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Automan DEC 2014

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now, the region’s Best Automotive Resource

DEC 2014 Issue no 160

2015 Maserati GranCabrio & GranTourismo | 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale | VW XL Sport | Renault Eolab | Peugeot Quartz | SEMA & LA Motor Shows | Motorsports

cover story

2015 Maserati Granturismo

36

Centennial edition of Maserati sports cars

36-43 2015 granturismo and grancabrio 44-49 2015 ferrari 458 speciale NEXT ISSUE

Oman and regional news

2015 lincoln mkc

6-14 Renault Trucks introduce reinvented line-up in Qatar, Refreshed 2015 Porsche Cayenne in Oman, Dramatic regional unveil of Ford’s all-new Mustang in Dubai,Ford’s new business unit now fully functional,Motoring extravaganza in Dubai, ‘Inspired Light By Infiniti’, Highoctane drifting at the Red Bull Car Park Drift Grand Final, Harley-Davidson Open House Day held in Oman, Lotus F1 drivers captivate Dubai Mall visitors, ‘YALLA MINI’ Roadshow programme touches the Sultanate

exclusive

16-17 2015 aston martin lagonda progress

COVERstory |

2014 automan coty

18-20 nominees announced

brandwatch

22-24 Maybach badge returns as top-ofthe-line S-Class, AMG releases details of new trim levels, Mercedes now owns 25 per cent of MV Agusta, Infiniti to preview next Q60 with Detroit concept, Infiniti appoints new creative agency, Mazda begins Mexico production, SsanYong names its forthcoming SUV, MINI to limit model expansion, Hyundai Genesis tops ANCAP ratings, More cars included in Takata airbag recall, Total names new CEO

26

International news spotlight

30 44

56

Car crazy central

Poles apart when it comes to presenting cars at SEMA or LA

50

70

26-29 2014 sema Show report 30-32 2014 la Motor Show report

special feature

34-35 past, present and future cars in paris

First drives

50-54 2015 audi a8l 56-61 2015 mercedes-benz e400 cabrio

concept car previews 62-65 66-67 68-69 70-71 72-75

ferrari fxx k renault eolab peugeot quartz toyota C-HWR vw Xl sport

MOTORSPORTS

76-79 F1 ready for 2015 season with many changes, regional motorsports, porsche gt3 cup, mondiale finale in abu dhabi

Chicane

80 Interstellar and the great void

editor-in-chief 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.automan.me 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

hatim@alroya.net

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 Antony Karlo 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, Muscat Tel: +968 2479 4167, 2479 8157 Fax: +968 2470 0545 © 2014 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

100, 90, 80, 70 and could we reach 60? No, that isn’t the result of applying brakes on a speeding car or indeed seeking newer and lower speed limits. By now everyone knows that the most logical association to this sequence is the drop in the price of crude oil as measured in dollars per barrel.

It seems almost inconceivable that we are witnessing this sustained drop in prices. The last time there was any significant downward pressure on oil prices was at the height of the financial mess as economies contracted and demand for oil fell. Post 2010 that slump has been pushed aside, with a massive rebound in many places of the world, with only a few pockets still facing recessionary pressures. So then what’s happening to bring cheer to the faces of government officials in oil-importing countries, while giving heartburn to their colleagues in exporting nations?

Politics and commerce as so intricately bound together that you just cannot see where one ends and the other begins. Low oil prices hurt Russia, hopefully keeping them busy while the Ukraine imbroglio is sorted out. But it also hurts the intrepid US shale gas producer who uses fracking as a means of extracting trapped pockets at a higher cost. It definitely will hurt Oman if it sustains for any length of time as our relatively higher cost of extraction associated with enhanced recovery methods needs a better sale price. The timing is also bad, since the relatively higher prices of the past years had allowed the government to embark on some strategic infrastructure improvements that will come online over the next few years.

However, there is an underlying certainty – the price will rebound some day. The moot question is how long will we see these lower prices stay (and will they go as low as 50 dollars)? Knowing how people react to these lower prices at fuel pumps around the world, one hopes that the on-going electric and hybrid revolution doesn’t take a hiatus. There is a window of opportunity that technology provides to actually make these new technologies so efficient that they make sense even in a low oil price regime.

In the meantime, a new law on competition and consumer protection has been passed, much to the delight of the PACP. It strengthens their hands as they protect the consumer and theoretically encourages competition by allowing more than one source for a product brought into the country. We will definitely keep track of the effects this has on Oman’s car market. Wishing all our readers a great 2015!

Now, Automan is available in bookshops in the United Arab Emirates too! Get your copy or let us know which outlets you would like to see us in

R

Bruno Blin

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enault Trucks chose Doha as the location to roll out its completely new line-up of trucks. Marking it as an event that happens only once in twenty years, the company highlighted the huge investment that has been made to leapfrog ahead of their competition.

In addition to that, the event was significant as the company chose to introduce their C and K ranges to the market, on the heels of the D range that they introduced in 2013 as a facelift model.

At the launch, Bruno Blin, President of Renault Trucks, said, “In developing the C and K ranges, we have deployed significant resources to ensure these vehicles deliver maximum reliability. Each range has undergone rigorous quality trials and have also been exhaustively field tested under actual operating conditions.

Ruggedness, driver comfort, payload, pulling capacity, and easy body mounting are the features which set these trucks apart and make these the perfect tools for demanding businesses.”

Bruno Blin, continued: “Both new ranges have been designed and developed in close association with international customers, who have been involved in the project from the design stage right through to testing under actual operating conditions.

“The Renault Trucks C range offers superior driver comfort, exceptional reliability and optimal fuel efficiency, making it ideal for both long-haul and certain construction applications. The K range offers new standards in durability and robustness. The front bumper is 100% steel with headlamp protection and has models that suit the harsh demands of the construction industry.

Lars-Erik Forsbergh, President Renault Trucks Middle East, said, “These trucks have been tested for over a year in Oman in some of the toughest regional settings. Oman presents the type of extreme conditions in terms of heat and

Lars-Erik Forsbergh

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me |

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Oman & region news

Renault Trucks reinvents its line-up

topography that are ideal to test a truck to its limits. The new Renault Trucks ranges performed extremely well with no issues reported. This is vital for businesses who need to be able to rely fully on their vehicles for the maximum productivity.”

Media and guests got an opportunity to drive the whole range of the new trucks in various body styles around the Losail Race track. The event’s highlight was a grand dinner held at the Diplomatic Club in Doha, where Herve Bertrand, Director of Design and creator of the new range, said, “This original design, as well as the attention paid by the Hall of Design teams to the sides of the vehicles, has added a great deal of dynamism to the new ranges.”

Renault Trucks in the Middle East has a strong dealer network in 13 countries and has experienced sustainable growth over the past three years. Qatar is one of the key markets in the region with an expected growth of 30% between 2012 and 2015.

Harley-Davidson Open House Day held in Oman

H

arley-Davidson Middle East and North Africa (MENA)’s organised the brand’s ‘Open House Day’ event in Oman last month along with the local dealership. “Every year, the Harley-Davidson community gathers at Open House Days to celebrate riding culture while getting a preview of the latest H-D motorcycles. This year was no different, with local HarleyDavidson dealerships across the Middle East putting together exciting Open House Days to bring together Harley-Davidson enthusiasts, friends and family,” said Elsa Abi Nader, Regional Marketing Manager at Harley-Davidson MENA. The event saw approximately 150 riders meet up at the HarleyDavidson Oman dealership in Muscat for an activity filled day. The Open House Day event also officially launched Harley-Davidson’s 2015 line up of motorcycles in Oman besides promotional activity related to sales by the dealership.

“We are delighted with the way the Harley-Davidson community participated in the Oman Open House Day. This year, we’ve combined a superb array of motorcycles with a schedule of exciting events that brought together riding enthusiasts, friends and family for a memorable day,” said Peter Grimshaw, dealer principal at Harley-Davidson Muscat.

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news

Oman & region

Dramatic regional unveil of Ford’s all-new Mustang in Dubai

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he 112th floor of world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai served as the launch platform for a bright yellow 2015 Mustang. Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford came specially for the event which was viewed live around the world on YouTube as well as by approximately 10,000 local fans.

Viewers of the action spectacle witnessed a dramatic journey that started with a hero atop a cliff in Arizona taking an urgent call. The unknown protagonist raced via horseback, airliner, car, helicopter and jetski to Dubai to deliver the iconic pony badge. Only in the final scene on the 112th floor of the Burj Khalifa – 399m above the ground – was the protagonist revealed with a wink and a nod as Bill Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford.

“Today we planted the Ford flag in the Middle East & Africa, an exciting, vibrant region that represents the final frontier for growth in the auto industry,” Bill Ford said. “We also sent a message to the world that Mustang is going global after 50 years as America’s greatest motoring icon.”

And depending on market, the line-up will be offered with upgraded V6 and V8 engines. Meanwhile, an all-new 2.3-litre EcoBoost® engine that brings stateof-the-art technology to Mustang will also be introduced. The Mustang GT will continue with the latest edition of the throaty 5.0-litre V8, which now features an upgraded valvetrain and cylinder heads that yield more than 420hp and 529Nm of torque. A new intake manifold improves low-speed breathing for better fuel economy, idle stability and emissions.

New business unit now fully functional

Ford established its new Middle East & Africa business unit this year, which covers the company’s automotive business in 67 Ford markets in North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa and Middle East regions. Industry sales in Middle East & Africa are expected to grow 40 percent to 5.5mn vehicles by 2020. To meet new customer demand, Ford pledged to launch 25 vehicles in region by 2016, including the all-new Mustang debuting next year. “A century ago Henry Ford had a vision to open the highways to all mankind,” said Jim Benintende, president, Ford Middle East and Africa. “Placing our regional headquarters in Dubai lets us tap the innovation and imagination that’s flourishing here, helping us to bring our founder’s vision to this part of the world.”

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In addition to the new Mustang, Ford will also introduce new vehicles such as the Ford Focus, Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKC in the Middle East and Africa. The company also announced the accelerated rollout of many new technologies to the region, including EcoBoost engines, SYNC in-car connectivity, inflatable rear seat belts, MyKey and other driver assist technologies Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 11

F

or motoring aficionados in the region, the Dubai Grand Parade, an annual city-wide motoring extravaganza featuring the largest convoy of super, luxury and classic cars and bikes in the region is one good reason to hang around.

This year the parade took place on November 28 and the programmed kicked off from Meydan Race course in the afternoon. The parade featured over 400 cars and 130 motorbikes in various categories ranging from luxury to extreme performance. The 45km route took the participants in some of the most iconic Dubai landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab.

The event also set two Guinness World Records – the first one being for the largest number of car brands [58] in a single motorcade which completed a

3.2km tour around the Motor Village. The second world record was established for the longest selfie relay when 289 participants joined hands to generate sheer excitement at Motor Village.

Motoring extravaganza

in Dubai The parade featured participants from UAE’s car clubs and private car owners and included the crème de la crème of automotive brands including Aston Martin,

Bentley, Bugatti, Cadillac, Ferrari, Jaguar, McLaren, Lamborghini, Porsche, RollsRoyce besides iconic two wheeler brands like Harley Davidson, Ducati and Triumph among others. A number of participating cars were decorated in the colours of the UAE national flag in celebration of the UAE’s forthcoming 43rd National Day on Tuesday 2nd December.

The Dubai Motor Festival 2014 is organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, DMF forms part of the emirate’s strategy to use festivals and events as a means to drive tourism growth in line with Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2020.

The highlight of the evening was the ‘Inspired Light By Infiniti’, the first of its kind ‘painting by light’ show in the world performed exclusively by cars, in this case the Infiniti QX70S Elite. Using highperformance engines in a blend of art and technology, precision and innovation, the QX70S cars created visually mind-blowing experiences through multi-colored fluorescent lighting, with the complex yet exquisite choreography conducted by worldrenowned light painter Patrick Rochon.

Motoring action reached a peak at the Red Bull Car Park Drift Grand Final, which returned to Dubai once again for its championship-deciding round under the Dubai Motor Festival umbrella. 17 of the finest drifters from around the region played out their passion and skills in front of a packed arena with the intense competition seeing the number of drifters being gradually reduced to eight and then four before Jordanian Ahmad Daham put on a scintillating display of high-speed drifting maneuvers on his Nissan Silvia to be crowned the ‘King of Drift’. Ali Al Baloushi from Oman and Egypt’s Haytham Samir grabbed the second and third spots respectively.

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Refreshed 2015 Porsche Cayenne in Oman The 2015 Porsche Cayenne was revealed in the Sultanate last month. Porsche’s top of the line SUV receives a minor facelift and engine upgrades. For the region, the model will be available in five versions: Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S Diesel and, for the first time, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. The Cayenne S drops its V8 in favour of a turbo charged V6 without dropping output or torque. With the refresh, Porsche has consciously focused on two significant areas: performance and efficiency. These aspects come in addition to some customary cosmetic tweaks and detailing in jewelry.

‘YALLA MINI’ Roadshow programme touches the Sultanate

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he MINI Showroom in Al Qurum was quite busy last month as the British brand’s custodians organised a brand event involving cars, customers and prospects. MINI models on show included the John Cooper Works Countryman, Paceman and the MINI 3-door hatch, which launched earlier this year. The all-new MINI 5-door hatchback with three-cylinder engine was the highlight model for the event which included an interactive “The

Container” – a pop-up space which was used for branded merchandise promotions, educating customers about customisation and in-car connectivity among others.

