Car Xpress March 2012

HONDA CIVIC 2012

1.8 L

MINI COUPE S

Special Guest

Abdul Jabbar Gargash talks about green cars

KSA sr 10 UAE aed 10 OMAN ro 1 BHR bd 1 QATAR qr 10 KUWAIT kd 1 International Media Production Zone

Road Test

Volume 8 . Issue 68 . MARCH 2012

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Line Up

Nissan Juke BMW M3 Pickup Toyota Land Cruiser GMC Terrain

Wins the Dubai Intl. Printing Award 2 011

for best

magazine m o r e inside

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Is the Grand Sport experience any different? or is it just about the look?

A RACING MACHINE ON THE WRIST

www.richardmille.com

CALIBER RM 011 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT LIMITED EDITION FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH

Skeletonized, automatic Winding chronograph movement Annular calendar with oversized date and month indicator 12-hour totalizer 60-minute countdown timer Chronograph flyback function Hand ground titanium baseplate and bridges Rotor with ceramic ball bearings Special tungsten-colbolt alloy rotor weight 6-positional, variable rotor geometry With 18-carat white gold wings Balance wheel in Glucydur with 3 arms Frequency : 28 800 vph (4Hz) Moment of inertia : 4,8 mg.cm2 62 Jewels Incabloc for bottom plate and balance cock Water resistant to 50 meters Finished and polished by hand Limited edition of 10 pieces

as comfortable on the city streets as off the beaten

path.

the wise, the ever-soelegant, it sets example by performance.

the wild spirit, always yearning for more adventure.

always there for the family, yet never hesitant to play.

2 0 1 2 www.nissan-me.com

MEET THE NISSAN SUV’s.

A family that works hard and plays hard.

• Saudi Arabia: Alhamrani United Co., Jeddah, Tel: +966 2 6696690 • Dubai & Northern Emirates: Arabian Automobiles, Tel: +971 4 2952222 • Abu Dhabi & Al Ain: Al Masaood Automobiles, Tel: +971 2 6811118 • Kuwait: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain Co., Tel: +965 1804888 • Oman: Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, Tel: +968 24560111 • Qatar: Saleh Alhamad Almana Co., Tel: +974 4 4283333 • Bahrain: Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons BSC(C), Tel: +973 1 7732732 • Lebanon: Rasamny – Younis Motor Co. S.A.L. – RYMCO, Beirut, Tel:+9611 273333 • Jordan: Bustami & Saheb Trading Co.L.T.D., Amman, Tel: +962 6 5532456

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 7 . Issue 67 . November 2011

The provocative Reventon Inspired by the fastest airplanes

Cadillac XTS Platinum Re-imagining the luxury sedan

Lexus LFA

Pursuing the dream

The Audi e-tron Spyder: 0 to 100 kph in 4.4 seconds

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Now for you guys who just could not get enough of this gorgeous rolling work of art, we did a spread on the legendary Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, the fastest, most powerful and exclusive open top car in the world.

These Bugattis—three went on display—turned the recently-concluded Dubai International Motor Show into a face-to-face-close-encounters event that saw car lovers walking aimlessly in a seeming trance, having big glows in their eyes and smiles on their faces following photo flashes with these babies that cast a spell on them.

Indeed, the Bugattis were so hypnotic, in a manner of speaking of course, that no less than H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Dubai’s deputy ruler, who checked out the exhibition area during the event, was so impressed, looking visibly quite interested and awed at this jewel.

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In this edition, Car Xpress runs a special section on the recently-concluded Second Qatar International Motor Show held in Doha.

By all accounts, the event was a huge success if the number of exhibitors, unveils and launches, and the people who went to see the event are to be indicators.

Qatar is the richest Arab nation with a per capita income approaching US$30,000—one of the highest in the world.

Qataris have money to spend; and so the car show.

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ar Xpress has undergone an evolution of sort. Putting together suggestions and comments from readers, the following pages are a result of synthesized ideas for a better and much more reader-friendly motoring magazine.

Some people say it has been a long time coming. They could be right.

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The new V12 Zagato Brutally elegant!

lea

Letter

An Improved CONTENT, a new LOOK & a larger CIRCULATON

Get yourself or someone a special gift and order an officially certified high quality framed Car Xpress cover with any picture you choose.

he

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Call us and send a selected picture.

Price of the framed certified cover is: 500 AED.

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Send us an e-mail with your full name & e-mail address, & write down the magazine’s name, to the following e-mail address: admin@kalimatgroup.com

Josua Joplin, Editor

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CONTENTS GET A DIGITAL FEEL OF OUR NEWS, CARS, REPORTS, DRIVERS AND MORE @ WWW.CARXPRESSMAG.COM

P68

Concept Car

LAMBORGHINI: THE CAR THAT, INDUSTRY SOURCES SAY: “WILL NEVER BE ROAD LEGAL”

On the Cover Cover Story

24

Road Tests

31

Special Guest

78

The legendary Bugatti Grand Sport On the driver’s seat, we tell you how it is Mini Coupe Honda Civic A talk with Mr. Abdul Jabbar Gargash, Executive Director, Gargash Enterprises, on green cars 8

carxpressmag.com

Updates

GET A DIGITAL FEEL OF OUR NEWS, CARS, REPORTS, DRIVERS AND MORE @ WWW.CARXPRESSMAG.COM

Mustang ROUSH Stage 3 has arrived The 2012 version runs on improved 540 HP.

News, views & novelties

Only 150 units to be made at US$533,000 (AED1.96 million) each.

NEWS, VIEWS & NOVELTIES

Out of this world!

able motoring mascot, which was created last year to celebrate the icon’s centenary. The “Flying Lady” features 2,300 diamonds with an estimated value of AED 900,000.

Atallah is one of the most distinctive and renowned designers in the region, with a glittering track record of dressing the stars of the Arab World.

Kadhim Al Helli, Rolls-Royce Brand Manager at Abu Dhabi Motors said the synergies with the

Bentley Motors celebrated the arrival of its new 4.0 litre V8 Continental GT coupe in Germany with a sensational flying debut— literally—above downtown Munich.

Anyone struggling through the rush hour would have seen the bright red Bentley taking a dramatic short-cut, suspended beneath a helicopter, to beat the traffic jams and arrive at a specially-designed podium at the summit of a high rise complex close to Munich’s city centre.

The fashionable SkyLounge – positioned in a glazed bridge between two skyscrapers – was the venue for an exclusive Bentley Continental V8 launch party for 300 VIP guests.

Klaus Becker, General Manager of Bentley Munich, who organised the showstopping helicopter lift commented said, “A dramatic car got the debut we felt it deserved and we took a little bit of our inspiration from Bentley’s iconic ‘Winged B’ emblem.

On a practical level the helicopter was the fastest way to get to the rooftop podium.”

To see the Bentley Continental go airborne in Munich please go to http://youtu. be/cBeUFre22d4

Rolls-Royce brand name in terms of exquisite design, elegance and exclusivity, made the collaboration a perfect match.

The vehicles were presented in a perfectly coordinated colour combination that features a Cashmere and Cobalto Blue interior and an Admiral Blue exterior with a twin coachline in Mandarin, the new Rolls-Royce Bespoke colour. Additionally, the vehicles are fitted with an illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy.

39 In Focus

Close-up at 120 kph

49 Line Up

Samsung

the No.1 smartphone vendor,

Bentley flies into a party

reportedly sold million units, in Q4 2011

An independent account on the latest cars

A new smartphone is born Walid Atallah, Fashion Designer

Relatively new in the market, the Galaxy Note is a new type of smartphone borne of insight and innovation.

Living a face-paced life in this age of information technology how else could one be a step ahead of the competition if he lacks the device to help him do so? People always want to do more tasks much better, even while on the go, whether it is web browsing, email, games, or viewing photos and videos.

To do all this, consumers carry multiple devices,

because each device has unique benefits that work best in a particular situation. Therefore, consumers constantly switch devices to use the right device at the right time.

Moreover, those who already have multiple smart devices, still carry around a notepad for writing down ideas.

There is therefore an emerging desire for a primary device for on-the-go use that could consolidate the core tasks of multiple devices as well as recreate the ease and simplicity of using a pen and paper. The Galaxy Note it is.

MiniCooperCoupe

Qatar Motor Show

In Focus 2 0 1 2

In Mini we trust...

A thunderin’ roar

Car world stands still as Qatar presents its second motor show

SUV

Engine 1.6 ltr 4-cylinder twin scroll turbo Transmission Displacement cu in (cc): 1,598 cc Power bhp (kW) @ RPM: 208 hp @ 6000 RPM Acceleration 0-60 MPH in 6.1 sec Top Speed 149 MPH

50 Crossover Nissan Juke Juke combines attitude, irreverence, modish style and energy with a mischievous sense of fun.

SPEX

RoadTest 2 0 1 2

Featuring in this edition:

The Scuderia Ferrari Formula One on a road run at the Doha corniche, a prelude to the show.

Abdul Jabbar Gargash talks about green cars

Volume 8 . Issue 68 . MARCH 2012

WWW.CARXPRESSMAG.COM

Line Up

Nissan Juke BMW M3 Pickup Toyota Land Cruiser GMC Terrain

Wins the Dubai Intl. Printing Award 2011

for best magazine m o r e inside

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Is the Grand Sport experience any different? or is it just about the look?

32

Galaxy Note “This project has brought me immense pleasure as it has allowed me to explore a path that is seldom linked to fashion design.”

Special Guest

A Bentley from the sky in Munich

Rolls-Royce ties up with top designer for special editions Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, has partnered with Lebanese fashion designer Walid Atallah to create two bespoke models, “Rolls-Royce Phantom Rayan” and “Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Rayan” which were recently unveiled at a new showroom in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Motors, sole dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, also displayed a diamond-encrusted Spirit of Ecstasy, the world’s most recognis-

MINI COUPE S

14 Updates

Aston Martin reveals its new car

R ead more inside

HONDA CIVIC 2012 1.8 L

KSA sr 10 UAE aed 10 OMAN ro 1 BHR bd 1 QATAR qr 10 KUWAIT kd 1 International Media Production Zone

CONTENTS

Road Test

56 Pick-Up BMW M3 Not a joke, it is for real.

As expected, compact, trendy, reliable & cheerful !

62 SUV Toyota Land Cruiser A tradition that never dies.

T

he Second Qatar International Motor Show, held Jan. 23 – 28, 2012, kicked off to a rousing start with a fitting thundering roar from Doha’s corniche that reverberated within probably a thousand mile radius into the desert as Ferrari Formula One, the prancing horse that sound very much like a lion, went wild burning rubber before stunned spectators for what had been a grand opening salvo laying the country’s stake on this side of the motoring world.

The spectacular street display by Scuderia Ferrari Formula One driver Marc Gené wasn’t at all a smoke-and-mirror event for as the doors finally opened at the Doha Exhibition Center, the show’s venue, an endless stream of people poured in till closing time and was treated to an awesome sight: rows upon rows of jaw-dropping cars on display.

With this, Qatar confirmed its exclusive role in the automotive world. The six-day event attracted over 120,000 enthusiastic visitors who not only came face to face with an international showcase for the most important brands of automobiles in the world, but also entertained themselves with competitions, drifting, motocross, and freestyle demonstrations from leading experts and world renowned professional drivers, as well as test drive opportunities.

There was a total of 33 auto brand names present in addition to 10 motorbike brands, many of which chose the Doha Exhibitions Center for some of their regional premières and the international debuts like that of the concept car Mission L by Skoda and the charming and futuristic concept car by Up Design, Vittoria.

Word on the street was that most exhibitors had their books bulging with serious inquiries.

Exciting premières and launches on a regional scale featured

64 GMC Terrain

Qatar Prime Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani takes a closer look at one of the cars on display.

Immaculately bold!

the new Volkswagen’s 2012 Passat luxurious four-door family sedan, 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS, the new MINI Coupè Roadster, the 2012 Audi S7, S8 sport sedan, the magnificent RS 5 sports Coupè and the limited edition R8 GT Spyder. Regional premières continued with Maserati GranCabrio Sport, BMW all-new 3 Series, Ferrari 458 Spider, 2012 Mercedes ML, 2012 Nissan Sunny, and a diamond edition of the 2012 Nissan Patrol.

Sportiness was ensured also thanks to the presentations of the Bugatti Gran Sport, Bentley Continental GTC and Lamborghini Aventador.

Crowds also thronged to the initiative promoted in collaboration with the Car Coachbuilders Group of ANFIA, the Italian Association of the Automotive Industry. An exhibition area was set for the automobiles conceived, designed, and constructed

by Italian firms representing the ultimate in Italian car design: Pininfarina, I.DE.A. Institute, UP Design and Touring Superleggera. Concept cars, super cars, prototypes and special bodies were presented for the first time.

The event also attracted great media attention: more than 200 accredited journalists arrived from 13 countries including those from China, US, India, Germany, France, UK, Italy, and across the Middle East.

