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Dubai onal ati n r e t n I how S r o t Mo tain cur r raise Issue 131
October 2017
Gulf Auto Zone
Redefining luxury and safety www.gazgroup.com Gaz_Magazine Gaz Magazine
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Tested bentley continental GT
editor’s note
OCT 2017 ISSUE 131 CGAZ709
GAZ looks up, bringing cars that one should aspire for, on our covers. The Mercedes Benz S450 is one that the youngster can aspire to own without much delay. The features and the benefits of owning the car come very close to you. Time for the entrepreneur in you to take a jolt and take the jump so you earn big enough. Another super car for the rich -- the Bentley Continental GT 2017 was taken for a test drive. We give you the lows and highs of what makes this car one to aspire for. The Renault Captur really captures the hearts of those wanting to immediately lay their hands on something that belongs to the middle income group yet is trendy. In a simuilar group is the MG 360. Savour the nitty gritties of these cars so you are ready to make an informed buy.
GAZ Team CEO/Editor-in-chief Ebrahim Al Khaja Managing Editor Arif Al Khaja Production Director Sawsan Al Khaja Editor Arrackal Alexander M.
We also look at the Yamaha Sports boat 242 XE series -- for those with the love of the sea and looking to having some excitement riding the wave. It is a great boat to spend the weekend with the family, should you have the finances or even if the dealer be able to give the vessel on hire.
Graphic Designer & Online Editor Hassan Aldoy
Featured in this issue are a lady rider -- Anna The Rider, who enjoys the sheer freedom of riding to keep her on the Harley Davidson that is a part of her. Then is MSK Racing, a motor bike racing team that you could join for a little to learn the basics of motorcycling and that in all safety.
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Ali Bu Nader, the passionate automobile photographer and his works displayed I am sure will make those with the cameras and paraphernelia to get out and start taking photos.
Design & Lay-out Consultant Ammar Alsadiq
Marketing & Sales
Accounts ABz Invest
Photography
Should you have something to talk about -- perhaps an old car or super old motorcycle in good and super working condition, call us and let us talk. If you think somebody has given you a bad time with your car service or changing your used tyres or even your insurance agent has not given you a good service, call us and talk on gaz@gazgroup. com. We wait to hear you talk.
MK Studios Moh’d AlKhaja Aziz Al Kharaz
The Bahrain weather is changing from scorching to mild and beautiful before it changes to the winter. Enjoy this good weather and tell us about the good places and riding experiences. Share it through GAZ. Let it be You and us.
Test Drivers Osama Buflasa Ahmed Al Khaja Carina Abdul Rahman
Every page in our magazine is a dedication to the entire automobile aficionados all around and for sure you can feel it when you flip through. We as a team have tried our best to strive hard and touch perfection. But, the driving force is always the opinion and genuine criticism from you our readers. So, please give us your feedback on our style of presentation at Gaz@gazgroup.com. Enjoy and experience the ride, lets move together. Cheers! For Editorial / Advertising Contact Gulf Auto Zone (Journalism, Publishing & Distribution), P.O. Box 33603, Kingdom of Bahrain. E-mail: gaz@gazgroup.com Tel: (+973) 17 000920, Fax: (+973)17 930090 Distributed by Al-Ayam Corp
Editor-in-chief Ebrahim Al Khaja
Publisher:
The information presented in this magazine was verified for its correctness from various sources. Any error, omission or inaccuracy thereafter will not be a legal responsibility of the magazine. The materials used in this magazine are the exclusive property of GAZ Journalism, Publishing & Distribution. No reproduction in any form is allowed except after receiving a written permission from the company.
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Gaz Magazine
Printed at Awal Press. Bahrain.
contents 06
NEWS Launches Motoring Updates Motoring Economics
MARINE
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242 XE series PLVS: VLTRA
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COVER STORY Mercedes S-Class
TEST DRIVE
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Bentley Continental GT Renault Captur MG 360
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EVENTS Race Car Show Rides
GAZMAN
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DIMS’ 17 NEWS
UAE supercar expected at DIMS’17
Dubai: The world’s leading automotive industry players will converge into the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from November 14-18, to celebrate the Dubai International Motor Show 2017 (DIMS ’17). Their focus will be leveraging the Middle East’s enduring affinity with all things motoring and drive increased regional sales. UAE-based supercar manufacturer Devel, unveiling a production version of the Devel Sixteen is expected to be among the stars. In 2013 the company had debuted the 5,000-brake horse power prototype. This year’s DIMS, the 14th in the biennial event’s history, has attracted more than 150 automotive manufacturers from all over. Machos of the auto industry will rub shoulders with the upstarts at the five-day Dubai show. New model displays are expected to surpass the 18 global and 139 regional launches seen at the 2015 event in 2015. “The international automotive industry has its gaze firmly fixed on the Middle East because the region’s affinity with motoring and consumers’ enduring preference to regularly upgrade to the latest model ensures a good sales market,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre. “The 14th DIMS is the platform for major manufacturers and automotive suppliers to network with thousands of potential buyers from across the UAE, wider GCC and beyond.”
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IHS Markit, a leader in critical information, analytics and solutions, forecasts global light vehicle sales growth of 1.5 per cent this year. The real numbers are expected to touch 93.5 million sold units. Alpen Capital report suggests that the number of passenger cars in the GCC is expected to grow at 5 per cent compounded annual growth rate from an estimated 10.2 million in 2015 to 13.2 million in 2020. Over the same period, new car sales are projected to hit 1.4 million by 2020 compared with 1.2 million in 2015. UAE new car projections for 2020 is 267,000, compared with 215,000 in 2015. In a similar tone sales of new cars in Saudi Arabia are expected to reach 743,000 in 2020. “The Middle East’s love affair with the automobile continues to inspire confidence, with regional sales per capita expected to outstrip market performance in other areas of the world,” added LohMirmand. The region’s robust sales market is exactly what has attracted Devel, Ford and Chevrolet back to the show. Majid Al Attar, Chairman, Devel, said: “As a homegrown, Devel is committed to the show. It is the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our cars to serious petrol heads and enthusiasts from across the Middle East and beyond.
With the Dubai mega show’s enduring status as a major automotive showcase for the international industry, giant North American manufacturers are also predicting a prosperous event. Ahmed Soudodi, Head of Brand at Chevrolet Middle East, added: “We’re excited to showcase Chevrolet’s design, performance and technology credentials to the region’s leading Auto Show. We are bringing our best-ever Chevrolet line-up to the Dubai International Motor Show this year.” Crystal Worthem, Marketing Director, Ford Middle East and Africa, added: “The Dubai International Motor Show is a key event for Ford. We can’t wait to surprise and delight our Middle East customers as we debut some of our most exciting products from both the Ford and Lincoln brands in the region.” DIMS expects specialised sectors for motorbikes, which will house a mammoth TT Custom Choppers stand; tuning and accessories; and luxury lifestyle; while the likes of Prato and Rimal will be making a noise in the dedicated supercar zone. Other special features at the show include the Future Car Tech Zone, featuring Ignition Live in association with Motoring Middle East – a dedicated forum where global automotive leaders
will deliver insights into technologies shaping the industry, host seminars on off-roading and offer tips on how to be a car star on social media. The interactive family-focused event will also feature motoring simulators for children and adults and, for the first time in the show’s history, a test drive area at Za’abeel Hall 3 where visitors can register to test out selected models on a designated route around DWTC. With manufacturers including Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan due to stage interactive, brand-themed outdoor experiences for visitors, the ‘Touch the Truck’ competition in association with Wheels magazine will challenge visitors to keep their hands on a truck while being distracted, with the last person with their hands on the truck winning the vehicle outright. The 2017 show will remain open from 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm on Tuesday, 14 November; 11.00 am to 10.00 pm on November 15; 11.00 am to 11.00pm on November 16 and 17 and 11.00 am to 10.00 pm on November 18. Online day tickets are available from only AED50. On-site tickets start from AED 65 for single-day entry or AED 100 for a two-day ticket, with children under 12 entering free. Children under 16 years of must be accompanied by an adult.
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DIMS’ 17 Dubai International Motor Show, as the region’s premier automotive event, held every two years, celebrates its 14th edition this year. Riju George - Portfolio Director speaks on the 2017 fair. About this show: It’s a must-attend for manufacturers, distributors, industry specialists and key buyers from around the world, as well as discerning motoring enthusiasts. This year’s five day event, from November 14 to 18 at Dubai World Trade Centre, will be a haven for car enthusiasts. Expected is an array of concept cars, supercars, global and regional launches, including the world’s fastest quad bike, and more on the show floor. Our Future Car Tech Zone will demonstrate the confluence of the car and technology industries, and shine the spotlight on how state-of-theart developments are changing the way people drive. The show will pump adrenaline as we strive to put visitors behind the wheel of high-speed cars in our Race Room Simulators, and thrill them with drifting experiences through our partnership with Dubai Autodrome. Leading manufacturers Toyota, Nissan, Jaguar and Land Rover will bring outdoor experiences to this year’s show, while visitors also get the opportunity to test
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drive models from some of the world’s most sought-after brands. The show will welcome in excess of 100,000 visitors from more than 70 countries. They will witness more than 15 global launches, hundreds of regional reveals and 15 concept cars being presented by leading automotive companies and brands. The brands debuting at this show: As the motor show’s repute has grown over the years so too have requests from exhibitors to be involved as they identify the possibilities and potential associated with this prestigious event. With each edition we welcome new brands and appearing for first time this year will be products from Rodin, Borgward, Devel 16, Shaali N360, Karlmann King, Auto Millennium/Llumar, Engler, Linford Motorsport, Icona, Prato, Rimac, Apollo Tyres (EXHIBITED IN 2015), Low & Co UK and Goodyear. Major achievements inception:
of
DIMS
the full visitor experience that caters to all age groups, with a firm focus on creating a family affair. Brands most popular with the attendees: With the diversity on offer at the show we attract visitors from all walks of life, with a variety of automotive tastes and interests. Our show sees attendance from ultimate petrol heads, bikers, HNWIs, VIPS, families and trade visitors. As we expect 150 exhibitors at the show floor this year, this year’s event guarantees there will be something for everyone. Importance of DIMS to the luxury car industry:
Dubai offers the perfect location to host an automotive show of this magnitude. According to The Wealth Report, there will be a 50 per cent growth in UNHWIs based in Dubai in the next decade and the World Ultra Wealth Report states that billionaires in the Middle East – with a combined net worth of $354 billion collective have a higher percentage of wealth than in any other region. These statistics, coupled with the fact that consumers in the UAE spent $4.8 billion on cars and other vehicles in 2016, highlight the important role the Dubai show plays in the regional and global luxury car industry. Indeed, the supercar area at this year’s show will be 25 per cent bigger than in 2015 as a result of visitor interest.
its
The Dubai International Motor Show has evolved since its beginning in 1991. It now is the largest and most respected automotive show in the Middle East and North Africa region. The show has proved its ability to bring together a major cross-section of the motor industry, from leading car manufacturers, to premium product providers, distributors, industry specialists, key buyers and passionate petrolheads. It is the venue for many global and regional launches. The testament to the show is that we are not simply a distributor show, we offer
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NEWS
Encouraging response to DRTE
The Ducati Regional Track Experience (DRTE) of September 22, 2017, held at the Bahrain International Circuit, had over 50 participants. The event, organized by the Wheels of Arabia, is an idea of gathering Bahrain’s motorcycle dealers and owners to experience riding on track and being trained by professional riding instructors from DUCATI Italy. ‘’Our endeavour is to provide world-
class training haven for motorcyclists using the BIC. It’s a real privilege and honour to be trained by Dario Marchetti this year as well,’ said Abdulrahman Almoayed – Director, Wheels of Arabia. The Italian Marchetti, is the Chief instructor of the Ducati Riding Experience (DRE). His racing honours include four national titles, the 2001 Italian Endurance Championship on a Ducati 996R, the 2004 Battle of the
Twins race at Daytona aboard a 748, and the European Endurance Championship later that year on a 998 and 999R. In addition to the DRTE, Wheels of Arabia also launched the DESMO club -- a Ducati owners motor biking club in Bahrain. The club aims to facilitate motorcycling rides, idea/techniqueexchange and a community feel among the Ducati owners, promoting safety and awareness.
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genesis G70 enters korean market
The much-awaited Genesis G70 was launched at a special festival in Seoul’s Olympic Park on September 15. The luxury performance sedan was officially brought to the Korean market for sale on September 20. Timing for its rollout in other markets will be announced soon. The G70 has a choice of three different powertrains - a turbocharged 3.3-litre gasoline V6, a 2.0- litre turbocharged
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gasoline I4, and 2.2- litre I4 diesel. The Lambda II 3.3-liter V6 turbo GDI engine is the heart of the enthusiast-focused G70 Sport, with 370 PS and maximum torque of 52.0kgf·m, 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.7 seconds, and a top speed of 270 km/h. It also incorporates numerous advanced driver assist systems, and a high level of connectivity with serverbased voice recognition technology
using Kakao Corp’s artificial intelligence platform. Genesis designers employed premium materials throughout, including aluminum door handles, quilted leather door panels, metal speaker grilles and high-quality soft touch surfaces, in a wide range of unique and sophisticated color options. Nappa leather seats further add to the dynamic yet elegant interior.
