Killer B's

2013

January - February Issue No.18

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Ksh 200 Ush 4,000 Tsh 2,500

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B’s!

The killer

Group B Rally Cars

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Contents All the news, races, the cars, the www.motortraders.co.ke

News

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Pg 6 News Nine-Speed Transmissions the “Natural Limit”

Feature Pg 10 The Next Greta Run Camaraderie. Philanthropy. Visual drama. Most of all, FUN.

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Editor:

Joe Murai joe@motortraders.co.ke

Features and Road test Editor

J. M. Baraza barazajm@motoringpressagency.com

Technical Editor

How they came to be and what made them be burnished from the motorsport scene.

Technical Editor

Reviews

Sales and Marketing:

Pg 34 Volvo V50 We got the chance to try out the V50 and this is what we thought of it.

Pg 36 Honda Accord The 2.4liter Accord

Motorsports Pg 42 Basic review of 2012

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Motor Trader Co. Ltd. P.O. Box 21824, 00400 Tel. 020 8079558/9 Mobile: 0718223838 info@motortraders.co.ke Nairobi

Michael Chege Mwangi

The new XV.

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Publisher:

Pg 20 Group B rally cars..

Pg 30 Subaru XV

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Kay Wachira

Sarah Oyoo sarah@motortraders.co.ke James Mugwanga james@motortraders.co.ke

Design & Layout: William Mwangi Motor Trader Ltd

Photography:

Motor Trader Ltd KMSF Pich Afric

Motor Trader magazine©, the original motoring magazine in Kenya, is published monthly by Motor Trader and distributed in Kenya by Jetsam Distributors Ltd. While utmost care will be taken to ensure accuracy both in the published articles and prices of listed cars and equipment, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any omissions and errors arising. The opinions and representations in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to verify the authenticity/safety of the products/services advertised herein by independently contracting the adviser. No part of this publication including artworks and pictures or any part of the contents (articles) thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior permission of the publisher in writing.

This ISSUE Hi folks, thanks for checking with us for the year’s first editorial. 2012 was quite an interesting year, and looking back, I’d say that it was also a good year.

A lot of good things happened last year and despite the world financial crisis and its severe repercussions on the automotive industry, almost all the bike manufacturers have reported preliminary figures showing better business... with the real definitive ones still to follow soon.

What should we expect in 2013? It’s not about sales only, because we saw that sometimes strong will and focused determination may tip the balance even when the odds are horribly wrong. We saw a lot of major manufacturers surfacing and announcing the release of small-displacement bikes in 2012, and 2013 might actually become the Year of the Smaller Bike. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, and pretty much all the big names in the industry aim for a bigger share in this segment and have figured out that the customers’ preferences are shifting a bit towards more economical motorcycles.

Smaller bikes mean faster commuting in crowded areas and less money spent on fuel and this is what customers are after. They all should be thankful that India is not exporting their Pulsar and Bajaj bikes on a huge scale… yet. However, things could change in the future as the Indian moto industry gains more and more momentum, and a lot of foreign technology pours in.

Another thing that is to be expected is seeing even more or bigger production facilities in India. The biggest move is represented by Harley-Davidson taking a step towards smaller, cheaper bikes. So far, we have heard a lot of rumors on the plans the Milwaukee guys have for the small H-D bike, but Indian sources hint a 500cc V-twin in the vein of a scaled-down Sportster.

Then it’s the electric motorcycle segment which has been growing steadily during the last two years. Prices for the top-of-the-line bikes went a bit lower, and a massive amount of electric scooters and small bikes surfacing each month and retailing for prices which are sometimes lower than those of combustion engine versions.

And if this is not enough, high-performance lithium power packs are also available at decent prices. Couple this with the increasing number of charging stations and home-use chargers and things start looking less and less grim.

Therefore, I might conclude this early 2013 editorial saying that the future looks good. Expensive bikes sold well last year (the new BMW R1200GS and KTM 1190 Adventure battle will be most interesting), so we might expect that the high-price machines will do the same this year. A plethora of middleweight and small-displacement bikes will flood dealerships and will most likely sell like crazy. Electric motorcycles will keep on gaining momentum as better technology is being developed and prices drop.

And one more thing: second-hand bikes and swapping are on the rise, but buying new or old, that is another story.

Joe Murai www.motortraders.co.ke

MOTORING NEWS

Volkswagen Group Delivered 9 Million Vehicles in 2012!

GM and Isuzu Likely to Cod-evelop New Pickup General Motors is a titan of the automotive industry, but it can’t do everything alone, not even the pickups they are so good at.

A report from Automotive News suggests The General could develop one more pickup truck in partnership with Asian company Isuzu. For now, a memorandum has been signed, signaling the start of negotiations. The deal is expected to become official when company bosses Susumu Hosai and Dan Akerson meet face to face later this month.

GM desperately needs something that will make the Colorado name popular again in the light pickup industry. But the fact that Isuzu is involved likely means a global product for Asia or Europe is more likely.

Nine-Speed Transmissions the “Natural Limit” While you can still find multiple cars with four-speed automatic transmissions, as well as even more vehicles with fivespeed manuals in dealerships from across the world, the auto industry has developed an obsession for adding more gears to transmissions over the last few years.

This is, of course, a positive trend, as it leads to increased efficiency. For example, ZF now offers eight-speed automatic transmissions, as well as nine-speed ones and this isn’t even the end of the story, as a 10-speed trannies have been announced - these are still in the development phase- by Hyundai, as well as by Ford and GM (the two companies are handling the work together).

However, there’s a balance between efficiency increases and complexity issues, which lead to higher costs and weaker reliability and it seems that the market is not far from reaching it.

ZF CEO Stefan Sommer recently said that nine-speed transmissions are the “natural limit”, explaining that “There is no hard line, but you have to consider the law of diminishing returns.

The question is whether adding even more gears makes sense.”

The statement was backed up by Julio Caspari, head of ZF’s North American arm, which claims that the most efficient trans6

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Honda Reveals Jazz-Based Urban Crossover

They might not have overtaken Toyota yet, but Volkswagen Group have managed a record 2012 nevertheless. During the 12-month period, the German conglomerate managed to deliver over 9 million vehicles, a first for them.

The compact crossover market sector is getting increasingly crowded, and while the Nissan Juke is still the more striking choice, other possibly better rivals are already on the market, or on their way. After the recently-revealed Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 and Vauxhall/Opel Mokka, we now bring you the first images of what Honda thinks a compact crossover should look like.

Called Urban, the Honda compact SUV/crossover looks quite modern and very bold in its styling, with its purposeful stance, aggressive oversized headlights and imposing grille.

It previews an all-new model from the Japanese automaker, which will be based on the same underpinnings as the highly-

The company’s figures show 9.07 million vehicles sold, representing a 11.2 percent increase over the 8.16 million of 2011. The Group also finished the month of December with a 20.7 percent increase, delivering 784,300.

“The Volkswagen Group developed extremely well in difficult conditions. 2012 was the best sales year ever. This is another big step forward in our Strategy 2018. Tough challenges lie ahead. The Volkswagen Group has everything it takes to face these challenges and to play a leading role on world markets,” said Chairman of Volkswagen, Aktiengesellschaft’s Board of Management, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn. “All the brands in our Group contributed to this very good delivery performance in 2012.

This is an excellent team achievement.

The markets are challenging and competition is also getting tougher,” added Group Board Member for Sales, Christian Klingler.

missions currently available on the market are only 11 percent away from the theoretically ideal concept. Thus, he says that introducing more gears is more about marketing.

successful Jazz/Fit supermini.

Not much else is known about it, other than the fact that it was fully revealed at the NAIAuto Show. It is not set to make its market debut before 2015, by which time the newly-revealed Captur, 2008 and Mokka will be on the verge of getting a facelift, and would have had time to sit on the market, and plant themselves into the heads of prospective buyers.

The production version of the Urban will face an even tougher market, two years from now, and since Honda has not made a crossover this small, it may struggle to carve its own niche. Still, if it`s competent enough, and if it they don`t detract too much from the overall bold styling of the concept, it may still be a worthy contender.

New Renault Samsung Fresh on the heels of the Korean Renault Samsung SM3 facelift, the model sold under the Renault brand as the Fleunce sedan also received a facelift today.

The car comes with the same soft-V shaped black grille as the Clio IV, joining together the headlights and created a sort of elegant strength. The Fluence also gets new LED daytime running lights in the lower bumper above the fog lights, which also give the car a “dynamic” roof.

The Fluence will make its debut at the Istanbul Motor Show, where it will show up powered by a new 1.6 16V 115 petrol engine mated to the new X-Tronic CVT automatic transmission. Renault says this engine and transmission combination offer a “significant reduction in fuel consumption” to 6.4 liters/100km, while CO2 emissions are down 15% to 149 grams per kilometer.

The engine range also includes a diesel dCi 110 EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) for the relaxed drivers who want diesel. The diesel range also includes the 1.6-liter dCi 130 engine which has best-in-class power and a fuel consumption of just 4.6 litres/100km, equivalent to 119g of CO2/km.

Production of the “new” Fluence will start at the Oyak-Renault factory in Bursa, Turkey, and sales begin in Turkey in January 2013.

“The changes featured on New Renault Fluence are perfectly in phase with the needs of our key international markets, like Turkey and Russia,” notes Hyun-Young Kwak, Project Marketing Manager, Renault Fluence.

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MOTORING NEWS

RR Ghost Six Senses conceptwings into East Africa Honda spreads its automotive Honda East Africa announced in Nairobi today that Honda Motor Company is continuing its expansion into sub-Saharan Africa with the establishment of a brand new Honda automotive facility in the Kenyan capital.

The move will mark the return of the Honda automobile brand to the East African country after a seven-year hiatus and heralds a new era of growth for the marque in the region.

