Middle East Automotive News
ISSUE 04 - OCTOBER 2016
MERCEDES-MAYBACH 6
THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY
AUDI Q2 MAQINA MAGAZINE QR20 - AED20 - $5
AUDI CROSSES OVER TO THE SMALL SIDE
THE MIGHTY, THE FAST & THE MINI ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST EXTENDED WHEELBASE, BMW M6 COMPETITION PACKAGE & MINI JCW
LOVING LEXUS, DISCOVERING DUBAI IN THE DESERT BUSTING LX 570
ISSUE 04 | OCTOBER 2016
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Adel Habib
adel@oryxgulfmedia.ae
Managing Director Tarek Hawchar info@maqinaonline.com
Associate Editor Adam Baeur Motoring Editors Liam Nelson, Stephan Lewis Advertising Manager Sidhart Saigal Ssaigal@orygulfmedia.ae
Creative Director Roman Khidko Creative Artist Hany Said
hany@oryxgulfmedia.ae
Art Editor Viktor Blashuk Graphic Designer Aryo Pamungkas Photographers Natali Leonova, Malek Fayoumi Etiquette & Image Consultant Dr. Marie Abi Rached Contributing Editors Thomas Olsen, Nick Janes
PUBLISHER
A WORD FROM OUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dear Reader, In this edition, we have the ultimate in luxury and comfort, the RollsRoyce Ghost Extended Wheel Base. A unique BMW M6 called the Competition Edition, one of which only 220 exist, gets put through its paces and we also take a closer look at the Mini JCW, arguably the hottest hatchback today. Elsewhere, we took Audi’s smallest crossover, the Q2, on a trip to Zurich to find out if it’s any good and gave the Volvo XC90 a proper review to determine if it’s indeed as good as it looks. Both are SUVs, but they occupy very different parts of the market. We discuss and review the new Cadillac XT5 and of course, let’s not forget our feature on the mighty, shouty and angry Jaguar F-Type R. We have a feeling you’re really going to like that one. Enjoy the issue,
ORYX GULF MEDIA LLC
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6 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
ADEL HABIB
EDITOR -IN–CHIEF
96 MERCEDES MAYBACH
CONTENTS 30
MASERATI LEVANTE
108
11 NEWS -
BMW New Showroom Cadillac Escala Bmw M6 Jaguar Tech Maserati Levante Marcedes AMG Aston Martin A.z Volante Ferrari Gtc4 Lusso T Toyota Prius APGRT
58 MEET THE CAR - AUDI Q2 - Cadillac NXT5 - Volvo XC90
64 COVER STORY
47
FERRARI GTC4LUSSO T
40
- Rolls Roice - BMW M6 - Mini John Cooper Works AUDI Q2
8 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
ASTON MARTIN
JAGUAR XE, XF & F-PACE
THREE SUPERB DRIVES. ONE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.
Why stop at one exhilarating test drive when you can have three? Begin in the powerful XE, move on to the assertive XF and finish the event in our first performance SUV, the F-PACE and witness how dynamic every Jaguar drive can be. Heed the guidance of our expert Art of Performance Tour instructors and you’ll delight in a true driving experience only Jaguar could deliver. Alfardan Premier Motors Co. L.L.C. Alfardan Centre, Grand Hamad Street, Showroom Tel: +974 4440 8490 jaguar-me.com/alfardan
COMING SOON TO DOHA
64
THE MIGHTY, THE FAST AND THE MINI
CONTENTS 92
85 KNOW THE CAR -
Jaguar F-Type Lexus LX570 Mercedes Maybach 6 Volvo XC90 Cadillac XT5
114
Trip 106 Road - Audi Q2 LEXUS LX570
CADILLAC XT5
121 Radar
86
- Lamborghini Centenario - Ago TT Deus Ex Machina
139 Gearbox
124
- Bell & Ross - TOD’S for Ferrari - Porsche Sound System
JAGUAR F-TYPE R
10 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
144 Dashboard
- Driving Etiquette
LAMBORGHINI CENTENARIO
NEWS CADILLAC ESCALA / BMW M6 / JAGUAR TECH / MASERATI LEVANTE MARCEDES AMG / ASTON MARTIN A.Z VOLANTE / FERRARI GTC4 LUSSO T
MIDDLE EAST & WORLDWIDE AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
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Alfardan Automobiles Opens Second BMW Premium Selection Showroom To Make Owning a Luxury Pre-Owned Vehicle Easier.
12 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 13
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The BMW Group importer in Qatar Guarantees Power and Performance for BMW and MINI pre-owned Models.
14 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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lfardan Automobiles, the official BMW Group importer in Qatar, has launched a new BMW Premium Selection showroom in West Bay, Alfardan Towers. The latest showroom joins the already existing Al Sadd outlet, which spearheaded the roll-out of the brand’s pre-owned vehicle programme in Qatar and has contributed to the company’s ongoing sales success. The new BMW Premium Selection showroom will feature pre-owned BMW and MINI models for resale, following a rigorous assessment and
certification process by the BMW Group, offering customers the same assurance on quality and satisfaction as when purchasing a brand new vehicle. Backed by the experienced and trained staff of Alfardan Automobiles and a complement of state-of-the-art aftersales facilities, the new showroom offers car owners a superior experience, with preowned vehicles that have successfully completed extensive checks and a raft of benefits to ensure a seamless journey throughout the complete lifecycle of their ownership.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 15
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16 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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For a vehicle to be considered for the BMW Premium Selection programme, it has to be less than five years old, have a low mileage and a BMW importer service history. Once it clears this criteria, it goes through a comprehensive 75-point technical inspection check conducted by a trained BMW technician to ensure high-levels of quality, reliability and value to customers. The special programme benefits of owning a Certified Pre-Owned BMW Premium Selection vehicle includes a certified vehicle history, one year manufacturer’s warranty, 360 technical and optical check, trade-in offer guarantee and 24hour roadside assistance.
Ihab Allam, General Manager of Alfardan Automobiles, said: “BMW and MINI have long been in- demand aspirational brands. Our new BMW Premium Selection showroom will help make owning a luxury BMW Group vehicle, one that is certified and of high quality, reliability and value, easier. The opening of our second pre-owned vehicle showroom underscores the popularity of the BMW Premium Selection programme, the level of trust drivers in Qatar have in the process we follow and the value they place on the certified vehicles. As an added advantage, our bundle of aftersales services reinforces our service philosophy and commitment to the highest standards.”
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 17
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CADILLAC UNVEILS ESCALA CONCEPT PREVIEWING FUTURE DESIGN DIRECTION
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CONCEPT SHOWCASES FUTURE DESIGN AND TECHNICAL SYSTEMS IN DEVELOPMENT
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FLAGSHIP SEDAN IS A CONCEPT FOR A MORE EXPRESSIVE, EXPANSIVE COMPANION TO THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED CT6
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DUAL-THEME INTERIOR INCLUDES CURVED OLED DISPLAYS, NEXT-GEN CONNECTIVITY DESIGNS, INGENIOUS DETAILS
18 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
T
he Escala Concept debuted in California over the weekend, introducing the next evolution of Cadillac design and previewing the craftsmanship and technology being developed for many future models.
The Escala Concept previews the design and technical ideas driving the next phase of Cadillac’s ongoing expansion. “Escala is a concept with two clear objectives,” said Johan de Nysschen, president of Global Cadillac. “First, Escala is a statement of intent for the next iteration of the Cadillac design
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language, and also technical concepts in development for future Cadillac models. Secondly, Escala builds Cadillac’s aspirational character, signaling the brand’s return to the pinnacle of premium.”
Escala features a “dual personality” interior crafted with distinctly different zones: The front is about intensely focused modern technology, while the rear delivers relaxation.
Cadillac has released a new slate of models bristling with expressive design and exhilarating performance, driver’s cars taking Cadillac into a new chapter of its storied 114-year history.
“My brief to the designers was to create a car you desperately want to drive, and also one in which you want to be driven,” Smith said. “So rather than a single design, this interior consists of two themes. It was an opportunity for our designers to break the rules a little bit, exactly what Cadillac should do from time to time.”
“Escala is a concept car, but one based upon the unrelenting rise of our product substance,” de Nysschen said. “Depending on the development of market segment for large luxury sedans, Escala is a potential addition to our existing product plan.” Escala — Spanish for “scale”— is a concept for a larger, more elite and expressive companion to the recently launched 2016 Cadillac CT6, the brand’s remarkable new range-topping prestige sedan. Escala is also the third in a series of concepts Cadillac has debuted at Pebble Beach in recent years, following the Ciel convertible (2011) and Elmiraj coupe (2013.) Escala is designed to be both a driver’s car and an indulgent flagship sedan. The large 4-door sedan features an expansive liftback design emphasizing the car’s considerable scale and versatility. At 210.5 inches in overall length, Escala is roughly 6 inches longer than today’s CT6. Escala features a new and evolved face of Cadillac design that will begin appearing on production models soon. This includes a new expression of Cadillac’s vertical lighting, a brand signature since 1948. Organic light emitting diode (OLED) lighting elements are thinner and set deep within the fascia, creating a sinister look, day and night. The concept’s details invite closer inspection, including a threedimensional precision pattern in the grille design and 22-inch wheels with two layers of spokes. “This concept shares how Cadillac will bring forward a new experience that is uniquely American, and unmistakably Cadillac,” says Andrew Smith, executive director of Cadillac Global Design. “Escala is an expressive symbol of reward and an exhilarating driving experience. On the interior, we pushed further. It’s about precision and ingenuity in craftsmanship, and the artistic integration of technology.”
An array of three curved OLED screens is a prominent feature in the front of the cabin. The very thin, curved displays are layered in front of the driver, with hand-stitched wrap around leather embossed with the Cadillac script. The array of screens consolidate the traditional “cluster” of driving gauges with the “center stack” into one integrated unit. Escala includes new designs for connectivity and control, providing a prototype for the user experience in development for future production models. The system features a central control module that enables the driver to execute tactile commands across the spectrum of connectivity functions, in addition to voice and gesture control technology. Inside the controller sits a new edition of Cadillac’s “flying Goddess” icon, a nod to the brand’s illustrious heritage. Like all Cadillac models today, the interior is assembled using hand cut-and-sewn techniques. However, Escala presents several new and unique touches, blending overt luxury with covert technology. Escala makes broad use of hand-tailored fabric on the door trim and seating areas. Inspired by suiting material used by Cadillac’s partners in the fashion industry, the fabric provides a new level of hand-applied craftsmanship and color, unique in today’s auto interior landscape. The Escala Concept utilizes Cadillac’s new RWD-centric large luxury car architecture, featuring one of the world’s most advanced body structures, which debuted on the new CT6. The mixed-material construction enables unprecedented agility and efficiency. Escala uses a new 4.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine, a prototype of a new system in development for future Cadillac models. The advanced engine utilizes Active Fuel Management technology, enabling fuel-saving 4-cylinder operation.
CADILLAC ESCALA CONCEPT BASIC SPECIFICATIONS Body Style
4-door expressive flagship sedan, with lift-back rear opening
Height
57.3 in / 1455 mm
Width
76.7 in / 1948 mm
Length
210.5 in / 5347 mm
Wheelbase
127.1 in / 3228
Engine
4.2-liter Twin Turbo V8
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 19
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A Roaring Engine & Sharp Design:
The BMW M6 Competition Edition Reaches Qatar
20 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
The competition edition comes with 4.4 -Litre V8 engine generates 600 horse power Doha, Qatar: Alfardan Automobiles, the official BMW Group importer in Qatar, is proud to announce the arrival of the BMW M6 Competition Edition and is now available in Qatar. The special edition model was first presented by BMW M GmbH at the 66th Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), the high-performance coupe represents elements of individuality, portrayed through eye-catching paintwork, high-tech carbon fibre and carefully-selected fine leathers including superlative coordinated stitching.
The exterior paintwork of The Edition model comes in two choices: an alluring Alpine White with the embellished bodywork stripes in the trademark BMW M colours, or in a radiant Austin Yellow metallic. Both colours are perfectly contrasted with its matt-black 20-inch M lightalloy wheels in double-spoke 343 M styling with mixed tyres. The kidney grille, black chrome door handles and side gills along with the carbon-fibre exterior mirror caps add further commanding appeal to the car. Carbon-fibre M rear spoiler and rear diffuser is fitted for the enhanced airflow to accompany the jaw-opening performance of the BMW M6 Competition Edition.
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Exclusively available for the BMW M6 Coupe, the Competition Edition comes with a 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, outputting a whopping 441 kW (600 hp) with a maximum torque of 700 Nm (516 lb-ft), taking it to a top speed of 305 km/h / 189.5 mph (fuel consumption combined: 9.9/100 km / 28.5 mpg; CO2 emissions combined: 231 g/km).
