Arabia Motors january 2017

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ISSUE 210 / JANUARY 2017

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CLASS OF ITS OWN Merc's AMG GLE450 Coupe

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SETTING THE PACE Jaguar F-Pace

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KTM DOES IT AGAIN KTM 1290 Super Duke GT

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THE M-POWER CHRONICLES WE CHECK OUT THE M-PIRE’S BADDEST MACHINES!

56

TESTS&DRIVES

48

CLASS OF ITS OWN MERCEDES GLE COUPE BREAKS TRADITION

52

SETTING THE PACE

COVER

STORY

78 52

F-PACE WELL WORTH THE WAIT

78

BACK TO THE FUTURE BRINGING 1992 INTO 2017

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KTM DOES IT AGAIN PUTTING THE SPORT IN SPORT TOURING

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FIRED-UP LEAVING LITTLE TO THE IMAGINATION

48

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94

Contents www.arabiamotors.co

arabiamotorsmagazine

34

38

86 102

90

98

FEATURES&DEPARTMENTS 14

MOTORING NEWS ALL THE LATEST AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

30

NEW CAR REVIEWS NEW METAL FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

34 E.K.KANOO DRAG AND DRIFT NIGHTS DRAG RACERS AND DRIFTERS PUSH THE LIMITS

38

DRAGMANIA BDRC ROUND 2

44

THE LAMBO LIFE INTERVIEW WITH ULTIMATE LAMBO INSIDER

82

AS GOOD AS NEW PRESTIGIOUS PORSCHE PANAMERA 4S

86

NATIONAL DAY PRIDE RIDE BRC MAKING A NATION PROUD

90

CLASH OF THE TITANS BSBK ROUND 2 AT BIC

102 AM GEAR THE COOLEST CAR STUFF THAT YOU NEED

8 www.arabiamotors.co / JANUARY 2017

44

The New 2017

The new 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser GXR with TRD features superior off-road capabilities and a sportier front. Enjoy the stylish interior and exterior enhancements while experiencing the power of the dynamic 4.6 Litre V8 Dual VVT-i engine. Whether you are navigating city streets, cruising the fast lane or driving through the open desert, just rule the road with unbeatable supremacy.

Sitra Showroom: 17 730 730 Toyota Plaza - Tubli: 17 787 888 www.toyota.com.bh

TEST DRIVE & TRADE-IN AVAILABLE

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ed page THE ARABIA MOTORS TEAM Editor-in-Chief SAMEER Z. UCHI

Magazine. I usually y Editor for Arabia Motors put De as e issu t firs my to Welcome me as Miss Arabia guys should come to know you but , ber Am of e nam ngs luxury. I am go by the d, with a penchant for all thi hea rol pet ing lov car a am I Motors. hair and nails done, ng out shopping, getting my goi like I l, gir ly gir l ica your typ n on the pedal ter then putting you foot dow bet g hin not is re the but partying down the straight revving up ready to shoot you ine eng y’s bab t tha g rin and hea n following my new tatic!!! Now if you have bee ecs e pur hhh Uh . eds spe at insane n get yourself following iamotors (if you haven’t the rab issa @m t oun acc ram Instag what we have coming up in eady have a rough idea of alr l wil you n the ) ly!! ate immedi this issue for you!! e been lucky enough M-POWER car issue; we hav W BM te ima Ult our is is Th M6. Unfortunately duction. From the M 2 to the pro in s car M5 all of d hol to grab can cope with the 5 we us. But I’m pretty sure you des allu l stil 1M us rio ste the my Read our test dives, enough to keep you going. be uld Sho . you for er off have on your pleasure. We have few dirty drifting pics…for a oy enj and and s iew rev driver borghini insider Sheikh ation from the ultimate Lam orm inf ry ust ind ret sec top some ves with the Mercedes well as my super fun test dri As an. eim Sul Al an ass Gh Yousif F-pace.

GLE coupe and the Jaguar se where you know pretty special. It’s one of tho n bee ’s nth mo s thi all, in All windows down, driving ’re cruising around Bahrain, you en wh , life in it de ma you’ve who needs a starboy? out the ‘Weeknd’ realising g rin bla sic mu , car me eso an aw rl! And I frikkin love it!!!

When in fact you’re a Stargi Deputy Editor

AMBER ROWE Contact us on: .com arabiamotors@maxmediaco

Group Editor MOHD. A. KAYANI Deputy Editor AMBER ROWE Sales & Marketing Director TAREK RASHDAN Senior Sales Executive Mohammed Bahar Production Manager / Art Designer SACHAN C. Photographer Haroon Rashid Produced by MAXMEDIA CO. W.L.L. P.O Box 108, Manama Bahrain. Tel: 973 17 402482 Fax: 973 17 402483 E-mail: arabiamotors@maxmediaco..com www. maxmediaco.com. ARABIA MOTORS is published monthly (12 issues) and has a GCC circulation of 15,000 copies.

It is available in all supermarkets and book stores across the GCC. If you cannot find our magazine in your area, please call +973 17402482. Annual Subscription to ARABIA MOTORS. Bahrain BD15 ($40.000) GCC Subscription is BD25 ($66.000) for 1 year. Foreign Subscription is BD35 ($93.000) for 1 year.

3 EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE e-mail: subscription@maxmediaco.com Online at www.maxmediaco.com Call +973 17402482, Fax +973 17402483 E-mail Us Your Motoring News! arabiamotors@ maxmediaco.com Anything to do with: Car Clubs, Races, Car Agents, Dealers, Tires, Associations, Engine Oils, Electronics, Motorbike, Boats, Jet-skies, Vehicle Rental, Accessories, Vehicle Loans & Insurance, Mobile Phones and more........

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MOTORING NEWS

Kanoo Motors Bags McLaren anoo Motors S.P.C., a leading high-end automotive retailer, officially inaugurated its McLaren Bahrain showroom next to the exclusive Moda Mall, at the Bahrain World Trade Centre. The prestigious event was opened

by McLaren Middle East Managing Director, Andreas Bareis, Kanoo Motors Chief Operating Officer, Stefan Moench and Head of McLaren Bahrain, Trevor Fletcher. Present were Kanoo Motors executives and members of the Press.

The opening follows the recent appointment of Kanoo Motors as the official distributor of McLaren Automotive in Bahrain, which was announced by McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer, Mike Flewitt and Kanoo Motors Directors, Ebrahim M. Kanoo and Talal F. Kanoo during an official ceremony held at the Bahrain International Circuit. The public can now view the range of luxury handcrafted Super and Sports Series cars from McLaren at the showroom, while aftersales care is available at a newly created facility located in Tubli, with technicians already fully trained by McLaren to ensure the highest standards of aftercare.

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MOTORING NEWS

Lambo’s New Dancefloor amborghini Bahrain celebrates the official opening of its new showroom in the Seef area, with a VIP event attended by more than 80 invited guests and media.

The showroom was inaugurated

by Christian Mastro, Automobili Lamborghini’s Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Sheikh Ghassan Al Sulaiman, owner of Automobili Lamborghini’s partner in Bahrain, Al Ghassan Motors.

The bespoke showroom covers 1100 square meters, displaying new Lamborghini models including the V12 Aventador and the V10 Huracán ranges as well as Collezione Automobili Lamborghini, the brand’s official merchandise collection. Designed in a style and quality with which the Lamborghini brand is synonymous, the showroom’s second floor is a dedicated area for the Lamborghini Club Bahrain, with a calendar of lifestyle events for owners including brunches, cruises, road-trips, casual get-togethers and driving activities. The larger showroom expands Lamborghini’s presence in Bahrain, complementing the 6500 square meter aftersales centre in Sanad, where owners’ cars are looked after by Lamborghinitrained technicians.

16 www.arabiamotors.co / JANUARY 2017

K TM 1290 SUPER DUK E R

PURE, RAW AND PROUDLY EXCESSIVE

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Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing and observe the applicable The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.

Photo: R. Schedl

Let the new LED headlight guide you as you embrace a hell of a ride on this heavenly creature. Packed with gut-wrenching performance and equally evil looks, this BEAST 2.0 clearly isn’t for the faint of heart. If you think you’ve got what it takes, challenge yourself to see what real power and precision can feel like.

MOTORING NEWS

Sporty IS Hits Town brahim K. Kanoo, sole distributor of Lexus in the Kingdom, announced the launch of the sportier new 2017 Lexus IS in Bahrain. The entire front fascia of the IS has undergone a dramatic transformation, highlighted by new headlamps, larger air intakes in the front bumper, and a daring evolution of the brand’s signature grill.

The reshaped hood appears more sculptural, with the raised centre portion flowing rearward from the top of the spindle grill and standard LED headlamps. The makeover also introduces two new colours, Deep Blue MC and Graphite Black. The IS boasts a 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces 306 hp and has an 8 Speed ECT

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Automatic Transmission with standard paddle shifters, which delivers exceptional power and fuel efficiency. Also available is the F Sport package, which includes an exclusive three dimensional F-mesh pattern, with jet-black metallic coating that is also used on the functional brake ducts. It also offers a revised front and rear suspension for a more engaging drive. Both versions feature 18-inch alloy wheels. The new model also offers a wider, more aggressive rear design. There is also a stronger sense of depth with three interlapping doted LED lights. The round shaped exhaust pipes have been updated to be more angular as part of the IS’s premium sports sedan evolution.

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MOTORING NEWS

‘The Peanut’ A Brand New Obstacle at the Land Rover Experience Bahrain

uro Motors, the exclusive importer and distributor for luxury automotive manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover in the Kingdom of Bahrain, announced the latest obstacle added to the Land Rover Experience called the ‘Peanut’ ahead of the Second Year Anniversary of the LRE which is scheduled to take place on 17th and 18th of February 2017 at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), Sakhir.

The ‘Peanut’ is an omnidirectional obstacle that would demonstrate the capability of many aspects of the vehicle like the

Beast of the Green Hell Around the Nürburgring in 7:10.9 minutes hrough the Green Hell in just 7:10.9 minutes – the Mercedes-AMG GT R was faster than any other road-going sports car ever tested.

Hence, the 430 kW (585 hp) “Beast of the Green Hell” more than lived up to its name. A circuit of the legendary Nordschleife, which ranks as the world’s toughest race track, is the ultimate test of a sports car.

And this exceptional race track, the Green Hell of the Nürburgring, is precisely where the Mercedes-AMG GT R has spent a large proportion of its development time. Numerous innovations and modifications bear witness that the road-going sports car has racing DNA in its blood. The foundations for such exceptional driving dynamics come courtesy of the front mid-engine layout with transaxle, a 430 kW (585 hp) V8 biturbo engine, extensively modified suspension, sophisticated aerodynamics, active rear-axle steering, bespoke tyres and intelligent lightweight design.

20 www.arabiamotors.co / JANUARY 2017

active traction systems, suspension articulation, tensional rigidity and side-slope adhesion. The obstacle has been professionally designed to provide exceptional in-car experience for drivers whilst putting on a thrilling show for spectators.

Located in the heart of the Sakhir desert within the grounds of BIC, the Land Rover Experience Centre Bahrain covers 3.5 kilometres of varying terrains such as sand, rock, hill and water landscapes. The LRE is open to customers, Land Rover loyalists and off-roading enthusiasts every day of the week, including weekends, from 8 am to 5 pm.

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MOTORING NEWS

Camaro ZL1 to Thrill Middle East Customers he 2017 Camaro ZL1 is poised to challenge the most advanced sports coupes in the world in any measure – with unprecedented levels of technology, refinement, track capability and straight-line acceleration.

The Camaro ZL1 is the most powerful Camaro in the model’s fifty year history and will go on sale in the Middle East in the first half of 2017.

Acceleration is delivered via a new supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine, with estimated 650hp. Its 0-100kph time is a mere 3.6 seconds, and it can complete the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds at a speed of 204 kph. It builds on the sixth generation Camaro’s segment leadership as the fittest in the segment.

The Camaro ZL1 is the first production car to use a new, advanced 10-speed automatic gearbox, which offers strong economy and performance benefits. It is also available as a six-speed manual.

Handling capability starts with the lightweight, stiff structure of the all-new sixth- Generation Camaro, married with Magnetic Ride suspension and an electronic limited-slip differential. Standard technologies include Driver Mode Selector, dual-mode exhaust and advanced connectivity features.

Cadillac appoints new MD for Middle East Christian Soemmer takes up mantle from Felix Weller, now VP of Cadillac Europe hristian Soemmer has been appointed as Managing Director for Cadillac Middle East. Soemmer is responsible for setting the luxury brand’s strategy and continuing its ambitious transformation plans across its 10 Middle East markets. He takes the reins from former Cadillac Middle East MD, Felix Weller who was appointed to the role of Vice President for Cadillac Europe earlier in the year.

Soemmer leads Cadillac after seven years with Audi Middle East, where he served most recently as Sales Director. The German national comes from an extensive sales and operational background in the premium automotive industry, having started his career with Daimler AG in Germany. Such experience is well suited to Cadillac’s ambitions as it continues a product offensive to more than double the number of models available in its lineup over the next five years.