On the ground were numerous entertainment machines like the locally-designed and engineered Williams immersion formula simulator, the Ford WRC simulator and the Shell Ferrari F1 simulator; while outdoor areas featured test driving sessions with a star-studded roster of driving instructors like Lebanese rally champion and Middle East Hill Climb champion and Red Bull Athlete Abdo Feghali and Marco Giony, professional drift and stuntman.

The Motorsport Outdoor Arena also had amazing and extreme drivers like Chris Pfeiffer, four-time Stunt Riding world champion. FMX favorites Nick Franklin, Nick de Wit and Frederic Berggren also wowed the crowd during their extreme shows.

72 2Ways

Readers’ suggestions & comments. Let’s talk about it.

74 Vintage

GMC Terrain

A walk down memory lane 4 Rings in Pictures A look into Audi AG’s tradition of automotive and engine manufacturing that extends back into the 19th century

Immaculately combining bold styling with a smooth ride

‘We’re continuing to build on the successful formula of taking the bold styling, premium features and functionality our customers have come to expect.’

80 Our Scoop

Car Xpress wins DIPA 2011 10

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Publisher Kalimat Group International FZ - LLC CEO Hekmat el Zein Managing Director Shatha Sharaffdeen 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 Editor Josua Joplin Assistant Editor Ayman Mujahed Creative Director Matt Drake Creative Designer Najeeb Hamza Photographer Maher Rashed Contributors Shawn Carroll Alistair Weaver Digital Creative i.

Marketing Ali Seif Arif Shah Crisna De Guzman Circulation Mohamad Jasnaz 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

Car Xpress Silver Winner of the Dubai International Printing Award 2011 for best magazine

recycle

kindly recycle when you are finsihed with it Car Xpress Disclaimer 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 and models vary over time and upgrades are constantly appearing on the market, readers are advised 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.

All rights reserved. © 2012 Kalimat Group International

The McLaren F1 is coming!

In the next issue

Updates

R ead more inside

NEWS, VIEWS & NOVELTIES

Know more about the new BMW 3 Series A new Driving Experience Control switch and more. P16

Anytime is family time!

Honda Pilot 2012: New look for the grand comfort cruiser The new eight-seater 2012 Honda Pilot has significant improvements include the introduction of top-of-the-line touring grade and includes new features like HDD navigation system, DVD rear entertainment system, intelligent MID (i-MID), wide mode rear view camera, Bluetooth hands free phone & Bluetooth Audio Streaming, 18” alloy wheels and many more.

Available in two grades: EX and Touring The front fascia with three bar chrome grille imparts stronger yet refined appearance. The large

multi-reflector halogen headlights and front fog lights also contribute to Pilot’s bolder character. The front air dams and air deflectors reduce turbulence and enhance fuel economy while adding a touch of style.

The 2012 Honda Pilot uses 52 percent high strength steel (HSS) for more rigidity and better fuel efficiency. In addition, it incorporates underbody features like front and rear strakes, rear mudguards and optimized splash shield for improved aerodynamic and under body cooling.

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The Pilot is equipped with 3.5 – liter i-VTEC V6 engine with VCM technology to ensure optimal balance of power and fuel efficiency. The maximum (NET) power and torque output (NET) is 257 PS @ 5,700 rpm and 35.4 kg-m @ 4,800 rpm – respectively. The Pilot engine is mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission system that has Grade Logic Control to maintain the appropriate gear thus preventing gear “hunting” while uphill or downhill drive.

The principal safety feature used on all Honda models is the Advanced Compatibility Engineer-

“The beauty of the Mercedes Benz is that we answer to various needs from various segments of the market.”

Fadi El Aswad, Marketing Manager, Mercedes-Benz

Ferrari 599XX

Active rear wing design gives better cornering The recent 36th edition of the Bologna Motor Show came alive with the unveiling of an evolution of the extreme, non-homologated sports berlinetta, the 599XX. Already the fruit of the very finest Ferrari road car and Formula 1-derived technology, the 599XX features improved chassis dynamics thanks to an active aerodynamic package integrated with the vehicles’ electronic

control systems, and the adoption of new Pirelli tyres. The car is also more powerful than before (750 CV) and weighs 35 kg less.

The key to the aero package is the active rear wing design which represents a new aerodynamic concept called ‘opening gap’ resulting to better performance in cornering. The wing features two flaps, with profiles similar to those used in Formula 1.

Sony’s First smartphone ing™ (ACE™) body structure for enhanced frontal collision energy management and vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crash compatibility.

Standard on all grades, the passive safety features include dual-stage front airbags, side airbags, 3-row/ full length side curtain airbags and front active head restraints. The side curtain airbag system includes three satellite sensors and a main unit, and detects a crash within 5-7 milliseconds.

Sony has come up with its own smartphone, the Xperia S, which features a high resolution screen, full Sony HD, powerful 1.5GHz dualcore processor for faster performance and a 12MP camera that takes pictures in just about 1.5 seconds from standby mode.

Sony’s new smartphone enables easy connectivity with multiple screens for consumers looking to share and enjoy content on a screen that best suits their situation, whether TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet.

carxpressmag.com

15

Updates

McLaren lands in Kuwait

R ead more inside

McLaren has landed. McLaren Automotive, the world’s newest sports car manufacturer, has opened its first showroom in Kuwait.

P18

NEWS, VIEWS & NOVELTIES

New BMW 3 Series features ECO PRO

The Surround View with Side View and Top View give a bird’s-eye perspective of the vehicle and the area around it.

BMW Group Middle East announced that the sixth generation of the new BMW 3 Series sedan has gone on sale.

The new BMW 3 Series sedan’s EfficientDynamics technology includes the new Driving Experience Control switch which comes with four driving programmes allowing the driver to choose between sporty, ultra sporty, comfortable and extremely economical driving. ECO PRO mode, a new feature on the 3 Series, helps drivers maximise fuel economy through their driving style, thereby enabling them to increase the distance they can

on a

The new Montblanc Eyewear Collection includes a range of very classic to extraordinary styles whereas the female range has been enlarged in terms of colour variations. Overall, 9 different, new styles were designed to further build

travel on each tank of fuel.

Under the umbrella of BMW ConnectedDrive, features that give the driver and passengers information and services to help make their driving experience safer and more comfortable, the new BMW 3 Series offers the latest-generation full-colour Head-Up Display, which projects key information in 3D onto the windscreen so it appears directly in the driver’s field of view. Also available is Surround View with Side View and Top View, which gives a bird’s-eye perspective of the vehicle and the area around it.

The new powerful design elements include a new BMW face, with flat headlights reaching along as far as the BMW kidney grille. This emphasises the elegantly dynamic design of the new BMW 3 Series, which has increased in length (+93mm), width (front +37mm, rear +47mm) and wheelbase (+50mm) compared to the predecessor model, giving the car an elegant and athletic silhouette.

A choice of two powerful four-cylinder engines: 335i and 328i with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and TwinPower Turbo technology will be available for the new 3 Series.

Montblanc Eyewear Collection

Montblanc specific design language while working with elements from other Montblanc categories to incorporate the Montblanc signature as a clearly distinguishable characteristic for Montblanc Eyewear Collections. In total, the new collection consists of 27 new SKUs: 11 female, 13 male and 3 unisex models.

Shapes are contemporary and dif-

16

ferent in terms of size and style: from classical pilot and wayfarer shape for the male and unisex models to classical acetate and smoothed rectangular shapes in XL size for women. The style concept for this year’s Montblanc Eyewear Collection builds further on the strong linkage to other categories and on the usage of new, precious and extraordinary materials.

carxpressmag.com

12.5

million cars sold since 1975

Verdict Automatic defines the difference!

World renowned Swiss watch brand HYSEK’s new Verdict Automatic is an intensely urban and contemporary collection that defines the difference.

P19

Overturn Assist

The Lexus 2012 LX’s smooth turns in tight corners Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributor of Lexus in the UAE, has announced the launch of the new 2012 LX which premiers the world’s first Overturn Assist feature.

The LX is also the first Lexus model to unfurl eloquence in the form of a strikingly sculpted spindle grille, the signature front fascia that heralds the new face of Lexus. Also making its debut in the LX is the HDD navigation system which features a touch-sensitive screen for imputing information, as well as an advanced voice-command system that allows the driver to search for destinations.

Overturn Assist is the technologically advanced system designed to enhance small radius turning performance in tight corners. The 2012 model includes Crawl Control that pre-sets speed to further assist the driver on difficult terrains and a multi-terrain support feature which optimally distributes power to the four wheels based on road conditions. It’s powered by a 5.7-litre V8, producing 362 horsepower. It’s what this LX is all about – allowing drivers to explore their environmental

preference in comfort and style.

“Lexus has always wowed the automotive world with advanced technology to enhance the driving feel of our vehicles. The 2012 LX has done it again: the first ever Overturn Assist function is a testament to that fact,” said Saud Abbasi, General Manager, Al Futtaim Motors – Lexus.

“The 2012 LX will also offer endless possibilities of experiencing well defined luxury that is bound only by your imagination. It adds just about every luxury convenience and features you desire: a combination of luxury, off-road prowess, impeccable quality and sheer style. There are few better luxury SUVs than the 2012 Lexus LX,” he added.

To further enhance the design of the new spindle grille, high intensity headlights and daytime running lights are installed. The sharply chiselled front bumper which narrows down at both ends clearly identifies the vehicle as Lexus.

The rear of the car projects a wider image through its re-designed bumper and LED lamps.

The LX is an evolution of a truly legendary vehicle

carxpressmag.com

17

Ride the SLK

The hip takes the Benz Mercedes-Benz’ SLK series is one that no well-meaning young urban professional— yuppie—would let go.

This, from Fadi El Aswad, Benz marketing manager for Dubai who told Car Xpress that the car maker has “started talking more to the younger generation” to let them know how the new SLK very well fit into their patch this next of the woods.

Interviewed during the recent 11th Dubai International Motor Show, El Aswad also said the car maker has also focused on its SUV range.

“If you look around us today, SUVs represent 50 percent of the total car market.

Every other car is an SUV and we have fantastic products in that segment,” El Aswad said.

In the SUV line-up are the GLK compact, the pioneer SUV segment, M Class, the sevenseater GL and the famous G-Class.

“The beauty of the Mercedes Benz is that we answer to various needs from various segments of the market. Be it young students to young executives and all the way up to the CEO. Every market segment has a car within our line-up,” El Aswad said.

Updates

Rolls-Royce in Fashion Renowned fashion designer, Walid Atallah, teams up with Rolls-Royce to create two bespoke models. P20

NEWS, VIEWS & NOVELTIES

McLaren lands in Kuwait

World’s newest sports car maker also plans to open showrooms in Baghrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon McLaren has landed.

McLaren Automotive, the world’s newest sports car manufacturer, has opened its first showroom in Kuwait.

Visitors to the showroom will have the opportunity to see McLaren’s first “pure” high-performance sports cars, the award-winning MP4-12C. The 12C features innovative technologies that enable the car to deliver levels of performance that are even better than competitors twice its price; it features a one-piece, moulded carbon ‘MonoCell’ chassis, a compact, lightweight and highly efficient 592bhp V8 twin turbo engine, and an innovative Proactive Chassis Control suspension system that ensures ultimate track performance and great comfort on the road.

Ceremonies marking the opening last month was hosted by Mark Harrison, McLaren Automotive’s newly appointed Regional Director for Middle East and Africa, and Fahad Al Ghanim,

Managing Director of Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company, McLaren Automotive’s retail partner in Kuwait.

Located on Airport Road, the new McLaren Kuwait showroom is the centrepiece of Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company’s collection of state-of-the-art showrooms, which house all of the company’s luxury brands.

Harrison said the launch of McLaren Kuwait is an exciting development for the car company as it builds momentum around its expansion across the Middle East.

The showroom, McLaren’s second in the region, is a state-of-the-art facility.

“In Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company, we are working with a partner that is well established and highly respected in the Kuwaiti market. At McLaren, we have strong views on future growth – to offer great cars and an exceptional customer experience; I know our partners

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in Kuwait share a similar view and I welcome Ali Alghanim & Sons into the McLaren family,” Harrison said.

Also on permanent display within the McLaren Kuwait showroom will be an important piece of McLaren’s racing heritage. Customers will be able to get up close to the MP4/8 Formula 1 car, driven by three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna. Raced throughout the 1993 season it was the car in which he won his last ever Formula 1 race. Senna is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time, while the MP4/8 produced five victories for the McLaren Formula One team.

Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company is one of the initial 35 retailers worldwide being appointed by McLaren Automotive to sell and service its range of high-performance sports cars, starting with the ground-breaking MP4-12C.

Galaxy Note

Out of this world!

Insight and innovation are what this new smartphone is all about. P21

A sensational and one-of-a-kind Bentley debut awes Munich. P21

What’s in a Scirocco R?