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 21
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AL-FUTTAIM MOTORS CALLS ALL UAE ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS TO TAKE PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEST
F DESIGN AWARD 2017 is now open for entries with “Yet” as a creative theme
22 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
ollowing Lexus International’s announcement on the start of the Lexus Design Award 2017, Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributor of Lexus in the UAE, calls all UAEbased artists and designers to take part in the international contest. Lexus Design Award 2017 theme is based on the Lexus “Yet Philosophy” a breakthrough approach that takes seemingly conflicting or contrasting ideas as the basis for stimulating new ideas and creating solutions to complex problems. Commenting on ‘Yet’, the creative theme for the Lexus Design Award 2017, Lexus International Executive Vice-President Yoshihiro Sawa said: “At Lexus, our ‘Yet’ philosophy gives us the courage to combine elements that at first seem incompatible – superior ride comfort ‘Yet’ exhilarating driving dynamics – for example. With ‘Yet’, we don’t compromise; we harmonize to create synergy that reveals unexpected yet amazing new possibilities. ‘Yet’ is the catalyst that triggers breakthroughs, the spark that ignites an explosion of creative potential. ‘Yet’ drives Lexus to explore visionary frontiers of design and technology that will shape tomorrow’s mobility” Lexus Design Award 2017 will introduce twelve finalists and their works to the design community and beyond at Milan Design Week 2017*. Four of these 12 finalists will prototype their designs, mentored by globally recognized designers. The maximum
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production budget per prototype is JPY 3 million, equivalent to AED 107,000. Finalists will present their designs in the Lexus Milan Design Week experiential space. Judges will then assess the four prototypes to choose the Grand Prix winner who may receive the opportunity to bring his prototype to production. First launched in 2013 to stimulate ideas for a better tomorrow, Lexus is celebrating the 5th anniversary of this international design competition supporting up-and-coming designers and creators worldwide. The 2015 edition of the competition saw UAE-based designer duo Emanuela Corti and Ivan Parati win the Grand Prix title for their ‘Sensewear’ submission which is a collection of clothes and accessories that emphasize the use of senses, corresponding with the theme of the competition on that year. The duo also displayed their talent on the world stage and gained further exposure at design events in Tokyo and Moscow.
community in 2016, with 11 entries shortlisted proving the growing popularity of the competition in the UAE. “The constant increase in the number of participations from the UAE is testament to the amazing talent existing in this country especially in the art and design scene,” said Chris Buxton, Acting Managing Director of Lexus at Al-Futtaim Motors. “After winning the Grand Prix in 2015, we committed ourselves to continue promoting the competition to show the world the potential we have in the UAE. We wish to see this year an even greater response from UAEbased artists who will hopefully qualify and take their work to the international stage at Milan Design Week 2017.” Entries to the Lexus Design Award 2017 competition will be accepted from now till October 2016. The twelve finalists will be announced in early 2017. *The world’s largest design exhibition, also known as Salone Del Mobile, presents events and exhibits by brands and designers in many categories including furniture, fashion and textiles.
Following in the footsteps of the previous year Grand Prix winning, the Lexus Design Award received strong interest from the UAE art
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 23
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8NEW
TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO BUY FUTURE GENERATIONS OF JAGUAR
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he good folks at JLR aren’t happy with cars that are beautiful, luxurious, and exceedingly capable. No, they also seem to insist on pushing the boundaries of technology, and I’m not talking about transmissions and transfer cases— although they’re no slouches there either. JLR is making a play to lead the connected car revolution, bringing a bit of Silicon Valley (the forward looking mentality, not the hilarious show) to Coventry. We recently enjoyed a sampling of current and future JLR tech, here are the highlights:
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Mid-air touch and the Predictive Infotainment Screen
Jaguar Land Rover is engineering a new kind of no-touchscreen that doesn’t require the driver to make physical contact. The idea is that drivers will look at the screen less as Mid-air touch will offer ultrasonic haptic feedback. That is, the driver would have a physical sensation signifying that their task was completed, negating the need to look for verification.
24 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
JLR’s Predictive Infotainment Screen prototype takes advantage of cameras to monitor the driver’s hand movements, thus predicting which button the driver wants to tap. In the carmaker’s experiments the expediency of selection was improved by 22%.
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2
Haptic Gas Pedal
In the Jag’s and Range Rover’s of tomorrow, haptics may be used to deliver information to the driver via the accelerator pedal. Vibrations, pulses or resistance could be used to notify the driver of speed limits, stopped vehicles, and other road hazards. This form of non-visual communication which would help reduce the potential for accidents and afford the driver a greater window of time in which to take action.
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Roadwork Assist
JLR uses a forward-facing stereo camera to generate a 3D view of the road ahead and together with advanced image processing software, it can recognise cones and barriers. The system will sense when the vehicle is approaching the start of the roadworks, identify an ideal path through complicated construction sites and contraflows, and inform the driver that the road is narrowing ahead. The system will then apply a small amount of steering assistance to the wheel to help the driver remain centred in lane.
Safe Pullaway
Getting too close to the vehicle in front in traffic jams or when entering junctions is a common cause of accidents. Low-speed collisions can also be caused by drivers hitting walls, garage doors or parked cars because they mistakenly put the vehicle into drive instead of reverse when attempting to pull away.
Jaguar Land Rover is developing an assistance system to prevent these types of collisions. Called Safe Pullaway, it uses the stereo camera to monitor the area immediately in front of the vehicle.If objects such as vehicles or walls are detected, and the system receives signals from throttle pedal activation or from gear selection that could lead to a collision, the vehicle brakes are automatically applied and the driver receives an audible warning.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 25
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Over The Horizon Warning
This feature has its genesis in a research project testing devices that use radio signals to transmit relevant data from vehicle to vehicle. If vehicles were able to communicate independently, drivers and autonomous cars could be warned of hazards and obstacles over the horizon or around blind bends.
26 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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Overhead Clearance Assist
We were also impressed by overhead clearance assist— particularly relevant to our region’s many Range Rovers. As an example, let’s say you have say bicycles on a rack atop your car and you come across a low ceiling like getting into a car park. If, as apparently happens fairly regularly, you forget that you have the bikes up there, the car will stop and will not drive through— a new take in smart cars that we’ve not seen before.
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maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 27
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Overhead Clearance Assist W e were also impressed by overhead clearance assist— particularly relevant to our region’s many Range Rovers. As an example, let’s say you have say bicycles on a rack atop your car and you come across a low ceiling like getting into a car park. If, as apparently happens fairly regularly, you forget that you have the bikes up there, the car will stop and will not drive through— a new take in smart cars that we’ve not seen before.
28 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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7
Surface Identification
Surface Identification and 3D path sensing research combines camera, ultrasonic, radar and LIDAR sensors to give the car a 360 degree view of the world around it, with sensors so advanced that the car could determine surface characteristics, down to the width of a tyre, even in rain and falling snow, to plan its route.
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Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control
C-ACC, as it’s known in Coventry, combines short-range communications and radar-based adaptive cruise control to connect vehicles. With C-ACC, the lead vehicle in a group is given control of braking and acceleration of the following cars. JLR expects C-ACC TO improve traffic flow, allowing closer following distances at highway speeds. Words Adel Habib
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 29
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FIRST MASERATI LEVANTE Now Available for Test Drive in Qatar
30 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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lfardan Sports Motors, the official importer of Maserati in Qatar, is pleased to announce the arrival of the first Maserati Levante in Doha for client test drives. The Levante offers the ultimate luxury drive for Qatar, from unique on-road drivability for the streets of Doha to competitive capabilities for off-road adventures. Following the first reveal at Geneva Motor Show in March, the Levante made its first official appearance in Qatar just weeks later with a static pilot car. In order to achieve the high quality standards and maintain its traditional “Made in Italy� credentials, Maserati strategically invested in a new production line at the historic Mirafiori plant in Turin. As productions ramps up, the first cars are being delivered around the world.
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The Levante is available in two variants, the Levante and the Levante S, both featuring latest evolution of the Maserati 3-litre V6 engine with twin turbo. The top of the range Levante S with 430hp makes it to 100km/h in just 5.2” and has a top speed of 264 km/h. The 350hp Levante achieves the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.0” and a 251km/h top speed. Both versions adopt an eight-speed automatic ZF gearbox with a choice of drive modes: “Normal”, I.C.E., “Sport” or “Off-road”. The Levante is here to excite any sports car driver counting on performance-oriented features, such as the extensive use of lightweight materials, ideal 5050% weight distribution, the lowest centre of gravity and the best aerodynamic efficiency in its segment. On a par with this, the off-road equipment, including the standard Air Springs, electronically controlled Skyhook shock absorbers and the intelligent Q4 All-Wheel-Drive system, completes a product made to surprise avid travellers and adventure lovers as well.
We’ve had a lot of interest and even orders since the first reveal of the Levante in Qatar, but now finally our customers will be able to test drive it. It’s a beautiful car, no doubt, but only those who have experienced it on-road and off-road can really appreciate it. Maserati has found a way to achieve amazing functionality and off-road capability while maintaining the style and performance of a real Maserati, as we have come to love them.
Charly Dagher General Manager of Maserati Qatar at Alfardan Sports Motors.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 31
N EW S The Levante also comes with a wide range of new options and content, including: Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Forward Collision Warning and Brake Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View camera, a 8.4� Touch Screen display and a high level of customisation that includes two cutting-edge packages: Luxury and Sport. With the Levante a new wind is blowing through the SUV segment, guaranteeing the passion, flair and exclusivity that have distinguished all Maserati models for over a century. Alfardan Sports Motors is among the leaders in the market of luxury cars. The Levante will be available starting September at the luxurious Maserati showroom located at The Pearl-Qatar.
32 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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maqinaonline.com / 2016 AUGUST 33
34 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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T
he 24 Hours of Spa endurance race isn’t for the faint of heart— not only is the 7km circuit a challenging riot of elevation changes, the day presents so much for a journalist to digest, that it’s actually quite exhausting, in the best possible way. Originally conceived by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem in 1924, Spa saw its first green flag just one year after the very first 24 Hours of Le Mans. At that time, the route saw racers traverse the public roads between the towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot, a 15km journey, albeit at slower speeds than today’s drivers manage.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 35
N EW S Maqina was lucky to be the guests of Mercedes-AMG, who kept us almost as busy as the race teams with a activities like driving a few of AMG’s most rarified beasts to the race and a meet and greet with the band Linkin Park, which designed the livery of one of the AMG GT3 cars at Spa.
36 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
NEWS We were lucky to spend some quality time with the AMG GT3 race car, which has been enjoying an epic season, including a rousing performance at the “Green Hell” in which four AMG GT3 teams claimed all four top spots at 24 hours of Nürburgring. The beating heart of this purebred is a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8. This, combined with a bevy of racing technology makes the car perhaps the most exciting German racing car of the moment. Its ultra-light doors and carbon fiber monocoque help make sure the car eschews excessive weight in exchange for maximum lap times. Despite the stripped down aesthetic, these cars are surprisingly rich in race specific tech, like the foot actuated waterpump that provides hydration on demand (among the things endurance racers are expected to endure, thirst isn’t one of them). Or, the pit lane control on the steering wheel, a sort of cruise control for steady velocity in the lane. For a technology like this to merit the weight, it has to significantly improve the driver’s chances, or their safety.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 37
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We also got to look inside the HTP Motorsport pitb, to see the crew in action during the race. Watching these professionals working at the top of their game was a revelation. We glorify drivers in the motoring world, but their crews deserve immense credit too. We then took a look at AMG’s materials truck, which supplies the AMG teams with more than 3,500 spare parts and providing on-site access to materials in an unprecedented arrangement that only AMG offers, ensuring that teams don’t have to guess what to inventory in preparation for a race. Even with all that excitement, the highlight was driving the AMG GT R and the AMG E43 from Frankfurt to Belgium. With the AMG 4.0-Liter Biturbo engine in the AMG GT R is a huge accomplishment for Affalterbach, with an output of 585 hp, 75 hp more than the previous top-of-the-range engine in the GT S. The peak torque of 700 Nm is available between 1900 and 5500 rpm. The increase in performance was achieved with the help of new turbochargers with modified compressor machining, smaller wastegate aneroid capsule and sharpened engine mapping. The boost pressure supplied by the turbochargers has been increased from 1.2 bar in the AMG GT to 1.35 bar, and the exhaust ports have been optimized and the compression ratio modified. In short, this is an unbelievably powerful, and exciting sports car to drive.
38 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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The Mercedes‑AMG E 43 4MATIC isn’t quite as bonkers, but with the 0 to 100 km/h sprint zipping by in just 4.6 seconds, it makes a great opening act for the GT R, and would make a solid headliner in any driving enthusiast’s life.Its 3.0-liter V6 biturbo engine is good for 401 hp and 520 Nm, but it sips less petrol than the GT R. The 4MATIC all-wheel drive system distributes the power to the road via a front-to-rear distribution ratio of 31 to 69 percent, while the The AMG sports suspension deftly adjusts the damping of the wheels to the prevailing driving situation. All in all, E stands for ‘excellent’. Heavy rain began to fall some 22 minutes befor the end of the epic race, causing those cars that had opted to keep slicks on to lose control and sputter onto the shoulder or, worse, into each other. One Huracàn GT3 managed to take out an AMG GT3, entirely. The rain also highlighted the control these incredibly talented drivers have, with many of them managing to regain control at key moments. The rain brought a great event to a dramatic close, leaving us to wonder— what will next year be like?
