Motoring August 2014 by The Malta Independent

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The Malta Independent on Sunday • 31 August 2014

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Designed for Driving Pleasure

Muscats Motors extends their BMW Range MW together with Muscats Motors proudly launched the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé together with the new X4.The Launch event took place at the stunning Xara Lodge where not only these incredible models were displayed but also the remaining of the 4 Series family, which include the Coupe and Convertible range. The 4 Series Gran Coupé is the first four-door coupé in the premium midsize class that represents a consistent extension of the model range. Following the launch of the BMW 4 Series Coupé and Convertible, the Gran Coupé is the third model to join the new BMW 4 Series, which is longer, wider and more dynamic than any of the previous midsize series due to the balanced proportions of the vehicles. The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé combines the sleek look of a twodoor coupé with the functionality provided by four-doors and expansive spaciousness, including a wide-access luggage

compartment. The smallest engines available for this model are 420i and 418d. The other star of the event was the BMW X4. The new BMW X4 blends the hallmark features of the successful BMW X family with the sporting elegance of a classical coupe, and introduces the unique Sports Activity Coupe concept to

the premium mid-size segment. Its dynamic pedigree is underlined by a wide range of cutting-edge highperformance engines, the xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an exclusive spread of standard equipment features such as variable sport steering, Performance Control and a sports leather steering wheel with

gearshift paddles. For this unbelievable model the starting available engines include X4 xDrive 20i and 20d. The starting price of the 4 Series Gran Coupé and X4 are €39,950 and €54,950 respectively. These prices include various options such as Bluetooth, front and rear parking sensors,

automatic air-conditioning amongst many others. For further information on these outstanding models, contact Muscats Motors on 23264582 or email on gcuschieri@mml.mizzi.com.mt. Book your test drive today and experience the Sheer Driving Pleasure that these incredible vehicles have to offer.

D Max Isuzu continues to win international awards idely respected as one of the toughest 4x4’s competitions in the world, the all new Isuzu D-Max proved just how durable it is once again by winning the competition “Best 4x4 pickup in 2014”. Izuzu had already won this award back in 2012.Since this isan exclusive 4x4 competition with several subsegments (pickup, SUV, luxury cars etc.),Isuzu was judged primarily by professional journalists in the pickup segment’s competition, after anon-road and off-road test driving which was conducted over

two days in June. The highly acclaimed Isuzu DMAX continues to capture the imagination of automotive experts and fans alike as the amazing pick-up truck won another award in the same month. Picking up an unprecedented sixth consecutive Asian Auto Fuel Efficiency Award, the Isuzu D-MAX remains the undisputed fuel efficiency champion among pick-up trucks but significantly too, it is the only vehicle to have won the award consecutively. You can view the D Max Isuzu at the GasanZammit showroom in Mriehel.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 31 August 2014

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New Lexus NX takes SUV design out of the box exus is reshaping SUV design with styling for its new NX that owes more to sportscars than slabsided 4x4s.The model that marks the company’s entry into the mid-size luxury SUV market makes a big visual statement with muscular curves and agile angles, representing the latest development of Lexus’s L-finesse contemporary design language. The high-impact exterior presents a low, sloping roofline, a cabforward silhouette, powerfully flared wheel arches and defining bodywork lines that flow directly from the signature Lexus spindle grille. Making a vehicle appear as though it’s forged from a single piece of metal is a familiar design concept, but Lexus took it to heart by actually pouring molten metal over the die used to make the grille and studying the natural shape the flow created.The result inspired the NX’s angular shape – a look that’s distinct from any other model in its class. The NX has the most distinctive “face” in the current Lexus line-up, its prominent spindle grille flanked by new LED headlamps and daytime running lights. It’s not a case of style over substance, though. For example the C-pillar has a wide angle to maximise internal storage width. The crouched look is linked to the NX’s good ramp-over angle performance, and the fact the high point of the roof is set rearward ensures good headroom for rear passengers.

