PAY HOMMAGE

ISSUE 3JULY 2011AN PRESENTATION

D R I V I N G Y O U R D E C I S I O N S

A FREE MID-MONTHLY

gOSSIP ON cARS @AUTObLOID

THE ONE

The Wiesmann MF4-S is a perfect blend of German engineering and British styling

Satbir Singh shares his views on gMc and the local Market

INTErvIEwEd

bMW celebrates the 75th birthday of the 328

The next big Audi is here

The right choiceGiven that we are well versed with everything

automotive, we get a number of requests from friends to offer them suggestions when

it’s time to buy a car. When asked about what they look for in a vehicle; the response usually goes along the lines of, “I just need a car to reliably take me from point A to point B, and has good resale value.” Technically speaking there is nothing wrong with such a response. What many people fail to realise is that cars are much more than just basic means of transport. Its performance, feel and ride are just as important, if not more, than the price, service and resale. Not to mention that it is also responsible for keeping you and your loved ones stress free and safe on the road for the next few years. Statistics on paper will offer little insight into how a car feels. Buying a car that is comfortable goes a long way in making early morning commutes and the drive home little less stress free. What’s more, expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better to drive. Take our Audi A1 test car as an example. It has just 120hp sourced from a 1.4l TFSI engine yet it was an absolute blast. There are plenty of gems like this to be had; you just have to make the effort to find them. And once you do, you will be truly satisfied. We have lost count of the number of people who have given up on purchasing a great car simply

because they stood to lose a couple of hundred rials more few years down the line than a competitor. Yes, it is definitely important that you get the highest possible value when you sell your car, but at what ‘cost’? Is that saving really worth driving a car that is less than perfect? Ironically finding a good balance between the two is not always that hard. There are quite a few cars

out there, at all price points, which have decent residuals and are very satisfying to drive. Besides, people like us are always on hand to help you make the right choice. Never hesitate to shoot us a mail if you ever need to make that all-too-crucial decision.

Correspondence can be addressed toAUTOBLOIDPO Box 139, PC 102, Al Qurm, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24696868, Fax: +968 24693569Email: info@autobloid.com

July 2011 Print Run: 10,000

a supplement of

Produced by deenar press and publishing LLC

printed at Mazoon printing, publishing & advertising

Editor-in-chief Hatim al Taie

Managing Director Abdullah al Taie

General Manager Rathish Ramachandran

Asst. General Manager Terry Mathukutty

Asst. Content Head Malcolm X Crasta

Senior Designer Shyniben Koyakkil

Designer Muneeb Khan

Photographer Shakeel al Balushi

Sales Mary Gonzales

Sami Dalwai

Leticia Meneses

DASHBOARD

© All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers; while every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information here in, or any consequences arising from it. All figures and values used in the tests are the sole property of AUTOBLOID and shall not be used, copied or quoted without permission.

3

NEWSSmashing record

Jean-Claude Plassart, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Jean Todt, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), presented the new 2012 World Endurance Championship in greater detail two days before the 79th Le Mans 24 Hours. The 2012 season will consist of six events plus the Le Mans 24 Hours, a total of seven races. Two events will take place on the American continent, two in Europe (not counting the Le Mans 24 Hours) and two on the Asian continent. Each event will last six hours minimum. The final calendar drawn up with the validation of the FIA will be published in the autumn.

Endurance Challenge

Dream of flightTerrafugia, developer of the Transition Roadable Aircraft officially received a grant of all of the special exemptions it had requested from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). What this basically means is that we are inching ever so close to our childhood dream of seeing flying cars take over the skies. With these exceptions in place the Transition is expected to see production sometime in 2012.

Zawawi Trading Co. has launched a new website dedicated to its Daimler AG approved pre-owned car program ‘ProvenExclusivity’. The new site www.oman.mb-usedcars.com showcases the pre-owned Mercedes Benz vehicles. The easy to use website gives details such as vehicle information and specifications, accurate mileage and prices, while each vehicle is shown in a professional photograph taken in a purpose built studio. To ensure quality, all approved vehicles are less than five years old and have been driven under 100,000 kilometers. Approved pre-owned vehicles are all serviced according to the rigorous standards of Mercedes Benz and come with a comprehensive 12 month extended warranty.

The long-standing road-car lap record for the Isle of Man TT circuit has been comprehensively smashed in a production-spec Subaru WRX STI saloon. In his very first run around the challenging 37.8-mile course, former British Rally Champion Mark Higgins posted a blistering lap time of 19 minutes and 56.7 seconds, translating to an average speed of 113mph. The peak speed achieved during the lap was 162mph.Higgins’ time is more than two minutes faster than the previous record, set by the late Tony Pond 21 years ago to the day (on 6 June 1990), at the wheel of

an Rover 827 Vitesse. What makes this record truly impressive is that the TT event organisers gave Higgins just one lap to conduct his record attempt in the car, and there was no opportunity to carry out high speed

practice runs. Furthermore, the WRX STI used for the record breaking run was pretty much a standard Subaru production car, aside from some essential safety enhancements and adjusted springs and dampers.