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 39
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40 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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Aston Martin Announces Vanquish Zagato Volante At Pebble Beach
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o accompany the North American debut of the Vanquish Zagato Coupe at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Aston Martin is proud to announce a striking partner for this very special car; the Vanquish Zagato Volante. Driven by overwhelming customer interest for the previously revealed Coupe, the Vanquish Zagato Volante will be strictly built to a limited production run of 99 cars at Aston Martin’s headquarters in Gaydon, England. Vanquish Zagato Volante is the latest creation from a collaboration that reaches back over nearly six decades, beginning with the beautifully muscular DB4 GT Zagato race car
of 1960 and includes the DB7 Vantage Zagato of 2002, 2011’s V12 Vantage Zagato and the most recent Vanquish Zagato Coupe announced earlier this year. Previous Aston Martin Zagato convertibles have included the striking V8 Vantage Volante, first shown in Geneva in 1987 and the DB AR1 in 2003. Developed as an open-topped Zagato-bodied DB7 and also limited to 99 units, DB AR1 was similarly designed for the North American market and is considered today an established collectible by automotive connoisseurs worldwide.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 41
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Just like the Coupe, we have emphasised the way surfaces change and intersect to create a muscular form. We’ve endeavoured to create an elegant, flowing shape that really works to emphasise the car’s sculpted rear haunches. Marek Reichman Aston Martin’s EVP and Chief Creative Officer
42 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
The Vanquish Zagato Volante will be a powerful addition to the Aston Martin and Zagato lineage, embodying Aston Martin’s inherent refinement and capabilities, as well as Zagato’s characteristic design details. Both cars share an enhanced version of Aston Martin’s iconic V12 powertrain, increasing its output to 592bhp with a projected 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds. The Vanquish Zagato Volante shares its proportions with the Coupe, a quintessential Aston Martin form with a classic Zagato twist, evoked by round tail light reflectors that use the same ‘bladed’ LED technology as the Aston Martin Vulcan supercar. The twin cowls on the rear deck blend into the leading edge of the luggage compartment, concealing a bespoke folding hood derived from the mechanism used in the Vanquish Volante. Carbon fibre sills around the lower body create a pronounced horizontal emphasis that runs from front to rear.
NEWS
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 43
N EW S Inside, the Vanquish Zagato Volante continues the fine tradition of Aston Martin craftsmanship. Aston Martin’s specialist ‘Q’ division can add further personalisation and enhancement to a cabin finished with rich and highly luxurious materials, including herringbone carbon-fibre, anodized bronze detailing and the finest Bridge of Weir leather. The Volante features the unique signature ‘Z’ quilt pattern stitch on both seat and door sections, as well as the celebrated trademark Zagato ‘Z’ embossed on the headrests and stitched into the centre console.
44 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
“The Vanquish Zagato Volante illustrates the ways in which Aston Martin design can evolve in collaboration with such a trusted and long-standing partner,’ says Reichman. “Vanquish Zagato Volante continues Aston Martin’s new century of innovation and creativity, strengthening the association between these great automotive marques in the process”. Customer deliveries are set to begin in 2017.
NEWS
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 45
N EW S
GTC4LUSSO T REVEALED
46 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
NEWS
First four-seater in Prancing Horse history with V8 Turbo Official debut at upcoming Paris Show
T
he upcoming Paris Motor Show provides the venue for the unveiling of the GTC4Lusso T, the first four-seater in Prancing Horse history to sport a V8 turbo engine, hailing a whole new Ferrari GT concept aimed at owners seeking a car that is sporty and versatile but also perfect for frequent driving. The new GT effortlessly marries elegance, superb occupant comfort and sportiness with the exhilaratingly dynamic driving delivered by a combination of rear-wheel-only drive, four-wheel steering, lighter overall weight and increased weight bias towards the rear (46:54).
The car’s 3.9-litre V8 turbo is the latest evolution to emerge from the engine family named overall “2016 International Engine of the Year”. Its maximum power output is 610 cv at 7,500 rpm while maximum torque of 760 Nm is available at between 3,000 and 5,250 rpm. The V8 turbo’s signature characteristics suit day-to-day driving in urban contexts: a rich powerful soundtrack at high speeds that becomes more muted at lower speeds, nimbleness and responsiveness courtesy of versatile, modular torque delivery and, last but not least, an excellent range.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 47
N EW S
48 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
NEWS
The GTC4Lusso T’s dynamic control systems have been specifically calibrated also to further boost responsiveness to commands. In particular, the 4WS (rear-wheel steering), which is integrated with Side Slip Control (SSC3), makes for more rapid response to steering wheel inputs entering and exiting corners, as the rear wheels are steered in the same direction as the front ones.
The feeling of longitudinal performance in this new model has been enhanced at low speeds by Variable Boost Management and underscored by zero turbo lag in its throttle response. Thanks to variable torque curves (VBM) between 3rd and 5th gear, longitudinal acceleration is consistent from gear-to-gear, increasing smoothly with engine speed, resulting in a feeling of unique sportiness and progress.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 49
N EW S
GTC4Lusso T Short technical specifications ENGINE Type
V8 - 90° Turbo
Overall displacement Bore and stroke
3,855 cc 86.5 mm x 82 mm
Maximum power output*
449 kW (610 cv) at 7,500 rpm
Maximum torque
760 Nm at 3,000 – 5,250 rpm
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT Length
4,922 mm
Width
1,980 mm
Height
1,383 mm
Dry weight ** Weight distribution
1,740 kg 46% front - 54% rear
PERFORMANCE Maximum speed
>320 km/h
0-100 km/h
3.5 sec
FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS Fuel consumption
under homologation
Emissions
under homologation
* Power expressed in kW and cv for reasons of homogeneity. With 98 RON fuel ** Fit-out with specific optional extras
50 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 51
Another month of successful sales for Maserati Excellent results in Italy and Europe Middle East, India & Africa region reports 38% increase.
52 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
NEWS
M
aserati returns excellent sales results for the month of August on all the main European markets. Italy is once again the company’s biggest European market, with 97 new registrations last month, representing a 273% increase compared to August 2015. This brings the total of Maserati vehicles registered in the first eight months of the current year to an impressive 1,050, meaning +9% compared to the same period of 2015. The brand enjoyed continuous growth on all the main European markets: the United Kingdom, Germany, Benelux, France, Switzerland and Spain all made major contributions to this very strong performance. 4,180 cars have been registered since the start of 2016, with an average rise of 6% compared to the first eight months of 2015.
This clearly reflects the success of the Levante, the first Maserati SUV, which has already gone on sale on a large number of European markets. The performance of the Maserati saloons - Quattroporte and Ghibli - was particularly striking in the United Kingdom, with a 52% increase in sales compared to the same month of 2015; sales of the Maserati SUV are scheduled to start in this market in the last quarter. For the Middle East, India & Africa region, Maserati reported a 38% increase for the month of August compared to August 2015, pushed by the arrival of the Levante SUV. The brand’s largest markets in the region, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, grew with 42.5% and 75% respectively.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 53
N EW S
NO. 31 TOYOTA
EARN PODIUM
FINISH IN ROUND 6 OF 2016 AUTOBACS SUPER GT 300 SERIES
54 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
NEWS
T
he No. 31 TOYOTA PRIUS apr GT driven by Koki Saga and Yuichi Nakayama competed brilliantly to claim second place in Round 6 of the 2016 AUTOBACS SUPER GT 300 series, which took place recently at the 45th International Suzuka 1000km race held at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan. The No. 31 TOYOTA PRIUS apr GT stands second in the team rankings at this stage with two more rounds to go for the season. The teams were competing in difficult conditions that saw rain falling intermittently. Due to the length of the Suzuka 1000km race, there was no morning free practice session held as in the other GT rounds. Instead, the usual 8-minute warm-up time before the start was extended to 20 minutes. When the race started, the track was partially wet,
which led most of the teams to start the race with dry-condition tires, with the exception of the No. 31 TOYOTA PRIUS apr GT driven by Koki Saga. Having chosen rain tires, Saga had trouble keeping pace, and he decided to return to the pit for a tire change at the end of the third lap. After changing to dry-condition tires and changing drivers from Koki Saga to Yuichi Nakayama, the team returned to the race having lost considerable ground. The No. 31 TOYOTA PRIUS apr GT, however, continued to compete, and in the last half of the race and with two laps remaining, Nakayama went ahead to finish second in a close contest. Round 7 of the 2016 championship now takes place in Thailand on October 8th and 9th, 2016.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 55
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56 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
NEWS According to Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, “It was an excellent result for the No. 31 TOYOTA PRIUS apr GT and I would like to congratulate the drivers and the entire support staff for this outstanding performance. The experience gained through participation in top-level motorsports has contributed significantly in helping Toyota to build ever better cars to put a smile on the faces of our customers. We also appreciate the support of our fans and their constant encouragement for our racing initiatives.”
RACE NOTES: • No. 31 TOYOTA PRIUS apr GT (Koki Saga and Yuichi Nakayama)
Race: 2nd, 161 laps, Best Lap: 2’01.944
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 57
M EET TH E C AR
Audi Q2
AUDI’S CROSSES OVER TO THE SMALL SIDE ENGINE
TRANSMISSION
STARTING PRICE
2.0 LITRE
7 SPEED AT
AED TBD
TFSI
190BHP
0-100KPH
MAX SPEED
8.9 SEC
200 KPH
58 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
ME E T T H E C A R
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 59
M EET TH E C AR
Cadillac NXT5 ENGINE
TRANSMISSION
3.6-Liter V6
8 Speed AT FWD/AWD
0-100KPH
MAX SPEED
19mpg City,
310 hp @ 4,800 rpm
27mpg Hwy
271 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
STARTING PRICE
WEIGHT
Base
$45,405
Luxury
$52,269
Premium Luxury $55,379 Platinum
60 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
$65,743
1808 kg
ME E T T H E C A R
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 61
M EET TH E C AR
Volvo XC90 SWEDES IN ASCENDANCE
62 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
ME E T T H E C A R
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION
STARTING PRICE
Four-Cylinder Turbo
8 Speed AT
AED 250.000
320bhp @ 5,7000rpm
AWD
0-100KPH
MAX SPEED
WEIGHT
6.5sec
230kph
2078 kg
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 63
C OV ER STO RY
WORDS: TAREK HAWCHAR / PHOTOS: NATALI LEONOVA
64 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
C OV E R STO RY
The Rolls Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase is so smooth it’s like an apparition— yet you can’t help but feel its presence maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 65
C OV ER STO RY
T
o my thinking, they named this car the Ghost, because it offers the sensation of floating. Isn’t that the ultimate definition of comfort— that you feel as if you’re touching, well, nothing? It’s rather the opposite of some stiffened up sports car that feels every bump like an expert Braille reader, making meaning out of vibration. Here, the goal is the opposite, to almost forget that you’re in a car, unless perhaps you’re taking a turn behind the wheel, enjoying the feel of all that velvety goodness in your hands— it’s like driving the culinary equivalent of a smoothie made entirely of precious metals er, you know, if that were a good thing to eat.
66 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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The refreshed GhostI, is pure Roller in it’s cautiously decadent approach to updates— eschewing the drastic with heaps of subtle refinement and enough tweaks to populate an insane clown posse concert… with corporate lawyers. Because they’re more likely to drive a Roller. Oh, never mind. Right, so what’s new? At the front of the car, every panel down to the last has been reworked. You get unbroken daytime running lights framing the headlamps, which are now brighter LED jobs that have been given a very delicate makeover as well. The bonnet boasts a tapered ‘wake channel’, which finds its source at the Spirit of Ecstasy’s wings, evoking a jet’s vapour trail, no doubt a private one. Speaking of the Spirit of Ecstasy, she’s now pitched forward about seven degrees, for an ever more daring approach at what lies ahead. Additionally, the grille rides 13mm higher than the Series I, for a slightly more regal presentation. An optical illusion helps the car appear a tad wider, thanks to a reimagining of the bumpers for a more imposing countenance. The crease that runs along the side, towards the front wing, dubbed the ‘waft line’ in Roller-speak, also leans further forward too, perhaps hinting that this wafter is eager to run. The front seats are all new, and the great collective PR voice at Rolls suggests they are the über-luxury brand’s best-ever buckets. Speaking of communications (sort of) the rear seats are now subtly angled towards each other, as if to encourage conversation in this age of digital obsession— we love it, unless you happen to be reading our website or app, in which case carry on.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 67
C OV ER STO RY These new rear seats can recline for maximum chill out or, if you want to warm up instead, offer three-levels of heating as standard with optional massage function to help alleviate the stress of, er, whatever it is you’ve done to afford such a sublime daily driver (or chauffeur-er). Other inside goodies include a new soft-touch dashboard treatment, chrome surrounds to the sun visor lights and the option to extend natural grain leather to the A and C pillars. Rolls added two new veneers to the offerings this time out (which they claim have more unique identifiers than a human fingerprint) and fastidiously applied polished metal chaplets around the instrument dials.
