16

2015 Bentley Flying Spur Speed

First drive of the V8 version

COVERstory |
Spring Ride

Spending some time touring Lebanon

with 2015 Harley-Davidson models

8
20

24

cover story

16-19 Bentley Flying Spur V8 SPEED

46-51 Lincoln Continental Concept

NEXT ISSUE

Oman and regional news

6-8 Renault Symbol arrives in Oman,

2015 Audi TT arrives in style in region,
Enthusiasts taste Lamborghinis
Esperienza exclusive test drive
program in UAE, Plans for state-ofthe-art Porsche Center for Muscat
revealed, Mitsubishi pre-Ramadan deals,
Hyundai appointment, Volvo to sell
performance models in region, HarleyDavidsons newest model: Street 750
launched in region, Harley Davidsons
first regional Spring Ride held in
Lebanon

Jaguar XE

brandwatch

10-15 Rolls-Royce SUV work in

progress, uncertain future for Lexus
full-size SUVs? By 2020, half of Toyota
new models will have new platforms
and engineering, Toyota-BMW sports
car to slot above GT86, Aston Martin
to replace Papide with two models,
Mercedes looking at lifestyle ute,
Hyundai could green light Santa
Cruz pick-up concept, Russia falters
for automakers, FCA revamps its
European strategy, 2015 Red Dot
awards, new investments planned by
major players, GM Africa and Middle
East Operations to be united, 2017 BMW
X7 SUV engineering details, Honda to
discontinue Crosstour, Robert De Niro
to star as Enzo Ferrari in biopic

First rides

44
52

20-21 2015 Harley-Davidson Dyna Fat Bob

24-29 2015 MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800
30-33 2015 Artic Cat Wild Cat X

International news

34-69 2015 New York Motor Show top

11 Editors picks
34-40 Lincoln Continental Concept
42-43 2016 Jaguar XF
44-47 2016 Cadillac CT6
48-49 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
50-51 2016 Kia Optima
52-53 2016 Honda Civic hatchback
54-55 2015 Porsche Boxster Spyder
56-57 2015 McLaren 570S
58-59 2015 Subaru BRZ STI
60-63 2016 Lexus RX
64-67 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Special feature:

68-74 Summer caR care:: TYres

MOTORSPORTS

76-79 F1, Moto GP, regional news,

snippets

Chicane

80 Can technology cure our vices?

editor-in-chief
Mohammad Al Taie

AL ROYA PRESS & PUBLISHING

PO Box: 343, Postal Code 118
Al Harthy Complex
Sultanate of Oman
Email: automan@alroya.net
Website: www.automan.me
Editorial office:
Tel: +968 22077730/31 Extn 300,
Distribution:
Tel: +968 22077730/31
Subscription:
Tel: +968 22077730/31
publisher
Hatim Al Taie

hatim@alroya.net

EDITOR & GM
Raj Warrior

raj@alroya.net

executive EDITOR
Chandan B Mallik chandan@alroya.net
contributing EDITOR
Anne Kurian
annekurian@alroya.net
HEAD OF Design
Antony Karlo
photography
Elvis John Ferrao
marketing
Sayantani Ghosh sayantani@alroya.net
circulation
books@alroya.net
FINANCE & ADMIN
Sumy Mol

sumy@alroya.net

Website & IT
Mohammed F Draz mohammed.draz@alroya.net
Printer
Ruwi Modern Printers LLC, Muscat
Tel: +968 2479 4167, 2479 8157
Fax: +968 2470 0545
2015
All editorial content of Automan in the magazine
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

The big news this month has got to be the Piech Winterkorn fracas. By now everyone
knows the elements Piech didnt want Winterkorn succeeding him, the workers stood by
their CEO as did the state and the family chose to make all the right noises too.
Piech may have found his position as chairman of the board untenable and as of going to
the press, he has resigned. But is that the end of the story? Will we necessarily have a new
chairman heading the Volkswagen group next month? And what is the real story behind
this battle of egos? We have covered the reportage elements of this unfolding saga in our
pages but advise you to watch this space for developments.
Our cover feature is on two Continentals. Yes, you heard that right. The Bentley Continental
Flying Spur (now usually referred to without the Continental) sits across the page from
Lincolns proposed Continental, which has cut too close for comfort for Bentleys liking.
Read both the stories inside.
On the other hand it isnt very often when we can say we have a cornucopia of one type
of story. Oddly enough this month we have had a significant crop of motorcycle related
articles. The top end of the two-wheeler market is hotting up, with disposable incomes
and nuclear families helping to push aside traditional barriers against biking. We have
actually been encouraging a certain premium brand to bring back its unique steeds to
Oman.
The entry-level scenario is however a completely different one. As brought out in a media
report the issue is basically one of new learners licences being unavailable. Our team
rides bikes because they are passionate about it, but most applicants for the green book
for bikes are people who need it to earn a living, whether through delivery of pizzas,
newspapers or groceries. Between the vagaries of the traffic, weather and regulations,
bike delivery boys seem to be an endangered race, especially if they continue in the belief
that they can ride on a learners licence forever.
Speaking of the weather, Oman has finally seen the back of a rather longer than usual tryst
with the relative cool of a rainy winter. Summer is on us with an opening act of forty plus
degrees. What better time than now for Automan to bring out a detailed look at Tyres
as part of our summer special features. If you are driving on old or worn tyres, or indeed
underinflated ones in this heat, you are in for trouble. For details look through the pages
of the tyre special and perhaps you will go out and get your tyres upgraded.
Other than that we have our usual mix of automotive manna that is sure to keep you
informed, entertained and looking forward to the next months stock.

Now, Automan is available in bookshops in

the United Arab Emirates too! Get your copy
or let us know which outlets you would like
to see us in

Volvo to sell performance models

in region

Enthusiasts taste Lamborghinis

Esperienza exclusive test drive
program in UAE
The Lamborghini Esperienza has started its 2015 Middle East
program last month with more than 60 participants from GCC
countries joining Lamborghini at Dubai Autodrome and the
Bahrain International Circuit over the four-day event.
The Esperienza, organized by Lamborghinis Squadra Corse
department, is designed to provide newcomers to the Italian
super sports car marque with a first taste of the brand and the
new Lamborghini V10 model: the Huracn LP 610-4.
With an insight into Lamborghinis heritage and the technical
prowess of the range, the focus is on test driving Lamborghini
models through a range of exercises as well as full circuit laps,
demonstrating their full dynamic capabilities as both road cars
and on track. The Lamborghini Esperienza is designed to
give the perfect test drive opportunity and a first experience
of our brand for a growing clientele interested in owning a
Lamborghini, said Christian Mastro, head of the Europe,
Middle East and Africa region. Lamborghinis Squadra Corse
department runs programs worldwide for both existing clients
and newcomers to the Lamborghini brand, starting with
Esperienza, with Accademia providing focused instruction for
owners. Lamborghinis Squadra Corse department also oversees
its motorsports program, including the Lamborghini Blancpain
Super Trofeo one-make series in three continents.

Plans for state-of-theart Porsche Center for

Muscat revealed

SATA LLC, the official retailer of Porsche vehicles in

Oman has announced plans for the construction of
the new Porsche Centre and showroom to be built
alongside the existing showroom. The multilevel setup will have space for 42 car displays, workshop and
museum. The first phase of the multimillion Omani
riyal project is set to be delivered by October 2016.
The facility will also include a permanent display
section for classic Porsches. The new facilty will
be the largest Porsche Centre in the region when
completed.
6

MAY 2015

Developed from 19 years of motorsport experience, the

performance-oriented Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar get a
production boost to 750 units in 2015 and this will help the brand
expand to its performance car business from 8 to 13 countries
around the world including Middle East. We are proud to
introduce the S60 and V60 Polestar in the Middle East. The
positive response we received from customers all over the world
on our very first production car with Polestar is remarkable, said
Emre Karaer, General Manager of Volvo Car. The new countries
to get the MY16 Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar include Bahrain,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Renault Symbol arrives in Oman

Last month, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles [SBA], introduced the
all-new third generation 2015 Renault Symbol compact sedan.
The model was first revealed at the 2012 Istanbul Motor Show
and is produced in several locations. The Middle East production
comes from Morocco. The model was conceived by Renault
as a global model and its key USP is that it delivers a level of
equipment normally associated with vehicles from the next
segment up. The car will be offered with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder
engine mated to an automatic gearbox.

Mitsubishi May deals

Its a tactical move on part of General Automotive

Company, the official distributor of Mitsubishi
vehicles in Oman to usher in the summer season with
a range special offers across its range of Mitsubishi
vehicles as part of its new Summer Knockout Deals.
Rajesh Sharma, National Marketing Manager of
General Automotive Company said, Customers
purchasing Mitsubishi cars will benefit from free
insurance, free service and a special cash gift. The
current offer is valid until May 21, 2015 and applies to
all Mitsubishi Lancer EX, ASX, Pajero, Pajero Sport,
Outlander and L200 models. Mitsubishi is offering
each of these models with six years unlimited
mileage warranty, six years roadside assistance and
free registration.

Hyundai appointment
Hyundai Motor Company has announced that Jin
(James) Kim will succeed Tom Lee as Vice President
and Head of operations in Africa and the Middle
East. Since 2013, Kim has been in charge of sales
for Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and Middle East
territories while based in Seoul. Before his move to
Korea, Kim was based in South East Asia, Western
Europe, Australia, Canada and India. In his new role
Kim will work with the local team and distributors.
On his new appointment, Kim said: Taking over the
senior role presents a new and exciting opportunity.
We have a number of dynamic new model launches
planned for the rest of this year, so Ive arrived at an
important time.

2015 Audi TT arrives in style in region

At the spectacular launch event at Skydive Dubai last month at the Dubai Autodrome and
thereafter on Dubais roads, the third generation of the iconic sports car first hand. The
Audi TT is synonymous with being a genuine design icon and top-performance machine,
said Trevor Hill, Managing Director at Audi Middle East. This new generation is enabling
us to bring the technology even more to life for drivers just as they would expect from
a real sports car. You dare or you dont! At the official launch event, the TT logo was
painted in the sky by skydivers from Skydive Dubai. Audi DTM pilot Edoardo Mortara
revealed the car with an impressive sprint on the landingstrip.
Meanwhile, in Oman, the new TTs first outing along with the new S3 sedan was at the
Audi quattro tour 2015 programme that was held at the Oman Automobile Club in
Muscat.

Dhofar Automotive launches state-of-the-art

Fiat Chrysler Service Centre in Mabella
MENA regions first fully customer focused
and ultra modern new Fiat Chrysler service
facility was formally put into operation by
Dhofar Automotive, sole distributors of
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Fiat and Alfa
Romeo vehicles in Oman last month.
The over 6,000sq-ft impressive service
centre will offer Fiat Chrysler experience
to its customers. The service centre has 18

bays (15 diagnostic and 3 work bays) and

can service over a 1,000 cars a month. The
facility will also offer centralized booking,
besides taking walk-in customers, meet
and greet service, a 45-minute express
lane, engaging audio-visual displays,
a customer lounge with free Wi-Fi A
Mopar display area for spare-parts and
accessories, six-minute service diagnostics,

wheel balancing bay, and ultramodern

painting booth are among the facilities
offered at this new facility.
The Mabella service centre offers us the
optimal opportunity to enrich the service
experience for our customers, said
Chris Edwards, General Manager, Dhofar
Automotive. With its ease of access
form both, the express way and Sultan
Qaboos Highway, the new location further
strengthens our presence in Oman. We are
now able to provide our customers with a
greatly-enhanced after sales experience.
Roderick Lloyd, Head of after sales at
Dhofar Automotive commented: In order
to replicate the Fiat Chrysler Groups
international standards in technical and
soft skills training, the service facility also
has a training centre that will conduct
and oversee training programmes for Fiat
Chrysler personnel in Oman as well as
the MENA region. Through our training
programmes we hope to develop highly
skilled and trained manpower that will
cater to the automobile industry and
serve our customers better by ensuring
end to end process standardization and
execution.
MAY 2015

Harley-Davidsons
Street 750 launched
in region

Harley Davidsons first regional

Spring Ride held in Lebanon
More than 350 Harley-Davidson enthusiasts from the region along with
their motorcycles gathered near the new Harley-Davidson boutique
outlet located near Red Square Centre, Seaside road Beirut, Lebanon
as participants of the seasons first Spring ride in picturesque Lebanon.
The over 230km round trip saw riders and their pillion companions drive
through the city, countryside, winding mountain roads through to the
South of Lebanon.

MAY 2015

The first official debut of the smallest

member of the Harley family, the Street
750, took place in Lebanon at the newly
opened Harley-Davidson Cedarwoods
dealership in downtown Beirut. We are
extremely thrilled about the opening of
our new dealership in Lebanon which has
fortunately coincided with the reveal of
the new Street 750. Owning a HarleyDavidson is not just about owning a
motorcycle, its an experience; and we
wanted to ensure we provide our services
to existing and prospective customers
from all parts of Lebanon, said Marwan
Tarraf, owner and
General Manager, Harley-Davidson
dealership, Lebanon. And within weeks
of the Beirut launch, it was launched
in Oman at Al Makan Caf in Qurum
Corniche. The Street 750 is aimed at
attracting young riders, especially in
urbanised cities like Beirut or Muscat,
or those aspirants looking to enter the
world of Harley-Davidson including
women who would like to be part of
the ladies of Harley family. The HarleyDavidson Street 750 is designed
specifically to meet the needs of urban
riders and is the ideal way to discover
their city in style. It is also a bike that
assists with unique challenges faced by
riders in different climates across the
region. It marries nimble manoeuvrability;
unique Dark Custom style and instant
power helping riders escape the cars,
buses and taxis that clog inner-city
roads added Elsa Abi Nader, Regional
Marketing Manager, Harley-Davidson
Middle East and North Africa. The event
also coincided with the launch of new
Dark Custom operations for the line-up.
[see test drive impressions of the Dyna
Fat Bob with Dark Custom treatment
elsewhere in this magazine].

Uncertain future for Lexus fullsize SUVs?

In its open letter on 18 February this year, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

management gave an undertaking to inform stakeholders of the
progress of its SUV called Project Cullinan. Last month, the brand
published photographs of the first engineering mule. Since this is
early engineering mule, the focus is on the powertrain and most
importantly, the all-wheel drive system that it will use. The mule
is based on a shortened Phantom Series II platform. Observers
suggest that the body may hint at the size of the new car, but it
features no design aspects of the eventual high-sided, all-terrain
motor car. The mule rides on the first iteration of an all-new
suspension that will assist Rolls-Royce engineers in developing a
final all-wheel drive system that delivers Rolls-Royces hallmark
magic-carpet ride not only on the road, but off-road too.
The first series of tests will focus on Project Cullinans on-road
behaviour from suspension throw to high-bodied stability, and
will test the new suspension across all types of international
road surface specification at test facilities, as well as on public
roads. Test surfaces will include; Belgian Pav, cobblestones,
corrugated concrete, noise development and measurement
surfaces, resonance road, and acceleration bumps.

Two of Lexus top SUV models, the GX and LX could be facing

an uncertain future, according to Lexus executive vice
president Mark Templin. In a recent interview with motoring
media, Templin said:The future of those vehicles longer term
is in doubt because of regulations that are being driven by
governments all over the world. This seems to suggest the
models will stick around for awhile in markets that do not have
stringent regulations but could eventually be phased out to due
to more stringent fuel economy and emissions standards. While,
Templin declined to comment on possible replacements for the
body-on-frame SUVs but previous media reports have suggested
the GX will go out of production next year and be replaced by a
seven-seat crossover that could be called the TX in the US.

Toyota-BMW sports car to slot

above GT86
A Toyota executive has confirmed that its upcoming sports car,
which is being co-developed with BMW, will be slotted above
the Toyota-Subaru co-developed FT/GT86/Scion FR-S. The
intention with the new car is for it to sit above the GT86, said
Toyota Europe product-planning head Karl Schlicht. This means
the new arrival doesnt replace that model.
Meanwhile, BMWs Ian Robertson has suggested the separate
Toyota and BMW variants will not be direct segment rivals, as
the platform is flexible enough to support different wheelbases.
The comments suggest BMW can deliver a small roadster to
replace the Z4, while Toyota can opt for a slightly longer build
consistent with the last Supra.