Proven Exclusivity

Treacherous wet conditions made the already immense challenge of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife an even greater task during the inaugural Porsche Carrera World Cup race, Saturday, 25th June, an encounter in which Oman’s Ahmad al

Harthy unfortunately had to retire on the opening lap. Acting as round nine of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship, and also featuring drivers from a number of other Porsche categories from across the globe, the six-lap race began well for

the Oman Air Racing Team star who qualified fourth fastest of the Pro-Am 1 Class drivers from the UK series. Despite making a fantastic start in truly awful weather, an unfortunate mishap forced him out of the race. Clearly disappointed, the 29-year-old still enjoyed every bit of his maiden Nürburgring-Nordschleife experience and is now focused on returning to the Pro-Am 1 podium during the next round of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship in August.

Fighting Spirit

On 21 June 2011, McLaren Automotive opened the doors of its first global retailer, McLaren London. By the end of this year, McLaren will have 35 bespoke retailers in 19 countries worldwide, including the Middle East. McLaren Automotive has invested nearly £800m since 2005 to establish itself as the world’s newest sports car company. The launch of a new global retailer network is the latest milestone in this development programme. The innovative new MP4-12C will be the first in a range of high-performance, highly efficient, carbon-fibre based sports cars from McLaren.

Global conquest

July 2011

LETTERSIf you have any queries, mail us on info@autobloid.com, and we will try to answer them in the next issue.

Hi Team Autobloid,Could you explain this very embarrassing situation I got into with my vehicle? My SUV just stopped in the middle of the road and the steering could just not be moved. But all the other things like the AC and the stereo were working. What had gone wrong? Please explain and all the best for all your upcoming issues.

– Surraiyya Ahmed

Dear Suraiyya,This happens because your vehicle is equipped with power steering. These are usually hydraulic systems and work using something called a gerotor or rotary vane pump driven by the vehicle’s engine. When your engine breaks down, this pump stops functioning as well. However the system is built in such a way that even if it fails the steering will continue to work but will feel significantly heavier. As for the rest of your equipment working in the car, that was due to the power drawn from the car battery.

-Ed

Hi,I got a copy of Autobloid’s first issue from one of my friends and since then my son has been a regular collector, especially the poster which he puts up in his room. I had a question regarding the AC in my vehicle which does not seem to be cooling very effectively lately. What could be the problem and do I need to take it to the dealer?

– Rakesh Poduval

Dear Rakesh,Many things can cause an air conditioner to not cool effectively. The most common cause is a low level of refrigerant. However there are a couple of other causes too such as a blockage in the system filter (orifice tube), a faulty pressure switch or a cooling fan problem. In fact, some vehicles are equipped with a separate fan just for the air conditioner and it could be something as simple as debris in front of or between the radiator and condenser. A simple check up at your local dealer or garage should solve your problem.

-Ed

Hey guys,I love the magazine, particularly the ‘Behind the logo’ section. It is amazing to learn how much thought and planning goes into the making of a logo. I’m curious to know what the ‘plus’ and the snake like image in the Alpha Romeo logo is all about. If you could include this in one of your issues it would be great.

– Jithin Mohan

Dear Jithin,Thanks for showing such interest in Autobloid. We are here to please our readers so your request has been granted. Turn to our ‘Behind the logo’ section for an in-depth look at the story behind the Alfa Romeo badge.

-Ed

5

TEST DRIVE

With a quintessentially British design and German underpinnings, the Wiesmann GT MF4-S is a sight to behold and a hoot to drive

Modern ClassiC

Wiesmann is a relatively new company in the international market; but has been producing cars in Germany for quite some time now. The company

was started by brothers Martin and Freidhelm Wiesmann, who wanted to build sixties-inspired roadsters on modern mechanical underpinnings. Each car is completely hand built with the major mechanical components, such as the engine and gearbox, being sourced from BMW. This here is their GT MF4-S – a BMW M3-based stunner.

LooksThe GT MF4-S looks every bit the sixties sports car the company intended, right from the rounded grille and curvaceous bonnet to the finely tapered tail end finished off with two prominent tail pipes. It could be easily mistaken for a finely crafted antique were it not for the small, yet prominent, touches that highlight its modernity. The front is adorned with the curved lenses of the Xenon headlights and the rear with multiple clusters of LEDs. And if that wasn’t enough the striking 20-inch rims, mounted with extremely low-profile tyres, encasing the massive brakes are a dead giveaway. Either way, this is a true eye-catcher so dress well and don’t be shy if you find yourself behind the wheel.

