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2015 Bentley Flying Spur Speed First drive of the V8 version
COVERstory | Spring Ride
Spending some time touring Lebanon with 2015 Harley-Davidson models
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cover story
16-19 Bentley Flying Spur V8 SPEED 46-51 Lincoln Continental Concept
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Oman and regional news
6-8 Renault Symbol arrives in Oman, 2015 Audi TT arrives in style in region, Enthusiast’s taste Lamborghini’s Esperienza exclusive test drive program in UAE, Plans for state-ofthe-art Porsche Center for Muscat revealed, Mitsubishi pre-Ramadan deals, Hyundai appointment, Volvo to sell performance models in region, HarleyDavidson’s newest model: Street 750 launched in region, Harley Davidson’s first regional Spring Ride held in Lebanon
Jaguar XE
brandwatch
10-15 Rolls-Royce SUV work in progress, uncertain future for Lexus full-size SUVs? By 2020, half of Toyota new models will have new platforms and engineering, Toyota-BMW sports car to slot above GT86, Aston Martin to replace Papide with two models, Mercedes looking at lifestyle ute, Hyundai could green light Santa Cruz pick-up concept, Russia falters for automakers, FCA revamps its European strategy, 2015 Red Dot awards, new investments planned by major players, GM Africa and Middle East Operations to be united, 2017 BMW X7 SUV engineering details, Honda to discontinue Crosstour, Robert De Niro to star as Enzo Ferrari in biopic
First rides
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20-21 2015 Harley-Davidson Dyna Fat Bob 24-29 2015 MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800 30-33 2015 Artic Cat Wild Cat X
International news
34-69 2015 New York Motor Show – top 11 Editors picks 34-40 Lincoln Continental Concept 42-43 2016 Jaguar XF 44-47 2016 Cadillac CT6 48-49 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 50-51 2016 Kia Optima 52-53 2016 Honda Civic hatchback 54-55 2015 Porsche Boxster Spyder 56-57 2015 McLaren 570S 58-59 2015 Subaru BRZ STI 60-63 2016 Lexus RX 64-67 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
Special feature:
68-74 Summer caR care:: TYres
MOTORSPORTS
76-79 F1, Moto GP, regional news, snippets
Chicane
80 Can technology cure our vices?
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 22077730/31 Extn 300, Distribution: Tel: +968 22077730/31 Subscription: Tel: +968 22077730/31 publisher Hatim Al Taie
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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
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The big news this month has got to be the Piech – Winterkorn fracas. By now everyone knows the elements – Piech didn’t want Winterkorn succeeding him, the workers stood by their CEO as did the state and the family chose to make all the right noises too. Piech may have found his position as chairman of the board untenable and as of going to the press, he has resigned. But is that the end of the story? Will we necessarily have a new chairman heading the Volkswagen group next month? And what is the real story behind this battle of egos? We have covered the reportage elements of this unfolding saga in our pages but advise you to watch this space for developments. Our cover feature is on two Continentals. Yes, you heard that right. The Bentley Continental Flying Spur (now usually referred to without the Continental) sits across the page from Lincoln’s proposed Continental, which has cut too close for comfort for Bentley’s liking. Read both the stories inside. On the other hand it isn’t very often when we can say we have a cornucopia of one type of story. Oddly enough this month we have had a significant crop of motorcycle related articles. The top end of the two-wheeler market is hotting up, with disposable incomes and nuclear families helping to push aside traditional barriers against biking. We have actually been encouraging a certain premium brand to bring back its unique steeds to Oman. The entry-level scenario is however a completely different one. As brought out in a media report the issue is basically one of new learner’s licences being unavailable. Our team rides bikes because they are passionate about it, but most applicants for the green book for bikes are people who need it to earn a living, whether through delivery of pizzas, newspapers or groceries. Between the vagaries of the traffic, weather and regulations, bike delivery boys seem to be an endangered race, especially if they continue in the belief that they can ride on a learner’s licence forever. Speaking of the weather, Oman has finally seen the back of a rather longer than usual tryst with the relative cool of a rainy winter. Summer is on us with an opening act of forty plus degrees. What better time than now for Automan to bring out a detailed look at Tyres as part of our summer special features. If you are driving on old or worn tyres, or indeed underinflated ones in this heat, you are in for trouble. For details look through the pages of the tyre special and perhaps you will go out and get your tyres upgraded. Other than that we have our usual mix of automotive manna that is sure to keep you informed, entertained and looking forward to the next month’s stock.
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Volvo to sell performance models in region
Enthusiast’s taste Lamborghini’s Esperienza exclusive test drive program in UAE The Lamborghini Esperienza has started its 2015 Middle East program last month with more than 60 participants from GCC countries joining Lamborghini at Dubai Autodrome and the Bahrain International Circuit over the four-day event. The Esperienza, organized by Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse department, is designed to provide newcomers to the Italian super sports car marque with a first taste of the brand and the new Lamborghini V10 model: the Huracán LP 610-4. With an insight into Lamborghini’s heritage and the technical prowess of the range, the focus is on test driving Lamborghini models through a range of exercises as well as full circuit laps, demonstrating their full dynamic capabilities as both road cars and on track. “The Lamborghini Esperienza is designed to give the perfect test drive opportunity and a first experience of our brand for a growing clientele interested in owning a Lamborghini,” said Christian Mastro, head of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse department runs programs worldwide for both existing clients and newcomers to the Lamborghini brand, starting with Esperienza, with Accademia providing focused instruction for owners. Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse department also oversees its motorsports program, including the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo one-make series in three continents.
Plans for state-of-theart Porsche Center for Muscat revealed
SATA LLC, the official retailer of Porsche vehicles in Oman has announced plans for the construction of the new Porsche Centre and showroom to be built alongside the existing showroom. The multilevel setup will have space for 42 car displays, workshop and museum. The first phase of the multimillion Omani riyal project is set to be delivered by October 2016. The facility will also include a permanent display section for classic Porsches. The new facilty will be the largest Porsche Centre in the region when completed. 6
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Developed from 19 years of motorsport experience, the performance-oriented Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar get a production boost to 750 units in 2015 and this will help the brand expand to its performance car business from 8 to 13 countries around the world including Middle East. “We are proud to introduce the S60 and V60 Polestar in the Middle East. The positive response we received from customers all over the world on our very first production car with Polestar is remarkable,” said Emre Karaer, General Manager of Volvo Car. The new countries to get the MY16 Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar include Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Renault Symbol arrives in Oman Last month, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles [SBA], introduced the all-new third generation 2015 Renault Symbol compact sedan. The model was first revealed at the 2012 Istanbul Motor Show and is produced in several locations. The Middle East production comes from Morocco. The model was conceived by Renault as a global model and its key USP is that it delivers a level of equipment normally associated with vehicles from the next segment up. The car will be offered with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine mated to an automatic gearbox.
Mitsubishi May deals
It’s a tactical move on part of General Automotive Company, the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Oman to usher in the summer season with a range special offers across its range of Mitsubishi vehicles as part of its new ‘Summer Knockout Deals’. Rajesh Sharma, National Marketing Manager of General Automotive Company said, “Customers purchasing Mitsubishi cars will benefit from free insurance, free service and a special cash gift.” The current offer is valid until May 21, 2015 and applies to all Mitsubishi Lancer EX, ASX, Pajero, Pajero Sport, Outlander and L200 models. Mitsubishi is offering each of these models with six years unlimited mileage warranty, six years roadside assistance and free registration.
Hyundai appointment Hyundai Motor Company has announced that Jin (James) Kim will succeed Tom Lee as Vice President and Head of operations in Africa and the Middle East. Since 2013, Kim has been in charge of sales for Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and Middle East territories while based in Seoul. Before his move to Korea, Kim was based in South East Asia, Western Europe, Australia, Canada and India. In his new role Kim will work with the local team and distributors. On his new appointment, Kim said: “Taking over the senior role presents a new and exciting opportunity. We have a number of dynamic new model launches planned for the rest of this year, so I’ve arrived at an important time.
2015 Audi TT arrives in style in region At the spectacular launch event at Skydive Dubai last month at the Dubai Autodrome and thereafter on Dubai’s roads, the third generation of the iconic sports car first hand. “The Audi TT is synonymous with being a genuine design icon and top-performance machine”, said Trevor Hill, Managing Director at Audi Middle East. “This new generation is enabling us to bring the technology even more to life for drivers – just as they would expect from a real sports car. You dare or you don’t!” At the official launch event, the TT logo was painted in the sky by skydivers from Skydive Dubai. Audi DTM pilot Edoardo Mortara revealed the car with an impressive sprint on the landingstrip. Meanwhile, in Oman, the new TT’s first outing along with the new S3 sedan was at the ‘Audi quattro tour 2015’ programme that was held at the Oman Automobile Club in Muscat.
Dhofar Automotive launches state-of-the-art Fiat Chrysler Service Centre in Mabella MENA region’s first fully customer focused and ultra modern new Fiat Chrysler service facility was formally put into operation by Dhofar Automotive, sole distributors of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles in Oman last month. The over 6,000sq-ft impressive service centre will offer ‘Fiat Chrysler experience’ to its customers. The service centre has 18
bays (15 diagnostic and 3 work bays) and can service over a 1,000 cars a month. The facility will also offer centralized booking, besides taking walk-in customers, meet and greet service, a 45-minute express lane, engaging audio-visual displays, a customer lounge with free Wi-Fi A Mopar display area for spare-parts and accessories, six-minute service diagnostics,
wheel balancing bay, and ultramodern painting booth are among the facilities offered at this new facility. “The Mabella service centre offers us the optimal opportunity to enrich the service experience for our customers,” said Chris Edwards, General Manager, Dhofar Automotive. “With its ease of access form both, the express way and Sultan Qaboos Highway, the new location further strengthens our presence in Oman. We are now able to provide our customers with a greatly-enhanced after sales experience.” Roderick Lloyd, Head of after sales at Dhofar Automotive commented: “In order to replicate the Fiat Chrysler Group’s international standards in technical and soft skills training, the service facility also has a training centre that will conduct and oversee training programmes for Fiat Chrysler personnel in Oman as well as the MENA region. Through our training programmes we hope to develop highly skilled and trained manpower that will cater to the automobile industry and serve our customers better by ensuring end to end process standardization and execution.” MAY 2015
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Harley-Davidson’s Street 750 launched in region
Harley Davidson’s first regional Spring Ride held in Lebanon More than 350 Harley-Davidson enthusiasts from the region along with their motorcycles gathered near the new Harley-Davidson boutique outlet located near Red Square Centre, Seaside road Beirut, Lebanon as participants of the season’s first Spring ride in picturesque Lebanon. The over 230km round trip saw riders and their pillion companions drive through the city, countryside, winding mountain roads through to the South of Lebanon.
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The first official debut of the smallest member of the Harley family, the Street 750, took place in Lebanon at the newly opened Harley-Davidson® Cedarwoods dealership in downtown Beirut. “We are extremely thrilled about the opening of our new dealership in Lebanon which has fortunately coincided with the reveal of the new Street™ 750. Owning a HarleyDavidson® is not just about owning a motorcycle, it’s an experience; and we wanted to ensure we provide our services to existing and prospective customers from all parts of Lebanon,” said Marwan Tarraf, owner and General Manager, Harley-Davidson® dealership, Lebanon. And within weeks of the Beirut launch, it was launched in Oman at Al Makan Café in Qurum Corniche. The Street 750 is aimed at attracting young riders, especially in urbanised cities like Beirut or Muscat, or those aspirants looking to enter the world of Harley-Davidson including women who would like to be part of the ladies of Harley family. “The HarleyDavidson Street™ 750 is designed specifically to meet the needs of urban riders and is the ideal way to discover their city in style. It is also a bike that assists with unique challenges faced by riders in different climates across the region. It marries nimble manoeuvrability; unique Dark Custom style and instant power helping riders escape the cars, buses and taxis that clog inner-city roads’ added Elsa Abi Nader, Regional Marketing Manager, Harley-Davidson® Middle East and North Africa. The event also coincided with the launch of new Dark Custom operations for the line-up. [see test drive impressions of the Dyna Fat Bob with Dark Custom treatment elsewhere in this magazine].
Uncertain future for Lexus fullsize SUVs?
In its open letter on 18 February this year, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars management gave an undertaking to inform stakeholders of the progress of its SUV called Project Cullinan. Last month, the brand published photographs of the first engineering mule. Since this is early engineering mule, the focus is on the powertrain and most importantly, the all-wheel drive system that it will use. The mule is based on a shortened Phantom Series II platform. Observers suggest that the body may hint at the size of the new car, but it features no design aspects of the eventual high-sided, all-terrain motor car. The mule rides on the first iteration of an all-new suspension that will assist Rolls-Royce engineers in developing a final all-wheel drive system that delivers Rolls-Royce’s hallmark “magic-carpet” ride not only on the road, but off-road too. The first series of tests will focus on Project Cullinan’s on-road behaviour from suspension throw to high-bodied stability, and will test the new suspension across all types of international road surface specification at test facilities, as well as on public roads. Test surfaces will include; Belgian Pavé, cobblestones, corrugated concrete, noise development and measurement surfaces, resonance road, and acceleration bumps.
Two of Lexus top SUV models, the GX and LX could be facing an uncertain future, according to Lexus executive vice president Mark Templin. In a recent interview with motoring media, Templin said:”The future of those vehicles longer term is in doubt because of regulations that are being driven by governments all over the world.” This seems to suggest the models will stick around for awhile in markets that do not have stringent regulations but could eventually be phased out to due to more stringent fuel economy and emissions standards. While, Templin declined to comment on possible replacements for the body-on-frame SUVs but previous media reports have suggested the GX will go out of production next year and be replaced by a seven-seat crossover that could be called the TX in the US.
Toyota-BMW sports car to slot above GT86 A Toyota executive has confirmed that its upcoming sports car, which is being co-developed with BMW, will be slotted above the Toyota-Subaru co-developed FT/GT86/Scion FR-S. “The intention with the new car is for it to sit above the GT86,” said Toyota Europe product-planning head Karl Schlicht. This means the new arrival doesn’t replace that model. Meanwhile, BMW’s Ian Robertson has suggested the separate Toyota and BMW variants will not be direct segment rivals, as the platform is flexible enough to support different wheelbases. The comments suggest BMW can deliver a small roadster to replace the Z4, while Toyota can opt for a slightly longer build consistent with the last Supra.
Automan’s take Previous reports have suggested the model will revive the Supra nameplate and cost more than the Chevrolet Corvette, potentially into the $60,000 bracket if the information proves accurate. Both variants are rumoured to feature a hybrid allwheel-drive system and a turbocharged 400hp six-cylinder engine. Toyota’s car could actually get a BMW powertrain. 10
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Automan’s take
Rolls-Royce SUV work in progress
It seems to be a premature remark from the Lexus executive. This is because Toyota has inculcated several efficiency oriented technologies in some of its SUVs with features like Electronic On-Demand 4WD, Hybrid Synergy Drive among others. In addition, Lexus has started looking at turbocharging and direct injection technologies in its new offerings like the recently introduced NX compact SUV. We are confident that some of these solutions along with benefits from Toyota’s new and efficient architecture will also been seen in future Lexus SUVs.
By 2020, half of Toyota new models will have new platforms and engineering A couple of interesting things are happening at Toyota which will have significant impact in the way how new production vehicles in the coming years will be produced. Toyota has announced that it is taking a new integrated approach in developing efficient platforms, powertrains and components for its future models. Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) is core to this elaborate programme and is expected to play a significant role in improving
core vehicle performance and product appeal besides offering tangible benefits for consumers. The basic pillars in this plan are lighter and more rigid flexible platforms with lower centre of gravity and the ability to accommodate compact components. Besides an efficient platform, a range of new powertrains will be introduced for the TNGA programme which will offer improved fuel efficiency of by approximately 25per cent and increased overall power output by more
than 15per cent. Toyota also expects to improve the overall fuel efficiency of its hybrid vehicle systems by more than 15per cent. The TNGA system will also reduce the investments needed to produce new models and also engage in efficient production technologies by developing strategic sharing of parts and powertrain elements for instance. Toyota expects approximately half of its vehicles sold worldwide by 2020 to feature the fruits of these new ideas.