Over the last two years, Cadillac has undergone a significant shift in direction – using sophisticated design, technology and an authentic attitude to appeal to independently minded individuals. The brand recently announced a 12 billion dollar investment to support its global expansion plans.

24 www.arabiamotors.co / JANUARY 2017

MOTORING NEWS

Ferrari President admits Mercedes blunder! ergio Marchionne started the 2016 Formula 1 World Championship season with naive expectations of grandeur, but a year down the road in which time he witnessed his team endure a woeful season, the Ferrari president has proved to be a quick learner by acknowledging that he was foolish to think his team were a match for Mercedes.

Speaking during the team’s annual Christmas function, Marchionne said, “We did not have a successful season, and in 2016 we made a fool of ourselves saying that we had already reached the level of Mercedes.”

“After a strategic mistake in the first race in Australia we started to see the crash. The real problem is that we did not improve, but Red Bull was able to evolve, and they did an incredible job between the first race of the year and the first half of the championship. You can hold me accountable and criticise me for it,” he added.

Regarding 2017 Marchionne said, “The team is giving its all and has a great will to win. We have restructured and I prefer to look to the future in a different way. I don’t regret the choices made, they were well thought out, so there’s no need to change ideas.”

“There are still many things missing, but the team is the team and it was put in place over a period of years and we’re not about to change it now. Our working practice is already different to what it was back in August, which is when Mattia Binotto took over the reins. The organisational change was also partly made to bring some calm. Put in the work and the results will come,” explained the Ferrari boss.

With regards to talk that Mercedes technical chief Paddy Lowe was on the team’s radar, Marchionne said, “Paddy Lowe is a great professional, just like Ross Brawn, but I have to say that we have the right team here and we do not need them.

Said the executive.”

At the function it was also revealed that the team’s 2017 car will be unveiled during a function at Maranello on 24 February, three days before the start of preseason testing in Barcelona.

JANUARY 2017 / www.arabiamotors.co 25

MOTORING NEWS

First Motors Sponsors Calisthenics World Cup 2016 irst Motors, the exclusive distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Kingdom of Bahrain, extends its congratulations to the World Calisthenics Organisation (WCO) for successfully organising the 2nd Edition of the Calisthenics World Cup 2016.

The Calisthenics World Cup is one of the biggest competitions in the world, and 50 athletes from 8 countries participated in the competition in Bahrain. Calisthenics is a form of exercise that consists of a variety of movements, often rhythmical, generally without using equipment or any apparatus.

The contestants also had to submit an online application video that was 5 minutes long, focussing first on each team member individually for one minute and subsequently as a team for another minute. A panel of judges then assessed each video application according to the requirements given and the shortlisted teams were notified accordingly.

Each team had four main members and one reserve member in case of an injury to any of the other members. There were two rounds during the battle, the first of which, individuals from each team competed against each other for a total of 10 points in 4 minutes. There was a 10 minute break after which the entire team battled against the other team for 5 minutes, which was worth a maximum of 10 points.

Genesis G90 Earns One of World’s Highest Safety 2017 Genesis G90 3.3T flagship sedan awarded IIHS Top Safety Pick+ he Genesis G90 luxury sedan has earned one of the world’s highest safety honors, with the United States’ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) naming it a Top Safety Pick+ due to its exceptional performance during testing.

The Genesis G90 embodies a smarter, more progressive approach to luxury and safety by keeping innovation and elegance as top priorities.

To ensure driver confidence and occupant safety, the G90 features the most comprehensive array of standard safety technology in the premium luxury class including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Alert (DAA) and Smart Blind Spot Detection. The automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection employs a camera and a radar sensor to engage the automatic braking power from 5 to 50 mph.

In addition, the G90 puts passenger safety at the forefront by automatically tightening seatbelts when it detects a quick turn, slippery roads, acceleration or change in direction.

Mechanical and technological advances have also added to the safety of the G90 due to its advanced high strength steel, rigid platform and Multi-view Camera System featuring four external cameras.

26 www.arabiamotors.co / JANUARY 2017

MOTORING NEWS

Big Sales for Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz increased its unit sales in November by 12.7% to 182,602 vehicles, thus achieving its 45th consecutive record month. Sales were especially strong of the new E-Class Saloon and Estate last month; those models attained growth of around 40% to a new best-ever figure. With more than 1,893,000 vehicles delivered since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz already surpassed its unit sales of full-year 2015 in the first eleven months of this year.

Unit sales by Mercedes-Benz in Europe increased by 16.7% to 78,797 vehicles – never before so many cars have been delivered to customers in a November as this year. In Germany, demand for Mercedes-Benz automobiles increased last month to 25,599 units (+7.2%). Thanks to double-digit growth in November, new best-ever figures were achieved in Great Britain, France, Spain and Belgium.

China to Set Communication Standard for Autonomous Cars After 2018

hina will revisit in 2018 the standards for vehicle-to-vehicle communication that are vital for driverless cars and lay out a common national standard after that, the chief of the Society of Automotive Engineers of China announced last month. China’s aim to establish a national standard could speed the implementation

Racing Rebels Rebellion Racing has announced it will run two cars in the LMP2 class of next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship and in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

he Swiss squad will run both of its newly-acquired Oreca 07-Gibson cars in the global sportscar series next year, after opting to step down from the LMP1-L class for 2017.

It follows the team’s recently-announced one-car assault on the four races that make up the IMSA North American Endurance

Cup, beginning with next month’s Daytona 24 Hours. Rebellion has also confirmed four of its six WEC drivers, with Nicolas Prost, Mathias Beche and Nelson Piquet Jr all returning from 2016 and Bruno Senna moving across from the RGR Sport by Morand team. This quartet will be joined by a pair of to-be-determined silver-rated drivers, with the exact line-ups of both cars still to be decided.

of driverless cars in the world’s biggest auto market, contrasting with a patchwork of state laws and standards in the United States that some in the industry say could hold back development. China will “lay the foundation” for V2V and V2I standards in 2018 in the next update of the roadmap, with a more exact standard to be developed between 2020 and 2025 and agreed to by all automotive brands.

BMW 5-series lineup to highlight Detroit stage

BMW is set to use the 2017 Detroit auto show as the debut stage for its next-gen 5-series lineup.

The automaker will have the 540i, hybrid 530e iPerformance and M550 xDrive at the BMW stand. In October, BMW released photos and information on the sedan. A host of technical and communications systems are borrowed from the flagship 7-series sedan, which includes semiautonomous driving and safety features, gesture controls for telephone and infotainment system, and the ability to park the car with the driver standing outside the vehicle. The 5 series will compete against rival Mercedes-Benz with its technology-loaded E-class sedan, which went on sale in late June.

JANUARY 2017 / www.arabiamotors.co 27

MOTORING NEWS

Motorsport Double Header NRD Power Weekend Return of the Dubai Autodrome

wo international series returned to Dubai Autodrome to feature alongside the best of local motorsport for the National Race Days (NRD) Power Weekend which included MRF Challenge, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, UAE Sportbike Championship, Formula Gulf Academy and a grand NGK Two Hour Enduro.

MRF CHALLENGE: MAWSON TRIUMPHS OVER NEWEY AND SCHUMACHER Mick Schumacher was the MRF Challenge championship leader going into the weekend, but the German would be well tested on the Grand Prix Circuit at Dubai Autodrome. Harrison Newey, who was cheered on by his father and legendary F1

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designer Adrian Newey, bagged two out of the four races of the weekend but technical difficulties dropped him from the last race. Mick Schumacher had a third and fourth place finish on Friday, but two retirements on Saturday meant he lost out on a haul of valuable championship points.

Meanwhile Aussie driver Joey Mawson quietly racked up consistent podium finishes and ended the weekend with a dramatic race win. He now leads the MRF Challenge championship over Newey. Schumacher dropped down to fourth behind Brazilian Felipe Drugovich.

NGK TWO HOUR ENDURO: MIXING IT UP For any petrol head who might want to see a Ferrari 458 GT3 matched up against an Audi R8 LMS Ultra and a Radical SR3,

that’s exactly the scenario that played out, with the NGK Two Hour Enduro assembling a collection of GT and Touring Car class vehicles, along with open cockpit Radicals all in one blockbuster race.

Qualifying belonged to the Dragon Racing team, almost breaking the two minute barrier with a best lap time of 2:00.086.

During the race their Ferrari 458 GT3 would be driven by Leon Price, Rob Barff and Jordon Grogor. Second on the grid would go to one of the AUH Motorsports Radical SR3s, to be driven by Ollie Smith and Dragos Dumitrascu. The Ferrari sailed comfortably home for the overall and Class Three win, while the Radicals behind scrapped it out.

An AUH Motorsports SR3, driven by Johnny Guindi and Romain Sarazin managed to break free and take second overall while also securing a first place trophy for Class Six.

MOTORING NEWS

The New Triumph Street Triple 800 is on its way riumph is hosting a live launch event for a yet-to-be announced naked sportbike that has headlights mirroring those on their Street/Speed Triple. Something they claim will be a “game changer” and “tear up the rule books and set benchmarks for power, weight, handling, and looks.” It will be called the Street Triple 800, get a displacement bump to 765cc, a slipper clutch, the lights from the Speed Triple, a TFT dash, and upgraded electronics suite. Triumph is also updating the current Street Triple (with the 675cc motor), which we’ve heard rumors is also getting a new screen and new electronics. Both a new Street Triple 675 and Street Triple 800 would turn the middleweight sport naked category into one of the most exciting categories in all motorcycling.

MotoGP: Repsol and Honda Extend Contract Until 2018

epsol and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) have extended their sponsorship contract for another year, through to the 31st of December 2018. The alliance between the Spanish energy company and the Japanese vehicle manufacturer, which began in 1995 and has seen them claim 12 rider World Championships together. The collaboration will thus reach its 24th season. Repsol will continue to be the main sponsor of Honda’s factory MotoGP team in the premier class of motorcycle racing. Riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, who have both renewed their contracts with HRC for two years, will continue to represent the most celebrated team in MotoGP history.

JANUARY 2017 / www.arabiamotors.co 29

2017 Toyota C-HR Euro-Spec

Designed for Europe but going global.

T

The original plan was to make the C-HR exclusively for Europe, but then other markets—including the United States—got a look at it and became interested.

It’s not just Europe that likes small crossovers, after all. Keen lobbying has seen the C-HR confirmed for other markets.

Europe will be getting the option of a 114-hp 1.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 1.8-liter hybrid that pretty much repackages the Prius’s gas-electric powertrain.

The 1.2-liter turbo, which is a sweet little engine that makes up for its relative lack of firepower with a torque output that’s too flat to be accurately described as a curve—the peak 136 lb-ft is available from 1500 rpm all the way to 4000 rpm. There’s enough midrange punch to minimize objections to its extremely low, 5600-rpm redline. It feels quicker than its factory-estimated 11.4-second zero-to-62-mph time suggests, especially when working with the slick-shifting six-speed manual that will be

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standard in Europe, and which even has a revmatching function to help smooth downshifts.

The hybrid drives pretty much exactly like a Prius, the electrical assistance making it quieter under gentle use but not making it feel much quicker.

The name is both silly and a misnomer: According to Toyota, it stands for “Coupe High Rider.” Although it has been made to look slightly coupe-ish, in reality this is a fourdoor crossover with the rear door handles incorporated into the C-pillars. The styling is radical by any standard and positively revolutionary for a brand as generally conservative as Toyota. It’s clear that lots of pent-up creativity has been expended in its creation and although coupe and SUVs are pretty much dog and cat in design terms, the fusion here works reasonably well. It’s pretty much spot on the current zeitgeist, and it’s not hard to see it having a strong appeal to those who find the larger RAV4 too conventional or too big.

2017 TOYOTA C-HR EURO-SPEC NEW CAR REVIEW

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2017 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 NEW CAR REVIEW

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Big power, Big noise, and total control.

I

t shouldn’t surprise us that this car can at once be so unapologetically raw and yet so seemingly controllable.

So loud and yet so articulate. Finding those traits melded in a single piece of hardware like the ZL1 is one of the great joys of being a car enthusiast today.

And it’s quite likely that the ZL1 is the most rewarding means ever created to move leaves off a racetrack.

It Boasts an impressive 650 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 650 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm. It’s all managed, aurally, by a dual-mode exhaust, which is now electronically controlled rather than vacuum actuated as it was on the last ZL1. Chevy offers two transmissions here, including a high-torque version of the six-speed Tremec TR6060 that’s available in the Camaro SS. A tailored gearset allows the manual-transmission–equipped ZL1 to hit 60 mph in first gear, while both fifth and sixth are overdrive gears.

The 10-speed uses a ZL1-specific torque converter, clutch components, bearings, software, and controllers. Most striking is the gearbox’s ability to keep the LT4 engine almost indefinitely in the most potent portion of its rev range. Four drive modes influencing all the car’s manners remain: snow/ice, tour, sport, and track. data logs confirming that it’s 10 mph faster than the old ZL1 (call it about 182 mph).

