This image of Hurricane Gonzalo was taken from the International Space Station by European Space Agency astronaut

Alexander Gerst on Oct. 16, 2014

COVERstory |

2016 Ford Explorer

Moving up

32
Tokyo Motor Show
Confidence returns to this
venue as participation by
automakers jumps

24
44

38

cover story

32-37 2016 Ford Explorer

NEXT ISSUE

2016 Honda Pilot

Oman and regional news

08-19 2015 Dubai International Motor Show

curtain raiser, Regional medias first outing
with Gen II 2016 Audi Q7 in Oman, Regional media
gets first-hand experience of Cadillac V-Series
products, Nissans Nismo performance arm
arrives in region, New car launches -- 2016 BMW
7 Series, 2015/16 Geely GC9, 2016 Ford Explorer,
Hyundai Tucson and Creta SUVs, Ivecos New
Daily trucks

Brandwatch

20-23 Toyota in 2015: could be worlds #

1, Ferrari to raise production, Ferrari IPO
oversubscribed, Ex VW CEO Martin Winterkorn
to relinquish other VAG positions, French
government ups stake in Renault-Nissan
Alliance, Fiats Aegea project gets a formal
name, Tax cuts to boost small car sales
in China, Bogward products to be made in
India by Beiqi Foton Motors, VW Phaeton to
go all electric, New CLS-based model under
consideration by Mercedes-Benz, Diesel gate
scandal to affect other car manufacturers?
Production Lincoln Continental to debut
in January, Micro cars to be jointly built
by Nissan and Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Lancer
EVO formally retired, Nissans new CVT,
Volkswagens Groups Strategy 2018 changed
to 2025

International news spotlight

24-28 2015 Tokyo Motor Show

First drives

54
60

38-43 2015 Mini Cooper S 5-door

44-49 2016 Audi RS7
50-53 2015 Jaguar XE2.5t

Editors choice: Top 5 Tokyo

concepts

20-23 Nissan IDS Concept

20-23Yamaha sports coupe
20-23 Lexus LF FC
20-23 Mitsubishi eX
20-23 Toyota Kikai

New car previews

54-55 Ferrari F12ftb

56-59 mercedes-benz s-class coupe
60-63 porsche 911 carerra
64-65 CATERHAM SUPERLIGHT

66-67 MITSUBISHI LANCER GT

techtalk

68-73 SUSTAINABILITY: OPTIONS AHEAD OF US

Motorsports
74-79 F1, motogp, regional, snippets

Chicane

80 Letting the machine take over

editor-in-chief
Mohammad Al Taie

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We have been trying to avoid harping on Volkswagens issues this month, yet somehow
there is always another twist to the sordid tale that calls for attention. The month end
saw US federal authorities now add another facet to the issue of the not so clean diesel
engines when it said that around 10,000 of the companys 3.0-litre 6-cylinder units fitted
in its premium brands like Audi and Porsche were also being added to the almost half a
million smaller engines.
Of course a month is now a long time in a car brands history. People have been fired, new
management types hired and the company is strengthening its ethics oversight while fully
co-operating with investigators around the world. If the engine has been sold anywhere,
the authorities in that country will not want to be seen as slow to act. However this also
brings with it some ironic moments, like when VW has to recall cars in India, where the bulk
of vehicles sold are still Euro 3 compliant.
And while on the topic of recalls, the exercise is on full-swing around the world, with defects
ranging from defective seats, defective airbags, floor mats, leaking power steerings and
engines with metal filings in them. It is almost as if every error that could crop up in making
a car has now become visible and the world is working overtime to correct it. By our
reckoning, one day in the not so distant future we will have more cars recalled in a year
than were actually manufactured.
But the issue with a business thats on the scale of the global automotive business is
that you are never actually making todays car. Between R&D, engineering, tech trends
and consumer behaviour, 90% of your effort is always on the car that will come to the
showroom a couple of years in the future. The rest is all marketing. We dont doubt that
lessons being learnt from todays fiascos will be applied in this next generation of cars.
In the meantime, Muscat had a generous crop of todays cars being launched in the span
of a week in October from the Ford Explorer, the new look Land Cruiser, the new Tucson
and Creta and the brilliant new BMW 7-series, the third week of October was a car lovers
delight. As always, we have covered the lot, while having already met the new Explorer
and Tucson in the flesh. The Explorer features on this months cover with an early testdrive. Look out in coming issues for the rest of the bunch.

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and its website is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the
management of AL ROYA PRESS & PUBLISHING
Automan accepts unsolicited exclusive editorial
material, but reserves the right to publish any such
material. Once published, the copyright for any
such material will vest with AL ROYA PRESS &
PUBLISHING

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BMW

Touted as the worlds most progressive 2+2 seater plug-in

hybrid sports car, its powertrain package uses an electric
motor and a petrol engine. As a plug-in hybrid, it combines
the performance and appeal of a sports car with the fuel
consumption and emissions of a small car. It accelerates
from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, using just 2.1 litres of petrol
per 100kms and emitting just 59g/km of emissions. An allembracing sustainability concept runs throughout the entire
value chain of the BMW i8 using 100-per cent renewable
electricity along with a high proportion of recycled and
environmentally friendly materials.

Cadillac
As one of the worlds lightest and most agile full-size luxury sedans, the Cadillac CT6 takes a big step towards more efficient and
sustainable transportation by combining a variety of new technologies to achieve dynamic performance, efficiency and agility. It comes
with the industrys first application of cylinder deactivation technology on a turbocharged V6 engine. The car also features lightweight
architecture that utilises 11 materials achieving strength, performance and competency. The world premiere of the XT5 SUV [all-new
replacement of the SRX] will take place in Dubai.
8

NOV 2015

Audi
Audi Middle East will present the allnew second generation R8, all-new
Audi A4 and RS 3 Sportback. The RS
model represent the high-performance
automobiles of quattro GmbH. The
regional premieres of these cars will
highlight Audis brand philosophy
Vorsprung durch Technik.

Chevrolet
Chevrolet will unveil its newest product
line-up for the Middle East region with
no less than four new unveils. Chevrolet
will be taking the wraps off the all-new
2016 Chevrolet Camaro, 2017 Chevrolet
Malibu, 2016 Chevrolet Spark, and
enhanced 2016 Chevrolet Silverado.

Infiniti

Infiniti will present the Q80 Inspiration,

what it considers as the halo model
for Infinitis design language and the
Q60 Concept, its vision for a future
sports coupe. Initially unveiled at the
Paris Motor Show in 2014, it will be
the first Middle East debut of the Q80
Inspiration. The Q60 Concept was first
premiered at the 2015 North American
International Auto Show.

GMC
GMC has planned the regional premiere of the 2016 Sierra,
its best-selling truck in the Middle East. The incoming
model boasts a fresh appearance that takes its signature
premium styling to a higher level and offers new, advanced
engineering features designed to complement its crafted
interior. GMC will also showcase the brands latest in
connectivity programmes. It has added Apple CarPlay
capability to the 2016 Yukon and Sierra. Essentially, Apple
CarPlay takes the iPhone features customers want to access
while driving and integrates them into the vehicles display in a
smart, simple manner with the brands IntelliLink system.

Maserati
Maserati has announced that it will be exhibiting the Maserati
Alfieri, a 2+2 concept car. The Alfieri is hailed as archetypal for
the future design DNA of Maserati. The striking concept bears
the name of the most prominent of the Maserati brothers - the
engineering genius who founded Officine Alfieri Maserati in
Bologna over a century ago. According to Lorenzo Ramaciotti,
the mastermind behind the project, The Alfieri is a transition
point between 100 glorious years of history and the future that
is opening up before us.
NOV 2015

Toyota

Mirai is name plate that will mark its

debut at Dubai and will represent a
significant chapter in automotive history
for zero-emission cars in this region.
Toyota/Lexus have been selling hybrid
vehicles to major fleet operators in the
region and the production Mirai fuel cell
vehicle has been recently been launched
in the US and Europe following Japan.

Jaguar

Jaguar will showcase its new aluminium family of vehicles with

its new Jaguar XE and Jaguar XF sedans at this years show.
The all new Jaguar XE uses an aluminium monocoque body
with the lightweight metal accounting for 75 per cent of the
cars structure. The weight reduction ensures that the Jaguar
XE is the most fuel-efficient Jaguar yet with fuel consumption
and CO2 emissions on the NEDC combined cycle of over 75mpg
and less than 100g/km respectively. Jaguar will also hold the
regional premiere of its F-Pace SUV.
Land Rover will have big
presence at this years show
and besides displaying its
cars, Range Rover has plans to
celebrate 45 years of luxury,
design and innovation. The
brand will also introduce the
manufacturers Special Vehicle
Operations. On display will
be the full Land Rover line including the Range Rover Sport
SVR, Range Rover Evoque HSE Dynamic, Discovery Sport, Land
Rover Defender Adventure and Heritage Editions and LR4
Landmark Edition

Automans take

Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive

distributor of Lexus in the
UAE, offers the largest lineup of Lexus premium hybrid
vehicles in the UAE, and will
be showcasing three hybrid
models at this years show the Lexus LSh, GSh and RXh
These vehicles are equipped
with cutting-edge hybrid technologies combining a powerful
gasoline engine and an advanced electric motor allowing them
to run purely on electric power at lower speeds whilst emitting
zero emissions.

The regional show will have a lot to appeal for motoring aficionados in the region. While new car launches and world premieres
will take centre stage, classic and historic car lovers will have the opportunity to see a magnificent collection, thanks to a new
event addition. A collection of the finest and most significant cars in the history of the automobile from Europe, the United
States and Asia have been generously loaned from Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Tomini Classics, the Sharjah Museum and the Al Ain
Classics collections as well as from a number of proud owners from the Dubai Grand Parade for the duration of the show.Titled as
The Motoring Nostalgia Museum, the display will take the visitors on a historical journey through motoring history with classics
ranging from the 1950s to the 80s. Everything from a delectable 1951 Riley RMC Roadster with its graceful, sweptback looks that
defined the immediate postwar period through to the model that virtually coined the supercar phrase, the twin-turbocharged,
all-wheel drive 1988 Porsche 959 will be on display in their dedicated auto alley located in DWTCs Zabeel 1 Hall. They will join
a wide variety of cars covering the full spectrum of desire including a stunning 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, an original Land
Rover, a striking 1955 300SL Gullwing Mercedes-Benz and a 1974 Ferrari Dino to name just a few. In keeping with the family
friendly feel, visitors to Motoring Nostalgia will be able to take guided tours from resident experts. Visitors will also have the
opportunity to hear forums covering topics such as how to buy and register a classic car in the UAE.
Master craftsmen will showcase their skills and interest for disciplines including leather stitching, to a cobbler at work as well
as artists painting, all of which shows an appreciation for classic cars as a lifestyle just as much as a beautiful motor vehicle. The
2015 Dubai International Motor Show will be open from 6pm to 10pm on November 10; 11am to 10pm on November 11; 11am to
11pm on November 12 and 13; and from 11am to 10pm on November 14. Ticket prices are AED 65 for single-day entry with children
under 12 entering free. Price of ticket includes entry to the Motoring Nostalgia Museum and children under the age of 16 must be
accompanied by an adult.
10

NOV 2015

Cadi

news

Oman & region

s
t
e
g
ia
d
e
m
l
a
n
Regio
f
o
e
c
n
ie
r
e
p
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first-hand
s
t
c
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o
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p
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i
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llac V-S

s part of an elaborate exercise

aimed at getting media and
aficionados familiar with Cadillacs
performance V sub brand in the region,
Cadillac Middle East introduced the lineup three V-Series-badged all-new cars at
the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi last
month.
For the event, select media and customers
spent a day with the cars on track and also
got the opportunity to meet one of the
key members responsible for the V- Series
products -- vehicle chief engineer Tony
Roma who works in the groups Global
Performance Luxury Car division in the US.
Roma specially flew down to Abu Dhabi to
12

NOV 2015

present the cars in the pit lane converted

V garage.
At the garage Roma did the walkarounds
with the cars, namely the Cadillac CTS-V
sedan, coupe and sedan variants of
the ATS-V. Besides the cars, there were
demonstrators highlighting the engines,
brakes, sports seats among other model
specific items.
The V-Series cars can be identified by
their badging and what differentiates
them from their non-V siblings are
the aerodynamic packages like bigger
grille which facilitate air vents that
supplemented drivetrain cooling and
brakes.

Complementing these mechanical and

exterior performance focused features
as an equally driver focused interior
with high-performance seats, optimized
ergonomics and interfaces. The cars
muscle car like profile comes with
wide flared mudguards and aggressive
aerodynamics features. The interior
features Recaro seats, faux carbon trim,
and touches of dark suede.
While discussing the features of the cars
individually, Roma insisted that the ATS
is quite capable of holding up its own
against the worlds best sports sedan and
coupe competitors like the BMW 3 Series,
Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and to

some extent Infiniti Q70 [G37]. While, the

ATS comes with four doors or two doors,
the two-door coupe variant is slightly
smaller than its sibling but comes with a
wider track. It looks the same but actually
has different sheetmetal. The ATS-V is
powered by a 3.6-litre turbocharged V6
that offers 464hp and 445lb-ft of torque.It
can sprint for 0-100km/h in under 4.0-secs.
The stiff chassis is made of aluminium and
steel and besides the magnetic damping
system, it also comes with Performance
Traction Management (PTM) system.
The CTS-V performance midsize sedan is
positioned as Cadillacs fastest production
car in history. The CTS-V is based on the

CTS sedan, but to make it faster and more

powerful it uses lightweight materials and
race-bred technology for track-worthy
performance, according to Roma. Great
attention has been paid by engineers in
the chassis department which has been
stiffened by 25percent over the regular
CTS. This was done to ensure lesser body
roll and more stability when cornering.
The cars bonnet is made of lightweight
carbon fiber and features a functional vent
that extracts hot air from the engine and
also helps to create downforce. The grille
has been increased by roughly 30 percent
and the valance features larger front air
intakes that help with additional cooling.

Tony Roma
The CTS-V gets new supercharged
6.2-litre V8 that cranks out 640hp and
630lb-ft of torque. 0-100km/h comes in
around 3.9secs and top speed is 32km/h,
according to Roma. The engine is paired
exclusively with GMs 8-speed automatic
transmission with paddle shifters and
launch control.
Roma said in his presentation that, on
paper, the CTS-Vs performance over
shadows the BMW M5s standard 560hp
V8 performance comfortably and is close
to with the performance of the 5.5-litre
biturbo V8 used in the Mercedes-Benz E63
AMG 4Matic.
Common to all V-badge models is the
Performance Data Recorder (PDR). PDR
allows drivers to record high-definition
video, with data overlays, of their driving
experiences on and off the track. The data
is recorded on a memory smart card. PDR
for this car was developed with Cosworth,
the British motorsports-engineering
company that supplies General Motors
Racing Teams with data acquisition and
telemetry systems. In addition, both
ATS-V and CTS-V models also feature a
professional-level motorsports Cosworth
Toolbox telemetry system that allows
drivers to analyze their laps in incredible
detail and find opportunities to improve
and fine tune their driving and lap times.
The telemetry software combines
Cosworths professional-level motorsport
data analysis with an easy-to-use graphic
interface.
All the 2016 models track tested were
outfitted with the latest third- generation
Magnetic Ride Control, which according
to Roma delivers 40 percent faster
damping response. This allows better
chassis control by the driver, who
can in turn optimize his performance
requirements for touring duties and track
day experiences. The track exercises were
performed under supervision of the track
marshals and included fast laps on the
circuit and some handling exercises.
NOV 2015

13

Nismo arrives
in region
Nissans motorsport and in-house
performance brand, NISMO, made its
Middle East debut last month in Dubai.
NISMO is the ultimate essence of
Nissans promise to deliver Innovation
that Excites, said Samir Cherfan,
Managing Director of Nissan Middle East.
NISMO was founded in September 1984
as a specialty company to support all
motorsports activities of Nissan Motor
Company (Nissan).
We are aware of two Nismo production
cars -- 370Z and the GT-R, but at the
regional launch there was a third surprise
in store. We could not have launched
NISMO in the region without including
our most iconic model, the Nissan
Patrol, in the range of NISMO vehicles.
As a result, the event also marked the
world premiere of the Patrol NISMO
prototype. Recognizing that off-roading
and motorsports are the life-blood of
local driving enthusiasts, Nissan strongly
believes the time is right to introduce the
Patrol NISMO in the Middle East.
Bringing the high performance brand to
the Middle East and launching the Patrol
NISMO as a world premiere model is proof
of our commitment to making thrilling
driving experiences accessible to all our
customers.
According to Cherfan, NISMO is an
important part of Nissans long term
product plan. We view the addition
of NISMO as a key element of our
business expansion strategy based on
our successful motorsports heritage in
the region. The NISMO brand is a highly
valuable, credible and desirable addition
to our range and we are honored to bring
the brand to the Middle East. Regional
media members were also given an
opportunity to get familiarized with the
cars at Dubai Autodrome.

