automan march 2010
TRANSCRIPT
Issue 104 Mar 2010 Oman’s Best Automotive Resource OMR 0.500 AED 5.00 QR 5.00
Visit us online at www.automanweb.com
Turf Challenge
hyundai’s Twins
Geneva Motorshow brings back the glory days with launches and concepts Full report inside!
New Nissan Patrol – out to grab the top SUV
spot through power and performance
The man behind Bridgestone’s success in Oman reveals all!
New Sonata and Tucson driven in Oman
Face to face with Mohan Menon
editor-in-chiefMohammad Al taie
AL roYA PreSS & PUBLiShinGPo Box: 343, Postal code 118Al harthy complexSultanate of oman
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co-ordinAtorPratibha n Kadam [email protected]
heAd of MArKetinGAbhyudit Greene [email protected]
MArKetinGnikhil nigam [email protected] Philips [email protected]
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For all our charms as a scenic destination for charter tourists and travellers, Oman has rarely been able to claim the same for big business names. In recent years however, the trend seems to be changing as more and more international conglomerates and business powerhouses set up a presence in Oman instead of relying on their regional offices elsewhere in the GCC or Singapore to cover the bases for them.
On the automotive front, we don’t usually see too many heads of car manufacturing firms land on our shores. But the past month has been an inordinately busy one, with visits by the heads of Nissan, KIA and Hyundai being part of the agenda. A few months back, we caught up with Mitubishi’s President in Dubai and by all indications, we will be having other big names in town in the near future.
What does that portend for the car business here? Is it recognition of the growing importance of the steady business being generated from this oasis of calm and prosperity? Or do we take it as a show of support for the corporate image of the importers, which is of such consequence to the marketplace here?
In any case it does add a bit of gloss to a rather humdrum year.
What should perhaps get a bit more noticed are the vehicles – the Nissan Patrol was designed for, and premiered in the region (in Abu Dhabi) and a significant international media launch event was centered around the new Sonata and Tucson a week before the Patrol saw a similar event in Oman. Now that is a statement in favour of the beauty and variety that Oman provides as well as an opportunity for media from around the world to enjoy great cars and the exhilirating vistas that the mountain ranges around Muscat provide.
In these times of gloom in world markets, we need more decision-makers and influencers visiting the Sultanate so that they get a friendlier, more involved experience to take home with them.
A month of big names
in this issue 10410k
12 k Cover StoryNissan’s new Patrol brings back competition
road teStHonda Accord Coupe taken through a weekend run
36 k
20 k InduStryA look at the elaborate paint processes Bentley has in place for Mulsanne
30 road teStWe test the VW GTI exclusively in Dubai
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50 LaunChOf the new Hyundai Tuscon and Sonata
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42 MotorShoWThe full report from the Geneva motorshow
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FeatureS
aCCeSSorISeAbout the N900, Booklet and a Rolex
20 k
4 neWSAll the news you can use from around the world
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26 IntervIeWWe meet Mohan Menon, Towell Auto Centre’s GM for its TBA operations
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ChICaneOf airbags, brakes, gas pedals and recalls...
72 k
departMentS
58 F1 reportThe race report from season start at Bahrain
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MotorSportS
SpeCIaL
poSter
Juan Manuel Fangio in the Mercedes Benz W196, 1955 gerMan gP 104 | Mar 2010
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hyundaI InvIteS regIon’S MedIa to “drIve In StyLe”94 journaLIStS FroM 15 natIonS take to the road For the Sonata – tuCSon / Ix35 teSt drIve In oMan
Hyundai, Korea’s leading automaker whose motor vehicles are sold in 193 countries around the world, recently
hosted a 3-day “Drive in Style” media conference – an opportunity to road test its new 2010 Tucson and Sonata models on the highways and off-road terrain of Oman – at the Al Bustan Intercontinental Hotel & Resort in Muscat.
During the event, Hyundai put 94 journalists from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe behind the wheel of the updated 2010 Sonata, to experience its improved handling and comfort features on a 112 km highway drive, and the completely revamped 2010 Tucson 4x4, to experience its new look and feel on an 88km off-road drive along a mountain wadi trail.
The Hyundai Sonata has been the perennially best-selling, mid-sized sedan in Korea since the first generation model was launched in 1985, and the Hyundai Tucson is one of the most popular crossover utility vehicles (CUV) in the world.
Though both vehicles have a completely new look and feel, they will be launched under the same brand names. Hyundai expects the new look and feel of the 2010 Tucson and Sonata
to appeal to drivers of all generations, after receiving great reviews from the auto industry for both vehicle’s improved spaciousness and comfort features, advanced technology and fuel economy innovations, and, most especially, their new ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language.
Beginning under codenames YF (Sonata) and LM (Tucson) projects, Hyundai designers set to work about three and a half years ago on developing ‘Fluidic Sculpture’, an entirely new design direction for the Hyundai brand. The project took 4 years and US$ 372 million to go from concept to customer.
Both the new Tucson and Sonata come with light-weight Theta II engines, which put out more power and torque than previous models while reducing CO2 emissions. Hyundai is also part of an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own proprietary, six-speed, automatic transmissions for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and SUVs.
Hyundai says this unique, compact transmission is lighter than any other on the market, which aids in fuel efficiency while increasing performance output. Furthermore, the unit is maintenance-free: the gearbox is
not equipped with a dipstick, as it is filled with an automatic transmission fluid that is good for the life of the vehicle, thereby reducing maintenance costs.
The new Sonata is being marketed as “an exceptional driving experience” matched with “state-of-the-art technology”. The new 4WD Tucson ix35 has been dubbed by the industry as a “green machine with few compromises” and is the first Hyundai CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) to be designed and engineered in Europe at Hyundai’s Frankfurt-based design and technical centres.
Both vehicles feature precedent-setting engineering with fuel economy savings that completely outstrip all competitors in their class, new ‘SHIFTRONIC’ manual shifting options, high-mounted stop lamps, amplitude selective dampers, an optional Electronic Stability Program (ESP) including Hill-start Assist Control and Brake Assist System function (industry firsts), and optional heated rear seats, panoramic sunroofs, hands-free Bluetooth phone systems and touch-screen navigation.
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Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO of Nissan Motor Company was on a visit to Oman as
the guest of Sheikh Suhail Bahwan to unveil the latest generation of Nissan’s champion SUV - the Patrol.
His visit to Muscat highlights the importance that Oman and the greater GCC region play as markets for the segment leading Patrol which is now in its seventh-generation and sees many firsts with this launch including the first global premiere in the region by any Japanese automaker, when the Patrol was revealed at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace hotel on the 13th of this month.
“The new Patrol is built with the high level of safety, performance and quality that characterises the Nissan brand, and we paid special attention to the needs of GCC drivers and passengers,” said Carlos Ghosn, on the occasion in the UAE. “We are confident that our flagship SUV for the Middle East will exceed all expectations”, he added. The patrol has undergone more than 13,000 hours of testing in Arabian deserts and will be available for sale in the GCC from April of this year.
Nissan Patrol is a name synonymous with ruggedness; a legendary off-
roader capable of going anywhere, anytime. Meticulously honed for over five decades, the Patrol is Nissan’s flagship SUV model and enjoys a rich heritage and passionate following in
the Middle East that dates back to the 1950’s. It is no small statement to say that for many owners across the Middle East, the Patrol is ‘The Hero Come Home’. It’s the vehicle that they grew up with; the Patrol has been the region’s premier and trusted large SUV, becoming an
inseparable part of the social and cultural fabric of Arabia.
The Patrol now returns as an all-new seventh generation model, building on its impressive history, but at the same time, incorporating a new platform, a radical new
design direction, significantly enhanced interior comfort and luxury, powerful new V8 engines, a 7-speed automatic transmission and a new 4WD system.
“The new Patrol is built with the high level of safety, performance and quality that characterises the Nissan brand, and we paid special attention to the needs of GCC drivers and passengers,” said Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO of Nissan. “We are confident that our flagship SUV for the Middle East will exceed all expectations”, he added.
Nissan is a leading automotive brand in the Middle East. It boasts one of the most popular and successful vehicle line-ups in the region. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. became the first Japanese car manufacturer to establish a regional Middle East HQ in June 1994. Nissan operations cover over 20 countries across the region making it one of the largest representations in the Middle East amongst Japanese automotive brands. Nissan reported its best ever Middle East regional sales results for the financial year 2008 with the company and its distributors achieving over 200,000 sales.
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WorLdWIde head oF nISSan In MuSCat For Suv preMIere
aLL-neW 2010 nISSan patroL deButS In oMan
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renauLt WeLCoMeS neW gCC ManagIng dIreCtor
French car manufacturer Renault has appointed Mustansir Lakdawala as its
new Managing Director for the GCC and Iraq region.
Lakdawala brings extensive experience working in the automotive business for
over 15 years. His new position will see him taking overall responsibility of Renault’s GCC operations including the expansion of its distributor network and showrooms efficiency. Lakdawala will also be actively involved in selecting new line-ups for the region, boosting
BMW group MIddLe eaSt LaunCheS ItS ‘Stay aLert.Stay aLIve.’ road SaFety InItIatIve
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BMW Group Middle East, supported by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD),
the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA), Abu Dhabi Municipality and Dubai Municipality, has launched its ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ road safety initiative in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of various road safety issues.
Following an independent survey of BMW and MINI customers to help identify what prompts drivers in the GCC region to take risks in their vehicles, BMW Group Middle East has identified the use of seat-belts, and in particular, appropriate child restraints, as the theme of its first campaign under the initiative that is aimed at increasing road safety awareness across the board.
BMW Group Middle East is initially launching the ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ campaign in the UAE with the aim to then implement the campaign across the GCC. Working closely with BMW Group importers, the campaign
will be multi-faceted and will focus on many attitudinal road safety issues including seat belts and child restraints, speeding, fatigue, driver distraction (such as mobile phones) and reckless driving. The integrated campaign will use PR, advertising (print and radio) and marketing tactics. Awareness Days in local parks and at BMW importer showrooms will be used to give away 10,000 child safety booster cushions across the region and to demonstrate the correct use of child safety seats in vehicles.
Speaking at a press conference to launch the campaign, Phil Horton, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East, says: “As part of our commitment to help improve road safety in the region, we are launching an initiative to help drivers understand about safe driving habits and particularly, occupant safety and restraint systems.
sales with an enhanced market presence, improving services and communicating Renault brand values through regional events and marketing initiatives.
Lakdawala added: “Renault has made huge strides since it reinforced its regional operations in 2007. My key objective will be to continue this growth further and establish Renault as a leading automotive player across the region offering customers service excellence and a product that stands for top quality, reliability and great value for money.”
Prior to his new position as Managing Director of Renault GCC, Lakdawala was actively involved with the Nissan and Infiniti brands in the Middle East holding various senior level positions.
Headquartered in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, Renault’s GCC office has a strong team of highly experienced industry professionals to support local and regional initiatives and increase Renault’s profile in the region.
Renault GCC recently announced the extension of its commercial vehicle line up with the launch of the Logan Van and Logan Pick Up models. Other new Renault cars due to arrive this year include the much awaited Fluence, Sandero and Megane hatchback models.
“BMW Group Middle East believes that everyone should be fully aware of how best to protect themselves and their children against the dangers posed by driving. We all have a role to play – the government, automotive companies, and the general public. a doubt, the simplest way for drivers and passengers to protect themselves is to buckle-up every time.”
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ConSuMer IntereSt In MCLaren Mp4-12C Strong
Representatives from Rolls-Royce dealerships in the Middle East region
convened near Laguna Beach, California, to discuss business development for the next decade and bid farewell to the outgoing CEO. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO, Tom Purves, who will retire at the end of the month, commended Middle East dealerships for their contribution to furthering the brand’s presence in the region. Tom Purves started his career in 1967 as an apprentice engineer at Rolls-Royce, in the 1970s he was the area manager for Rolls-Royce in the Middle East, based in Kuwait.
General Managers and Brand Managers from the eight dealerships across six countries attended the meeting which was led by the Director of Sales and Marketing for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Jolyon Nash, and Peter Schoppmann, Regional Director for the Middle East. California also played host to the first dealer drive event for the marque’s highly- anticipated new model the Ghost, which begun delivery to customers in the Gulf region end of December. 2010 is set to be a year of significant growth and expansion for Rolls-Royce in the region with each dealership scheduled to launch a new or extended showroom in the coming months.
Tom Purves said, “It has been extremely rewarding for me to witness Rolls-Royce go from strength to strength in the Middle East. Our dealerships in the region have been outstanding representatives of the world’s pinnacle automotive brand and with the launch of new or extended facilities this year are set to further build on their success.”
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recently confirmed strong sales in the region with four Middle East dealers amongst the global top ten dealerships. The two dealerships with the richest Bespoke specifications worldwide in 2009 were also from the region underpinning the Middle East’s appetite for individuality and exclusivity in the luxury segment.
MIddLe eaSt roLLS-royCe deaLerS BId FareWeLL to outgoIng ChIeF exeCutIve
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For the new McLaren MP4-12C the plan is to make only 1,000 of them and keep them
rare and precious. But there are already over 1,600 prospective buyers who have signed official letters of purchase intent.
It was announced last September that McLaren would go on to make its own successor to the old McLaren SLR after ending its partnership on that model with Mercedes-Benz. Now, it is closer to debuting its own rival to the Mercedes SLS and McLaren claims sales projections are good.
The MP4-12C will switch production next year (2011) to a new manufacturing facility located right next to McLaren’s new F1 base in Woking, Surrey in the UK. Both facilities were designed by Foster and Partners and cost £40 million (€45 million) to build. The first MP4-12C models, though, will be built on the old SLR production line inside the current McLaren Technology Center.
Meanwhile, McLaren Automotive plans to initially sell the 12C across 19 countries. It is expected that its retail partners in the Middle East will account for between 10 and 20 per cent of the overall sales volume. The company will be represented throughout the region through a retail network in Bahrain,
Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The search for retail partners has been
moving quickly across the Middle East, a region of particular importance for the company. So far, around 30 applications have been received for regional dealership franchises, and the selection process has reached the shortlist stage. Moreover, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the two countries in the region that are expected to account for the bulk of the sales, are now at letter-of-intent stage, with an announcement set to be made shortly.
“We have been making significant progress in finding the right representatives to market the MP4-12C, the first in our range of high performance sports cars,” said Ian Gorsuch, McLaren Automotive’s regional director for the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. “The Middle East is not only important because it will account for up to 20 per cent of overall sales, but because it is also full of highly-educated car enthusiasts who will appreciate the excellence of the MP4-12C.”
