Car Xpress March 08

PRICES - KSA SR 15 UAE AED 15 OMAN RO 1 BAHRAIN BD 1.5 LEBANON LL 10 000 QATAR QR 15 KUWAIT KD 1.5

volume 4 \\ issue 03 \\ march 08

east & west coAst meet CX ‘hangs’ with the West Coast Customs guys

to the bat cave Holy concepts! Toyota’s top utility A-Bat

continental drift Bentley’s racy GT Speed

flowing lines Amazing art of Stephen Wiltshire

on a knife edge Carver redefines motoring pleasure Car Xpress

MAR 2008 1

2 MAR 2008

Car Xpress

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 1

Publisher Kalimat Group International FZ - LLC

Motormouth This past month, I’ve been thinking – not something I like to put too much effort into, trust me. But I’ve been trying to come up with some simple but effective ways that we can all help to improve traffic flow in our cities (‘Not more high and mighty advice’, I hear you say…err, yeah, afraid so!)

But bear with me. Here are just a few ideas which can instantly improve traffic flow and get us all to our destinations more smoothly: 1) Indicate: Yep, that old chestnut. But it is so simple to do and can really aid traffic flow, especially at T-junctions. If you’re indicating to turn then others waiting to pull out don’t have to wait until you’re halfway round the corner before they move. This instantly reduces queuing time.

2) Consider other road users: Because we are so many different nationalities and cultures we often don’t feel as if we have any common ground, which makes us very selfish drivers. Consider instead that, as we are all road users, then that should be our common ground. We are all in the same situation and suffer the same delays and road problems.

3) Be polite: This is the big one and follows on from no. 3. There’s defensive driving and offensive driving. The former involves being aware of those around you while the latter generally involves using your car, SUV or bus as a brick wall. All this does is slow traffic flow. And if someone is good enough to let you in-front of them, be polite enough to wave ‘thank you’; it goes a long way to developing a civilized society.

4) Mirror, Signal, LOOK, Manoeuvre: It is all too easy to trust what you see in your wing mirrors but it’s actually like looking through a letterbox – you never get the full picture. So before you change lane or make a turn, look over your shoulder, it’s amazing how much more information your brain gets just from turning your head 90 degrees. And keep indicating throughout your ‘decisive’ manoeuvre. Don’t dither!

5) Smooth technique: Whatever traffic you find yourself in, try to drive as smoothly as possible. Gently press the accelerator, keep your speed as even as you can, and leave enough room for you to brake gently as well. This reduces the erratic stop/start style of driving which so often leads to accidents.

This is just a start. There are, of course, a host of other driving techniques which all contribute to safer and smoother running roads, but so much of it is purely common sense and consideration. With that in mind… …Drive safely.

Car Xpress Head Office Office G4, Building No.1, Phase One, P.O. Box 502408 Dubai Media City, UAE Tel: +971 4 391 0410/1/2/3 Fax: +971 4 391 6619 e-mail carxpress@kalimatgroup.com General Manager Hekmat el Zein Editor Gordon Torbet Assistant Editor Nitish Ramanujam Designer Altaf Hussein df Asst Designers Qaiser Hashim Mohd. Noufal Contributors Matt Carroll Alistair Weaver Marketing Account Manager Alie Jaber Photographer Wahb Mabhkout Car Xpress Lebanon Office Riad el solh 11072070 P.O.Box 11-1197 Beirut, Lebanon Tel: +961 3 208 528 Fax: +961 1 924 440 This Car Xpress Car Buyers Annual 2008 has been produced independent of the Middle East International Motor Show (MEIMS) and its partners and therefore MEIMS bears no responsibility with regard its contents.

The material used in this publication is intended for informational purposes only. A sincere effort has been made to report details accurately, however, as specifications, models and pricing vary over time, readers are advised to use the data herein as a guide only, and to seek specialist assistance before acting on information offered in this publication.

All text and layout remains the copyright of Kalimat Group International FZ LLC, unless stated otherwise.

Car Xpress is fully independent, and its views are not those of any company mentioned herein. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

Gordon Torbet Editor 2 MAR 2008

Car Xpress

All rights reserved. © 2008 Kalimat Group International

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MAR 2008 3

news contents

news

04

pride & joy

16

continental drift

24

That riviera touch

28

on a knife edge

38

to the bat cave

46

east & west coAst meet

52

flowing lines

58

How will the new Peugeot 207 fair?

Ian Gorsuch talks about Bentley’s racy GT Speed Buick revives a classic name for the 21st century The Carver - car, bike, trike, or ground-based aircraft Holy concepts! Toyota’s top utility A-Bat CX ‘hangs’ with the West Coast Customs guys The amazing artworks of Stephen Wiltshire

the company of wolfsburg 66 VW’s main man in ME talks about success

an LM entry education

72

Motorsports news

74

international calendar

76

John Sinders plans for a GCC entry to Le Mans

Get out your diary for a motorsports feast

www.car-xpress.com

4 MAR 2008

Car Xpress

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 5

news

White knight For the first time worldwide, BMW is introducing the exclusive BMW 7 Series Aerodynamic Edition along with a dazzling new colour – BMW Brilliant White – available as of this year on all 7 Series models. The BMW 7 Series is fitted with an everso subtle aerodynamic body kit, featuring a sport front spoiler and rear and side skirting.

The BMW 7 Series is the flagship model of BMW Group and remains one of the top three selling models in the region.

What makes the unique success story

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of the 7 Series even more positive and exhilarating for the BMW Group is that the series set significant new trends right from its launched back in 2001. Numerous product features of the 7 Series, in particular the car’s control philosophy and various elements of its design language, are now to be found in many luxury performance cars.

Seven years ago these features were regarded as very progressive and were the subject, at least in part, of controversial public discussions. Today, on the other

hand, they are accepted in full as natural strengths and assets. As a spokesperson from BMW suggests: “This alone underlines the pioneering achievement of the BMW 7 Series, with the strategic product decisions taken by BMW at the time having proved to be highly successful”.

With the new Aerodynamic Edition, the 7 Series stands out both as a sporting four-door and as an elegant saloon full of presence in meeting the highest demands in terms of comfort and design.

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 7

news

Schumacher still towering

Michael Schumacher’s recent surprise attendance to the Dubai Autodrome over the Grand Racing weekend was more than just a flying visit to see other former F1 greats such as Jean Alsei, Johnny Herbert, Gianni Morbidelli and Stefan Johansson in action in the Speedcar championship.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a standalone model series in the new CLC. Compared with the previous Sports Coupé, the Mercedes engineers have newly developed or enhanced over 1,100 components. These include a new direct-steer system for more agile cornering, state-of-the-art infotainment systems featuring a colour display, Parktronic as standard on all models as well as an uprated 4-cylinder engine that develops 184bhp while delivering improved fuel consumption.

A compact body on 18-inch wheels and the muscular lines emphasize the sporty appearance of the new CLC. Mercedes designers have completely updated the front and rear so that it embodies contemporary Mercedes design.

The interior of the new CLC features sports seats with improved lateral support, a 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, automatic climate control and brushed aluminium trim as standard. A choice of individualised interior colour schemes are also available.

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Schumi has gone into real estate. In a partnership with ACI Real Estate (ACI), an affiliate of Alternative Capital Invest Gmbh, one of Germany’s leading alternate investment solution firms he has launched “Michael Schumacher Business Avenue”, a prestigious business tower located in the upmarket Business Bay district of Dubai.

The Tower, marks Phase 2 of ACI’s sportsbranded real estate project which will transform the Business Bay district into “an architectural delight” distinguished by three towers, each named after legendary sports stars.

Speaking on the launch of “Michael Schumacher Business Avenue”, Robin Lohmann, Managing Director, ACI Real Estate says, “Few properties anywhere in the world can boast of the direct involvement

Merc-urial CLC

from the world’s greatest ever F1 driver.

Michael Schumacher represents the energy, commitment to excellence and ambition needed by every business enterprise to get to the top, and only a city like Dubai, with its breath-taking pace of growth, is befitting of such an association.”

The Michael Schumacher Business Avenue offers prominent office spaces coupled with generous views of the world’s tallest building, Burj Dubai. The tower also comprises the world’s first Micheal Schumacher Business Center that offers high-tech facilities and amenities coupled with state-of-the-art design that adheres to global standards.

The launch of the Michael Schumacher Business Avenue is the second in a series of three projects of legendary branded developments introduced to the UAE market by ACI Real Estate. The Niki Lauda Twin Tower was launched in January, and the Boris Becker Business Tower, was launched last month.

The CLC Sport model includes engineering innovations and equipment such as 18-inch light-alloy wheels, wide-base tyres, headlamps with black inner surrounds, sports suspension with lowered body, and leather sports steering wheel.

The CLC comes with a four 4-cylinder and two 6-cylinder engines with power outputs ranging from 122 to 272bhp. The 6-speed manual box comes as standard with all engines. while Mercedes can also supply a 5-speed auto transmission for the 4‑cylinder units, and the 7G-TRONIC 7-speed auto for the C 230 (7G-TRONIC is standard on the C 350). Sport models also come with paddleshift gearchange on the autos boxes to make optimum use of the engines’ high power reserves when the driving situation calls for it.

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 9

news

Mondeo wins top gear prize

Driving harmony Ford’s latest advertising campaig n airing in the UK from 4th Februar y focuses on the music on motorin g.

In a clever feat of musical ingenuit y, an orchestra playing instruments created entirely from car parts performs the soundtrack to the new Ford Focus television commercial.

This harmonious masterpiece is the work of two American compos ers who have taken the concept of car sounds to the extreme. Hollywood film composer Craig Richey and New York sound designer Bill Milbrodt turn ed 21 parts from the new Ford Focus into musical instruments and arrange d them to be played by an orchestr a.

Milbrodt’s team took apart a Ford Focus five-door hatchback that had, literally, just come off the producti on line. “When we got it to the mechan ics shop, it had less than a mile on the clock. We took the doors and fend ers

Renault Sport Technologies profited from the international launch of the latest R28 Formula 1 single-seater in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris, France, recently to take the wraps off Twingo Renault Sport. Renault’s new, affordable, high-performance car slots into the Renault Sport range alongside its bigger sister cars, Clio and Mégane Renault Sport.

Twingo Renault Sport is a genuine hot hatch with looks to match and was designed to deliver both enjoyable road holding and genuine sports performance. Its efficient, balanced

10 MAR 2008

Car Xpress

off, but we had the body shell inta ct and we later cut out of that the parts we wanted,” said Bill Milbrodt.