• Ground-breaking design for the NX, Lexus’s first premium compact crossover • Traditional SUV lines make way for sports-influenced styling, inside and out • Great looks not at the cost of comfort or convenience, with generous cabin space and room for four golf bags in the boot The exterior also achieves an ideal balance between distinctive design and aerodynamic efficiency, a major challenge for the design team given the car’s overall compact dimensions. A rear spoiler was essential to create a smooth flow of air away from the back of the vehicle, and extensive wind tunnel testing revealed that the best results came from giving the leading edge of the fin an upturned lip – a detail that stands out as a design accent while also helping secure the NX a low (0.33) coefficient of drag. Similarly, the door mirrors and handles have air-cheating design, the latter being particularly eye-catching

thanks to a concealed key barrel and integrated single-LED illumination. The detailed work continues out of sight, beneath the car, where undercovers and spats designed

specifically for the NX, ensure a clean airflow. Where the interior is concerned, chief designer Tetsuo Miki wanted to capture the kind of style impact associated with high-end urban

sports gear with a combination of structural good looks and luxurious but functional materials and textures. His mission has delivered a driver’s cockpit that reaps the full benefit of Lexus’s advances in HMI technology, combined with elements that reflect the NX’s SUV status, such as soft leather kneepads either side of the prominent centre console. The cabin provides ample space for everyone on board, with bestin-segment space in critical areas. The front-to-rear couple distance is a class-leading 962mm and the high roof design provides exceptional head clearance.The rear knee room is even greater than in some larger SUV models. Luggage space is generous and practical. Maximum loadspace width is 1,347mm, enough for four golf bags to be stowed sideways, rather than across the diagonal. More storage space is available under the luggage board, taking total luggage capacity to 555 litres in hybrid versions and 580 litres in the turbo petrol (with a tyre repair kit carried). True to its status as a practical SUV, the NX comes with a wide variety of storage points around the cabin, including glove and console boxes, a console tray, utility box, sunglasses hold, cup holders and door pocket holders for half-litre bottles.Throughout there is a typically Lexus attention to detail, as in the high-friction material used to line the inside of the cup holder that lets the driver open a twist-cap bottle one-handed.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 31 August 2014

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Ford launches limited-edition “Unleashed” clothing to mark start of all-new 2015 Ford Mustang production he first all-new Ford Mustang rolled off the line last Thursday 28 August at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant, marking production of the sixthgeneration pony car. For the first time in its 50-year history, Mustang will be available globally to customers in more than 120 countries around the world, and Ford has teamed up with five top fashion designers to mark the occasion. The Mustang Unleashed collection is a series of limited-edition Tshirts, available in 15 different styles. Five designers from around the world each created three unique Mustang-inspired shirts, available exclusively through Gilt.com from September. The addition of a right-handdrive Mustang to Ford’s global vehicle line up will allow the iconic pony car to be exported to more than 25 right-hand-drive markets around the world, including the United Kingdom. “Mustang is and will continue to be an automotive icon,” said Joe Hinrichs,Ford president of The Americas. “Expanding its availability globally affords our customers around the world the opportunity to have a true first hand Mustang

experience – one unlike any other.” The Ford Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the more than 9.2 million cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production. It has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the most-liked vehicle on Facebook, with close to 8 million likes. The 435hp, 5.0-litre V8 is joined by an all-new 310hp, 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine that brings stateof-the-art technology to Mustang. The 2015 Ford Mustang features all-new front and rear suspension systems. At the front, a new perimeter subframe helps to stiffen the structure while reducing mass, providing a better foundation for more predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride. At the rear is an all-new integral-link independent suspension. Geometry, springs, dampers and bushings are all specially tuned for this high-performance application. New aluminium rear knuckles help reduce unsprung mass for improved ride and handling. More information on the limitededition shirts can be found at www.gilt.com/unleashed, and are available to pre-order now.

Defender Challenge Round 5 rallies into Ludlow • Six teams set to take the start line as the Defender Challenge by Bowler series heads to Shropshire. ound 5 of the Defender Challenge by Bowler series takes place this weekend as part of the Woodpecker Rally in Shropshire. Motorsport fans will see six teams compete for top honours, as the inaugural Defender Challenge by Bowler rally series will form an integral part of the Woodpecker Stages event for the first time. Teams will be based at Ludlow Racecourse, where scrutineering will take place as well as the offi-

cial start and finish of the race and awards presentations activity. The all gravel rally course will test the teams and their Bowlerprepared Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles across 43 stage miles and some of the best forest stages in the country. Heading into Round 5, father and son team Rob and Jonny Harford lead the Championship by just one point from Edd Cobley, who recorded his third victory of the season in the previous round at the Welsh Hill Rally.