14

NOV 2015

Hands-on
d
r
o
F
y
b

e
f
li
r
o
f
ls
il
driving sk

For the first time in Oman, new student

drivers were exposed to safe driving
practices while behind the wheel,
such as proper vehicle spacing, speed
management, hazard recognition and
safe vehicle handling in a specially setup and controlled environment. The
four-day driver safety programme was
brought to the Sultanate in a collaborative
effort involving experts from Ford Motor
Company, the brands local importer
dealer, Arabian Car Marketing and
Sultan Qaboos University. Ford runs this
programme for new drivers under the
Driving Skills for Life [DSFL] tagline.
Ford DSFL was established in 2003 by
Ford Motor Company Fund, Governors
Highway Safety Association (GHSA), and
a panel of safety experts with the mission

of teaching newly licensed drivers the

necessary skills for safer driving, and the
importance of making good decisions
while driving. In its first 10 years, Ford
Driving Skills for Life has directly trained
more than 30,000 teens in nearly 900
school districts in 39 states, plus 15
international markets across Europe, Asia
and North America.
The hands-on clinic was set-up in one
of the universitys car parks and several
vehicles were used for demonstrations. A
specially prepared new Mustang GT was
fitted with special safety training driving
kit like special plastic tyres at the rear. This
was necessary to enable teaching students
to control skids without needing to use
a skid pan. The benefit of having these
special tyres with plastic coating was clear

when we took to the wheels. Since, the

Mustang is a rear wheel drive vehicle, the
trainers demonstrated how to control
oversteer in the slalom course. Likewise, if
the same set-up was used in a front wheel
drive car, then the focus would have been
how to control understeer. The other
exercise included simulation of driving
under influence and also recognizing tricky
road signs.
According to the US-based Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher
among 16- to 19-year olds than any other
age group. Per mile driven, teen drivers are
nearly three times more likely to be involved
in a fatal crash than other drivers. In 2013,
the DSFL made its Middle Eastern debut in
the UAE, followed by KSA and now Oman.
NOV 2015

15

Regional medias
first outing with
Gen II 2016 Audi Q7
in Oman

Audi Middle East organised the regional debut of the

new top-of-the-line SUV model in Oman. With the new
Gen II Q7, Audi has set some interesting standards in the
premium SUV segment. The incoming model is built on
a new group platform and even the base model is 325kg
lighter than before. Although the exterior dimensions have
gotten smaller, it offers substantially more interior room
for passengers and luggage. The Q5 TSFI 45 is the variant
that will be sold here with the bi-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine
mated to 8-speed transmission. The Q7 is feature loaded
and its innovative assistance and infotainment systems
take it to the front of the pack. The day long drive took
the drivers and cars to some of the scenic routes and also
included some off-road trails.

16

NOV 2015

The third generation

of the Hyundai Tucson
and the completely
new Creta were
launched in at a gala
evening in Muscat
The Korean embassys charge daffaires
and the head of their trade delegation
accompanied Hyundais VP Jin Kim, who
is the head of the regional office handling
the Middle East and Africa at the launch
event. They were hosted by the local
distributors OTE group, whose chairman
Sh. Saad Suhail Bahwan and managing
director Anil Dua hosted the evening.
In his welcome address, Mr Dua harked
back to the 25 year association with
Hyundai as well as to how the sales and
after-sales network have grown across
the Sultanate. Mr Kim then went on to
highlight the importance of the new
Tucson and the Creta in the product mix
offered by Hyundai in the region, with

a rather lengthy and detailed product

presentation that followed.
The Tucson has been reviewed by us
earlier, with its new looks and clutch of
new technologies making it an attractive
proposition for family and fleet markets
in Oman. This new generation brings
with it a choice of two engines the
2.0-litre 4-cylinder unit as the base
offering and a very European inspired
1.6-litre turbocharged unit as the premium
offering. This marks a departure from
the brands previous offering of a 2 and
2.4-litre unit. The smaller engine is more
powerful and is offered with a 7-speed
DCT gearbox for better response. In
terms of features the car now offers

better infotainment options with a large

colour screen, up to 6 airbags, a seamless
panoramic roof, second row seating
that has more legroom and adjustability
options. The car also has blind spot
monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
As for the Creta, the India-made compact
SUV has been designed to take on the
Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster in the
home market, thus putting Hyundai in
a position to emulate this in Oman. The
expectation is that this keenly packaged
car will have an aggressive pricing to drive
volumes. It comes to Oman with a 1.6-litre
engine and six-speed auto gearbox along
with a 5-speed manual and features like hill
start assist.

2016 BMW 7 Series

Al Jenaibi Automobiles, the Oman importer retailer of
BMW cars arranged the first public viewing of the incoming
BMW 7 Series at the Royal Opera House in Muscat.
BMW Group has tried to redefine the positioning of the
incoming car as an exclusive one that offers luxurious
driving experience, looks ontemporary and incorporates
the latest in groundbreaking technologies in the areas
of lightweight design, powertrains including hybrids,
chassis, operating systems, intelligent connectivity and
interior ambience. BMW claims that the handing over of
the baton from one generation to the next at the top end
of BMWs model line-up sees the brand presenting a raft
of innovations unmatched by any of its rivals. Depending
on variant, factors in enhancing dynamics, efficiency,
comfort and safety have been considered and theres use
of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic in the body structure,
engines from the BMW Groups new generation of power
units, including a plug-in hybrid 740e. On the performance
side, theres and active chassis which BMW calls Executive
Drive Pro and the driving experience control switch with
adaptive modes. BMW is the first to introduce its Laserlight
technologies and the application finds its way out here.
Optional Executive Lounge bespoke appointments and M
Sport package will also be available to order. BMW also
introduces a biturbo 2.0-litre engine with electric motors in
the 740e set-up. Autonomous parking is also introduced in
this car.
NOV 2015

17

2016 Toyota
Land Cruiser

For the Middle East, just a few weeks for

the regional automotive extravaganza
in Dubai, Lexus along with its authorized
importer retailers introduced the
refreshed LX570 for their respective
markets. The brands flagship premium
luxury sport-utility now features the
new corporate spindle grille, LED DRLS
and LED taillamps. With a powerful V8,
sophisticated 4WD chassis and seating for
eight, the model remains one of the few
SUVs that combine genuine luxury with
true off-road capability.

2016 Ford
Explorer
Ford has upgraded its Explorer for 2016
with some cosmetic upgrades and new
features. Two versions are sold in Oman
and the model will be available in several
trim and powertain options. The entry
level XLT and Limited get a 3.5-litre Ti-VCT
V6 engine offering 294PS and 346Nmof
torque when paired with a six-speed
SelectShift automatic transmission.
The Sport variant is powered by a
turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 [Ecoboost]
engine which offers 370PS and 475Nm
of torque when paired with the same
transmission. Fords Sync system is voice
activated. Among the cosmetic changes
is a redesigned bonnet and front new end
with new grille design. Headlamps are
LED fed and the cluster includes daytime
running lights. The rear tail lamp design is
also refreshed.
18

NOV 2015

2015/16 Geely GC9

Chinese automaker Geely which also now owns Volvo plans to

expand its sedan line-up with new GC9 sedan in the Sultanate.
Last month, Towell Auto Centre, which officially represents Geely
in Oman announced that the first consignments of the GC9, the
brands new premium sedan were on their way to the Sultanate.
Geelys new sedan takes its inspiration from the KC Concept
which was showcased at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show. The cars
design was signed off by ex-Volvo designer Briton Peter Horbury,
who joined Geely in 2012 as its chief designer. Meanwhile, as part
of the brand restructuring, Geely has dropped the idea of three
sub brands and hence the Emgrand marque is now defunct. As
a result, what we knew as the Emgrand GC9 is officially now the
Geely GC9.
Geely GC9 is the first model to be presented as a top luxury
offering from China and it has received several engineering inputs
from Melbourne, Australia-based Premcar the outfit which
under its previous Prodrive Engineering ownership, developed
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) models for Ford Australia until
last year. This team finalized the suspension set-up for the GC9.
The fastback profiled he 4,956mm long car on a wheelbase of
2850mm will be offered with a four-cylinder 2.4-litre and 3.5-litre
V6 mated to six-speed automatic transmission developed in
Australia by Geely-owned Drivetrain Systems International (DSI).
Geely is hoping that the new car will represent a game-changer
for the brand, not only taking the Chinese companys levels of
technology and safety to new levels, but also showing off the
new design language.

Oman is Ivecos
first port of entry
for New Daily
trucks

International Equipment & Contracting Company, a

Suhail Bahwan Group member along with top officials
from Turin-based Iveco introduced the re-engineered
third generation Iveco Daily trucks for the Oman market.
Oman is the first country in the GCC to see the launch
of the new Daily in the Middle East, said Pierre Lahutte,
Brand President at Iveco. We give a huge importance to
the Africa and Middle East region, particularly the GCC,
as they are a critical area for Iveco.
For the Middle East, the trucks get an extra airconditioning pack and some modifications in the diesel
set-up to ensure they are compliant with the fuel grade
that is available out here. The Daily line-up for Oman
introduced are the single wheel models with two
wheelbase options [3,250mm and 4,100mm] which
allows flexibility to the user and their specific customized
needs like water tanker or recovery vehicle. Iveco offers
the Daily with low ownership and servicing costs. This
product launch raises the segment standards to new
heights in this region, said Marco Torta, Sales Manager
for Gulf region at Iveco. More than 2.6mn Daily vehicles
have been sold to date in over 110 countries worldwide
and 80 per cent of the new Daily components have been
redesigned for optimized performance.
NOV 2015

19

brandwatch
news

Toyota in 2015: could

be worlds # 1

Its a numbers game and with just a few weeks more till the end
of this year, it seems that Toyota has an upper edge. Toyota has
delivered 7.49mn vehicles from January through September and
in the process also regained the lead in the global volume battle.
This means Toyota has just beat Volkswagens 7.43mn numbers in
the first three quarters. General Motors has shifted 7.15mn units
in the same period. VWs diesel emissions scandal might seem to
be the current argument for losing the top position, the EPAs
violation notice only came on September 18. Actually, falling
demand in China likely played a more significant part in the losses
than the cheating software scandal.

Automans take

Volkswagen did have a lead over Toyota in the first six months
of the year, but it now seems that Toyota will edge past VW
with the 2015 title since VWs current dieselgate crisis will likely
have its effect on sales in the remainder months of the year.

Fiats Aegea project gets a

formal name

Fiat has announced plans to resurrect its Tipo nameplate for

the Aegea Project sedan that was introduced earlier this year in
Istanbul, Turkey. Introduced in the late 1980s, the original Tipo
was sold as a boxy hatchback with mass-market ambitions across
the globe. It proved a strong seller in many markets, before
retiring after less than a decade in production.
The new Tipo has similar global ambitions, focusing on delivering
a competitive value-for-money proposition in Europe and export
markets where it will replace the Linea. Buyers in various markets
will be able to choose from a wide range of gasoline and diesel
powerplants, with power output ranging from 95-120 horsepower
and a choice between manual and automatic transmissions.
Designed in Italy and developed in Turkey, the Tipo will be built in
the latter country where it will retain the Aegea nameplate. The
company has not announced specific launch details or pricing.
20

NOV 2015

Winterkorn to relinquish
other VAG positions

Former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn who took the blame

of the ongoing dieselgate scandal will also resign from his other
key positions within VW Group brands. After his departure from
VW, Winterkorn was still serving as chairman of Audi and chief
executive of Porsche SE, a holding company with a majority stake
in VW. He was also chairman of truck maker Scania.
Under pressure from labour unions, Winterkorn has agreed to
resign from the remaining positions and completely sever ties
with the company. Meanwhile, following Winterkorns departure,
the company is continuing to proceed with an internal investigation
that aims to identify any workers responsible for the scandal. Critics
point out that, like GMs ignition-switch crisis, the answer likely goes
much deeper than a few rogue software engineers.

Tax cuts to boost small car

sales in China
China has decided to boost the declining auto industry by offering
tax breaks. In a major decision it has reduced sales tax on small
cars by 50 per cent. The tax break will run until the end of 2016
and apply to cars with 1.6-litre engines or smaller, a segment that
accounts for nearly 70 percent of total sales in China.
The move, announced by Chinese cabinet last month boosted
shares of major Chinese automakers like Great Wall Motors
BYD, BAIC Motor and SAIC Motor. Car sales in China, the worlds
biggest market since 2009, were flat in the first eight months of
the year and could contract in 2015 for the first time since the
market took off in the late 1990s. In August, sales fell 3 percent
from a year earlier to 1.7 million vehicles. Many analysts expect
auto sales growth to hold in low single-digits in coming years and
global carmakers are cutting production and reining in wages and
other costs. Chinas central bank has also provided support for auto
financing firms by slashing the amount of reserves they need to hold.

Ferrari to raise
production
Currently, Ferrari is considered to be an exclusivity focused
supercar brand with its fixed 7,000unit annual production.
However, that is about to change as reports from Europe are
suggesting that the Prancing Horse brand is preparing itself to
significantly increase production to 9,000 units annually.
This would roughly represent an increase of nearly 30per cent
and the reason for removing the current production cap is to
help meet growing demand in emerging markets. Thats not all.
New products will also be created to accommodate demographic
changes as the size and spending capacity of target client grows,
according to Ferrari.
It may be recalled last year that a debate related to production
of cars during the tenure of then chairman Luca di Montezemolo
and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles chief Sergio Marchionne resulted
in the latter winning the battle and the former resigning.
Montezemolo was in favour of maintaining the brands exclusivity
while Marchionne who currently serves as Ferraris new chairman
pushed for higher sales numbers and has aired confidence that
production can be increased to 10,000 units without any ill effects.

Automans take

The Maranello-based car company has long known that it

could sell many more cars than it currently builds. Till now the
business model is based on balancing profits with exclusivity
and short supply. However, parent FCAs experience with
upping Maserati production from 15,000 units to 75,000 units
in just four years is beginning to show up. In 2014, Maserati
deliveries were up by 137per cent globally.

Volkswagens Groups Strategy

2018 changed to 2025

A five point agenda has been proposed by Matthias Mller,

chairman of the board of management at Volkswagen
Aktiengesellschaft last month as part of damage control and
future business objectives and prioritization. We have to look
beyond the current situation and create the conditions for
Volkswagens successful further development, said Mller. M
ller announced that the cornerstones of the Groups Strategy
2018 plan has been revised as Groups Strategy 2025 and the core
details will be presented next year. Here are the highlights of the
5-point plan:

Ferrari IPO oversubscribed

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles [FCA] officially launched Ferraris

initial public offering [IPO] last month. The Italian company put
up 10per cent stake up for sale that included more than 18mn
shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
RACE with a price offering range of US$48 to US$52 per
share [total value between US$9.2 and US$9.8bn]. Demand for
stock in the Ferrari IPO surpassed market expectations and the
IPO was oversubscribed more than ten-to-one across its entire
price range. Following completion of this offering, FCA expects
to distribute its remaining 80per cent interest in Ferrari to FCA
shareholders at the beginning of 2016. As part of the spinoff
from FCA, Ferrari will assume US$3.1bn of debt. Enzo Ferraris
son, Piero Ferrari, will also receive a 10per cent stake in the
automaker as well as a $318.5mn cash payment.

1.

First priority is to support the customers affected by the diesel

issue. According to Mller, Volkswagen is working intensively
to develop effective technical solutions. In contact with the
Kraftfahrtbundesamt (KBA German Federal Motor Transport
Authority) the implementation is set to begin in January 2016.

2.

Mllers second priority is to systematically drive forward

and complete the investigation into what happened. For this
purpose,audit firm Deloitte has been engaged in addition to the
steps already announced. According to Mller, those responsible
for what has happened must face severe consequences.

3.

Mllers third priority is to introduce new structures in the

Volkswagen Group. The key point is that Group management
will be decentralised to a greater extent in the future, he
said. Board of Management will focus on addressing crossbrand strategies, leveraging synergies and ensuring that Group
resources are used effectively.

4.

As his fourth priority, Mller is driving forward a realignment

of the Groups culture and management behaviour. He noted
that the pursuit of perfection, the employees commitment and
social responsibility in the Volkswagen Group must be retained.
However, he believes that changes are necessary in how
Volkswagen communicates and how it handles its mistakes.

5.