By the time the orchestra had been assembled for the photo sho ot at Universal Studios in California, Milbrodt’s team had constructed 31 instruments. Each has a name that instantly identified its origins, such as the Transmission Case Cello-Dulcim er, Clutch Guitar, Rear Suspension Spik e Fiddle, Fender Bass, Hatchback Kick Drum, Handheld Gear Tambourine and Door Harp.

chassis has been mated to a fiery but flexible 133hp engine to form a package that is sure to appeal to all those who seek sporting sensations and driving pleasure during everyday motoring.

The public will get a chance to see Twingo Renault Sport in further detail at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

It takes something very special to impress the Top Gear team but the crew were unanimous in their decision to name Ford’s Mondeo as their 2007 Family Car of the Year.

Presenting the accolade at Top Gear’s annual awards, they said: “The Ford Mondeo is the only car that we could all agree on, including the Stig.

“The Mondeo is a fantastic car. It’s practical, has a good choice of engines, very comfy and great to drive, so it’s a worthy winner of the 2007 Top Gear Family Car award.”

In a segment of falling fortunes, Mondeo sales are up 9% against the previous model with the high-spec Titanium spec proving very popular.

Providing customers with a wide choice of engine/trim/bodystyle combinations, Mondeo is retaining its strong position in the fleet market while appealing to a growing number of private buyers. An exceptional driving experience, class-leading interior space and an array of optional high-tech features, such as adaptive cruise control, adaptive front lights, are just some of the reasons behind Mondeo’s acclaim.

(See CX April for our full road test.)

e p u o c e h t g n i y Fl dle East motoring A select group of Mid ) were recently CX g journalists (includin of revving the n oo ern aft treated to an Coupe around the all-new Honda Accord le from 1st March sa Dubai Autodrome. On e has been given a in this region, the Coup ged and aggressive much more sharp-ed of the body and face, while the whole s also been ha or much of the interi y individual ver a it e giv to redesigned sporting character. ‘low-slung’ seating The interior offers a d rear to give the position both front an feel and to offer driver a more sporting adroom. he re rear passengers mo be available: l wil ts ian Two power var -4 and a 271bhp a 191bhp 2.4-litre inline to encapsulate g 3.5-litre V6, both hopin l’ concept that rfu we Po the ‘Advanced &

to represent. While this model is supposed more power thanks both engines produce athing, higher to improved engine bre d larger capacity, an combustion pressure l efficient. they are also more fue features Honda’s o als V6 re -lit The 3.5 ment system ge Variable Cylinder Mana is system Th y. om on for better fuel ec three cylinders r he eit les ab dis temporarily an g, d two cylinders during gentle city drivin hway, but fires up hig when cruising on the leration or on uphill all six under hard acce climbs. es Honda’s Gear The coupe also featur ol which offers ntr Co nt Shift Manageme delaying upshifts a more sporty drive by ing on driving style, and downshifts depend e to offer improved thus allowing the engin responsiveness.

Chinese crackers?

The oddest-looking, and most bizarrely named cars at the recent Detroit Auto Show were these three tiny, toy-like concepts – the handiwork of Chinese auto designer Li Guangming. But while we’re unlikely to be driving around in a ‘Tang Hua Book of Songs’, ‘Piece of Cloud’ or – wait for it – a ‘Detroit Fish,’ there are several points to the exercise, Li believes.

He wants to create a unique Chinese design language – and these little cars are a starting point. “There will be no Chinese national cars of significance if the Chinese spirit is absent from their design,” he says.

Li’s dream is to create an iconic car for China that would be comparable to the Ford Model T in early 20th century America, or the VW Beetle in post-war Germany. He’s clearly a fan of the Beetle, and believes a “rounded, friendly” look is indicative of Chinese culture.

While his concepts take this to extremes, you can see his point.

Furthermore, the three concepts – and others produced by Li’s Beijingbased consultancy – are all electric cars.

He believes it is vital that China explores alternative energy sources. “If China and India burned gas at the same rate as the

t drive of the Look out for our full tes upcoming issue. an in upe Co Honda Accord

US, they would consume four times the fuel reserves of the entire planet. The future must point to the EV field – that’s one of the reasons why I’m exhibiting here at Detroit,” he says.

The Detroit Fish – so named because it is amphibious, and has been specially designed for the show – has a 3.5kW electric motor and Lithium Ion battery pack, giving a range of 150km and a top speed of 45kph.

Li believes these small cars can have uses in “tourist spots, large communities, university campuses and small towns”.

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 11

news

Hyundai is to stir up the premium sector with the introduction of a new flagship - the all-new Genesis sports saloon. With capabilities and features comparable to the leading premium marques’ offerings, the Genesis will arrive at Hyundai dealerships in the US and Korea this summer.

The Genesis is built on Hyundai’s allnew rear-wheel drive architecture, which will also underpin a new Coupe later this year. It offers three powertrains, including 3.3-litre and 3.8-litre V6 engines, plus Hyundai’s all-new 4.6-litre Tau V8. The Tau will produce an estimated 375hp – beating all its competitors with a massive 81hp per litre.

“While the Genesis will compete on prices with cars like Chrysler 300, our

Mercedes Car Group Middle East and Levant reported its best January on record with deliveries of 1,610 new vehicles, an increase of 32% over the same month in 2007.

January sales were helped by the MercedesBenz flagship S-Class, the award-winning C-Class with a massive 232% increase, and the E-Class.

The M-Class and full-size GL-Class sports utility vehicles continued to show gains with a significant increase in deliveries over January 2007. In Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, Gargash Motors broke records once again by selling over 5,400 new and used passenger cars from their showrooms.

These sales figures will also be aided by the arrival of the new-generation SL-Class in the region in April and the new 2-door CLC coupe in May.

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Car Xpress

A story of creation engineering benchmarks were Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5-Series, and Lexus GS,” says John Krafcik, vice president, Hyundai Motor America.

The use of high tensile steel in critical areas in the body provides Genesis with 12 to 14% higher dynamic torsional rigidity and a lower body structure

The Volkswagen Group delivered over 6 million vehicles to customers for the first time ever last year. The Group sold 6,189,000 vehicles worldwide, increasing deliveries year-on-year by 7.9%. “Vehicle sales in excess of 6 million represent an important milestone for us. I am convinced our great cars, attractive prices and further models will help us to beat the record yet again this year,” says Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand set a new record with worldwide deliveries of 3.66 million vehicles, 9,000 of which were sold in the Middle East.

weight than both the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class – despite having a substantially larger cabin than either.

In fact, the Hyundai actually has more interior volume than a BMW 7-Series!

Innovations inside the Genesis include a heated and cooled driver’s seat, an automatic windscreen demister with humidity sensor and an ultraviolet reflective leather steering wheel, which keeps the surface cool to the touch, even in scorching sunlight. In addition, the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Hyundai Genesis are the only cars in the world to offer a Lexicon-branded state-ofthe-art audio system with a 12-channel digital amplifier and 17 speakers producing more than 500 watts of sound in 7.1 surround-sound.

It’s nothing new in this region – being served at the fuel pump while you relax in your vehicle, but residents of Emmeloord in the Netherlands who are used to filling up their cars themselves are being treated to a robot-operated pump. Dutch inventors have unveiled a €75,000 (AED400,000) car-fuelling robot they say is the first of its kind. It works by registering the car on arrival at the filling station and matching it to a database of fuel cap designs and fuel types.

A robotic arm fitted with multiple sensors extends from a regular petrol pump, carefully opens the car’s flap, unscrews the cap, picks up the fuel nozzle and directs it toward the tank opening, much as a human arm would, and as efficiently.

Diesel do nicely Mitsubishi Concept-RA recently premiered at the NAIAS in Detroit fuses a passion for dynamic, exciting driving with a heightened sensitivity for the environment thanks to clean, efficient, high performance diesel power dispelling the myth that thrilling performance and environmental responsibility are mutually exclusive concepts. This coupe concept features the S-AWC vehicle dynamics control system driveline and the Twin Clutch SST (Sports Shift Transmission) used in the all-new Lancer Evolution X, and is powered by a new high-output, highefficiency clean diesel engine.

Developed as an “MMC technology showcase”, the design uses stylish sport coupe proportions wrapped in dynamic flowing lines that give powerful and eloquent expression to the car’s advanced technological features. Muscular wheel arches housing 21-inch wheels give graphic expression to the powerful drive torque and stopping power that Mitsubishi’s S-AWC vehicle dynamics control system transmits so effectively to the road surface, while an exposed engine cover highlights the presence of the car’s new powerful and clean diesel engine.

The Mitsubishi Concept-RA also sports the inverted-slant nose with trapezoidal grille fascia that marks Mitsubishi Motors new design identity, suitably tweaked to reflect the car’s sport coupe attributes.

The red exterior colouring graphically accentuates the beauty of its fluid body lines, counter-pointed by a matte black engine hood that imparts a strongly mechanical flavour.

The interior has been developed to show a fusion of tradition with leading-edge touches.

The cockpit’s wrap-round control layout uses minimal visual instrumentation and optimizes the switch and control layout. This reduces the driver’s physical and mental workload, allowing full concentration on driving. The interior also makes extensive use of fine-quality natural materials in a design that delivers a reassuring presence and peace of mind.

The Mitsubishi Concept-RA S-AWC driveline adds Active Steering and Active Suspension Control to the Active Yaw Control and Sport ABS component systems that comprise the system used on Lancer Evolution. S-AWC integrally manages all of these systems to realize advanced levels of control over drive torque and braking, thereby upgrading traction, cornering and vehicle stability.

All this adds up to intuitive, on-demand

vehicle behaviour that reflects driver’s intent under all driving conditions, from everyday use to emergency avoidance situations.

The Concept-RA is powered by a new high-efficiency, low-emissions 2.2-litre 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbo diesel engine with MIVEC continuously variable valve lift and timing control. With direct fuel injection and a turbocharger, the clean diesel unit delivers a maximum output of 200bhp and maximum torque of 310lb-ft.

For improved crashworthiness and to reduce vehicle weight the RA features a new body structure using an aluminium space frame made from extruded aluminium sections and die-cast aluminium members, as well as engine bonnet, bumpers and other outer panels made from high impact-resistance and easily recyclable plastic resin.

