Motoring August 2016 by The Malta Independent

The Malta Independent on Sunday. August 2016

ONLY KIA! also inside Italy motor trip

Abruzzo vineyard spotlight Valle Reale

SPECTACULAR ABRUZZO

LAND OF A THOUSAND CASTLES

STRETCHING FROM THE HEART OF THE APENNINES TO THE ADRIATIC SEA ABRUZZO IS LOCATED IN CENTRAL ITALY. DRAMATIC MOUNTAIN SCENERY, SURPRISINGLY DIVERSE LANDSCAPE, A FLAT AND SANDY COASTLINE, ANCIENT FORESTS, HILLTOP MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE TOWNS, HILLTOP CASTLES AND ISOLATED ABANDONED BORGHI, LEND CREDENCE TO ABRUZZO'S FAME AS THE LAND OF A THOUSAND CASTLES. PROVINCES OF THE REGION INCLUDE L’AQUILA (BADLY DAMAGED IN A 2009 EARTHQUAKE), PESCARA, TERAMO AND CHIETI. bruzzo is one of Italy's little-known treasures: a tranquil mingling of mountains and coastline. Much of the inland part of Abruzzo is a wilderness, with the Apennine mountains to the north, and extensive plains and forests to the south.To the east the area has long beaches along the Adriatic Sea. Apart from major beachside destinations there are also long stretches of quieter coast where you can find a smaller beach where you are almost alone.

del Tronto is a magnificent village and home to the largest fortress in Italy. Further south, Teramo boasts a Romanesque cathedral and a Roman amphitheatre. Atri is a pretty hill village fairly close to the coast and further south, also occupying a hilltop location is Lanciano with its medieval cathedral to the south. Lanciano is an important pilgrimage destination as it is the site of the Eucharist miracle in the Church of San Francesco in Piazza Plebiscito. Between Atri and Lanciano, Crecchio is home to an impressive castle which contains an Etruscan and Byzantine museum. A highlight of Abruzzo is the hill top town of Chieti (the capital of the province of Chieti), one of the oldest cities in Italy and is home to many fine palazzos and churches. Another highlight is the dramatic village and castle of Roccascalegna which is near the border with Molise.

WESTERN ABRUZZO The region away from the coast is defined by its mountains, culminating with the Corno Grande mountain at almost 3000 metres high. Many visitors to Abruzzo's interior come for the skiing and popular ski resorts in Abruzzo include those at Campofelice, Campo Imperatore, Ovindoli, Rivisondoli, Pescocostanzo, Prati di Tivo, Roccaraso, Scanno and Tagliacozzo. The mountains of Abruzzo include numerous villages, towns, castles and other historic monuments. L'Aquila, the capital of Abruzzo is in the Gran Sasso mountains and has a long tradition of being one of the most historically interesting centres in Abruzzo, although the historic center suffered a great deal of damage during an earthquake in 2009. The northern village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio has recently been restored to its 'Medici-era' glory with two dramatic castles in the vicinity - Castel del Monte and Rocca Calascio. There are parts of three different Italian National Parks within Abruzzo's borders – the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, the Mount Majella National Park and the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park – as well as the Sirente Velino Regional park and several Nature Reserves.Together these cover more than a third of the region.

L'Aquila, the capital of Abruzzo

Giulianova seaside

EASTERN ABRUZZO AND THE COASTLINE

WHAT TO TASTE

Eastern Abruzzo has beautiful beaches with longer sandier beaches being along the northern part of the Abruzzo coast. Among the most visited of the Abruzzo sea resorts are Alba Adriatica, Costa dei Trabocchi, Francavilla al Mare, Giulianova, Martinsicuro, Montesilvano, Ortona, Pineto, Roseto degli Abruzzi, San Salvo, Silvi Marina, Tortoreto and Vasto. Ortona as well as being a coastal resort is home to a large Argonese castle. The main town on the coast is at Pescara with about 10 kilometres of sandy beaches. As well as its resorts there are some lovely hill towns and villages. Civitella

Abruzzo has a rich culinary tradition. Pasta is the preferred first course, and none is as typical as maccheroni alla chitarra with sheets of egg dough cut using a flat rolling pin on a wooden box with strings (hence the name "guitar"). Polenta is usually enjoyed with a spicy sausage ragù or meat sauce. On the coast, most first courses are fish-based. Often freshly caught fish is marinated, and rich soups are made with a variety of fresh fish. Inland lamb, kid, and mutton dominate, while pork loin, prosciutto, lonza, ventricina, and other typical salamis are produced locally. A typical meal in Abruzzo is accompanied by a selection of the best wines of the Region: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Sangiovese and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. These are both national and international favorites.