The Volkswagen CEO announced that the fifth priority will be

to transform the Groups Strategy 2018 into a Strategy 2025.
Many people outside of Volkswagen, but also some of us, did
not understand that our Strategy 2018 is about much more than
production numbers. According to Mller, the point is not to
sell 100,000 more or fewer vehicles than a major competitor.
Instead, the real issue is qualitative growth
NOV 2015

21

French government ups stake in

Renault-Nissan Alliance
In the Renault-Nissan Alliance set-up, the French government is
the largest shareholder and the Japanese brand generates about
two-thirds of the sales. CEO Carlos Ghosn wants to put more
control into the Nissan side and observers suggest that the large
stakeholder will not give up so easily. So what has prompted this
desire?
It is strongly believed that the French government is responsible
for creating a wall of distrust, after giving him just a few hours
of notice to raise their stake in Renaults stock from 15per cent
to 19.7per cent. To mitigate state control formally, Ghosn needs
formal approval from the Renault board. The French government
isnt ready to just hand over power to Ghosn due to political
reasons, mainly because it wants to protect jobs in the country.
The Alliance must not be destabilized by governance changes
or adjustments that could also lead to conflicts of interest,
economy minister Emmanuel Macron told reporters.

Bogward products to be made

in India by Beiqi Foton Motorst

Automans take

If successful, the proposed plan would overhaul the close

partnership between the automakers. Whereas the French side
currently has the final say in decisions, this move would grant
both of them equal power. In addition, Nissan would become
the largest owner of Renault, but the French wouldnt have
the same control over its Japanese ally.
At the 2015 Frankfurt Show, some concept vehicles were
showcased by a relatively unknown German brand called
Bogward. Now, as things much clearer about the brands origins
and organizational set-up, it seems that Beijing, China-based and
Chinese government owned Beiqi Foton Motors has taken over
the rights of the brand name.
Interestingly, instead of looking at China as the possible domestic
production and export base, Foton Motors is said to be in the
process of reactivating its plans for India. It may be recalled that
Foton had plans of entering India in 2011 and at the time had
acquired land near Pune for establishing a manufacturing unit.
However, those plans went into the freezer as India at the time
wasnt seen as a ripe market for Foton products like heavy and
light-duty trucks, vans and buses. And after acquiring the German
Borgward brand, things are now being fast tracked. The first
vehicle to be manufactured would be the BX7 SUV which would
be sold in markets like Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East
in 2017. Domestic market launches are planned for next year

New CLS-based model under

consideration by Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is reportedly developing a C-Class-based
four-door coupe. This is according to a new report coming
out of Germany. It seems that Mercedes-Benz has started
to develop a car that will slot between the CLA and the CLS.
Tentatively called CLC, the segment-stretching coupe will be
based on the long-wheelbase version of the C-Class thats
currently built in China exclusively for the domestic market.
The bigger dimensions will allow Mercedes designers to give
the CLC a flatter roof line, and to provide the passengers riding
in the back with a lot more space. Using a longer rear-wheel
drive platform will also help set the CLC apart from the less
expensive CLA which will continue to ride on a modular frontwheel drive platform. The CLC will share its engines with the
facelifted C-Class and also will have a petrol-electric hybrid
drivetrain version. An AMG-tuned model equipped with the
same 503hp twin-turbocharged V8 as the C63 S will round out
the lineup. Interestingly, the CLC nameplate was first used
from 2008 to 2011 on the final evolution of the C-Class Sport
Coupe. The CLC was a budget-focused model designed to
lure younger buyers into showrooms but it ultimately proved
unpopular. It was then replaced by the C-Class based Coupe.
22

NOV 2015

Automans take

If the rumour turns out to be true, Mercedes will introduce

the CLC before the end of the decade. When it arrives in
showrooms, it will fight head-to-head against the BMW 4
Series Gran Coupe.

Volkswagen announced last month that it is planning a massive

shift in future product development based on major development
thrust involving the MQB platform and marrying it to hybrid and
plug-in technologies. One model which hasnt done very well for
the brand is the Phaeton and its fortunes could be revived an
all-electric version. On the new Phaeton, Volkswagen said: The
specification features a pure electric drive with long-distance
capability, connectivity and next-generation assistance systems as
well as an emotional design. VW also announced that US $1.14bn
will be stripped from the companys annual investment while
focus shifts from diesel development to electrification.
Thats not all. There will more work on the MEB [E for electric]
platform to facilitate electrification of both passenger cars and
light commercial vehicles under the VW Group umbrella. The
standardized system will be designed for all body structures
and vehicle types, thus allowing particularly emotional vehicle
concepts, and will enable an all-electric range of 250 to 500km.

VW Phaeton to go all electric

Production Lincoln Continental

to debut in January

Lincoln has confirmed that it will officially unveil the

production Lincoln Continental in Detroit in 2016. The concept
was revealed earlier this year at the New York Auto Show.
While the Continental concept introduces a bold new design
language with a focus on luxury, its styling and profile came
under flak for being too similar to that of the Bentley Flying
Spur. Despite industry criticism, the cars front end features a
glimmering chrome mesh grille, swept headlamps with LEDs
and lasers, and a sculpted bonnet.
The Continental will succeed the MKS and it will use Fords
front-wheel-drive architecture from the Fusion and MKZ. The
car will be powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost engine
with all-wheel drive as an available option. Additional details
will likely be disclosed ahead of the Continentals January
debut.

Micro cars to be jointly built by

Nissan and Mitsubishi

Dieselgate scandal to affect

other car manufacturers?

Nissan and Mitsubishi have announced plans to jointly develop a

new generation of microcars. The next-generation of microcars
will benefit from Nissans deeper involvement in development
and testing and will also feature new technologies. All this will
happen through their joint venture NMKV and both entities have
confirmed plans for a new EV variant.
Although no timeline has been announced, the production is
planned to take place at Mitsubishis Mizushima Plant. It will
eventually build the successors to the Nissan Dayz and Dayz Roox
as well as the Mitsubishi eK Wagon and eK Space.
Nissan CCO Hiroto Saikawa said This new opportunity will enable
us to deliver even more competitive vehicles to consumers
by enhancing our product and lineup, by strengthening our
partnership and combining the expertise of both companies.

It seems that Volkswagen is not alone in the dieselgate scam.

Rumours are that
Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi and Mazda could be the next
automakers to come under scrutiny. This comes after a new study
found that diesel vehicles produced by those companies release
up to 20 times the legal levels of NOx.
According to data obtained by media from vehicle testing
firm Emissions Analytics, some vehicles produced by Honda,
Mercedes, Mitsubishi and Mazda emit far more diesel pollutants
during real world driving than they do during testing. The VW
issue in the US was purely the trigger which threw light on a
slightly different problem in the EU - widespread legal overemissions, Emissions Analytics Nick Molden said. For NOx,
[diesel] cars are on average four times over the legal limit,
because of the lenient nature of the test cycle in the EU.

Automans take

This is the first official confirmation that the Phaeton has a

future at Volkswagen.

NOV 2015

23

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24

NOV 2015

espite the impact of economic

slowdown in South East Asia which
had impacted several editions of
the biennial Tokyo Motor Show, there
was no let down in terms of audience
entertainment in terms of wild concepts
and cool technology this year. These two

aspects are integrated and will always

be the focus and USP of the Tokyo Auto
Show. That confidence was returning to
this part of the world was clearly indicated
by the participation rather return to
the fold by Mercedes-Benz, Porsche,
Volkswagen, MINI, BMW and several

other brands from Europe. As expected,

all eyes focused on Japanese companies
who were eager to introduce a long list of
concept and production models besides
technology applications. Heres a snap
shot from the show and details of the key
newsmakers.

NOV 2015

25

BMW

BMW Group came fully prepared with its fastest and most trackready new M4 GTS. The M4 GTS is M divisions most hardcore
vehicle and also one of its most expensive cars with a price tag of
roughly US$160,000.

Honda

Lexus

Taking centre stage at the Lexus stand was the LF-FC Concept
which represents the brands future vision in terms of design and
technology that will come in the flagship 4-door coupe-inspired
sedan which is due in a year or so. The LF-FC styling includes the
L-finesse design philosophy along with an evolved version
of the signature grille with a new mesh design. The rear is
highlighted by striking new taillamps that adopt the same floating
theme as the DRL.

Mazda

Hondas stand was among the largest and the displays

highlighted the diversity of its current product line-up. As
expected, it also included innovative mobility solutions designed
to improve the day-to-day lives of customers. Highlights included
the debut of its all-new fuel cell vehicle, the FCV, the all-new NSX
hybrid supercar and a range of racing machines from a range of
international race series. The NSX is being engineered to give
Honda back its mojo. Honda also presented the Odyssey MPV
with a hybrid powertrain.
Honda also took off the covers from the stealthy looking
lightweight Supersports concept which is essentially the bike
on which the production CBR250RR will be based. The new bike
will be more of a track focused machine and will sit above the
CBR250R in the product portfolio. Other Honda displays included
the Project 2&4 concept, which is an amalgamation of Hondas
car and motorcycle division and is powered by a 1.0-litre V4 motor
borrowed from the automakers MotoGP winning superbike. Two
concepts Neowing, a three-wheeler hybid vehicle and EV-Cub
Concept, an electric commuter bike echoing the retrostyling of
first-generation Super Cub were also on display.
26

NOV 2015

Mazda says that it has not given up on the rotary engines despite
stopping production of the RX-8 in 2012. At Japan, the brand
revealed a new design study called RX-Vision Rotary Sports
Car Concept which it claims was inspired by racing heritage
and technology applications. The concept introduces the nextgeneration SKYACTIV-R rotary engine and Mazdas vision of the
ultimate in front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car styling. Along
with this display, Mazda had a section devoted to two racing-spec
Mazda MX-5s, as well as the 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S the
companys first rotary powered mass-production model.

Mercedes Benz

Nissan

After returning to the motor show after a hiatus, Mercedes-Benz

wasted no time in presenting the Vision Tokyo Concept. Its the
latest trailblazing spatial experience to come from the brand
highlighted by its monolithic structure, futuristic design lines
and unique lounge ambience. Spatially efficient, versatile and
intelligently connected, the Vision Tokyo is also capable of driving
autonomously. At the same time, this five-seater continues a
tradition of design-study showcars from the tri star brand that
has included the Vision Ener-G-Force (Los Angeles, November
2012), AMG Vision Gran Turismo (Sunnyvale, 2013) and G-Code
(Beijing, November 2014).

Mitsubishi

Nissan had quite a diverse line-up this year and exhibits include
some familiar and some new stuff. The recently showcased
Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo, Gripz concept and updated
Leaf were among the known names. However, the true debut
was the quirky Teatro for Dayz EV concept that imagines the
ultimate vehicle for young people. According to Nissan, the
Teatro for Dayz is designed for the so-called digital native
generation basically those with the Internet widely available
from birth. The original Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo, a
concept supercar that was first unveiled at Goodwood Festival of
Speed 2014 has been updated with a new face and body colour
for Tokyo. The Nissan IDS Concept unveiled embodies Nissans
vision of the future of autonomous driving and zero emission EVs.

Porsche

The Japanese automaker showed off the third variant of its

electric SUV. The key highlight was the eX compact SUV Concept.
This vehicle not only previewed the companys next-generation
electric vehicle (EV) technology but also the application of the
Dynamic Shield design language. The five-seater 4,240mm cars
powertrain includes a lithium-ion battery packs that drive the
twin motor 4WD and S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) system.
Other features include the automated driving technology which
combines connected car technology, utilizing next-generation
information systems, and advanced active safety technology and
augmented reality (AR) windscreen. We are now convinced that
Mitsubishi is planning to slot a new compact crossover into its
line-up between the Outlander and Outlander Sport and the eX
could fit the bill.

Porsche has slipped a new GTS version of its compact Macan

SUV into the model mix while gifting the entire range for MY2017
with added standard equipment. Under the bonnet of the GTS
is a tuned version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 from the
Macan S, which produces 360PS and 500Nm of torque. Paired to
a 7-speed PDK gearbox as standard, the GTS is capable of hitting
0-100 km/h in 5.2secs. Porsche also showcased the facelifted
Carrera 4S, which is an AWD version of the Carrera S unveiled at
the 2015 IAA in Frankfurt.
NOV 2015

27

Subaru

Suzuki

Prior to the show, Subaru had announced the global debut of

two show cars the Impreza 5-Door Concept which essentially
previews the next generation Impreza, and the VIZIV Future
Concept. The latter focused on technology and safety
applications. The Impreza 5-Door Concept is the first of Subarus
next-generation strategic vehicles envisioned in FHIs Mid-Term
Management Vision Prominence 2020 programme which was
announced in May 2014. It will also serve as an entry model in
the Subaru line-up when it goes into production. Meanwhile,
the VIZIV Future Concept gave an insight into Subarus design
inspiration and its vision for automatic driving functions and
advanced safety technologies.

Volkswagen

At the Volkswagen press conference, Herbert Diess, CEO of

the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand began his speech by
apologizing for the current diesel scandal crisis. Diess who came
from BMW has promised to win back customer trust. Meanwhile,
the key concept model for Japan from VW was the Tiguan GTE,
which was showcased in Frankfurt earlier. The Tiguan GTE is the
first plug-in hybrid SUV from Volkswagen.

Yamaha
As a follow-up to the 2013 MOTIV.e concept, Yamaha presented
an eye-popping four wheel concept. In the past, Yamaha has
teamed with with McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray to develop
a city car concept called the Motiv and this time it was a new
sports car concept developed in line with Murrays iStream
principles. The 3,900mm long two-seater sports car is made of
carbon fibre and weighs 750kg and takes a lot of inspiration from
motorcycles. Yamaha also produced a surprise when it showed
a motorcycle-riding robot. Unlike most two-wheeled debutants,
Yamahas new Motobot isnt starting out on a small capacity
motorcycle, but release images show the humanoid robot riding
Yamahas most sporting motorcycle, the 1,000cc R1M.
28

NOV 2015

Suzuki Motor Corporation seems to be on the offensive and the

theme strongly highlighted was its future plans. Suzuki will be
celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020, so most of the displays
depicted proposals for products and technologies.
A range of concept models include the IGNIS, which gives shape
to Suzukis foray into the new compact crossover genre and the
MIGHTY DECK, a fun and practical mini car. Also on display was
the Air Triser, a newly conceived three-row compact minivan with
a private lounge. Meanwhile, the IGNIS-Trail concept focused
on urban and outdoor versatility with even greater rough-road
ruggedness. Last, but not the least was the Baleno, the brands
all-new B-segment hatchback. It used to be bland in its earlier
avatar and hence Suzuki has refined its styling, performance, fuel
economy and practical features besides the introduction of allnew powertrain technologies.

Toyota

Toyotas display was quite large and diverse ranging from the
updated Prius, a fuel cell vehicle and some quirky concepts.
Among the showstoppers was the retro-inspired all-new coupe
S-FR concept that could be added to the line-up as the GT/FT
86s smaller sibling, subject to audience feedback. If produced,
it will sport FR (front engine/rear drive) architecture. The slightly
larger than MINI S-FR was conceptualized as the kind of vehicle
that attracts its own die-hard fan base, whose members love
driving and customizing it. The second car on display that tickled
the audience was the Kikai concept. Definitely, it was a retro
conversation-starter at the show that salutes the companys
roots in monozukuri, the Japanese term for the art and craft
of manufacturing. In fact, the KIKAI as a concept car was
developed from an innovative design concept that challenges the
conventional rules of auto making. The exposed buggy-esque car
uses a 1.5-litre engine and motor-combined hybrid system and for
the drive system, a mid-engine rear-wheel-drive (MR) layout has
been adopted.

Concept # 1: Yamaha Sports Ride

Although Yamaha is better known for
motorcycles, scooters, outboard motors
and designers of ultra-compact V engines,
occasionally a four-wheeler in concept form
does turn up at motor shows. This year was
no exception. In 2013, the brand presented
the MOTIV.e concept, designed and
conceived by legendary British designer
Gordon Murray who was also responsible
for the design of the McLaren F1. The latest
is that the MOTIV.e concept has been
greenlighted for production.
As a follow-up to the 2013 concept,
Yamaha and Gordon Murray Design
[GMD] presented a new sports car called
Sports Ride Concept which is based on
front-engine, rear-drive architecture. The
project has been developed using iStream
Carbon, which is the worlds first affordable
high volume carbon fibre chassis structure.
Its USP is that it brings Formula One
materials and technology within reach of
the everyday motorist. The new production
system replaces the glass content in
iStream with carbon fibre which offers
even more performance for lightweight
and rigidity.
GMD has been developing iStream Carbon

for the last 2 years with partners Toray

Industries, Innovate UK and ELG, and the
process is now fully industrialised. Unlike
any other carbon fibre chassis technology,
iStream Carbon is a fully mechanised
system with a cycle time of just 100
seconds. iStream Carbon is true Formula
One racing technology utilising two
carbon skins sandwiching a honeycomb
core, unlike many expensive handmade
supercars which employ monolithic single
skin carbon panels.
The 3,900mm long car is marginally smaller
than the Mazda Miata and weighs just
750kg. No powertrain details have been
released and Yamaha has no shortage of
potent motorcycle engines that could be
used. Possible candidates could include
the small displacement 3-cylinder 1.0-litre
engine from the MOTIV.e where it was
believed to develop 70-80bhp As for the
design, Yamaha took its inspiration from
the artistic style of Elementarism and came
out with an attractive sports car which
looks just about ready to reach production
and has a driver-focused cockpit with door
straps instead of regular handles as a way
to cut weight even further.