Inside the cabinThe exquisite hand-crafted treatment is even more prominent on the inside. Almost every inch of the interior is covered with plush high-quality hand-stitched leather. All the centre-mounted dials and buttons are completely bespoke and their chrome lining adds a touch of old-school class to the cabin. Of special mention is the knob used to switch on the headlights – it is a small chrome knob on the left of the steering column that needs to be pulled. Never before have we seen a car that makes even a relatively small task like switching on the headlights feel like a special event. The seats are comfortable and the driving position is near-perfect. Space isn’t really one of the Wiesmann’s specialities and the various storage

compartments can’t really hold anything other than letters, and getting in and out of the low-slung cabin is a chore. But to be perfectly honest, we couldn’t care less. Few cars have interiors that are so exquisite or feel this special.

Under the SkinUnder the glass fibre reinforced body, the MF4-S utilised an aluminium monocoque. Mounted in front of the cabin is a BMW-sourced 4.0l V8 that produces 420hp and 295lb-ft of torque at 8,300rpm and 3,900rpm respectively. This is channelled to the rear wheels through a

seven-speed DCT (dual clutch transmission) controlled via steering-mounted paddle shifters. Considering that the vehicle weighs just a touch over 1.3 tonnes, it is capable of a blistering zero to 100kmph time of just 4.4s and tops off at 300kmph.

The DriveOn paper the MF4-S has all the makings of a first-class sports car – a wonderful V8 up front, a dual-clutch system in the middle and oodles of power going to rear wheels. Press the starter button, kick it in gear, step on the gas and it

will only take about a second for you to realise just how fine a

machine you

July 2011

have at your fingertips. The acceleration is brisk throughout the rev range and the DCT is unmatched when it comes to offering a perfect balance of a manual’s control and automatic’s comfort.

It even has tonnes of grip and near-perfect balance while cornering with over-steer that can be induced at will. The steering is precise, albeit a bit light, and the throttle response is great. While the ride may not match that of a pure GT car, considering its low-slung ride and low-profile tyres, it is surprising how comfortable it can be. At the same time it keeps body roll perfectly in check. In our opinion, it rides the line between comfort and sporting intent almost perfectly.

That said, the above is only true if the vehicle is kept in ‘Sport’ mode at all times. When not in sport mode, the car seems to hold itself back a bit too much and the traction control gets intrusive. And to be honest, not having this car performing at its best feels like a travesty. ConclusionThe MF4-S’s asking price of RO76,000 puts it square against cars like the 911 Turbo and the Audi R8, both of which are faster and more capable. However, the Wiesmann has charm and presence. It is a car that makes you feel special in a way the others cannot. It is in many ways similar to a comparison between a Maybach and a Rolls-Royce, the former is a technological masterpiece while the latter sells you on the heritage and feel. It is not something that can be

put into words; it needs to be experienced firsthand. The Wiesmann is, on the whole, a truly stunning vehicle that is well worth its asking price.

SPECS: Wiesmann MF4-S

Engine: 4.0l, V8

Power: 420hp@8,300rpm

Torque: 295lb-ft@3,900rpm

Performance: Top speed – 300kmph;

Acceleration 0-100kmph – 4.4s

ENCAP: Not tested

Price (as tested): RO76,000

Highs: A true head-turner that goes

as good as it looks

Lows: We wish there was more interior storage space

Verdict: There are few cars that can

make you feel this special

IMPRESSIONSIMPRESSIONS

SPECSSPECS

Wies

mann

MF4

-S

7

COMING SOON

FUTURE STUNNERSHere are five of our favourite vehicles that you can expect to grace the world’s showrooms in the next couple of months

Commemorating the 50th anniversary year of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin has introduced a modern interpretation of the famous Aston Martin and Zagato collaboration based on the V12 Vantage – the V12 Zagato. The car combines Aston Martin’s most

dynamic bonded aluminium platform with the power of the 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510hp, and 420 lb-ft of torque. Suffice to say, it is ridiculously fast. While this car itself isn’t slated for production, Aston Martin has hinted at their plans to do so. Here’s hoping for the best.

Volkswagen just recently introduced the new Golf Cabriolet, and the designers and engineers of Volkswagen R have already come up with an extremely sporty variant of this model: the Golf R Cabriolet Concept. Like its closed top counterpart, the 270hp Cabriolet concept races to the 100kmph mark in less than six seconds. Their top speeds are also identical at 250kmph. This makes the R Cabriolet the fastest open-top Golf ever. Even more impressive, however, is the

engine’s tremendous torque – 350Nm from a low 2,500rpm make this cabriolet an ideal cruiser.

Volkswagen Golf R cabriolet concept

One year ago, Audi unveiled the R8 GT in coupe as the new flagship model of the R8 model line. It wasn’t long before all units of the limited

series were sold. Now the open-top version of the car is being launched, with production again capped at 333 units. Lighter, more powerful and even more captivating, the Audi R8 GT Spyder is sure to deliver breathtaking performance. The open-top flagship version of the high-performance sports car develops 560hp and has trimmed a full 85kg from its already low weight. It accelerates from zero to 100kmph in 3.8s and reaches a top speed of 317kmph.

