Motoring February 2016 by The Malta Independent

The Malta Independent on Sunday. February 2016

NEW THINKING SUV

HYUNDAI i20 Cross

ALSO INSIDE Discover Chianti and its beautiful towns CHIANTI VINEYARD SPOTLIGHT>VERRAZZANO

DISCOVER CHIANTI AND ITS BEAUTIFUL TOWNS Bottom left: Antica Macelleria Falorni, GREVE Bottom centre: Panzano Dario Cecchini the owner of butcher shop Antica Macelleria Cecchini and the restaurant Officina della Bistecca. PANZANO Bottom right: S Niccolò, RADDA

ONLY A FEW REGIONS CAN OFFER SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AND RICH PANORAMA AS CHIANTI: GREEN HILLS SKETCHED BY MILES AND MILES OF VINEYARDS AND OLIVE GROVES, ANCIENT WALLED VILLAGES, AND PANORAMIC WINDING ROADS. CHIANTI CLASSICO SPREADS FROM FLORENCE TO SIENA AND INCLUDES THE MUNICIPALITIES OF GREVE, PANZANO, RADDA, GAIOLE AND CASTELLINA. WHETHER IT’S DRIVING THROUGH THE AREA'S ROADS TO ADMIRE VIEWS OF VINEYARDS ON THE HILLS, OR STOPPING TO VISIT WINE CELLARS AND TASTING DELICIOUS WINES, CHIANTI OFFERS THIS AND MORE.

GREVE Considered by many as the gate into Chianti, Greve is famous for its uniquely shaped triangular piazza that has been the market place for the surrounding castles and walled villages since the Middle Ages. The large porticos along the piazza’s three sides offer welcome protection from sun and rain while shopping. A bronze statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the explorer that discovered the Bay of New York, dominates the center of the piazza. At the top of the square stands the Church of S. Croce, a medieval church remodelled according to the Renaissance Revival architectural style, which displays a few precious works of sacred art. Greve boasts of a variety of places where you can taste Chianti wine and enjoy local food. The porticos include many workshops, wine bars and restaurants including Antica Macelleria Falorni, a historical butcher specialising in local delicacies.

PANZANO Panzano, the most populous town in Chianti, lies just a few kilometers south of Greve. In the 12th century Panzano played an important defensive role for Florence and its county. Its Castello was a fundamental bulwark for defending the Florentine Republic during the battles between Florence and Siena.The castle's structure can be still recognized within the older section of town including the Church of S. Maria which dates back from 1200. There are several wine bars and restaurants in Panzano that offer wine tasting. A popular place to visit is the Antica Macelleria Cecchini, a butcher shop famous for its Florentine steak where the owner recites passages from Dante's Divine Comedy while serving customers. Not far stands the Pieve di San Leolino, an ancient rural church dating back to 982, an exquisite example of a Romanesque basilica.

Castellina a strategical headquarters between Florence and Siena. Confirming this glorious past, the massive Rocca (castle) stands proudly over the city and the impressive Via delle Volte, an underground tunnel around the city, offers breathtaking panoramic views. Walking through the small town you will notice many historical buildings that belonged to Florentine and Sienese aristocracy. The Church of S. Salvatore, rebuilt after the Second World War, displays a beautiful late 14th century fresco by a Tuscan master. The Archaeological Museum displays many archaeological findings from the Chianti region, including Etruscan findings from Montecalvario. In Castellina you can taste wines in one of its many wine bars and the great, unforgettable taste of its many fresh and aged salami and cold cuts which have become an age-old art in Chianti and Tuscany.