Forged 10-inch-wide front and 11-inch-wide rear wheels wear 285/30R-20 and 305/30R20 rubber, respectively, and at about 3950 pounds when equipped with the 10-speed automatic, though, it’s certainly no featherweight. Still, it’s quicker. Chevy says 10-speed– equipped coupes should hit 60 in 3.5 seconds and hammer through the quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds at 127 mph. Pretty impressive yea?

For further information or to place your orders, we recommend you get in touch with your nearest dealers now.

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E.K.KANOO DRAG AND DRIFT EVENTS

rag racers and drifters once again pushed their cars and motorbikes to the limit within the safe and controlled environment of the Bahrain International Circuit last month.

Attracting hundreds of enthusiasts, BIC’s world-class quarter-mile drag strip, which is a member of the prestigious National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Worldwide Network, played host to both drag racing, and drifting on a purpose built course at the BIC’s car park.

This is an ongoing opportunity for drag and drift enthusiasts to pump-up their adrenalin levels and challenge their friends on a world class track, and within and ideal environment for such activities As with previous Drag & Drift Nights, safety standards of the highest level will be followed at all times during the evenings’ events for both drivers and spectators alike.

The events will continue every Monday night until the end of the season in May 2017. Participation in only the drag racing or the drifting costs BD7 per car. Registration can be done on site from 5pm, and the action will start from 6pm and go on until 11pm. Those who would like to experience the drag or drift as a passenger can ride shotgun in a friend’s car for an additional BD4 for each event. Spectators can purchase tickets for BD2 each.

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E.K.KANOO DRAG AND DRIFT EVENTS

“TIRE SMOKE & ENGINES PUMPING FUEL AND HORSEPOWER. MAKES EVERY MONDAY WORTH WAITING FOR!”

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I N N A A M M G G A A DDRR und 2 o R s ip sh n io p m a h C g Bahrain Drag Racin

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BDRC ROUND 2 EVENTS

NIIAA he cool desert nights were heated up with action this weekend as the second round of the 2016/2017 Bahrain Drag Racing Championship took place at Bahrain International Circuit.

BIC’s world-class quarter-mile drag strip was the centre of attention for more than 100 of the world’s top drag racers and their crews, including some of the most legendary figures in the sport, as they gathered for four nights of intense competition.

The region’s most competitive and highly sought-after drag racing series is in its 12th season and it continues to grow from strength to strength. As a member of the National JANUARY 2017 / www.arabiamotors.co 39

Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Worldwide Network, BIC is hosting the championship under the prestigious NHRA banner. It also awards champion drivers a “Wally”, which is an iconic trophy given only to competitors who are winners in NHRA-sanctioned events.

Action began with back-to-back nights of Test and Tune on Tuesday and Wednesday , qualifying followed on the Thursday, paving the way for the big event, Race Day on the Friday with head-to-heads from 2pm onwards.

There were a total number of 15 competition classes this season. The cars classes include the Street 4 and 6, the Outlaw Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD), the Super Street 6-Cylinder, the Outlaw 6-Cylinder, the Street V8, the Super Street V8, the Outlaw 10.5, the Index 8.50, the Index 9.50, the Index 10.50 and the highly competitive Pro Mod. The bikes classes include the Street Bike 9.50, Street Bike, Super Street Bike and Pro Bike.

Gary White and Mahana Naemi set a pair of new World records to highlight a spectacular second round. Both World records were registered on qualifying night during heated competition in the Pro Mod category.

White of Bahrain’s E Kanoo Racing Team set a new import World record with their GT86 40 www.arabiamotors.co / JANUARY 2017

BDRC ROUND 2 EVENTS

car. The American star had a pass of 5.753 seconds at 402kph.

Naemi of Al Anabi Racing Team from Qatar then broke the World record in a Pro Nitrous car with a 3.668s time at 327.69kph.

Despite both achievements, it was Mustafa Al Atat who was the last man standing as the Pro Mod battles came to a close and the dust settled on a thrilling race day on Friday.

Al Atat climbed to the top podium step after claiming a huge win over Lizzy Musi in the Pro Mod category’s final run. Just over a half-second separated the Al Anabi teammates. Al Atat sealed the victory in 3.730 seconds with a speed of 320.44kph, while Lizzy had a pass of 4.240s at 206.91kph.

Al Atat defeated E Kanoo Racing’s Khaled Mohammed in the semi-finals, while Lizzy joined him in the final after beating Bader Korshid. Others competing but losing out in

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the quarter-finals were Khalil Al Ansari, Khalid Al Belooshi and round one winner Steve Jackson both of Bahrain1Racing, and Naemi. White did not make it through from qualifying.

Meanwhile, Al Atat came away with a fantastic double after also winning the Outlaw 10.5 class. He had a final run of 3.925s at 312.15kph, beating Yousuf Mohammed Al Ali by just a hundredth of a second. Al Ali was quicker at 316.24kph, but Atat had the better of their reaction times.

Competing in the Super Street V8, Mohammed raced down the strip in 4.111s with a speed of 319.93kph. He beat Turki Al Humedi, who put up a good fight but his 4.157s elapsed time was not enough.

White was triumphant in the Outlaw 6-Cylinder class. He cruised to the win with a final pass of 7.757s at 210.23kph. Opponent Mohammed Zain Alabden did not register a time.

In the Street V8 category, Bahraini star Salah Salahuddin triumphed over Jalil Kareem. Salahuddin clocked a time of 7.689s at 280.44kph, which was enough to beat Kareem who had a time of 8.130s at 263.88kph.

In the Street 4 and 6 category, Mohamed Al Jalahma took the win with a 9.120s final run, beating Jamil Ebrahim Hilal’s 10.738.

Akram Khalil followed suit in the Outlaw Front-Wheel-Drive. He claimed a narrow victory against Zakaria Al Kohajee in their final. Khalil had a pass of 9.681s and Al Kohajee clocked a mark of 9.994s.

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BDRC ROUND 2 EVENTS

In the Super Street 6-Cylinder, Sayed Yahya Sharf won by the narrowest of margins. He clocked a run of 8.107s, which was just enough to beat the 8.169s time of rival Alabden.

In the motorbikes classes, Bader bin Edan won the Street Bike class with an 8.017s winning pass. Mishari Al Turki did the same in the Super Street Bike, where he secured his win in 4.396s. Ahmed Nassir claimed the Pro Bike win in 4.176s, and Fadi Abu Jamus won the Index Bike 9.50 with a time of 9.593s.

The 2016/2017 season is set to feature five rounds, to be held until March of next year. Following this weekend’s second meeting, round three will be the first of the new calendar year, set from January 3 to 6.

The fourth round follows from February 21 to 23, and then the season finale will take place from February 28 to March 3.

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44 www.arabiamotors.co / JANUARY 2017

SHEIKH YOUSEF GHASSAN AL SULAIMAN INTERVIEW

THE

LAMBO LIFE

THE ULTIMATE LAMBORGHINI INSIDER SHEIKH YOUSEF GHASSAN AL SULAIMAN e had the great honour of sitting down and talking with Sheikh Yousef Ghassan Al Sulaiman himself about the presence of Lamborghini in Bahrain, what a new showroom opening means to the country as well as what the future holds for Lamborghini. There may also be a few top secret snippets of insider information about the elusive new SUV...

How long has Al Ghassan motors had the Lamborghini dealership for, and in which countries?

Lamborghini is the first dealership that Al Ghassan motor acquired, in Saudi back in 1996. Today there are five dealerships in total, one in Cannes, France, three in Saudi Arabia and now this new dealership in Bahrain.

Why Bahrain?

Its close to Khobar, it protects our market and we sell mostly into Saudi. But that is only one aspect, the second is that having a dealer like us in Saudi and Bahrain gives the customers a larger variety of colours and styles to choose from. If there was only a dealership in Bahrain for example I would be very reluctant to order risky colours. With both dealerships we are able to cater to a wider range of customers with a wider range of specs. Also, in terms of pricing as well, it’s a bigger company which means it has more cars on the floor which allows us to be flexible with the pricing, and offer better services. We also really benefit from the BIC, we can do events and activities here, on track days and just generally give our customers a better over all experience.

What made you open this boutique showroom here in this exclusive area of Seef?

We believe that Seef is the right location for us because it represents what Lamborghini is.

It’s modern, it’s fresh, it’s where the wealth is. This not only a showroom, it’s a piece of art. We believe that this area fits with our customer’s profile, where they are based, where they like to go and where they spend their time.

How strong are your service facilities in Bahrain, and has there been an update in them as well as the new showroom?

Basically, my father always said this to me, “If you succeed in after sales you succeed in sales”. The most important thing is customer satisfaction, when you buy a car it’s a one-time interaction, but with the after sales team you are bound to stay in touch with them more often. If you get the after sales right, you will get the sales right.

We have a new facility here for after sales for Lamborghini and we made sure it is state of the art and has everything a customer could need.

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Lamborghini has been very active in the region for the past 5 years or so.

There are a lot of your cars on the roads here in Bahrain, what do you attribute this to?

It obviously makes me very proud to see all our cars on the road, and hopefully its because we are doing a good job. The more our cars are on the road the better it is for us. In terms of marketing and after sales, we are glad that our customers in the region are happy with our service and buying Lamborghinis from us, and we hope the trend continues.

We have heard a third Lamborghini model is in the making…the long awaited SUV, is this true?

Well, technically it’s all confidential at the moment. I was at their factory about a month ago and I did see the car and I can tell you, its unbelievable. I can’t wait for it to be launched. Let me treat you to a few technical details that they have told us about the new model. Its going to have a 650bhp V8 twinturbo engine and there will be different specs of the car. There will be the sporty model, the touring model and an exclusive off road model. We are hoping that by end of 2018 we should have the car in the showrooms and ready for sale.

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SHEIKH YOUSEF GHASSAN AL SULAIMAN CONSUMER REVIEW

“YOU BUY A FERRARI IF YOU WANT TO BE SOMEBODY BUT YOU BUY A LAMBORGHINI IF YOU ARE SOMEBODY.” Lamborghini keeps producing special editions in limited numbers of 10 or 20. There are many hardcode Lambo buyers out there, and not enough cars. How do you select your buyers?

And do you think it is a fair process?

I mean we don’t really select the buyers, we have regular customers who buy these limited edition cars, and we contact them and see if they would be interested in buying the new car before it is released and then they get to book the car. The first such car I have experienced with the Lamborghini selection process was the Centenario. They only made a very limited number of these cars, and they told us to send a customer list of client’s who may be interested and what cars they already owned in terms of Lamborghinis, so that they could prioritise the most loyal customers. I personally do not think this is an unfair process. I mean do you think its fair that I have a customer that buys perhaps 10 Lamborghinis from us, yet I give preference to someone that has only just brought one? This process is a lot simpler and fair then some of our other competitors, who are stricter and select buyers based on how many cars they currently have in their garages.

So I don’t think we are that strict about it.

Are there any plans for a LaFerrari or a McLaren P1 type of exclusive hypercar?

I don’t think so, because Lamborghini isn’t really into the hybrid technology yet. Just to prove to the world they can do it they came up with a concept car at the Genève Motor show, it showed that they are capable of producing it if they wanted to but that’s not their thing. You can see with the V10 and the V12’s they are all naturally aspirated engines; they stick to the core of Lamborghini which I prefer. I much prefer a naturally aspirated engine over turbos, because the latter kills the characteristics of the car. It’s the drama of driving these cars with the sound, the pure engine noise and the responsiveness because its all naturally aspirated. This makes all the difference. I don’t think they are planning on doing it and for me I hope they continue to push the naturally aspirated engines as much as they can.

So you don’t see Lamborghini heading in that direction any time soon?

The next step... if they do decide to go down this road would be turbo charged because

they have already started on that with the SUV. Down the road it’s only going to get harder and harder to produce big, naturally aspirated engines because of emission controls. I hope they stay this way for as long as possible but eventually I feel they will have to conform.

In your opinion what distinguishes a Lamborghini from say a Ferrari, McLaren or Porsche?

Well, Porsche drivers are a different batch, I’ve noticed that they are very hardcore about their love for the brand. You can’t change them or that fact. Ferrari on the other hand have a huge history, 20 years more then Lamborghini to be exact and I do have respect for them. But I think what distinguishes Lamborghini is the fact that they don’t care as much about figures, like lap times and extreme aerodynamics. I mean they do... but not to the extent that it controls their entire design philosophy. They make Lamborghinis look crazy. Even if it makes more sense in terms of aerodynamics to change something, they won’t do it, because they want to make it look crazy and sound insane. They are not interested in shaving off lap times by milliseconds. or slapping on turbo’s. If you were to put a turbo on a Lambo you would get way more power, but they don’t care about doing that. All they are interested in is just wanting to make something that is essentially Lamborghini - aggressive, intense sounding, insane looking... it’s all about the drama of the car. There is always that “WOW factor” when you a see Lambo, whether it is driving or parked. It looks outrageous and you don’t see that with any of its other competitors.