Automans take
Previous reports have suggested the model will revive the
Supra nameplate and cost more than the Chevrolet Corvette,
potentially into the $60,000 bracket if the information proves
accurate. Both variants are rumoured to feature a hybrid allwheel-drive system and a turbocharged 400hp six-cylinder
engine. Toyotas car could actually get a BMW powertrain.
10

MAY 2015

Automans take

Rolls-Royce SUV work in

progress

It seems to be a premature remark from the Lexus

executive. This is because Toyota has inculcated several
efficiency oriented technologies in some of its SUVs with
features like Electronic On-Demand 4WD, Hybrid Synergy
Drive among others. In addition, Lexus has started looking
at turbocharging and direct injection technologies in its
new offerings like the recently introduced NX compact
SUV. We are confident that some of these solutions along
with benefits from Toyotas new and efficient architecture
will also been seen in future Lexus SUVs.

By 2020, half of Toyota new models will have new platforms and
engineering
A couple of interesting things are
happening at Toyota which will have
significant impact in the way how new
production vehicles in the coming years
will be produced. Toyota has announced
that it is taking a new integrated approach
in developing efficient platforms,
powertrains and components for its
future models. Toyotas New Global
Architecture (TNGA) is core to this
elaborate programme and is expected
to play a significant role in improving

core vehicle performance and product

appeal besides offering tangible benefits
for consumers. The basic pillars in this
plan are lighter and more rigid flexible
platforms with lower centre of gravity
and the ability to accommodate compact
components. Besides an efficient
platform, a range of new powertrains will
be introduced for the TNGA programme
which will offer improved fuel efficiency
of by approximately 25per cent and
increased overall power output by more

than 15per cent. Toyota also expects to

improve the overall fuel efficiency of its
hybrid vehicle systems by more than 15per
cent. The TNGA system will also reduce
the investments needed to produce
new models and also engage in efficient
production technologies by developing
strategic sharing of parts and powertrain
elements for instance. Toyota expects
approximately half of its vehicles sold
worldwide by 2020 to feature the fruits of
these new ideas.

Automans take year, followed by specific new platforms for compact and large FWD vehicles and for rear-wheel drive cars.
an artist rendition of what the
Mercedes ute could look like

Toyota will begin to roll out its new platforms with the launch of a mid-size front-wheel drive model this

Mercedes looking at lifestyle ute

Its no secret that the mid-size pickup segment is gaining
momentum worldwide. More and more mainstream automakers
are looking at pick-ups that have car-like specifications. After
Hyundai, it seems that Mercedes-Benz will also expand its product
range into a promising segment by launching its first pick-up before
the end of the decade. A Mercedes-Benz pick-up will contribute
nicely to our global growth targets, says Dieter Zetsche, chairman
of the Board of Management Daimler AG and head of MercedesBenz Cars division. We will enter this segment with our distinctive
brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of
the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value.
Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, adds: As part
of our Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global strategy, the pick-up is the
ideal vehicle for the international expansion of our product range
with a newly developed model.

Hyundai could green light

Santa Cruz pick-up concept
Executives at Hyundais US operations have dropped major hints
about putting the Santa Cruz concept pick-up into production.
Hyundai America CEO Dave Zuchowski said the Santa Cruz is
very important for the company because a production version
would attract a new clientele looking for trucks. If everything
goes according to plan, the new lifestyle pick up model will hit
the assembly line sometime in 2017. Zuchowski said the Santa
Cruz will be able to combine the comfort of crossover with the
practicality of a pick-up. He went on to specify the concept was
not about payload, its not about ground clearance, its not
about towing capacity or being on a job site and having sheetrock in the back of the vehicle. Its not a typical pick-up truck.
MAY 2015

11

Aston to replace Rapide with two models

Aston Martins new CEO Andy Palmer
wants not one, but two new cars to
replace the Rapide. Palmer revealed his
intentions at New York last month and
according to the future product the fourdoor Rapide will replaced by the new
Lagonda sedan and the second car will be
a production version of the DBX crossover
concept. Palmer said: First is replacing
the entire sports car range; second is the
DBX, and that appeals to a different set

of audiences; and the third is the sports

sedan, which will carry [the Lagonda]
badge.
Aston has also confirmed that the sales of
that Lagonda sedan will not be exclusive
to Middle East. The DBX meanwhile is
slated to switch to four doors from the
coupe-like profile of the concept, but keep
similar overall dimensions and that sleek
roofline to make it more accommodating.
The production crossover will use a

conventional petrol engine and not the

electric powertrain as shown before.
Meanwhile, besides the Middle East,
the Lagonda sedan will be available in
EU-compliant markets, including the
UK, Europe and South Africa, and will be
offered in both left- and right-hand-drive
configurations. Due to the strictly limited
run of 200 examples and crash testing
requirements in the US, the car being sold
in US seems to be remote as of now.

Automans take

Palmers suggestion of a crossover as central element in the product strategy is interesting. The utility vehicle will be followed by a new
sedan and another new model, with all three built upon one of two new platforms to arrive within the next six years.

FCA revamps its European

strategy
As part of an elaborate plan of reorganization for Europe, Fiat
Chrysler Automobile plans to discontinue models which dont
meet the increasingly strict EU CO2 standards. UK market is
top in the agenda and models to be immediately discontinued
include the 300C and Grand Voyager MPV. The only remaining
vehicle in the line-up will be the Fiat-based Ypsilon supermini,
which will be available via special-order only as dealerships are
transitioned away from the Chrysler brand. Lancia will also follow
Chrysler, becoming a domestic offering for Italy as FCA revamps
its European strategy. Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Jeep dealerships will
continue to operate in the UK and mainland Europe.

Automans take

Palmers suggestion of a crossover as central element in the

product strategy is interesting. The utility vehicle will be followed
by a new sedan and another new model, with all three built upon
one of two new platforms to arrive within the next six years.
12

MAY 2015

2017 BMW X7 SUV

engineering details
BMWs largest all-new SUV, the X7, which is expected to be
launched in 2017 or 2018 is a subject of interest among industry
watchers. This is because with the X7, BMW is targeting Range
Rover and the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class in particular.
Meanwhile, media reports coming out of Spain have suggested
some interesting engineering details. The new crossover will
be built on a new platform which will also be shared with the
upcoming and yet unnamed Rolls-Royce SUV and other BMW
models. As a range topper model, the project is known internally
as the F17. The incoming X7 will ride on the modular HPLC
architecture formerly known as 35up that shall soon underpin all
rear-wheel-drive BMWs from the 3-Series on up. The upcoming
7-Series will also see the first use of this platform, using plenty
of aluminium, magnesium and carbon reinforced CFRP plastic,
expected to lower curb weight by 529 lbs. Many suspension
components will come from the X5 and X6, with the possibility
of a rear-wheel-drive only version. Engines will likely include a
TwinPower turbo six, gasoline and diesel V8s and a V12. It will also
boast the most luxuriant interior of any BMW model.

This years Red Dot award goes

to
Since 1954, the Red Dot
competitions have been among
the most renowned international
product design competitions,
with annual awards selected by
the Design Zentrum Nordrhein
Westfalen in Germany. As a
credible source, it is also known
worldwide as a qualification
and communication centre for
industry, politics, and society.
For the 2015 season, almost

5,000 participating product

designs across 31 product
categories were looked into
this years Red Dot awards. The
results are based on the votes
of a 38-strong international
jury of experts. The automotive
sector fared well and bagged
several awards.
Key winners from several
brands made impressive gains.
Here are the winners:

So Russia falters for

automakers
After several years of promising growth
[in excess of 10 per cent per annum], the
impact of sanctions on Russia are seriously
affecting car manufacturing operations
in that country. The combination of
sanctions over Ukraine and a fall in
oil prices have hit Russias economy
hard, drying up consumer demand for
investments like cars. So far this year
Russian car sales are down 32 per cent.
Several auto makers, especially those
which have production facilities are being
forced to restructure or modify their
operations. Heres a snapshot of whos
doing what:
Nissan was first to announce suspension
of production of several models at
its St. Petersburg, Russia facility. The
St. Petersburg facility produces the

Hyundai: Hyundais all-new

seventh-generation Sonata
was named as a winner of
a prestigious 2015 Red Dot
Design Awards. In addition,
Hyundai was awarded a double
endorsement for the New
Generation i20 range with the
i20 Coupe and i20 five-door
models.
Kia: Kia Motors picked up two
awards in the category of
outstanding product design for
its Soul EV and all-new Sorento
SUV. Our international design
teams have every reason to
be proud of the honours we
have won at the 2015 Red Dot
Awards, which show just how
successful they have been
in mastering the different
design challenges of these two
models, said Peter Schreyer,
president and chief design
officer of the Kia Motors
Corporation.

Pathfinder, Murano, X-Trail and Teana

sedan. With the ongoing Russian
downturn, it seems unlikely Nissan will
reach its goal of building 100,000 units
annually in St. Petersburg by the end of
2015.
General Motors, which has a major
presence in Russia, has also announced
a major shift in its business strategy a
day after Nissans announcement. The
Detroit automaker said last month that
it is abandoning its lost-cost efforts
in the country and will instead focus
on the premium section of the auto
market. GM has further confirmed that
it will only market its Cadillac luxury line
and US-built Chevrolet models like the
Corvette, new Camaro and Tahoe. GMs
European Opel brand will pull up stakes
in Russia by December 2015. This change
in our business model in Russia is part
of our global strategy to ensure longterm sustainability in markets where
we operate, said GM President Dan
Ammann. As a result of the decision, GM
will close its plant in St. Petersburg by
mid-year. Contract assembly of Chevrolet
vehicle by Russias GAZ will be halted
by the end of 2015. The companys
GM-AVTOVAZ joint venture will also be
discontinued. GM says it will continue to
support parts and service operations for
current owners. The move to shutter most
of its Russian operations will cost GM
around US$600mn.
The third major player in Russia is
Volkswagen and the German brand will

Volvo: The Best of the Best

award went to Volvo Cars
for its ground-breaking XC90
luxury SUV. The new XC90
is the vanguard of Volvos
new design direction. In our
work on this car we have
been very much aware of
Volvos heritage, the value of
authenticity and Scandinavian
design, but we have also taken
some bold and progressive
steps forward, aiming for a
design style and execution
level that pushes our
boundaries. I am very proud
that our new flagship has
won the prestigious Red Dot:
Best of the Best award, said
Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice
President Design at Volvo Cars.
Volkswagen: The German
brand bagged three awards
for the Passat, Passat Variant
and Golf Sportsvan in Product
Design category.

cut production at its plant near Moscow.

The plant will operate just four days a
week between April and July. The plant
will also eliminated one of its three shifts
indefinitely beginning in May. Despite
the grim short-term outlook, VW says it
remains committed to the Russian market.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor and Kia
Motors which rank among the top four
foreign carmakers in Russias automotive
market have also been reconsidering their
respective business priorities. For the
South Korean brands, the financial impact
has been exacerbated by a 46 per cent fall
in the Russian rouble against the South
Korean won over the same period.

Automans take

Looking at medium to long-term

business prospects under the current
circumstances, carmakers have no option
but to avoid significant investment into a
challenging market scenario and also look
at ways and means to sustain operations.
In December 2014, Nissan announced
plans to double output at the facility
to take advantage of the weak Russian
currency which also made localized
production more attractive than importing
vehicles. And with no cars to sell, it means
GM will dismantle its Chevrolet and Opel
dealer networks. Like other automakers,
predicting a further slide in sales volumes
for 2015, Kia is planning to start exporting
some of that production to recoup its
investments.
MAY 2015

13

Volkswagen chairman resigns amidst

controversy over successor

Whats happening at
Volkswagens boardrooms
these days? Last month,
business media was inundated
with speculated stories
related to comments from
Volkswagens ex-chairman
Ferdinand Piech and CEO
Martin Winterkorn.
It began like this. Piech is
reported to have sparked a
feud about his succession by
openly saying in a Germany
based publication that
Winterkorn shouldnt replace
him and he also suggested that
the latter lacked his vision.
Piech went on to say that
because of this he wouldnt

endorse his former protg

to succeed him as chairman.
Following this outburst,
Winterkorn vowed to serve
out his term to the end of next
year, signaling he wouldnt be
pushed out so easily.
But as the high voltage drama
unfolded over next two
weeks, Piech found himself
out of favour with the Board
and other stakeholders and
eventually resigned from the
top job. A statement put out
by VW said the move was due
to the fact that mutual trust
is no longer present, and
the boards deputy chairman,
Berthold Huber, will become

interim chairman.
Piechs wife, Ursula,
meanwhile has also
left her position on
the powerful board.
Winterkorn became
Volkswagen
CEO in 2007 and
under his leadership VW
has continued to expand.
Today, the company operates
nine car brands, generates
US$218bn in revenue, sells
more than 10 million vehicles
a year, and employs 600,000
people worldwide. It is poised
to overtake Toyota Motor
Corporation this year as the
largest car maker in the world

Automans take

by sales.
Piechs influence in the
company is noteworthy.
Winterkorns predecessor,
Bernd Pischetsrieder, was
swiftly brushed aside from
the job in 2006, following
some comments by Pich in
media. The focus as of now
is who would replace Pich
as chairman in 2017, when his
term expires.

Heres a snap shot of who stands where and why. Piech leads the companys 20-person advisory board. He and his cousin, Wolfgang
Porsche, are VWs largest shareholders controlling five seats on the supervisory board and roughly 51per cent of share-voting rights
through holding company Porsche Automobil Holding SE. Winterkorn was supported by the VW staff council which holds half of the 20
seats on the supervisory board and so did the state premier of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil, himself a board member. Lower Saxony
holds a 20per cent share in VW, and also has special voting rights and veto rights for key decisions at the company.

New investments planned by major players

Volvos ambitious transformation plan involves the creation of a global industrial footprint,
complete renewal of its product range over the next four years. Besides these, Volvo will
also introduce new modular vehicle construction and world-first safety technologies. Thats
not all. A new design language and a range of class-leading connectivity services are also
on the agenda. As the US is an important market for Volvo, the Swedish company has
announced that will build a brand new manufacturing facility in the US, its first by investing
around $500mn. As of now, possible locations are been looked at and evaluated. Volvo
Cars cannot claim to be a true global car maker without an industrial presence in the US.
Today, we became that, said Hkan Samuelsson, Chief Executive and President. The US is
an absolutely crucial part of our global transformation and todays announcement makes it
perfectly clear that Volvo is in the US to stay.

Automans take

Volvo Cars has been doing business in the US since 1955 and this decision to invest
in the US highlights Volvos long term commitment to the US market. The new plant
also means Volvo will be able to meet and ultimately exceed its volume targets in the
US, where it has a medium term ambition to sell 100,000 cars a year. Volvo has two
factories in Europe and two in China.

Jaguar Land Rover

14

MAY 2015

Volvo

Cash rich Jaguar Land Rover has

announced that it will inject 600mn
into its United Kingdom-based research
and development and manufacturing
operations.
Within the funds cache, 400mn is
earmarked for new and upgraded
facilities to support the introduction of
the second-generation Jaguar XF that
was unveiled last month. About 320m
has been allocated for a new aluminium
body shop that can change production
of panels between Jaguar models. The
investment buys new facilities and
employees in the advanced engineering
field at its Castle Bromwich plant in West
Midlands and at Whitley in Coventry. At
Whitley, Jaguar Land Rover will double
the size of its advanced engineering and
design centre from 22 to 47 hectares.