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NEWS
Motorcity unveils the upgraded HINO 500 Series
Manama: The new HINO 500 Series was unveiled to Bahrain by Motorcity, the sole distributor in the Kingdom of Bahrain at the Gulf Hotel. The event was attended by key customers and the management of HINO Motors and Motorcity. The New 500 Series, which leads the way towards the next generation of HINO technology, incorporates new approaches, including emotional elements throughout the development and manufacturing process. The aim is to enhance, not only the performance of each component, but also assembly
precision and overall product quality. The new 500 Series HINO trucks are enhanced with higher GVW (26 tonnes), stronger front axle capacities (7,500 kg), longer chassis (up to 7.4m), 6x4 chassis configurations, 40T GCM 4x2 tractor units, specially designed off road cabins, and full air brakes with ABS & Euro 3 engines with higher HP and torque. They are also now equipped with semi floating cab and air suspension driver’s seats which fit any body shape and ensure smoother and fatigue free driving even in off road conditions. The new
seats provide additional riding comfort through an increased slide range that enables a greater range of driver heights to be accommodated. HINO, being a group company of the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), represents its parent company in the global market for light, medium and heavy duty trucks and buses. In Bahrain, HINO is the first Japanese brand to introduce the Euro 3 engine and Fully Automatic Transmission in the light duty segment.
Frankfurt sees new Continental Gran Tourismo The Continental Gran Tourismo (GT2018), from Bentley, was unveiled at the media presentation in the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Continental GT was designed and handcrafted in the UK and offers a new look with more power and technology, squeezed into a lighter package. Chairman and CEO Wolfgang D¸rheimer said: ìToday is a defining moment for Bentley Motors. We build on our recent success story and look to the future with a new car that will set new standards in luxury grand touring. Today we introduce a car that is the ultimate in extraordinary design, technology and innovation. When Bentley launched the original Continental GT in 2003 it established an entirely new market segment ñ the modern luxury grand tourer. ìToday, Iím convinced that we are redefining this segment again. It is an honour to replace a car that has ñ for 14 years ñ been the benchmark against which all other grand tourers are judged.î The new industrial design has been refined and improved by the automaker, with the changes most obvious at the rear of the car.
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Looking at the new GT, the new lines and curves are married to the chrome grille and air intakes. Continental GT is also more powerful than its predecessor with a mighty 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine under the bonnet capable of delivering 626bhp and 900Nm of max torque. The team at Bentley has created a centre console which rotates between three different faces, reminiscent of the licence plate on James Bondís car in Goldfinger. The three screens it can
toggle between are the main 12.3-inch touchscreen, there analogue gauges (a chronometer, compass and temperature dials) or alternatively a piece of veneer which disguises the whole completely. Bentleyís wraparound wooden veneer interior help to give the car a premium appearance as do the uniquely designed leather seats. It also sports Audiís Virtual Cockpit design which has a night time feature which has been designed to reduce distraction and glare.
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NEWS
heavy workhorses to urban elite carriers
Dubai: Trucks were born out of necessity in the 1900s with farmers and tradespeople transporting heavy loads and customizing their vehicles to transport various goods and merchandise, have evolved to become an expression of personality or occupation. Consumers at one period of time looking for work purposes looked at the truck. The line now is blurring. Of significance is the the Middle East where trucks have become ships of the desert. They transport people across the dunes with ease and comfort. Truck manufacturers like GMC, have played a pivotal role in the growth of the region over the last 91 years that they are seen as part of the culture and way of life in the GCC. At the beginning of the twentieth century, American automotive companies began to expand their horizons. Over time, an increasing number of automakers in the segment, trying to outdo competition, created trucks that were bigger, stronger, and more agile. Today, the truck segment has grown exponentially – even overtaking midsize sedan sales in the first quarter of 2017 in the USA. The saying ‘competition is healthy’ was especially true with the truck sector. In the 1930s more companies entered the fray with new engineering developments designed to unseat the competition. Trucks then were powered by a V4 or V6
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engine, before the game-changing V8 came into play with more power. Shortly afterwards, four-wheel drive meant that trucks could go almost anywhere and have greater carrying capacity with 2.3-meter or 2.7-meter beds for cargo. Fierce competition in the segment led to driver friendly trucks with automatic transmission, independent front suspension, power brakes and steering. This allowed less experienced drivers to operate heavy-duty trucks that were able to haul up to 4,500 kilograms. Before long, the truck attracted a new demographic - the urban driver.
In the 1990s, the GMC Syclone was turbocharged and intercooled with a 4.8-liter, V6 engine and 280 horsepower. With full-time four-wheel drive and lowered suspension, the Syclone was not just agile, in 1991, it was the fastest production truck on the market. As the popularity of trucks continued to grow, they soon became a status symbol on the road. Today, the adaptation and acceptance of the variety of available models and equipment, enables buyers to choose anything from a basic truck for people who continue to use it for work, a
rugged off-roader for the adventurers, a four-door family hauler to feature laden models with all the same comforts as a luxury car. Trucks have now become an extension of their driver and it has become the norm for once heavy-duty workhorses to never see a day of hard labor in their lifecycle. Their versatility often suits the lifestyles of the urban adventurers – those who will use them both as a daily commute to the office during the week but also for trips to the desert or beach on the weekend. With this shift, manufacturers are once
again competing to take this segment. Today’s premium built trucks – packed with advanced technologies and safety features come in a number of varieties and offer different size and seating configurations to suit a diverse range of customers’ needs. For the more discerning driver, there is also a growing market for high specification trucks such as GMC’s Denali range, which offers luxuries to rival those seen in premium brand sedans or SUVs. Modern trucks may have stepped things up in terms of their refinement, their
statement-making design (as seen on the GMC Sierra) and they may have all the mod-cons of a premium cars, however, their workhorse origins and essence still hold true. They can still carry and haul as versatile, hard-working vehicles capable of taking on all terrains and road conditions. The ability to blur the lines between versatility, comfort and refinement that has evolved over the years, means that trucks are now more than ever, a status symbol and lifestyle choice with the power to speak volumes about the person behind the wheel.
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NEWS
Alliance 2022 targets € 10 bn synergies
Alliance 2022, a six-year plan, has set a new target to double annual synergies to €10 billion by the end of the plan period. Carlos Ghosn, chairman and chief executive officer of the Alliance, said: “It’s a new milestone for our member companies. To achieve this target by the end of our strategic plan on one side Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors will accelerate collaboration on common platforms, powertrains and next-generation electric, autonomous and connected technologies. From the other side synergies will be enhanced by our growing scale. Our total annual sales are forecast to exceed 14 million units, generating revenues expected at $240 billion by the end of the plan.” Under Alliance 2022, the member companies will increase their use of common platforms, with nine million units based on four common platforms. The plan will also extend the use of common powertrains to 75 percent of total sales. Alliance 2022 plans a major expansion in shared electric vehicle technologies, alongside the development and deployment of advanced autonomous drive systems, vehicle connectivity and new mobility services. Twelve new zero-emission electric vehicles will be launched by 2022, utilising new common electric vehicle platforms and components for multiple
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segments. Over the same period, 40 vehicles will be introduced with different levels of autonomy, all the way to fully autonomous capability. Becoming an operator of robo-vehicle ride-hailing services is a major part of the new mobility services strategy. The launch of a new logo and online presence was also revealed for the Alliance, symbolizing the growing convergence and cooperation between
the member companies. Ghosn said that the plan will boost the growth and profitability of member companies. “We intend to deliver on growing synergies, with three autonomous companies cooperating with the efficiency of one. The Alliance has grown and performed with two members since 1999. With Alliance 2022, we will prove that we will grow and perform with three companies or more.”
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NEWS
Great response to End of summer show
Over 200 cars participated in the End of summer car show held at Tubli. Fayaz, the Executive Chef of Tea Club exhibited two of his cars at the event. One of the cars was a performance car and the other a show car. He told Gulf Auto Zone (GAZ) magazine that he has a total of 10 cars. “Most of my cars are driven around and so there is little I can do to bring about the changes. But there are also others like the Nissan GTR that I have brought here for show. In the performance car that I have brought in, I changed intakes, full exhaust system, injectors and full tune and the wheel. I have done nothing on the body itself. I drive it and so cannot
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do much.” Asked to elaborate on the modifications he carried out on the performance car, he said, “The intakes were changed to enhance the breathing of the car. The original were boxes. I have changed to cold air intake system with full pipes. This way I know the engine will always remain cool. “My second car is more interesting. It is a Nissan and I I have put so very much into it. I have called it Tea Club to promote my business. I have converted the whole car and made it a show piece. From the front to the back everything has been changed. I have changed the engine life with putting new turbos, new
intakes, custom made body and exhaust and the wheels come from Japan.” The modifications, he said, were done at different garages and and also with his friends. “Some of the cars I drive everyday. They cannot be heavily modified. The problem with modified cars is that the project is ongoing most all the time. Some piping has to be completed and also re-alignment. Add some extra cooling systems. It is such an on-going process that it never stops.” Talking about his full time job he added, “the Tea club was in Amwaj, Kuwait, Riyadh and all over the GCC.” Turning to the costs involved, he added that the wheels cost about BD1,000 and that was a gift from his wife. The body cost another BD 1500 and over all he spend another BD 8000 to
BD 9000. The costs cannot be looked at because then modifications would never happen. “At the end of the day I cannot drive my show cars to any place. They are only good for show. They are not legal to drive on the street.” The vehicles on show included jeeps that were modified marginally and looked mean. In some jeeps they had removed the original shassis and mounted on fresh chassis and large tyres to give the monster car feel. Any and every person with a swank looking sports car was at the expo. The sponsors included T Automotive, ARS Auto Refinish Solutions, Go Stores and The Pit Stop speciality automotive coatings. The show was hosted by Bahrain Subaru Owners Club, Ahmed Niazi, Bahrain Infinit Team, Bahrain Evolution Club,
Bahrain GTB6-BAZ Bahrain Z Club, All-Fit Automotives, DipYourCar.com Adam’s Polishes, Haverkamp. One of the sponsors told the GAZ magazine that the End of Summer was like a family event. The joint host was the Subaru owners association. Clubs participating Infiniti Club, All Wheel Club, the Jeep Owners Club. “We are planning another similar event in December 1. That will be more sports cars and turbos, hopefully with a lot more modifications, not the normal cars. The Honda Club was kind to come down,” said Haani Abbas, Convenor of the Subaur Owners Association Hashim Rabea, talking about the changes carried out said that there were very little change. Mostly it was the racing seat from ordinary seats taken earlier. It is a stock car, he added.
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NEWS
dubai wins Warhol letters display
Cadillac and The Andy Warhol Museum will host the final exhibition of Letters to Andy Warhol in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from December 8 - 16. The Dubai event will only be the second time outside of the US the collaborative project celebrates Warhol’s legacy. The event will feature imaginative, co-created content and experiences, including five artworks across varying mediums and techniques from different periods of Warhol’s career, that all share Cadillac as the subject. Nadim Ghrayeb, Regional Marketing Manager, Cadillac Middle East said, “It is the first time anything like this has been brought to the Middle East. This collaboration helps to tell the story of one the most famous artists of our time, as well as the unique part Cadillac played in the ideology of the American dream.” The exhibition includes rarely seen letters from the museum’s archive and artistic contributions from several modern-day cultural creators. Together, they explore recurring themes from Warhol’s body of work -- such as the blurring of art and commerce and the trials of fame. This results in an examination not only of Warhol, the American icon, but also Warhol the multi-faceted, sensitive and ambitious artist who reached
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for inspiration across the colliding worlds of fashion, music, media, art and celebrity. Letters to Andy Warhol showcases five letters from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent, Mick Jagger, the Museum of Modern Art, the New York State Department of Public Works and a mutual friend of his and Truman Capote that offer a glimpse into Warhol’s most personal experiences and relationships. Each letter has also inspired artistic contributions and experiences from a roster of talent including Aimee Mullins, Brian Atwood, Chiara Clemente, Derek Blasberg, David LaChapelle, Francesco Clemente, J.J. Martin, Nick Rhodes, Sean Lennon, Sienna Miller and Zac Posen. dillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring distinctive design and technology. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Andy Warhol’s birthplace, the museum holds the largest collection of his artworks and archival materials and is one of the most comprehensive singleartist museums in the world. It is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.