Deliveries will begin in the spring of 2011 and the car will be sold through 35 selected dealerships in 19 countries. The MP4-12C will cost somewhere between £125,000 (€140,000) and £175,000 (€195,000).
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Ford LaunCheS neW tauruS In aBu dhaBI For regIon
The new hi-tech 2010 Ford Taurus created a revolution in the full-size category earlier
this year when it debuted on the Middle East motoring scene, giving a tantalizing glimpse into the motoring features of the future. And the only way is up for Ford’s flagship model as it sets the trend for what consumers can expect from the Ford brand in the near future.
The highly acclaimed new Taurus has already been dubbed America’s most innovative sedan, winning Edmunds.com’s Technology Breakthrough Award and appearing as the official vehicle of the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show and last year’s GITEX in Dubai. Techies, safety experts, drivers and critics have all put the Taurus in a class of its own.
The new Taurus was also named among the “Top 10 Family Cars for 2010,” according to the editors of Kelley Blue Book’s (kbb.com), who also recently awarded the new model the “Best Resale Value” accolade in the full-size car category, because it offered a great combination of value, technology and style all wrapped up into a very good price.
“There are far too many claims of ‘a revolution’ in motoring,” said Hussein Murad, director of sales, Ford Middle East. “But when you look at the advances that have been made in the Taurus, you have to take a step back. These incredible features are normally something that could only ever have come with a luxury car and a luxury price tag. Taurus is a smart car in every sense. It is very much a case of innovation catering to the customer’s needs rather than adding gimmicks.”
In addition to the innovative Ford SYNC® that provides voice-activated telecommunications and entertainment connectivity, the Taurus also offers Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert, cooled Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion™, and a second generation SecuriCode™ Keyless Entry Keypad.
The new Taurus features crash-avoidance technologies, such as a segment-first, radar-based forward collision warning system that helps drivers avoid accidents. The system
uses a radar sensor to detect moving vehicles ahead and provides a visual “heads-up” warning signal and an audible warning when slower-moving traffic is detected ahead.
The Taurus has been named as the Ford safety flagship and has earned top five-star crash ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Ford Motor Company has more IIHS “Top Safety Picks” and NHTSA five-star ratings than any other automaker.
Murad believes that safety should always walk hand in hand with motoring technology. “What Ford has achieved with the new 2010 Taurus is a unique experience coupled with unprecedented protection. The safety technologies that are available in the Taurus are barely available in vehicles twice its price. It is a fantastic achievement and great news for drivers, owners and passengers.”
The new Taurus also features some of the industry’s first side air bags that use pressure pulses from a side impact to deploy up to 30 percent faster than traditional air bags with acceleration-based sensors.
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generaL MotorS announCeS neW MIddLe eaSt Brand Manager, CadILLaC
General Motors (GM) has announced the appointment of Thierry Sabbagh to the
position of Regional Brand Manager, Cadillac, GM Middle East.
“Thierry has delivered results exceeding expectations in each of his roles at GM, and I welcome him on board in his new position,” said Fadi Ghosn, GM Middle East Chief Marketing Officer.
Thierry came to GM with a strong background in sales and marketing, having gained several years’ experience as the Group Marketing Manager for Gargash Enterprises, representing Mercedes Benz in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Starting off in GM as a Marketing Manager for GMC in the Middle East in January 2006, Thierry actively participated in achieving all-time best GMC sales in 2007 and flawlessly executed several launches. Thierry became the SUV and Compact Vehicles Planning
Manager in February 2008, and defined business development opportunities for Middle East operations and developed business cases for future products.
“Thierry’s experience will be vital in building Cadillac brand business and growing its volume” said Fadi.
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john StadWICk neW preSIdent and ManagIng dIreCtor oF gM MIddLe eaSt operatIonS
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General Motors in the Middle East announced today the appointment of
John N. Stadwick to the position of President and Managing Director of GM Middle East Operations. John replaces Mike Devereux, who will take up the position of Chairman and Managing Director of GM Holden Ltd. He will be based at GM Holden’s headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. The change is effective immediately.
John arrives from Shanghai, where he held
the position of Vice President - Aftersales, for GM International Operations (GMIO) since September, 2009. Starting his career with GM in 1984 as a district manager in training with GM’s Oldsmobile division in Lansing, Michigan, Stadwick worked his way up through various positions in the US.
John’s international experience began with his appointment to Director of GM Service and Parts Operations for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean in January 2004. His first foray into the Middle East market came with his appointment as Regional Director of Aftersales for GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East (LAAM), a position he held from July 2006 till May 2008.
John will be replacing Mike, who has been with GM for more than 25 years, and led GM’s Middle East’s operations during a challenging end to 2008 and throughout 2009 implementing changes to the organization’s structure and introducing further key processes to improve customer service. Mike also oversaw the launches of key vehicles including the Chevrolet Cruze, Malibu and Camaro as well as the Cadillac CTS-V and SRX.
On GM Middle East’s immediate future, Mike said “General Motors Middle East has weathered the storm admirably and now has
the right plan, the right people and a strong will to achieve the goals set for our business in 2010. GM Middle East is very lucky to be having John as the new President and Managing Director. I’ve known him for a long time and he is an accomplished, experienced executive who will make a positive impact on General Motors in this important region.”
John Stadwick is looking forward to his new role. “I am very excited to be moving to the Middle East at this time. After the global slowdown in the past year and a half, we are expecting the regional automotive market to pick up again, and I look forward to the challenge of leading GM in the Middle East and ensuring we are in the best position to take advantage of this market recovery.”
Mike Devereux has become the new head of Holden in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Devereux’s position is effective immediately and comes three weeks after GM Holden announced that former chairman and managing director Alan Batey had been hired as Chevrolet’s US vice-president of sales and service.
Mr Batey followed his predecessor, Mark Reuss, to GM headquarters in the US after eight months at the helm of Holden. Mr Reuss is now president of GM North America.
Combining an engineering background with extensive sales and marketing experience, particularly in e-Business, Mr Devereux, 44,
has relocated from Dubai to Melbourne and will report to GM’s international operations president Tim Lee.
aLonSo CoLLeCtS a MaSeratI granCaBrIo
Fresh from his debut win for Scuderia Ferrari in the season-opening Bahrain Grand
Prix, former two-times Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso has “unveiled” at Ferrari’s private test track, Fiorano, the Maserati GranCabrio that he has selected.
The Spanish driver has chosen for the GranCabrio elegant fixtures, preferring a darker shade for the exterior in combination with two-tone upholstery for the interior. Grigio Granito is the colour of the body, while the interior has a combination of Pearl Beige and Bordeaux leather, matching a soft top of the same shade.
The GranCabrio represents the synthesis of Maseratis in terms of top down models. It is a Maserati in the purest sense of the term: from the unmistakable style of Pininfarina to the craftsmanship of every detail, from the pleasure of driving to top performance - assured by a V8 engine of 4.7 liters and 440 hp with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Fernando Alonso was particularly impressed by the space offered by the GranCabrio, perfect for four adult passengers. The GranCabrio is in fact the first four-seat convertible in the history of Maserati.
To emphasize the link with the Maserati tradition, the roof of the GranCabrio is strictly canvas. Available in six colours, perfectly integrated into the design of the car, it folds up in only 20 seconds (28 seconds including the movement of the four independent windows).
Having made its world debut on the occasion of the 63rd Frankfurt IAA last autumn the Maserati GranCabrio is being marketed throughout Europe starting in this month of March.
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StunnIng neW g37 ConvertIBLe WIth autoMatIC FoLdIng MetaL rooF LaunCheS aCroSS the MIddLe eaSt
Infiniti, the luxury automotive brand from Japan, revealed its ninth model for the
Middle East market at a sophisticated launch event held at The Palladium, Dubai Media City, United Arab Emirates.
The all-new 2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible has been designed from the outset with one goal in mind: to excite the senses. The stunning silhouette is perfectly proportioned, looking just as beautiful with the three-piece folding hard-top roof up or down, while the performance promised by the potent 3.7-litre V6 engine is guaranteed to delight.
“With looks like this, we think the new G37 Convertible is sure to attract the right kind of attention” said Antoine Barthes, General Manager of Infiniti Business Unit Middle East. “The G37 convertible is a rare kind of car because it’s an open four-seater with a retractable hardtop but its styling hasn’t been compromised by an awkwardly elongated trunk. We have taken the conscious decision to sacrifice a little practicality in exchange for a great deal of style” he said.
“We think this first convertible model from Infiniti is a perfect example of ‘Inspired Performance’, a theme that runs through the entire Infiniti range. It offers a unique combination of seductive style with genuinely thrilling performance and unrivalled luxury
and features. It will appeal to a discerning audience who appreciate the better things in life” Barthes concluded.
The G37 Convertible comes equipped with a standard 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 with VVEL (for Variable Valve Event and Lift) rated at 328 horsepower. The engine is backed by a standard electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with magnesium paddle shifters and downshift rev-matching technology which delivers fast, smooth and satisfying downshifts for the enthusiastic driver.
The G37 Convertible maintains a coupe-like silhouette with the top up through use of a special three-piece ‘clamshell’ retractable hardtop, which allows for both a stylish shorter rear overhang and a low trunk lid. Compared to G37 Coupe, the G37 Convertible utilizes all-new body panels from the A-pillar back, along with a 1.1-inch wider overall width, wider rear track and modified rear suspension.
Along with its stunning G37 Coupe-like proportions, the G37 Convertible offers signature Infiniti styling cues such as flowing front fender curves, a wave-style aluminum hood, expressive front fascia with double-arch grille and L-shaped High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights with integrated fog lamps.
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In other neWS
GM considerinG two HuMMer bids?
General Motors officially announced the cancellation of the sale of its Hummer brand to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. on Wednesday, but reports surfaced on Thursday indicating Hummer could live on under new ownership.
Despite GM’s announcement that it would wind down the Hummer brand, the iconic off-road brand continues to cling to life. Two suitors are reportedly interested in acquiring the Hummer brand from General Motors.
As was the case with Saab, a new bidder could intervene in the eleventh hour to save the Hummer brand. GM announced it would shutter its Saab division following the failed sale to Koenigsegg, but Spyker Cars N.V. purchased the ailing Swedish brand in a last ditched effort.
The identities of the two suitors have yet to be revealed, but one is believed to be a U.S.-based equity firm. The second is thought to be foreign firm, although a China-based business is unlikely given Tengzhong’s failure to complete the deal.
Hummer’s chance at
life remains slight, but it remains possible the off-road brand could live to see another day.
daiMler cHarGed in us for payinG bribes The US Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will fine Daimler $185 million dollars (€137,706,250) for paying bribes.
The fine follows a six year investigation, which was prompted by an auditor’s complaint that he was fired for protesting secret bank accounts used to pay foreign officials. Investigators discovered Mercedes gave an armored car to a Turkmenistan official, on his birthday, while the company was negotiating a contract to sell vehicles to the Turkmenistan government. Daimler also paid 10 percent kickbacks to Iraqi officials, to secure deals to sell vehicles - a violation of the United Nations’ Oil for Food Program.
The report concluded Daimler engaged “in a long-standing practice of paying bribes” to secure deals in Russia, China, Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria, Iraq and 16 other countries. As a result, the company will be charged with conspiracy and falsifying records under the Foreign and Corrupt Practices Act.
in troubled waters? Geely VolVo deal
Not exactly, if one goes by a statement made by a spokesman of Zhejiang
Geely Holding Group. Geely expects to wrap up talks on buying Ford Motor Co.’s Volvo car unit by the end of this month, for the Chinese automaker said Tuesday. “I cannot tell the exact date, but so far everything goes smoothly, and I think the contract will be signed in March,” said Ren Daqing, for Geely in Beijing. Ford, which purchased the Swedish car
maker in 1999 for $6.45 million, has said it expects the deal to be finished by the end of the first quarter.
The Dearborn, Michigan automaker has been trying to sell Volvo since late 2008 to focus its resources on managing its core Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands. One key hurdle for the sale has been organizing financing and government approvals, Ford has said. The two sides have been negotiating details for sharing technology, engineering and parts.
Hyundai Motor Makes donation to support Quake-stricken cHileHyundai Motor Co. will
donate US$200,000 to assist the international communities’ humanitarian relief efforts in earthquake-stricken Chile. The donation will be made to the government of Chile and relief organizations, through Hyundai’s regional office in Chile.
In addition to the relief aid, Hyundai will conduct a special service campaign in cooperation with Hyundai Mobis to repair cars damaged by the earthquake and offer parts at discounted prices.
Hyundai Motor has been lending a helping hand to people in disaster-stricken areas in the form of monetary donations, distribution of emergency supplies, or direct participation in relief activities, as part of its efforts to fulfil its duties as a global corporate citizen. Hyundai provided support in the aftermath of Iran’s earthquake in 1999, the 2004 tsunami disaster in Asia, the 2007 Greek forest fires, and the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan as well as the recent earthquake in Haiti, to name a few.
bMw officially confirMs plan to build a front-driVe Model usinG Mini as basis After years of singing the virtues of its exclusively rear-wheel drive cars, BMW has confirmed speculation it will produce a front-drive BMW model, based on the third generation Mini platform.
Revealed by BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer at the company’s annual
financial press conference in Munich last week, the news represents the third broken promise by
the Bavarian brand in recent years, after vowing that it would not build a V8-powered M3 or turbocharged M models.
Qatar and VolkswaGen aGree to intensify cooperation The Emirate of Qatar, the Volkswagen Group, Porsche Automobil Holding SE and the State of Lower Saxony wish to strengthen their cooperation, particularly in the fields of research, development and education.
This was agreed on the occasion of a visit to Qatar, when the Crown Prince and Personal Representative of the Emir, His Highness Sheik Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, received a delegation of representatives from the Supervisory Board and Board of Management of Volkswagen AG and Porsche Automobil Holding SE and from the State of Lower Saxony. The delegation included Prof. Dr. Ferdinand K. Piëch, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn and Prime Minister Christian Wulff, and was accompanied by the German Ambassador Dr. Dirk Baumgartner.
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With a completely new platform and a new focus on the region, the seventh gen patrol is here to compete with the Land Cruiser
It isn’t often that we get invited to a global premiere media launch in Oman and when Nissan Middle East called us up to do the
scheduling for the new Patrol, we had our doubts about the extent to which an event in Oman would be big news. First surprise was when we heard of the presence of Carlos Ghosn in town – here as a guest of Sheikh Suhail Bahwan, he was here in the region and Oman for one reason. To communicate the seriousness with which Nissan takes the launch of the new edition of the flagship SUV Patrol and its relevance for the region.