Automan’s take year, followed by specific new platforms for compact and large FWD vehicles and for rear-wheel drive cars. an artist rendition of what the Mercedes ute could look like
Toyota will begin to roll out its new platforms with the launch of a mid-size front-wheel drive model this
Mercedes looking at lifestyle ute It’s no secret that the mid-size pickup segment is gaining momentum worldwide. More and more mainstream automakers are looking at pick-ups that have car-like specifications. After Hyundai, it seems that Mercedes-Benz will also expand its product range into a promising segment by launching its first pick-up before the end of the decade. “A Mercedes-Benz pick-up will contribute nicely to our global growth targets,” says Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and head of MercedesBenz Cars division. “We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value.” Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, adds: “As part of our ‘Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global’ strategy, the pick-up is the ideal vehicle for the international expansion of our product range with a newly developed model.”
Hyundai could green light Santa Cruz pick-up concept Executives at Hyundai’s US operations have dropped major hints about putting the Santa Cruz concept pick-up into production. Hyundai America CEO Dave Zuchowski said the Santa Cruz is very important for the company because a production version would attract a new clientele looking for trucks. If everything goes according to plan, the new lifestyle pick up model will hit the assembly line sometime in 2017. Zuchowski said the Santa Cruz will be able to combine the comfort of crossover with the practicality of a pick-up. He went on to specify the concept was “not about payload, it’s not about ground clearance, it’s not about towing capacity or being on a job site and having sheetrock in the back of the vehicle. It’s not a typical pick-up truck.” MAY 2015
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Aston to replace Rapide with two models Aston Martin’s new CEO Andy Palmer wants not one, but two new cars to replace the Rapide. Palmer revealed his intentions at New York last month and according to the future product the fourdoor Rapide will replaced by the new Lagonda sedan and the second car will be a production version of the DBX crossover concept. Palmer said: “First is replacing the entire sports car range; second is the DBX, and that appeals to a different set
of audiences; and the third is the sports sedan, which will carry [the Lagonda] badge.” Aston has also confirmed that the sales of that Lagonda sedan will not be exclusive to Middle East. The DBX meanwhile is slated to switch to four doors from the coupe-like profile of the concept, but keep similar overall dimensions and that sleek roofline to make it more accommodating. The production crossover will use a
conventional petrol engine and not the electric powertrain as shown before. Meanwhile, besides the Middle East, the Lagonda sedan will be available in EU-compliant markets, including the UK, Europe and South Africa, and will be offered in both left- and right-hand-drive configurations. Due to the strictly limited run of 200 examples and crash testing requirements in the US, the car being sold in US seems to be remote as of now.
Automan’s take
Palmer’s suggestion of a crossover as central element in the product strategy is interesting. The utility vehicle will be followed by a new sedan and another new model, with all three built upon one of two new platforms to arrive within the next six years.
FCA revamps its European strategy As part of an elaborate plan of reorganization for Europe, Fiat Chrysler Automobile plans to discontinue models which don’t meet the increasingly strict EU CO2 standards. UK market is top in the agenda and models to be immediately discontinued include the 300C and Grand Voyager MPV. The only remaining vehicle in the line-up will be the Fiat-based Ypsilon supermini, which will be available via special-order only as dealerships are transitioned away from the Chrysler brand. Lancia will also follow Chrysler, becoming a domestic offering for Italy as FCA revamps its European strategy. Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Jeep dealerships will continue to operate in the UK and mainland Europe.
Automan’s take
Palmer’s suggestion of a crossover as central element in the product strategy is interesting. The utility vehicle will be followed by a new sedan and another new model, with all three built upon one of two new platforms to arrive within the next six years. 12
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2017 BMW X7 SUV engineering details BMW’s largest all-new SUV, the X7, which is expected to be launched in 2017 or 2018 is a subject of interest among industry watchers. This is because with the X7, BMW is targeting Range Rover and the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class in particular. Meanwhile, media reports coming out of Spain have suggested some interesting engineering details. The new crossover will be built on a new platform which will also be shared with the upcoming and yet unnamed Rolls-Royce SUV and other BMW models. As a range topper model, the project is known internally as the “F17”. The incoming X7 will ride on the modular HPLC architecture formerly known as 35up that shall soon underpin all rear-wheel-drive BMWs from the 3-Series on up. The upcoming 7-Series will also see the first use of this platform, using plenty of aluminium, magnesium and carbon reinforced CFRP plastic, expected to lower curb weight by 529 lbs. Many suspension components will come from the X5 and X6, with the possibility of a rear-wheel-drive only version. Engines will likely include a TwinPower turbo six, gasoline and diesel V8s and a V12. It will also boast the most luxuriant interior of any BMW model.
This year’s Red Dot award goes to… Since 1954, the Red Dot competitions have been among the most renowned international product design competitions, with annual awards selected by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany. As a credible source, it is also known worldwide as a “qualification and communication centre for industry, politics, and society.” For the 2015 season, almost
5,000 participating product designs across 31 product categories were looked into this year’s Red Dot awards. The results are based on the votes of a 38-strong international jury of experts. The automotive sector fared well and bagged several awards. Key winners from several brands made impressive gains. Here are the winners:
So Russia falters for automakers… After several years of promising growth [in excess of 10 per cent per annum], the impact of sanctions on Russia are seriously affecting car manufacturing operations in that country. The combination of sanctions over Ukraine and a fall in oil prices have hit Russia’s economy hard, drying up consumer demand for investments like cars. So far this year Russian car sales are down 32 per cent. Several auto makers, especially those which have production facilities are being forced to restructure or modify their operations. Here’s a snapshot of who’s doing what: Nissan was first to announce suspension of production of several models at its St. Petersburg, Russia facility. The St. Petersburg facility produces the
Hyundai: Hyundai‘s all-new seventh-generation Sonata was named as a winner of a prestigious 2015 Red Dot Design Awards. In addition, Hyundai was awarded a double endorsement for the New Generation i20 range with the i20 Coupe and i20 five-door models. Kia: Kia Motors picked up two awards in the category of outstanding product design for its Soul EV and all-new Sorento SUV. “Our international design teams have every reason to be proud of the honours we have won at the 2015 Red Dot Awards, which show just how successful they have been in mastering the different design challenges of these two models,” said Peter Schreyer, president and chief design officer of the Kia Motors Corporation.
Pathfinder, Murano, X-Trail and Teana sedan. With the ongoing Russian downturn, it seems unlikely Nissan will reach its goal of building 100,000 units annually in St. Petersburg by the end of 2015. General Motors, which has a major presence in Russia, has also announced a major shift in its business strategy a day after Nissan’s announcement. The Detroit automaker said last month that it is abandoning its lost-cost efforts in the country and will instead focus on the premium section of the auto market. GM has further confirmed that it will only market its Cadillac luxury line and US-built Chevrolet models like the Corvette, new Camaro and Tahoe. GM’s European Opel brand will pull up stakes in Russia by December 2015. “This change in our business model in Russia is part of our global strategy to ensure longterm sustainability in markets where we operate,” said GM President Dan Ammann. As a result of the decision, GM will close its plant in St. Petersburg by mid-year. Contract assembly of Chevrolet vehicle by Russia’s GAZ will be halted by the end of 2015. The company’s GM-AVTOVAZ joint venture will also be discontinued. GM says it will continue to support parts and service operations for current owners. The move to shutter most of its Russian operations will cost GM around US$600mn. The third major player in Russia is Volkswagen and the German brand will
Volvo: The Best of the Best award went to Volvo Cars for its ground-breaking XC90 luxury SUV. “The new XC90 is the vanguard of Volvo’s new design direction. In our work on this car we have been very much aware of Volvo’s heritage, the value of authenticity and Scandinavian design, but we have also taken some bold and progressive steps forward, aiming for a design style and execution level that pushes our boundaries. I am very proud that our new flagship has won the prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best award,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Cars. Volkswagen: The German brand bagged three awards for the Passat, Passat Variant and Golf Sportsvan in Product Design category.
cut production at its plant near Moscow. The plant will operate just four days a week between April and July. The plant will also eliminated one of its three shifts indefinitely beginning in May. Despite the grim short-term outlook, VW says it remains committed to the Russian market. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors which rank among the top four foreign carmakers in Russia’s automotive market have also been reconsidering their respective business priorities. For the South Korean brands, the financial impact has been exacerbated by a 46 per cent fall in the Russian rouble against the South Korean won over the same period.
Automan’s take
Looking at medium to long-term business prospects under the current circumstances, carmakers have no option but to avoid significant investment into a challenging market scenario and also look at ways and means to sustain operations. In December 2014, Nissan announced plans to double output at the facility to take advantage of the weak Russian currency which also made localized production more attractive than importing vehicles. And with no cars to sell, it means GM will dismantle its Chevrolet and Opel dealer networks. Like other automakers, predicting a further slide in sales volumes for 2015, Kia is planning to start exporting some of that production to recoup its investments. MAY 2015
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Volkswagen chairman resigns amidst controversy over successor
What’s happening at Volkswagen’s boardrooms these days? Last month, business media was inundated with speculated stories related to comments from Volkswagen’s ex-chairman Ferdinand Piech and CEO Martin Winterkorn. It began like this. Piech is reported to have sparked a feud about his succession by openly saying in a Germany based publication that Winterkorn shouldn’t replace him and he also suggested that the latter lacked his vision. Piech went on to say that because of this he wouldn’t
endorse his former protégé to succeed him as chairman. Following this outburst, Winterkorn vowed to serve out his term to the end of next year, signaling he wouldn’t be pushed out so easily. But as the high voltage drama unfolded over next two weeks, Piech found himself out of favour with the Board and other stakeholders and eventually resigned from the top job. A statement put out by VW said the move was due to the fact that “mutual trust is no longer present,” and the board’s deputy chairman, Berthold Huber, will become
interim chairman. Piech’s wife, Ursula, meanwhile has also left her position on the powerful board. Winterkorn became Volkswagen CEO in 2007 and under his leadership VW has continued to expand. Today, the company operates nine car brands, generates US$218bn in revenue, sells more than 10 million vehicles a year, and employs 600,000 people worldwide. It is poised to overtake Toyota Motor Corporation this year as the largest car maker in the world
Automan’s take
by sales. Piech’s influence in the company is noteworthy. Winterkorn’s predecessor, Bernd Pischetsrieder, was swiftly brushed aside from the job in 2006, following some comments by Piëch in media. The focus as of now is who would replace Piëch as chairman in 2017, when his term expires.
Here’s a snap shot of who stands where and why. Piech leads the company’s 20-person advisory board. He and his cousin, Wolfgang Porsche, are VW’s largest shareholders controlling five seats on the supervisory board and roughly 51per cent of share-voting rights through holding company Porsche Automobil Holding SE. Winterkorn was supported by the VW staff council which holds half of the 20 seats on the supervisory board and so did the state premier of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil, himself a board member. Lower Saxony holds a 20per cent share in VW, and also has special voting rights and veto rights for key decisions at the company.
New investments planned by major players Volvo’s ambitious transformation plan involves the creation of a global industrial footprint, complete renewal of its product range over the next four years. Besides these, Volvo will also introduce new modular vehicle construction and world-first safety technologies. That’s not all. A new design language and a range of class-leading connectivity services are also on the agenda. As the US is an important market for Volvo, the Swedish company has announced that will build a brand new manufacturing facility in the US, its first by investing around $500mn. As of now, possible locations are been looked at and evaluated. “Volvo Cars cannot claim to be a true global car maker without an industrial presence in the US. Today, we became that,” said Håkan Samuelsson, Chief Executive and President. “The US is an absolutely crucial part of our global transformation and today’s announcement makes it perfectly clear that Volvo is in the US to stay.”
Automan’s take
Volvo Cars has been doing business in the US since 1955 and this decision to invest in the US highlights Volvo’s long term commitment to the US market. The new plant also means Volvo will be able to meet and ultimately exceed its volume targets in the US, where it has a medium term ambition to sell 100,000 cars a year. Volvo has two factories in Europe and two in China.
Jaguar Land Rover 14
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Volvo
Cash rich Jaguar Land Rover has announced that it will inject £600mn into its United Kingdom-based research and development and manufacturing operations. Within the funds cache, £400mn is earmarked for new and upgraded facilities to support the introduction of the second-generation Jaguar XF that was unveiled last month. About £320m has been allocated for a new aluminium body shop that can change production of panels between Jaguar models. The investment buys new facilities and employees in the advanced engineering field at its Castle Bromwich plant in West Midlands and at Whitley in Coventry. At Whitley, Jaguar Land Rover will double the size of its advanced engineering and design centre from 22 to 47 hectares.
GM Africa and Middle East Operations to be united General Motors (GM) Executive Vice President and President, GM International (GMI), Stefan Jacoby has announced that the company was combining its Africa and Middle East Operations into one business unit. Jacoby made this announcement during his recent visit to Dubai. The new set-up will be headed by Mario A Spangenberg, the current GM Africa president and managing director with effect from June 1, 2015. “Combining GMI’s operations in two key markets will enable us to increase our focus on our business, our brands and ultimately our customers,” said Jacoby while explaining the rationale behind the move. “It will strengthen GM’s competitiveness in major country markets such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa and Kenya.” “The Middle East is the fastest-growing vehicle market outside the BRICS nations,” he said. “It is expected to grow to more than 2 million units by 2020. Furthermore, we regard Africa as the next frontier for our industry and we expect impressive growth into the future.” In his new role, Spangenberg will maintain offices in Dubai, UAE, and Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The business unit will be headquartered in Dubai andhe will be supported by GM Egypt and North Africa managing director Tarek Atta and GM East Africa managing director Rita Kavashe. Ian Nicholls will join as president and managing director, GM Sub-Saharan Africa Operations. A new GM Middle East Operations president and managing director will be announced later in the year after the departure of present incumbent Maurice Williams who will return to the US to take up the role of general manager of sales support for GM US, effective June 1, 2015.
Robert De Niro to star as Enzo Ferrari in biopic Oscar-winner legendary Hollywood actor Robert De Niro will soon be seen stepping into the shoes of a godfather from the Italian sports car industry in biopic about Enzo Ferrari. Ferrari had a life every bit as fascinating as many fictional characters with stints as a racecar driver, an engineer and of course a canny businessman. He also held a long passion for motorsports, which could make for some very exciting scenes. According to reports, the film would focus on Ferrari’s life from around the founding of his sportscar company in the mid ‘40s through to his death in the late ‘80s 71year old De Niro told Italy’s Il Messaggero that he will take on the role of one of the car world’s giants. “It is an honour to tell the life of an extraordinary man who revolutionised the world of motor sport,” said De Niro. “The film will go into production soon, mostly in Italy, and has absolute priority over all my other projects.” De Niro won an Oscar for playing the young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. He won another for playing boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull. He played Al Capone in The Untouchables, and has played major roles in Goodfellas, Casino, Heat and The Deer Hunter.
Automan’s take
As an organization, GMI will be responsible for nearly 100 emerging and mature markets and will represent one of GM’s largest opportunities.
Honda to discontinue Crosstour Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer Ralf Speth said: “This investment will help in the company’s future success. Our expansion at Whitley will help ensure the sustainable growth of Jaguar Land Rover, with the development of ultra-low emission technologies. Design leadership, technical innovation and engineering excellence lie at the heart of this responsible business and we are committed to investing in the skills needed to continue this success into the future.”
Automan’s take
The investment marks a massive turnaround by the company that was under threat during the global financial crisis, shown by revenue that has trebled since 2010 to about £19.4bn. Vehicles sales have doubled in the same period.
