Motoring May 2014 by The Malta Independent

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The Malta Independent on Sunday • 25 May 2014

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BMW Group launches race ® car for Gran Turismo 6 new virtual race car, the BMW Vision Gran Turismo, takes to the racetrack in Gran Turismo® 6, the acclaimed racing title available exclusively on PlayStation®3. The race car, created by BMW Group Design, boasts a virtual three-litre six-cylinder inline engine developed by BMW M GmbH, which promises a peak performance of 404 kW/549 hp, fast laps and optimum handling and control. “The development of the BMW Vision Gran Turismo combines our many years of motorsports experience with signature BMW Design. The race car anticipates future racing trends and allows gaming fans even more to experience BMW racing quality,” says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President Brand Communication BMW, BMW i, BMW M. Starting this Thursday, visitors to BMW Welt in Munich will also be able to take the BMW Vision Gran Turismo to the virtual

track within the BMW M exhibition. Besides PlayStation®3 gaming stations, an additional dedicated racing seat with a specially designed three-screen display will be available making the experience totally immersive, and the closest you can get to driving the car in real life. Following in the tradition of the successful BMW touring cars of the 1970s, the BMW design team has created an uncompromising road racer for the modern era. Crisp proportions and a dynamic silhouette give the BMW Vision Gran Turismo the appearance of speed, even standing still. Front and rear spoilers ensure optimum down-force, while all air conduction elements reduce drag and lower the vehicle’s total weight through the use of carbon fibre. The paint finish in BMW M colours traces the flow of the airstream, recalling BMW Motorsports successes. Karim Habib, Head of Design BMW Automobiles said: “The BMW Vision Gran Turismo is

pure BMW sportiness and dynamics. It’s a precise driving machine engineered and designed to race and win.” The technology in the BMW Vision Gran Turismo is just as impressive as its uncompromising design. A powerful three-litre sixcylinder inline engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology delivers a maximum power of 404 kW/549 hp between 6,200 min-1 and 7,300 min-1. Its peak torque of 680 Nm is developed at just 1,900 rpm. A sequential six-speed transmission, operated by gearshift paddles on the steering wheel, distributes engine power to the driven rear axle. The outstanding performance characteristics of the BMW Vision Gran Turismo, which weighs only 1,180 kilograms, include perfect 50:50 axle load distribution. The BMW Group demonstrates its on-going commitment to the

gaming field. The growing relevance of the video game market and its active gaming community means that concepts such as the BMW Vision Gran Turismo, as well as classic and current BMW vehicles, can not only be presented passively in images or trailers, but also experienced in an interactive manner by a wide audience and even taken for a virtual drive. To mark the game’s 15th anniversary last year, Kazunori Yamauchi, Gran Turismo® creator and president of Polyphony Digital Inc., invited leading automobile manufacturers to contribute to the successful game series. Design departments were called upon to look into the future and share their ground-breaking concept models with the gaming community. The virtual cars will be gradually integrated into the new Gran Turismo® 6 game through

online updates. “I was eagerly awaiting what kind of car the people at BMW would come up with. The resulting Vision Gran Turismo car was a sports car that was so clearly BMW, that really shows the DNA of BMW. What makes the Vision GT car so recognizable as a BMW, is in things like its compact size, its wide front and rear overfenders. It maintains the strong angular forms from the past, but the car is also given modern, elegant lines”, said Yamauchi. Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design added: “This project means a lot to me, because Kazunori-san shares the same passion for design and driving pleasure as we do at BMW Group. We are pleased to present our very first virtual BMW concept car at GT6.” The Gran Turismo® video game, first released in 1998, is an awardwinning racing simulation. The series is one of the biggest virtual racing games worldwide and PlayStation’s most successful franchise. A wide range of realistic racetrack options and authenticlooking HD graphic images characterise the game. According to Sony Computer Entertainment, the complete series has sold over 70 million games in more than 100 countries to date. Making Of Video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/a8U89-JtMlI Car trailer on YouTube: http://youtu.be/_obcI-bIS4Y

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 25 May 2014

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PEUGEOT #KickItToBrazil After crossing 20 countries and 5 continents in 60 days, the adventures of PEUGEOT’s globetrotting football came to an end, completing its fantastic journey to Brazil on April 30th. As PEUGEOT promised, more trees will be planted as part of the PEUGEOT-ONF Carbon Sink project. 10,000 more trees for the PEUGEOT-ONF Forestry Carbon Sink in the Amazon At the start of the #KickItToBrazil adventure, the commitment was made by Automobiles PEUGEOT that every contact between a fan and the football, the common thread in this exceptional journey, would lead to the planting of another tree at the PEUGEOT-ONF project in the Amazon. In total almost 10,000 encounters took place, giving rise to the planting of 10,000 more trees at the Fazenda Sao Nicolau in the Amazon basin, in the state of Mato-Grosso. Other than the 10,000 additional trees that will join the 2,000,000 already reintroduced (since 1999), as part of the PEUGEOT- ONF Carbon Sink in the Amazon during the next planting season (the rainy season between October and March), the carbon footprint of the journey, 75 tonnes of CO2, will be fully offset by the purchase of certified carbon credits issued by the PEUGEOT- ONF Carbon Sink. These carbon credits will be used entirely for the scientific, ecological and socio-economical

purposes of the latter.