Church of San Pietro Roccascalegna

Teramo Duomo August 2016 | motoring 03

ABRUZZO VINEYARD SPOTLIGHT VALLE REALE

VALLE REALE IS A TERRITORY THAT SEEMS PREDESTINED FOR WINE. THE GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND AMBIENT BEAUTY ARE UNIQUE IN THESE VINEYARDS THAT ARE SET IN ONE OF ITALY'S MOST BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL PARKS. VALLE REALE POSSESSES ALL OF THE NATURAL ELEMENTS CONDUCIVE TO THE PRODUCTION OF GREAT WINE. THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF WATER, PROXIMITY TO THE SEA AND THE BENEFITS OF A MARITIME CLIMATE, AMPLE SUNSHINE AND MINERAL RICH SOILS. THE PIZZOLO FAMILY TOGETHER WITH LEONARDO VALENTI HAVE STRIVEN TO PRODUCE A MODEL OF CENTRAL ITALIAN WINE: STRENGTH, EXUBERANCE, VITALITY, MEDITERRANEAN COLOR, ELEGANCE, BALANCE AND DEPTH. THEY ARE WORKING EXCLUSIVELY WITH THE MONTEPULCIANO VARIETAL AND SEEK TO HIGHLIGHT THE GRAPE'S INTRINSIC QUALITIES IN BOTH THE YOUNG, VIBRANT BASE WINE AS WELL AS THE CRU SAN CALISTO WHICH THEY HOPE WILL OFFER CRITICS AND CONSUMERS ALIKE A NEW BENCHMARK FOR MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO.

alle Reale was founded in 2000 with the goal of producing world-class wines. The Pizzolo family, in close consultation with Professor Leonardo Valenti and the agronomic faculty of the University of Milan, are working to develop a model for central Italian wines and winemaking. Working primarily with the Montepulciano varietal, they aim to create wines that highlight the grape’s intrinsic qualities: strength, exuberance, vitality, color, elegance, balance and depth. The process begins with the careful selection of grapes that are best suited to Valle Reale’s soil and climate, and therefore best express the distinct characteristics of the varietal. Their success is evident in the young, vibrant DOC base wine, and even more so in the cru, a new benchmark for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.

LOCATION OF VINEYARD Located in the green heart of Abruzzo, Valle Reale’s vineyards are situated inside one of Italy’s most beautiful national parks. This is a wild paradise, with deep gorges carved by glaciers, crystal-clear

SanCallisto vineyard 04 motoring | August 2016

Pizzoli family

springs and a diverse array of flora and fauna. Valle Reale is one of the few wineproducing estates in this area of pristine beauty. The topography and climate of this part of Abruzzo is completely different from the rest of the region and unique within central Italy. The vineyards have thin soils rich in limestone, with a light base of clay and

San Calisto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC

sand. The proximity to the Gran Sasso mountain range, and the altitude of the estate itself, create wide fluctuations in temperature between day and night.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY The grapes grown at Valle Reale take advantage of constant cool breezes that ensure good ventilation and minimize humidity — ideal for the development of fine aromas. Perfect ripening temperatures are reached only in late fall when the first snow whitens Mount Morrone. The geographic and climatic peculiarities of this area are reflected in the wines, which are characterized by the trademarks of fully mature fruit: fresh, elegant perfume and aromatic complexity. San Calisto Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC. San Calisto is Valle Reale’s flagship wine. This muscular, yet refined, red is made from 100% Montepulciano grown in the San Calisto parcel, the oldest

plot in the Valle Reale estate. This special vineyard is located in one of Italy’s most beautiful national parks, surrounded by the majestic Gran Sasso mountain range. Here, the vines benefit from the high elevation, a wide diurnal temperature range, lots of cool breezes, and limestone-rich soils. Deep, ruby-red in color, San Calisto offers layered aromas of ripe blackberries and crushed black cherries, followed by spicy notes of cassis, leather, and Mediterranean wildflowers. The Valle Raale range of wines can be enjoyed locally or experienced first hand at its winery. For a cellar visit contact > Valle Reale Wines, Contrada S. Calisto, Popoli PE, Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso. Tel: 0039 085 9871039, e-mail: info@vallereale.it Locally Valle Reale Wines are 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. Gozo Distributor: Abraham’s Supplies Co. Ltd. TEL: 2156 3231 WEB: www.abrahams.com.mt

CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE AT

BLENHEIM PALACE • ORGANISERS ANTICIPATE MOST SENSATIONAL EVENT TO DATE WITH 75 EXQUISITE CARS AND MOTORCYCLES ON DISPLAY • HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE AN IMMACULATE 1962 FERRARI 400 SUPERAMERICA LWB COUPE AERODINAMICO – ONE OF EIGHTEEN SERIES 2 COUPE EXAMPLES • BLENHEIM PALACE GATES OPEN THURSDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER.

alon Privé is delighted to announce what many believe to be its best concours show field ever. As the UK’s premier professionallyjudged classic

car competition, Salon Privé attracts both entrants and enthusiasts from around the world; and with so many incredible entries, expectations are high for a fabulous event, which opens on Thursday 1st September at Blenheim Palace. One of the standout entries in this year’s event is a 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB

LAMBORGHINI IS PARTICULARLY WELL REPRESENTED AT THIS YEAR’S CONCOURS D’ÉLÉGANCE WITH A TRIBUTE TO THE WORLD’S FIRST TRUE SUPERCAR, THE BERTONE-DESIGNED MIURA Coupe Aerodinamico. Originally designed and built for their most important customers, the Superamerica was powered by a short-block V12 with a chassis derived from the latest racing engineering. This particular car was originally shown on the Pininfarina stand at the 1962 Turin Automobile show. Later that year, it was sold new to one of Enzo Ferrari’s best customers, keen American racing driver Erwin Goldschmidt, and finished to his personal specification, which included a leather bolster between the front seats for his

1962 Ferrari Superamerica

children and a grab handle for his wife. Also specially commissioned were two pieces of fitted luggage for the rear parcel shelf, competition-style covered headlights and extractor vents in the lower rear fenders. This beautiful example will compete alongside other exceptional Ferraris such as the 250 Europa

IS THIS THE BEST CITROEN IN THE WORLD? • THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING CAR AND UNRIVALLED EUROPEAN SHOW WINNER IS REGARDED AS THE FINEST CITROEN DS IN EXISTENCE • ONE OWNER FROM NEW AND TREATED TO AN EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH QUALITY RESTORATION • IT WILL BE AUCTIONED ON 3 SEPTEMBER AT SALON PRIVÉ WITH A SALE ESTIMATE OF £75,000 TO £90,000 1973 Citroen DS Super 5, believed to be the finest Citroen DS in the world, is set to be auctioned at Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé Sale on Saturday 3rd September at Blenheim Palace.

1973 Citroen DS Super 5 06 motoring | August 2016

With its aerodynamic, futuristic shape and innovative technology, this Citroen DS didn’t even have to leave the dealership showroom to find its first owner. The CEO of the supplying dealership is the first and only registered owner of the car, which is now one of

the most decorated examples on the classic Citroen circuit anywhere in the world. This truly stunning, right-hand drive DS is presented in period white (Blanc Meije) bodywork with original Red Targa upholstery. Having been restored to an exceptionally high quality standard, the dedicated owner entered this exemplary classic Citroen into the most prestigious of concours level shows and competitions. Such is the car’s success, it possesses its own display cabinets that bulge with in excess of 200 awards. As the unrivalled European show winner, the car has collected multiple concours

trophies including National Champion at both the Welsh Benson & Hedges Concours and Popular Classics Roadshow. The Citroen has also achieved victories at the Scottish Benson & Hedges Concours, was an NEC show winner, and a national Meguiars Concours display car. It also featured prominently at the Paris Concours and Citroen World Championship. This star car even boasts a television career, with appearances on both Top Gear and Fifth Gear. It has even been offered a permanent place at the national Citroen Museum in France. “Words are not adequate to convey the condition of this impor tant piece of motoring history, it simply must be seen to be believed,” explains Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions. “This DS is the kind of car that really gets people excited, and we’re delighted to be offering a car of this staggering quality and reputation in our sale. It’s one of the star cars in the Salon Privé Sale and fits in perfectly as par t of our most exclusive sale.” This award winning 1973 Citroen DS Super 5 will be offered for sale with an estimate of between £75,000 and £90,000. Documentation supporting the car's history fills a number of storage boxes, full photographic restoration folders and at least 150 magazine features will accompany the car. To find out more about the car and Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé Sale, visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/citroe n-ds-super-5-8318.

