 3.557s gap.

World champion Sebastian Vettel’s had a better day than usual in the Red Bull RB10. Vettel was 4.190s from first place although he managed a solid 77 laps, which was his highest single-day total of the Formula One pre-season tests.

Jenson Button followed for McLaren (+4.833s), while Kamui Kobayashi of Caterham (+5.113s) and Romain Grosjean of Lotus (+6.024s) rounded out the final day’s timesheet.

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first COrNEr at sakhir NaMEd aftEr sChUMaChEr A

s part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, organisers at the Bahrain International Circuit have named the first corner in honour of seventime world champion Michael Schumacher.

It’s a great honour for a racing driver who is still amongst us. Michael Schumacher, who remains in an induced coma following his skiing accident in December, not only won the inaugural race in 2004, one of his record 91 victories, he still holds the official lap record.

He also has strong connections with the BIC outside of his participation in racing and was directly involved in the early stages of the BIC’s

development, offering his own input into the design of the track, including the layout of turn one.

“With the support of his family, it is a great privilege to be able to honour arguably the greatest racing driver in the history of F1 and someone who the people of Bahrain hold close to their hearts,” said Zayed Al Zayani, Chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit. “From his first appearance at the BIC in 2004, he immediately became an inspiration for all those who love motorsport in the Kingdom and it is therefore natural for us to recognise him in this way.”

fOta disbaNdEd F

OTA, the once unified and powerful alliance of Formula One teams, has collapsed.

With top teams Red Bull and Ferrari already out of the picture, membership fees were going unpaid and the exit of FOTA chiefs Martin Whitmarsh and Eric Boullier effective drove the final nails in the coffin. UK’s The Telegraph reported that there were disputes about the group’s purpose, years on from the volatile Max Mosley era and breakaway series threats. Secretary general Oliver Weingarten confirmed the news that FOTA was disbanded, saying the “changing political and commercial landscape” had caused the decision. “The teams will probably think they can exist and fight their own corner but there will be something when they will realise they will be stronger in numbers,” he lamented in an interview with the Associated Press.

Designed for extra kilometres* at no extra cost * Comparison between a standard fuel and that same standard fuel containing our fuel economy formula.

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“The team at the BIC continues to offer Michael and his family its best wishes,” he added.

“Michael’s family would like to thank the Bahrain International Circuit for this gesture,” said Sabine Kehm, speaking on behalf of the Schumacher family, “acknowledging Michael’s achievements in Formula One and interest in the BIC circuit design.

“We take it as a recognition for his passion for motorsport. I am convinced Michael will love the idea and feel very honoured about having a BIC corner named after him.”

lOtUs f1 tEaM aNd rENaUlt sPOrt f1 CONfirM PartNErshiP Lotus F1 Team and Renault Sport F1 are delighted to officially confirm the extension of their successful chassis-engine partnership for 2014 and beyond.

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enault will supply the team with its Energy F1-2014 Power Unit for the coming season. The Energy F1-2014 is a cutting edge power plant designed for the radical new 2014 technical regulations, which unite a V6 turbocharged direct injection internal combustion engine with two motor generator units that harvest energy dissipated in the exhaust gasses and brakes and deploy as both electrical and mechanical power. When combined the energy systems will be more than 35% more energy efficient than the previous V8 generation thanks to technical and sporting regulations that prescribe a fuel flow limit of 100kg/h and maximum quantity of 100kg permitted per race.

The extension continues the long and successful history of collaboration that first started in 1995 when Renault supplied its legendary V10 to Benetton, as the team was then known. Success came quickly, with the partnership securing the Constructors’ world title in its first year. Renault F1 Team was created in 2002 as Renault purchased the team, with Enstone the base for chassis operations and Viry-Châtillon the hub for engine activities. Under the Renault banner, the team reemerged as a dominant force, with Fernando Alonso taking back to back world titles in 2005 and 2006. Renault’s decision to re-centre F1 activities around engine supply led to a majority shareholding being sold to Genii Capital in 2009 before the Luxembourg-based group purchased 100% control at the end of 2010. Renault has since remained involved as the team’s engine partner, aiding the team to re-emerge as a front running team in recent seasons.

BREAKING NEWS

Russian telecoms company Yota Devices has completed its acquisition of a 10per cent stake in the Lotus F1 team from its majority shareholder, the private equity firm Genii.

fOrCE iNdia sPONsOr arrEstEd iN iNdia Amid team supremo Vijay Mallya’s high-profile problems, it emerges that another key Force India figure is also in major trouble.

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eam boss Vijay Mallya’s grounded Kingfisher airline has hogged all the headlines, but now the owner of Force India title sponsor Sahara is also in hot water. The report said police have raided the house of Subrata Roy, after a non-bailable warrant for his arrest was issued by the country’s apex court. The warrant was issued after Roy failed to appear in court to answer a case about unpaid refunds to investors. At the time of going to press, Roy was in remand.

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Download the Shell Motorist App for your iPhone or Android device from www.shelloman.com.om, Google Play store, Apple App Store or scan the relevant QR code below.

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D

UaE dEsErt ChallENgE

ubai-based rider Sam Sunderland has quickly set his sights on victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge after his career received a major boost when he joined the most successful bikes team in international cross country rallying.

The 24th edition of the Desert Challenge, which marks the opening round of the 2014 FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship from 3-10 April, will see Sunderland make his competitive debut with the Red Bull KTM Factory Rally Team after signing a three-and-a-half-year agreement.