The new dealership will be located in a dedicated facility on Mombasa Road, in close proximity to several other car dealerships. The facility is already undergoing a comprehensive upgrade to meet Honda’s stringent standards.

The dealership will be operated in partnership with TransAfrica Motors (TAM), a Dubai-based industrial conglomerate with a wide range of interests, including four commercial vehicle dealerships in Kenya. TAM will run the Honda dealership as a separate division within the company.

2014 Mercedes E63 AMG 4MATIC

Sub-Evoque Crossover

Land Rover is really looking to expand the appeal of their range of vehicles, with a new, smaller and cheaper offering, which would bring in buyers which are very different to those who would have bought a LR product, even 10 years ago.

The plan is to have a new small crossover, to sit below the Evoque. The new vehicle would not share the same design language as the rest of the range, and it may draw its inspiration from the DC100 concept, which the manufacturer say s was well-received by the public.

The new vehicle would most likely not wear the Range Rover badge, and it would fit into the range nicely, as the Freelander and Discovery are being redesigned, and the all-new models will sit further upmarket, leaving the job of entry-level offering to this new model.

It will also feature yet-unnamed new technologies, which are said to give the vehicle a significant boost in economy, by improving powertrain efficiency and lowering weight.

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The new facility will offer customers access to a wide range of Honda’s latest and most advanced vehicles, including the soon-tobe-launched Brio entry-level compact hatchback, the new-generation Honda CR-V, and the aspirational Accord luxury sedan.

Honda Motor Southern Africa (HSAF), based in Johannesburg, South Africa, will provide wide-ranging support for the new venture as far as product and parts supply, staff training and operating systems are concerned. This will allow the facility to combine its new-car sales with a full service and parts offering to support existing Honda owners in Kenya.

The 2014 model year Mercedes E63 AMG is so different than what we’re used to, it might as well be a completely different car. The German automaker has managed to squeeze out even more power from its 5.5 liter bi-turbo engine, completely change the look of the car and also the way it handles.

Both the E63 AMG Sedan and Wagon now come as standard with 557 hp (550 PS) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque. The super sports saloon is available for the first time with 4MATIC all wheel drive. The system has been developed to be biased towards the fun side of things rather than safety.

AMG also offers a new power pack called “S-Model”, which gets you 577 hp (585 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm).

The first few videos of these new supermodels have been released, and you should definitely take a look at how the cars behave on the track. Mercedes says that despite adding weight to the car, their 4MATIC system actually makes it faster.

There is only one problem. While Jaguar-Land Rover is undoubtedly keen to get a compact crossover out as soon as possible, to fight the Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi ASX, and even the Peugeot 2008, they need to collaborate with another, more experienced manufacturer, who also happens to have a suitable platform.

Fireflies Are The Key to 50% Brighter LEDs

It’s funny how our ‘modern technology’ runs into its limitations, we always turn to nature to find a solution or workaround for the problem. Examples are many, and they only stand to prove that we still have a lot to learn, and that we are not as ‘advanced’ as we say we are.

One particularly interesting example of just that is a new kind of LED (light emitting diode) which scientists say gives off 50% more light. Where is the nature reference?

Jaguar to Offer Manual Gearbox Options on F-Type and XF All ‘real’ drivers know that for the sheer joy of driving a sporty car, there’s no substitute for a third pedal and a stick which comes out of the car’s central tunnel. One has to merely press the left-most pedal, move the aforementioned stick around, and then the fun starts!

Now, when all other manufacturers are going towards the complete elimination of manual gearboxes from their range, Jaguar has decided that it would be high-time to offer some, to enhance the sporty feeling, as well as the overall control that the driver has over the car.

The most likely candidate to receive this new manual box is, predictably, the F-Type, yet putting it in the XF is not out of the question, while the XJ is simply too big to be suited to a manual shifter.

Also, it has been confirmed, that both Jaguar and Land Rover will adopt the new generation of nine-speed ZF automatic gearboxes, once they become available for mass use.

Well, the scientists behind the concept studied the Photuris firefly, and discovered that they give off their luminescence through the cuticle of their exoskeleton. The problem is that some of the light gets reflected back into the cuticle, and therefor the actual brightness is reduced.

LEDs suffer a similar problem, and with the help of the Photuris firefly, the bright minds (pun intended) behind the idea realized that the key were the scales seen in the cuticle, when put under a powerful microscope. They look very much like the shingles you would see on an old house, and the light gets reflected off their edges, thus boosting the brightness back up!

If the scientists are right, then all LEDs could be brighter by as much as 50%. The structure of the scales can be reproduced using precise lasers, on the surface of the actual diode.

Annick Bay, a Ph.D. student from Belgium, who was part of the research team, said: “The most important aspect of this work is that it shows how much we can learn by carefully observing nature,” which brings us neatly back to the idea at the beginning of the article.

Also, considering the fact that LEDs are very widely used in millions of different devices and gadgets, making ones which use up just half the energy to produce the same amount of light they do now would meen massive energy savings around the world.

2013 Kawasaki 1400GTR, the Mean Flagship Tourer With its 1352cc in-line 4-cylinder engine and loaded with the ultimate Kawasaki technology, the 2013 1400GTR is a very serious competitor in the sporttouring bike segment.

While the rivalry is fierce, the 2013 Kawasaki 1400GTR boasts a lot of topdrawer features to make the battle interesting. For starters, this large tourer is loaded with a traction control system and the second generation co-active ABS braking controller for exceptional stability in fast turns, on difficult surfaces or when having to slow down very quickly.

The large LCD multifunctional screen

offers essential riding data and hints you about how to drive more economically.

Electronic assistance is also available for fuel economy at a press of a button.

For touring, the 2013 Kawasaki 1400GTR boasts a generous storage space in sidecases, and an topcase can also be fitted if needed. Heated grips, electrically-adjustable windshield and tire pressure monitor add to the comfort of this 312 kg (688 lbs), 155 PS nifty tourer.

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MOTORING EVENTS

The Next

Great

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Sponsored by

TOYO TIRES

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MOTORING EVENTS

The Run is a charity event. We approach homes and shelters and provide food stuff, clothing and much more.

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MOTORING EVENTS

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Photo: One of the participating cars branded with Toyo Tires stickers.

Toyo tires is the main sponsor for The Great Run

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The Great Run acts as a podium from which we aim to dispel the false notion that a love of cars is synonymous with lack of responsibility on the road.

Top: 1. One of the camera crew.

2. A participant with his bike.

3. Great Run website.

4. Cockpit of an R34 GTR On the right: Type R, Version 6.

Next Page bottom: Toyota Caldina (Nemesis) 14

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December 1st was D-Day for a group of motoring enthusiasts in 50 cars and 4 bikes. The brief was this: get a gathering of like-minded petrol heads for a run from Nairobi to Oloitoktok. Entry was open to anyone in any self-propelled vehicle. Stop along the way, at Makindu, and head to Oloitoktok for a short burst of charity, target: Chombo cha Upendo Children’s Home (now the kids get a handout). Drive back to Nairobi. Enjoy yourself in the process.

We did enjoy ourselves, as is apparent from the pictorial feature in the following pages. Have an awesome viewing.

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3 Previous page top: Part of the organising team with some of the children at the home.

On the left: Part of the donations and below Baraza briefing the participants.

1. Pajero V73 2. Mistubishi Colt plus 3. Ducati 1098 4. Lobsta’s Toyota Starlet Glanza EP90 (Knight Rider) 5. Greatwall (JP) 6. Evolution 9.

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Top: Killer bump in Wote On the right: Godzilla R34, Skyline Next Page: Some of cars that participated in The Next Great Run.

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Still Too Fast To Race

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THIS MONTHS FEATURE

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he beginning of Group B Rally cars before the Group B era were, for the most part, rear-wheel-drive with about 250 horsepower, because any more power merely resulted in wheelspin. The two classes at the time were Group 2 and the more popular Group 4. The rules for Group 4 mandated a minimum production run of 400 copies of a car to meet homologation requirements, in order to encourage the manufacturers to use mass-produced cars. Some of the more famous rally cars from this period were the Lancia Stratos, the Fiat 131 Abarth, and the Porsche 911.

However, in 1979, FISA (Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile, the sanctioning body for rallying) legalized all-wheel-drive for rallying. The manufacturers involved in rallying at the time considered four-wheel-drive too heavy and complex to be successful. They were all proven wrong when Audi launched its new Quattro in 1980, and announced its intention to use the 1980 and 1981 seasons as development years. The full potential of four-wheel-drive was realized when Audi pilot Hannu Mikkola used a Quattro as a course opening vehicle for one rally. Had Mikkola been entered, he would have won by nine minutes!

FIA (International Automobile Federation) introduced Group B in 1982 as the most exotic category in motor rallying.

The regulations for Group B required the manfacturers to build only 200 road cars, very much lower than Group A’s 5000 cars.

Besides, more modifications were allowed for the race version. Therefore car makers could put as much state-of-the-art technology as possible into their racing cars.

This created a golden era in motor rallying history - Audi, Lancia, Peugoet, Ford, Citroen and Austin Rover created many super rally cars to compete in World Rally Championship, all with at least 400 horsepower, lightweight Kevlar body and most of them were mid-engined and 4-wheel drive also. Recalling that period, motor rally enthusiasts always regard that as the best moment of their life. WRC had never been as exciting as that period.

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Quattro Sport

What a pity the Group B ended in misery. In 1986 season, series of accidents involving spectators as well as led to the death of Lancia’s top driver Henri Toivonen and navigator Sergio Cresto happened. Group B was accused of being too powerful and too light to be controllable. As a result, FIA axed it after that season.

