Motoring December 2018 by The Malta Independent

IN THIS ISSUE: THE ALL-NEW DACIA DUSTER LAUNCH: RUGGED, BOLD AND BETTER LOOKING THAN EVER! | NEW PEUGEOT RIFTER, NOW IN MALTA! ‘BATTISTA’ ANNOUNCED AS NAME OF THE MOST POWERFUL ITALIAN PERFORMANCE CAR EVER | ALL-NEW HYUNDAI NEXO | MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE TO COMPETE IN THE 2019 DAKAR RALLY | NISSAN GT-R50 BY ITALDESIGN PRODUCTION DESIGN CONFIRMED

The Malta Independent on Sunday. December 2018

The All-New Dacia Duster Rugged, robust and better looking! also inside

Discover gorgeous Tuscany TUSCAN WINERY SPOTLIGHT CIACCI PICCOLOMINI D’ARAGONA

Discover GORGEOUS

TUSCANY

San Quirico d'Orcia

Florence

ONLY A FEW REGIONS CAN OFFER SUCH A BEAUTIFULLY RICH PANORAMA AS TUSCANY : GREEN HILLS, MILES AND MILES OF VINEYARDS AND OLIVE GROVES AND ANCIENT WALLED VILLAGES. FLORENCE, SIENA, AREZZO, LUCCA, PISA, THE CHIANTI REGION. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT FOR A MOTOR TRIP?

7 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTIES Tuscany – the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance - has been home to many figures influential in the history of art and science. The region is known for its inspiring landscapes, history, artistic legacy, and of course its food and wine. This is the home of iconic art, architecture and sculpture, including Michelangelo’s David, the leaning tower of Pisa and Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. Tuscany produces wines, including Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino. Tuscany is also one of the regions with the densest concentration of UNESCO Heritage Sites in the world - seven in all.

of Pisa and it has one of the most amazing concentration of beauty in the world. Here you will find the famous Leaning Tower as well as the beautiful cathedral, the baptistery and the monumental cemetery.

SAN GIMIGNANO, HISTORIC CENTRE

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SINCE 1990 This little charming town is a medieval jewel. Wandering around its streets and looking up at its 15 towers (San Gimignano used to boast 72 towers) is like entering a time machine.

FLORENCE, HISTORIC CENTRE

SIENA, HISTORIC CENTRE

From Piazza Duomo, with the Cathedral and the other monuments, to Piazza Signoria, with Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lanzi, as well as the Ponte Vecchio, the churches, palaces and museums. Then there are the small streets, the craft shops, restarants and market.

coincidence that UNESCO awarded its entire historical centre as a World Heritage Site.

town and is located in the Val d’Orcia area, another World Heritage Site.

VAL D'ORCIA

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SINCE 2004 A landscape that has become the iconic image of Tuscany, with curvy hills with fortified settlements on top, cypress trees and vineyards, and colours that change according to the season. This image exemplifies the beauty of well-managed Renaissance agricultural landscapes and made the Val d’Orcia territory the first rural area to be honoured with the UNESCO award.

VILLAS AND TWO UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SINCE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SINCE MEDICI PLEASURE GARDENS 1982 1995 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SINCE The entire historical center of Florence, a treasure chest Walking through the streets of Siena transports you in 2013 of works of art and architecture, is a World Heritage Site. time. One of the most beautiful cities in Italy it is no PIENZA, HISTORIC CENTRE

PISA, PIAZZA DEL DUOMO

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SINCE 1996

Better known as the Square of Miracles, this is the heart

The small town of Pienza represents the first application of humanist urban planning concepts and it was an example for many other Italian and European cities. The entire village is considered to be the ideal Renaissance

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SINCE 1987

The last Tuscan treasure to be recognized as a World Heritage Site are the twelve Medici villas and two pleasure gardens (Boboli Gardens and Pratolino Park-Villa Demidoff). The Medici Family, lords of Florence from 1434, then Grand Dukes of Tuscany from 1569, ruled this territory almost continuously until 1737. The constellation of the Medici Villas that they’ve left behind is a network of rural buildings, farms and hunting lodges, and an outstanding expression of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. source: www.visittuscany.com Leaning tower of Pisa

Florence

Duomo, Siena December 2018 | motoring 03

TUSCAN WINERY SPOTLIGHT Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG This wine is produced only in the best vintages from a careful selection of grapes from the Pianrosso vineyard and it has always been the estate’s most representative wine. The bouquet is intense, fruit-forward and spicy with hints or ripe red berry fruits enriched by various spicy notes.

