Autobloid Issue 1 by Deenar Press and Publishing

DRIVING YOUR DECISIONS

PRESENTATION

MAY 2011 ISSUE 1 A FREE MID-MONTHLY

TALE OF TWO

This little Mazda is a real joy to drive

Cool splash

It’s always a good time to visit Wadi Arbieen

REVIEWED

THE WRX APPEAL Small in size, big on power

DASHBOARD Editor-in-chief Hatim al Taie Managing Director Abdullah al Taie General Manager Rathish Ramachandran Asst. General Manager Terry Mathukutty Asst. Content Head Malcolm X Crasta Senior Designer Shyniben Koyakkil Photographer Shakeel al Balushi Sales Mary Gonzales Sami Dalwai

Sneha Solanki

Produced by

deenar press and publishing LLC

a supplement of

Correspodence can be addressed to AUTOBLOID PO Box 139, PC 102, Al Qurm, Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 2469 6868, Fax: +968 2469 3569 Email: autobloid@deenarmedia.com

printed at Oman printers and stationers © All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers; while every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information here in, or any consequences arising from it. All figures and values used in the tests are the sole property of AUTOBLOID and shall not be used, copied or quoted without permission.

Day of reckoning T

here have been few movies that we have awaited and gone promptly on a weekend afternoon, certain of empty seats either sides of our chairs. And when you finished the sun would still be up with the whole weekend left to enjoy. Let’s rewind a few years earlier, to a time when auto journos in Oman tried to convince advertisers that automotive readers are a unique sample. That you couldn’t take them in the same ‘readership’ statistics and equate it to factors influencing advertising. But no one listened. They all said the same mantra that’s always been handed down from one ‘professional generation’ to another: “Only Arabic advertising works, no one reads English.” We never disputed that, just that we didn’t have a way to show them that in case of automotive readership, motor-heads and casual drivers are partial to English medium to provide technical information. Our salvation arrived in the form of a movie poster. Diesel, Walker and Johnson posing over the chrome intake of the 1970 Dodge Charger – Fast and the Furious 5 had arrived! And so off we went, as we do for any much-awaited movie, on a warm Thursday afternoon for the 2pm show. We were surprised that the queue extended well out of Markaz al Bahja’s cinema carpeting, but dismissed it as keen interest in watching Fast Five. After 15 minutes, when we asked for our first show, we only received a disinterested

head-shake. What about the second? It was full. Third perhaps? No tickets. How about the last show for the day? Housefull. And so it went the following week too. Yes, including weekday afternoon shows. This has never happened before in Oman. Tell us, is this not the effect of the new generation? Why are we always presuming that Omanis read, listen and watch only Arabic. A Frenchman wouldn’t see Sound of Music in French, much less an Omani watching Vin Diesel dubbed in the national language. This goes for ‘watching’ a car magazine too – of course you can re-test this theory for Furious Six.

NEWS Try your luck

Volkswagen Middle East has launched an exciting new competition calling all Golf GTI enthusiasts across the Middle East to enter for the chance to win an all expenses paid trip to Austria. All those interested are asked to send in their entries by the May 10, 2011. Entries should include exciting GTI stories, images or videos, fond memories they may have of times spent with their beloved GTI or thrilling experiences they want to share with other members of their GTI family based here in Oman and across the Middle East – the person with the most interesting story to tell will win the amazing prize. Do not miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Entries should be sent to Volkswagen Middle East via their Facebook page at www. facebook.com/VolkswagenMiddleEast or by emailing GTI@volkswagen.avme.ae.

Charging in

Class of its own Mohsin Haider Darwish has just launched the all new 3.0 litre V6 XJ. This latest addition allows Jaguar to compete in a new segment of six-cylinder full size luxury sedans. This new engine has been tried and tested in the classleading XF sports saloon, and offers a commendable blend of performance and economy. The 3.0-litre engine boasts four valves per cylinder, quad overhead camshafts, variable cam phasing (VCP) technology and variable geometry air intakes. Furthermore, the car’s construction not only improves agility and performance but also fuel economy, achieving figures of 10.9 litres per 100km and emitting just 272g/km of CO2. The new model of the Jaguar XJ will be available at a price of RO29,995 with a five year/ 250,000 KM warranty.