Audi R8 GT Spyder

Aston Martin Zagato

MINI is expanding its product family with the launch of the MINI Coupe. As the first two-seater in its line-up, the Coupe is the brand’s first model to adopt a three-box body structure with a strikingly stepped rear end. The selection of engines, chassis set-up, weight distribution and aerodynamic properties of the Coupe are all focused on delivering optimum performance. As a result, the new car achieves the best performance statistics ever recorded by a volume-

produced MINI. Simply put, it is the fastest-accelerating MINI ever and even has the highest top speed.

MINI Coupe

As the newest addition to the Ducati lineup, the Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Special Edition celebrates the Multistrada 1200’s win in the 2010 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb by Greg Tracy. It comes with a replica Ducati Corse-style paint scheme, passenger foot-peg hangers and engine guard anodised in black finish and sport red pin-striping on the wheels.

In addition to the original equipment silencer and screen, the Pikes Peak Special Edition arrives with an EU-approved Ducati Performance carbon fibre silencer by Termignoni and a race-derived low screen in carbon fibre. A Ducati Performance carbon fibre front mudguard, and custom-made seat detailed with red stitching complete the specs.

Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak

July 2011

TEST DRIVE

P

REcHARgED

urists may still not like the Charger for being a four-door saloon. But let’s face it; this isn’t going to change anytime soon, if at all.

Besides, they have the Challenger that fills the ‘two-door coupe’ gap quite well and the family saloon design benefits the brand on a whole without needing to sacrifice on the thrills. Furthermore, Dodge has now addressed almost every criticism we had about the older model and have thrown in a few new features for good measure.

The most obvious of these improvements is the external look. Dodge has gone for a much more aggressive look this time round. Especially so up front with more angular headlights and bumpers, a more prominent cross grille and recesses in the hood that resemble those found on the 1968-70s models. The same is true for the sculpted sides and stylish tail lights which also resemble those found on the classic models.

The interior sees a massive overhaul. While there is still room to improve on the finish, the materials, design and layout are miles ahead of the older model. It is also nice to see more

prominent differentiation in interior designs between the various models. Considering the size of the vehicle space should never be an issue and it helps that the seats, both front and rear, are extremely comfortable. Even the technology is bang up-to-date. Our test model was a fully featured 5.7litre R/T model and came equipped with all the bells and whistles the car had on offer. This included even high-end options like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. Even the sat-nav system makes use of the renowned Garmin systems so you can expect the system to be relatively reliable and easy to operate.

Under the hood lies the same 5.7litre V8 from the older model producing 370hp and 395lb-ft of torque at 5,250 and 4,200 rpm respectively. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a

five-speed automatic. While it’s true that one or two more cogs would have been better, the transmission does a commendable job that leaves little to be desired. In fact, to combination of the HEMI and the transmission is capable of propelling this two-tonne beast to 100kmph is just 5.5s. This figure alone should rest any doubts about the capabilities of the drivetrain. Couple this with the wonderful bellow of the exhaust and you are ensured some visceral thrills the moment you step on the gas. That said, that same ‘wonderful bellow’ is surprisingly subdued inside the cabin which would mean you would have to open the

windows to truly enjoy it. On the same note, the cabin

remains free of wind and road

noise keeping it quite and comfortable at all times.

The ride quality is as comfortable as ever, soaking up potholes and ruts with the utmost confidence. It is good to know that the Charger retains this same stability even under hard braking. On corners there is no denying the weight and soft suspensions but the well-sorted suspensions does an admirable job of keeping them in check. Even the steering feel is an improvement over the older model allowing you to take hard corners with much more confidence than you could before.

On a whole the Charger is a huge improvement over the older model and is definitely worth a look if you want a muscle car that the whole family can enjoy. And if the 370 HEMI-driven

horses are a bit too much for you there is always the option of a 300hp, 3.6l Pentastar V6.

Engine: 5.7l, HEMI V8Power: 370hp@5,250rpmTorque: 395lb-ft@4,200rpmAvailable features: 8.4”touch screen with built-in Garmin navigation, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring ENCAP: Not testedPrice (as tested): RO16,500

Highs: Almost every aspect of the Charger has been improvedLows: Interior fit and finish has room for improvementVerdict: Muscle car fun for the whole family

IMPRESSIONSIMPRESSIONS

Dodg

e Cha

rger

R/T SPECSSPECS

Having undergone an overhaul for 2011, the new Dodge Charger is all set to impress muscle car fans in Oman

9

CONCEPTDid you know?

The original BMW 328 is considered to be one of the most successful and best-looking sports cars of the 1930s. The premiere of the

vehicle in 1936 did not take place at a motor show, but on the race-track. In its first race, the 328 declassified the entire higher-powered competition and dominated the racetracks during the years that followed. This success was the result of its design parameters – through the use of systematic lightweight construction, aerodynamic lines, optimum engine types and outstanding suspension technology.