GAIOLE

CASTELLINA Moving towards Siena you'll reach Castellina in Chianti which dates back to the Etruscans, as attested by the Etruscan tombs of Montecalvario. Its great position in the middle of the Chianti region made

still preserves its original medieval look. The ancient walls still defend the centre, today filled with maze-like streets. The Palazzo del Podestà overlooks the main square together with the Romanesque Church of S. Niccolò. The Palazzo was the headquarters of the League of Chianti for over four centuries, as confirmed by the many coats of arms on its facade. Just outside the centre stands the ancient Franciscan Cloister of S. Maria in Prato. Wandering around Radda’s medieval streets, you can enjoy a glass of wine at one of its many wine bars overlooking the spectacular panorama of the vineyard covered hills surrounding the town. Near Radda stands the Castle of Volpaia, an ancient walled town. The sandstone castle has a distinctive dark colour which makes it different from other castles in Chianti. In spite of the marks of the numerous wars between Florence and Siena, the main structure can easily be recognised in the massive tower and one of the minor towers. Close by is the Commenda of S. Eufrosino, a 14th century church transformed into a wine bar. Today the Castle of Volpaia is a small touristic town where you can experience the ancient culture of wine.

RADDA Leaving the Chiantigiana road and taking the SR429 you reach Radda in Chianti that

Not far from the Radda stands Gaiole in Chianti, another town dating back to the Middle Ages. Gaiole was an important market place for the castles in the surroundings because of its position between Chianti and the Valdarno (Valley of the Arno river). Gaiole is still an important point of interest in this area with many farmhouses, wine shops and wineries perfect for Chianti wine tasting. February 2016 | motoring 03

CHIANTI VINEYARD SPOTLIGHT>VERRAZZANO THE CASTELLO DI VERRAZZANO IS LOCATED IN GREVE IN CHIANTI, IN THE HEART OF THE CHIANTI CLASSICO AREA, BETWEEN FLORENCE AND SIENA. WITH A GREAT TRADITION OF WINEMAKING THE CASTELLO BECAME THE PROPERTY OF THE VERRAZZANO FAMILY IN THE VII CENTURY. GIOVANNI DA VERRAZZANO, THE NAVIGATOR AND EXPLORER WHO DISCOVERED THE BAY OF NEW YORK AND OF THE MAJORITY OF THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES WAS BORN HERE IN 1485. THE VERRAZANO–NARROWS BRIDGE (SOMETIMES CALLED SIMPLY THE VERRAZANO BRIDGE), THE ICONIC DOUBLE-DECKED SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN NEW YORK THAT CONNECTS THE BOROUGHS OF STATEN ISLAND AND BROOKLYN, WAS NAMED AFTER HIM IN 1964

1958 the Cappellini family took over the Castello and brought it back it to its former glory by restoring the villa and rebuilding the vineyards while respecting the historical and architectonic features of the place. The ancient cellars date

back to the XVIth century. Aging takes place in Slavonian oak barrels placed along the corridors, protected from sudden temperature changes. Three year old oak barrels of 30hl capacity are used for the elevation of the Chianti and Chianti Classico Riserva, and

new barriques (Allier and Vosges) for the elevation of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sassello and of the Super Tuscan Bottiglia Particolare. By visiting the winery, surrounded by the scent of fine oak barrels, one enters the heart of the castle, where selections of

the best vintages since 1924 are kept. With boundaries which have remained unchanged for over 1000 years, the estate of 230 acres owns 52 hectares of vineyards at altitudes between 260 and 420 meters above sea level, in a stony soil rich in limestone.

BOOKING A WINE TASTING TOUR AT CASTELLO DI VERRAZZANO ust under an hour drive south from Florence via SR222 and Strada Regionale 222 Chiantigiana/SR222 or via SP70 and Strada Regionale 222 Chiantigiana/SR222 leads you to Castello di Verrazzano. Different types of wine tours are available including a Classic Wine Tour, a Chianti Tradition wine tour, a Wine & Food Experience tour, and Dinner at the Farm. You can book a wine tour online here: www.verrazzano.com/en/wine-tours/ During the visits, while strolling in the late-Renaissance gardens of the Villa, you can discover the great history of the navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano and have the chance to see the wild boar bred in

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the surrounding woods. The tours are always completed with a guided tasting of classic wines, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Vin Santo (Holy Wine) together with the traditional almond biscuits. You can also visit “Cantinetta dei Verrazzano” in Florence, just around the corner from the Duomo (Via dei Tavolini, 18/r) an interconnecting wine bar and bakery where you can enjoy Verrazzano wines and also the products from the Verrazzano farms, and from their bakery. Locally Verrazzano Wines are imported by Attard and Co and available from Sistina Wine & Co., The Strand Gzira. Opening hours: 10am till late.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS...