68 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
There’s also the very bright and sharp 10.25-inch high-def screen, as wells a touchpad and crystal bedazzled rotary controller (Enya approved) that apes Smartphone-style ‘pinch’ functionality. The audio system is improved, natch, and Rollers’ team of in-house audio engineers helped orchestrate an interior that sounds as stunning as it looks. With Eighteen individually tuned speakers, offering theatre and studio settings, the Ghost is an audiophile’s dream on wheels. Two large speakers in the boot generate the subs (we perceive bass less directionally than higher frequencies) while two ‘exciter’ speakers in the roof-lining focus on ear-level detail.
C OV E R STO RY The system uses a high sensitivity microphone to monitor ambient exterior noise, moderating the tonal balance of the system on the fly to deliver the best possible listening experience. It also corrects the frequency and phase response of individual speakers to compensate for what Rolls describes as “potential loud and dead spots caused by outside influences.” The Ghost offers the superlative Satellite Aided Transmission first seen in the Wraith, and that’s just part of why this is such a great car to drive and/or be driven in.
The ride is fairly magic, but also lives in the physical world, if you assault a sleeping policeman or some pock marked American highway, you’re bound to feel it. But really, the ride is about as unflappable as one can expect. It’s silent, relaxed, and stately out on the road, allowing passengers to focus on whatever it is they’d like to be occupied with, inured to the terror without (assuming your driving in Dubai traffic). The car gets a new steering gear working in league with re-designed front and rear struts, transmitting more feedback to the now heftier steering wheel. Additionally, if you spec the optional Dynamic Driving Package you’ll enjoy adjusted dampers to better Ghost’s cornering ability.
The ride is fairly magic, but also lives in the physical world... maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 69
C OV ER STO RY
70 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
C OV E R STO RY
Roller says ride quality and rear stability has been improved across the range with the advent of new rear hydraulic axle bearings. I suppose it’s terribly clichéd, but the upshot is that, almost no matter what you subject the car to, it just keeps calm and carries on. An additional at the heart of this well-mannered whip beats a 6.6-litre V12 producing 563bhp and 820 Nm of torque, all but silently. You can feel it pull though, taking on its 2,495kg with nary a complaint to provide all kinds of pickup and off-the-line power. It’s a fantastic responsibility to drive a Rolls Royce Ghost— because it’s a truly fantastic car. With its resplendent interior, poised on-road demeanour, and show stopping presence, the Ghost is both beyond reproach and, as the name suggests, a denizen of some great beyond of automotive excellence.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 71
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BMW COMPETITION EDITION WORDS: TAREK HAWCHAR / PHOTOS: NATALI LEONOVA
72 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
C OV E R STO RY
F
or most people, a 552 horsepower M6 is more than enough. In fact, it’s what you might call terrifying. Then there’s the Competition package, further upping power to a whopping 600 horsepower. And if you’re after the best of the best, the absolute ultimate, there’s this: The BMW M6 Competition Edition. Essentially a better version of a model which is a better version of the M6, the Competition Edition is the pinnacle in the M6 lineup.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 73
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The new BMW M6 Competition Edition has officially landed in Qatar, at Alfaradan Automobiles, and what an astonishing car it is. Now at this point you might be wondering what the Competition Edition actually represents. Fear not, we’re here to explain everything in great detail. Let’s just get this out of the way first: the Competition Edition is not equal to the Competition Package. Rather, it’s an upgrade on it, improving on everything BMW though could be improved. Being BMW, changes are rather thorough for what it is. There are several key differences between it and the “standard” Competition Package, so without further to do, let’s get right into it. For starters, there’s the exterior. The Edition model is offered in a choice of two unique color combinations. First, there’s the gorgeous Alpine White body colored car with matching BMW M colors bodywork stripes. The second color option is a little bit bolder. It’s Austin Yellow metallic, a very vibrant and lively color. In all honesty, you can’t go wrong with either one. The BMW M colors give the M6 a very sporty, racing look, while the eye-catching yellow is a thing to behold in person. It’s got a very mystic, unique vibe about it. Trust us, the pictures don’t do that color justice.
It’s got a very mystic, unique vibe about it...
74 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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The car sits on 20-inch double-spoke 343 M light-alloy wheels with both color combinations, finished in matt-black for an even more aggressive appearance. Carbon-fibre is the name of the game here, so you’ll find that a lot of the exterior elements are finished in it. The M rear spoiler is made out of carbon-fiber, as is the rear diffuser. Even the exterior mirror caps are finished in carbon-fibre, that’s how much attention to detail BMW puts in their cars. Both the spoiler and the diffuser are fully functional. You’ll find no gimmicks here. They’re providing the car with much more downforce than the standard M6 at higher speeds, keeping the M6 Competition Edition glued to the road at all times. The interior is probably less distinct, especially when you compare it with the exterior. But remember, subtle changes go a long way when added together. For starters, there’s a lot more carbon-fibre everywhere you look. Most surfaces you touch are wrapped in BMW’s Individual Black Merino Leather with matching contrast stitching. The standard steering wheel has been replaced with an M Performance one, giving you full control over the car. Other notable additions are the BMW Head-Up Display, M multifunction seats on both sides and two high-quality sound systems which you can choose from. One is Harman Kardon and the other Bang & Olufsen. You really can’t go wrong with either.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 75
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Most BMWs are a perfect blend of luxury and sport, that’s the best way to describe them. The Edition feels like it’s leaning more towards sport, which is great since that’s this car’s goal. There are plenty of M6 Competition badges in the interior as well as on the exterior, reminding you and your passengers that this is no ordinary M6. Then we get to the juicy part. Or, should we say, the noisy one. The hood hides the same 4.4 liter V8 engine capable of delivering 600 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque in this guise. It’s essentially unchanged compared to the Competition Package, but that’s not a bad thing now is it? Officially, it should reach 60 mph (100 km/h) in 3.8 seconds but we all know that those numbers are underrated. People have reported 0-60
times of 3.6 and even 3.5 seconds. For such a large car, those are extremely impressive numbers. The top speed stands at 189.5 mph (305 km/h). That’s right, you won’t find any silly 155 mph limiter here. It’s also relatively efficient too. It manages 28.5 mpg on the combined run (9.9 l/100 km) and CO2 emissions exiting the exhaust stand at 231 g/km. Something else that’s exiting the exhaust is a shouty V8 engine noise coming straight from that amazing powerplant at the front. The sound is further enhanced by an M Performance Exhaust system. This is undoubtedly the best sounding M6 ever made. Being twin-turbocharged, you do get that distinct feeling no naturally-aspirated car can give you, but weirdly, there’s no turbo lag present at all. Press the pedal at any gear, in any speeds and at any rpms, and the M6 just takes off. You do have to be careful when giving it full throttle however. With the systems turned off, it has the power to spin the wheels at any given notice, but it’s very controllable. The upgraded springs, dampers and anti-roll bars are carried over from the Competition Package, and make this M6 handle like it’s on rails. Or, if your right foot demands it, slide like a Japanese drift missile. If this car has a problem, it’s that it’s too fast. You can’t explore its full potential and limit on the road. It demands a track or at least the autobahn to be able to shine in all its glory. But don’t think that it’s not fun because of that. This is a great fast cruiser. Short bursts of acceleration to ludicrous speeds are what the M6 thrives for.
76 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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“...this is no ordinary M6”
Only 220 units have been made for worldwide sales, 100 of which are destined for the U.S. It’s slightly more expensive than the M6 Competition Package, but it’s worth it for two separate reasons. First of all, the sheer amount of upgrades alone is worth the extra money. And second, with only 220 units worldwide, you can bet that at some point in the future this will be an extremely valuable and collectable car. One which doesn’t depreciate.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 77
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78 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS WORDS: TAREK HAWCHAR / PHOTOS: NATALI LEONOVA
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 79
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W
hen the brief came across my desk regarding the MINI John Cooper Works, the name, written in haste by a busy co-worker, had been butchered down to read Mini John Cooper. I was momentarily flummoxed because I once knew a playground despot by the name of John Cooper and he was anything but miniature. Memory has a way of shading ancient history, but in my mind the John Cooper I knew could grow a full beard by the age nine and carried himself like a character from Game of Thrones. Luckily I put it together in a matter of minutes, John Cooper as in John Cooper Works, the sport tuning division of MINI, now wholly owned by BMW and oft abbreviated as JCW. The thought that initially flashed across my brain: “flee!!” gave way to a new thought: “drive!”
The MINI JCW might not stake out a claim for “the ultimate driving machine,” but it certainly is a driver-centric car, and one that readily out handles much of the hot hatch competition in the bends. With minimal overhang, the MINI’s wheel at each corner design shares a certain British iconography with Range Rover, (while looking totally different) but also places each wheel squarely in the corner, giving the MINI the balance to attack the curves with dogged spirit. Form follows function, giving what some might see as a slightly quirky looking car the ability to turn heads with performance as well as personality.
“The Ultimate Driving Machine”
80 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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The power plant picks ups where the MINI Cooper S left off, using the same twin-scroll turbocharger, petrol direct injection and variable valve control based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC system (a nice bunch to share technology with). MINI uses throttle-free load control technology to make the engine both more responsive and more efficient. Underneath the JCW logo manifold cover, MINI’s 2-litre four-cylinder engine boasts aluminum cylinder block and bearing mounts reinforced pistons, a high-strength cylinder head and low-weight crankshafts, all in a package tuned to JCW’s exacting specifications. MINI fills the exhaust valves with sodium to help compensate for the added heat of a turbocharged engine, while intake camshaft features infinite phase adjustment. JCW’s custom exhaust system both sounds and looks great, with polished stainless steel twin tailpipes glinting in the Dubai sun, and the turbocharger goes the extra mile, producing greater charge pressure than the engine in the already formidable MINI Cooper S Coupe. All told, the car produces an ample 231bhp, enough to give the little car plenty of push.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 81
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“The MINI Cooper JCW is simply a stylish, small, and mighty car that performs well and look great” Until recently, the MINI JCW was something of an old school dream, combining its Austin Powers aesthetic with a six-speed manual gearbox that JCW has tuned to perfection. Now, a new, optional six-speed automatic gearbox with Steptronic function is on offer in the JCW line, giving the clutch pedal adverse plenty to think about. Like all performance transmissions worth their salt, the new MINI 6er offers a pair of paddles for 21st century driving, as well as manual control at the shifter, should old habits die hard. Standard spec in all JCW offerings includes the Sport Button, affording tuneable steering and throttle response. Hit the Sport button and the exhaust comes alive as well, popping and crackling from the JCW-specific exhaust system when you take your foot off the throttle at high rpms and commanding appreciative grins from Dubai’s car crazy public as you troll Beach Road. The JCW package further compounds powerful brakes bespoke light-alloy wheels and racing stripes, lest anyone think you’re not sufficiently sporty. The John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit is also a standard option, ensuring not only that the air flows smoothly over this furious little car, but also that it looks extra, well, furious.
82 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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There’s also Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) included with John’s namesake, which is more or less an electronic limited slip differential. IF you’re feeling bold (preferably on a closed track with plenty of runoff) EDLC comes alive with MINI’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system disabled. With DSC off, the EDLC works overtime coming out of the corners, pitting your front brakes against the full might of 231 horsepower engine, and helping to mitigate torque steer, an inevitable side effect of combining front-wheel-drive with ample horsepower. It’s a nice compliment to the JCW’s laudable turn-in, copious grip, and a suspension that balances comfort and performance quite well. Or, if you want your MINI as stiff as possible, there’s an optional suspension upgrade available too. The MINI Cooper S JCW is simply a stylish, small, and mighty car that performs well and looks great.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 83
K N OW T H E C A R
KNOW THE CAR JAGUAR F-TYPE R / LEXUS LX570 / MERCEDES MAYBACH 6 / VOLVO XC90
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CAR THIS MONTH
KN OW TH E C AR
K N OW T H E C A R
Hard R THE F-TYPE R IS NOT FOR CHILDREN Words Tarek Hawchar / Photos: Natali Leonova
KN OW TH E C AR
E
nzo Ferrari himself described the E-Type, as “the most beautiful car ever made” and it’s hard to argue with his thinking. But ten things went a little sideways. Jag made some great execu-sleds in the meantime, packed with ample power and style, but there’s been a bit of a cloud over the marque’s head since the Ford debacle, and what better way to shrug off the Americana blues than by making a proper British sports car… again. In 2013 the F-type marked the return of the predatory cat, and this gorgeous front-engine, rear-wheel drive Jag has clearly been sharpening its claws with an eye towards Teutonic rivals. It’s not so much a E-Type reboot, which they wisely avoided claiming with the name change, as a an extension of the E-Type’s legacy. Consider, for example, that the E Type’s designer Malcolm Sayer cut his teeth designing planes, so perhaps it’s not surprising that he was
88 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
the first designer in automotive to bring the complex aerodynamic design approach of aviation to motoring, prefiguring the modern day CFD systems (computational fluid dynamics) that help today’s cars (like the fantastic F-Type) slip through the air. Lowering myself down into the cockpit of the R I was greeted by surprisingly generous headroom and an unobstructed view afforded by the gargantuan, pillar-less side windows. You can’t help but feel slightly privileged the moment you plant your rear in the F-Type’s Performance seats, with their inflatable side-bolstering and jutting wings put in place to grip the driver during high-speed cornering. That feeling is only enhanced when you finger the start button, firing up the muscular feline’s 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, delivering seering performance and driver experience.