When the Quattro entered (and won) its first rally, the 1980 Janner rally in Austria, most of the other manufacturers in rallying realized the two-wheel-drive era of rallying had come to an end. Audi continued its development during the 1981 season, winning several rounds of the WRC, including the San Remo rally, which was an historic event because it was the first ever international rally won by a woman, Michèle Mouton. 1982

firmly established Audi as the team to beat, although Mouton narrowly lost the driver’s crown to Opel rival Walter Röhrl. The 1983 season saw the creation of Groups A and B, and the first real Group B car arrived on the scene - the Lancia 037 Monte Carlo. Audi’s first major rival had arrived.

Evolution of Group B The 037 was different from the Quattro in several key respects - it was supercharged instead of turbocharged, and it still had rear-wheel-drive, due to Lancia’s uncertainty about the potential of fourwheel-drive. It was, however, a Group B rally car (the Quattro was still built to the Group 4 specifications), and the new Group B class only required 200 copies of a car for homologation. The Group B rally teams could also produce “evolu-

tion” versions of their cars - and only twenty copies would be required! Group B also had minimal weight restrictions, plus the use of high-tech materials was permitted in the construction of the cars. These elements, plus manufacturers with unlimited resources, allowed Group B to evolve extremely quickly.

The cars’ performance levels increased at a rapid pace.

The new 037 was instantly at a disadvantage due to its lack of four-wheeldrive. Four-wheel-drive allowed Audi to run with a lot more power, due to the increased traction. Four-wheel-drive also proved to be much gentler on the tires, so Audi could run much softer compounds and further increase its traction. However, the Quattro had a number of flaws which allowed the 037 to win the Manufacturer’s title in 1983:

the Quattro was unreliable, it was clumsy and unwieldy to drive, and its front-engine, monocoque chassis was soon rendered obsolete by the mid-engine, space frame design of the Peugeot 205 T16, the new king of the hill once it arrived at the Tour de Corse rally in 1984.

The 205 T16’s pace in Corsica shocked the rally community. Peugeot had built a strong team, with Ari Vatanen as the driver and Jean Todt running the rally program.

Vatanen crashed out of the Corsican rally, but went on to give the 205 its first win at the 1000 Lakes rally in Finland later that year. By this time, Audi had introduced its Sport Quattro, while the 037 was already showing its age. Peugeot looked set to walk away with the 1985 titles after an impressive year of preparation during 1984.

Peugeot did dominate most of the 1985 season, but things didn’t go according

Since 1981, Audi stormed the rally world with its 4WD pioneering Quattro and established the reputation as King of Rally. In fact, Audi was not unbeatable. The biggest insult came when it was beaten by the rear-wheel drive Lancia 037 in 1983, this proved that a winning car also need a complete good package besides the drivetrain. Therefore it went to the drawing board again and created the mighty Quattro Sport - the most powerful rally car in history.

The 2133 c.c. all-alloy 5-cylinder unit had 4-valve head plus a big turbocharger.

Maximum power in race car reached 500 hp, while the road car still managed to put out 300 hp. No wonder R&T recorded 3.6 sec for 0-60 mph and 11.8 sec for quarter mile for the race version, both were faster than Peugeot 205T16, Ford RS200 and Lancia 037.

The chassis was as conservative as the normal Quattro road car - steel monocoque was retained, front-engined configuration remained unchanged. To reduce weight and enhance nimbleness, wheelbase was shortened by a massive 12.6 inches. This led to the very strangelooking appearance - it simply looked like a Quattro coupe with the center section chopped away. Short wheelbase married with long overhangs in front and tail, what a contrast to today’s design philosophy !

The body was made of mostly Kevlar, some aluminium and glass-fiber, just like other Group B cars. Also like other Group B cars, the Quattro Sport road car was very difficult to drive. It was very raw, too.

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THIS MONTHS FEATURE >> to plan. Peugeot lost Ari Vatanen in a near-fatal crash in Argentina, but his teammate Timo Salonen took up the challenge and brought both titles to Peugeot.

However, the 1985 RAC rally saw a whole pack of new challengers hungry to challenge Peugeot’s dominance. Lancia debuted its new Delta S4, which was supercharged and turbocharged, Ford unveiled the RS200, Austin-Metro launched its new Metro 6R4, Audi entered its radical S1 Quattro, and Peugeot countered the newcomers with the 205 T16 Evolution 2.

Lancia’s new S4 came away with first and second places; by this point, wings had to be added to the cars to keep them on the road.

End of Group B The pace of technology in Group B was astounding, but FISA was planning Group S. Group S was to be a class which would allow manufacturers to produce highly futuristic cars, and only ten copies would be required for homologation. However, the inevitable finally happened: during the 1986 Port Wine rally in Portugal, a Ford RS200 left the road on a spectator stage, killing three and injuring dozens; after the crash, all the works teams withdrew from the rally. But the final blow for Group B came on May 4, 1986.

Lancia’s lead driver, Henri Toivonen, was dominating the 1986 championship and the Tour de Corse rally when his S4 left the road during a twisty tarmac stage.

The car went off the edge of the road, hitting trees and rocks while sliding down a hillside. Toivonen and his navigator, Sergio Cresto, were killed. There were no witnesses to the crash, and the subsequent fire completely destroyed the car, leaving the remains unrecognizable as a vehicle.

The heat from the fire was so intense that all that remained of the car was a blackened space frame. Group B and Group S were instantly cancelled for the 1987 season; Ford and Audi withdrew from Group B immediately. The other works teams decided to see the season out.

Rallying after Group B Rallying after Group B looks a bit different. The replacement cars, the Group A and WRC classes, are getting close to the 24

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A Ford RS200 left the road on a spectator stage, killing three and injuring dozens..... speeds of the Group B cars, but they aren’t quite there yet. But the modern rally cars are very spectacular and exciting to watch. Modern rally drivers are among the best drivers in the world.

Plus, rallying today has more factory teams already participating or planning entries in the WRC. Was it right to ban the Group B cars?

Personally, I think so. If FISA had done a better job of regulating the cars, then maybe the Group B cars could have stayed. But since FISA focused the majority of their attention on F1, they didn’t realize how fast the Group B cars had become; it took an accident like Toivonen’s to get FISA’s attention. The Group B cars had reached the point where they belonged on a racetrack, not on a rally stage. The cars were so fast that a driver’s eyes didn’t have time to adjust their focus properly between corners.

Group B lived a short, but very interesting, life.

“The heat from the fire was so intense that all that remained of the car was a blackened space frame....”

Peaugeot 205 Turbo 16 Undoubtedly, the emergence of Peugeot 205 T16 represented a new generation of Group B cars which could eat the old generation (headed by Audi Quattro Sport) for breakfast. While Quattro Sport was still front-engined, with a heavy monocoque chassis, Peugeot redefined the rules as mid-engined, space frame chassis and at least 100 lb lighter.

The 1.8-litre 16 valves turbocharged four generated up to 440 hp in race form but only 195 hp in road trim - in fact, unlike Audi and Ford, Peugeot (as well as Lancia S4) had no intention to fulfill the customers’ expectation. All it wanted was to win the WRC and spend as little to the road car development as possible.

However, the road car still (had to) shared most of the advanced technology with the race car, including the unique center differential which enable onboard selection of different torque slit ratio between front and rear axle. Driver might select the most suitable setting for different kinds of road.

THIS MONTHS FEATURE

Lancia Delta S4

Being one of the most high-tech cars ever built, Delta S4 had a legendary and dramatic fate. It had actually no relationship with the production Delta series, as you can see from its mid-engined design and tubular space frame chassis. It was designed for pure racing purpose from day one, aiming to beat Peugeot 205T16 and Audi Quattro Sport in Group B world rally championship. It would have done that, if fate was not against it.

Although Lancia already had a midengined race car called “037” (or “Monte Carlo” for road version), this car was found outpowered (only 325hp, compared with 440hp of Peugoet and 500hp of Audi) and outhandled by rivals (2WD only, unlike Audi and Peugeot’s 4WD).

Therefore Lancia had to develop the Delta S4 as a replacement.

Like contemporary rivals, Delta S4 was styled and named to promote the mass-production Delta. In fact, under the skin it was a clean sheet design. Being disagreed with Audi Quattro Sport’s front-engined theory, it adopted the more popular mid-engined layout. The engine was longitudinally mounted behind the front seats, directly driving the viscous-coupling LSD which transfered 30% torque to front wheels and 70% to the rear. At each of the corners of the steel tubular space frame chassis, double wishbones and twin absorbers were employed as suspensions. All these were covered by a glass-fibre / epoxy resin composite body. (Kevlar for race car) While its 4WD system was not as advanced as Peugeot 205T16’s (which had variable torque split between front and rear axles), its engine was by far advanc26

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er. As I know, it was the only car ever employed turbocharger and supercharger simultaneously.

Turbocharger is generally regarded as the most efficient means of forced induction, but it requires higher rev (hence a lot of exhaust gas) to operate. The result is poor low-speed power and the presense of turbo lag. On the contrary, supercharger performs strongly and instantly right from idle, but it is rahter inefficient in high rpm. For a rally car, a flat torque curve over a wide range of rpm is always very crucial, since rally car has to brake to very slow in tight corners and then accelerate to near top speed in 10 seconds.

Therefore Lancia spent a lot money with Abarth to develop a system combining both turbocharger and supercharger to get a perfect output. It employed twin intercoolers, one for the turbo and one for the supercharger. The supercharger worked at low speed. Once the turbo cut in, a bypass valve relieved the pressure from the supercharger so that energy efficiency was be lifted.

This system was not only complex, but also faced great difficulties during development. The biggest problem was the transition between supercharging and turbocharging, since a short zero-boost period existed. However, after further developement, this problem was eventually solved.