In these times of global recession and the money-pinching that results in, the market in the middle east region is still quite benevolent to big gas-guzzlers. Of course the nouveau riche of the BRIC countries are also able to afford the cars involved but usually tend to temper their purchases with the underlying realisation that fuel prices will go up.
Not so in the region, where abundant availability and government diktats keep prices low and the temptation to buy a 5.6-litre V8 powered four-wheel drive overwhelms all your inhibitions. You need it because it can go anywhere, even in the desert, you tell yourself not asking when was the last time you actually went into the dunes.
There in lies not just the appeal of the new Patrol, but the entire process that dictated its change.
The existing Patrol is not a half bad vehicle even if you want to compare it with the Land Cruiser. It has the power and the ability to do just that bit of the previous argument that we highlighted. It can get you anywhere, though in many ways it is lacking the refinement and finesse of a modern day top-of-the-line SUV.
Now entering its seventh generation, the Patrol is back, building on its impressive heritage, but at the same time, offering a radical new design direction. “We paid special attention to the needs of our owner drivers and their passengers, and so focused on creating first-class levels of comfort for the whole family. Heightened luxury, a roomier cabin and a quieter ride combine to achieve this goal, while maintaining Patrol’s off-road heritage,” stresses Hiroyuki Fushiki, project head and Segment Chief Product Specialist.
The engineering team was fully aware that while the Patrol commanded the title of ‘King of All Terrain’ in terms of its off-road capability, the Nissan 4WD did not maintain the lion’s share of the market. They knew that their new Patrol would have to not only outclass its competitors on every front, it would have to lift the bar farther than any previous hardcore SUV.
“Our mission was to create a Patrol that was not one generation, but two generations ahead of the competition, and that’s what we’ve achieved,” explains Fushiki. Under the
Offering real COmpetitiOn OnCe again
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banner of ‘Hero Comes Home,’ designers started by penning a new, more stylish exterior and a roomier, more luxurious interior, while engineers developed a rugged new platform. To that superb package they fitted the segment’s most powerful V8 engine and new 7-speed automatic transmission, a combination that boasts class-leading fuel economy. The engineering team also added a comprehensive new 4WD and advanced safety systems, while managing to create several world-first technologies including a class-topping climate control unit and a multi-screen, multi-functional DVD entertainment system.
Development of the new Patrol officially kicked off in 2006. But according to chief vehicle engineer, Takashi Fukui, testing of the proposed new platform, engine, transmission and 4WD system began two years earlier in 2004.
Wanting to build the best possible Patrol, engineers first tuned and tested 200 prototypes for dynamic evaluations at the Motegi, Oppama and Tochigi proving grounds. “Once we were satisfied with performance, we took the cars to the Middle East where we exposed them to every imaginable challenge; desert, rocky surfaces, highways and inner-city traffic. By the time we came around to adding the new body and interior, we had virtually completed our reliability and durability testing and perfected all of the new technologies,” says Fukui.
According to Taiji Toyota, Product Design Director, the new exterior styling came to him after several fact-finding missions to the Middle East. “After several trips to the region, my team realized that we had to take styling in a whole new direction. The market needs were changing and customers wanted a larger, roomier, more luxurious, more sophisticated exterior design that still says ‘rugged Patrol.’”
One design element that expresses ‘Patrol’ and had to feature strongly was the “angled-strut” motif grille. It was meticulously proportioned to deliver a sense of continuity with past models but give a touch of newness while adding to the car’s status level.
“Not as edgy and macho as before, the softer new surfaces are beautiful and add a sense of modernity to the design equation, while still maintaining a commanding road presence,” says Toyota. The fact that the driver’s eye point is now 60mm higher than the closest rival means that Patrol drivers will
now be ‘looking down’ on all competitors.The new, softer, more sophisticated
exterior design is now as much at home in rugged terrain as it is taking a family to a local restaurant or escorting your partner to a night out at a 7-star hotel. “We want customers to realize that this fresh, stylish exterior can be relied upon to answer any demand made of it, anywhere, anytime. It’s styling might seem more abstract to some, but it is still unmistakably all Patrol,” reinforces Toyota.
Featuring generous amounts of leather, polished aluminium and wood grain paneling, the Patrol’s interior too has been significantly upgraded. With a specific design direction from Fushiki, the design team created a better, higher quality interior for the whole family.
In keeping with the Patrol’s mission to be best-in-class, and the roomiest, the new Nissan off-roader delivers seat dimensions that outclass all competition. Boasting wider, higher and deeper front seats, higher and deeper second row seats and a roomier third row of seats, the Nissan offers more space and comfort than ever before.
The Patrol’s second row of seats now has over 100mm more legroom than its nearest competitor, making that row of seats the most comfortable in the class.
Unlike its predecessor which offered third row seats that folded and could be stowed up against the side window limiting rear luggage space, the new Patrol offers a third row of seats which fold forward and fully disappear into the floor of the luggage area generating the biggest rear luggage space in its class.
With the 3rd row of seats completely flattened, the width of the rear luggage area increases from 934mm to an impressive 1240mm, which is 250mm wider than its closest rival. Those dimensions create a luggage area of 1.54 m2, a significant increase over the outgoing model’s 1.14 m2 or the main rival’s 1.25 m2.
Another stand-out feature of the new Patrol is its interior quietness. Ranked at the top of its class in terms of quietness, the secret to the Patrol’s new found ambience is the laminated front windshield and front side windows, which contain a specially developed sound absorbing film. This new glass not only makes the interior more comfortable but allows less vocal effort to converse with other passengers, whether in the front of rear seats.
Boasting double the lateral rigidity over the outgoing model, the new Patrol sits on a revised platform that now offers a more robust construction with a low vibration body. A special ring frame structure has been employed around the tailgate to improve body stiffness while other upgrades include reinforcing stiffness of the cabin mounting points, and the connecting sections between each pillar and sill. Cross members have also been strengthened. Also the side rail section area has been expanded and the end cross member has been integrated with the frame. This enables the new Patrol to absorb noise, vibration and harshness better than its predecessor and makes its body more rigid.
The all-new platform has been built to take on the rugged terrain of the Middle East while at the same time, offering comfortable, luxurious city cruising.
In keeping with its title of ‘King of Off-roaders,’ Nissan engineers added one more phrase to capture its potential - King of Acceleration. And the key technology achieving this jump in performance over the predecessor’s 4.8 litre power plant is the newly developed VK56VD 5.6-litre V8 engine with VVEL (variable valve event and lift) and DIG (direct-injection gasoline) that generates 400hp and 560Nm of torque, while maintaining superb fuel efficiency and a generous cruising range.
Every component has been redesigned for maximum performance and smooth response. That makes it the most powerful in class, and mated to a new 7-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, the new model boasts a wider range of gear ratios than its predecessor. This setup combined with a new improved shift schedule enables the new Patrol to deliver power faster and stronger than any rival.
Another important part of generating grippy traction comes from the new suspension system, which employs 4-wheel independent suspension, upgraded from previous rigid axle setup. Nissan has completely redesigned the vehicle’s suspension from the bushes to the links.
Thanks to a large capacity 140 litre fuel tank, the SUV’s drivable range is now the longest range in its class.
In a world-first for Nissan, the new Patrol employs a Hydraulic Body Motion Control System (HBMC), which keeps the car flatter
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the quality of the interiors has gone up by leaps and bounds as is the treatment of colours and trims.
the centre console monitor now also serves as an off-road monitor showing wheel direction, spin and compass headings
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with less body roll during lane-changing and cornering, while delivering a comfortable ride in city driving and superb stability with ample suspension travel on rugged and sandy terrain. Located over each wheel, hydraulic cylinders are connected via cross piping and two accumulators that combine to generate variable roll stiffness depending on the driving conditions. This system controls roll stiffness by cleverly transferring oil between the upper and lower sections of each cylinder, according to road conditions.
Fitted with large diameter 20inch tyres, the combination with HBMC allows the Patrol to cruise 20km/h faster on road and off-road than its nearest rival.
Also fitted to the Patrol is a newly developed ALL MODE 4x4 system incorporating a Variable 4x4 Mode package. It allows the driver to quickly switch between four drive modes: sand, on-road, snow and rock, with the flick of a switch.
In sand mode, the vehicle is especially effective. The new system enables owners are able to drive safely, quickly and skillfully in sand and dirt, just like professional rally drivers, thanks to the Patrol’s new sand TCS.
The second part of the new ALL MODE 4x4 system offers Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control which can also be selected easily with the touch of a button.
With Hill Start Assist, if a driver stops on a slope and steps off the brake pedal, the system keeps the vehicle stationary – with no roll back. This ability enables drivers to easily switch from brake pedal to accelerator on steep inclines, and in perfect safety.
With the Hill Descent Control, the system uses the brakes to maintain a constant downhill speed of 7km/h in 4H mode and 4km/h in 4L mode. It will also reverse downhill at a constant 4km/h in 4H and 3km/h in 4L mode.
A revised more effective brake system also
provides the best braking performance in its class thanks to its extra gripping power made possible by a new hydraulic brake booster, larger ventilated discs, and more linear and controllable pedal force. With a new 4-piston opposed caliper setup at the front, disc size has been increased from 316mm to 358mm, while at the rear discs are now 350mm in diameter, up from 330mm. The new Patrol also boasts longer suspension stroke. It also employs a new off-road monitor on the dash that provides occupants with tyre inputs in real time. This system makes mogul clearance easy.
The new Patrol employs a revised Tyre Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with tyre inflation indicator. Unlike the previous system which required occupants to open the door each time they wanted to check the internal monitor while pumping air into the tyres, the new system just sounds the horn softly to inform drivers that a suitable tyre pressure has
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been reached. In severe desert conditions, this new feature was found to be especially handy.
Nissan designers paid special attention to the second row seat passengers by not only significantly expanding legroom, but by also fitting a new multi-screen DVD entertainment system boasting two rear-facing TVs; one 7-inch monitor embedded into each front seat headrest. With the ability to allow one rear seat passenger to watch a movie while the other plays a video game, this system comes with a portable remote control device for ease of use and is iPod compatible.
Fitted with an advanced airbag configuration, employing six airbags for top grade, the Patrol also comes with a totally revised climate control system boasting another world-first – the curtain vent. Small but highly effective vents mounted in the ceiling above each side window blow a strong current of cool air down forming a curtain of
air that acts as a barrier to heat penetrating the cabin. Employing more powerful fans and more effective vents, the Patrol’s air-conditioning system is now a class-leader.
Yet another impressive Patrol feature is the cool box mounted in the centre console between the front seats. Featuring a unique double hinge design, the lid of the coolbox can be opened easily from either the front or second row of seats to access the six 600ml drink bottles inside.
The car itself was outlined in a briefing before we set out on a well-planned route from the Barr Al Jissah resort through the mountains and wadis of the Eastern Hajar range and through the coastal areas south of Quriyat and back to the scenic sea port of Quriyat. The route has a good mix of ungraded roads, rough paths with stream crossing and a lot of twists and climbs and descents as one works his or her way through the passes of the range. Additionally there is a significant
amount of high quality highway driving too involved. We had the pleasure of having Mr Fushiki as our guest during most of the drive and he was forthright in his admiration of the speed and nonchalance with which Carlos Ghosn had taken the route in the previous wave of invitees.
The Patrol exhibits all the comfort and softening of stance that Nissan engineers have worked so hard for. It has unmatchable ride comfort, with a magic carpet ride on th ehighway and a highly muted terrain feel as we speed over the ungraded patches. If anything, we found the steering to have been made too isolated. It does require any effort at all to turn and you notice that it has tightened up at all only when the car is doing technically illegal speeds.
The move to an independent suspension with the amazing ability of the Hydraulic Body Motion Control System to take the car over stones and boulders and the design
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improvements that have done away with the need for a stabilizer bar set the bar well and truly for other SUVs to follow.
The question that really needs answering is whether the car has improved enough to take people’s minds off the LC’s continuing appeal. Our take on the situation is that the Nissan team couldn’t have done more than they have done on this car. The marketing teams now have a product that stands out feature for feature from the rest of the herd, albeit with the added price tag to it. And as a strategic business move the old Patrol will continue
to be sold with the new one, thus allowing a rub-off halo effect of the new flagship on the customers who will be buying the more utilitarian older generation.
Nissan has decided to start building the new model at the state-of-the-art Nissan Shatai Kyushu plant, the new Patrol being the first vehicle to line off there.
Employing the Nissan Production Way (NPW), the new plant is a benchmark factory for cost, quality and delivery time while offering the latest, high quality production systems on a multi-vehicle production line.
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led type lighting has become the norm in the newer generation of suVs as well. the patrol gets high-intensity lighting on its lower beams, another major improvement
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The Nokia N900 has evolved from Nokia’s previous generation of Internet Tablets and broadens the choice for technology enthusiasts who appreciate the ability to multitask and browse
the internet like they would on their desktop computer.The Nokia N900 packs a powerful ARM Cortex-A8 processor, up to
1GB of application memory and OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics acceleration. The result is PC-like multitasking, allowing many applications to run simultaneously. Switching between applications is simple, as all running content is constantly available through the dashboard. The panoramic homescreen can be fully personalized with favorite shortcuts, widgets and applications.
To make web browsing more enjoyable, the Nokia N900 features a high-resolution WVGA touch screen and fast internet connectivity with 10/2 HSPA and WLAN. Thanks to the browser powered by Mozilla technology, websites look the way they would on any computer. Online videos and interactive applications are vivid with full Adobe Flash 9.4
support. Maemo software updates happen automatically over the internet.
Messaging on the N900 is easy and convenient thanks to the full physical slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Setting up email happens with only a few touches and the Nokia Messaging service mobilizes up to 10 personal email accounts. Text message or IM exchanges with friends are shown in one view and all conversations are organized as separate windows.
The Nokia N900 has 32GB of storage, which is expandable up to 48GB via a microSD card. For photography, the Maemo software and the N900 come with a new tag cloud user interface that will help users get the most out of the 5MP camera and Carl Zeiss optics.
NOKIA BOOKLET 3G BRINGS ALL DAY MOBILITYPowered by the efficient Intel Atom processor, the Nokia Booklet 3G delivers impressive performance with up to 12 hours of battery life,
This column brings The laTesT, The TrendiesT and The musT-have accessories, gadgeTs and Toys ThaT we Think our readers should have.
nokIa’S neW MInI CoMputerS
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enabling people to leave their power cable behind and still be connected and productive. Delivering the rich experience of a full-function PC inside an ultra-portable aluminum chassis, the new mini-laptop weighs 1.25 kilograms, measures slightly more than two centimeters thin, and has the features one would expect from the world’s leading mobile device manufacturer. A broad range of connectivity options - including 3G/ HSPA and Wi-Fi - gives consumers high speed access to the Internet, including Nokia’s broad suite of Ovi services.