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NEWS
JLR Pro Challenge series begins
Dubai: Nominations are being accepted for Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) Annual Pro Challenge Series. The internal competition seeks to find the best technicians, service advisors and sales executives from among the brand’s retailers across its Middle East and North Africa network. The Pro Challenge Series has three categories: Technician of the Year, Service Advisor of the Year, and a new category for this year -- the Sales Executive of the Year. “At this stage, we are asking retailers to nominate their respective market champions. Jaguar Land Rover is a brand built on heritage, tradition, class, and perfection. Emulating that day-in, day-out is no mean feat. Those who do it with gusto must be recognised and rewarded,” Bruce Robertson, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover MENA said. Jaguar Land Rover’s retailers are eligible to nominate their best employees, with an eventual thirty contenders attending the final in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in January 2018. The semi-finals for technician of the Year competition will be held across three countries -- UAE, Jordan and Morocco -- in October. Participants will be tested for theoretical and practical knowledge. The semi-finals for both Service Advisor of the Year and Sales Executive of the Year will be held through an online test, from showrooms across the regional MENA network.
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The final of the competition will take place at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, where six technicians per brand, nine service advisors and nine sales executives from both brands, will each compete for the grand prize in their respective categories. The judging panel throughout the competition will comprise high-calibre Jaguar Land Rover senior management from different regions around the globe. The challenge “It’s exciting that for the third year in a
row we are able to truly recognise the beating heart of our organisation in the MENA region – our people. We pride ourselves on our technical capabilities and passionate brand service, and this competition recognises the unique talent we have in these areas and across this diverse, dynamic region,” Robertson added. The competition is also supported by the partners of Jaguar Land Rover, such as Castrol, Bosch, and Michelin.
Breitling’s Dark Sapphire for the Mid East
Dubai: Breitling, the Swiss luxury watchmaker and aviation chronograph specialist, has introduced the Bentley GT ‘’Dark Sapphire’’ Edition to the Middle East market. A vibrant tribute to the allnew Bentley Continental GT, recently unveiled by the British manufacturer, the new model is issued in a 500-piece limited edition series with 25 models dedicated to Middle East automotive and horology enthusiasts. The new Bentley Continental GT is a dramatic interpretation of the classic Bentley design with a new optimised 6-litre W12 TSI engine, state-of-theart onboard equipment, a refined and beautifully hand-crafted interior. Inspired by the vehicle, the new model has an ultra-light chassis made of Breitlight, enhanced by bluish “Dark Sapphire” tints, and its exclusive engine equipped with a “30-second chronograph’’. Aed Adwan, Breitling Middle East said about the new model: “Bentley is redefining the quintessence of grand touring by providing a blend of luxury and performance that is more potent than ever. Breitling for Bentley marks the occasion by launching a limitededition model reflecting the spirit of this new road going champion. Its subtly black streaked effect takes on a bluish shimmer which echoes the colour of the Bentley “Dark Sapphire” livery. With just 25 models available in the region, this model will no doubt be popular among our Middle East customers.’’
The ultra-light, ultra-sturdy case of the Bentley GT ‘’Dark Sapphire’’ Edition is made in Breitlight, a Breitling-exclusive high-tech material distinguished by its peerless qualities (resistance to scratching, traction and corrosion, along with non-magnetic, thermal stability and non-allergenic properties). The dial features a diamond motif picking up the pattern appearing in several areas of the Continental GT interior and dashboard controls. The exceptional “motorisation” takes the form of a manufacture Breitling B06 calibre officially chronometer certified by the COSC. This movement, entirely developed and produced in the Breitling Chronométrie workshops is distinguished by its “30-second
chronograph” system inspired by a 1926 Breitling patent, with a central hand completing a full sweep of the dial in half a minute – thus ensuring extremely accurate readings of times to the nearest eight of a second. This world-exclusive feature is highlighted on the black dial by the blue “30-second chronograph” inscription and measuring scale, picking up the subtle shades of the case. Ensuring comfort and style for Middle East drivers over long distances, the Bentley GT “Dark Sapphire” Edition is fitted with a rubber strap – specially created for this model and bearing the same diamond motif as the dial. A Grand Tourer on the wrist, in a 500-piece limited edition.
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NEWS
Chronofighter Vintage: Aged metal inspiration
Evoking the heroic spirit of World War II aviators and designed to the same oversize scale is the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Aircraft Ltd series, presented in a series of four references, each produced in a limited edition of 250 pieces. It brings vintage and heritage alive -- powerful and distinctive with a presence that is both unique and authoritative. The watches derive their distinctive identity from aged metal cases with their inspiration stemming from 1940s military aircraft. Noteworthy here are the riveted dials, to the gunmetal grey furniture at home in the hippest of Manhattan lofts. The distinctive dials feature radial gradient colors underlying the character and inspiration of the collection. The Chronofighter Vintage is powered by the caliber G1747, an automatic chronograph with day-date indication. Based on the Valjoux 7750, it is operating at 4Hz with about two days of power reserve. It is visible through the sapphire case back except for the “green� version (reference 2CVAV.B17A) whose case back is stamped with a RAF Halifax aircraft. Graham, an unrepentantly English name for an exquisitely English watch, was the surname of George Graham, born in 1673, master watchmaker who lived in Fleet Street, London. As an independent watch company, Graham manufactures its watches in its own production facilities in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the watchmaking capital of Switzerland. Their movements are first rate Swiss movements. They are all engineered or adapted exclusively for Graham.
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Project Management | Joinery & Fit-out | Dekor | Events
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NEWS MOTORSPORT
New Mercedes models at Frankfurt show
Mercedes-Benz launched a lineup of its latest models, affirming its leadership as a premium automotive brand at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). Taking centre stage as the première highlight reveal was the world-first Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar, equipped with Formula 1 hybrid drive technology for outstanding race track performance. Also making their debut at the show, were the new S-Class Coupé and S Class Cabriolet, taking luxury to new levels. As part of its role in shaping the mobility of tomorrow, MercedesBenz used Frankfurt to introduce its smart vision EQ for two concept car, the Concept EQA (the first all-electric EQ concept vehicle in the compact segment) and its innovative new fuel cell technology, Mercedes-Benz GLC F CELL. “Taking engineering excellence to new levels is part of Mercedes-Benz DNA, and the launch of the much-anticipated AMG Project ONE at IAA is an excellent demonstration of that,” said Lennart Mueller-Teut, Head of Marketing & Communications, Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East. “The same can be said for every Mercedes-Benz model and technological innovation being showcased here this year. As the inventor of the automobile, Mercedes-
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Benz has always pioneered automotive technologies, and new concepts such as the new smart vision EQ for two which we truly believe will be a gamechanger for mobility across the world.” For the first time, the two-seater supersports car, Mercedes-AMG Project ONE, brings the very latest and most efficient, fully-fledged Formula 1 hybrid technology from the race track to the road, almost par for par to represent the highlight of AMG’s 50th anniversary. This high-performance hybrid is said to produce over 1,000 hp and reach top speeds beyond 350 km/h. The
show car combines outstanding race track performance and day-to-day suitable Formula 1 hybrid technology with exemplary efficiency. This is a world first. The overall responsibility for the realisation of Project ONE lies with Mercedes-AMG. The complex development work was carried out in close cooperation with the Formula 1 experts at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth and with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team in Brackley. Together with the four-door AMG GT Concept, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE provides another insight into the future
performance-hybrid drive strategy of the sports car brand within MercedesBenz. The smart vision EQ fortwo provides an intelligent solution for a new vision of urban mobility and individualised, highly flexible, totally efficient local public transport: the autonomous concept vehicle picks up its passengers directly from their chosen location. With the electrically powered smart vision EQ fortwo, smart presented a concept vehicle from the relatively recent product and technology brand EQ at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show. More than ten new electric cars are set to go into series production at Mercedes-Benz Cars by 2022, from the smart to large SUVs. Mercedes-Benz announced that smart is being developed into the first allelectric brand within Daimler, with the vision to gradually adapt its portfolio of cars with combustion engines to fully electrically driven vehicles. The spotlight also was on the new S Class Coupé and S Class Cabriolet, in its various versions at Frankfurt showcasing the latest updates to the Mercedes-Benz flagship range. The coupé and cabriolet will soon benefit from the same extensive innovations that have just been introduced to the spectacular sedan recently launched in the Middle East. The evolved design exudes even greater sportiness while showing off its exceptional
technical ability. The S-Class Coupé and Cabriolet feature front aprons with chrome-plated front splitter and voluminous air inlets. The dynamic looks are enhanced by restyled side skirts and chrome-plated twin tailpipe trims with a V12 look, while the innovative OLED tail lamps, widescreen cockpit, the latest driver assistant systems and comfort features ensure unquestionable leadership in the style and innovation stakes. Mercedes-AMG has further enhanced the S-Class Coupés and Cabriolets with a host of technical and visual highlights. The new-design of the front end is dominated by the Panamericana radiator grille, which now gives the two-door, luxury-class Performance vehicles an even more aggressive look. The Concept EQA is the first all-electric EQ concept vehicle from MercedesBenz within the compact segment. Its permanent all-wheel drive with two electric motors delivers outstanding performance, with a system output that can be increased to more than 200 kW thanks to scalable battery components. In combination with the Mercedes-Benz intelligent operating strategy, the Concept EQA achieves a range of around 400 kilometres based on the installed battery capacity. With significantly reduced seams and lines as well as the black panel at the front, which serves as a virtual grille, the vehicle is a further example of the systematic development of the
design language of sensual purity. Its innovative lighting technology is based on laser fibres. The spiral light insignia stands for electric thinking and is visually evocative of the copper windings on an electric motor. Fuel cell technology is an integral part of Daimler’s powertrain strategy. Mercedes-Benz has already gathered experience with hydrogen-powered electric vehicles over several vehicle generations. To date, the fleet of Daimler fuel cell vehicles, which together with a host of research vehicles is counted at more than 300, has collectively covered nearly 18 million kilometres. The next generation of fuel cell vehicles from MercedesBenz made its debut at the show. Currently being developed based on the GLC, the pre-production vehicle – the Mercedes-Benz GLC F CELL – combines innovative fuel cell and battery technology. The new EQ Ready app helps motorists decide whether it makes sense for them personally to switch to an electric car or hybrid. The smartphone app can record real journeys made by the user, analyse his or her everyday mobility behaviour and compare it with numerous parameters of electric and hybrid vehicles. This makes it possible to try out e-mobility in a virtual yet realistic way. The EQ Ready app also recommends which alternatively powered model from smart or Mercedes-Benz best matches the user’s individual behaviour.
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NEWS
electric Jaguar Land Rover from 2020
Dubai: All Jaguar Land Rover vehicles manufactured from 2020 will be electrified, said the company. announcement came at its inaugural Tech Fest, a series of debates and a free public exhibition about the future of mobility. Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, said: “Every new Jaguar Land Rover model line will be electrified from 2020, giving our customers even more choice. We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles. Our first fully electric performance SUV, the Jaguar I-PACE, goes on sale next year.” The electric Jaguar E-type Zero futureproofs one of the world’s most famous cars. Acclaimed by Enzo Ferrari as “the most beautiful car in the world”, the E-type now combines breathtaking design with electric power for the first time. E-type Zero is based on a 1968 Series 1.5 Roadster and features a cutting-edge electric powertrain for 0-60mph in just 5.5sec. It was engineered by Jaguar Classic at the company’s new Classic Works in Warwickshire, the UK. With I-Pace we started with a clean sheet and engineered a bespoke, tailored, pure electric SUV from the ground up. It’s a performance SUV with stunning looks and will be on sale next year. The Jaguar Future Type is a vision for the car of 2040 and beyond. The fully
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autonomous virtual concept explores mobility for the connected world of tomorrow, where vehicles could be shared not owned. With Future Type’s interface you can separately access your different digital orbits of work, family or play, dialling up what you do need, and dialling down what you don’t. At its heart is Sayer – the intelligent steering wheel that will revolutionise the way you live your life. Named after Malcolm Sayer, designer of the E-type, this steering wheel doesn’t just stay in your car – it lives in your home and becomes your trusted companion.
Sayer is the first voice activated AI steering wheel that will be able to carry out hundreds of tasks. The advanced speech recognition software will allow it to answer questions, connect to the news, organise the travel and select the entertainment. The steering programme knows what’s in the fridge and can even order for shopping or a pizza. You will never run out of milk again. It will be your go-to device. It is not just the ‘key’ to your car, it’s your membership card for our on-demand service club -- a club, which offers either sole ownership or the option of sharing the car with others in your community.