This year, the 328 is celebrating its 75th birthday. The BMW Group is paying tribute to the vehicle on the occasion of its anniversary with a special model – the BMW 328 Hommage. This stunning car translates the principles and the character of the vehicle of that time into the present and offers a possible interpretation of how the original designers might have built the BMW 328 using current technology.

To follow the principle of lightweight construction, major parts of the exterior and interior of the BMW 328 Hommage are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). By doing so they kept the gross vehicle weight down to just 780kg. Also, wherever the material has been used, it is also visible. The vertically positioned double kidney grille imitates the slim, vertical kidney design of the early BMW models. The Hommage also has no doors. Then as now, deep recesses allow access to the inside of the car. The rear end is dominated by taillights sporting the characteristic BMW L shape and large vents and openings. The circular tailpipes are located inside these two openings. They protrude prominently out of the lattice as if giving you a taste of the power the straight six-cylinder engine is packing.

The interior design of the 328 Hommage comprises a number

of details that are reminiscent of the past. For example, the slightly asymmetrically designed windscreen has a recess in the middle, similar to the windscreen design of earlier racing cars. The sparse instrument panel is dominated by only one round instrument – the rev counter. Additionally, the instrument cluster indicates the oil temperature, oil pressure and water temperature. To the right of the rev counter, control lamps and a gearshift point indicator complete the cluster. These

instruments are complemented by the so-called tripmaster – an instrument panel fitted with two iPhones and located in special holders. These assume additional display functions for the driver and co-driver.

That said, we may never see the Hommage ever make it to production, even as a limited edition. But it does give us an indication of how far design and technology have come in the past 75 years.

PAY HOMMAgEBMW commemorates the 75th anniversary of the 328 with a stunning new concept – the 328 Hommage

In 1999, a worldwide panel of automotive journalists nominated the BMW 328 as one of 25 finalists for the ‘Car of the Century’ award

July 2011

originally from Chandigarh, India, Satbir Singh is a BE and MBA degree holder who started his career

with Eicher Motors in India. He has since worked with a number of leading companies in India and Oman, including Tata Motors and the OTE Group. The 49 year old father of two has been with Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan for the past six years is currently the General Manager GMC brand sales. General Motors however has been through some hard times recently, the effect of which along with the recession did affect sales. This was due to the uncertainty some prospective customers had about GMC’s future. However, according to Satbir, it didn’t affect the sales to the point that the business was in trouble. “GM is one of the most important brands of America and stands tall as the country’s face to the world. As such it was certain the country wouldn’t allow it to close down,” he stated. It was this importance and its sheer strength that convinced a majority of the customers to continue with their purchase. This trust was well placed because a well laid out

plan followed by strong backing from the government helped GM come back a leaner and more financially feasible company that could once again command the same levels of customer confidence it enjoyed in the past. “I was very confident in the strength of the company and realised

that it was just a matter of one or two years before everything comes back to normal. I did not fear for the company’s future at any point,” says Satbir. “GMC has also grown leaps and bounds due to its capability to create sustained customer enthusiasm, not to mention the ever-ready-to-serve GMC sales team.” Aside from the company’s comeback many local factors have also contributed to the increase in sales in the past few months, namely the increased interest in SUVs and the higher salaries for Omani nationals. This is because a majority of GMC’s customers are locals. Furthermore, with the recent problems in Japan the shortage of Japanese vehicles has, to a certain extent, improved sales for most American brands. According to Satbir, “While this gain is noticeable, I don’t see it contributing to our long term market share in any way.” He added, “These sorts of events only have a short term impact on any well established brand. This is because the strengths and values that made GMC successful will remain intact and when these brands are back on track and the market should in all probability return to its original state.”

One segment that has seen a particular increase in demand is Sport Trucks. GMC, with their Sierra brand of Trucks,

has been one of the market leaders in the segment. While this interest in the vehicles may seem sudden for us, the brand heads seem to have predicted this for quite some time now. “In 2005 we used to order the Sierras only once an order had been placed by a customer, with a four-month wait before delivery. Seeing the consistent demand for the truck we decided to stock some vehicles and see the response. As expected, we cleared the stock in no time and henceforth we have kept them stocked,” claimed Satbir. This increase in demand, according to him, is due to changes in the profile and thinking of the new generation, who like to spend money on anything unique and new. As such these sport trucks are truly adventurous vehicles which are still quite unique in the region. As a result of this, the customer profiles for the Sierra are some of the youngest in the GMC fleet. Despite sharing most vehicle platforms and drivetrains, GM has also taken steps to individualise the GMC and Chevrolet brands by making the former more upmarket than before. “This was a good move by the company and is all a part of building up the brand. It helps us deliver more to the customers and secure the GMC’s position as the ‘go to’ brand for premium trucks and SUVs in the region,” concludes Satbir.