A brilliant engine and running gear

The 12C can accelerate from 0 to 100 KPH in 3.1 seconds on a top speed of 330 KPH

The Scirocco R, the most powerful model ever built in this series, and the newest car to join Volkswagen’s portfolio of models in the Middle East, combines power, performance, handling and the fun factor—indeed, an outstanding sports car.

The coupé from Volkswagen R GmbH is an impressive performance package with a brilliant engine and running gear, an independent look and even more exclusive features. Always aboard as standard equipment: the XDS transverse differential lock on the front axle, which delivers optimal traction and pure driving fun. A turbo four-cylinder TSI is used in the new Scirocco R as in the racing versions of the Scirocco R-Cup. Like all TSI engines, the R-version used in the Scirocco combines the efficiency of direct injection with the power of turbocharging. Specifically, the 2.0-litre TSI of the Scirocco R attains a maximum power of 187 kW/ 255 HP at 6,000 rpm. Its maximum torque – a hefty 350 Newton-metres – is available over an immense range of engine speed: 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. This sets the stage for responsive engine performance. It can spontaneously summon torque in practically any speed range. The engine’s acoustic out-

put impressively highlights its special kind of power development. The exhaust system itself is designed as a double-flow system. Oval chrome tailpipes extend out from the bumper, one on each side, left and right.

The lightweight 1,344 kilogram Scirocco R is a car with motorsport DNA that can sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds and handle the classic 1,000 metre sprint in 25.6 seconds. Top speed: 250 km/h (at 6,320 rpm).

As is so often the case with DSG, gains in dynamic performance (and comfort) are by no means bought at the expense of fuel efficiency or emissions.

In fact, the opposite is true, as demonstrated by the car’s 8.0 litre combined fuel consumption and 187 g/ km CO2 value.

Volkswagen sends the Scirocco R onto the streets with a specially tuned sport chassis and XDS electronic transverse differential lock on the front axle as standard equipment. The latter refers to a functional extension of the electronic differential lock (EDS) that is integrated in the ESP system and effectively eliminates any type of traction loss. The Scirocco R is available with Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) as an option.

Verdict Automatic defines the difference!

World renowned Swiss watch brand HYSEK’s new Verdict Automatic is an intensely urban and contemporary collection that defines the difference. Sporting virile good looks this exclusive watch collection is powered by the mechanical HYSEK caliber HW 30, a self-winding micro rotor manufactured with a specific escapement made in-house by HYSEK with Cote de Geneve finishing. Composed of 170 components and 26 jewels this avant-garde heart is a real success in terms of chronometry. It operates at a frequency of 28,8000 vph. carxpressmag.com

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Updates

Mustang ROUSH Stage 3 has arrived The 2012 version runs on improved 540 HP. P22

R ead more inside

NEWS, VIEWS & NOVELTIES

Rolls-Royce ties up with top designer for special editions Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, has partnered with Lebanese fashion designer Walid Atallah to create two bespoke models, “Rolls-Royce Phantom Rayan” and “Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Rayan” which were recently unveiled at a new showroom in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Motors, sole dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, also displayed a diamond-encrusted Spirit of Ecstasy, the world’s most recognis-

able motoring mascot, which was created last year to celebrate the icon’s centenary. The “Flying Lady” features 2,300 diamonds with an estimated value of AED 900,000.

Atallah is one of the most distinctive and renowned designers in the region, with a glittering track record of dressing the stars of the Arab World.

Kadhim Al Helli, Rolls-Royce Brand Manager at Abu Dhabi Motors said the synergies with the

Rolls-Royce brand name in terms of exquisite design, elegance and exclusivity, made the collaboration a perfect match.

The vehicles were presented in a perfectly coordinated colour combination that features a Cashmere and Cobalto Blue interior and an Admiral Blue exterior with a twin coachline in Mandarin, the new Rolls-Royce Bespoke colour. Additionally, the vehicles are fitted with an illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy.

“This project has brought me immense pleasure as it has allowed me to explore a path that is seldom linked to fashion design.”

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Walid Atallah, Fashion Designer

Aston Martin reveals its new car Only 150 units to be made at US$533,000 (AED1.96 million) each. P23

Out of this world!

A Bentley from the sky in Munich Bentley Motors celebrated the arrival of its new 4.0 litre V8 Continental GT coupe in Germany with a sensational flying debut— literally—above downtown Munich.

Anyone struggling through the rush hour would have seen the bright red Bentley taking a dramatic short-cut, suspended beneath a helicopter, to beat the traffic jams and arrive at a specially-designed podium at the summit of a high rise complex close to Munich’s city centre.

The fashionable SkyLounge – positioned in a glazed bridge between two skyscrapers – was the venue for an exclusive Bentley Continental V8 launch party for 300 VIP guests.

Klaus Becker, General Manager of Bentley Munich, who organised the showstopping helicopter lift commented said, “A dramatic car got the debut we felt it deserved and we took a little bit of our inspiration from Bentley’s iconic ‘Winged B’ emblem.

On a practical level the helicopter was the fastest way to get to the rooftop podium.”

To see the Bentley Continental go airborne in Munich please go to http://youtu. be/cBeUFre22d4

Samsung

the No.1 smartphone vendor,

Bentley flies into a party

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Galaxy Note

reportedly sold million units,

in Q4 2011

A new smartphone is born Relatively new in the market, the Galaxy Note is a new type of smartphone borne of insight and innovation.

Living a face-paced life in this age of information technology how else could one be a step ahead of the competition if he lacks the device to help him do so? People always want to do more tasks much better, even while on the go, whether it is web browsing, email, games, or viewing photos and videos.

To do all this, consumers carry multiple devices,

because each device has unique benefits that work best in a particular situation. Therefore, consumers constantly switch devices to use the right device at the right time.

Moreover, those who already have multiple smart devices, still carry around a notepad for writing down ideas.

There is therefore an emerging desire for a primary device for on-the-go use that could consolidate the core tasks of multiple devices as well as recreate the ease and simplicity of using a pen and paper. The Galaxy Note it is.

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Updates

Good news to motorheads

BRABUS and MOTUL will be developing high-performance engines and lubricants with immediate effect. But that’s not all: Every BRABUS automobile manufactured or tuned at the company’s headquarters in Bottrop or in either of the two branches in California and Dubai will be filled with MOTUL lubricants.

NEWS, VIEWS & NOVELTIES

Mustang lovers:

The New Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Fyi. 2012 ROUSH Stage 3 is now in UAE

Production, which is strictly limited to 150 cars each costing US$533,000 (AED1.96 million), will start this year.

This 540HP muscle car sells at AED

The 2012 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang, which produces an improved 540 HP, is now available at Al Tayer Motors Ford showrooms in the UAE. The powertrain of this vehicle features the 5.0L 4-valve DOHC TiVCT engine further enhanced by the R2300 ROUSH supercharger, feeding 10psi of intercooled energy to the already robust Coyote engine. The ROUSHcharger increases the base horsepower from 412HP to an impressive 540HP. ROUSH supports this system with an impressive 3 year/58,000 kilometre full powertrain warranty.

Fuel consumption is approximately 21 mpg during highway driving.

The innovative off-road ROUSH exhaust system featured with this vehicle explores the limit of how mean a car can sound, and given that the system has a unique hollow-chamber muffler design, the sound won’t change over time like a conventional fibreglass packed exhaust would.

The performance of this car doesn’t stop with the engine. High-performance Cooper tires (2XS or ultra high performance RS3 tyres) aid in acceleration, cornering, and safely bringing the car back down to zero MPH when necessary. The suspension system consists of finely tuned ROUSH front struts,

260,000

rear shocks, front and rear springs, front and rear stabilizer bars, jounce bumpers, and anti-wheel hop kit.

The cars are priced at AED 260,000 each and are currently on display in Al Tayer Motors’ showrooms at the following locations: Sheikh Zayed Road showroom and Garhoud in Dubai; Al Wahda Street showroom in Sharjah as well as in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. They are also available at the Premier Motors’ showroom at Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi and in Al Ain. Al Tayer Motors will also offer existing Ford Mustang owners the option to buy a wide range of original ROUSH performance products to further enhance the horsepower, handling and appearance by customising their cars.

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With the final design signed-off and engineering development work progressing apace, Aston Martin has revealed the first images of the new V12 Zagato (road car) scheduled for production later this year.

The V12 Zagato is the pinnacle of the Vantage range. It is also the latest expression of a successful creative collaboration that has given rise to a series of striking GT cars over the last half-century, the original and most iconic of which being the DB4GT Zagato.

Not only does this masterpiece rank amongst the most desirable, collectable and valuable cars in history, its 50th anniversary provided the inspiration for the V12 Zagato.

Though commemorating a great Aston Martin of the past the V12 Zagato could be no mere pastiche of the original. Instead the project was seen as the perfect opportunity to take Aston Martin’s ethos of technology and tradition to a new and exciting level. To this end the V12 Zagato combines the modern ideas, materials, processes and technology pioneered on One-77, while remaining true to the purity and craftsmanship of its illustrious forebear.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin CEO said the V12 Zagato is “a celebration of both Aston

‘Miracle’ formula

In 1962, a 21-year-old polymer chemist named Joe Palcher invented a milkywhite “miracle” formula to protect rubber, plastic and vinyl surfaces from UV radiation and ozone. The invention soon became popular that several years later, it has become to be known as ARMOR ALL.

Creating this car involved a painstaking process that took some 2,000 man-hours to complete.

Martin’s heritage and its future”. He continues: “Our relationship with Zagato stretches back more than 50 years. Together in that time we have created a series of very special cars. The first – the DB4GT Zagato – is a true icon: fast, beautiful and incredibly desirable. In the V12 Zagato I believe we have captured the spirit of that car and combined it with a confident twist of modernity to give it a character all of its own.”

May 2011 saw the V12 Zagato make its world debut at the prestigious Villa d’Este concours. Entered in the Concept Cars and Prototypes class, the V12 Zagato wowed the judges and the crowd, taking first place against

impressive opposition. In June the Villa d’Este winner - along with the second prototype car – made the V12 Zagato’s world racing debut at the gruelling 24 hour endurance race held at the Nürburgring. Both cars completed the ultimate durability test, continuing Aston Martin’s 100 per cent finishing record in this notoriously tough race.

After an overwhelmingly positive response from customers, the decision was made in July 2011 to build a strictly limited run of 150 units of V12 Zagatos.

The V12 Zagato is a fitting tribute to its illustrious ancestor. On-sale now priced at £330,000 (plus local taxes).

A strictly limited run of 150 units will be built at US$5180,000 each.

Parmigiani Bugatti Super Sport

Parmigiani Fleurier

The fastest watch in the world On the wrist of Bugatti test driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel, travelling at a top speed of 431 km/h, the latest iconic Parmigiani creation – the new Bugatti Super Sport watch – is the perfect model to accompany records to the end of time and become a legend.

An audacious contender boasting superb technical performance, fresh from the Bugatti automobile workshops in Molsheim, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super

Sport made history in June by setting a world land speed record for production sports cars. A representative from the Guinness Book of Records confirmed the result at the Ehra-Lessien track. This feat was matched by an unprecedented watchmaking achievement. Parmigiani Fleurier, the official partner of Bugatti since 2001, unveiled the second generation of its Bugatti models. A special first edition of 30 pieces.

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Cover Story A special choice for an awesome read.

LEGENDARY

Bugatti Grand Sport 24

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he Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, the fastest, most powerful and exclusive open top car in the world, turned the recentlyconcluded Dubai International Motor Show into a face-to-face-close-encounters event that saw car lovers walking aimlessly in a seeming trance, having big glows in their eyes and smiles on their faces following photo flashes with these babies that cast a spell on them.

Three very special models of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport went on display at the show. It was Bugatti’s intention to provide by the boys craving new toys an insight into how creativity and inspiration can be successfully driven to individualised luxury.

In cooperation with the Bugatti design and engineering teams, Bugatti customers can tailor

their vehicles to their personal preferences by choosing from a broad array of exquisite materials and colours. The three models displayed an ever growing number of options available to existing and new Grand Sport owners.

Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. has limited the Grand Sport to 150 units of which 45 have been sold and 105 slots are still open. The cars, which has a price range of 1.58 million euros (US$2.12 million) to 1.74 million euros (US$2.34 million) will be manufactured at the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, France.

The first Grand Sport on display at Dubai Motor Show has a horizontal colour split with a bright yellow body and an underside in visible black carbon, including black-tinted wheels. The striking contrast of black and yellow, Ettore Bugatti’s favorite colours, is continued by seats finished in yellow-colored leather with black stitching. The middle console is in black carbon, while the dashboard, steering wheel and gearshift are encased in

At the recent Dubai International Motor Show, the iconic French brand presented 3 very special models of this car.

black leather with yellow stitching. This Grand Sport model comes at 1.58 million euros.