As a result, the 1.8-litre engine had an outstanding power of 250 hp and a healthy 214 lbft of torque, while the rally car had at least 470 hp and 333 lbft.

Like other Group B cars, only 200 units of road version were made to fulfill the minimum requirement for homologation.

In WRC, Delta S4 experienced a dramatic fate. It won its debut race, then continued to dominate the following races and was leading both the driver and manufacturer championship standings. Such excellent results amazed everyone, since it was a completely new car.

In 1986, Tour de Corse (Corsica Rally), leading driver Henri Toivonen and navigator Sergio Cresto crashed in their S4 and both were killed. The team lost its

momentum and eventually handed the title to Peugeot. This accident led to the rethink of Group B cars. Races went on but finally FIA annouced the termination of Group B, because it was too powerful and dangerous. Therefore, Delta S4 became the most outstanding rally car in history that did not won world title.

Ford RS200

Lancia Delta S4

Renault R5 Turbo

ASK THE MECH

turbopedia top tips Courtesy of Mista Lobsta

We all have varying levels of patience and understanding about different aspects of life. This obviously also translates to our understanding of these beloved machines on four wheels that whisk us around from point X to Y. For some, they are their pride and joy. For others, they are just a means to an end. Either way, at the end of the day, both entities will need their automobiles to be able to safely ferry them to their destinations and back.

Shared here are some common tips I like to call turbopedia top tips, and whether you are a professional grease monkey, or that fellow who just know how to turn the key and drive off, there will be something in here that will be of some use to you, from the very basic of routines to more technical procedures.

TTT #01: Whenever you have prolonged lower ambient temps (the average temperature (&humidity) of the air outside), your tire pressures are likely to drop, so unless you are running nitrogen in your 28

EDITION 18 JAN - FEB 2013

tires (which is far less reactive to ambient temperature fluctuations), do make it a habit to check your tire pressures (including your spare tire/s) before any extended trips or the daily run-about.

TTT #02: Here are but a few of some of the most neglected systems/components on our cars, until of course they break down & become a nuisance; power steering, clutch system, parking brake, door latches + locks, windscreen washers + wipers.

Have you checked yours..? :)

TTT #03: When on the highway, don’t follow trucks or other large vehicles too closely as the pebbles & small stones they throw up in their wake can strike your screen & crack or break it. Main-

tain the 3-second rule when trailing such heavy haulers – pick a landmark on the road side, start counting when the vehicle ahead passes your defined landmark.

If you pass the same mark before 3 seconds are up, you’re too close. This not only protects your windscreen, but also allows your air intake to ingest better air than the dust, smoke and pebble-filled one right at the tail of the vehicle ahead.

TTT #04: Carry some potable water in your car & remember to refresh it often.

2 liters (or more) is usually sufficient.

You never know when you or your car may need to drink, or fill up your screen wash bottle, or come to the aid of another motorist :) TTT #05: It takes maybe 3 minutes tops to adjust your windscreen sprinklers (if they are the adjustable type). Get at them with a pin & perhaps a wing man to aid in activating the sprinkler as you adjust them.

TTT #06: Anyone with a basic understanding of geometry will know and understand that trucks have a wide turn-

ing circle, so next time you’re at a roundabout, give way or have your quarter panels get some good truck tire hugs. Don’t go getting all mad because trucks have a huge blind spot and the truck driver will not always see you.

TTT #07: If you ever have the fortune of narrowly escaping a spin-out, frontal impact or any other sort of accident/incident on a high-speed road (like a 2-, 3or multiple-lane highway), get away from the scene as quickly as possible and find a safer spot off the road.

TTT #08: Check the health of your brakes every so often! » Ensure your fluid is as fresh as the service intervals allow. » Check that your calipers move freely on the carriers & that they aren’t seized. » Each time you are at the wash, blast some water at your brake setup to dislodge any debris. » Ensure you swap your pads & rotors as soon as they get to the minimum thickness – rotor thickness is often stamped on the rotor itself and may need the unit removed from the car before it is visible. » After swapping your pads or brake shoes, ensure you bed them in properly by braking gently for the first few miles to avoid glazing them. » Check for dings & dents in your brake lines & swap anything you are unhappy with.

TTT #09: Contrary to popular belief, multi-pronged spark plugs do not do anything for your power or efficacy & you surely do not get multiple sparks with the more probes your spark plug has. Laws of physics only allow one spark to jump the gap following the path of

least resistance. The only reason you’d get these is if you wanted to slightly extend your service intervals.

TTT#10: If you are a parent, the safest place for your baby carrier/car seat is the middle seat of the center row of seats (assuming you have a van or some other people carrier that has multiple seat rows).

TTT #11: After taking your car swimming through each puddle during the wet season, remember to dab and hold lightly on your brakes for a short while with the car in motion to allow them dry off slightly so that they’re ready to stop you when you need them to.

TTT #12: In most accident situations, most (if not all) drivers will try to save three things: their car, their life or their pride. Sometimes, this just isn’t possible, and when this is the eventuality staring you in the face, I’d say pick one, & it’s not the car or your pride.

TTT #13: Don’t be a lane-challenged driver. Kenya was once a British-colonized region, meaning we have adopted the keep-left-while-driving rule of the road. This means, you should keep left in the turns & at the junctions too.

TTT #14: For you to get the most accu-

rate oil level readings, check it after the engine has been OFF for at least 15 minutes. This will have given the oil ample time to drain from all the oil galleries in the engine & back into the oil pan/sump.

Ensure that the car is on level ground as well when doing this. This should also give you a hint that those gas station attendants that check your oil while you engine is running or has just been switched off don’t really know what they are doing if they are trying to convince you that your oil level is fine.

TTT #15: Learn how to reverse! Contrary to popular belief, it is part and parcel of the driving requirement.

TTT #16: If you suspect your car is overheating (possibly due to a failed thermostat), as a temporary aid while you get to a garage or the nearest safe stop, you can turn on your cabin fan to its highest speed, then turn the temperature dial to maximum heat and direct the cabin air to either the front screen or the side vents (away from you as it can get uncomfortably hot) and have the intake feed from outside the car/cabin, not recirculating within the cabin. This should drop your engine temps a good 3~7 degrees depending on ambient air temps and your velocity, which could in turn save your engine. This works by allowing the engine coolant to get cooled via the cabin heater matrix, which is gets its’ feed prethermostat so it will be drawing away as much engine heat even if the thermostat is in the closed position.

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NEW CAR REVIEWS

Subaru XV This dedicated compact SUV is a world away from the first holder of this badge, the Impreza XV. That first XV was just a jacked-up hatch with a higher ground clearance and pseudo off-road ability.

And while the new XV shares much of its running gear and panels with the new Impreza, it comes with enough special talents to be a new niche model for Subaru, slotting squarely into the highly competitive compact SUV category.

It’s not the cheapest around – other makers offer cut-price 2WD variants – but the ‘fulltime AWD’ XV stacks up well on price against its AWD contemporaries.

The mid-shelf 2.0i-L model, and which sits between the 2.0i and 2.0i-S, is arguably the best value of the trio.

INTERIOR Quality: Despite the dark interior, the 30

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cabin has a light and open feel thanks to its enormous glasshouse and raked windscreen.

The switchgear and knobs are mostly sweet to the touch, with the exception of the info and trip-reset stalks that are long and flimsy.

The sat-nav touch-screen also looks a bit of an afterthought, and there are some exposed welds on the door frame; small glitches that mar an otherwise pleasant interior.

The cloth-covered seats look a mite cheap, but are actually quite comfortable.

Equipment: Standard equipment across the XV range includes a decent sixspeaker audio with iPod and Bluetooth, wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, dash-mounted info screen, reversing camera, cruise control, fog lights, roof rails, and those polarizing 17-inch alloy wheels.

The L specification adds dual-zone climate control, touch-screen for Sat-Nav and audio controls (additional to the info screen), leather trimmings, ‘privacy’ glass and sunroof.

Oddly, the standard reversing camera is not matched to reverse parking sensors.

Bi-Xenon headlights are saved for the S model; the L gets some rather weak halogen spotters.

Storage: The boot is only 310 litres, and while it will fit two good-sized suitcases, the space saver spare tyre makes the boot quite shallow.

ON THE ROAD Driveability: Fire up the engine, and it sounds like the same old 2.0-litre Boxer.

But pull away through the gears and you can feel it’s an all-new flat four.

The new FB20, which has taken over from the rather archaic EJ20, has about the same power and torque on paper at

110kW/235Nm. It could do with a dollop or two more of the latter: the climb through the revs is docile.

The new donk with its lighter components and longer stroke is tuned to optimise economy. Helping it is a standard start/stop system.

A countdown timer appears on the centre screen, advising how long the engine has been halted on each trip and how many millilitres of fuel saved.

Umm, where is the 2.0-litre diesel, Subaru?

The manual six-speed gearbox is typically notchy, with the well-used second and third gears being quite tall - in fact, it feels like they belong in a five-speeder.

But the tall lower gears reduce the number of shifts needed around town.

Vision is good, the steering is nicelyweighted, and while the turning circle is large, the XV is a cinch to manoeuvre.

Refinement: The cabin is relatively damped and quiet despite its larger rims and typically vocal all-terrain rubber.

When the auto start/stop kicks the engine back into life it’s a harsh aural intrusion, and there is also that ol’ familiar Subie rack-rattle over sharper corrugations when lock is wound on.

Suspension: Some of the suspension components have been stolen from the hi-po STI Impreza. Unsurprisingly, the XV has a distinctly tied-down feeling over varying terrain.

Just a short stint onto gravel proves it can handle the harsh stuff with excellent bump and rebound control; far better than some of its 2WD-biased contemporaries.