GM Africa and Middle

East Operations to be
united
General Motors (GM) Executive
Vice President and President, GM
International (GMI), Stefan Jacoby
has announced that the company was
combining its Africa and Middle East
Operations into one business unit.
Jacoby made this announcement during
his recent visit to Dubai. The new set-up will be headed by Mario
A Spangenberg, the current GM Africa president and managing
director with effect from June 1, 2015.
Combining GMIs operations in two key markets will enable us to
increase our focus on our business, our brands and ultimately our
customers, said Jacoby while explaining the rationale behind the
move. It will strengthen GMs competitiveness in major country
markets such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa and Kenya. The
Middle East is the fastest-growing vehicle market outside the BRICS
nations, he said. It is expected to grow to more than 2 million
units by 2020. Furthermore, we regard Africa as the next frontier for
our industry and we expect impressive growth into the future.
In his new role, Spangenberg will maintain offices in Dubai, UAE, and
Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The business unit will be headquartered
in Dubai andhe will be supported by GM Egypt and North Africa
managing director Tarek Atta and GM East Africa managing director
Rita Kavashe. Ian Nicholls will join as president and managing director,
GM Sub-Saharan Africa Operations. A new GM Middle East Operations
president and managing director will be announced later in the year
after the departure of present incumbent Maurice Williams who
will return to the US to take up the role of general manager of sales
support for GM US, effective June 1, 2015.

Robert De Niro to star as Enzo

Ferrari in biopic
Oscar-winner legendary Hollywood actor Robert De Niro will soon
be seen stepping into the shoes of a godfather from the Italian
sports car industry in biopic about Enzo Ferrari. Ferrari had a life
every bit as fascinating as many fictional characters with stints as
a racecar driver, an engineer and of course a canny businessman.
He also held a long passion for motorsports, which could make for
some very exciting scenes. According to reports, the film would
focus on Ferraris life from around the founding of his sportscar
company in the mid 40s through to his death in the late 80s 71year old De Niro told Italys Il Messaggero that he will take on the
role of one of the car worlds giants. It is an honour to tell the life
of an extraordinary man who revolutionised the world of motor
sport, said De Niro. The film will go into production soon, mostly
in Italy, and has absolute priority over all my other projects. De
Niro won an Oscar for playing the young Vito Corleone in The
Godfather Part II. He won another for playing boxer Jake LaMotta
in Raging Bull. He played Al Capone in The Untouchables, and has
played major roles in Goodfellas, Casino, Heat and The Deer Hunter.

Automans take

As an organization, GMI will be responsible for nearly 100 emerging and

mature markets and will represent one of GMs largest opportunities.

Honda to discontinue Crosstour

Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer Ralf Speth said: This
investment will help in the companys future success. Our
expansion at Whitley will help ensure the sustainable growth
of Jaguar Land Rover, with the development of ultra-low
emission technologies. Design leadership, technical innovation
and engineering excellence lie at the heart of this responsible
business and we are committed to investing in the skills
needed to continue this success into the future.

Automans take

The investment marks a massive turnaround by the company

that was under threat during the global financial crisis, shown by
revenue that has trebled since 2010 to about 19.4bn. Vehicles
sales have doubled in the same period.

Honda has decided to retire it Accord-based Crosstour

permanently as it focuses more on profitable models. The
Crosstour introduced in 2011 was mechanically based on the
platform of the 2008 Accord and over the years Honda tried
its best to get the model moving with ideas ranging from
positioning it as a standalone, extensive updates to the styling
and interior among others. However, the coupe styled crossover
couldnt garner the success of say a similarly styled car from
BMW, the X6.
By clearing out the Crosstour, which is made in the US, Honda
will now be able to focus on truck and crossover production.
Honda expects strong demand for its recently refreshed CR-V,
the all-new HR-V, the new 2016 Pilot and the next-generation
Ridgeline pick-up. While announcing the Crosstours demise,
Honda also revealed plans to move production of the Accord
Hybrid from its current location in Marysville, Ohio to Japan.
MAY 2015

15

2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8

Less
can be
more

Bentley shoehorns a V8 engine in its

Continental based four door Flying Spur
sedan. Automan checks out the smaller
engine variant to ascertain whether the
effort is worth the market expectations,
especially in the region

Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Nabeel Ferzan/Elvis John Ferrao

entley dropped the Continental

pre-fix from its name when it
introduced the redesigned Gen II
Flying Spur and considering the kind of
clientele that Bentley caters to with its
6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engined Flying
Spur, it would be fair to assume that
the car maker established a new luxury
performance sedan benchmark when
it launched the Gen II Flying Spur two
years ago. It took no time for the W12
to establish its credentials it was a car
that was noted for its blend of effortless
driving characteristics, exquisite luxury
and bespoke craftsmanship. So what could
be the reason or reasons for a punter to
opt for a downsized and less powerful
eight-cylinder variant?
16

MAY 2015

Bentleys answer is simple: it gives the

Flying Spur family a variant which has
several attractive USPs. We agree it is
more of a marketing driven exercise
as Bentley has indicated that one of
its business aims is to attract newer
customers to its fold. Besides this mission
objective, Bentleys pockets are deep
enough for it to come up with derivatives
and in the process also strengthen the
product mix. And then theres the last
P in this equation, which, of course, is
pricing.
Whatever the argument, we are
determined to find out what makes this
exercise tick. From the exterior, the car
looks exactly the same its bigger engine
sibling which means it continues with the

Spurs unique blend of sculpted lines in

superformed aluminium body, its lower,
wider appearance and the gentle blending
of curved surfaces. And as before, the
car sports lower roof line and a muscular
rear haunch. The key identifying feature
on the car is that all the Bentley B logos
are set in a red background, unlike the
black background of its W12 sibling. At the
rear, theres the figure of eight chromed
exhaust tips and the winged badge also
get the red centre to denote the V8
variant. And besides that, we are told the
V8 comes in some new colour palettes
the Amber metallic test car was among
one of the new colours now being offered.
The interiors of the car are typical of what
we are familiar with. The test vehicle

came with monotone interior colour

split with lots of leather, quilt stitching,
chrome trim components and all the
luxury and convenience features of the
family. This car also benefits from the
companys advanced on-board technology
applications. As a high tech executive
car, theres innovative Touch Screen
Remote, deployed from the rear centre
console at the touch of a button, allows
things like controlling the cars climate
and infotainment systems from the
rear seat, while the optional multimedia
specification brings an extensive rear seat
entertainment system package.
Bentley engineers task of ensuring that
the V8 variant of the Flying Spur maintains
its spirited dynamics like its bigger

sibling and avoid the feel that this is a

different car altogether. In that mission,
the models all-wheel-drive system is
retained and it remains rear-biased with
a ratio of 60:40 [rear:front]. Meanwhile,
the Audi-engineered, twin-turbocharged
4.0-litre V8 [tried and tested in Audis S6,
RS6, S7, RS7, A8, and S8] has been tuned
specifically for the Bentley application
and output characteristics. Depending on
variant, this engine is available in strengths
ranging from 420hp up to 560hp. For
this test variant, it has been tuned offer
500hp at 6,000 rpm, and torque of
660Nm is available from 1,700 rpm. This
ultra-compact V8 comes with cutting
edge cylinder deactivation technology
and is mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed

automatic transmission. Performance

figures: 0-100 km/h comes in 5.2secs and
top speed is unrestricted to 295km/h.
This performance also comes with a fuel
range of 840km. Besides these, intelligent
thermal management and electrical
recuperation technologies/systems are
also on board. With a smaller engine,
also comes some weight advantages and
these should be evident during the drive.
Actually, the V8 version is about 150kg
lighter than the one with the W12. As
expected in this type of set-up, most of
that mass comes off the front end.
On the safety front, the Flying Spur comes
equipped with four-wheel antilock disc
brakes, traction and stability control, a
driver knee airbag, full-length side curtain
MAY 2015

17

airbags and both front and rear side

airbags.
Driving impressions
Driving Bentleys is usually an entertaining
affair and this V8 variant is no exception.
It actually serves as a welcome reminder
of just how good the engineering is. While
the V8 cant match the headline-grabbing
performance figures of its bigger sister,
what we observed during the drive was
the dynamic differences appear relatively
modest and there are some distinct
advantages too. This car takes advantage
of the lighter front end and for a driver
this means it turns slightly more willingly
and steers with more precision. While this
aspect hasnt transformed the cars core
character, we are happy to note that it
still feels substantial in a premium luxury
way. The ride quality is as expected which
is Bentley plush, and the ride quality can
be appreciated when the car drives over
broken roads. The air suspension offers
four levels of damping, with even the
softest keeping the body under tight
control when asked to deal with regular
asphalt. As with the rest of the clan, the V8
Spurs all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased
and has been set up to ensure maximum
traction at all times. As a result and theres
18

MAY 2015

The torque delivery is

one of the key features
of this car. It makes
up for the shortage
of horsepower quite
convincingly.
never any sense that you can do much
to influence your cornering line via the
throttle.
The torque delivery in this car is interesting
in the way it offsets the shortage of
horsepower. In fact, this is a neat

engineering trick that Bentley engineers

have long mastered and continue to do
so. While, the smaller engines throttle
response and lag-free delivery more than
offsets its relative lack of power and
torque, the eight-cylinder offers much
better efficiency when it comes to fuel
consumption or carbon emissions. The
smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic
transmission finds the right gear and
its hard to argue with the relentless
acceleration that follows. The V8 also
uses selective cylinder shutdown to turn
itself into a V4 under gentle use and the
transition is seamless and best optimized
at highway cruising speeds. The V8 feels
appropriate for the job description.
Verdict
From a marketing perspective, Bentley
can be assured that the Flying Spur V8 will
attract a new genre of customers to the
brand, especially those looking to upgrade
from a premium sedan. The FS V8 pricing
point is also a decisive factor when it
comes to affordability besides the option
of a new interpretation of this luxury
sedan. We think it will be the drivers
choice among the Flying Spur family,
and repeat what the eight-cylinder did to
Continental GT coupes commercially.

MAY 2015

19

2015 Harley-Davidson FXDF

Fat Bob

Mad Max
meets
Nascar

At the first official spring tour of the season in Lebanon

last month, Automan checked out the MY 2015 FXDF Fat
Bob, a machine thats got more than just an attitude
Author: Chandan B Mallik

arley-Davidson introduced
the Fat Bob in 2008 and
refreshed it in 2012. The
core focus of the refresh exercise
was engineering which resulted in
the shoehorning of the Twin Cam
103 engine. While Harleys Project
Rushmore projects focused on
enhancing the touring models from
MY 2014 onwards, it was not that
models like the FXDF Fat Bob were
neglected. In fact, the Fat Bob was
one of the bikes that benefited
from the Dark Custom line
programme last year. Unlike, many
other brands, where a bespoke
custom programme is introduced,
it somehow overtakes the essence
of the original and in the process
upsets the purists. In this case,
Harley Davidson has ensured that
the interests of its customers are
kept at top priority in such an
agenda.
We are pleased to report that from
a purists point of view, the MY2015
FXDF Fat Bob remains mostly
unmolested and gains in areas

20

MAY 2015

which actually add to its existing nononsense and colourful character.

The Fat Bob is highlighted by its
Boober-inspired low ride set-up,
drag bars with forward controls,
wide triple-tee front fork, chubby
tyres [a fat rear 180mm and for the
first time in a Dyna line up, a 130mm
front] and last but not the least,
its signature double-barreled LED
headlamps and Tommy Gun 2-1-2
exhaust.
So, what are the new ideas that
have come from the Dark Custom
line programme? While keeping the
profile unaltered, for 2015 it gets a
sleek new rear mudguard to start
with. Our test bike came with Sand
Cammo Denim paint work and the
overall effect is complemented by
the once chromed and now blacked
out components. Parts covered in
this exercise includes the aluminium
triple clamps, battery box cover,
headlight trim ring and rear shock
covers which are usually nickel
or chrome or polished aluminium
in other models. Even the familiar

aluminium slotted rims have been

powder coated black and disc
appear with machined effect.
When you sit on the bike, the dragstyled 1.25in diameter handlebar is
designed to offer optimized riding
posture and the nice part is that it
appears uncluttered as it features
an internally wired bar. And to
give a customized appearance,
it also sits on tall risers. We liked
the minimalistic and overall
clinically clean looks of the Fat
Bob. From a riders perspective,
even shorter riders will also find
the riding posture slightly less
radical than the average cruiser
available in the market. Since the
functional elements have been well
established, there was no need to
change the arrangement. Meanwhile,
the instrumentation set up has been
trimmed for a sleeker look.
The Fat Bob still continues to be
propelled by an air cooled, twin cam
103 1,687cc engine which rewards
the rider with a peak torque of
136Nm at 3,500 rpm and delivers

MAY 2015

21

Harley Davidsons
2015 Fat Bob
continues to
impress us with
its cool attitude
even when it is
standstill. And the
reason for this is
that it is among
one of the key
models in the lineup that has been
meticulously honed
over the years
by experienced
hands to give it its
current star status
22

MAY 2015

a fuel consumption of 5.6-litres/100 km

from its estimated 83-85bhp output on the
wheel. The engine is mated to a six-speed
Cruise Drive transmission. Harley doesnt
officially reveal output figures since it
thinks that torque matters more.
Riding impressions
The test bike was supplied as one of the
machines for this years first spring ride
in the region. The event took place in
Lebanon with the capital citys second
new showroom as the starting point. The
group size for the ride was estimated to
be at least 250 riders [including regional
media, participants from local and regional
clubs] and as expected there was a lot
of enthusiasm amongst the riders. It also
happened to be a day perfect for riding
too in that country. The day long ride was
over 200kms.
For me, the fat front tyre and beefy front
end represent the heart and soul of this
bike followed by the ultra-low seating. The
optimized centre of gravity immediately
puts the rider at ease and after just a few
kilometers of riding one realizes that Fat
Bob is surprisingly nimble for such a big
motorcycle. Even the front end is not too
reluctant to change direction and overall
seems to be on the side of the rider and
together, they all work in tandem to
make the Fat Bob a very solid, planted
performer. As a regular biker, most of my
riding is short commutes and longer day

rides is a rarity.
With the Fat Bob on this trip, we were
exposed to various riding situations
ranging from tight city riding, packed
highways and on semi-treacherous
mountain roads. And, in most driving
situations that I faced in the day long ride,
the Fat Bob proved time and again that
it is an ace. So, much so, I refused to part
with it during the return journey [where
we were supposed to swap bikes], with
the exception of riding some of the other
touring models short distances for the
photo shoot.
The Fat Bobs new Twin Cam 103 is
extremely flexible in its power delivery and
the nice thing is that almost impossible
to stall, even with gear shifts at idling.
The best part is that it uses its incredible
torque to waft along with authority. In
such a set-up, revs dont really matter
here as theres plenty of torque available
to move it in any gear at any speed. Fluid
acceleration is entertaining and provides
good old-fashioned thrills every second
along the way. The transmission delivers
crisp up shifts. The nicely calibrated gear
ratios and flat torque spread from the TC
103 seem to be made for each other.
The engines performance combined with
light handling and glued-to-the-road front
end translates the 305kg machine into
an all-rounder considering that it is more
urban oriented. Most of Lebanons road
infrastructure is quite old and we came

across lot of the potholes and asphalt

irregularities, but you hardly feel them on
the handlebars as a lot of the feedback
from the road is actually absorbed by the
tyres. Even at higher speeds, the bike feels
well connected to the ground and its light,
neutral handling and stability is impressive.
The one functional change we noted on
this edition was the seat profile which has
gone from a firm, flattish [but surprisingly
supportive], to more of a sculpted type
and softer base. As a result, the new perch
is comfortable in short city stretches,
but on longer rides it doesnt allow the
flexibility to change riding posture. Our
machine had ABS and with the dual front
discs do an excellent job, allowing the
rider to brake hard and late also, a feature
not usually found in this segment. While
Dyna models always show a bit more
athleticism than others, make no mistake,
this bike continues to offer smooth flow of
power to allow a high degree of sporty fun
for a Bobber-inspired machine.
Verdict
With subtle improvements and innovative
custom treatment, the Fat Bob moves out
from bland territory and moves into a
segment with a different attitude. This
years Bob is not only attractive, but also
offers great character in handling and
performance. This bike fulfils both roles of
simultaneously being a head turner and a
road burner!