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 13

news

a East set n le d id M regio Audi rd in the sales reco7, according to ld 00 during 2 y. Audi dealers so07, n 0 a 2 p m the co vehicles during id w l a ,3 6 80 ne 2006, which wil its s a r e h ov ny up 38.2%ally, as the compa rd year. During o b c lo e g r key r Audi n anothe nificant gains in o t se s t g ), si sigh (266.9% di made 2007 Auincluding Jordan bai (52.4%). markets, 76.7%), and Dumost talked Kuwait (was one of the 2007 as the Audi e ughout nds thro mers awaited th the a r b t u o b o a st f u o c n d an ctio industry r market introdu h-performance e ig b h m e t w ne Sep ported , the allAudi R8 r. Audi dealers re of the Audi sports ca ing sales in 200797.9%), and skyrocket utility vehicle ( ly on the Audi Q7 sportgrowth particular further A6.

A4 and

Bahrain In Circuit hasteanrnnoatunionceal ticket sales to the 2 d that Grand Prix are up 6008 Gulf A ir Bahrain this time last year. Fa5% from ticket sales already bought their ns and enthusiasts have their attendance to thtickets and confirmed event in the region. B e biggest sporting Director, Steven Um IC Commercial is an obvious growingfreville, says“There Gulf A ir Bahrain Grainterest in the and it could not have nd Prix this year the phenomenal succ happened without 2007 which saw aess that we saw in 90,000 people at thsell-out crowd of With sales, at this st e race weekend.”

65% Umfreville addage, already up by s that this w on ly Grand Prixinnecreaaredse .as the Gulf A ir Bahraouinld

Twingo to go 14 MAR 2008

Car Xpress

Cadillac reeircentnelyxt showed th of zerogenerationcar in the emissions e Provoq all-electric form of th ining the fuel cell drive combth a lithium-ion battery system wi a 480km range, to achievep speed and all-wheel160kph to tion. It also features drive tracs including active front innovation rs that close at grille louve boost aerodynamics, speed to lease door handles, push-to-re ire technology and an brake-by-wd solar panel in the integrate supplements power for roof thataccessories. onboard Renault Sport Technologies profited from the international launch of the latest R28 Formula 1 single-seater in BoulogneBillancourt, near Paris, France, recently to take the wraps off Twingo Renault Sport.

Renault’s new, affordable, highperformance car slots into the Renault Sport range alongside its bigger sister cars, Clio and Mégane Renault Sport.

The Twingo Renault Sport is a genuine hot hatch with looks to match and was designed to deliver both enjoyable road holding and genuine sports performance. Its efficient, balanced chassis has been mated to a fiery but flexible 133hp engine to form a package that is sure to appeal to all those who seek sporting sensations and driving pleasure everyday.

The public will get a chance to see Twingo Renault Sport in further detail at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

ZR1 to beat Chevrolet have officially announced the 2009 Corvette ZR1 – an American supercar that not only establishes new benchmarks for production-based power and performance, but challenges global competitors with a world-beating driving experience that also comes with a world-beating price of entry.

“The king has returned,” says Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The new ZR1 upends the notion of what an American supercar can deliver, with performance that trumps exotics that cost two, three or four times as much – and does so with the driving ease of a daily commuter.”

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 is Chevrolet’s first entry into the world of supercars. It is the fastest and most powerful car ever built

by General Motors. It is powered by a new, supercharged 6.2-litre LS9 V8 that produces at least 620bhp and 607lb-ft of torque,

helping propel the car from 0-100kph in less than 4 seconds and to a top speed of more than 320kph.

Supporting its power output are racebred elements that include a 6-speed manual transmission with a dual-disc clutch; massive Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes; 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels; the second-generation of GM’s Magnetic Selective Ride Control; and stronger axles.

The ZR1 is instantly recognizable, thanks to unique exterior appointments that were developed to enable the car’s performance, including extensive use of lightweight carbon fibre. Some of these components, including the front splitter, rocker extensions and roof panel, feature a visible

carbon fibre pattern coated with a UV rayblocking finish.

Distinguishing visual cues also include a polycarbonate window in the hood that offers a view of the LS9’s intercooler below, new and wider front fenders that have a unique dualvent design and a full-width rear spoiler.

“Preliminary testing shows the ZR1 bests the highly respected Corvette Z06 in every performance category, from acceleration and braking, to cornering grip and top speed,” says Peper. “It all boils down to power-to-weight ratio and the ZR1’s is exceptional – better than the Porsche 911 GT2, the Ferrari 599 and even the Lamborghini LP640. In fact, the ZR1 is expected to be the first production Corvette to achieve a top speed of at least 320kph.”

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 15

news feature

3-stars of the

16 MAR 2008

Car Xpress

Chrysler recently unveiled three brand new concept vehicles – each featuring a different advanced alternative fuel system – at the Detroit Auto Show: the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept, Jeep Renegade Concept and Dodge ZEO Concept.

The Chrysler ecoVoyager 4-door, 4-passenger concept was developed for customers wanting a travel experience on par with a private jet (so says the press release, anyway), but without a lot of fancy gadgetry. These customers seek three critical attributes: elegance, simplicity and serenity.

The ecoVoyager’s front wheels are driven by an electric motor, with power primarily supplied by a lithiumion battery pack capable of satisfying a consumer’s typical daily commute of less than 65km. The electric motor develops 200 kilowatts (268bhp), enabling acceleration from 0 to 100kph in less than 8 seconds. A regenerative braking system captures energy that would normally be lost and returns it to the battery, making the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept a very efficient

vehicle.

The ecoVoyager takes advantage of a range extender – in this case, a small, advanced hydrogen fuel cell – to extend the vehicle range for longer trips. With this technology, the Chrysler ecoVoyager’s total range is around 500km, while it produces no emissions except water vapour.

The Jeep Renegade concept vehicle is a sporty, ‘minimized 2-seater suited for the all-weather fun of dunebashing or rock-crawling. The advanced propulsion system in the Jeep Renegade concept starts with a 65km range lithium-ion battery pack. A range extender – in Renegade’s case, a1.5litre BLUETEC diesel engine – allows for journeys up to around 650km.

The Renegade’s BLUETEC diesel engine generates an additional 115bhp when needed, while reducing exhaust emissions when compared to standard petrol engines. It is also capable of

achieving an equivalent petrol fuel economy of 2 litres per 100km, which is four-to-five times greater than an equivalent petrol-only vehicle.

The 2008 Dodge ZEO (Zero Emissions Operation) concept vehicle is a 4-passenger, all-electric, ‘2+2’ sports wagon that embraces the bold, emotional characteristic of the Dodge brand.

“The Dodge ZEO concept is designed to break the paradigm of what an electric car should look like,” says Bill Zheng, Dodge ZEO principal exterior designer. “An electric car can be as expressive as any petrol-powered vehicle. The Dodge ZEO concept proves that point – and then some.”

The advanced propulsion system powering the Dodge ZEO concept is electric-only with a 64 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack capable of at least 400km. Resting in a rearwheel drive layout, Dodge ZEO’s 200 kilowatt (268bhp) single-electric motor contributes to a 0-100kph time in less than six seconds – which rivals Chrysler’s famed HEMI powerplant.

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 17

city & town car

The Lion brand adds the 207 to the family. But how will it survive?

The Lion brand adds the 207 to the family.

But how will it survive?

18 MAR 2008

Car Xpress

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 19

Well, that all really depends on which model you choose. There are four variants available in the region: the standard hatchback, the CC – hardtop convertible, the SW – estate or ‘stationwagon’, and the RC – sporty little mischief-maker. To get a decent overview of the range we tested the CC mainly because we like the gadgetry of the droptop and because the weather is ‘mighty fine’ right now, and the RC because we like tight and agile boy racer hatchbacks. OK, it’s really a decent overview, but it’s the most fun!

The difference between the two is marked.

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Car Xpress

The exterior build quality and interior designs are very similar – both have the aggressive ‘scary clown’ smile of the large front grille with inset foglamps; the bulbous elongated headlamp clusters which continue the crease of the front wings; the low window line that cuts into the upper edge of the door; and the swept back windscreen for excellent aerodynamics. The interiors share the same deep contoured dash with central cut-away for navigation screen or the readout for the entertainment system. However, that is where the similarities end.

Car Xpress

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city & town car

Sporting Prowess The differentiating elements of the RC, just like the drive itself, are far more concise than the CC. That is to say, whereas the CC has the feel of a relaxed and easy-going town runabout, the RC makes you want to find a forest and thrash it along narrow tree-line gravel tracks and over yumps. With well-contoured semi-bucket seats finished in leather, suede and material (plus two rear seats with a wide separating padded leather covered panel), simple and clear chromerimmed rev and speedo dials, a sportsstyle perforated leather steering wheel, race-style pedals, and carbon-fibre-effect trim elements and dial background, the RC’s interior feels every bit a boy racer.

The exterior only really understates what a powerpack the RC is with its 8-spoke alloys,

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twin chromed exhausts, minimalist tailgate spoiler and the RC badge, setting it aside from its more sedate siblings.

This character is, thankfully, carried through to the driving experience. Up until 10 years ago to get a hatchback that drives like the RC you had to mod it up yourself (tuned engine and exhaust, uprated suspension, anti-roll bars, close ratio gearbox etc.), and even then you wouldn’t have been anywhere near the safety standards that you get in the RC. A very responsive 175bhp 1.6-litre engine and 5-speed manual gearbox, as well as throaty twin exhausts make the RC a little flyer. It is incredibly stable and well-balanced, and constantly feels like it wants to go. The gearbox is very smooth. If you like ‘driving stick’ then you’ll love the RC – except for

the bucket seat bolstering which makes gearshifts more difficult than they should be. The tight and great sounding engine redlines at 6,600rpm and it’s easily and happily reached, while Traction Control cuts in only a soup-con when accelerating hard as the grip is excellent even by front wheel drive standards. The brakes are a little snatchy but it’s a matter of getting used to them – I’d rather have them snatchy than spongy.

It could possibly do with having a 6th gear for cruising as, although the engine can handle the higher revs perfectly well to carry it along above 140kph, it isn’t a noise conducive to hours of relaxing highway driving. Neither is the trilling overspeed reminder which becomes very irritating after a few seconds – a bit like a nagging French mistress.

Soft Centre The CC, on the other hand, is far better suited to the highway. Its 1.6-litre engine coupled to a 4-speed automatic gearbox seriously lacks the RC’s punch, but once up to cruising speed is a far more ‘chilled’ ride. Off the line the auto box feels lazy, requiring you to be pushing around 4,000rpm before you feel any real pick-up.

It’s slightly better in manual mode only because you have greater control over the upshifts, and it also features a Sports button beside the gear lever which, on a gearbox like this, is like putting a spoiler on a zimmer frame.

But then there is the charm of the foldaway roof which tucks into the trunk in 25 seconds and is perfect for winter days and evenings in the mid 20s.