For our customers, driving is much more than getting from A to B. It’s about living life from A to Z. Alongside Jaguar’s past, present and future, Tech Fest 2017 also showcases the following stories: Jaguar Land Rover does not do ordinary recruitment. Gorillaz and Jaguar Land Rover have teamed up again to continue the search for world-class talent at Tech Fest. Fans interested in an engineering career at Jaguar Land Rover are invited to the physical ‘pop-up’ version of the Gorillaz garage to take part in a live challenge to test their technical ability, logical-thinking and memory. Successful players will be first in the queue for a chance to work at Jaguar Land Rover. For those unable to make it to London, the Gorillaz app coding challenge remains open worldwide. In a major change to the way Jaguar Land Rover looks for candidates, fans are challenged to take part in a series of code-breaking puzzles to test curiosity, persistence, lateral thinking and problem-solving – all real-world skills the new generation of software and engineering talent must have.
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COVER STORY
Redefining luxury and safety mercedes S-Class
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COVER STORY
Mercedes recently launched the 2018 S-Class with many refinements into the Bahrain market. The new S-Class will be available in six model variants in the GCC markets: Mercedes-Benz S 450, Mercedes-Benz S 560, Mercedes-Benz S 560 4MATIC, Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC+, Mercedes-AMG S 65 and Mercedes-Maybach S 650. The Mercedes-Benz S 560 e, an upgraded plug-in hybrid variant, will be available later in the year. The Mercedes-Benz S 450, S 560 4MATIC and Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC+ will be available from August 2017. All other model variants will launch in November 2017. The time to know the vehicle and its worth resulted in a test drive of the S 450 perhaps the flagbearer in simulated and natural conditions. The opinion, it is a piece of luxury and we are forced to offer it as the car for the aspiring young senior executive or even the management personnel for whom the valet opens the door. It is luxury re-defined. The most important component is the ease of driving, truly bringing the S450 to the next level of technology – autonomous driving, with driver assistance systems and substantially expanded functionality. Leave the driving to us, Mercedes seems to say to the potential user. The cruise control, we found, automatically decides the speed for curves, intersections ( that Bahrain has in plenty) changes in speed
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limit and the often seen speed brakes and traffic lights. Look at it with that sarcasm, so what!! The loaded GPS data gives the car its own sensing power. Even as we decided to put it to test on the crowded internal roads, the functionality did not leave us bewildered. Strongly, this could be a huge step forward in cruise control. The active steer assist helped in automatically keeping the car on track, without human intervention. Did we actually test it? Yes on the Buddaiya
Hamala stretch. It tracks the lanes and unpaved roads, as well as roads under construction and ensures that it stays safe – right in the middle. Another key area of test was the active brake assist. Driving into dead ends with cement barricades, the brake assist did detect the obstacle and came to a halt. We tried driving into heavy traffic, into undetecting motorists and simulated situations and found that the Minus Man braking performed very well. We found
this a huge plus in Bahrain, where in peak hours traffic rage assumes meteoric heights and the truck, six-wheelers and such others rarely care for the safety of the fellow motorists. All that aside, are the pedestrians – especially the labourers hurrying to get home in the evening and school children running about like little cats. The evasive steering assist we found detected road crossing and evaded the person. It then straightened up without a hug. But it is important for the driver to pay heed because in Bahrain, for example, there are too many of these in a short distance. Overused programmes tend to take the brunt. Dependence on this occasionally is good, but not all the time. On safety our last check was rear collisions. Yes the pre-safe sound did help. I pretended to be occupied but the car warning was bold enough to make me move out of trouble. That aside, the next on the agenda was the blind spots while lane changing, one of the key areas for accidents. The indicator on, while making the lane change, it refused stubbornly because of a car in our blind spot. It just switched off. So after speeding about two minutes I switched on the lane change to the right and it promptly complied. Bahrain, however, offers a challenge and for now it takes the driver to be on the road, gently depressing the brakes at yields and stop signs. Traffic signals change and the car cannot be blamed
for not knowing it all. Think of a car that sees the road ahead and decides the driving? Well yes the Mercedes had that a long time ago. Now that facility has been further improved. The camera eyes spot and scan the road ahead – bumps and troughs – even in dim light. However, it is important for the driver to be way, because technology does not always see the unpredicted. The S 450 has the surface scan technology to study the road ahead. For
want of time we could not much look at the distances involved. The overdrive has improved considerably I should say. Another creature comfort to talk about is the massaging the passengers get even while on the drive. The lumbar and posterior get that extra easy feeling making the ride less tedious and tiresome, thanks to what the agency, Al Haddad and Sons called the Energizing , reminding me of the same in Star Trek. Mercedes claims that the energizing
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COVER STORY comfort control is a world first entering series production. While the massaging is beautiful, the aroma and the music sure need to change. The airconditioning, I must guarantee, is a Wow, perhaps due to the car being a brand new one. Should this aspect remain the same, it is simply too very good. While driving, most all drivers love the feel of folk and country while the music I had in the test drive car did not feel good. Yes indeed, there are six modes – freshness, warmth, vitality, joy, comfort and training. For those looking under the hood, the six cylinder V shaped arrangement is capable of 2.996 cc and produce a torque of 500 Nm. The S450 is a 367 horses wagon. Mobile phones can be charged wirelessly and without a telephone holder. Wireless charging works with all mobile devices that support or can be retrofitted to support the Qi standard. The charging pad is integrated into the stowage compartment at the front of the centre console. Wireless charging is optionally also available in the centre console in the rear. Front and rear passengers now have more text messaging options. They can receive, send, forward and use voice-to-text to dictate text messages. Telephone numbers from text messages and embedded URLs can be used for further actions. The messages are also displayed as pop-ups on the right half of the wide-screen cockpit.
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The Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound system with an output of 1520 watts has been expanded with a speaker in the overhead control panel and two speakers in the sides. The interior of the new S-Class is characterised by two new highresolution displays, each with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches. Visually, the two displays under one shared glass cover blend into a widescreen cockpit, and as a central element emphasise the horizontal orientation of the interior design. Like the instrument cluster, this widescreen cockpit contains a large display with virtual instruments in the direct field of vision of the driver as well as a central display above the centre console. Because the cockpit is fully digital, the driver can choose from
three different display styles (“Classic”, “Sporty” and “Progressive”) and also configure the information and views relevant to them. The Mercedes-Benz parking package and 360-degree camera come as standard in the GCC models, giving drivers full view of the car’s surroundings. The new S-Class has touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel that respond to swiping motions in the same manner as a smartphone. The driver can use the steering wheel controls to operate DISTRONIC cruise operation and control the entire infotainment system without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. The infotainment system can be also operated via the touchpad controller in the centre console and by linguatronic voice control.
The S-Class GCC models come with panoramic sunroof as standard, as well as a Sun Protection Package to protect passengers from direct sunlight and reduce the interior temperature of the car. Additionally, memory front seats come as standard in the GCC models, automatically adjusting the driver’s seat to their preferred setting. The AMG versions retain their S63 and S65 model names. The lighting in the S450, the agency claims comes from multibeam LEDs and ultra range main beams – claims that could not be verified for the daylight driving done. In conjunction with the new MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, the S-Class features three distinctive torches of light as an exclusive design element. The front bumper with pronounced air intakes and sporty looks is also new. The new LED lamps with crystal-look tail
lamps stand out at the rear. They look like jewels and ensure a characteristic design day and night. A tail lamp light
show that plays when the vehicle is unlocked and locked, as well as three horizontal pairs of fibre optics are also new. With 64 colours, the ambient lighting offers a wealth of individual settings that add a welcoming effect upon entering the cabin. Drivers can choose from a variety of settings including ‘Glacier Blue’, ‘Red Moon’ and ‘Dawn Blue,’ which light up in conjunction with the widescreen cockpit. Lighting highlights are added throughout the car in areas such as the central display, the rear footwells, and even on the tweeters for vehicles equipped with the Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound System. As before, the interior lighting uses only long-lasting, energysaving LED technology. All new S-Class models are fitted as standard with the keyless start function. This also marks the introduction of the new attractive generation of keys, with a high-gloss black or high-gloss white design and different ornamental frames.
S 450 S 560 S 560 4MATIC Number of cylinders 6/V 8/V 8/V Displacement (cc) 2.996 3.982 3.982 3.982 Rated output (kW/hp) 270/367 345/469 345/469 Rated torque (Nm) 500 700 700 l/100 km * 8,0 7,9 8,5 CO2 g/km* 183 181 195 *NEDC combined AMG S 63 4MATIC+ AMG S 65 Maybach S Number of cylinders 8/V 12/V 12/V Displacement (cc) 3.982 5.980 5.980 Rated output (kW/hp) 450/612 463/630 463/630 Rated torque (Nm) 900 1,000 1,000 l/100 km * 8,9 11,9 12,7 CO2 g/km* 203 279 289 *NEDC combined
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TEST DRIVE
the classy tourer bentley Gran Tourismo
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TEST DRIVE
The Bentley Gran Tourismo (GT), truly one of its kind to hit the Bahrain roads. An egg white GT is what the GAZ test drove for a peek into what makes it really the talked about. At the outset, the mostly aluminium skin with high-strength steel sets the tone for the conversation. Down to the tyres this car is original production – nothing borrowed. The third generation GT is truly and fully British. Interior comfort is what drives the sale of a car just as much as the power inside the hood. Open the front door in the evening and what we saw amazed us, the Bentley insignia in full with the lumination coming from under the door. The gracious curves, a part of the Continental GT give it the aura of a high-end versatile car for the discerning. Even through the passage of time, Bentley maintains some of its unique features – here the lights. Inside the door, starting from front door panel, the GT spells class. It is soft hide in walnut colour that runs through the car. The plastic one sees in most cars is replaced with wood – all of 107 square feet – and the soft and silky hide. Quite soothing to the eyes, indeed to see white exterior and deep beige inside – a truly travelling man’s delight. The driver’s seat, has the Bentley touch, taking the posterior’s contours and making one feel relaxed to start the tour. Once at the steering, the eyes surely float to the
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TEST DRIVE
instrument cluster – classic contours set in digital tone announcing modern intent. The GT is a two plus one at the rear – not the family tourer, although most would like to say so. The two door GT can take one adult in the rear middle or young children. The seat positioning was very impressive with touch buttons guiding the movement. The result, after three hours of driving, there still was no fatigue – truly the feel of a Gran Tourismo. Open the bonnet, and one is greeted by a six-litre twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine, mated for the first time with a dualclutch eight-speed transmission. The power in the engine translates onto the road with economic or normal and sport options. While the normal gives the feel of Bentley, the Sport sees the car’s gravitational pull enhanced and the lurch of a big cat ready to pounce. The GT sprints to 100 km/h in only about 3.7 seconds (0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds). In Bahrain, where the top speed permitted is 120 kmph, it would be less complimentary to notch up the sprint figures. According to the agency, the top speed reachable is 333 km/h (207 mph). The new Continental GT also has a Grand Touring range of 740 km (460 miles). A new technically advanced, adaptive chassis uses Bentley’s intelligent 48-volt Dynamic Ride System to ensure a responsive ride and exceptional handling and refinement in all road conditions. The new system controls ride comfort and lateral roll, cushioning passengers from excessive movement as well as making the car feel effortlessly precise. Should the driver decide to utilize all the horses, Bentley then promotes a more so-
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phisticated suspension control system for a soft ride. The sound of the engine, normally transfers into the cabin, but with the Bentley GT, we found it was only a hush. From further study, we understand that the hush is made possible with the use of acoustic-laminated glass in all but the rear window. Underbody acoustical panels have been added to silence road noise. In its bid to keep the tourismo handling to be sportier and more responsive, experts aver that the company adopts similar chassis technology to the Panamera -- with control arms at the front and a multilink setup at the rear. It also has four-corner, triple-chamber air springs, adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars
at the front and rear. In short it is the dynamic ride.