K N OW T H E C A R
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 89
KN OW TH E C AR
This car devours the twisting tarmac like Pac Man, even with its 1,745 kg kerb weight— F-Type added Jag’s Electric Power Assisted Steering in recent years and despite the requisite complaining about that move, the car feels pointed and sharp, like a surgeon’s scalpel. The change also trimmed 4g CO2/km from JLR’s EU combined cycle so it’s not as if they don’t have a good reason for modernizing. Jag has worked hard to ensure that F-Type’s AWD system is a winner, governing the system with their Intelligent Driveline Dynamics control (IDD). “IDD allows us to provide ‘torque on demand’ – only delivering torque to the front wheels when it’s required to enhance traction” said Russ Varney, Vehicle Programme Director, Sports Cars for Jaguar. “That means we get great steering precision and the efficiency of a rear-drive car, but with additional traction via the front wheels precisely delivered to match the driver’s demand, the road surface and the driving situation.” The upshot is, it works, and it does so really well. AWD sports cars aren’t for everyone, but this is one of the better examples.
90 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
The mighty V8 produces 680Nm of torque and 550PS— all that raw power translate into a head-snapping 0-100kph time of 4.2 seconds, running all the way up to 300kph. This copious reserve of speed is paired with laser-honed capability and intuitive, if rather laissez-faire, driving dynamics. Traction control and stability control are present, naturally, they just give you plenty of room to really feel what this sports car is capable of and more or less expect you to know what you’re doing in return. The R is equipped with Jag’s second-gen electronically controlled differential and the Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVbB) which JLR created specifically for this car but now offers on all models. TVbB avoids understeer by selectively braking the inside wheels, which helps hold an ideal line but can also keep the car stable under extremes— Jag uses the example of an emergency lane change.
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This R is perhaps less forgiving than its siblings, although not disconcertingly so. A set of high-strength, hydro-formed aluminium beams in the roof rails help see to that sizable increase, but this is every bit a Jaguar to be sure, meaning you could drive it every day. It’s also quite keen to scratch up your local track.
the tapered windows to create an effect that is partly recognizable, but also, something new. The F-Type coupe looks bruising and aggressive— the most villainous of its good-to-be-bad stablemates. At the same time, athleticism and luxurious refinement, hallmarks of Jag, are present in every element of this beautiful and terrifying car.
According to Jaguar, the R versions of the car are 4.3 per cent stiffer at the front and 3.7 per cent stiffer at the back. In our experience the R transfers takes potholes and ruts a bit more personally than the S. So while it’s slightly more jolting as a daily driver, the track ability more than makes up for that disparity in the right kind of driver.
If you don’t like the F-Type R, we have a timely medical suggestion for you: check your pulse. What’s that? You still have one? Good, then go out and drive this superlative car— we’re confident you’ll come to appreciate it.
One thing you won’t be able to stop: people turning their heads for a longer look at the ride as it passes by. The arcing roofline meets
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Loving Lexus DOING DUBAI IN THE DESERT BUSTING LX 570
Words Adel Habib / Photos: Malek Fayoumi
92 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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he 2016 Lexus LX 570 looks like it’s half cylon and half rhinoceros and, since not all of you watch both Battlestar Galactica and Animal Planet, allow us to clarify: it’s a compliment. The redesigned SUV looks better than ever with its modern grille and an overall sense of stability driven by the car’s muscular lower portion. The new SUV offers adjustable drive modes, allowing the drivers to select drive modes suitable for the situation, or matching their preferred driving styles. While the Comfort mode gives them the smoothest ride, and Sport and Sport+ increasingly firm up the suspension and steering, the Eco mode does its best to enhance fuel efficiency by controlling the vehicle characteristics to suit Ecofriendly driving.
Also available from Lexus for the first time are 21-inch aluminum wheels. The combination of machine-cut highlights and metallic grey, and the addition of a new center ornament, together generate a luxurious feel. The LX’s highly functional interior exudes a luxurious feel through the juxtaposition of such contrasting materials as metal, leather and wood grain. The horizontally positioned instrument panel enables the driver to easily assess the position and stance of the vehicle, a core requirement for any true SUV.
Lexus Safety System + is new to the LX 570 and it aims to prevent accidents while enabling the driver to cruise confidently and safely. The package includes a pre-crash system with pedestrian detection, all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beam. “The new luxury LX represents the latest Lexus’ design direction, expressiveness and performance,” said Chris Buxton, General Manager of Lexus Sales at Al-Futtaim Motors. “The new vehicle continues to up the ante of the luxury SUV driving – thanks to its new styling, performance, technology and luxury features,” He added: “With the new LX offering distinctive design, first-class environment, unmatched comfort, and outstanding performance, coupled with the best aftersales experience we provide at AlFuttaim Motors, we are confident that this vehicle will further solidify its leading position in the luxury SUV segment in the UAE.” maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 93
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A new interior atmosphere has been created by separating the display zone from the operation zone and incorporating remote operation devices such as the Remote Touch Interface. The new, larger 12.3-inch navigation screen can show several view combinations to help aid the driver, while a larger, 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display screen has been installed on the new, high-visibility Optitron meter. The LX 570 puts more information directly into the driver’s line of sight with the newly available Head-up Display (HUD), which shows information such as vehicle speed, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, warnings, information icons, and more. The 2016 LX 570 is designed to please passengers. The Rear Seat Entertainment System uses dual 11.6-inch screens in place of the former 7.0-inch screens. The luxury touches continue with the Lexus-exclusive Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound Audio System. This
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premium sound system combines high performance, high output amplifiers with an exclusively developed 19-speaker system configured with two channels. The LX also has a navigation system that can now display a 1280x480 sized image which enables switching between a full-screen or an 8-inch display of the map. The LX is also available with Lexus’ advanced climate concierge concept. In addition to the 4-zone independent automatic temperature control, Lexus Climate Concierge meticulously controls the seat and steering wheel heaters, to which the occupants come in direct contact, in order to achieve comfort that can be felt with the whole body in each seat. An ECO air conditioning mode has also been added which when activated suppresses cooler and heater operation to contribute towards power consumption reduction.
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In terms of the front seats, a 10-way power seat for the driver along with an 8-way power seat for the passenger is available to allow for seat adjustment with a reclining, fore-aft slider, vertical adjuster, lumbar support, cushion front tilt, and cushion length adjustment. The 2nd-row seat has a one-touch tumble structure that can fold down the 40 split seat on the front passenger’s side with one operation. The 3rd-row seat is available as a semi-power and fullpower seat designed to increase space, and when necessary, the seat can be folded to increase cargo space. For the seats, a pre-tensioner and 2-stage force limiter mechanism has been adopted for the front seatbelts while 3-point ELR seatbelts have been adopted for all the second and third row seats.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 95
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The Ultimate in Luxury
Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
96 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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very August classic car fans from around the world converge on Pebble Beach in California for a very special beauty contest. This gathering of magnificent classic cars is the perfect place to premiere the exclusive Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, a sensational luxuryclass coupé. The 2+2-seater is a homage to the glorious age of the aero coupés and consciously carries this tradition forward into the future. The coupé reinterprets classic, emotional design principles in an extreme way, following the Mercedes design philosophy of sensual purity. The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, which measures almost six metres in length, is designed as an electric car. The drive system has an output of 550 kW (750 hp). The shallow underfloor battery allows a range of over 500 kilometres according to the NEDC (over 200 miles according to EPA). The large coupé is set to make its debut at Monterey Car Week, which will take place on the Monterey Peninsula between 16 and 21 August 2016. The final event on 21 August will be the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance. With its sensual, emotional design (“hot”) and intelligent
details (“cool”), the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 represents the ultimate in luxury. The classic aesthetic proportions of the show car - the extremely long bonnet, the low roof line and the rearward positioning of the greenhouse - recall the aero coupés of days gone by. But this is not retro design - this is a reinterpretation of classic, aesthetic principles. At the same time the design is something unexpectedly new - cool, technoid and reduced. This is exemplified by the aerodynamically intelligent basic shape. Even without aids such as spoilers, the airflow hugs the contours of the vehicle body and only breaks away very late at the tail end of the vehicle. Then there is the surprisingly technoid character of the narrow lights, the partially transparent rims and the split rear window. “Our sensational Coupé, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, represents the ultimate in contemporary luxury. It is hot and cool”, states Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Daimler AG. “With its intelligent appeal and reduced, technoid look, it perfectly embodies our design philosophy of sensual purity and our pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency”.
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Reinterpretation of classic, aesthetic principles: the exterior design Clearly defined contours and organically formed wings stand in contrast to the sharply drawn, extended feature line on each side which defines the upper vehicle body from the radiator grille across the entire length of the vehicle to the rear. Below this, the main body has a bulging, muscular look, extending across the entire flank. There is also a striking contrast between the Maybach red paintwork and the chrome strips which sit above the wheel arches and in the centre of the bonnet and boot lid. A reinterpretation of the Mercedes-Maybach radiator grille with its fine, vertical struts
accentuates the front end. The grille was inspired by a pinstriped suit. The radiator grille rests on two aerodynamically shaped supports on the outer right and left of the bumper.
underline the sporty character of the vehicle’s silhouette and feature innovatively designed aluminium trim. The exterior mirrors designed as cameras are supported on the wings.
The distinctive 24-inch wheels are a development of the aero rim from the Concept IAA (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile). A transparent shield in the vehicle colour provides a view of the aluminium spokes behind it.
The extended, round “boat tail” format of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6’s rear recalls a luxury yacht, and narrow tail lights which emphasise the width of the vehicle are integrated in its outer edges. Above this sit the two extremely shallow rear windows (“split window”). Further distinctive features at the rear include the diffuser with aluminium frame and the air outlets behind the wheel arches.
A further highlight is provided by the gullwing doors, a hallmark Mercedes design element which has been brought up to date. They
Luxurious 360° lounge featuring new materials: the interior design The interior of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is a synthesis of intelligence and emotion and combines traditional Mercedes-Benz values with a new high-tech experience. The dashboard wing curves across the door trim into the seat landscape, creating a 360° lounge. The new “inside out” spatial design adds a particular touch of finesse. The sitting surface forms a horizontal, which transitions into the vertical of the doors and finally becomes the underside of the dashboard wing. In addition to the flowing contours, the material composition produces a luxury experience of the highest order. Authentic materials and colours such as rose gold are used to create luxurious accents. The interior, with its high-quality leather trim, has a cool colour scheme which perfectly underlines the digital innovations. The sitting surfaces have a Chesterfield look. In the doors and dashboard the traditional wood trim softens the appearance of the digital control and display interfaces. As a contrast to the digital world of the displays, elm is used in the floor area, creating a refined yachting look. Elm is the palest open-pore wood which Mercedes-Benz is currently working on for series use. In the front luggage area of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is a set of two suitcases, exclusively created for the vehicle. Here too the designers have followed the sensual, pure design idiom of Mercedes-Benz. Plenty of space has also been provided for further additions such as picnic accessories or personal items. 98 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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Dipping into the future: a fusion of analogue and digital experience Ever since Mercedes-Benz invented the car 130 years ago, driving has been a source of enjoyment and delight. With the increase in digitisation comes a simultaneous need for sustainable analogue solutions, the design of which has been emphasised and in places exaggerated in the concept car. In the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 this can be seen above all in the “hyperanalogue” instruments with needles and circular, crystal-look displays. The classic circular instruments are combined with deep displays and act as a reference to the unique history of Mercedes-Benz. In contrast, other display elements are digitally integrated into a continuous glass trim part. Information about the seat, for example, can be shown on this digital strip. Map information is also shown in the front area of the strip. Menu content is extended along a digital line which extends to the sides as far as the occupants, who can set their own content ergonomically using touch control. The front windscreen serves as a transparent display: driving-related data and geographical information is shown across its full width, augmenting the outside world with additional information. This information can be controlled and adjusted by the occupants using gestures. The luxury padded leather upholstery is a particular highlight. Its traditional look is combined with future technology here - the buttons which would normally be trimmed in leather have been replaced in the upholstered surfaces by miniature “body sensor displays”. These scan the passengers and monitor, for example, their vital functions. As a result, comfort features such as seat climate or the massage function, for example, can be activated or the seat settings adjusted to the passenger. The sensors embedded in the upholstery also record the incidence of light, the colour of the occupant’s clothing and the ambient temperature. This information can be used to trigger new, emotional lighting effects in the interior. The concept car aims to embody the ultimate in luxury, and this is underlined by the fact that the driver can switch to digital/autonomous mode. Another highlight is offered by the floating, transparent centre tunnel, which visualises the drive system’s electrical energy flow for the occupants.