The mini-laptop also comes with an HDMI port for HD video out, a front facing camera for video calling, integrated Bluetooth and an easily accessible SD card reader. Other premium features include the 10-inch glass HD ready display and integrated A-GPS which, working with the Ovi Maps gadget, can pinpoint your position in seconds and open up access for a truly personal maps experience. The Nokia Booklet 3G also brings a number of other rich Ovi experiences to life, whether its access and playback of millions of tracks through the Nokia Music Store, or using Ovi Suite to sync seamlessly from your Nokia smartphone, to your mini-laptop, to the cloud.
The quintessential divers’ watch, the absolute reference in its genre, the Submariner has expanded its horizons far beyond the element of its birth in 1953, while denying nothing of its aquatic
origins.At home in the depths of the oceans, a universe in which it remains
the basic instrument of every diver, it long ago conquered terra firma, as the watch of action.
Waterproof to 100, 200, then 300 metres as it successively evolved since its launch, the Submariner has always been the symbol of Rolex’s supremacy in waterproofness.new featuresTimeless and impervious to the elements, it is today available in a steel version sporting new features. Its 40 mm case in 904L steel, synonymous with robustness, waterproofness and corrosion resistance, boasts a new rotatable bezel fitted with a practically scratchproof black Cerachrominsert — or green for themodel with the green dial — with platinum graduations.penumbra and soft lightAs much in its element in the penumbra of the ocean floor as in the soft light of sophistication, this new Submariner Date offers exceptional legibility thanks to hour markers and hands coated with luminescent Chromalight.
Its mechanical movement equipped with a Perpetual rotor and a Parachrom hairspring pledges increased chronometric precision and reliability. Its unidirectional rotatable graduated bezel allows the safe reading of dive time.a power of seduction that never goes out of styleThis new model is no stranger to comfort. The Rolex Glidelock clasp allows for fine adjustments of the bracelet length.
On land as at sea, watch and wearer are bound by the emotional charge deriving from the Submariner’s irresistible power of seduction.
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exacting standards of craftsmanship and technology are employed by Bentley’s body assembly team to create the new Mulsanne’s distinctive, hand-crafted ‘hewn from solid’ appearance. But this is just a precursor to the painstaking attention to detail afforded to Bentley’s new 4-door flagship in the paint facility at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, england
BENTLEY MULSANNE THE ART OF COLOUR
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The new Mulsanne will be offered in no fewer than 115 ‘standard colours’ and that is just the start of the story
– because, like every grand Bentley – the only real limit on the colour of the car is the customer’s imagination.
Once the bare metal, pre-production Mulsanne bodyshell arrives at the paint shop via the automated overhead gantry, it passes through a series of full-immersion tanks, designed first to de-grease, then in turn to clean, condition, rinse, phosphate and passivate the steel and aluminium structure.
At each tank the shell is immersed before being tipped fore and aft to ensure that every single crevice is reached. Once drained, the bodyshell is lowered into an electro-coating tank, where power is increased to 320 volts, attracting particles-in-solution to deposit on the charged, metal bodywork to form, in conjunction with the phosphate, a
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hard protective shell of corrosion-proof zinc primer.
From this point, the judgement and skill of Bentley’s craftsmen come to the fore. A two-coat primer is applied by hand, ready for colour-of-choice to be applied. Each primed body is minutely inspected, sanded – or flatted – using a combination of hand and power tools. Only when the primer coat is flawless will the colour basecoat be applied, again by hand, to achieve the optimum finish. Clear lacquer coats are then applied robotically followed by final polishing for a perfectionist finish and detailed inspection in the specialist bays created for the Mulsanne.
But if the lacquer can be applied by robotics, why not the colour? Dave Walton of the Mulsanne bespoke paint shop explains:
“Different colours have markedly different characteristics and your perception of a colour’s shade changes according to how deep the coat is. Then there’s the fact that no two expert sprayers would apply that colour basecoat in exactly the same way. You learn to trust each craftsman’s eyes and skills, not just the process.
It takes many months of in-depth training for a quality control inspector to learn how to identify defects that an owner might never notice, yet each one will be rectified, even if this means sending it around the entire process again. We always operate way above customer expectations of quality,”
With the introduction of new satin paint finishes and two-tone colour schemes to Bentley’s extensive portfolio, Walton says the skills of the team are always evolving. Satin in particular can’t be locally reworked and polished, so even the most miniscule imperfection means the entire panel is refinished.
However, Bentley’s craftsmen are eagerly awaiting the moment the Mulsanne goes into full production according to Walton:
“We’ve been asked to match a paint finish to a cherished nail polish, a 50-year old classic Bentley and on one occasion a shade of turquoise on a food mixer for our Arnage, Brooklands and Azure customers. But even with over a hundred ‘standard colours’ to choose from we’re still looking forward to that first commission to create a bespoke colour from scratch and execute it perfectly.”
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automanad.indd 1 9/3/08 9:51:17 AM
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We interviewed Mohan Menon, general Manager of towell auto Centre’s tBa arm and spoke to him at length about the latest accolades won by his team from Bridgestone
Bridgestone marks a successful year in Oman
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we are meeting here regarding some new awards won by your team. could you brief us about them?
Bridgestone announces every year awards for performance related to competition between the countries which are in the zone. Bridgestone has strategic business units and these comprise of areas where the countries depending on geographical locations are covered. In the local strategic business unit, all the Middle East and Africa are covered. We are talking of about 70 countries. Last year was a recession year during which everybody was complaining about business dropping between 30 to 40% and as a result Bridgestone set up a competition between the importers in these 70 countries saying that we will give the criteria like sales, strategies applied, initiatives taken during the year, and so on.
At the end of the day, we at Towell Auto Centre exceeded the 2008 sales, which no other country could emulate because 2008 was a so-called boom year. Everybody was automatically increasing sales over 2007, but somebody increasing sales in 2009 over 2008 was the surprise. Bridgestone calculates what is called raw rubber tonnage and we did about 5% more in 2009., while other countries did significantly lower than 2008.
Our market went down by around 30% too, so the good news is that we captured marketshare from others, because all our customers dropped volumes and we couldn’t have done so well without gaining customers from other brands.
How did we achieve this? Because we had strategies planned from December 2008 with the principals, we put in a lot of technical inputs, we told the customer you are now trying to save money and here’s how to do it. Eventually in all our various channels, we have channels like the fleet channel, our retail shops, the ministry channel, so in each channel we had a separate focus we didn’t compromise on people – people are our strength, trained and ready – we didn’t sack anybody or send anyone home. The end result was that we were able to exceed our 2008 volumes.
were there any new strategies applied?
Yes, apart from all the previously mentioned moves we applied new strategies. In a difficult year most companies don’t think of investments or large capital spends. Last year we have invested in a new project which is a tyre retreading factory.
Who would do that? Most people would say let’s wait and watch, but we were confident and the factory is now coming up. But the process started last year when everybody was backing off, we were building up what we call our solution business, where we sell tyres to customers, take them back, retread them and in the process our customer’s costs come down and we tie them up as long term customers.
This is done in a big way in South Africa. We went down there studied it and implemented it here. Apart from just sitting on our normal processes, we did all this and this award is for these initiatives too. We strategised and took more share and we went ahead and invested too.
How much of the measurement criteria for these awards is subjective and how much by objective measure?
It can be seen as the Oscar awards of Bridgestone. There are 5 general managers who report to the directors and president. There are 67 people in Dubai in various functions. Each general manager is responsible for an area. Each puts forward a distributor or importer from his region, like the nominations for Oscars. Eventually all of them vote say who is the best. They are given these criteria against which to measure the performance, like sales, initiatives, they have a full list and based on that they decide who is the best.
We not only won that award, we also won another award which is for the retail CRM which we do, which is a big thing that no other distributor is doing. We have our 16 shops in which every customer who comes in has his details collected in a format by the counter sales people. From that data, we have a lady here in this office who at random picks up customers and calls them to find out how the
Mohan Menon is pragmatic about the brand’s success in the past year, choosing to attribute it to smart strategic moves and reaching out to customers
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car is doing and if they have any feedback and what they think we could do to improve. She then tabulates all thatand this is fed to the retail manager who then interacts with that branch or that shop to communicate the areas they could improve in and every monthwe have a meeting here where all the staff come and our CRM support lady makes a presentation highlighting that month’s achievements.
In the process, any customer with a complaint has it recorded and the lady immediately talks to him and then the complaint is sent back to the shop and the counter sales staff visit the customer and sorts it out. She follows up the process till the problem is sorted out.
What has happened in the process is that customers have been communicating about this by word of mouth with their friends and tell them that if you go to Bridgestone somebody is willing to talk to you and ask you about your purchase and that somebody is listening. In the tyre industry nobody does that. It is for this that we got the second award.
you mentioned that you have various channels that worked together to get you this award. Have they all performed equally well?
Initially last year during the first quarter we probably had the maximum impact of the bad year. It was September-October when the world collapsed and by the time the effect reached here in the Gulf and to our market it took time. The worst impact in this part of the world was felt in the first quarter of 2009. People went into a funk, people lost money personally and so did companies. The first three months were a depressed time for all businesses, ministries, fleets, individuals, everybody. All the channels took the hit too.
In fact what happened was that the fleets were trying to gauge what had happened to their businesses, would there be more projects, do we send people back, so they started cutting down on their inventories. Large infrastructure operators in Oman with many site projects with tyres, steel and such stocked on site. The realised that they have to cut down on inventory and as a result we
felt the impact on our sales off-take in the fleet business. Same thing with individuals who had lost money in the stock markets and were under pressure from banks to keep their loans clean.
The other problem with the market was that due to the looming economic uncertainity customers felt that the prices of goods would start to go down, the seller would have to sell and if we wait we will get a better deal. The first quarter was probably the worst I have ever seen in terms of business.
But, because of our strategies, we went to existing fleets and told them we were with them and went to newer fleets and started pitching to them against very stiff competition the second quarter saw us come back out of it. Added to that in the second quarter the ministries too got their allocations so they too started buying and business started going up. The third quarter was happy for us, with nothing affecting us.
The fourth quarter for us was the best. Generally, we do our maximum business in summer and by winter it comes down. Secondly most of the fleet customers postpone their buying for January or later because they want to finish their year on a good note, but last year we were on such a high that the 4th was better than the 3rd quarter.
Even January this year was excellent and February looks good so the momentum is on. All this was watched by Bridgetone and they found that most of the others were complaining. Nobody purchased for the first 6 months while we were the only importers ordering month after month and shouting because we couldn’t get stocks because of trims in production. We struggled to get lots of critical sizes even though they gave us a lot of stock allocated to other distributors. Still if we had enough of what we wanted we would have probably done much better.
what is the outlook for 2010?
This year looks good. Competition has increased, for many reasons. One of the things is that a lot of these tyre companies supply OEM to vehicle manufacturers and as you know vehicle manufacturers have
got their own set of problems, especially in commercial vehicles. If you go around here you don’t see too many new trucks anymore. Everybody is buying second-hand trucks, especially from Dubai where one-year old, one and a half uear old trucks are available at half the price. So I know for fact that a certain company here bought 58 trucks from Dubai, which they would have normally bought from here.
Therefore the aggression in the market from the commercial tyre manufacturers has become intense, but because of our activities and with the retreading plant a lot of our customers don’t want to shift. They put a lot of pressure on us because the other brands go and quote low ratesbut we are able to manage with the value that we offer the customer.
This year we feel that now with projects like the airport, where a lot of tyres are required and the other road projects which have already been declared we have a good year ahead.
will the retreading plant be only for commercial vehicles and construction equipment?
In this part of the world retreading is allowed only on truck tyres above 20” rims. It is not allowed on light trucks or passenger vehicles. Then the government also does not allow it on the steer axle for safety purpose. There are a lot of criteria governing retreading. So the factory will basically be retreading truck tyres.
what is bridgestone’s involvement with the retreading operation?
Two years ago Bridgestone decided to enter retreading and bought the world’s biggest retreader – Bandag.In many countries because of the speed and load control the casing is good while the tread wears out. Retreading is thus popular. Bus tyres are a favourite to retread. Bridgestone bought the company and I knew that Bridgestone was doing this in South Africa and managed to get them involved with the project here too.
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Stand by for action as the sixth generation 2010 vW golf gtI hits the roads in our region. this gtI is one of few most desirable hot hatch models of german origin, and probably among the fastest mainstream models in the segment’s history. automan was given exclusive access to the car
Simply irresistible
Quintessentially, five generations of Volkswagen Golf GTIs have established an iconic status of this the pocket
rocket hot hatch by aficionados. Ever since, the latest iteration was showcased at the Dubai International Motor Show in December 2009, enthusiastic drivers have been itching for a chance to get behind the wheel of this car.
With the first generation of the GTI, Volkswagen’s idea was to present the Golf with a bit of sporty character. So, it was originally planned as a limited series run of 5,000 units. But to the surprise of the carmaker, the GTI not only became a bestseller, but also quickly became synonymous with nifty sporty compacts. The Golf GTI has certainly earned its medals. Since the debut of the first and the discontinuation of the fifth generation, more than 1.7 million buyers have bought a Golf GTI.
In profile, the incoming GTI is similar in shape and dimensions to its stock brethren, but when it comes to detailing inside out, the story is quite different. The car appears squat and a bit wider because the chassis has been lowered and the grille intakes are wider, bigger and follow the new horizontal placement. The aggressive front end comes with a low splitter and deep air intakes. At the rear, unlike some similar cars like the Ford Focus RS, there’s no rear spoiler or rally-inspired diffuser. However, the lower valance up front and the rear is busier than the stock version while a pair of chrome tailpipes are integrated in the GTI’s blackened diffuser.
Inside the cabin, the layout is familiar, but once again, the execution is decidedly different. The car’s black leather interior is trimmed with carbon fibre and polished aluminium trims and the seats are firm and sporty. Pedals come with brushed stainless steel caps, the customized GTI gearshift lever is finished in aluminium, the leather-bound steering wheel has grip recesses and a prominent GTI logo. And there are plenty of other clues to constantly remind you that this is no ordinary Golf even before you have switched on the engine such as decorative red seams on the steering wheel, gearshift surround and leather parking brake grip besides the black roofliner and pillar trim. Rest of the multimedia package and control switches are mostly stock.
Practicality is typical Volkswagen and the marriage of cubbies in the interior and flexible cargo areas through split folding rear seats has been faithfully retained. Once inside the car, it doesn’t really matter what mood you are in. The two figure-hugging sports seats ensure a cosseted ride and once strapped in, the car immediately begins to connect with its occupants. Rear accommodation is adequate for average sized adults.