INTERVIEW

S E c U R E D

FUTUREWith 25 years of experience in the industry, Satbir Singh gives us his insight on GMC’s current standing in the Omani market

11

CLASSIC CARS

• If your cars ride feels a bit bouncy, it may mean that your shock absorbers or strut cartridges are weak. It is not caused by a weak suspension as most people assume.

• Some brake noise may be normal, especially on older high-mileage vehicles with semi-metallic disc brake pads. However, consistent or excessive brake noise should be checked up immediately for wear. On the same note, if you have to step extra hard on the brake pedal for it to function it could mean you have a problem with the power brake system.

• When steering your car, a constant whizzing noise (no matter how low) is a sign of low steering fluid and should be checked for leaks at the earliest.

• While driving you may experience your car vibrating at the front end or may not be travelling naturally in a straight line. The vibration on the front end portion of car is usually a cause of imbalance in the front wheels. The pull to either side is a sign of misalignment of the tyres. Both of these are an easy fix and should be done ASAP to avoid excessive tyre wear.

• Always make a note of the average fuel consumption of your car. A notable increase in fuel consumption could be the early sign of a problem with the engine.

Notice the symptoms

T he 250 GTO was initially designed to compete in GT racing. It was based on the former 250 GT SWB, the chassis of which was to house the 3.0L V12 engine from the 250 Testa

Rossa under the guidance of the chief engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. He worked with designer Sergio Scaglietti to develop the body. Later, following a dispute with Enzo Ferrari, development was handed over to new engineer Mauro Forghieri, who worked with Scaglietti to continue development of the body, including wind tunnel and track testing. This was very unique to the 250GTO because unlike most Ferraris, the car was not designed by a specific individual or design house.

The rest of the car however, was typical of what you might find in a Ferrari of that time. It had a hand-welded tube frame, A-arm front suspension, live-axle rear end, disc brakes and Borrani wire wheels. The Porsche designed five-speed gearbox was new to Ferrari GT racing cars and the metal gate that

defined the shift pattern would become a tradition that is still maintained in current manual models.

At the time, FIA regulations required at least one hundred examples of a car to be built in order for it to be homologated for Group 3 Grand Touring Car racing, which was what the GTO was developed for. However, Ferrari built only 39 250 GTOs (33 of the “normal” cars, three with the four-litre 330 engine sometimes called the “330 GTO” - recognisable by the large hump on the hood - and three “Type 64” cars, with revised bodywork). Ferrari basically eluded FIA regulations by numbering its chassis out of sequence, using jumps between each to suggest cars that didn’t exist.

The car debuted at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1962, finishing 2nd overall. Ferrari would go on to win the over 2,000cc class of the FIA’s International Championship for GT Manufacturers in 1962, 1963 and 1964, thanks to the might of the 250 GTO. In

fact, the 250 GTO was one of the last front-engined cars to remain competitive at the top level of sports car racing. Once obsolete, some were used in regional races, while others were used as road cars.

The 250 GTO is touted as the Ferrari that most successfully embodies the salient traits of the marque, and is considered to be the most valuable of all Ferraris, selling in excess of GBP15mn at some auctions.

Did you know?The interior of the Ferrari 250 GTO was basic to such a degree that even a speedometer was not installed in the instrument panel

Ferrari 250 GTO

July 2011

TEST DRIVE

THE ONE The A1 might be the littlest of the Audis but its four rings are well deserved

T he A1 was built to open Audi’s doors to younger buyers and to take on other supermini competitors like the Mini head on. And since

its official launch at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show the car has already built up quite a following, with the 100,000th car rolling out of the factory in June this year. Now that it has finally reached Oman’s shores we can put the car through its paces and see just how good the new baby Audi is.

The A1 certainly looks like an Audi sharing all the family traits with its bigger brethren. You get the trapezoidal grille, angular headlamps with LED daytime running lamps (more like a strip in this case), LED tail lights and large sporty rims with low profile tyres. There is even a distinctive and stylish arc that wraps around the side windows giving the A1 a very unique profile. This arc can also be painted in a contrasting colour for an even more unique look.

It is also good to note that Audi hasn’t skimped on the interior and it looks every bit the premium car that it is. There are soft plastics where they need to be, high quality cloth covering most of the other bits and fine leather wrapping the steering. All the switchgear is the same as

you might find in any Audi and in true company fashion is very well laid out. They have even added some very unique touches to the cabin such as the pop-up media screen and contrasting air vents, which can also be painted in a colour of your choice just like the exterior arcs.

Space up front is more than capable of seating even the tallest of drivers. However, rear seats are more suitable for people of a smaller stature due to the sloping roofline. Boot space is also somewhat limited. The seats themselves are very comfortable and supportive with ample room for adjustment. It also come decently equipped with cruise control, Xenon headlights, eight-speaker audio system and more available on our test model.