The XV’s taller ride height (and higher Subaru XV 2.0l Engine:2.0L Boxer-4 Power:148 HP / 145 LB-FT Transmission:CVT Drivetrain:All-Wheel Drive Curb Weight: 3,164 LBS Seating: 2+3 Cargo: 22.3 / 51.9 CU-FT MPG: 25 City / 33 HWY Price: 4.6 M

roll centre) produces a bit of lean on corners, but body control is pretty impressive for a car with 220mm of clearance.

Braking: The brake pedal has a boosted feel to it, but it is not overly sensitive.

The brakes work well, and the standard ‘hill-hold’ stops the car rolling backwards on incline starts.

SAFETY The XV adds a driver’s knee airbag bringing the total to seven. Stability control, brake assist and ABS, and ‘hill-hold’ help the safety rating, while constant AWD provides added grip.

HOW IT COMPARES | VALUE FOR MONEY Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI – More

costly than the XV, and its servicing and parts costs will also be a good deal higher. A smaller boot but a superb drivetrain and a long feature-list. (see Tiguan reviews) Mitsubishi ASX Aspire 2.0i - The 4x4 ASX petrol is the top-shelf unit, and comes in CVT only. It’s coarser than the XV but Mitsubishi also has a 300Nm diesel at the same price point (manual transmission).

Hyundai ix35 Elite 2.4i - Offering 130kW/227Nm despite a bigger engine, the ix35 is not going to win the power walk. But it is capable, comes wellspecced, and offers a brilliant warranty and servicing costs.

Mazda CX-5

Jeep Compass

The 2013 CX-5 is, effectively, the replacement for the Tribute – Mazda’s badge-engineered version of the Ford Escape. The Tribute never really fit within Mazda’s lineup, especially in recent years as the Japanese automaker has begun to furiously hone its styling and engineering directions. That said, there’s a brand-new Ford Escape coming for the 2013 model year, and Mazda quickly put its foot down to kill any rumors that the CX-5 is in any way related to the Ford.

A “softroader,” the Compass was meant to compete in the growing field of compact, front-wheel-drive crossovers often derided as “Cute Utes.”

The misguided, condescending and paternalistic attitude of the Germans running DaimlerChrysler at the time was that young women would flock to the Compass, while its mechanical twin, the Jeep Patriot, was designed for the boys. While the Patriot at least looked like a Jeep – the much-loved, discontinued Cherokee – the googlyeyed Compass was cartoonish, like a Jeep animated for the Powerpuff Girls.

EDITION 18 JAN - FEB 2013

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NEW CAR REVIEWS

T

Land Rover Freelander 2

his is the Land Rover Freelander 2, the one they will introduce in our market in early this year. Because this is a mid-life update, Land Rover has, predictably, chosen to give it subtle updates that make the car look and feel fresher, rather than go in for expensive sheet metal changes.

To that extent, there’s new equipment, a restrained rework of the interiors and the mildest of facelifts.

To get into the details, the exterior changes are limited to headlamps that get LED daytime running lamps, tail lamps that get Land Rover’s twin-circular theme, there are new alloy wheels and three new colours.

On the inside, Land Rover has uncluttered the dashboard with fewer switches, a tidied up dashboard and an electric emergency brake. Oh, and the rotary dial for the terrain response system

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has been replaced by an Evoque style switch. There’s also a new feature on the reverse camera that makes it easier to hitch a trailer onto the tow hook, and there’s keyless go as well.

There are no mechanical changes apart from a new structural undertray that strengthens the chassis. There are two engines, a new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, and a 2.2-litre commonrail turbo diesel that makes 148bhp or 187bhp depending on which version you order. As before, both versions will come with a six-speed automatic transmission.

So, in the end, what you get with the Freelander is a car that, atleast in 187bhp trim has adequate grunt and one that is reasonably refined as well.

It may not be the class leader when it comes to handling, but the Freelander has other strengths -- namely it’s ride and it’s off-road prowess. It is the best in class on the latter. In typical Land Rover

fashion, it’s easy to drive thanks to its high seats and low window line.

The Freelander may not be the best -selling Land Rover in Kenya, and neither a class leader but this facelift and nip-and-tuck definitely go some way towards improving that. Expect the facelifted Freelander to cost marginally more than the current price when it gets to our showrooms.

Land Rover’s Freelander 2 feels as capable on the road as it is off it, while the current model is more luxurious than the original. Part of its appeal is its driving character on tarmac, where the Freelander 2 feels more like a tall estate car than an off-roader. The diesel engine comes in two outputs, and there’s a front-wheel-drive model for those seeking better fuel economy. An update late in 2012 has freshened up the looks, with new lights at the front and rear, and an interior with a much cleaner look and fewer buttons. However, the Freelander has been surpassed by other, increasingly capable rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe, the budget Dacia Duster and even Land Rover’s own Evoque.

THE DRIVE The high seating position gives a great

view out, while the compact dimensions make for easy town driving. Despite incredible ability off-road, the supple suspension impresses with its comfort on long motorway journeys. An accurate manual gearbox – or smooth automatic with the more powerful 187bhp SD4 turbodiesel engine – makes the car easy to drive, however, the steering is slow to react. It works well if you’re driving slowly but the Freelander feels out of its depth when you pick up speed.

The comfortable driving character

of the Freelander 2 is matched by good levels of quietness and luxury at lower speeds. At higher motorway speeds the boxy shape does create some wind whistle, and the diesel engines are noisy at high revs. The suspension copes admirably with the our poor road surfaces, while the seats are firm yet supportive.

Reliability The interior feels robust, but some of the plastics lack the quality finish that you might expect in such an expensive car. The update has improved the quality of some materials, however.

Land Rover’s reliability has never been a strong point, with owners suffering niggling issues. Even so, the Freelander 2 has put in credible performances in satisfaction surveys.

Practicality The lack of a seven-seat option (found in cheaper rivals from Japanese and Korean brands) does limit the Freelander 2’s people-carrying ability.

But good legroom in the front and back means four adults should get in comfortably. Folding the seats flat increases the boot’s volume from 755 litres to 1,670 litres, while big door bins and a usefully

sized glovebox provide handy storage for bits and pieces.

Value for money You’ll pay handsomely to own a Freelander, and entry-level S models don’t come especially well equipped. That said, the car offers reasonable value for money, as all versions hold their value better than most rivals. An XS model is the best compromise, as it comes with standard climate control, cruise control, leather seats and sat-nav. The HSE adds a full leather interior, but carries a hefty premium over the XS. HSE Lux and Dynamic models were added with a focus on ultimate luxury and sportiness, respectively.

Running costs The 2.2-litre turbodiesel version of the Freelander 2 is more economical thanks to the inclusion of stop-start technology on manual cars. Plus, the front-wheel-drive eD4 model combines rugged looks withimproved economy, even if it loses its unstoppable off-road ability as a result. This version delivers 47.2mpg, although improvements to the 4x4 versions mean even the TD4 models can achieve 45.6mpg.

Price TBA (To be anounced soon)

VW Tiguan

Audi Q5

The Volkswagen Tiguan gets the latest family looks, new tech and new engines - but continues to be quietly competent rather than invigorating We like: new looks work well, new toys bring premium appeal and extra safety, more efficient than before, usual VW build quality We don’t like: still not exciting, diesel refinement gruff, drivability sacrificed for efficiency?

Audi’s mid-size SUV gets new engines and a posh pair of headlights but is it enough to keep the Q5 at the top of the class?

We like: Refinement, ride quality, efficiency improvements We don’t like: More expensive than rivals, generic Audi styling, no lowerpowered diesel yet EDITION 18 JAN - FEB 2013

33

NEW CAR REVIEWS

Volvo V50 Traditionally, Volvo is associated with big, boxy estates. The V50 certainly isn’t boxy, but it isn’t that big, either, as it loses out on outright luggage capacity to family hatchback-based estate cars like the Volkswagen Golf Estate.

Nevertheless, it’s a smart piece of design, perhaps one of the neatest, sportiest looking estates on the market. It also offers massive choice for buyers, from the very clean, if a little slow, DRIVe version (which we tried), to the rangetopping T5 model. It’s priced somewhere between a ‘mainstream’ compact estate, such as the VW Golf Estate, and a premium car, like the BMW 3 Series Touring.

Drive Feels secure and composed on country roads The V50 never feels less than composed and secure on the road. It’s very easy to find a good driving position because of the wide range of steering wheel and seat adjustment, although the absence of a clutch footrest means drivers will be riding the clutch in manual versions.

Nonetheless, the controls all feel solid and well engineered, especially the gearbox - it’s precise and pleasant to use.

The V50 feels compact from behind the wheel, with a direct, light feel to the steering and good all-round visibility.

What it never feels, though, is sporty.

The quickest petrol and diesel versions, the T5 and D4, boast potent overtaking power, but fail to excite on a twisty road.

Arguably, though, that’s not what the V50 is for, it’s actually a very comfortable car to use on a daily basis.

Comfort The V50’s suspension glides over uneven roads.. Wind, tyre and engine noise are kept well out of the cabin in the V50, most of the time, although whistling is more obvious around the front windscreen pillars on the motorway. What the V50 does do well is smooth out uneven roads. There’s a hint of firmness to the suspension, especially when

encountering potholes, but nothing that sends the V50 into the realms of uncomfortable. Space for front occupants is excellent, but less so for those in the back - six-footers will feel their head rubbing the roof lining at times.

Reliability Quality, like safety, is first rate.

Although the V50 hasn’t enjoyed a flawless reputation for reliability since its launch, cabin quality is excellent - with soft touch materials on the upper dashboard and a solid feel to the switches. The V50 gets a five-star adult occupant safety rating; Volvo’s reputation for safety is not without merit. A side-impact protection system unique to Volvo helps prevent injuries, there are airbags all round and an optional blind spot monitoring system.