A T U N E I C A N I M O L AC N I GP R A ' D IS A SPECTACULAR ESTATE IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND UNSPOILED REGIONS OF ITALY. THE ENTIRE ESTATE, EXTENDING OVER 220 HECTARES OF WHICH 55.5 ARE IN VINES AND 40 IN OLIVE GROVES, HAS ALL THE TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE ADORNED WITH ROLLING HILLS, PASTURES AND WOODS. SET BETWEEN ARNA HILL AND THE ORCIA RIVER TO THE SOUTH-EAST, IT OFFERS A UNIQUE PANORAMA WITH THE BEAUTIFUL CONTOUR OF MOUNT AMIATA IN THE BACKGROUND. WILD ANIMALS, SCENTS OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS AND THE TYPICAL FARMHOUSES DOTTED AROUND, CREATE A PEACEFUL AND CALM ATMOSPHERE IN THIS AREA. he beautiful 17th century Palazzo was built by the Abbot of S. Antimo. For centuries it was inhabited by aristocrats, but in 1985 the Countess Piccolomini died without a direct heir.To the great surprise of Guiseppe Bianchini, the manager of the estate, the magnificent property was left to him. He died in 2004, having devoted his life to the continual improvement of Ciacci Piccolomini's wines.Today his work his carried on by his children Paolo and Lucia. The wines from Ciacci Piccolomini are a wonderful example of luscious Sangiovese Grosso from the Southern hills of Montalcino.The flagship vineyard Pianrosso is nearly 12 hectares, planted entirely with Sangiovese Grosso at 240 - 360 meters above sea level: one of the highest vineyards in the area.The Sangiovese Grosso clone is selected from the eldest vines of the estate characterized by straggly bunches and big berries with thick skin. It is a particularly representative kind of Sangiovese coming from Montalcino area, which gives quality even in difficult vintages. The style of the wines is staunchly traditional, which is to say that they are much rounder and more elegant than many of the Brunellos that have become famous in recent years. After fermentation the wines are aged for two years

Anna & Giuseppe Bianchini Lucia Bianchini (left), with her brother Paolo Bianchini; his eldest son of Paolo who deals mainly with the wine production and logistics in the modern cellar Molinello, and Ester Bianchini, Paolo’s second daughter who has a prominent role in the public relations business.

in Slavonian oak. The Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona estate has two wine cellars: the historical wine cellar, dedicated to the long ageing of the most prestigious wines located in the basement of the 17th century Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Palace; and the new wine cellar, near the village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, now the estate headquarters with fermentation, aging, refinement and storage facilities. Visit Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona when travelling in Tuscany to appreciate the winemaking process of the prestigious Brunello di Montalcino. Wine lovers can indulge in tasting a glass of their favourite wines in the tasting room or on the large outdoor terrace located in a recently restored Tuscan country house opposite the cellar.Visits are available upon reservation only; the wine-shop is open for

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tastings and purchasing. visite@ciaccipiccolomini.com Locally Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is imported by Attard and Co and available from Sistina Wine & Co., The Strand Gzira. Opening hours: 10am till late. WEB: www.sistinawineco.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/sistinawineco TEL: 2131 4161

NEW PEUGEOT RIFTER, NOW IN MALTA! FULLY ANCHORED IN THE DISTINCT, PREMIUM STYLE OF PEUGEOT’S LATEST CREATIONS, THE NEW PEUGEOT RIFTER ADOPTS A RESOLUTELY INNOVATIVE SILHOUETTE, SOLIDLY BUILT FOR EVERYDAY ADVENTURES.