Dhofar Automotive recently announced the arrival of the new Dodge Charger to Oman. With its iconic character, contemporary fastback four-door coupe proportions, worldclass performance, craftsmanship and refinement, and state-of-the-art connectivity features, the all-new 2011 Charger is the Dodge brand’s flagship, proudly delivering worldclass E-segment sedan precision and performance at an incredible value. The Charger is available as standard with the new 3.6l, Pentastar V6 engine. For maximum thrills, efficiency and best-in-class power, the new Charger line-up also includes the legendary 5.7l, HEMI V8 engine. A 6.4l, HEMI V8 powered model will also join the lineup in 2012.

Strategic move With effect from March 15 clients ordering a Ferrari California, 458 Italia or FF from the authorised dealership network in the Middle East will be entitled to a free seven-year scheduled maintenance programme. The programme covers the scheduled maintenance at standard service intervals (20,000km, or once a year, with no restriction on total kilometres) along with the relative original spare parts, engine oil and brake fluid. The advantage to the owner is the assurance that May 15 - June 14, 2011

the vehicle will be subject to regular annual inspection by Ferrari-trained personnel using factoryapproved dedicated diagnostic equipment. The Genuine Maintenance programme covers each individual vehicle, and thus extends to any eventual subsequent owner during the entire seven-year period.

The C-X factor Jaguar has finally confirmed that it will launch the remarkable C-X75 concept car as an exclusive hybrid supercar. When C-X75’s motors and combustion engine combine, it will be one of the fastest production cars in the world, with a sub-three second 0-60mph time and a top speed in excess of 200mph. Crucially, this performance will be generated alongside incredibly low emissions, with a target of less than 99g/ km CO2, thanks to Project C-X75’s lightweight construction and cuttingedge powertrain technology. Only 250 examples will be built, each costing between GBP700,000 and GBP900,000 (approx RO441,336 and RO567,343)depending on market and local taxes.

Totally aced

Care package With effect from March 15 clients ordering a Ferrari California, 458 Italia or FF from the authorised dealership network in the Middle East will be entitled to a free seven-year scheduled maintenance programme.

Audi is entering a new vehicle class with the new A1 arriving to Oman this month. Its highly modern design integrates the A1 into the Audi family. The large single-frame grille, the distinctive roof arch and coupe-like C-pillars are among its defining style elements. The interior of the A1 is surprisingly spacious, bright and airy. Innovative materials and modern colours emphasise the youthful character of the A1. There are even a variety of paint finishes for the roof arch. The newest Audi is fun to drive thanks to its sporty setup. Audi is rolling out the new model with a 122hp 1.4l, I4 TFSI engine, which impresses with exemplary fuel economy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a standard cycle value of 5.3l per 100km. It follows the downsizing principle by

substituting turbocharging for displacement and the recuperation system further helps to provide the efficiency that comes standard in the Audi A1. The Audi A1 starts from only RO10,500 and is available as of now. As a standard for the Middle East it comes with specially developed super hot country settings. Select models come with four years or 60,000 km service and three years warranty.

The programme covers the scheduled maintenance at standard service intervals (20,000km, or once a year, with no restriction on total kilometres) along with the relative original spare parts, engine oil and brake fluid. The advantage to the owner is the assurance that the vehicle will be subject to regular annual inspection by Ferrari-trained personnel using factory-approved dedicated diagnostic equipment. The Genuine Maintenance programme covers each individual vehicle, and thus extends to any eventual subsequent owner during the entire seven-year period.Â

TEST DRIVE

Rally Derived For any Rally enthusiast, the WRX is one vehicle they can’t help but fall in love with

he Subaru Impreza WRX and the STI are not exactly new vehicles but until recently we didn’t have the pleasure of driving these stunning machines in Oman.

The looks The model we tested was a ‘Spark Silver Metallic’ WRX. The Impreza isn’t exactly the best looking car you can find in its class. However, under the WRX guise the vehicle gets quite a makeover. The car is a bit wider with pronounced wheel arches, sportier bumpers front and rear, side skirts, sportier alloys and a ‘WRX’ emblazoned black grille. And if that wasn’t enough there is a massive gaping maw atop the hood to clear any doubts about the monster lurking under the hood.