Honda has decided to retire it Accord-based Crosstour permanently as it focuses more on profitable models. The Crosstour introduced in 2011 was mechanically based on the platform of the 2008 Accord and over the years Honda tried its best to get the model moving with ideas ranging from positioning it as a standalone, extensive updates to the styling and interior among others. However, the coupe styled crossover couldn’t garner the success of say a similarly styled car from BMW, the X6. By clearing out the Crosstour, which is made in the US, Honda will now be able to focus on truck and crossover production. Honda expects strong demand for its recently refreshed CR-V, the all-new HR-V, the new 2016 Pilot and the next-generation Ridgeline pick-up. While announcing the Crosstour’s demise, Honda also revealed plans to move production of the Accord Hybrid from its current location in Marysville, Ohio to Japan. MAY 2015
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2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8
Less can be more
Bentley shoehorns a V8 engine in its Continental based four door Flying Spur sedan. Automan checks out the smaller engine variant to ascertain whether the effort is worth the market expectations, especially in the region
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Nabeel Ferzan/Elvis John Ferrao
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entley dropped the “Continental” pre-fix from its name when it introduced the redesigned Gen II Flying Spur and considering the kind of clientele that Bentley caters to with its 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engined Flying Spur, it would be fair to assume that the car maker established a new luxury performance sedan benchmark when it launched the Gen II Flying Spur two years ago. It took no time for the W12 to establish its credentials – it was a car that was noted for its blend of effortless driving characteristics, exquisite luxury and bespoke craftsmanship. So what could be the reason or reasons for a punter to opt for a downsized and less powerful eight-cylinder variant? 16
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Bentley’s answer is simple: it gives the Flying Spur family a variant which has several attractive USPs. We agree it is more of a marketing driven exercise as Bentley has indicated that one of its business aims is to attract newer customers to its fold. Besides this mission objective, Bentley’s pockets are deep enough for it to come up with derivatives and in the process also strengthen the product mix. And then there’s the last ‘P’ in this equation, which, of course, is pricing. Whatever the argument, we are determined to find out what makes this exercise tick. From the exterior, the car looks exactly the same its bigger engine sibling which means it continues with the
Spur’s unique blend of sculpted lines in superformed aluminium body, its lower, wider appearance and the gentle blending of curved surfaces. And as before, the car sports lower roof line and a muscular rear haunch. The key identifying feature on the car is that all the Bentley ‘B’ logos are set in a red background, unlike the black background of its W12 sibling. At the rear, there’s the figure of eight chromed exhaust tips and the winged badge also get the red centre to denote the V8 variant. And besides that, we are told the V8 comes in some new colour palettes – the Amber metallic test car was among one of the new colours now being offered. The interiors of the car are typical of what we are familiar with. The test vehicle
came with monotone interior colour split with lots of leather, quilt stitching, chrome trim components and all the luxury and convenience features of the family. This car also benefits from the company’s advanced on-board technology applications. As a high tech executive car, there’s innovative Touch Screen Remote, deployed from the rear centre console at the touch of a button, allows things like controlling the car’s climate and infotainment systems from the rear seat, while the optional multimedia specification brings an extensive rear seat entertainment system package. Bentley engineers task of ensuring that the V8 variant of the Flying Spur maintains its spirited dynamics like its bigger
sibling and avoid the feel that this is a different car altogether. In that mission, the model’s all-wheel-drive system is retained and it remains rear-biased with a ratio of 60:40 [rear:front]. Meanwhile, the Audi-engineered, twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 [tried and tested in Audi’s S6, RS6, S7, RS7, A8, and S8] has been tuned specifically for the Bentley application and output characteristics. Depending on variant, this engine is available in strengths ranging from 420hp up to 560hp. For this test variant, it has been tuned offer 500hp at 6,000 rpm, and torque of 660Nm is available from 1,700 rpm. This ultra-compact V8 comes with cutting edge cylinder deactivation technology and is mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed
automatic transmission. Performance figures: 0-100 km/h comes in 5.2secs and top speed is unrestricted to 295km/h. This performance also comes with a fuel range of 840km. Besides these, intelligent thermal management and electrical recuperation technologies/systems are also on board. With a smaller engine, also comes some weight advantages and these should be evident during the drive. Actually, the V8 version is about 150kg lighter than the one with the W12. As expected in this type of set-up, most of that mass comes off the front end. On the safety front, the Flying Spur comes equipped with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, a driver knee airbag, full-length side curtain MAY 2015
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airbags and both front and rear side airbags. Driving impressions Driving Bentleys is usually an entertaining affair and this V8 variant is no exception. It actually serves as a welcome reminder of just how good the engineering is. While the V8 can’t match the headline-grabbing performance figures of its bigger sister, what we observed during the drive was the dynamic differences appear relatively modest and there are some distinct advantages too. This car takes advantage of the lighter front end and for a driver this means it turns slightly more willingly and steers with more precision. While this aspect hasn’t transformed the car’s core character, we are happy to note that it still feels substantial in a premium luxury way. The ride quality is as expected which is Bentley plush, and the ride quality can be appreciated when the car drives over broken roads. The air suspension offers four levels of damping, with even the softest keeping the body under tight control when asked to deal with regular asphalt. As with the rest of the clan, the V8 Spur’s all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased and has been set up to ensure maximum traction at all times. As a result and there’s 18
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The torque delivery is one of the key features of this car. It makes up for the shortage of horsepower quite convincingly. never any sense that you can do much to influence your cornering line via the throttle. The torque delivery in this car is interesting in the way it offsets the shortage of horsepower. In fact, this is a neat
engineering trick that Bentley engineers have long mastered and continue to do so. While, the smaller engine’s throttle response and lag-free delivery more than offsets its relative lack of power and torque, the eight-cylinder offers much better efficiency when it comes to fuel consumption or carbon emissions. The smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission finds the right gear and it’s hard to argue with the relentless acceleration that follows. The V8 also uses selective cylinder shutdown to turn itself into a V4 under gentle use and the transition is seamless and best optimized at highway cruising speeds. The V8 feels appropriate for the job description. Verdict From a marketing perspective, Bentley can be assured that the Flying Spur V8 will attract a new genre of customers to the brand, especially those looking to upgrade from a premium sedan. The FS V8 pricing point is also a decisive factor when it comes to affordability besides the option of a new interpretation of this luxury sedan. We think it will be the driver’s choice among the Flying Spur family, and repeat what the eight-cylinder did to Continental GT coupes commercially.
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2015 Harley-Davidson FXDF Fat Bob
Mad Max meets Nascar
At the first official spring tour of the season in Lebanon last month, Automan checked out the MY 2015 FXDF Fat Bob, a machine that’s got more than just an attitude Author: Chandan B Mallik
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arley-Davidson introduced the Fat Bob in 2008 and refreshed it in 2012. The core focus of the refresh exercise was engineering which resulted in the shoehorning of the Twin Cam 103 engine. While Harley’s Project Rushmore projects focused on enhancing the touring models from MY 2014 onwards, it was not that models like the FXDF Fat Bob were neglected. In fact, the Fat Bob was one of the bikes that benefited from the Dark Custom line programme last year. Unlike, many other brands, where a bespoke custom programme is introduced, it somehow overtakes the essence of the original and in the process upsets the purists. In this case, Harley Davidson has ensured that the interests of its customers are kept at top priority in such an agenda. We are pleased to report that from a purist’s point of view, the MY2015 FXDF Fat Bob remains mostly unmolested and gains in areas
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which actually add to its existing nononsense and colourful character. The Fat Bob is highlighted by its Boober-inspired low ride set-up, drag bars with forward controls, wide triple-tee front fork, chubby tyres [a fat rear 180mm and for the first time in a Dyna line up, a 130mm front] and last but not the least, its signature double-barreled LED headlamps and “Tommy Gun” 2-1-2 exhaust. So, what are the new ideas that have come from the Dark Custom line programme? While keeping the profile unaltered, for 2015 it gets a sleek new rear mudguard to start with. Our test bike came with Sand Cammo Denim paint work and the overall effect is complemented by the once chromed and now blacked out components. Parts covered in this exercise includes the aluminium triple clamps, battery box cover, headlight trim ring and rear shock covers – which are usually nickel or chrome or polished aluminium in other models. Even the familiar
aluminium slotted rims have been powder coated black and disc appear with machined effect. When you sit on the bike, the dragstyled 1.25in diameter handlebar is designed to offer optimized riding posture and the nice part is that it appears uncluttered as it features an internally wired bar. And to give a customized appearance, it also sits on tall risers. We liked the minimalistic and overall clinically clean looks of the Fat Bob. From a rider’s perspective, even shorter riders will also find the riding posture slightly less radical than the average cruiser available in the market. Since the functional elements have been well established, there was no need to change the arrangement. Meanwhile, the instrumentation set up has been trimmed for a sleeker look. The Fat Bob still continues to be propelled by an air cooled, twin cam 103 1,687cc engine which rewards the rider with a peak torque of 136Nm at 3,500 rpm and delivers
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Harley Davidson’s 2015 Fat Bob continues to impress us with its cool attitude even when it is standstill. And the reason for this is that it is among one of the key models in the lineup that has been meticulously honed over the years by experienced hands to give it its current star status 22
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a fuel consumption of 5.6-litres/100 km from its estimated 83-85bhp output on the wheel. The engine is mated to a six-speed Cruise Drive transmission. Harley doesn’t officially reveal output figures since it thinks that torque matters more. Riding impressions The test bike was supplied as one of the machines for this year’s first spring ride in the region. The event took place in Lebanon with the capital city’s second new showroom as the starting point. The group size for the ride was estimated to be at least 250 riders [including regional media, participants from local and regional clubs] and as expected there was a lot of enthusiasm amongst the riders. It also happened to be a day perfect for riding too in that country. The day long ride was over 200kms. For me, the fat front tyre and beefy front end represent the heart and soul of this bike followed by the ultra-low seating. The optimized centre of gravity immediately puts the rider at ease and after just a few kilometers of riding one realizes that Fat Bob is surprisingly nimble for such a big motorcycle. Even the front end is not too reluctant to change direction and overall seems to be on the side of the rider and together, they all work in tandem to make the Fat Bob a very solid, planted performer. As a regular biker, most of my riding is short commutes and longer day
rides is a rarity. With the Fat Bob on this trip, we were exposed to various riding situations ranging from tight city riding, packed highways and on semi-treacherous mountain roads. And, in most driving situations that I faced in the day long ride, the Fat Bob proved time and again that it is an ace. So, much so, I refused to part with it during the return journey [where we were supposed to swap bikes], with the exception of riding some of the other touring models short distances for the photo shoot. The Fat Bob’s new Twin Cam 103 is extremely flexible in its power delivery and the nice thing is that almost impossible to stall, even with gear shifts at idling. The best part is that it uses its incredible torque to waft along with authority. In such a set-up, revs don’t really matter here as there’s plenty of torque available to move it in any gear at any speed. Fluid acceleration is entertaining and provides good old-fashioned thrills every second along the way. The transmission delivers crisp up shifts. The nicely calibrated gear ratios and flat torque spread from the TC 103 seem to be made for each other. The engine’s performance combined with light handling and glued-to-the-road front end translates the 305kg machine into an all-rounder considering that it is more urban oriented. Most of Lebanon’s road infrastructure is quite old and we came
across lot of the potholes and asphalt irregularities, but you hardly feel them on the handlebars as a lot of the feedback from the road is actually absorbed by the tyres. Even at higher speeds, the bike feels well connected to the ground and its light, neutral handling and stability is impressive. The one functional change we noted on this edition was the seat profile which has gone from a firm, flattish [but surprisingly supportive], to more of a sculpted type and softer base. As a result, the new perch is comfortable in short city stretches, but on longer rides it doesn’t allow the flexibility to change riding posture. Our machine had ABS and with the dual front discs do an excellent job, allowing the rider to brake hard and late also, a feature not usually found in this segment. While Dyna models always show a bit more athleticism than others, make no mistake, this bike continues to offer smooth flow of power to allow a high degree of sporty fun for a Bobber-inspired machine. Verdict With subtle improvements and innovative custom treatment, the Fat Bob moves out from “bland” territory and moves into a segment with a different attitude. This year’s Bob is not only attractive, but also offers great character in handling and performance. This bike fulfils both roles of simultaneously being a head turner and a road burner!
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2015 MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800
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First revealed at EICMA in 2014, the production version of the all-new MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800 is ready to hit the road. We travel all the way to South of France to check out this ground-up designed touring machine Author: Chandan B Mallik
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ery much like the automotive industry, the world of motorcycles also has specialized segments. And the success in a particular segment by any innovative manufacturer can also lead to healthy competition. The business segment comprising of dual purpose off-road/on-road motorcycles is doing very well worldwide and it’s a segment that has attracted many a player. Typically, these machines can be instantly identified by their longer travel suspension, an upright riding position, and usually come with asymmetric wheels with larger diameter wheels up front. Over the years, particularly since 80s, these machines have been offered with range of different engines, ranging from single-cylinders to multiple cylinders with diverse architecture and final drive options. Milan-based MV Agusta Motor SpA is now on a new level and a new high. It plans to have at least 18-19 models in its line-up based on its three-cylinder
and four-cylinder powertrains. The last model using the current three-cylinder architecture is the Turismo Veloce 800 and its variants Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso and limited production Edition 1. This development comes at a time when the motorcycle brand is looking forward to increase its global footprint with distribution expertise from Daimler. The Daimler connection came in 2014 after the latter purchased 25 per cent stake in MV Agusta. Both have indicated future plans about combining marketing MV Agusta motorcycles with their own range of AMG performance models and sports cars. The Turismo Veloce 800 was designed ground-up as a luxury touring model and each and every component has been meticulously crafted with form and functionality in mind. The chassis is based on the tried and tested Stradale 800’s, but the steering geometry has been modified. Steering rake has been increased by 1˚ to 26.5˚. The
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chassis structure is a mix of trellis, with bolt on forged aluminium castings as subframe which houses the seats. Plastic composites have been used in the body, panels, mudguards and other trim. The compactness in which all the components are packaged as a single unified is quite remarkable where nothing appears as being excessively done. The wheelbase now stands at 1,424mm and overall length is 2,084mm. The single-sided swingarm comes directly from the Stradale 800 unchanged. Front gets inverted Marzocchi cartridge shocks which can travel up to 160mm. At the rear, the mono shock is from Sachs and is set slightly offset. The dry weight of the bike has been kept 26
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The Turismo Veloce 800 is MV’s interpretation of the “tall-in-the-saddle GT bike” theme that was pioneered by BMW Motorrad with their GS machines and other Italian brands.
at 191kg. Despite of the forward repositioning of the front wheel, the weight distribution remains correct because of the forward re-positioning of a larger battery and of the weight added by the fairing. The fairing is well profiled, sharp but adequately protective and houses the familiar shaped LED DRL. The hand guards have directional signals integrated, while at the rear the horn-shape LED signal cluster hang on either side of the number plate. Fuel tank capacity is 22-litres. Fit and finish are commendable. As a global touring bike, several elements are bespoke and factory fitted. Two colour schemes are offered – silver/red for the panniered models and silver for non-
The MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800 is beautiful in its red and silver paint. LED fired DRL design is unique for this model The Veloce 800 will be offered in two platforms: the standard machine plus the Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso which has electronically adjustable Sachs suspension
30-litre luggage panniers were among the first items to be designed for this model panniered versions. The frame mounted fairing for instance is offered with two different screen heights as option. The ride height is fixed at 850mm and is suitable for taller riders only. The handle bar is straight and the width is reduced in keeping the rear width [with panniers]. The lockable panniers will accommodate 30-litres worth of cargo, which means two full face helmets plus extra gear. As a dual seater, the pillion rider benefits from stadium view. No provision for top box though as of now. Most of the controls on the handlebar are familiar but there’s an extra toggle which helps the rider navigate through the extensive menu. And depending on
version of the bike, the rider can virtually dial-in parameters ranging from engine mapping, throttle response, engine braking, brake force, traction control, the quickshifter (up and down), and the hydraulically actuated slipper clutch and in models with electronic suspension [Lusso] – soft or hard settings. The engine is based on the Brutale’s 798cc three-cylinder DOHC four-stroke liquid cooled engine, but has been reworked in view of the touring nature where torque delivery is more important than horsepower. It also gets newly designed pistons and MotoGP inspired countershaft arrangement for smooth running, especially at higher revs. In this
set-up it produces 110hp at 10,000rpm [vs Brutale’s 125hp] and 83Nm of torque at 8,000rpm. Power is sent through a six-speed gearbox and final drive is chain. MV Agusta claims that the engine management has been tailored to offer extremely high levels of flexibility in view of the likely working scenarios and hence incorporates a highly advanced electronics package with twin ECUs. In fact, the Eldor EM2.0 engine-management system is part of an advanced electronics suite which is capable of comparing data and rider inputs before acting—in a millionth of a second. The ignition system includes the latest pencil-type coils capable of monitoring combustion in each cylinder MAY 2015
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and at every cycle. This arrangement prevents engine knocking at low speeds. Three exhaust tips with bigger diameter tips signs off the set-up nicely. Top speed is restricted to 230km/h. In terms of modcons, the bike comes with factory fitted Garmin GPS, a Bluetooth bike/rider interface, two USB charging ports up front located near the top of the fuel tank, 12v power socket for pillion and hydraulic clutch for the rider. The bike’s instrumentation and information display are all integrated into a TFT screen. Dashboard information relayed includes speed, rpm, gear, mileage, trip, fuel level, riding mode but information like travel 28
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distance to empty/reserve, consumption rate, average consumption etc are not available. In terms of stopping power the bike comes outfitted with 320mm double floating disc with Brembo radial-type four piston calipers and smaller 220mm single disc with two piston caliper. ABS system used comes from Bosch [9 Plus] and the bike also features rear wheel lift-up mitigation. The tyre set-up is surprising in the sense that it uses smaller 17in asymmetric width rim shod with 120/70 ZR 17 M/C [58W] and 190/55 - ZR 17 M/C [75W] tyres front and rear respectively. In this set up, the minimum ground clearance is 140mm.