If you ask me I think all Porsches look the same and I think Ferrari in my opinion are a bit soft and refined... besides they have all moved to turbo chargers anyway, so that’s why Lamborghini for me are still top notch.

2016 has been a very tough year for sports cars and even automobile sales in general. How has Al Ghassan Motors fared comparatively? Have sales been strong or slow??

Everyone has suffered this year because of the economy and the market, especially in Saudi.

The only thing you can do is try and keep your existing customers happy by providing them with excellent service. Our customers have the money, they just aren’t always willing to spend it, so you just have to convince them to.

They may be a bit scared or are waiting to find out what’s going to happen with the economy, so it’s not a matter of whether they can’t afford the car, its a matter of when. If you continue to provide excellent service and treat every customer as a VIP, they are still going to want to buy cars that they love and prioritise your brand. They are going to want to upgrade or change their car eventually if they see a good deal. Therefore we are continually doing events like we did this month with the Lamborghini Experienza, where we invited all the prospective clients along to test drive the cars. This is one way of creating new customers, and getting existing customers to upgrade. We do all these activities to keep people interested, excited and connected to the brand, so they don’t feel left out or forget. With us, you don’t simply buy the car and then disappear. And now with the launch of the Lamborghini Club at the showroom, complete with its own lounge, Lambo owners have a place to chill and relax.

How many Lamborghinis do you expect to roughly sell a year in Bahrain?

Between 10 – 15 in a good year, people here love these cars. You only need to find 10 buyers in the whole of Bahrain.

We sell around 75 a year in Saudi but with Bahrain... you have to remember it’s a smaller territory. We are expecting good sales though especially with the 580 Huraccan. It’s more affordable as it is in a lower price bracket.

What about 2017? What do you predict? Do you predict a strong year?

With the showroom and the club opening, we hope to be able to sell more cars this year, but as with everything it depends on the market. It depends on how comfortable and confident the economy is. We are still trying to do whatever we can to keep our customers happy. If they are happy they will tell their friends about us and word of mouth travels faster than even marketing.

If your customers are not satisfied and word in the market is against you, you will not sell anything. The most important thing is to improve your client servicing especially with your existing customers and that way you will get more people interested and convinced in making their investment with you.

And finally what is your personal favourite Lamborghini? A classic or a new one?

My favourite is the Miura. It is just beautiful and unbelievable to look at. The Countach is what Lamborghini is know for, but the Miura is something special. It’s the sexiest car I’ve ever seen, there isn’t anything else I can say or add to that. I work with Lambos everyday all day, but still... every time I see one I have to stop and stare. I can appreciate other nice cars, but its not the same as seeing a Lambo. The cars look like they are ageless; it could have been produced in 2009 but it still looks really modern. You buy a Ferrari if you want to be somebody but you buy a Lamborghini if you are somebody.

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The GLE is not a traditional coupe or SUV, it takes both to new dimensions: Versatile room with racing-bred verve. A supple cabin on a rugged, capable chassis. And a coupe that’s notable not for how many doors are on it, but for how it takes tradition and blows its doors off.

hoever coined the phrase ‘Less is More’ obviously had one eye on the automotive industry of today. Take for example how Mercedes downsized its AMG GLE63 Coupe and morphed it into the GLE450, which makes for a car, that offers more on styling and luxury but less on engine size and fuel consumption. We took the “Bahn-stormer” for a drive and here is what we found...

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MERC’S AMG GLE450 COUPE CONSUMER REVIEW

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Exterior

Although Mercedes was the pioneer behind the whole “four-door coupe” concept (remember the CLS?), BMW managed to beat them into applying the idea onto an SUV. Eyebrows were raised at first about the car’s purpose, but it caught on so well with the masses, that the Munich powerhouse produced an M-Variant of the vehicle to cap off the segment’s success story.

Therefore Merc went to the drawing board and out popped the beautiful GLE, a sort of perfected and well completed X6. In fact, the car is so complete it became the replacement for the purposeful but morose ML class. Beefy, muscular and sporty the GLE evidently had the upper hand over the X6, thanks to its later entry into the market. For some reason still Mercedes forgot to improve the headroom for rear seat passengers - one of the shortfalls of the X6.

The point of you going in for the GLE Coupe and not the regular GLE is for the added flamboyance that the new body style adds to the package. But in the bargain, you lose out on rear seat headroom, which is fine if you’re only ferrying little ones in the back. But what the GLE Coupe does give you, is an option of looking at SUVs in a different light – not just as huge and bulky people carriers. It also gets you truckloads of road presence and exclusivity, but isn’t as practical or conventional as SUVs usually are. It doesn’t offer a full-fledged AMG experience either, but it isn’t supposed to, in any case. At the end, a 2.2-tonne mammoth that sounds nice, goes fast, carries a lot more than conventional coupes plus looks the part, isn’t that bad a deal.

So despite having an AMG in its name, this doesn’t get the full-blown V8, instead gets a smaller 3-litre V6 under its hood. It’s good for 364bhp and 520Nm of spin, at max. Enough to propel this 2.2-tonne, four-door coupe to 100kph from standstill in 5.8 seconds, before hitting a top whack of 250kph. The boys at AMG have tuned this engine to make it sporty, responsive and a nicesounding one for a V6. They’ve also fixed a sports exhaust system that gives loud, sporty crackles at every overrun – only once you shift to Sport+ mode, though. The V6 is mated to a new 9-speed auto ’box, this from the house of Mercedes and not AMG. The nine ratios give it ample flexibility in keeping the engine exactly at the right revs almost all the time.

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MERC’S AMG GLE450 COUPE CONSUMER REVIEW

The Interior

Now lets talk about the inside of the car, and seriously this is where the nerd in us takes over!! We love the fact that we can very neatly use the track pad to navigate our way through the car’s systems on the beautifully neat 8-inch infotainment screen.

Not only that, but we can use it to change modes, navigate our way around the country, and use the Bluetooth to jam out the sounds of the “Starboy” himself.

The interior is decked out in classic Mercedes fashion, there is no doubting that. From the comfort of the leather seats, to the chrome and wooden accents on the dash. The trunk can store up to 60.7 cubic feet of belongings with the chairs down, and with the chairs up 23 cubic feet, which is where the importance of this being an SUV comes in. Other features include ‘4matic’ or all-wheel-drive with a 40/60 front rear torque split, adaptive head lights, optional blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and lean assist that will vibrate the steering wheel when you step out of lane. Thrown in as standard are rain sensing wind shield wipers and sensors that detect rear end collision’s and automatically tighten the front seat belts also adjusting the brakes accordingly.

And if that isn’t enough there is also an auto parking system that will help you look for a spot and parallel park itself for you. A very handy feature in cars this size.

The Drive

Horsepower is increased from the regular GLE by 30bhp and all that was needed to do this was a tweak in boost pressure to the turbos. Driving this car, you can see the purpose behind it, is pure fun. The GLE450 comes with five driver’s settings, so there is something for everyone to play with. We particularly enjoyed swapping between all five to check out the sensitive differences.

But overall the GLE’s Coupe’s ride quality isn’t as stiff as that of the X6’s. Yes, it’s stiffer than the regular GLE, but apart from the really sharp potholes, it cushions out most of the road irregularities. The all-wheel drive system is here to give it better control on the road, and not to pull it out of slushy areas. But, if at all you lose your way and happen to get into a place with no tarmac, there’s a button to increase the ground clearance to prevent the underbelly from scraping.

On the road, though, it handles very well. You never feel the lack of grip, thanks to the 4MATIC system, which distributes torque at the wheel that needs it the most. With inputs from AMG, Merc has designed the best steering system for this SUV that we’ve seen in a long time – it’s sharp, accurate and like a precision tool of sorts. If you speak of body roll, we’d like to report that there is a bit of it, courtesy high centre of gravity and 2.2-tonne of mass, but the adaptive suspension always keeps things in control.

The GLE comes in five driving modes Comfort, Sport, Slippery, Sport + and Individual. Technically there is something for everyone of your moods. The first three are pretty much self-explanatory. Our personal favourite was Sport +, where you feel the engine giving itself a thorough workout. It holds the nine gears for longer, and you can really feel the coupe’s power hurtling along as you accelerate. Steering feels much sharper and crisp when changing lanes or taking fast corners. Body roll is also considerably dampened out. The last one - Individual mode - is for you to decide, if you want the power of Sport + but the suspension settings of Comfort. Basically its like tuning your sound system for a particular track, more bass, less treble, balance, fader etc, but only this time you’re doing it to perfect your drive to how you’d like it.

The Verdict

Yes!! We’ll have one of these please! Both a nimble and spirited car, not only do you get the pleasure of driving around a car with the classic Mercedes star on it, it just looks so smooth and streamlined, and yet it has aggression and edge. I feel this car is pitched as a family car, at least that’s what I usually think off when I see SUVs, but that family will have to be young and cool!

Its a family car for those who know what they want and they go out and get it! Overall it’s a vehicle that tows the coupe/family car line very carefully and does a might good job it. A definite thumbs up, for all those looking for something different, sporty and competent enough for daily chores..

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JAGUAR F-PACE CONSUMER REVIEW

Its hard to believe that in Jaguar’s 94 year history it has taken them this long to produce an SUV, to rival its competitors. However, the new Jaguar F-PACE definitely has the specifications to make the claim ‘well worth the wait’ viable.

he F-PACE is Jaguar’s first luxury cross over SUV. Some people may look at it and consider it to be simply a family version of the F-type sports coupe, mainly because it is based upon that particular vehicle. Others, however, believe it to be a true drivers car, with all the passion and power that Jaguar’s heritage brings to life... just so happens to be able to hold a few people and some cargo. The 2017 Jaguar F-PACE has something for everyone.

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Exterior The first thing you notice is the F-PACE’s powerful and refined styling. Its elegant, sophisticated and yet it gives you the sense of strength that’s inherent to Jaguars. They have really made this an aerodynamic vehicle, with a drag efficiency of 0.36. About 80% of the body is made of aluminium making the F-Pace extremely light. You’re looking at a vehicle that has both the characteristics of a sports car and a full sized SUV. The base model comes equipped with a projector halogen head light, while the R-Sport model we test drove had the high intensity BiXenon lights, with full LED, and all models have the Jaguar signature J day time running lights.

These are incredibly distinctive especially at night. All cars come an impressive 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seat’s up and 63.5 cubic feet when down. It has the biggest cargo capacity in this class. The exterior styling of the F-PACE is eye catching, it has great proportions for an SUV, and fights in two categories between the compact utility and the mid size...which literally makes it a heavy weight in overall.

The Interior One of the things I personally loved about the F-PACE is that its so easy to step into. Of course with all Jaguars you expect to find that beautiful British interior styling, and let me tell you, they haven’t skipped out on this just because its an SUV. From the driver’s seat you are greeted by lots of plush leather, and double stitching throughout the entire interior of the cabin. The layout is very centralised down the middle of the car and user friendly.

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JAGUAR F-PACE CONSUMER REVIEW What really got me going is the centre mounted rotary dial aka the gear shifter. When you start the engine the beautiful little thing pops-up and allows you to change gears. A classy touch I must say, makes you feel like you’re in some kind of James Bond movie. You also have the “InControl” touch system on this model where you get treated to the massive 8-inch touch screen for all your multimedia and navigational needs. You also get an additional 5-inch mini screen at the centre of the dashboard for sort of head-up route guidance.

The stats for the Meridian sound system that are available start with the base model which includes 11 speakers giving you 380 watts of power, but when you step it up to the optional Meridian tri-field sound system, (which is the premium system) you get 17 speakers blasting out 825 Watts of power.

The F-PACE is jam packed with technology. We’ve got start/stop technology, traction control, blind spot control, cross traffic detection, 360 degree surround camera, parallel parking assist, it has driver condition monitoring, lane keep assist, dynamic stability control, torque vectoring, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency breaking and it can even read the traffic signs, and on the S model you can even change the suspension, shift point and engine management system. Now, that really is a lot of car!!

The Drive From the very moment I sat in the car to the second I had to sadly hand the keys back, the F-PACE did not disappoint. This car is a beautiful drive. You don’t feel like you are driving the car, nor is the car driving you... you simply glide from location A to B. Around town the car is very maneuverable and easy to drive, sometimes making you wonder if you are really driving something that big. Steering response is prompt and perfectly relays the surface your are driving on. It can climb kerbs easily and negotiate off-road territory quite comfortably too (thanks to the LR affiliation). On highways, it behaves like a premium luxury vehicle and why not? It does have Jag in its DNA! Jaguar have not been stingy with there options when it comes to engines, in fact you have a choice of three! The first is a 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbo charged diesel engine that will get you 180hp and 318 foot pounds of torque taking you from 0-60 in about 8.2 seconds. The beautiful R-Sport model that we test drove was equipped with a 3.0 litre, supercharged V6 engine offering 340hp on tap along with 332ft-lb of torque, and a 0-60

time of 5.4 seconds. It also has with 20 inch wheels for that sportier and meaty look. The final or third option is another 3.0 litre, supercharged V6 engine, that generates 380hp, 332 foot pounds of torque and is known as the S model. All of these models work with the 8 speed ZF automatic transmission.