Under the skin The ‘monster’ in question is a 2.5l fourcylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine with a STI-derived turbo dropped in for good measure. The end result is 265hp and a potent 244lb-ft of torque at 4,000

May 15 - June 14, 2011

rpm. Keeping the power in check and ensuring most of it actually makes it to the tarmac is a 5-speed manual transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive coupled with some 235mm thick rubber mounted on 17-inch rims. All the stopping business is taken care of by 4-wheel disc brakes with all manner of aids you can think of - 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

Performance On the road the WRX is an absolute riot. Floor the accelerator, nail each gear and you will see 100kmph on the dial in just under five seconds; a feat that few saloons can match and almost none will do so at this price point. Even more impressive is the fact that it is only very slightly slower than its STI brother in a straight line, a car which costs significantly more. On corners it does feel as though there is a considerable amount of body roll but the WRX manages to keep its composure well. While this softer suspension may go against the

philosophy of such a car, it does make it a lot more forgiving on a daily drive and besides, the incredible grip more than makes up for this. Only the brakes could use some improvement, they are good on a daily basis but not quite up to the task when driven really hard.

Inside the cabin On first impressions the cabin does feel a little plasticky but rest assured it is of very high quality and is well built and designed. All controls have a quality and chunky feel to them and the dials are easy to read. The seats are comfortable and supportive and offer up a sufficient enough range of adjustment for anyone to find a sweet spot. Visibility is also very good all round. One doesn’t buy a rally-derived vehicle and expect high levels of refinement. As such the WRX is a loud car and only gets louder when pushed. However the sound produced by the engine is full of character more than befitting a road-going rally car and one that no auto

Engine: 2.5l, Inline-4 turbo Control, Traction Control System, Brake Assist, ABS, EBD and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

Power: 265hp@6,000rpm

Conclusion

Available features: Power windows, Sports Seats, Automatic airconditioning system, 6-CD changer and 10 speakers, HID low beam headlamps, 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels, Power sliding and tilt-adjustable glass sunroof

The WRX is an incredibly powerful machine that will easily shame cars well more than twice its price. Despite this, it is only a few improvements away from perfection. All it really needs is a stiffer suspension, the Brembos from its bigger brother the STI and an extra cog in the gearing, bringing the total to six. But as it stands the WRX is still a very compelling option for any rally enthusiast. It handles well, has oodles of power, goes like scud and best of all it is very reasonably priced. Give the WRX a go, we guarantee it will leave you speechless.

Torque: 252lb-ft@4,000rpm Curb Weight: 1,460kg

Subaru Impreza WRX

enthusiast would ever complain about. Equipment levels in the car are also quite decent. The car we drove came equipped with high-intensity discharge headlights, sports seats, six-speaker audio system with single-disc in-dash CD player with MP3/WMA playback and iPod control, electronic cruise control and more. Safety equipment includes all the standards that you have come to expect of a car in this price range. This includes airbags all round, Vehicle Dynamics

ENCAP: Base Price: RO10,700

IMPRESSIONS Highs

Prodigious power and startling acceleration

Lows

Could use slightly better brakes

Verdict You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find a harder accelerating car at this price point

SHOW

New York

Auto Show The latest New York Auto Show took place at the Jacob Javits Center from April 22-May 1. It featured some of the hottest cars and trucks that we can expect in the coming year. Taking centre stage were brand new ‘11 and ‘12 production models alongside more concept vehicles than ever before. Here is a list of seven of our favourite cars at the show that are definitely, if they aren’t already, going into production. Let’s hope they all make it to Oman.

Mercedes C63 AMG ealed a stunning At the show Mercedes rev G. It is powered by a powerhouse – the C63 AM ximum output of 451hp 6.3l, V8 engine with a ma t. The coupe is capable lb-f 443 and peak torque of 96kmph in 4.4 seconds of accelerating from 0 to h (electronically with a top speed of 250kmp t are more than a tha ks limited). It even has loo e. match for its pac

A round up of our favourite production cars at this year’s show

Chrysler 300 SRT8 While the extern al changes are a welcome sight, it’s the monster inside that really matters. Under the hood of the new Chrysler 30 0 SRT8 lies the beating heart of a 6.4l, HEMI V8. Delivering an estimated 465 ho rsepower and 46 5lb-ft of torque, up 40 horsepowe r and 45lb-ft over the 6.1l HEMI V8 it replaces. Th e new vehicle is more than capable of sub fiv e-second 0-100km ph times.