Riding impressions The bike is tall, as are all bikes of this niche segment, but the seat does provide a reasonable reach to the ground for tall riders. Short riders [under 5’-6”] will find the reach difficult even with the softest chassis setting which allows the ride height to be lowered. Fire the engine and it starts off rather noisily as there’s a lot of mechanical chatter in idling which seems to settle down when the clutch is engaged [even partly in neutral] and gear is engaged. Gear shift response even in default mode is quite responsive and so is throttle feedback. In the higher revs, the machine shows its eagerness to please and moves forward with a complementing
With the new model, MV hopes to take customers away from the Ducati Multistrada 1200, Triumph Tiger 800 XRx and 1200 Explorer, and BMW’s R1200 GS and forthcoming S1000XR
exhaust growl. The bike’s acceleration is progressive, fast and wind protection is very good due to superb aerodynamic profiling of the front faring and screen. The balance of the bike is one of its strongest points as the front end is quite light and doesn’t tire the rider. Steering and turn-in are good and we encountered no issues in manoeuevring the countless hairpin bends, fast corners and long stretches during our 230km plus sojourn in and around the country side and spectacular mountain roads of Cote Azur in southern France. As a dual purpose bike, this machine has the capability of keeping its riders thoroughly entertained and engaged. While output
The bike’s hydraulic slipper-clutch, quick-shifter, cruisecontrol, Bluetooth connectivity, eight-stage traction control with ride-by-wire throttle four riding modes and ABS
Garmin Nuvo satnav comes as standard kit.
A 5-in TFT display provides all the expected instrumentation, plus Bluetooth connectivity for the Smartphone or the helmet-tohelmet intercom. There’s a dedicated App that provides full rider and passenger integration for these systems
is 15hp less than that of the Brutale, it is the flat torque delivery which makes up for that performance figure. The superior performance of the machine is also a direct benefit of the upgraded electronics it use which also manages the Bosch Cornering ABS feature prevents the Brembo brakes from locking a wheel even when well leaned over. End of the day we need to remember that the Veloce 800 has a naked sports bike’s fundamental hardware under its skin and this aspect can ensure its overall likeability even as a medium to long distance tourer. One thing for sure which can be said about the new 2015 MV Agusta Veloce Turismo 800 is that despite its sophisticated software it
doesn’t appear complicated. Rather, it’s a pleasant machine to be on all day. Verdict The 2015 MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800 when compared to the stalwarts in the segment may appear slightly under kitted, but when it comes to comfort and versatility, this machine does offer a lot for its price. Global buyers will appreciate the larger capacity fuel tank, range, wind protection, comfortable seat, handlebars and associated benefits. We expect the company will be able to offer custom solutions to some of the niggles that were encountered during the ride in the months to come. MAY 2015
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2015 Artic Cat Wildcat X Limited OS
Muscat-based Alfardan Motors represents Artic Cat, a North American manufacturer of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. Two of the ATV models have recently been introduced and Automan checked out the 2015 Wildcat X Limited OS urban terrain vehicle [UTV] in familiar surroundings in the Sultanate of Oman Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao
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uads and ATVs in the region are among favourite toys for enthusiasts looking for outdoor fun in a compact, yet powerful purpose-built machine off-road or in sand. Arctic Cat was formed by snowmobile pioneer Edgar Hetteen in 1960. Hetteen also has been associated with Polaris. Although Arctic Cat did not start their company with the production of all-terrain vehicles, their expertise has helped them engineer and produce many different ATV models. The construction of the Wild Cat X is
based on a design which allows two occupants to sit side by side, very much like in a conventional car. It comes with an exposed design built around tubular steel frame which also acts as a safety cage and prevents occupants getting hurt in case of a roll over. Two colour schemes are offered and the aluminium bumpers are also painted to match the rest of livery. Getting in and out is like that of a car as this machine has proper doors and even sporty bucket seats complete with safety harness. That’s not all. Unlike
quad bikes which have mechanical motorcycle type of steering set-up [handlebars with hand controls – brake, accelerator, switch gear etc], the Wild Cat is endowed with more car or SUV type features in this respect like a variable assist electric power steering which can be adjusted for tilt. Dashboard is minimalistic and hosts the instrumentation and switchgear. The digital/analogue gauge provides 14 critical operation indicators including clock/hour meter, fuel level, mode button, set/reset button, odometer/trip, MAY 2015
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gear position, speedometer/tachometer, needle display, differential lock, high beam, battery condition, temperature and oil pressure. And there are some practical features also on board. Despite the engine occupying a lot of the rear space, there’s a rear cargo box which has storage capacity up to 300lbs. 32
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The engine is mounted at the rear on a subframe assembly which itself is bolted on to the main structure. Likewise, the front end of the vehicle is occupied by the long-travel suspension set-up, which also gets its own sub-frame based mounting arrangements. The front suspension set-up is similar to that in
a quad, and it uses A-arms. The extra long coil over spring shock absorbers can offer up to 18in of travel at the rear and 17in up front. Meanwhile, the FOX shock absorbers come with 23 position compression adjustments and piggyback reservoirs suggesting its heavy duty capabilities. Ground clearance is 13in.
One of the concerns of ATV drivers is to have a flat tyre and in this respect Arctic Cat has actually upgraded the tyres from Duro Tires [used in the earlier models] to Maxxis Bighorn 2.0. The Maxxis Bighorn tyres feature a stronger sidewall and bigger lugs, thus making the tyres harder to puncture. The engine is a 951cc, liquid-cooled V-twin engine which features a hemispherical combustion chamber [similar to that used in Hemi engines] that is supposed to offer the efficiency advantages of 4-valves per cylinder setup and in the X Limited and X models the engine offers 90+hp. The ceramic-coated exhaust header pipes are designed as a 2-into-1 set up. Fuel feed is via electronic fuel injection. Transmission is CVT and the drive system features 2/4 Wheel Drive, high and low range selectors and front differential lock. This means, depending on terrain, it can be driven in 2WD, 4WD and AWD, very much like
the 4x4s that we are familiar today. The current model also benefits from an improvised new clutch. Riding impressions While this is an open top like a quad bike, protective clothing is strongly advised if one is venturing off-road. That means a crash helmet, eye protection and gloves. Starting the motor is like that of a car – just turn the ignition switch and the engine fires. The next job is to engage the drive train in terms of range [high or low] and 2WD/4WD. After this is done the vehicle is ready for the job. The driving experience is a mix of a torque quad with the comforts of a 4x4 open top. This means the steering is not too heavy, the rider need not use his weight to optimize balance and basically it is point and shoot. The steering feel and car-like feedback ensures this machine’s predictable manners besides making the ride much
more enjoyable. The ground clearance and massive torque ensures that it will clear most obstacles and dunes with relative ease. A point of caution – the throttle management by the rider is crucial if one needs to extract maximum performance, be it on hard trails and fast corners or climbing a dune. The basic premise is to get enough torque for momentum without the wheel spin. This is especially handy when heading out over a long section of the sand dunes. The handling is a breeze, thanks to the suspension set-up. Sliding through corners is also possible and it’s fun too. There’s more than needed power in hand to break the back end loose of the machine. Verdict For a cash price of OMR 8,500 in Oman, one gets a proper four-wheeled off roader which accommodates two adults. Compared to quad, this is a better and safer option to have fun outdoors. MAY 2015
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1 Lincoln Continental Concept
Ford’s luxury arm Lincoln is looking to break its design constraints with the European flavoured Continental Concept, its idea of an all-new full-size sedan. But there’s more that meets the eye, if one considers the feedback it has received post New York. Author: Chandan B Mallik
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n less than a year from now, Ford’s luxury brand Lincoln is looking at projects that will help bring back the glory it has enjoyed in the past – be it in design or engineering prowess. If that happens, then the current practice of rebadging Ford models and then cosmetically adapting them for Lincoln will be over. This is good news for both the brand and business. Among, the new model offensive planned is a full-sized luxury sedan. The name Lincoln is very well-entrenched with the best of Lincoln and the next logical for the brand was to prepare for its return for the domestic and chauffeur driven Chinese market. The idea was to create a flagship sedan that offers the best of Lincoln and to give an idea, Lincoln presented the Continental sedan as a concept case at New York. At the show, executives said it was production ready and could be delivered within a year to showrooms. But, that possibility only happens when a concept project gets approved following the feedback it gets besides the business case. But something unexpected happened after the car was unveiled to media and public for the first time. On one hand, the Lincoln Continental concept received applause at
it was able to communicate the new ideas from the brand. But, at the same time, a section of the industry came down heavily on the car’s design in particular claiming that it was far from original and that it was a clone of an uber British brand [see box]. Irrespective of what automotive critics have said about this car, its styling does bring in a dose of fresh air to the brand. In a profile which employs limousine inspired cues like a traditional three-box layout with long bonnet, short boot and generous greenhouse minus coupelike inspirations, it appears elegant, understated and definitely refined with less polarizing elements like the oversized edge to edge taillamp cluster or the unattractive winged grille [which has become a styling trademark for Lincoln lately]. Apart from a chrome grille, an embossed Lincoln motif is surrounded by polished aluminium Lincoln Star emblems. The rear sign off is quad exhaust with asymmetrical tips. Rhapsody Blue metallic paint will be the Lincoln Continental’s signature exterior colour.. As a top-of-the-line model, detailing has been a critical part of the overall package. E-Latch door handles tuck
discreetly in the car’s neat waistline. The door handle technology also provides for elegant entry. The doors open effortlessly with the touch of a button positioned on the underside of the door handle wings and close quietly. The sunroof is electrochromatic—changing from opaque to clear at the press of a button—and Ford has taken out 50 patents on the seats in this application. As expected, the Continental’s interior has been designed with airline business class inspirations, if not more. A host of features will include automatic courtesy lighting, powerful LED matrix head lamps with laser-assist high beams and mood lighting. As a chauffeur driven car, the Continental’s cabin is designed for the benefit of rear-seat occupants and hence it is featured to be opulent. Expect to find Venetian leather seats with Alcantara inserts and 30-way adjustability when it arrives. The passenger-side rear seat can fully recline by moving the front passenger seat forward with the touch of a button. From a panel mounted on the through-central console, rear passengers also can control climate settings and the Revel Ultima audio system with three pre-select surround-sound modes. Whatever, the case with this concept MAY 2015
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and its future implications, a production version is planned for the coming year. As far as engineering goes, the production version of the new Continental will not be built on modified version of the MKS/ Taurus platform which is also shared with the Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex. A modified/stretched version of the CD4 platform which underpins the Fusion and MKZ appears to be the appropriate candidate for the job. Since the car will be sold primarily in US and China, Ford hasn’t released market specific powertrain details, however, one of the forced fed engines will be the 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6, exclusive to Lincoln. China destined cars could likely receive an even smaller fourcylinder option. In its previous avatars the Continental has been offered in front and rear wheel drive versions, the exciting
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bit is that the incoming Continental is rumoured to use the all-wheel-drive system which is currently employed in the new Ford Focus RS. It may be noted that Lincoln dropped eight-cylinder engines altogether with the redesigned, 2015 Navigator SUV. Transmission choices could include Ford’s latest 8-speed or maybe the 11-speeder [patent filed last month]. Driver assist technologies include PreCollision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Enhanced Park Assist and a 360-degree camera that displays on the MyLincoln Touch™ screen. The Lincoln Drive Control system will be offered with three driving modes and the Adaptive Steering showcased on the concept car are likely to be found on the production car as well.
Automan’s take
The design presentation of the concept has received lukewarm reception worldwide and few observers have even pointed out the concept bearing more than a passing resemblance to the current Bentley Flying Spur. In fact, social media has been fast on this and it appears that Bentley chief designer Luc Donckerwolke didn’t take the Lincoln’s design expression as being authentic. Donckerwolke expressed his disgust on Facebook and according to the US-based portal, Donckerwolke stated: “I would have called it Flying Spur concept and kept the four round lights.” He also posted a message on Lincoln Design Director David Woodhouse’s Facebook page in which he added: “This behaviour is not respectable. Building a copy like this is giving a bad name to the car design world.”
The designers of the Lincoln Continental concept have received stark criticism from industry stalwarts Usually concept cars are presented at shows to depict a message. It could be future thought, a technical or design approach or use of new materials among others. The automotive industry is accustomed to receiving bouquets and brickbats to their presentations. And for several years, the usual suspects gaining copy cat notoriety have been mainly having Chinese origins. However, there was an exception this year at New York. The return of the Lincoln Continental, albeit in concept form has evoked controversy in the highest
echelons of the motoring business. While Lincoln some designers involved in the Continental Concept project were under the impression that the world would accept their new design language for this top-of-the line sedan and accept it. Bentley chief designer Luc Donckerwolke was most vocal about it. Now the million dollar question is: will the Lincoln design team succumb to this scathing British criticism and go for a redesign or take a middle of the road path and remove the objectionable elements? Or drop the project altogether.
Lincoln Continental history
So, what does the new Continental mean for the brand? The new car is expected to raise the bar for the brand in several respects. As Lincoln has embarked on a clear cut product policy supported with standalone retail concept showrooms, this car should be able to fundamentally communicate that it comes as genuine investment on part of revitalized Lincoln. And that Lincoln is consciously moving away with reworked Ford models. All that Lincoln needs to do is stay away from making controversial decisions which may undermine or risk its future aspirations.
First generation [1939–1948]
A chequered past worth nine generations Lincoln Continental is a model name for a series of automobiles produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 1980 and from 1981 to 2002. Despite often sharing underpinnings with less-expensive Fords, the Lincoln Continental had usually been a distinctively platformed and styled, highly equipped luxury car in the course of its long history. The flagship Lincoln model during most of its run, the Continental name conveyed special cachet in the product line. The Lincoln Mark series grew out of it, with varying degrees of brand differentiation over the years. During the 1980s, the Continental was downsized from a full-size to a mid-size Ford Taurus platform; this introduced the Continental to a wider range of competition from Europe and Japan. After the Continental was discontinued in 2002, it was largely replaced by the Lincoln LS and eventually the Lincoln MKZ.
The first Lincoln Continental was developed as Edsel Ford’s one-off personal vehicle, though it is believed he planned all along to put the model into production if successful. In 1938, he commissioned a custom design from the chief MAY 2015
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stylist, Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie, ready for Edsel’s March 1939 vacation. The design, allegedly sketched out in an hour by Gregorie working from the Lincoln-Zephyr blueprints and making changes, was an elegant convertible with a long hood covering the Lincoln V12 and long front fenders, and a short trunk with what became the Continental series’ trademark, the externally mounted, covered spare tire.
Second generation [1939–1948]
After the Continental Mark II was discontinued, a new generation of the brand appeared for 1958. These were the first Continentals produced at the new Wixom plant, and the first made on an unibody platform. Though this edition is known as the “Mark III,” the first models bore the nameplate “Continental III” on the front fender. The separation of the Continental name from the Lincoln brand reflected a similar approach by Chrysler with the Imperial, in an attempt to match Cadillac at the time. The full-size Lincoln sold poorly in all its models and 1958 was a recession year in the US. But in spite of that, the Continental Mark III recorded much better sales than the Mark II. AM radio was standard. A rare option was an FM radio.