Commenting on “Yalla MINI” in Oman, Divyendu Kumar, Managing Director of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles said: “To offer our MINI fans the chance to have fun with the British brand, “MINI Yalla” was the safest and most unique platform connecting brand experience with an adventure that focuses on MINI’s premium build and engineering excellence.

Lotus F1 drivers captivate Dubai Mall visitors Just days before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lotus Formula One drivers Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado, were seen hanging around The Dubai Mall helping a film crew shoot a feature with the Renault Twizy, a car which uses technology from Formula One. Both drivers raced down the alleys of The Dubai Mall in this electric car.

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Birth of the Lagonda A

few weeks ago, Automan revealed to the world the first physical evidence of Aston Martin’s allnew four door sedan. The first working prototype was sent to Oman quietly for a ‘real-time’ 20,000km test programme in August. The images of the prototype otherwise known as VP1 [validation prototype] doing the runs in various locations in Oman was shot exclusively by us and during the run, we were able to discuss some of the car’s fundamentals

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While Aston Martin has released some more details about the forthcoming William Towns-inspired, carbon-fibre bodied Lagonda, Automan has exclusive details on how the car’s development is moving forward Author: Chandan B Mallik Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

with one of the test engineers.

The first step of the project began with the M1. In this stage the car is built with a representative body, powertrain but gets no finished interior. The initial engineering concepts are worked out on this car and this car was first photographed wearing camo.

So what do we know about the Lagonda sedan after spending a day with the test team and car? The incoming car’s architecture and powertrain come from

the Rapide S. The car is 145mm longer than the Rapide and the wheelbase is approximately 110mm longer. Under the carbon bodied structure, up to the A-pillar it identical and internally, up to the rear transaxle there are no changes. The main change is post the transaxle which represents the engineering changes. The propeller shaft connecting the engine to the gearbox is still made out of carbon fibre while the new extension 110mm tube is made out of alloy. Effectively this

means the rear bulkhead gets extended enabling rear occupants extra legroom.

However, the central tunnel is as wide as in the Rapide and there’s a similar bulge at the rear which effectively restricts the car to a four-seater. Sitting in the front, the VP1 felt no different to a stock Rapide.

The interior of the prototype [especially the dashboard which was grafted from the Rapide] is more representative than an actual final product, however, the involvement of Aston Martin’s Q branch in the cabin doesn’t go entirely unnoticed and the car was rich in leather bound hand-stitched elements.

The powertrain in the Lagonda which is same as the Rapide S remains untouched and so is the air-conditioning hardware.

Interestingly, the cabin volume of the Rapide S and the Lagonda is identical. This is because of the absence of the bulkhead in the Rapide where the boot area is also included in the calculation for airconditioning.

The next stage of development following the structural, HVAC testing is to prepare a car with customer preferences. Aston Martin will offer bespoke solutions very much like Bugatti ensuring exclusivity.

This month a fully representative model called Taraf was previewed at UAE. And by the end of the year after the component/ validation sign off, the first customer production car for sale will made.

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Fifty Six Hot Cars shortlisted For this year’s edition It’s taken the Automan team more than a calendar year and thousands of kilometers and various geographical locations to test and evaluate the shortlisted candidates for the third edition of COTY in 2014. From hundreds of cars driven overall with some intense competition within the class/segment categories, the task has been Herculean. With grit, determination and strict time guidelines set, we are happy to present the compilation of vehicles that have made it to this round. Following is the list of editorial nominees and participant recommendations. And the final list of winners will be announced in the third week of next month. So, stay tuned for the final results and also follow developments on www.automan.me as we break news.

Hyundai Sonata

Large Car

Hyundai Genesis

Large Car

Audi A3

Premium Car

Ssangyong Korando

Midsize SUV

Lincoln MKC

Midsize SUV

Lamborghini Huracan

Performance Car

Cadillac ATS Coupe

Premium Car

Infiniti Q50

Premium Car

Mercedes-Benz C Class

Premium Car

Mclaren 650S Spider/coupe

Performance Car

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Performance Car

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Performance Car

Bentley CGT V8 S

Luxury Car

Cadillac XTS V Platinum

Luxury Car

Maserati Ghibli

Luxury Car

Mazda3

Small Car

MG6

Small Car

MINI Paceman

Small Car

Maserati GT & GC Centennial

Performance Car

Kia Soul

Hot Hatch

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

Hot Hatch

Mitsubishi Attrage

Small Car

Toyota Yaris sedan

Small Car

Ford Fusion

Midsize Car

MINI Cooper

Hot Hatch

Volkswagen Golf R

Hot Hatch

Volkswagen Beetle

Hot Hatch

Honda City

Midsize Car

Lincoln MKZ

Midsize Car

Honda Accord

Large Car

Audi TT/TT S

Sports Car

Ferrari California T

Sports Car

Jaguar F-Type

Sports Car

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Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 19

Ferrari 458 Speciale

Performance Car

Aston Martin Rapide S

Luxury Car

Aston Martin Vantage S

Performance Car

Aston Martin DB9

Sports Car

Geely Emgrand 7

Small SUV

Ford Ecosport

Small SUV

BMW X4

Midsize SUV

Jeep Cherokee

Midsize SUV

Lincoln MKX

Midsize SUV

Mitsubishi Outlander

Midsize SUV

Nissan X-Trail

Midsize SUV

Subaru Forester

Midsize SUV

Kia Sorento

Midsize SUV

Chevrolet Tahoe

Large SUV

GMC Yukon

Large SUV

Cadillac Escalade

Premium SUV

Porache Macan

Premium SUV

Porsche Cayenne

Performance SUV

20 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

Maybach badge returns as top-ofthe-line S-Class Mercedes-Benz’s new uber super luxury S-Class Maybach flagship was launched simultaneously in the US and China last month. The car has been further stretched by 207mm over the longwheelbase S-Class to provide extra generous rear legroom. Even at 5,453mm in length, the Mercedes-Maybach is still well short of the 5,840mm-long RollRoyce Phantom. A number of special extra-cost packages are available for the rear-seat occupants and luxury features include massage function based on the hot-stone principle, and a “first-class rear suite” package that includes a centre console with cup cooler/heaters and aircraft-style fold-out tables.

The new Mercedes flagship is expected to cost US$600,000 depending on the

bespoke options ordered. Interestingly, the price structure does represent a premium of more than US$100,000 on the most expensive current S-Class [the S65L AMG], but it is also US$400,000 cheaper than the previous-generation Maybach that cost US$1mn when it was launched as a Rolls-Royce and Bentley alternatively in 2004. The S-Class Maybach will be offered with 4.7-litre 335kW bi-turbo V8 as the S500 and 6.0-litre 390kW V12 as the S600.

Externally, the Mercedes-Maybach gets a number of special details to set it apart from its smaller S-Class siblings, including chrome touches such as radiator grille louvres and Maybach badge on the boot and C-pillar.

AMG releases details of new trim levels The performance arm of Mercedes Benz, AMG which currently offers appearance and full-on performance packages has now created an intermediate package called the AMG Sport lineup.

This package will slot between regular Mercedes models fitted with the optional AMG Sport Package and fullon AMG-designed cars like the C63 and the 911-fighting GT. AMG Sportbadged cars will benefit from a host of mechanical enhancements including a more powerful engine, bigger brakes, a

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sport-tuned chassis and all-wheel drive in select markets. The teaser image published by Mercedes-AMG reveals that the first two AMG Sport models will be based on the C-Class and the upcoming MLE Coupe, respectively. The AMG Sport treatment will be gradually applied to most of the Mercedes lineup over the coming years and AMG hopes the addition of the new model line will allow its annual sales to top 60,000 cars in 2017. This year, AMG is on track to build a record-breaking 40,000 cars.

Mercedes now owns 25 per cent of MV Agusta

Daimler AG has purchased a 25 per cent stake in Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta via its performance brand Mercedes-AMG. With the new merger, Daimler joins the ranks of auto giants Volkswagen and BMW that also have a motorcycle brand under their umbrella. The Mercedes-AMG division will actually be involved with MV Agusta on an inter-personal level in a long-term partnership, stated the company.

The Milan based MV Agusta is one of oldest European motorcycle makers with an illustrious legacy being the recipient of 75 world championship and constructor titles including Moto GP and the Isle of Man over the years. In the last 15 years however, the brand changed several hands including Proton and more recently Harley-Davidson.

Currently, Mercedes-AMG states that the merger is restricted in the area of marketing and sales with the German auto giant providing the needed support to MV Agusta.

Giovanni Castiglioni, President and CEO MV Agusta termed the merger as a perfect brand fit with both the companies sharing similar attributes for designing high performance machines with excellence. For Mercedes on the other hand, the inclusion of the Agusta brand will allow the automaker address high-performance enthusiasts with automobiles and motorcycles. In the long term though, both companies could certainly use their expertise to bring forward lightweight technologies as well as compact and more efficient performance engines that would power two-wheelers as well as four.

For the past five years, MV Agusta’s growth has been limited to a double digits and the merger with Mercedes-AMG is expected to provide the push that the Italian manufacturer needs. The brand showcased the new Brutale 800 RR and Dragster 800 RR at the EICMA last month, and will enter the touring segment for the first time with the new Stradale 800 and Turismo Veloce 800 motorcycles.

Infiniti will preview the design of its next-generation Q60 coupe with a thinly-veiled concept car at the 2015 Detroit auto show in January. This fact was was confirmed by company design director Alfonso Albaisa in Los Angeles.

“On January 13, you’re going to see a concept car that’s very, very, very, very close to the next Q60,” said Albaisa.

While Albaisa didn’t offer any other details, but the next Q60 is expected to be the two-door version of the Q50

sedan. This follows the logical path of the current Q60 [previously known as the G37 coupe] which shares much of its styling with the previous G37 sedan.

Like the Q50, the Q60 should be ready for a 328hp version of Infiniti’s 3.7-litre V6. However, a new Daimler-sourced turbocharged four-cylinder could also be offered as well as the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 from the Nissan GT-R as a performance variant. The production version of the Infiniti Q60 is expected in 2015.

Breaking news

Infiniti appoints new creative agency

Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. has selected Crispin Porter + Bogusky as its new global creative advertising agency of record. The agency will partner with Infiniti in brand and marketing planning and creative development, effective immediately. “Crispin Porter + Bogusky has a demonstrated ability launching and nurturing brands and is an excellent match for our mission: elevating Infiniti to be a global premium brand,” said Vincent Gillet, Infiniti Vice President, Global Marketing.

“Their strength in leveraging multiple communications channels made them the obvious choice as our marketing partner, and we look forward to their fresh thinking as we continue growing Infiniti’s stature.”

The Infiniti account will be based out of the agency’s Colorado, US office, where strategic plans and creative work will be developed. Regional offices for the agency will be established around the globe to service key regional Infiniti markets, including China, Europe and North America.

Mazda begins Mexico production Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that production of the all-new Mazda2 (Mazda Demio in Japan) has begun at Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation (MMVO), the company’s new plant in Mexico. MMVO President Keishi Egawa said; “With the start of production of the all-new Mazda2, operations underway at the engine machining plant, and an increase in our annual production capacity, we now have an even stronger production framework capable of supplying global markets with SKYACTIV products of the same high quality level as those made in Japan. At the same time, we are pleased to be able to make a contribution to Mexico’s further economic growth.” MMVO is Mazda’s third global facility to begin manufacturing the all-new Mazda2 following Hofu Plant in Japan, where production started in July.

SsanYong names its forthcoming SUV

SsangYong Motor Company CEO, Yoo Il Lee, has announced the name of the company’s all new B-segment crossover - Tivoli. The South Korean unit of India’s Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. plans to launch the Tivoli, the brand’s first all-new vehicle which also introduces SsangYong’s new design language, in four years domestically as early as January 2015.

The new car takes its name from Tivoli, the Italian town near Rome with a reputation for style. Noted for its cultural heritage and beautiful location, the gardens at Villa d’Este have inspired many others to use the name, including the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. The SUV has been under development for the past three years and will be offered with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and will complement Ssangyong’s C-segment model line-up which currently includes the Korando crossover.

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 23

brandwatch

Infiniti to preview next Q60 with Detroit concept

news

Breaking news

Christophe de Margerie

Total names new CEO

MINI to limit model expansion Reports emerging from Europe suggest that BMW Group has decided to reduce development costs for MINI, which is seen as the struggling brand in the portfolio. The company will narrow its product focus on existing core models, including the basic hatchback variants, the Clubman and the Countryman. “It is important to find the right balance between growth on the one hand and profitability on the other,” MINI’s chief Peter Schwarzenbauer said at a recent media event.

This means that some of the more unconventional models, such as the Coupe and Roadster could be axed down the road, though the company has not yet formally announced which specific models will be eliminated.

Schwarzenbauer suggests that MINI will still be working to innovate and evolve in the coming years, eventually taking “new an unexpected directions.” As with the current trends, an electric offering is expected to be added to the range, while customers will be able to choose from more customization options.

Total SA’s directors named refining and chemicals head Patrick Pouyanné as the company’s new chief executive. Pouyanné will now head the organization after the top slot became vacant due to the death of Christophe de Margerie in an air crash last month.