Concept # 2: Nissan IDS

Nissans new IDS autonomous electric
concept car presented at Tokyo signifies
the next step of its plan to launch a
number of autonomous vehicles by
2020. The concept is significant as it also
previews key engineering and design
technologies that will be incorporated
on future Nissan vehicles. Technology
applications will include carbon-fibre
construction, efficient aerodynamic
packaging and electric motors.
Unlike many automated car concepts
presented in recent times, the IDS is
designed to be personalised. The car can
be piloted by the driver using the manual
drive mode. The cars interior will also
change depending on which mode it is
in. In the piloted in autonomous mode,
the seats rotate inward, and the steering
wheel recedes into the dashboard,
giving the driver space to relax. And
when the driver selects Piloted Drive
and turns over driving to the vehicle, the
cars performance -- from accelerating
to braking to cornering imitates the
drivers own style and preferences.

The electric car concept will have longdistance driving range and Nissan said
that its 60kWh battery, in combination
with a lightweight and aerodynamically
designed carbon-fibre body was
designed to also meet the specific
needs.
As a technology-cum-design
demonstrator, the concept also
highlighted potential solutions to one
key challenge facing every automaker:
how to enable autonomous cars
to effectively communicate with
pedestrians? The solution Nissan has
come up with on the IDS Concept
involves an outward facing display
screen in the dashboard that
flashes messages like After You,
to pedestrians and cyclists. Nissan
also incorporated an Intention
Indicatora strip of LED lights along
the side body that shine white when
pedestrians or cyclists are nearby to
indicate the car is aware of them. The
cars autonomous driving functions can
be controlled by voice or gestures.
NOV 2015

29

Concept # 3: Lexus LF-FC

The top-of-the-line Lexus LS is due for a change soon and all hopes at
Tokyo centred around a possible announcement. However, this did
not happen, but instead Lexus conveyed two important messages
as regards to what it has in mind for a large sedan that could rival
the current segment leader, Mercedes-Benz S-Class. As a result
the presentation of the LF-FC concept revolved around design and
technology applications. The LF-FC concept is dimensionally bigger
than the current LS and is marginally longer than the current longwheelbase Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ, and
Maserati Quattroporte.
its highlights dramatic styling which now includes a four-door
coupe silhouette, lower and sleeker roofline, an oversized
spindle grille, daytime running light blades similar to the ones on
the production IS. The rear end features highly sculpted taillamp
assemblies and contoured bodywork. The concepts unique cabrearward stance add to its sporty vibe supported by 21in wheels
made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. Underneath the sleek
sheet metal is a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain. Power is sent to
all four wheels, with two in-wheel motors used at the front. The
fuel-cell stack is mounted in the rear of the car, with a control unit
in front and a T-shaped array of hydrogen storage tanks. Lexus
says this ensures balanced weight distribution, helping to improve
handling. The interior was designed to reflect this cars likely dual
role as personal vehicle and chauffeur-driven limousine. Theres
also some autonomous-driving technology, including elevated
traffic environment recognition, prediction, and judgment function
and gesture technology. No production plan information has been
released, but it is believed the replacement LS may features some of
the design and technology applications inside the cabin.

Concept # 4: Toyota Kikai

Among several interesting cars and exhibits,
Toyota presented an unusual 1+-seater concept
called Kikai, which the manufacturer says has
been designed to reconcile man and machine. In
Japanese, the word kikai can mean both machine
and opportunity. The car sports minimalistic
design elements and most of its engineering
hardware like engine, suspension, brakes are
among elements which can be clearly seen from
outside. As a result, the hot rod-cum-dune buggyesque vehicle offers an eye-catching, custom-built
bolt-on component look.
The interior can be accessed via minivan-like
sliding doors and the cabin offers space for three
passengers in a triangular configuration that puts
the driver front and in centre. The concepts cabin
was bound in red leather upholstery and a small
window near the drivers feet allows occupants
to see the tyres and suspension in actions. The
steering is commanded through a retro-inspired,
button-less wheel, and the instrument cluster
consists of four analogue gauges mounted on a
curved piece of tubing.
Surprisingly, Toyota hasnt revealed any
powertrain details although the concept appeared
to have been fitted with a petrol-electric hybrid
drivetrain built around a four-cylinder engine
located right behind the passenger compartment.
An automatic transmission sends power to the
rear wheels.
30

NOV 2015

Concept # 5: MITSUBISHI eX

Mitsubishi Motors has repeatedly

reiterated the fact that its future business
will be based on plug-in hybrids and
electric cars. In the recent past several
plug-in hybrid concepts have been
showcased and at Tokyo last month, the
Japanese brand showcased an all-new
compact crossover SUV concept called
eX. The eX Concept is Mitsubishis vision
for a compact SUV powered by a next
generation EV system.
The SUVs styling follows the trendy coup
silhouette while, the front end expresses
a new interpretation of MMCs Dynamic
Shield front design concept. In both its
exterior and interior, the concept indicates
the direction future design is taking. The
next-generation EV system employs a highcapacity and high-performance battery
together with compact high-output
electric motors making it lighter and more

efficient. With further weight reductions in

the vehicle itself, it can provide a cruising
range of 400km on a single charge. The
45KW/h lithium-ion battery which powers
a pair of electric motors with combined
output of 187hp is placed beneath the
body which has lowered the centre of
gravity. And together with its Twin Motor
4WD and S-AWC integrated vehicle
dynamics control systems helps it provide
handling control which faithfully reflects
driver inputs as well as outstanding
vehicle stability. Other features include
the application of automated driving
technology which combines connected
car technology, utilizing next-generation
information systems, and advanced
active safety technology. When it
detects danger it quickly and precisely
utilizes its safety features and is also
equipped with functions which detect

malfunctions or abnormalities early and

advises the driver to take the vehicle in
for repair or servicing. The twin-motor
system incorporates Mitsubishis Super
All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated
vehicle dynamics control system which
uses braking to control the front wheels
and a transfer mechanism Active Yaw
Control (AYC) that varies torque split
between the rear wheels. The driver has
three modes to choose from: Auto, Gravel
and Snow. The eX also previews a variety
of automated (and semi-automated
running) driving technologies which are
very compatible with EVs. These include
an autonomous parking system and a
highway driving assistant. In addition, an
obstacle avoidance system uses cameras
and radar mounted to the vehicle and
communications with vehicles in the vicinity,
to detect any obstacles for the car to avoid.

NOV 2015

31

2016 Ford Explorer

32

NOV 2015

Explorer
revisited
Ford Motor Company has refreshed its Explorer mid-sized
SUV for 2016. We check out the recently launched XLT
variant in Oman
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

NOV 2015

33

n the automotive business some

model names carry a lot of weight for
the manufacturer. In the case of Ford
Motor Companys mid-sized Explorer SUV,
theres no exception. In its 25 years of
existence, the Explorer has gone through
several generations and witnessed a sea of
changes. And even today, it remains one
of the models that the Blue Oval brand can
be particularly proud of.
The first Explorer was built on a
truck platform in 1990 and in the first
two decades it continued on those
underpinnings. However, there were some
black spots in the Explorers career in
2008 when it got involved in the Firestone
tyre/rollover debacle. At this juncture,
Ford took a major decision to move the
Explorer into crossover territory and
repackage the vehicle to meet the market
trends. In fact, it was adversity that helped
Ford pave the foundation of the modern
Explorer which was introduced in 2011.
In one stroke, Ford engineers abandoned
the old Explorers pick-up truck-based
underpinnings with unibody construction
and paired it with carlike driving dynamics
and safety features. While, the downside
was reduced maximum towing capacity, it
was a feature not really used by majority
of Explorer owners hence not on the
priority list. The Gen V Explorer was
recognized as a crossover also grew in
dimensions it was nearly 4in longer in
overall length and 5in wider than its pickup based predecessor. At launch in 2011,
the Explorer was outfitted with a newly
developed normally-aspirated 290hp
3.5-litre V6.
In terms of styling, the exterior design
was also revisited and its design was
34

NOV 2015

The more things

change, the more
they remain the same,
however. Though
the refresh and new
exterior detailing, the
Explorers mission and
concept is the same
as before, that of a
highly capable midsized
family crossover SUV
consciously connected to Ford brand
design DNA. The wheel arches were
inspired by the Mustang and a body
character lines were influenced by the
new Taurus sedan. The CUV also featured
blacked-out A, B, and D-pillars to produce
a floating roof effect similar to Land
Rovers floating roof design used on
its sport utility vehicles; a design which
Ford previously used on the Ford Flex.
Up front, the 2011 Explorer introduced a
new interpretation of the Ford signature
three-bar grille and below the bumper, the
signature trapezoidal lower grille offered
visual continuity across Ford vehicles. The
stepped style headlamps used were similar
to the Flex, Edge, Escape, Expedition and
F-150, as well as new stepped style tail
lamps. Commercially, the Gen V Explorer
has been a winner for the brand it Ford
sells over 150,000 of them annually.

So, with such background, changing

customer preferences and fast moving
technological applications, Ford has kept
the momentum alive with new powertrain
introductions including a four-cylinder
Ecoboost engine and two 3.5-litre V6
based set-ups.
For the current iteration Ford has
upgraded the model for MY 2016 with
some cosmetic changes, feature packs and
even added a new 2.3-litre turbocharged
Ecoboost replacement engine [not
available here]. Interestingly, the small
Ecoboost is roughly half the displacement
size with twice the horsepower of the V6
engine in the original 1990 model year
Explorer.
So what are the changes for 2016 in
our markets? From the exterior, what is
evident is a new grille and revised bonnet,
which now has a clamshell effect, giving
the front of the car a bolder and smarter
appearance. Design tweaks also include a
redesigning of the LED headlamps and fog
lamps in the new front bumper. Theres
now more than a passing resemblance
with the Range Rover! Our test model was
the XLT grade which features attractive
chrome roof rails and an automatic rear
hatch.
The cabin of the model also ushered in
a new era of interior quality for not only
the Explorer, but also for the Ford brand
as a whole in 2011. The hard and cheap
looking plastics were replaced with
softer materials, better switchgear was
introduced and also some variants came
with the touch-operated with the optional
MyFord Touch infotainment system. The
cabin also became more spacious than
before. On the safety front, the Explorer

NOV 2015

35

gained inflatable second-row seatbelt

airbags, which was an industry first for
the automotive sector aimed at improving
safety for smaller occupants. The core
message that came out from this version
was that Ford successfully gave the
Explorer name a second lease of life very
much in tune with what consumers look
for in modern crossovers. It also drove
well, offered good fuel economy for its
class and retained most of the versatility
of its predecessor.
With the second- and third-row seats
down, the Explorer boasts 81 cubic
feet of cargo space. The test car had a
second-row bench seat, which makes it a
seven-passenger vehicle. Included in this
package was the latest version of MyFord
touch telematics system, Keyless entry,
dual zone climate controls, premium audio
system with nine speakers, remote start,
a forward sensing system and the leather
interior. The rest of the vehicles design
remains largely the same, but the facelift
alone gives it a whole new look, making
the Explorer appear more sophisticated.
Fords idea was also to make the Explorer
feel more premium for its users and one
of the focus areas was improving noise
vibration and harshness [NVH]. As a
result, all versions of the 2016 Explorer
get improved door seals, special vibration36

NOV 2015

absorbing engine mounts and acoustic

glass in upper grades. Engineers also
revised the Explorers wheel wells to
incorporate air curtains that smooth
airflow over the wheels and minimize
aerodynamic drag and noise. This is a
feature which premium brands like BMW
use on their SUV/SAVs. New for 2016 are
180-degree viewpoint cameras both front
and rear, and both have washers to keep
the view clear in all kinds of weather.
Some features have been improved as
well, including the enhanced automated
parking system that not only can park in a
parallel space but can pull into and out of
a perpendicular parking space as well.
The 294PS / 346Nm normally-aspirated
3.5-litre V6 with six-speed automatic
transmission has been carried over
unchanged. Our test car featured an allwheel-drive set-up which is electronically
controlled via a pre-set rotary controller
located on the base of the dashboard. The
dial-a-terrain-response system is similar to
that found in Land Rovers and depending
on mode actively varies the torque split
between the front and rear wheels
accordingly.
The all-wheel-drive system is quite
flexible ad allows the driver to also
manually prepare the Explorer for normal
traction, sand or mud. It will deliver

an appropriate combination of engine

power, transmission shift schedule, ABS
activation, and torque split for each
circumstance. Hill-descent control is also
part of the all-wheel-drive system and can
be activated/deactivated by the driver.
On the hardware side, it features a
variable centre multi-disc differential with
computer controlled lock. Conventional
front and rear differentials are used with
3.39:1 gearing. The centre multi-disc
differential controls the front-to-rear
torque split, biasing as much as 100
percent of torque to either the front or
rear wheels. The power take off (PTO)
unit includes a heavy-duty dedicated
cooling system to allow the four-wheel
drive system to supply continuous nonstop torque delivery to all four wheels
indefinitely, without overheating.
Explorers overall off road crawl ratio is
15.19:1 with high range no low range
gearing only.
The car also features four-wheel electronic
traction control [ABS braking] is employed
to simulate front and rear differential
locks via aggressively brake locking the
front or rear differentials, transferring
up to 100 percent of torque from side-toside. In the right conditions, the Explorer
can keep moving even if only one wheel
has traction, regardless of which wheel

it is. The suspension set-up has been

completely retuned for a smoother ride
and to give each trim level its unique ride
and handling characteristics.
Driving impressions
As most of the powertrain refinements
that came in the 2011 Ford Explorer have
been retained we found the V6 still quite
efficient and confident. The cars take off
is smooth and response to throttle inputs
is rewarded with good acceleration and
plenty of torque, which is available at all
times. The notable change on the move
is that that car is quieter than before,
thanks to the improved insulation efforts.
Even as a unibody car, it feels rock-solid
and its suspension offers well-damped
performance over rough stretches.
In terms of handling, driver gets the
confidence to the way it negotiates a
corner. The responsive and lightweight
steering is a fine example of Ford engineers
knowing how to tune electric power
steering for the general job description
which also factors in automatic parking
system in some higher spec variants.
Unlike sports oriented vehicles which are
offered with paddle shifters on or behind
the steering wheel, the Explorer offers
drivers to manually select or lock gears
only through the gear shifter. The best

part of this set-up is that the transmission

is programmed to stay in the gear you tell
it to, in manual mode and shifting with the
lever on the center console. However, the
speed of the shifts, as expected in a SUV is
slower compared to sports cars.
There have been changes in the electric
power steering set-up for 2016 and it
felt nimble and neutral. Explorers use
MacPherson struts with an isolated
subframe in front, and independent
multi-links in rear, with stabilizer bars at
both ends. There are some changes in
the suspension for 2016 and we felt the
damping set-up on the firmer side which
means less tendency of body roll. The overall
ride and handling quality in our 4WD model
is quite commendable for a tall vehicle.
Since the Explorer is a crossover on a
car chassis, it cant match be expected
to match the outright 4x4 off-road
capabilities. Given this is a lifestyle
package, the car does have some off-road
capability. Interestingly, the Explorers
all-wheel drive system has no transfer
case. This arrangement has saved weight
and minimizes the fuel-mileage penalty.
Its Terrain Management system controls
stability and enhances traction through
it modes: Normal, Mud and Ruts, Sand,
and Snow. We took the car for an off-road
course, and were pleasantly surprised that

absorbed deep ruts and cleared bumps so

smoothly.
In the Normal mode the vehicle sends
about 90per cent power to the front
wheels, 10per cent to the rear. Torque
shifts to the rear as and when needed,
which means that if the front wheels lose
traction and cant do as much work. The
Snow/Gravel mode allows less wheelspin,
provides conservative throttle control,
and enables earlier transmission upshifts.
The Sand mode provides more aggressive
throttle, holds the transmission in gear
longer, and desensitizes traction control.
This is needed because to make progress
in sand, sometimes a bit of wheelspin is
required. Mud/Ruts allows more torque
as throttle increases. Stability control is
desensitized to help maintain momentum
over soft or uneven surfaces. The Terrain
Management in the Explorer also includes
Hill Descent Control, which proved itself
on a steep downhill on the off-road
course, holding the Explorers speed to
6km/h without driver input.
Verdict
The Explorer is designed for families, and
yet it has been packaged to meet most
requirements of such users and more.
The upgrades for 2016 make it even more
attractive for punters.
NOV 2015

37

2016 Ford Explorer

38

NOV 2015

Mini blitz
With each generation, MINI products are getting better and
in many respects closer in performance to its parent BMW
Groups products. The recently introduced 2015 Gen III
MINI Cooper S five door hatch can also claim that it is no
fluke. Automan spends some time with this car in UAE
Author: Nabeel Ferzan | Photography: author and Chandan B Mallik