The suspension is obviously more relaxed than the RC but grip, road-holding and handling don’t feel compromised at all on a daily basis, especially considering the extra weight of the roof in the trunk. That may just be the second biggest issue with the CC – when the top is tucked away, you’d struggle to get a family thick crust pizza in the remaining space.

The RC has a more spacious trunk – albeit only for short getaways, and the 60/40 split rear seats only have limited advantage due to their bolstering which prevents the seatbacks from folding flat.

Tall adults would also suffer in the rear although there is plenty of legroom up front. And that’s where all the action is.

You’ll get two very different experiences in the RC and CC 207s. The RC would

definitely be on my shortlist of sporting hatchbacks, however, the CC with its 4-speed auto gearbox is a bit of a disappointing drive. Yes, there should be some performance differentiation between the variants but side-by-side that difference seems exaggerated. Even a 5-speed auto would make the CC a bit more perky and contribute to better economy figures.

But the 207 is definitely a competent successor to the 206. The exterior styling may not be to everyone’s liking, but safety and standard equipment is very good and you also have the heritage of a company which has been in existence for over 100 years, has 5 World Rally championship wins, 4 Paris-Dakar wins, and 2 Le Mans wins.

Has to be worth considering…

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24 MAR 2008

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Specifications Model Engine Max power Max torque Transmission Acceleration Top speed Economy

RC 1.6 litre turbocharged inline-4 175bhp 177lb-ft 5-speed manual 0-100kph in 6.5seccs 220kph 7.2lt/100km

CC 1.6 litre 120bhp 120kb-ft 4-speed automatic 0-100kph in 11secs 195kph 5.4lt/100km

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MAR 2008 25

On our track day at the Dubai Autodrome The GT Speed might have been going sideward, but Bentley is definitely going forward

face to face

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Bentley’s popularity in the GCC is on a pleasingly upward curve partly thanks to the sporting prowess of the current models – including the thunderous Flying Spur and the new racy Continental GT – but also as a result of a respect for the heritage behind the Bentley name. After the Middle East International Motor Show CX spoke to Ian Gorsuch, Middle East Regional Director for Bentley to get the low-down on the latest edition – the high-performance GT Speed.

CX: Do you like being the face of Bentley M.E. at these regional motoring events?

IG: What we find interesting about Dubai Motor Show compared to a European show is that everyone in the European show comes for the press day and the VIP day and then it peters out, particularly for the luxury car manufacturers. What I like about Dubai Motor Show is that every day is important.

You can be on the last Friday where you’d normally think that would be it, then suddenly you’ll get some good VIPs. People come back throughout the show. So it makes it a bit more dynamic.

CX: And probably a bit more sociable as well which, when it comes to Bentley, is a very important element of the relationship…

IG: But it’s not only the relationship that develops between us the manufacturer and the customer, and the dealer and the

customer, but also because it’s the regional show the dealers come in and the owners of the dealerships come in and they all know each other as well, so it’s a good way of touching base with them. It is a nice opportunity and makes the time pass quickly as well.

might not be for all GT owners. Some will want the 560bhp, will want to continue with the way the successful car has been. So the GT Speed offers that alternative.

CX: I suppose the star of the Bentley stand is the GT Speed…

IG: Yes, although really each Bentley does the job in a slightly different way. The Bentley Continental GT was launch three or so years ago and has been immensely successful, but harking back to the days of the Speed models of 1923 - the 3-litre Speed – they were the harder edged performance car. We’ve taken that on because some customers have said that they want to drive the car harder. So what we’ve got is the GT Speed. Although, this

CX: Some people would also quite like the drop-top…

IG: We’ll see what happens with the GT Speed and the feedback we get, but then the Flying Spur and the GTC are doing immensely well. In fact, the GTC has out-performed our expectations. Traditionally the Gulf market is not a soft-top market: for reasons of possibly an innate conservatism – they don’t like being looked in on; possibly the climate – although the weather is perfect for 3 or 4 months in the winter there’s dust etc.; and then there has always been a mistrust of the technology in the soft-top – will it insulate

CX: Is it only available in the Coupe?

IG: Yes.

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face to face

against dust and temperature? But what we’ve found is that because people here are very well read, are cosmopolitan and well travelled, and there is a younger generation who are less conservative, they understand the technology in that soft-top – it will insulate and protect…

CX: Not like the thin piece of vinyl in the old days…

IG: Exactly. So that’s why it’s outperformed what we thought. There is also a growing wealthy expat community in the Gulf, and particularly the Europeans and Americans love the convertible. The UK is one of the great convertible markets…

CX: And you’ve got to ask yourself why?

IG: I know, because the weather is pretty awful. But yet here we get 3 to 4 months of perfect weather except for a bit of dust around.

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The Flying Spur is our largest by volume model and is just continuing to do really well. It offers Bentley performance and all that space.

CX: It’s incredible to drive. Just the fact that you’re in a car of that size and it performs that well. So what enhancements have been made to the GT Speed?

IG: Firstly, people most obviously talk about the increased power. What we could have done is what most of these tuners do which is just blow more air into the turbos, but you then put stress on a system which shouldn’t really take it. So we re-engineered the engine and for example we’ve got larger catalytic converters, the conrods are lighter, the piston design has changed, parts of the gearbox have changed. So we’ve achieved that extra power through engineering rather than

bodge. And amazingly we’ve reduced fuel consumption.

We’ve got a fantastic engine in the W12 and it can take the modification very well.

There is further engineering done on the subframe, the suspension is lower and has a harder edge, the ESP is altered to cope with a more dynamic driving technique, and then you have the cosmetic alterations – the steering wheel, the front grille, the larger rear exhausts and the wheels.

CX: It’s still very subtle. If you compare the two there are distinct differences but it’s not a huge spoiler on the trunk…

IG: Exactly.

CX: Did you need to adjust the drivetrain to handle the extra power?

IG: Yes. There’s quite a lot of engineering that our engineers have got into.

CX: How much of that has come from the racing scene?

IG: Well, we ran Le Mans in 2003 and Brian Gush who is our director in charge of chassis and powertrain was in charge of the racing project, so undoubtedly he has a great expertise and knowledge across both worlds.

‘Bodge’ is just not a word that would ever enter into his vocabulary.

CX: Nor anyone else who works for Bentley, not when people are spending that much money.

IG: I think really what we are bringing out is that some of these tuning companies do increase the power and put bigger wheels on, but they’ve not engineered the car to do that job. Our cars are tested in wind tunnels to be able to do over 200mph. How great big picnic table spoiler on the back because it looks good could affect that cars dynamics at high speeds, the tuner

doesn’t know. Great big wheels that have been thrown on because they look pretty – how are they going to react with a heavy, powerful car in the heat at 250kph? They don’t really understand that. That’s why we make these changes, and some of them look quite small and subtle but they have a firm engineering foundation.

CX: Is it unique to Bentley where you have a luxury vehicle that you also do a very distinct performance variant of?

IG: Yes. That’s in our history. If you go back to 1931, they had just launched the 8-litre limousine and there was the Blower. We are lucky enough to own a racing Blower and a demonstrator. Both are pretty rugged power vehicles, but when you compare the two they are very different.

CX: Has is the Brooklands doing in terms of sales?

IG: We only making 550 and we are already pretty much fully booked and we thought it was inappropriate to have one on public display when some customers are waiting up to 2 years for their car. However, we are bringing it out for press and private viewing.

But it’s 1,050Nm of torque, it’s a pretty impressive car. With a 6.75-litre V8 engine it’s just beautiful. One can be cool and fashionable – once flares and kipper ties were fashionable – but if you are bespoke and chic you are always in fashion, and that is what the Brooklands does so well. It is such an elegant car that in 30 or 40 years time, if you pull up outside a top hotel it will still turn heads. Again that’s what Bentley do: we don’t do cool or fashionable, we just do what we do.

Footnote: Keep an eye out in a future issue for a full road test of the stunning GT Speed.

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concept car

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concept car

The Riviera concept, with its tightly stretched carbon fibre body and gull-wing doors, captures the essence of Buick

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The Buick Riviera, a stunning concept car designed to showcase Buick’s new global design direction, made its North American debut at the North American International Auto Show recently.

Unveiled at China’s Auto Shanghai 2007, the gull-wing, front-wheel-drive Riviera concept coupe was developed with global design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a design and engineering joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).

Engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system that will go into production this year at Shanghai GM, the Riviera features several technological and manufacturing advances.

“The Riviera concept underscores the diversity, strength and depth of the GM global design and engineering network,” says Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design.

“It also reflects PATAC’s growing role within the GM Design family and China’s significance as the world’s largest Buick market.”

The Riviera marks the return of a Buick nameplate after an 8-year hiatus. “The Riviera concept, with its tightly stretched carbon fibre body panels, combination of positive and negative curves, strong front and rear identities and gull-wing doors, captures the essence of Buick classics, while presenting a thoroughly 21st century design,” adds Welburn.

“It certainly lives up to the nameplate’s reputation for bold design.”

The Riviera’s ‘earth and water’ interior tones are apparently drawn from diverse inspirations including classic Buicks, ancient Chinese artifacts and modern electronic icons.

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concept car

Comfort fit genes To establish their design direction, PATAC designers looked, in part, to Buick icons such as the original Y-Job concept of 1938, the ‘60s LeSabre, Electra 225, and the Riviera coupes, of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

The Riviera design is structured around the Buick tri-shield logo, sitting proudly on a trihedral ‘waterfall’ grille that is formed by three intersecting planes. The Buick logo leads into a reflective strip through the hood – a mark of respect to the distinctive mid-hood crease prevalent in classic Buicks.

Elongated LED headlamps flow up the hood sides to three-section, top-mounted chrome portholes as a single piece of ‘jewelry’.

The logo, hood strip, headlamps, side mirrors and rocker covers all have ‘icy green’ backlighting available at night, matched by a backlit logo and exhausts at the rear.

The exotic gull-wing doors offer an extensive doorway to the 2+2 seating configuration and at night, the fully opened doors gently cast the ‘Buick’ name on the ground.

The use of carbon fibre in all body panels allowed designers greater flexibility through reduced mass and added strength. This made the gull-wing engineering demands easier to realize and sharp, tight radius curves possible across the body surface.

The side mirrors are sweeping yet unobtrusive, taking a cue from Formula One racecars, and the Riviera sits on 21-inch, 10-spoke forged aluminium wheels that combine polished and satin finishes with low-profile tyres.

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Relaxed nature The use of rich blue and subtle creams inside the Riviera, representing water and earth, is conveyed in the quality leather bucket seats, plush carpet and padded steering wheel. Completing the organic feel, the roof comprises two shaded glass windows offering increased headroom.