Volkswagen Beetle Volkswagen has made a number of subtle changes throughout the design of the new beetle without diverting too far from the iconic shape of the original. But these changes do manage to bring forward a look that is bolder and more dynamic. From what we know so far, the new vehicle will be available with either a 2.5L five cylinder or a 2.0L TSI turbocharged engine. And as expected, Volkswagen’s acclaimed DSG dual-clutch transmission will also be offered.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 proven SRT formula, Designed and built using the kmph in 4.8 seconds, the new SRT8 runs from 0-96 ond range, can cover sec -16 0-160-0 kmph in the mid -13 second range, has a the quarter mile in the mid brakes from 96-0kmph top speed of 250kmph, and sports coupe we are lean in 116 feet. This isn’t some nd Cherokee! Gra p Jee a it’s talking about here;

Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Ford Shelby GTS Available with a either a V6 or V8, normally aspirated or superchar ged, the Shelby GTS is the spiritual successor of the popular 2007-2008 Ford Shelby GT. The post-ti tle package will start at USD9,995.00 (approx. OMR3,850), not includ ing the base car. Superchar gers and other option s are available that allo w buyers to personalis e their dream Shelby. A limited number of the Shelby GTS will be built and produc tion is scheduled to beg in in the fourth quarter of 2011.

May 15 - June 14, 2011

While there isn’t much in the way of visual changes, the addition of the ‘S’ means more power and performance. The power under the hood comes from the same twin-turbocharged 4.8l, V8 engine in the Panamera Turbo. However, in the S this powerplant generates 550 horsepowe r, 50 more than that of the Turbo. The torque is also increased significantly over the Turbo from 516 lb-ft to 553 lb-ft. Even more torque, a full 590lb -ft of it, is generated temporarily by the “Sport” and “Sport Plus” overboost mode of the standard Sport Chrono Package Turbo. In simplified ‘car talk’, this means the car can reach 96kmph in just 3.6 secon ds and has a top speed of 306kmph.

Jaguar XF The XF is finally going back to its 2007 C-XF Concept design roots that we all craved for . Along with the instantly not iceable, and much imp roved, headlights, the new XF also features a larger and more upright grille tha t is now recessed an inch deeper. The taillights have also been redesi gned with ‘light blade techno logy’ and now stretches into the decklid. The stunning new XFR als o gets the same design treatm ent along with a few extra tweaks for an improv ed driving experience .

QUICK SPIN

Two’s company Equipment levels are on par with what you would expect of similarly priced vehicles. Central locking, power windows and mirrors and a four-speaker audio system with CD and MP3 playback are all available as standard. On the safety front you get dual front airbags, ABS and EBD as standard.

he 2 is the most basic of Mazdas that one can buy but this little number will surely put a smile on your face. The new 2 follows the same design trend as all new Mazdas. While it is a good looking car, we are not as fond of the saloon’s back in comparison to the hatchback’s. Given a choice we would go for the latter. Inside the cabin the vehicle doesn’t quite share the smooth finish of its larger family members with hard plastics making up most of the dash. However, they are quite sturdy and built to last. This should come as no surprise considering Mazda’s record of reliability. Even the seats are well designed, comfortable and offer adequate articulation. While the steering was not adjustable for reach, it wasn’t very hard to find a comfortable driving position. Visibility and space were also above average, both in the front and rear. The boot in particular is quite spacious considering the vehicles compact dimensions. The dash layout is simple and user friendly with chunky controls and clearly labelled displays.

The little Mazda comes equipped with a 113hp 1.5l, inline-4 that is more than adequate for highway motoring. When you consider how light the 2 is, it comes as no surprise that the engine offers up brisk and smooth acceleration throughout the rev range and never really feels stressed. The car is also one of the more enjoyable cars in its class to drive. Its steering is a tad bit light but responsive and the car itself is quite sharp and grippy while cornering. Also, its suspensions are a bit stiffer than what you would commonly find in a car like this. While this may mildly hamper the ride comfort it does keep the body roll in check making it a worthy compromise. Refinement isn’t one of the strengths of the 2, with quite a bit of engine sound penetrating the cabin at higher revs. Thankfully at motorway speeds it is less. On the other hand, wind and road noise are kept in check.

Engine: 1.5l, Inline-4 Power: 113hp@6,000rpm Torque: 98lb-ft@4,000rpm Curb Weight: 1046kg

Mazda 2

The new Mazda 2 proves that small on price doesn’t necessarily mean small on fun

The Mazda 2 is a reasonably priced vehicle for its class and is quite well equipped. It is also quite fun to drive making it a very compelling purchase if you are looking for a good budget family car.