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TEST DRIVE
Mid-priced yet high on safety Morris Garage (MG 360)
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TEST DRIVE
British car maker Morris Garage (MG) serves yet another of its fares into the Bahrain and the Middle East market – the MG 360. In Bahrain it is priced at a middle range BD4000. The price tag is a clear signal that the marque has its eyes glued to the middle income segment of this market and the focus is running up numbers with volume sales. At first glance, it is true to its assembly line pedigree, a true Asian – running close to Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sunny and the Dodge Neon. On a test trail across Bahrain’s pocket roads and the main highway, the iconic British brand now offered from China proved a worthy competitor to all the aforesaid. The first area of interest is the safety standards set for this MG. I realized from reading through the car sites that perhaps the outstanding feature of the 360 is the ultimate stiffness design (USD) reinforced body structure with 70 per cent high strength steel. This component makes passengers confident that the highest standards are maintained. Pouring through the literature available online I realize that the 360 has undergone reliability testing and received an S Star Rating (C-NCAP) providing customers with additional peace of mind. The silky red exterior, glistening in the
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afternoon sun sure was pleasant to the eyes. That apart, the exterior design was contemporary, in no way different to the 2017 Toyota Corolla from the sides. Except for the logo, seen only when viewed from the front, it is every bit, including the grille, a replica of the Toyota Corolla – make no mistake. The only eye-sore on the exterior was the MG 360 white sash slung along the back door. But that said, the doe-eyed headlamp on the 360 is where the changes begin. Open the doors and one is treated
to a sea of plastic all around. But at BD4,300 on the road (including registration and insurance) the market offers plastic interiors in most all brands. For any better material but plastic, the buyer needs a pocketful of extra dinars. A peep into the interior revealed white synthetic fabric seats – pleasant to the eye but a clear disadvantage to the user in that the upholstery will need frequent laundry, considering that the climate outside is prone to dust and pollution. Once seated and belted I realized the car had much more than enough space for fully endowed four
passengers. The rear offered more than enough legroom for a tall person, thanks to the 2660mm wheelbase. The seats, though they lack the cushioning effect of bigger cars, has a strong lumbar support.
must guess, the effect of a very new car, but that died down to a whisper. As the torque moved on, there was an unpleasant beep that warned me of trying to over speed – a reassuring feature indeed.
The lighting system in the 360 compares with all the models that it competes with, and the extra here are the turning indicators on the side mirror, a feature that is generally found only on upmarket cars.
Ash-black reinforced plastic on the hood, all the four-doors and the rear, with a beige underbelly – pleasant to the eye without a doubt, but needing very frequent cleaning to keep the car looking spic and span, I would say is a mild nuisance.
In a country where the maximum permitted speed is 120 kmph, the 360 is ideally suited and can scorch upto 135 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm and 109 hp.
The boot of the 360, I found was very spacious, and the numbers show 482 litres of boot space, more than enough for a family car.
The contours of the hood merged into the instrument console. From the rings that accommodate the speedometer, revolutions meter and so on – seen in the older versions of middle income cars – the 360 housed all these readings in a hood-shaped console. LED technology in complete control is indeed a delight as one drives. The digital speedometer is a huge advantage in that it gives exact reading of the speed helping the driver to be in control of the car in line with traffic regulations. In addition, the infotainment has the Radio, the USB port, Bluetooth and ipod. The airconditioner when switched on did give a little noise at the start, but that faded off.
Safety features in the 360 are as with all other models, including the ABS, EBD, ESP, EBA and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Inside the hood of the MG 360 is a 1.5L DVCT engine featuring advanced technology and mated to four speed automatic transmission. This delivers less fuel consumption -- travelling 100km on just 6.3L.
Here is a car that calls the driver to familiarize prior to driving away. The instrument console presents cuttingedge intelligent telematics systems, an inkalink vehicle system (android mobile compatible), eight inch touchscreen and bluetooth handsfree telephone. These are standard in Bahrain and considered upmarket elsewhere. In an effort to beat the car I tried pushing the pedals to the ultimate. At the outset I did hear a little rumble, I
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TEST DRIVE
Capturing the buyer’s desire Renault Captur
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TEST DRIVE
Renault Captur, a much talked about French crossover taking on the Bahrain market. The Captur follows hot on the heels of the Duster, which seems to have taken the fancy of the middle income buyer as the first buy in the move from cars to SUVs. A complete roadster, with a clear suggestion from the dealer not to even test it offroad, I took the Luxury Edition(LE) through the Bahrain streets. It is the ideal choice for a nuclear family, clearly with enough room for two teenage children at the rear. It is the same class Nissan Kicks, another crossover riding high among the youngsters and those looking for that break. The Captur comes in over 15 exterior colors with only the LE having twin tone (mine being a navy blue on black. The French crossover is an affable rounded vehicle with crisp contours and radiating youthfulness in the design. On the upside we start with the design, a youngster’s delight. As the prices are undergoing change it would not be wise to put it out here. It stands tall on 17 inch alloys on 205/55 rubbers. The colour match was indeed perfect with a navy blue on black. Swing open the doors and the first upside are the removable seat covers with zippers,
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allowing the upholstery to be clean all the time. The black edged seats matched well with the exterior and the interior colours. The French origin gives the cabin a wee bit quirkiness, revealing those cute cubby holes and plenty of gloss black trim. The interiors are, as in every other entity of the class, fitted with toughened plastics, but the colour combination gives a delight. I felt that the colour combination itself made for some extra room. The boot offers enough for a good visit to the mall for the weekend shopping. However, if you plan doing a weekend outing with two kids cycles and others, then you need to open the cover of the luggage space. The boot space is more than enough for a weekend getaway for the family, what with 377 litres of cargo room that can be expanded. The airconditioner was simply too obedient, cooling the inside in about 10 seconds flat, once switched to automatic and 18 degrees. Turning to things more serious, the Captur is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Unlike many others in the same range the Captur has an allergy for fuel guzzling, taking only 5.1 liters / 100 km. In addition to the 111 horsepower and 190 Nm of torque, the French crossover hits the 100 km/h mark in 10.9
seconds. Should you desire to go into economic driving more, all that is needed is depressing the Eco mode and the instrument cluster will immediate show the engine obeying it all. For the driver fond of cruising, the Captur is fitted with a cruise control and a speed limiter. I found it very useful especially in traffic. All I did was slipping into 50 km per hour and I was completely at rest, with the engine taking over. The Cruise control buttons are close to the steering on both right and left side. The Captur captures the thrill of cruising on the highways. On the left hand are the two buttons to increase or decrease the speed of cruising. Once the speeds are decided one can have it registered using the R and O on the right. The Captur is fun to take on untarred roads, although for a short while. It does not roll or twist, but the suspension is a trifle too rigid. The large 16 inch tyres held the frame. Research proved that the Captur was awarded a 5-star Euro NCAP crash rating. It is thus equipped with a bunch of features such as traction control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). The LE also has a parking rear camera that helps those who cannot park without a device.
Two aspects that create the comfort is the airconditioner’s ability to detect the outside temperature and accordingly change the cooling inside. In Bahrain, with its hot and humid climate, this is indeed a huge blessing. The automatic headlamps really help out on dark roads. The more intelligent of technologies include, automatic vents that open and close along the anterior of the vehicle to moderate air flow through the radiator and improve fuel economy. The LE is also fitted with The 7-inch R-Link infotainment screen offering a wealth of information pertaining to the vehicle including, a rather interesting Outside Air Quality meter with real time results.
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INTERVIEW
‘More tracks, support and safety key to racing growth’
An idea of taking the sport of motorcycling from the illegal road racing to the legal circuit racing and the need for support and good equipment to nurture talent in Bahrain resulted in the formation of MSK Performance, said Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa, President of MSK Performance in an interview given to Gulf Auto Zone (GAZ) . The factors behind forming MSK Racing: My passion for racing began in 1995. It was street racing – nothing much to be proud about since we did not even have the gear. In the early ‘90s there was no track. This is why I now have an academy to take those with adrenalin to take them from street to the track. I lost some of my best friends in the road racing. The facilities now available in Bahrain, gave me the thought of exploiting them and also use the professional instructors. I help with upgrading the talents of the riders. Safety is the key as far as I am concerned – important to wear safety gear when riding. The origins of MSK Racing: MSK Racing was formed on November 2016 – soon after the second round of the Bahrain Drag Racing Competition (BDRC) – the official drag racing competition for cars and motorcycles. “I was not into drag racing, but had friends who were into it. I saw them struggling for sponsorship and equipment in Bahrain. For me motorcycling is a hobby and so I went and watched the race at the BIC with my friends. The idea of starting a team struck me then. Then I was not immediately looking ay monetary returns and seeking sponsors. I do agree that is an added benefit. After that second round, we got together and took stock of the situation. They were preparing for the third round of racing. As the first element I got them
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to check on their equipment shortages and they complied. We placed orders on eBay and other online sites. Then we got the supplies and with those we went into the third round. We did very strong in that race. The cementing of the club: The team needed the hierarchy. There
was me as president. We then voted for the vice president and treasurer and got the mechanics. The fourth round, though, was the beginning of our breakout. We were getting podium finishes and trophies started coming in. Fifth round we won trophies. By that summer we were getting recognition in the GCC. Going back to November of ’16 -- the
team was made for drag racing. I was not comfortable because I am a GP man, more into circuit racing. At this time I spoke to a friend and invited him to be a part of it. The idea now was to branch out into the various elements of motorcycle racing. So we went into circuit racing. Looking beyond Drag: With the team we went into the Ducati championship. We started with only two racers, now we have eight of them to start with. MSK Racing now has drag racers, Gokart drivers and an adventure team. Every year we also tour supporting charities with rides. MSK Performance’s platinum sponsor is The One and Only hotel (Bahrain). Charity activity: The first was in 2014 when we did a charity for Syrian refugees in Jordan. We also went to Morocco and did two trips to Europe. On another occasion we also went to Bosnia twice to help the elderly, on a trip to a burial ground where 8000 Muslims were buried and also to help with giving education support to children in a far flung village which enjoyed no government support. The money is collected from among ourselves. I must also remember the Royal Charity Organisation of HRH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. On our first trip he sponsored half the aid and the rest, we did. His Royal Highness was gracious enough to fund the cause. It was like a kick start. Your performance as a rider: My first track event was in 2014. Today, three
years later I have many victories. My thought was that if I could upgrade and be a winner, so can many others and they need the push. If one were to look around Bahrain, one can see even today, many youngsters riding without helmets and other safety equipment, with their flipflops. People not only inconvenience themselves, they also disrupt their families. Mentoring race hopefuls: Looking at drag racing we really have not gone much internationally. But we have two world records – top speed of 318 mile per hour in a mile race is with MSK Racing. In addition we have the fastest BMW in the world. About the motorcycles you race and the customisation: We customise everything in-house in Bahrain and we do not rely on any help from any other countries. We have mechanics and engineers here to help us. We are 90 to 95 per cent in for the next season. The season is soon, with drag in November and circuit racing beginning in October 30.
Looking for talent in Bahrain: In MotoGP as things stand Bahrain cannot get a good rider. It is the Formula One of motorcycling and needs a committed rider. It is a job. In the Arab region nobody will take this as a profession. Look at the Schumachers for example. They started on their karting tracks the father had. Support is another key area needed from government and associaitons. The costs involved are indeed exorbitant. It costs 10s of thousands of dinars. In training for 12 days I burn up BD 20,000 dinars. The uncut gems you have seen: Indeed I did see two youngsters on the karting circuity during Ramadan. They had no support and I promised them. Now they are winners for the team. Teenagers need financial support to consider racing as a profession. As for MSK, the team is 25 members. I have come to a level where I am concentrating on them. With more support I would be able to take on more youth. This is the reason for the academy – to teach safe riding.
Copying the European model: In Europe the situation is different. There are agencies that tap the potential. Most of them host camps where the youngsters come. Valentine Rossi has VR 46. They have registrations for say 50 and they grow them and prune till there is about two. Each level is decided. There have to be camps. But again support has to come. In Europe support is from home, organisations, communities. The mentality in the Arab worldis not yet pro Moto. The number of tracks has to increase for the sport to grow. We have a shortage of tracks in Bahrain. Who can join the academy and the costs involved: We need youngsters who are 14 years minimum. We can train them and believe me I am certified to train them on riding on the track. We can provide entry level, basic level, circuit level and then put them on the drag racing circuit. It costs only BD70 for six days a week. The youngsters train for two hours in a day.
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INTERVIEW
‘Freedom, exhilaration keep me riding’
Get your motor runnin’ / Head out on the highway / Lookin’ for adventure / And whatever comes our way / Yeah Darlin’ go make it happen / Take the world in a love embrace Fire all of your guns at once And explode into space I like smoke and lightning / Heavy metal thunder / Racin’ with the wind / And the feelin’ that I’m under / Yeah Darlin’ go make it happen / Take the world in a love embrace / Fire all of your guns at once / And explode into space.
How much to you love riding and what makes you go cruising? Cruising is something I took to recently. Prior to this I was riding a sportster. The pleasure of a cruiser is the comfort it provides. For a person who is on the motorcycle practically the whole day, it offers a level of ease and comfort no
Like a true nature’s child / We were born, born to be wild / We can climb so high / I never wanna die .... Born to be wild Born to be wild Anna Daimantidou, is German by nationality and Greek by descent. Like Ulysses she has the love for freedom and being on the road, resulting in being dubbed Anna The Rider. She shares her love for riding and some light moments with Gulf Auto Zone (GAZ). Her grave concern for safety is emphasized with her plans. What made you take to riding bikes. Any idols? I loved the freedom and excitement motorcycling gave. The first time around I was on a motorcycle I drove the rider crazy with making the person drive six hours non-stop. That made that person ask me to have my own motorcycle. Anne Zayani has been my idol, because she has been on the road. Do you have another means of commuting around? No, I have no car or any other means of transport. The motorcycle remains my only mode of transport.