NOV 2015

39

ver the past couple of years

we have been bombarded with
news that MINI is expanding
its portfolio and realigning its business
strategy which also includes sharing four
wheel drive components with new and
future BMWs to help reduce development
costs and enhances profitability for both
brands. But, theres always a fear that
such growing commonality can also
backfire if either brand does not carefully
plot its career path. We have been offered
some hints in this respect from MINI a
few weeks ago wherein officials spoke of
realigning the product and brand strategy.
MINI plans to grow into the premium
compact segment which is somewhat
of a surprise since it is a territory thats
currently covered by BMW. On one hand
BMW launched its first FWD car last year,
the 2 Series Active Tourer, which is based
on a new architecture shared with the
latest MINI and on the other MINI breaks
the subcompact or smaller mould with the
all-new Clubman wagon.
The 3-door MINI Cooper hardtop hatch
as it is known at the factory in Oxford,

40

NOV 2015

UK is now in its third generation and it

was refreshed in 2014. The hotter version
of the hardtop is the Cooper S. The
hatchback has been expanded with the
addition of the 5-door variant. From the
exterior if one is familiar with the new
styling and profile of the MINI hatch, then
the 5-door version is arguably no more
than a mildly stretched hatchback with
an extra pair of doors built in. The 5-door
body is roughly six inches longer with a
wheelbase that has been stretched by
three inches approximately. Despite the
dimensional changes, designers have tried
their best to ensure that the addition of
rear doors doesnt make the car look too
awkward.
As a differentiator between the siblings,
the Cooper S get a protruding lower
front valance with squared-off intakes,
a twin central exhaust, a chrome-plated
honeycomb grille and S badges. The
bonnet scoop is purely cosmetic and
doesnt feed air to the engine.
In terms of accommodation, designers and
engineers seem to have agreed to merge
structural engineering with aesthetics

considering this is to be a proper 4-seater

with room for one extra. Notable changes
in the 5-door model are the side doors
with frames [3-door hatch has frameless
doors], an extra 72mm between the front
and rear wheels, plus an extra 89mm at
the very back to boost the boot. Half of
the stretched wheelbase has been moved
inside to facilitate extra legroom for
rear occupants. The cars width remains
unchanged and rear passengers get
C-pillars in their peripheral vision. Rest of
the car bears a near identical interior to
its 3-door sibling which means the cabin
upgrades in the 3-door like the transition
of the large speedometer from the
central console to a more popular speedoover-the-steering-column arrangement.
Meanwhile, the central console is
now home to MINI Navigation XL and
Bluetooth package that is centred on an
8.8in display and works in conjunction
with the 10-speaker Harman/Kardon
premium audio system.
That the interior has been substantially
reworked is evident from the way
the switchgear has been relocated.

Meanwhile, the familiar line-up of toggle

switches is still housed on the centre
console, but the window buttons are
now on the doors and a BMW-style iDrive
controller sits between the front seats,
replacing the old cars joystick. The car
also featured LED mood lighting.
In terms of comfort, the front seats are
designed to be sporty and come with
signature styling cues. They are firm and
designed to keep front occupants firmly in
place. The rear seats, however, present a
different story. With the tight confines, we
think it is best suited for short trips or use
by young adults.
In terms of driver-assistance technologies
on board, theres no shortage. Feature
pack in the test car included a head-up
display, camera-based adaptive cruise
control, collision and pedestrian-impact
warnings, and even an automatic braking
function. As with most modern cars these
days, MINI has also joined the electricallyassisted power rack and pinion steering
system bandwagon.
Under the bonnet, same as in the 3-door
version, the 5-door Cooper S comes with

The Cooper S gets a

powertrain upgrade
from a 1.6-litre to a
2.0-litre four-cylinder
engine with 192hp on
tap
an upgraded version of the 2.0-litre twinpower turbocharged and direct-injected
four-cylinder engine that produces 192hp
between 4,700-6,000 rpm and 207 lb-ft
of torque at 1,250rpm. Power is sent to
the front wheels via six-speed automatic
transmission.
As standard package, the 5-door variant
gets the same suspension packaging of
the Cooper S which means it is comprised
of MacPherson struts in front with a multilink kit in the rear.
Other functional (and standard) driving or
safety-based features included Dynamic
Stability Control, Dynamic Cruise Control,
Electronic Brakeforce distribution, ABS

and Corner Brake Control, which is MINIs

way of talking about brake-based torque
vectoring.
Driving impressions
While, the base Cooper arrives with the
1.5-litre force-fed 3-cylinder engine, the
Cooper S with the 2.0litre unit we had for the weekend brings
together a much more rewarding drive.
The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder is equipped with
a twin-scroll turbo charger that puts out
192hp and 207lb-ft of torque at just
1,250rpm. The latter means that there
is absolutely no lag off-the-line and
whenever the driver spurs the car on;
the response is almost immediate. It also
touches the 100km/h mark in 6.9secs when
mated to a six-speed manual transmission,
although the one we had was mated to a
six speed automatic transmission, which
by far will be the most sought after in this
market.
The cabin of the 5-door screams if MINIs
usual toggle switches fare and centrallymounted information gauges. The car for
its size is extremely comfortable, thanks

NOV 2015

41

to the contoured front seats and a near

perfect driving position for the driver with
decent all around view . If you move up
the ladder, you will also get the full-on
infotainment system except that they are
not touch-screens. Drivers will have to use
the switches located between the driver
and passenger seats to navigate through
the infotainment system. This was a major
disadvantage and a complete no-no for me.
The stiff chassis is suspended on front
struts and a multiple link set-up at the
back. The ride and handling
balance is just about spot-on. It is
comfortable on the tarmac with minimal
body-roll and maintains its

A BMW-style iDrive
controller sits between
the front seats
which replaces the
old joystick. What
remains unchanged is
the sublimity and ride
quality of the smaller
car in this version

attitude when you stretch its legs on open

highways. The steering is nicely weighted
and greatly helps
increase the drivers confidence during
spirited cornering. On the whole it imparts
a very crisp feel
simply point the MINI and it does what
you intend it to!
We checked out the three driving modes
the Green Mode minimizes everything
and hence that is definitely not the one
want to be in with a MINI, the Sport
Mode on the hand lets you hold the gears
and downshifts automatically at corners
to give you that extra bit of grip and
confidence to blast out of the corner. The
Mid Mode is again a bit of this and that.
Overall, the five door Cooper S hatch is
just about perfect it rides and drives like
its go-kart inspired two-door sibling which
means its a real MINI and yet get all the
space that you find in a Countryman and
you really cant ask for much more!
Verdict
The concept of a bigger MINI may be a
contradiction in terms given the brand
ethos, but one has to look at the practical
side where the result is more interior
room, increased cargo space and a more
comfortable ride in a typical 5-door hatch
with performance credentials to match.

42

NOV 2015

NOV 2015

43

2016 Audi RS7

44

NOV 2015

Bahn
bruiser
gets
better
Quattro GmbH, Audis in-house high performance arm is
responsible for creating higher performance versions of
stock cars. And once they are done with it, they get their
respective RS badging. We feature the refreshed for
2015 RS7 this month which represents itself as the top
performance model in the series
Author: Chandan B Mallik

NOV 2015

45

ollowing the introduction of the

new A7 and S7 in 2012, the RS7
was introduced in 2014 by Quattro
GmbH as Audis answer to the ever
growing BMWs M and Mercedes-Benz
AMG set-ups. And in a relatively very
short span in its career, the RS7 has
won worldwide acclaim from critics
as Quattros best work yet. So, the
obvious question is how did this happen?
To begin with the RS7 was created on the
A7 mechanicals and currently represents
the line-up as the top-of-line performance
46

NOV 2015

variant. If you want something not so

aggressive, then theres the middle
order S7. The fact is that the first family
member, the current A7, actually
outclassed compatriot models like the
Mercedes-Benz CLS550 and BMWs 640i
Gran Coupe in comparative tests and
hence set the ground for the top RS
derivative.
Although, the RS7 is the newest of the
trio and benefits from most of the latest
kit from Audi, the Ingolstadt-based
manufacturer has still found interesting

stuff for a newsworthy upgrade for the

MY2016. The subtle upgrades touch the
car inside and out. First to be noted are
the new head and tail lamps. Audi has
also included the latest Matrix headlamp
technology in the family. The cars
honeycomb grille which can be had with
glossy black, matte aluminium or carbon
fibre finishes appears sharper. The front
bumper has gone through a revision as
the air inlets appeared altered a little
bit. Audi has also introduced a new
palette of colours including Floret Silver,

Thanks to
optimised hardware
management, the RS7
takes just 3.9secs to
do the 0- 100km/h
sprint and yet remain
quite frugal as it has
a fuel consumption
of 9.5litres/100km
with 221g/km of CO2
emissions

Glacier White, Sepang Blue and Mythos

Black. Over all, the cars elegant, flowing
lines make it a more visually interesting
alternative to many of its class rivals.
The layout of cabin of the car is familiar,
but there is revised instrumentation
with a larger driver-information display
[now with Google Earth] between the
tachometer and speedometer. Improved
electronics architecture helps upgrade
the graphics and the integration of the
infotainment and telematics systems.
The MMI interface also gets its share of

refinements and this makes it even more

user-friendly. Meanwhile, the night-vision
display is also improved and wrapping out
the interior accoutrements are the new
colours and bespoke wood trims.
In terms of practicality, the RS7
outclasses opposition with its nicely
sculpted seats [front and rear] which
offer excellent lumbar and thigh support.
Besides this, the RS7 is the only car in
which rear headroom feels on par with
its conventional sedan counterpart [its
usually reduced in some other cars].

Although the RS7 is supposed to be a

performance machine, its interiors are
luxurious and beautifully appointed. Our
tester had wood accents with aluminum
inlays. The attention to detail is top
class and one stand out feature was the
smaller, chunkier steering wheel.
The cars powertrain is carried over
and mostly remains unchanged. This
means we have a TFSI 4.0-litre V8 twinturbocharged engine delivering 560hp
and a maximum torque of 700Nm, which
is available from 1,750rpm right up to
5,500rpm. As before this engine benefits
from cylinder-on-demand management.
Theres one interesting element about
the transmission set-up in this car. In the
S7, Audi has provided a double clutch
set-up. However, in the RS7, this is not
the case and it is more to do the way the
torque delivery is programmed in the
RS7 in particular. The truth is that the
seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox cant
cope with the 4.0-litres engines massive
torque demand. As a result, the RS7
uses a ZF automatic with an extra cog.
In theory, the crispness of dual-clutch
should be missed, but would appear quite
normal around town in this quattro AWD
set-up.
For this variant to offer optimized
performance, chassis, axle weight,
torque distribution and rear wheel torque
vectoring have been carefully plotted.
As a result, axle weight distribution
front:rear stands at 56:44per cent and
40:60 front:rear is the default torque split
respectively.
Like many of their products, the 7s family
uses a variation of the double-wishbone
front suspension with a high-mount
upper arm. The car uses air springs
instead of coils and RS Adaptive Air
Suspension is standard on the RS7.
The RS 7 comes standard with an
NOV 2015

47

electronically controlled Sport

Differential between the rear wheels.
Its not like the eLSD found in the
new Chevrolet Corvette, its response
characteristics correspond to the drivers
mode selection in the cockpit. The RS7s
14in rear brake rotors also get the scallop
treatment to save weight and the rear
caliper is a single-piston sliding unit.
Driving impressions
Weve driven several RS models in the
past and hence are aware of what to
expect. The RS7 is bred for performance
as it makes all the right sounds and can
be deceptive and whether its winding
roads or on high speed highways, it begs
to be driven fast as most of the torque is
available at low revs.
The RS7 is extremely driver-oriented and
there are selectable menus that allow
for selectable steering, throttle control
and damping characteristics. This aspect
allows drivers to customize the car in
any way they see fit. We tried out all the
driving modes available and even with
the suspension set in comfort mode, it
appears firm and well-sprung, and seems
more compliant over bumps and rough
patches. Even in default mode, it provides
fantastic straight line performance. The
torque delivery from the forced fed
48

NOV 2015

engine is linear accompanied by a typical

turbo whine and reaches its power peak
and redline higher in the rev range so
comfortably.
Since a Tiptronic function was available,
we chose this option once out of
restricted speed zones. Even in manual,
it offers an automatic rev-matching
function, but the blip comes when you
take the shifter out of gear, so more
shifts mean optimal performance and
tons of entertainment. The ZF- eightspeed automatic responds so fast
that few will miss the S7s dual-clutch
transmission!
In Dynamic mode, where maximum
performance can be extracted by the
driver, its fairly easy to do so without
getting overwhelmed. Depending on
driving conditions, it is possible for
an experienced driver to notch zero
to 100km/h in 3.9secs in a controlled
environment.
On the handling side, the five-door
RS7can exhibit typical understeer
properties, but with less steering inputs
and more throttle finesse through
corners, the car rewards its driver
with superb balance and poise. The
adaptive suspension also plays a key
role in not only keeping the rids smooth
while still keeping the body flat and

stable, the reward for firmness is that

it doesnt lean in fast curves. So it stays
level front to rear under hard braking
or hard acceleration. The cars brake
performance from the large rotors and
calipers are outstanding and the brake
pedal has a consistent solid feel.
Cornering the car like a stock sedan is a
normal affair until the torque-vectoring
rear sports differential chips in. When it
does it is very eager to help the driver
throw the RS7 into fast corners. Some
drivers who are not accustomed to
torque vectoring may find it a bit artificial.
However, the cars steering feedback
is among its list of strengths and for
an electric set-up, it is smooth, wellweighted and predictable.
Verdict
The RS7 isnt just the most fun on roads
and the most pragmatic four-seater, we
think it offers pretty good value as an
overall package.The feature upgrades in
the RS7 have made this sleek, fastback
profiled and aggressive styled a winner
on looks alone, but since it is an elite
member bearing an RS badge, it also
has befitting performance credentials
too. While its price tag suggests is not
cheap, but it is as close as it gets to an R8
supercar with four doors.

NOV 2015

49

2015 Jaguar XE 2.5t

Not the
hardcore
extremist, but
packs a punch

Jaguars all-new entry XE model will

represented by several variants and the
2.5t version was the one we used for this
months testing in Automan
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

50

NOV 2015

aguar conceived the all-new XE with

several agendas in mind. First it
wanted to get rid of the legacy that it
had created with the Ford Mondeo-based
X-Type and also return to the fold with a
credible sports sedan alternative to the
premium German or Japanese brands.
Well, after a few years of suspense, Jaguar
has finally delivered a product designed
ground up and it is as we know now as the
XE sedan. In terms of positioning, the XE
sits below the XF and Jaguar calls its new
medium-size sedan a four-door F-Type,
while referring to the top spec XE-S
version. The smallest, most affordable
Jaguar also launches with a new engine
family, built in a brand new factory in
England.
With the 2.5t, technically, this is our
second outing with the car. The first was
a few months ago when we drove the car
around Rioja, Spains wine country and
also had a blast with the supercharged
XE-S at the Circuito de Navarra preproduction prototypes. This time around,
we get to drive an actual production car
in Oman. With our first XE encounter with
several variants over a period of two days
on roads and on track, we returned with
several positive impressions about the car.
Like other XEs, we found the 2.5t also
offers a soft and compliant ride which

sometimes conceals the cars true

abilities. We have driven the XE on track
and pushed the car to its limits only to
discover that it can handle any road abuse.
Whats most impressive is the cars neutral
balance and on track we could understeer
the car easily by playing with the fade-free
brakes.
The other crucial area for our evaluation
is the steering feel and its capacity to
respond in view of the multitude of
electric power-assisted set-ups these
days which in most cars feel artificial.
However, there are exceptions and
among the electrically assisted steering
systems that top the list, we think the
XEs is at par with the current Porsche
911 Carrera which is arguably, among
the best in the business when it comes
to performance and feedback. In the
XE, irrespective of variants, it appeared
lightweight, neutral and at the same time
offered lots of feedback to the driver.
While, sophisticated software has played
a key role in helping the car to steer so
well, the chassis also has had its role cut
for the job and then one also has to factor
in things like a rigid yet lightweight body
structure. In fact, quite a few engineering
elements in the XE have come from
Jaguars experience with the F-Type like
the double wishbone front suspension. As

a rear wheel drive car, the rear subframemounted suspension packaging also
gives it is sharp and responsive character
through a modern multi-link setup which
Jaguar refers to as integrated link. The
axle weight distribution stands at 50:50 in
the four-cylinder.
The performance of the outgoing XF was
also factored in the XE when it came to
offering sharp reflexes. While the XE is
smaller than the XF, its body structure is
20per cent stiffer and in its structure it
uses 25 per cent steel and composites and
the remaining 75per cent is aluminium.
Over all, these, along with the charming
and responsive powertrain get top scores
from us.
While diesel XE variants benefit from
the all-new Ingenium family of efficient
engines, the petrol versions come with
engines sourced from Ford. The petrol
engine range for the XE begins with the
turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-litre
four-cylinder unit [also used XF and XJ
sedans]. Refined for the new XE, the
lightweight powerplant is available in two
ratings: 200PS/280Nm and 240PS/340Nm.
The latter set-up is designated as the 2.5t
variant. The key USP of this engine is that
it weighing only 138kg, these all-aluminium
engines feature twin counter-rotating
balancer shafts to cancel-out second
NOV 2015