A three-dimensional speedometer, inspired by past classics but modern in design, compliments the touchpad styled central console loosely modelled on a computer mouse. An LCD display screen sits amid the central console.

Ambient light strips are applied across the console and inserted on the door liner, stretching to the front seats. Deliberately imitating precious Chinese jade stone, the lights are tinted a subtle icy green, which also offers tribute to a favoured colour of historical past Buicks.

Royal blue Alcantara – a plush, suede-like covering – was chosen for the door, console and roof, while sandy white leather covers the lower door, lower console and seats.

Eastern promises A strong influence was the yuanbao, a small curvaceous gold or silver ingot used in ancient China as currency and popular today as a symbol of ancient Chinese prosperity.

PATAC designers intended the design to convey East and West coexisting in harmony.

The design brief was global, taking a portion of Buick’s DNA and creating something for the world. The North American debut of the Buick Riviera concept highlighted the achievement of that goal.

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concept car

Elongated LED headlamps flow up the hood sides to three-section, topmounted chrome portholes

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The side mirrors are sweeping yet unobtrusive, taking a cue from Formula One racecars

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Specifications: Not available as yet, but watch this space

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MAR 2008 39

On a knife edge Few vehicles capture the enjoyment of the open road quite like the Carver

Imagine a motorbike but without all the flies in your teeth, the rain running down the back of your neck or the sweltering heat melting your leathers to your skin. All the comforts of a car with the excitement and ‘riding pleasure’ of a motorbike. That’s the Carver.

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car xtremes

The brains behind the Carver is Anton van den Brink, who, back in the early 1990s was already considering the advantages of what he was to call the ‘slender comfort vehicle’ – a ‘car’ that had all the traffic manoeuvrability benefits of a motorcycle but also the essential comforts of a car.

During the ‘90s, under the development umbrella of Brink’s EuroTool group of companies they developed the DVC or Dynamic Vehicle Control unit which would be the major selling component of what was to become the Carver. This unit controls the tilt angle of the main passenger tub depending on speed and acceleration so that under cornering the driver leans into the turn just as you would on a motorbike.

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car xtremes

Lean and mean It’s not as easy as it sounds: Most systems developed in this area have been reactive; that is the tilt is activated after the turn has been initiated which results in instability. However, the Carver system is simultaneous allowing a smooth planelike turn in.

A uniquely designed steering torque actuator coupled to the DVC manifold driving two double piston cylinders form the basis of the mechanical-hydraulic system, while an additional separate hydraulic system provides for a fail-safe emergency backup.

Power assisted front wheel steering

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and active rear wheel steering make for unparallelled stability when cornering. The DVC control unit electronically moderates the cockpit response at low speeds for comfortable road handling under all circumstances.

To top it off, the DVC mode selector, a sophisticated piece of programming, allows you to select a driving mode according to your mood and road circumstances. In comfort mode, weaving your way through busy city traffic and parking is easy thanks to enhanced power steering, while the sport mode lets you unleash the rebel inside – once you get the knack of carving.

In 2005 production of the Carver One

began at the facility in Dordrecht near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. For the production, Carver teamed up with Prodrive, one of the world’s leading motorsport and vehicle technology providers.

With 16 distribution centres globally, the company is beginning to carve a niche for itself in what is sure to become an ever growing segment of motoring. But it’s not only the innovation that is exciting; the drive is also one of the greater pleasures you can have on three wheels.

Low flyer Its sporty 659cc engine gives it just the right power in proportion to its weight,

reaching a top speed of 185kph, while its average fuel consumption remains at a very modest 6lt/100km. It banks from full left tilt to right in just a second. This unrivalled agility lets you cope with any emergency situation, avoid obstacles, and makes for sheer exhilarating fun.

It has virtually unrestricted manoeuvrability, surfing through traffic, snowboarding roundabouts and pivoting corners. It is like riding your own rollercoaster or flying a glider at ground level. It is like playing the lead in your own version of Top Gun. So it will come as no surprise that the Carver was developed by aeronautical

engineers, so form follows function in every aspect of its design with razorsharp lines giving it not only astonishing looks but also perfect aerodynamics.

The superb jetfighter-like cockpit comes in any manufacturer colour or custom colour of your choice, hiding the integral welded steel chassis, providing safety for you and your passenger. The front window seamlessly merges with the body-coloured roof panel that can be easily detached to enjoy a panoramic view.

Its sporty 15-inch alloy rear wheels with large tyres keep the Carver One firmly glued to the road in the corners and on the straights. The uniquely designed front

wheel attachment provides the 17-inch wheel with exceptional road holding and superb manoeuvrability. Two seamlessly integrated louvered air intakes on either side of the cockpit feed the engine extra cooling and add a zest of futuristic elegance.

Inside the cockpit it is sporty, yet stylish. The Carver One fits you like a glove. A contoured driver and passenger seat keeps you firmly but comfortably in position while the sports leather-covered steering wheel, dashboard curves with the tilt angle indicator, and aluminium gear lever prepare you for the exhilarating ride ahead of you.

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Specifications Engine Max power Max torque Transmission Acceleration Top speed Economy Max. tilt angle Max. tilt speed

659cc 4 cylinder 16 valve turbo intercooler 68bhp at 6,000rpm 74lb/ft at 3,200rpm 5-speed manual 0-100kph in 8.2secs 185kph 6lt/100km 45째 85째/s

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concept car

Toyota’s boffins build a better batmobile

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concept car

Toyota Motor Sales returns to its compact pickup truck roots with its latest concept vehicle A-BAT. The environmentally advanced A-BAT provides modern versatility, roominess and style in a compact pickup architecture.

“Driving from beyond the suburbs to the city is a way of life for many people,” says Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research, Inc. “We’ve taken Toyota’s truck heritage to a different level by envisioning a vehicle capable of manoeuvring the suburbs as well as dirt roads. This compact truck is as comfortable for long commutes as it is for road trips. and it can accommodate outdoor toys and home improvement supplies. Plus, customers benefit from the hybrid powertrain’s low emissions and fuel economy.”

The A-BAT concept was developed by the TMS Advanced Product Strategy group and Calty, Toyota’s North American-based research and design centre. Together they identified a buyer group whose unique combination of lifestyle activities and vehicle needs required a vehicle that as of now is not available in the market place. The team created a new genre of compact vehicle with good fuel economy, advanced functionality, manoeuvrability, unique styling within its segment, and a durable package, suitable for an active lifestyle. Advanced styling was also key in making the A-BAT appropriate for today’s market.

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The A-BAT concept rides on a unibody platform for car-like handling when navigating city streets and crowded parking lots, and smooth ride quality for highway trips and the everyday commute. In addition, its lightweight package coupled with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology is designed to deliver excellent fuel economy.

Translucent solar panels in the top surface of the instrument panel capture sunlight and convert it into energy. Positioned below the Toyota Tacoma pickup, the A-BAT integrates truck features with car fundamentals for an efficient and modern package.

The A-BAT’s unique aerodynamic exterior was crafted by Calty project chief designer Ian Cartabiano and creative designer Matt Sperling. They integrated Toyota’s design philosophy, “Vibrant Clarity” into the exterior by keeping the design forward-looking, crisp and functional.

The concept’s unique look is a combination of the large body surfaces, intersecting tight surface planes, crisp lines and the trapezoidal profile. The A-BAT’s 19-inch wheels sit at the vehicle’s corners creating a tough and ready stance.

“We studied the ‘trapezoid’ silhouette from the side profile of the Toyota Prius and applied it to create an entirely new truck image,” says Sperling. He further enhanced the trapezoidal profile by placing

the cab forward, and using fast angle A- and C-pillars, shortened overhangs, and a sleek front window.

“The bold grille showcases Toyota’s reverse trapezoid and T-face theme in a new way,” explains Cartabiano. “The bed is defined by the C-pillar and is clearly separated from the cab to allow it to stand out from the rest of the profile.”

“The image of a NATO all-terrain military truck inspired us to keep the occupants as far forward as possible to maximise rear bed capacity in this compact package,” states Sperling.

The A-BAT features a four-foot bed, but has more flexibility than the standard pickup truck. A translucent roof panel slides open to allow for tall cargo in the cab. When the pass-through midgate is folded down into the cab the bed lengthens an additional two feet. An open tailgate provides an additional two-foot of bed length. The A-BAT offers customers the versatility of hauling a standard 4x8 sheet of plywood one day, then taking a family on a camping trip to the lake the next.

The bed has features perfect for work and play. These include tailgate lighting for illuminating the load in the bed, a first aid kit and flashlight integrated into the tailgate, sliding tie downs, and an AC power outlet. Items such as sports

and leisure equipment can be stored in the lockable drawers in the bed walls.

The concept also has additional storage that is accessible through sliding doors conveniently placed in and outside of the truck bed. For even more storage capacity the A-BAT comes with a large sliding drawer beneath the bed, accessible without opening the tailgate. Although the A-BAT is rugged and has a spirited exterior, the interior team worked to create a modern look for the interior.

“We balanced colours and fabrics that were both bright and vibrant, but also captured an urban-rugged feel with their energetic and geometric qualities,” says Alan Schneider, project chief designer.

“The inspiration behind the exposed structure on the interior was drawn from high-end mountain bike frames,” adds Daryl Harris, senior creative designer. “We applied lightweight construction materials, such as carbon fibre and aluminium, to the instrument panel, console and seats for increased structural rigidity while reducing mass.”

The rigid, yet sculptured alloy centre console runs between the two front seats and houses a portable power pack. The battery pack offers both AC and DC for a wide variety of applications including powering tools, electrical gear while camping,

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a laptop computer, small appliances or assisting a vehicle jump start.

The door trim, shoulder, armrest and instrument panel pads and seat cushions are made of a tough, lightweight and comfortable material that can be selected for personalisation. In addition the colours are coordinated to enhance the sleek interior environment. The centre console and door pockets feature carbon fibre components to complete the durable and modern look.

The four-passenger A-BAT offers numerous seating and storage configurations. In addition to the rear seats folding down with the midgate to extend the cargo bed length, the rear seat cushions can retract beneath the cargo bed to increase rear cab cargo flexibility. A removable storage tray beneath the rear seat offers tie downs and organising compartments to secure loose cargo.

Inside the A-BAT has a retractable portable navigation unit with a seveninch diagonal screen and Wi-Fi internet.

Other advanced features include a port for portable device assistant synchronisation and a hard drive for digital music.

Both the driver and front passenger have a large multi-information display screen on the IP to view the status of their high tech gadgets and HVAC and audio settings.