You can tell that a lot of money has been invested in the suspension and steering of the vehicle and it really shows. Overall it has a very compact feel when you drive it and that makes it very rewarding. Truly the best of both worlds - the principle upon which most crossovers and SUVs are built.

The Verdict If you ever wanted an excuse to buy a Jaguar but also wanted a family car then here it is. You get to have both the Jaguar’s sports car heritage coupled with the practicality of an SUV. Not only is this car full of purpose and practicality, it is a complete pleasure to drive.

Being British I have to give this car my seal of approval but not without bias. My only criticism with the F-Pace would be that when I’m in a Jaguar, I want people to see that and know that. I want to stand out in the crowd and I can’t help but feel that with the universal styling of this car, it does get lost in a sea of SUV’s out there. However the second you step inside the car, turn on the engine and hear the unearthly shooting out of the tail-pipes, all is forgiven. I am in heaven!!

“If you ever wanted an excuse to buy a Jaguar but also wanted a family car then here it it.”

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TThhee S ’ E R I P M E H T T U O K C E H C E W !

S E N I H C A M BADDEST

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he M division of BMW, first established in 1972 is notorious for doing nasty things to regular well behaved BMWs. Once a Bimmer has got the ‘M-Power’ badge slapped on, you know its destined for greater things in the hands of purist drivers who enjoy driving in its most extreme form. This month we rounded up the M division’s current production range - excluding the SUVs - and decided to do a review on each car and see what made the current crop so special. Some cars have been previously reviewed, as result of which, we decided to throw in their more modified brethren.

Hope you enjoy the read and photos.

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Powerful, intuitive and nifty, the BMW M2 has all the hallmarks to take its place amongst some of the most prolific cars to wear the M badge . We find out why...

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BMW M2 COVER STORY

ts been a while since BMW’s M division has come up with something thats crazy spectacular... like the M5 E28 or E39...or the M3 E46 or E30 road cars that were technically built for the track. The latest M3 and M4 weren’t exactly promising while the X5M and X6M were pointless. Who races with their are toddlers in the back seat, or when was the last time you saw someone actually hammering an SUV at the track?

Luckily for M fans someone in Munich decided to spruce things up. First they upgraded the M4 and pushed out a GTS version. Then they introduced a competition pack for the M3, which sort of righted some of the wrongs of the regular cars. After this they launched the M2 asserting their footprint territory they carved out in the first place themselves.

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PERFORMANCE Right then, this car is all about performance and there is lots we need to tell you. As a result we will skip out the parts about the suppleness of the leather interior or the smooth flowing curves. So lets talk muscle, numbers and drive.

The M2 comes in a double clutch auto-box option and a manual one too for those who like keeping themselves busy during hairpins and corners. The former manages a 0-62mph in just 4.3 seconds and the latter about 0.2 seconds slower. Top speed, as you’d expect, is limited to 155mph.

Its got 365bhp on tap which makes it a very quick car and for some reason it actually makes your realise it, more so than others with similar outputs. It might be some new kind of lighter sound insulation or it might be exhaust amplification, but either way the M2 feels quicker than what the speedo shows you.

But outright speed isn’t what the M2 is all about. This car was created for fun and driver involvement and based on those attributes, its better at keeping things in check, then unknowingly landing up in a ditch!

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BMW M2 COVER STORY The M2’s turbocharged, 2979cc, in-line six cylinder engine puts out 369lb ft from as low as 1450rpm and up to 4750rpm. It is a muscular feeling engine, and there is decent acceleration in all but the most inappropriately high gears.

The car we drove here was equipped with the seven speed DCT which in Sport and Sport Plus modes slams each shift with a jolt that’ll leave the tires struggling to cope. Quiet honestly there is enough torque in this six, that the extra ratio (seventh gear) seems pointless.

ENGINE AND GEARBOX

RIDE AND HANDLING

The heart of this beast is derived straight out of the M235i, albeit a sprinkling of M3 and M4 components plus a few custom parts. All cars share the 3L in-line six but where the M3/4 get twin turbos, the M2 utilises a twin-scroll unit. To add more grunt the M2 got a larger intercooler, pistons and forged crankshafts from the M3/4 and a modified sump.

Overall the engine sits comfortably between the M235i (321bhp) and the M3/4 series (425bhp). Its not as vicious as the elders but its perky and potent nevertheless. What it offers you is that comfortable flexibility right before the point-of-no-return giving you sublime steering control.

Compared to the regular 2 Series, the M2 sits 8mm lower, 3mm longer, 58mm wider from the front and 45mm wider from the back. It also borrows front and rear suspensions from the M3/4, while retaining the solidly mounted rear axle set-up from the bigger M cars.

The dampers on the M2 are non switchable making for a ride firm and precise. But don’t get worried, its not uncomfortable even if you happen to venture into the rough suburb back roads. The whole concept here is to keep the body seriously in check and only reactive to your subtle inputs. We were actually surprised at how well the M2 keeps it’s tail tucked in making the car more predictable on tricky roads.

“THE HEART OF THIS BEAST IS DERIVED STRAIGHT OUT OF THE M235I, ALBEIT A SPRINKLING OF M3 AND M4 COMPONENTS PLUS A FEW CUSTOM PARTS.”

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Name: Sheikh Mohammed Salman Al Khalifa

“IF THE REGULAR M2 WAS JAMES BOND, THE ONE YOU’RE LOOKING AT IS MOHAMMED ALI.”

Car: M2 Why an M Car? Honestly speaking I’ve been in love with M cars since 1992 when I was a teenager.

That was the first time I’d seen an M-power car. It was an M3, I was just a small kid in London and it was just so beautiful that I fell in love with it. I didn’t know it was an M car at the time, but I knew it was different to the regular 3 series. It was so wider, lower and it looked so good. Then in 1997 I brought my first M3 when I was studying in the US, it was the E46, and then I brought another M3 in 2004. I’m just in love with them. So far I’ve owned around five or six of them. Sometimes two at time.

Why M cars over a normal BMW? It’s the power, purely the power. They used to be naturally aspirated and now they are turbo cars. It’s the look, the engine, the sound, the performance, how they handle on track, off track, drag racing, they just look so good.

Have you done any modifications to this M2?

I do modifications on all my cars. I spend like a minimum of BD10,000. on each of them. From the look of the car to the suspension... tuning the car, Methanol kits thereby reducing the temperature of the engine... just bits here and there.

Do you often take them to the track, and drift and drag with them?

I love to drift them, its just a given with the M cars. I also drag race some of the cars. I took two of my M powers to the track, the M2 and the M3 and they were both so good, all the other car owners were shocked because they didn’t think M power cars would actually be on top of the leader boards. We had 35 highend car owners, you know Porsches, Ferraris... these types of cars and they were shocked.

I made a few modifications, adjusted the suspensions, and changed the tyres,. and we came out in the top 5.

What is your favourite M car?

Today it’s the M2, its small and it drives like a go-cart. I feel like a teenager when I drive it!

It’s so much fun and it’s a really comfortable drive. This is what I love about the M cars, if you want it to be aggressive you can make it aggressive, if you want to race it, its suitable for that too and if you want it for a chilled out and relaxed drive it’s perfect for that as well.

The car’s entire dynamics can be changed with the press of a button.

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The M2’s shorter wheelbase gives it more fluidity, thereby allowing you to create an intuitive flow when driving quickly on the track or windy roads. You can brake late and feel it get ready to rotate for that hard turn-in, and all you need to do then is use the throttle to balance the car out of the corner without oversteer. It lets you feel exactly how much throttle you need to directly influence your line out of the bend.

It’s got vast amounts of torque so if you push it harder then due, the tires will get overwhelmed and break loose. However with the engines linear power delivery its easy to control that tail. Simply ease up on the pedal and you can pull a neat slide... or if you want more drama push it down a bit more and get maximum sideways action.

The stiff suspensions play a major part here as there is minimal body roll which means you don’t really need to hold-up for weight transfer. The car is there with you all the way making recovery from a slide clean and satisfying.

We must admit that the chassis has been brilliantly tuned and you can do this turn after turn. Steering feedback may not be like the M4 GTS, but you don’t really need it anyway.

In this car the information is transmitted by the suspensions and chassis. Its great for driving like gentleman racer, but should you chose to play Ken Block the M2 would be more than willing to oblige.

The M2 comes with the MDM (M Dynamic Mode) option which ensures that there is an auto cut off should you lose control. Its great especially for beginners to understand the dynamics of the car and exactly how playful it is before it bites. Having said that the M2s handling is very predictable even with the traction off.

The only chink in the armour of the M2 are the brakes. There is no carbon ceramic brake option and that is fine if you stick to spirited driving on public roads. But take it to the track and within a few rounds you will find yourself pressing deeper to control speed. Perhaps a Carbon Ceramic option needs to be considered.

But overall the M2 is flirting around with poise similar to that of the more iconic M badges. Its got what it takes to become a great badge and possibly a modern classic. Yes it’s not as aggressive as the M3/4, but that is a

quality which makes it a more controllable and fun car to drive and own.

INTERIOR AND TECH On the inside its pretty similar to the 2 Series Coupe. The ergonomics are great and everything seems to be in its standard place.

Its all functional and laden with the usual M tri-colour stitching on the wheel, seats and leather. Something we really liked was the ‘raw’ carbon fibre accents void of glossy resin finishing. We thought it looked understated and classier compared to the usual shiny panels we are so used to.

DESIGN From the outside the M2 looks buff stocky and incredibly aggressive. Compared to the regular M235i it looks like a completely different animal, and quiet rightly so. The changes made over the standard car make it difficult to believe they’re even related.

Our test car went one step ahead, and had the complete M performance package which includes rear diffuser, side mirrors, side panels, front spoiler, side skirts, rear wing and other details. The stock diamond cut wheels were replaced with after market 20” Vossen wheels.

For an even more aggressive stance the owner opted for KW V3 coilovers.

Rest of the mod list includes an ‘Aquamist HFS4 Methanol injection system, Akra’ Downpipe, Gruppe M intake system, charge pipes for better intercooler function... finished off by a complete custom flash tune. How much does this beast produce? A whopping 400WHP... which constitutes to approximately 477bhp on crank.

VERDICT The M2 on its own as just an awesome piece of machinery. Prices for the 1M are still holding strong and the cars are being driven and used as daily drives. It is difficult to find a low miles car. Hence this car being a better performer, a better looker is certain to become a modern classic.

As for our cover car? Lets just say if the regular M2 was James Bond, the one you’re looking at is Mohammed AlI. “Floats like a butter fly, stings like a bee”

BMW M2 COVER STORY

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M3 ALL COMP’D UP!

he BMW M3 is already a perfect car, but the M-division at BMW decided to make it even more exciting by offering the Competition Package from their showroom floors. The owner of our test car decided to bump up that package by adding more power and handling prowess to his car, by going the aftermarket way and pushing out 600 horses on the wheel. This month we review his beast...

BMW M3 buyers are a special lot. These are people with a specific mindset who enjoy driving on the roads but with a bit of a track style. Its tricky to explain that statement, but if you like zipping in and out between cars, taking roundabouts and curves at above normal speeds, feeling the road below in the grip of your steering wheel, than you need to get into an M3 with a Competition Package upgrade now.

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BMW M3 COVER STORY When you see the extra goodies, you get by opting for the Comp-spec you would not hesitate forking out the extra cash and its clear to see why: l

19bhp power upgrade

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0-62mph sprint drops to 4.0sec

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Chassis: recalibrated springs, dampers, anti-roll bars

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Updated driving modes, Active M Differential

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20in M alloy wheels with 265/30 (f), 285/30 (r) tyres

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Lightweight M sports seats, M-striped seatbelts

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M sports exhaust, Shadow Line black gloss detailing

As option packs go, it’s a lot for your money.

If you’re already stumping up approximately BD26,000. for a regular BMW M3, the logic for dropping another BD1500-BD2000 IN upgrades is a no-brainer.

IDENTIFYING THE COMP-SPEC From a distance, this could be mistaken for any old M3: take one regular four-door 3-Series saloon, stick some big rims on it, and a discreetly macho bodykit, with just the right mix of menace and modesty, so you won’t stick out like the Porsche-slayer you are.

But there are subtle differences. That Shadow Line matt black trim lends a stealth cloak, replacing chrome on the side window graphic (what designers call the DLO, or daylight opening), the M3 badge on the bootlid, the kidney grille and side gills too. The 20in rims are also new.

IMPROVED RIDE There’s no mistaking the underlying M3 qualities at play here - but everything about the Comp-spec car feels sharpened. The sports exhaust on our car was swapped for an after market Akrapovic unit complete with carbon tail pipes - recaliberated for a monstrous growl, instantly noticeable at start-up.