Practicality Rear seats fold flat, but the boot is awkwardly shaped.. A boot capacity of 417 litres is smaller than that of the VW Golf Estate (505 litres), and seems a little disappointing against the expectations you might have. The floor is narrow, eaten into by the rear suspension, although it’s at the same level as the lower lip so it’s easy to load. The rear seats fold completely flat, too. In the cabin there are few spaces for oddments, and the glove box is too small for anything more than a handful of CD cases.

Value for money R-DESIGN versions get sporty looks and a luxury cabin. Because the V50 vies with premium cars, all versions get alloy wheels and air-conditioning, with SE models adding cruise control and commanding a smaller premium for leather upholstery. R-DESIGN versions get sportier trim and a body kit. It’s not a cheap car to buy, but feels well made and equipment levels make it feel like good value.

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Running costs DRIVe versions are in a class of their own for fuel consumption, The 32mpg (13.6 kpl) DRIVe version is in a class of its own, easily capable of returning over 30mpg (12.8 kpl) even around town. Even the powerful D4 engine returns 35.4mpg (14.6 kpl). The petrol engines are best avoided, especially if the car is likely to be fully laden a lot, because they need to be worked harder, so fuel economy will be poor.

The total cost duty paid for the 1.8 version we tried, ranges from 1.6M to 1.9M Ksh

Toyota Avensis Tourer estate The Toyota Avensis Tourer is a spacious estate car with a large boot and comfortable cabin. It’s a smart choice for anyone who needs to travel long distances in comfort. This third generation model has moved more upmarket, and builds on Toyota’s strong reputation for reliability. It’s often considered as more of a tool for getting from A to B though, and has failed to shake the dull image of its previous incarnations. All models come well equipped, and are very quiet at cruising speed. Fuel economy could be better though, particularly from diesel powered editions.

Volkswagen Golf estate Volkswagen produces the Golf estate for those who want the classy looks, solid build and comfort of the Golf hatchback in a simple, yet more practical package. The spacious boot increases the carrying capacity of the Golf significantly, the load area growing from 350 litres in the hatch to 505 litres in the estate. Fold down the rear seats for maximum carrying capacity and the estate boasts 1,495 litres of luggage space. That’s not quite as generous as the Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra estates, but the Golf feels like a classier proposition with its upmarket interior and smart looks.

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35

NEW CAR REVIEWS

The 2012 Honda Accord is no longer the freshest mid-size sedan--it’s due for a full redesign in another year or two.

But the current version remains one of the top choices in this class for interior space, styling, ride comfort, performance, and features--all with a sensible, economical, value-minded feel.

In the crowded field of mid-size sedans, the Accord still manages to stand out on the test drive. Whether you choose the sedan or coupe, four-cylinder or V-6, the Accord offers satisfying overall performance and is among the better-handling vehicles in this class.

Four-cylinder models are gutsy enough, and very smooth; you won’t need the V-6 unless you plan to haul lots of people or cargo. But with it, including the active noise cancellation that top

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trims get, the Accord feels more like a luxury car at times, and throughout the lineup you’ll find responsive steering, good body control, and strong brakes.

Gas mileage has long been a strength for the Accord, too, but its figures are lower than those of the new Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima.

Most shoppers will find the Accord’s interior layout refreshing compared to rivals, at least from a distance. Last year Honda gave a few of the controls a fresher look and feel; the Accord’s rakish instrument panel looks great, but the placement of the buttons and controls sometimes feels as if it was done more for style than ergonomics.

Interior space remains a strength for the Honda Accord. While it’s a midsize sedan by most eyes, it qualifies as a large car according to the EPA--and its

interior really does feel big-car accommodating for driver and passengers.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, there’s plenty of legroom in back, and the trunk is huge.

The Accord is just as well equipped as any of its rivals, with one significant red flag: It can be frustrating if you want some essential tech features, like Bluetooth hands-free, but don’t want ‘the works.’ While Honda has just for 2012 made a USB connector standard across the lineup, you still can’t get a factory Bluetooth hands-free option unless you step up to the to-of-the-line EX-L, with leather and navigation. The nav system has a big eight-inch screen and now includes Zagat restaurant ratings, voice recognition, and a rear-view camera system.

Interior/exterior When the Accord was last redesigned, for 2008, its styling received mix reviews, with the more chiseled and voluptuous simply too conservative to some eyes. But the payback is that it still looks fresh (especially on the sedan) going into its fifth model year, and it fits in pretty well with the rest of the mid-size competition. Last year, the instrument panel got a refreshed look and feel, while both models received a new grille design, new wheel designs, and a number of other minor improvements.

While the 2012 Honda Accord Coupe and Sedan models call out to different types of buyers, the look is quite similar from the front. From the side or back, the Accord sedan has a softer, more conservative appeal than its

Coupe cousin. The Coupe has styling that’s bolder, with a smoother downward curve of its roof, more sculpted flanks, and what appear to be slightly different proportions. The Coupe really isn’t much shorter (about three inches), but the curvier roofline makes it look so.

Depending on which trim you get, as well as your tastes in materials, the Accord is either fashion-forward, or a little drab and unintuitive—depending on your tastes and, frankly, which trim level you get. The Accord’s rakish instrument panel looks great from a distance, but the placement of the buttons and controls sometimes feels as if it was done more for style than ergonomics.

Materials for the instrument panel, console, and doors can feel a bit plasticky, and the base Accord interior has some especially drab materials, but the Accord remains more stylish and urbane than the likes of the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry, yet more straightforward than the Hyundai Sonata.

its interior space, with roomy, comfortable seating. A smooth ride also helps cement this model’s status as a great long-haul car for driver and passengers.

Cargo space is about the only area of the Accord that isn’t much better than average; a somewhat small opening limits its usefulness for larger items, and it’s not particularly spacious. But you can make the most of it with a split-folding rear seatback.

The Accord rides well enough to please most passengers; it’s not luxurycar smooth, but very quiet and wellisolated--especially in upper V-6 trims, where Honda adds active motor mounts and an active noise canceling system.

In repeat drives of current-generation Accords, we’ve also found the swooping dual-cockpit instrument panel arrangement and nicely detailed trim, while it looks complex, to be completely free of creaks and rattles.

Features Overall, the 2012 Honda Accord Fuel Economy stacks up pretty well against most rivals Considering all the interior space and with respect to features. Just like other comfort in the 2012 Honda Accord is, mass-market mid-size sedans, it can be this big sedan has impressive gas milespecified as a reasonably well-equippedage.

-yet value-priced and sensible--family The Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, sedan, or a much more luxurious cruiser. fully redesigned last year, remain the And as the latter, it’s surprisingly close in 2012 mileage champs for this class equipment, and look and feel, to some(among base engines), at up to 24 mpg thing with the Acura badge. city, 35 highway. But the 2012 Honda Honda has thankfully made a USB Accord isn’t far behind if you choose audio interface standard in the 2012 the four-cylinder model, which is rated Accord, but a number of other packagat 23/34 in its most popular automatic- ing frustrations remain. The chief one is transmission combination. Beware, V-6 that Bluetooth hands-free connectivity. models aren’t nearly as impressive.

Although it’s offered as a dealer-installed A number of other rivals, including add on throughout the lineup, true the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, and factory-integrated Bluetooth remains ofVolkswagen Passat, offer higher-mileage fered only on top Accord EX-L models. hybrid or diesel variants. Unfortunately, Also, the navigation system is still only you won’t find that in the Accord. offered with leather seats.

Basic LX models of the Honda AcRide Quality cord have no lack of standard features, The Accord is a longtime family though. Remote keyless entry, cruise favorite; look inside and it’s easy to see control, power accessories, air condiwhy. While the cabin is stylish and well- tioning, tilt/telescopic steering, a foldappointed, Honda has made the most of down rear seatback, and a six-speaker, EDITION 18 JAN - FEB 2013

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NEW CAR REVIEWS 160-watt sound system are all on the roster, and alloy wheels, upgraded seats, a moonroof are added to LX-P models.

2012 Accord EX-L models pack in the luxury features, including dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, and premium sound with noise cancellation.

Zagat restaurant ratings, voice recognition, and an integrated rear-view camera system are all packaged with the navigation system.

Last year Honda added an Accord SE sedan that fits between LX Premium and EX models. With it, you get leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power seat for the driver, leather trim, and 16inch alloy wheels.

Management (VCM) to help keep the cabin hushed and vibration-free. Meanwhile, the V-6 can rocket the Accord up past the speed limit so quickly that you’ll be glad you’re in the camouflage of a mid-size sedan.

Four-cylinder models can be equipped with a manual transmission (five speeds in sedans, six in Coupes); it’s enjoyable, though the automatic is particularly responsive and smooth.

Overall, the 2012 Accord doesn’t feel like much of a compromise in any way,

Performance The 2012 Honda Accord remains one of the best-handling mid-size sedans, and whether you choose the base fourcylinder engine or the V-6, in coupe or sedan form, you’ll find satisfying performance.

First off, get yourself away from that mindset that the four-cylinder is a penalty box, as it sure isn’t in the Accord. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines are both smooth and responsive. Though both the 177-horsepower version and the 190-hp version (in EX sedans and all four-cylinder Coupes) feel about the same from a standing start, you the latter has some added pep for passing. Stepping up to the V-6 gives the Accord an all-out luxury-sedan feel; it makes 271 horsepower and has Variable Cylinder Honda Accord 2.4Ltr Engine size: 2.4 L CAM Type: Double overhead cam (DOHC) Cylinders: Inline 4 Valves: 16 Valve Timing: Variable Torque: 161 ft-lbs. @ 4300 rpm Horsepower: 177 hp @ 6500 rpm

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with respect to performance. Overall, the suspension is tuned for a great compromise between responsiveness and ride comfort, and there’s a sporty personality that comes out when you push the Accord hard into corners. Strong brakes and good body control round out a package. Its steering can come across as a little heavy, especially in V-6 models, but the variable gear ratio steering keeps it precise and supple, with a confident on-center feel.