The solar panels on the dash recapture energy from the sun to assist in the charging of the navigation unit, portable power pack and backlit information displays.

“This concept is the next evolution of the compact truck,” says Hunter. “We were able to create a compact truck that’s utilitarian, has an original profile compared to other pickup trucks, has a ‘small, but tough’ character and is economical to operate. The A-BAT is a fun-to-drive, practical package that reflects Toyota’s environmental sustainability message.”

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lifestyle

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The US kings of custom have finally set up shop in Dubai. So get ready to see some mean machines on our streets

Back in 1993 West Coast Customs began as an all-in-one vehicle customization ‘shop on a $5,000 loan that Ryan Friedlinghaus borrowed from his grandfather. 15 years later and the business is worth over $10 million and has franchises in Russia, Germany, Australia, Malaysia, and now in Dubai which features the only fully operational production centre outside California. CX spoke to the Ryan, Alex (WCC’s international marketing director) and Bigg Dane (‘Pavement Introduction for Unwanted Visitors’ and general foreman) on the inauguration of their latest venture.

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lifestyle

CX: So how was the Motor Show for you?

Alex: Good.

Ryan: Signing a lot of autographs, chaotic, a lot of work. But an awesome response.

Dane: It was really good for us. The reception and the crowds and the amount of autographs we had to sign was insane!

But there wasn’t a lot going on around it like when we went to Puerto Rico and there was a car show carnival, so next year we’re going to have a King Custom Live Show with entertainments, monster truck exhibition, skateboards, freestyle motorsport. It’s an atmosphere where everybody can come no matter how old you and there’s something there you can enjoy.

CX: Did you get many people saying: “I’ve got this car, I want you to do this with it?”

Ryan: Yeah, I had many, many of those approaches.

Alex: We got a couple of good jobs from it…

Ryan: and a couple of confirmed orders as well.

CX: Regional or international?

Alex: Just in this region. We had ‘the guy’ from Uzbekistan in the ‘shop today, the richest guy there apparently.

CX: so now you’ve WCC in the US, UAE, Malaysia: how many other are you planning?

Alex: Malaysia is open.

Ryan: Russia, Japan, and hopefully in Berlin soon. They’re all coming, but Dubai is the only production centre currently open outside the US. CX: So what if you’ve got some guy in Malaysia who wants something doing: does the car have to be shipped her?

Ryan: All of them will end up becoming their own entity, it’s just that Dubai is the only one right now.

Alex: It’s the model.

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CX: What about staffing? Are guys coming over from the States?

Alex: Well, I’m here from the States.

CX: Permanently?

Alex: Semi-permanently, until we are good to go. So I’ll be here for at least a year. I’ll bring in staff from all over the place. We’ll bring masters from the US for fabrication and audio. We already have a great interior guy, our bodyshop is already covered. We’ve had an extensive HR process over the summer and we’ve picked the few people who had the potential.

CX: Is there a very specific style and approach to your projects?

Alex: Ryan sets the style. I’ve been working Ryan for the last 12 years so we think a lot alike in terms of how cars should look. Dane will throw something into the mix etc. Out here we’ll get input from the other guys and filter it back to Ryan, and we’ll go from there.

CX: But there’s no trademark look for WCC? At the Motor Show for example there was the Stormer 2-door Range Rover, the Classic style Chevelle, the matt black Ferrari…

Alex: We do everything. We’re not just the guys who put the Decart kits on the Porsches or the Hamann kits on BMWs. That’s not us. If you want ‘50s custom, a ‘60s cruiser or a rad ride or a unique Range Rover then it’s already here [pointing to his head].

Alex: That’s the beauty of this market. You get clients who come to you with such an open brief and let WCC go crazy, and it’s quite unusual. Allowing us to do projects like the Stormer, which has never been done before.

CX: that’s quite unique, because you look at it and think ‘Oh, Range Rover Sport’ and then you look closer and it’s a coupe. How do you engineer something like that. Those doors don’t exist?

Ryan: We just start building. We look at

some specs and at the one prototype Range Rover made and then we took that and built our own.

Alex: There were a couple of trial and errors on that. But that car is amazing: the look and feel. And that goes for every car that comes out of West Coast: the Corvelle, the Shelby Mustang, the 2-door Charger, the 300C – you look at those cars and you know where it came from.

Ryan: Our cars are built to what the customers want. We’ll sit with him, figure out what his style is, what colours he likes, and then we’ll do our thing. A lot of people just give their input and I’ll build the car to what they want. A lot of people with money in the US that I deal with, they just want something better than so-and-so’s.

Alex: It’s gotta be better than Shaq’s.

Ryan: So we’ll just build something unique to them. That’s why everything we do is trademarked by our name but it’s really not trademarked by our style. We don’t just do one thing. Every speaker box we build is different, every paint colour we come up with – we mix our own, so every car is different. That’s what makes us so unique because we’re doing so many different things and the shop is capable of doing everything under one roof.

CX: How big is the facility here in Dubai?

Alex: 20,000sq/ft. There is quite a big showroom which is segregated into two areas: we have a VIP section for high net worth individuals, and then you’ve got the break-our area where you’ve got games and consoles and a bar, and people can just come in and chill and get a taste of the West Coast brand. And that’s the beauty of it: they can walk out with a AED100 t-shirt and have a piece of West Coast Customs or walk out with a AED1.5 million car – and anything in between.

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MAR 2008 57

lifestyle

CX: Roughly how many projects can you have on the go in that space?

Ryan: I’ll tell you in about 5 months.

Alex: Give me 6 months and if I still have any hair left then come and talk to me. If there are bald spots then stay away. There are separate audio, interior, body paint and assembly areas.

CX: Ryan you’re going to have quite a few early mornings with video conferencing the UAE? Ryan: Yes. I’m already finding it happening anyway. Me and Alex are on the phone every day. But I like being a part of what’s going on and help with the design as much as I can.

And even though I’m far away we still think so much alike. And the customers come to us for our advice, which is why having Alex out here right now is really good.

CX: So how did WCC start?

Ryan: It started as a dream: a shop that did everything under one roof. I built custom cars for ever. I had to send cars to here, to

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there and there to get stuff done and you nvere can count on a painter, an interior guy etc. so the only way to build custom cars and be good at it and meet deadlines is to have everybody under one roof. Just managing those guys is a job on its own because they’re all artists, they all think they know more than each other, they never want to work together. So getting that situation to work is real crazy. A lot of people with no patience would probably have given up. It’s definitely been a 13 year struggle.

CX: But to get to where WCC is now, 13 years isn’t so long…

Ryan: Definitely a lot of help came from the TV show. The ‘Pimp My Ride’ show made WCC into a household name and then we started to be able to make money off it. But I’ve been that guy at the back of the shop as well. I started with just one other guy and we did everything. And so I get a lot of respect from the guys. I know when they’re bulls****ting because I’ve done it. I’ve worked in all the

different departments. And I run my shop just like a big family.

CX: So why Dubai?

Ryan: Everybody out here wants us to build them something. The clients are here, y’know.

We search for this client all day long. We put ads in the Dupont and all these magazines to get people to get hyped on us to want to build those car, and they’re all right here.

CX: What about the ‘bling factor out here?

Ryan: I think having Alex out here who is more like me and Rami [major investor in WCC in Dubai] is more like them, so you have that mixture and we intertwine in together we can do whatever they want. We’re not scared to do anything: if they want a goldplated car we’ll figure out how to get it done.

Alex: Here in Dubai everything is a bit more laid-back. In California it’s 100mph.

Ryan: I couldn’t be sitting here right now!

Alex: When Ryan’s not a work he’s at home with his kids. So here it’s a bit slower

pace which affords us a bit more time.

Right now we’re still testing the waters.

I’ve been here for 3 months checking it out: what’s the availability of tools, what talent is around…You try and find a decent socket set here in Dubai – you go to ACE Hardware and there’s one row of nuts and bolts and then there’s DVDs, dog collars, barbecues…! And there’s a lot of raw talent here, and it’d be really amazing to see what some of these guys could do with really good tools and direction.

CX: How did the ‘Pimp My Ride’ gig come about?

Ryan: This producer just came up with this idea and it was just his idea, he hadn’t sold it to MTV yet. It was just a low budget pilot he wanted to shoot. And it was at a time when we thought “yeah, we’ll do it. See what happens”. Then the show took off. But it got to a point when everybody wanted to run the show and there were a lot of clashes, and we thought, “y’know what, we’re done”. That’s when we made this new show on Discovery

TLC which about who we really are and the type of cars we really build. We build custom cars for custom people. And the people we were building the cars for [on ‘Pimp My Ride’] weren’t really the type of clients we would have or the cars we would build.

CX: There has to be some level of dilapidation where you think “what’s the point?”

Ryan: I think we got to that spot. So we moved on.

CX: When does the Discovery show air?

Ryan: it’s airing in the US right but it’ll air out here I think in April. It’s called ‘Street Car’. The same producer as ‘American Chopper’ and ‘American Hot Rod’.

CX: How many franchises do you have in mind?

Ryan: I think it’s just where it leads us.

We’re just going to attack the markets that I think we’re really popular in: Europe, Japan, the clients are here in the Middle East. We’re approaching Russia because they don’t have

any customizing shops. Malaysia just blindsided us a little bit but that definitely showed us there were markets everywhere because the show made us so popular globally.

CX: So what do you drive everyday back home?

Alex: I have a huge lifted truck, an F150 and a custom car that I took apart about 5 years ago and just haven’t put it back together yet.

Dane: I drive a ’96 Astra…

Alex:…with a giant stereo in it and thumping out Metallica.

Dane: I’d like to get my hands on that new Maybach [Landaulet]. A beautiful car. Not too we’d do to it – just a few concepts we’d like to try out.

So if you want to see just what West Coast Customs are up to then there is an open door policy at the new base in Al Quoz where you can wander in, take a look at the rides on display (put in an offer if you wish), or just buy a WCC t-shirt. The guys will genuinely be keen to see you.

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MAR 2008 59

special feature

60 MAR 2008

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1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible

The amazing artworks of Stephen Wiltshire Take a look at this drawing. All of us have, at some time, attempted to draw – whether its cars, houses, landscapes or cityscapes. As far as we know the great artists took days, months, even years to complete their masterpieces after meticulous study of their subject. Stephen Wiltshire, a young British autistic savant has become renowned the world over for creating masterpieces after a mere glimpse of his subject.