We heard the Comp-spec unit which was louder, this here was total race car.

Those 19 extra ponies make themselves felt on the road. The M3 has never been a slow car and the turbocharged six-cylinder now has performance capable of out-slugging the tail end supercars: 0-62mph takes just 4.0sec (a tenth faster), when equipped with the DCT auto box, like our car. It made for instant gearchanges, thanks to the lovely tactile metal paddles completely in-sync with the cars command centre. We still miss the last car’s zesty V8 if we’re being honest - as this straight six 3.0-litre is less charismatic, but it sure does pull like a train.

Zip the drive mode into Sport or Sport plus and the car gets louder and fruitier. It’s like M division engineering composers have learned how to fine-tune turbo’d engines and re-inject a frisson of fun. And the chassis handling is sublime, feeling hunkered down with an iron glove of body control yet a decent degree of compliance to soak up the bumpy roads. Traction is impressive too, the active diff keeping full blown torque on the road most of the time.

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COVER STORY BMW M3

Name: Talal Shaheen Car: BMW M3

Special mention to the accurate, well judged steering too: it’s not the most feelsome helm, but the M3 feels more agile than ever. Our car was kitted with an aftermarket KW system which made for pinpoint precision driving. We also had ceramic brakes on our car along with aftermarket stainless steel brake lines, which proved supremely powerful and fade-resistant, if a little grabby at low speeds.

THE EXTRA EQUIPMENT There are people out there for whom the extra Comp-specs are not enough and the owner of this blue monster happened to be one such specimen. Our test car was equipped with after market charge pipes, methanol fuel system, complete KW Suspensions, Gruppe M air-intake, and a custom flash tune, which make this M3 put a healthy... wait for it... 600whp on the ground!

The interior has the complete compspec carbon fibre package which makes

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for impressive viewing. As you’d expect the iDrive controller has evolved into a logical system of Germanic efficiency; the navigation is a paragon of clarity; the dashboard design is slightly less polished, less cohesive than what you’ll find in say the Audi A4 or the Merc C-Class but the driving position and major controls are all brilliantly placed. There’s no doubting the M3 is a proper driver’s car first, and a sensible fourdoor family chariot second.

VERDICT The Competition Package improvements do enough to nudge the M3 back up to a five-star car. With our car, we ended up in Dubai’s 7-Star category. Yes this car had more power then was intended, but the M3s brilliant chassis managed to hone it all in and offer unparalleled driving precision.

We’d wholeheartedly recommend the extra performance, sublime chassis tweaks and extra character of the M3 Comp Pack.

Why this car?

I’ve never driven a BMW M car prior to this M3 and I had always thought that Mercedes AMGs gave a bigger adrenaline rush due to their power. However after I drove this M3 thanks to my friend, I was pretty astonished at how it drove! This car is extremely powerful and by far one of the most exciting cars to drive.

Have you made any modifications to the car?

I haven’t yet, but the previous owner has.

He has put in an Akrapovic titanium exhaust system, Methanol kit, suspension upgrade, new intakes. I still haven’t decided what else to upgrade yet, as I am in between cosmetic and performance upgrades, hopefully you’ll be able to see the changes soon!

Have you always been a BMW guy?

Not really, I used to be a Mercedes AMG guy but now I am a BMW guy. Although never say never, there is always a chance I’ll go back!

Why the M car over a regular BMW? I like speed and the adrenaline rush that you get from an any fast car, given M Power cars have more power and performance this car was the obvious choice.

And do you find it a comfortable drive?

Much more comfortable since I have an automatic now vs a manual transmission which made a huge difference to me, my previous car was a Cayman GT4. It was a great car, however driving it during morning and afternoon traffic got both frustrating and tiring.

It also felt like I was doing a leg workout, so thats why I decided to go for the M3. And it was mission accomplished from day one. It fulfilled my need for both speed and comfort.

BMW M4 COVER STORY

WHY DRIVE STRAIGHT Having already reviewed the M4 we got lucky and stumbled upon the limited edition M4 GTS - the variant we have all been waiting for. This is BMW’s reiteration of the car they originally intended to produce in the first place. Its fast, agile and engaging in a way that M cars are meant to be - lets not forget M does stand for motorsport. he GTS really is a standout piece of machinery that urges you to get involved in the whole driving experience.

It is nothing like its sibling which feels a bit lethargic in its responses and disengaging when hammered.

So what makes the GTS so special? Well for starters it is the fastest production BMW there has ever been. Its a head turner in every way, be it while you’re driving around town or zooming past a competitor on the apex. And finally it has the uncanny ability to make you want to push it harder even when on edge. But it’s far from an unqualified success, as we’ll soon discover.

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MORE POWER, LESS WEIGHT, MORE EXCITEMENT So what did the bad boys from M division do here, to flip this car a full 180? The recipe was straight forward and basic. Take a stock M4 and churn up the power (70bhp) and torque (37lb-ft) by simply lowering the intake air temperature, allowing for more turbo boost on the 3.0-litre six.

This water-cooled induction is a production-car first (though it’s been used in racing). You get a small water tank in the boot that gets topped up on average every five or so petrol refills. Thrown into the mix is an all new and much lighter, titanium exhaust system which also helps boost power. More importantly it amplifies the hard pumping six, making for a juicy and deep exhaust note. It’s not as great as the original naturally aspirated engines, but definitely more distinctive than the stock M4.

Once all the power upgrades were done, BMW went off stripping weight from the interior. Thrown out were the back seats, and other extras like the door speakers. In went the carbon fibre bonnet, front splitter, light weight bucket seats and carbon ceramic brakes.

The suspension was modified to improve handling and driving feedback. It includes adjustable racing-car style dampers, adjustable ride height, thicker anti-roll bars, improved steering feel and a rigid connection between rear axle subframe and body (so no rubber bushings). Plus there are track-like Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

THE BMW M4 GTS: HEADTURNING STYLE Purchasing this car is a statement. Its like telling the world that you’ve just purchased

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the uber-performance coupe. It comes with gold wheels, a small and adjustable rear aero wing, deep gold ringed front spoiler and a roll cage. As you can see this is car designed for going to the Bahrain International Circuit rather than driving it to the local McDonalds.

To be honest, for us the over-sized rear wing was a bit much and the wheels and gold accents too blingy for an M car straight out of Munich. It is something you’d expect Kanye to turn up in for a track meet. The sports exhaust is also a bit on the loud side advertising the GTS’ track bred pedigree, complete with bark, snarl and extra loud bellow. So yes it announces its intent, before even showing up.

But does it walk the walk? Well BMW claims a 0-62 is 3.8 seconds while top speed rests at 190mph.

DIALLED UP FOR MAXIMUM DRIVING EXCITEMENT If the normal M4 is a touch insipid, then the BMW GTS is the exact opposite. Driving excitement has been dialled up to the max.

Just like a proper touring car racer, the GTS is eager and tactile.

Steering is firm and feelsome, turn-in sharp and the chassis fidgets and bobs over road imperfections and camber changes. You can tell its a highly strung car, twitchy, and about as soothing as salt on an open wound. The carbon-frame racing seat grips you tight and some of you might not like it for daily drives, unless you are used to track driving and a stiff chassis. You sit low, just like a proper racer, ready for action.

Out on the track this car is absolutely magnificent, because it was purpose built for that environment. Try and drive it hard even in a straight line and it will put a grin on

your face. Take a corner or turn-in and you know how quick the steering is. The GTS is very intuitive from that aspect and is eager to deliver at the slightest nudge. It kicks and jolts and is less composed and settled than its competitors.

With such mannerism handling can be a bit nervy and unpredictable at speed especially if you are a novice. So if you chose to turn the traction down, be prepared for a snappy tail. A lot of you might enjoy that and would probably pay the extra bit for added fun, it’s safe to say that this car demands respect, especially on challenging roads. It plays around like a toy but in driving terms this means it is exactly the opposite.

The engine offers linear power delivery over a wide engine speed range.

Throttle response is instantaneous although not as linear as some of its other rivals. Its more of a raw, race bred, Le Mans style delivery, which technically is what the GTS is all about. If you want something a bit toned down then you are better off buying the standard M4.

VERDICT For track days, the M4 GTS takes some beating – as it is approximately double the price of the standard M4. But then again you are buying a purpose built car, for a specific purpose. As it’s limited edition it will also hold (and probably increase) its value. How many produced? Only 700 and all have been sold out!

Overall it is a car for purist drivers or those who are used to snug bucket seats alongside roll-cages. This is not an everyday car but more of a track weapon and it should be used as such. For those of you looking for something fast to cruise around in, you’re better off opting for the regular M4 or maybe even its four doored variant the M3.

BMW M4 COVER STORY

Name: Salah Salahuddin Car: BMW M4 Why the M4?

I chose the M4 because I wanted a sports car that could be used as a daily drive and still have a sporty feel to it and I just fell in love with how the car looks. Best part is that it also has the performance to match. The more I read about it, the more I was pulled towards buying the car. No Regrets.

Any Modifications?

The car is completely stock, but its not the normal M4. You could consider it as the M4 with a competition package so it already has different wheels and different settings to the original M4. And for now I’m keeping it stock but you never know in the future.

Do you feel its a comfortable drive? and why BMW? For me it’s a very comfortable ride, but I must warn you that it offers a very sporty drive. I really enjoy driving it because you feel very involved in the ride of the car, which happens to be one of the main reasons why I like BMWs. The steering and the break feel is unmatched by any other manufacturers.

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BMW M5 COVER STORY

What more can we say about the M5?

A daily driver that you can also beat on at the track, day in and day out, but with driving dynamics leagues above the competition. For some reason if you don’t know what this car is, than please put this magazine down and pick up Arabian Homes. This is not the magazine for you! ets face it, there is no other saloon out there that can offer you this kind of performance, handling and everyday usability.

Some will be upset about the loss of the naturally aspirated engines, but believe it when we say that the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 shoots out more power and consumes less fuel! Add to this the new DCT gearbox is miles ahead then that of the old SMG gearbox from the previous E60.

DESIGN To start off with, the all new F10 is border line sleeker in terms of aesthetics. Its not loud or aggressive looking like the M3, M4 or M2, as a result the untrained eye might even mistake it for the regular 5 Series.

Look carefully and you will notice the quad tailpipes, small vents in the flanks and the gapping mouth, deep front bumper. It’s deliberately not an overstated car, because BMW has perfected the art of delivering subtle hints that tag the excitement delivered from underneath. Think Adriana Lima in Mother Teresa’s clothing.

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Name: Salman Kaiksow Car: BMW M5 Why the M5?

I have always wanted to own an M5 ever since the previous generation BMW E60M. I just never had a chance till lately. I think it’s the most practical of the M cars ever built.

Have you made any Modifications to the car?

I haven’t modified it at all. I use it every day as my daily driver, and that’s how I enjoy it. I love the way it drives. Prior to buying this, I always liked cars that offered luxury and comfort, but at the same time I wanted more power, and I got that with the M5.

Do you feel like you have to concentrate when driving it? Or is it an easy car?

Like I say, its very comfortable and its definitely a very easy car to drive even on the edge. Having said that I’m always relaxed when driving it. I’ve driven the M2 but personally for me it’s too small.

I’m not a fan of small cars.

How long have you owned it? And would you buy another M Car? I’ve owned it just over a year now, and yes I definitely would, and it would be the new M5. There’s nothing quiet like it out there.

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BMW M5 COVER STORY Don’t expect it to turn heads if you chose yours in a restrained black or dark colour, which bodes well for those who like staying below the radar. However in brighter colours like Monte Carlo Blue or Sakhir Orange, the F10’s sporting traits are much more clearly visible.

INSIDE The cabin is the realm of the iDrive infotainment system - which is literally the best in-car command unit ever. Its effortless to use, intuitive and capable of controlling the entire car at a click. Bonus points to BMW for throwing in all of the driver goodies in too, like the lane assist, collision warning and even a night vision camera.

Buy a fully loaded one and you are literally driving around in a tech showcase, with a seriously kick-a^s sound system. Overall interior quality and build are fabulous. You’ve got M-stitching all over the place and a plethora of colours, fabrics, wood, carbon-fibre etc to choose from. When customising this car, the sky literally is the limit.

This M5 is an altogether more refined machine than the E60 version, but it still boasts class-leading dynamics and a degree of agility that sits completely at odds with the near two-tonne kerb weight. Whereas the current generation M3 and M4 models are less than convincing in their dynamic make-up, the M5 is perfectly judged.

The restrained, but handsome exterior styling and superbly appointed cabin simply complete the package. This M5 is a high water mark both for BMW and for the super saloon as a whole.

ENGINE AND GEARBOX Although a very powerful unit the M5’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 may lack the ferocity and soundtrack of the previous model’s naturally aspirated V10. But in return it compensates with more power and masses more torque. Moreover the engine is also a technological tour-de-force as it places the turbochargers in the ‘V’ of the cylinder for a more direct throttle response.