An international, social and responsible adventure The KickItToBrazil operation has been covered every day on the dedicated website www.kickit-tobrazil.com and via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social networks. This journey was the opportunity for PEUGEOT to go out and meet one to one the populations of the world. Every day, photographs and videos relating to these encounters have been posted. Passing through Senegal or on the great wall of China, a detour via Tokyo, to the Stade Bonnal at Sochaux or to the Algiers Motor Show, tattooing session in Russia and ending by paragliding above Rio de Janeiro. All of these exceptional encounters have been the subject of a video in each country crossed.

THE PEUGEOT-ONF CARBON SINK AT A GLANCE A significant contribution over the long term • 10 million Euros : the initial budget for the project,

Carbon monitoring

financed 100 % by PEUGEOT • 400,000 Euros : the additional annual budget co-financed by PEUGEOT and the ONF (since 2005) a significant part of which is for research • 40 years : the duration of the project (from 1998 to 2038)

• 13t CO2/hectare/year since 1999 including 110,000 t CO2 certified (VCS protocol) • A source of finance entirely reinvested in the project • 5 years : the period for complete carbon balancing of the plantation

The Fazenda Sao-Nicolau in figures

Monitoring biodiversity

• 1999 : the date of acquisition of the land • 10,000 hectares : the land area (equivalent to Paris proper) • 72,00 hectares, the land area of natural forest conserved, including 1,800 hectares of Réserve Privée du Patrimoine Naturel (Natural Heritage Private Reservation) • 1,000 hectares of riverside forest

• 500 animal species recorded since 2001, including around twenty heading for extinction (e.g.: jaguar) • 10 classes of insect, the populations of which have been estimated and monitored since 2001

Local integration

A reforestation project with a wide variety of species • 1,800 hectares of plantation land area (twice the size of the Bois de Vincennes in the Paris region) • 2 million trees planted • Biodiversity: 50 species planted including 49 native and one exotic (teak, Tectona grandis). The strongest native species are Figueira Branca (ficus sp.),

Aroeira (Astrium sp.), Paneira (Chorisia speciosa)

• 5,000 primary school pupils have visited, as part of the environmental education programs • More than 150 students representing around ten different institutions have visited for work on university theses • Around sixty research or technical study projects carried out at the Fazenda • Support given to players in the region (agro-forestry with small farms and sustainable management of forests)

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 25 May 2014

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Malta Formula Racing team starts its Formula 4 engine with Keith Camilleri

he debut of the FIA Formula 4 has been successful at Adria International Raceway. The official testing weekend of the newly born Tatuus car that will enliven the new FIA F4 Italian Championship powered by Abarth seemed like a racing event, with the first 8 teams entered in the championship along with their 16 drivers testing the Tatuus T014 car throughout the weekend. Malta Formula Racing team, started their first testing day, with Keith Camilleri, who was guided closely by 5 times Kart

T Citroën Traction Avant turns 80 n 18 April 1934, CITROËN unveiled the 7CV, a car that would make motoring history with its wealth of innovations, starting with frontwheel-drive, or TRACTION AVANT in French, such a groundbreaking development that the car would soon be known by this name. When the first Traction Avant made its debut, it started a revolution in the automotive world. Never before had a production vehicle boasted so many innovations, e.g. an all-steel chassis less unitised body, hydraulic brakes on all four wheels, independent wheel suspension with a torsion

bar, a floating-power engine with overhead valves, and removable cylinder sleeves. Although production of the 7CV stopped in June 1941, the 11CV (launched in September 1934) continued to be built until July 1957. And the 15CV version, equipped with a six-cylinder engine, was produced from June 1938 to July 1956. In April 1954, Citroën launched a special version called the 15H. Its hydropneumatic rear suspension heralded that of the future DS. Boasting almost 100 years of history, Citroën earned a reputation for innovation and revolutionary engineering, which is reflected in the company's slogan "Créative Technologie".