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other can. What is your area of work that you keep riding almost the whole day long? I am into contracting – more precisely business development for building companies. You experience riding into and out of the work sites. Could you talk about a noteworthy experience.
Riding into and out of construction work sites is unique, in that it is not the most best place to be in, what with the mud and cement and an atmosphere that is way different from riding for pleasure. When I look back at riding I can remember and it makes me laugh when I think of it is the ride I had ending covered in slush from the head down to the boots – the motorcycle and the safety gear and everything. The construction site was flooded and I did not know what I was going into. I had to get to the other side and there was only way to go – forward. I was hoping that the waters would abate somewhere along the line. But I soon realised that I was fully in it. But I kept riding – almost wading. I was happy to reach the other end with the rubber down and not the other way with the rubber down. I wanted to make a short cut to Al Durra. I ended up on the side road, which I thought took me there. Who did I have for company, but the truckies. It was a drama I must say. I kept going confident that I would reach Al Durra. But then I realised that I had to take a u-turn only to find that I was on the same road from where I had begun. I was in the desert looking for projects there and then I came onto the road leading to the Alba roundabout. I went around to only find that I ended on the same road. Could you look at the cruiser you ride now and talk about it. The Harley Davidson I now ride I named it Quappalino. I was riding a sportster.
Then I met with an accident. (I am thankful that I have my whole body in one shape. There are minor aberrations, though.) I passed out as a result of the accident and when I regained consciousness I messaged my brothers and sisters in the riding group that I met with an accident and I need another motorcycle. They responded and took me to Salmaniya hospital. For me the concern was to be back on a motorcycle. Even in the ambulance that was my concern -- to have a bike. After three days I was told this bike is on sale. I jumped at the offer and bought it. Minus a motorcycle I would very sick. After a few days of resting when I could hardly walk I messaged my friends and they came to my apartment. I asked them who was ready to help me ride the bike in the morning and in the night. A very good friend agreed to help. That person would come at 10.00 pm and take the bike out and position it for me to sit on it. I did my first ride for five minutes and gradually increased the riding time. I could not walk, but I could ride. I must confess I appreciate the love and brotherhood. My brothers and sisters from the group supported me at all times. I am sure even if I had my own family, they would be able to support me the way these heroes in the group did. I really want to thank each one by name. They would leave their jobs behind and come to the hospital and look after my well being. You are on the motorcycle most all the time. Could you talk about riding in the Bahrain summer? There are many who do not like it, but as for me I enjoy it. It is difficult to ride in the winter, I need many layers. The only problem is the dense traffic in the noon. I only hope the motorists understand the need to let the bikers move, because the engine gets hot and the clutch misbehaves. The positive side for me now is that riding in the noon with the sun up above, it gives me solar therapy for my back. It is important to ride through and through the year. A ride resting after riding in the winter will find riding in the summer very uncomfortable. For me it is winter into summer and back to winter, all seasons, helping my body to adjust to various climatic conditions.
On day one on the highway, we had a group ride. My plan was to begin with the group and then tag on as a pillion for some time. I would take the motorcycle on my way back. However, one of the group members that I approached turned down my request and asked me to continue riding. On that particular day when I was planning being a pillion, they kept me riding twelve hours on the road. They trained me on the riding language and manners in the group. After a few hours I thought they would let me leave. But that was not to be -- it was continuous drilling. So when it came to riding at the rally, I was ready. What rally were you riding in? The HOG (Harley Owners Group) rally. Bahrain has the HOG and the Bahrain bikers rally. What fears and inhibitions did you have riding in a rally? None. The groups welcomed me with open arms. They give all the support a newcomer needs -- be it either sex. We also do the same later on. When new lady riders come on board, they contact me. Once they have the licence and the bike they generally contact me. With my experience I give them the support, giving them all the information they need to be on the road. It is on me to assist them and give them the fundamentals on group riding, so they are comfortable going on to the highway. I also give people an opportunity to join me and share my riding skills with them. I do this on Fridays. Look at safety and precautions to be observed while riding a motorcycle on the roads -- be it the pocket roads or the
highways. As a motorcycle rider it is important to communicate with the riders in front and the rear when it is a group ride or even other vehicle drivers when one is riding alone. It is important to know what is happening on all four sides. It is one eye on the mirror and one in front. It is also equally important to be able to foresee what a fellow motorist on the same track might resort to, most often in an impulse. As an everyday rider I always keep a generous space in front of me. On the roads one can find motorists glued to their mobile phones. Most often they forget the road and when they realise there is another motorist in front, it is important to have space to move up and escape being hit. Despite this, there are chances that one could get hit. It is important to create the awareness among motorists, especially those in four wheels, that the person on the twowheel is also a human being. We are looking at creating empathy and awareness among motorists on the manners for motoring. We are looking at leaving a legacy for all including youngsters. Why do bikers always park their motorcycles in eye short? It is our baby. It is something very special and gets special attention. I live in an apartment and so cannot take the motorcycle inside. But there are many people who have made special arrangements inside their homes to keep the bikes close to them all the time. We even have specially names for our bikes. What have you named your bike? This one is Quappalino. In Spanish it means the Beautiful One. The earlier one was Ballu.
How long have you been driving and could you look back? I started riding two years ago. I was the worst student ever in taking riding lessons. It was thanks to my mentor, who was patient enough, that I could develop. Day one was in the compound, then came the village roads and so on. My mentor’s grit was that he would get me ready for the next rally.
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INTERVIEW
“team work behind coveted awards” Euro Motors, the dealerforJaguar Land Rover in the Kingdom of Bahrain recently took the internationally acclaimed 2016/17 Jaguar Land Rover Middle East and North Africa Marketing Awards. It won the highly sought-after Best Digital Dealer Website 2016/17 along with Best PR Activity 2016/17 award. The agency’s marketing manager Hannane Laidouni, gave GAZ the details of the awards, the reason for the citation and what it meant for Euro Motors, in a written question answer session. 1. The factors that led to this award. Jury citing on this award. In awarding the best digital dealer website, there are a number of elements that the jury took into consideration. Each dealer was graded based on the frequency with which the latest product offers and sales campaigns were updated on its website, the rate of activation of creative campaigns on the site, the degree of inclusion of the website URL on print, outdoor media and other forms of advertising that the dealer commissions, the promptness that the regional office is briefed on regarding website updates required and the prompt supply of updated information and material in proper format. Let me also highlight the significant repute that these awards hold in the global automotive industry and their expanse. The Jaguar Land Rover MENA marketing awards is one of the most coveted in the international motoring sector. It covers over 28 countries. The awards scrutiny process evaluates and recognizes the successes of hundreds of Jaguar Land Rover dealers in the Middle East and North Africa Region for the respective Fiscal Year. 2. Action that prompted the choice of EM as best digital dealer website. Benefit to the bottom-line for Euro Motors. The new Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover website has been exclusively designed to ensure that consumers get the best digital experience possible while looking for information on a Jaguar or Land Rover product that they may be particularly interested in. It includes a fully-revamped customer friendly user interface with highly interactive content permitting users to experience dynamic and personalised specs and pricing. It also features different financial offers available for the Bahraini market in a dynamic and user friendly manner, each integrated with the respective vehicle model. Visitors to the site can now engage with different digital tools such as a consistently updated vehicle price configurator – helping them purchase their selected vehicle online. They can also book their vehicle service appointments through the website, or browse through the whole range of Euro Motors’ approved Pre Owned vehicle
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inventory. The new website is also revolutionary in that it allows Euro Motors to get a deeper insight on customer trends and preferences through a comprehensive site analytics capability, thus enabling us to better understand and recognize the predominant online culture in the local market. Our new website has exclusive segregations for both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. It is a virtual platform serving as an extension of the exemplary services we provide in the showroom, comprehensively catering to every need of the customer and requirement in terms of sales and after-sales. Not
only is it a digital manifestation of the outstanding provisions we offer, but it also embodies the very values and essence of excellence that the Jaguar and Land Rover brands have themselves portrayed throughout their illustrious histories, thereby making us the obvious choice for the award. 3. Uniqueness of EM website from competition. Jaguar Land Rover is the first manufacturer to introduce detailed pricing across nine countries in the region with local currencies on their websites. Our revamped website integrates this highly beneficial facility and allows
customers to purchase vehicles online through Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover, while still being able to view the latest financial offers available in the Kingdom of Bahrain on both brands. Our ability to provide such personalized services, among other innovations and existing capabilities that have been upgraded, ideally positions us as the most customer-oriented dealership in the Kingdom, in terms of accessibility on our digital domain, thereby setting us apart from our competitors. 4. Customer benefit from EM going digital and recommendations to prove customer satisfaction. Our redesigned and upgraded website now provides a whole new set of services and convenient options, in addition to those that have been substantially improved for the comprehensively significant benefit of our customers and visitors. Some of these are pioneering initiatives that exemplify our evolving efforts in our commitment to our customers. We have introduced total transparency in pricing, a first in the region, and have greatly redefined the steps involved in the booking of test drives in order to make the process much easier. We have also placed significant emphasis on our highly beneficial financial offers to greatly economise and facilitate the purchasing process, while now giving prospective customers the opportunity to book their vehicles from the comfort of their homes, and offering current owners the option to book their vehicles’ service appointment online as well. Since the inception of our new website, we have definitely seen an influx in both customer purchases and website usage, fuelled by the ease of accessibility that we have provided them with through the advancement of our digital presence. Customers have voiced the positive elements of their feedback and, as always, it is through their proven satisfaction that we have established our upgraded virtual existence to be a resounding success. 5. Improvement in process and interaction with customers. Lay down concrete methods and processes. The new sites are integrated with programmatic dynamic campaigns, which means that based on their behaviour on the website, we can deliver customised content at all possible “touch points” they have been recognized to have with the brands. This greatly conveniences their experience, expedites their requirements and keeps them coming back for more.
Customers will also be aware of our vehicles before visiting the showroom. This allows them to have a better idea on the vehicles of their choice, while highlighting those that are best suited for them, ultimately substantially helping them with their decision making process. Best PR Activity: Best Dealer Website 2016/17 Award 6. Elaborate on the factors that led to Euro Motors receiving this award. For the best PR activity award, the jury considered the total coverage in terms of PR for the full fiscal year and proportioned it into identical elements. These were measured by the Media Coverage Value for the Year, the Quality of the Coverage garnered throughout the Year e.g. front covers, full page features and exclusive stories, and the degree of expansiveness of the Coverage across multiple media for e.g. newspapers, magazines, online and broadcast. The award also considered the number of press test drives implemented throughout the year, and the quality, in terms of its comprehensiveness, of the provision of an annual PR plan to the Regional Office. The plan should capture the different essential aspects of PR including key objectives, major milestones such as events, activities, launches etc., integration with social channels where applicable, and the current annual KPI target as opposed to the KPI achieved during previous year, highlighting the growth during the respective year. 7. Uniqueness and exclusivity in your activities: In line with our consistent efforts to justify the trust that Jaguar Land Rover Limited have placed in Euro Motors by making us the exclusive dealers of the prestigious brands in the Kingdom of Bahrain, we have gone a long way through our sales and after-sales divisions. To complement the exemplary record shown by these departments, the marketing department has also substantially grown in this time. The ever progressive popularity that both the brands, Jaguar and Land Rover, currently enjoy in the Kingdom highlights the accomplishments that we have exponentially achieved through the years. The Marketing Department has grown in strength during the last few years that saw the conception, manifestation and launch of the Land Rover Experience Centre Bahrain, the first of its kind in the region. This initiative, along with the extraordinary increase that we have propagated in the quality and quantity of experiential activities, such as the many
Drive Events that we have held, bring customers closer to the brand, and us closer to our customers. We were thus instrumental in positioning the Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover’s marketing department where it stands today, in both the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region as well. Numbers do not lie and it is therefore our above par work rate and our immaculate work ethics that have brought us to the pinnacle of recognition through the receipt of this Award. However, we cannot wholly attribute our many successes to the efforts of the Marketing Department alone. Our unparalleled success is, in big parts, due to the invaluable efforts of many alliances that have underscored their importance in our collective growth time and again. 8.Role played by the Marketing manager and your contribution in the organisation winning these awards Our receipt of these Awards was brought about as a direct result of constant strife to realising our set goals of working on our brands’ health. This is exemplified by our significant efforts in raising awareness on our products by setting ourselves up with a methodical and productive Marketing Department and always ensuring that we aim to reach the right target audience, then engaging them in a passionate and sincere manner and consistently delivering our promises of exceptional and memorable experiences through our benchmark-setting, high standards of products and services, all of which, in my responsibility as the Marketing Manager for Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover, I was directly at the forefront of. As the Marketing Manager, I provide punctual annual marketing plans that stringently adhere to processes and procedures and meticulously follow corporate brand guidelines and support pan-regional campaigns at a local level, especially through PR, SoMe and our website. Using my in-depth understanding of the entire customer journey, including my knowledge of a blend of the Sales, After-Sales and Approved Pre-owned Vehicle departments, it is my duty to conceptualize highly progressive and innovative initiatives to enhance public perception of our brands. In addition, the implementation of proper briefing, measurement and evaluation of all marketing activities relating to all of our divisions, and so much more, falls under the mantle of my responsibilities, thereby positioning my role as being pivotal to the success that we have enjoyed at these Awards.