A GTI-badged Golf is about high speed driving with utmost care and precision. The 2010 edition doesn’t compromise on that aspect at all – one of the key reasons is Volkswagen’s superb engineering prowess and packaging. While the current trend in the automotive market is to downsize
engine displacement capacity and also some cylinders, the GTI doesn’t have to worry about that. Volkswagen engineers have sort of guaranteed expected levels performance from the small displacement four-cylinder force-fed package. Using once-exotic technologies like direct fuel injection and turbocharging, VW is one of the leaders when it comes to squeezing more power and efficiency out of smaller gasoline engines.
At exactly 210hp, in terms of power level the new Golf GTI’s turbo stratified injection (TSI) engine is positioned between the last production GTI and the 30 Year Edition. Although its performance and displacement data might suggest an advanced development of the 200hp engine, actually this powerplant belongs to the “EA888” generation of engines that produced 230hp. This is a slightly detune version and the TSI version used is from the second development stage of the system. This engine has been optimized for transverse mounting in the new GTI and has several new components such as modified pistons and piston rings, a regulated oil pump, a new vacuum pump, a new high-pressure fuel pump and a new mass airflow sensor. The engine also meets the Euro-5 emissions standards.
Besides the powertrain hardware and packaging, this version of the Golf GTI has been endowed with many first time features such as adaptive cruise control, and optional feature being the Park Assist and completely redesigned bi-xenon headlights which includes swivel mechanism during cornering.
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driving impressionsThe seats do offer a high degree of long touring comfort and are equally fit to run a 24-hour race. But as soon as the driver fires the engine and floors the accelerator pedal, it clearly indicates its intentions through its off-beat resonance from the exhaust tips that pleasantly entertain occupants and onlookers alike.
Owners of this GTI are sure to fall in love with the model, because as well being a capable track day performer it can also serve as daily transport with equal ease. Thanks to its split personality, it’s not surprising that it can cruise serenely at high speed, while the engine settles to a gentle hum as if on cue.
To extract the GTI’s hidden capabilities, we had to find an unhindered location. We found an under construction stretch of new
road behind Dubai’s famous Burj Khalifa tower where we were able to push the GTI to its limits and the gratification was pure entertainment. A blur of hand with the DSG transmission, and timed foot co-ordination was a sure shot way of gaining complete mastery of the car. The DSG is incredibly fast and precise, and the way in which the Golf GTI with DSG automatically double declutches when downshifting is a joy for any sports car driver.
Although, quite possible in theory, we consciously avoided the idea of sliding the car sideways at speeds, as it would have been reckless on our part, however we didn’t give up accelerating the car from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds. Interestingly, the DSG set-up timing is identical to that of the 6-speed manual transmission versions, while top speed for the DSG is around 240km/h, and
at these speeds one begins to empathise with the balance between the car’s air resistance (cd 0.324) and power. Of course, the rev counter needle would indicate 5,900rpm at this point.
But to attain sure shot performance like this, the car’s packaging needs a couple of other things such as an exceptionally compliant chassis, a flexible suspension set-up [preferably driver-aided], aero tweaking and good rubber. We are happy to note that the GTI has all these and more. After a while, the car’s handling becomes predictable and diving in and out of fast corners becomes a natural ability.
Although, the suspension has been calibrated to offer a stiff side and the steering is slightly on the heavier side, but feedback is fantastic – all you have to do is point the car
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and jab the throttle. Without hesitating, the car will take you there with utmost precision.
While enjoying the car’s overall performance, we were keen to unravel the secret behind the powertrain’s split personality. At a low 1,700 rpm, the engine, it seems develops its maximum torque of 280Nm. As a result there’s reserve torque available up to 5,200 rpm. In practice, this means impressive power in all of life’s situations with a flat torque curve. The way the engine has been programmed, it allows maximum power of the sixteen-valve engine with 9.6:1 compression ratio to be tapped evenly between 5,300 and 6,200rpm.
On one hand you have the power, but the jewel in the crown is a very clever suspension system that dramatically reduces the torque steer. Just how precisely the GTI tracks steering inputs and this steering precision
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is directly reflected in driving quality. No matter how we pushed it, the test car offered practically no hint of body roll. The car’s lack of roll and pitch results in very safe driving behaviour as the electronic damper control of its new DCC system not only handles with sports car stiffness, it is also offers a comfortable ride via dial-a-setting switching modes. Besides the “Normal” program with a basic medium setting, DCC on the Golf GTI also offers the “Sport” and “Comfort” modes that are activated by a pushbutton above the shift gate. In “Sport” mode, the power steering is also tuned for greater dynamic responsiveness.
The new car also benefits aerodynamically as it has been lowered when compare to the outgoing edition. The front end has been
lowered by 22mm and its rear by 15mm. The entire architecture of springs, dampers and rear stabilizers was completely re-tuned. In front, the familiar strut-type suspension operates with helical springs and telescoping shock absorbers. In the rear, an innovative multi-link suspension ensures that the ESP system seldom needs to intervene. The braking system is also pretty good by our demanding standards and we didn’t notice any pedal fade or sponginess. Compared with the outgoing car, for the first time in a Volkswagen, the XDS electronic transverse differential lock has been used which significantly improves traction and handling properties. Technically speaking, XDS is a functional extension of the electronic limited-slip differential (EDS) integrated in the ESP system and we didn’t
performance of the GtiWhen it comes to emissions and fuel economy, the new 210 hp engine has advanced far ahead of the two previous GTI four-cylinder engines with 200 and 230 hp. To be specific, the 1,984 cm³ displacement TSI on the new GTI is content with just 7.3 litres fuel per 100 kilometres on average. On the 200 hp GTI, fuel consumption was 8.0 litres, and the 230 hp GTI came in at 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres. So the theoretical range of the sixth GTI is about 750 kilometres between fill-ups.
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have any issue with it.Like premium segment luxury cars, the
technology package doesn’t just end here. For the first time, the distance control system ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) has been introduced in the GTI. When ACC is activated, the system automatically brakes and accelerates the GTI within a speed window from 30 to 210 km/h.
VerdictFans of fast hatchbacks in our region have been eagerly anticipating a new GTI and we’re pleased to report the wait has been more than worth it. This is one mean machine which transforms the GTI from family-friendly motorcar to a true macho beast. Although, Volkswagen has added a few more gizmos, the GTI, still remains as a purist’s car.
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honda has a penchant for making driver’s cars - the accord Coupe, built on the Sedan’s underpinnings, makes a case for itself
The Coupe ThaT RunneTh oveR
The sedan car market may be under pressure in most parts of the world but that isn’t preventing car makers from extending their sedan platforms into other spin-offs. Like all great manufacturers
of yore, Hoda is no stranger to the genre. If you look back a decade you will see that the Accord-Prelude duo were perfect examples of the same essential car serving two entirely different market sets. Today that equation is served by the simultaneous development of the Accord Sedan and Coupe.
Admittedly we have come to test the Coupe more than a couple of years after the launch of the new platform. The Sedan, with its two engine choices and a whole series of grades makes for an appealing choice in the world of family and executive cars. the Coupe however, at the very outset, serves to compete with just one other car in the market and that is the Altima Coupe. While their evolution and treatment are largely similar in relation to their sedan underpinnings, the Honda Accord does manage to stand out for a few reasons. Let us look at the basic features of the car.
The Accord interior is designed for a dynamic, intuitive and upscale presence,starting with an easy-to-read information display on every vehicle. A zone stylingapproach separates operation-related instruments (top) and information-related instruments (lower). At night, the controls are further separated by color to distinguish between climate controls (aqua green) and audio controls (white). Classically-styled gauges for the speedometer and tachometer are perfectly round (instead of being truncated at the bottom). Steering wheel audio controls are standard on every Accord.
Careful attention was paid to the symmetry of the exterior and interior of the vehicle – including sight lines related to the dashboard height and the visual presence of the hood to the driver.
Redesigned front bucket seats are larger, and feature substantial lateral support to complement the Accord’s sporting side.
With its combination of aggressive styling, dynamic performance and advanced technology, the new Accord Coupe’s design philosophy is aggressive and powerful. Its sophisticated design takes the Accord Coupe further toward exciting, sporty performance than any Accord Coupe in history – and then delivers on that promise. There are no visible exterior body panels, lights, glass, grille or bumpers shared between the Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe – only the door mirrors and door handles are common. Beneath the skin, the underlying
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chassis construction is the same between the Sedan and Coupe, except that the Coupe wheelbase is 58mm shorter.
The Accord Coupe styling radically breaks from the sedan with a uniquely aggressive image. Its long hood, sleek roofline and muscular lines suggest power and a heightened agility compared to the sedan. Dimensionally, the Accord Coupe’s overall length of 4.85metres is 82mm longer than the older model, its width of 1.85metres is 30mm wider, and its height of 1433mm is 15 to 18mm higher. Compared to the Accord Sedan, the Accord Coupe is 80mm shorter in length, 40mm shorter in height and just a bit wider.
The coupe to some extent remains overshadowed by the popularity of the Sedan. While dimensionally different from the four-door, the size distinction is hardly noticeable from any angle and the view from the front is distinctly one where you ask whether the Accord sedan has been through a model year tweak rather than seeing a completely different vehicle altogether. The same of course can’t be said about the view points from either side or the rear. Interestingly the point of making a Coupe on the same wheelbase of the Sedan seems to be to maximise the door size and the quarter glass. The swoop of the roofline has been nicely tended to as has the treatment of the entire rear deck. There is an added sense of urgency to the design of the Coupe that lends a semblance of motion at all times.
However in the process of shortening the rear deck and integrating its profile with the Coupe’s roofline the trunk access does seem to suffer a bit. As you can see from the photograph alongside, the trunk lid does not open ‘all the way’ and that combined with a rather high liftover height tends to negate the advantages of a rather roomy trunk. You could explain it away by saying that the car’s typical customer in the region and in Oman is the young woman, who would rather not be lifting heavy loads or large ones into their trunk.
The interior, as mentioned before does come across as well thought out and roomy, though like the Sedan and indeed some other models in its range, it is a touch spartan. We kept looking around for some of the gadgetry or bolder statements that would add the ‘sports’ element to a good car – but what you take away is great ergonomics, full marks for utility, comfort and glitz – but no glamour.
The body uses 48% high-strength sheet steel for greater stiffness and reduced weight, compared to 39% in the previous-generation Accord. This greater use of this steel (590 and 440 grade) reduces body weight while increasing rigidity, which pays dividends in ride, handling and interior quietness. This also helps the Accord target the top durability, quality and reliability (DQR) in its class.
New design techniques and the widespread use of high-strength sheet steel make the model the stiffest Accord ever, and yields benefits in ride, handling and overall durability. With the most high-strength steel of any Honda car in history, the 2008 Accord is stronger as well as larger, without imposing a significant weight increase.
Specific improvements are found in the rear of the vehicle, where 33% greater vertical rigidity directly enhances ride quality and handling.
The new Accord is the first vehicle to use Honda’s new unit-body frame rail system. Positioning the stamped steel frame rails above and inside the Accord’s body structure floor – instead of underneath it – creates a nearly flat bottom under the car. The result is greater aerodynamic efficiency for improved fuel mileage, and reduced interior
noise that can result from air turbulence underneath the car. The Accord’s new frame rail design does not compromise interior room.
Reducing audible wind noise was an important Accord engineering goal, particularly high frequency noise that can be distracting and impede conversation. The flatter bottom of the car, together with careful tailoring of the body shape, window moldings, windshield wipers and outside mirror shapes, all play a part in reducing wind noise.
Aerodynamic efficiency is likewise improved. The coefficient of drag for the Accord is just over 0.31 Cd for the Sedan and 0.33 Cd for the Coupe. This compares favourably with the 0.34 Cd figure for the previous generation Accord. In addition, the Accord’s coefficient of lift (Cl), which indicates how much body lift occurs at speed, drops from over 0.20 Cl to just over 0.17 Cl for the Sedan and 0.14 Cl for the Coupe.
Additional under-vehicle aerodynamic aids include a wide chin spoiler that directs air under the front subframe. Additional strakes are positioned ahead of the front and rear wheels, plus two additional deflectors that smooth airflow over the front suspension. An engine under-cover directs airflow under the engine, while two middle under-covers direct air around the edges of the fuel tank.
In addition to being lighter and wider, and offering a greater opening range, the moonroof operation is also improved. To tilt or slide the moonroof the driver or front passenger needs only to fully
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press the ceiling-mounted switch once (instead of pressing and holding it for several seconds). The moonroof fully opens or closes automatically. However if the operator wishes to only partially open or close the moonroof (such as to achieve partial ventilation), a lighter touch yields fully manual control. The moonroof can also tilt to provide ventilation. A pinch protection feature is built in, helping to ensure that the moonroof will not forcefully close if someone’s hand or arm is positioned in the path of the moonroof. If an obstruction is detected, the moonroof mechanism will reopen the moonroof.
The new Accord’s front suspension is a modified version of the double-wishbone system used on the old Accord, with stabilizer bars, spring and damping rates optimized to provide the best combination of ride and handling. Front lower control arms are forged steel and connect to a stamped steel box-section sub frame. A stamped steel upper control arm complements a forged-steel knuckle, and nitrogen gas-filled coil-over dampers are used. A key improvement to the new Accord’s front suspension geometry is increased anti-dive under braking. This affords occupants a more stable feeling under severe braking conditions.
The new Accord utilises a new compact multi-link rear suspension. Each side features a nitrogen gasfilled coil-over damper, a newly designed stamped steel upper A-arm, two tubular steel lower links, a single toe-control link, and an aluminium knuckle.
The arms and links are mounted to a floating sub frame to reduce road noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
The body structure around the suspension is stiffer, permitting more ideal tuning of the suspension. Compared to the previous generation Accord, the new model’s rear suspension has 40% greater lateral rigidity. The new rear suspension geometry enhances ride comfort and overall handling and braking.
The 3.5-litre engine ensures that the entire package moves wit maximum efficiency and stays at just a few notches below threatening torque-steer.
All in all the Accord Coupe is stylish, looks great in the red colour we tested nd provides a good value for money option pitched against other low volume’identity ‘ cars.
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Geneva, as usual, dRaws all The inTeResTinG onesthe automobile industry presented a geneva International Motor Show more glittering and innovative than ever
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After a very difficult 2009, the manufacturers have demonstrated a tremendous capacity to adapt with their presentation of more than one hundred world and European premiers, providing great
pleasure to the large number of media representatives and the visiting public who, once again, were very appreciative of the welcoming and quality atmosphere of the event. This 80th edition finished with very positive results, and the dates for next year have already been fixed for March 3-13, 2011.