The deal underlines the 24-year-old’s status as one of the sport’s brightest young talents, and he will now look for immediate success in the UAE’s Western Region of Al Garbia, where his biggest rival will be new KTM team-mate Marc Coma, the four-times Dakar Rally winner and six-times FIM world champion.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to be joining the team which has won the Dakar for the last 13 years, and I’m really excited to get the chance to work with

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Marc,” said Sunderland. “The team has a huge amount of experience, and I’m dreaming really. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Sunderland links up with Coma and the rest of the KTM team for two weeks of testing in Spain next month before returning to the UAE for another week of preparations for the Desert Challenge.

“It’s definitely an event that I consider I have a possibility to win,” he said. “But for that to happen everything needs to fall into place. There are so many factors involved in winning a rally like the Desert Challenge, where you’re riding ten hours a day for five days.”

Taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE and is also the third round of this year’s FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars.

The event’s high-profile line-up of strategic partners

and supporters includes the Diwan of the Ruler’s Representative for the Western Region, Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management, Nissan, ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Aviation and Qasr Al Sarab Resort by Anantara.

After the Desert Challenge Sunderland will contest the second round of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship in Qatar before finalising the rest of this year’s schedule in the build-up to the Dakar Rally.

Another of his biggest rivals in the UAE is expected to be Portugal’s Paulo Gonçalves, who finished runner up to Coma in last year’s event but edged out the Spaniard in the race for the 2013 FIM world title. The FIA World Cup series is already under way, with the opening rally in Russia, won by Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi, to be followed by the second round in Italy next month before the sport’s top drivers assemble in the UAE. Moto GP

faCtOrY MOtOgP™ tEaMs Of hONda, YaMaha aNd dUCati WErE ON-traCk at PhilliP islaNd as thEY aNd tWO MOtO2™ sQUads ENgagEd iN a tYrE-fOCUsEd tEst at thE aUstraliaN CirCUit F

ollowing last year’s Australian Grand Prix - when the premier class race was divided into two halves by pit-stops and the Moto2™ event was shortened, due to the abrasive new track surface leading to severe tyre wear - it was decided to organise this test at the island track which will host the 16th round of the 2014 season.

Fresh from their announcement in Malaysia to run under Open regulations for 2014, Ducati Team

will be fielding riders Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow, joined on-track by Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi - as well as Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa.

It remains to be seen as to whether World Champion Marc Marquez, who continues to recover from a broken leg, will be replaced by an alternative rider. All MotoGP™ class representatives will be experimenting with Bridgestone’s new Phillip

Island-specific tyres.

In the Moto2™ ranks, two leading teams have been selected by Dunlop to work on behalf of the tyre company, as Marc VDS Racing Team is represented

by Mika Kallio and Tito Rabat while Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2’s Nico Terol and Jordi Torres will also be in action at the 4.4km (2.7mi) anti-clockwise circuit.

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GivinG back to the marketplace

the global automotive industry is a behemoth that many people study; yet few are ever able to understand.

Based on the principles of mammon, grounded in capitalistic ideals and driven by the consumerism that the industry in part feeds, this gargantuan edifice powers industry, economy and growth around the world, employs millions and is a constant part of our current phase of human existence. yet most of us can be blamed for losing sight of the woods because of the trees – or in this case the cars and other vehicles that we drive. Unless you are actually a part of the automotive industry, you can find it hard to fathom the complexities of the process that delivers the shining metal chariot to the road. And most of us don’t care about the how – we want the result. However governments and the industry as a whole have forever been in a tango. incentivising the path for a group of companies to set up ‘local’ manufacturing facilities seems to be a new phenomenon, but it isn’t. in most cases, car companies have their home bases where their founders set up shop, be it detroit, Mulhouse, nagoya or Milan. you had an idea, you got some backers and you started making your own automobile.

But now the huge mega corporations that are behind the automotive industry have grown to such an extent that factors like access to growth markets, proximity to resources and cost (or the lack of it) of energy and labour decide where they open new manufacturing facilities. take the case of the great rush to set up car factories in China, india, eastern europe and south America. one constant that we have been hearing from every brand is that the source of a global product is no longer significant, what with the standardisation of production processes and supply chains.

Living in the GCC area gives you a unique perspective on the car industry. you see cars manufactured in every part of the world, except from right here in the region. What with the lack of skilled local manpower, a prosperous populace and low import tariff levels, there just isn’t a business case that would get a car manufacturer excited at starting a car factory in the region. or that’s what we thought till now. Apparently the management at Jaguar Land rover have found the economic criteria that matter – announcing their intention to manufacture the new discovery in saudi Arabia, backed by government investment. that’s no easy task they have set themselves. somehow i would have thought that a new engine plant in the region would have made more sense considering proximity to aluminium smelters, cheap energy and shipping routes. Building an assembly plant means higher costs for a long time over building the car elsewhere and shipping them into a 5% import duty zone. And if you configure the plant for one model or type of vehicle, you have to be sure that you can manage a lower cost per unit And have a large local market

Raj Warrior is editor of Automan and has been in the thick of the Automotive journalism field from the past 15 years.

that needs that model. JLr have past experience of such plants – of the defender for military use. Making a retail oriented model like the discovery is a whole different ball game – especially considering that the average cost of labour in the local market is not that much lower than in the United Kingdom itself. one can only speculate at the sheer size of the sweetheart deal that the saudi government must have put on the table to get JLr on board. And once JLr come in, other manufacturers will also have to be enticed, for the

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whole idea of getting local manufacturing going is to build an industry right there – complete with logistics, suppliers and services. Are we thus going to see the eastern saudi seaboard become the hub of all large sUv manufacture at some date? or will other GCC governments rise to the challenge and incentivise other companies to set up base around the region? in the meantime, let’s welcome the initiative. there is a solid need of employment opportunities for GCC citizens and only so many vacancies in government sector, petroleum industry and service sectors. Perhaps bringing large-scale manufacturing to the region is the best way to connect back with the buyers of this marketplace.

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