Short Chassis Prototype, 250 GT Series II Pininfarina Cabriolet, 275 GTB/4 and the 365 GTB/4 Daytona in the Great V12 Ferraris category. Lamborghini is particularly well represented at this year’s Concours d’Élégance with a tribute to the world’s first true supercar, the Bertone-designed Miura. On display at Salon Privé

is a collection of eight sensational models entered from Italy, the US, Switzerland and of course, the UK. In the line-up are S and SV models as well as the one-off factory-built Roadster previously announced. Elsewhere on the show field are a mixture of famous marques – some sporting, some luxury but all fabulously

engineered and designed some perhaps more flamboyantly than others. Standout examples include a Voisin C3 Strasbourg and C6 Laboratoire which date back to 1922 and 1923 respectively, as well as the Hispano Suiza H6B Coupe de Ville by Kellner of Paris and the Alfa Romeo RL Normale by Farre - both built

in 1924. AC, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Iso, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Rolls-Royce are all shown in true finery as is the 1954 Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta by Pininfarina, which won this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este. Salon Privé Managing Director & Concours Chairman, Andrew

Bagley said: “We’re close to the culmination of yet another year’s work enticing some of the rarest and most valuable classic cars out of hiding and onto the beautiful South Lawn of Blenheim Palace. Being enthusiasts ourselves, my brother, David and I cannot wait to welcome them as they arrive.”

The Inside Story:

TWO JAGUAR E-TYPES

wo Jaguar E-types that were built on the same day, 24th August, in 1961 on the production line at Browns Lane in Coventry have been reunited at Classic Motor Cars (CMC) of Bridgnorth in Shropshire, United Kingdom, to celebrate their 55th birthdays. One E-Type was the first production inside bonnet lock right hand drive fixed head coupe; the other was the first production inside bonnet lock right hand drive roadster. But these very early E-Types have lived different lives: the coupe is in pristine condition after having been restored by CMC; the roadster, a bit worn-down, has been off the road for 20 years, forgotten in a barn in Ireland until CMC found it and purchased it, and now requires a full restoration. Peter Neumark, Chairman of CMC, said: “This world is full of coincidences; that both the first inside bonnet lock RHD coupe and roadster to end up in the same restoration facility is one thing, but then to discover they were both produced on the same day - August 24th 1961 - is remarkable!” CMC brought the two cars back together on Wednesday 24th August and even provided a birthday cake to celebrate the reunion. Jaguar produced just four highly sought

BUILT ON 24 AUGUST 1961 REUNITE AFTER 55 YEARS AT CLASSIC MOTOR CARS OF BRIDGNORTH

Tim Leese (CMC) and Stuart Cardwell (owner of the Coupe – car on the right) celebrate the reunion of the two E-Types

after external bonnet lock coupes in RHD form before switching to an internal lock arrangement. Stuart Cardwell, owner of the E-Type Coupe Chassis No. 860005, brought it to CMC several years ago and embarked on a rolling restoration: mechanical first, he took it away to enjoy it and brought it back for a bare metal body restoration, then repaint and finally back for a full retrim. Subsequently, the car was entered to the prestigious Salon Prive event and concours at Blenheim Palace in September 2015, where it was awarded runner-up in its class. Stuart Cardwell said: “This is the first time the two cars have been next to one

another after they parted company 55 years ago. In the case of my car, it has been all over the world. It was dispatched to Jaguar Cars New York in September 1961, sold to a Japanese collector in Tokyo in 1996 and repatriated back to the UK when I purchased it in 2012.” He added: “CMC restored my car, which is now considered to be exactly as it would have left the factory in 1961 – no doubt they will do a stunning job bringing Chassis No. 92 back to life.” The roadsters, on the other hand, went into production much sooner than the coupes hence some 91 outside bonnet lock cars were produced in RHD form and some 350 in LHD.