Hyundai Genesis tops ANCAP ratings

More cars included in Takata airbag recall US safety regulators last month expanded the number of vehicles in the country that may be affected by recalls for potentially defective Takata air bags that could spray shrapnel at occupants. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a statement the number of vehicles from 10 automakers covered by recalls this year and in 2013 is now 7.8mn, up 28 per cent from the 6.1mn announced earlier. The NHTSA said the new number corrected the vehicle list provided in prior safety bulletins this week, adding some vehicles and excluding others from previous bulletins. Car brands which are affected include Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors. They have been linked to four deaths and resulted in several lawsuits in the US. 24 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

Hyundai Motor’s new executive car, the Genesis, has achieved the highest score in the 21-year history of ANCAP testing – 36.88 points out of a possible 37 and a maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating. A 5 star safety rating is ANCAP’s ultimate measure of vehicle safety protection for occupants and pedestrians. The demanding assessment includes a 64km/h frontal offset test and a 50km/h side impact test, along with a 29km/h pole test, a whiplash test simulating a 32km/h rear-end crash, and a 40km/h pedestrian impact protection test. A minimum number of active safety assist technologies (SATs) is also required.

The Genesis’ tally of 36.88 points includes a frontal offset score of 15.88

out of 16 and a side impact protection score of 16 out of 16. Genesis also scored 2 out of 2 in the pole test and a whiplash protection test rating of ‘good’.

Earlier this year, the all-new Genesis was the first and only rear-wheel drive vehicle in its class to receive the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest honour as a 2014 Top Safety Pick+. Genesis was also the first rear-wheel drive luxury sedan to earn a Good rating in the IIHS’s small overlap crash test. “Genesis is Hyundai’s flagship model and as such offers a high level of physical crashworthiness and excellent safety features as standard,” said ANCAP chairman Lauchlan McIntosh.

Spotlight news

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Car

26 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

Chevrolet sixth-generation Chevrolet will debut the e car soon scl version of its Camaro mu sentations pre the of st mo e nc he and ing fifth were based on the outgo the occasion d use t ole evr Ch . ion generat n 5’s career Ge the te ora em mm co to crowd. Besides successes with the tuner led the Silverado cars, Chevrolet also unvei burban Premium Su / oe High Desert and Tah es Silverado Outdoors concepts besid three customized e Polaris ACE+ concept. Th ed the Corvette lud inc y pla Corvettes on dis 1 Corvette C1 for Z06 Parts concept and a 197Johnson. e mi NASCAR champion Jim Dodge iled the 2015 Dodge and Mopar unve ich has been wh r Ca y Charger R/T Funn Don Schumacher jointly developed with

a one-piece Racing. The car features dy and bo carbon fibre and Kevlar ke the race car ma to d rke wo rs ne sig de production the ble em res more closely Charger’s the model by incorporating dy instead of bo the o scalloped sides int te the effect. using stickers to recrea Ford s a tuner/ That Ford’s Mustang wa no better s wa rite ou fav r ze customi thanks to the d An re. he t ou d ye pla dis ns of Mustang ze do by rk impressive wo stang was able customizers, the 2015 Muits extensive to ard to add another aw Car of the 2014 trophy cabinet: Hottest but was Ford de its SEMA Show. Making supercharged a ,” bra Co Racing’s “King t in Ford Racing Mustang GT decked ou SEMA project st mo components. Unlike

be replicated by cars, the King Cobra can ng by, as Jamie sta Mu 15 owners of the 20 Racing, put it, Allison, director of Ford catalogue and g cin “opening the Ford Ra .” Also making ng thi ery ev getting one of modified 1965 its debut was a radically by Ken Block. ilt bu Mustang notchback 7,” Ken Block’s Starring in “Gymkhana d-over engine Mustang sports a worke a fully custom d an p 5h that produces 84 . Elsewhere on four-wheel-drive system dozens of re we the SEMA show floor ilt by passionate bu d an d Mustangs owne truck side, four fans of the brand. On thecations were difi mo F-150s with similar Bushwacker on show but it was the uipped with a eq off-road support F-150 cker mudguard Skyjacker lift kit, Bushwa th 35in offflares and 20in wheels wi

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 27

ality and road tyres represented practic lifestyle re mo s wa 0 F-15 gns the TSDesi sion, a focused with lowered suspen to wheels. gia For n 24i and tonneau cover Honda d versions No less than nine customize Honda the at re we z Jaz of the 2015 Fit/ m all is the of stands. The most popular eight The . tion Edi l the Kylie Tjin Specia ed lud inc ns sio ver Fit d ize tom other cus ves Ree rm Bisimoto Spec Car for No nda Fit, Honda, Kenny Vinces 2015 Ho Concept pec B-S D HP bo, Tur Fit to Bisimo .L. (Active Race Car, Kontrabrands A.M nda Fit, Ho 5 201 le) sty Life Metropolitan Fit, Spoon nda Ho 5 201 ries ust Ind D MA nda Fit and Sports Super Taikyu 2015 Ho ler-installed dea h wit ked pac another one s. orie Honda Genuine Access

28 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

Hyundai r stormed The South Korean automake Top of ts. cep into SEMA with five con ’s AR550 the list was ARK Performance formance per and kit y bod th [wi s Genesi ure Edition exhaust while the Toca Signat ine which eng e -litr 5.0 V8 the s Genesis use urbo setup has received a Garrett twin-t exhaust nce ma for Per K as well as an AR boosted system which together have , Blood Type hile anw output to 600bhp. Me equipped Racing Genesis Coupe comes ger, har with a Precision Turbo turboc bespoke r, ole rco inte custom intake and ction. All full exhaust kit and nitrous inje engine the d we these upgrades have allo hp. Two to develop an amazing 1,000b ir debut. the de ma also s ata Son d modde re serious The JP Edition Sonata, a mo

imoto Sonata co-developed with Bis is a heavily lly aia ent ess ich wh g erin Engine t comes modified race-spec one-off tha er 2.4-litre lind r-cy fou ged har with a turboc 708bhp. engine developing whopping Kia rty concepts Kia unveiled a handful of spo the Highed lud inc at SEMA and the cars n Ice Cream Performance K900 and Smitte ich is wh Soul EV, Ballast Point Sedona st heavily being billed as “one of the mo ever has modified SEMA vehicles Kia a mobile bar, be to ned sig De ” ed. duc pro rmed solid the Sedona features a hand-fo roof and p mahogany shell with a flip-to has also fold-down front bar. The van ning ctio fun two h wit been equipped with 120” box Micro Matic taps, a “jockey up and ls coi g olin r-co feet of copper bee

US-spec Vito. a preview for the forthcoming last Point’s Bal of s keg el arr f-b hal r fou to Scion dmade ly brand finest beer. There are also han nters.

The results of Toyota’s US-on ts were cou el ste ss jec inle sta pro ge and cabinets Scion’s Tuner Challen ut at the Lexus unveiled ahead of their deb F RC d ize tom cus challenge two d ual Lexus unveile SEMA show. Scion’s ann ond Bey / g Tin n 0 worth of rdo ,00 Go $15 the ly -app Coupes invites tuners to on Sal to Au VIP the rval on a Marketing RC F and modifications in a 90-day inte this year bon car a ed tur fea r and me w for RC F. The Scion for the SEMA sho diffusers, tuners, fibre front splitter and side wheels with rather than giving the cars to dia outlets y allo n 20i and me Brembo brakes Scion decided to ask three The car’s er Street, Yokohama Advan Sport tyres. ipped participate in the project: Sup art to equ n bee l. Ap 5.0-litre V8 engine has Speedhunters and GT Channe intake, a with a high-performance air ous system. from these three cars, Scion will also nitr along with sports exhaust system and a be showcasing a targa FR-S y bod on Lex h wit e cam s The latter creation customized xB and tC model job. kit and a Seafoam green paint Toyota rsary Mercedes-Benz Toyota marks the 35th annive ent four vanopm vel De ing Rac Mercedes-Benz introduced ota Toy of its to serve as based concepts which are said

and the performance arm this year, year’s SEMA this at g atin ebr division is cel off-roaders ed Show with a quartet of tun a and Tundra. om Tac r, nne based on the 4Ru er trucks Toyota’s Tundra-based monst ders who pon res y pay tribute to emergenc g members of dedicate their lives to keepin have special their communities safe. They hwacker Bus h wit paintwork and come pers, a bum urs -Fo Fab es, flar mudguard g fitment win allo 10+ inch suspension lift kit The s. tyre o Toy n 40i of 20in rims with TRD parts truck also boasts a number of r, sports filte air , including a supercharger ke Kit. exhaust system and large bra Sleeper. ry Toyota also unveiled the Cam -litre V8 5.7 a ed tur The deceptive car fea than 850bhp engine that produces more under its skin.

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 29

Audi Audi is focusing on design for its future cars and the first hint of this has come, thanks to the Prolugue concept car.

The hand-built full-size coupe is a rolling exhibition of Audi’s future. Executives hinted tha some design elements from the car’s interior and exterior will be incorporated into the next generation of Audi’s large car portfolio, starting with the new Audi A8 sedan due for sale in 2017.

BMW Both 2015 BMW X5 M and X6 M SUV models made their world debut at the Los Angeles

Volkswagen VW’s GTI based roadster concept is certainly a globe-trotter.

Meanwhile, the Golf R 400 is designed to whet the appetites of those wanting more than just the regular fare.

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Spotlight

Los Angeles Motor Show

Chrysler

Ford

Chrysler unveiled the 2015MY 300 at the dawn of the Los Angeles Auto Show. At first glance it looks like the design was largely carried over but upon closer inspection there are several subtle revisions. The interior is revised and improved according to Chrysler. Key engineering changes include new cast aluminium axles, updated electric power steering system, improved adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and other similar safety and assistance systems.

Ford celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Explorer on home ground by unveiling a facelifted model. In its instantly recognizable profile, the facelifted crossover adopts a new front bumper, a revised grille and restyled headlamps. The styling changes are less noticeable out back but include new tail lamps and an optimized functional spoiler. Meanwhile, the interior is said to be evolutionary as it adopts higher quality materials and key element is a new centre console with “proper buttons.”

Honda

Kia

The Fit or Jazz compact hatchback as we know it has been refreshed extensively inside out and Honda’s third generation versatile 5-door subcompact promises to bring back consumers to its fold. The versatility of the 2015 Honda Fit is fundamental to its design. With class-leading interior space and versatility, courtesy of its center-mounted fuel tank and ingenious Magic Seat®, the Fit epitomizes smart functionality with spacious and comfortable seating for five and the ability to carry voluminous cargo, including long and tall items.

The second model making a debut was Honda’s newest and smallest SUV – the HR-V. Set to go on sale early next year in the US, the crossover will slot below CR-V and will compete with the likes of Chevrolet Trax and Mazda CX-3.

Making its North American premiere in Los Angeles was the 2014 Sorento midsize crossover SUV. Although, it is a mid-generation refresh, but with 80 per cent of the sevenseater’s parts either brand new or redesigned, including the chassis and cabin architecture, it’s essentially an allnew model. The US-spec model has an upscale design with a “tiger-nose” grille that features a three-dimensional diamond pattern. Three engine variants will be offered.

All three engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission which can be paired to an optional all-wheel drive system.

Bentley Bentley has brought the Gran Convertible project back on the table and is currently in the process of taking a production decision on the Mulsanne convertible, therefore, it also raises the possibility of a coupe variant. Bentley has been off the flagship coupe and convertible market and is looking at a possible return. Well, as a Grand Tourer, the Bentley Grand Convertible certainly points in that direction.

Lincoln Lincoln kept its three year promise by introduced the refreshed Navigator SUV along with the new MKC

Volvo Following an online premiere from the beginning of the month, Volvo officially showcased the V60 Cross Country during the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Lexus Porsche The 2015 911 GTS and Cayenne GTS were the key two introductions out here

The LF-C2 concept that made its global debut here is a design study in the form of a 2+2 roadster and explores key styling themes involved in the Lexus brand’s future, bolder styling direction. The LF-C2 is also a luxury Grand Touring concept inspired by the brand’s passion for driving.

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 31

news

2014

Barely a few weeks after the European automotive extravaganza in Paris, the last show for the year on North American soil was held in Los Angeles last month. And, here too, among the familiar faces were some surprises too. Here are the key highlights Author: Chandan B Mallik from the show.

Mazda Resurgent Mazda debuted the all-new Mazda CX-3 crossover SUV, which is the fifth model in Mazda’s line-up of newgeneration vehicles that feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology and KODO - Soul of Motion design. The new CX-3 offers all the essentials people look for in a car: a design of overwhelming quality and style, packaging developed solely with the customer ease-of-use in mind, and the responsive driving feel.

Cadillac Cadillac officially unveiled the 2016 ATS-V Sedan and Coupe, ahead of their debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but that didn’t dampen the mood of the audience. Cadillac describes the car as a “dual-purpose luxury performer,” and hence the ATS-V gets an aggressive front face with a mesh grille and larger air intakes.The interior largely carries over from the standard model but gains carbon fibre trim and a unique instrument cluster with V Series graphics. Customers can also order Recaro performance seats which feature leather and sueded microfiber upholstery. A twin-turbo 3.6-litre V6 engine powers the car and produces 455bhp 603Nm of torque. It can be connected to either a six-speed manual transmission (with Active Rev Match) or an optional eightspeed automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The models can be equipped with Carbon Fiber and Track packages and the latter includes a lightweight battery and a Performance Data Recorder. Both cars get stiffer chassis with a unique shock tower-to-plenum brace, stronger rear cradle-to-rocker braces and engine compartment V-braces. Engineers also installed a retuned suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, Magnetic Ride Control and a high-performance Brembo braking system.

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Toyota Toyota showed the production version of the fuel-cell driven Mirai and also confirmed that the car would go on sale in California in 2015. Already launched in Japan, the Mirai(Japanese for “future”) is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle which is one of the first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to be sold commercially. Toyota plans to build 700 vehicles for global sales during 2015.