MAY 2015

23

2015 MV Agusta Turismo

Veloce 800

24

MAY 2015

First revealed at EICMA in 2014, the

production version of the all-new MV
Agusta Turismo Veloce 800 is ready to hit
the road. We travel all the way to South
of France to check out this ground-up
designed touring machine
Author: Chandan B Mallik

ery much like the automotive

industry, the world of motorcycles
also has specialized segments.
And the success in a particular segment
by any innovative manufacturer can
also lead to healthy competition. The
business segment comprising of dual
purpose off-road/on-road motorcycles
is doing very well worldwide and its
a segment that has attracted many a
player. Typically, these machines can be
instantly identified by their longer travel
suspension, an upright riding position,
and usually come with asymmetric
wheels with larger diameter wheels
up front. Over the years, particularly
since 80s, these machines have been
offered with range of different engines,
ranging from single-cylinders to multiple
cylinders with diverse architecture and
final drive options.
Milan-based MV Agusta Motor SpA is
now on a new level and a new high. It
plans to have at least 18-19 models in
its line-up based on its three-cylinder

and four-cylinder powertrains. The last

model using the current three-cylinder
architecture is the Turismo Veloce 800
and its variants Turismo Veloce 800
Lusso and limited production Edition 1.
This development comes at a time
when the motorcycle brand is looking
forward to increase its global footprint
with distribution expertise from Daimler.
The Daimler connection came in 2014
after the latter purchased 25 per cent
stake in MV Agusta. Both have indicated
future plans about combining marketing
MV Agusta motorcycles with their own
range of AMG performance models and
sports cars.
The Turismo Veloce 800 was designed
ground-up as a luxury touring model
and each and every component has
been meticulously crafted with form
and functionality in mind. The chassis is
based on the tried and tested Stradale
800s, but the steering geometry
has been modified. Steering rake has
been increased by 1 to 26.5. The

MAY 2015

25

chassis structure is a mix of trellis, with

bolt on forged aluminium castings as
subframe which houses the seats. Plastic
composites have been used in the body,
panels, mudguards and other trim. The
compactness in which all the components
are packaged as a single unified is quite
remarkable where nothing appears as
being excessively done. The wheelbase
now stands at 1,424mm and overall length
is 2,084mm. The single-sided swingarm
comes directly from the Stradale 800
unchanged. Front gets inverted Marzocchi
cartridge shocks which can travel up to
160mm. At the rear, the mono shock is
from Sachs and is set slightly offset. The
dry weight of the bike has been kept
26

MAY 2015

The Turismo
Veloce 800 is MVs
interpretation of the
tall-in-the-saddle GT
bike theme that was
pioneered by BMW
Motorrad with their
GS machines and
other Italian brands.

at 191kg. Despite of the forward repositioning of the front wheel, the weight
distribution remains correct because of
the forward re-positioning of a larger
battery and of the weight added by the
fairing. The fairing is well profiled, sharp
but adequately protective and houses the
familiar shaped LED DRL. The hand guards
have directional signals integrated, while
at the rear the horn-shape LED signal
cluster hang on either side of the number
plate. Fuel tank capacity is 22-litres. Fit
and finish are commendable.
As a global touring bike, several elements
are bespoke and factory fitted. Two colour
schemes are offered silver/red for the
panniered models and silver for non-

The MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800 is beautiful in its

red and silver paint. LED fired DRL design is unique
for this model
The Veloce 800
will be offered in
two platforms:
the standard
machine plus
the Turismo
Veloce 800
Lusso which has
electronically
adjustable
Sachs
suspension

30-litre luggage panniers were

among the first items to be designed
for this model
panniered versions. The frame mounted
fairing for instance is offered with two
different screen heights as option. The ride
height is fixed at 850mm and is suitable for
taller riders only. The handle bar is straight
and the width is reduced in keeping the
rear width [with panniers]. The lockable
panniers will accommodate 30-litres
worth of cargo, which means two full face
helmets plus extra gear. As a dual seater,
the pillion rider benefits from stadium
view. No provision for top box though as
of now.
Most of the controls on the handlebar
are familiar but theres an extra toggle
which helps the rider navigate through
the extensive menu. And depending on

version of the bike, the rider can virtually

dial-in parameters ranging from engine
mapping, throttle response, engine
braking, brake force, traction control,
the quickshifter (up and down), and the
hydraulically actuated slipper clutch and in
models with electronic suspension [Lusso]
soft or hard settings.
The engine is based on the Brutales
798cc three-cylinder DOHC four-stroke
liquid cooled engine, but has been
reworked in view of the touring nature
where torque delivery is more important
than horsepower. It also gets newly
designed pistons and MotoGP inspired
countershaft arrangement for smooth
running, especially at higher revs. In this

set-up it produces 110hp at 10,000rpm

[vs Brutales 125hp] and 83Nm of torque
at 8,000rpm. Power is sent through
a six-speed gearbox and final drive is
chain. MV Agusta claims that the engine
management has been tailored to offer
extremely high levels of flexibility in view
of the likely working scenarios and hence
incorporates a highly advanced electronics
package with twin ECUs. In fact, the Eldor
EM2.0 engine-management system is part
of an advanced electronics suite which
is capable of comparing data and rider
inputs before actingin a millionth of
a second. The ignition system includes
the latest pencil-type coils capable of
monitoring combustion in each cylinder
MAY 2015

27

and at every cycle. This arrangement

prevents engine knocking at low speeds.
Three exhaust tips with bigger diameter
tips signs off the set-up nicely. Top
speed is restricted to 230km/h.
In terms of modcons, the bike comes
with factory fitted Garmin GPS, a
Bluetooth bike/rider interface, two
USB charging ports up front located
near the top of the fuel tank, 12v power
socket for pillion and hydraulic clutch
for the rider. The bikes instrumentation
and information display are all
integrated into a TFT screen. Dashboard
information relayed includes speed,
rpm, gear, mileage, trip, fuel level,
riding mode but information like travel
28

MAY 2015

distance to empty/reserve, consumption

rate, average consumption etc are not
available.
In terms of stopping power the bike
comes outfitted with 320mm double
floating disc with Brembo radial-type four
piston calipers and smaller 220mm single
disc with two piston caliper. ABS system
used comes from Bosch [9 Plus] and the
bike also features rear wheel lift-up
mitigation. The tyre set-up is surprising
in the sense that it uses smaller 17in
asymmetric width rim shod with 120/70 ZR
17 M/C [58W] and 190/55 - ZR 17 M/C [75W]
tyres front and rear respectively. In this
set up, the minimum ground clearance is
140mm.

Riding impressions
The bike is tall, as are all bikes of this niche
segment, but the seat does provide a
reasonable reach to the ground for tall
riders. Short riders [under 5-6] will find
the reach difficult even with the softest
chassis setting which allows the ride
height to be lowered. Fire the engine
and it starts off rather noisily as theres a
lot of mechanical chatter in idling which
seems to settle down when the clutch is
engaged [even partly in neutral] and gear
is engaged. Gear shift response even in
default mode is quite responsive and so is
throttle feedback. In the higher revs, the
machine shows its eagerness to please
and moves forward with a complementing

With the new

model, MV
hopes to take
customers away
from the Ducati
Multistrada 1200,
Triumph Tiger 800
XRx and 1200
Explorer, and
BMWs R1200 GS
and forthcoming
S1000XR

exhaust growl. The bikes acceleration

is progressive, fast and wind protection
is very good due to superb aerodynamic
profiling of the front faring and screen.
The balance of the bike is one of its
strongest points as the front end is
quite light and doesnt tire the rider.
Steering and turn-in are good and we
encountered no issues in manoeuevring
the countless hairpin bends, fast corners
and long stretches during our 230km
plus sojourn in and around the country
side and spectacular mountain roads
of Cote Azur in southern France. As a
dual purpose bike, this machine has the
capability of keeping its riders thoroughly
entertained and engaged. While output

The bikes hydraulic slipper-clutch, quick-shifter, cruisecontrol, Bluetooth connectivity, eight-stage traction control
with ride-by-wire throttle four riding modes and ABS

Garmin
Nuvo satnav
comes as
standard
kit.

A 5-in TFT display provides all the expected instrumentation,

plus Bluetooth connectivity for the Smartphone or the helmet-tohelmet intercom. Theres a dedicated App that provides full rider
and passenger integration for these systems

is 15hp less than that of the Brutale, it

is the flat torque delivery which makes
up for that performance figure. The
superior performance of the machine
is also a direct benefit of the upgraded
electronics it use which also manages the
Bosch Cornering ABS feature prevents
the Brembo brakes from locking a wheel
even when well leaned over. End of the
day we need to remember that the Veloce
800 has a naked sports bikes fundamental
hardware under its skin and this aspect
can ensure its overall likeability even as
a medium to long distance tourer. One
thing for sure which can be said about the
new 2015 MV Agusta Veloce Turismo 800
is that despite its sophisticated software it

doesnt appear complicated. Rather, its a

pleasant machine to be on all day.
Verdict
The 2015 MV Agusta Turismo Veloce
800 when compared to the stalwarts in
the segment may appear slightly under
kitted, but when it comes to comfort and
versatility, this machine does offer a lot
for its price. Global buyers will appreciate
the larger capacity fuel tank, range, wind
protection, comfortable seat, handlebars
and associated benefits. We expect the
company will be able to offer custom
solutions to some of the niggles that were
encountered during the ride in the months
to come.
MAY 2015

29

2015 Artic Cat Wildcat X

Limited OS

Muscat-based Alfardan Motors represents Artic Cat, a North

American manufacturer of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.
Two of the ATV models have recently been introduced and
Automan checked out the 2015 Wildcat X Limited OS urban
terrain vehicle [UTV] in familiar surroundings in the Sultanate of
Oman
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

30

MAY 2015

uads and ATVs in the region

are among favourite toys for
enthusiasts looking for outdoor
fun in a compact, yet powerful
purpose-built machine off-road or
in sand. Arctic Cat was formed by
snowmobile pioneer Edgar Hetteen in
1960. Hetteen also has been associated
with Polaris. Although Arctic Cat did not
start their company with the production
of all-terrain vehicles, their expertise
has helped them engineer and produce
many different ATV models.
The construction of the Wild Cat X is

based on a design which allows two

occupants to sit side by side, very much
like in a conventional car. It comes with
an exposed design built around tubular
steel frame which also acts as a safety
cage and prevents occupants getting
hurt in case of a roll over. Two colour
schemes are offered and the aluminium
bumpers are also painted to match the
rest of livery.
Getting in and out is like that of a car
as this machine has proper doors and
even sporty bucket seats complete with
safety harness. Thats not all. Unlike

quad bikes which have mechanical

motorcycle type of steering set-up
[handlebars with hand controls
brake, accelerator, switch gear etc],
the Wild Cat is endowed with more car
or SUV type features in this respect
like a variable assist electric power
steering which can be adjusted for tilt.
Dashboard is minimalistic and hosts
the instrumentation and switchgear.
The digital/analogue gauge provides 14
critical operation indicators including
clock/hour meter, fuel level, mode
button, set/reset button, odometer/trip,
MAY 2015

31

gear position, speedometer/tachometer,

needle display, differential lock, high
beam, battery condition, temperature
and oil pressure. And there are some
practical features also on board. Despite
the engine occupying a lot of the rear
space, theres a rear cargo box which
has storage capacity up to 300lbs.
32

MAY 2015

The engine is mounted at the rear on a

subframe assembly which itself is bolted
on to the main structure. Likewise, the
front end of the vehicle is occupied
by the long-travel suspension set-up,
which also gets its own sub-frame based
mounting arrangements. The front
suspension set-up is similar to that in

a quad, and it uses A-arms. The extra

long coil over spring shock absorbers
can offer up to 18in of travel at the rear
and 17in up front. Meanwhile, the FOX
shock absorbers come with 23 position
compression adjustments and piggyback
reservoirs suggesting its heavy duty
capabilities. Ground clearance is 13in.

One of the concerns of ATV drivers is to

have a flat tyre and in this respect Arctic
Cat has actually upgraded the tyres from
Duro Tires [used in the earlier models] to
Maxxis Bighorn 2.0. The Maxxis Bighorn
tyres feature a stronger sidewall and
bigger lugs, thus making the tyres harder
to puncture.
The engine is a 951cc, liquid-cooled
V-twin engine which features a
hemispherical combustion chamber
[similar to that used in Hemi engines]
that is supposed to offer the efficiency
advantages of 4-valves per cylinder setup and in the X Limited and X models the
engine offers 90+hp. The ceramic-coated
exhaust header pipes are designed as a
2-into-1 set up. Fuel feed is via electronic
fuel injection. Transmission is CVT and
the drive system features 2/4 Wheel
Drive, high and low range selectors
and front differential lock. This means,
depending on terrain, it can be driven
in 2WD, 4WD and AWD, very much like

the 4x4s that we are familiar today. The

current model also benefits from an
improvised new clutch.
Riding impressions
While this is an open top like a quad bike,
protective clothing is strongly advised if
one is venturing off-road. That means a
crash helmet, eye protection and gloves.
Starting the motor is like that of a car
just turn the ignition switch and the
engine fires. The next job is to engage
the drive train in terms of range [high or
low] and 2WD/4WD. After this is done
the vehicle is ready for the job. The
driving experience is a mix of a torque
quad with the comforts of a 4x4 open
top. This means the steering is not too
heavy, the rider need not use his weight
to optimize balance and basically it is
point and shoot.
The steering feel and car-like feedback
ensures this machines predictable
manners besides making the ride much

more enjoyable. The ground clearance

and massive torque ensures that it will
clear most obstacles and dunes with
relative ease. A point of caution the
throttle management by the rider is
crucial if one needs to extract maximum
performance, be it on hard trails and fast
corners or climbing a dune. The basic
premise is to get enough torque for
momentum without the wheel spin. This is
especially handy when heading out over a
long section of the sand dunes.
The handling is a breeze, thanks to the
suspension set-up. Sliding through corners
is also possible and its fun too. Theres
more than needed power in hand to break
the back end loose of the machine.
Verdict
For a cash price of OMR 8,500 in Oman,
one gets a proper four-wheeled off
roader which accommodates two adults.
Compared to quad, this is a better and
safer option to have fun outdoors.
MAY 2015

33

1
Lincoln Continental Concept

Fords luxury arm

Lincoln is looking
to break its design
constraints with the
European flavoured
Continental
Concept, its idea of
an all-new full-size
sedan. But theres
more that meets the
eye, if one considers
the feedback it has
received post New
York.
Author: Chandan B Mallik

34

MAY 2015

n less than a year from now, Fords

luxury brand Lincoln is looking at
projects that will help bring back
the glory it has enjoyed in the past be
it in design or engineering prowess. If
that happens, then the current practice
of rebadging Ford models and then
cosmetically adapting them for Lincoln
will be over. This is good news for both
the brand and business.
Among, the new model offensive planned
is a full-sized luxury sedan. The name
Lincoln is very well-entrenched with the
best of Lincoln and the next logical for
the brand was to prepare for its return
for the domestic and chauffeur driven
Chinese market. The idea was to create
a flagship sedan that offers the best
of Lincoln and to give an idea, Lincoln
presented the Continental sedan as a
concept case at New York. At the show,
executives said it was production ready
and could be delivered within a year to
showrooms. But, that possibility only
happens when a concept project gets
approved following the feedback it gets
besides the business case. But something
unexpected happened after the car
was unveiled to media and public for
the first time. On one hand, the Lincoln
Continental concept received applause at

it was able to communicate the new ideas

from the brand. But, at the same time,
a section of the industry came down
heavily on the cars design in particular
claiming that it was far from original
and that it was a clone of an uber British
brand [see box].
Irrespective of what automotive critics
have said about this car, its styling does
bring in a dose of fresh air to the brand.
In a profile which employs limousine
inspired cues like a traditional three-box
layout with long bonnet, short boot
and generous greenhouse minus coupelike inspirations, it appears elegant,
understated and definitely refined
with less polarizing elements like the
oversized edge to edge taillamp cluster
or the unattractive winged grille [which
has become a styling trademark for
Lincoln lately]. Apart from a chrome
grille, an embossed Lincoln motif is
surrounded by polished aluminium
Lincoln Star emblems. The rear sign off
is quad exhaust with asymmetrical tips.
Rhapsody Blue metallic paint will be the
Lincoln Continentals signature exterior
colour..
As a top-of-the-line model, detailing
has been a critical part of the overall
package. E-Latch door handles tuck

discreetly in the cars neat waistline. The

door handle technology also provides
for elegant entry. The doors open
effortlessly with the touch of a button
positioned on the underside of the door
handle wings and close quietly. The
sunroof is electrochromaticchanging
from opaque to clear at the press of
a buttonand Ford has taken out 50
patents on the seats in this application.
As expected, the Continentals interior
has been designed with airline business
class inspirations, if not more. A host of
features will include automatic courtesy
lighting, powerful LED matrix head lamps
with laser-assist high beams and mood
lighting. As a chauffeur driven car, the
Continentals cabin is designed for the
benefit of rear-seat occupants and hence
it is featured to be opulent. Expect to
find Venetian leather seats with Alcantara
inserts and 30-way adjustability when
it arrives. The passenger-side rear seat
can fully recline by moving the front
passenger seat forward with the touch of
a button. From a panel mounted on the
through-central console, rear passengers
also can control climate settings and the
Revel Ultima audio system with three
pre-select surround-sound modes.
Whatever, the case with this concept
MAY 2015