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INTERVIEW
‘Passion, grit for photography takes me on’
Automobile photography is simply not the easiest. It takes patience, talent and the grit to keep going. The burnout rate is high and it takes much more than one person’s endeavor to get going. GAZ look at Ali Bu Nader, a celebrated or reputed lensman among the Bahrain’s auto buffs for the aspiring in Bahrain. Your initiation into automobile photography and the highlights till date: I was initiated into automobile photography purely out of love and passion for this field. My passion for the cars and the bikes never cease. When I do something to which I am committed I can produce the best as I treat it as a part of me and I get into a relationship with that event. Promoting yourself to get the promising contracts: I reached to this level because of the people who were supporting me. They gave me the feedback. I was told negative and positive things that could hone my skills. I also learned a lot through the online to get new tips of the photography. Touching it all, it is the people, my wellwishers and those who love me who are the main reason for the person I am today and also for keeping me going. Difference from other lensmen specialising in automobiles. Some
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samples of your exclusive work. The angle of the photoshoot and the idea of the picture makes me different. Sometimes you don’t concentrate of the car as much as you do on the background. My latest and exclusive photoshoot was done with the Behbehani Brothers for the 2018 VW Golf and Mclaren Photoshoot 50th anniversary Photographs with the Ali Nader signature. Would you mind us reproducing some of them? The rolling shot which I did in the beginning for Ahmed Aryan’s Ferrari,
along with some Porsches won me the Ali Nader signature. The high point in your life as a lensman in the seven years that you have been following this profession: My high point is establishing an office with everything related to photography. In every profession there are ups and downs. Tell us in detail some of your experiences when you wanted to jump for joy and also experiences that made you feel you should never take the camera ever again, also some experiences where you think you should
have done a much better job. Definitely every job has ups and downs but till now I didn’t face anything that made me say I shouldn’t take the camera again. I challenge myself in every new photoshoot to get a better result than the previous. The instances when I thought I could have done it better, one classic example was in the last supercars club Arabia trip to Europe. I wished I could do better to get much better pictures but couldn’t do my best as we were in a tearing hurry and there was a lot of things to do over the photography .
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MARINE
A wakeboarder’s delight
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MARINE
The Yamaha 242X E-Series is a 2016 line Sports board, capable of creating the wake surfers so long for. The sector, wakesports, was shown to GAZ for profile. The boat has a 12 persons carrying capacity. It is about 24 feet wide and near about 2020 kgs heavy. GAZ learns the boat is available in black or space blue. The 2016 Yamaha 242X E-Series wears a fully new design. She is stylish from her ultra wide coverage Bimini, the elegantly coloured interior and sleek profile. In line with the specifications of a wake boat owners, Yamaha has provided the perfect wake, a good drive control technology and a beautiful stereo system. The vessel also designed an attractive sportboat boasts a triple ballast system packs an additional 635 kg. of additional weight. The Connext system controls the filling and draining of the bags. The riders, never mind their skills, when they choose to create the wake can dial in the preferred size and shape, be it for wakeboard, or skating or simply surfing. The Connext helm control system allows the drive to set the GPS controlled speed, choose from among the four acceleration profiles, adjust the ballast to the desired exact percentage fill and save these settings into five programmable selections. Thereafter it is just choose the profile and go. The stereo system on this vessel is a 1000 watt system pumped through a 10� subwoofer, 6 cabin speakers, 2 can speakers on the tower. One could also add a tower speaker bar with an additional 10 speakers. This system
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puts out more than enough juice to add to anyone’s riding sessions. Yamaha decided to include eye-catching graphics so as to complement the wake features, innovative technology and high performance of the 242X and colour infused the hull bottom as well, adding to its sharp looks. The interior of this sports boat wears a custom color matched upholstery. The carbon fibrer textured cockpit inserts and polished billet aluminum handles, cup holders and such other appointments compliment it. The super eye-catching design of the graphic packages available on the 242X E-Series make it look really gorgeous from a distance with the easily distinguished modern design package. Viewed really close, the additional E-Series graphic badges -- found on both the windshield wings and on the helm gauge panel come through. The
premium Gussi Italia sport steering wheel features a brushed aluminum finish and an oversized diameter grip. An articulating keel was created in an effort to create the jet craft that is both nimble on the water and easy to dock. By extending the keel line, Yamaha creates a deeper linear tracking line, as though held in place on a rail. However, its physical connection to one of the dual outdrive jet engine thrust ports gives it more precise control when turning. The all-new Connext helm and drive control are innovations that make the boat user and rider-friendly. The new system constantly monitors and gives real-time updates on critical functions such as water depth, fuel reserves, RPM, compass heading, speed and more on full-time display. With scrolling down the functions the driver gains information on other areas such as maximum speed attained, fuel
consumption rates, distance travelled and engine temperature. Looking at the safety aspects and it monitors general engine functionality sound an alert if water depth, battery charge or engine temperatures become a concern. The new Connext system allows storage of information on frequent riders so their speed and ballast preferences can be recalled and enabled. Thereafter the automated ballast pumps create the perfect wake unique to any particular rider and the GPS based speed control provides their preferred speed with an accuracy of 0.1 mph. The Connext system can also connect to terrestrial and satellite radio, Bluetooth and USB connections. The sound system is nothing to beat and makes the ride an experience. The master controls for the vessel are arranged in a beautifully laid out dash configuration. The two analog RPM gauges compliment the touch screen computer and run drive controls. A 140-degree oversized rearview mirror allows the close view of the rider and vessels navigating in the vicinity. The home screen on the Connext control system allows for easy review of their clear display of key elements while under power. The innovative tower, Bimini and board rack combo on this Yamaha, ensure that the power of the sun is harnessed. Ample access on the port and starboard sides allow manoeuvering the two inward swinging board racks. The Bimini on the Yamaha sits higher than the tower itself, thus offering more coverage area for those lounging in the cabin area. And with the line attaching to
the tip of the tower yet under the Bimini, gone are the struggles of reaching the rope’s attachment point around the Bimini and on top of the tower. The inclusion of two trickle charging solar panels provide continuous recharge to the batteries, extending their life by nearly 30 per cent, according to the company. Much like the tower itself, internal ballast tanks are a key ingredient to making a wake sports specific boat. The 242X integrates three separate ballast compartments assisting the captain in shaping the perfect wake for whomever is doing whatever board sport behind the boat. The ballast compartments at the stern offer a fill capacity of 50 gallons each. The centrally located larger compartment will hold upwards of 100 gallons (378 L) itself. With all of them full, it brings almost three-quarters of a ton of additional weight, adding an additional 6” (.15 m) in height to the wake. Touch screen functionality to the ballast tanks allows the operator to choose which tanks get specifically how much ballast, allowing the wake to be tailormade for each rider. The 242X E-Series is powered by dual 1812cc four cylinder, 4-stroke engines designed and built by Yamaha Marine engines. The control is through twin binnacle throttle control assembly and the fly by wire technologies. These are designed for smooth and easy acceleration. They use the automatic engine RPM sync to ensure even power output through the jet propulsion system. Even while generating plenty of horsepower to propel the boat, the quiet cruise construction technique significantly reduces engine noise and
vibration, making for a smoother, more comfortable ride for those on board. The nearly 800 gallons (3,028 L) of storage space, gives storage an uplift. Starting aft with Yamaha’s signature swim platform are two stern seats with deep bin space, perfect for tucking away wet items. Inside the cabin are plenty of recesses under the seats for food, towels or just about anything else. A head compartment has been integrated into the port console for emergencies. Its wide swinging door and attention to comfort oriented amenities, this unique element to the wake sports specific craft is an element only enjoyed by Yamaha 242X E-Series owners. The vessel has an LOA of 7.32 m, beam of 2.57 m and 50 gallon fuel capacity. The dry weight is 1,829 kg, while fully loaded it is 2,155 kg. The top speed of 50.3 mph at 7550 rpm produced a fuel burn of 23.45 gph - a range of 96 miles. For best fuel efficiency numbers pull the throttles back to 5550 rpm. It will produce a speed of 32.2 mph while lowering the fuel consumption to 9.7 gph and increasing the range to 149 miles. The planning speed was touched in 2.5 seconds, and accelerated to 30 mph in 4.9 seconds. At slow speed, thrust is no longer needed for steering, so low power maneuverability is greatly enhanced -- a huge benefit especially around the dock. At high speed, the boat didn’t have that characteristic of spinning out in the turn that jetboats usually have. The force of the jets, along with the flow of water past the keel, will keep the wheel centered and more comfortable to drive. It’s just a fun time to drive and the more we dished out, the more fun the ride became.
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MARINE
Plvs Vltra: Start of new series
The 73.5-meter Plvs Vltra, delivered in 2016 by Amels as part of their Limited Edition series, became the first hull in the Dutch shipyard’s 242 range. The exterior is by Tim Heywood. The Vltra’s interior was designed by Winch. Built for the owner of 55-meter Amels, Step One, Plvs Vltra was commissioned with specific requirements, a large swimming pool aft of the main deck, a large master suite on the upper deck, an extensive spa area, plenty of exterior areas for entertaining and two, 10-meter tenders. All of which can be found on Plvs Vltra. Amels built Plvs Vltra as part of their Limited Edition series, after being chosen for the new build following the owner’s good experience with his previous 55-meter. This is part of a range of customisable superyachts built on a shared technical platform. The new arrangement allows an offset of development and design costs over a number of projects. One of the key areas during the development of Plvs Vltra became her spa area located amidship on the lower deck. Boasting a circular spa pool, steam room, sauna and massage area, the spa area opens up onto the sea through a foldable platform separated from the spa area by a floor-to-ceiling window, said the Yacht Harbour. Decorated throughout with various
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mosaics, the spa area can be accessed from the sea through the foldable balcony, raised high enough not to be rendered useless by waves, or through an elevator that goes from the spa up to the lobby near the master suite on the upper deck. A side-boarding ladder could also be used to access the aft swimming pool from the foldable balcony in the spa area. Amels’ decision to put the spa area amidship was driven by both design and functionality. Even when waves are found at sea, the Jacuzzi can stay filled in this position and usable. This arrangement also allows the aft of the ship to be reserved as technical space for tenders, toys and storage. Plvs Vltra can accommodate 12 guests across her 5 decks, with the master suite located on the upper deck, two VIP cabins on the main deck and three guest cabins on the lower deck. Styled with some of the most famed hotels on the Côte d’Azur in mind, Plvs Vltra’s interior features windows strategically positioned to provide tremendous views and at the same time flow light through the yacht. Amongst the features in the 73,5-meter yacht’s main salon can be noted the chandeliers, which seem to be free hanging but are in reality well fixed to make sure nothing breaks. Other notable
features include a mosaic in the main lobby. The owner’s lounge was on the other hand built as a more relaxed area, with a slightly different colour theme, leaning on light blue. Amongst its amenities are a limited edition Parallèle piano, a crystal bar, a cinema screen and windows that open on both sides to create a breeze across. The master cabin, stretching across the full-beam of the yacht, has a bed at its center, with access to a private foredeck area from two doors on the side of the
cabin. Interestingly, Plvs Vltra’s interior was built on a pre-agreed budget, which meant Amels and Winch had to deliver on their plans without modifications increasing costs. The owner’s office area, sitting aft of the master suite, near the lounge, changes themes and is styled in a darker manner. Delivered in 2016, Plvs Vltra became the first hull in Amels’ Limited Edition 242 series, with the second one becoming New Secret, earlier this year, and two more of these hulls currently in build at the Dutch shipyard.