Available features: 4-Speed automatic transmission, central locking, power windows and mirrors, ABS, EBD, dual front airbags, CD-MP3 player with four speakers, auxiliary audio input ENCAP: Base Price: RO5,200

IMPRESSIONS Lot more fun to drive than the price or power suggest Lows We prefer the looks of the hatch over the saloon Verdict A well equipped, reasonably priced and fun family car Highs

CONCEPT

Sporting Edge Toyota seems to have finally gotten back its sporting edge with the new Scion FR-S Concept

t’s been a long wait since the glory days of the Supra and the Celica, when Toyota was well known for their performance coupes. With the exception of the MR2, which also stopped production in 2007, there hasn’t been a single true performance sports coupe from the Japanese manufactures since. Then in 2007, at the North American International Auto Show, Toyota showcased the FT-HS and suggested that it could fill the place of the Toyota Supra. Then two years later at the Tokyo motorshow, the FT-86 Concept, manufactured jointly by Toyota and Subaru, was put on show. This year at the recently held 2011 New York Auto Show, Toyota gave us the closest look yet at the concept in the form of the Scion FR-S. The FR-S Concept, which stands for front-engine, rear-wheel drive, sport, will inspire a new model expected to be coming to the Scion (and subsequently Toyota) brand next year. The naturally-aspirated engine is innovative, being the first boxer to incorporate Toyota’s D4-S injection system, which utilises both direct and port injection, resulting in increased horsepower and torque throughout the entire powerband without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The flat-four can mate with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Power is distributed effectively via a limited-slip differential.

May 15 - June 14, 2011

The fierce looking exterior of the FR-S is a good reflection of its inner power. The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood-line that is remarkably sleek and low. The low stance continues to exaggerate the FR-S’ menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights that include bright LED clusters. The front fenders protrude upward, making space for the massive monoblock Five Axis 20x8.5-inch wheels, while the muscular rear fenders are widened to house the 20x10.5-inch wheels, emphasizing the FR-S’ rear-wheeldrive setup. The concept features four-piston-caliper front brakes that clamp down on monstrous 18-inch

carbon ceramic rotors. The rear fascia sits low and wide, with extensive lower treatments that surround the dual exhaust tips and contribute to excellent aerodynamics. LEDs illuminate both the taillights and the “SCION” logo. As stunning as it looks, chances are extremely slim we will see those striking rims and brakes in the production car. All we are hoping for is that Toyota keeps the rest of the look intact. If the company does so, then the car has already sold us on its looks; now we will just have to wait to get behind the wheel to make our final judgements.

Evergreen

EXPLORER

Poornima Ramani takes a trip to Wadi Arbieen and rediscovers the beauty of our mountains

hen I think of Oman, the first thing that pops to mind are mountains, not only because there are a copious amount of them, but mainly due to people who are constantly talking about them. To me, one mountain is as good enough as another. But on a recent trip to Wadi Arbieen, the mountains surrounding me were so stunning, I felt like I had ‘rediscovered’ their beauty. A mix and match of geological appeal, the smooth rock surfaces were surrounded by serrated ones, forming beautiful patterns. As it was very hot during the day, we decided to leave Muscat around 3pm. We were sure to arrive at the wadi by 5pm, by which time the sun’s heat would have cooled down a bit and the water in the pool would be at a perfect temperature to take a dip. We drove towards the Wadi Hatat roundabout where we set the odometer to zero. From this roundabout we took a right heading towards Amerat. We kept heading straight and hit the first roundabout at about 9km and the second at 11km. This roundabout looked beautiful with its nicely carved conch placed on top of a pillar. We headed straight after the second roundabout and crossed two others at 13km and 15km respectively, finally reaching the popular Al Hajr roundabout at 16.7km, decorated with a golden eagle. We took a left at this roundabout and headed towards Sur, continuing to drive till we reached a sign directing us to the Wadi Arbieen exit. The odometer reading was around 100km. We took a right at the T-junction and after about 17km reached the wadi.