More than 11,000 representatives from the written, audio-visual and electronic media from all over the globe were welcomed to PALEXPO for the two press days on March 2-3, 2010. Extensive media coverage throughout the world emanated from 75 press conferences organised by the car manufacturers, the presence of many famous personalities, and special events organised within the framework of the Motor Show.
The provisional results from a survey of the visiting public shows that the Geneva International Motor Show rates as the most international in the world with around 40% arriving from outside Switzerland. Some 692,000 visitors thronged through the 7 exhibition halls of Palexpo during the 11 days it was open to the public. They particularly appreciated the different visions of the future of transportation that were on show.
“The attendance result is almost 7 % higher than last year and achieved the goals we had set” affirmed Mr. Luc Argand, President of the Motor Show. “however, our goal was not to beat our previous attendance records, but to provide visitors with the best conditions and greatest comfort possible, which we succeeded in doing again this year, according to our visitors.”
Bentley announced its environmental strategy at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008. The three-fold strategy committed the Company to
reduce overall CO2 emissions by 15% by 2012; to introduce a new powertrain which will, by itself, deliver a 40% saving in fuel economy; and a commitment that the entire model range would be compatible with renewable fuels, also by 2012.
The first tangible step in the delivery of that strategy was unveiled in Geneva last year with the launch of the Continental Supersports, the first Bentley to be able to run on gasoline, E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two fuels.
hyundai >>
Bentley >>
Making its global debut at the Geneva Show, the Hyundai i-flow concept car carries
forward the company’s evocative new form language, ‘fluidic design’. The flowing, elegant lines not only create a futuristic shape, but also contribute to exceptional aerodynamics and help to reduce the car’s CO2 output to just 85g/km.
Hyundai’s first diesel hybrid powertrain is also a key factor in delivering such an environmentally-conscious performance, as is the application of next-generation materials and technologies developed in cooperation with leading chemical company BASF.
With an overall length of 4,780mm, a 2,800mm wheelbase, 1,850mm width and 1,420mm height give the i-flow a stance which is more akin to a coupe than a traditional D-segment saloon.
Despite the sporty stance, the i-flow redefines the perception of space. Fundamental elements, such as the seats and centre console, were crafted for minimal weight and volume using cutting-edge materials from BASF.
Under the sleek bonnet is Hyundai’s first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. It uses the exciting new 1.7-litre engine plus two-stage turbocharging linked to a Lithium Ion-Polymer battery to give a very efficient and advanced combination, particularly when partnered with
i-flow’s six-speed, dual-clutch transmission.The i-flow is a test bed for new energy harvesting ideas, ranging
from flexible solar panel roofing to a thermo-electric generator which uses exhaust heat to produce power.
The i-flow’s looks and technology point the way to a new D-segment family car which Hyundai plans to launch in early 2011.
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Geneva 2010 marks another significant step forward. From 2011 Model Year, (available June 2010), the entire Continental range will be FlexFuel in all markets – including, for the first time, North American. This includes the new Supersports Convertible – the fastest 4 seat production convertible ever. With this development, over half of Bentley’s production volume in 2010 will be FlexFuel compatible. This advance will ensure Bentley customers can take advantage of the recent expansion of renewable fuel infrastructure in key markets including the US and thus help reduce dependency on fossil fuels and give immediate benefits in terms of CO2 emissions.
The return of the Mulsanne name, announced for Geneva, underlines
Bentley’s sporting heritage and passion for power and speed. Nothing reflects that prowess better than the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race. Bentley has enjoyed success on six occasions at Le Mans, where its
powerful and reliable race cars have thundered down the long straight into the famous Mulsanne corner, from which the new model takes its name.
renault >>
Two new sport-oriented models – Mégane GT and Mégane GT Line – add a further dash of appeal to the Mégane family. Developed with
special know-how from Renault Sport Technologies, the new models are on a mission to open up the world of driving thrills and sportiness to as many motorists as possible.
The GT version – the most exclusive of the two – is only available in combination with the TCe 180 petrol engine or with the powerful, high-torque dCi 160 diesel powerplant. Also the specification includes a number of chassis components drawn from Mégane Renaultsport.
Based on the Dynamique equipment level, the GT Line version uses Mégane Coupé’s sport chassis, in combination with a choice of fuel efficient, eco-friendly engines including the dCi 110 DPF (114g of CO2/km), now available with the very latest EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) automatic dual clutch transmission.
At Geneva, Renault premiered two new convertible models: NewMégane Coupé-Cabriolet and Wind (shown alongside).
The former is the Renault’s fourth consecutive C-segment cabriolet. Its arresting looks combine the elegance of a coupé with the promise of the pleasure that goes hand-in-hand with open-top motoring. Meanwhile, Wind gives a completely new take in the world of compact roadsters. It is an inventive, fun-to-drive coupé-roadster that lends itself perfectly to everyday motoring.
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Aston Martin presented the world debut of the V12 Vantage Carbon Black Edition, a
new bespoke service; Works Service Tailored and the new DBS UB-2010 as well as the Cygnet Concept.
The Aston Martin Cygnet Concept is a bold step towards a new form of transportation; the luxury commuter car, a form of personal transportation that sees the company’s core values engage with a new environment.
The Cygnet Concept enhances the marque, pointing to a future of ongoing innovation, design and technology; allowing Aston Martin customers a greater degree of freedom without compromising the levels of design, quality and innovation that embody the brand.
Aston Martin has always understood the importance of an emotional engagement with its products. As the company continues to innovate and diversify its product portfolio, emotional design will remain at the heart of its
strategy, be it through the exhilarating sound of a V12 engine, the unmistakeable silhouette of an Aston Martin sports car or the quality, craftsmanship and skill that is evident in an Aston Martin interior. The Cygnet Concept exemplifies this latter attribute, demonstrating the high levels of detail design and craft that are integral to every Aston Martin, presented within a compact and highly advanced technological package.
The Cygnet Concept is a demonstration of Aston Martin’s unrivalled skill at creating hand-crafted interiors. The rich blend of hand-stitched leather, Alcantara and aluminium is shared with Aston Martin’s sports cars. The company’s extensive experience of traditional processes and richly detailed craftsmanship gives each Aston Martin a unique feel, bringing together detailed design work, high technology and exquisitely tactile materials.
peugeot >>
aston Martin >>
Peugeot is anticipating a roar of interest at the 80th Geneva Motor Show this March when the company unleashes its two stunning
Concept Cars, the 5 by Peugeot luxury saloon and the SR1 Sports Coupé, in a public arena for the very first time.
Both will share centre stage with the eagerly awaited Peugeot RCZ Sports Coupé displayed just weeks before it goes on sale, together with the What Car? award winning duo of the 3008 Crossover and 5008 MPV.
Sporting the newly evolved Lion badge, the stylish 5 by Peugeot created instant commotion thanks to its bold design and innovations, when details were first released earlier this month. Powered by Peugeot’s HYbrid4 diesel hybrid technology, it produces 200 bhp and zero emissions when in electric mode. This revolutionary technology also provides fuel economy of over 74 mpg and emissions of just 99g/km without any compromise in performance or refinement.
Peugeot’s environmental leadership will also be on display in Geneva. Whether it’s the Peugeot i0n, the first 100% electric vehicle in Europe, the confirmation that the BB1 mobility project will become reality, or Peugeot’s pioneering diesel particulate emission filter technology fitted to 2.3 million vehicles worldwide. In fact 50% of Peugeot vehicles sold in Europe have emissions of less than 130 g/km of CO2.
Geneva will also see the unveiling of Peugeot’s e-HDi micro-hybrid technology to be launched in 2011, which provides reductions in fuel consumption and emissions of up to 15% in urban use, and the 3008 HYbrid4 plug-in to be launched in 2012, with CO2 emissions of just 50g/km.
The spotlight will also shine on the awe-inspiring SR1 Concept which, together with the RCZ Sports Coupé – already voted the world’s most beautiful car at the 25th International Automobile Festival - proves that Peugeot’s flair for stylish, feline design is very much alive and kicking.
from the region – king saud university Gazal-1
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jaguar >>
The XKR Coupe unveiled at Geneva showcases two new optional performance and styling
packs – Speed Pack and Black Pack - that are introduced to the XK range at 2011 Model Year. Jaguar customers have the option to personalise their vehicle to create a car that offers even greater performance without compromising the refinement and luxury for which every Jaguar is renowned.
By raising the XKR’s maximum speed the new car has extended its sporting credentials taking it even further into supercar performance territory.
The XKR Coupe with new optional Speed Pack allows customers to further strengthen their XKR’s already impressive breadth of capability, by extending the car’s top speed from 155mph (250km/h) to an electronically limited 174mph (280km/h) thanks to a unique engine and transmission recalibration.
To ensure the XKR with Speed Pack remains stable at high speeds, the coupe uses a revised front aerodynamic splitter and larger rear spoiler to provide increased balance and a reduction in lift. The XKR’s computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.
Tata Motors presented at the 80th Geneva Motor Show the Tata Nano Electric Vehicle (EV), based on the award winning Tata Nano
platform. When launched, it will expand the company’s electric vehicles portfolio, which already comprises the Tata Indica Vista EV.
Mr. Ravi Kant, Vice Chairman, Tata Motors, said, “Electrification will be an integral part of our initiative to launch environment-friendly vehicles. The Indica Vista EV will be introduced in select European countries, beginning this year. We will progressively introduce electric vehicles in all relevant markets.”
The Tata Nano EV offers the practicality of a real car, compromising nothing in the pursuit of providing environment-friendly personal transportation for the modern consumer.
It will seat four individuals comfortably in its spacious interiors, which the Tata Nano is known for. It will have a predicted range of up to 160 km and an acceleration of 0-60 kmph in under 10 seconds.
Tata Motors continues its innovative approach with the Tata Nano EV, using super polymer lithium ion batteries, as in the Tata Indica Vista EV, which provide superior energy density to conventional batteries.
The company has already displayed the Tata Nano Europa at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and expects to launch it in select European countries in a couple of years. Meanwhile, in India, the Tata Nano, now being delivered to the first 100,000 chosen customers, has received rave reviews. It has won the 2010 ICOTY (Indian Car of the Year) Award, an award instituted jointly by six auto publications. It has also been individually declared as the Car of the Year by three other auto publications/television channels.
tata >>
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Celica, MR2, Supra, Corolla AE86: Toyota’s great driver-focused sports cars of the past have inspired its vision for a future-generation concept
model that makes its European debut at the Geneva motor show.In creating the FT-86 (Future Toyota-86) Sports Concept, Toyota
has directly referenced the excitement and fundamental fun-to-drive quality that characterised the Corolla AE-86. In its day the AE86 became a must-have model for rallying and circuit racing, with its
front-engine, rear-wheel drive powertrain, compact dimensions, light weight, impeccable balance and strong power to weight ratio. Even more than 20 years on from the end of production, it remains a popular choice with privateer rally teams.
The FT-86 Sports Concept previews a new-generation Toyota sports car, designed to recapture the spirit of the AE86, sharing its front-engine, rear-wheel drive credentials.
Zagato >>
toyota >>
Fornasari >>
Porsche is keeping up the pace in the enhancement of efficiency combined with driving pleasure, by shifting to the next gear at
the 2010 Geneva Motor Show with no less than three world debuts in hybrid technology.
The absolute highlight is the presentation of a concept of a high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology, the 918 Spyder, which debuts alongside the Cayenne S Hybrid, the first production hybrid in the history of Porsche AG, and the 911 GT3 R Hybrid which is the first racing car from the Stuttgart marque with electric front axle drive and a flywheel energy reservoir.
Highly Efficient and Ultra-Fast: Porsche 918 Spyder Mid-Engined Sports Car with Plug-In HybridPresenting a high-performance mid-engined concept sports car with
ultra-efficient, low-emission drive technology, Porsche is further increasing the Company’s competence in hybrid technology.
The 918 Spyder prototype combines high-tech racing features and electro-mobility with the performance of a thoroughbred super sports car to offer a fascinating range of qualities. These include, first and foremost, an emissions level of just 70 grams/km CO2 combined with fuel consumption of three litres/100 kilometres (equal to 94 mpg on the New European Driving Cycle); a feat outstanding even for an ultra-compact city car, yet truly remarkable when combined with the performance of a supercar. Acceleration from 0-62mph (100 km/h) is achievable in just under 3.2 seconds, a top speed of more than 198mph (320 km/h), and a lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife of less than 7:30 minutes – faster than the Porsche Carrera GT.
Ferrari hy-kerS >>
porsche >>
koenigsegg agera >> Mazda Mx-5 >>
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volvo >>
The all-new Volvo S60 made its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show. It launches
into one of the automotive world’s most competitive segments backed by an elegant new coupé-like design, dynamic driving characteristics and ground-breaking Pedestrian Detection safety technology.
In its overall shape, the all-new S60 is a coupé; sportier and more distinct than any previous Volvo. In its design, it promises excellent driving characteristics, even before you get behind the wheel. To deliver the highest levels of driving enjoyment, the chassis team have refined every single detail that influences a car’s driving properties and fine-tuned the driving experience to offer the most dynamic ride ever seen before on a Volvo.
Designed to bring a breath of fresh air to the B-segment, where customers are uninspired by the lack of orignality on offer, Juke
is a distinctive combination of SUV toughness and sporting style in a compact package.
It will be the third member of Nissan’s crossover family, reinforcing the company’s position as a pioneer of this increasingly popular configuration of vehicle.
EAF is Nissan’s C-segment family car offering all the space and practical benefits of any of its conventional rivals... but with one notable difference. It is a pure Electric Vehicle (EV), promising zero tailpipe emissions and low running costs. LEAF is the first purpose-designed mass-produced EV from any major motor manufacturer and is just the first in a range of EVs due from the company and from Nissan’s Alliance partner Renault.
Built on an all-new bespoke EV platform, LEAF sits on a generous 2700 mm wheelbase. It is 4445 mm long, 1770 mm wide and 1550 mm tall. Power comes from an in-house developed compact electric motor in the front of the car driving the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of more than 140 km/h (90 mph).
A full battery charge delivers a range of approximately 160km, which will suffice for 80 per cent of European customers who drive less than that on an average day.
Even more dynamic, lighter, more powerful and stunning – the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera is the new top model
in the Gallardo line-up. Its evocative “superlight” badge refers to a driving machine of true sporting character and describes a high-performance and lean automotive athlete. The Superleggera makes its entrance to continue the success of its predecessor, launched in 2007, of which Lamborghini produced and sold no less than 618 in just one year.
nissan >>
Lamborghini >>
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New Sonata about townSonata has been the perennial best-seller in korea since the first generation model was launched in 1985. the sixth-generation Sonata will continue this successful tradition with impeccable quality seen today in other hyundai premium models, such as the genesis and equus
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Hyundai began developing the new Sonata in 2005 under the codename YF. The project took 4 years and
450 billion won (US$ 372 million*) to go from concept to customer. Although it is a completely new vehicle, Hyundai is retaining the Sonata brand name in most markets (the car may be badged under a different name in some markets).