World Champion, Danilo Rossi together with Roberto Venieri, ex F1 Minardi, responsible for the technical management of the Maltese team. From the initial laps, the determination of the 21 year old young aspiring Maltese driver was evident as his timings started to improve lap after lap with 1’23”702 finishing 2 seconds short to the fastest time with 1’17”348 at the end of his 70 laps during the day. Keith’s performance was hampered by a gearbox fault, while shifting from 3rd to 4th gear. Magnet Marelli technicians assisted the team to trace the problem which persisted throughout most of Keith’s laps. Nevertheless Danilo Rossi was ever impressed by Keith’s performance since his timings were close to much more experienced drivers than Keith, who hails from a country which does not have a race track. Danilo remarked that Keith has to secure the necessary sponsors the soonest possible so that he could attend more testing in Italia before the Championship starts as time is now against him. At the end all teams and drivers seemed absolutely satisfied with their singleseaters; with the fastest time registered by the Russian driver Robert Shwartzman of team Adria by Cram, who drove the 2657 metres of the track in 1’15”525. Malta Formula Racing continued the second day of testing with 15 year old Californian driver Zach Dante along with other teams and drivers which are getting ready for the first round, scheduled for 7th and 8th June from Adria for a calendar featuring 7 rounds, with final racing weekend scheduled in Barcelona next 18th and 19th October. All 21 races will be transmitted live on RAI Sport.

Photo: Audrey Camilleri

Photo: David Axisa

Local Jaguar Day set for 1 June his year’s annual Jaguar Day is fast-approaching. It will be held on Sunday, 1st June and the Jaguar Club has put together a full programme of events for the day. The event will start off with Holy Mass which will be celebrated at the Madonna ta’ Itria Church at Bingemma. After this (at about 1000hrs), members will gather near the American Embassy in Ta Qali. The drive will end at 1300hrs when lunch will be served at The Xara Lodge. For bookings and further information about this event, please contact Charles A. Zahra 9949 7729 or Ivan Bartolo on 9947 3377.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 25 May 2014

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Volvo Car Group’s first self-driving Autopilot cars test on public roads around Gothenburg olvo Car Group’s groundbreaking project ‘Drive Me’ – featuring 100 self-driving Volvos on public roads in everyday driving conditions – is moving forward rapidly. The first test cars are already rolling around the Swedish city of Gothenburg and the sophisticated Autopilot technology is performing well. “The test cars are now able to handle lane following, speed adaption and merging traffic all by themselves. This is an important step towards our aim that the final ‘Drive Me’ cars will be able to drive the whole test route in highly autonomous mode. The technology, which will be called Autopilot, enables the driver to hand over the driving to the vehicle, which takes care of all driving functions,” says Erik Coelingh, Technical Specialist at Volvo Car Group. What makes the ‘Drive Me’ project unique is that it involves all the key players: legislators, transpor t authorities, a major city, a vehicle manufacturer and real customers. The customers will drive the 100 cars in ever yday driving conditions on approximately 50 kilometres of selected roads in and around Gothenburg. These roads are typical commuter ar teries, including motorway conditions and frequent queues. “That Volvo Cars’ hometown Gothenburg becomes the world’s first arena for self-driving cars in everyday driving conditions demonstrates both our technological leadership and Sweden’s dedication to pioneering the integration of self-driving vehicles,” says Erik Coelingh.

Joint initiative ‘Drive Me – Self-driving cars for sustainable mobility’ is a joint initiative between Volvo Car Group, the Swedish

Transport Administration, the Swedish Transport Agency, Lindholmen Science Park and the City of Gothenburg. The Swedish Government is endorsing the project.

Pater Group and Elmo Insurance Strike Collaboration Agreement collaboration agreement has just been reached between the Pater Group and Elmo Insurance. Through this agreement, the Pater Group (UCIM Co Ltd and Meridien Enterprises Co Ltd) have been appointed Tied Insurance Intermediaries of Elmo Insurance Ltd. This effectively makes the Pater Group an insurance intermediary licensed to offer motor insurance policies through its sales representatives when one purchases a new Hyundai, Fiat, Alfa Romeo or Jeep model. This agreement also gives the Pater Group a license to sell other policies such as home insurances, life insurances, and other related products. Additionally, Elmo Insurance clients may also choose to renew their insurance at any of Pater