EUGEOT RIFTER borrows some of the stylistic and functional characteristics of the SUV world: a high ride height, large wheels, large door sill, body sill, wheel arch and rear bumper protections, and front and rear stop blocks. Equipped with the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, a hallmark that is a harmonious, resolutely contemporaneous interior space with a balance of clean lines, visible technology and an unprecedented finish quality. Everything is optimised for the driver’s pleasure and focus, in a passenger compartment combining practicality and elegance. The Latest-generation infotainment includes a large, 8” colour touchscreen complemented by a Mirror Screen compatible with Mirror Link, Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Driving pleasure is in the brand’s genes. Built on a new platform, the new PEUGEOT RIFTER has the resilience and endurance to accommodate even the most demanding of uses. It is available in two lengths, with 5 or 7 seats, combining versatility, modularity and practicality. The optimisation of the sliding side doors enables easy access on

board through a larger opening. Unique in this category, the large tailgate still includes an opening rear window. The PEUGEOT RIFTER long version (+35cm) is unprecedented in terms of interior space and practicality, with a boot capacity of up to 4,000 litres under ceiling. A range of highperformance engines are offered thanks to the work achieved on the vehicle’s architecture and on the optimisation of its mass, a determining factor in the perpetual quest to reduce CO2 emissions and consumption. The efficiency of the engines offered is therefore top-notch, meeting the latest Euro 6.c standard and already set to meet the future WLTC driving cycle standards. The most adventurous drivers can venture off the beaten tracks by opting for the Advanced Grip Control, working in combination with the Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC), which automatically maintains optimal speed on steep slopes. The New PEUGEOT RIFTER is on display at Michael Attard Ltd, PEUGEOT showroom, National Road, Blata l-Bajda. Call 21238854/ 79406607 or visit www.peugeot.com.mt for further details. December 2018 | motoring 05

‘BATTISTA’ ANNOUNCED AS NAME OF THE MOST POWERFUL ITALIAN PERFORMANCE CAR EVER • AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA’S ELECTRIC HYPERCAR TO TAKE FAMOUS NAME OF PININFARINA FOUNDER, BATTISTA ‘PININ’ FARINA. • 90 YEARS AFTER BATTISTA FOUNDED CARROZZERIA PININFARINA, THE BATTISTA WILL BE LAUNCHED AS ITALY’S MOST POWERFUL AND FASTEST CAR • BATTISTA WILL BE THE FIRST MODEL IN AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA’S PORTFOLIO OF LUXURY ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND WILL BE REVEALED AT THE GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW IN MARCH 2019 • LEGENDARY NAME RECOGNISES BATTISTA’S DREAM TO ONE DAY SEE A RANGE OF SOLELYPININFARINA BRANDED CARS ON THE ROADS

utomobili Pininfarina today announces that the name of the first car in its luxury electric vehicle portfolio will be the Battista. Named after Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, the founder of the Carrozzeria Pininfarina coachbuilding company that he started in 1930, the all-electric hypercar will be designed and hand-built in very limited numbers at Pininfarina SpA under the watchful eye of Paulo Pininfarina, Battista’s grandson and current Pininfarina SpA Chairman.

Paolo Pininfarina shook hands with Michael Perschke, CEO, Automobili Pininfarina and Anand Mahindra, Mahindra & Mahindra Group Chairman, to confirm that the limited-edition hypercar would take his grandfather’s name and be the fastest and most powerful car ever designed and produced in Italy. Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman, Pininfarina SpA, said: “This is genuinely a dream come true. My grandfather always had the vision that one day there would be a stand-alone range of Pininfarina-branded cars. This hypercar will boast world-beating performance, technological innovation and of course elegant styling. For me, we simply had to call it Battista. His dream becomes reality today as we link our glorious past with the future of motoring.” In aiming to be the world’s first fullyelectric luxury hypercar, extreme levels of technology and functional design lie beneath the Battista’s carbon fibre exterior, supporting the delivery of staggering performance for a road car. Power and torque equate to 1,900 bhp and 2,300 Nm respectively, meaning the Battista has the potential to accelerate to 62 mph in less than two seconds, faster

than a Formula 1 car, and break the 250 mph top speed barrier – all with a potential zero emissions range of over 300 miles. Automobili Pininfarina has made a series of announcements in recent weeks that underpin its ambitions to be the world’s most innovative, sustainable and desirable wholly-electric luxury performance car brand at launch in 2020: • A €20 million investment in a new partnership with Pininfarina SpA that underpins design, development and production of the Battista and the future range of Automobili Pininfarina cars at Pininfarina SpA headquarters in Cambiano near Turi

• A multi-million-euro commercial partnership with Rimac Automobili, the world’s leading electric powertrain and battery supplier to premium and luxury automotive brands • New leadership appointments across the business of automotive executives with significant experience in design, development, engineering and connectivity from brands such as Bugatti, McLaren, Pagani, Porsche and Volvo No more than 150 Battistas will be available from late 2020 at a price estimated between US$2m and US$2.5m. 50 cars are currently allocated to the USA, 50 to Europe and 50 to the Middle East and Asia region.