The A1 is based on the Volkswagen Group PQ25 platform, the same platform used in the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 and the power comes from a 1.4l TFSI inline-4 engine running through a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The engine produces 120hp and 147lb-ft of torque at 5,000rpm and 1,500 to 4,000rpm respectively. Don’t let

the 1.4 litre engine and low power figures fool you into thinking that the A1 is slow. In a car as light and as well sorted as this, it is more than adequate for some spirited driving. In fact, floor the accelerator and you will see 100kmph in just 8.9s and the car will easily pull you to its top speed of 203kmph.

And if anything, the A1 is even more impressive in the bends than it is in a straight line. The steering is sharp and the car is extremely responsive. It has tremendous levels of grip and stability allowing you to throw it into corners at speed. And even after a long session of hard driving the brakes never showed us any sign of fade. While it may not look like it on paper, take it from us, the A1 is an absolute blast to drive. Furthermore, the A1 is quite easily one of the quietest superminis in the market today with barely any hint of exterior noise penetrating the cabin, so long rides should remain comfortable.

If we were to hunt for flaws then I guess you could say the ride is a

little firm and the steering is a little light but that’s about it. The A1 is definitely a great entry level car for Audi and prospective buyers can rest assured – this is truly an Audi in every way you might expect.

Engine: 1.4l, Inline-4 TFSIPower: 120hp@5,000rpmTorque: 147lb-ft@1,500 - 4,000rpmAvailable features: Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, Audi MMI with 6.5-inch LCD colour displayENCAP: Price (as tested): RO12,100

Highs: Much faster and more fun than its stats claim Lows: Rear head room and boot space are limitedVerdict: The A1 is ruly an Audi in every respect

IMPRESSIONSIMPRESSIONS

SPECSSPECS

Audi

A1

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FEATUREGAMING

Alfa Romeo can be seen as a brand with uniquely enriched logo history. The logo is one of the few to actually evolve periodically. The concept behind it varies through its distinct segments such as the name, the cross of Milano, and the fable behind the biblical man-eating serpent.

Today, this badge carries over the rich history with the absence of the Milano tag that was once placed on the bottom, the more graphic depiction of the man being eaten by the serpent, the wreath placed around the badge to celebrate the company’s world championship victory, and finally the addition of the name Romeo to identify the acquiring party.

Alfa RomeoBEHIND THE LOGO

Did you know?

This year’s E3 expo was a bit lacking in the racing department. But it was more a matter of quality over quantity, with some truly stunning games on show. Here are our top three favourites of the show.

The serpent eating a defeated foe of the two families of Milano was added after the first victorious battle

The blue metallic badge was introduced in 1910 when the emblem was put together for the Automobile Company

This version of the badge was idolised in 1972 in which Milano was removed.

F1 2011 is the sequel to the fastest-selling Formula One game ever released. And with Codemasters behind the reigns again expectations are high. In F1 2011 you will be treated to a wide-ranging technical and gameplay advancements on and off track and vastly extended competitive and co-operative multiplayer components. The game will feature all of the official teams and circuits from the 2011 championship. Additionally, all of the new rules will be incorporated. Technical improvements will see the introduction of KERS, new Pirelli tyre data and drag reduction system. Graphical, vehicle handling and AI improvements will round off an already impressive package.

The latest game in the NFS franchise will take players on a heart-pounding cross-country race from San Francisco to New York. However, this will not be a regular race; the heat is on the player throughout – and it isn’t just the fuzz chasing. Entering the race is just the beginning as players blow across borders, weave through dense urban traffic, rocket down icy mountain passes and navigate narrow canyons at breakneck speeds. Interestingly, the game is powered by DICE’s state-of-the-art Frostbite 2 engine, the same engine that gave us the stunning Battlefield 3 demo. From what we have seen, the game will take the franchise to new heights with stunning visuals, car physics and what looks to be a gripping storyline.

Forza is back and it makes its return in style. The fourth game in the series will easily set a new graphical standard for the racing genre. It features gorgeous new car models, dramatic Hollywood-style camera effects and a new lighting engine that have to be seen to be believed. With more than 80 manufacturers, the most in any racing game available today, and a host of new tracks the game is sure to provide hours among hours of fun for racing enthusiasts. Forza 4 will also feature the most accurate physics engine, cockpits and damage modelling ever in the history of the series. The game will now also support Kinect and will offer a wide range of improvements and additions for the Xbox Live community to enjoy.