As we neared the wadi, we could see the glimmer of water appear every so often and eagerly anticipated the moment we would dip our legs into the cool pools. When we reached the wadi I was, however, a bit disappointed not to see anyone around, except for some swimmers who were just leaving. But when I started scrambling over the rocks to reach the waters, we came across some unwanted company. Frogs, by the dozen, kept jumping around on the rocks and they seemed to know the easiest rocks to scale and guided us to the wadi pools.

Although the water level wasn’t very high, many of the pools were deep enough to dive into and take a swim in. Just two hours drive away from Muscat this wadi has water all year round where you can be sure of finding deep water pools. After a 20-minute exploration of the wadi we started our drive back to Muscat. The journey hadn’t been

too tiring and we were welcomed back to the city with a stream of bright lights. Finally, we were back to civilisation and a long hot shower to get rid of the small stones that found their way into our shoes.

Vehicle courtesy of General Automotive Company 11

CAR TECH Mini Folding Bike Mini has developed a bicycle which, when folded, fits into the boot of almost every vehicle – and most definitely into the Mini. The Folding Bike presents itself as a genuine high-tech vehicle: high-quality components, a light-weight aluminium frame and a clever folding mechanism make the trendy bike the ideal companion while travelling. The bike can be folded and unfolded in just a few seconds. The bike can easily match the riding characteristics of a “normal” bike. Weighing less than 11kg and equipped with eight gears and 20-inch wheels, it is quick and versatile. Also, the tefloncoated chain prevents annoying soiling caused by chain oil and reduces the wear and tear on the components.

Bentley Edition ‘Carte Blanche’

Montante for Maserati 8CTF The new Montante for Maserati 8CTF was designed to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Wilbur Shaw’s victory of the 500 miles of Indianapolis behind the wheel of a Maserati 8CTF. The Montante is produced in a limited edition of just 200 pieces individually numbered. The bicycles are made-to-measure to fit the rider perfectly. They are also made to order and are available through the online Maserati Store: www.maseratistore.com at a price of EUR3,600 (approx. RO2,050) plus shipping.

Edox X-treme Pilot III Limited Edition Designed for WRC drivers, the new Xtreme Pilot III Limited Edition is in ultralight titanium, with some components finely coated in black PVD for a decidedly virile look. The movement, rotated through 180 degrees, makes for instinctive and enjoyable use. As ever, the WRC collection features many inspired details: wheel rims actually embossed on the case back, green, oversize push-piece in anodised aluminium and a tachymeter scale on the dial for measuring objects in motion. The shock-resistant watch is a real tool for drivers. It is limited to 1,000 exclusive pieces and comes in a personalised case.

Dos and Don’ts of

Defensive driving • Always keep track of all cars around you at all times; it is one of the best ways to know if one has moved into a blind spot. • Never trust another driver to do the right thing on the road; in fact, always be prepared for them to do the opposite. • Try to keep an eye on brake lights of the car ahead of the one in front of you and when braking always do so slightly harder than required. This will make sure the person behind you has more time than required to react and if he fails to do so you will have a greater distance in front of you to compensate. • Be aware when approaching traffic lights, there is no guarantee that every driver can stop before a red light. Similarly, beware of cars coming from a junction ahead, decelerate and get your right foot ready to press the brake pedal, because you never know when they may crash into your car unconsciously.

May 15 - June 14, 2011

Brought to you by

To celebrate the release of Carte Blanche, the new James Bond book by Jeffery Deaver, publisher Hodder & Stoughton has partnered with Bentley Motors to create an exclusive Bentley special edition. Each copy of the special edition is custom-produced to Bentley’s exacting standards and arrives inside a stunning metal case. The result is a striking and unique collector’s item. The special edition is strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide at a price of GPB1,000 each (approx. RO635). They will be available to pre-order worldwide through www.007carteblanchebentley. com. The editions will be delivered after publication date.

QUICK SPIN

White Streak With 270 rampaging horses under the hood, the new R20 is the most powerful production golf ever built

ecently introduced to Oman, the new Volkswagen Golf R20 fills the gap left by the R32. While we couldn’t get hold of one in time for a full review we did get enough seat time to give you our first impressions.