ALL-NEW HYUNDAI NEXO AMONG EURO NCAP’S BEST IN CLASS CARS OF 2018 he independent vehicle assessment organisation Euro NCAP, which tested 23 new passenger cars in 2018, has now announced this year’s best rated cars. The Hyundai NEXO has been awarded ‘Best in Class’ of 2018 in the ‘Large Off-Road’ category, ahead of new SUVs from other well-known brands. The NEXO has recently received the maximum five-star overall safety rating from Euro NCAP. Hyundai’s second generation of commercialised fuel cell electric vehicles demonstrated its high active and passive safety in all four Euro NCAP rating categories and is the first fuel cell electric vehicle to be awarded the maximum five-star overall rating by Euro NCAP. “The Euro NCAP ‘Best in Class’ 2018 title for the Hyundai NEXO is a great honour for us. It proves that NEXO is not only the safest fuel cell electric vehicle on the market, but also leading the way among SUVs with traditional

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powertrains,” says AndreasChristoph Hofmann, Vice President Marketing and Product, Hyundai Motor Europe HQ. “Hyundai is committed to provide customers and other road users with the highest level of safety, while offering innovative mobility solutions. This accolade by Euro NCAP is further evidence of our industry-leading position in the field of future mobility.”

Protecting passengers and other road users with Hyundai SmartSense All-New NEXO features the latest Hyundai SmartSense active safety and driving assistance technologies, helping to significantly lower the risk of collisions and increase comfort on board the NEXO. Forward Collision-Avoidance

Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection was one of the Hyundai SmartSense features rigorously tested and particularly convincing in the Euro NCAP. This system is one of the many advanced active safety features, alerting drivers to emergency situations and braking automatically if required. Using front radar and camera sensors, FCA operates in three stages.

Warning the driver visually and acoustically, it controls the brake according to the collision danger level, and applies maximum braking force to avoid a collision or minimise damage when a collision is unavoidable. The Lane Keeping Assist system also received a toprating in the Euro NCAP testing. It is enhanced by the standard-fit Lane Following Assist, which keeps the car in the middle of the lane and alerts the driver in case of any unsafe movements at a speed from 0 to 150 km/h. In recent years, Hyundai cars have regularly received the top Euro NCAP safety rating. Among others, the i30, Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe and IONIQ all received the maximum five-star rating in the assessment programme. The continuous top rating underlines Hyundai’s engineering credibility in terms of safety and reliability. The All-New NEXO is on sale now in Europe, with specific launch timings varying by market.

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS T1 PROTOTYPE TO COMPETE IN THE 2019 DAKAR RALLY

itsubishi Motors Spain is entering the 2019 Dakar rally with a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross T1 Prototype driven by talented Spanish driver Cristina Gutierrez and co-driven by compatriot Pablo Huete. Backed by Mitsubishi Motors Spain for the past four years, 26-year old Gutierrez was the first Spanish woman to complete the Dakar in a car in 2017 and in the 2018 event she was the highest placed female driver. “As always when you face a Dakar, you do it with great expectation but also a lot of respect for the test,” commented Gutierrez. “The first objective, of course, is to finish

what is the toughest rally in the world, for the third time in a row.” This is the first time the Eclipse Cross will compete in the Dakar but the Mitsubishi brand will be familiar to fans of this famous event with 12 outright victories for the legendary Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, a tally unmatched by any other manufacturer. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross T1 prototype is built around a steel spaceframe chassis with a carbon fiber body and employs double

wishbone suspension with two fully-adjustable Öhlins Racing dampers on each wheel. In the tradition of the best Mitsubishi performance vehicles, the fulltime four-wheel drive system uses a mechanical centre differential and limited slip differentials front and rear, helping transmit the turbo-diesel engine’s 340hp and 686Nm of torque to ground via a six-speed sequential transmission. Stopping power comes courtesy of fourpiston AP Racing brakes on each wheel.