Chevrolet Besides the usual array of cars from the line-up, Chevrolet’s stand did have a rather unusual attraction in the form of a concept car – the Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo concept.

Designed to pay tribute to the “innovative race cars” that Chevrolet and Chaparral Racing developed more than 45 years ago, the Chaparral 2X has a composite chassis and an extremely aerodynamic body that requires the driver to lay face down with their arms and legs splayed toward the wheels. Power is provided by a laser-based propulsion system that draws inspiration from “advanced work targeted at space travel and future aircraft design.” The midmounted laser propulsion system pulses of light that focus in a shroud creating shock waves that generate tremendous thrust. The laser is powered by lithium-ion batteries and an air-powered generator which help the car to produce 900bhp. Chevrolet says this will enable the concept to accelerate from 0-96km/h in 1.5secs before hitting a top speed of 386km/h. The second concept on display was the Colorado ZR2 concept pick-up truck which has been designed to preview a possible off-road variant. The concept truck featured a rugged front end, revised grille design, tow hooks and an integrated winch.

1914 Hotchkiss AD 20/30 HP 2eme serie LIMOUSINE

1970 Citroen SM 1932 Fiat 508 S Balilla Coppa d’Oro

1935 Voisin C28 Aerosport Prototype

1925 FordModel T Coupe

1978 Citroen Mehari 1997 MINI “Paul Smith”

While this year’s Paris Motor Show saw plenty of exciting new car launches, from Audi to Volvo and everything in between, but the real gems from automotive history were exhibited in hall # 8. Automan took a tour of fascinating automotive excellence since 1897

1982 Renault Formula 1 Type Re30

1897 Panhard & lECASSOR M2F

Photography: Chandan B Mallik

1935 Renault Viva Grand Sport cabriolet (ACX2)

1939 Talbot Lago T150C SS 1939

1971 Maserati Boomerang Concept-Car Ital Design

2008 Citroen 2 CV par Hermes

1971 Alfa Romeo Montreal Coupe Bertone

1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Type W198 I

1939 Citroen Traction 11 B cabriolet

1950 Renault Juvaquatre Fourgonnette

1937 Peugeot 402 Eclipse

1964 La FACEL HK II

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1958 Subaru 360

1970 Mercedes-Benz C111-II

1970 Toyota 2000 GT

1999 Renault Concept-Car Avantime

2001 Renault Concept-Car Talisman

2011 Smart <<forjeremy>>

2010 Prototype COURREGES “Pixi” Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 35

Maserati GT & GC Centennial

The Trident’s

Centennial Twins

It’s Maserati’s 100th year and what better way to celebrate than to offer twin Centennial packs on the outgoing GranTurismo/GranCabrio twins?

Author: Raj Warrior | Photographs: Jorge Ferrari & Author

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Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 37

A

n occasion as important as a centennial deserves to be celebrated. After all, getting those two coveted orbs implies that a car brand has been able to stick to its long game, weathering markets, business cycles and the unstoppable march of technology to be selling products to customers for so long. You just have to remember that this year also marks the centenary of the First World War and you have an idea of how long the brand has stuck around.

To mark the 100 year mark in the region, Maserati played host to media from various parts of the world that are overseen by the Dubai operations – right here in Oman. Based at the Shangrila Barr al Jissah Resort, the brand brought together various engine and trim levels of its Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans, including a rather healthy diesel version of the latter. The Quattroporte naturally also debuted its new entry-level engine taken from the Ghibli – the 3.0-litre V6 turbo unit. But these rather run-ofthe-mill models will be highlighted in a

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The Centennial editions of Maserati’s sports cars leverage their highest variants ahead with special paint, alloy wheels and interior trims making the GranTurismo and GranCabrio remain interesting even as they reach the end of their product cycle.

future story, certainly one where we talk about the imperative of fuel-efficiency in luxury marques.

For now, let’s celebrate the opportunity to drive the twin sports cars. It’s no great secret that the new Alfieri concept will spawn a production version by next year, the basis for the future sports car.

In that context you have to marvel that a car born in 2007 still stays as modern and relevant as the GT does – but seeing as to how even the Quattroporte (whose platform is the base of the car) has received a new generation of structure and technology, it is little wonder that a replacement is around the corner.

However special editions, especially those that come in to keep older model lines relevant do have some immediate advantages in terms of the packaging and both the Trident twins have that in good measure.

Company officials highlight that the centennial cars are MC based with the coupe being based on the Stradale.

So what do you get extra? There’s three more shades of three-layered paint over the four already earmarked

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 39

for the Stradale. You get a further exclusive choice of alloy wheel designs, interestingly with the Centenary logo raised on the hub.. There are also two signature colours for the cars - Magma red and Inchiostro blue for the GT and GC respectively as shown in all the photos we have taken here. And the interiors also get a special edition treatment with centenary logos around the cabin and seats as well as on the sill, while the colour scheme is largely black with carbon-fibre inserts in the GT and white with blue inserts in the GranCabrio.

So is that enough of a reason to buy either? Hardly, except for the modicum of exclusivity that the three-digits provide. What should push your decision along is that you’re bound to get a good package to incentivise you in the purchase and you will be buying cars that have pretty solid, if a bit aging underpinnings. You have to note that the current generation of 40 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

supercar wannabes are largely moving to the benefits of a DSG gearbox.

Slightly more weight admittedly but offset by some rather quick gear changes, so quick in fact that most owners can’t match the sprint. Add to that the increased use of lightweight construction techniques using composites, carbon-fibre and aluminium.

The best thing about these cars is that they aren’t small – they take the property of a larger wheelbase into new territory by offering space in the cabin, while maintaining a feline profile. The engine is the Stradale’s race engineered 4.7-litre V8 unit with 460hp on tap and redline that’s well north of 7,000 rpm. Matched with a robotised manual 6-speed unit derived from the Ferrari stable, the cars still stay very track usable though they aren’t actually kitted out with four-point harnesses.

The coupe is of course the better car to speed away in – it isn’t significantly lighter, but it is stiffer and you can feel the extra torsional rigidity as you do a quick crest and turn on the roads out

towards Sifah. The engine is highly responsive, with the nice throaty feel of a high-revving naturally aspirated V8 that imparts its share of torque exactly when you need. In the context of a modern gearbox, the robotised manual does feel clunky. There is an almost predictable feel to the way the gears go scream, bang, scream through the gates while you wonder at the environmental mismatch to the beach road you are hurtling along. On a track it would be so natural, actually behaving like most race drivers would as it keeps the engine in the sweet spot of around 5,000 rpm. Here, you feel like shifting up way before that, just to keep the car more composed.

On the other hand the robotised manual is completely free of the slow speed jerkiness that characters the box on the Aston Vantage for example.

Now the car’s weight is above 1800kgs but you don’t get any of the tail-wag that you may associate with that.

Around the corners there is just a feel of some transfer of weight sideways, but Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 41

Umberto Cini, Managing Director of Maserati Global Overseas Markets, said: “2014 is an important year for Maserati. We are celebrating our centennial anniversary – an important milestone where we honour our history, but at the same time keep our eyes firmly fixed on the future. Through exciting new products, strong investment into production facilities and network infrastructure as well as by entering new markets, we are on track to achieving our global goal of producing 50,000 Maseratis per annum while remaining true to what Maserati stands for.”

The company has just announced its 2014 third quarter results. With 26,428 vehicles delivered to customers in the first three quarters of 2014 and increase of over 250 per cent over the same period last year (September YTD 2013: 7,548), Maserati has already far eclipsed sales of 2013 overall. the chassis stays brilliantly on track and you can power in as much as you want.

The track manners of both the cars are further enhanced by the immediate road-feel of the steering. The power assist is variable with a nice level of firmness coming in once you hit highway speeds. The steering wheel is small and well padded, allowing you to keep both hands on it as you negotiate hairpin turns and bends. In the nature of a sporty grand tourer, you get the feel of the road through your hands and the seat – with the lowered suspension and stiffer springs it would be impossible to miss. There is a level of lean as the car

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goes around a turning point at speed but a very linear move into and out of that stance.

The seat architecture is balanced between the needs of an out-and-out race car and a road going tourer. You aren’t actually going to drive a track day in these seats, but the padding is firm, with ample back support and easy entry along with the full measure of power adjustment. The infotainment system is the one point where the brand really needs to take a hard second look – you can feel the Chrysler sourcing there and we know that the next generation of Maserati’s cars will have a new look.

To be fair to Maserati, we know that the bulk of their newfound success must be coming from the good-mannered sedans that they are selling in increasing numbers. It’s hard to say no to the power of the Quattroporte or the valuefor-brand positioning of the Ghibli. But if you really want to feel the nature of the beast you have to drive the sports cars. You can opt your way from the safety of a Comfort mode to the outright immediacy of a full-blown track mode and the car seems built for the occasion in either situation.

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 43

2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale

Ferrari has once again excelled in transforming a decent road going berlinneta, the 458, which was introduced in 2010 into a genuine track focused car called 458 Speciale for 2014. Automan experienced the car in Dubai and discovered how Maranello accomplished the job Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: author and Nabeel Ferzan

It’s so Special[e] 44 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

F

errari’s product planners seem to be quite good mind readers when it comes to generating ideas for a new product or a model line expansion. Ferrari’s engineering team is also accomplished and is able to support the product drive as envisaged. As is the tradition with all modern mid-engined Ferraris like the 458 and its derivatives [458 Italia and 458 Spider], Maranello created a great car, but the question that lingered was something like this: how to keep interest in the car and take it to the next level? In terms of positioning, Ferrari is very clear where it wants this new addition to be: the 458 Speciale has to be the top performing model in the 458 family on all accounts without compromise.

I think someone at Maranello must have thought on the lines of ‘what if…’ the 458 could reach out to its users as an even more focused sports car that offers extreme driving emotions? Well, that’s the impression we [myself and colleague Nabeel Ferzan] got after spending a long day and several hundred kilometers of driving in and around UAE with the car.

The recipe used in this car is more engineering focused and by this we mean that elements deemed necessary – be it weight saving measures or advanced aerodynamic tweaks among others have being meticulously addressed. The weight saving chapter is quite interesting.

In cold climate markets, the car will be

offered without air-conditioning and track purists can even order the car without radio or CD player. Giving the Speciale its individualistic visual identity are the new forged wheels, vents in the bonnet, finned side sills, taller rear spoiler and redesigned bumpers. The car is so special for Ferrari that it even gets its own stripes!

The bumpers are also functional and include active aerodynamics designed

by Ferrari Styling Centre in cooperation with Pininfarina. They may appear small, but the front and rear movable flaps are specifically designed to balance downforce and cut drag at speed. The 458 Speciale has an downforce (Cl) value of 0.53. Thanks to active aerodynamics, the latter does not penalise the Cd which is just 0.35. Ferrari’s obsession with aeroelements for a road-baised car is at its peak out here. Meanwhile, at the rear, the 458’s triple exhaust tips have been replaced with a conventional set-up placed slightly higher up in the valance.

So how and when do these aerodynamically-inspired elements work?

At relatively low speeds, when the vertical flaps are closed they channel air into the radiators to ensure cooling for the engine. However, at speeds in excess of 170 km/h, the flaps open, reducing the volume of air flowing into the radiators, thereby cutting drag. At speeds of over 220km/h the horizontal flap lowers to balance downforce between the front and rear axles, leading to a 20 per cent shift Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 45

in overall downforce towards the rear.

Meanwhile, the turning vanes at either side of the front bumper slow the air flow which increases downforce, thereby shifting the aerodynamic balance 4 per cent over the front. Obviously, a lot of precision work has been done to extract every ounce of performance.

As expected, the spec sheet suggests further optimization of power-to-weight aspects and as a result, the software managing the engine has been revised along with power bump to 597hp at 9,000 rpm. Torque stands at 540Nm at 6,000 rpm and this makes the mid-rear-mounted 4,497 cc direct injection engine he most powerful naturally aspirated 8-cylinder which Ferrari has ever developed. Among key engineering challenges besides just boosting power was to improve torque across the entire power curve and this exercise involved increasing the compression ratio to an exceptional 14:1, the highest value ever achieved by a naturally-aspirated V8, which in turn was achieved by cleverly altering piston geometries.

Meanwhile, to help enhance performance and handling due to powertrain enhancements, the car’s electronic systems were updated. Ferrari engineers have introduced side slip angle control

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(SSC) to improve car control on the limit.

SSC performs instant-to-instant analysis of the car’s side slip, comparing it with

To an extent, unprecedented in the previous Challenge Stradale and 430 Scuderia special series, this new berlinetta is a befitting result of Ferrari’s commitment and application of extreme technology, driving thrills and performance in a road going car the target value and then optimising both torque management (via integration with F1-Trac traction control) and torque

distribution between the two wheels (via integration with the E-Diff electronic differential). With all these elements in the package the weight to power ratio (1,290 kg dry, 1,395 kg at the kerb, 90 less than the standard 458) is equal to 2.13 kg/cv. In building the engine, Ferrari has used its F1 technology transfer expertise, including the production processes. And since the engine is capable of revving to around 9,000rpm, it uses redesigned pistons made from a new material that reduces overall mass. Ferrari claims that new materials were also used for the connecting rod bushings while specific heat treatment (DLC: Diamond-Like Carbon) on the piston pins makes for greater fatigue and wear resistance.