The second individualized Grand Sport model is also presented in a two-tone horizontal colour split consisting of visible blue carbon, framed in polished, anodised aluminium. The rims are highlighted in an aluminium polished and Diamond Cut two-tone finish. The grills at the front and the air intakes are in aluminium with a mirror shine finish. The interior of this car is finished with tangerine leather throughout. Only the door panels, dashboard, steering wheel and console are covered in dark blue Indigo leather or exposed blue carbon fibre, with tangerine stitching on the steering wheel and gearshift knob.

This special edition model has a price of 1.74 million euros.

The third Grand Sport comes in the newly developed green carbon fibre tone with polished aluminium. This special model takes up the traditional Bugatti two-tone-specification. The rims, the exterior rearview mirrors and even the EB-logo at the rear are of polished aluminium to create an elegant and harmonious overall appearance. The interior, especially and tastefully selected, is also dominated in green and silver which matches perfectly with the

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flamboyant exterior. The third Dubai Motor Show 2011 special edition model will be delivered at 1.74 million euros.

Meantime, “L’Or Blanc,” a one-of-a-kind Bugatti Grand Sport went on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show held September 2011.

With just 108 of the limited Grand Sport models still available as of writing, the “L’Or Blanc”, the world’s fastest piece of porcelain, is a one-off vehicle created in collaboration with the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM), a historic porcelain company based in the German capital.

With the polycarbonate panorama roof open, the Grand Sport has a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph), while with the roof closed it can hit a maximum speed of 407 km/h (253 mph), not only making it the fastest convertible in the world but also the fastest super sports car authorised for use on public roads.

So far, 42 orders have been placed from the limited run of 150 1001 hp roadster.

All these models fully stand in the tradition of Ettore Bugatti’s constant strive to provide clientele with unique cars for its exclusive taste.

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SPEX

Transmission 7Speed DSG Displacement 8.0 Liters Horsepower 1001 hp@ 6000 RPM Torque 922 lb-ft @ 2200 RPM Curb Weight 4339 lbs Length 175.7 in Height 47.4 in Wheel Base 106.7 in Width 78.7 in Compression Ratio 9.00:1

The Grand Sport roadster was a result of meticulous attention to details down to the smallest ones.

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Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. has limited the Grand Sport to 150 units of which 45 have been sold. The cars will be manufactured at the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, France.

This car was named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron who won the 24 hours of Le Mans. The 16.4 refers to 16 cylinders and 4 turbochargers.

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Performance Top speed

Acceleration 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) 1/4 mile

252.9 mph with roof in place 223.7 mph with roof open 80.7 mph with bad weather canvass umbrella -style top Below 2.7 secs 10.5 secs

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Road Tests On the driver’s seat, we tell you how it is.

We took them for a ride. Here, our take on the new MINI Coupé and 2012 Honda Civic.

MiniCooperCoupe

RoadTest 2 0 1 2

In Mini we trust...

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As expected, compact, trendy, reliable & cheerful !

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SPEX

Engine 1.6 ltr 4-cylinder twin scroll turbo Transmission Displacement cu in (cc): 1,598 cc Power bhp (kW) @ RPM: 208 hp @ 6000 RPM Acceleration 0-60 MPH in 6.1 sec Top Speed 149 MPH

T

he letter said “a new recipe for driving fun,” and I laughed it off telling myself, “You bet!”

But no sooner had I buckled up and looked around inside the two-seater MINI Coupé when I realized that the guys at the showroom where I got it from for a test drive were not just pulling my leg, after all. I lodged the key, pushed the “On” button and heard this nice purring sound. The dashboard was retro, with the huge speedometer in the center yet the rest looked trendily hot—chic!

From outside the flat silhouette “helmet roof ” gives the car a sporty and individual appeal, not to mention the roof spoiler which optimises airflow at higher speeds. Helped by its extremely high-opening tailgate and large luggage area, the MINI Coupé displays outstanding versatility in day-to-day driving.

And so to the road I went, surprised to note that making turns were almost effortless and so was slowing down for the humps. Indeed MINI Coupé is extremely stable I felt fully in control. Pretty soon I was wearing this grin on my face as I hear myself humming along with the radio’s cruising music.

“The MINI Coupé offers a level of chassis qual-

ity unrivaled in the small car segment giving the new MINI model the handling flair you would expect from the iconic brand. The precise Electric Power Steering, the standard-fitted DSC stability control system, powerful brakes and measures designed specifically to optimise torsional rigidity ensure the MINI Coupé driver can enjoy the ultimate in gokart feeling,” the letter said. I told myself, “nothing could be closer to the mark.”

I’ve driven cars before and I have driven cars—it’s been over 20 years since my first driver’s license—and I can smell bad air a mile away. I’m sitting right inside the MINI Coupé and there’s not a whiff. I mean for a small car, this one’s huge if you know what I mean. It can run. It has soft maneuverability on turns, and this baby roars!

The precise Electric Power Steering, the standard-fitted DSC stability control system, powerful brakes and optimised torsional rigidity has me enjoying a go-kart feeling riding the MINI Coupé .

There is this level of agility unmatched in the small car segment.

The letter said “a new recipe for driving fun,” and I told myself, “Indeed!”

01

Cutting-edge supercompact sports car, it is indeed !

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02

The MINI Coupe is the trendiest model yet in the MINI line-up.

Large luggage space

03

This car has great versatility in day-to-day driving

G Optim o-kart fe e ised torsio ling

nal rig idity

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H o n d a C i v i c

RoadTest 2 0 1 2

Pssst…

I have a story for you

POWERTRAIN The 2012 Civic has 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, 1.8L SOHC i-VTEC gasoline engine with a max. power output (NET) of 139 HP/ 6,500 rpm. and max. torque (NET) of 17.7 kg-m/ 4,300 rpm.

New design 16” Alloy Wheels add a powerful sporty look to side profile.

Indeed, getting behind the wheels of the 2012 Honda Civic is like taking a peek into the future— no, I take that back, not a peek but a whole, full length frontseat show.

It just keeps getting better, huh?

From generation to generation, Civic has maintained its longstanding reputation for innovatiotn, smart packaging, quality, value and fun-to-drive performance. It has continued to comply with the customers’ requirements, delivering the right combination of features, style, and fuel-economy built on the solid foundation of Honda durability, quality and reliability.

That said, let me tell you a story then—no, not of my life, but of the 2012 Honda Civic that I had the coveted privilege to ride.

The 2012 Honda Civic has all I need. It’s like the car itself has thought of everything from the all new Intelligent Multi-Information Display, simply, i-MID which displays information I need like trip computation and fuel economy; and the really cool

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New features Plus +

It comes with 5 speed automatic transmission system and front wheel drive mechanism.

i-MID, the intelligent Multi-Information display, standard on EXI and VTI, displays a wide variety of driver’s selected information.

Econ Mode, helps improve efficiency.

Rear view camera, standard on EXI and VTI grades, visually guides the driver when reversing.

Bluetooth® Hands Free Telephone (HFT) standard on EXI and VTI grades, allows driver to make and receive call while driving using HFT controls on steering wheel. The driver can also monitor incoming calls and browse his phonebook conveniently using Intelligent Multi-information Display (i-MID).

SAFETY

rear view camera which visually guides me when reversing during parking.

The Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone (HFT), which, I learned is standard on EXI and VTI grades, allows me to make and receive calls while driving using HFT controls on steering wheel. What’s more, I can also monitor incoming calls and browse my phonebook conveniently.

Now let’s go to the meat of it. The 2012 Civic has a four-cylinder, four-stroke, 1.8L SOHC i-VTEC gasoline engine with a maximum power output (NET) of 139 HP/ 6,500 rpm. and maximum torque (NET) of 17.7 kg-m/ 4,300 rpm. It comes with a five-speed automatic transmission system and front wheel drive mechanism. Okay, I’ll spare you the gobbledygook.

What it simply means is that the 2012 Honda Civic has enough power to take you there real smooth—like

floating on the road, if you will.

Now, any well-meaning, responsible motorist like me would always want to know if the car is safe enough. The 2012 Honda Civic is. Its exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure enhances frontal collision energy management and vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crash compatibility.

It also has a dual-stage, multiple-threshold driver and passenger front airbags which, I also learned, are standard on LXI and EXI grades. In addition to these, front side airbags with occupant position detection system (OPDS) and side curtain airbags are available on VTI grade, I was told. The 2012 Honda Civic also has a four-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

All together, this means I can drive the car relaxed.

Now tell me your story.

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Honda’s exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for enhanced frontal collision energy management and vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crash compatibility.

Dual-stage, multiple-threshold driver and passenger front airbags are standard on LXI and EXI grades. In addition to these, front side airbags with occupant position detection system (OPDS) and side curtain airbags are available on VTI grade.

4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

VSA® integrates with new Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

The

Regional Motor Shows

In Focus CLOSE-UP AT 120 KPH

Dubai reported exceptional turnout at its 11th international motor show with 14 Lamborghinis and 10 Shelbys sold. Doha has just recently held its second car show and all the big boys were in town.

Indeed, while the rest of the world complains of slow business, the Gulf is having a field day. We were there, and here is our report.

Qatar Motor Show

In Focus 2 0 1 2

A thunderin’ roar

Car world stands still as Qatar presents its second motor show

The Scuderia Ferrari Formula One on a road run at the Doha corniche, a prelude to the show.

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he Second Qatar International Motor Show, held Jan. 23 – 28, 2012, kicked off to a rousing start with a fitting thundering roar from Doha’s corniche that reverberated within probably a thousand mile radius into the desert as Ferrari Formula One, the prancing horse that sound very much like a lion, went wild burning rubber before stunned spectators for what had been a grand opening salvo laying the country’s stake on this side of the motoring world.

The spectacular street display by Scuderia Ferrari Formula One driver Marc Gené wasn’t at all a smoke-and-mirror event for as the doors finally opened at the Doha Exhibition Center, the show’s venue, an endless stream of people poured in till closing time and was treated to an awesome sight: rows upon rows of jaw-dropping cars on display.

With this, Qatar confirmed its exclusive role in the automotive world. The six-day event attracted over 120,000 enthusiastic visitors who not only came face to face with an international showcase for the most important brands of automobiles in the world, but also entertained themselves with competitions, drifting, motocross, and freestyle demonstrations from leading experts and world renowned professional drivers, as well as test drive opportunities.

There was a total of 33 auto brand names present in addition to 10 motorbike brands, many of which chose the Doha Exhibitions Center for some of their regional premières and the international debuts like that of the concept car Mission L by Skoda and the charming and futuristic concept car by Up Design, Vittoria.

Word on the street was that most exhibitors had their books bulging with serious inquiries.

Exciting premières and launches on a regional scale featured

Qatar Prime Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani takes a closer look at one of the cars on display.

the new Volkswagen’s 2012 Passat luxurious four-door family sedan, 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS, the new MINI Coupè Roadster, the 2012 Audi S7, S8 sport sedan, the magnificent RS 5 sports Coupè and the limited edition R8 GT Spyder. Regional premières continued with Maserati GranCabrio Sport, BMW all-new 3 Series, Ferrari 458 Spider, 2012 Mercedes ML, 2012 Nissan Sunny, and a diamond edition of the 2012 Nissan Patrol.

Sportiness was ensured also thanks to the presentations of the Bugatti Gran Sport, Bentley Continental GTC and Lamborghini Aventador.

Crowds also thronged to the initiative promoted in collaboration with the Car Coachbuilders Group of ANFIA, the Italian Association of the Automotive Industry. An exhibition area was set for the automobiles conceived, designed, and constructed

by Italian firms representing the ultimate in Italian car design: Pininfarina, I.DE.A. Institute, UP Design and Touring Superleggera. Concept cars, super cars, prototypes and special bodies were presented for the first time.

The event also attracted great media attention: more than 200 accredited journalists arrived from 13 countries including those from China, US, India, Germany, France, UK, Italy, and across the Middle East.

On the ground were numerous entertainment machines like the locally-designed and engineered Williams immersion formula simulator, the Ford WRC simulator and the Shell Ferrari F1 simulator; while outdoor areas featured test driving sessions with a star-studded roster of driving instructors like Lebanese rally champion and Middle East Hill Climb champion and Red Bull Athlete Abdo Feghali and Marco Giony, professional drift and stuntman.

The Motorsport Outdoor Arena also had amazing and extreme drivers like Chris Pfeiffer, four-time Stunt Riding world champion. FMX favorites Nick Franklin, Nick de Wit and Frederic Berggren also wowed the crowd during their extreme shows.

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Highlights

The Spyder comes to town Zero to 100 KPH in 3.8 seconds with top speed of 317 KPH

Mulsanne EIC The Mulsanne Executive Interior Concept was one of those that visitors to the show just kept coming back to time and time again.