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special feature

New York Taxis

Most of us find it hard enough to take a good photograph of our cars, let alone draw it perfectly to scale with incredible detail and exacting light and shade. But that’s exactly what Stephen Wiltshire was able to do at the age of eight. And he still does it now at the age of 34 when he sees a classic American motor from the ‘50s through to the ‘80s. But unlike the rest of us who would need to sit down for hours in front of the vehicle with pencil in one hand and eraser poised in the other, Stephen can create instant masterpieces after the briefest of glimpses. Take his ‘Las Vegas at night’, ‘Los Angeles Traffic’ or ‘Some Yellow New York Taxis at Park Avenue at Night’: these have all been created from a moment’s inspiration, almost like a photographic memory.

But where the rest of us would struggle to remember the merest of detail, Stephen’s brain would appear to lack the ability to forget them. So everything, literally, goes down on paper making our perception of the images a peculiar balance between characteristic drawing and photograph.

Stephen produces artworks in minutes that others train for decades to be able to create.

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Some Yellow New York Taxis at Park Avenue at Night

Taxis in Traffic

1971 Oldsmobile Delta Royale

Manhattan Skyline

MAR 2008 63

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Lots of American Cars on the Streets of New York

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special feature

1979 Dodge Polara Custom

Seeing in perspective But it’s been a very long journey for this 34-year-old artist from London. From an early age Stephen Wiltshire was diagnosed as being autistic after remaining mute and insular. At the age of five he was sent to Queensmill School for children with special needs in the city, where, besides suffering from regular violent tantrums, it was quickly noticed how much he enjoyed drawing, and not the just typical scribbles of a 5-year-old.

The animals, buses and buildings he created had near perfect form and perspective.

At the age of eight he started to draw cityscapes and began his obsession with cars and illustrations of them (his knowledge of everything automotive is almost encyclopaedic). One of the few ways to get him to talk was to take away his drawing

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materials so he would have to ask for them.

His first word was ‘paper’. By the age of nine he was speaking fluently.

Since 1987, when the BBC’s QED documentary programme first brought him to the British nation’s attention, he has featured in many other programmes about the amazing talents of autistic savants. Sir Hugh Casson of the Royal Academy in London has studied Stephen and says, “From the first mark, the pencil moves as quickly and as surely as a sewing-machine-the line spinning from the pencil point like embroidery.”

Drawing inspiration Stephen is the first autistic savant in the world whose work has been recorded and published since his childhood. His third book, ‘Floating Cities’ (1991), was number 1 on the

Sunday Times bestseller list. And his artistic ability is not just limited to certain subjects like cars, street scenes and city skylines. In 2001 he was flown by helicopter over London and subsequently drew a detailed and perfectly scaled aerial illustration of a four square mile area within 3 hours: it included 12 historic landmarks and over 200 other structures.

Then in 2005 in Tokyo following a similar flight he drew a panoramic view of the city on a 10m long canvas. Since then he has drawn Rome, Hong Kong and Frankfurt. But he says his favourite city is New York because he loves the chaos of the streets with fire engines, traffic and the yellow taxi cabs everywhere. When it comes to the panoramas he says, “it takes me a few minutes to memorize the cityscapes and then about three days to complete the drawing”, he says. Yet for similar A3-sized

Yellow Taxi passing Wiltshire Boulevard

Los Angeles Skyline 2007

1971 Buick Riviera

Ford E350 Ambulance Car

drawings, Stephen can churn out a work of art in around one hour (if it’s an unfamiliar cityscape it can take around 40 mintues to memorize it!), and he can sell them for more than £1,000 (AED7,000+), so exceptional is his ability. He has even been called the ‘leading architectural artist in the world’.

Stephen Wiltshire is a phenomenon as well as being a very likeable and unassuming man, and between 7th and 11th April this year you will be able to see his work live when he visits Dubai and creates a gallery of the city’s skyline which will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Dubai Autism Centre.

For more information on Stephen and to see examples of his extensive portfolio of art visit: www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk, and for more details about autism and the Dubai Autism Centre visit: www.dubaiautismcenter.ae

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MAR 2008 67

face to face

Hans Dieter Keller Managing Director, VW Middle East

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The company of

Wolfsburg

VW get their claws into the Middle East market

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70 MAR 2008

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You have to look very hard to find a make of car in the Middle East which isn’t reporting record year-on-year sales, not least Europe’s largest manufacturer, VW. Having recently hit the 15 million sales mark for the Passat, CX spoke to Hand Dieter Keller, Managing Director of VW Middle East, to get an insight into where the company is heading.

CX: So what does 15 million Passat sales mean to VW? Hans Dieter Keller: We know these big figures.

We have 30 million Golfs, and the Beetle before that. That’s the story of success. When we started with the Passat a long time ago and then 6 or 7 years ago we upgraded, it became one of the most important cars we have ever made. In Europe, especially in Germany, it is the variant which is the big seller. All over the world – here, in Russia, in USA it is the fourdour sedan.

CX: VW have always been a lifestyle-oriented brand.

With the Tiguan entering a very competitive segment, how is it going to distinguish itself?

HDK: In the SUV segment the most successful vehicle is the Touareg, while in the MPV segment the Sharan is the most successful in Europe. Our model range is big and we are filling all niches with high figure sales, and all the derivatives are necessary. The pricing is very important and if you look at the Tiguan the pricing for this market is OK. The dealers are happy, the customers are happy, the press

have said it’s a very good price to go against the RAV4, for example. We may not beat but we can compete.

CX: It will make the choice that much harder…

HDK: And we also want to do the emerging market cars. And one of the cars we’ll get in the future is the Polo – not the hatchback but the 4-door sedan.

CX: When will we see that out here?

HDK: I think in 2010 – two or three years. But Car Xpress

MAR 2008 71

we have a very large market – in Russia, in India, in South America, in North America…

CX: In terms of the Middle East, which areas give you the most sales?

HDK: The area here in the Emirates is the biggest market with most sales in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The market in Saudi is also very good. You can’t speak about the market in Yemen. It is a very poor country at the moment but with a very promising future. They sell 250 VW, but this is very high because Mercedes sells 30 cars, Audi 20-30 cars and so on.

CX: Which is you biggest selling model in Dubai?

HDK: The Touareg. Then the Passat, then Jetta and Golf.

CX: And then there’s the new Tiguan, of course…

HDK: Yes. We have three models – Track & Field, Trend & Fun, and Sport & Style. There are two front ends – 18 degrees and 28 degrees – one for on-road and the other for deserts and mountains.

CX: What are the technologies that will feature in the Tiguan?

HDK: The newest generation of navigation and radios. We also have our Quattro 4-wheel drive, and Audi and VW have together one of the best systems in the world – the 4Motion system.

CX: Is it a very different system from the Touareg?

HDK: No, but it doesn’t have all the possibilities of the Touareg. It doesn’t have air suspension, for example.

CX: The CrossGolf is quite an intriguing design idea.

Who do you see as the market for the car?

HDK: Our customers want a difference between their car and the neighbour’s. We see it also in the Touareg – the possibility to have the spare wheel on the tailgate. More and more people are doing this. It’s not necessary, it’s just an optical ‘gag’. You have more space in the trunk but it’s a gag.

CX: Maybe if they are serious about taking it off-road….

HDK: How many Touareg drivers actually drive off-road?! In Germany they say the hunters are the customers to drive the Touareg through the forests, but it’s not real. If you want to drive through forests you buy an old Suzuki or something.

CX: What kind of environmental technologies is VW working on?

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HDK: We work on all of them. The first is very clean diesel. We have the FSI motors with low fuel usage and low emissions. We are working on batteries and hybrid motors. And it is becoming more and more important. Here it’s not important [to the buyer in general] and in Russia it’s not important, but in Germany and Europe it’s very important. Also people look at the drivers of Touareg, Jeep, BMWs, SUVs etc. – these vehicles which use 25 litres [per 100km] – that’s a political issue in Europe. But you can also drive the Touareg six cylinder diesel at 8-9 litre [per 100km].

CX: One of the issues here is that in Europe the TDi diesel engines are gaining popularity partly because of the environmental issues. But it’s difficult to see the TDi engines catching on here. Are VW looking into that?

HDK: We are not thinking of bringing diesel here in the next few years. But if the time comes when the oil reserves go down then we’ll also need diesel here – but that’s 10-15 years away. And you’ll need to speak to another guy [from VW] by that time.

CX: What kind of sales figures is VW looking at for 2008/9?

HDK: We want to deliver and sell more here than this year, which was around 10,000. Next year we’d like to sell around 20,000, but the Middle East is from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar etc., and I think 20,000 plus is possible. And a nice model range. As VW grows the employment scene here grows. The last I read was that in a few years there will be 10 million employment. Now we have 2.5 million.

CX: And how do you plan to make the most of the market in this region?

HDK: Our problem in the past was that our production and our quality is very high and we have complicated…Now in this market for the Tiguan there are two models, two engines and three types – that’s all. In the past we had here and in our foreign markets all the types we have in Germany with five engines and there are 10,000 possibilities to the interior. That was our problem. Now we’ve benchmarked Toyota in terms of income and production. The customer needs a car that is high quality, a good price and a good image. And it’s not only the new car price but the buy-back price as a used car. And one of the highest prices in used cars is the Golf.

CX: What do you drive yourself?

HDK: Touareg. Eight cylinder. The first white one in Germany.

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MAR 2008 73

Now this very successful banker in finance and shipping from Houston, Texas has set up home and business in Dubai and is looking to establish an ambitious project that will involve local names in international motorsports competition.

We spoke to John Sinders just before his last stint of the Toyo 24 hours of Dubai endurance race in a de-tuned Ferrari 430GTC with teammates such as Adrian Newey – the doyen of F1 technical directors. Surprising possibly that chairman of the board for Aston Martin North America is racing in one of Aston’s main competitor’s cars, but we were assured that it was not a defection just a drive in friend, fellow driver and one of the UK’s top sellers of performance cars, Joe Macari’s ‘prancing horse’.

But back to business and John Sinders next project is going to be establishing a team of UAE drivers, including a couple of veterans as well as young bloods, to train 74 MAR 2008

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John Sinders

motorsport

and prepare for the major endurance races around the globe in order to show that the Middle East – and the UAE in specific – is on the ball when it comes to motorsports talent and venues, and is able produce drivers capable of taking on the world’s best. At the moment the selection process is yet to get underway, but there are already a few names one would have to be considering shortlisting.

New clear energy In terms of global exposure versus costs, it is possibly the best platform for any new team to gain visibility. F1 costs are astronomical even though the audience is global. Single-seater feeder formulas cost comparatively less but don’t get the exposure. Whereas endurance races such as Le Mans, ALMS and the FIA GT Championship guarantee huge audiences in the States, Russia, Europe and Japan.