HYUNDAI ANTICIPATES BIG SUCCESS FOR ITS NEW TUCSON

Built in the Czech Republic and designed at Hyundai’s European studio in Germany, the Tucson sits on an all-new platform—with transverse-mounted engines and the choice of either front- or all-wheel drive via an electronically controlled clutch ahead of the rear axle. The new Tucson will be bigger than the last one, thanks in large part to its prominent square-set front profile and very tall hood, but the differences in dimensions are actually small. At 176.2 inches in length, it’s just 2.6 inches longer than before. An unusual design detail is the asymmetric wheel arches, that have an arc of black plastic cladding that increases their perceived size. “The new Tucson proves how Hyundai continues to build on its past successes whilst ensuring that it remains relevant to the increasingly demanding European market. In fact, in this new 2016 Tucson, design plays a major role in defining the character of this model.The Tucson’s prime function will be to shift perceptions through bold design and technology,” said Francesca Mamo, Managing Director of Meridien Enterprises, official importers of Hyundai in Malta. “The all-new Tucson represents a significant step forward

for Hyundai in Europe.The new model, which follows Hyundai’s successful one million SUV sales in Europe is characterized by a bold and athletic

FREEDOM LIES IN BEING BOLD GOES A SAYING. AND HYUNDAI IS CERTAINLY ONE BRAND THAT NEVER SHIES AWAY FROM TAKING BOLD DECISIONS. ONE SUCH DECISION WAS TO DISCONTINUE THE ‘IX35’ BRAND NAME ON A GLOBAL LEVEL AND REPLACING IT WITH THE TUCSON. THIS SOUND BELIEF BY HYUNDAI IN THE TUCSON MODEL IS ONE FACTOR THAT IS DRIVING GREAT EXPECTATIONS TO THE NEW MODEL WHICH IS EXPECTED IN MALTA VERY SOON.

exterior that creates a unique SUV appearance whereas the refined and very spacious interior combines elegance with ergonomics. On board the new Tucson, convenience and connectivity features are tailored to customer needs and these feature new navigation with TomTom Live services.The Tucson is fully equipped with comprehensive active and passive safety technologies and a

new chassis for Europe, focused on ride comfort and driving dynamics,” added Francesca Mamo. Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer at Hyundai Motor Group describes the Tucson’s design as one that “expresses Hyundai’s progressive spirit and passion that is transforming our brand.The All-New Tucson has a bold and athletic presence achieved through refined, flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines and most importantly, our newest generation hexagonal grille - our brand signature,” he said. The new Tucson is being 100% built in Europe proving Hyundai’s confidence in its European build quality and every Tucson will come with the company’s industryleading Five Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty as standard.

HOW TO CREATE AND WIN YOUR OWN OPEL ADAM nyone can participate in the #ADAMyourself campaign where participants are encouraged to customise their favourite ADAM model with body colours, roof top colours, rims and backgrounds directly onthe microsite https://www.adamyourself.comuntil midFebruary. The ADAMs created appear on the #ADAMyourself microsite and can also be shared on Facebook or Twitter.Once shared, friends and relatives can vote for your ADAM. The voting deadline is mid-March. The top 10 most locally voted ADAMs would then be judged by the Opel Judging Panel – including Opel representatives and 10 European bloggers, including Nicoletta Reggio – who choose the country favourites, which will then each be

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produced from autumn 2016 as the limited special model series “ADAM YOURSELF”. A new ADAM goes to that creative person who manages to wow the Opel international judging panel with a personalised design of the already funky car and the very special part is that the winners will be the “advertising face” for their ADAM in their country. The winner will be announced between March and May. For more information, visit adamyourself.comOpel is represented in Malta by Cars International Ltd in Mdina Road,Qormi. For more information or test-drive on an Opel ADAM, send an email to opelsales@cil.com.mt or call 2269 2122. You can also visit opel.com.mt or the Facebook page Opel Malta.