The EIC, in a nutshell, is a rolling office. Mulsanne rear passengers receive individual Apple iPad workstations with full internet access (integrated into retractable picnic tables) whilst a large, drop-down LED screen ensures that a wide selection of movies as well as television can also be enjoyed.

Key entertainment and business features Connected include Two electric-powered, foldable wood veneer picnic tables in the rear cabin, each with An Apple Mini Apple iPad and Apple Bluetooth keyboards.

Mac links iPad The twin iPads enable the Apple Media with Bluetooth Centre to play video files and music, provide keyboard access to personal and work e-mail as well as the internet (via W-Lan).

Only 333 of this much sought-after, high-performance car with starting price of US$ 204,353 in the GCC will be built—each with an individual number on the gear lever. The GT Spyder is the new open-top flagship model of the Audi R8 model line. The Audi R8 GT Spyder impresses with its thrust and bite with that unmistakable sound of an Audi ten-cylinder.

The 5.2-liter V10 develops 560 hp and 540 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 317 km/h. Each unit of horsepower has to move only 2.93 kilograms.

With the Audi Space Frame and the use of innovative materials such as ultra-light magnesium and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), the R8 GT Spyder’s weighs in at just 1,640 kilograms. That’s 85 kilograms less than its technical basis, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro. Incredibly, the body accounts for just 214 kilograms of the total weight.

The Audi R8 GT Spyder comes with an automated six-speed R tronic transmission with two fully automatic modes. The driver can also shift gears using the paddles on the steering wheel or by flicking the joystick. Drive to the 19-inch wheels is transmitted via a rear wheel biased quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. Lightweight carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs decelerate the car with supreme ease.

3rd generation Mercedes-Benz M Class unveiled The Third generation Mercedes-Benz M Class was also unveiled at the 2012 Qatar International Motor Show.

Other vehicles likewise showcased included the racing gullwing and winner of the Dunlop Dubai 24-Hour Race the SLS AMG GT3, the C Coupe AMG, the GL 500 Grand Edition, the E 63 AMG, the SLS 63 AMG Roadster, the CLS 63 Coupe, the SLK 350 with an AMG package, the S 500, the E 55, the C 300 Saloon, the E 350 Coupe and the E 350 Cabriolet.

The new generation ML is instantly recognisable as an M-Class by its characteristic body design with the hallmark C-pillar shape. It combines high levels of design, appeal and ease of use to create a powerful presence. The front of the vehicle is dominated by the powerfully self-confident design of the radiator grille with its centrally positioned Mercedes star, giving it that typical M-Class look. Seen from the side, the elongated lines give formal emphasis to the on-road credentials of this vehicle, whose compact proportions are defined by a large wheelbase.

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When the doors finally opened,

an endless stream of people poured in; and on it went till closing time, every day.

On display were cars that tickled everyone’s fancy. It was the Second Qatar International Motor Show.

The world stood still. carxpressmag.com

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Dubai Motor Show

In Focus 2 0 1 2

Exceptional!

If any, the tremendous turnout at DIBS 2011 is an indicator that the motoring industry is back in the saddle again.

Much bigger Dubai motor show seen following huge success of the recent one Organizers of the recently-held 11th Dubai International Motor Show have all the reasons to be walking around with that grin on their faces—the “Mother of all Motor Shows,” as DIMS has been known in motoring circles around the world, was such a hugely resounding success that this early, deals and arrangements have started to take shape in coffee shops, showrooms and dealership offices for the next big one.

In a press announcement, Dubai World Trade Centre, which put the event together, stated that DIMS 2011reported spectacular sales, drawing record crowds to not only admire, but also buy cars from some of the most impressive brands in the world.

Shelby Supercars, which participated at the show mainly to raise brand recognition, instead ended up selling 10 stunning Tuataras valued at US$1.3 million (AED4.8 million) each.

“The 11th edition of the show generated deals across the board, with economy, mid-range, luxury and supercar exhibitors all reporting an excellent response in terms of footfall, leads and sales, with many describing their results on a par with the Motor Show boom year of 2007,” the media statement read.

Happy The big boys were happy.

For one, Jerod Shelby, founder of Shelby Supercars (SSC), said the results of exhibiting at the show were far greater than he had imagined: “This has been a huge show for us – we’ve sold ten cars, which is phenomenal.”

Sold out While the Shelby sales made a new record for supercars, the 2011 show has also been a sold-out success for many of the ultra-premium marques.

Lamborghini, with the regional launch of the exceptional Aventador LP 700-4, was among the busiest in terms of footfall and contracts, with well over AED17 million worth of sales conducted during the course of the show. Lamborghini sold 14 models during the show.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the all new M-Class SUV in the region for the first time, and launched the hotly anticipated new SLK 55 AMG and SLS AMG Roadster in the Middle East.

The M-Class unveil precedes an expected launch in early 2012, and follows the continued regional

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success of Mercedes-Benz SUV sales performances in 2011 driven by the compact GLK, popular ML, full size GL - which has doubled in sales between 2010 and 2011 - and the evergreen G-Class, which endures as the benchmark for SUVs in the region.

AT A GLANCE Lamborghini sold 14; Shelby, 10; Porsche had a ‘bulging order booked’; BMW had most of its individual limited editions taken; and MercedesBenz ‘sold a lot.’

Launches

The all-new Lexus GS

Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributor of Lexus in the UAE, unveiled the muchawaited all-new Lexus GS at the Dubai Motor Show.

The GS previewing in the UAE is a major event for Lexus as the vehicle embodies the new face of Lexus and reflects the new direction for all future Lexus models to be launched in coming years.

The first car to be built with the new design, GS combines world-class luxury, evocative design, outstanding driving dynamics and innovative technology to create the ultimate luxury performance sedan in its class.

“It’s not a facelift. It’s a completely new car,” Toni Khalil Tarabay, Al-Futtaim Motors national sales manager, told Car Xpress.

He added, “This new GS reflects the new phase of Lexus, the new direction which is focused on three elements: one,

Evocative new design showcases new direction for future Lexus line-up

McLaren debuts MP4-12C McLaren Automotive opened its flagship Middle East showroom and unveiled for the first time in the region its MP4-12C at the Dubai International Motor Show.

The new McLaren Dubai showroom is in The Lofts on Emaar Boulevard by the stunning Burj Khalifa. The state-of-the-art store is one of the company’s largest showrooms worldwide, covering 2500 sq. ft. and offering cutting-edge car configuration facilities.

The McLaren Automotive stand at DIMS featured three cars - two McLaren MP4-12Cs, including a McLaren Special Operations car, and Lewis Hamilton’s 2007 F1 car, the MP4/22. Lewis Hamilton’s F1 car was renowned as the most competitive of the 2007 F1 season and was pivotal in Hamilton achieving six pole positions and five wins to become the most successful rookie in Formula 1 history.

“We are excited to see McLaren

Automotive developing its presence across the region. The GCC is one of McLaren Automotive’s most significant markets and the launch of our luxurious showrooms and bespoke services reflect our commitment to the highest standards of customer care. Our aim at McLaren Automotive is to deliver services that reflect the three values that drive the McLaren brand: courage, passion and innovation,” Ian Gorsuch McLaren Automotive Regional Director for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, said.

The first model in McLaren’s new range of sports cars, the 12C is powered by a bespoke McLaren ‘M838T’ 3.8 litre, V8 twin-turbo engine producing around 600bhp, all of which means the 12C can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.1 seconds, and on to a top speed of 330 kph.

The MP4-12C has been much anticipated in the Middle East.

To date there is an order bank of six to eight months for customer handover of a performance leading 12C.

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the driving feeling; two, the exterior shape—all our exteriors will be identified by the new spindle grille; and three, the interior design.”

While the inspiration for its styling and performance comes directly from the supercar LFA, Lexus comfort and luxury have been taken to the new level which will set the benchmark in this segment as it conveys a tangible sense of driver confidence, with a redesigned chassis and a wide, strong stance that inspires and rewards driver participation with crisp, precise handling and comfort.

The new GS now sees an all-new exterior that reflect further development of Lexus’ unique, L-finesse design philosophy. The new signature spindle grille with its trapezoidal contours which evolved from current Lexus styling, gives the car a bolder, more dynamic style, resulting in a commanding road presence.

The biennial motoring event, was held at a venue the size of about eight football fields and participated in by 150 companies from over 30 countries.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, graced the opening ceremonies.

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Burjuman Centre level 2 Dubai Outlet Mall Ground Floor Tel: +971-4-35 25551, E-mail: inghiramifabio@yahoo.com

Line Up An independent account on the latest cars

In this issue we present a selection of the latest cars from the different segments: Nissan Juke, BMW M3 Pick-up, Toyota Land Cruiser & GMC Terrain. Enjoy the ride.

Crossover

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Junior makes its mark Nissan Juke is here

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In Japan after the car was launched on June 9th 2010, orders totalled 10,943 units in the first month way surpassing Nissan’s monthly target of 1,300.

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issan Middle East has announced the launch of the Nissan Juke, baby brother to Qashqai and Murano.

Aimed at a younger market bored with look-alike hatchbacks, Juke combines attitude, irreverence, modish style and energy with a mischievous sense of fun.

“Juke brings a sense of adventure to the car market. It’s light, nimble, urban, reactive: qualities designed to grab a younger audience. It offers something entirely new to the traditional B-segment vehicles and cements Nissan’s reputation as a car maker prepared to do something different,” said Pierre Loing, Vice President, Product Planning, Nissan Africa, Middle East, India and Europe (AMI-E).

The urban landscape is about to change, and once again, it’s thanks to Nissan. Juke, the newest member of Nissan’s Crossover family, has arrived, and it’s ready to kick complacency into touch.

For too long the small hatchback market has been populated by worthy but dull machines.

Now Juke has arrived, that’s about to change.

Juke is the world’s first small Crossover, and follows in the wheel tracks of Murano – the world’s first Crossover – and the ultra successful Qashqai.

Together they cement Nissan’s place as King of the Crossovers.

Distinctive Like its bigger brothers, Juke is a distinctive

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combination of SUV toughness and sporting style. Conceived to inject some masculinity and dynamism into the small car market, Juke combines a number of seeming contradictions beneath its highly individual lines.

“The Nissan Juke is about to shake up the market with a boldness, style and sense of fun that it has never seen before. We believe Juke’s unique combination of motorsports-inspired exterior and interior design and unexpected levels of technology is going to force JUKE into the heart of the fast-growing compact hatchback/ crossover market,” said Celine Barthes, SUV Crossover Brand Manager at Nissan Middle East.

From a design standpoint, the lower portion of Juke is pure SUV. It combines chunky wheels, wide tyres, extended ground clearance and a robust stance with a top portion that is unadulterated sports car, with a high waistline, slim visor-like side glass graphics and a coupéstyle falling roofline. The coupé effect is further underlined by the rear doors which have their handles hidden in the frame of the door.

Inside, the sports car theme continues with a cockpit oriented cabin dominated by a centre console design inspired by a motorcycle fuel tank. Finished in a distinctive high gloss colour – metallic red or grey – the ‘bike’ console adds a sense of fun to the car. Practicality is assured by the rear-opening hatch and versatile luggage area with hidden storage opportunities.

Flexible Juke is based on the flexible Renault Nissan Alliance B platform, already known for its dynamic characteristics and updated to meet customer needs as a compact, fun-to-drive Crossover. Suspensions are by MacPherson struts at the front with a torsion beam at the rear Two engines are available for the Middle East region, the 1.6-L (litre) Gasoline Engine unit and the 1.6L Direct Injection Gasoline Turbo Engine.

At the top of the range is a new turbocharged petrol engine (MR16DDT) with direct injection (DIG-T).

The engine is one of the most powerful in its class, developing 140kW and 240 Nm with low fuel consumption. The combination of direct injection with a turbocharger provides the power and responses expected from a 2.5-litre engine with the economy of a smaller engine.

The second petrol engine is a newly developed version from Nissan’s trusted HR-family. Designated HR16DE, the lightweight, low-friction 16-valve unit now has a unique dual-injection system allowing finer metering of the fuel sprays for better combustion and develops 86kW The 1.6-litre Gasoline Engine is available with an XTRONIC CVT transmission, while a 6 speed manual transmission and the XTRONIC CVT transmission with a 6-speed manual mode are offered on the range-topping turbocharged engine.

Performance figures include a maximum speed of 215km/h with a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.9l/100kms. Acceleration from 0-100km/h is covered in 8.0 seconds

Extensive The second petrol engine, which also displaces 1.6-litres and has four valves per cylinder, is an extensively reworked member of the HR family.

Designated HR16DE, it has undergone a number of significant changes with a larger exhaust manifold, a retuned intake manifold, twin VTC, improved intake tumble flow and new catalyst with a hexagon cell formation.

New pistons with revised crowns and integral oil jet cooling have been adopted along with low friction techniques such as diamond-like carbon coating on the valve lifters.