Fourth generation [1961–1969]
The Continental name was revived in late 1955 as a separate marque, produced by a separate division of Ford Motor Company, with its sole model being the Continental Mark II. Ford made it very clear that this Continental was not a Lincoln. This version was a unique design with the highest quality control ever seen in the automobile industry. Highclass luxury abounded in the new Continental, and with very limited availability, it appeared even more exclusive than the original. Continentals for 1956 were among the most expensive cars in the world — with a cost of $10,000 at a time when a regular Ford could be had for less than $2000.00. it rivaled Rolls-Royce. Ford believed that its price point would elevate the car’s status among those who could afford the very best. Despite its astronomical price tag, Ford Motors lost money on each one sold. The Continental Mark II was sold for just two model years. Between the tales of dealers turning potential buyers away because they were not deemed to be the right kind of people to own a Continental, and its sticker price found affordable by only the world’s wealthiest, the Continental became almost mythical. Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, the Shah of Iran, Nelson Rockefeller and Henry Kissinger were part of the exclusive Continental owners circle!
Third generation [1958–1960]
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In 1961, the Continental was completely redesigned by Elwood Engel. For the first time, the names Lincoln and Continental would be paired together outside the Mark Series; along with replacing the Continental Mark V, the 1961 Continental replaced the Lincoln Capri and Premiere, consolidating Lincoln into a single product line. Originally intended to be the 1961 Ford Thunderbird, the design was enlarged and slightly altered before being switched to the Lincoln line by Robert McNamara. One of the most striking features of the new Continental was its size. It was 14.8 in [380 mm] shorter than its predecessor. The new Continental’s most recognized trademark, frontopening rear “suicide doors”, was a purely practical decision, reusing a feature offered on the 1950 Lincoln Lido, the Lincoln-Zephyr sedan, and all Mercury sedans starting in 1939. To simplify production, all cars were to be four-door models, and only two body styles were offered, thin-pillar sedan and convertible. Both models featured frameless door glass, but the sedan had a thin chrome “B” pillar. The 1961 Continental was Elwood Engel’s Magnum Opus, as he was responsible for the complete design of the car. It was a sales success, with 25,160 sold during the first year of production. This generation of Continental is favoured by collectors and has appeared in many motion pictures, such as Goldfinger, The Matrix, Last Action Hero, Kalifornia, Spider-Man 2, Hit and run, Animal House, and the Inspector Gadget films. It has also appeared in the television series.
Fifth generation [1970–1979]
nearly a half-ton in weight. The Panther platform also served as the basis for the all-new Mark VI, a coupe sharing the wheelbase of the Ford LTD as well as the first 4-door Markseries sedan. Gone forever was the old Ford 335 engine which replaced with the 5.0-litre Windsor, the smallest engine in a Lincoln since the 1948 Lincoln-Zephyr V12.
1981 nameplate hiatus
For 1970, the Continental received a ground-up redesign for the first time since 1961. The 1970 model was the first time a standard Lincoln shared a chassis with the full-sized Fords. It was available as a two-door hardtop and a four-door pillared hardtop and borrowed a number of styling cues from both its predecessor and the Continental Mark III. As before, the sides were relatively unadorned with blade-like mudguards, but the door handles on four doors gave away the biggest change: the distinctive “suicide doors” were replaced by conventional front-hinged doors. Like the Mark III, it got concealed headlamps. As part of cost cutting, unibody construction was replaced by body-on-frame construction and for the first time, it shared a common platform with the full-size Ford LTD and Mercury Marquis. During its lifecycle, this generation of Continental saw a number of changes. From 1970 to 1974, each model year wore a different grille style. For its 1975 facelift, the two-door hardtop model was replaced with a pillared coupe; the four-door received a new roofline to further differentiate it from Ford and Mercury models. The Continental Town Coupe received a square opera window in its C-pillar while the Town Car received an oval one [similar to the Mark IV].
Sixth generation [1980]
In order to meet federal fuel economy standards, the Continental underwent downsizing in 1979 for the 1980 model year [three years after Cadillac]. For the first time, Lincoln shared a common platform [the Ford Panther platform] with full-size Ford and Mercury sedans. In the redesign, the Continental shed fourteen inches in length, two inches in width, ten inches in wheelbase, and
During the 1970s, the Town Car trim level on the Continental had become increasingly popular, and in 1981, the Town Car took its place as Lincoln’s standard full-size car. For 1981, the Continental name went on a brief hiatus, as it was to appear on an entirely different car the next year as Lincoln sought to expand its lineup beyond full-size cars. The only appearance of the Continental for 1981 was as the Mark VI coupe and sedan.
Seventh generation [1982–1987]
After a one-year hiatus, the Continental nameplate reappeared for the 1982 model year. In the place of its full-size predecessor, the 1982 Continental debuted as a mid-size car sharing the Ford Fox platform with the Ford Thunderbird and the Mercury Cougar. While not officially a replacement for the Versailles, the new Continental would have nearly identical length and wheelbase dimensions. Most importantly, the Continental was now marketed as a competitor to the Cadillac Seville. While the Seville had switched to front-wheel drive during its 1980 restyling, the 1982 Continental retained the use of rear-wheel drive. For the first time since 1965, all Continentals were again 4-doors; for the first time ever, the doors were fully framed. In a major departure from Lincoln styling tradition, the Continental wore its namesake imitation spare tire bulge on the boot lid, a feature normally exclusive to the Mark-series Continentals. Along with the “Continental tyre” on the boot, the Continental would be one of several American cars in the early 1980s that revived the bustle-back styling seen on 1930s-1940s British sedans. For 1982, the Continental was offered in base, Signature Series, and Givenchy Designer Series trim.
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Eighth generation [1988–1994]
By the late 1980s, competition in the luxury segment changed drastically and the new generation sought a new role of making Lincoln competitive against import brands. In addition to domestic rivals Cadillac and Chrysler, the downsized Continental now competed in the same price and size segments as Acura, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Saab, and Volvo. In 1987 for the 1988 model year, the Continental was given a clean-sheet, aerodynamic redesign. In a shift to front-wheel drive, the new Continental was based on a longwheelbase variant of the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable; no exterior sheetmetal was shared between them. While gaining four inches in length, it shed 170 pounds in weight over its 1987 predecessor.
Concept [2002] A concept vehicle was created in 2002, complete with coach doors and a 5.9-litre V12 engine producing 414bhp at 6,000 rpm and 560Nm at 5,270 rpm. The car’s design and suicide doors are a nod to the earlier fourth generation cars.
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Ninth generation [1995–2002]
For the 1995 model year, the Continental was substantially updated with more rounded lines similar to the Mark VIII. Design was completed in 1991 and production commenced in November 1994. While the body was all-new, the new Continental shared its underpinnings with the previous generation [based upon the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable as well as the Ford Windstar]. In a departure from the previous generation and its Ford/Mercury counterparts, the Continental was given back its V8 engine [for the first time since 1987]. The interior also saw a major overhaul. And after a few slow-selling years, Lincoln officially discontinued production in 2002. The Continental, and to an extent the Lincoln Mark VIII coupe, were essentially replaced in the Lincoln lineup by the mid-size Lincoln LS V8 and V6 sedans, which were introduced in the 2000 model year. Even though the Continental was a large front wheel drive sedan, and the Mark VIII was a rear wheel drive coupe, the rear wheel drive LS acted as a replacement for each variant.
2 2016 Jaguar XF
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Jaguar Land Rover hosted a special sneak preview event in UK coinciding with the New York motor show reveal of one its important new models -- the all-new 2016 Jaguar XF. The new sedan is expected to help the brand move into premium territory Author: Chandan B Mallik
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here are clear cut indications that a territorial war the premium car segment is brewing. And it’s also time for the German and Japanese brands to closely watch what till now marginalized carmakers like Jaguar or Cadillac are up to these days. It’s no secret that Jaguar Land Rover, the Indian-Tata Motors owned British marque is on an overdrive as it prepares itself to go all out and face key rivals with an assortment of new models in the coming months. The Gen II all-new 2015 XF, recently launched is being positioned as one of those pillars. Jaguar Land Rover chief program engineer Colin Kirkpatrick described the new XF as the “centre of gravity of the Jaguar brand” after the New York reveal and added: “Our dream ambition is to become the world’s performance brand of choice, which is not a small challenge”. For Jaguar, the XF when launched in 2007, was a radical step forward. As a car for the business car segment in Europe it combined sleek, coupé-like exterior and a luxurious interior and during its career set the class benchmark for aesthetics and driving dynamics. Jaguar has brought to the table a meticulously prepared recipe for the Gen II XF and it begins with the car’s underpinnings. The high percentage usage of aluminium in the car’s construction is also core to its optimized power-to-weight ratio, torsional rigidity and overall performance characteristisc. The Gen II XF is built on a longer version of Jaguar’s new modular architecture that is about 75 per cent aluminium. The new RC5754 platform is about 30 per stiffer than before and being lightweight also contributes to weight savings of
up to 190kg. The platform is up to 80kg lighter than what rivals like the BMW and Mercedes-Benz use in their 5-Series and E-Class respectively. The car sports coupé-like design and uses its elegant proportions, surfaces and character lines which help in low aerodynamic drag. In fact, the drag coefficient drops from Cd0.29 to just Cd0.26. The car is 4,954mm long which means it is 7mm shorter than the outgoing XF. However, the platform has allowed the wheelbase to be stretched by 51mm, to 2,960mm. This arrangement
Using aluminiumintensive architecture, the all-new Gen II XF, according to Jaguar will bring an unrivalled blend of design, luxury, technology, dynamic capability and efficiency to the business car segment translates to 24mm more knee room for rear occupants. Jaguar claims it is offering class-leading spaciousness for the segment with this car. The all-new XF is also the first Jaguar to offer adaptive full-LED headlights. Featuring two banks of LEDs and reflectors – one for dipped beam, the
other for main beam – they generate light with a colour temperature closer to that of daylight than is achievable with Xenon lights, delivering better illumination. The car’s cabin is a uses contemporary mix of luxury materials and finishes, traditional craftsmanship and state-ofthe art technology. Among features included are a reconfigurable 12.3in TFT instrument cluster, laser heads-up display and the InControl Touch Pro premium infotainment system. The touch screen set-up includes sat-nav, “seamless iOS and Android connectivity” and 17-speaker Meridian audio. As part of an efficiency drive which was announced by Jaguar during the world premiere of the XE, the XF will also benefit from the exercise. At just 104gm/ km CO2 emissions, the new Ingenium series 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine is in the XF is also shared with the smaller and lighter XE. Depending on markets globally, six powertrain configurations will be available and will include a number of four-cylinder diesel configurations, a 2.0-litre petrol and a range-topping – for now – 279kW supercharged V6 transplanted from the F-Type. Manual transmissions will be available in Europe, but expect Middle East variants to be equipped with the eight-speed ZF automatics. Double wishbone front suspension and Integral Link rear suspension – combined with near-50:50 weight distribution – deliver the ideal balance between ride and handling. In some markets, the XF can be option with torque-on-demand all-wheel-drive. As well, Jaguar now offers what it calls AllSurface Progress Control – a new form of traction control for low grip surfaces such as ice and snow.
British stunt expert Jim Dowdall, veteran of Hollywood movies including Bond, Bourne and Indiana Jones, drove the all-new Jaguar XF 240 metres across a high-wire to demonstrate the new XF’s lightweight aluminiumintensive construction MAY 2015
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3 2016 Cadillac CT6
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Cadillac has showcased its new addition to the line-up – the 2016 CT6 sedan. But, this isn’t the model earmarked to be the brand’s top-tier competitor to the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series or Audi A8. So what is it? Author: Chandan B Mallik
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ery much like Britain’s Jaguar, GM’s luxury arm Cadillac also has crossborder aspirations and the American brand also wants to make its presence felt strongly in premium European territory – currently led by Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. GM’s greatest gift for
The new CT6 marks Cadillac’s return to the global premium luxury segment. It is one of eight all-new vehicles the brand will launch by the end of the decade as part of its US$12bn product investment
Cadillac is that it has involved its global resources in developing new cars like the all-new Cadillac CT6. This new addition was designed by a team led by Australian Andrew Smith, former Holden stylist – best known in Australia for penning the VU Holden Ute. Smith was given the task of bringing Cadillac design into the 21st century to help take the fight up to the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar. The results of the global involvement are quite clear. Never before has such craftsmanship and technology been so seamlessly interwoven in a Cadillacbadged sedan. As with the established formula of creating a lighter, stiffer platform and overall structure that also enables the car to exhibit “bank vault” levels of quietness, the CT6 is based on an all-new version of GM’s Omega platform. In fact, GM has described the new architecture used in the CT6 as being among one of the world’s lightest and most agile full-sized body structures, delivering spaciousness on par with the
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BMW 7 Series but with less weight than a 5 Series. The car’s architecture uses a mixed-material structure with allaluminium body panels. At 5,182mm in length, the CT6 is 22mm longer than the existing Chevrolet Caprice and roughly the same width. In its design profile, the CT6 benefits from an evolved Cadillac along with new executions of the grille and lighting elements. The latter features new LED “blades” that frame the front of the vehicle prominently. Forward illumination comes from technologically advanced Indirect Fire LED headlamps. The interiors of the CT6 get modern design elements,
The new CT6 marks Cadillac’s return to the global premium luxury segment. It is one of eight all-new vehicles the brand will launch by the end of the decade as part of its US$12bn product investment complemented with high levels of craftsmanship. Materials used include luxurious leathers, exotic woods, and carbon fibre in an unprecedented way for a Cadillac product. The interior design will also allow optimized space and comfort for occupants. The CT6 will be offered with a choice of powertrains – ranging from turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder right up to 400 hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6. The twin-turbo V6 is all-new. Apart from delivery power at the rate of almost 133hp per litre, the V6 also watches its fuel consumption by applying the first cylinder-deactivation system on a turbo engine. In addition to the turbocharged engines, GM’s 3.6-litre normally aspirated V6 will also be available. Irrespective of the type of engine, all will be mated with GM’s newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance and handling is an area where the CT6 gets specialized attention. The car’s chassis includes active rearwheel steering and magnetic ride control. The front suspension is a high-arm multilink short-long arm arrangement made of aluminium, while the rear set-up is five-link independent suspension that uses multiple outer ball joints and cross braces for optimal handling and steering precision. CT6 V6 variants include an active-on-demand all-wheel-drive system which is also part of the Active Chassis System, making the most of handling and stability in all weather conditions. Its lightweight, compact design and two-gear transfer case enable greater fuel economy than conventional fixed-torque all-wheel drive systems. All-wheel drive is standard on all CT6 six-cylinder models. Selectable Tour, Snow/Ice and Sport modes allow the driver to tailor the CT6’s advanced chassis system for practically any weather or road condition. The CT6 will be built in the US from late this year and from 2016, it will also be produced in China.
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4 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet has introduced a completely restyled and re-engineered its midsize sedan - the ninth generation all-new 2016 Malibu. The new car promises to offer more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever Author: Chandan B Mallik
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ith the all-new Malibu sedan, Chevrolet is taking its war into Toyota’s prized Camry territory. And Chevrolet also is aware that the task is not only ambitious, but tasking as well. At the show, GM’s global product boss Mark Reuss made the intention clear by saying: “If we don’t, we shouldn’t have done the car. We’re not here to be competitive. We’re here to win.” In preparing the incoming model, GM has gone back to the drawing board with lot of feedback related to the outgoing edition. It has tried to address most of the complaints that Malibu has been known for, notorious among them – styling and tight accommodation. The incoming car uses some of the sleek styling cures from the Impala. It also gets a 91 mm longer wheelbase and overall, it is 58mm longer than the current Malibu. GM have also been successful in knocking 48
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off some flab – around 136kg. From the styling perspective, it has been given a sloped roofline and a more curvaceous body lines in an effort to make it appear more refined.