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Emission-free driving: electric drive system generating 550 kW (750 hp)
Vision: add an extra 100 kilometres to the range in just five minutes
The side sills, illuminated by LED light strips, clearly underline the fact that the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is designed as an electric car. Thanks to its four compact permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, it features all-wheel drive. The output of the drive system, which is currently in series development, is 550 kW (750 hp). The shallow underfloor battery has a usable capacity of approx. 80 kWh. This not only allows performance characteristics typical of a sports car (acceleration from 0-100 km/h in under four seconds, top speed electronically governed at 250 km/h) but also a range of over 500 kilometres according to the NEDC (over 200 miles according to EPA).
The quick-charge function is also visionary: as a result of DC charging based on the CCS standard, the system allows an impressive charging capacity of up to 350 kW. In just five minutes enough power can be charged to achieve an additional range of around 100 kilometres.
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The battery can either be charged via a cable connection at a public charging station or a conventional domestic outlet or, for even more convenience, it can be charged wirelessly, via an electromagnetic field.
The wow effect: visionary show cars with long-term prospects With its impressive dimensions, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 (length/width/height: 5700/2100/1328 millimetres) is the first luxury coupĂŠ in the series of visionary design show cars from Mercedes-Benz. These include the Vision EnerG-Force (Los Angeles, November 2012), AMG Vision Gran Turismo (Sunnyvale, 2013) and Vision Tokyo (Tokyo, 2015). Thanks to the global nature of the Mercedes-Benz Design function, these concept vehicles take cues from local trends in design, culture and mobility and make these the focal point of the respective mobility concept. At the same time these show cars are looking far into the future.
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Mercedes-Maybach: perfection blends with exclusivity Mercedes-Maybach stands for the ultimate in exclusivity and individuality. The target group is made up of status-oriented customers. The current vehicles include the MercedesMaybach S 500 and S 600 models, launched in February 2015, which blend the perfection of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with the exclusivity of Maybach. A special protection version, the Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Guard, is the world’s first passenger car to meet the highest ballistic protection level for civilian vehicles, VR10. The most recent model is the MercedesMaybach S 600 Pullman with face-to-face seating. Launched at the beginning of 2016, it adopted the mantle of absolute top-of-the-line model.
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Volvo XC90 SWEDES IN ASCENDANCE Words Adel Habib / Photos Malek Fayoumi
102 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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s a motoring journalist, one becomes accustomed to, but not inured by the beauty of the Spanish coastline. I wonder if the same is true of XC90 owners and their SUVs? The XC90 isn’t a bling laden mass market SUV dressed up in leather and tech, it’s an full on new car with a familiar name, and this Volvo has the new platform, suspension, electronics and driver interface to prove it. Look closer and you’ll see that the badge has been reinvented and the powertrains are new as well, so you can see it’s a cosmetic and mechanical reinvention of the car. And about that aesthetic— if you’re sitting there wondering if the XC90 doesn’t look a bit like a Volvo Estate on stilts, well, yeah that’s probably part of the point— as stated above, it’ll be long time yet before the Volvo wagon stops being emblematic of Swedish motoring— apologies to Saab and Koenigsegg. This SUV is suitably large without and within, with three rows of comfortable seating, and yet even more storage (albeit not for people, or not any that you like) behind that. And, if you’re not toting around seven humans, the cabin is incredibly configurable, with the ability to slide, recline, fold, and otherwise bend to your will in order to accommodate whatever it is you want to haul from the mall, or to the beach.
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In 1958 Nils Bohlin, who previously designed ejector seats for Saab fighter jets, was hired by Volvo as their chief safety engineer, a then new position created after a relative of CEO Gunnar Engelau’s perished in a car accident. The next year, Bohlin revolutionized automotive safety by introducing the three-point harness safety belt, helping establish what became one of the brand’s key differentiators. In keeping with their legacy of safety conscious engineering, Volvo has spent more than half a decade engineering these safer, more streamlined seats, which are both friendlier to leg room (with less mass in the seat back, there’s more legroom for the person behind you) and extremely pleasant to sit in. There’s no bad seat in the house here, and the thoughtful ‘theatre’ positioning helps afford each passenger an improved view. If you’re wondering how Volvo made room for all that seating, the answer (in part) lies under the bonnet. The XC90 only accommodates four-cylinder engines, which helps with crash safety due to a shorter front overhang, and also looks great. This is a greener Volvo we’re seeing here, sipping petrol (they were never particularly admired for their six-cylinder engines anyway and we still find fives a tad off putting) and the new platform was thus enhanced for interior accommodation.
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In 1958 Nils Bohlin, who previously designed ejector seats for Saab fighter jets, was hired by Volvo as their chief safety engineer Despite how we might feel about it here in Petrol Town, the range topping XC90 is the T8 hybrid, which combines electric and conventional motors to produce a combined 400bhp and 640Nm of torque, while handling the 0 to 100Kph jaunt in a healthy 5.9 seconds. It’s not going to give anyone whiplash (or an Oscar) at that rate, but it’s smooth and provides plenty of push for overtaking or merging— not that there was much call for that in Tarragona, where other cars were scarce. The blown four-cylinder is competent and not annoyingly laggy, and helps the T8 put up quite respectable numbers. That said, the T6, a 2.0-litre turbo without the electric motor is quite reasonable too, and perhaps more likely to be seen in abundance on these shores. The T6 is good for 320 bhp and 400Nm, managing the dash in 6.5 seconds— it’s lighter than the T8 too, naturally, weighing in around 2,078kg depending on options. The big XC90 handles well, albeit not as unflappably well as something like the track-ready BMW X6. But then, it’s larger and less sporty, so that’s as it should be. Nonetheless, the new chassis is quite capable, body roll is minimal and there’s no tendency towards outsized understeer. Think of it as a sort of high-riding wafter
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with a Swedish Chef accent. Our colleague, Paul Horrell thought his pre-production XC90 “needed a more progressive brake pedal and less nervous transmission calibration,” and we’re happy to report that, having given Volvo more time to refine things, the car we drove exhibited neither of these problems.
and handles the basics very elegantly, switching between the phone, navigation, climate and entertainment screens with ease, helping keep the driver’s focus where it should be; on the road. Not that you need do so often, as you have plenty of control over each from the main screen with it’s array of tiled apps.
This big-boned Swede excels at comfort, both in the driveway and on the road. We recommend the optional air suspension for a superbly smooth ride atop the 20-inch wheels that accompany the top trim level. Step up to the 21’s and things get a little less placid, but either would suffice for a run up to Jebel Hafeet, or the getaway spot of your choosing.
Choose an XC90 for your family (or just yourself, as the case may be) and you’ll be extremely comfortable and well looked after inside. You will also be quite safe, and that’s no small thing on our roads. Volvo is projecting zero fatalities in their cars by 2020 and so far, the data they’ve gathered since 2010 has them right on track. The legacy of Nils Bohlin is alive and well at the company, and Volvo studies real-world accidents in depth to augment the safety testing it does at its own facility. The car has a solid cage and a wide range of active avoidance systems, some unique. So much so that the outgoing XC90, now 12 years old, still tops many lists for safety.
Volvo’s new ‘human-machine interface’ is quite good too, it’s a powerful, tablet-inspired touchscreen to rival Tesla’s, with standard Satnav and Ericsson-based cloud solution included, as well as the ability to pair with your phone through either Apple Carplay or Android Auto. The system covers a huge range of configurable parameters throughout the car
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The XC90 may not match German performance, or British ride quality, but it does all those things well and manages to offer a third way to luxury that the American and Asian carmakers can only envy. OK, so they’re Chinese owned, but judging by the results this is a Swedish car with Chinese R&D money, and that’s a powerful combination. Only time can tell how the XC90 will do here, but so far orders have exceeded expectation globally and it feels good to see Volvo on a roll.
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NEXT XT5, WE PUT CADDY’S NEW CROSSOVER TO THE TEST IN BERLIN Words Adel Habib
108 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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“The new XT5 takes the lessons learned from Cadillac’s highly acclaimed lightweight and agile luxury cars and adjusts the formula for the unique desires of the crossover vehicle customer,”
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rriving in Berlin to drive a Cadillac is novel enough, but arriving there to drive the new XT5, which launches Caddy’s new crossover platform? That’s a new chapter entirely.
Climbing into the driver’s seat of the of the XT5 I had an unsettling thought; first class isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’d been bumped up to the loftiest echelon of flight only to be disappointed that my bulkhead seat guaranteed my inability to stretch out and get comfortable. Not so in the well appointed XT5: I was able to dial the leather-clad seat in exactly the way I like it, with plenty of room for a nap should the occasion arrive… note that I don’t generally drive in the supine position. Not only does the XT5 offer a cushy cabin, it also has room for five adults to ride in realtive comfort— a XL size grown up might not relish the centre rear position. On the whole, the cars capacity is pretty impressive, considering that doesn’t feel huge going down the road. Ride and handling are better than the SRX. As recent Camaro accolytes, we can tell you that GM’s new platforms have been quite impressive of late, and this all new chassis and structure definitely hits all t heirght marks. The new XT5 is126 kg lighter than the current SRX , and 45 kg lighter than the Audi Q5 – despite the Cadillac being almost 18cm longer. The
new XT5 is more than 295 kg lighter than the Mercedes-Benz GLEClass, achieving this with no compromise to body rigidity and crash performance. Rear-seat legroom is increased 8.1 cm in the XT5, compared to the SRX, although it’s a tad cozy for tall people. “The new XT5 takes the lessons learned from Cadillac’s highly acclaimed lightweight and agile luxury cars and adjusts the formula for the unique desires of the crossover vehicle customer,” says David Leone, Cadillac executive chief engineer. “Reducing mass and bulk not only improves driving dynamics, it enables us to improve interior space and fuel efficiency.” With a wheelbase that is 5 cm longer than the SRX, the XT% gets a wider track, enabling more useable interior space. At the same time, the XT5’s overall length, width and height are fractionally smaller than the SRX, giving the car a firmly planted stance, and a lean and sleek look. Boasting a healthy 310-horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, the new V6 uses variable valve timing for strong response and smooth power delivery. Cadillac’s new Stop/Start technology automatically stop and start the engine when the vehicle is at rest in traffic stops, saving fuel and reducing emissions, while enhancing the quietness expected of a luxury vehicle.
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The crossover is gear rich, with a new 8-speed automatic transmission as standard, debuting Electronic Precision Shift – the first electronically controlled transmission shifter for a Cadillac. Caddy says this new gizmo reduces noise and vibration, and allows further use of the cabin space with a storage space beneath the center console— we tend to beleive them after a spin. Athough not standard kit, the optiional “twin clutch” all-wheel drive system continuously and automatically delivers the best possible traction across a variety of conditions. The XT5 actively manages torque distribution between the front and rear axles, analyzing wheel speed, throttle and surface conditions to apply torque to the wheels that have the best traction. Cadillac’s evolving design language has never looked batter— the XT5 has a strong visual presence, a lean, taut, liquid quality to the surfaces with flowing, uninterrupted lines separated by crisp edges. “The XT5 has a great stance, with wheels further to the corners and overhangs reduced,” said Andrew Smith, Cadillac executive director of global design. “Our team continues to evolve the design language of Cadillac. We believe that luxury crossover customers particularly focus on interior design and materials,” said Smith. “This design direction is predicated on modern craftsmanship and the artistic integration of technology.” Inside the XT5, surfaces are wider and more horizontal in orientation, emphasizing efficient use of space. Like all Cadillac models, the interior is assembled with cut-and-sewn wrapped panels, rather than molded surfaces typical of cheaper rides.
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“Our focus for the interior was sophistication and simplicity, ensuring an economy of lines to reduce visual noise and clutter,”
“Our focus for the interior was sophistication and simplicity, ensuring an economy of lines to reduce visual noise and clutter,” Smith said. “A feeling of space is the ultimate luxury, so we sought to emphasize that. We also use a greater variety of authentic materials and palette of colors to deliver expressive interiors in all trim levels.” XT5’s new suspension features lightweight components with a MacPherson Strut design in the front and a five-link independent design at the rear. The base model, which is anything but basic, includes 18-inchers with 20-inch wheels optional. All versions equipped with 20-inch wheels have a Continuous Damping Control system to manage ride control in real time. Additional ride bushings on the rear cradle are exclusive to the XT5 Platinum model and are specifically tuned to provide added ride comfort for rear seat passengers.