But the most significant change has been the development of a dual injector system – a world first – which has two injectors for each cylinder, each with smaller nozzles to deliver finer, more closely targeted sprays of fuel into the cylinders for more efficient atomisation and more complete combustion.

Together the changes have led to significant improvements in power, torque and fuel economy.

The engine produces 86kW (117PS), representing a six per cent improvement over previous versions of the engine. Torque has improved by three per cent to 157Nm while economy figures show a 5.6 per cent improvement. The normally aspirated petrol engine will be available with the new generation XTRONIC CVT transmission option, a different CVT transmission to the one used with the DIG-T engine.

Performance figures include a maximum speed of 170km/h with a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.3l/100kms Acceleration from 0-100km/h is covered in 11.5 seconds.

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Designed in London.

Refined in Japan.

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Pick-Up

WORLD’S FASTEST

M3 PICKUP

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Lighting up imaginations. Causing a stir.

A whole new meaning to the word truck.

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F

ollowing the BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Convertible and BMW M3 Sedan, a fourth body variant of this globally successful high-performance sports car has caused a stir. Under the strictest secrecy, the world’s first highperformance pickup has been created at the BMW M GmbH development centre. The sportiest example by far in this vehicle category, the BMW M3 Pickup will fire the imaginations of all motorists with a deep appreciation of top performance matched by a keen practical twist.

A 420 hp under the bonnet and a rear-axle load capacity of up to 450 kilos take the hallmark BMW M relationship between race-oriented driving pleasure and everyday utility to an entirely new level. This unique vehicle completed extensive test and set-up drives on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife in advance of its global unveiling at the beginning of April, 2011.

Exceptional With this vehicle, BMW M GmbH once again

furnishes evidence of its exceptional competence in developing and building high-grade, individual dream cars. With a high-revving V8 engine at the front, a generously sized load area behind and a removable Targa roof above, driver and passengers in the BMW M3 Pickup will relish an unprecedented take on the familiar M feeling.

Yet this spectacular new development is unmistakably recognisable as a member of the BMW M3 model family. Corroborating this kinship is not just the inimitable power of the engine, but also finetuned aerodynamics and a tailored suspension set-up.

Measurements in the wind tunnel at the BMW Group’s Aerodynamic Test Centre showed a Cd factor on a par with that of the BMW M3 Coupé. Like every BMW M model, the BMW M3 Pickup has also demonstrated its dynamic potential on the North Loop of the Nürburgring. Official lap times have not yet been released, but the needle in the dial vouched for a top speed of 300 km/h.

The kerb weight of the world’s fastest pickup un-

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dercuts that of the BMW M3 Convertible by around 50 kilograms. Removing the Targa roof shaves off a further 20 kg while at the same time lowering the car’s centre of gravity. This most unusual experience of topdown driving pleasure in a BMW M3 thus goes hand in hand with further optimised dynamic handling.

Practical The practical features of the BMW M3 Pickup are no less impressive. Maximum load capacity has been raised to 450 kilograms. The load bed of the BMW M3 Pickup is clad in high-grade structured aluminium sheeting and provides the biggest cargo capacity ever offered on a BMW M vehicle. In terms of the unit of measurement generally applied to premium automobiles, that gives the loading area of the BMW M3 Pickup the capacity to carry up to 20 standard 46-inch golf bags. What’s more, the BMW M3 Pickup is the first BMW M3 variant in the 25-year-plus history of this model range to come with a trailer tow hitch.

Notwithstanding these unquestionable stand-out qualities, the BMW M3 Pickup will not be heading for the golf course or series development, but will retain its status as an exclusive one-off. It is earmarked for use as a workshop transport vehicle for BMW M GmbH. With this in mind, the current BMW M3 Pickup – unlike a similar predecessor built back in the 1980s – has gone through the requisite procedures to earn its road certification. Which makes it officially a truck – but one that puts a whole new spin on the meaning of the word.

BMW hopes this pick-up will break the kph top speed

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The BMW M3 Pickup has a high-revving V8 engine at the front, a generously sized load area behind and a removable Targa roof above. This vehicle can carry up to 20 standard 46-inch golf bags.

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SPEX Top speed Coefficient of Drag Engine Maximum Power Transmission

305 kph 0.34 V8 420 hp 7 speed manual

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SUV Al-Futtaim Motors Motors Toyota introduces Al-Futtaim introduces the theKing Kingof of4WD, 4WD, “Pride of of the Land” 2012 “Pride 2012 Land LandCruiser Cruiser Fromitsitshumble humblebeginnings beginningsover over60 60years yearsago, ago,the theToyota Toyota Land Land Cruiser Cruiser From has developed into the most enduring and sought after brand names has developed into the most enduring and sought after brand names in in off-roaddriving. driving.InInthe theprocess, process,Toyota Toyotahas hasbecome become recognised recognised as as the the off-road worldleader leaderininthe thefour-wheel four-wheeldrive drivemarket marketfor forunrivalled unrivalled quality quality and world and reliability standards. reliability standards.

Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributors of Toyota in the UAE, has Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributors of Toyota in the UAE, has recently launched the new 2012 Land Cruiser, a model that carries recently launched the new 2012 Land Cruiser, a model that carries multiple new technologies and features. The new 2012 Land Cruiser is multiple new technologies and features. The new 2012 Land Cruiser is a vehicle that has inherited and evolved the traits and qualities that have a vehicle that has inherited and evolved the traits and qualities that have made it the King of the 4WD for several years. With sharper design made it the of the 4WD handling for several years. Withthe sharper designwith inside and King out and advanced technologies SUV offers inside and out and advanced handling technologies the SUV offers with exceptional off-road capabilities in the utmost comfort. exceptional off-road capabilities in the utmost comfort.

The 2012 Land Cruiser features several changes inspired by evolving The 2012 Land Cruiser several changes inspired customer demands andfeatures continues the legacy of being oneby of evolving the most customer demands and continues the legacy of being one of most popular off-roading vehicles in the region. Fresh elements tothe Land popular off-roading vehicles in the region.

Fresh elements to Land Cruiser’s exterior and interior design continues to convey a rugged Cruiser’s exterior andwhile interior design continues to convey rugged yet luxurious image delivering high performance anda durability yetaided luxurious image while delivering high performance and durability greatly with new technology for advanced off-roading. aided greatly with new technology for advanced off-roading.

The Land Cruiser has an enduring relationship with the people of the The Land Cruiser an enduring relationship with the of the UAE. It is actuallyhas “The Pride of the Land”. Emiratis havepeople even given UAE. It is actually Pride of thename Land”.

Emiratis given the Land Cruiser “The pick-up a special Abu Shanab.have Thiseven clearly demtheonstrates Land Cruiser pick-up a special name Abu Shanab.

This clearly demthe intimacy this brand has with the people living in the UAE. onstrates the intimacy this brand has with the people living in the UAE.

NEWLY RUGGED EXTERIOR WITH A MODERN TASTE NItEWLY RUGGED WITH MODERN TASTE is at the front of EXTERIOR the vehicle that the Aexternal styling changes on

still reflecting It the is atnew the 2012 front Land of theCruiser vehicleare thatmost the evident, externalyet styling changes onthe heritage of the Land Cruiser identity.

The front bumper has beenthe the new 2012 Land Cruiser are most evident, yet still reflecting redesigned with enlarged overhangs, creating a much thicker front heritage of the Land Cruiser identity. The front bumper has been bumper that expresses the Land Cruiser’s power.

The radiator grill redesigned with enlarged overhangs, creating a much thicker front has been redesigned to create a much rounder surface; a design which bumper that expresses the Land Cruiser’s power. The radiator grill creates a powerful and finely-crafted image.

The headlamps have been has been redesigned to create a much rounder surface; a design which modified with HID low beams and integrated LED lights in the front creates a powerful and finely-crafted image. The headlamps have been of the vehicle.

The low 2012beams Land and Cruiser also comes theinoption of modified with HID integrated LEDwith lights the front of the vehicle. The 2012 Land Cruiser also comes with the option of 62

aa swing toto thethe 3rd3rd swing back backdoor, door,with withthe theaim aimofofenhancing enhancingaccessibility accessibility row seats.

The wheels have been redesigned, with larger 18" aluminum row seats. The wheels have been redesigned, with larger 18" aluminum wheels. wheels.Other Otherchanges changesinclude includeLED LEDpositioning positioninglights lightsincorporated incorporated within the headlights and chrome finished sides to andand rear within the headlights and chrome finished sides tothethefront front rear combination clusters and wider wheel flares.

The 2012 Land Cruiser combination clusters and wider wheel flares. The 2012 Land Cruiser also Light Blue. also comes comesininthree threenew newcolours: colours:White, White,Attitude AttitudeBlack Blackand and Light Blue.

B AND LUXURIOUS CABIN BRIGHTER RIGHTER AND LUXURIOUS CABIN

Changes made to the 2012 Land Cruiser cabin focus on heightening the Changes made to the 2012 Land Cruiser cabin focus on heightening the level of quality in the look and feel of the interior, and improving the level of quality the look and the interior, and improving ergonomics and in functionality forfeel the of controls and switchgear.

A newthe ergonomics and functionality for the controls and switchgear.

A new lighter interior colour has been introduced, matched with high-gloss lighter interior colour has been introduced, matched with high-gloss wood grain trim elements and bright silver finish details. wood grain trim elements and bright silver finish details.

EXCELLENT DRIVING PERFORMANCE WITH THE EXCELLENT DRIVING PERFORMANCE WITH THE REVOLUTIONARY TURN ASSIST SYSTEM REVOLUTIONARY TURN ASSIST SYSTEM

The raft of new handling features includes the newly introduced Turn The raft of new handling features includes newly introduced Turn Assist, which works in conjunction with the the Crawl Control function, Assist, which works with theselect Crawl(MTS) Control function, in addition to the newin5conjunction mode Multi-terrain replacing the in addition to thesystem new 5and mode Multi-terrain selectThe (MTS) replacing existing 3 mode Multi-terrain Monitor. all new Turn the existing 3 mode systemturning and Multi-terrain Monitor. The all new effort Turn Assist System enhances ability and minimizes the driver’s Assist turningare ability and minimizes thethe driver’s in tightSystem U-turnsenhances where K-turns necessary, by applying brake effort on the inside rearwhere wheel.K-turns The monitor is used in by conjunction to help in tight U-turns are necessary, applying the brake drivers observe their surrounds through front, side and rear cameras. on the inside rear wheel. The monitor is used in conjunction to help drivers observe their surrounds through side and rear The Multi-terrain Monitor consisting of 4 front, cameras (Front; rear;cameras. right side; left side) captures peripheral images displays(Front; them on theright The Multi-terrain Monitor consisting of and 4 cameras rear; Electro (EMV) along with warning messages. side; leftMulti side)Vision captures peripheral images and displays them on the Electro (EMV) along in with warning messages.

The 2012Multi LandVision Cruiser is available UAE with the choice of 5-speed Automatic or 6-speed Manual on improved 4.0L Engine with of 271 HP The 2012 Land Cruiser is available in UAE with the choice 5-speed in Dual VVT-i, and 6 speed Automatic transmission coming with a Automatic or 6-speed Manual on improved 4.0L Engine with 271 HP newly 4.6L V8 Engine with 304 HP in Dualcoming VVT-I,with and also in Dualdeveloped VVT-i, and 6 speed Automatic transmission a in 5.7L V8 Engine. newly developed 4.6L V8 Engine with 304 HP in Dual VVT-I, and also in 5.7L V8 Engine.

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ADVANCED UTILITY FEATURES

LAND CRUISER MODEL HISTORY

The 2012 Land Cruiser features new Utility features such as USB/AUX Terminal for external audio devices, advanced Bluetooth communication compatibility and a hands free feature for safer driving, a rear seat entertainment system and a back and clearance sonar that notifies the driver of obstacles around the vehicle.

Land Cruiser’s ancestral line can be traced back to the Toyota BJ, a truck-derived model that was initially developed for military use. In 1955 the name BJ gave way to Land Cruiser and the pattern was set for a model range whose reputation for toughness and an ability to tackle all terrains, continues through to the present day.

ADVANCED COMFORT FEATURES The Land Cruiser comes luxuriously equipped, with features that include Smart Key keyless entry with push-button start that allows the driver to unlock or start the vehicle without inserting a conventional key; Cruise Control; auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors; AC 220 V Accessory Socket mounted in the luggage compartment to power household electronics and DC 12 V accessory sockets available on the front and rear consoles.

SAFETY

BJ SERIES 1951 – 1955

The BJ was originally built for military use combining a 4-ton truck engine with a compact truck chassis. In time its design was modified to serve industrial expansion in the domestic market and by 1953, the BJ was evolving into a product for the export market.

20 -30 SERIES 1955 – 1960

Featuring new softer lines in the body styling, the 20 series focused on driving comfort. The major changes to the chassis created a basic design that remained unchanged for 29 years.