The standard F10 delivers 553bhp along with 506lb-ft of torque, bringing the 0-62mph in just 4.2secs. Top speed is restricted to 155mph (250kph) but dare to cancel the limiter and you will see 205mph (333kph). If you opt for the Competition Package you get 15bhp extra, or if you can land yourself the limited “30 Jahre Edition” you’ll be bragging 592bhp and 516lb ft of torque.

RIDE AND HANDLING Remember we said that this is the best performance package on the market? Well apart from the power, which any of its so called rivals can put out, the M5 still drives like nothing else ever produced. Even in the Comfort damper mode, it’s far from being too stiff for daily use. As a matter of fact its so refined that you might be forgiven for thinking you were driving a regular 5-Series.

You almost forget how much power you wield under your right foot.

Controlling this powerful beast is a joy.

It’s got an amazing chassis, that makes for excellent flat-bodied control which allows the driver to hustle his way through twists and turns at greater than average road speeds. It

grips almost like glue and we say “almost” only because it allows for a degree of safety understeer, to let you know when its hitting its limits.

Steering feel is typically BMW multiplied times ten. It feels sensitive but detailed making for a crisp and nifty driving experience. The locking M differential does a fantastic job of putting down that monstrous torque and power to the tarmac. Once you get the hang of it, you will be pulling off the most outrageous opposite-lock power slides on the circuit. Rest assured you will surprise yourself !

If you need even more preciseness than turn up to Sport and Sport Plus modes and further sharpen the car’s responses. But be warned stiffening up the dampers to the max will make for a bumpy road ride even on the straights.

VERDICT Its no secret that the M5 has been the king of the hill in its class ever since the class was invented - by BMW! It offers all that we love about M-cars in one package. It is quick, a hoot to drive, pretty to look at and awesome to sit inside too.

Although it has lost its V10 “supercarish grunt”, it has morphed into a usable everyday car and most people love that. You can actually take the kids out for a spin, turn up to a VIP club and then take it to track days on weekends. However what really distinguishes it from others, is its uniquely tuned chassis, steering response and the way it delivers power to the rubbers on the back.

Just a phenomenal offering from BMW...a true benchmark of German engineering.

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We think the “M” in M6 stands for more; here, BMW’s fourdoor “coupe” comes in a performance version with a sporttuned chassis and a 761whp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 - albeit with a few aftermarket bolt-ons. Arabia Motors explores what happens when bad boys are pushed to the limit!

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BMW M6 COVER STORY he best way to describe the BMW M6 is as the M5s naughty younger brother.

Where the M5 displays traditional Germanic restraint, the M6 Gran Coupe is arguably a more seductive looking car. Its slinky, yet muscular. External rivals don’t come close. If you want a four-door alpha performance car with an extra dose of style, the M6 earns our recommendation.

BODY STYLES The BMW M6 is visually distinguished from other 6 Series BMWs by its sporty elements such as unique front and rear fascias and quad tailpipes.

This one is even more special as its got the complete Vorsteiner body kit on. As you can see it has a real presence about it and certainly attracts a lot of attention on the road. This is down to the the combination of its grand proportions and the racy detailing you’d expect of an M car. It’s one of a kind styling features include a twin-spoke grille design, bigger air intakes and quad exhausts, plus stylish 20-inch alloys. Its carbon fibre roof helps to lower the centre of gravity and minimise weight.

Standard equipment includes, adaptive suspension dampers, a limited-slip differential, extended leather trim, carbon-fiber accents and all the goodies you would expect from a top of the line Bimmer.

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Name: Mohammed Al Balushi Car: BMW M6 Why did you buy the car?

Right from day one I fell in love with the car. I really liked the look of it and the power, but after about a few weeks, I realised it wasn’t enough. Don’t get me wrong, its an amazing car but I needed more power.

What modifications did you make to the car?

I tuned the engine, upgraded the air intake, the down pipes, the clutch and few other tweaks. Now the power has shot up from 562 to 715 hp.

Now does it feel enough?

It’s never enough, I always want more speed and more power.

Many M car owner’s buy the M cars because the drive is completely different to any other sports car.

How do you find it to drive?

I think I may have ruined it a bit because I lowered it; it’s a straight line, tail happy car now. I can’t take it on the track anymore.

It’s still an amazing drive though. I did a road trip to Dubai with it, with all the mods on and it was really comfortable. I know other people don’t find it comfortable, but for me, its pure comfort.

Would you say you’re an M car guy?

I had an M coupe Z3 I tried going with Mercedes but I couldn’t...so I guess I’m a BMW guy. If its a road car, it has to be an M powered one.

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BMW M6 COVER STORY INTERIOR DESIGN AND SPECIAL FEATURES DRIVING IMPRESSIONS The M6’s driver friendly layout is borrowed from the two-door M6. The comfortable cockpit-like cocoon is finished off with a exuberant materials such as leather trims, simulated suede and a carbon fibre roof. The central control panel leans steadily toward the driver seat, allowing easy access to the the entertainment, navigation and phone functions which are all controlled through BMW’s knob-based iDrive infotainment system - via a stunningly central 10.2-inch display. The system can be a little tricky to get used to but once acclimatised, its easy to shuffle through the various vehicle settings.

The front seats are incredibly supportive, and offer all kinds of adjustments to deliver the best possible ride for the occupants, however the back seat passengers may have a harder time enjoying the comfort of the M6 due to its low roof line. But that is typically expected off the four door coupe design. The trunk is a little on the small side at only 12-cubic-feet. It lends itself more to a coupe then a sedan, however it does come with the standard folding seats, allowing a little more room for your ever important cargo.

POWERTRAINS AND PERFORMANCE The engine is completely unreal! Carried over from the M5, it’s powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that produces 552bhp and 502 pound-feet of torque. This catapults the M6 to 60mph in just 4.1secs with the automated manual. Opting for the Competition package raises output to 600 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

A seven-speed automated manual transmission with shift paddles comes standard, though a six-speed conventional manual transmission is a no-cost option. All M6’S feature an automatic stop-start system that shuts down the engine when you’re stopped to conserve fuel after a hard days driving. Its called limp-mode! Fortunately, you can turn it off, if you don’t like it.

Our test car being a special one has been tweaked up but its owner to put 716whp to the ground. How did he do this? Well this car has got RPI downpipes, a full Dodson Clutch, Gruppe M intake, Aquamist Methanol system and a JB4 flash tune. The result as you may guess is flippin scary!

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS The M6’s turbo V8 envelopes the car with an aggressive force when you plant your right foot. The seemingly endless amount of torque available virtually from the get go, hurtles you forward in a bountiful wave of thrust. No matter what gear you’re in, there’s serious power packed into this car, and the ripping exhaust note only heightens this by taking you into a state of motoring Nirvana.

Despite the mods you can enjoy this V8 on a day to day basis occasionally reminding you of the astounding capabilities this powerplant has to offer. Thanks to its various engine, transmission, suspension and steering settings, the M6 can be tailored to almost any driving scenario, providing both comfort on the daily commute and insane performance when pushed. Seems like these cars were designed to shuttle front seat adults and rear seat mini-mes’ through the city with incredible ease and style, while also devouring miles of open road. The composed, responsive chassis and epic cornering grip of the M6 is unparalleled, and not surprising.

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Back Bringing 1992 into 2017

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Future

NISSAN ZX300 TT MODIZONE

efore Nissan’s widelyacclaimed 350z, there was the 300ZX. Sold within the Japanese domestic market under the name ‘Fairlady Z’, this beauty certainly has all the right curves in all the right places. Nearly 25 years on, this tuner car has lost none of its dream-worthy charm.

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Your Name: Ali Ebrahim Car Make and Model: Nissan ZX300 TT Year of the Car: 1992 What cars have you previously owned?

I use to own a GTR33.

Have you modified any previous cars, or is this your first?

This is my first modification project.

Why this car?

It has a really unique design, that’s what attracted me to it.

How does your car differ from others in the range?

Its the only ZX300 with fully modified original VG30DETT engine that hadn’t been thrown in the trash or been swapped with a 2JZ. Did you buy this car with the intention of modifying it?

100% YES!!

How long have you had the car, and how long before you decided and started the modification process?

I have it 7 years now and I started to modification process about 2 years ago.

Why did you decided to modify it?

I had always dreamt about owning a high horse power car that is beautiful inside and out.

Talk us through how you have modified the car in terms of speed, power and appearance?

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Engine list VG30DETT 3.1L Trust grex 89mm pistons Tomei heads gaskets Tomei 260 deg camshafts Tomei spring valve Tomei solid lifters Tomei adjustable cams gear ACL bearings ARP head studs Sard 850cc fuel injectors Splitfire ignition coils OS gain twin plates clutch Greddy TD05 turbos Trust 38mm wastegates HKS ssqv blow off valves Haltech platinum 1000 ecu Tuned by QTS performance Suspension Blitz RS suspension Tien rods cusco strud bar Exterior Greddy style front bumper Volk rays te37 19” wheels Custom front and side splitters Custom rear diffuser Full borla exhuast system 2.5” Interior Custom rollecage by KRT garage Momo steering wheel Autometer guage boost & AEM wideband Kenwood sound system

NISSAN ZX300 TT MODIZONE Where have you got the majority of the parts from?

Pretty much everything has come from ordering online.

What modification did you do at a garage?

Did you do any yourself?

None!!! The entire thing has been fully built by me at home. Very proud!!

Have you encountered any problems whist modifying the car? If so what? and how did you over come them?

No modification process is straight forward, there are always challenge’s to face until you reach you target but the lesson I have learnt is to never give up on something you love.

What is the before and after affects?

There is a huge difference in acceleration & overall drivability. As the car goes to boost you really feel the power of the v6.

What’s the max speed the car is capable of?

300km+ If you don’t mind saying roughly how much have you spent doing this car up?

8000 BHD How much time have you spent on this car?

And has it been an enjoyable project?

An uncountable amount of time but it has been the best time, I really enjoy my life, and I’ve loved every second of this project.

How is the car to drive now compared to how it was before?

Before the car was fast, but driving it now its like it fly’s.

Do you ever race this car? Or is it more of a show piece?

Yes I race it from time to time.

Would you do this again? with another car and modify it? If so, what car? and what mods?

Yes, if the money allow I would modify a GTR34.

If money was no object what would be your dream modification project?

GTR35

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AS GOOD AS NEW THE PRESTIGIOUS PORSCHE PANAMERA 4S

or this months As Good As New we have a sumptuous offering of a Porsche Panamera, and not just any Porsche Panamera. This is a top of the range Panamera, fitted with all the extras Panamera, The Porsche Panamera 4S. Porsche are renowned for producing true driving enthusiasts’ cars and utilising incredible levels of engineering in the pursuit of driving perfection.

This particular model as mentioned is a top of the range, white 2014 model, which sits proudly on it 20 inch 911 turbo ll wheels. The engine is 3.0L, twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6, kicking 82 www.arabiamotors.co / JANUARY 2017

PORSCHE PANAMERA AS GOOD AS NEW out 420-hp and 384-lb-ft and working with a 7 speed twin clutch auto gear box. The interior consists of two tone leather in black and Garnet red, and the carbon interior package. Besides these marvels this particular model comes with plenty of boxes ticked in terms of options. A Porsche PDK, heated steering wheel, driver memory package, luggage net for passenger footwell, reversing camera including park assist system front and back, Porsche communication Management with navigation module, monochrome exterior package, and the Porsche crest embossed headrest. The icing on the cake with this car is that is comes complete with the Porsche sports chrono package including the chronograph, with which you can record your lap times, and the air suspension which enables a more aerodynamic drive when racing around the track. With one previous owner and 23,000 km on the clock this beaut is a steal at only BHD 28,900. For further information, please call the Porsche Centre Bahrain on +973 17459911.

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1299 Panigale Anniversario S

T

his month Arabia Motors are proud to review the Ducati limited-edition 1299 Panigale S Anniversario (with just 500 bikes created) featuring an all-new colour scheme and technical content in the Kingdom of Bahrain, exclusive to Wheels of Arabia.

Inspiration for the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario’s colours was drawn from Ducati race bikes. Its white, black and Ducati Red fairings perfectly complement its special gold wheels. Other distinctive features on the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario include its top triple clamp and steering head inserts, both machined from solid aluminum alloy.

Each top triple clamp is unique in that it has been laser-etched with the bike’s unique production number of 500. The steering head inserts shift the front wheel forward 5 mm, giving the same chassis geometry as the incredible Panigale R. Moreover, a light lithium battery, together with carbon fiber heel guards, rear mudguard and shock absorber cover reduce weight by 2.5 kg.

The electronics on the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario incorporates all-new traction and wheelie control, representing a major evolution of such systems; hence the name Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO. Both systems maximise performance and active safety on the Italian Superbike.

In addition to the new DTC and DWC EVO, the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario also features Bosch Cornering ABS, which ensures performance and safety whatever the riding conditions, plus Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) for ultra-fast clutch less up and downshifts on both track and road. The twin-cylinder, 1285 cc, 205 hp Superquadro engine features Engine Brake Control (EBC), which optimises vehicle stability under extreme turn-in conditions.