Neumark said: “We shouldn't be surprised to learn that the decision to switch to internal bonnet locks cars was applied across the board and implemented on the same day in 1961.” E-Typer Roadster Chassis No. 850092 was dispatched to a Jaguar dealership in Dublin and has spent all its life in the Republic of Ireland. It was brought to the attention of CMC's Peter Neumark by a good friend in Co Navan, who was convinced it was Chassis No. 2. Neumark was highly skeptical as the records stated it was destroyed in period after spending a hard year or two as a development car. Finally, the friend got good access to the car and discovered it was Chassis No. 92. Neumark said: “The car had been off the road for over 20 years but with an impeccable history of five owners and with just over 24,000 miles on the clock, I was hooked and so was the car. An interesting negotiation with the canny Irish farmer was concluded with a handshake and a glass of Whiskey!” He added: “It was only when the Heritage Certificate arrived from Jaguar that the same production date as the coupe was discovered. So we decided to invite Stuart with his car for a celebratory photo call with his car and the roadster.” E-Type Roadster Chassis No. 92 requires a full restoration but has never been apart and has very little rot. It is for sale as a restoration project with CMC. August 2016 | motoring 07

WHY THE ONLY CAR YOU WANT IS KIA

ars International, representatives of Kia in Malta, launched the ‘Only KIA!’ campaign, emphasising the strengths of the brand design and the performance of KIA cars, across all segments. KIA has long been in fast-growth mode now, both in terms of sales and for the quality it offers in latest technologies, updated designs and optimal driving experience. The research and creative input into the brand over the years have, in fact, led KIA to be one of the top car award winners. Earlier this year, KIA Motors has been rated number one for quality in the J.D. Power 2016 Initial Quality Study (IQS) in the US. The IQS assesses customer feedback on 33 makes on sale in the US. Kia performed well across its model range, securing segment-topping ratings for the Sportage and Soul models in their respective categories, as well as topthree placements for the Rio and Sorento. Ranking number one in the entire industry for initial quality is the result of a decade-long focus on craftsmanship and continuous improvement, reflecting the voice of KIA customers, which is the ultimate affirmation. KIA design, which is the responsibility of European Chief Designer Peter Schreyer, is the winner of prestigious awards, some of which include; the iF Design Award and the red dot Design Award. This hard work is being reflected sales success, where KIA is registering year-on-year growth of over 15% - a best-ever figure that keeps Kia on course for record sales through 2016.

A KIA strength is achieved by quality cars in every segment, from the most economical and compact vehicles that allows easy mobility and parking, to the most luxurious Sportage and Optima models and SUVs in both petrol and diesel versions, and the environment-friendly hybrids and the electric vehicles. When buying a KIA, clients are reassured of their good choice by a number of factors; the winning awards the brand has under its belt, design, quality reliability and the family-like aftersales service, where

Triumph confirms September date for land speed record attempt at Bonneville ollowing a successful practice session at the Bonneville Salt Flats, achieving a speed of 274.2 mph to become the world’s fastest ever Triumph , Triumph Motorcycles has confirmed the attempt to set a

08 motoring | August 2016

new outright motorcycle Land Speed World Record will take place mid-September, 2016, weather permitting. Piloted by TT star Guy Martin the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner will return to the famous Bonneville salt flats and

attempt to beat the current 376.8mph record speed on an 11 mile-long course. Despite having a good course surface for testing the team felt that the salt wasn’t yet fully capable of supporting a top-speed streamliner run. In consultation

clients are assured peace of mind, sealed with the unbeatable 7-year warranty. Cars International Ltd are offering limited time offers on their most popular models in stock. To get personal advice or test-drive any Kia car, visit Cars International, Mdina Road, Qormi, send an email to kiasales@cil.com.mt, call on 2269 2120 or visit the website www.kia.com/mt or Facebook page Kia Motors Malta.

with FIM course manager Mike Cook the team are targeting the September dates as the best possible opportunity for the optimal course conditions required for the record attempt. The practice week, which ended with the 274.2mph run on Tuesday 9th August, demonstrated that both the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner and rider Guy Martin are ready for the task ahead. Martin’s first week in the streamliner saw him master the controls of the 1,000bhp streamliner very quickly achieving all of the goals set by Crew Chief and Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner designer Matt Markstaller and his team. When asked about returning in September Markstaller commented: “We achieved a

great deal during our test week at Bonneville and feel we are in a great position to move ahead with our record attempt. Guy settled into the streamliner very quickly and impressed us with the speed in which he mastered both the motorcycle and riding on the salt. “While conditions were some of the best I have seen over the last few years, we feel there is still some room for improvement. When chasing a record such as this on two wheels the conditions have to be the very best they can be, to give us the greatest chance of achieving the speeds we require to set a new record. We feel that waiting a few further weeks will provide us with even better conditions and put us in the ideal position to make our record attempt.”