Publisher Codemasters Developer CodemastersRelease Date 23 Sep, 2011Systems Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC

Publisher Microsoft Game StudiosDeveloper Turn 10 StudiosRelease Date 14 Oct, 2011Systems Xbox 360

Publisher Electronic ArtsDeveloper Black BoxRelease Date 18 Nov, 2011Systems Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC, Wii, 3DS

F1 2011

Need For Speed: The Run

Forza Motorsport 4

The crusader’s Red Cross on a white background was once the vests worn to deflect sunrays and show nobility

Before it got the name Alfa Romeo, the brand was simply known as A.L.F.A. which stood for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (Lombard Automobile Factory)

July 2011

cAR bRANDSAston Martin.....................................................24694436Audi........................................................................24584500Bentley.................................................................24584500BMW .....................................................................24567108BYD .........................................................................24523200Cadillac ................................................................24561788Chevrolet .............................................................24561788Chrysler ................................................................24584530Citroen ..................................................................24584500Daihatsu .............................................................24578000Dodge...................................................................24584530Ferrari ...................................................................24699060Ford ........................................................................24578000GMC .......................................................................24591261Harley Davidson ............................................24489428Honda ..................................................................24560391Hummer..............................................................24561788Hyundai ..............................................................24561788Infiniti ....................................................................24560111Isuzu......................................................................24563287Jaquar ..................................................................24523200JEEP.........................................................................24584530Kawasaki ...........................................................24489428Kia ..........................................................................24578000Lamborghini .....................................................24484700Land Rover ........................................................24523200Lexus .....................................................................24578000Lotus ......................................................................24484700Maserati..............................................................24699060Maybach ............................................................24562077Mazda..................................................................24526650Mercedez ...........................................................24562077MG ..........................................................................24523200MINI .......................................................................24567108Mitsubishi ..........................................................24584500Nissan ..................................................................24560111Peugeot ...............................................................24584500Porsche ................................................................24492544Renault ................................................................24560111Rolls Royce .......................................................24567108

SsangYong ........................................................24561788Skoda....................................................................24584500Subaru .................................................................24561788Suzuki ...................................................................24571110Toyota ...................................................................24578000Volkswagen ......................................................24584500Volvo .....................................................................24523200Yamaha ..............................................................24584500

cAR RENTAL4X4 .........................................................................24798437Avis .........................................................................24400888Budget .................................................................24683999Europcar ..............................................................24700190Elegant .................................................................24571951Hertz ......................................................................24625200Mark ......................................................................24562444Thrifty ....................................................................24489248Value Plus .........................................................24817964

POLIcE STATIONSMuscat Police Headquarters .................24560021Al Amerat Police Station ...........................24875999Al Azaiba Police Station ...........................24521099Al Qurum Police Station ...........................24560099Baushar Police Station ..............................24600099Darsait Police Workshop .........................24799492Muttrah Police Station ...............................24712211Nizwa Police Station ...................................25425222Port Sultan Qaboos Police Station ....24711499Quriyat Police Station .................................24845555Ruwi Police Station ......................................24701099Salalah Police Station ................................23290099Seeb Police Station ......................................24420099Wattayah Police Station ...........................24566538

OTHERSArabian Automobile Alliance ................24605555Car Care Centre ..............................................24545224Oman Automobile Association.............24510630Sayarti Autocare .............................................24500777Zubair Leasing ...............................................24500000

DIRECTORY

I have a perfect body. It’s your vision that’s defective.

BUMPER STICKER

CARtoon Corner>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I believe I can fly ...But we are sure the driver in this truck didn’t, until he was already facing skyward. Something tells us the old “the sign appeared out of nowhere officer” excuse wouldn’t quite work in this case.

AUTOQUiZ

Employees and their families of AUTOBLOiD / DPP, Zubair Automotive cannot participate in the quiz. Judges’ decision is final. Correspondence after the entry deadline will not be entertained. Please write clearly. Incomplete or illegible entries will be disqualified. Winner must provide valid ID to claim prize. Allow up to two weeks to process. The image shown for the gift is for illustrative purposes only. Actual prize may differ.

Fax your entries to 24693569 oremail to autoQUIZ@autobloid.com

before 5th of August

ALFA ROMEO

CHARGER

DUCATI

FORZA

HOMMAGE

MINI

SPYDER

VOLKSWAGEN

WIESMANN

ZAGATO

Sameer Atagets his Maisto

Last issue’s winner

Across1. Bahrain, 4. Veyron, 7. Mercedes Benz, 9. Audi, 10. Ferrari

Down2. Ayrton Senna, 3. Jaguar, 5. Agera, 6. Aventador, 8. Evolution

#3

Find the ten words hidden within the puzzle and send them to us for a chance to win an attractive prize. The word list on the left will show you all of the words that are hidden on the board. The hidden word can be found in all directions, written from left to right from right to left, horizontally, vertically and diagonally, but is always on one straight line.

AnswersAUTOQUiZ #2

Name ............................................................................................................

Age ............................Mobile ......................................................................

Email .............................................................................................................

Occupation ..................................................................................................

Company......................................................................................................

Car Owned ...................................................................................................

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V T T Y R G N Y A M B E

F I G A P I E F W A S Z

Z C F I M S T R S G A E

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A B H X L A K Z L A R B

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