A SET OF NEW WHEELS

RMF TECHNICAL DIRECTOR PAUL VELLA GIVES HIS ADVICE ON BUYING AND SELLING A CAR, WHETHER NEW OR USED.

BUYING NEW

The decision on which new car to buy is often based on choosing a model that you like, and is within your budget.The more you can afford to pay, the faster and more luxurious the car usually is. Yet it pays to stop and think about your actual motoring needs first. Before looks, go for the best fit, so that you will be actually comfortable, alert, can avoid drivinginduced tiredness and pain and be fully satisfied with your purchase.

YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS

Don’t just go for a car’s exterior, go for how well it suits your height, weight, build and your motoring needs. Most manufacturers cater for different needs, featuring recreational vehicles, family saloons and sports models, so you are bound to find

one suited to your requirements. Always take advantage of testdrives where possible. Driving different cars will help you experience the latest technology and to compare manoeuvrability, visibility and comfort. Check that the car has good visibility. If you do a lot of driving during the day, particularly in builtup areas, consider automatic transmission and air conditioning. Backache sufferers should look for a car with a soft ride and one that is not too low on the ground. If you intend going abroad with your car, I suggest that you choose a car that has adequate power and plenty of boot space.

MONEY MATTERS Put your money into buying the safest car you can afford. While

most cars today have front air bags, having side air bags is much safer. Fuel consumption is another consideration. Diesel vehicles are efficient and very economical when compared to a similar sized petrol engine. Choosing a vehicle with low Co2 emission, will help towards a greener environment and also benefit from low licensing fees. Also consider choosing a car that carries a long warranty.

A USED CAR SHOULD ALWAYS BE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT, PROFESSIONAL GARAGE WHO WILL VERIFY THAT IT IS STRUCTURALLY SAFE

BUYING USED A second-hand car needs to fit all the requirements you would consider for a new one. Don’t be lured into getting a car that seems to be a good bargain but which may not be safe, requires expensive work and which may not fit your driving needs. When buying a used car there is always an inherent risk, but there are things you can do to reduce that risk. A used car should always be inspected by an independent, professional garage who will verify that it is structurally safe, identify any visual problems and to check the overall condition. Your mechanic should guide you or you can call RMF for a vehicle overall check up before committing yourself to any purchase. Things to look out for: • Up-to-date road licence • Engine and chassis number match logbook details (It is very important that buyers check the log book details, such as the chassis number, engine number, colour, registration number, VIN number and number of passengers. If you carry more passengers than stated on the log book, they will not be covered by your insurance policy.) • Inspect undercarriage and mechanical worthiness • Engine checked for faults • Current market value • Verify that any repairs have been carried out correctly.

HIDDEN EXPENSES You must know what you are paying for, but also whether there

are any other expenses that might crop up at the next VRT. If the vehicle needs attention, do you know how much it’s going to cost to bring it to a roadworthy state? This is why looks and price should not be the determining factors. RMF offers second-hand vehicle inspection at no extra cost for its members.

BUYING A USED CAR FROM ABROAD If buying a car from the UK, it is safer to buy one that is ‘manufacturer approved’ and which comes with a guarantee. These vehicles may cost slightly more, but they would have been checked according to a checklist and the car manufacturer has a reputation, which they strive to uphold. Buying from a dealer rather than an individual will give you some leverage in the event of a defect being discovered. Always ask for the proper documentation, especially the service history book.

SELLING YOUR CAR Be totally honest in your dealings with potential buyers. You are obliged to tell the buyer about any defects and encourage them to get professional advice.