35

and its future implications, a production

version is planned for the coming year. As
far as engineering goes, the production
version of the new Continental will not
be built on modified version of the MKS/
Taurus platform which is also shared
with the Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex. A
modified/stretched version of the CD4
platform which underpins the Fusion
and MKZ appears to be the appropriate
candidate for the job. Since the car will be
sold primarily in US and China, Ford hasnt
released market specific powertrain
details, however, one of the forced fed
engines will be the 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6,
exclusive to Lincoln. China destined cars
could likely receive an even smaller fourcylinder option. In its previous avatars the
Continental has been offered in front and
rear wheel drive versions, the exciting

36

MAY 2015

bit is that the incoming Continental is

rumoured to use the all-wheel-drive
system which is currently employed in the
new Ford Focus RS. It may be noted that
Lincoln dropped eight-cylinder engines
altogether with the redesigned, 2015
Navigator SUV. Transmission choices
could include Fords latest 8-speed or
maybe the 11-speeder [patent filed last
month].
Driver assist technologies include PreCollision Assist with Pedestrian Detection,
Enhanced Park Assist and a 360-degree
camera that displays on the MyLincoln
Touch screen. The Lincoln Drive Control
system will be offered with three driving
modes and the Adaptive Steering
showcased on the concept car are likely
to be found on the production car as well.

Automans take

The design presentation of the concept

has received lukewarm reception
worldwide and few observers have
even pointed out the concept bearing
more than a passing resemblance to
the current Bentley Flying Spur. In fact,
social media has been fast on this and it
appears that Bentley chief designer Luc
Donckerwolke didnt take the Lincolns
design expression as being authentic.
Donckerwolke expressed his disgust on
Facebook and according to the US-based
portal, Donckerwolke stated: I would
have called it Flying Spur concept and kept
the four round lights. He also posted a
message on Lincoln Design Director David
Woodhouses Facebook page in which he
added: This behaviour is not respectable.
Building a copy like this is giving a bad
name to the car design world.

The designers of the Lincoln Continental concept have received

stark criticism from industry stalwarts
Usually concept cars are presented at
shows to depict a message. It could be
future thought, a technical or design
approach or use of new materials among
others. The automotive industry is
accustomed to receiving bouquets and
brickbats to their presentations. And
for several years, the usual suspects
gaining copy cat notoriety have been
mainly having Chinese origins. However,
there was an exception this year at
New York. The return of the Lincoln
Continental, albeit in concept form
has evoked controversy in the highest

echelons of the motoring business. While

Lincoln some designers involved in the
Continental Concept project were under
the impression that the world would
accept their new design language for
this top-of-the line sedan and accept it.
Bentley chief designer Luc Donckerwolke
was most vocal about it. Now the million
dollar question is: will the Lincoln design
team succumb to this scathing British
criticism and go for a redesign or take
a middle of the road path and remove
the objectionable elements? Or drop the
project altogether.

Lincoln Continental history

So, what does the new Continental

mean for the brand?
The new car is expected to raise the bar for
the brand in several respects. As Lincoln
has embarked on a clear cut product policy
supported with standalone retail concept
showrooms, this car should be able to
fundamentally communicate that it comes
as genuine investment on part of revitalized
Lincoln. And that Lincoln is consciously
moving away with reworked Ford models.
All that Lincoln needs to do is stay away
from making controversial decisions which
may undermine or risk its future aspirations.

First generation [19391948]

A chequered past worth nine generations

Lincoln Continental is a model name for a series of automobiles
produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from
1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 1980 and from 1981 to
2002. Despite often sharing underpinnings with less-expensive
Fords, the Lincoln Continental had usually been a distinctively
platformed and styled, highly equipped luxury car in the course
of its long history.
The flagship Lincoln model during most of its run, the Continental
name conveyed special cachet in the product line. The Lincoln
Mark series grew out of it, with varying degrees of brand
differentiation over the years. During the 1980s, the Continental
was downsized from a full-size to a mid-size Ford Taurus
platform; this introduced the Continental to a wider range of
competition from Europe and Japan. After the Continental was
discontinued in 2002, it was largely replaced by the Lincoln LS
and eventually the Lincoln MKZ.

The first Lincoln Continental was developed as Edsel Fords

one-off personal vehicle, though it is believed he planned
all along to put the model into production if successful.
In 1938, he commissioned a custom design from the chief
MAY 2015

37

stylist, Eugene T. Bob Gregorie, ready for Edsels March

1939 vacation. The design, allegedly sketched out in an hour
by Gregorie working from the Lincoln-Zephyr blueprints
and making changes, was an elegant convertible with a
long hood covering the Lincoln V12 and long front fenders,
and a short trunk with what became the Continental series
trademark, the externally mounted, covered spare tire.

Second generation [19391948]

After the Continental Mark II was discontinued, a new

generation of the brand appeared for 1958. These were
the first Continentals produced at the new Wixom plant,
and the first made on an unibody platform. Though this
edition is known as the Mark III, the first models bore
the nameplate Continental III on the front fender. The
separation of the Continental name from the Lincoln
brand reflected a similar approach by Chrysler with the
Imperial, in an attempt to match Cadillac at the time.
The full-size Lincoln sold poorly in all its models and 1958
was a recession year in the US. But in spite of that, the
Continental Mark III recorded much better sales than the
Mark II. AM radio was standard. A rare option was an FM
radio.

Fourth generation [19611969]

The Continental name was revived in late 1955 as a separate

marque, produced by a separate division of Ford Motor
Company, with its sole model being the Continental Mark
II. Ford made it very clear that this Continental was not a
Lincoln. This version was a unique design with the highest
quality control ever seen in the automobile industry. Highclass luxury abounded in the new Continental, and with
very limited availability, it appeared even more exclusive
than the original. Continentals for 1956 were among the
most expensive cars in the world with a cost of $10,000
at a time when a regular Ford could be had for less than
$2000.00. it rivaled Rolls-Royce. Ford believed that its price
point would elevate the cars status among those who could
afford the very best. Despite its astronomical price tag,
Ford Motors lost money on each one sold. The Continental
Mark II was sold for just two model years. Between the
tales of dealers turning potential buyers away because they
were not deemed to be the right kind of people to own a
Continental, and its sticker price found affordable by only
the worlds wealthiest, the Continental became almost
mythical. Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, the Shah of Iran,
Nelson Rockefeller and Henry Kissinger were part of the
exclusive Continental owners circle!

Third generation [19581960]

38

MAY 2015

In 1961, the Continental was completely redesigned by

Elwood Engel. For the first time, the names Lincoln and
Continental would be paired together outside the Mark
Series; along with replacing the Continental Mark V, the
1961 Continental replaced the Lincoln Capri and Premiere,
consolidating Lincoln into a single product line. Originally
intended to be the 1961 Ford Thunderbird, the design was
enlarged and slightly altered before being switched to
the Lincoln line by Robert McNamara. One of the most
striking features of the new Continental was its size. It
was 14.8 in [380 mm] shorter than its predecessor. The
new Continentals most recognized trademark, frontopening rear suicide doors, was a purely practical
decision, reusing a feature offered on the 1950 Lincoln
Lido, the Lincoln-Zephyr sedan, and all Mercury sedans
starting in 1939. To simplify production, all cars were
to be four-door models, and only two body styles were
offered, thin-pillar sedan and convertible. Both models
featured frameless door glass, but the sedan had a thin
chrome B pillar. The 1961 Continental was Elwood
Engels Magnum Opus, as he was responsible for the
complete design of the car. It was a sales success, with
25,160 sold during the first year of production.
This generation of Continental is favoured by collectors
and has appeared in many motion pictures, such as
Goldfinger, The Matrix, Last Action Hero, Kalifornia,
Spider-Man 2, Hit and run, Animal House, and the
Inspector Gadget films. It has also appeared in the
television series.

Fifth generation [19701979]

nearly a half-ton in weight. The Panther platform also served

as the basis for the all-new Mark VI, a coupe sharing the
wheelbase of the Ford LTD as well as the first 4-door Markseries sedan. Gone forever was the old Ford 335 engine
which replaced with the 5.0-litre Windsor, the smallest
engine in a Lincoln since the 1948 Lincoln-Zephyr V12.

1981 nameplate hiatus

For 1970, the Continental received a ground-up redesign for

the first time since 1961. The 1970 model was the first time a
standard Lincoln shared a chassis with the full-sized Fords. It
was available as a two-door hardtop and a four-door pillared
hardtop and borrowed a number of styling cues from both
its predecessor and the Continental Mark III. As before, the
sides were relatively unadorned with blade-like mudguards,
but the door handles on four doors gave away the biggest
change: the distinctive suicide doors were replaced by
conventional front-hinged doors. Like the Mark III, it got
concealed headlamps.
As part of cost cutting, unibody construction was replaced
by body-on-frame construction and for the first time, it
shared a common platform with the full-size Ford LTD and
Mercury Marquis. During its lifecycle, this generation of
Continental saw a number of changes. From 1970 to 1974,
each model year wore a different grille style. For its 1975
facelift, the two-door hardtop model was replaced with
a pillared coupe; the four-door received a new roofline to
further differentiate it from Ford and Mercury models. The
Continental Town Coupe received a square opera window in
its C-pillar while the Town Car received an oval one [similar
to the Mark IV].

Sixth generation [1980]

In order to meet federal fuel economy standards, the

Continental underwent downsizing in 1979 for the 1980
model year [three years after Cadillac]. For the first time,
Lincoln shared a common platform [the Ford Panther
platform] with full-size Ford and Mercury sedans. In the
redesign, the Continental shed fourteen inches in length,
two inches in width, ten inches in wheelbase, and

During the 1970s, the Town Car trim level

on the Continental had become increasingly
popular, and in 1981, the Town Car took its
place as Lincolns standard full-size car. For
1981, the Continental name went on a brief
hiatus, as it was to appear on an entirely
different car the next year as Lincoln sought
to expand its lineup beyond full-size cars. The
only appearance of the Continental for 1981
was as the Mark VI coupe and sedan.

Seventh generation [19821987]

After a one-year hiatus, the Continental nameplate

reappeared for the 1982 model year. In the place of its
full-size predecessor, the 1982 Continental debuted as a
mid-size car sharing the Ford Fox platform with the Ford
Thunderbird and the Mercury Cougar. While not officially a
replacement for the Versailles, the new Continental would
have nearly identical length and wheelbase dimensions.
Most importantly, the Continental was now marketed as
a competitor to the Cadillac Seville. While the Seville had
switched to front-wheel drive during its 1980 restyling, the
1982 Continental retained the use of rear-wheel drive.
For the first time since 1965, all Continentals were again
4-doors; for the first time ever, the doors were fully framed.
In a major departure from Lincoln styling tradition, the
Continental wore its namesake imitation spare tire bulge on
the boot lid, a feature normally exclusive to the Mark-series
Continentals. Along with the Continental tyre on the boot,
the Continental would be one of several American cars in
the early 1980s that revived the bustle-back styling seen on
1930s-1940s British sedans. For 1982, the Continental was
offered in base, Signature Series, and Givenchy Designer
Series trim.

MAY 2015

39

Eighth generation [19881994]

By the late 1980s, competition in the luxury segment

changed drastically and the new generation sought a new
role of making Lincoln competitive against import brands.
In addition to domestic rivals Cadillac and Chrysler, the
downsized Continental now competed in the same price and
size segments as Acura, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Saab,
and Volvo. In 1987 for the 1988 model year, the Continental
was given a clean-sheet, aerodynamic redesign. In a shift to
front-wheel drive, the new Continental was based on a longwheelbase variant of the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable;
no exterior sheetmetal was shared between them. While
gaining four inches in length, it shed 170 pounds in weight
over its 1987 predecessor.

Concept [2002]
A concept vehicle was created in 2002, complete with coach
doors and a 5.9-litre V12 engine producing 414bhp at 6,000
rpm and 560Nm at 5,270 rpm. The cars design and suicide
doors are a nod to the earlier fourth generation cars.

40

MAY 2015

Ninth generation [19952002]

For the 1995 model year, the Continental was substantially

updated with more rounded lines similar to the Mark VIII.
Design was completed in 1991 and production commenced
in November 1994. While the body was all-new, the new
Continental shared its underpinnings with the previous
generation [based upon the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable
as well as the Ford Windstar]. In a departure from the
previous generation and its Ford/Mercury counterparts, the
Continental was given back its V8 engine [for the first time
since 1987]. The interior also saw a major overhaul. And
after a few slow-selling years, Lincoln officially discontinued
production in 2002. The Continental, and to an extent the
Lincoln Mark VIII coupe, were essentially replaced in the
Lincoln lineup by the mid-size Lincoln LS V8 and V6 sedans,
which were introduced in the 2000 model year. Even though
the Continental was a large front wheel drive sedan, and the
Mark VIII was a rear wheel drive coupe, the rear wheel drive
LS acted as a replacement for each variant.