Group’s showrooms even when the original policy would not have been taken out through Pater Group. This is being done to offer more convenience and flexibility to all Elmo Insurance clients. This agreement also offer a number of benefits to all those who in the unfortunate case of a collision will need to carry out repair works on their car. In fact, in case of collisions, Elmo Insurance clients can choose to undertake repairs at the Waldorf Auto Service Centre and benefit from a €35 voucher that may be redeemed against insurance renewal on their Elmo Insurance policy, and a € 25 voucher that can be redeemed against products and services from the Pater Group. Owners Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Iveco, Jeep and Hyundai vehicles may also use these vouchers on servicing and repairs from the Waldorf Auto service centre,

original spare parts, Selenia oils and lubricants or the Waxoyl Professional Car care range of products. David Bartoli, Elmo Insurance’s Managing Director said that Elmo was very pleased to be associated with the Pater Group that represented well known motor manufacturers. “The Pater Group and Elmo Insurance are two companies that share the same commitment towards a customer centric vision and value-added service. This new collaboration between the two companies will not only give more value to our respective client base but will also take the excellent business relations between the two companies to a new level which will be mutually beneficial,” said Francesca Mamo, Managing Director of the Pater Group. Ms Mamo added “this new collaboration also stems from our pride in the Waldorf Service

Centre. Besides offering panel beating and spraying services at its paint centre, complemented by 20 skilled panel beaters, technicians and spray painters, customers using our Centre can also enjoy a full range of car valeting packages; from a straightforward wash and polish to an extensive variety of options available from the Waxoyl Professional Car Care product range. The centre’s high standards are confirmed by its Grade A classification from the Malta Insurance Association, which follows Thatcham UK standards,” added Ms Mamo.

About Elmo Insurance Ltd: Elmo Insurance Ltd is a respected company linked to global and financially strong reinsurers. Through a commitment to financial strength, quality underwriting and products,

experienced and qualified staff, and a personalised service, we will ensure that the expectations of our shareholders, reinsurers, customers and staff are fully met, and that the company contributes to the economy and insurance market in Malta. For more information phone 2343 0000 or visit www.elmoinsurance.com Elmo Insurance Ltd. is authorised to carry out general insurance business and is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. UCIM Co Ltd is authorised to carry out tied insurance intermediaries activities and is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Meridien Enterprises Co Ltd is authorised to carry out tied insurance intermediaries activities and is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority.

Toyota targets 10 per cent improvement in hybrid vehicle fuel efficiency with new semiconductor technology rue to its core principle of continuous improvement, Toyota is aiming to achieve a 10 per cent improvement in the fuel efficiency* of its hybrids and other electric-powered vehicles using a new power semiconductor technology. Semiconductors play a key role in the hybrid system, located in the power control unit (PCU) which governs the flow of electricity from the battery to the electric motor, and sends electricity generated under braking and deceleration to the battery for storage. However, PCUs account for about 25 per cent of the total electrical power losses in hybrid vehicles, with 20 per cent occurring in the semiconductors. Toyota has found that using a new silicon carbide (SiC) compound instead of traditional silicon for the power semiconductors can substantially reduce these energy losses, and also allow for the PCU to be reduced in size by about 80 per cent.

Toyota has developed the technology inhouse in partnership with Denso and aims to test its performance in public road trials within the year. Prototype hybrids using SiC power semiconductors have already indicated an improvement of more than five per cent in fuel efficiency*. Toyota is continuing its research in a dedicated clean room facility it has set up at its Hirose plant in Japan and it proposes to boost development activities so that the new technology can be implemented at an early stage. It will be showcasing its SiC power semiconductor programme at the 2014 Automotive Engineering Exposition in Yokohama next week (21 to 23 May). * Calculated according to the official Japanese JC08 test cycle 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.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 25 May 2014

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The PEUGEOT EXALT concept n homage to the art of the French motor car from the twenties and thirties, its bare steel bodywork is handformed by a master panel beater. A unique item, it seizes the historical codes that excite automobile passion. The vehicle presents a clear cut: separating bare steel from an innovative material, Shark Skin, which is red and which covers the whole rear end of the vehicle. The interior of this exceptional hatchback, with four doors and four individual seats, offers the traditional Chinese craft of working in wood, a quite exceptional field for expression. Accordingly, Macassar ebony, selected for the area in Asia where it grows and its warm colour, which covers the upper parts of the door panels, has been worked on by a pair of Chinese artists. The PINWU Design Trio agency created a motif combining a lion with bamboo stems and leaves. A Chinese craftsman sculpted it using a traditional technique for creating prints on fabric and paper. Secure in their bucket seat, the driver has the use of the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit, designed for complete driving enjoyment. PEUGEOT EXALT is equipped with a plug-in HYbrid4 drive train with a total power of 340 hp, made up of a 1.6 litre THP 270 hp engine, coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and a 50 kW electric motor in the rear axle,

allowing four-wheel drive. Peugeot presented a video of breathtaking beauty, touting the greatness of this concept with an amazing post-production. View on www.facebook.com/PeugeotMalta