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Caddilac has a good job putting together an SUV that is both practical and highly appealing to our region, a place that is surely the last bastion for largish cars. Not that their aren’t bigger cars out their, the XT5 is downright sprightly compared to the occasional Ford Excursion out on the road— but than, they don’t make those anymore (much to the regret of approximately 10 people). Ultimately, reviews are only so useful, so if you’re keen to find out whether you’re an XT5 fan by nature, I suggest you head down to the dealership and decide for yourself.
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AUDI Q2
AUDI’S CROSSES OVER TO THE SMALL SIDE Words Sidharth Saigal
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urich, where we drove the Audi Q2 may be neutral territory, but instead my mind was in Moscow, at least thematically. For a long time now, the crossover has been the Russian Doll of vehicle segments— with a Q7, Q5, Q3, and now the upcoming Q2; Audi has mastered a Putinapproved expansion. Still, this move to scale their SUV/crossover line is predicated on success, which is no doubt how Audi came to ask: What do you do when you’ve sold 400,000 crossovers since the model’s introduction in 2011, but the merciless advance of time and design aesthetic require a make over? Keep it simple— make a car that is at once more appealing but clearly capitalizing on the successful design of the outgoing model. Such is the tale of the Audi Q2, which has reached its middle years by industry standards, and gets a revise because, well, that’s just how this game works. But why worry about, er, why this is happening when it’s clearly a good thing. The model gets engine updates for added more power and improved efficiency, the headlights and taillights are more LED bedazzle than ever, and a ‘3D effect’ frame gives the front grille a but more premium appeal.
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The top tier engine is a 2-litre TFSI petrol producing 190bhp while employing cylinder deactivation to beat the ever-narrowing restrictions on emissions and consumption. Under cruising conditions, two of the four cylinders sit out as long as possible, waiting at standby for more throttle demand. This tech has appeared elsewhere in the broad family of VW group offerings, and works a treat. 1.0L and 1.4L powerplants are also on offer. Whatever power plant, we highly recommended the optional sevenspeed paddleshift ‘S tronic’ gearbox, which greatly adds to the joy of driving this little crossover. With the S tronic, the car’s punchy mid range torque is always on tap, allowing you to stay out of the upper register (where this and all turbos fear to tread). While we enjoyed the S tronic and quattro iterations, it’s also worth pointing out that the six-speed manual (90% of GCC drivers just stopped listening) is very good and the front wheel drive Q2 is firmly planted, forcing you to really over reach before the quattro version differentiates itself.
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Audi worked on the Q2’s suspension with an eye towards improving both handling, low body roll and excellent overall comfort. With Drive Select, the driver can adjust the optional active dampers to taste— a particular favourite feature here at BBC TopGear Middle East. Wheels are available in 16 to 19 inch variations in diameter, and we say the bigger the better.
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ROA D T R I P
Inside the Q2 is inviting and solid, it has that signature Audi styling, but isn’t quite as aesthetically compelling as some of the newer models— I suppose that’s no shock, really— this is a refresh, not a ground up redesign. The MMI multimedia system, for instance, has its controls on the dash, which we found a tad more distracting and less ergonomic than the transmission tunnel setup offered in some of the larger Audis. The crossover offers decent enough space at all five seating positions, but not everyone will love the backseat depending on how long their legs are. Behind the tailgate is a large luggage
compartment with lots of space for sports equipment or plenty of shopping items. A power opening and closing tailgate is available as an option. A practical feature is a through-loading facility in the rear bench seat that makes it easy to transport skis or shelving. All in all, the Q2 doesn’t fit the typical GCC SUV mold, e.g. that bigger is always better. But then, the times they are a changin’ and if you’re looking for a smaller crossover that can hold it’s head high, perhaps the Q2 is worth a look.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 119
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 121
Centenario Roadster Has 770 Horsepower of Open-Top Ferocity
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maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 123
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his is the Lamborghini Centenario Roadster. It’s more than $2.2 million and only 20 will be made. And they’ve all been sold already. Nevertheless, Lamborghini unveiled this automotive masterpiece at Pebble Beach, following the debut of the coupe version earlier this year. The naturally aspirated V12 puts out 770 horsepower and that makes it, along with its nearly identical coupe brother, the most powerful Lamborghini ever. The name celebrates what would have been the hundredth birthday of its founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini, and is meant to deliver “the freedom of a true open-top super sports car for a pure drive experience,” said Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“The freedom of a true open-top super sports car for a pure drive experience” Stefano Domenicali - Lamborghini CEO 124 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 125
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“Clean surfaces, Superb reflections and an ethos of Form Follows Function...” 126 OCTOBER 2016 / maqinaonline.com
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maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 127
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The company says the car represented a new design direction for Lamborghini, with “clean surfaces and superb reflections” and an ethos of “form follows function.” If bedroom wall posters are still a thing, I think the Centenario Roadster would be perfect for the job.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 129
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T
he rule of three, or “omne trium perfectum” as it was first written in Latin, supposes that everything that comes in threes is perfect. As to whether it’s an old wives tale or a rule to bank on you’ll have to be your own judge – but when it comes to this devilishly delicious, race-inspired MV Agusta Brutale RR – also known as the ‘AgoTT’ – the threes just keep piling up. Built at The Deus Emporium of Postmodern Activities in Venice, California by design director Michael “Woolie” Woolaway, the build was commissioned by MV Agusta as a homage to the marque’s rich racing heritage to really capture the spirit of Tourist Trophy racing of the 60’s and 70’s. So from a man who’s built bikes for Orlando Bloom, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel, comes a bike in honour of the greatest motorcycle racer of all time, Giacomo Agostini. As you can see,
the number three represents more than just the triple cylinder engine that powers this red-hot ride. Much more. From its founding in Sydney ten years ago, Deus Ex Machina, the motorcycle, surf and clothing brand has expanded not only globally, but also exponentially. And from their Venice location, Woolie brings a distinctive old-school ‘Cali’ style to their builds. Growing up in Marin County in the Frisco Bay area, he was surrounded by cars and bikes from a young age – something which probably explains why he was capable of rebuilding a Briggs & Stratton engine at just nine years old. And with links to the movie industry, a racing background and a back catalogue of big builds, MV might have interviewed many big name builders for the project but Woolie was always the clear choice.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 131
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He’s also old enough to understand the brand’s racing heritage, too. “MV’s were not only the best looking motorcycles ever built, but they were also the ones to beat because they had the most amazing motors and a secret weapon — their chief tinsmith Primo Selotti,” says Woolie, recalling a conversation he had with fellow shaper Evan Wilcox. He was insistent the bike be a true racing tribute: no headlight, no blinkers and no compromises, and with a brand new Brutale RR up on the bench it was time to get down to business.
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With the plastics and the tank removed, a modern motorcycle presents many challenges including a host of electronics, fuel injection components and large airboxes to contend with. But that didn’t stop Woolie from meeting those challenges head-on. “I don’t have many resources in my shop. It is very small; the main work area is about 250 square feet and most of what I do is hand-made parts, just like the way the original bike was built.”
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“ He was insistent the bike be a true racing tribute: no headlight, no blinkers and no compromises �
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 133
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The front tubular trellis frame remains in place, but the subframe is gone and a totally new item, fabricated in-house from quality chromemoly, forms the bespoke rear support. Much of the electronic hardware is affixed to this new subframe, but its primary role is supporting the impressive tail section. A modern interpretation of the old design, the tail unit is like the proverbial Devil’s head, hand-crafted from aluminium with flowing lines to put the fear of God into all who would challenge her. To top it off, the aluminium base holds a custom seat with ‘AgoTT’ embossed in the hump support and old school press buttons to help secure it to the rear section. But to truly capture the MV feel of the classic TT era, it was always going to be the tank that would provide the most challenges and be the vital component of the build. And for a man who once skipped class to hang out in the metal shop, Woolie was born for the task of replicating the work of his predecessors “Selotti was from the airplane industry and was revolutionary in his gas tank shapes that not only looked great, but were super aerodynamic with ergonomics to fit the rider. They were only meant to go fast.” Shaped from seven individual pieces of aluminium and
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with all the challenges of contouring to a modern frame and creating the negative curves, this is without a doubt the hardest tank Deus has ever built. But what a result. The bodywork is completed with custom radiator shrouds featuring smooth NACA ducts and a front number plate, while the stock front fender has been filled for a smooth finish. Then it was time to lay down that bloody glorious MV Agusta red. If three means perfection, then a 798cc triple fitted to the RR version of the Brutale backs it up. many would have you believe that it is simply the best three-cylinder engine ever built for the street. And who are we to disagree? When Gary Johnson rode the 675 version at the Isle of Man TT in 2013, spectators would run to the fences to catch a glimpse of it in full flight and the experienced commentators giggled with joy at its beautiful, orchestral sounds. But add more cubes, a total of six injectors, a bonkers 13.3:1 compression and a counter rotating crank and you get 140 of the finest horses around galloping their way to a 13,200 rpm redline.
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“This is without doubt the hardest tank Deus has ever built” To extract that wicked sound, unleash some extra ponies and recreate the look of the stunning exhausts fitted to the original MV Agusta 350-4 race bikes, Woolie sourced 27 inch megaphones from Cone Engineering and SPD tubing. Then in his small workshop he hand-built a new exhaust system so beautiful, it alone is a piece of art worthy of a museum display. It’s then been topped it off with end caps from Cam at Roland Sands Design. The guys at MV then re-tuned the Eldor EM2.0 ECU with ride by wire technology, and the AgoTT has a red-hot motor to light a candle under even the most speed-jaded backsides.
Of course you can have all the power in the world, but as Woolie was creating a track focused machine, that means getting that power to the ground and holding big speed through the corners. Without a doubt, the RR is up to the task and with MV fitting all-new aluminium Marzocchi 43mm forks, the front end gets off to a flying start. The DLC coated forks are held in place by new custom triple clamps made by Durelle racing, who have a reputation for beautifully machined, lightweight parts.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 135
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Out back, the factory engineers had seen fit to add an all-new Showa rear shock, but only the best would do for Woolie and we all know what that means. Ohlins. With the giant Swedish firm not yet producing a unit for the RR, Ohlins USA hand-built a completely custom shock especially for AgoTT. Seriously. The factory CRC steering damper keeps the lightweight machine from shaking its head, but the new tank meant relocation to the side of the frame, so it made sense to switch it out for an even better Ohlins piece. To make the most of the handling, only one tyre would ever do; Pirelli Diablo Superbike slicks fitted to the gorgeous factory alloy wheels. And
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while you’d think that the factory Brembo brakes on board would do just fine, Woolie has a thing for the brilliant products from French firm Beringer and their full brake package is fitted front and back. The cast iron rotors and brilliantly machined calipers in red are their specialty, and you better believe they work. “This system in incredible to say the least,” say Woolie. Mounted up on the new LSL clip-ons from Spiegler, the Beringer levers look as though they’ve been taken straight from the MotoGP paddock. You’d shudder to think what they’re worth. Then it was back to the Italians for the foot controls, and a set of fully adjustable Rizoma rear sets makes clicking through the MV’s quick shifter an absolute breeza.
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The finishing touches to the build are all class and really do show Woolie’s dedication to bringing the personality of the classic race bike to life. The fuel tank and single Scitsu tachometer are secured with beautiful leather straps, crinkle paint adorns the upper triple clamp and instrument surround. There are lashing of red wherever the eye can see, and the Monza cap tops it all off while finally finding the new home it deserves. “The racing slicks are properly gummed up from some track time at Laguna Seca and Willow Springs raceway; it really feels like a Grand Prix bike, laser-straight and very responsive,” says Woolie.
“While testing it on the track, I didn’t want to go back to the pits,” he adds. We can believe that. It’s almost impossible to take your eyes off the killer combination of a historic motorcycle company, the graphic style that is Deus Ex Machina and the work of a true craftsman. Omne trium perfectum? You better believe it.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 137
BELL & ROSS BR-X1 RS16 AND BR-X1 RS16 TOURBILLON
GEAR
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Named after Renault’s new R.S. 16 race car for this year’s Formula One season, luxury watch brand Bell & Ross has released two limited edition timepieces in black & bright yellow: the BR-X1 RS16 and BR-X1 RS16 Tourbillon. Both watches feature 45 mm cases made of Carbone Forgé, grade 5 titanium and ceramic with rubber inserts, the brand’s emblematic rocker pushbuttons, and a water resistance of up to 100 m. The dials are grey-tinted sapphire crystals, boasting metal appliqué indices with Superluminova inserts, protected by antireflective sapphire crystals. Complete with straps made of woven rubber and carbon fiber, the BR-X1 RS16 is powered by a mechanical skeleton chronograph movement and is limited to just 250 pieces, while the other model packs a hand-wound flying tourbillon and is available as a 20-unit run.