Total cost TBA (To be announced soon)

Turn iPhone into Dash Cam With Car Camera DVR The Internet is filled with videos of Russian crashes, one more spectacular than the other. However, the dash cams that filmed them serve a much more important purpose than just entertaining Youtubers.

In case of a serious crash, valuable information is obtained by the dash camera, not to mention the fact that police have a strong starting point for assessing the accident’s cause.

The problem is, not everybody can spare the cash for a brand new dash camera.

The solution could be this app. Called Car Camera DVR, it’s compatible with your iPhone and transform it into a fullHD recorder that captures images in 640×480. The app automatically writes over older video, so you don’t have to constantly delete files.

Reevu MSX-1, the Rear-View Helmet Now, the Reevu MSX-1 helmet has been around for some time now, but we figured to bring it up to the front once more, since it’s somehow funny to see that it’s still a pretty unique design in the industry. Save for some ridiculous suction-cup mirrors (which will probably fly off at 100 mph), the Reevu seems to be the standard in this business.

If you haven’t seen the Reevu helmets before, here’s the catch: they sport an integrated vision system which allows the rider to get a glimpse of what’s going on in the back, pretty much like one would do inside a normal car. Thanks to its clever design, checking the Reevu MSX-1 rear view panel does not reduce the road awareness, as the display is perfectly positioned for the peripheral vision.

This means you must barely move the eye in order to see behind you. And even more, the Reevu MSX-1 system covers for the blind spots which usually remain

impossible to check with mirrors only.

In some cases, after getting used to it the Reevu rear view system could also cover for the much-needed shoulder check.

The in-helmet mirror is easily adjustable for the optimal view and riders tend to get used to it pretty rapidly. The Reevu MSX-1 comes in several color options and is DOT and ECE-compliant. Prices for the new generation of Reevu MSX1 helmets are around $400 (€300) and you can get them online mostly. Or simply contact Reevu and they’ll gladly help you out.

Hyundai’s Connectivity Concept Replaces Key with Smartphone Hyundai Sonata

Toyota Camry

The Sonata’s intriguing blend of crests and curves sets it far apart from the blandness that colors the Toyota Camry and, maybe less so, the Accord, Passat, and Malibu. It may not stand the test of time as well as some designs, but for now, the Sonata’s a calling card for the entire Hyundai brand. It’s a clean break from the me-too past of Hyundai styling and it works well in many places--at the rear of the roofline and across the tail, it’s clearly an homage to the Audi A6.

The Camry’s new design (yes again, it’s really new) definitely skews toward pragmatism at every possible opportunity. Corners are a little boxier this time, for aerodynamic reasons; front A-pillars are narrower (yet stronger) for better visibility; and the roofline has been tucked up and back just a tad for rear headroom.

Besides, the Camry has never been one for sex appeal. It’s been such a strong seller for its combination of soft ride and roomy interior appointments, and for its strong value for the money, reliability, resale value, and other very sensible factors.

Hyundai is moving further and further from its budget car roots and is using technology to make a name for itself. The Korean automaker is working on a system that allows you to open your car using your cell phone, and they say this could enter production as early as 2015.

The system was installed on an i30 displayed near their European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. This so called Connectivity Concept locks or unlocks the doors when you move your cell phone over the top of the NFC-tag (Near Field Communication) placed over the top of the door.

“With this technology, Hyundai is able to harness the all-in-one function-

ality of existing smartphone technology and integrating it into everyday driving in a seamless fashion. As the technology continually develops there will be capabilities to store driver’s seating positions and exterior mirror settings, providing customers with a comfortable and individual driving environment,” said Allan Rushforth, senior VP and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe.

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TECH TOYS

Make: Toyo tires Designed to help full-sized pickups work hard on pavement, then work just as hard when roads are muddy, and rocky—or when there are no roads at all. The Open Country M/T combines solid on-road performance with extra ground clearance, higher load-carrying capacity, and greater ability to go off-road.

Truck enthusiasts know it for its long wear, low noise and aggressive tread pattern.

03+ WRX STI Competition Stage 4 Clutch Kit

ACT Heavy Duty Street Performance Disc Clutch Kit - Subaru Impreza WRX STI 6 MT - Lancer Evolution VII-IX - Mazda RX-8 — at Auto Art Garage.

Pro Lite for road racing applications and very quick throttle response.

ACT Street Lite Flywheels for the GDB WRX STI

Condition - New check Auto Art Kenya

K&N cold air intake kits Application - Mazda RX8 & Lancer EVO VII-IX — at Auto Art Garage.

Kia Launches New Version of UVO Infotainment System on 2014 Sorento

Enkei Racing Lightweight Alloys Size - 17 x 8J PCD - 5 x 114.3 Condition - Excellent

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With the unveiling of their new Sorento, Kia has also announced that it will also be improving its UVO infotainment system, by launching a new version. It gains a telematics ‘eServices’ system which grants the driver access to vehilce diagnostics information, automatic emergency dialing, in case of accidents, as well as a parking location reminder.

It will first be available on the aforementioned Sorento, and later on the redesigned Forte sedan. However, their system will still not be as advanced as those used by Ford and Chevrolet, and they will have to update it further to give it the same comparable level of functionality.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Exedy Stage 1 Racing Clutch Kit. Stage 1 in the Single Sports Series comprises of an EXEDY sports cover assembly, Sports Organic (SO) clutch disc and release bearing.

The sports cover assembly boasts higher clamp loads, spheroidal graphite pressure plate castings and additional drive straps are utilised to prevent pressure plate casting failure at high RPM. The Sports Organic disc features a premium friction material for superior durability and engagement characteristics as well as high rate damper springs to handle increased torque. at Auto Art Kenya

ACT Street Lite Flywheels for the GDB WRX STI Most stock flywheels are heavy cast iron parts designed for optimum street driveability by soaking up some of the power from the engine and putting it in storage in the form of inertia.

Although this may be important for transporting the groceries, this driveability comes at the expense of engine response and acceleration. Light weight flywheels keep less inertia in storage but the lighter rotating mass provides significantly improved engine response and acceleration characteristics.

CNC machined, heat treated for strength and precision balanced. Substantial material is left behind the clutch surface area for better heat dissipation and durability while weight savings is made where it matters the most for reduced inertia.

ACT Pro Lite Flywheels for the GDB WRX STI. Pro Lite for road racing applications and very quick throttle response. — at Auto Art Kenya

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MOTOR SPORTS

Roy Mckenzie elected new KMSF Chairman Courtesy of KMSF Mombasa-based Roy McKenzie has been elected the new Chairman of Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF) following a Special General Meeting held in Nairobi on Tuesday 15th Jan. The Meeting also appointed new Commissions heads and mandated them to immediately constitute a list of members who they will work with during the season which starts this weekend with the National Motocross Championship.

The Motorcycle Commission will now be headed by Maina Muturi of East African Motor Sports Club (EAMSC), the Rallies Commission by Ashok Bhalla, Autocross Commission by James Burke while Simon Sharpe retains his portfolio as the head of Rally Raid Commission boss.Ashok who has chaired the Rallies Commission previously replaces Abdul

Sidi, while Burke takes over from Antony Colin as Maina Muturi fills the void left behind by Anthony Nielsen.

McKenzie, who chaired the five man Interim Committee, mandated to run motorsports operations during last month’s AGM- promised to steer the Federation to greater heights and in a more transparent and accountable manner.

“Today (Tuesday 15th Jan) was the inauguration of Club member nominees of the Board of Directors of KMSF. As we have been saying over the past few months, its taken a while to get here but today is the day when the Clubs, who are the shareholders, are now sitting as Directors of KMSF. There was a Chairperson who was elected, out of those Directors for the KMSF and that’s myself;

One on One with KNRC Champion Carl Tundo Courtesy of KMSF

and it’s for the next three years. What it means for the KMSF and the motorsports Clubs in Kenya is that there will be improved communication between the Federation and shareholders which will invigorate the Clubs and will also invigorate the KMSF. Problems solving will become more realistic and broader between all the groups,” said McKenzie.

He also promised that he will work hand in hand with stakeholders including the Kenyan government, spectators and the competitors.

Tutu takes fight to Shivam as motorcross season starts Courtesy of KMSF

Tutu Maina, the outgoing MX2 Champion, has moved a berth up to the MX1 Class category and is expected to give defending champion Shivam Vinayak a run for his money when the new Motocross season revs-off at Jamhuri Park racetrack on Sunday 20th Jan. The official heat runs begin at 10am with continuous racing for spectators running through to the afternoon session.

With Tutu graduating to the next level, the MX2 class will remain much the same with the comeback of Randall Kihara, Andrew Kenneth and Zane Young.

Randall has said he will race in selected motocross rounds but hopes to tackle the full Enduro series.

And with Tutu also moving to Enduros and to MX1, he is taking the fight to Shivam (the 2012 motor personality of 42

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the year) in all aspects, so thrills and spills are guaranteed.

“As all riders try to settle in the new season, tough racing is expected,” said Maina Muturi, the Secretary of East African Motor Sports Club (EAMSC) who are organizing the first race.

Tutu had a spectacular motocross season in 2012; one that he won’t forget soon.

The MX2 rider was crowned the FIM Central African Champion and National Champion in the same year he was sitting his Form Four Exams. With more time on his hands in 2013, Tutu is eager to make it a season of adventure.