• HIGH SPECIFICATION SPORTLINE NOW AVAILABLE ON TRANSPORTER T32 KOMBI MODEL • EQUIPMENT INCLUDES LEATHER SEATS, DISCOVER MEDIA NAVIGATION • SPORTY LOOKS WITH 18-INCH ALLOY WHEELS AND DEEPER FRONT AND REAR SPOILERS • TRANSPORTER SPORTLINE PANEL VANS AND ADDITIONAL KOMBI MODELS TO FOLLOW IN 2017

NEW SPORTLINE MODEL

gives Volkswagen Transporter a competitive edge

olkswagen Commercial Vehicles is set to add a new Sportline model to its best-selling Transporter range – reintroducing a name that has become synonymous with sharp design, and high-tech features. Initially available on the T32 kombi model, the Sportline grade will be offered in Transporter panel van from early next year.

thanks to embossed leather interior trim, Climatic air conditioning, heated windscreen and Discover Media touchscreen navigation system. In addition, the first raft of kombi Sportline models also feature front parking sensors, LED headlights and tail lights, USB input and App Connect – a system that allows owners to seamlessly connect their smartphones to the infotainment system. Sportline badging and unique Sportline floormats complete the interior look. The first Transporter available in Sportline trim will be the T32 2.0 BiTDI 180PS kombi model equipped with the brand’s acclaimed seven-speed DSG gearbox. Available to order now from Volkswagen Van Centres, it is priced from £36,295 (OTR exc VAT). First deliveries are expected in September. Following its introduction on the T32 kombi, Volkswagen will expand the Sportline range further with panel van and additional wheelbase and transmission options available to order later this year for delivery in early 2017. These models will be available with a 2.0 BiTDI 204PS engine, along with a choice of two gearboxes – six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG – and a long-wheelbase variant.

Based on the already generous specification of the kombi Highline model, the new Sportline combines sporty design features and a raft of additional equipment designed to give driver and passengers an even more comfortable and engaging ride. The kombi Sportline rides on 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels, and comes with lowered suspension and deeper front and rear spoilers for a more dynamic look. The exterior design package also includes trapezoid styling bars with puddle lights and carbon fibre mirror caps. Inside, the Sportline delivers a first-class experience

August 2016 | motoring 09

FC BAYERN STARTS THE SEASON WITH AUDI • HANDOVER OF COMPANY CARS TO REGISTERED PLAYERS • ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION IN INGOLSTADT BY FANS AND AUDI EMPLOYEES • SPORTY RS MODELS ARE FOOTBALL PLAYERS’ FAVORITES

C Bayern München is starting the new season in sporty style both on and off the pitch. At the Audi Piazza in Ingolstadt, players and coaches received their new company cars from Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler. The trend is clear: together with new signing Mats Hummels far more than half of the football players opted for one of the sporty RS models. As always, for the squad of Manuel Neuer, Jérôme Boateng and Franck Ribéry the event in Ingolstadt was a highlight in its preparation for the new Bundesliga season that kicks off on Friday night. And hundreds of

fans from the region, plus numerous Audi employees had the opportunity to see their stars at close range and to get autographs. For Coach Carlo Ancelotti it was the first visit to Ingolstadt. FC Bayern München and Audi have been forming a team since the summer of 2002 and are now starting their 15th joint season. Highlights of the partnership include the Audi Cup that has been held as a preparatory tournament at the Allianz Arena every two years since 2009 or the Audi Summer Tour abroad. Just a few weeks ago, the brand accompanied Bayern’s training camp to the United States where the team met with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

Winner of hydrogen fuel cell CATEGORY IN MAGAZINE HONOURS

The squad’s choice of favorite cars reflects true team spirit, with 15 players opting for an Audi RS 6* (including Holger Badstuber, Xabi Alonso and Thiago Alcántara) and an Audi RS 7* (including Mats Hummels, Franck Ribéry and Robert Lewandowski) as particularly sporty models. New signing Renato Sanches selected a perfect car for urban traffic, the Audi A3 Sportback. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had already received his Audi S8 plus* in July. *The collective fuel consumption values of all models named and available on the German market can be found in the list provided at the end of this MediaInfo.

he market for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles may be in its early stages, but the Toyota Mirai has made a winning start by claiming a class victory in AutoVolt magazine’s 2016 awards for hybrid and electric vehicles. Mirai went on sale last year in the first European wave of the ground-breaking car’s global launch. The world’s first full production fuel cell saloon, it benefits from two decades of Toyota’s research and development of a hydrogenfuelled powertrain. It produces no harmful emissions when driven, offers strong performance and is designed to be as practical to use as a conventionally powered vehicle. Jonathan Musk, AutoVolt’s