On the suspension front, the Speciale gets 25 per cent stiffer springs, improved magnetic shock absorbers, slightly softer anti-roll bars and upgraded ceramic brakes. The pleasant thing about the car is that inside the cabin, even where there’s evidence of weight optimization with application of lots of carbon fibre – even the familiar dashboard is made out of this lightweight extreme composite – the car doesn’t appear to be stripped of its essentials nor there’s any inconvenience caused to driver or passenger due to a roll cage [it doesn’t exist here] or absence

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 47

of luxury elements like the Alcantara-roof liner. The thickness of the glass used has been reduced to cut weight, while the rear windscreen is now a polycarbonate panel.

The balance in packaging for the typical Middle East user is well thought for.

Driving impressions The drive to Jebel Jais mountain route in Ras Al Khaimah is quite popular with the motoring fraternity these days as it allows drivers to extract undiluted driving pleasure – be it a sports car or supercar without penalties. Once settled in, we find that the onboard ergonomics are functional with all controls clustered around the driver and on the F1-inspired steering wheel. This concept has been further enhanced by the use of the iconic bridge, a carbon-fibre wing that extends over the central tunnel section, putting the F1 gearbox controls at an ideal angle to the driver. There is also a comfortable leg rest cushion on the driver’s side of the tunnel.

The Jebel Jais winding route which runs for several kilometres offers pretty fast corners in both directions which in turn demands concentration from the driver’s part and complete faith in the car. This car’s chassis set-up is very good even in sport mode which does help a spirited driver to overcoming a driving challenge and motivate one to push to higher levels of achievement. We note that the car is at its best behaviour over really twisty routes with demanding switchbacks and camber changes. The car’s Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres really do their job well in keeping the car in contact with the road.

Thanks to an additional 35hp and roughly 90kg less mass and a retuned exhaust, the Speciale is slightly louder than the regular 458. Its 7-speed gearbox is programmed to shift faster, while steering is calibrated to offer quicker turn-in and most of all bigger brakes help it stop shorter. This means, the Speciale is a notch above the car on which it’s based in most departments and on performance/dynamic level, be it in a

straight line or around a track. Ferrari has improved on the 458’s sublime chassis with a fresh dose of clever technology and engineering and the fruits of these enhancements are quite evident when you drive the car.

Irrespective of whether it’s a regular patch of road or on the track, drivers will surely feel connected with the 458 Speciale, thanks to the lightning fast speeds with which it responds to every input and the consequently natural control that it offers.

Even in extreme manoeuvres, this finelytuned handling chassis balance enables the car to reach the highest performance levels of any Ferrari V8 that we have experienced till date.

The F1 dual-clutch transmission is a blast to operate. It now features a new control logic that delivers an even keener sense of urgency during gear shifts.

The car feels much sportier as it shifts up through the gears, with response time to commands more prompt than ever, thereby guaranteeing 40 per cent faster longitudinal acceleration with engine revs adapting 20 per cent more rapidly. Conversely with the Fast-Down Shift strategy, when down-shifting, the transient time required for engine revs to match the gear ratio is 44 per cent faster.

The computers in the car are programmed to reduce the differential locking torque during understeer to liven up the handling. On oversteer, the differential unlocks and F1-Trac cuts engine power to keep the rear end from overtaking the front. The beauty of the programme is that it’s working even when you’re not exploring the extremes of those scenarios and as a result, the Speciale

doesn’t overwhelm its occupants on the move with unpredictablity. It remains calm and surprisingly is very smooth even at normal road going speeds which we found pleasantly surprising over the recently tested McLaren 650S. Steering weighted well and basically point and shoot with no questions asked. Due to road and traffic conditions, we could drive in sports mode, but not in the Manettino RACE or CT OFF option, where we are aware that the 458 Speciale would transform into a track car personality. In this extreme mode the car makes the most of available grip for improved acceleration out of corners, greater ease and control on the limit, and more consistent performance. To exploit this aspect fully, it is obvious that a controlled setting [like Dubai Autodrome/ Yas Marina] is definitely recommended!

Overall, there’s this sophisticated go-kart feel all along.

Verdict The perfect road legal with sharper reflexes Ferrari 458 Speciale joins the Ferrari range alongside the regular fare and like all specially created Ferraris it is aimed at a specific kind of user. In this case, those looking for more track day type of fun without actually having to go into the cumbersome bolt-on/off process, here comes a perfect factory designed package.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS • • • • • • •

Engine type : V8 - 90° Total displacement: 4,495cc Max. power output: 605 cv @ 9,000 rpm Max. torque: 540 Nm @ 6,000 rpm Weight: 1,290 kg Weight/power ratio: 2.13 kg/cv Performance • 0-100 km/h: 3.0s • 0-200 km/h: 9.1s • Top speed: >325 km/h (>202 mph) • Fiorano lap time: 1’23”5 • CO2 emissions: 275 gr/km (with HELE System) 48 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 49

2014 Audi A8L

A tasteful

proposition Audi presents its updated A8L, its successful top-of-the-line flagship sedan for 2014 and keeps the momentum going. Automan spent some quality time with this refreshed car in UAE recently Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: author and Nabeel Ferzan

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ven three years after it was launched, Audiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top A8 sedan and its variants including the LWB A8L have been able to impress punters with its impressive blend of performance, technology and luxury packaging. While the current model series was introduced in 2011, it came with an evolutionary approach. Dimensionally, it was bigger than the outgoing model and Audi showered the premium car with ample doses of luxury along with technological wizardry.

As a result, the A8 and A8L overtook many rivals and prompted other German premium brands like Mercedes-Benz to thoroughly re-package their S-Class offering. Meanwhile, the third German premium brand BMW is yet to showcase a revolutionary interpretation of the aging 7 Series as a befitting rival.

For the current refresh, the familiar

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silhouette is retained and model gets minor cosmetic upgrades. Exterior updates are minimal, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just enough to differentiate the car now.

As before, the car maintains its longer, lower and wider stance and with its long wheelbase it still can claim to be the biggest luxury sedan in the class. The most evident new feature in the car evident is the latest technology-driven Matrix LED headlamps up front [see box]. For better air flow, the surfaces of the lamps have been flattened, and grille contours redone and some minor tweaks have been given to the lower valance. Even with the new headlamp arrangement, this car radiates understated elegance with its wellproportioned profile and stance. From the broad shoulders to the long rear doors to the signature six-window greenhouse it is impossible to find an unattractive angle.

The LED lamps at the rear of the car have also been revised in line with the revisions

up front. Meanwhile, in all versions except the S8, the exhaust system terminates in two large, trapezoidal tailpipe tips on each side of the rear end. Fine chrome strips and high-gloss black window frames round out the revised design. There is a choice of 12 exterior colours, including five new ones. Wheel sizes range up to 21in for all models.

In car construction technology, of course, Audi is quite ahead with aluminium and this aspect ensures that the A8 and longer A8L still weighs less than most of its rivals. The key factor in its lightweight construction is the body, which except for the B-pillars is made entirely of aluminium.

The smallest A8 is 5,140mm long on a wheelbase of 2,990mm meters. It sports a width of 1,950mm and is 1,460mm tall which means that dimensions remain unchanged. The A8 L gains an additional 130mm in both length and wheelbase.

Both body variants have a drag coefficient Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 51

of just Cd 0.27 with a TFSI engine.

Audi interiors are really impressive in design and the refreshed car continues with the benchmark tradition. As a result, there’s comfortable accommodation, generous head and leg room and soft touch surfaces all around. In terms of features, there’s strategic customizable indirect lighting, tasteful wood accents and premium switchgear plus the usual array of kit. Despite the abundance of premium luxury features and multiple functions, the car’s operating concept

In the automotive food chain especially in the Middle East, most premium brands fight tooth and nail to be at the top and hence cars offered in this segment come with their respective latest technologies, premium powerplants and most extravagant luxury features scores top marks in terms of usability.

Central to the system’s operations is the MMI control unit with the large rotary pushbutton. Our A8L tester was equipped with the MMI navigation plus set-up and the addition is identified by the touchpad at the base of the central console. The driver can manually enter characters via the MMI touch to control numerous navigation and multimedia functions.

The technology module Audi connect including car phone complements MMI navigation plus and connects the sedan to the Internet. Occupants can surf and e-mail freely on their mobile devices using the Wi-Fi hotspot. Top end options in the car include a high-end Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System and rear seat entertainment.

Our tester designated as the A8L 50, meant that it came with a 3.0-litre TFSI V6 supercharged engine, which offers 310hp 52 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

and 440Nm of torque and this engine is paired with a fast and smooth-shifting, eight-speed tiptronic electronically controlled automatic transmission and is paired with quattro permanent allwheel drive. For this top end model Audi complements this with the optional sport differential, which distributes the power between the rear wheels as needed.

The feature comes from the sportier S8 and is designed to give the luxury car its enthusiastic driving character.

The A8 and A8L owe their sporty handling character in large part to the chassis where axle load distribution is balanced, and all wheel control arms are made of aluminium. The Audi drive select system, which enables the driver to influence the function of various technical modules such as the steering and the accelerator characteristic, is standard. It also controls the adaptive air suspension with adaptive damping, which adjusts the body’s ride height to the speed driven.

Audi also offers the air suspension with a sporty setup upon request. The car’s power steering now uses an efficient electromechanical drive that reduces fuel consumption and also enables the use of numerous assistance systems. The optional dynamic steering varies its ratio with the car’s speed.

New assistance systems which made their debuts in the A8 when launched including Audi active lane assist, which makes slight steering adjustments when necessary, and the park assist system with 360° display, which handles steering when parking are continued as part of the feature pack. Also the head-up display which is elegantly integrated into the instrument panel and projects multiple layers of information into the driver’s field of vision on the windscreen. The adaptive cruise control with stop&go function is coupled with an expanded version of the standard Audi pre sense basic safety system.

Driving impressions One of the things which comes across immediately in this large sedan when on the move from standstill is its prodigious torque delivery. The way it has been programmed ensures that this car remains ultra responsive and alert at all times.

The acceleration performance from the supercharged V6 chips in with no lag and the lightweight steering gives the driver a feeling of a lighter car. As before the Audi A8L excels at driving dynamics. The refined but audibly muscular V6 delivers its power through the silky smooth 8-speed automatic transmission which touching the gears appropriately with minimum fuss. We are now sure that the A8L rides Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 53

What is Matrix LED technology?

Developed by Hella for Audi, Matrix LED technology is now standard in the A8 L W12 and the S8 models. Hella has extensive LED experience and has closely worked with Audi. In fact, LEDs were used by Audi’s R18 e-tron Le Man 24-hour race winner where its headlamp range was around 800m. The idea at Hella was to consider how to switch them off individually to split light diffusion. Approximately, two years ago, the company showed a concept version of the proposed system.

It was a challenging programme that demanded integration by lighting, software, and optical engineers and specialists, with the added complexity of integrating the system within the styling confines of the current-generation A8’s headlamp dimensions. And considering the size of the car, the multifunctional headlamp is small and it contains other functions, including ‘moving light’ turn-indicators.

With the challenges met in creating the Matrix headlamps, the high-beam element in the A8L [and in other models

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wherever applicable] comprises 25 small, individual light-emitting diodes per unit that can be switched on and off or dimmed individually as needed. This enables the headlight system to react to oncoming or preceding vehicles and blank out light with great precision while continuing to fully illuminate the rest of the road.

To operate MatrixBeam, the driver uses the headlamps system’s “auto” function and selects high beam. Activation is

from 30 km/h in an urban environment and 60 km/h outside it. When entering a city, the combined 50 LEDs are dimmed.

A multifunction camera (it can detect roadside warning signs) is placed behind the car’s rearview mirror. When other

vehicles are detected, the LEDs are dimmed (or “masked out” as Audi puts it) and then returned to high beam to provide a very bright, homogenous light.

The company describes this as a “highly distinctive crystal-like glow.”

The system can handle up to eight “targets,” including the presence of pedestrians, who get three headlamp flashes (marking lights) to draw the driver’s attention to their presence and warn the pedestrian of the approach of the vehicle. The dimming system can be overridden by the driver if required.

Unlike a conventional headlight system, MatrixBeam requires no mechanical parts and is an ultralow energy technology. The LED headlamps of the A8 also include cornering lights, adjusting the focal point of the light using targeted brightening and dimming in the direction of the bend. When linked to Audi’s MMI Navigation-plus technology, which provides predictive route data, the cornering lights activate momentarily before the steering wheel is turned.

better and responds to steering inputs with more certainty than its rivals like the BMW 740i or Mercedes-Benz S Class.

Our A8L tracked through curves taken at elevated speeds more confidently than the rear-wheel drive BMW or Mercedes, thanks to the all-wheel drive system. The car is a delight to drive all day long. And as a luxury car with sporting hardware underneath, it is able to combine the best of both worlds – performance/luxury and fuel economy. The brakes performed consistently and evenly on the A8L, never showing the slightest hint of fade. The brakes are always at the ready, aided by a programmed function that primes the hydraulic system any time the driver abruptly lifts off the throttle pedal.

Verdict There is virtually no reason not to like this German premium brand’s luxury offering.

The refreshed 2014 A8L confidently pitches itself as a legitimate contender on almost every level. Excellent comfort, superb craftsmanship, technology upgrades and a broad portfolio of high-end performance features from the supercharged V6 along with all-wheel drive help put the car in a premium slot in the class it represents.

The Audi A8L MMI Experience The navigation as well as the entertainment system are accessed through the Audispecific MMI system. The navigation system includes Audi Connect that brings in-car internet connectivity as well Google Earth integration – an industry first in this class. Google Earth integration provides car users with panoramic views and highresolution 3D satellite imagery just like the way you would see Google Earth on your computer screens.