Chevrolet’s Toyota Camry fighter has a clear cut agenda with it this time. And it’s also clear that GM is not taking opposition lightly In terms of power, Chevrolet will roll out the 2016 Malibu with a newly developed 1.5-litre Ecotec turbocharged engine
developing an estimated 160bhp and 250Nm of torque. A bigger 250bhp 2.0-litre turbo with 350 Nm will also be offered. While the smaller engine works with a six-speed automatic, this larger motor is paired to a new eightspeed automatic transmission. The Malibu line-up will also include a hybrid. Malibu with a hybrid set-up uses a fourcylinder 1.8-litre direct-injection petrol engine with a two-motor drive unit to provide a combined output of 182 bhp. Chevrolet says the hardware setup has been adapted from the 2016 Volt and also includes an 80cell, 1.5 kWh lithiumion battery pack. At speeds of up to 88 km/h, the Malibu Hybrid can run solely on electric power and at higher speeds the conventional engine will kick in to provide the additional oomph. The hybrid variant will also benefit from regenerative braking while the
combustion engine has an Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery (EGHR) system that will use the exhaust heat to warm the engine and cabin. As far as the interior cabin is concerned, rear legroom has been extended by 33mm. Feature pack also includes choice of 7in touchscreen or a larger 8in display for the upper-spec models. Chevrolet has installed dual rear-seat USB ports and a 110-volt power outlet on select versions and wireless mobile phone charging is also offered. Malibu’s MyLink system will also be paired with Teen Driver system to keep a closer eye on their kids while ventilated seats make their debut on the Malibu. This car also benefits from an array of safety and assistance systems including 10 airbags, rearview camera, Front Pedestrian Alert, New Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Automatic Braking and Automatic Parking Assist. The new Malibu will be built from globally sourced parts at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant, in Kansas City, Kansas. The plant received a US$600mn investment in paint shop and tooling upgrades in 2013. The car is set to go on sale in the fourth quarter of the year in the following trims: L, LS, LT, Premier and Hybrid. MAY 2015
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5 2016 Kia Optima
For Kia Motors the mid-sized Optima is a core model and since 2010 it has been representing the brand’s design-led transformation worldwide. The automaker now takes the strong design fundamentals of the third generation model to the next level with the new 2016 Optima Author: Chandan B Mallik
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n the rapid moving automotive business, a lot of things can happen in a short span of say 5-7 years. This period, depending on a manufacturer is basically the time slot to prepare and produce a new replacement model or an all-new one. Smart manufacturers also use the opportunity to get their fundamentals right – be it engineering or design. These two elements are now very much responsible for what defines a good, mediocre or not so acceptable product in a fiercely competitive environment. In the case of South Korea’s Kia Motors, both have been given top priority. In 2010, Kia debuted its third generation re-designed midsize sedan, the Optima at the New York International Auto Show. The model proved to be a game 50
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changer for the brand as it appealed to consumers looking for a fresh alternative to an otherwise staid segment. For Kia, it was a design revolution for this model.
The Optima has certainly contributed in changing the way people perceived the Kia brand. Kia can owe much of its current growth and success to its head-turning design and solid engineering
With design fundamentals set, and under the watchful eye of Kia’s president and chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, the incoming fourth generation 2016 Optima is an evolution of the successful theme. Since the design builds on the looks of the outgoing model, the trademark ‘tiger nose’ grille treatment has been stretched and is now integrated with the headlamp cluster. The face of the car is bit more aggressive now, thanks to the vertical foglamp surrounds and an independent lower valance. At the rear, the car gains LED-fired taillamps, boot lid now comes with an integrated diffuser and the sign off is a pair of oval exhausts. Despite this new detailing, the profile of the incoming car remains connected to the outgoing one. Interestingly, the new Optima is slightly
larger than the model it replaces and will be built on Hyundai’s i40 [Sonata] platform as before. The refresh has added 0.4in to the length of the car, while widening the car by one inch. This gives the new Optima a wheelbase of 110.4in and a width of 73.2in. The dimensional changes have allowed improved detailing and occupant benefits. The car’s interior is larger and nicer than before. The key changes inside the car include a wider centre console, more comfortable seats, soft-touch materials, metallic accents, real stitching in the dash and door panels, and cloth or leather seating await occupants. Meanwhile, Kia’s UVO connected-vehicle system comes with four new features not previously found in the Optima. Cargo space has also increased and attention has been given in improving the NVH characteristics. There’s now a choice of advanced driver-assist safety features. The 2016 Optima rides on alloy wheels ranging from 16 to 18in, with three new unique 18in wheel designs, depending on trim level. High end segment features include bi-functional HID headlamps with corner lamps and high beam assist that illuminate the road surface around corners. Depending on market, the Optima will be offered with a choice of three engines: the 185hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 247hp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder are carried over, but have been improved for fuel economy and better performance and drivability with maximum torque now available at a lower revs. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic shifting while some variants add paddle shifters. The third engine to be offered is a new 178hp 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill. This engine is connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and will be focused on fuel economy more than performance. From the marketing perspective, depending on where it is sold, five trim levels - LX, LX Turbo, EX, SX Turbo and SXL will be offered. MAY 2015
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6 2016 Honda Civic hatchback
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Honda will be hoping the bold new style helps reinvigorate sales and the forthcoming Civic is part of a broader effort to reinvigorate Honda, which has slipped behind Hyundai and some other competitors in the global vehicle sales race and been hurt by some un-Hondalike missteps in quality, safety and manufacturing Author: Chandan B Mallik
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onda unveiled its 10th-generation Civic Concept which the automaker says has been designed in the USA. “We are going back to our roots,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda after unveiling the banana green concept. The new
Honda will be hoping the bold new style helps reinvigorate sales and the forthcoming Civic is part of a broader effort to reinvigorate Honda, which has slipped behind Hyundai and some other competitors in the global vehicle sales race and been hurt by some unHonda-like missteps in quality, safety and manufacturing. Civic represents the first time global development of both the coupe and sedan variants has been led by Honda’s North American research-and-development team. Designers at the company’s Los Angeles studio spearheaded the new style, while engineers in Raymond, Ohio,
handled development. It’s a significant move on part of Honda, partly because Civics, once a key model in the line-up, hasn’t kept up to its promises, especially in North America. Honda has been working overtime in recent years to return the Civic to the top of its class, particularly after the disappointing last full redesign in 2012. Naturally, Honda wants to make up for lost time and also reconnect with its heritage. Besides these two business objectives, a spin-off effect is expected to take place in the Civic line-up. The all-new Civic sedan arrives this year and will shortly be followed by a coupe, a five-door hatchback [from Honda’s plant in Swindon, UK]. And within two years, a Type-R performance hatch from UK will take its place as the halo model. The latest compact Civic is based on a new global platform which has been developed by Honda over the past three years. The concept introduces a sporty new design direction for the whole Civic family. Featuring a longer wheelbase and a wider stance, the new model brings a much more aggressive look than its predecessor. Designers have changed the car’s profile and proportions by lengthening the bonnet and shortening the front overhang and rear deck. The revamped styling is further reinforced by pronounced mudguard wheel arches and the “Flying H” grille, while new LED headlights sit above large air intakes. There’s a touch of sportiness, according to Honda. The tenth-generation Civic lineup will be powered by Honda’s latest Earth Dreams powertrains, including the new 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged engine. A six-speed manual transmission will be available along with a sport-tuned CVT. No figures have been suggested, but the 1.5-liter turbo mill is expected to be both more efficient and more powerful than the
company’s naturally-aspirated 138hp 1.8-litre unit. From a marketing perspective, the incoming generation marks the return of the Civic hatchback to the US market. The coupes and sedans will be built in Indiana and Ontario, with the hatchbacks imported from Honda’s Swindon, UK, plant. US buyers will also get a chance to purchase the high-performance Civic Type R, while the Si packages will become midrange options in the lineup. The Eurospec Type R concept is powered by a 300hp 2.0-litre engine. MAY 2015
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7 2015 Porsche Boxster Spyder
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Porsche is celebrating the start of the 2015 convertible season with the world premiere of the new Boxster Spyder Author: Chandan B Mallik
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orsche seemed to be in a hurry to introduce its top-of-the-line open top Boxster variant. The first details of this car were released on the eve of the NY motor show to a select gathering. For starters, the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder is staying true to its first-
In this day and age when fancy gadgets and features override a car’s purity, Porsche’s minimalistic approach in designing the Boxster Spyder and the flexibility of offering factory addons is an interesting way to sell cars to purists generation predecessor in more than one way and this means several features that are considered essential modern conveniences these days will not be found in this car. The exterior design of the Spyder has specific styling cues that pay homage to the 718 Spyder from the 1960s, which are the two prominent streamlined bulges that extend down along the long rear lid behind the head restraints. That’s not all. The package is more than just a
Boxster with a chopped roof. The front and rear ends have been redesigned for this variant and come from the Cayman GT4. In terms of features and in line with the model’s purist design neither a radio nor an air- conditioning is included as standard equipment. Both of these features can be ordered as optional equipment. In addition, the entire range of Boxster audio systems is available for customers to choose from as an option. The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with all of its special features can also be ordered as optional equipment. And very much like the good old days where the tops were manually operated, this tradition continues with the Spyder too, so there’s no involvement of complicated mechanisms and extra motors. Likewise, in terms of powertrain, the Gen I model came with manual transmission and Porsche says that this will be the only transmission for the 2016 model also. While some features hark back to the 60s original roadster, the incoming Boxster Spyder will offers traditional sports-car driving experience but with contemporary performance. The car gets sports suspension and its ride height has been lowered by 20mm. The brake package comes from the 911 Carrera. The car is powered by a 3.8-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine good for 375 hp and it is capable of doing the 0 to 96km/h sprint in 4.3secs. With a direct steering feel, drivers can thus look forward to a genuine sports-car experience with outstanding driving dynamics in the lightest yet most powerful Boxster, says Porsche.
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8 2015 McLaren 570S Coupé
As the first car in McLaren’s Sports Series, the 570S Coupé also helps the UK-based sports car maker McLaren to complete its three-tier model strategy. Automan has the details Author: Chandan B Mallik
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or any sports car manufacturer, a core element of its corporate objectives is value-creating growth ideas. In this respect, McLaren has adopted a three-layered product strategy and sub brands them as Super Series and Ultimate Series and Sports Series respectively. The mission objective of the Sports Series is to introduce McLaren race-derived technologies and design values to a new segment and audience. The 570S Coupé, which the brand launched a few weeks ago, shares its DNA with the McLaren Super Series and Ultimate Series, the models that sit above it in the range as far as hierarchy goes. The car features an evolution of the McLaren design philosophy and the ‘shrinkwrapped’, aerodynamicallyoptimised form used in the 570S Coupé is the first body style application. The now 56
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The McLaren design team has created a shape of beauty highlighted by details such as the rear flying buttresses that increase downforce as well as adding grace, and complex door tendons that direct additional air to cool the mid-mounted V8 engine
familiar McLaren ‘face’ seen on models in the Super Series and Ultimate Series has been sharpened further for the Sports Series. In its construction it uses a newly designed carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis. The focus has been with more of a focus on day-to-day usability, offering improved ingress and egress from the cabin. It is incredibly strong and stiff yet weighs less than 80kg, offering optimum levels of protection. This composite structure along with aluminium body panels ensures a dry weight almost 150kg lighter than its closest competitor. The car weighs 1,313 when configured with lightweight options with 42 per cent of the weight is over the front axle and 58per cent over the rear. The twin exhausts tips exit below the rear bumper, either side of a newly designed rear diffuser.
The design of the car also incorporates a high degree of aerodynamic profiling. For instance, the flying buttresses at the rear of the teardrop-shaped glasshouse are responsible for directing air over the shoulderline of the car and across the rear aiding heat evacuation from the exposed engine bay. Super-formed aluminium rear fenders ensure clean air is delivered to the fixed rear spoiler and also help in increasing downforce. The car’s cabin has been designed around the driver with a clear focus on engagement, visibility, functionality, day-to-day usability and space. As standard, the sports seats are leather upholstered – racing seats are optional – offering a high level of long distance comfort and support. The dashboard and steering wheel are also all leather trimmed. Intelligent packaging frees usable space to the tune of 150 litres up front. As a road going car it comes with a full infotainment system including an all new TFT digital instrument cluster that changes configuration according to driving mode, a seven-inch IRIS touchscreen, now with integrated climate control functionality, Bluetooth connectivity, all mounted on a ‘floating’ centre console.
McLaren has promised a greater variety of interior customisation for the 570S with choice of Alcantara, nappa leather and carbon fibre options. McLaren designers have created a range of ‘By McLaren’ bespoke interior specifications, similar to those also available on the 675LT. The car features an evolution of the M838TE 3.8-litre V8 twin turbo engine. Engineered by McLaren with 30 per cent bespoke components, it produces 562bhp at 7,400rpm, and 600Nm of torque at 5,000-6,500 rpm. Power is delivered through a seven-speed SSG transmission, and transferred to the road through the rear wheels. This power is brought under control with standard-fit carbon ceramic brakes. Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres are standard and measure 225/35/R19 on the front and 285/35/R20 on the rear. Zero to 100km/h comes in 3.2secs and top speed is 326km/h. The Sports Series has its own newlydeveloped suspension system and uses independent adaptive dampers with front and rear anti-roll bars, a feature distinct from the Super Series – and dual wishbones, with the set up controlled by the familiar ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ handling settings. MAY 2015
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9 Subaru BRZ STI Performance Concept
Subaru Tecnica International (STI), the performance arm of Subaru has interesting plans to expand its business beyond Japan Domestic Market offerings. The BRZ STI Performance Concept presented highlights some of its capabilities Author: Chandan B Mallik
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bout a year ago, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru cars detailed its business plan called Prominence 2020, which looked at what was in store for the next five years. To recap, the plan included 20per cent sales increase by 2020 [in US], a new vehicle platform and more fuel-efficient engines. Subaru’s confidence is high as it has increased sales in the US for six consecutive years and its monthly sales are now in double digits since January 2013. Now, the brand is looking at its inhouse performance arm Subaru Tecnica International [STI] to help generate additional business. STI started life as the motorsports arm of Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries and till now has been a strong player in Japan’s domestic market [JDM]. As a focused set-up operating in new markets besides the US, STI will be responsible for what Subaru has identified as its three fundamental areas for the business -- aftermarket parts, STI-tuned cars and motorsports. “At STI we know from our racing that to win, it is important not only to have high power, but also that all aspects of performance are balanced over the whole car,” said Yoshio Hirakawa, president of Subaru Tecnica International, Inc. “When we achieve this balance, the driver feels that the car is easy to handle and reliable, and he can use it fully to the
The STI Performance Concept is a showcase for the engineering prowess and tuning capability of STI, featuring the racing engine developed by STI for the BRZ Super GT racecar, suspension and chassis components and aerodynamic upgrades. limits of its performance. Our plan is to produce cars and accessories that drivers can really enjoy.” To given an idea what STI is capable of, the performance-tuning arm kitted a
stock BRZ sports coupe with interesting cosmetic and go-fast enhancements and presented it as a performance concept at the American motor show. As of now, the Japan domestic market is offered complete cars packages - like extensive tuning and performance parts available by STI where focus is on models like the WRX STI, Forester and BRZ models. In the Japanese domestic market, the STI models use “S model” badges for the WRX STI and “tS” on BRZ and Forester. The BRZ STI concept presented for non Japanese market was more like the ultimate road version of the BRZ instead of its reinvention. It was decked up with chassis, suspension and braking components already in use in the Japanese BRZ tS version. The addition of wide body kit, carbon-fibre rear diffuser and carbonfibre rear spoiler were also part of the STIspecs for the non JDM BRZ. Although, no engine performance figures were officially given, observers aware of STI hardware said that under the hood is the same turbocharged, 2.0-litre boxer-four that powers the BRZ GT300 from Japan’s Super GT series. In the BRZ GT300 it pumps out 300hp and 330lbs-ft of torque.