On the inside, there are a number of styling cues that distinguish it from its lesser siblings. There are the two-tone alcantara and cloth seats which are extremely supportive and offer a huge range of adjustment to help the driver get comfortable. It is also equipped with the same flat-bottomed steering wheel as in the GTI and has drilled aluminium pedals. Golfs have always been known for their practicality and refinement; thankfully the R20 hasn’t compromised any of this during its high-performance transformation. As an added bonus, the engine produces a nice rumble at idle growing to full blown roar when you open the

taps. It even pops and sputters with each gearshift, sounds that can get truly addictive. Under the hood, the R20 gets rid of the old 3.2l, V6 in exchange for a boosted high-tech 2.0l, inline-4 TSI; hence the R20 nomenclature. As mentioned before, the power output stands at 270hp@6,000rpm with the torque rated at 258lb.ft@2,500rpm. You will see 100kmph in just 5.5s all the way to an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph. Suffice to say this is one fast car and it even has a ton of grip during cornering thanks the all-wheel drive keeping things in check. As good as the car was, and it was brilliant, it didn’t feel quite as sharp or immediate as the GTI. It felt more like a grand tourer in comparison, a trait shared by its fore bearer. That said, despite the short time we spent with the R20, we came away truly impressed.

Engine: 2.0l, Inline-4 TSI Power: 270hp@6,000rpm Torque: 258lb-ft@2,500rpm Curb Weight: 1,520kg ENCAP:

Volkswagen R20

For starters, let’s get over the obvious difference in looks. The R20 is a lot less discreet than the GTI, boldly flaunting its high-speed intentions with its massive air intakes flanking each side of the bumper and 19-inch rims encapsulating massive 17-inch ventilated discs and R-specific callipers, rounded off at the rear with the iconic mid-mounted twin exhaust tips. Two of the more identifying visual features of the vehicle are the newly developed LED taillights and the LED daytime running lights.

Available features: Rear view camera, all-round airbags including drivers knee airbag, Cruise control, RCD 510 touch screen 6 CD autochanger/radio system, 6-speed DSG Base Price: RO16,550

IMPRESSIONS

Highs A huge improvement over the R32 Lows Doesn’t feel quite as agile as the GTI Verdict A Hot Hatch that drives like a Tourer

FEATURE BEHIND THE LOGO

Spyker

In 1898 two brothers, Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker, coachbuilders in Amsterdam, built their first Benz-engined motorcar, with which they won immediate acclaim for the craftsmanship of their bodywork. From there on the company had great success and even became known as ‘the Rolls Royce of the continent’. However, in the period

The wire wheel represents the company’s automotive endeavours

preceding World War 1, a worldwide slump in the luxury car market forced the company to merge with Dutch Aircraft Factory N.V. and start developing and building

The horizontal propeller

aircraft. Soon after, in 1915, the company introduced the

across the wheel

slogan ‘Nulla tenaci invia est via’ and a logo that is still

represents the company’s

being used today.

GAMING

heritage in aviation

The slogan ‘Nulla tenaci invia est via’ translates to ‘For the tenacious no road is impassable’

Motorstorm is back and it’s better than ever before

Total Destruction Every successive Motorstorm has moved to a new locale and terrain. Apocalypse keeps this tradition alive, this time taking place in a devastated city constantly ravaged by nature. This is also the first time there is a story attached to the campaign. The narrative is quite shallow and not particularly interesting but it merely serves as a medium to move from race to race. This is not really an issue since the racing is where Motorstorm’s heart truly lies and this time it is better than ever before. All the old tiers of vehicles, right from basic ATVs all the way to Monster Trucks, are back alongside a host of new ones, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Also in keeping with tradition are more intricately designed tracks along with their various alternate routes and expected shortcuts. This time however, Apocalypse has upped the ante

by taking a page from Split Second. Major and minor catastrophes devastate the track as you race through them at breakneck speeds. But unlike its inspiration these are not player controlled and take place mostly at random. Some of these can be as gigantic as a bridge collapsing onto the track or a ship crashing through the pier that you are racing on. Either way these will change the environment and the track itself in unexpected ways and adds an unmatched sense of tension and fun to each race. The races take place at such speeds and are host to such levels of chaos that you will need the reflexes of a fly to win one without crashing at least once. On the other hand, the controls are much tighter this time making it much easier and a lot less frustrating to cope with these fast-paced races. Multiplayer, in terms of race types is identical to the

single player but incorporates a perks system to give players an edge over the competition. Depending on your performance in these multiplayer races, you are awarded coins to level up and access better perks. Unfortunately all the chaos from the single player campaign doesn’t make it into multiplayer races greatly toning down the thrill. And the new game is still plagued by the spotty match making of the older game, often placing low level racers against top tier players. However, there is a new wager system in place that does offset this; making unfair races that little bit more worthwhile. The visuals have always been a strong point of the series and Apocalypse doesn’t disappoint at all. In fact, it takes things up a notch with its spectacular lighting, sharp textures, detailed car models and absolutely epic environmental destruction. If you ever wanted a game that can truly sell you on its ‘end of days’ setting, look no further, Apocalypse is the one for you.