The MMI system is intuitive and features a novel touchpad for entering destinations or other info by writing out numbers and letters with a finger. A similar touchpad is available on the BMW X4, except that the touchpad/scribbling pad is part of the multimedia knob itself thus saving space and exceptional ergonomics. On the contrary, in the A8L, the touchpad is separate and placed towards the lower part of the centre console making it a little far off for reach for drivers who like to sit way back.

Navigation was spot-on and has no issues with finding places. The knob-based input is not as user-friendly as touch screens and I sincerely think that that Audi navigation engineers should start looking at touch screen inputs rather than the turn-based knob input. The navigation screen is excellent and the maps are quite elaborative and provide the user with a whole lot of information. All in all an excellent cabin with well-laid out amenities and features.

Nabeel Ferzan

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2014 Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabrio

Refreshed & recharged

Mercedes-Benz has attempted to offers executive style in a better value package with refreshed fourth generation 2014 E400 Cabrio. Has the magic worked in this car? Automan attempts to find out Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: author and Nabeel Ferzan

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s part of the extensive current line-up refresh by Mercedes-Benz, very much like its fixed-roof sister model, the E-Class cabriolet has also been extensively restyled and updated for 2014. The styling changes are visible even when the car is at standstill and key among them which attract immediate attention are the striking new headlamp set-up which has now metamorphosed from its signature quad look to an all-in-one unit featuring lenses emulating the ‘foureyed’ face. Meanwhile, fog lamps are now resettled in the re-profiled front air intake.

Also there’s a new grille and reworked front and rear valances. The facelift and touch point treatment is similar to what Audi has

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done with its A8 models recently. However, Audi takes its lighting technology codeveloped with Hella a few notches higher than anyone else in the business. But that doesn’t mean necessarily that Mercedes has fallen back. Actually, the German premium brand has taken what it is good at and incorporated the same in this car. Case in point is the significantly upgraded driverassistance systems.

Meanwhile, in the styling department, designers have tried to ensure that the cabrio gets its standalone profile features and unlike the 2014 E-class sedan and wagon, versions the two-door models keep their muscular rear ends, a design element that has worked well in this car than on the other larger siblings.

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The cabin of the cabrio somehow doesn’t feel that it has been visited extensively although Mercedes claim that it has been given a thorough upgrade. According to Mercedes, the cabin of all models in the E-Class family were revised with the aim of a new design harmony and the most prominent new feature spotted supporting this claim was the new trim area with chrome inserts in the dashboard, the three-tube instrument cluster and the trapezoidal display of the head unit with high-gloss surround and the new centre console. Elsewhere, the car continues with mostly carry over components and we were a bit disappointed with the overall treatment because some features which in our view did need attention have not been touched. Case in point: the rear seats are a little low, so occupants in the back might feel too low sitting in as front view is obstructed. A stadium seating arrangement could have been incorporated. Functionality in this car feels archaic when you look at how Mercedes-Benz has revolutionatised

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the cabin of the S- and C-Class. There are too many switches hanging around which means that in this car Mercedes still follows its one activity per switch/button formula.

The multi-functional controller between the front seats is a welcome addition, although its gets a bit getting used to the rotating and pushing down for menus. The E-Class cabriolet comes with an electrically powered fabric top, not a folding hardtop and we do spot niggle out here: the rag top mechanism isn’t class leading by any measure. Not only it takes time to open or close, the mechanism appears clumsy in the way it operates with a thud. The rubber moldings supporting the mechanism and damping are also not so appealing to the eye when exposed. We are sure Mercedes can fix these niggles easily in this car which has a starting price of US$75,500 in the GCC. New to E-Class family options are features like hands-free automatic bootlid opening (activated by shaking a foot beneath the bumper), while onboard infotainment technology such as the company’s latest

Comand system now features internet access and uses apps such as Google search, Google Maps, and Google Street View.

But it’s under the bonnet where a significant change has taken place which in turn is also responsible for the new naming nomenclature. In both the coupe and cabriolet, previously designated as E350, were using a carryover naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6, till the facelifted model arrived in the latter part of this year. Mercedes have now replaced this unit with a twinturbocharged V6 and interestingly, despite its 3.0-litre displacement, the cars with this unit are now identified as the E400. While the badge change may not make sense to some, the engine figures will surely interest attention. This forced fed engine actually makes more power than that of the E350.

The forced fed engine 333hp at 5,500 rpm, up from the E350’s 302hp at 6,500 rpm. The torque difference is even more significant.

Whereas the E350 produced 273 lb-ft at 3500 rpm, the E400 makes it a far more substantial with 354 lb-ft coming at as low as

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1,400 rpm. The facelift sees the introduction of the electromechanical Direct-Steer system for all engine variants which is a welcome measure.

As before, Mercedes offers three individualisation packages. The Exterior Sports package enhances the exterior of the vehicle and lends it an even sportier character. In addition to AMG bodystyling and AMG light-alloy wheels, the AMG Sports package and the new AMG Sports package Plus have further exterior and interior features for a sporty, dynamic appearance and enhanced driving dynamics.

Central to the E-Class facelift’s new driverassist technology is the introduction of what Mercedes refers to as an ‘Intelligent Drive’ system. Employing a ‘Stereo Multi Purpose Camera’ with two lenses working in concert with a revised radar tech, and set at a 45-degree angle in the windscreen, they monitor oncoming and crossing vehicles, as well as pedestrians and traffic signs, to a range of up to 500m. It works with the

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standard autonomous emergency braking system to lessen the chance of a rear-end impact at up to 50km/h.

One more thing about where this car fits in with rivals. Real competition for the E400 cabriolet is actually thin when one considers the opposition. From Germany it includes the heavyweight Audi S5 cabriolet, the BMW 4-series convertible. Non German fare includes Infiniti G37 convertible (which adopts the Q60 badge now). Elsewhere, the Lexus IS convertible is being phased out, and plans for Cadillac ATS convertible have been dropped permanently.

Driving impressions We were able to drive the E400 cabriolet in UAE shortly after its GCC market launch. The upgraded powertrain and its performance brought back the smiles and we walked away impressed with its delivery character and overall capabilities. Although it is a V6, it emits a throaty sound on startup but is never intrusive, and power delivery is extremely

smooth and linear. The car’s acceleration performance of 0-100km/h in 5.3sec can be considered by any measure and it is more than a full second faster than the older E350 cabriolet’s performance. Top speed is governed at an easily attained 250km/h. The car runs stress free.

Other performance elements used in the car faithfully echo those of other E-class models.

Unlike the E350’s uninvolving brakes and steering, the E400 is now a bit more driver focused without losing its cruiser aspect. The E400’s chassis set-up is utterly pleasant and compliant while helping the car to stay fixed on the road. We do appreciate the upgrades done to its many driver-assistance programs.

Standard nanny systems include Attention Assist, which monitors the driver for signs of fatigue, and a collision-prevention system. Optional fare includes active cruise control that can make minor steering-wheel corrections as necessary, a lane-keeping monitor, cross-traffic alert, and precrash systems that prepare vehicle mechanisms

in the event of an imminent rear collision or pedestrian impact.

The NVH management in this car is impressive despite having a fabric roof. With its thick sound insulation, it reduces wind noise down to nearly coupe levels. Also, a spoiler rises from the windscreen frame when the top is down, further reducing turbulence and wind noise that would otherwise usually accompanies it. When retracted, the rag top uses up far less boot space than a folding hardtop would, leaving more room for luggage which is a thoughtful arrangement. Another impressive bit of technology was the fully idle-stop feature that helps save fuel consumption considerably.

Verdict The refreshed Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabrio has a lot going for it, including composure, style, and quality. Despite some imperfections, the far more responsive twin-turbo V6 engine helps lift the overall impression. Price as tested: US$87,700.

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Ferrariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FXX K

World premiere of Ferrariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FXX K experimental car took place at the Ferrari Finale Mondiali in Abu Dhabi last month

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F

errari’s new FXX K research and development programme receives its world premiere next weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The laboratorycar is based on Maranello’s first hybrid model and will grace the world’s tracks from next year onwards. The K in its moniker is a reference to the “KERS” kinetic energy recovery system it adopts in maximising its track performance.

Unfettered by homologation and racing

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regulations, the FXX K will never be used in competition. It was, in fact, developed to be completely uncompromising, incorporating technological innovations that will guarantee an unprecedented driving experience to the exclusive group of Client-Test Drivers with whom the Prancing Horse will roll out a test programme over the coming two years.

The car’s enormous potential is attested to by two significant figures: a total power output of 1050 cv (860 cv delivered by its conventional V12 engine

and 190 by its electric motor) and maximum torque in excess of 900 Nm. The FXX K’s 6262 cc V12 features new camshafts and a modified valve train with mechanical rather than hydraulic tappets. The intake manifolds have been redesigned and given a special type of polishing treatment. The exhaust system has been modified as its silencers have been eliminated.

The HY-KERS system has been evolved specifically for pure performance with the result that the driver can

control the function logics from the specific 4-setting Manettino on the centre console: Qualify, for maximum performance within a limited number of laps; Long Run to optimise performance consistency; Manual Boost for instant maximum torque delivery; and Fast Charge, for a fast recharge of the car’s battery.

A focus on delivering maximum efficiency at every stage of every track lap has resulted in extensive but integrated work on the entire car body in terms of both active and passive aerodynamics.

The front of the car is dominated by a twin-profile spoiler and a larger splitter, which is 30 mm lower, with a gap in its centre. This design is an application of the concepts developed to improve aero balance in the GT category of the WEC, which Ferrari has won for three consecutive years. Two pairs of vertical elements, an endplate and, externally, a dive plane, together with vertical fins channel the air towards the car’s flanks,

generating a longitudinal vortex that creates a localised depression. This in turn sucks the wake from the wheels to the outside of the aerodynamic underbody. Along with the side skirts that extend out from the sills, the vortex helps isolate the airflow from the underbody to boost its efficiency.

The solutions on the rear of the car are highly sophisticated, too. The tail section is now higher and the mobile spoiler extends further for a total increase in extension of 60mm when fully deployed. A vertical fin and a small wing each side of the tail act as guide vanes in the low drag configuration and boost the spoiler’s efficiency in the high downforce one. This system also creates considerable downforce at the rear of the car, allowing the use of an extreme diffusion volume for the rear diffuser which optimises air extraction from the underbody. The section of the flat underbody just ahead of the rear wheels is also exploited to the full to generate downforce thanks to the reduced

pressure in the wheel arch guaranteed by the direct connection to the rear of the car by a by-pass duct.

The result is a 50per cent improvement in downforce in the low drag configuration and a 30per cent improvement in the more aggressive downforce configuration, resulting in a figure of 540 kg at 200 km/h.

Vehicle dynamics are further improved by the adoption of Pirelli slicks complete with sensors that monitor longitudinal, lateral and radial acceleration, as well as temperature and pressure. This ensures an accurate analysis of the interaction between the tyre and track surface, providing even more vital data to enable the traction control system to guarantee maximum performance.

The intervention level of the E-Diff electronic differential, F1-Trac traction control, Racing SSC (Side Slip Angle Control) - now specially calibrated to suit the car’s slick tyres - and the highperformance ABS can be controlled using the five-position Manettino on the steering wheel.

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Renault EOLAB Concept

Here’s another idea from French auto brand Renault which looks at transport solutions in a decade’s time. It’s called the EOLAB concept and in flesh it looks fantastic, supposed to drive like a hot supermini and there has been no compromise on performance despite the remarkable efficiency gains. What more do you want?

Author: Chandan B Mallik

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ost serious players in the automotive industry are looking at production cars in the near future. By this we mean, transportation solutions in 7-10 years.

Of, course, the ground work has to be done now and French automaker Renault is also an acti ve player in this game. The carmaker realizes that design, engineering efficiencies and performance all have to go together and in this direction it has come up with the EOLAB concept. The innovative concept which was also presented as a prototype was showcased at Paris promises a lot of things to future consumers.

The concept has been in the making for two years. It started after the French government asked Renault to develop a financially viable car that consumes only 2 litres/100km of fuel. But Renault thought it could do better, and it did.

Renault claims that the EOLAB has more 66 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

than 100 new technical innovations which are all centred around the core fundamentals of low mass, improve aerodynamic efficiency and efficient hybrid power. Besides these, the challenge has been to combine the aforementioned factors and executing them in an affordable manner.

To keep the car’s kerb weight down to 995kg (400 kg) less than the equivalent production Clio, the body is constructed from a combination of steel, aluminium and composites, with the roof entirely of magnesium. The car also incorporates three ride-height levels which lowers the car and reduced drag, working in conjunction with active aero on the wheel trims (on narrow 145mm tyres) and spoilers reduce the drag coefficient to Cd 0.235. The sculpted body is said to be30 per cent more aerodynamic than the Clio.

The cabin of the car has been executed

perfectly with lot of functionality in mind. Camera-based iPhone sized screens are used for wing mirrors and a huge centrally placed interactive display instructs users how to optimize driving characteristics. The lightweight seats sport innovative ideas.

To keep development costs down, the engine in the EOLAB is an evolutionary development of the existing 74bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine used in the Twingo. This engine is assisted by a compact 64bhp electric motor. The car’s electric motors will propel the car from standstill to 40km/h after which the three-cylinder engine kicks in to boost power. The transition between driving modes is detectable only by noise only.