Edd Cobley said: “With just three stages to go, it’s exciting to be in contention for the Championship. It’s been a fantastic debut series for the Defender Challenge and with a great sense of camaraderie between all the drivers; we’re looking forward to another race weekend. “Weather conditions made the previous round in Wales incredibly tough, but the Defender handled everything that was thrown its way and we were delighted to top the podium. I’m expect-

ing another tough test at the Woodpecker Stages, but come rain or shine we will be ready to race and looking to top the podium again.” Race2Recovery also head to Shropshire in good spirits as they push for a fourth consecutive podium finish. The team is comprised of a number of people with disabilities and received backing from long-term partner Land Rover to enable them to compete in the series. Race2Recovery team member Ben Gott said: “We are continuing to grow as a team and are learning a lot from taking part in our first race series. It’s great to see co-driver Stephanie Boddez

gaining more experience and confidence with every round. We’re looking forward to the challenge of securing another podium finish in Ludlow, and the final stages of the Defender Challenge.” 2014 is the inaugural year of the Defender Challenge by Bowler race series, which features seven rounds, held across the UK. The series has been created to offer competitors a clear pathway to progress to further international rally raid competition such as the Africa Race and Dakar Rally. Drew Bowler, Managing Director of Bowler Motorsport will make his rally debut when

competing in this weekend’s stage. He said: “With just three rounds to go, the Defender Challenge by Bowler series is really hotting up. The first four rounds have provided some great rallying and we looking forward to seeing six teams tackle the testing all-gravel course in Ludlow.” People wishing to find out more information about the Defender Challenge by Bowler should visit: www.bowlermotorsport.com or, to get a taste of the action, watch the highlights video from Round 4 at: http://www.landrover.co.uk/sponsorship-and-experiences/defenderchallenge.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 31 August 2014

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Toyota FT-1: A car fit for superheroes • New version of Toyota FT-1 sports car concept unveiled, featuring new graphite paintwork • Revised premium interior treatment with saddle tan elements • FT-1 interior inspired by modern superhero movie posters • Latest version available for download in Playstation® game Gran Turismo 6, alongside original FT-1 and high performance FT-1 Vision GT. ot in the wheeltracks of the highperformance FT-1 ‘Vision GT’ concept Toyota revealed this week, a new ‘real-world’ version has been unveiled. The latest interpretation of the show-stopping concept coupe features new graphite paintwork in place of the vibrant red featured on the original concept, first seen at this year’s Detroit motor show. There is also a new interior treatment, with saddle tan leather elements to give a more sophisticated feel. The FT-1’s interior designers

drew their inspiration from modern superhero films, particularly their use of high-tech performance materials for the

character’s costumes, as opposed to the bright tights and garish colours sported by more traditional characters.

To achieve the FT-1’s advancedlooking, intricately detailed interior, Toyota’s CALTY design team in California compared leather thicknesses, grain sizes and textures to find the perfect combination. Raised metal mesh provides ventilation for the seats, while also lending a more textural, bold effect that compliments the cabin’s metal accents. An embossed pattern on the instrument panel leather creates a 3-D, technical look. Selene Lee, a CALTY designer, said: “From the start of the FT-1 project, we wanted the driver to have a feeling of flow while at the

wheel – to be able to focus on the road and nothing else. “In the colour studio we help create the atmosphere of the vehicle, and our aim was to ensure everything supported the driver through efficient choices. The saddle leather maintains that same ‘in the zone’ driving intention, while bringing in a more premium feeling.” From September, players of the Playstation® game Gran Turismo 6 will be able to download three different versions of the FT-1: both red and graphite models will be available, together with the highperformance ‘Vision GT’ edition.