2
2016 Jaguar XF

42

MAY 2015

Jaguar Land Rover hosted a special sneak preview event in

UK coinciding with the New York motor show reveal of one its
important new models -- the all-new 2016 Jaguar XF. The new
sedan is expected to help the brand move into premium territory
Author: Chandan B Mallik

here are clear cut indications that

a territorial war the premium
car segment is brewing. And its
also time for the German and Japanese
brands to closely watch what till now
marginalized carmakers like Jaguar
or Cadillac are up to these days. Its
no secret that Jaguar Land Rover, the
Indian-Tata Motors owned British marque
is on an overdrive as it prepares itself
to go all out and face key rivals with an
assortment of new models in the coming
months. The Gen II all-new 2015 XF,
recently launched is being positioned as
one of those pillars. Jaguar Land Rover
chief program engineer Colin Kirkpatrick
described the new XF as the centre
of gravity of the Jaguar brand after
the New York reveal and added: Our
dream ambition is to become the worlds
performance brand of choice, which is
not a small challenge.
For Jaguar, the XF when launched in
2007, was a radical step forward. As a car
for the business car segment in Europe it
combined sleek, coup-like exterior and a
luxurious interior and during its career set
the class benchmark for aesthetics and
driving dynamics.
Jaguar has brought to the table a
meticulously prepared recipe for the
Gen II XF and it begins with the cars
underpinnings. The high percentage
usage of aluminium in the cars
construction is also core to its optimized
power-to-weight ratio, torsional rigidity
and overall performance characteristisc.
The Gen II XF is built on a longer version
of Jaguars new modular architecture
that is about 75 per cent aluminium. The
new RC5754 platform is about 30 per
stiffer than before and being lightweight
also contributes to weight savings of

up to 190kg. The platform is up to 80kg

lighter than what rivals like the BMW and
Mercedes-Benz use in their 5-Series and
E-Class respectively.
The car sports coup-like design and
uses its elegant proportions, surfaces
and character lines which help in low
aerodynamic drag. In fact, the drag
coefficient drops from Cd0.29 to just
Cd0.26. The car is 4,954mm long which
means it is 7mm shorter than the
outgoing XF. However, the platform has
allowed the wheelbase to be stretched
by 51mm, to 2,960mm. This arrangement

Using aluminiumintensive architecture,

the all-new Gen II XF,
according to Jaguar
will bring an unrivalled
blend of design,
luxury, technology,
dynamic capability
and efficiency to the
business car segment
translates to 24mm more knee room
for rear occupants. Jaguar claims it is
offering class-leading spaciousness for
the segment with this car.
The all-new XF is also the first Jaguar
to offer adaptive full-LED headlights.
Featuring two banks of LEDs and
reflectors one for dipped beam, the

other for main beam they generate light

with a colour temperature closer to that
of daylight than is achievable with Xenon
lights, delivering better illumination.
The cars cabin is a uses contemporary
mix of luxury materials and finishes,
traditional craftsmanship and state-ofthe art technology. Among features
included are a reconfigurable 12.3in TFT
instrument cluster, laser heads-up display
and the InControl Touch Pro premium
infotainment system. The touch screen
set-up includes sat-nav, seamless iOS
and Android connectivity and 17-speaker
Meridian audio.
As part of an efficiency drive which was
announced by Jaguar during the world
premiere of the XE, the XF will also
benefit from the exercise. At just 104gm/
km CO2 emissions, the new Ingenium
series 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine is in
the XF is also shared with the smaller
and lighter XE. Depending on markets
globally, six powertrain configurations
will be available and will include a number
of four-cylinder diesel configurations,
a 2.0-litre petrol and a range-topping
for now 279kW supercharged V6
transplanted from the F-Type. Manual
transmissions will be available in Europe,
but expect Middle East variants to
be equipped with the eight-speed ZF
automatics. Double wishbone front
suspension and Integral Link rear
suspension combined with near-50:50
weight distribution deliver the ideal
balance between ride and handling. In
some markets, the XF can be option with
torque-on-demand all-wheel-drive. As
well, Jaguar now offers what it calls AllSurface Progress Control a new form of
traction control for low grip surfaces such
as ice and snow.

British stunt expert Jim

Dowdall, veteran
of Hollywood
movies
including Bond,
Bourne and
Indiana Jones,
drove the all-new
Jaguar XF 240 metres
across a high-wire to
demonstrate the new XFs
lightweight aluminiumintensive construction
MAY 2015

43

3
2016 Cadillac CT6

44

MAY 2015

Cadillac has showcased its new addition to

the line-up the 2016 CT6 sedan. But, this
isnt the model earmarked to be the brands
top-tier competitor to the Mercedes
S-Class, BMW 7-Series or Audi A8. So what
is it?
Author: Chandan B Mallik

ery much like Britains Jaguar, GMs

luxury arm Cadillac also has crossborder aspirations and the American
brand also wants to make its presence
felt strongly in premium European
territory currently led by Audi, BMW and
Mercedes-Benz. GMs greatest gift for

The new CT6 marks

Cadillacs return to
the global premium
luxury segment. It is
one of eight all-new
vehicles the brand will
launch by the end of
the decade as part of
its US$12bn product
investment

Cadillac is that it has involved its global

resources in developing new cars like the
all-new Cadillac CT6. This new addition
was designed by a team led by Australian
Andrew Smith, former Holden stylist
best known in Australia for penning the
VU Holden Ute. Smith was given the task
of bringing Cadillac design into the 21st
century to help take the fight up to the
likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar.
The results of the global involvement
are quite clear. Never before has such
craftsmanship and technology been
so seamlessly interwoven in a Cadillacbadged sedan. As with the established
formula of creating a lighter, stiffer
platform and overall structure that also
enables the car to exhibit bank vault
levels of quietness, the CT6 is based
on an all-new version of GMs Omega
platform. In fact, GM has described the
new architecture used in the CT6 as being
among one of the worlds lightest and
most agile full-sized body structures,
delivering spaciousness on par with the

MAY 2015

45

46

MAY 2015

BMW 7 Series but with less weight than a 5 Series.

The cars architecture uses a mixed-material structure with allaluminium body panels. At 5,182mm in length, the CT6 is 22mm
longer than the existing Chevrolet Caprice and roughly the same
width. In its design profile, the CT6 benefits from an evolved
Cadillac along with new executions of the grille and lighting
elements. The latter features new LED blades that frame the
front of the vehicle prominently. Forward illumination comes
from technologically advanced Indirect Fire LED headlamps.
The interiors of the CT6 get modern design elements,

The new CT6 marks Cadillacs

return to the global premium
luxury segment. It is one of eight
all-new vehicles the brand will
launch by the end of the decade
as part of its US$12bn product
investment
complemented with high levels of craftsmanship. Materials
used include luxurious leathers, exotic woods, and carbon
fibre in an unprecedented way for a Cadillac product. The
interior design will also allow optimized space and comfort for
occupants.
The CT6 will be offered with a choice of powertrains ranging
from turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder right up to 400 hp
3.0-litre twin-turbo V6. The twin-turbo V6 is all-new. Apart
from delivery power at the rate of almost 133hp per litre, the
V6 also watches its fuel consumption by applying the first
cylinder-deactivation system on a turbo engine. In addition to
the turbocharged engines, GMs 3.6-litre normally aspirated V6
will also be available. Irrespective of the type of engine, all will
be mated with GMs newly developed eight-speed automatic
transmission.
Performance and handling is an area where the CT6 gets
specialized attention. The cars chassis includes active rearwheel steering and magnetic ride control. The front suspension
is a high-arm multilink short-long arm arrangement made
of aluminium, while the rear set-up is five-link independent
suspension that uses multiple outer ball joints and cross braces
for optimal handling and steering precision. CT6 V6 variants
include an active-on-demand all-wheel-drive system which is
also part of the Active Chassis System, making the most of
handling and stability in all weather conditions. Its lightweight,
compact design and two-gear transfer case enable greater
fuel economy than conventional fixed-torque all-wheel drive
systems. All-wheel drive is standard on all CT6 six-cylinder
models. Selectable Tour, Snow/Ice and Sport modes allow the
driver to tailor the CT6s advanced chassis system for practically
any weather or road condition.
The CT6 will be built in the US from late this year and from 2016,
it will also be produced in China.

MAY 2015

47

4
2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet has introduced a completely restyled and re-engineered

its midsize sedan - the ninth generation all-new 2016 Malibu.
The new car promises to offer more efficiency, connectivity and
advanced safety features than ever
Author: Chandan B Mallik

ith the all-new Malibu sedan,

Chevrolet is taking its war into
Toyotas prized Camry territory.
And Chevrolet also is aware that the task
is not only ambitious, but tasking as well.
At the show, GMs global product boss
Mark Reuss made the intention clear
by saying: If we dont, we shouldnt
have done the car. Were not here to be
competitive. Were here to win.
In preparing the incoming model, GM
has gone back to the drawing board with
lot of feedback related to the outgoing
edition. It has tried to address most of
the complaints that Malibu has been
known for, notorious among them
styling and tight accommodation.
The incoming car uses some of the sleek
styling cures from the Impala. It also gets
a 91 mm longer wheelbase and overall, it
is 58mm longer than the current Malibu.
GM have also been successful in knocking
48

MAY 2015

off some flab around 136kg. From the

styling perspective, it has been given a
sloped roofline and a more curvaceous
body lines in an effort to make it appear
more refined.

Chevrolets Toyota
Camry fighter has a
clear cut agenda with
it this time. And its
also clear that GM is
not taking opposition
lightly
In terms of power, Chevrolet will roll out
the 2016 Malibu with a newly developed
1.5-litre Ecotec turbocharged engine

developing an estimated 160bhp and

250Nm of torque. A bigger 250bhp
2.0-litre turbo with 350 Nm will also
be offered. While the smaller engine
works with a six-speed automatic, this
larger motor is paired to a new eightspeed automatic transmission. The
Malibu line-up will also include a hybrid.
Malibu with a hybrid set-up uses a fourcylinder 1.8-litre direct-injection petrol
engine with a two-motor drive unit to
provide a combined output of 182 bhp.
Chevrolet says the hardware setup has
been adapted from the 2016 Volt and
also includes an 80cell, 1.5 kWh lithiumion battery pack. At speeds of up to 88
km/h, the Malibu Hybrid can run solely on
electric power and at higher speeds the
conventional engine will kick in to provide
the additional oomph.
The hybrid variant will also benefit
from regenerative braking while the

combustion engine has an Exhaust Gas

Heat Recovery (EGHR) system that will
use the exhaust heat to warm the engine
and cabin.
As far as the interior cabin is concerned,
rear legroom has been extended by
33mm. Feature pack also includes choice
of 7in touchscreen or a larger 8in display
for the upper-spec models. Chevrolet has
installed dual rear-seat USB ports and a
110-volt power outlet on select versions
and wireless mobile phone charging is
also offered. Malibus MyLink system
will also be paired with Teen Driver
system to keep a closer eye on their kids
while ventilated seats make their debut
on the Malibu. This car also benefits
from an array of safety and assistance
systems including 10 airbags, rearview
camera, Front Pedestrian Alert, New
Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure
Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with
Front Automatic Braking and Automatic
Parking Assist. The new Malibu will be
built from globally sourced parts at GMs
Fairfax Assembly Plant, in Kansas City,
Kansas. The plant received a US$600mn
investment in paint shop and tooling
upgrades in 2013. The car is set to go on
sale in the fourth quarter of the year in
the following trims: L, LS, LT, Premier and
Hybrid.
MAY 2015

49

5
2016 Kia Optima

For Kia Motors the mid-sized Optima is a core model and

since 2010 it has been representing the brands design-led
transformation worldwide. The automaker now takes the strong
design fundamentals of the third generation model to the next
level with the new 2016 Optima
Author: Chandan B Mallik

n the rapid moving automotive

business, a lot of things can happen
in a short span of say 5-7 years. This
period, depending on a manufacturer
is basically the time slot to prepare and
produce a new replacement model or
an all-new one. Smart manufacturers
also use the opportunity to get their
fundamentals right be it engineering
or design. These two elements are now
very much responsible for what defines
a good, mediocre or not so acceptable
product in a fiercely competitive
environment. In the case of South
Koreas Kia Motors, both have been given
top priority.
In 2010, Kia debuted its third generation
re-designed midsize sedan, the Optima
at the New York International Auto
Show. The model proved to be a game
50

MAY 2015

changer for the brand as it appealed to

consumers looking for a fresh alternative
to an otherwise staid segment. For Kia,
it was a design revolution for this model.

The Optima has

certainly contributed
in changing the way
people perceived the
Kia brand. Kia can owe
much of its current
growth and success to
its head-turning design
and solid engineering

With design fundamentals set, and under

the watchful eye of Kias president and
chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, the
incoming fourth generation 2016 Optima
is an evolution of the successful theme.
Since the design builds on the looks of
the outgoing model, the trademark tiger
nose grille treatment has been stretched
and is now integrated with the headlamp
cluster. The face of the car is bit more
aggressive now, thanks to the vertical
foglamp surrounds and an independent
lower valance. At the rear, the car gains
LED-fired taillamps, boot lid now comes
with an integrated diffuser and the sign
off is a pair of oval exhausts. Despite this
new detailing, the profile of the incoming
car remains connected to the outgoing
one.
Interestingly, the new Optima is slightly

larger than the model it replaces and will be built on Hyundais

i40 [Sonata] platform as before. The refresh has added 0.4in
to the length of the car, while widening the car by one inch.
This gives the new Optima a wheelbase of 110.4in and a width
of 73.2in. The dimensional changes have allowed improved
detailing and occupant benefits. The cars interior is larger and
nicer than before. The key changes inside the car include a wider
centre console, more comfortable seats, soft-touch materials,
metallic accents, real stitching in the dash and door panels,
and cloth or leather seating await occupants. Meanwhile, Kias
UVO connected-vehicle system comes with four new features
not previously found in the Optima. Cargo space has also
increased and attention has been given in improving the NVH
characteristics. Theres now a choice of advanced driver-assist
safety features. The 2016 Optima rides on alloy wheels ranging
from 16 to 18in, with three new unique 18in wheel designs,
depending on trim level. High end segment features include
bi-functional HID headlamps with corner lamps and high beam
assist that illuminate the road surface around corners.
Depending on market, the Optima will be offered with a choice
of three engines: the 185hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 247hp
2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder are carried over, but have
been improved for fuel economy and better performance and
drivability with maximum torque now available at a lower revs.
Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission
with Sportmatic shifting while some variants add paddle
shifters. The third engine to be offered is a new 178hp 1.6-litre
turbocharged four-cylinder mill. This engine is connected to
a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and will be focused on
fuel economy more than performance. From the marketing
perspective, depending on where it is sold, five trim levels - LX,
LX Turbo, EX, SX Turbo and SXL will be offered.
MAY 2015

51

6
2016 Honda Civic hatchback

52

MAY 2015

Honda will be hoping the bold new

style helps reinvigorate sales and the
forthcoming Civic is part of a broader
effort to reinvigorate Honda, which has
slipped behind Hyundai and some other
competitors in the global vehicle sales
race and been hurt by some un-Hondalike missteps in quality, safety and
manufacturing
Author: Chandan B Mallik

onda unveiled its 10th-generation

Civic Concept which the automaker
says has been designed in the USA.
We are going back to our roots, said
John Mendel, executive vice president
of American Honda after unveiling
the banana green concept. The new

Honda will be hoping

the bold new style
helps reinvigorate
sales and the
forthcoming Civic
is part of a broader
effort to reinvigorate
Honda, which has
slipped behind
Hyundai and some
other competitors
in the global vehicle
sales race and been
hurt by some unHonda-like missteps
in quality, safety and
manufacturing.
Civic represents the first time global
development of both the coupe and sedan
variants has been led by Hondas North
American research-and-development
team. Designers at the companys Los
Angeles studio spearheaded the new
style, while engineers in Raymond, Ohio,

handled development.
Its a significant move on part of Honda,
partly because Civics, once a key model in
the line-up, hasnt kept up to its promises,
especially in North America. Honda has
been working overtime in recent years
to return the Civic to the top of its class,
particularly after the disappointing last
full redesign in 2012. Naturally, Honda
wants to make up for lost time and also
reconnect with its heritage.
Besides these two business objectives, a
spin-off effect is expected to take place
in the Civic line-up. The all-new Civic
sedan arrives this year and will shortly be
followed by a coupe, a five-door hatchback
[from Hondas plant in Swindon, UK]. And
within two years, a Type-R performance
hatch from UK will take its place as the
halo model.
The latest compact Civic is based on a new
global platform which has been developed
by Honda over the past three years. The
concept introduces a sporty new design
direction for the whole Civic family.
Featuring a longer wheelbase and a wider
stance, the new model brings a much
more aggressive look than its predecessor.
Designers have changed the cars profile
and proportions by lengthening the
bonnet and shortening the front overhang
and rear deck. The revamped styling
is further reinforced by pronounced
mudguard wheel arches and the Flying
H grille, while new LED headlights sit
above large air intakes. Theres a touch of
sportiness, according to Honda.
The tenth-generation Civic lineup will be
powered by Hondas latest Earth Dreams
powertrains, including the new 1.5-litre
VTEC turbocharged engine. A six-speed
manual transmission will be available
along with a sport-tuned CVT. No figures
have been suggested, but the 1.5-liter
turbo mill is expected to be both more
efficient and more powerful than the

companys naturally-aspirated 138hp

1.8-litre unit.
From a marketing perspective, the
incoming generation marks the return
of the Civic hatchback to the US market.
The coupes and sedans will be built in
Indiana and Ontario, with the hatchbacks
imported from Hondas Swindon, UK,
plant.
US buyers will also get a chance to
purchase the high-performance Civic
Type R, while the Si packages will become
midrange options in the lineup. The Eurospec Type R concept is powered by a
300hp 2.0-litre engine.
MAY 2015