Automan’s take
The STI Performance Concept is part of a promotional push for the U.S. expansion of STI. Subaru’s STI division currently sells aftermarket parts and STI-tuned cars in Japan, and wants to bring that business to North America, as well as expanding its motorsports involvement. MAY 2015
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10 2016 Lexus RX
Lexus once again has proven that it knows how to redefine luxury in a SUV without going overboard. This was clear after the Japanese premium brand unveiled the all-new 2015 Gen IV RX last month Author: Chandan B Mallik
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ery few carmakers can actually produces statistics like this. The RX represents three out of ten vehicles ever sold by Lexus worldwide and has been one of the best-selling models in the brand’s 26-year history with global sales of more than 2.1mn units over three generations. The big task for Lexus product planners for the incoming fourth generation was how to evolve the model in such a way that it continues to appeal to its existing customers while widening its appeal. To do this, Toyota went back to the drawing board. The platform for the RX comes from Toyota’s K Series. This flexible platform underpins many successful Toyota models – Camry, Avalon, Highlander among others. The 60
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The new RX design marries elements of the outgoing model and the recently introduced NX crossover. Lexus has surprisingly opted to stay conservative with convention rather than adopting a more coupe-like silhouette
biggest advantage for the RX that car’s wheelbase has grown from 107.9in to 109.9in. The overall length has also increased by 4.7in to round it off at 192.5in. The vehicle’s body structure has been strengthened with added stiffness, helping to enhance its handling response while reducing engine and road noise in the cabin. For styling, the RX has undergone a sea of change and incorporates most of the design elements from its smaller NX sibling. Lexus sought to make the RX look sportier with a more aggressive floating roof design, while the familiar spindle grille has been revised and made bolder. Lexus says the redesigned head and fog lamps help give the RX an “elegant yet futuristic
aura” and complement the blackedout C-pillars. Another design feature is that the sheetmetal now exhibits a strong unbroken character lines which runs from the front mudguards and continues to the end of the car. The rear gets newly designed LED taillamps and dual-exhaust tips sign off the V6 variants which come as part of the brand’s established L-finesse design language. Depending on the variants, including ‘F-Sport’-badged performance models, the grille inserts are among its standalone design features. Lexus RX chief designer Gen Ikeda said during the unveil that the car’s revised looks didn’t come at the cost of practicality. New driver and passenger seats offer power reclining and heating functions, a retractable panoramic sunroof has been developed and lasercut ornamentation is available as an option to underscore the message of “high levels of comfort and luxury” in the cabin. While, the extended wheelbase has allowed for more legroom and knee-room for front and second row MAY 2015
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occupants, Lexus said that a third-row option was not going to be included in the package. The cabin will be the usual Lexus fare and for front occupants will get to enjoy a new optional 12.3in infotainment display mounted high up on the central console. Driver will also get an optional head-up display. As part of improved ergonomics, the gear shift lever has moved closer to the stack to allow more room in the centre console. Rear-seat occupants are treated to more leg and knee space and extra cargo volume can be created via the 60:40 power folding second row seats. Not many changes are in store for incoming model which will continue with a slightly modified 3.5-litre V6. It gets a 30hp bump so total output is 300hp when mated to last year’s F-Sport’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid versions will also be offered wherein the petrol engine and electric motor join hands to offer combined power of 300hp and power in this variant is routed through CVT transmission. Interestingly, both
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versions of the RX will be available in front- or all-wheel drive configurations. For all the variants, the MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension has been revised for improved ride and handling. Lexus says that it has also addressed niggles associated with the outgoing model’s ‘F-Sport’ variant. The F-Sport ride quality was often criticized as being too firm. In the pursuit of sporty handling, the new generation will feature an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) to adjust ride quality as needed. Other technology onboard includes Lexus’ recently announced Safety System+ (combining pre-collision and lane-departure warnings, and automatic high beam adjustment), lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor, blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. Lexus has also said that the RX F Sport variants will be offered exclusively as AWD models only and for the first will be available in stock or hybrid formats. The F Sport models will have their own standalone identities helped
by a number of special visual and performance features. The spindle grille and lower centre piece of the rear bumper incorporate an “F” mesh design, new 20in alloy wheels with graphite finish are exclusive to this variant. Inside, the driver is treated to a custom F Sport instrument cluster with a TFT Multi Information Display as well as a sport steering wheel, featuring perforated leather trim, an F Sport emblem, and paddle shifters. Exclusive colours and trim pieces are also part of F Sport package. The performance on the road of this variant benefits a lot due to an active stabilizer system whose cutting-edge technology helps keep the vehicle’s body flat through fast corners. It also engages AVS, which also helps keep the vehicle planted to driving surfaces through turns. This feature is standard on this model and the driver will also be able to select the AVS-enhanced Sport S+ mode, in addition to the standard Eco, Normal and Sport settings, on the Drive Mode Select control located on the centre console.
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11 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi Motors product offerings in future will be biased towards SUVs more than other body styles. The Outlander SUV for MY2016 represents the beginning of a new era for the brand and the package includes new design language, content and engineering improvements Author: Chandan B Mallik
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he current Mitsubishi Outlander is fairly new as it came in to the markets in late 2012 and technically the current year in terms of a normal car’s product life cycle would be considered as mid-term and also a time when usually car makers upgrade their models. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has made its mission statement clear: it will focus more on SUVs and plug-in hybrids. And the process involves taking the best of what the brand has to offer and refine or improve the rest. The timing for Outlander’s refresh has actually given Mitsubishi an opportunity to showcase how it plans to move forward. Instead of offering a few added 64
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The refreshed Outlander brings revised styling over the more conservative outgoing iteration and is the first to get Mitsubishi’s new ‘Dynamic Shield’ styling language
features or minor tweaks, the company has elaborately reworked the Outlander and transformed it into a trendy, upmarket and competent model. The first job was to retain the SUV’s current profile and proportions and give it a new look. This meant redesigning the front and rear ends. Usually, carmakers adopt an evolutionary route when it comes to mid-cycle upgrades [usually, a minor grille or valance redesign or some detailing], but in the case of this car, Mitsubishi chose to graft it with its new ‘Dynamic Shield’ styling language. While, doing so, the company refers to its past SUV history and the feature inherited from the bumper side
protection has been seen on previous generations of the Montero/Pajero. Meanwhile, the front end gains angular horizontal headlamps, a new twin-slat radiator grille and chrome accents. These styling cues bring the Outlander in line with the XR-PHEV II concept that was presented in Geneva a few weeks ago. At the rear, the SUV is fitted with bigger LED taillamps connected by an elegant strip of chrome trim as well as a new bumper that integrates brushed aluminium effect trim and nearly vertical fog lights. The design-led transformation is really impressive by SUV standards. As expected, it’s not just about looks. Mitsubishi has also quietly ensured that there’s a better feel to the touch points and over all ride quality. Unseen are improvements to body and suspension structural rigidity, redesigned suspension and electric power steering, noise-isolating windscreen and tailgate glass, more sound insulation throughout the vehicle, and new front suspension and rear shock absorbers. Inside, the seven-seater, there’s a more ergonomic steering wheel, a new media interface that runs Mitsubishi’s MMCS infotainment system and a host of MAY 2015
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additional features like an available autodimming rear-view mirror. Under the bonnet, there are no major mechanical modifications meaning that the 166hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine continues with CVT gearbox which sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available as an option in US. Mitsubishi says that the CVT has been upgraded to a new generation promising improved acceleration, performance, shift feel and torque delivery. The range-topping Outlander uses a normally-aspirated 3.0-litre V6 that generates 224hp and is offered exclusively with all-wheel drive and sixspeed automatic transmission. Overall, Mitsubishi says it has made over 100 engineering and design improvements to the Outlander. The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander will be available with advanced safety
technologies including Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). The 2014 and 2015 Outlander are rated a “Top Safety Pick+” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to the optional Forward Collision Mitigation. Irrespective of trim, each 2016 Outlander sold in safety conscious markets like the US, will be offered with seven Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag with front air bags with passenger weight and driver’s seat position sensors, front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, and curtain side air bags with roll-over sensors; anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist; hill start assist; active stability control with traction control and a built in tyre pressure monitoring system.
Automan’s take
The 2016 Outlander is part of a major product and style rebirth taking place within Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and reflects the company’s stronger focus on quality, technology and design prowess MAY 2015
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Better safe than sorry 68
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yres are the only components in a vehicle that keeps us connected to the roads and its well-being is also therefore very important when it comes to our safety. A tyre burst or blowout is the last thing any motorist’s mind and no one would want it to happen, especially on the move. If you are a motorist residing in the region, you may have noticed that accidents caused by tyre blowouts seem to be unavoidable. You might have experienced that while travelling as a long distance commuter apparently without reason or warning, one of your car’s tyre fails and explodes. With quick thinking, you control and quickly manoeuevre the car to a safe spot. Although shaken by the incident you still have no clue to look for an explanation as to why such a thing happened. It’s the air inside the tyres that supports the weight of the vehicle and there are several reasons for unexpected tyre failure. One of the things that can cause a blow out is damage to the side wall of the tyre. Hitting a kerb innocently while parking a car will cause a bubble to form in the side wall. This bubble is formed when the layers of the tyre separate and air gets in between them. The second most common reason for a blow out is driving a car with incorrect tyre pressure. If the tyre is soft the side wall flexes more than it is designed to. Heat is generated in the flexing and that results in the side wall splitting. The third is aged tyres.
What to do in case of a tyre burst?
If you look after your tyres but are still unlucky enough to get a blowout or high speed puncture the guidelines below will help you to cope and perhaps avoid an accident. The first indication of the blow out is the burst noise immediately followed by the car handling abnormally, especially at speeds over 80km/h. The best action is to hold the steering wheel firmly, decelerate slowly and let the car slow down by itself. Do not panic brake, and remember this is not a normal situation. If the car is starting to move sideways braking will make matters worse and can cause the car to spin. Sudden braking is the single worst thing that you can do if a tyre blows out.
Keep looking ahead and turn your steering wheel to keep in a straight line. Maintain momentum by accelerating if required. Mind you, accelerating is not done to speed the car up, simply to maintain momentum and minimising the risk of and effect of a side slide. Changing to a lower gear might help in a front wheel drive car if you can control the steering with one hand. The idea here is to steer the car and its occupants to safety and also minimize the risk of damaging the rims.
How to cope with punctures?
The difference between a puncture/flat tyre and blow out is that the air from the tyres can leak slowly, depending on the severity – nail, shrapnel etc. If it happens on the move, then the indication of a front tyre puncture is that it will cause the car to pull heavily to one side. Steer firmly to correct the pull. Avoid hard braking as it might lead to the tyre coming off the rim. If there is space ahead, concentrate on steering and allow the car to lose speed naturally. If you use the brake after gaining initial control, be very gentle. Pulling the parking brake on and off repeatedly can help you to slow down but care must be taken not to lock the back wheels because this could cause the car to pivot around the damaged wheel and spin - your main aim is to keep the car on course and lose speed naturally. Changing down might help in a rear-wheel drive car as engine compression will lower the speed but again no snatched or jerky changes. Remembering that extra effort will be required for steering, it may be safer to keep your hands on the wheel. Burst tyres are dead. You can drive on the tyre very slowly to a safe place but do not attempt to go any further than is absolutely necessary. Repairable punctures can turn into irreparable tyres if you drive too much on them. Change the tyre in a safe place as soon as possible. If you can’t do it yourself, then get assistance. Read your car’s handbook for information about jacking your car safely and changing a wheel. If you have a space saver spare tyre, use it as guided by the manufacturer.
Burst tyres are dead. You can drive on the tyre very slowly to a safe place but do not attempt to go any further than is absolutely necessary.
Observation counts. Also examine your vehicle tyres for visible surface damages, minute or cracks, uneven/ eccentric wear or unexplained bulges.
Do not run a car a temporary spare or space saver wheel or exceed its recommended speed or range.
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Tyre maintenance tips 1. Check tyre pressures at least once every fortnight when the tyre is cold. Over and under inflation are both bad for the car and occupant safety. There is a misconception that tyres hold the car up. It is actually the right air pressure that keeps the car up. The tyre is just an object that keeps air inside. To maintain the right pressure in the tyres, it is important to check them every 15 days. 2. Observation counts. Examine your vehicle tyres for visible surface damages, minute or cracks, uneven/eccentric wear or unexplained bulges. 3. Consult a tyre expert if in doubt or if you suspect any damage to your tyre or wheel from an impact with a curb, pothole, debris on the road or any other road hazard, or if you feel or hear any unusual vibration. 4. Where to go. It pays to go to authorized set-ups and avoid roadside or ill-equipped set-ups as there’s a good chance of being duped with unsuitable category of tyres or cheap nonapproved imports. 5. By law, tyre retailers in Oman cannot sell tyres that are more than two years old. Definitely avoid using tyres that are two years or older. Even if your car has clocked low mileage and tread wear seems normal, it has to be replaced. Period. 6. Tyre rotation: is considered vital to achieving even tread wear and long tread life in a car. Rotation is necessary because of the uneven wear characteristics which ultimately depend on the type of the vehicle – front, rear or all-wheel drive. Front wheel drive cars experience much 70
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faster rate of wear. Tyre rotation should be undertaken every 5-8,000km even if there is no sign of wear. Front and rear wheel drive cars usually practice ‘cross rotation, while straight rotation is advised for 4WD vehicles. It’s useful to include the spare tyre in the programme. Temporary spare or space saver is NOT to be part of the rotation schedule. 7. Replace worn out or cracked tyres promptly. 8. Avoid running a car with a tyre that has flat spots. This happens when a vehicle is parked for a long time in the same position. These tyres develop flat spots, which can weaken the tyre over a period of time. 9. Do not mix tyre types such as radials or cross plys. Always use same type of tyres. 10. Always have wheels balanced whenever replacing or rotating tyres. 11. It is recommended that all four tyres are replaced at the same time when ever possible. However, whenever only two tyres are replaced, the new ones should be put on the rear. The logic being that new tyres, with deeper tread provide better grip. 12. Avoid overloading. If a tyre is 20 per cent overloaded, its lifespan will be reduced on average by 30 per cent. 13. Never use hydrocarbon-based solvents such as thinners or unapproved liquids to clean tyres. 14. Avoid striking or driving over hard objects such as shrapnel’s, nails or small rocks on road. These can rupture the tyre’s inner walls quite easily with no visible exterior damage. 15. Temporary puncture kits: as the name implies these are
Some modern cars will tell its owners when to change or rotate tyres .
Always have wheels balanced whenever replacing or rotating tyres.
For a reliable diagnosis and guarantee of safety, call on the services of a professional service provider.
to help the driver to take the car to the nearest repair outlet only. Always seek professional and permanent tyre repair solutions. Never run a car with temporarily repaired tyres for long distances. 16. Change your tyres before your tread depth is worn to 1.6mm. To make life easier, choose tyres that are equipped with tread wear indicators situated in the base of the main tread grooves at the height of approximately 1.6mm. Take a coin and insert it into the tread. If the entire border remains visible, you don’t have enough tread. 17. Always balance the rear wheels as well as the front wheels to ensure your tyres and vehicle stay in good condition for longer Sometimes the outer surface of the tyre begins to weaken. The result can be a bulge or blister that extends outward from the rest of the surface.
A temporary tyre is not suited for distances or high speeds .
The tread on your tyres should never fall below 1/16 of an inch in depth.
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18. Replace your valve every time you change your tyre. It’s an inexpensive way to protect your tyres, vehicle and yourself 19. The easiest way to tell if your vehicle is out of alignment is to check the tyres for any signs of uneven wear. 20. Some innovative newer tyres have a convenience that older tyres lacked. They have tread wear indicator bars built into the tyres themselves. These bars, invisible or barely visible when the tyres are new, gradually begin to appear as the tread wears down. They appear as flat rubber bars running perpendicular to the direction of the tread itself. If more than one or two of these are visible on a tire, the tread is getting low. This should be particularly obvious in the wet tracks that your tyres leave after you drive through a puddle. Use the penny test described on the previous page to double check the depth, but if the bars are starting to appear on any or all of your tyres, it’s once again time to check with your mechanic or local tire dealer to see about getting your current tyres replaced. 21. A certain amount of vibration is inevitable when driving, especially on poorly paved roads, but if you’ve been driving for a while, you probably know how much vibration feels right and how much means that something’s going wrong. There can be any of a number of causes for the vibration — maybe your tyres are misaligned or unbalanced, or your shock absorbers are starting to go. But it could also indicate that there’s some sort of internal problem in the tire itself. Even if the tire isn’t the root cause of the vibration, the vibration could damage the tire and pretty soon you’ll have a problem. So if your car has a bad case of the shimmy-shimmy shakes, especially if you notice this when you aren’t driving on bad roads, take it to the mechanic right away to have it checked out. Too much vibration is almost always a sign that something is wrong. 22. Even fairly low mileage tyres show up for cracks on the treads due to heat and humidity due to exposure to ozone and UV rays.