‘ENJOY’ – a successful Italian car-sharing project with FIAT 500 Service launched in Milan, extended to Rome and now to popular summer resort Rimini even months ago, Eni, Italy’s energy giant in collaboration with FIAT and Trenitalia, launched ‘ENJOY’ in Milan, a car sharing initiative aimed at alleviating some of the traffic congestion in the city. The initiative was then extended to Rome and recently, also to the popular summer destination of Rimini. To date, 100,000 clients are subscribed to the service in Milan and over 700,000 rentals have been registered by the service since it was launched. FIAT’s fleet in Milan comprises 600 FIAT 500 and 50 FIAT 500 L. “These are figures that confirm the enormous popularity being enjoyed by this car-sharing facility

‘ENJOY’,” says Eni. “This success is also owed to our choice of the red Fiat 500, the compact, secure and trendy car that is a status symbol across Italy, to the free online registration to this scheme, to the accessibility and easy payment for the service and the very competitive and realistic rates at which people can use this service. The take up to this service has been across all client profiles and appeals to all generations, proof of the simplicity and immediacy with which it can be used,” added Eni. The success was also replicated in Rome where in just a month and a half since its launch in the capital, ‘ENJOY’ has seen 25,000 client subscriptions and around 50,000 rentals. Around 450 red

FIAT 500 vehicles form ‘ENJOY’s fleet in Rome and plans are underway to bring the numbers up to 600 in the coming months to satisfy the growing demand in the capital. Now, Eni's car sharing service

has just been introduced in Rimini with a fleet of 70 Fiat 500's available to the people of Rimini and to the many tourists who flock to the city in the summer. The service will be available until September.

The Enjoy car sharing service offered in Rimini is the same as in Milan and Rome: free registration exclusively online, a simple, immediate customer experience and the most competitive rates available on the market today: 25 cents a minute when driving (for the first 50 km, after which an extra cost of 25 cents per km applies) or 10 cents a minute when the car is parked. This cost is all-inclusive, including insurance, maintenance, fuel and parking. All the Fiat 500's in the Rimini fleet are in the Euro 6 category, have parking sensors and are equipped to carry up to four people in perfect comfort. Booking the closest car to you is easy: find and hire a vehicle with the smartphone app (available for Android, iOS and Windows Phone), via the internet site enjoy.eni.com, or choose a free vehicle on the street and rent it on the spot.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 31 August 2014

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The CITROËN CX turns 40 Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1974, the CITROËN CX is celebrating its fortieth anniversary. It is remembered today as a bold, stylish vehicle with the ability to deliver creative responses to the issues of the time. The CX made its mark with advances in technology, including the turbocharged diesel engine, GTi version, and hydropneumatic suspension for new standards in comfort. ITROËN unveiled the CX 2000 for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in 1974. It quickly established a reputation for comfort, ergonomics and road holding, claiming the “Car of the Year” award, “Safety Prize” and “Award Auto Style” in its first year on the market. Designed by Robert Opron, the CX was a two-box saloon, 4.63m long. It was the first saloon in CITROËN’s history to ship with a diesel engine. With the CX, the Marque was able to

conquer the European tourer market with an alternative to petrol engines. One year after the 1973 oil crisis, CITROËN was able to demonstrate its innovative capacity and, even then, to show its concern for running costs, with engines meeting high standards in both driving pleasure and fuel consumption. The aerodynamics of the CX played in a key role in these efforts. The acronym CX in itself illustrated the vehicle’s low drag, (Cx being French for the aerodynamic coefficient Cd). Over the next few years,

CITROËN continued to upgrade the CX with further technological improvements including an estate version in 1975, a 2400 GTi electronic injection sports version in 1977 – considered as the fastest French tourer of its time – and a Prestige version, 28 cm longer, in 1978. Recognised for its style and bold technical choices, the CX was also a highly comfortable car. It inherited the constantheight hydropneumatic suspension of the DS, for impeccable roadholding, as well as the power-operated self-

centring steering system seen on the SM in 1970. The same high standards of comfort were visible in the innovations provided for easy use. For example, the C-matic torque converter did away with the clutch pedal, freeing up space for greater comfort. Also, the interior design placed particular emphasis on convenience, with a futuristic driving position, enabling the driver to access all the controls without releasing the steering wheel. Further reflecting its innovative capacities, the

CITROËN CX was the first French car to be fitted with ABS brakes in 1985. The CX was a huge market success, selling more than 1.2 million units up to 1991. Today, the CITROËN CX lives on through the events and meetings organised by the CX Club de France and l’Amicale de France. At the same, time, the enthusiasm inspired by the YoungTimers, sports cars of the 1980s that are now collectors’ models, is giving a new lease of life to models such as the CITROËN CX GTi Turbo.