51

order forces, offering the smoothness and

power of a naturally aspirated six-cylinder
but in a smaller, more efficient package
when mated to the ZF 8-speed automatic
transmission.
However, the XE is also not entirely
perfect and we were expected some of
the pre-production niggles to be sorted
out. Some of the finishes, including the
plastics on the dashboard and doors of the
pre-production cars lacked the perceived
quality of say an Audi or Mercedes. While
front accommodation is acceptable,
the raked A-pillar can be obstructive for
shorter drivers who tend to sit close to
the dashboard, especially when getting in
or out of the car. For taller drivers, its like
any other premium sedan. The XEs cabin
looks cleaner than a BMW 3 Series interior,
and feels more inviting than the Audi
A4s stark, Bauhaus-style cabin. However,
rear accommodation isnt the best and
is somewhat behind when compared to
the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class
52

NOV 2015

While the mid-range

2.5t isnt the most
hardcore version of
the Jaguar XE, its
turbocharged engine
feels and sounds
better than expected
and offers linear
acceleration along with
seamless gear shifts
in terms of leg and headroom. The cars
boot capacity at 450-litres is also 30-litres
less than of the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz
C-Class and BMW 3 the XEs key rivals
from Germany. The cars interiors sports
new design elements and the swooping

dashboard is XJ inspired complete with

the arc continuing through to the door
panels to give it that wraparound effect.
The wraparound effect is nice but we think
it also has eaten into the available space.
Breaking the monotony is new 8.0in
infotainment system which is known as
InControl. The good news is that this is a
vast improvement from Jaguars current
touchscreen and this connectivity suite
comes with Bluetooth phone and audio
streaming and satellite navigation. The
system is responsive, easy to use, and has
hard buttons that shortcut to the main
functions. As a driver, I tend to focus
more on the road and let the passenger
operate the touchscreen who can tap,
pinch or swipe gesture controls. The
system is simple to learn and the Meridian
sound system with 11-speaker set-up
including subwoofer wraps up the needs
of audiophiles.
Below InControl is what the driver is
interested in basically, the rotary shift

knob, with the Jaguar Drive Control

settings in a row of buttons to the rear.
The system alters the steering, throttle
response, transmission setting, and if
equipped, adjustable dampers between
four settings. Switch from Normal to
Dynamic mode and the gauges change
their glow from blue to red. At night the
ambient lighting shifts as well. And like
other XE variants a full suite of safety
features is also available in the XE 2.5t.
Driving impressions
The variants we drove earlier in Spain
delivered sporty handling, a benefit of
its rear-wheel drive and superb chassis
management. The extra horses in this
high output 2.5t are well put to use.
Power delivery is immaculate and
plenty of torque is available most of
the time. The eight-speed automatic
in normal mode offers silky smooth
transitions and engaging the manual
shift mode via paddle shifters throws in

The ride quality of the

2.5t is almost perfect.
The car is brilliantly
comfortable around
town and superbly
composed over rough
asphalt
the entertainment. In this mode it will
blip between shifts like a sports car and
the exhaust will gurgle delightfully when
you lift of the throttle high in the rev
range. The engine revs freely and when
the gearbox is left to its own devices
it will shift cleverly under braking and
quickly when accelerating. While the XE
2.5t isnt razor sharp as a BMW 3 Series
sedan, but it is more engaging to drive
than a Mercedes-Benz C-Class. However,

as expected the through fast corners the

XE has a very playful nature and it will
oversteer without feeling dangerously
loose on the road. The best part is that the
stability control system wont intervene
unless its absolutely necessary. Over all,
the 2.5t is agile, lively, beautifully balanced
and the electric steering system offers a
nice amount of feel. The ride quality of the
2.5t is almost perfect. The car is brilliantly
comfortable around town and superbly
composed over rough asphalt. Theres a
fantastic amount of grip from the tyres
and yet the car feels light and nimble. The
2.5t likes to be pushed hard.
Verdict
In essence, the XE family is packaged as a
genuine sports sedan and is down to a mix
of good looks with styling cues taken from
the F-Type, frugal yet powerful engines.
The high output 2.5t does make it to the
final cut for every premium medium sedan
shortlist.
NOV 2015

53

2016 Ferrari F12tdf

Ferrari has introduced a specialedition of its F12berlinetta which

it calls the F12tdf. This edition was
created to celebrate the brands
historic Tour de France automobile
race
Author: Chandan B Mallik

54

NOV 2015

ast month, Ferrari unveiled a

hardcore F12 limited production
version with F12tdfbadging.
Only 799 units will ever be made and
Ferrari promises it brings improvements
in engine, aerodynamics and vehicle
dynamics compared to the standard
F12 Berlinetta. Ferrari claims to have
dominated the Tour de France in the 1950s
and 1960s, with four consecutive wins
achieved by the 1956 250 GT Berlinetta.
The F12tdf has been masterfully reengineered using much of the existing
F12 hardware. As a result at its heart and
soul is the same V12 6,262cc engine. Its

output has been boosted and it develops

an extra 40PS for a grand total of 780PS
at 8,500 rpm while torque is also up
by 15Nm to 705Nm at 6,750 rpm. All
that power is channeled to the wheels
through a tweaked version of the F1 DCT
gearbox that now has 6 per cent shorter
gear ratios and offers 30 per cent faster
upshifts and 40 per cent faster downshifts.
Thanks to these engineering tweaks, the
F12tdf is capable of doing the 0-100km/h
sprint in jaw-dropping 2.9secs and
completes the 0-200km/h) journey in
7.9secs before topping out at more than
340 km/h. Ferraris test drivers have

already put the car through its paces at

Fiorano and managed to lap the track in
only 1min and 21secs. Usage of carbon
fiber has helped shave off 110kg, when
compared to the regular F12.
Ferraris engineers also worked on the
aerodynamics and the body changes
have improved the cars aerodynamic
efficiency by almost 100per cent
compared to the regular F12 Berlinetta.
At 200km/h, the F12tdf generates 230kg
of downforce which is 107kg more.
This was made possible by installing a
different rear diffuser and a new rear
spoiler which is 60mm longer and 30mm

higher, along with a more inclined rear

window and a revised concave structure
of the boot. Stopping distance has been
shortened, thanks to new one-piece
calipers borrowed from the LaFerrari.
The Tour de France package for the F12
brings wider front tyres [increased from
255 to 275] to help improve cornering.
To offset the tendency to oversteer,
engineers opted for a four-wheelsteering system which uses a modulebased control logic to automatically
adjust the rear axle steering depending
on the vehicles speed, steering wheel
angle and speed of steering.
NOV 2015

55

Mercedes-Benz S Coupe

Mercedes-Benz
rekindles its CL
era and aura with a
swanky all-new twodoor S-Class based
Coupe.
Author: Chandan B Mallik

56

NOV 2015

fter a gap of several years,

Mercedes-Benz has decided
to look at an all-new product
thats simple yet elegant in appearance
and also embodies the automakers
design ethos called sensual purity.
After digging into its coupe history and
heritage, the CL was found to be the
last representative and Mercedes-Benz
changed the models name from CL to
S-Class Coupe to signify the importance
of its flagship status in the line-up. The
Concept S-Class Coup was unveiled
in 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show to. It
features an all-new design compared to
the previous CL-Class model, inspired by
other contemporary Mercedes models
such as the smaller CLA-Class. The
production version of the S-Class coupe
was announced and unveiled in February
2014, with its first public showing at
the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014.

Production of this car began in 2014 and

depending on markets, the new S-Class
Coupe [code C217] is being offered in
both stock and AMG versions [see box].
The S-Class coupe was launched with the
S500 model, known as the S550 in the
United States market.
In terms of styling and profile, the
car combines the classic proportions
of a large, sporty coup with modern
luxury and state-of-the-art technology
characterised by typical rear-wheel-drive
proportions and emphasised by the
hallmark Mercedes dropping line. The
long bonnet comes with sharp lines and
powerdomes, the greenhouse is low
and hence a high waistline. The wheel
arches are flared and designed to take
arrange of large wheels from 18- to
20in. With a wheelbase of 2,945mm, the
Coup is 5,027mm long, with a width of
1,899mm and a height of 1,411mm.

The interior design of the new S-Class

Coup is an expression of the brands
design idiom sensual purity. A
combination of sculptural inspired
components and the clear geometry of
its basic architecture creates an avantgarde design form in the luxury car.
Depending on variant, several
powertrains are on offer. The stock S500
C217 coupe features a twin-turbocharged
4.7-litre engine paired with a 7-speed
or a 9-speed (only for rear-wheel drive
version) automatic transmission. In
most markets, the S500 is fitted to a
rear-wheel drive drivetrain with optional
4MATIC all-wheel drive.
The model comes with semi-active air
suspension [AIRMATIC] as standard. Also
the car benefits from an updated to the
hydraulic fully active Magic Body Control
suspension which debuted on the W222
sedan model which is called called Active
NOV 2015

57

AMG gives the S Coupe full-on treatment

At the New York Auto Show in April 2014, Mercedes made the first public showing of the S63 AMG 4MATIC
model. The S65 AMG model, which includes a V12 engine, was unveiled in July 2014

Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe

The S65 AMG Coup is the new twelve-cylinder top-of-the-range model in the S-Class Coup series. Unique drive comfort, benchmark
performance and exquisite appointments are all hallmarks of this two-door vehicle. The irresistible contours of the V12 Coup are
accentuated by a host of expressive design elements in high-sheen chrome. The AMG 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine comes with an output
of 630hp and 1,000Nm of torque is unique in its segment as is the AMG sports suspension which is based on Magic Body Control with
curve tilting function and Road Surface Scan capabilities.
58

NOV 2015

Curve Tilting. This new system allows

the vehicle to lean up to 2.5 degrees into
a turn, similar to the way a motorcycle
leans into a turn. The leaning is intended
to counter the effect of centrifugal force
on the occupants and is available only
on rear-wheel drive modelLike the W222
sedan, the C217 coupe includes fullLED lighting on the exterior (including
full-LED headlamps with Intelligent
Light System and Adaptive Highbeam
Assist PLUS) and interior of the vehicle.

Optional headlight features include 47

Swarovski crystals in each headlamp: 30
crystals for the turn signals and 17 for
the daytime running lights.
Standard electronics features include
the COMAND interface (with two 12.3in
display screens and a touchpad/rotary
knob controller), a rearview camera,
Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity,
a navigation system, real-time traffic
and weather, voice controls, an incar WiFi hotspot, Mercedes mbrace

telematics and a 13-speaker Burmester

surround-sound audio system with a sixCD changer, two USB audio inputs, an
iPod interface, HD and satellite radios,
TuneIn Internet radio and 10GB of digital
music storage. The coupe gets 19in
wheels, front and rear parking sensors,
an automatic parallel parking system,
keyless ignition and entry and upgraded
leather upholstery.

The C217 model succeeded

the Mercedes-Benz CLClass (C216) and is the
current version of the
S-Class coup. It is also
the first Mercedes coup
to carry the S-Class name
since the 1990s.

efficiency. As the most powerful member

of the BlueDIRECT engine family, the AMG
5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine boasting an
output of 585hp and 900 Nm of torque.
This model is also offered with all-wheel
drive [AMG 4MATIC ] is available as an
option. And there is a world first in the
shape of the curve tilting function, part
of the Magic Body Control suspension
system, to further enhance both driving
pleasure and comfort.

Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe

Through the Mercedes-AMG sub-brand,
the second S-Class coupe model launched
is the S63 AMG. This variant is the latest
addition to the Mercedes-AMG model
range which benefits extensively from
the systematic implementation of the
AMG Lightweight Performance strategy.
Lightweight construction has reduced
the vehicle weight by 65kg. Equally
impressive is the combination of high
driving dynamics, ambitious lightweight
construction and groundbreaking

NOV 2015

59

2016 Porsche 911 Carrera

Porsche gives its 911 Carerra range

a facelift and hardware upgrades
for 2016
Author: Chandan B Mallik

ts no secret that the Porsche 911

has been the worlds best-selling
sports car for decades and one of its
secrets of its stellar performance is the
application of more than four decades
worth of experience with turbocharged
engines. The current generation Porsche
911 Carrera has emerged as one of
the significant milestones in terms of
development steps in the history of this
classic sports model. When it arrived in
2013, it came with almost 90 per cent
60

NOV 2015

redesigned or redeveloped components.

It also benefited from an all-new
lightweight body, efficient drivetrain and
new suspension systems.
And continuous developments at
Porsche touching every model in
the line-up, the upgrade programme
for the model series looks at the car
inside out. As a result, several exterior
features of the 911 Carrera have been
visually refined: these range from new
headllamps with four-point daytime

running lights to door handles without

recess covers, a redesigned rear lid with
vertical louvres and new rear lamps
including the characteristic four-point
brake lamps. In the interior the new
standard Porsche Communication
Management with a multi-touch display
which now offers a considerably
expanded range of functions and greatly
simplified operation.
The completely new 3.0-litre engine
generation with bi-turbo charging raises

the emotional driving pleasure in the 911

Carrera. Here it is tuned to 370hp and in
the Carrera S 420hp. In both cases this
represents a power increase of 20hp.
The extra power in the 911 Carrera S
result from turbochargers with modified
compressors, a specific exhaust system
and tuned engine management. Thats
not all. The new engines also offer
increased torque [60Nm in each case]
with maximum torque of 450Nm and
500Nm respectively delivered constantly

from a low 1,700rpm up to 5,000rpm

in both cases. At the same time with
a maximum speed of 7,500rpm the
new engine generation clearly exceeds
the top speeds of conventional turbo
engines underscored by the typical
sonorous Porsche engine sound.
On the efficiency front theres more.
Depending on the model variant,
the new engine generation is almost
12per cent more efficient and fuel
consumption is reduced by up to a litre

per 100km. The 911 Carrera with PDK

transmission now consumes just 7.4
litres of fuel per 100Km [a reduction of
0.8 litre/100km], while the 911 Carrera S
with PDK consumes 7.7 litre/100km [1.0
litre less per 100 km].
The 911 Carrera Coup with PorscheDoppelkupplung [PDK] and Sport
Chrono Package sprints from zero to
100km/h in 4.2sec making it two tenths
of a second faster than its predecessor.
The 911 Carrera S with PDK and Sport
NOV 2015

61

Chrono Package performs does the

same in just 3.9secs [also 0.2 s faster].
This means that it is the first 911 in the
Carrera family to undercut the magic
four second mark. And the top speeds of
both models have also increased further:
the 911 Carrera now has a top speed of
295km/h [an increase of six km/h], while
the 911 Carrera S now even reaches
308km/h [an increase of four km/h].
In conjunction with the optional Sport

62

NOV 2015

Chrono Package the 911 Carrera now has

a mode switch on the steering wheel
for the first time, derived from the
hybrid mode switch of the 918 Spyder.
The mode switch consists of a rotary
ring with four positions for the driving
modes Normal, Sport, Sport Plus
and Individual. Depending on the
equipment, the latter setting enables
drivers to configure their own individual
vehicle set-up, for example the PASM,

active engine mounts, PDK shifting

strategy and sports exhaust system. In
combination with PDK transmission the
mode switch has an additional button,
the Sport Response Button. When this
button is pressed the drivetrain is preconditioned for maximum acceleration
for 20 seconds, for example before
overtaking manoeuvres. For this, the
optimum gear is engaged and the engine
management adjusted to an even more

spontaneous response for a short time.

Porsche engineers have further increased
the spread between everyday comfort
and circuit performance. For the first
time, the new PASM chassis [Porsche
Active Suspension Management], which
lowers the ride height by ten millimetres,
is a standard feature on board all Carrera
models. New standard wheels with
five slim twin spokes carry tyres with
reduced rolling resistance and enhanced

performance. Furthermore, on all variants

the width of the rear rims has increased
by 0.5 to 11.5 inches and the rear tyres of
the 911 Carrera S now measure 305mm
instead of 295mm. The active rear-axle
steering that is available as an option for
the 911 Carrera S is chassis technology
adopted from the 911 Turbo and 911 GT3. It
further enhances the turn-in behaviour of
the 911. Improved handling is transmitted
to the driver via the new steering wheel

generation with a design based on the

steering wheel of the 918 Spyder. The
basic steering wheel has a diameter
of 375 millimetres; the optional GT
sports steering wheel measures 360
millimetres. For unlimited everyday
practicality Porsche offers a hydraulic lift
system with integrated lifting cylinders
in the struts of the front axle. Pressing a
button increases the ground clearance
at the front by 40mm.