HOW MUCH? Check the market value first with your insurance agent and take into consideration your car’s condition and appearance, both internal and external. You should easily be able to determine a fair selling price. Guiding motorists to better happier motoring, by RMF

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LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT TAKES 4X4 PRIZE IN BUSINESSCAR AWARDS

• DISCOVERY SPORT VOTED BEST PREMIUM SMALL 4X4 • THIRD BUSINESSCAR AWARDS WIN FOR LAND ROVER SINCE 2013 Land Rover has claimed a major prize in the BusinessCar Awards for the third time in four years with the announcement that Discovery Sport has been named the fleet publication’s Best Premium Small 4x4 for 2016. Discovery Sport follows in the wheeltracks of the Range Rover Evoque, which claimed Small 4x4 titles from BusinessCar last year and in 2013. Uniquely in the industry, the BusinessCar Awards are decided not by a panel of experts but by fleet industry insiders through a poll of readers, with the winners chosen by those who rely on a vehicle to help efficiently run their business. Discovery Sport earned this

commendation from BusinessCar Editor Paul Barker: “The Discovery Sport has moved Land Rover into the reach of many fleet drivers, offering a prestigious badge combined with practicality, running costs, quality and now, with the new diesel engines, efficiency to compete with its premium brand rivals. It’s a vehicle that illustrates the breadth of the business car market place and the enticing products that fleet drivers now have well within their reach.” It is the third accolade for Discovery Sport within the space of a few weeks, Land Rover’s most recent arrival having claimed the title Best Large SUV in the What Car? awards in early January. In November the Scottish Car of the Year

jury voted Discovery Sport its Best Diesel. Jeremy Hicks, UK Managing Director Jaguar Land Rover, said: “It is always great to receive awards – particularly when they have been decided by customers. Coming on the heels of the What Car? Award for Discovery Sport, highlighting its appeal to the consumer, it is wonderful to receive this BusinessCar Award, which also demonstrates its superiority in the company car marketplace.” Discovery Sport’s new 2.0-litre fourcylinder Ingenium diesel engine is designed to deliver class-leading torque and power outputs, combined with excellent refinement, reduced CO2 emissions and lower fuel consumption.

Built at Land Rover’s new state-of-theart £500m Engine Manufacturing Centre in the West Midlands, the EU6 compliant Ingenium engine is available in 150PS and 180PS variants, the former offering up to 57.7mpg and CO2 emissions from 129g/km. Discovery Sport is equipped with a range of class-leading safety features, such as a pedestrian airbag, Autonomous Emergency Braking and a suite of driver assistance features, all of which have helped it earn a Five Star Euro NCAP rating. With range service intervals extended from 16,000 to 21,000 miles, the new Discovery Sport offers significantly lower whole-life running costs in addition to lower taxation and reduced fuel costs.

FIAT TIPO

WINS AUTOBEST 2016 AWARD

t an awards ceremony in Mila, the new FIAT Tipo was declared the winner of the Autobest 2016 Award. The Autobest award was presented by an international jury of 26 motoring journalists representing 26 European countries and covering 91% of the continent's total population. The FIAT Tipo is the third Fiat model to win the Autobest award, which is a record among the brands assessed by Autobest: the first was Panda (in 2003) and the second was Linea (in 2008). The jurors awarded 1,492 points to the FIAT Tipo for thirteen different parameters, including design, comfort, running cost-effectiveness, driveability, price, service network, spare parts distribution, versatility and buy-

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back value. In brief, a car must be the best buy for most European customers in order to win the coveted accolade. The FIAT Tipo is the most recent addition to the Fiat lineup. This model, which maximises FIAT’s quest to bring value for money, is packed with what customers genuinely appreciate, with a simple range and a transparent commercial offer. The remarkable potentials of the new model are confirmed by the over 15,000 orders received in little more than two months since its launch. The Autobest 2016 award ceremony is the first after the jury was expanded to include eleven new members representing Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

AUDI RS 5 DTM before season start

TWO AND A HALF MONTHS BEFORE THE FIRST RACE OF THE NEW DTM SEASON, THE WINTER BREAK IS OVER: MATTIAS EKSTRÖM AND JAMIE GREEN ARE PERFORMING IMPORTANT TESTS WITH THE AUDI RS 5 DTM AT MONTEBLANCO, SPAIN, THIS WEEK.