53

7
2015 Porsche Boxster Spyder

54

MAY 2015

Porsche is celebrating the start of the 2015

convertible season with the world premiere
of the new Boxster Spyder
Author: Chandan B Mallik

orsche seemed to be in a hurry to

introduce its top-of-the-line open
top Boxster variant. The first details
of this car were released on the eve of the
NY motor show to a select gathering.
For starters, the 2016 Porsche Boxster
Spyder is staying true to its first-

In this day and age

when fancy gadgets
and features override
a cars purity,
Porsches minimalistic
approach in designing
the Boxster Spyder
and the flexibility of
offering factory addons is an interesting
way to sell cars to
purists
generation predecessor in more than
one way and this means several features
that are considered essential modern
conveniences these days will not be found
in this car. The exterior design of the
Spyder has specific styling cues that pay
homage to the 718 Spyder from the 1960s,
which are the two prominent streamlined
bulges that extend down along the long
rear lid behind the head restraints. Thats
not all. The package is more than just a

Boxster with a chopped roof. The front

and rear ends have been redesigned for
this variant and come from the Cayman
GT4.
In terms of features and in line with the
models purist design neither a radio
nor an air- conditioning is included as
standard equipment. Both of these
features can be ordered as optional
equipment. In addition, the entire range
of Boxster audio systems is available for
customers to choose from as an option.
The Porsche Communication Management
(PCM) system with all of its special
features can also be ordered as optional
equipment. And very much like the good
old days where the tops were manually
operated, this tradition continues with
the Spyder too, so theres no involvement
of complicated mechanisms and extra
motors.
Likewise, in terms of powertrain, the Gen
I model came with manual transmission
and Porsche says that this will be the only
transmission for the 2016 model also.
While some features hark back to the
60s original roadster, the incoming
Boxster Spyder will offers traditional
sports-car driving experience but with
contemporary performance. The car gets
sports suspension and its ride height
has been lowered by 20mm. The brake
package comes from the 911 Carrera. The
car is powered by a 3.8-litre horizontally
opposed six-cylinder engine good for
375 hp and it is capable of doing the 0 to
96km/h sprint in 4.3secs. With a direct
steering feel, drivers can thus look forward
to a genuine sports-car experience with
outstanding driving dynamics in the
lightest yet most powerful Boxster, says
Porsche.

MAY 2015

55

8
2015 McLaren 570S Coup

As the first car in McLarens Sports Series, the 570S Coup also
helps the UK-based sports car maker McLaren to complete its
three-tier model strategy. Automan has the details
Author: Chandan B Mallik

or any sports car manufacturer,

a core element of its corporate
objectives is value-creating growth
ideas. In this respect, McLaren has
adopted a three-layered product strategy
and sub brands them as Super Series
and Ultimate Series and Sports Series
respectively. The mission objective of
the Sports Series is to introduce McLaren
race-derived technologies and design
values to a new segment and audience.
The 570S Coup, which the brand
launched a few weeks ago, shares its
DNA with the McLaren Super Series
and Ultimate Series, the models that sit
above it in the range as far as hierarchy
goes. The car features an evolution of
the McLaren design philosophy and
the shrinkwrapped, aerodynamicallyoptimised form used in the 570S Coup is
the first body style application. The now
56

MAY 2015

The McLaren design

team has created
a shape of beauty
highlighted by details
such as the rear
flying buttresses that
increase downforce as
well as adding grace,
and complex door
tendons that direct
additional air to cool
the mid-mounted V8
engine

familiar McLaren face seen on models in

the Super Series and Ultimate Series has
been sharpened further for the Sports
Series.
In its construction it uses a newly
designed carbon fibre MonoCell II
chassis. The focus has been with more of
a focus on day-to-day usability, offering
improved ingress and egress from the
cabin. It is incredibly strong and stiff yet
weighs less than 80kg, offering optimum
levels of protection. This composite
structure along with aluminium body
panels ensures a dry weight almost 150kg
lighter than its closest competitor. The
car weighs 1,313 when configured with
lightweight options with 42 per cent
of the weight is over the front axle and
58per cent over the rear. The twin exhausts
tips exit below the rear bumper, either side
of a newly designed rear diffuser.

The design of the car also incorporates

a high degree of aerodynamic profiling.
For instance, the flying buttresses at the
rear of the teardrop-shaped glasshouse
are responsible for directing air over
the shoulderline of the car and across
the rear aiding heat evacuation from
the exposed engine bay. Super-formed
aluminium rear fenders ensure clean air
is delivered to the fixed rear spoiler and
also help in increasing downforce.
The cars cabin has been designed
around the driver with a clear focus on
engagement, visibility, functionality,
day-to-day usability and space. As
standard, the sports seats are leather
upholstered racing seats are optional
offering a high level of long distance
comfort and support. The dashboard
and steering wheel are also all leather
trimmed. Intelligent packaging frees
usable space to the tune of 150 litres up
front. As a road going car it comes with
a full infotainment system including an
all new TFT digital instrument cluster
that changes configuration according
to driving mode, a seven-inch IRIS
touchscreen, now with integrated
climate control functionality, Bluetooth
connectivity, all mounted on a floating
centre console.

McLaren has promised a greater variety

of interior customisation for the 570S
with choice of Alcantara, nappa leather
and carbon fibre options. McLaren
designers have created a range of By
McLaren bespoke interior specifications,
similar to those also available on the
675LT.
The car features an evolution of the
M838TE 3.8-litre V8 twin turbo engine.
Engineered by McLaren with 30 per cent
bespoke components, it produces 562bhp
at 7,400rpm, and 600Nm of torque at
5,000-6,500 rpm. Power is delivered
through a seven-speed SSG transmission,
and transferred to the road through the
rear wheels. This power is brought under
control with standard-fit carbon ceramic
brakes. Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres are
standard and measure 225/35/R19 on the
front and 285/35/R20 on the rear. Zero to
100km/h comes in 3.2secs and top speed
is 326km/h.
The Sports Series has its own newlydeveloped suspension system and uses
independent adaptive dampers with
front and rear anti-roll bars, a feature
distinct from the Super Series and dual
wishbones, with the set up controlled by
the familiar Normal, Sport and Track
handling settings.
MAY 2015

57

9
Subaru BRZ STI Performance Concept

Subaru Tecnica International

(STI), the performance arm of
Subaru has interesting plans
to expand its business beyond
Japan Domestic Market offerings.
The BRZ STI Performance
Concept presented highlights
some of its capabilities
Author: Chandan B Mallik

58

MAY 2015

bout a year ago, Fuji Heavy

Industries Ltd. (FHI), the
manufacturer of Subaru cars
detailed its business plan called
Prominence 2020, which looked at what
was in store for the next five years. To
recap, the plan included 20per cent
sales increase by 2020 [in US], a new
vehicle platform and more fuel-efficient
engines. Subarus confidence is high as
it has increased sales in the US for six
consecutive years and its monthly sales
are now in double digits since January
2013. Now, the brand is looking at its inhouse performance arm Subaru Tecnica
International [STI] to help generate
additional business. STI started life as the
motorsports arm of Subaru parent Fuji
Heavy Industries and till now has been a
strong player in Japans domestic market
[JDM].
As a focused set-up operating in new
markets besides the US, STI will be
responsible for what Subaru has identified
as its three fundamental areas for the
business -- aftermarket parts, STI-tuned
cars and motorsports. At STI we know
from our racing that to win, it is important
not only to have high power, but also that
all aspects of performance are balanced
over the whole car, said Yoshio Hirakawa,
president of Subaru Tecnica International,
Inc. When we achieve this balance, the
driver feels that the car is easy to handle
and reliable, and he can use it fully to the

The STI Performance

Concept is a showcase
for the engineering
prowess and tuning
capability of STI,
featuring the racing
engine developed
by STI for the BRZ
Super GT racecar,
suspension and
chassis components
and aerodynamic
upgrades.
limits of its performance. Our plan is to
produce cars and accessories that drivers
can really enjoy.
To given an idea what STI is capable of,
the performance-tuning arm kitted a

stock BRZ sports coupe with interesting

cosmetic and go-fast enhancements and
presented it as a performance concept
at the American motor show. As of now,
the Japan domestic market is offered
complete cars packages - like extensive
tuning and performance parts available
by STI where focus is on models like the
WRX STI, Forester and BRZ models. In the
Japanese domestic market, the STI models
use S model badges for the WRX STI and
tS on BRZ and Forester.
The BRZ STI concept presented for
non Japanese market was more like
the ultimate road version of the BRZ
instead of its reinvention. It was decked
up with chassis, suspension and braking
components already in use in the Japanese
BRZ tS version. The addition of wide body
kit, carbon-fibre rear diffuser and carbonfibre rear spoiler were also part of the STIspecs for the non JDM BRZ. Although, no
engine performance figures were officially
given, observers aware of STI hardware
said that under the hood is the same
turbocharged, 2.0-litre boxer-four that
powers the BRZ GT300 from Japans Super
GT series. In the BRZ GT300 it pumps out
300hp and 330lbs-ft of torque.

Automans take

The STI Performance Concept is part of a promotional push for the U.S. expansion of STI.
Subarus STI division currently sells aftermarket parts and STI-tuned cars in Japan, and wants
to bring that business to North America, as well as expanding its motorsports involvement.
MAY 2015

59

10
2016 Lexus RX

Lexus once again has proven that it knows how to redefine

luxury in a SUV without going overboard. This was clear after the
Japanese premium brand unveiled the all-new 2015 Gen IV RX last
month
Author: Chandan B Mallik

ery few carmakers can actually

produces statistics like this. The
RX represents three out of ten
vehicles ever sold by Lexus worldwide
and has been one of the best-selling
models in the brands 26-year history
with global sales of more than 2.1mn
units over three generations. The big
task for Lexus product planners for the
incoming fourth generation was how
to evolve the model in such a way that
it continues to appeal to its existing
customers while widening its appeal.
To do this, Toyota went back to the
drawing board. The platform for the
RX comes from Toyotas K Series.
This flexible platform underpins many
successful Toyota models Camry,
Avalon, Highlander among others. The
60

MAY 2015

The new RX design

marries elements of
the outgoing model
and the recently
introduced NX
crossover. Lexus has
surprisingly opted to
stay conservative with
convention rather
than adopting a more
coupe-like silhouette

biggest advantage for the RX that cars

wheelbase has grown from 107.9in to
109.9in. The overall length has also
increased by 4.7in to round it off at
192.5in. The vehicles body structure has
been strengthened with added stiffness,
helping to enhance its handling response
while reducing engine and road noise in
the cabin.
For styling, the RX has undergone
a sea of change and incorporates
most of the design elements from its
smaller NX sibling. Lexus sought to
make the RX look sportier with a more
aggressive floating roof design, while
the familiar spindle grille has been
revised and made bolder. Lexus says
the redesigned head and fog lamps help
give the RX an elegant yet futuristic

aura and complement the blackedout C-pillars. Another design feature

is that the sheetmetal now exhibits a
strong unbroken character lines which
runs from the front mudguards and
continues to the end of the car. The
rear gets newly designed LED taillamps
and dual-exhaust tips sign off the V6
variants which come as part of the
brands established L-finesse design
language. Depending on the variants,
including F-Sport-badged performance
models, the grille inserts are among its
standalone design features.
Lexus RX chief designer Gen Ikeda
said during the unveil that the cars
revised looks didnt come at the cost of
practicality. New driver and passenger
seats offer power reclining and heating
functions, a retractable panoramic
sunroof has been developed and lasercut ornamentation is available as an
option to underscore the message of
high levels of comfort and luxury in
the cabin.
While, the extended wheelbase
has allowed for more legroom and
knee-room for front and second row
MAY 2015

61

occupants, Lexus said that a third-row

option was not going to be included in
the package.
The cabin will be the usual Lexus fare
and for front occupants will get to enjoy
a new optional 12.3in infotainment
display mounted high up on the central
console. Driver will also get an optional
head-up display. As part of improved
ergonomics, the gear shift lever has
moved closer to the stack to allow more
room in the centre console. Rear-seat
occupants are treated to more leg and
knee space and extra cargo volume can
be created via the 60:40 power folding
second row seats.
Not many changes are in store for
incoming model which will continue
with a slightly modified 3.5-litre V6.
It gets a 30hp bump so total output
is 300hp when mated to last years
F-Sports eight-speed automatic
transmission. Hybrid versions will also
be offered wherein the petrol engine
and electric motor join hands to offer
combined power of 300hp and power
in this variant is routed through CVT
transmission. Interestingly, both

62

MAY 2015

versions of the RX will be available in

front- or all-wheel drive configurations.
For all the variants, the MacPherson
strut front and double wishbone
rear suspension has been revised for
improved ride and handling. Lexus
says that it has also addressed niggles
associated with the outgoing models
F-Sport variant. The F-Sport ride quality
was often criticized as being too firm.
In the pursuit of sporty handling, the
new generation will feature an Adaptive
Variable Suspension (AVS) to adjust ride
quality as needed.
Other technology onboard includes
Lexus recently announced Safety
System+ (combining pre-collision and
lane-departure warnings, and automatic
high beam adjustment), lane-keep assist,
adaptive cruise control, a surround-view
monitor, blind-spot monitor and rear
cross-traffic alert.
Lexus has also said that the RX F Sport
variants will be offered exclusively
as AWD models only and for the first
will be available in stock or hybrid
formats. The F Sport models will have
their own standalone identities helped

by a number of special visual and

performance features. The spindle
grille and lower centre piece of the rear
bumper incorporate an F mesh design,
new 20in alloy wheels with graphite
finish are exclusive to this variant.
Inside, the driver is treated to a custom F
Sport instrument cluster with a TFT Multi
Information Display as well as a sport
steering wheel, featuring perforated
leather trim, an F Sport emblem, and
paddle shifters. Exclusive colours and
trim pieces are also part of F Sport
package.
The performance on the road of this
variant benefits a lot due to an active
stabilizer system whose cutting-edge
technology helps keep the vehicles
body flat through fast corners. It also
engages AVS, which also helps keep
the vehicle planted to driving surfaces
through turns. This feature is standard
on this model and the driver will also be
able to select the AVS-enhanced Sport
S+ mode, in addition to the standard
Eco, Normal and Sport settings, on the
Drive Mode Select control located on the
centre console.