Transmission duties are served by a clutchless three-speed automatic [no CVT]. Two of the three gears are mated to the electric motor, while the third is connected to the petrol engine.

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Peugeot Quartz Concept

Peugeot unveiled the Quartz Concept as its forthcoming vision for the crossover segment at the recently concluded 2014 Paris Motor Show. This next generation SUV blends dazzling design with hybrid powertrain technologies in a bid to create the ultimate premium family car experience Author: Chandan B Mallik

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eugeot is slowly and surely moving its line-up of cars into the premium segment. The French carmaker has been providing evidence of its future aspirations at motor shows and concepts like the Exalt in 2014 [for sedan cars] following the approach initiated in 2012 with the Onyx Concept. With the Quartz Concept, Peugeot attempts to communicate its forthcoming new vision for the brand.

The basic idea out here is to combine hybrid performance in concept that boasts a body of an SUV with creature comforts found in a sedan and hence it is based on the same EMP2 platform that underpins the new 308. The composite structure and bonded panels save weight and help bring exceptional stiffness. This aspect has enabled engineers to remove the carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s B-pillar and create scissor doors.

A retractable step further eases access and the red accents on the body actually disguise extending steps into the cabin.

With its long bonnet and sloping roof, the Quartz concept aims to mimic the profile

of a sports coupe. The car gets massive 23in wheels which have composite flaps to direct airflow. Up front, the concept is all business with a mesh grille and arching LED headlamps. The subtle louvres hidden in the sides of the bonnet are neat.

Moving back from there, the red accents on the flanks actually disguise extending steps into the cabin. Dimensionally, the car stands at 4,500mm in length and is 2,060mm wide.

The carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interiors are also innovative and the theme chosen to represent the cabin is porous texture of basalt rock. The Quartz

Concept is the first-ever vehicle to employ digitally woven textile. This innovative process can create large and complex components that can be used as soon as they come off the machine and hence no cutting is required. The textile is woven with polyester fibre from recycled plastic water bottles.

Peugeot will employ the 270hp high pressure turbo [THP] 1.6-litre forced fed four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Two electric motors in the package will each produce 114hp and will directly drive the front

and rear axles. Three driving modes will be offered: the automaker claims that the Quartz could go roughly 50km on a electric power alone and in Road mode it uses the combustion engine and front electric motor and which also charges the battery during deceleration and in Race mode harnesses the power of the engine and both electric motors to get the most out of the chassis with a limited-slip differential for increased driver engagement. When all three power units work together they produce a combined 493hp.

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Toyota C-HR Hybrid crossover concept

T Toyota C-HR hybrid crossover concept At the recent Paris Motor Show, Toyota provided us with more than just teaser renderings of its Europe-inspired C-HR hybrid crossover concept Author: Chandan B Mallik

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oyota has recognised that Europe is the most demanding market for small and mid-size vehicles, so the carmaker uses the region as the benchmark when defining its future cars for the A, B and C-segments. An all-new proposition for the growing compact European C-segment car market is what has inspired Toyota Motor Corporation to look at an all-new ground-up idea.

As a result of this initiative, the C-HR concept attempts to combine aspects from Toyota’s three successful models namely the RAV4, Prius and GT86 in one unique package. According to Toyota: “The C-HR Concept recaptures the design and packaging ingenuity that spawned the first RAV4, introduces a new version of the sophisticated, full hybrid powertrain technology first realized in the Prius and, inspired by the GT86, targets new levels of dynamism and agility.”

Although inspired by those other vehicles, the C-HR is built around an entirely new platform, designed for what is described as state-of-the-art handling and controllability. The concept’s styling

It is an innovative design study for a stylish, lightweight C-segment crossover that will stand out in an increasingly homogenous market, and is the next physical expression of the promise Akio Toyoda made when became Toyota President in 2011 to build cars with stronger emotional qualities that will make their owners fall in love with driving again

is the result of co-operation between Toyota design centres, including ED2, its European design development studio and its dimensions stand at 4,350mm [length], 1,850mm [width], 1,500mm [height] on a wheelbase of 2,640mm.

It uses new hybrid powertrain is likewise optimized to deliver “a uniquely engaging driving experience matched to 21st century traffic conditions, whilst delivering outstanding efficiency”, at least in theory as no actual specifications have been revealed. The vehicle’s lower bodywork is intended to represent the precision-cut body surfaces that mimic a gemstone. This includes the shaving off of the corners of the bodyshell, which not only adds to its sculpted look, but also reduces its mass.

Overall, its look is said to be “a further development of Toyota’s Under Priority and Keen Look design identity.”

Although there’s no word on commercial production of the C-HR, the automaker has at least stated that its styling themes hint at a future design direction for Toyota vehicles.

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Volkswagen XL Sport Concept

Volkswagen and Ducati now seem to be enjoying each other’s engineering synergies. The XL Sport is the first concept co-developed prototype which is more than a curious production

Motor Show. The evolved car’s design incorporated butterfly doors, with the interior seating layout using a staggered side-by-side arrangement similar to a Smart Fortwo, rather than the previous versions’ tandem seating. The diesel plug-in hybrid prototype is branded as a “Super Efficient Vehicle” [SEV] and VW has officially limited production to 250 units – 200 of these will be sold to customers and

remainder will be used for various other purposes.

The next logical step offered by VW comes at an interesting juncture this year. VW call it the XL Sport Concept and showcased the car in concept form at Paris in September. Interestingly, it uses the platform and some of the mechanicals from the XL1 minus its diesel-hybrid powertrain. Instead, VW has roped in Italian sports motorcycle

brand Ducati. Ducati is now owned by VW and in the two-wheel world, is known for high performance compact V-twin engines. For this concept, the lightweight and high-revving 1,200cc 90° V2 engine from Ducati’s new 1199 Superleggera motorcycle has been shoehorned. The Ducati engine is mated to 7-speed DSG and has the best power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle in history and also helps the XL Sport to achieve something

Author: Chandan B Mallik

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t’s no secret that Volkswagen has been looking at various ideas for developing a lightweight sports car.

Using this philosophy as its core source of inspiration, the German car brand has presented several innovative ideas since 2002. A prototype VW 1.0-litre concept car was first shown to the public in April 2002 when Dr. Ferdinand Piech, then chairman

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of the Board of Management, drove the concept between Wolfsburg and Hamburg as part of the Volkswagen annual meeting of stockholders. This concept had two-seater tandem arrangement and used a 300cc single-cylinder diesel engine producing 8.4hp mated to a sixspeed transmission. This concept wasn’t produced commercially. The second

Volkswagen 1.0-litre car, named L1, was first shown to the public at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show continued with the former’s seating arrangement but used an 800cc, twin-cylinder, common-rail turbodiesel engine combined with a 13.4hp electric motor. The XL1 was the third iteration of the 1.0-litre resin-composite car that was unveiled at the 2011 Qatar

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similar. In this case, it is the ratio between weight (890 kg), power (200 PS) and aerodynamics (cd x A = 0.44 m2) that currently makes this concept car the fastest 200PS car in the world. No other sports car has ever reached a top speed of 270 km/h with 200 PS. While the XL1 and XL Sport concept look similar, the special requirements related to downforce and performance parameters of the drive technology led to the XL Sport being longer and wider than the XL1. The XL Sport showcased in Paris is 4,291 mm long (XL1: 3,888 mm), 1,847 mm wide (XL1: 1,664 mm), 1,152 mm high (XL1: 1,153 mm).

The wheelbase has also been increased to 2,424 mm (XL1: 2,224 mm).

From the design angle, there are some changes too. Whereas the XL1 is at its widest at the front and tapers towards

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The XL Sport Concept presents itself as a scaled-down supercar, right down to its scissor doors and mid-mounted rear engine architecture and lightweight construction the rear, the XL Sport is just as wide at the back as at the front. The low slug car rides on asymmetric 205/40 R 18 (front) and 265/35 R 18 (rear) tyre/rim combos.

The interior of the XL Sport is as expected is based on the interior of the XL1. VW says that it has been modified and individualised in its detailing. The car gets a motorsports-inspired digital instrument cluster with an individual lap time and oil pressure display. A flat carbon part that extends the top of the instrument cluster covering to completely eliminate reflections. The steering wheel has decorative red stitching and has been equipped with aluminium shift paddles.

Classy details include anodised aluminium accents around the air vents, the climate control fascia and the DSG shift gate. Also included is the theme of the contrasting red stitching in the steering wheel and the seat belts are also red. No changes have been made to the ergonomics for the driver and passenger.

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Motorsports F1 The 2015 calendar in full: 15/03 Australia 29/03 Malaysia 05/04 Bahrain 19/04 China 10/05 Spain 24/05 Monaco 07/06 Canada 21/06 Austria 05/07 Britain 19/07 Germany 26/07 Hungary 23/08 Belgium 06/09 Italy 20/09 Singapore 27/09 Japan 11/10 Russia 25/10 USA 01/11 Mexico 15/11 Brazil 29/11 Abu Dhabi

2015 Formula One season

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he 2015 Formula One season will be the 66th season of the Formula One World Championship, a motor racing championship for Formula One cars which is recognised by the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars. Twenty drivers representing ten teams will contest twenty one Grands Prix, starting in Australia on 15 March and ending in Abu Dhabi on 29 November as they compete for the World Drivers’ and World Constructors’ Championships. Mercedes will begin the season as the defending Constructors’ Champions, having secured their first championship title at the 2014 Russian Grand Prix.

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Lewis Hamilton is the defending Drivers’ Champion after securing his second title at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, all eyes are now set for 2015 New entries process In December 2013, the FIA announced its intentions to open the grid up to more entries, asking for expressions of interest from what it dubbed “competitive teams” willing to commit to the championship until the 2020 season. Three applications were received, including a bid from Gene Haas, co-owner of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team Stewart-Haas Racing; an entry submitted from Romania, and run in conjunction with former Jordan, Midland, Spyker, Force India and HRT manager Colin Kolles and a third from Zoran Stefanovi, a Serbian aerospace engineer who had previously attempted to join the grid for the 2010 and 2011 Formula One seasons under the name Stefan Grand Prix. The bidding process was delayed amidst reports that the FIA had only been looking to add one team to the grid, but that the first two bids were equally viable. Haas’ entry, Haas F1, was the successful candidate, but Haas later deferred his entry until the 2016 season. Bernie Ecclestone announced the Romanian entry—named as Forza Rossa Racing—had been accepted

independently of Haas,but the team was not included on provisional entry list for the 2015 season.

Team changes • Honda will return to Formula One as an engine supplier, providing McLaren with a V6 engine and Energy Recovery System package, ending the team’s twenty-year partnership with Mercedes-Benz. Honda had previously supplied McLaren from 1988 until 1992, when Honda ended their engine supply program. The company returned to the sport as an engine supplier in 2000, providing British American Racing and Jordan Grand Prix with engines until they purchased the former in 2006 and competed as a constructor until 2008.

• Lotus will change engine suppliers, ending their association with Renault in favour of a deal with Mercedes.

• Following the 2014 Russian Grand Prix, Marussia went into administration, missing the final three races of the 2014 season. The team briefly appeared on the provisional entry list

under the name “Manor F1”, but in November 2014, administrators announced that the team would cease trading and close down.

Driver changes • Sebastian Vettel left Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2014 season after fifteen years with the team and its wider junior development programme to join Ferrari in the place of Fernando Alonso. Red Bull promoted Daniil Kvyat from Toro Rosso to fill the seat vacated

by Vettel.

• With Kvyat promoted and Jean-Éric Vergne electing to leave the team after the season was completed, Toro Rosso’s driver line-up was completely overhauled. In their place, the team chose reigning Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion Carlos Sainz, Jr., the son of two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz; and 2014 FIA Formula Three runner-up Max Verstappen—the son of former driver Jos Verstappen—who will become the youngest driver to make his Formula One début at the age of 17 years, 164 days when he starts the 2015 season.

• Marcus Ericsson left Caterham at the end of the 2014 season to join Sauber. He will be partnered by GP2 Series regular and former Williams test driver Felipe Nasr. As a result of the deals with Ericsson and Nasr, Esteban Gutiérrez and Adrian Sutil lost their seats.

Calendar changes • The German Grand Prix is set to return to the Nürburgring, in accordance with the eventsharing agreement established between the Nürburgring and the Hockenheimring in 2008.

The Nürburgring had previously hosted the race in 2013 and so was scheduled to host it again in 2015, but the provisional calendar left the event-sharing agreement unresolved.

• The Korean Grand Prix is scheduled to return to the Formula One calendar after being removed in 2014. The venue for the race has yet to be confirmed.

• The Mexican Grand Prix is scheduled to return to the Formula One calendar for the first time since 1992. The race is to be held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit located in the centre of Mexico City, which also was the location of all of the Mexican Grands Prix in previous decades. The circuit will be substantially reconfigured to accommodate the sport’s return.

Regulation changes/Technical regulations • The number of power units that a driver may use in a season will be reduced from five in 2014 to four in 2015.

• The rules regarding engine development that were introduced in 2014 will change, with the manufacturers allowed to perform half the development permitted in 2014; the development will be halved again in 2016.

• Following the backlash over “ugly” nose

designs in 2014, the FIA moved to amend the rules surrounding nose designs for the 2015 season. Noses will now be lower than in 2014, retaining a minimum cross section, but they must taper to a point at a fixed linear rate, effectively outlawing the dramatic finger shapes seen in 2014 in favour of a more gradual shape. Furthermore, the design of the nose must be symmetrical and consistent with the centreline of the car, thereby banning the more exotic designs, such as the “twin-tusk” approach used by Lotus on the E22 chassis.