• THREE-DAY TESTS OF THE DTM TEST TEAM AT MONTEBLANCO, SPAIN • MATTIAS EKSTRÖM AND JAMIE GREEN TESTING FOR AUDI SPORT • DETAILED OPTIMIZATIONS ON THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DTM CAR OF THE 2015 SEASON

he number of test days is heavily limited in the DTM, with only one more preseason test scheduled before the season opener at Hockenheim on May 7. Consequently, the three days near Seville are particularly valuable for the Audi Sport test team. “The test at Monteblanco offers the only opportunity to check the effectiveness of the ideas our engineers worked out in winter before we pass them on to our teams,” says Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport. During the Hockenheim pre-season test from April 4 to 8, all eight Audi drivers together with their teams will have the opportunity to prepare for the new season at the wheel of their race cars. In contrast, only two test versions of the Audi RS 5 DTM and two drivers have been deployed to Monteblanco. “Obviously, all our drivers would like to drive in Spain as well,” says Gass. “But to achieve optimum test results, we prefer to use only one driver per car.” Selected for the test were the two best-placed drivers of the past season, Jamie Green and Mattias Ekström. In terms of technology, the Audi RS 5 DTM has not changed compared with last year – as changes are prohibited by the regulations. Detailed improvements, however, are possible – and they existed even with a car that won ten of the 18 DTM races last year. “We concentrated on discovering and analyzing weak points in order to tackle any area in which we can still make some adjustments,” says

Gass. “This was primarily focused on reliability and finetuning work for race tracks on which we were not so strong last year.” Now Jamie Green and Mattias Ekström are tasked to verify the results of the fine tuning work on the race track. While Ekström participated in the DTM Young Driver Test at Jerez in early December as a reference driver, Green is taking the wheel of the Audi RS 5 DTM for the first time again since his victory in the DTM finale at Hockenheim in October. In the 2016 season, the Briton will have Adrien Tambay as his new teammate in Audi Sport Team Rosberg. His previous team partner, Nico Müller, is forming Audi Sport Team Abt together with Miguel Molina. Competing for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline will be Mattias Ekström and Edoardo Mortara. Audi Sport Team Phoenix will compete with its unchanged lineup of Mike Rockenfeller and Timo Scheider.

AUDI DTM TEAMS 2016 Audi Sport Team Abt #17 Miguel Molina (E), #51 Nico Müller (CH) Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline #5 Mattias Ekström (S), #48 Edoardo Mortara (I) Audi Sport Team Phoenix #99 Mike Rockenfeller (D), #10 Timo Scheider (D) Audi Sport Team Rosberg #53 Jamie Green (GB), #27 Adrien Tambay (F)

NEW AVENSIS MAJORS ON COMFORT AND COSTS FOR ADDED BUSINESS MOTORIST APPEAL he new Toyota Avensis has been designed to be a strong performer in the business car and fleet market, not just in terms of running costs but also in providing the kind of comfort and onboard technologies that make life easier for the longer-distance driver. With fleet and business customers expected to account for around 87 per cent of all new Avensis sales, achieving the right balance of cost-efficiency, performance and quality has been crucial. Comfort Toyota canvassed the opinions of motorists – not just Toyota drivers – in its development of new Avensis, helping it better understand and respond to the real-world needs and preferences of business people who spend long periods at the wheel. As a result, the new Avensis range of saloons and Touring Sports wagons – all built in Britain – has two equipment grades that focus on the things that make life more comfortable, convenient and connected for today’s business motorist.

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The Avensis Business Edition is positioned to appeal at the heart of the fleet market. It comes equipped with Toyota Touch 2 with Go, a fast and intuitive eight-inch touchscreencontrolled multimedia package that includes navigation, Bluetooth, DAB and access to online services for local information and journey planning. Cruise control, automatic air conditioning and automatic headlights and wipers also help take the stress out of driving. Business Edition Plus models are tailored for the user-chooser, adding combination leather and Alcantara upholstery, LED headlights and daytime running lights, rear privacy glass and smart entry with push-button start. All models benefit from a redesigned driver’s seat that gives extra support and comfort for long distance trips, with electrically adjustable lumbar support provided on both Business Edition grades. Improved NVH measures also make the cabin a much quieter and calmer place.