Destined to shake up the world’s mid-size sedan market with a daring, emotionally-driven design, state-of-art technology and superior build quality, the new Sonata promises to be an exceptional driving experience.
Based on the visionary concept of combining nature’s inherent beauty with the ever-journeying soul, the end-product is vehicular innovation at its functional height and sophisticated, class-defying best. The all new Sonata’s unique design language evokes a sense of desire and strong appeal among virtually all generations of drivers.
Beginning with the YF (Sonata) and LM (Tucson) projects, Hyundai designers set to work about three and half years ago on developing Fluidic Sculpture, an entirely new design direction. Fluidic Sculpture is a consistent, cohesive design language that will ripple through the entire Hyundai showroom. In developing the initial Sonata sketches, Hyundai designers considered the interplay of natural, fluid elements with more rigid surfaces and structures to create the illusion of constant motion. Inspired by nature, Fluidic Sculpture injects sophistication and dynamic angles into the shape of a vehicle and now serves as the core of Hyundai’s future design identity.
The exterior of the all-new Sonata is long, light and low. The high beltline allows for a long, sleek roofline accented by the third window. A mono-form side profile includes flowing lines highlighted by a Hyundai signature chrome accent that spans the length of the car. Normally, this type of trim is only found around the windows. On the new Sonata, this trim extends out from the headlamps, juts up along the hood and through the beltline. The face is bold with a large powerful chrome grille and headlamps that integrate precise details. Multi-spoke wheels (16-, 17- or 18-inch) complete the assertive stance.
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The sophisticated look continues inside where Hyundai has created an upscale ambiance thanks to a flow-through center console and instrument panel. These flowing surfaces complement the exterior design and wrap around the driver and passengers.
The Sonata rides on a 2,795mm wheelbase which is just 65mm longer than the previous iteration. At 4,820mm and 1,835mm, it is also longer and wider than its predecessor (by 20mm and 5mm, respectively) greatly improving the interior cabin space but the overall height of 1,470mm has been lowered by 5mm without affecting headroom.
In Africa and Middle East, the Sonata will be equipped with two powerful and fuel efficient Theta II gasoline engines: Theta-II 2.4 and 2.0 engines.
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The lighter weight Theta II engines with a straightened air intake system, that allows the engine to inhale a larger volume of air, put out more power and torque: the Theta-II 2.4 is rated at 178ps and 23.3kg.m of torque emits just 190g/km of CO2 while the Theta-II 2.0 delivers 165ps and 20.2kg.m of torque, further reducing CO2 to only 180g/km.
Hyundai’s commitment to making the Sonata extremely fuel efficient continues with a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control or a standard six-speed manual transaxle.
Developed and manufactured entirely in-house, Hyundai’s all-new six-speed automatic A6MF1 transaxle helps the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Shifts are silky-smooth
with an option of manual control through the SHIFTRONIC feature.
Drivers can access the SHIFTRONIC feature by moving the gear selector into a separate gate. Pushing the selector forward or pulling it rearward will shift the transmission up or down sequentially, further enhancing driver control. The steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are also available in the new Sonata. A clear LCD readout on the instrument panel shows the gear being used.
Designed for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and SUVs, the new compact transmission puts Hyundai into an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own proprietary six-speed automatic transmissions. The strength of the design is its unique layout which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other six-speed transmission on the market today.
For the customer, the new six-speed delivers a performance edge. In this application, it helps brings a nine percent gain in fuel economy. The gearbox has no dipstick because it is filled with automatic transmission fluid that is good for the life of the vehicle under normal usage conditions, thereby reducing maintenance costs.
Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic is 12.0kg lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It also is 40.6mm shorter and considerably simpler, having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability, lighter weight and lower cost.
The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.
The gearbox has three planetary gear sets and a unique flat torque converter that shortens the unit’s overall length by 12.0mm. Four pinion differentials improve durability and further minimize size.
Another example of engineering ingenuity is found in the design of the hydraulic pressure control unit. Slight manufacturing deviations from one solenoid valve to the next often times cause fluctuation in the hydraulic pressure and affect shift precision and quality. The transmission featured in the Sonata cleverly integrates adjustment screws in the valves that enable each of the eight valves to be calibrated at the factory. This feature ensures stable hydraulic pressure at any shift point which facilitates a high degree of precision and control needed to deliver fast, smooth and precise shifts throughout the rpm
range.In addition to the new fuel-efficient engines and transmissions, the Sonata features a number of other innovations which contribute to lower operational costs.
Nestled between the speedometer and tachometer, the “ECO” coach is a new feature designed to promote fuel-saving driving habits. In the manual transmission version, an icon on the LCD tripometer screen begins to flash when the optimum gear shift point is reached. The automatic uses an “ECO” icon backlit by LEDs with either the red, white or green LED lighting up in accordance with driving behavior. Fuel savings in the range of 15 to 17 percent are attainable with the automatic “ECO” coach and 7 to 9 percent with the manual.
Sonata features a state-of-the-art Alternator Management System (AMS) whose circuitry monitors electrical loads and the state of battery charge. During periods of low electrical loads and a full charge in the battery, a clutch automatically disengages the alternator thus reducing the load on the engine and lowering fuel consumption.
An advanced four-wheel independent suspension system combines a supple ride with precise handling and steering response for the new Sonata. Sonata uses MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems with increased travel for improved wheel control and a smoother ride. All four wheels are controlled by coil springs, fade-resistant gas-charged dampers and stabilizer bars. The suspension has been optimized to keep the vehicle flat during corning and provide quick turn-in response. The rear suspension uses aluminum components to reduce weight and improve suspension performance.
To meet the most stringent automotive safety and crash requirements, the Sonata is built with hot-stamped ultra high-strength steel while featuring six standard airbags. In addition, safety has been upgraded with Electronic Stability Program (optional) including Hill-start Assist Control and Brake Assist System functions—an industry first in this competitive segment.
In Korea, Hyundai started selling the new Sonata manufactured in Ulsan Plant last September. In overseas, Hyundai started production of the new Sonata at its Alabama plant last December. In early 2011, production and sales in China will also begin. Hyundai expects to sell 450,000 units annually in all markets (Korea and overseas combined) beginning from the year 2011.
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Reaching the next Frontier in a Tucsonafter tucson’s successful long run, the challenge of the LM project team was to conceive an even better C-class Suv than the already great original
Starting with a clean slate, the LM development team moved away from the two-box off-roader look in favor of
a sleeker, more reformed profile while aiming for a roomier cabin, extra storage capacity and fuel economy leadership.
Hyundai’s new “fluidic” design language finds confident expression in the sweeping, gently curved lines of the Tucson. The hexagonal grille previewed on the ix-onic concept at the 2009 Geneva Auto Salon moves into mass production on the Tucson/ix35, a defining look that will serve to unify the family of future Hyundai products. To achieve the desired dynamic and sporty image, Tucson gets an aggressive belt line coupled with a low-to-the-ground feel which is enhanced by the optional 225/55 R18 wheels. Aerodynamic tweaks include the addition of a rear spoiler which aids fuel efficiency.
The interior lines echo the dynamic flow of the sheet metal. For improved comfort, designers have managed to carve out extra legroom and headroom (whilst lowering the overall height of the vehicle). The feeling of spaciousness in the cabin is further enhanced by the new dual-panel panoramic sunroof with UV blocking. Rear seat passengers now get to share the enjoyment of a sunroof too. The center panel can either tilt open or can open completely by sliding up and over the rear panel. An anti-pinch system guards against injuries from trapping.
The Tucson rides on a 2,640mm wheelbase which is just 10mm longer than the previous iteration. At 4,410mm and 1,820mm, it is also longer and wider than its predecessor (by 85mm and 20mm, respectively) greatly improving the interior cabin space but the overall height of 1,665mm has been lowered by 25mm without affecting headroom.
Greater travel in the front seat adjustment gives more legroom and headroom for taller drivers. The centre console box has been enlarged to 6.2 liters (an increase of 3.4 liters) for more storage and the centre armrest is longer and higher for greater comfort. The USB/Aux jack has been relocated to create more storage space for personal music players. In addition, the height of the rear cargo screen has been raised by 71mm for more storage plus a small storage binnacle has been added in the rear cargo area.
To further broaden its appeal, Tucson will get the Hyundai’s newest fuel-efficient engines and five-, six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions. Powertrain availability will vary according to region.
Customers in Africa and Middle East will be offered a choice of two thrifty and clean-burning petrol engines: the Theta-II 2.4 rated at 177ps and 23.1kg.m of torque which emits just 219 g/km of CO2 (4WD AT) and the Theta-II 2.0 delivering 166ps and 20.1kg.m of torque, further reducing CO2 to 206g/km(2WD MT).
The all-new R 2.0 diesel engine is the cleanest among the lineup producing CO2 emissions of just 174g/km (4WD MT). This diesel engine achieves 7.5 liter per 100km fuel economy with maximum power output of 177ps and 40kg.m of torque(A/T).
Hyundai’s all new six-speed automatic transmission will be available for all engines while five-speed manual is only available with the Theta-II 2.0 and the six-speed manual is mated only to Theta-II 2.0 and R 2.0.
Hyundai engineers have taken the World Engine, the largest gasoline engine program in the world, and created the lighter, more fuel efficient and cleaner-running Theta-II.
The 2.0-liter Theta-II has shed over 10kg from its previous iteration. For better fuel efficiency and reduced NOx emissions, Theta-II gets Dual CVVT (intake and exhaust camshaft phaser) while Theta-I is equipped with only intake CVVT. Major improvements begin with the
application of a two-stage Variable Intake System (VIS) which enables switching between long and short intake manifold resulting in an across-the-board performance increase. To reduce internal friction, engineers have applied a Diamond-like-coating (DLC) to the top surface of the valve tappets resulting in improved fuel efficiency. Engineers also expended considerable time and effort optimizing the oil pump pressure to achieve an ideal balance between durability and fuel economy.
Over 500 prototype engines were built during the 42 month–long development period which encompassed a wide variety of performance and emissions tests, endurance as well as NVH, cooling and lubrication studies. Finally, the engine was installed in vehicles and subjected to exhaustive testing under all imaginable environmental conditions.
Hyundai’s all-new six-speed automatic transaxle helps the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2
emissions. Shifts are silky-smooth with an option of sporty-
type, manual shifting through the
Shiftronic
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which is also new to the Tucson.Designed for transverse engine applications
in passenger cars and SUVs, the new compact transaxle puts Hyundai into an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own proprietary 6-speed automatic (after Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture) demonstrating Hyundai’s advanced powertrain engineering capabilities.
The strength of the design is its totally unique layout which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other 6-speed on the market today.
For the customer, the new six-speed promises a performance edge. In this application, it delivers a 12.2 percent gain in fuel economy (10.1km/l versus 9.0km/l) and is 2.5 percent quicker in zero to 100km/h acceleration times (7.8sec versus 8.0 sec). It
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also delivers an 11 percent improvement in 60km/h to 100km/h overtaking performance (4.0 sec versus 4.5 sec).
Furthermore the unit is maintenance-free: the gearbox is not equipped with a dipstick as it is filled with an automatic transmission fluid that is good for the life of the vehicle thereby reducing maintenance costs.
Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic is 12kg lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It also is 41mm shorter and considerably simpler having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability, lighter weight and lower cost.
When it comes to gearsets, more is definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear
ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.The gearbox has three planetary gearsets
whose hallmark is simplicity of design and a unique flat torque converter which shortens the unit’s overall length by 12mm. Four pinion differentials improve durability and further minimize size.
Another example of engineering ingenuity is to be found in the design of the hydraulic pressure control unit. Because there are always slight manufacturing deviations from one solenoid valve to the next which cause fluctuation in the hydraulic pressure and affect shift precision and quality, the transaxle features cleverly integrated adjustment screws in the valves which enable each of the eight valves to be calibrated at the factory.
This novel feature ensures stable hydraulic pressure at any shift point which facilitates a high degree of precision and control needed to deliver ultra-fast, smooth and precise shifts throughout the rpm range.
The multi-link rear suspension was adopted not only for its superior ride and handling characteristics but also because of its compact design which minimizes intrusion into the cabin creating extra space for passengers and cargo. Tried and true MacPherson struts are employed for the front suspension set-up.
Particular attention has been paid to increasing the stiffness of the front side members which have been enlarged and straightened. Also, the center pillars serve as the anchors of new ring structure which improves overall side structure stiffness while also creating more room for the door armrest and seat.
The entire body shell has been made stiffer and lighter thanks to its more extensive use of ultra-high tensile strength steel which comprises 68.9 percent of the shell compared to its predecessor’s 57.3 percent. Also, the use of Tailor Welded Blanks has been expanded on key structural members. TWB assemblies combine steels of different thickness and grades using a sophisticated laser welding and stamping process achieving an optimal stiffness-to-weight ratio. TWBs reduce body weight while enhancing crash energy management. Compared to its predecessor’s 407.9kg, the new body shell weighs just 385.2kg, for an impressive weight-saving of 22.7kg.
Extensive work was done to isolate sounds and eliminate vibrations. Tucson is discernibly quieter both at highway speeds and at engine idle. Booming noise is reduced thanks to a sub-frame dynamic damper while the rear
luggage area gets extra soundproofing to isolate exhaust sounds. Road noise has been minimized by improving stiffness in the front and rear struts, rear trailing arm and the spring sheet.
In a panic braking situation, the emergency flash signals are automatically triggered thus reducing the risk of rear-end crashes. In the unfortunate event of a rear-end collision, active headrests are triggered by the pressure of the seat occupant’s weight on the backrest, the headrests automatically moving upwards and forwards to help prevent injuries to head, neck and upper body.
In addition to 4WD capability (optional), Tucson’s CUV credentials are strengthened with two new safety features: Hillstart Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control which promote safer travel up and down steep slopes.
For safer maneuvering in reverse gear, a rear-view camera has been added. Shifting into reverse gear automatically turns on the rear-view camera which provides a wide-angle view of the rear on a 3.5-inch color LCD built into the rear-view mirror thus reducing the risk of accidents. The rear-view mirror is autochromic which means it automatically dims during night-time driving to reduce the glare of the headlights from vehicles behind.
Side mirror housings have been modified to reduce wind noise and also feature an integrated repeater lamp for improved visibility. At the flick of a switch, the foldable mirror housings dip inwards to reduce the overall width of the vehicle.