40 SERIES 1960 – 1984

With the international reputation of the Land Cruiser secured, the developments in the 40 series focused on better performance through an improved powertrain.

55 SERIES 1967 – 1980

For the driver and passenger peace-of-mind the new Land Cruiser now has 10 standards airbags: driver and front passenger dual-stage advanced airbags; front- and second-row seat-mounted side airbags; and three-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags with a roll-sensing cutoff switch and new to the 2012 year model, driver and front passenger knee airbags.

Its record of outstanding reliability has made the Land Cruiser one of the most popular off-road vehicles in some of the most remote countries of the world. The Land Cruiser brand has become synonymous with robust build quality and class leading 4X4 capabilities. As a key supplier to the United Nations across the globe and in markets such as Africa, Indonesia, and the Middle East, Land Cruiser is the preferred choice of many whose lives depend on it.

To date approximately over six million Land Cruisers have been sold worldwide; these figures do not include sales of any other Toyota 4X4 SUVs nor any pick-ups.

CORE VALUES Land Cruiser enjoys a special status in the global market as a vehicle that has proved its tough, lasting and reliable qualities in the most extreme environments. Land Cruiser continues to deliver a balance of go anywhere performance with the poise, comfort and refinement drivers require in normal day to day driving.

The market began to see the Land Cruiser as a versatile vehicle which could go offroad but equally transport large cargo and more passengers on-road. In this series the Land Cruiser developed into the first real station wagon with a larger body.

60 SERIES 1980 – 1989

Focusing on creating a passenger car style interior that was comfortable and spacious, the Land Cruiser had transformed from a workhorse to a recreational vehicle.

70 SERIES 1984

A complete overhaul in the design of the Land Cruiser marked the birth of the early design features of the Land Cruiser Prado.

80 SERIES 1989 – 1998

Demand increased for more fashionable and passenger car like characteristics, and the Land Cruiser responded with even greater technology and luxury.

90 SERIES 1996 – 2002

The 70 series underwent a makeover to emerge as the new Prado, a model independent of the Land Cruiser.

100 SERIES 1998

Following a complete model change of the 80 series, the Land Cruiser reached the pinnacle of all off-road vehicles as the new 100 series providing further improved riding comfort and luxury.

200 SERIES 2007

Featuring new styling, improved performance and a host of driver-assist technologies, the 200 series broke boundaries in delivering an exceptional off-road performance coupled with on road comfort.

200 SERIES 2011

The success of Land Cruiser is built on three core product values:

2011 marks the introduction of a commemorative 60th Anniversary range of the legendary Land Cruiser alongside the launch of a new powerful 5.7 litre engine.

Quality, durability and reliability, building on Land Cruiser’s long and distinguished history and reputation for lasting performance.

Unrivalled balance of on and off-road driving performance, supported by advanced suspension and driver aid technologies.

Refined and versatile interior, offering a functional but luxurious and comfortable on-board environment.

Featuring the world’s first Turn Assist feature which enhances turning ability and minimizes the driver’s effort in tight U-turns the new 2012 model comes also with a new 4.6 litre engine in addition to a plethora of other revolutionary features Synonymous with quality and choice, Toyota remains at the forefront of advances and innovation in the automotive industry and is the market leading automotive brand in the UAE. With around 1000 models sold each month, the Land Cruiser remains the most visible SUV on the UAE road today, accounting for around 63 per cent of the UAE’s large sports utility market.

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200 SERIES 2012

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GMC Terrain Immaculately combining bold styling with a smooth ride

‘We’re continuing to build on the successful formula of taking the bold styling, premium features and functionality our customers have come to expect.’

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GMC showcased the 2011 Terrain as one of its main attractions at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show.

The new crossover vehicle joins GMC’s popular lineup in the Middle East.

The 2011 Terrain is a crossover immaculately combining bold styling with a smooth ride delivered through a powerful and economic engine giving it segment-leading fuel efficiency.

The Terrain has the bold design of a GMC SUV, with the commanding outward view that many customers appreciate. The Terrain’s front end, with squared-off edges and flared fenders, appeals to those who want something stronger looking than the typical “soft road” vehicle.

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“We’re continuing to build on the successful formula of taking the bold styling, premium features and functionality our customers have come to expect from our full-size truck products and creating smaller vehicles to appeal to a broader audience in the Middle East,” said Shyam Prasad, Marketing Manager for GMC at General Motors Middle East Operations.

Equipped with the new 2.4L direct injected Ecotec engine and six-speed automatic transmission producing 182hp and 233Nm, the Terrain is EPArated at a segment-leading 7.35 liters per 100km on the highway (FWD model) – giving the crossover best-in-class fuel economy. The 3.0L direct injected

V-6 engine producing 264hp and 301Nm is EPArated at 9.4 liters per 100km on the highway (also the FWD model), thereby also beating out some of the competition.

The 2011 GMC Terrain is exemplary of a vehicle with integrated technological solutions which makes for a smarter, safer, fun and convenient vehicle. In terms of safety, the Terrain comes with a standard rear-vision camera, allowing the driver to view objects and people directly behind the vehicle.

Other technologies incorporated make for a more fun experience when driving or riding in the Terrain, especially for those long trips. The Terrain comes with a 10 GB hard-drive, which enables a library of favorite music for consecutive-play. Further

music connectivity is found in standard USB audio connectivity and MP3 playback, both of which can be controlled from the radio or the optional steering wheel controls.

Passengers in the rear-seat can enjoy their favorite DVDs on the rear-seat entertainment system, with two independent screens and inputs, allowing one viewer to watch a movie while the other plays a video game.

In terms of convenience, the Terrain comes with a programmable lift-gate which can be set for a lower height, clearing possible garage obstructions and making it easier to reach for those of a shorter stature. Meanwhile, the driver can remotely start the vehicle to automatically cool down on a hot

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afternoon.

With a rigid, body-integral structure with single-piece body side stampings allows more precise assembly, with tighter and more uniform gap tolerances. The result is a vehicle that will feel solid for years.

GMC is one of the four core brands of General Motors Corporation. GMC currently markets a complete line of crossovers, trucks and SUVs. Vehicles marketed in the Middle East include the Acadia luxury crossover SUV, the Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs and Sierra pick up with a choice of chassis for various industrial and commercial uses. GMC’s line up of SUV’s delivers outstanding capabilities.

Concept car The future in your hand...

Extreme Lamborghini Sesto Elemento The future of super sports car redefined

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amborghini is redefining the future of the super sports car with a unique technology demonstrator. Boasting an extremely lightweight construction thanks to advanced carbon-fiber technology, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento has an overall curb weight of just 999 kilograms (2,202 lb) – including V10 power unit and permanent all-wheel drive.

This makes the Sesto Elemento a unique demonstration of the technological expertise of Automobili Lamborghini. Innovative carbon-fiber technologies are being used here for the first time in an automotive application. As a 100 percent subsidiary of AUDI AG, the Italian carmaker also benefits from the undisputed expertise of the German manufacturer when it comes to lightweight construction.

With its amazing output of 570 hp, sensational power-to-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per hp and 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration of only 2.5 seconds, the Sesto Elemento guarantees unparalleled driving fun. At the same time, fuel consumption also drops because of the extreme lightweight engineering applied throughout.

Sixth element

The name of this technology demonstrator is derived from the periodic table, where carbon is classified as the sixth element. Thus, the Sesto Elemento demonstrates the worldwide leading expertise of Lamborghini in carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) technology. The super sports car brand from Sant’Agata Bolognese is the only vehicle manufactur-

er in the world to have mastered the complete CFRP process across a range of technologies, from 3D design through simulation, validation, production and testing – all in a state-of-the-art industrial process that stands for the very highest quality standards.

Lamborghini drives the technology development in its two research centers the ACRC (Advanced Composite Research Center) and the ACSL (Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory) through collaborations with organizations such as Boeing, with the resulting technology secured under a host of patents.

“The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento shows how the future of the super sports car can look – extreme lightweight engineering, combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun. We put all

Industry sources say this car will never be road legal !

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of our technological competence into one stunning form to create the Sesto Elemento,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

Groundbreaking

With the Sesto Elemento, Lamborghini’s R&D engineers have put together a groundbreaking package. As a pure and radical concept, the Sesto Elemento is the unique synthesis of an extremely low curb weight of less than 1000 kilograms, enormous 570 hp output, the sensitive and prompt responsiveness of the high-revving, naturally-aspirated V10 engine and the superior traction and stability of permanent all-wheel drive – there has never been a super sports car as thoroughbred as this. Sesto Elemento delivers an unbelievable degree of driving fun, concentrated on absolutely sensational dynamics.

The basis is an extremely solid, stiff, safe and lightweight carbon-fiber structur: the monocoque cell of the Sesto Elemento. The entire front frame, the exterior panels and crash boxes are also made from CFRP. The Sesto Elemento’s major suspension components and the rims are made from carbon fiber. The tailpipes are made from Pyrosic, which is an advanced glass-ceramic matrix composite, able to reach and stand very high temperatures up to 900° celsius. Even the propeller shaft is made of CFRP

carbon-fiber reinforced plastics combine the lowest weight with excellent characteristics – they are extremely stiff and highly precise. Lighter cars improve fuel consumption and CO2 emissions: above all, however, it improves the power-to-weight ratio – the crucial factor for a sports car – and thus the performance. A super sports car built using CFRP accelerates faster, has outstanding handling and better braking.

Extreme lightweight engineering delivers extreme performance

Amazing

Sensational

The Sesto Elemento demonstrates the outstanding expertise of Automobili Lamborghini in all areas of carbon-fiber technology. Carbon composite materials are a key technology for the automotive engineering of tomorrow, especially for highperformance sports cars. These materials made from

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The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento offers the ultimate proof; thanks to its sensational powerto-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per hp, the concept car delivers unparalleled performance. From a standing start, the Sesto Elemento catapults itself to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a sensational 2.5 seconds.

In the interests of completeness, it should also be mentioned that the top speed is well over 300 km/h.

What the figures cannot convey, however, are the Sesto Elemento’s razor-sharp handling, its voracious turn-in and its huge braking power. Extreme lightweight engineering and extreme performance come together in the Sesto Elemento to create an all-new dimension in super sports car driving.

Power

The fascinating heart of the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is familiar from the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera. In the Sesto Elemento too, the V10 unit is mounted “longitudinale posteriore” – longitudinally behind the driver. The 570 hp output equals 419 kW, all of which is available at 8,000 r/min.

The pulling power is just as impressive – with the torque curve peaking at 540 Nm

and 6,500 r/min.

The V10 offers 5,204 cm3 of displacement, delivering a specific output of 80.5 kW (109.6 hp) per liter of displacement. The highlights of this long-stroke engine with an aluminum crankcase include dry sump lubrication and a cylinder angle of 90 degrees. Both solutions are an integral part of the lightweight engineering approach, as well as serving to lower the center of gravity and thus tighten the handling characteristics.

Ideal combustion chamber fill comes courtesy of a switch-over induction system and continually variable, chain-driven camshafts.

This car was featured in “Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit” video game

!

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2Ways READERS’ SUGGESTIONS & COMMENTS. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT.

SEND YOUR THOUGHTS, COMMENTS & FEEDBACK TO THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL: EDITOR@CARXPRESS-MAG.COM

Fast car

of your magazine’s November edition sometime ago and remember enjoying an article about the V12 Zagato, which your writer aptly described as “brutally elegant.”

Might you still have extra copies?

Lorallaine Emitson Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dear editor, If you have a car “inspired by the fastest airplane” as your magazine had described the Lamborghini Reventón, then you have something really extraordinary. I drive by Zayed Road to work everyday and I must say I kind of love it when traffic slows down during rush hour simply because I get my kicks watching those babies rolling by—the Lamborghinis, I mean.

Maybe one day I’d see the Reventón breezing through.

Carl Chilton Dubai, UAE

Dear Miss Emitson, Thanks for the letter. We still have some files. Just drop by our office for yours.

Editor

ZAGATO

Dear editor, I happen to get hold of a copy

Dear editor, I came across your magazine’s recent edition where it carried an item in the News section about the C25 Royale Super GT. The car is just awesome! Zero to 100 KPH in just 3.7 seconds is really something, not to mention the 352 KPH max speed.

But what’s sad is that, and as your report stated, not more than 25 units will be manufactured with only one owner per country. For real?!?

I wonder how they figure out whom to sell it to.

Sara Thomas Doha, Qatar ed of the streamlin y characillustration and efficienc functionality it took less S.p.A. Centro Stile: terising the from the to progress e car. The than a year ta Bolognes ento the finished from the Born in Sant’Agahini Reventón has been first ideas process e, The Lamborg ta Bolognes complete design paper, to three hini in Sant’Aga on with tirely designed birthplace of the Lamborg first sketches computer models super car born the original the dimensional home of every right up to drawn and the native of the bull. The design 1:10 or 1:4 scale, e is organised (Style Cenprototyp size Stile under the sign real ed, fast, efficient with hini’s Centro up in Lamborg d in close collaboration ent around streamlin tre) is fine-tune Research and Developm work groups. hini the Lamborg couDepartment.