May 15 - June 14, 2011

CARtoon Corner>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

DIRECTORY CAR DEALERS

Toy Story Here’s a Mazda 626 probably owned by a kid who couldn’t let go his toys. If you look closely, even the car’s badge is made of magnetic alphabets.

BUMPER STICKER

“I had a life... but my job ate it!”

AUTOQUiZ

Aston Martin.....................................................24694436 Audi........................................................................24584500 Bentley.................................................................24584500 BMW......................................................................24567108 BYD..........................................................................24523200 Cadillac.................................................................24561788 Chevrolet..............................................................24561788 Chrysler.................................................................24584530 Citroen...................................................................24584500 Daihatsu..............................................................24578000 Dodge...................................................................24584530 Ferrari....................................................................24699060 Ford.........................................................................24578000 GMC........................................................................24591261 Harley Davidson.............................................24489428 Honda...................................................................24560391 Hummer..............................................................24561788 Hyundai...............................................................24561788 Infiniti.....................................................................24560111 Isuzu......................................................................24563287 Jaquar...................................................................24523200 JEEP.........................................................................24584530 Kawasaki............................................................24489428 Kia...........................................................................24578000 Lamborghini......................................................24484700 Land Rover.........................................................24523200 Lexus......................................................................24578000 Lotus.......................................................................24484700 Maserati..............................................................24699060 Maybach.............................................................24562077 Mazda..................................................................24526650 Mercedez............................................................24562077 MG...........................................................................24523200 MINI........................................................................24567108 Mitsubishi...........................................................24584500 Nissan...................................................................24560111 Peugeot................................................................24584500 Porsche.................................................................24492544 Renault.................................................................24560111

Rolls Royce........................................................24567108 SsangYong.........................................................24561788 Skoda....................................................................24584500 Subaru..................................................................24561788 Suzuki....................................................................24571110 Toyota....................................................................24578000 Volkswagen.......................................................24584500 Volvo......................................................................24523200 Yamaha...............................................................24584500

CAR RENTAL

4X4..........................................................................24798437 Avis..........................................................................24400888 Budget..................................................................24683999 Europcar...............................................................24700190 Elegant..................................................................24571951 Hertz.......................................................................24625200 Mark.......................................................................24562444 Thrifty.....................................................................24489248 Value Plus..........................................................24817964

Police Stations

Muscat Police Headquarters..................24560021 Al Amerat Police Station............................24875999 Al Azaiba Police Station............................24521099 Al Qurum Police Station............................24560099 Baushar Police Station...............................24600099 Darsait Police Workshop..........................24799492 Muttrah Police Station................................24712211 Nizwa Police Station....................................25425222 Port Sultan Qaboos Police Station.....24711499 Quriyat Police Station..................................24845555 Ruwi Police Station.......................................24701099 Salalah Police Station.................................23290099 Seeb Police Station.......................................24420099 Wattayah Police Station............................24566538

others

Arabian Automobile Alliance.................24605555 Oman Automobile Association.............24510630 Sayarti Autocare..............................................24500777

Match these famous cars with the movies they starred in.

(a) Dukes of Hazzard

(b) Knight Rider

(d) Transformers

(e) The Love Bug

(f) Gone in 60 Seconds

Name.................................................................................................................... Age.............................Mobile.............................................................................. Email..................................................................................................................... Occupation.......................................................................................................... Company.............................................................................................................

WIN

Fax your entries to 24693569 or email to autoQUIZ@autobloid.com

Please send us your entries by 5th of June for a chance to win a Maisto model car

Car Owned........................................................................................................... Employees and their families of AUTOBLOiD / DPP, Zubair Automotive cannot participate in the quiz. Judges’ decision is final. Correspondence after the entry deadline will not be entertained. Please write clearly. Incomplete or illegible entries will be disqualified. Winner must provide valid ID to claim prize. Allow up to two weeks to process. The image shown for the gift is for illustrative purposes only. Actual prize may differ.