Tutu was quite the crowd pleaser with his aerial stunts and entertaining riding. This was his cousin Cruze Muigai’s forte. Cruze left for university education in the UK depriving MX2 lovers of the competition between the

Nakuru based newly crowned 2012 KNRC Champion Carl “Flash” Tundo talks to the County Weekly sports on wide-ranging issues. Tundo won his fourth career Safari Rally accolade, racked-up his fifth Rally win of the 2012 season in Eldoret, achieved his third Eldoret Rally win, his third Kenya National Rally Championship victory over and above, chalking-up the most competitive stages this year.

will get better and better as they are already doing and hopefully in the near future will give us a run for our money!

Q:: Congratulations for a very good season. How difficult was it to achieve this?

A::Thank you - this season has been great for me as you can imagine but tough. We have really concentrated with James (mechanic) to make sure the car is in the best condition for every event. We have had some luck, which comes with rallying but consistency this year has been key to the great effort of my Team.

Q:: What were your major challenges in 2012 season?

A::My aim was to try and finish most if not all the events.

Q:: Most drivers have been under pressure defending their Championship titles in KNRC history. Will this be the case for you next season?

A::I am sure, but I will treat next year as any other year and try and do my best as always.

two.

“I want to look for diversity in motorsport. I’ll do the enduro and cross-country full championships, said Tutu.

The motorsport world is literally Tutu Maina’s oyster in 2013, he has his options open and time on his side.

Other riders to move to new categories include Ethan Nyachae from MX50 to MX65.

Q:: Any hopes of competing in any FIA Africa Rally Championship (ARC) next year?

A::I would really like to compete in the ARC at some stage but the costs involved in this will not make it possible. I also feel that our KNRC is much more competitive than the ARC. Q::What do you expect from the emerging KNRC youngsters like Manvir (Baryan), Onkar (Rai), Jassy (Chathe) and the rest?

A::I am hoping that the young guns

Q:: What do you attribute your success to this year?

A::As I said before, consistency. I would say a more mature approach but with the pressure from Alastair (Cavenagh) and Ian (Duncan) threw that out the window.

Q:: How inspiring has it been to see your Dad (Frank Tundo) Sister (Tash Di Cangio) compete in the KNRC this season?

A::I love it - it is fantastic that Dad is rallying again and so happy he is using Tasha as his navigator. We are swapping navigators with Dad in the Guru Nanak. My navigator Tim ( Jessop) will sit with Dad while Tash will navigate me.

Q:: Any comment on your newborn child in relation to your Eldoret Rally win?

A::I appreciate his delay in arrival :) but over the moon he is here now. The future of rallying has been arrived - whether he likes it or not.

Q:: How useful has Tim been to your success this season and previous years?

A:: I always joke that navigators come along for the ride but reality is that they are fundamental to us drivers. I put my success down to the fact that Tim and I have been a team for over 10 years and that has to help in the car.

KNRC events?

A::It has to stop! Most the events have succeeded in planning and running very safe events. Unfortunately we all know in Eldoret this was not the case. I love the Eldoret rally and respect the organisers with the limitations they had in finding useable roads with all the rain up there but it was dangerous. We are traveling at 200 kph and as a driver the last thing we want to see is an accident due to the sport.

Q::Lastly, Subarus have permormed badly as compared to the flying Mitsubishi EVOs; what’s your take on this?

A:: ( Jokingly) For the last two years has been get an EVO. I don’t know why they are better suited out here but the results speak for themselves.

Q:: Have you been at home with open road racing and the general safety in EDITION 18 JAN - FEB 2013

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MOTOR SPORTS

Rossi returns to Yamaha for 2013

Tundo seeks to break defence jinx

Courtesy of FIA

Courtesy of KMSF

Kenya National Rally Champion Carl “Flash” Tundo has won the national series thrice in 2007, 2009 and 2012 but what he has never done though is retain these titles.

However, the Lanet based wheat farmer is hoping to break this jinx this season as he seeks to follow up on his successful 2012 which saw him win his fourth career Safari rally diadem.

With the KNRC title his to lose; Tundo says that his target in 2013 is clearly defined.

“I have to retain my championship. That’s the hardest thing to do. I have yet to do it.

I’ve won the Championship three times and I’ve yet to retain it a year after,” said Tundo.

In addition to retaining his title in 2013, Tundo will also be going for his fifth and third consecutive Safari Rally title.

Such will be his gusto and anticipation when the KNRC season revs off on the weekend of January 26th and 27th in Konza and Kajiado.

Speaking after Saturday’s 2012 Annual Motorsport Awards, Tundo staunchly admitted that he has always found his title defenses difficult affair.

Tundo and his navigator Tim Jessop were in a class of their own in 2012 winning six out of the season’s eight rallies.

Wins in the season opening Nyeri rally followed by a win in his home rally in Nakuru were a perfect launching pad for the rest of the season. The pair won the Safari, the rallies in Nanyuki, Eldoret and the season ending Guru Nanak rally. It is these achievements that saw him feted at the annual motorsport awards, alongside some of the sport’s finest, where he shed 44

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some insight into how they achieved it all.

Tundo said “We took a lot of time on the car making sure it was 100% competitive.

We had luck obviously which the rallying gods were there and hopefully they are still with me. We’ve learnt how to keep the car on the road and keep going.”

For me it’s all about competing and having fun with friends. Fans are a huge motivation without them there wouldn’t be a sport,” Tundo went on.

The Italian legend will return to Yamaha in 2013 after leaving Ducati at the end of the current season.

Valentino Rossi will return to Yamaha in 2013 after leaving Ducati at the end of the current season, the Japanese manufacturer confirmed on Friday.

Ducati announced this morning that Rossi was leaving the team following a disappointing two-year spell at the Italian squad, where the Italian rider struggled to be competitive, managing just two podiums and no victories so far.

Rossi enjoyed a very successful time at Yamaha, which he joined from Honda at the start of the 2004 season.

With the Japanese squad, the nine-time world champion took the titles in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009 and scored 46 victories before leaving for Ducati at the end of 2010.

Rossi will rejoin Yamaha alongside Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, who was his team-mate at the team before he decided to leave for Ducati.

The Italian rider has signed a two-year deal with Yamaha.

“This announcement is once again excellent news for Yamaha,” said Yamaha’s Lin Jarvis.

“In June we were able to sign Jorge Lorenzo for the 2013-14 campaign and now we are able to confirm Valentino Rossi for the next two years.

“In doing so we have been able to put together the strongest possible team to challenge for victories and to promote the Yamaha brand.

“The target for the future is obvious and we will do our utmost to achieve our goals.

“I have no doubt that with the experience, knowledge, skills and speed of these two great champion riders we will be able to challenge for many race wins and for the 2013 & 2014 World Championship titles.”

Set in the South two years before the Civil War, Django Unchained stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a slave whose brutal history with his former owners lands him face-to-face with Germanborn bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz). Schultz is on the trail of the murderous Brittle brothers, and only Django can lead him to his bounty. Honing vital hunting skills, Django remains focused on one goal: finding and rescuing Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), the wife he lost to the slave trade long ago. Django and Schultz’s search ultimately leads them to Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), the proprietor of “Candyland,” an infamous plantation. Exploring the compound under false pretenses, Django and Schultz arouse the suspicion of Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson), Candie’s trusted house slave. -- (C) Weinstein Directed By: Quentin Tarantino Written By: Quentin Tarantino

Jack Reacher (2012)

Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror.

But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me. And sure enough, ex-military investigator Jack Reacher is coming. He knows this shooter-a trained military sniper who never should have missed a shot. Reacher is certain something is not right-and soon the slam-dunk case explodes. Now Reacher is teamed with a beautiful young defense lawyer, moving closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. Reacher knows that no two opponents are created equal. This one has come to the heartland from his own kind of hell. And Reacher knows that the only way to take him down is to match his ruthlessness and cunning-and then beat him shot for shot.

Directed By: Christopher McQuarrie Written By: Christopher McQuarrie

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MOVIE REVIEWS

Zero Dark Thirty (2012) For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) for the story of history’s greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.

-- (C) Official Site

Actual: 12metres (w) by 10 metres (h)

Artwork reduced to 25%

Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow Written By: Mark Boal

He Got Game (1998) Denzel Washington and writerdirector Spike Lee team for the third time with this contemporary basketball drama focusing on a promising athlete, the son of a convict-father. Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington) has been in prison for six years when tough prison-warden Wyatt (Ned Beatty) tells him that he’s getting a temporary parole with the promise of a commuted sentence. However, there’s a trade-off -- Jake must talk his son, Jesus Shuttlesworth (NBA star Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks), the top-ranked highschool basketball player in the country, into signing with the governor’s alma mater, Big State. A flashback makes it clear that Jesus’ mother (Lonette McKee was accidentally killed by Jake during a violent family fight. After Jake went to prison, the resentful Jesus was left alone to raise his sister Mary (Zelda Harris). Now several colleges are offering Jesus scholarships, and montages satirize the manner in which young athletes are wooed by educators and coaches across the country. However, Jake will soon be back behind bars if he can’t get Jesus to sign with Big State within the week. Meanwhile, the greed of other family members begins to surface. John Turturro is seen in a cameo as Coach Billy Sunday, and several real-life coaches can also be spotted in this movie. Music by Aaron Copland (19001990) with songs by Public Enemy. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi Directed By: Spike Lee Written By: Spike Lee 46

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Add to Netflix Parental Guidance 2012

Distributed by: MDL Auto Ltd Call: 020-828470/ 020-2474351 Fax: 020-828469 artwork.indd 1

Old school grandfather Artie (Billy Crystal), who is accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife Diane (Bette Midler) agree to babysit their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) go away for work. But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane’s old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it’s learning to bend - and not holding your ground that binds a family together Directed By: Andy Fickman

9/21/2012 6:54:51 PM