A legend is not only “haute n, LamThus, the Reventón out for its elevated Since its foundatio of creator stands a for also been suitable of ture” but it borghini has being entirely world dynamism whilst trends in the and every day use. sports cars manuhas always Fighting bull has been chosen factured cars ly The name Reventónhini tradition. Rewith an absolute Don Lamborg charowned by the according to unmistakable such as a fighting bull, the list of ventón was acter. Models included in , for for Countach family. It is known z is Rodrigue the Miura or bulls ever and in veritable the most famousbullfighter Felix Guzman example, were rapidly and killing the famed forerunners of status 1943. acquired the cars. airplanes timeless classic are the fastest hini models From the moment Inspired by day Lamborg , their The present language of they are launched by the clear ns of the new Lamdistinguished power every coherent proportio shape. The highlight their and borghini promises and Gallardo a legend, precise lines Murciélago to become . Sharp edges, ts of a become and dynamism —these are ingredien destined to element fter and clean surfaces the essential. Each a sought-a on. to g to its function; style reduced precious possessi forexactly accordin are totally With the Lamns is created , and decoratio ornaments borghini Reventóndone hini. has eign to a Lamborg Lamborghini created has ality it again; function it hini Streamlined d super car; an unequalle The Lamborg is a synthesis beReventón the perfect and practical exclusivity tween the limited ediappeal of a masterpiece, tion design and and the dynamism of a standard driveability sports car.

Lamborghini

d at With only 20 produce

super US$1.43M each, this

in 3.4 seconds 0 to 100 kph Acceleration: guarantees, an astoundns Lamborghini 8,000 revolutio to (478 kW) at torque, equal ing 650 HP (rpm). The huge a powerful switch per minute Nm, ensures ns—even the maximum 660 of revolutio is from any number on the accelerator The into thrust. slightest pressure transformed than spontaneously changes gear faster the In addition, robotised e.gear driver. expert even the most

car without equals

ity.

hini’s extreme exclusiv

epitomizes Lamborg

quite hini, but nothing LamClearly a Lamborg equals, the car without with an like it. A super is a road vehicle time, borghini Reventóntion and, at the same extreme specificamasterpiece—a coherentthe by a limited edition sharp lines, inspired with style, angular aeronautics. costing 1 very latest produced, each With just 20 (US$1.43 million) without taxes extreme million euros a symbol of inary Reventón is Lamborghini still offering the extraord so yet the Reventón exclusivity, that makes performance design, . ous unrivalled ly autonom Under a complete s the entire technical er possesse of the 12-cylind the Reventón competence and dynamic exon being the Lamborghini. prides itself super Lamborghini of extreme urer y manufact ise. Sensualit traordinary without comprom every Lamrize sports cars drive e style. ion characte four-wheel ely innovativ and provocat Viscous Tractionforce is conan aggressiv the most expermanent borghini, with tón is that every ve.

“However, theReven system ensures d into movement. ive superlati to 100 a true automot hini Style Cenall, of stantly translate accelerates from 0 treme o s at the Lamborg The Reventón with a maximum of the Murciélag Our designer 3.4 seconds, technical base intensified its km/h in just tre took the and sed km/h.

340 compres Stephan speed over LP640 and code,” affirms of Automobili CEO DNA, its genetic President and just 20 exEssence Winkelmann, of the marque: The essence ece design masterpi amples of a

Dear Ms. Thomas, Yes, it’s indeed for

Do you have something worth featuring?

A Car, your Story or a Collection?

CAR XPRESS WELCOMES YOU. 72

Qatar cars

Dear editor, Would you be having anything about the justconcluded Second Qatar International Motor Show?

I and my family were in the country recently during which we chanced upon this event. It was great.

Hoping you could fill us in on the details.

Thomas Klinz Munich, Germany

For real?!?

Dear Mr. Chilton.

There may be a chance. Only 20 Reventóns will be made with each costing US$1.43 million.

Now that will be the day, huh?

Editor

real. Some folks had to pinch themselves to be sure they’re not just dreaming it all.

Editor

carxpressmag.com

Dear Mr. Klinz, You’re letter came right on time. I was also at the event and the editorial staff has decided to run a feature about it in this edition.

Cheers.

Editor

‘I get my kicks watching these babies rolling by—the Lamborghinis, I mean.’

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Vintage

4

A walk down memory lane.

Rings in Pictures

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carxpressmag.com

A tradition of automotive and engine manufacturing that extends back into the 19th century

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A

UDI AG is able to look back on an exciting and varied past – its tradition of automotive and engine manufacturing extends back into the 19th century. It all began with the activities of August Horch, one of Germany’s pioneering personalities of automotive construction. After graduating from the Technical University of Mittweida, Saxony, Horch took his first job at Carl Benz, in Mannheim, initially working in the Engine Manufacturing Department and then becoming Head of the Motor Vehicle Construction Department. He set up business on his own in 1899, establishing Horch & Cie. Motorwagen Werke in Cologne on November 14 of that year.

Horch moved to Saxony in 1902, first to Reichenbach and then to Zwickau in 1904, where the company was transformed into a stock corporation.

Following a difference of opinion with the Board of Management and Supervisory Board, August Horch left the company in 1909 but straight away established a second car company in Zwickau. Because his surname was already in use and was protected by trademark, he chose its Latin translation for the name of the new company. So “horch!” – or “hark” – became “audi!”. The idea of using the Latin imperative form was supplied by the son of one of August Horch’s business partners; the boy, wellversed in Latin, had overheard the discussion about the quest for a new company name. In subsequent correspondence with him, August Horch even signed his letters with the words “Kind Regards – Audi-Horch”. Audi Automobilwerke GmbH itself became a stock corporation in December 1914.

The Audi brand established a tradition of sporting accomplishments at the very outset. Thanks to his victorious involvement in the Austrian Alpine Run between 1911 and 1914, August Horch succeeded in making Audi a household name internationally within the space of just a few years.

The notably successful Audi Type C 14/35 hp even acquired the nickname “Alpine Conqueror”. After the First World War August Horch withdrew from the company and moved to Berlin to work as an independent automotive expert.

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The first Audi was produced in

1910

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Our Guest A one-on-one interview with key industry players

Gargash Enterprises has introduced the first commercial vehicle in the UAE running on biodiesel from used cooking oil.

Green Cars, how far have we gone?

‘The biggest success has been in the efforts to develop better engine efficiency.’

–Abdul Jabbar Gargash, Executive Director, Gargash Enterprises.

The following is excerpt of a Car Xpress interview with Mr. Abdul Jabbar Gargash, Executive Director, Gargash Enterprises.

Car Xpress: With so much talk about going green, how far has the car industry really gone coming up with environmentally friendly cars?

Mr. Abdul Jabbar Gargash: The car industry definitely has been pushing very much to go green worldwide.

There are the hybrid cars. There are plans for electric cars. And there are the cars running on better efficient engines.

So far the biggest success has been in the area of better engine efficiency.

The other two—electric and hybrid— still need some more time to be more economically viable. The engines which we have today, the best engines Mercedes is producing, I think they are one of the best in the world if not the best, are 30 percent more efficient than the previous engines they had that were already also very efficient compared to similar engines. Today… the power you put in is 30-percent less than the power you used to put in for an added horsepower.

Gargash: I am not going green on biodiesel alone. Internally we are looking on how to improve our existing energy consumption; on how to segregate the biodegradable and nonbiodegradable waste in our work place.

The government is very much encouraging us to go green. It is also putting the regulations on how to get your business to go green. The Dubai government is putting a solar power station. We, as a company, also want to be part of the government’s initiative and we should be an example for other companies to also do their part towards achieving what the government has been aiming for.

Car Xpress: How much did it cost to convert the Vito bus to biodiesel?

Gargash: Nothing (smiling).

We spent only for painting the vehicle. In biodiesel, you don’t need to modify your engines; you don’t need to add anything; you only need to change a fil-

ter in a car if the car is used, if the car is brand new you don’t need to change that filter at all. The filter costs 20 to 30 dirhams.

Car Xpress: Don’t you think these efforts to seriously go green have been a long time coming?

Gargash: It started from the Kyoto Protocol, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change initially adopted on Dec. 11, 1997 and which took effect on Feb. 16, 2005.

The world was trying to put laws and regulations and then the impact of environment change happened—the world is feeling it today.

You will notice that going green has really come into our books, into our magazines and so on because the world is now feeling the impact of the change in the weather, in the water

Car Xpress: What are your company’s plans in the area of going green aside from the Vito project?

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availability, the rivers are receding.

The UAE government is sending the message to the public to please go green. We all should to the best of our capability.

IN BRIEF Gargash Enterprises has introduced the first new commercial vehicle in the UAE running on biodiesel from used cooking oil—Vito. The “well-to-wheel” lifecycle analysis of used cooking oil-to-biodiesel typically shows that the amount of CO2 (and equivalents) emitted is reduced by nearly 80% compared to fossil diesel.

The rollout of biodiesel thus represents a significant opportunity to reduce transport carbon footprints. The Vito biodiesel vehicle will serve as a shuttle bus service to transport customers from the workshop. The company plans to adapt more cars to biodiesel.

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Our Scoop

Car Xpress’ latest achievements.

First issue of Car Xpress was released in April 2005; in 2011 Car Xpress wins the Silver DIPA Award.

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New Audi Q3

Versatile and urbane

The Corvette Stingray Concept: ‘Transformers ’ ‘Sideswipe’

Volume 7 . Issue

67 . November 2011

ato The new V12 Zag Brutally elegant!

ative Reventon The provoc fastest airplanes Inspired by the

Platinum Cadillac XTS luxury sedan Re-imagining the

KD 1.5 QATAR QR 15 KUWAIT

Exclusive interviews with key industry players also find place in the pages of the magazines where top officials of different car makers share their opinions and insights on the current trends and future of the automotive sector.

The judges at the Dubai International Print Award are renowned and accredited professionals from across the globe.

The competition was organized by the Dubai Chamber’s Printing and Publishing Group (PPG), under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

The awarding ceremonies were held during a gala dinner at the Dubai Grand Hyatt Hotel on Feb. 8, 2012. Awards were given to 69 winners across different categories of which 48 represented off-set printing while 21 were from digital printing.

Ahmad Bin Hassan Al Shaikh, Chairman of the Printing and Publishing Group, said selecting final winners from all the entries was a challenge while Hassan Al Hashemi, Director, External Relations, Dubai Chamber, said that since 2006, DIPA has witnessed an increase in entries.

Offset printing categories include; Flyers, POP Material, Posters, Magazine, Books, Annual Reports, Cards, Calendars, Brochures, Catalogues, Directories, Newspapers, Newsletter, Handcraft jobs and Innovation. Digital printing will now have seven categories; POP Material, Posters, Annual Reports, Cards, Magazines, Flyer-Direct Mail, Brochures and Catalogues.

For 2012, the Dubai Chamber has invited Nicholas Jung, Scheme Director of London College of Communication to head the panel of judges. The Chamber has as well invited several other personalities to join him in the panel.

McLaren’s MP4-12C GT3

Ready to race

LEBANON LL 10 000

Car Xpress Magazine recently won the Silver Award in the Magazine category at the Dubai International Print Award 2011.

The magazine, which was submitted

by Galadari Printing and Publishing, was chosen by the panel of judges over approximately 100 other entries.

The four-point award criteria for evaluation were creativity in terms of aesthetics and visual appeal of the page designs; innovation, which involves creativity in design; registration, which is about imposition, registration of duplex, and page alignments among others; and quality of print, which involves cleanliness of print and color variation.

Gold award went to Canvas Magazine by Zabeel Printing Press UAE while Bronze went to A Magazine by Dots Dar El Kotob in Lebanon.

Car Xpress contents focus on the latest industry news including new model launches, gadgets, technology especially in the area of connectivity and safety and first-hand reports on test drives.

As well, Car Xpress features vehicles from different segments be it sedans for the city, SUVs, off-roaders, road legal race cars and family cars.

BMW’s extraordinary roadster

The future is now

1.5 RO 1 BAHRAIN BD UAE AED 15 OMAN

Over 100 titles sent entries with CX being the only automotive publication among the winners.

2011

PRICES - KSA SR 15

for winning Silver!

Volume 7 . Issue 66 . October

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

Kudos

Lexus LFA

Pursuing the dream

s kph in 4.4 second Spyder: 0 to 100 The Audi e-tron

THE WINNING COPY This November 2011 edition of Car Xpress was submitted as Galadary Printing Press’ official bet in the magazine category and was chosen by the awards body’s panel of judges from among 100 other entries.

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