With innovative
turbo flat engines, an
advanced chassis with
an even greater spread
between performance
and comfort and a
new infotainment
systems, the refreshed
911 Carerra line-up
it is exceedingly wellequipped for its class

NOV 2015

63

Caterham
Superlight Twenty

64

NOV 2015

Caterham has revived the spirit of one of

its most illustrious Sevens - the boisterous
1.6-litre Seven Superlight - with the launch
of a new special edition model
Author: Chandan B Mallik

aterham, the UK-based boutique

sports carmaker has recently
partnered with UAE-based Al
Futtaim and opened a retail showroom
for Caterham cars in Dubais Festival
City, as part of its ERAS Custom and
Classic brand. The British brand used
last months Goodwood Revival event
to commemorate and launch a limited
production variant of its Superlight
model.
The original Superlight was launched
in 1996 and its production end in 2004,
when Caterham decided to focus more
on high performance track cars. Actually,
the idea began a new era for the brand
to prepare and offer track-biased Sevens
with even more performance and lower
weight at a pared down price point.
Despite its ultra-minimalist character even for a Seven - the Superlight went
on to become one of Caterhams most
coveted models, selling some 200
examples while in production.
The limited edition of 20 Superlight
Twenty models are powered by a 135bhp
1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine mated
to a six-speed manual close ration
gearbox. The car is offered with Sport
suspension pack and a limited slip
differential.
The car has been made lighter with the
use of composites and numerous carbon

fibre components, including its cycle

wings, rear wings, nose and minimalist
aero screen. The body is finished in bare
aluminium, as per the original Superlight,
which saves six kilograms further
contributing to the ultra-lightweight
approach.
On the engineering hardware side, a
lightweight flywheel replaced the one
used in stock machines.
The limited production models also
gets a numbered dash plaque, unique
gauges, key and a gear knob bearing
the Superlight Twenty motif and is
equipped with a titanium coloured
chassis, carbon interior panels and
specially-embroidered carbon sports
seats found only on Caterhams flagship
model; the Seven 620 R. The special
edition is only available as a Series 3
chassis with a limited list of options; in
keeping with the minimalistic theme
of the model. Just paint, weather
equipment and a heater are available. On
the performance level, the new model
will hit 96km/h in 4.9secs from standstill
and reach a top speed of 195.6km/h.
Caterham says that every Seven meets
slightly different driver demands, but
perhaps more than any other in the
range, the Superlight Twenty epitomises
Colin Chapmans fundamental principles
of performance through light weight.
NOV 2015

65

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer GT

Mitsubishis Lancer sedan enters 2016 with a

number of key design and feature improvements
Author: Chandan B Mallik

his could be the most exciting

upgrade exercise for the Lancer
which still has a few years in
its career left to explore. Exterior
enhancements include fresh new front
end exterior design, new alloy wheel
designs and choice of new exterior paint
colours.
Depending on markets worldwide, new
value-oriented models are being been
added to the Lancer line-up for the new
model year. The ES and new SEL trim
level will both available with a 2.4-litre
four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive
system. Additionally, the entry-level
Lancer ES model now boasts the most
comprehensive standard equipment and
features package ever included and all
CVT models come equipped with a new
generation CVT8 that improves both
performance and fuel economy.
Cosmetically, for 2016, the car gets a
fresh and bold new signature design
for the front face and grille section
which house the new LED-fired daytime
66

NOV 2015

running lamps. All variants will be

offered with the two new paint colours
announced: New Diamond White Pearl
and Alloy Silver. Newly designed 18in
alloy wheels are being offered alongside
the current 16in rims. A new chrome
waistline strip signs off the exterior.
The cars interior also gets revitalised
with a redesigned front central console
complete with a convenient USB port as
well as an improved new display audio
system. The optional navigation system
has been redesigned and includes a new
reconfigured display screen. The Lancer
ES and SE models now come standard
with improved fabric seats and gloss
black trim.
Under the bonnet, all variants including
the SEL AWD and ES, SE 2WD get the
next-generation Continuously-Variable
Transmission (CVT) which now offers
improved fuel efficiency, smoother
operation, reduced noise and better
acceleration and shift performance.
In addition to the standard equipment

package, the ES will be available with

a new Sun & Sound package in CVT
versions only that includes a power glass
sunroof, rearview camera, a 6.1in display
audio system with satellite radio with a
710-watt Rockford Fosgate premium
sound system.
Safety ratings are quite good for the
Lancers. The Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it Top
Safety Pick for seven straight model
years (2009 through 2015). All 2016
Lancer models will have a long list of
safety features/technologies including
features like anti-lock braking system
(ABS) with Electronic Brake-force
Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
(BA); Active Stability Control (ASC)
with Traction Control Logic (TCL); Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS); a
seven (7) air bag Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) including drivers knee air
bag, dual-stage front air bags, front seat
mounted side-impact air bags and front
and rear curtain side air bags.

The facelift is mild and surprisingly doesnt include

the Dynamic Shield grille which now adorns most of
Mitsubishis new and upgraded models

NOV 2015

67

We continue our look at some of the key questions that have come back
to the public gaze as a result of the Volkswagen diesel engine fiasco
Author: Raj Warrior

e have a running
argument at the
editorial desk
some of us think that the
dieselgate issue is a victimless
crime, while for the other
side the problem is with an
environment that seems to be
setting unrealistic performance
criteria. Yes, environmental
issues still have as many
detractors as hard-core
supporters and we dont have
to look too far for the former.
However, for the majority
of us, our role is principally
confined to being an informed
consumer. The largest malaise
of the 20th century has
been the growth of rampant
consumerism that has put
pressure on raw material
sources, energy and a clean
68

NOV 2015

environment. Consumerism
is not about to go away,
regardless of what happens
to our surroundings at the
best it may mutate into a less
intense form, but a rising
and increasingly affluent
population around the world
will continue to put a strain
on resources and our ability to
deliver without impacting the
environment.
As car buyers we have various
approaches ahead of us, which
in the immediate term are
governed by standards laid
down by authorities. Are they
good enough? Do they actually
address a move towards
zero impact, the holy grail
of planners? Or will we see a
phase in the future where our
air starts getting cleaner?

The latest synthesis report

from the Intergovernmental
panel on climate change has
highlighted that Human
influence on the climate
system is clear, and recent
anthropogenic emissions of
green- house gases are the
highest in history. Recent
climate changes have had
widespread impacts on human
and natural systems.It goes
on to list the contributing
factors and the observed
changes looking at the past
three decades.
Tighter regulations are around
the corner, whether we like it
or not. The question we need
to ask at this stage is how
relevant is the choice we make
today about our car purchase
in the context of the sum total

of human activity?
What are the current
standards?
The Volkswagen issue has
brought about a bit of soulsearching in mainstream
manufacturers. While it
is widely acknowledged
that tough standards can
usually be met in laboratory
environments, the pressures of
regular road usage lower the
vehicles ability to meet these
standards, thus requiring one
of two approaches either
authorities recognise the
need for a laxer regime that
measures on-road pollution
or car manufacturers need to
hone their delivery of cleaner
cars. Lets take a look at what
the world has on offer today
(in its major markets):

standards gets progressively

tighter and that manufacturers
are increasingly being hit with
an average limit for their pool
of cars.

For reference, the Volkswagen

issue broke because the engines
were found to deviate from
both the Tier II limits set by the
EPA and the LEV limits set by

CARB., the two being the US

Federal and California state
bodies responsible for pollution
monitoring and enforcement.
What were those standards?

Data Source: Delphi

While this graphic gives us

a timeline of what we have
ahead of us in the next couple
of years, the main takeaways
are that the sliding scale of

NOV 2015

69

Diesel engine technology,

while mainly mainstream in
Europe, has faced acceptance
issues in the United States.
The concept of fleet
percentages weighting an
overall acceptable pollution

level encouraged European car

manufacturers to push their
clean diesel engines in the
challenging market, pushing
it as a responsible alternative
to the particular issues of a
large, polluting petrol engine.

Now that Volkswagen has

been caught out, the question
is whether it is only a matter
of time before the other
manufacturers also are found
wanting and results in the
death of the diesel alternative

in the United States.

What this points to is a

regime of standards that will
necessitate the speeded up

introduction of hybrid or full

electric drivetrains in future
models. The trend has begun,

with most new launches by

the European manufacturers
factoring in large cars powered

by small petrol or diesel

engines and supplemented
with inline motor assists or

Data Source: Delphi

In Europe it will take some

more time for that to become
a particular issue. The
standards, as they stand are in
the Euro 5 and 6 levels.

70

NOV 2015

stop/start devices linked to

large draw capacitors.
What are the standards

around the corner?

We need to keep our eyes
firmly on the EPA and CARB
as the bellwether standards

for car manufacturers. While

the European standard is
improving, it still doesnt reach
the Californian mark.

Data Source: Delphi

hub mounted electric motors,

as well as energy recovery
devices in the form of brake
force regeneration and engine

NOV 2015

71

Tesla motors projects its car both as a conscious choice for clean driving as well as offering quick recharge and a reasonable range. More
manufacturers are likely to follow this model to gain electric vehicle converts
technologies using gasoline
direct injection supplemented
by port injection and phase
switching of the valve train,
allows smaller engines to
save fuel while being able
to deliver more power on
demand. Add to this the
rock solid reliability of the
modern day turbocharger
and its application in almost
every new engine series being
developed.
How do we buy responsibly?
The mantra taught in schools
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
can be largely applied to
the concept of sustainability
in automobiles. Reducing

could be done by using one

multipurpose vehicle instead
of three purpose-bought cars,
buying smaller cars or buying
cars with engines that are
smaller and less thirsty. Any car
is resource intensive. The less
steel, fabric, foam, paint, glass
and wiring you use, the less
needs to be manufactured.
Use a car with a smaller engine
and less weight and the chance
is that over the lifetime of the
car, you will burn between
10 to 20% less fuel just by
choosing a 1.6-litre engine over
the 2.0-litre that is the pricier
option.

proposed new CAFE rules

for 2017 to 2025 that seeks to
improve the fleetwide average
mileage to above 40 mpg, which
is a tough challenge considering
that the normal family car in the
US today averages only 36 mpg
with much lower figures for
trucks and SUVs.

The US government has

Data Source: CAFE

Here you can see the larger

presence of the SULEV and
ULEV in the fleet mix, while
individual unit standards have
also tightened. Manufacturers
are going to have a hard time
meeting the targets as it is.
Electric car manufacturers
or those that have electric
cars in their mix may gain an
advantage at this stage, but
it isnt as if the combustion
engine, petrol or diesel, has
had its day. Major systems and
technology providers already
have the next generation of
clean diesel systems on offer,
with pressures of 2,700bar
and these will get higher. In
the case of petrol, lean burn

72

NOV 2015

Reuse is another scenario

that exists. The pattern of
replacing your car with a
new one largely depends
on your affluence, where
you live in the world and the
median price of cars available
to you along with broader
indicators on economic health
of the country and incentives
available. An IHS Automotive
survey indicates that average
age of the typical US carpark
New powertrains
With the rather ostentatious
launch of the Mirai, Toyota
has put the ball firmly back in
the Hydrogen court. This base
gas has for many years been
the promised salvation to our
transportation problems. The
negatives associated with
it are its explosive nature,
cost and energy associated
with extracting it to useable
form and the need to build
refuelling stations that are
able to power a hydrogen
transport economy. BMW had
done some pioneering work
with this in the early 2000s
but had to admit that it was a
concept ahead of its time.

will rise from around 11.4 years

to 11.7 by 2019. Analysts predict
that while longer road use till
now was linked to economic
necessity, in the future it will
result from better products
and technologies.
Recycling is the last of this holy
triad but not the least. For us
consumers, this is one aspect
that stays largely out of our
hands. While selling our car on
to another buyer bridges the
reuse and recycle tags quite
nicely, recycling would be
driven largely by an industry
built up around scrapyards
However, it still stands
a commercial chance if
countries that are busy
promoting electric cars begin
to factor in the real cost of
what is seen as a zero impact
system. After all, does the
electricity come from a
coal-fired plant, nuclear or
hydro plant? How much is
lost in transmission? How
much of an environmental
and commercial cost is
attributed to the production
and replacement of storage
batteries? And can electric
vehicles overcome the
current barriers of charge
time and range?

and salvage operations. Even

in this respect, legislation
is pushing consumer
behaviour along with industry
involvement.
The European Union is pushing
ahead of the rest of the world
in this by promulgating the

Reuse &
Recycling
Reuse &
Recovery

End of Life Vehicle directive

as early as the year 2000, it
mandates that manufacturers
have to put in place systems
that allow any vehicle that has
reached the end of its useful
life to be recycled with two
targets:

As of 1 January
2006

As of 1 January
2015

80%

85%

85%

95%

In addition to this manufacturers get an incentive for their ability to

introduce recycled material in new cars sold in the form of tax breaks.

Data Source: US Department of Energy

Another path to reducing

is by taking fewer journeys,
through car-pooling and better
planning.

The swing back to Hydrogen

can be linked to the drop in
cost of the fuel cell. At the
time BMW were looking into

it the fuel cell cost close to

$275/kw as opposed to an
expected price of around $30/
kw in todays scenario.

Conclusion
What is obvious is that the goal of a clean form of personal transportation is a moving goal. As our ability to meet new targets evolves,
the targets and the goalposts that they represent are shifted ahead. That is the reality that finally caught Volkswagen out this time
and we predict that the challenges faced by moving towards a sustainable future will see more manufacturers have to face flak. In the
meantime, the choice of a car powered by an internal combustion engine will be the one that bothers you for some time.
NOV 2015

73

F1

Race report: Russian Grand Prix

Thrills, spills and lady luck favours Lewis Hamilton as he continues to
dominate and wins this event-filled round with ease

t was another comfortable

cruise to victory for
Lewis Hamilton at last
months 2015 Formula One
RussianGrand Prix. With this
win, in top form Hamilton
has sealed the Constructors
Championship for Mercedes
AMG for the second time
in a row. But that is half
of the story for Mercedes
AMG because Hamiltons
teammate Nico Rosberg
suffered another bout of bad
luck. Throttle issues in his car
forced him to retire on lap
seven and this also means
the Germans championship
hopes this season are all but
over.
The win for Hamilton is his
ninth of the season and 42nd
of his F1 career. He now levels
with Ferraris Sebastian Vettel
in the all-time standings and
ahead of him still are two
legends -- Alain Prost with 51
wins and Michael Schumacher
with 91 wins respectively.
After a thrilling performance
74

NOV 2015

at the Sochi Autodrom,

Vettel ended up crossing the
line second. In the closing
stages, the German was fast
enough to reduce a 13sec gap
to just 5.9sec, proving the
performance and reliability
of his Ferrari. The battle
for third place was just as
exciting. Force Indias Sergio
Perez looked to be in the
running for his first podium
of the season but with his
tyres fading fast, Williams
Valtteri Bottas and Ferraris
Kimi Rikknen were able to
overtake.
There were tense moments
all the way with Bottas and
Rikknen. Rikknen pushed
ahead with an overtaking
manoeuvre but ended up
crashing into the rear of his
compatriot. It meant that
Perez was able to cross the
line third, almost 29 seconds
behind the leader, and it also
allowed Williams other driver
Felipe Massa, who started
the race at 15th on the grid,

to sneak through and secure

fourth.
Unfortunately, the crash
ended Bottas race though
he was later classified 12th.
Rikknen went on to cross
the line fifth but was later
demoted to eighth place after
stewards added 30 seconds
to his race time. This gave the
fifth spot to Infiniti Red Bull
Racings Daniil Kvyat who was
racing in front of his home
crowd. Sixth, meanwhile,
went to Saubers Felipe Nasr.
Seventh went to Lotus Pastor
Maldonado, with Rikknen
then classified eighth. Filling
out the top ten spots were
McLarens Jenson Button
in ninth and Toro Rossos
Max Verstappen in tenth.
Behind them were a string of
retired drivers. At the start
of the race, Force Indias
Nico Hulkenberg lost control
at Turn 2 and ended up
crashing into Saubers Marcus
Ericsson, with both drivers
eliminated. Verstappen also

suffered a puncture in his

attempt to avoid the crash.
And yet another crash was
suffered by Lotus Romain
Grosjean. The Frenchman lost
control at Turn 3 at slammed
into a wall. Fortunately he
was unhurt from the violent
impact. Other drivers failing
to finish included Red Bulls
Daniel Ricciardo who suffered
suspension problems and
Carlos Sainz who had brake
problems.
The results mean Hamilton
now leads the 2015 Drivers
Championship with 302
points. Vettel is 66 points
back at 236, though remains
in contention as there are
100 points still up for grabs.
Rosberg now drops to
third with 229 points. In the
Constructors Championship,
Mercedes has received
the 2015 title thanks to its
unbeatable 531 points. Ferrari
is second with 359 points and
Williams is a distant third with
220 points.