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MOTOR SPORTS MOTORSPORT
Pirelli, GT in project cars challenge
Slightly Mad Studios has announced that Pirelli has joined Project CARS franchise in a technical, promotional, and marketing partnership. The tieup brings both Pirelli’s motorsport and tyre technology, as well as the North America’s GT-production premiere series, the Pirelli World Challenge, to Project CARS 2. The Pirelli World Challenge vowed to bring Project CARS 2’s release soon, bringing all the GT-class action from North America’s top GT car-based racing championship to the game. Racing on Pirelli tyres, the Pirelli World Challenge is North America’s premiere GT-production racing series that travels to numerous Project CARS 2-bound tracks such as Long Beach, Circuit of The Americas, Road America, as well as Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Pirelli World Challenge will be playable in Project CARS 2’s in-game career mode featuring the actual GT3 cars along with their specific liveries. The technical partnership with Pirelli tyres deepens the authenticity that comes with Project CARS 2, gamescom’s Best Simulation Game winner for 2017. With Pirelli’s century-long involvement at the cutting-edge of motorsports and roadtyre technology, the technical insights they have brought to the handling and feel of all 180-plus cars in Project CARS 2 has been enormous. From carcass construction to tyre-slip
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angle curves, from the way tyres heat to the way they cut and wear through their rubber thermomechanics, Pirelli’s partnership with the Project CARS franchise means drivers will now get even closer to the real-world of motorsports. “We have been working with Project CARS 2 for many months,” said Pirelli World Challenge President and CEO Greg Gill. “We believe that the opportunity for our Pirelli World Challenge fans to become fully immersed in their favorite cars and tracks experience will lead to new ventures that the fans and series can look forward to. We are excited for the introduction of the Project CARS2 game with our PWC cars in action.” “Working alongside Slightly Mad Studios and seeing how their processes echo ours in many respects has been an interesting experience for us,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli Head of Car Racing. “Bringing our technical and sporting
solutions to Project CARS 2 has been a unique challenge, and ensuring our tyres in-game simulate our real-world tyres was a key element in our technical relationship. Knowing Project CARS 2 drivers will feel the sporting technology that underpins Pirelli’s motorsport heritage is important to us.” “Pirelli coming onboard during the development cycle of Project CARS 2 yielded instant results for us,” said Stephen Viljoen, Game Director on Project CARS2. “Comparing their data to ours using very similar processes meant we could get live comparisons, and could instantly see where our ‘ingame’ Pirelli tyres were differing from the real tyres. Matching their data to ours means we now have an incredibly accurate model of slip, grip, tear, heat, and dozens of other tyre-related parameters, all of which will translate to even more authenticity for our drivers.”
Piquet jr joins Jaguar E-championship
Dubai: Panasonic Jaguar Racing announced inaugural FIA Formula E Champion Nelson Piquet Jr as the newest member of the team at a show hosted at Jaguar’s UK Design headquarters. Piquet joins Panasonic Jaguar Racing drivers Mitch Evans and Ho-Pin Tung to test for the team’s second season in Formula E. The addition of the defending champion to the driver line-up will put the team in a strong position for the start of season four when official testing gets under way in October. Nelson Piquet Jr called it a great honour to join Panasonic Jaguar Racing. Jaguar has such a strong history in motorsport and it’s an exciting time to become part of the team. “Their commitment to electric motorsport is inspiring and I’m looking forward to working with the team.” The announcement was made at Jaguar’s live RE:CHARGE event alongside the reveal of the team’s new race car. Official reserve driver and Le Mans LMP2 Winner, Ho-Pin Tung, joined hosts Amanda Stretton and George Lamb to unveil the Jaguar I-TYPE 2. With a dynamic new livery design and a significant number of technical upgrades, the car begins the next evolutionary cycle in Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s #RaceToInnovate. The reveal of the new car comes nine days after Jaguar Racing announced it will launch the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY,
the world’s first all-electric international race series for production-based cars. The history-making championship will support Formula E, starting in late 2018. These latest developments reinforce Jaguar’s long-term commitment to and development of premium battery electric vehicles. Following the announcement of GKN as Official Partner last week, the team also welcomed Viessmann, a leading manufacturer of heating, cooling and energy systems will help advance the team’s technology and performance, as an Official Team Partner for season four. James Barclay, Team Director of Panasonic Jaguar Racing, said: “We are hugely excited to have Nelson on board for season four. Mitch was one of the outstanding rookies of the season with some great qualifying and race performances. With our new driver line-up we are aiming to be a strong challenger on the grid, regularly competing for points. We have taken a lot of learnings from season three and the team have been working extremely hard throughout the off-season, focusing on the design and development of the new Jaguar I-TYPE 2.” He added: “We are also delighted to welcome GKN and Viessmann into the Panasonic Jaguar Racing family. To optimise performance we need the best partners.” Craig
Wilson,
Race
Director
of
Panasonic Jaguar Racing, said: “We knew that there would be much to learn during our first season of racing. The information and data we gathered has been extremely beneficial in the development of the Jaguar I-TYPE 2 where we have been able to improve its weight, balance and efficiency. We have made a few personnel changes, one of those is the appointment of Phil Charles as Racing Technical Manager. We look to the upcoming test in Valencia where we can see the first indications of our advancements compared to the other teams, and racing the Jaguar I-TYPE 2 for the first time in Hong Kong in December.” Maximilian Viessmann, Member of the Board at Viessmann, said: “The world is undergoing a change, leaving behind the oil age and into an era of electrification. Our partnership with Panasonic Jaguar Racing is the perfect platform to bring this shift to life, and showcase our shared commitment to innovation, technology and sustainability. We are excited to be part of this movement, and look forward to the season ahead.” Phil Swash, GKN Driveline Chief Executive Officer, said: “As a world leader in advanced drivelines, lightweight structures and state-of-theart electrified systems, GKN is proud to join Panasonic Jaguar Racing in their mission to innovate and inspire on the world stage. We can’t wait to get racing in Hong Kong.”
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GAZ TECH MOTORSPORT
Hyundai leads in Transition technology Hyundai is playing a leading role in the transition towards a more environmentally sustainable motor industry, with manufacturing models using four different approaches to electric power: fully electric, hybrid, plug-in, and hydrogen fuel cell. The company believes it is creating a practical path forward in moving from fossil fuels to electric vehicles that will suit a wide range of worldwide markets. Last year the company launched its first dedicated eco-car platform, the IONIQ. In another world first, the IONIQ is the only production car engineered for a selection of hybrid, plug-in, or fully electric drivetrains. “Every IONIQ delivers power to the road from an electric motor, and that is the big breakthrough,” Hyundai’s Head of Operations for Africa and the Middle East, Mike Song said. “From this point, we can adapt and evolve how we deliver energy to that motor in small steps as the technology improves.” “Of course, one new discovery in energy storage could change everything. The battery technology that makes today’s electric cars possible didn’t exist 20 to 30 years ago, and the next breakthrough could happen any day. When it does, Hyundai will be ready.” While the global motor industry believes that electric vehicles will dominate the future, Song, says there is a growing tendency to focus heavily
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on a limited choice of technologies, resulting in chances of products not being suitable for all markets, or all uses. “Most major carmakers are developing cars with electric motors. Electric cars are essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the effects of climate change. The problem of storing the electricity needed to drive an electric motor, however, has always been the limiting factor,” said Mike Song. Until recently, most alternative drivetrains in production were hybrids,
with an electric motor and internal combustion engine sharing the work of turning the wheels. Hybrids are being joined by a growing number of cars that only use an electric motor to move the car. These either rely on rechargeable batteries to store energy to drive the motor, or can be a plug-in hybrid, which has a battery-electric drivetrain, but with an internal combustion engine acting as a generator when the batteries cannot be recharged from an external power source. A commercially available option is fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV),
after many years of research and development and several high-profile prototypes. With an FCEV, the fuel cell generates electricity using a chemical reaction, in which liquid hydrogen is a key ingredient. The hydrogen is replaced at special filling stations, comparable to the way a conventional car is refueled with petrol. “Of the current technologies, hydrogen is the only one that matches the convenience of petrol or diesel for quick refueling, but it requires a big investment in infrastructure, and is more expensive,” added Song. “Fully electric vehicles need long periods of downtime to recharge their batteries, while hybrids offer reduced emissions vehicles rather than no emissions. Hyundai was testing various electrified drivetrains for more than 25 years and offering hybrids as part of its international product line-up since 2009. It was the first company to offer a production fuel-cell model when it released the Tucson FCEV in 2014. “What we need to drive the transition is a diverse range of technologies to meet a diverse range of uses and budgets. I can picture a worldwide industry where most drivers buy fully electric cars, but with hybrids popular for drivers who spend a lot of time on the road or have to cover longer distances. Higher-income countries will most likely have faster take-up of fuel cells, because of the infrastructure needed. This will most likely be for specialised uses such as taxis, public transport, or heavy trucks, which can operate around a limited number of strategically placed refueling locations.”
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Look for the GAZMAN on www.gazgroup.com
gazman
Rear Camera for Older Models Older cars often do not have a rear view or back up camera resulting in drivers backing up strictly on the basis of instinct. But with GAZMAN travel a little and we will show you how to fix a rear camera on your older car. No, iot will not cost you a bomb. It is a simple and easy procedure. However, if you are not fluent with technology and do it yourself projects, you might as well get help from those who are savvy to it. Backup cameras are a nearly universal option on new cars and and for good reason: The compact cameras provide a view of what’s behind the car, reducing the chance of backing over a bicycle or, worse, the kid riding it. Plus, the device greatly eases parallel parking. The vast majority of cars and trucks don’t have this feature. If you plan to keep your older car but still want the peace of mind that comes with a backup camera, it’s not too difficult to install one yourself. Aftermarket manufacturers now produce a wide array of DIY rearview camera kits. The cost varies, based on the size and resolution of the digital screen. In just a few dinars the price of the wireless kit from the nearby knick knack shop one can buy a good balance of quality and easy installation. Please ensure that all boxes and envelopes are not yanked open, instead they are opened with patience and with a lot of care. Yanking open covers could result in torn gentle parts, snapped wires even before you have seen it. Instead of having to buy kits due to improper utilisation, it is always good to be careful opening all
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the covers and untying the electrical and other leads. Ensure that a soft cloth is spread on the table where the products are being dissambled. This will ensure that the person handling knows what the components are. The camera-kit installation didn’t require a deep dive into the toolbox. All that was necessary was a wrench to remove the license plate and some simple wiring tools. The kit has three parts: the camera, which mounts to the rear license-plate bracket; a transmitter that sends video wirelessly; and a rearview mirror with an integrated screen. A signal wire runs from the camera through the trunk or cargo area and plugs into a small control-box transmitter. One may need to get creative passing the wire to the interior. All one has to do is snake it behind a license-plate light,but it might be necessary to drill a small hole in the trunk or hatch and use the included grommet to protect the wire from the hole’s edge. The transmitter is powered by splicing
into the wiring for the backup light, which is electrified only when the car is shifted into reverse. Mounting the camera could take anywhere between 15 minutes to a maximum of one hour. It gave a clean, nearly undetectable install. Since video is transmitted wirelessly, there is no reason to run a signal wire through the cabin to the dashboard. Inside the mirror housing are the video signal receiver, a 640 x 480ópixel monitor hidden behind a one-way mirror, and a few control buttons to adjust the picture. Installing the mirror is even easier than hooking up the camera. All that has to be done is mount the new mirror over the old one. A spring-loaded clamp grabs on to the top and the bottom of the factory mirror, and Velcro strips wrap around it to keep the kit mirror in place. To power the new mirror, there are several options. Tuck the power cord that plugs into the top of the mirror into the front of the headliner. Then
route the wire down the driver-side A-pillar, where you can hide it behind the trim and run it into the dash. The A-pillar trim might need a little push, but it could also require a bit of work with a screwdriver or a trim-removal tool to get it free. From here you can either plug it into the cigarette lighter or permanently install it into a keyedon circuit. tie into the fuse box with a splice to the radio circuit, which comes on with the ignition. Use a test light and ignition key to find a circuit that makes sense for your car. The whole installation should take 30 to 45 minutes if you’re obsessive about it, 10 minutes if you aren’t.
cuts wire, strips insulation, and crimps connectors. Red, blue, and yellow dots coordinate with colored connectors. Strip by matching your wire’s gauge to the size marked on the cutter. Always wire it right. Get help in picking the Pick the right wire gauge (WG) to carry the current for your device. Too small and the wire burns; too big and you’re wasting money. For long runs, bump up
the wire gauge by one size to offset increased resistance. In cars, use stranded wireóit resists breakage from vibration. A permanent install on a bolt: ring. Awkward location but rarely removed: spade. Connecting one wire to another: blade. Insulation is color-coded for wire size: Red: 16 to 22 gauge, Blue: 14 to 16 gauge and Yellow: 10 to 12 gauge.
So how well does it work? Surprisingly well. You will be impressed by how quickly the monitor and the camera start up when the car is turned on and shifted into reverse, especially for a generally inexpensive tech piece. The image is very clear (even at a 3-inch screen size), and the camera performs well in both high- and lowlight situations. There is, however, the mirror’s receiver, always on while driving and constantly searches for the video signal from the camera. When it finds one, the screen is immediately turned on and displays the signal, regardless of where it’s coming from. This is a bit strange when you drive through pockets of interference. The most indispensible wiring tool, it
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