Watches Clothing Shoes Gears Bags Tech
BATTERY CHARGER AND CONDITIONER The Maserati Battery Conditioner is the ideal accessory to protect your car battery, increasing its performance and lifetime. Simply apply it to the car battery and connect it to a power socket to maintain the battery charge at a steady level, ranging from 95 to 100%. The battery conditioner is extremely easy to use and does not need to be programmed before use. You may leave it connected for several months, without risking to damage the vehicle.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 AUGUST 139
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MODOBAG MOTORIZED LUGGAGE While it might seem as another product that contributes to obesity and laziness, the Modobag Motorized Luggage ($995) is a godsend for those with walking problems, for quick flight changes, or when you need a place to sit and all seats are taken. Fitted with lightweight Lithium batteries (80% charge in 15 minutes) and a belt-driven, high-torque 150 Watt electric motor, this rideable suitcase lets you zip through the airport (or campus, park, etc.) at a max 8 mph (12 km/h) for over 6 miles (~10 km) per charge. It has a thumb action throttle on its telescoping handlebars, custom high-performance Urethane wheels with sealed bearings throughout, a dual wheel braking system, quick release footpegs, memory foam seat, a chrush-proof laptop compartment, GPRS-GSM real-time tracking technology, and dual USB charging ports for juicing up your gadgets. Modobag’s lightweight aluminum chassis and ballistic nylon shell can handle a rider weight of up to 260 lbs (118 kg), while the interior space offered is about 85% of a traditional luggage of the same carry-on size.
OMEGA SUNGLASSES With designs inspired by a mix of classic silhouettes and details from the company’s timepieces, Omega Sunglasses are an ideal companion for your Seamaster. Available in a handful of designs, each pair is crafted in Italy, comes in a Zebrawood hard case, and has scratch-resistant, antireflective lenses. No matter which pair you buy, you’ll find they have subtle details that recall the company’s watches, such as crown-like hinges, metal-injected frames, and black finishes similar to the ceramic of the company’s Dark Side collection.
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TOD’S FOR FERRARI - SUEDE LEATHER CAVALLINO GOMMINO LOAFERS Tod’s for Ferrari Gommino loafers in smooth suede, with smooth contrast leather details, exposed hand stitching, vamp with burnished metal horse bit and textured leather and the iconic contrast colour rubber pebble outsole.
TOM FORD SOLEIL BLANC EAU DE PARFUM Remote Private Islands Where Summer Lasts All Year and One Day Seamlessly Blends into The Next Inspire Soleil Blanc, An Addictive Solar Floral Amber Alive with Seductive Refinement and Refreshing Decadence. Tom Ford`s Latest Private Blend Creation Unapologetically Exudes the Endless Pursuit of Sun and Luxury That Defines Tom Ford Soleil.
RM 11-03 AUTOMATIC FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH Since Swiss watch designer Richard Mille introduced the legendary RM 011 watch in 2007, it has maintained a top place in the world of superior fashion. With its visible inner workings and unique casing materials, Richard Mille has constantly updated the RM 011 collection to express the individual personalties and lifestyles of its wearers. Now, after 10 years of excellence, the RM 011 is being retired in favor of a new iteration of this exquisite timepiece. The RM 11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph ($TBA) continues the peak elements of time keeping perfection while evolving the look. The three-part tonneau case and satin-brushed grade 5 titanium upper bridge contrasts well with the movement. The design for the crown takes inspiration from Formula 1 competition wheel rims and the ribbed NTPT carbon pusher protectors emulate control pedals, while the heart of the timepiece (also inspired by the aerodynamic appendages of Formula 1 racing cars) is a complex variable geometry rotor. The classic visible workings have even greater exposure to showcase a newly designed variablegeometry rotor which allows for six possible inertia settings. The RM 11-03 also boasts a more slimmed-down and overall lighter frame. Its price? Definitely in sport-cars territory.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 141
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PORSCHE DESIGN PRESENTS UNIQUE HOME SOUND SYSTEM
SCULPTURAL ART MEETS TECHNOLOGY, SOUND, AND DESIGN
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he authentic appearance of a contemporary metallic sculpture - a sound experience that must be felt to be believed. Like the ignition of a Porsche race car paired with distinctive, iconic design – this is the latest innovation from Porsche De-sign. With the sonorous name Porsche Design “911 Soundbar,” the sports & luxury life-style brand is introducing a unique sound system for home entertainment that will make the hearts of men race. The core of this innovative architecture consists of the powerful rear section and the striking tailpipes of the current Porsche 911 GT3, re-purposed as sub-woofer to guarantee a very special acoustic experience for afi-cionados of music and sports cars alike. Not only that the unmistakable sound of a 911 GT3 starting is brought right into ones own living room, but it also creates a very unique music experience.
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Pointing the way ahead for the brand evolution of Porsche Design For the CEO of the Porsche Design Group, Dr. Christian Kurtzke, the “911 Soundbar” is indicating the way ahead for the evolution of the Porsche Design brand: “Our new exclusive timepiece collections and the “911 Soundbar” represent unique new product creations that embody the core of our brand, innovations in-spired by technology. Moreover, we recently launched a new luggage series to further strengthen our positioning in the segment of high quality travel accessories,” says Dr. Kurtzke. He summarizes the brand’s future positioning as follows: “Every-thing that drives men,” is the motto for the future. The previous approach in brand communication will give way to a new level of emotion. “Ultimately, the passion for technological innovations, for design expertise, and for supreme quality constitutes a significant component to our brand DNA, and that should be felt in our communi-cation as well,” explained Dr. Kurtzke. The new “911 Soundbar” will surely foster that goal and for sure create a lot of excitement.
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Distinctive sound experience When it comes to modern technology, the Porsche Design “911 Soundbar” is cutting edge: high quality 2.1 Virtual Surround System, 200-watt output, Dolby Digital De-coder, DTS TruSuround™, Bluetooth® 3.0 wireless technology, two digital inputs and one analog output, and an LED display are just a few of the numerous product features promising brilliant sound quality at home.
Pure authenticity In this first generation, the vehicle components surface has intentionally been left unaltered, with components assembled in their original form and design. Visible welds and contact points underscore masculinity, craftsmanship, and authenticity. The hovering metallic object on top of the matte black base makes the “911 Sound-bar” a contemporary sculpture for any place.
Similar to the Porsche 911 GT3, the rear section plays also an essential role in the “911 Soundbar” in generating the typical Porsche sound. Yet the highlight is that the function of the original parts is more or less inversed: contrary to a car, the rear section and tailpipes on the “911 Soundbar” are used as resonators and rearward sound is channeled to activate the air in the rear section’s “pipe system.” The result is an extremely high level of efficacy in the corresponding frequencies. In light of the air volume, this translates into a sound threshold that is deeper, quantitatively louder, and higher - simply put: “more power.” The Porsche Design “911 Soundbar”: high-end sports car components, cutting edge technologies, and puristic design combined into one single sound experience. This unique sound system will be available in select Porsche Design Stores in March 2016. Suggested retail price: $2,900.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 143
DASHBOARD
DASHING: MARKED BY UP-TO-DATENESS IN DRESS AND MANNERS
by Dr. Mary Abou Rached
DRIVING MANNERS
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ost of people spend a big part of their busy day driving their cars. They interact not only with their vehicles but with other drivers with different manners, cultures and nationalities. It is very well known that drivers must learn the traffic rules and guidelines. However, drivers must be willing to develop their skills in keeping patience and positive attitudes while driving.
DRIVING E T I Q U E T T E A ND M A NNE RS
Preparing yourself mentally for your cruise will allow you to be ready for the driving journey.
If you face any unexpected dilemmas or sudden problems and interruptions use your hazard light.
Leaving ahead of time will high likely keep you away from unnecessary stress because unexpected delay might happen due to several reasons (such as traffic, unexpected road diversions, accidents, etc.)
Call police/ ambulance in case of any emergency.
Be kind to other drivers and be patient with pedestrians, cyclists, children and motorists.
It’s a nice act if you greet back others while they give you priority to pass.
Be patient by allowing others to merge in.
It’s a safer and a nicer act when you turn on your signals and indicators to inform others about your intention to change the lane.
Do not damage someone’s car on purpose
Selecting the right type of music also can help you to have better concentration and to drive with ease.
Be well mannered and allow others to pass or go in front of you
Stay calm and cool while driving in order to stay highly concentrated and alert through your driving journey.
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BA D DRI V I NG M A NNE RS Driving too slow can cause rage to other drivers around you unless it is justified by harsh weather conditions
Rejecting to yield to the right side to give a way to other vehicles.
Do not get involved in an argument with other drivers
Driving too fast above posted speed limits
Talking on the phone, eating, drinking or texting are main factors of distraction while driving.
Do not insult other drivers even if they are clearly mistaken
Double parking can disrupt or block the traffic flow.
Don’t drive in a car’s blind spot. Having a non-genuine exhaust produces a loud noise/listening to loud music will reduce the capability to hear outside noise. Be attentive while driving.
Parking in a handicap parking zone
Do not double on the right lane.
Driving with high beams on increases the probability of having accidents due to the distraction that is caused to the oncoming vehicles. (it will blind other drivers) Changing lanes unexpectedly without use of signals will increase the probability of having accidents. You must signal your blinker 100 ft. before making your desired turn
Don’t use the honk or blink excessively to let other cars move faster. Prevent blasting the horn near to hospitals, schools or at inappropriate hours. Never involve yourself in inappropriate actions like spitting from the window or throwing garbage outside. Don’t stop to look at accidents or to take photos and videos as this is forbidden according to the Qatari law. (Stopping to take photos will not only invade others privacy but also it increases the risk of having another accident. Moreover it creates traffic jam where it delays ambulances and police vehicles to rescue.
Do not take more than one parking space
In addition to the requirements of driving: a high level of concentration, responsibility and knowledge of the laws. The driver should follow the driving etiquette and manners, because it would beneficial for everyone and allows having decent behavior and a smooth voyage.
maqinaonline.com / 2016 OCTOBER 145
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DRIVING ETIQUETTE AROUND THE WORLD The Americas and The Caribbean Drive On
Compulsory Seatbealt
Urban Speed Limit (mph/kph)
Highway Speed Limit (mph/kph)
Barbados
40/60
Brazil
40/60
75/120
Canada
24/40
62/100
Jamaika
31/50
Mexico
31/50
75/120
United States
30/48
80/129
Australia
31/50
81/130
China
31/50
75/120
40/60
75/120
Japan
24/40
62/100
New Zealand
31/50
62/100
40/60
75/120
Sri Lanka
31/50
75/120
Thailand
50/80
75/120
Egypt
40/60
75/120 ***
Morocco
40/60
75/120
Nigeria
24/40
62/100
South Africa
31/50
75/120
Tunisia
31/50
68/110
United Arab Emirates
30/48
87/140
Compulsory Day Time Running Light
Australasia and Asia **
India
**
Pakistan
Middle East and Africa
In New Jersey, It’s illegal to pump your own gas - an attendant has to do it for you
An international driver’s license isn’t required to drive in Brazil, but it helps at security checkpoints.
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In Canada, don’t overtake any school buses.
In Jamaica, if someone gives way to you, then toot the horn to say thanks.
In China, honking is In Thailand, driving a common nuisance. around while Keep cool and don’t shirtless is illegal. get road rage.
In India, cows have right of way on the road. Wait for them to pass or safely go around.
In Japan, accidentally splashing a pedestrian with puddle water can result in a fine.
In South Africa, if an oncoming car flashes its lights, it’s to warn of a police check, speed camera or accident ahead.
In the UAE, only use the fog lights during sandstorms or poor visibility.
International driver’s licenses are not recognised in Nigeria, so tourists need a Nigerian driver’s license to drive.
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Europe Urban Speed Limit (mph/kph)
Highway Speed Limit (mph/kph)
Austria
31/50
81/130
Belgium
31/50
75/120
Bulgaria
31/50
87/140
31/50
81/130
31/50
62/100
31/50
81/130
31/50
81/130 *
31/50
81/130
Irish Republic
31/50
75/120
Lithuania
31/50
81/130
31/50
81/130
Drive On
Czech Rep.
Den Mark
Cyprus France
Greece
Germany Hungary
Luxemberg
Italy
Netherlands
Compulsory Seatbealt
Malta
31/50
Norway
31/50
62/100
Poland
31/50
87/140
Portugal
Spain
31/50
75/120
Romania
Slovakia
31/50
81/130
40/60
68/110
Russia Sweden
Finland
31/50
75/120
Switzerland
Turkey
31/50
75/120
30/48
70/113
United Kingdom
Compulsory Day Time Running Light
* Recommended - no official speed limit ** Limited to front seat and for certain vehicles only *** On Ayn Sukhna road In Austria, using your horn around Vienna, and hospitals, may result in a fine.
In Cyprus, eating and drinking (even water) when behind the wheel is a finable offence.
In Poland, dipped headlights must be used at all times of year.
In Romania, it’s illegal to drive an ‘excessively dirty’ car.
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