Commenting on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross T1, Gutierrez noted: “For me, it is a big step ahead compared to the previous years. You can go very fast with it, while it is easier to drive and has greater off road capabilities. It's the most spectacular car I've ever driven and attracts a lot of attention!” The 2019 Dakar rally takes place in Peru in 2019 with drivers and riders facing 5,000km of timed competition over ten stages, 70% of which on sand, between January 6 and January

17, 2019. The progress of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross T1 can be followed at: https://www.cristinagutierreztt.como r on social media via #CrisToDakar. More details about the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross are available at: https://www.mitsubishicars.co.uk/new-cars/eclipse-cross/ Further information and high resolution photographs are available from the Mitsubishi Motors in the UK Press website: http://www.mitsubishi-media.co.uk/

NISSAN GT-R50 BY ITALDESIGN PRODUCTION DESIGN CONFIRMED issan has confirmed the production design of the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign – the ultimate expression of the GT-R – and has opened the official order books for the 50-vehicle limited run. The car’s exterior is virtually unchanged from the prototype first shown in July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Pricing of the NISMOtuned 720PS GT-R by Italdesign will start at 990,000 euros before taxes and options. Nissan collaborated with Turin, Italy-based Italdesign to create the model, based on the latest Nissan GT-R NISMO, in commemoration of the 50th anniversaries of the GT-R in 2019 and Italdesign in 2018. While the prototype vehicle was finished in a special gray with gold accents, customers will be able to specify their preferred color combinations for the production version. They also will be able to choose interior colors and packages.1 In addition to Goodwood, the GT-R50 prototype has made appearances at SpaFrancorchamps in Belgium, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in the U.S. and Nissan Crossing in Tokyo’s Ginza district. It will be on display at the Nissan Gallery in Yokohama from Dec. 7.

THE REACTION FROM NISSAN FANS AROUND THE WORLD – AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS OF THE GT-R50 – HAS GREATLY EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS "The reaction from Nissan fans around the world – and potential customers of the GT-R50 – has greatly exceeded our expectations,” said Bob Laishley, global sports car program director at Nissan. "These 50 cars, which celebrate 50 years of the GT-R as well as 50 years of Italdesign, will be rolling tributes to Nissan’s engineering leadership and rich sports car heritage for a long time to come.” Customers who wish to own a GTR50 may start by visiting www.GTR50.nissan and contacting Italdesign to create their own bespoke car. Deliveries will begin in 2019 and will continue through 2020. 1. Subject to homologation rules in the intended country of operation. December 2018 | motoring 07

THE ALL-NEW DACIA DUSTER LAUNCH RUGGED, BOLD AND BETTER LOOKING THAN EVER!

he All-New Duster has a bolder personality, both inside and outside. The exterior is brand-new, featuring more pronounced lines to emphasise the car’s forceful character. The All-New Dacia Duster also features two new body colours:- Atacama Orange and Dune Beige. Some NEW features to look out for:• A more distinctive, grille which extends to the head lights. • A new lighting signature including LED daytime running lights. • Revamped aluminium roof bars. • Redesigned 17-inch wheels

The styling of the status-enhancing interior has been updated for upgraded comfort and to make the model even more practical in everyday use. The steeply raked windscreen makes the cabin feel bigger, while its acoustics have been significantly improved and cabin insulation significantly reduces noise from outside the car. Travelling comfort has reached new heights. Storage capacity has been increased by 5.8 litres for a total of 28.6 litres. Many of the easyto-access stowage spaces have been redesigned to make the travelling experience simpler, including the new 2.7-litre stowage tray situated under the passenger seat. The All-New Duster comes with a host of

08 motoring | December 2018

new equipment to enhance travelling comfort and driving pleasure. It is the first Dacia to offer automatic climate control. Featuring five air vents, cool or warm air is delivered around the cabin. Great news for local drivers - Dacia has further upgraded the air conditioning system for better use in warmer climates! A keyless entry system has also been introduced for the first time. This user-friendly system automatically opens all the doors without the need of pressing buttons on the key and provides remote locking as the driver walks away. The driver does not need to take their key out to start the vehicle thanks to the start/stop button. For further information please visit autosales.com.mt, or contact Kind’s directly on 21433601.