Many motorists in the region will only consider replacing or buying a new tyre when a distress situation occurs. After all, prevention is better than cure
M Marking
125 years
of tyre making Michelin’s regional office organised a major event on the Yas Marina track to communicate its heritage and technology to key invitees
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ichelin Tyres organised an elaborate event around the facilities at the Yas Marina track that included a lot of high speed driving around the ribbon in a crop of high-end sports cars. This would be accepted as normal for the launch of a new tyre, except that there was no launch happening here. The event was held to mark 125 years of Michelin’s existence as a tyre manufacturer, with an added mission to educate participants about the intricacies of tyre manufacture, proper maintenance and timely replacement. Of course a large part of the
morning went to looking at some of the highlights of the past 125 years. During the course of the morning we learnt that the Michelin brothers had even ventured into car manufacture in order to field a competitor for early races, just to communicate the advantages of the tyres they made. They also made wheels with detachable rims, introduced pneumatic tyres as well as were early proponents of vulcanised rubber. A copy of an early Michelin road guide served to connect participants with the role Michelin played in developing not just a guide that covered good food and destinations,
but also the marque’s role in developing road signs, maps and promoting road usage. Displays also marked the evolution of tyre technology, with important markers like the development of ‘green’ tyres, tyres for the Bugatti Veyron, tyres for the Airbus A380 as well as a whole new generation of airless tyres. Speaking at the event, Nour Bouhassoun, Chairman and President of the Michelin Africa - India - Middle East Zone (AIM Zone), said: “It’s a proud moment for all those who are part of the Michelin story. We’ve achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching 125 years, giving us
a sense of achievement for everybody involved. We are constantly developing as a company and looking to lead the way forward for the next 125 years.” The series of workshops served to educate participants about various aspects of tyre technology and common issues. For instance, there was a rather intense discussion over the virtues and problems of over and under-inflating tyres. Common telltale signs were shown and advice given about how dangerous it was to run on underinflated tyres. To highlight the difference it made to the handling of a car, two Camrys were setup on
an autocross layout, with one running on tyres at 18psi and the other on correctly inflated tyres. Participants were timed through the gates and were polled for their feedback on how the car handled. At the same site a braking exercise showed the difference in stopping distances as related to an increase in speed. One session also took participants through the construction of a tyre, with the relevance of every component explained, as well as presented a look at the manufacturing process. Of course, there was also a module at understanding the nomenclature and the
importance of tread design. But the highlight was the opportunity to drive an R8, Ferrari 458, SLS AMG, Viper and even a Toyota 86 out on the track on Michelin rubber in order to understand the technological story of the brand. For all the effort that the brand put into the event, we are surprised that they didn’t use the platform to launch a new product. But we have been assured that this year will see a few new product debuts including of a multi-seasonal tyre, although that may not be very relevant to some parts, which typically range from hot to very hot through the year.
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Bahrain Hamilton powers to third win this season Grand Prix and second in a row in Sakhir World champion Lewis Hamilton produced a flawless drive to win an electrifying Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix last month. A brilliantly floodlit Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) set the stage for what was once again an exciting and eventful race held over 57 laps under the desert stars. A dazzling fireworks display lit up the night sky and the massive crowd roared into celebration as Hamilton steered his Mercedes across the finish line to claim victory number three after four Grands Prix so far in the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship. The Briton, who started from pole, repeated his success from last season in Bahrain despite experiencing brake issues towards the end. The win was also the second of his Formula One career in Sakhir. 76
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Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was another star on the night, chasing down Nico Rosberg over the race’s closing stages before overtaking him on the penultimate lap and claiming an impressive podium finish as runner-up. Rosberg completed the podium placers in third to continue his strong start to the season for Mercedes. Hamilton won in a total race time of 1hr 35mins 05.809secs. Raikkonen finished 3.380s behind while Rosberg was 6.033s back. Valtteri Bottas put Williams in fourth place but finished well behind the top three. He was 42.957s behind Hamilton’s winning time. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel started from the front row but could only managed fifth place with a 43.989s gap. Daniel Ricciardo (+61.751s) was sixth for Red Bull Racing, while Romain Grosjean (+84.763s) of Lotus clinched seventh place.
Classified one lap behind from eighth through 15th place, respectively, were Force India’s Sergio Perez, Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat, Williams’ Felipe Massa, McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, Sauber’s Felipe Nasr, Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson and Lotus’ Pastor Maldonado. Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi completed the final classification in 16th and 17th place. Toro Rosso pairing Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz both did not finish, while the horrific weekend of Jenson Button ended in further disappointment as he did not even start the Grand Prix. Hamilton improved to 93 points as the championship leader. Rosberg follows with 66 and Vettel is third with 65. Mercedes rose to 159 points, followed by Ferrari with 107 and Williams with 61 points. The 2015 FIA Formula One
World Championship now heads to Barcelona for round five from May 8 to 10. Speaking about his win, Hamilton said: “Thank you to my team; they did an amazing job this weekend. “Ferrari gave us a run for our money. Fortunately, I was able to keep the car together. A massive thanks to everyone.” Raikkonen commented: “You’re never happy when you finish second, but I am a bit pleased to get some result. “We came through in the end very quickly, we ran out of laps, but we have to be happy after where we qualified. Rosberg, who faced similar car problems as Hamilton in the end, said: “The overtaking was enjoyable. I tried to catch Lewis but he pulled away. I lost my brakes unfortunately two laps in the end and gave up my position to Kimi, which is very disappointing.”
Fernando Alonso to retire after McLarenHonda stint When Fernando Alonso was three years old, his father gave him a model of a McLaren-Honda grand prix car. That’s where his path to Formula One started, and it’s where he wants his career to end as well. While interacting with media recently, the two-time world champion indicated that he wants to retire after he’s done at McLaren. The highly rated and immensely successful Spanish driver has been on the grid for fourteen years now. He started out with Minardi (precursor to Toro Rosso) in 2001, then spent four seasons with Renault, where he scored back-toback world titles. He then switched
Automan’s take
to McLaren for one year, where he won four races, then back to Renault for another three where he and the team fell off their form. Fernando subsequently switched to Ferrari where he spent the last five seasons, thrice finishing second in the world championship but never quite managing to clinch an elusive third title. This year he’s back at McLaren but has had a bumpy start. After crashing during a pre-season test session, he sat out the season opener, and failed to finish the second round in Malaysia. In July, he’ll be turning 34, thus making him the fourth oldest driver on the grid this year.
Alonso has still got a good few years in him and will likely want to see the McLaren-Honda partnership succeed. But while nobody can tell what the future will bring, it looks like any other team that hopes to lure the champ away could end up disappointed.
Sweet victory for Rossi in Argentina As the MotoGP riders assembled on the grid for the Gran Premio Red Bull de la República Argentina on race day, track conditions were similar to that of the qualifying session a day before. With bright sunshine and a track temperature of 37˚C, there was some last minute drama before the riders set off on their sighting lap as Repsol Honda’s Marquez, along with CWM LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow, decided to switch to the hard compound rear tyre. This was in contrast to the Movistar Yamaha’s of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo who went with the extra hard option. It was Aleix Espargaro who led the pack into turn one on the Team Suzuki Ecstar GSXRR, but it didn’t take long for Marc Marquez to make his move for the lead, passing his compatriot almost immediately and taking advantage of the clear track in front of him to lead by 0.8sec at the end of the first lap. Marquez used the extra grip 78
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afforded to him by his hard tyre early on in the race to extend his lead to over 4sec at the front, all the while though Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi was gradually making his way through the field from 8th on the grid. “The Doctor” moved into second at the expense of Dovizioso on the Ducati Team GP15 with 15 laps to go. He then set about hunting down Marquez as the Spaniard’s tyre performance started to fall away, and it suddenly became apparent he would be able to catch the Honda before the end of the race. It was like watching a hunter stalk his prey as Rossi made huge in-roads into Marquez’s lead, finally catching him with just 2 laps to go. Marquez was not going to let the Italian pass him without a fight though, and in the ensuing battle the riders touched a couple of times, before Marquez clipped the back of Rossi’s bike and crashed out of the race. Marquez showed his
Valentino Rossi’s gamble on tyres paid off handsomely as he clinched his 84th MotoGP victory frustration at the side of the track but Race Direction ruled it as a “racing incident” and took no further action. This left Rossi on his own to take the victory by over five seconds, and he admitted afterwards that the key to his success was not caring about Marquez’s tyre choice, and just focusing on his own. Rossi later discussed the incident with Marquez at the press conference: “When I arrive, it was a shame that he crashed, but for me he made a mistake because Marc is a rider who will always go all-in. When I braked he touched me once, then again, and then he crashed. It was a shame as it could have been a good battle to the end.” Andrea Dovizioso took advantage of Marquez’s crash to claim 2nd spot, five seconds behind Rossi, and now trails him by six points in the Championship standings. The Italian later saying that his team had worked on developing a setup that would
allow him to be fast, but would also look after their tyres, and he seemed pleased at the outcome: “I am very happy because to get so close to Valentino at the front is a dream come true, as the bike is very new, and we are second in the championship after a great start by Valentino…to be so close is amazing.” CWM LCR Honda’s rookie Jack Miller took the Open class victory as he finished 12th in just his third race in the MotoGP™ class. Hector Barbera was 0.075s further back on the Avintia Ducati, with another rookie in the shape of Athina Forward Racing’s Loris Baz securing 14th place and his first two Championship points ahead of his more experienced teammate Stefan Bradl. Rossi is now six points ahead of Dovizioso in the MotoGP™ World Championship standings, and has a thirty-point advantage over the fifthplaced Marquez.
Toyota to centralize motorsports under one umbrella
Anticlimax at 25th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Nobody could have guessed that overnight things could turn from favourable to being ousted. Yes, we are referring to Dakar winner Qatari Nasser Al Attiyah who was firmly on course for his second victory in this year’s edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge POWERED by Nissan till a day before the final race day. Instead of being felicitated on the podium, Al Attiyah saw his prize going the other way as he was excluded on technical grounds after post-race the FIA scrutineering team found a suspension travel irregularities in his Mini All4 Racing car. As a result of the decision, Russia’s defending champion Vladimir Vasilyev, partnered by Konstantin Zhiltsov became the official winners in the cars category. The prize giving ceremony
took place at Yas Marina Circuit as the programme had to be shifted due to inclement weather conditions. ATCUAE President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Tarek Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, presented trophies to the winners in all categories at the conclusion of the event, which was held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western region. The winners included Russia’s Vladimir Vasilyev, who captured the cars title for the second year in a row, and Spain’s Marco Coma who secured the Desert Challenge bikes crown for the eighth time. Two trophies went to UAE competitors, with Ahmed Al Fahim taking winning the T3 buggies category and fellow-Emirati Mansour
Al Helei capturing the T2 production class cars title. Qatar’s Mohammed Abu Issa won the Desert Challenge quads crown for the second time in three years. The Desert Challenge was the second round of this year’s FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and the opening round of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship for bikes. The line-up of strategic partners included the Ruler’s Court in the Western Region, Western Region Municipality, Abu Dhabi Municipality, the UAE Army, Abu Dhabi Police, National Ambulance Service, Nissan, Yas Marina Circuit, ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Aviation, Al Ain Mineral Water, Abu Dhabi Waste Management, Rotana and Centro Hotels - Yas Island, Qasr Al Sarab Resort, Explorer and DP World.
Toyota has announced that it will unite all motorsports activities under GAZOO Racing. The move will clarify the role of Toyota’s motorsports in its efforts to make ever-better cars and foster new generations of car enthusiasts. Until now, Toyota has participated in competitions around the world-including the World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Super GT in Japan, and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance racethrough the separate Toyota Racing, Lexus Racing and GAZOO Racing teams. GAZOO Racing was created to expand the role of promoting motorsports. Toyota President Akio Toyoda said: “Our founder Kiichiro Toyoda once said that motorsports are vital to the evolution of car making and the entire auto industry. With this in mind, GAZOO Racing has carried out activities aiming to nurture our people, develop our cars, and inspire new car enthusiasts, under the belief that the roads build the people, and the people build the cars.” Toyota will participate in races and rallies under the team name Toyota GAZOO Racing. The first event was the Motor Sport Japan 2015 Festival in Odaiba. In private races such as Super GT where Lexus-brand vehicles are used, the Lexus GAZOO Racing logo will be displayed. In the same way as the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race was used to refine the Lexus LFA. Toyota plans to promote the hands-on methods of training its mechanics and engineers. The knowledge acquired during the development of the TS040 Hybrid for WEC is already being utilized in the development of future hybrid vehicles. Toyota will also integrate its motorsports-related marketing, vehicle development and technical support functions, previously managed by different divisions, into the new Motor Sports Group established on April 1, 2015. MAY 2015
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Can technology cure our vices? What is the most irritating thing that you face as a driver? Is it the traffic jam on the way home? Or is it the sonorous drone that your passenger chooses to highlight their snores as you drive through the night? Or could it be the poor signage that makes finding your destination about as difficult as searching for Alladin’s lamp in Ali Baba’s cave? While it may not be the single most irritating feature of driving, being tailgated is definitely up there with the most illustrious of the lot. In fact it’s so jarring that I seem to shoot off a diatribe once a year at the very least, which is saying a lot for a monthly column. I consider myself a good driver, nay, not just good, excellent. I may lack the edge of a professional race driver and the risk loving nature of a rally driver (I mean people who have actually competed, not the ‘real’ rally drivers that I meet in my profession). I’ve driven cars at insane speeds, or tricky courses and in pathetic conditions but have never been responsible for an accident. I know what my abilities are and can outmanoeuvre most drivers on the road. What do you expect me to do when a tailgater then trundles up on my tail in a lift-kit SUV with his LED lights joining his high beams in eye watering symphony? I have one of three choices – ignore him (like I do most times), move aside and let the idiot bug someone else (on days I couldn’t be bothered) or let him overtake and then bug him with a little lightshow of my own. It actually feels worse when a regular car is tailgating you. Which brings me to the moron in a Tucson who tried it. Switch to plan C and he quickly learnt what it feels like to be light bullied. I know its not unusual in the region or for that matter anywhere in the world. But you can’t argue that it is rather to o frequent for one’s liking in the GCC, where the perfect storm of money, easily acquired driving licence (or not), big and fast car and open roads brings out the tailgating monster. 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. Identify yourself or your message will be trashed and your id blocked
Dubai’s RTA has even partnered with a technology provider to equip their taxis with sensors and a radio (currently in trial phase) that informs the driver to back off if they get too close to another vehicle. Can something like this solve the problem? I don’t think so. Big brother may be of some use if it comes with penalties and loss of liberty or money, but nothing can replace education and a sense of courtesy. The good old way was learning that you leave the overtaking lane for cars to overtake, you moved back into the slower lane once you overtook and you indicated with a large margin when you were in a hurry and just had to rush through the third lane. Now hang on a minute, isn’t that how they drive on the autobahn? That’s the one place on Earth where you can’t find a slow car. It’s not as if accidents don’t happen there, but I’ve yet to meet my bête noire the tailgater there. You don’t need technology or radio-borne voices to learn to drive with a safe margin. That’s what a license is about. You learn to read the road, understand your vehicle, know what will happen when physics takes over when you lose control of your car and know that reaching the destination is far more important than charging through the minefield of today’s traffic to ‘almost’ reach home. It’s not that I don’t have too much faith in technology; it’s just that I am loaded up to my gunwales with an inherent distrust of human habit formation. The only way a tailgater will change is when he finds his face mashed up in the boot of the car ahead. By then, it will be too late for him and perchance a few others on the road. And no amount of technology will help then.
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