The suspension department, instead, offers up Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) and Öhlins Smart EC; the latter is an event-based control system that processes information about the bike and accordingly uses stepper motors to dynamically adjust the suspension set-up during riding ultimately improving cornering grip, stability, braking, turn-in, handling and riding comfort.

The 1299 Panigale S Anniversario also features TFT (Thin Film Transistor) instrumentation, as well as customizable Ducati Riding Modes (Race, Sport and Wet) that allow the rider to have tailor-made performance.

Like all bikes in the Panigale family, the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario makes excellent use of monocoque frame technology. The compact, enhanced-strength die-cast aluminum monocoque structure features the Superquadro engine as a stressed member of the frame.

To emphasise the sports performance of the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario even further, the bike comes with a racing kit consisting of an Akrapovič Racing exhaust in titanium, billet aluminum mirror block off plates, and a cover for the hole created by removing the license-plate holder for track days. Lastly, a battery charger is also provided.

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1299 PANIGALE ANNIVERSARIO S NEW BIKE REVIEW

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BAHRAIN RIDERS CLUB MAKING A NATION PROUD

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BAHRAIN RIDERS EVENTS

ahrain Riders Club organized the march of the National Day, December 16, 2016 with the majority of participation coming from within the Kingdom as well as a significant presence outside of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the march began from the club’s headquarters in Manama with the participation of 120 rider’s. The procession saw the riders in the various governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

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Captain Fahad Jaber Al-Dosari club president said that this procession is included in the annual program of the club, to support national events and to show that the club values the meaning of community and partnership with the embodiment of the state institutions in youth care as well as directing their energies toward raising awareness of road safety.

For his part, Chairman of the events and activities Captain Ali Musayyib said that the number of participants in this march had reached 120 rider’s, that were divided into six groups in line with the General Directorate of Traffic and licensing regulations in order not to disrupt traffic on the public roads, which also contributed to the safety of all road users.

It is worth mentioning that the march kicked off from the club’s headquarters near Dana Mall in Manama, heading east on King Faisal Street and then Shaikh Isa Bridge and south on diving Street and then west on Sheikh Khalifa Bridge through the street Sheikh Isa and back north on Sheikh Khalifa Street to the tee for a feast Dinner at the club’s headquarters.

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BAHRAIN RIDERS EVENTS

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BAHRAIN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

BSBK Round 2 at Bahrain International Circuit

ahrain International Circuit, Home of Motorsports in the GCC, hosted the second round of the Bahrain Superbike Championship (BSBK) Season 2016-2017. After an extended break of Round 1, riders and their Ducatis competed again in an action packed race aiming for the championship title. Round 2 was a day race that consisted of Practice and Qualifying followed by two races. All 16 riders had to compete on an identical Ducati 899 Panigale superbike.

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CONSUMER REVIEW INFINITI Q50

The race brought together riders from 9 countries in order to compete and improve on their race times. The last round saw heated competition in the front, middle and end of the grid. This continuous improvement is testament to the commitment of these riders practicing hard to improve their time.

Qatari AlNeami, completed the 11-lap sprint of race 1 in 12:32.437. He was 15.031s ahead of runner-up Aaron Morris from Australia while Mike Edwards from UK finished in third place with 20.096s behind the winner. In race 2, Alneami once again dominated the track although the record from race one was a faster time. He won the first with 12:39.231 while Aaron Morris cleared the flag with a 4.255s gap.

AlNeami’s fellow Qatari Fahad Al Sowaidi completed the podium 18.657s behind.

“We are very excited and glad to be back with the a new season and another round. The purpose behind BSBK: is to grow and improve skills locally while making Bahrain destination for motorcycle racing.“ Abdulrahaman Almoayed, Co-founder.

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BAHRAIN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

BSBK RIDERS PROFILE These are the 16 heroic souls who have staked life and limb in the pursuit of motorcycle glory.

They come from all walks of life and some are based around the GCC. Their experience levels vary but they all have one thing in common - their unyielding passion for riding.

F. ALSOWAIDI

4

R. BACHA

7

M. TANNIR

10

I. ALSHARIDAH

11

F. ALGHARABALLY

16

M. EDWARDS

21

A. ALSHAMMARI

22

N. HUSSAIN

34

A. ALMUYINI

47

S. KHALAF

56

A. MORRIS

64

M. BEHBAHANI

69

M. ALKHALIFA

70

W. PEARCE

77

M. ALNAIMI

95

I. CHARLES

99

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We catch up with driver Mahmood Bin Mahmood to give us the low down on his riding experience of the new KTM 1290 Super Duke GT. TM’s Super Duke GT makes you rethink what a sportbike is. It’s fast and easy to ride, and the new Super Duke GT is, of course, a sport-touring bike. It has those hard bags. It has heated grips. It has a handlebar, not clipons. It has a reasonable passenger pad and cruise control. It knows to use an alternative damping range for added weight when a passenger is on the bike. But it also has 173 horsepower, traction control, a quickshifter, and modes for Sport riding and Sport suspension. Quiet naturally the KTM Super Duke also goes very fast, very easily thus putting the sport in sport-touring.

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Firstly, can I just ask why bikes over cars?

For me, a bike is a hobby, you feel free when you are riding it. Any fears or worries just disappear. Its is just you the bike and the open road. Cars I feel are more of just a transportation device.

Ok, so what bikes have you previously owned? How does this bike compare?

I started out with a BMW adventure Bike and BMW naked bike. This bike is a sport touring bike so its a combination of the two, which enables you to get the best of both worlds.

KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT CONSUMER REVIEW

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“The big takeaway with this bike is that the rider assists really are just assists, and not numbing or distracting intrusions.�

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KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT CONSUMER REVIEW How does this bike differ from its predecessor?

The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is a slightly updated 1290 Super Duke R with changes to the fairings and engine. The engine having a new head design with intake port sit further upstream from the valves and modified combustion chambers for improved combustion. New mapping, plain bearings, and timing for the 75-degree V-twin engine go a step further and are intended to reduce vibration and engine noise. The bike maintains huge horsepower numbers and a wider torque curve. The Power output is 173 hp at 9,500 rpm and 106.2 pound-feet of torque at 6,750 rpm.

What makes this bike so special?

The throttle is ride-by-wire and the engine management has revised mapping. For smooth downshifts the 1290 Super Duke GT has a slipper clutch plus Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), a system that monitors the drag torque of the engine and slightly opens the throttle to quickly match engine speed to wheel speed and avoid tire hop or drifting at corner entry. It has three riding modes (Sport, Street, and Rain) and the 1290 Super Duke GT has Traction Control that varies depending on which riding mode is in use. Braking is with combined-ABS, which means that a measure of rear braking is applied with a pull of the front brake lever, and the rear wheel, like the front wheel, will not lock. The C-ABS is selectable and can be shut off or put in Supermoto mode for ABS up front and a lockable rear wheel.

Why would I buy this bike over its competitors?

Mainly because of the fashion and style of the bike. In addition to what I have mentioned above. The underlying conceptual difference about this bike is, of course, that when riding it aggressively it’s a rare event that the EFI is doing what your right hand is telling it to do. Not only is the rider riding-by-wire, but the various electronic systems of the bike are also driving-by-wire—interpreting, interrupting, and managing the rider’s demands to the dynamic contingencies. But that’s not all. The ride-bywire doesn’t just take a measure of the motorcycle’s dynamics, but also takes a measure of the rider’s dynamics. If the throttle is whacked open abruptly the system reacts by sorting out what should be the optimum throttle-valve position, eliminating jerky, jolting, jumpy throttle application and involuntary wheelies

How did you feel driving the bike?

Incredibly excited. It’s easy to ride the bike hard because it has your back. Traction is managed from hard acceleration to hard braking, with a seamless assist that’s so invisible to feel that it allows the you to assume full credit. Not only does it provide a totally smooth full-throttle shift, matching engine speed to wheel speed, but it also winds the throttle back open so smoothly that a higher gear can be grabbed while still leaned hard over.

What’s the max speed you have done on this bike?

200 KM Price?

BHD 7700 Would you consider racing this bike? Or is it more of a show piece?

It’s definitely more of show piece. Don’t get me wrong it’s a fantastic ride, but one of the things I love most about this bike is the appearance, it’s a talking piece. It grabs attention, and honestly I quite enjoy just looking at it.

Would you say this bike is for fun, and special occasions, or could it be used everyday?

What is so brilliant bout this bike, is that it works in all circumstances. Its has the comfort and control you want to be able to use it everyday, its fun and thrilling to ride as well. But its looks lead itself to special occasions, it’s a bike you want to show off.

What’s your verdict?

I think with this bike you are getting amazing value for money. It can be ridden calmly, or brutally stupidly, as long as an error, or lack of judgment, or careless indiscretion, is within the limits of the rules of physics, it can forgive. The big takeaway with this bike is that the rider assists really are just assists, and not numbing or distracting intrusions. This feel and feedback from such a smart and talented machine is the 1290 Super Duke GT’s stunning grace.

How is the bike to ride?

The power of the bike is unbelievable, it’s a really easy ride. The fuelling is perfect, the suspension (in sport) is awesome and the handling is unreal. The bike simply just falls into corners.

As well as the new features and technologies on this bike which builds up more trust between you and the bike.

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Ali Bahram Ali’s Suzuki Hayabusa leaves little to the imagination

ince bursting onto the scene in 1999, the Suzuki Hayabusa has been lauded by reviewers as one of the best motorbikes on the market in terms of allround performance. As if the Hayabusa’s fierce reputation for speed and power wasn’t enough, this 2013 model features performance upgrades that would make the most experienced of riders shudder with fright (or soil their pants).

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SUZUKI HAYABUSA BIKERZONE

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Name: Ali Bahram Ali. Bike model: Suzuki Hayabusa 2013.

Why bikes for you over cars?

Its a hobby that I picked up from my dad. I just really enjoy riding bikes, its so much fun. Just a sense of freedom, speed and adrenaline.

What bikes have you previously owned?

Over the years I have pretty much owned or ridden everything. From Kawasakis to Hondas and now the Suzuki Hayabusa.

Have you modified any previous bikes, or is this your first?

I have tinkered around with all bikes I’ve owned but my previous modifications were just bolton’s. This here is the first bike I’ve really deeply modified in terms of engine perspective.

Why a Suzuki Hayabusa?

Firstly because of the look. I just love the way it has that aggressive, mean looking stance. But also because its aerodynamic and has a very powerful engine to start off with.

How does your bike differ from others in the range?

My bike as you can see and hear is a highly modified bike and has a whole load of accessories. I mean there are other Busas and then there is mine.

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SUZUKI HAYABUSA BIKERZONE

Did you buy this bike with the intention of modifying it?

Honestly no, but when I joined the Monday night drag races down at the BIC that’s where the bug to go faster kicked in. I really enjoyed the experience and said to myself why don’t I join in?

How long have you had the bike, and how long before you decided and started the modification process?

I bought this bike the same year of it production in 2013 and the next year I decided to modify it.

What was the real reason for creating this monster?

Mainly just to join in with the drag racing in the Gulf. I love going fast, and it’s just a safer way to race, and way more fun.

Talk us through how you have modified the bike in terms of speed, power and appearance?

I have modified the bike with APE (American performance engineering), they were very helpful in terms of suggesting what to do to - adding more power as well as maintains engine safety. The engine now is fully re-built as a total racing engine.

Where have you got the majority of the parts from?

My engine was built with APE only and I plan to continue working with them on further modification’s.

Have involved where you with the mods? Did u get your hands dirty?

Well I’d say as involved as I could be. I got my own engine parts and had them fixed with MRB in Kuwait.

What are the before and after affects?

Besides the phenomenal acceleration the original top speed on this bike would be around 320 – 325km/h. But now its more than capable of

pushing 340km/h.

What’s the max speed you have done on this bike?

Honestly I haven’t tried to max out the speed because there isn’t really anywhere in Bahrain I can ride it, but I am planning on joining the Qatar mile, and I will test it out then.

How much time have you spent on this bike? And has it been an enjoyable project?

I have spent almost 2-3 months on my bike. It has been a very enjoyable experience because I learnt a lot of things through this period, about mods and the entire modification process.

Do you plan to make future modifications to this bike, if so what?

Well at the moment no, but if I do decide to modify it I will jump it up to the next stage.

Do you ever race this bike? Or is it more of a show piece?

I modified the bike with the purpose of joining the drag race, so yes, I do race it. I have reached about 258km/h in a quarter mile drag.

Would you do this again? with another bike and modify it?

Yes definitely, when the new Hayabusa gets released.

If money was no object what would be your dream modification project?

A Nitrous/ Turbo Hayabusa.

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about modifying their bikes?

My advice to anyone that wants to modify their bike, is to work with APE. They are amazing. I would also want to thank my friends who stood by me in this build and supported me. Special thanks goes out to Suzuki Silver and Zero Gravity for their support.

JANUARY 2017 / www.arabiamotors.co 101

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