10 motoring | August 2016

founder and editor, said: “Mirai is the first cmoamkimnge rtchiaelmly faovra dileacbaled eTso. yJoutad gheysd raopgpelanu fdueedl Tceolyl octaar ,f obr uitt si ta fmeeblisti olnik ein itb’sri nbgeineng Mirai to a world market and for creating a car that’s convincingly uncompromised.” He added that Mirai’s qualities should “prove persuasive” in the building of hydrogen infrastructure to support the wider manufacture and customer uptake of fuel cell vehicles. For more information on Toyota and its products visit the Toyota showroom situated in Mdina Road Zebbug log on the Toyota Malta Facebook page or call on 2269 4000.

BEING CAUGHT OUT IN FLOODS AND HEAVY RAIN BY PAUL VELLA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, RMF.

lthough Malta is a pretty dry country, we are prone to occasional heavy rain and flooding. Driving in wet conditions can be hazardous, but you have a better chance of staying safe if you prepare for the wet weather writes Paul Vella, RMF technical director. Drivers with local knowledge can also be caught out during heavy downpours, as even the most modern road surfaces can still be suspectible to standing water. This creates a potential aquaplaning hazard as well as significantly reducing visibility.

Drive slowly through standing water and if the steering does become unresponsive ease off and slow down gradually. Kevin Farrugia RMF head of breakdown operations says: "If you come across flood water, you should only attempt to drive through if you know it's not too deep and maintain a steady, slow speed to avoid creating a bow wave." Paul Vella RMF technical director says …”The engine's air intake on many cars is low down at the front of the car and it takes a very small amount of water in the combustion chamber to wreck an engine. Water doesn't compress and the piston effectively hits a wall, bending or breaking a con rod. Driving fast, even if the intake's above the water level, could cause water to be ingested.” Paul continues: "If you're unlucky enough to break down in heavy rain, don't open the bonnet while you wait for help to arrive as the engine will be more difficult to start again if the electrics are all rain-soaked. Instead, pull over to a safe and visible place and wait."

Heavy rain Be safe, and prepare for wet weather. Remember that according to the highway code you must use your headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see further than 100 meters. You may also use front or rear fog lights but you must switch them off when visibility improves. Give yourself the best chance

of being able to see clearly in wet weather by renewing windscreen wipers when worn or damaged. Double the distance between your car and the car in front, as stopping distances are increased on wet roads. Floods and standing water Allow oncoming traffic to pass first and test your brakes as soon as you can after leaving the water. Don't try driving through

fast-moving water, such as at a flooded bridge approach as your car could easily be swept away. Watch out for standing water and try to avoid it if you can, if not adjust your speed to the conditions. As you drive slowly through standing water, use a low gear so the engine rev's are higher; water in the exhaust could otherwise damage the catalytic convertor.

Floodwater facts • 2/3 of those who die in flood-related accidents are considered to be good swimmers • 32% of flood-related deaths are by drowning inside a vehicle • In water 1m deep (waist high), flows of 1m/s become challenging and by 1.8m/s (4mph) everyone will be washed off their feet. • If the speed of the flood water doubles the force it exerts on you/your car is quadrupled • Just six inches of fast flowing water can knock you off your feet and be enough for you to be unable to regain your footing. • Two feet of standing water will float your car • Just one foot of flowing water could be enough to move the average family car • Flood water can be contaminated and carry diseases • Culverts are dangerous when flooded – the siphon effect of culverts can drag in pets, children and even fully grown adults • Drive safe drive secure by RMF

August 2016 | motoring 11

HARMAN RESPONDS TO NEW SECURITY CHALLENGES POSED BY RISE OF CAR CONNECTIVITY • PROSPECT OF CYBER ATTACKS ON VEHICLES RISES WITH THE POPULARITY OF CAR CONNECTIVITY • ALMOST 60% OF BUYERS CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF CAR HACKING • AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS GIANT HARMAN PIONEER IN NEW FIELD OF AUTOMOTIVE CYBER SECURITY