Innovations extend to the side glass weather-stripping which now features a water dam. This not only enlarges the side glass view but also safely channels rain water to maximize visibility.
The Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system has been upgraded with a new blower and dual temperature controls for the driver and front passenger. Winter or summer, the desired cabin temperature can be reached quicker with the new air blower. The new design draws on a mix of outside/inside air for faster cooling down and warming up. The automatic control of the temperature has been made more precise thanks to the use of new and improved sensors. A cluster ionizer has also been included to combat the build-up of mildew and fungus which cause unpleasant musty odors. It generates ion plasma that ensures the HVAC system blows the cleanest, freshest air throughout the life of the vehicle.
{Motorsports - F1}
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Ferrari One-two in Bahrain sets tone for season
Bahrain brings out the best in the red cars
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Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s 2010 championship got off to the best possible start as it secured maximum points when, after 49 laps, Fernando
Alonso marked his race debut with the team by zigzagging his F10 in salute to the pit wall, as he crossed the line to take the chequered flag, the worthy winner of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Equally happy was Felipe Massa, in a fine second place on his return to racing. It had not been as easy as it looked, because the Spaniard’s car had required a rapid engine change in the morning, and Felipe had to nurse his car through much of the race with temperature problems.
Felipe started from second place on the front row, with Fernando moving off the grid from third spot. As the lights went out to signal the start of the season, Vettel in the Red Bull led from pole and Fernando soon got the better of Felipe to go second, making the most of being on the clean side of the track as he dived inside his team-mate. Behind the Brazilian came Rosberg - Mercedes, Hamilton - McLaren, Schumacher - Mercedes, Webber - Red Bull, Button - McLaren, Liuzzi – Force India and Barrichello tenth for Williams. Chandok crashed out in the HRT on lap 2 and Di Grassi’s Virgin was out one lap later. By lap 4, Vettel led Fernando by 2.3s with Felipe a further 1.9 behind, the Brazilian having a 2.8 lead over Rosberg.
The best battle in the early stages was Hamilton chasing Rosberg for fourth place and, in his efforts to catch Fernando, Felipe set the quickest lap of the race so far on lap 9. On lap 12, it fell to Bruno Senna to have the honour of making the first planned pit stop under the non-refuelling rules. By lap fourteen, Vettel was pulling away from the Ferrari men before Fernando pitted on lap 16 at the same time as Rosberg, Webber, Button and Liuzzi. One lap later, the race leader and Felipe came into pit lane and when they were all back on track, the order at the front was unchanged, with Vettel 3.5 ahead of Fernando and Felipe almost four seconds down on his team-mate. Behind them came Liuzzi and Barrichello, yet to pit, Hamilton, Rosberg, Schumacher, Button and Webber tenth. On lap 19 it was Felipe’s turn to set a fastest lap and by lap 24, the two F10s were separated by just 1.7. On lap 29, Alonso was the quickest man on track as he began to close on Vettel. Judging from the sound of the engine in the Red Bull, the German driver was in some sort of difficulty and by lap 33 of the 49 lap race, Fernando was right on his tail, taking the lead one lap later and Felipe moving up to second. Lewis Hamilton also got past the slowing Vettel and from then to the flag, the podium positions were fixed. Behind the happy three came, Vettel, Rosberg, Schumacher in the points on his return in sixth place, then under the new points system, Button, Webber, Liuzzi and Barrichello also score as the table now goes down to tenth place.
{Motorsports - F1}
Legends of the FIA Formula 1™ World Championship returned to the track today in the first of two cavalcades
to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the world’s biggest annual sporting series. In total 18 former world champions are present at the 2010 Formula 1™ Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and this morning many of them took to the track in landmark cars from the championship’s history.
A total of 18 of the 20 surviving world champions have traveled to Bahrain in order to mark this special anniversary in a never-
to-be-repeated gathering of the stars and the cars that have defined the sport. From the oldest surviving champion Sir Jack Brabham – the 1959, 1960 and 1966 title-winner, who has traveled from his home in Australia – the greatest heroes in the sport are thrilling the crowds and enjoying the occasion as their sport salutes them.
For many of the drivers the biggest thrill so far has been the opportunity to take to the track in the historic cars that have been assembled for the occasion. Driving one of the first bespoke Formula 1™ machines ever built – the 1950 Ferrari 125 ‘Thinwall Special’ – was 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell, who was absolutely delighted
with his experience of the vintage machine. The 1.5-litre V12 supercharged car
generates more than 370 horsepower with none of the technical advances that have defined the sport in the years that have followed. “I am astonished by this car, it’s amazing,” said Mansell.
“My respect for the guys who used to drive cars like this flat-out for three hours at circuits like the Nürburgring with 170 corners per lap has gone through the roof. It’s a seriously quick car even by modern standards but such a physical thing to drive.”
While Mansell savoured the experience of the formative years of Formula1™ other champions were reunited with the cars in which they achieved success. Scotland’s three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart drove the Matra-Ford MS80 in which he won the 1969 world championship title, Brazilian double champion Emerson Fittipaldi rolled back the years at the wheel of the Lotus 72D in which he claimed the 1972 championship crown, South Africa’s Jody Scheckter returned to the cockpit of the Ferrari 312 T4 in which he won the 1979 world championship and American legend Mario Andretti reveled in driving his 1978 title-winning Lotus 79.
All 18 of the champions later moved to the ‘Diamonds in the Desert’ pavilion in which the cars are being displayed with images of some of the most unforgettable moments in the 60 year story of the FIA Formula 1™ World Championship. Here they joined His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, together with Bernie
FOrmula 1 60th anniversary takes tO the track
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{Motorsports}
As the first race of round 6 kicked off Tarek Elgammal sped away in pole position, Raed Raffii followed close behind in 2nd and Mohammed Al Owais led the rest of the pack in 3rd. However, it wasn’t long before championship leader Fahad Al Musalam had sped from his 5th place starting position all the way to the front with Adbulaziz Al Yaeesh tailing him to take 2nd place on the lap 2. Raffii struggled to hold on to 3rd as Elgammal’s fast pace and aggressive style forced him to focus on the rear view mirror rather than the back of Al Yaeesh’s Chevrolet.
Wild and erratic driving by Al Yaeesh resulted in a collision with Al Musalam’s red and white car, leading both to spin off deep into the run off area. Al Yaeesh lost a tyre and knocked into Al Musalam causing him to skid further into the graveled area, from where he could only watch in frustration as the rest of the SC09 class passed his position.
With the leaders tangled off track, Raed Raffii grabbed the lead and gave a flawless
performance which would eventually give him a huge seven second lead. Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa managed to claim 2nd and Al Owais followed very close behind in 3rd. The two battled neck and neck on the main straight but Shaikh Hamad fended off all of Al Owais’s attempts to sneak in-front. The intense duel continued as Shaikh Hamad skidded widely after going into turn 19 too hard, but still managed to blocked all of Al Owais’s efforts.
Further down the track Mohammed Al Faisal attempted to advance his 5th place position but Raed Charawi put in a solid performance and kept him at bay.
Just as it looked as if Shaikh Hamad would be able to keep an aggressive Al Owais back in 3rd place, a strategic move by Al
Owais involving turns 6 and 7 resulted in him edging out Shaikh Hamad on the inner corner of turn 8. The two continued to blister down the track almost side by side but ultimately Al Owais would be victorious and cross the finish line in 2nd.
Raed Raffii finished in 20:49:824, Al Owais followed almost 10 seconds later with a time of 20:58.184 and Shaikh Hamad finished in 20:59.683. Al Musalam remained in 13th despite returning to the race after his collision with Al Yaeesh, resulting in a disappointing performance for the championship leader.
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Ecclestone, president and CEO of Formula One Management, to officially open the display and cast their hand prints to make a Hollywood-style ‘Walk of Fame’ to be installed at the Bahrain International Circuit.
“It’s an amazing weekend, a lovely experience,” said 1980 world champion, Australia’s Alan Jones. “I flew here with Jack Brabham and we had plenty to catch up about, but it’s pretty extraordinary to get so many of us here at one time. You’ll probably never see so many of these people in one place again, it’s a real coup for Bahrain.”
Jones’s predecessor as champion, South Africa’s 1979 title-winner Jody Scheckter, was delighted to have been able to take the wheel of his old car and join in the proceedings. “I’ve only driven the car twice in the past ten years, once for a Nelson Mandela charity event and once for Ferrari’s 60th anniversary,” he said.
“It’s really good to see so many of these guys here at one time. I came to the race here in Bahrain two years ago, it’s really impressive and the facilities are state-of-the-art. I’m glad to come back and enjoy the occasion.”
The first day of Race Number One saw racing legends and F1 Champions Mario
Andretti, Juan Manuel Fangio and Mika Hakkinen provide a rare opportunity for fans to meet and greet these motorsport heroes. William drivers Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg delighted fans with an autograph session where they signed a selection of
posters, t shirts, caps, official programs and other memorabilia. Force India’s Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi gave visitors another chance to meet and greet some of the talented drivers that make up this year’s grid in the afternoon, where they also autographed a number of items for fans.
chevrOlet supercars champiOnship
Formula 1 Autograph sessions
The Porsche series kicked off the support race activities following a competitive practice session on 12th March followed by an exciting qualifying session in the morning of the 13th March. From the start of the race Rast broke away from the pack with Rosina following him closely as the two approached the high speed turn 1. Tandy and J. Bleekemolen battled for 3rd, with Tandy edging out the Al Faisal Lechner Racing driver after cutting on the inside of the first turn.
Too much speed into turn 1 saw Norbert Siedler spin out of control, missing Niall Breen by mere inches as the Schnabl Engineering Team Parker Racing driver veered to avoid a collision. This near miss allowed most of the pack to speed off, while the straggling cars maneuvered their way around the stationary car loosing precious seconds in the process. Following his driving miscalculation, Siedler put in an aggressive performance in lap 2, establishing the fastest lap of the race with a time of 2:32.658.
On lap 2 Rast in 1st and Rosina in 2nd in a showcase of talented driving forged ahead, creating a significant gap between them and the rest of the competitors. Since the beginning of the race Jan Seyffarth of Veltins MRS Racing had been improving his 14th starting position and now was bumper to bumper with J. Bleekemolen in an attempt to claim 4th for himself.
Sascha Massen and Sean Edwards dueled for 7th place on lap 3 in
an aggressive battle which would continue throughout the remainder of the race. Edwards passed the Team Abu Dhabi driver briefly at turn 16, but couldn’t hold the lead as Massen reclaimed his 7th place on turn 18. The two continued their determined dogfight on the main straight with Edward’s Porsche leading Massen by mere inches as the two approached turn 1 neck and neck.
Back at the front of the pack Seyffarth continued to drive J. Bleekemolen hard, even going off track on the straight following turn 13 in an attempt to edge out the Al Faisal Lechner Racing driver. However, a cool headed Bleekemolen blistered around the circuit with flawless technique, leaving no gap or mistake for Seyffarth to capitalize on. Then on lap 7 a wide turn leaves room for Seyffarth to squeeze past Bleekemolen, resulting in switch of positions.
Sean Edwards and Sascha Massen found themselves side by side once again on lap 9 as they fought for 7th place. Some tight turns followed by high acceleration out of turn 22 resulted in Edwards pulling away from Massen on the main straight, claiming 8th place with only 1 lap to go.
After a perfect first race of the season Rast crossed the finish line in 1st, quickly followed by Rosina in 2nd. Seyffarth managed to subdue Bleekemolen to claim 3rd for himself, trailing the other podium finishers by 2.536 seconds.
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The joy of driving lot’s of fancy cars year-in and year-out can sometimes overshadow the potential of other
forms of transport to impart fun. A long time ago it became apparent to your’s truly that while cars were mainstream fun, sometimes affordable in the form of a used Volkswagen Beetle, sometimes out of my mind and reach in the guise of a Bentley Arnage, the genre was hogging most of my mindspace over other equally enjoyable forms of non-human movement.
Take airline travel. Despite all its much-publicised problems, something about it gets the old heart pumping. Talk about A380s and 787s and I can’t wait till I make my first journey in them. Even as I have trouble falling asleep on the flight, I can still draw pleasure at the advances in in-flight entertainment or the flight information map and its latest 3D twist. But I draw the line at in-flight telephony.
Other than rocket travel, I have been fortunate enough to travel on or in most forms of vehicles. Hot air balloons, helicopters, cruise liners, autorickshaws, cycle rickshaws, bicycles, motor launches, whalers... I’ve lost track already.
One special occasion comes to mind when as part of a car launch event in Dubai, the invited guests were treated to a session with sail-equipped boards that could be ‘sailed’, so to speak, across the flat land near the endurance village. It involved blind faith in the design of the flimsy contraption and even more trust in the handful of instructions given before we set off, but in 5 minutes most of us were doing graceful runs across the ground and most of us even managed to finish the afternoon without crashing.
However, the other day I had an opportunity to travel in the private yacht of one of our local dignitaries as part of an event. While
travelling from Quriyat to Marina Bandar ar’Rowda, one point was etched very firmly in my mind – you haven’t become anything in life till you could afford to buy and maintain a 7 million Rial yacht with a permanent crew of 5. It wasn’t as if I ran out of the Marina shouting out my version of Eureka, but the essence of how the super-rich live is definitely at the heart of owning a yacht.
As for the rest of us, a trip on the marine beauty is almost as magical and rewarding. The thrum of the twin diesel engines serves as a background symphony to the wind blowing through your hair as you watch the powerful wake thrown out by the propellors.
With staterooms, jacuzzi, air-conditioned lounge and accommodation for guests and crew and a range of 500 plus nautical miles, the privileged few can set sail to a sense of complete freedom, complete with a giant LCD screen to keep your family entertained if the view of the sea outside gets too monotonous. If you really want to set yourself a goal of having reached ‘there’ this is it.
After this trip further glimmers of understanding come through. Like the rationale that governs the purchase of cars like the Phantom, Maybach and Continental. Perhaps even the raison-d’etre for the Bugatti Veyron. To mere mortals, buying large mansions makes sense because of real estate values and the finite nature of living space. It is the accoutrement of luxury in the guise of high value buys like yachts and super luxury cars that needs a first hand revelation.
This brings me back to the topic of the types of transportation left to conquer, in a manner of speaking. Like I noted before, rocket travel is a must-do, but until car companies start selling a lot more moon buggies, it seems even more remote than my chances of buying a yacht.
Other forms of transportation...A short journey on a luxury yacht brings out the wannabe in our editor
Raj Warrior is editor of Automan and has been in the thick of the Automotive journalism field from the past 15 years.
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