It also helps when you drive a special car.

Having been one of the men behind the buy out of Aston Martin from Ford Motors and who is Chairman of the Board of Astom Martin North America, John Sinders is a businessman who knows a good thing when he sees it, and he has his sights set firmly on Le Mans.

And that’s where the Khaleji Motorsport team will grab the headlines. Arabs, in the past, have not been renowned for their enthusiasm for alternative fuels, having a high percentage of the world’s oil bubbling away under their feet, so a Middle Eastern team running a biodiesel BMW in world endurance races will definitely raise a few eyebrows and create a few headlines – even moreso if the team can perform as well as John Sinders hopes. “Imagine if we could get an Arab on the podium at Le Mans”, he says enthusiastically. And he is serious.

He also sits on the board of the main sponsor Nova Biosource and supplier of the biodiesel for the car which is expected to be as powerful as any other diesel vehicle racing but will produce considerably less harmful tailpipe emissions. So, if the Khaleji Motorsport team to perform well this will probably be the company’s best possible advert, second only to the fact that it is a Middle Eastern team of drivers behind the wheel.

Wheels in motion Which brings us to John Sinders next priority – placing the UAE firmly on the map as a 5-star destination for global motorsports tourism. With the 2009 F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi already agreed and various rounds of the FIA GT Championship regularly burning up the Dubai Autodrome circuit you may be fooled into believing that the work has already been done. But not in John Sinders eyes.

He believes that with the correct infrastructure in place Dubai should be the opening race venue for the Le Mans series instead of Sebring in the U.S., commenting that Dubai is an ideal circuit being technically challenging, climatically unique and perfectly located for global tourism. All the basic requirements are already in place: an FIA sanctioned circuit; a professional race school which has already produced some quality local drivers who have raced in a European singleseater championship; and the running of some international events which are beginning to

make the Dubai venue globally known.

With the completion of Motor City the Autodrome will undoubtedly receive worldwide press interest and become a tourist destination in its own right thanks in part to the F1 Theme Park, but John Sinders also wants to see the development of condominiums where owners can store their own race cars and have them continually serviced and ready to race at weekends.

He sees no limit to the possibilities for the region in terms of motorsports.

Development in this arena is as yet in its infancy in the GCC, as is the public’s active interest, but motosports is literally accelerating at an unprecedented speed: the F1 contract in Abu Dhabi being just one example. The opportunities are there, and if John Sinders has anything to do with it, he’ll be at the head of the field, promoting the region through its drivers, venues, attractions, and the growth market of renewable and clean fuels.

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motorsport

The party to celebrate the Gulf Air Bahrain F1 Grand Prix 2008 has already begun with Ferrari’s Filipe Massa meeting the public and signing autographs as well as the F1 Football Fever event with entries from most of the F1 teams kicking off for a friendly, if not competitive, mini-world cup.

And in March the party continues, so if you’re in the Kingdom of Bahrain anytime during the month, then make sure you get along to at least one of the following events: 1-15 March: F1 IN COLOUR World renowned artist Abbas Al Mosawi, will be leading the Kingdom of Bahrain in the biggest art project the country has ever seen.

The largest outside canvas measuring 10m by 15m will be erected for all to see; an image that unites everything Bahraini with everything F1. Schools, universities, newspapers and magazines will be asked to paint their own unique picture to help form the giant collage, and Al Mosawi will be there to guide painters through this unique project.

16-24 March: F1 ZONE The F1 Zone is an interactive experience where all are welcome to play the games, learn the sport and get accustomed to all things racing.

There will be simulators, pit stop recreation, a host of displays and racing fun together with a display of memorabilia from the Bahrain International Circuit commemorating Bahrain’s first 3 years as ‘the Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’. Full details and location of the Ithmaar Group Yalla Bahrain! F1 Zone will be announced prior to the event.

30 March: F1 DRIFT AND MOVIE NIGHT For entertainment that everyone can enjoy

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at the Bahrain International Circuit, what could be better than driving down to BIC, parking up and relaxing with all your friends and family while watching fantastic movie action? For the more adventurous there is also the opportunity to take part in the thrilling sport of drifting. During Ramadan the BIC hosted Bahrain Drift events every night, with over 10,000 people showing off their tyre-shredding skills. Now in celebration of the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the Kingdom’s drifters are welcomed back to light up the evening alongside drift displays by some serious professional talent.

6th April: F1 Street Carnival Bigger and better than ever, Yalla Bahrain! brings back the high energy carnival on the Manama Corniche that left over 20,000 people spellbound last year. The spectacular sight and sound of high powered racing cars hitting the streets was one of the most popular public events in the Kingdom in 2007, prompting a bigger show for 2008 and the most anticipated part of the Yalla Bahrain! calendar. This year the parade features the 320kph Australian V8 Supercars from the inaugural Desert 400 last November and the two Bahraini Porsche GT3 endurance racers that put the Kingdom’s racing talent firmly on the international map with class victory in the inaugural 24 Hour Race of Bahrain last December. Lining up alongside them will be cars from the 380bhp Lumina CSV Championship Middle East, together with all the regular performers at Bahrain’s Circuit Racing Club events – Formula BMW, Caterham, MINI-Cooper and Thunder Arabia runners.

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motorsport

Team:

Driver 1

Driver 2

Kimi RAIKKONEN

Team:

Driver 1 Nick HEIDFELD

Driver 2

Team:

Driver 1

Driver 2

Team:

Driver 1

Driver 2

Team:

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Fernando ALONSO

Felipe MASSA

Robert KUBICA

Nelson PIQUET

Nico ROSBERG

Kazuki NAKAJIMA

Driver 1

Driver 2

David COULTHARD

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Mark WEBBER

Team:

Driver 1

Jarno TRULLI

Timo GLOCK

Team:

Driver 1

Driver 2

Driver 1

Driver 2

Driver 1

Driver 2

Driver 1

Driver 2

Driver 1

Driver 2

SĂŠbastien BOURDAIS

Team:

Team:

Sebastian VETTEL

Rubens BARRICHELLO Jenson BUTTON

Team:

Team:

Driver 2

Takuma SATO

Anthony DAVIDSON

Giancarlo FISICHELLA Adrian SUTIL

Lewis HAMILTON

Heikki KOVALAINEN Car Xpress

MAR 2008 79

March

World Touring Car Championship Curitiba, Brazil Grand Racing, Speedcar & GP2 Asia Sepang Circuit, China F1 Grand Prix of Australia Albert Park A1GP Mexico City, Mexico F1 Grand Prix of Malaysia Sepang World Rally Championship Rally Argentina

05 06 13 12 20 20 24-27 26 27

Grand Racing, Speedcar & GP2 Asia Bahrain Circuit, Bahrain F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain Bahrain A1GP Shanghai, China Grand Racing, Speedcar & GP2 Asia Dubai Autodrome, UAE FIA GT Championship Silverstone, Britain FIA GT3 European Championship Silverstone, Britain World Rally Championship Jordan Rally WRC GP2 Barcelona, Spain F1 Grand Prix of Spain Catalunya

june

04 A1GP Brands Hatch, Britain 11 F1 Grand Prix of Turkey Istanbul 11 GP2 Istanbul, Turkey 16-18 Middle East Rally Championship The Cyprus Rally 16-18/05 World Rally Championship Rallye d’Italia-Sardegna 18 FIA GT Championship Monza, Italy 18 FIA GT3 European Championship Monza, Italy 18 World Touring Car Championship Valencia, Spain 24 GP2 Monte Carlo, Monaco 25 F1 Grand Prix of Monaco Monaco 29-01/06 World Rally Championship Acropolis Rally 18 World Touring Car Championship Valencia, Spain 05-07 08 F1 13-15 15 21 21 22 27-29

july

may

02 22 16 16 23 28-30

april

motorsport

04 GP2 Silverstone, Britain 06 F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain Silverstone Grand Prix 06 FIA GT Championship Oschersleben, Germany 06 FIA GT3 European Championship Oschersleben, Germany 13 World Touring Car Championship Estoril,Portugal 20 F1 Grand Prix of Germany Hockenheim Grand Prix 20 GP2 Hockenheim, Germany 27 World Touring Car Championship Brands Hatch, Britain 31-03/08 World Rally Championship Rally Finland

80 MAR 2008

Middle East Rally Championship Syrian Int. Rally Grand Prix of Canada Montreal Gilles Villeneuve World Rally Championship Rally of Turkey World Touring Car Championship Brno, Czechoslovakia FIA GT Championship Adria, Italy GP2 Magny-Cours, France F1 Grand Prix of France Magny-Cours Middle East Rally Championship Rally of Lebanon

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august

GP2 Hungaroring, Hungary F1 Grand Prix of Hungary Hungaroring FIA GT Championship 24 Hours of Spa, Belgium World Rally Championship Rallye Deutschland F1 Grand Prix of Europe Circuito Urbano De Valencia FIA GT Championship Bucharest, Rumania World Rally Championship Rally of New Zealand World Touring Car Championship Oschersleben, Germany

september

05 07 13 14 14 14/09 21 28

GP2 Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium F1 Grand Prix of Belgium Spa-Francorchamps GP2 Monza, Italy F1 Grand Prix of Italy Monza FIA GT Championship Brno, Czechoslovakia FIA GT3 European Championship Brno, Czechoslovakia World Touring Car Championship Anderstorp, Sweden F1 Grand Prix of Singapore Marina Bay Circuit

02-05 05 05 05 10-12 12 16-18 19 19 24-26 26

World Rally Championship Rallye de Espa単a FIA GT Championship Nogaro, France FIA GT3 European Championship Nogaro, France World Touring Car Championship Monza, Italy World Rally Championship Rallye de France Tour de Corse F1 Grand Prix of Japan Fuji Speedway Middle East Rally Championship Jordan Rally Middle East F1 Grand Prix of China Shanghai International FIA GT Championship Zolder, Belgium World Rally Championship Rally Japan World Touring Car Championship Okayama, Japan

02 07-09 15 16 23 28-30

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil Interlagos Middle East Rally Championship Troodos Rally FIA GT3 European Championship Dubai, UAE World Touring Car Championship Guia Circuit, Macau FIA GT Championship San Luis, Argentina World Rally Championship Wales Rally GB

04-06

Middle East Rally Championship Dubai International Rally

december november

01 03 03 15-17 24 24 28-31 31

october

motorsport

82 MAR 2008

Car Xpress

Car Xpress

MAR 2008 83

84 MAR 2008

Car Xpress