utomotive electronics giant HARMAN is pioneering the new field of automotive cyber security, as the prospect of cyber attacks on vehicles becomes an increasingly serious one. More and more users are embracing the ‘connected car’ and, in theory at least, any form of wireless link – even via a separate mobile phone or tablet – could provide the conduit that hackers need to launch an attack. “A few years ago the concept of automotive cyber security was largely confined to industry experts,” says HARMAN’s Asaf Atzmon, Director, Business Development and Marketing, Automotive Cyber Security. “Now it’s a topic that consumers are asking about. According to a recent survey, in some countries as many as 59 per cent of buyers are actively concerned about the prospect of car hacking.” There seems to be a unique brand of fear associated with the idea of car hacking. One minute you’re driving down the road merrily listening to Radio 4 and the next someone remotely hijacks your car. Brakes jammed on in the middle of the motorway; headlights disabled in the dead of night; stereo suddenly playing Justin Bieber. None of it bears thinking about. Of course, the reality is rather different. To date, there hasn’t been a single instance of malicious car hacking – the examples that have made the headlines all involved engineers or researchers experimenting under controlled conditions. In most cases it also required a cable to be physically plugged into the car. HARMAN has devised a specially-developed 5+1 security framework which consists of a series of layers that protects the car’s head unit from being compromised and used as a portal into the in-vehicle network (something which could jeopardise safety critical systems). It can be thought of like the layers of an onion: • At the deepest level, a secure hardware platform provides a safe place to store cryptographic keys and execute highly-sensitive operations in a secured manner. • Safety-critical functions are isolated from the infotainment system using what’s known as a hypervisor. This concept – originally developed for supercomputers – allows two completely separate operating systems to run off the same hardware. It makes it extremely difficult for an infection on one side of the system to spread to the other. • The next level controls access to the memory, storage and peripherals. It essentially determines who has access to what. If, for instance, your CD player suddenly wants to control the brakes it’s a good indication that something is wrong. • Next comes the sandbox function. This keeps newly

A FEW YEARS AGO THE CONCEPT OF AUTOMOTIVE CYBER SECURITY WAS LARGELY CONFINED TO INDUSTRY EXPERTS downloaded applications separate from the core system so they can be disabled and removed if they’re found to be harmful. • The fifth level is the network protection system. This controls the flow of information into and out of the car, looking for any signs of intrusion. Working on two levels, ECUSHIELD turns the vehicle’s ECU into an Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDS/IPS) system and smart firewall to protect critical communications within the car. It continuously monitors the vehicle to provide real-time detection of malicious communications and prevents them from reaching the vehicle’s critical systems. Meanwhile, TCUSHIELD protects infotainment and telematics systems. Also using IDS/IPS technology, it integrates with existing telematics units and uses highly advanced algorithms

to protect both internal and external networks so a vehicle can operate safely while still monitoring and reporting to an external control centre. This level has the ability to spot patterns and uncover a threat, even if the threat is attempting to disguise itself as a legitimate function such as a software update. • The final ‘plus one’ level is the ability to install overthe-air (OTA) updates to various systems within the car such as the navigation, engine management and infotainment systems. By keeping the software up to date, it helps to ensure that the car is protected at all times. All these elements combine to produce a virtually impenetrable shield around the safety-critical functions and those which may contain personal data, such as credit card information. HARMAN is already working with a number of car makers to employ this technology on future models. “Ultimately, it’s all about eliminating the risk of intrusion,” concludes Atzmon. “The car industry will need to reassure consumers that their connected cars are safe. By 2020 it’s expected there will be nearly a quarter of a billion of them on the world’s roads. This number will continue to grow but only if the car industry can provide the protection that those consumers have to come to expect from their other electronic devices.”

PARIS WORLD PREMIERE FOR ALL-NEW KIA RIO he all-new, fourth-generation Kia Rio will make its world premiere on 29 September in Paris, at the 2016 Mondial de l’Automobile. The Rio’s progressive new exterior and interior design was led by Kia’s design centres in Germany and California, in close collaboration with the company’s main design centre in Namyang, Korea. Straight lines and smooth surfacing give the car a distinctive new character, while a longer front overhang and bonnet, longer wheelbase, and upright C-pillar give the car an even more confident and balanced appearance than its predecessor.

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The all-new Rio will offer buyers classleading practicality and safety technology, the latest connectivity features, and more assured and engaging ride and handling characteristics. The Kia Rio is the Korean manufacturer’s global best-selling model, with more than 473,000 sold around the world in 2015. The next generation will enter production towards the end of 2016 for Europe, with production timings for the UK to be announced closer to launch. Kia’s 2016 Mondial de l’Automobile press conference will start at 14:45 CET on 29 September. Kia’s stand will be located in Hall 3 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.