• The minimum weight of the cars at all times during an event was increased to 702kg.

• Any suspension system fitted to the front wheels must be arranged in such a manner that its response results only from changes in load applied to the front wheels.

• Any suspension system fitted to the rear wheels must be arranged in such a manner that its response results only from changes in load applied to the rear wheels.

• The anti-intrusion panels on both sides of the survival cell have been extended upwards to the rim of the cockpit and alongside the pilot’s head.

• Sporting regulations • The partial ban on pit-to-car communication introduced at the 2014 Singapore Grand Prix will be extended to include a blanket ban on sharing technical data between team and driver, such as specific fuel consumption settings.

• Double points will no longer be awarded at the final event of the championship.

• Following the serious accident of Jules Bianchi during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix a new procedure called Virtual Safety Car (VSC) will be introduced. The procedure may be initiated when double waved yellow flags are needed on any section of a circuit where competitors and officials may be in danger, but the circumstances are not as such to warrant deployment of the actual Safety Car. Under Virtual Safety Car conditions drivers are obliged to reduce their speed to match the one indicated on their displays on their steering wheels.

• If a race is suspended, the cars will no longer line up on the grid but will slowly proceed to the pit lane instead. Pit exit will be closed and the first car to arrive in the pit lane will proceed to the exit with the other lining up behind the first one.

• If any team personnel or team equipment remain on the grid after the fifteen-second signal has been shown before the start of the formation lap, the driver of the car concerned must start the race from the pit lane. If the driver concerned fails to obey this, they will receive a ten second stop-and-go penalty.

• The replacement of a complete power unit will no longer result in a penalty. Instead, penalties will be applied cumulatively for individual

components of the power unit. If such a grid place penalty is imposed and the driver’s grid position is such that the full penalty cannot be applied, then the remainder of the penalty will no longer be carried over to the next race, but will instead be applied in the form of a time penalty during the race corresponding to the number of grid spaces remaining in the penalty.

• In addition to the existing five-second penalty that may be served during a driver’s scheduled pit stop, a new ten-second penalty that will have to be served in the same manner, will be introduced.

• If a car is deemed to have been released in an unsafe condition during a race, a ten second stop-and-go penalty will be imposed on the driver concerned. An additional penalty will be imposed on any driver who, in the opinion of the stewards, continues to drive a car knowing it to have been released in an unsafe condition.

• The qualifying procedure has been further clarified to cater different sizes of starting grids: if twenty-four cars are entered for the race, seven will be eliminated after the each of the first two qualifying segments; if twentytwo are entered, six will be eliminated after each qualifying segment and so on if fewer cars are eligible.

• The Safety Car procedure was amended. Once the last lapped car will have passed the Safety Car, it will return to the pits at the end of the following lap. This is a change of the previous practice which required the unlapped cars to have caught up with the back of the pack before the Safety Car could return to the pits.

Driver/team changes for 2015 season • After Ferrari confirmed its signing of Sebastian Vettel and with McLaren set to announce its lineup any day now, Scuderia Toro Rosso is one of the last teams with a seat open for the 2015 Formula One World Championship.

But now, even the answer to that question is coming into focus, as the team’s longtime driver Jean-Éric Vergne has confirmed he’s leaving. The French driver started out as a test pilot with Toro Rosso in 2011, was promoted to the race seat the following season and has been competing for the team ever since. But over the course of his three years on the grid, he has yet to score a single podium finish or emerge from the back of the field. And in a tweet on his personal account, he’s now revealed that he won’t be staying with the team next season. Toro Rosso has already confirmed that newcomer Max Verstappen will take one of its race seats next season, but with the promotion of Daniil Kvyat to join fellow STR graduate Daniel Ricciardo and replace Vettel on the A-squad, the prevailing wisdom had the team keeping Vergne in place to lend some consistency and experience to its lineup.

But the Toro Rosso has always existed as an avenue to bring new talent up through Red Bull’s extensive driver training program and into F1.

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Regional motorsports

FINALI MONDIALI – A GREAT END WITH THE FERRARI SHOW

Oman’s Al Harthy qualifies ninth for Race 1 of Round 2 of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Dubai Autodrome

O Tense drama in final moments of 36th Dubai International Rally

The 2014 FIA Middle East Rally Championship ended in a dramatic climax, with Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah and the UAE’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi locked in a tense fight to the finish.

t was a war of wits and strategy between Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah and UAE’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi.

Al Qassimi produced a stunning fightback to win the Dubai International Rally in sensational fashion last month and took the FIA Middle East Championship drivers’ title away from Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah in style.

In a closely fought battle, Al Qassimi emerged victorious by a margin of just 0.3secs after a thrilling start-to-finish battle with Al Attiyah to deny his great rival an eighth successive win in Dubai and a tenth Middle East crown. Everything came down to the final special stage of the season, a 25.92km section which started with the Emirati driver leading by 0.4 secs after he had produced a brilliant surge to win the previous stage by 6.1 secs.

Al Qassimi, partnered by Chris Patterson in his Abu Dhabi Racing Citroen DS3, held his nerve to record his third win in Dubai and land his second Middle East triumph.

“We pushed to the limit but it was very difficult”, said an emotional Al Qassimi,

who had been determined to produce a home victory ahead of UAE National Day. “On the last stage I had a flat tyre but I got through it. If we’re going to be in the record books now it’s not just my name that’s going there, it’s also the name of Citroen because of what we’ve done together.” Victory had looked to be in the grasp of Al Attiyah, for whom the rally signalled the end of a hugely successful six-year partnership with Italian co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini.

“We are quite happy we did a really good job here,” he said at the finish. “We are not slow but were really surprised about Khalid’s times in the afternoon. “I knew it would not be easy and that we really needed to concentrate all the time.”

Finishing third in the rally, and in the championship, was Qatar’s Al Kuwari, with fellow-countryman Khalid Al Suwaidi, the UAE’s Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi and another Qatari, Abdulla Al Kuwari, completing the top six in Dubai.

From the start on Friday, however, as Al

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Qassimi won the first two stages, only for Al Attiyah to take the last three, it was clear that this was becoming a classic two-car tussle for supremacy which put all other events in the shade.

Leading by 6.8secs overnight, Al Attiyah increased his advantage to 12.2secs over the first of the day’s six stages to begin an intriguing tussle which meant the outcome was in doubt up to the last kilometre.

Immediately, Al Qassimi reduced the deficit to 10.3secs, before it became 11.8 secs and then just 5.7secs as the Citroen and the Ford were pushed to the limit, especially over a frantic final stage which Al Attiyah took by 0.1secs to fall agonisingly short.

Among the casualties on final day were the UAE’s Rashid Al Ketbi who retired when his Ford Fiesta RRCs lost a wheel mid way through the day’s third special stage, and Nishad Kochumohamed who went out when his Ford rolled on the first stage. Thankfully, both driver and codriver Sajiin Gangadharan were not hurt.

mani Ahmad Al Harthy has left himself with work to do in Race 1 of Round 2 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Dubai Autodrome after qualifying in ninth position.

The most successful and professional racing series in the region is back in Dubai for two back to back races and welcomes an impressive international line-up of 17 world-class drivers representing over10 different nations including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

Despite the intense international competition it was Al Harthy’s Al Nabooda Racing teammate, and current championship leader Clemens Schmid who claimed pole after a flawless lap around the 5.39KM Grand Prix Circuit.

Despite qualifying further down the grid than he would have hoped, Al Harthy proved in Round 1 in Bahrain that he has what it takes to work his way up through the grid and secure a strong position.

In Race 2 of Round 1 the Omani driver was dropped to the rear of the grid after picking up a penalty but produced a stunning driving display to overtake multiple cars and end up nine positions up from where he started.

After qualifying Al Harthy said, “Obviously I would have wanted to be starting the race closer to the front.

Ninth is not ideal but it’s what I have to work with so will be making the most of it. I learned a lot from the races in

Bahrain so know that I can move up the grid if the opportunities present themselves and also if I am able to create them so it’s going to be exciting but in no way easy. It’s a hugely competitive grid and I am going to have some incredibly talented drivers ahead of me from the start so I will have to work hard to build on my position. That said, I’m hoping to produce something special for the crowds here in Dubai.”

Skydive Dubai’s Saeed Al Mehairi will start Race 1 from second position ahead of Zaid Ashkanani of Kuwait who snatched the title by a single point from rival Schmid last season, and will start from third.

Former two-time champion Abdulaziz AlFaisal who will make a special guest appearance in Dubai for Classic Arabia Racing will have to be at his best to reach to the podium after qualifying sixth.

Drivers who could also contend for a high place finish include Team Bahrain’s Raed Raffii, QMMF’s AbdulRahman Al Thani and Charlie Frijns. It really will be anyone’s race with thrilling encounters expected to entertain the fans.

The region’s leading drivers will lineup in the new Porsche 911 GT3 as the star attractions at Dubai Autodrome.

The drivers will face 10 laps of the 5.39KM Grand Prix Circuit at the Dubai Autodrome with Round 2 Race 1 on Friday 5th December 16.30-17.00 and Race 2 on Saturday 6th December.

Last month’s Finali Mondiali, which held for the first time outside Europe, in Abu Dhabi, ended with a day of exciting racing and a demonstration featuring everything that’s best about the world of Ferrari. The first thrills of the day came courtesy of the two Ferrari Challenge races to allocate the three world titles in Coppa Shell, Pirelli Pro and Pirelli Am. These went to Massimiliano Bianchi, Max Blancardi and Ricardo Perez respectively.

Over 200 Ferraris from different eras swarmed onto the track. Driven by their owners, the cars cruised on the track giving the audience what they came for.

Getting it all underway were the two AF Corse team GT cars, driven by World Endurance Champions Gimmi Bruni and Toni Vilander, joined on track by team mates Davide Rigon and James Calado.

The 458s also put a dummy pit stop with driver change, just as happens for real in the Endurance races, such as the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Then it was the turn of the XX Programme cars, namely the FXX and the 599 XX, which were joined for the first time by the FXX K, which with the head of the test drivers Raffaele De Simone at the wheel.

Bringing the Finali Mondiali to a close was the demonstration featuring the Scuderia drivers Kimi Raikkonen and the test driver Marc Gene, who each at the wheel of an F60, put on a great show, featuring simulated starts, wheel to wheel duels and pit stops, the day ending in a cloud of burn-out smoke produced by both drivers.

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Interstellar and the great void All right – first I need to tell you, don’t complain if you haven’t seen the movie yet. While I am not giving out anything about the plot, it has been out there in the universe for long enough. So I don’t have to shout spoiler alert!

There are movies and then there are those pieces that really stand out. Admittedly even Interstellar, made under the watch of an actual astrophysicist and showcased by a good director has factual errors, improbabilities galore and raises more questions that its plot warrants. But the premise is brilliant; it is seeded in good science and even throws in long dialogues between actors to explain some of the more esoteric and arcane science.

But that’s not really the movie’s strong point. Yes, the space sequences are finally what makes it ‘interstellar’ but put that aside for a moment and explore the premise that the movie offers – a world that is slowly dying, with governments spending so much money on keeping their populations alive that they no longer spend on things we take for granted like a space program or an army for that matter.

Even a thinker and futurist like Isaac Asimov didn’t believe that Earth could sustain a population of over 4 billion people. When we lurched into the Great War of 1914 there were barely a billion, so it isn’t difficult to empathise with him. It is only because science and technology have kept ahead of the population curve that the Earth is able to sustain 7 plus billion and may even creak along at 10.

However that same technology will have to find some answers to reducing the population as well, whether it is by population control or shipping out millions to new colonies in deep space.

The argument postulated was that until that great mind-bending feat of the main protagonist moving back through four-dimensional space using gravitational anomalies (along with the unbelievable binary transmission of what should have been gigabytes of data at the very least) science was way behind the curve. It didn’t have the answers; in fact it didn’t even have the questions right.

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

Want to comment or have your say?

Email at raj@alroya.net.

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As the year comes to an end and we go past a century from the onset of the First World War, you have to look back on a technological path that has evolved and been empowered by the very destruction we humans bring upon ourselves. While we go about killing ourselves, we become more efficient, find new ways of transportation and delivery and discover new ways to treat ourselves, live longer and ultimately evolve to a higher order. Aeroplanes became more efficient and were now able to carry bombs, people used chemical weapons and learnt how to survive them and finally even penicillin came into its own by the Second World War. This war brought us closer to understanding the virtues of Nuclear Fission and Fusion as well as introduced us to their horrors and the early predecessors of the Interstellar rockets finally made their way into western warfare a thousand years after the Chinese first used them.

If you bother to borrow a dialogue from the evergreen space action movie Armageddon, they acknowledge that even our wars have helped give us the means to save ourselves as a race.

The biggest issue we have here is actually one of doing it right. It’s easy to sit back as a viewer and either agree or otherwise about a plot outlined in a movie. The problem, even for world leaders is to take decisions that don’t seem outlandish today while steering the course of world events on a trajectory that keeps us running as a going concern way into the future. Who knows, the decision may be a grand one, like banning deforestation of any sort, enforcing population curbs or actually meeting carbon emission targets.

Or it could be small decisions done in bulk – like all of us deciding to save electricity, save water, walk instead of taking the car or just not buying anything we absolutely don’t require. Multiply that by 7 or 10 billion and that should mean a lot.

In any case both the premise and the result will be far more believable than that offered by Interstellar.

And that’s because we already have the science to back us up on this.

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