First major championship win for

Bentley Continental GT3
The Bentley Continental GT3 has won
its first major race car championship,
as customer team Bentley Team
HTP took the Blancpain Sprint Series
drivers title following a pole position
and two race victories at the final
round at Zandvoort this weekend.
Just two years after the Bentley
Continental GT3 was launched, drivers
Maxi Buhk [DE] and Vincent Abril
[MO] fought off stiff competition
from the 2014 championship-winning
Audi, to take one of the most soughtafter titles in GT3 racing.
This is a fantastic achievement for
Bentley Team HTP with the Bentley

Continental GT3, commented

Bentleys Director of Motorsport
Brian Gush. The Blancpain Sprint
Series is very competitive and there is
no room for error. Maxi and Vincent
with Bentley Team HTP have been the
perfect team to take our race car to
success.
Bentley Team HTP, which under
the name HTP Motorsport enjoyed
multiple GT3 successes over the past
five years, joined forces with Bentley
Motorsport at the start of 2015 and
entered cars in the Blancpain GT
Series, which comprises both the
Sprint and Endurance championships.

Success for Porsche hybrid racer in Japan

Porsche took an important step in
the battle for the World Endurance
Championship [WEC] by winning
the fourth race in a row in Japan
last month. The Porsche 919 Hybrid
won the six-hour race in Fuji in the
hands of Timo Bernhard [Germany],
Brendon Hartley [New Zealand] and
former Formula One driver Mark
Webber [Australia]. The sister car
shared by Romain Dumas [France],
Neel Jani [Switzerland] and Marc
Lieb [Germany] came second and
secured another one-two result for
Porsche. The WEC is considered
one of the most important World
Championships in motorsport besides

Formula One. By winning again in Fuji,

Porsche has extended its championship
lead over Audi and Toyota.
In the GTE-Am class for productionbased GT cars, in which Porsche
customer teams compete against
Aston Martin, Chevrolet and Ferrari,
Hollywood star and race driver Patrick
Dempsey [US] achieved his first WEC
win at the wheel of his Porsche 911
RSR. It is the current competition
version of the iconic 911 1] production
sports car. The best 911 RSR in the
class GTE-Pro for professionals
finished second and was in the hands
of Frdric Makowiecki [France] and
Patrick Pilet [France].

RACING DRIVERS
WANTED: 56 GAMERS
ARE IN ABU DHABI
FOR 2015 NISMO
PLAYSTATION GT
ACADEMY

ast month, the NISMO

PlayStation GT
Academy European Race
Camp moved from UK to Abu
Dhabi in UAE. The intensive,
week-long racing driver boot
camp saw 56 Gran Turismo
gamers from 11 European
countries compete for the
chance to embark on Nissans
all-encompassing Driver
Development Program and the
chance to become a real racing
driver, with Formula One
technical genius Adrian Newey
OBE on hand as head judge at
the Yas Marina Circuit.
The Red Bull Racing Chief
Technical Officer stands
alone in Formula One, with
his designs having won 10
Constructors titles for three
different teams. The British
engineer has worked with
some of F1s greatest drivers,
including Nigel Mansel, Mika
Hkkinen and Sebastian Vettel.
He now turns his attention
to spot a rising star from the
gaming world.
I have enjoyed a long
association with Gran Turismo
having designed the Red
Bull X2010 prototype for the
game, and we have also done
some work at Red Bull with
Jann Mardenborough, said
Newey. As everyone knows,
simulators play an increasing
76

NOV 2015

role in real-world racing, and

it is no surprise that Jann and
the other GT Academy winners
are enjoying successful racing
careers with Nissan. I am
looking forward to getting
involved in unearthing the next
new talent.
Newey will have close
support from GT Academys
experienced chief instructor,
sports car racer Rob Barff, as
the racing driver hopefuls are
put through their paces on
and off the track in a series
of challenges to test driving
skills as well as physical and
mental aptitude. Barff leads a
team of top-level GT Academy
instructors and high-profile
country mentors including:
ex-F1 driver Max Chilton [UK];
Dani Clos [Iberia]; Olivier
Pla [France]; JP Kraemer
[Germany]; Tim Coronel
[Benelux]; Michela Cerutti
[Italy]; and Josef Krl [CEE].
GT Academy is getting bigger
and better each year. In 2015,
24 countries across the world
have participated in three
virtual-to-reality competitions.
Champions of Asia and an
International competition
have already been crowned
at Silverstone, the traditional
home of Race Camp, but
the European competition is
ringing the changes with the

move to the warmer climes of

Abu Dhabi. The sun, sea, sand
and impressive skyscrapers
of Abu Dhabi will create a
spectacular backdrop for the
GT Academy TV show which
was watched by 27 million
people in 2014.
Were very excited about our
move to Abu Dhabis fantastic
facilities, said Olivier Pierini,
Nissan Europe Manager of
Sponsorship and Partnership.
As always, Race Camp will
be a very tough test of the
competitors natural talents
and determination to succeed.
At the end of the process, we
shall have one winner who
has a chance to make his
dreams come true and join the
ranks of our NISMO athletes
competing around the world.
Our past successes with the
likes of Lucas [Ordoez], Jann
[Mardenborough] and Wolfie
[Wolfgang Reip], who has just
won the Blancpain Endurance
Championship demonstrate
how much is at stake.
The winner of GT Academy
Europe will embark on the
Driver Development Program
with the aim to progress to
a career as a racing driver.
The results of the program
have been spectacular: Lucas
Ordoez, an MBA student
from Spain, spearheaded the

program in 2008, now races

for Nissan in Super GT500 class
in Japan and has two Le Mans
24 Hour podium finishes to his
name; Jann Mardenborough,
the 2011 winner from the UK,
competes in the GP3 Formula 1
feeder series; and in just three
years, Wolfgang Reip from
Belgium has been transformed
from gamer to Blancpain
Endurance Series champion
racing a Nissan GT-R NISMO
GT3.
Race camp is something
that is exciting for everyone
involved in PlayStation and
Gran Turismo, said Gran
Turismo series creator and
President of Polyphony Digital
Inc., Kazunori Yamauchi. The
manner by which the fastest
gamer impresses the judges,
and transforms from a virtual
to a real racer, brings me great
joy every time. Theres no
need to stress the fact that
its possible to give birth to a
driver who has the potential
to succeed in international
circuits through this program
anymore, but I think it is
important to note that this
experience at race camp is a
moment in the limelight in the
lives and memories of all its
participants. I wish this years
European challengers good
luck.

Ali Al Balushi to represent

Oman at the Red Bull drift
final this month

A hat-trick performance by
Omani drifter Ali Al Balushi
last month in the sixth season
of the Red Bull Car Park Drift
Qualifier that was held in
Oman Automobile Association
grounds in Seeb, Muscat,
means that he will now
represent his home country in
the finals to be held this month
in UAE.
In a closely fought competition
between 16 top drivers, the
Omani King of Drift with
his consistent performance
impressed the three judges

and scored 381 points to take

the lead, followed by Refaat
Al Yahyaei (370 points) and
third place winner Abdullah
Al Balushi (316 points). The
sixteen road cars were
specially modified to take
on the twists and turns of a
track designed by reigning
drift champion Ali Fegali with
exceptional precision, while
drawing the admiration of
cheering spectators.
The key to drifting success is
high torque availability and
on this Ali Al Balushi said: Im

so glad I won the Red Bull Car

Park Drift for a third year in a
row. Last year at the regional
final, my car was tuned to offer
500hp, but this year I have
further modified it to reach an
output of 712hp making it the
most powerful car in Oman.
Judges gave points on the
drifting skills including how
drivers follow the track,
performed the longest
distance of continuous drifting,
tyre smoke, exhaust note
and overall presentation.
Last year I was so close to

winning but I lost one point

in the engine sound so Ive
increased it this year, said
Balushi.
The judges also looked
for an impressive exterior
too and deducted points
if participants drifted the
wrong way, spun their cars
or hit any of the obstacles.
Qualifying rounds took off at
the start of the year in UAE,
Tunisia, Kuwait, Lebanon,
Mauritius and Jordan. The Red
Bull Car Park Drift Final takes
place in Dubai onNovember 20.

NOV 2015

77

MotoGP

2015 Australia race report: Marc Marquez wins one of the most dramatic
MotoGP races of all time as Lorenzo reduces Rossis lead in the standings
to just 11 points

epsol Hondas Marquez

emerged triumphant
from an incredible
Pramac Australian Motorcycle
Grand Prix to record his 50th
career GP victory and fifth
of 2015. Marquez secured
the race win in the end by
just 0.249sec from Jorge
Lorenzo, with Andrea Iannone
completing the podium ahead
of championship leader
Valentino Rossi who had to
settle for fourth.
Marquez was involved in a
race-long scrap with Movistar
Yamaha teammates and title
rivals Lorenzo and Rossi, plus
the Ducati GP15 of Iannone.
The battle between these four
was simply breath-taking and
besides perfect conditions
there were many overtakes,
lots of contact, a championship
title on the line and even a
bird strike! Action began at
the start with Iannone who
got the drive off the line to
lead into Turn 1 with Lorenzo
and Marquez in hot pursuit.
Lorenzo would take the lead
into Turn 8, and in a sign of
things to come there was
contact between Marquez and
78

NOV 2015

his teammate Dani Pedrosa

at Turn 10 as the former
defended his third position.
Iannone re-took the lead on
lap 2, only to be hit by a stray
seagull on the entrance to Turn
4 to allow Lorenzo to move
back to the front.
The lead position was swapped
several times between these
three on the opening laps.
Rossi, who had started from
seventh on the grid, had been
biding his time, before starting
to move up the pack order by
lap 3. He overtook the Repsol
Honda of Dani Pedrosa and
LCR Hondas Cal Crutchlow to
move up to fourth on lap 4 and
join in the fun at the front.
Lorenzo began to break away
at the front, and by the end of
lap 7 he had opened up a 1.4s
gap, but just when it looked
like he would disappear into
the distance the chasing trio
started to close. Unbelievably,
despite constantly swapping
places, the three started to
reel in Lorenzo at the front.
At the end of lap 13, Lorenzos
lead was down to a second. At
the end of lap 14 it was 0.5s,
and fans were in for a treat as

Marquez, Iannone and Rossi

caught Lorenzo at the front
with 10 laps to go.
From here on in it was
anyones guess who would
win, with Iannone using the
incredible power of his GP15 to
show some blistering pace on
the straight. This meant each
time once of the others passed
the Italian; he was able wait
until the Gardner straight to
launch his Bologna missile back
past.
Lorenzo took the lead with
7 laps to go once more, and
with just two laps to go had
extended this lead to one
second as the others fought
against each other. The best
was still to come though. As
the riders entered the final lap
less than second separated all
four, as Lorenzo led across the
line from Iannone with Marquez
in third and Rossi fourth.
Marquez passed Iannone in
the Southern Loop to move
into second and set off after
Lorenzo. Rossi also came past
his compatriot after contact
at turn 4, before Iannone
fought back into 3rd through
Lukey Heights. Then at turn 10

Marquez blitzed past Lorenzo

into the lead, as Rossi tried
desperately to pass Iannone
for the final time but failed.
Marquez then managed to
hold on through the final few
corners to secure an amazing
victory as the crowd went wild.
Marquez had saved his best
till last, putting in the fastest
lap of the race on the final
lap as he timed his move to
perfection. It seemed a fitting
way for the reigning MotoGP
World Champion to break
his MotoGP points duck at
Phillip Island, as he became the
youngest ever rider to reach
the milestone of 50 GP wins.
Lorenzo took second, his
tenth podium of the year, to
close the gap in the standings
to Rossi to just 11 points with
two races remaining. Iannone
completed the podium, his
third of the year and first
since Mugello, while Rossis
fourth was only the second
time he has missed out on the
podium this season. Marquezs
teammate Pedrosa came out
on top in the battle for fifth
as he crossed the line five
seconds behind Rossi.

MotoGP thriller has

Rossi knee Marquez
Pedrosa wins

Controversy can never be very far from MotoGP or Valentino Rossi for that
matter. The Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang is now famous for all the wrong
reasons

he Repsol team are

baying for blood and
this time its Valentino
Rossi who is seen at fault. The
major talking point about the
race at Sepang is the seventh
lap interaction between Rossi
and Repsols Marc Marquez
who were battling for third
spot at the time. Calling Rossis
conduct unsportsmanlike,
Repsol claim that he delivered
a premeditated kick to
Marquez that sent him
crashing out. they further go
on to state, Repsol are deeply
saddened that situations
like that which occurred
today in Sepang exist,

especially as the company

feel proud of sporting values:
Companionship, competitive
spirit and commitment from
riders. Without these values,
it would not make sense for
Repsol to participate in the
sport as a sponsor. Repsol
also call for a clear and strong
regulation in the interest of the
safety and physical integrity
of the riders, which punishes
behaviour like that seen today
clearly and decisively.
While a closer look at the close
encounter looks like there was
contact between Marquez
helmet and Rossis leg before
Rossi lashes out, the Race

Direction has docked Rossi three

penalty points which means he
starts at the back of the grid in
the next race at Valencia. The
team has also not been allowed
to appeal the penalty.

As for the race itself, Lorenzo

raced a brilliant race that saw
him move up the field from sixth
to his number two position on
the podium, smoothy passing
Rossi who was also trying to
make this a race to remember.
Pedrosa built on his lead to put
in an almost textbook race to get
his second win of the season.
He says, The setup we used at
this circuit in February during
testing helped me a lot and Im
very happy to take this win for

my team, who have been behind

me all the way and I feel very
sorry for Marc because of what
happened to him. I am especially
pleased to finish the season very
positively, as it has been a hard
year but we are now recovering
well and were in good form.
Australia is always the hardest
race of the year for me, but that
turned out fine and Im really
glad we completed the fly aways
like this. Pedrosa is now fourth,
following Marquez who hangs on
to his third spot.
Rossi will have one more shot at
getting his championship sorted
out, but it looks like he will
have to do it the hard way, with
Lorenzo just 7 points behind him
at this stage.
NOV 2015

79

Letting the machine

take over
So now its official. Experts opine that if the self-driving car becomes mainstream, we are
going to have to contend with the automotive variation of Asimovs three laws of robotics.
They go in the order that a robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow
a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings
except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. A robot must protect its own
existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Now lets extrapolate that to the self-driving car. Pretty simple at first glance: dont cause
accidents and avoid accidents that are happening around you, dont take orders from
stupid drivers if that means anyones likely to get killed or injured and try to keep up
your resale value if you can. But heres the conundrum apparently the software being
written for self-driving cars doesnt factor in a concept of one life being more precious
than another. What do I mean, you ask? Well, consider for a moment that you are driving
a car and you find that you have to swerve to avoid crashing into a car, but by swerving
you would hit a pedestrian. Your natural reaction would be to do that, since you are trying
to save Primus Optimus (thats you). Now, while you would have to face the courts and
spend some agonising soul-searching moments, you would be happy that you are safe.
But the self-driving car decides otherwise. It is supposed to factor in all the odds and
may decide that losing you is better than losing two pedestrians. Does that appeal to you
as a responsible consumer? I am not suggesting for a moment that your microwave or
television should kill you, but would you buy any durable that, were it to be allowed to
think, decided that your life was just a footnote to the statistics?

Raj Warrior is editor of Automan and has been in the thick

of the Automotive journalism field from the past 15 years.
Want to comment or have your say?
Email at raj@alroya.net.
Identify yourself or your message will be trashed and
your id blocked

Of course artificial intelligence is nowhere near the commercialisation stage. The car is
only resorting to the programming put into it. It is just a fancier version of the automated
cruise control systems that are already in place. In some ways it is a descendant of the
logic that drives image control on your fancy new SLR cameras and your smart phone,
albeit without these having a life-taking mode. You capture an image on full auto mode
and the camera decides the f-stop, shutter speed, ISO settings and even the white
balance. It looks for elements that it can recognise as faces and even knows when to
release the shutter as the faces smile and open their eyes. Youve no doubt seen the
results. The images are never so great that you would want to send them out to be printed
and never so bad that you wonder why you have bothered. The software will usually even
compensate for your hand shaking as you capture your millionth inane photo.
The self-driving car is to my mind something like this. Only, by the time we see a lot of
them on the road, they will also be networked, so that they are actually talking to each
other. If I still hark back to your camera or phone, it would be like your phone asking your
friends phone to quickly snap a shot and send it over because it knows that despite all
the logic on-board you have never been able to take a decent shot.
The swarm of self-driving cars on the road will appeal to town planners and most
commuters who think that getting from A to B should be about motion, not emotion. If
they encountered a hot-blooded off-grid driver, what are the chances that they would
gang up on him and swarm his Mustang to the layby? As for me, I believe that the selfdriving car needs to be reimagined. The simple way would be to provide an override
button that simply adds a constant to the algorithm. The owners life is supreme and the
car should prioritise its business of crashing safely to ensure that the owner survives.
Either that or like the theme pack that you install on your mobile device, allow every
owner to give their car a personality, safe, quick or putative rally driver, every selfrespecting runaround needs a character.

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NOV 2015