MAY 2015

63

11
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Motors product offerings in future will be biased

towards SUVs more than other body styles. The Outlander SUV
for MY2016 represents the beginning of a new era for the brand
and the package includes new design language, content and
engineering improvements
Author: Chandan B Mallik

he current Mitsubishi Outlander

is fairly new as it came in to the
markets in late 2012 and technically
the current year in terms of a normal
cars product life cycle would be
considered as mid-term and also a time
when usually car makers upgrade their
models. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
has made its mission statement clear:
it will focus more on SUVs and plug-in
hybrids. And the process involves taking
the best of what the brand has to offer
and refine or improve the rest.
The timing for Outlanders refresh has
actually given Mitsubishi an opportunity
to showcase how it plans to move
forward. Instead of offering a few added
64

MAY 2015

The refreshed
Outlander brings
revised styling over
the more conservative
outgoing iteration
and is the first to
get Mitsubishis new
Dynamic Shield styling
language

features or minor tweaks, the company

has elaborately reworked the Outlander
and transformed it into a trendy,
upmarket and competent model.
The first job was to retain the SUVs
current profile and proportions and give
it a new look. This meant redesigning the
front and rear ends. Usually, carmakers
adopt an evolutionary route when it
comes to mid-cycle upgrades [usually,
a minor grille or valance redesign or
some detailing], but in the case of
this car, Mitsubishi chose to graft it
with its new Dynamic Shield styling
language. While, doing so, the company
refers to its past SUV history and the
feature inherited from the bumper side

protection has been seen on previous

generations of the Montero/Pajero.
Meanwhile, the front end gains angular
horizontal headlamps, a new twin-slat
radiator grille and chrome accents.
These styling cues bring the Outlander
in line with the XR-PHEV II concept that
was presented in Geneva a few weeks
ago. At the rear, the SUV is fitted with
bigger LED taillamps connected by an
elegant strip of chrome trim as well as
a new bumper that integrates brushed
aluminium effect trim and nearly vertical
fog lights. The design-led transformation
is really impressive by SUV standards.
As expected, its not just about looks.
Mitsubishi has also quietly ensured that
theres a better feel to the touch points
and over all ride quality. Unseen are
improvements to body and suspension
structural rigidity, redesigned
suspension and electric power steering,
noise-isolating windscreen and tailgate
glass, more sound insulation throughout
the vehicle, and new front suspension
and rear shock absorbers.
Inside, the seven-seater, theres a more
ergonomic steering wheel, a new media
interface that runs Mitsubishis MMCS
infotainment system and a host of
MAY 2015

65

66

MAY 2015

additional features like an available autodimming rear-view mirror. Under the

bonnet, there are no major mechanical
modifications meaning that the 166hp
2.4-litre four-cylinder engine continues
with CVT gearbox which sends power
to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is
available as an option in US. Mitsubishi
says that the CVT has been upgraded to
a new generation promising improved
acceleration, performance, shift feel and
torque delivery.
The range-topping Outlander uses
a normally-aspirated 3.0-litre V6
that generates 224hp and is offered
exclusively with all-wheel drive and sixspeed automatic transmission. Overall,
Mitsubishi says it has made over 100
engineering and design improvements
to the Outlander.
The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander will
be available with advanced safety

technologies including Forward Collision

Mitigation (FCM), Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC). The 2014 and 2015
Outlander are rated a Top Safety Pick+
by the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety (IIHS) due to the optional
Forward Collision Mitigation.
Irrespective of trim, each 2016 Outlander
sold in safety conscious markets like
the US, will be offered with seven
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) air bag with front air bags with
passenger weight and drivers seat
position sensors, front seat-mounted
side-impact air bags, and curtain side
air bags with roll-over sensors; anti-lock
braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist;
hill start assist; active stability control
with traction control and a built in tyre
pressure monitoring system.

Automans take

The 2016 Outlander is part of a

major product and style rebirth
taking place within Mitsubishi
Motors Corporation and reflects
the companys stronger focus on
quality, technology and design
prowess
MAY 2015

67

Better safe
than sorry
68

MAY 2015

yres are the only components

in a vehicle that keeps us
connected to the roads and
its well-being is also therefore
very important when it comes
to our safety. A tyre burst or blowout is
the last thing any motorists mind and no
one would want it to happen, especially
on the move.
If you are a motorist residing in the
region, you may have noticed that
accidents caused by tyre blowouts seem
to be unavoidable. You might have
experienced that while travelling as a
long distance commuter apparently
without reason or warning, one of
your cars tyre fails and explodes. With
quick thinking, you control and quickly
manoeuevre the car to a safe spot.
Although shaken by the incident you still
have no clue to look for an explanation as
to why such a thing happened.
Its the air inside the tyres that supports
the weight of the vehicle and there are
several reasons for unexpected tyre
failure. One of the things that can cause
a blow out is damage to the side wall of
the tyre. Hitting a kerb innocently while
parking a car will cause a bubble to form
in the side wall. This bubble is formed
when the layers of the tyre separate and
air gets in between them. The second
most common reason for a blow out is
driving a car with incorrect tyre pressure.
If the tyre is soft the side wall flexes more
than it is designed to. Heat is generated
in the flexing and that results in the side
wall splitting. The third is aged tyres.

What to do in case of a
tyre burst?

If you look after your tyres but are

still unlucky enough to get a blowout
or high speed puncture the guidelines
below will help you to cope and
perhaps avoid an accident. The first
indication of the blow out is the burst
noise immediately followed by the
car handling abnormally, especially at
speeds over 80km/h. The best action
is to hold the steering wheel firmly,
decelerate slowly and let the car slow
down by itself. Do not panic brake, and
remember this is not a normal situation.
If the car is starting to move sideways
braking will make matters worse and
can cause the car to spin. Sudden
braking is the single worst thing that
you can do if a tyre blows out.

Keep looking ahead and turn your

steering wheel to keep in a straight line.
Maintain momentum by accelerating
if required. Mind you, accelerating is
not done to speed the car up, simply
to maintain momentum and minimising
the risk of and effect of a side slide.
Changing to a lower gear might help
in a front wheel drive car if you can
control the steering with one hand.
The idea here is to steer the car and its
occupants to safety and also minimize
the risk of damaging the rims.

How to cope with

punctures?

The difference between a puncture/flat

tyre and blow out is that the air from
the tyres can leak slowly, depending
on the severity nail, shrapnel etc.
If it happens on the move, then the
indication of a front tyre puncture is
that it will cause the car to pull heavily
to one side. Steer firmly to correct the
pull.
Avoid hard braking as it might lead
to the tyre coming off the rim. If
there is space ahead, concentrate on
steering and allow the car to lose speed
naturally. If you use the brake after
gaining initial control, be very gentle.
Pulling the parking brake on and off
repeatedly can help you to slow down
but care must be taken not to lock the
back wheels because this could cause
the car to pivot around the damaged
wheel and spin - your main aim is to
keep the car on course and lose speed
naturally. Changing down might help
in a rear-wheel drive car as engine
compression will lower the speed but
again no snatched or jerky changes.
Remembering that extra effort will be
required for steering, it may be safer to
keep your hands on the wheel.
Burst tyres are dead. You can drive on
the tyre very slowly to a safe place but
do not attempt to go any further than is
absolutely necessary.
Repairable punctures can turn into
irreparable tyres if you drive too much
on them. Change the tyre in a safe place
as soon as possible. If you cant do it
yourself, then get assistance. Read
your cars handbook for information
about jacking your car safely and
changing a wheel. If you have a space
saver spare tyre, use it as guided by the
manufacturer.

Burst tyres are dead. You can drive

on the tyre very slowly to a safe place
but do not attempt to go any further
than is absolutely necessary.

Observation counts. Also examine

your vehicle tyres for visible surface
damages, minute or cracks, uneven/
eccentric wear or unexplained bulges.

Do not run a car a temporary spare

or space saver wheel or exceed its
recommended speed or range.

MAY 2015

69

Tyre maintenance tips

1. Check tyre pressures at least once every fortnight when the
tyre is cold. Over and under inflation are both bad for the
car and occupant safety. There is a misconception that tyres
hold the car up. It is actually the right air pressure that keeps
the car up. The tyre is just an object that keeps air inside. To
maintain the right pressure in the tyres, it is important to
check them every 15 days.
2. Observation counts. Examine your vehicle tyres for visible
surface damages, minute or cracks, uneven/eccentric wear or
unexplained bulges.
3. Consult a tyre expert if in doubt or if you suspect any damage
to your tyre or wheel from an impact with a curb, pothole,
debris on the road or any other road hazard, or if you feel or
hear any unusual vibration.
4. Where to go. It pays to go to authorized set-ups and avoid
roadside or ill-equipped set-ups as theres a good chance of
being duped with unsuitable category of tyres or cheap nonapproved imports.
5. By law, tyre retailers in Oman cannot sell tyres that are more
than two years old. Definitely avoid using tyres that are two
years or older. Even if your car has clocked low mileage and
tread wear seems normal, it has to be replaced. Period.
6. Tyre rotation: is considered vital to achieving even tread
wear and long tread life in a car. Rotation is necessary
because of the uneven wear characteristics which
ultimately depend on the type of the vehicle front, rear
or all-wheel drive. Front wheel drive cars experience much
70

MAY 2015

faster rate of wear. Tyre rotation should be undertaken

every 5-8,000km even if there is no sign of wear. Front and
rear wheel drive cars usually practice cross rotation, while
straight rotation is advised for 4WD vehicles. Its useful to
include the spare tyre in the programme. Temporary spare
or space saver is NOT to be part of the rotation schedule.
7. Replace worn out or cracked tyres promptly.
8. Avoid running a car with a tyre that has flat spots. This
happens when a vehicle is parked for a long time in the same
position. These tyres develop flat spots, which can weaken the
tyre over a period of time.
9. Do not mix tyre types such as radials or cross plys. Always use
same type of tyres.
10. Always have wheels balanced whenever replacing or rotating
tyres.
11. It is recommended that all four tyres are replaced at the same
time when ever possible. However, whenever only two tyres
are replaced, the new ones should be put on the rear. The
logic being that new tyres, with deeper tread provide better
grip.
12. Avoid overloading. If a tyre is 20 per cent overloaded, its
lifespan will be reduced on average by 30 per cent.
13. Never use hydrocarbon-based solvents such as thinners or
unapproved liquids to clean tyres.
14. Avoid striking or driving over hard objects such as shrapnels,
nails or small rocks on road. These can rupture the tyres inner
walls quite easily with no visible exterior damage.
15. Temporary puncture kits: as the name implies these are

Some modern cars will tell its owners

when to change or rotate tyres .

Always have wheels balanced

whenever replacing or rotating tyres.

For a reliable diagnosis and

guarantee of safety, call on the
services of a professional service
provider.

to help the driver to take the car to the nearest repair outlet only. Always seek
professional and permanent tyre repair solutions. Never run a car with temporarily
repaired tyres for long distances.
16. Change your tyres before your tread depth is worn to 1.6mm. To make life easier,
choose tyres that are equipped with tread wear indicators situated in the base of the
main tread grooves at the height of approximately 1.6mm. Take a coin and insert it
into the tread. If the entire border remains visible, you dont have enough tread.
17. Always balance the rear wheels as well as the front wheels to ensure your tyres and
vehicle stay in good condition for longer
Sometimes the outer surface of the
tyre begins to weaken. The result can
be a bulge or blister that extends
outward from the rest of the surface.

A temporary tyre is not suited for

distances or high speeds .

The tread on your tyres should never

fall below 1/16 of an inch in depth.

72

MAY 2015

18. Replace your valve every time you change your tyre. Its an inexpensive way to
protect your tyres, vehicle and yourself
19. The easiest way to tell if your vehicle is out of alignment is to check the tyres for any
signs of uneven wear.
20. Some innovative newer tyres have a convenience that older tyres lacked. They have
tread wear indicator bars built into the tyres themselves. These bars, invisible or barely
visible when the tyres are new, gradually begin to appear as the tread wears down. They
appear as flat rubber bars running perpendicular to the direction of the tread itself. If
more than one or two of these are visible on a tire, the tread is getting low. This should
be particularly obvious in the wet tracks that your tyres leave after you drive through a
puddle. Use the penny test described on the previous page to double check the depth,
but if the bars are starting to appear on any or all of your tyres, its once again time to
check with your mechanic or local tire dealer to see about getting your current tyres
replaced.
21. A certain amount of vibration is inevitable when driving, especially on poorly paved
roads, but if youve been driving for a while, you probably know how much vibration
feels right and how much means that somethings going wrong. There can be any of a
number of causes for the vibration maybe your tyres are misaligned or unbalanced, or
your shock absorbers are starting to go. But it could also indicate that theres some sort
of internal problem in the tire itself. Even if the tire isnt the root cause of the vibration,
the vibration could damage the tire and pretty soon youll have a problem. So if your
car has a bad case of the shimmy-shimmy shakes, especially if you notice this when you
arent driving on bad roads, take it to the mechanic right away to have it checked out.
Too much vibration is almost always a sign that something is wrong.
22. Even fairly low mileage tyres show up for cracks on the treads due to heat and
humidity due to exposure to ozone and UV rays.

Many motorists in the region will only consider replacing or

buying a new tyre when a distress situation occurs. After all,
prevention is better than cure

M
Marking

125 years

of tyre making
Michelins regional office
organised a major event on the
Yas Marina track to communicate
its heritage and technology to key
invitees

74

MAY 2015

ichelin Tyres
organised an
elaborate event
around the facilities at the Yas
Marina track that included
a lot of high speed driving
around the ribbon in a crop
of high-end sports cars. This
would be accepted as normal
for the launch of a new tyre,
except that there was no
launch happening here. The
event was held to mark 125
years of Michelins existence
as a tyre manufacturer, with
an added mission to educate
participants about the
intricacies of tyre manufacture,
proper maintenance and timely
replacement.
Of course a large part of the

morning went to looking at

some of the highlights of
the past 125 years. During
the course of the morning
we learnt that the Michelin
brothers had even ventured
into car manufacture in order
to field a competitor for early
races, just to communicate
the advantages of the tyres
they made. They also made
wheels with detachable rims,
introduced pneumatic tyres as
well as were early proponents
of vulcanised rubber.
A copy of an early Michelin
road guide served to connect
participants with the role
Michelin played in developing
not just a guide that covered
good food and destinations,

but also the marques role in

developing road signs, maps
and promoting road usage.
Displays also marked the
evolution of tyre technology,
with important markers like
the development of green
tyres, tyres for the Bugatti
Veyron, tyres for the Airbus
A380 as well as a whole new
generation of airless tyres.
Speaking at the event, Nour
Bouhassoun, Chairman and
President of the Michelin
Africa - India - Middle East
Zone (AIM Zone), said: Its a
proud moment for all those
who are part of the Michelin
story. Weve achieved a
remarkable milestone by
reaching 125 years, giving us

a sense of achievement for

everybody involved. We are
constantly developing as a
company and looking to lead
the way forward for the next
125 years.
The series of workshops
served to educate participants
about various aspects of tyre
technology and common
issues. For instance, there was
a rather intense discussion
over the virtues and problems
of over and under-inflating
tyres. Common telltale signs
were shown and advice given
about how dangerous it was to
run on underinflated tyres.
To highlight the difference it
made to the handling of a car,
two Camrys were setup on

an autocross layout, with one

running on tyres at 18psi and
the other on correctly inflated
tyres. Participants were timed
through the gates and were
polled for their feedback on
how the car handled. At the
same site a braking exercise
showed the difference in
stopping distances as related
to an increase in speed.
One session also took
participants through the
construction of a tyre, with
the relevance of every
component explained, as
well as presented a look at
the manufacturing process.
Of course, there was also a
module at understanding
the nomenclature and the

importance of tread design.

But the highlight was the
opportunity to drive an R8,
Ferrari 458, SLS AMG, Viper
and even a Toyota 86 out on
the track on Michelin rubber
in order to understand the
technological story of the
brand. For all the effort that
the brand put into the event,
we are surprised that they
didnt use the platform to
launch a new product. But
we have been assured that
this year will see a few new
product debuts including of a
multi-seasonal tyre, although
that may not be very relevant
to some parts, which typically
range from hot to very hot
through the year.

MAY 2015

75

Bahrain Hamilton powers to third win this season

Grand Prix and second in a row in Sakhir
World champion Lewis
Hamilton produced a flawless
drive to win an electrifying
Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain
Grand Prix last month. A
brilliantly floodlit Bahrain
International Circuit (BIC) set
the stage for what was once
again an exciting and eventful
race held over 57 laps under
the desert stars.
A dazzling fireworks display
lit up the night sky and the
massive crowd roared into
celebration as Hamilton
steered his Mercedes across
the finish line to claim victory
number three after four
Grands Prix so far in the
2015 FIA Formula One World
Championship.
The Briton, who started from
pole, repeated his success
from last season in Bahrain
despite experiencing brake
issues towards the end. The
win was also the second of his
Formula One career in Sakhir.
76

MAY 2015

Ferraris Kimi Raikkonen was

another star on the night,
chasing down Nico Rosberg
over the races closing stages
before overtaking him on the
penultimate lap and claiming
an impressive podium finish as
runner-up. Rosberg completed
the podium placers in third to
continue his strong start to the
season for Mercedes.
Hamilton won in a total race
time of 1hr 35mins 05.809secs.
Raikkonen finished 3.380s
behind while Rosberg was
6.033s back. Valtteri Bottas
put Williams in fourth place
but finished well behind the
top three. He was 42.957s
behind Hamiltons winning
time. Ferraris Sebastian Vettel
started from the front row
but could only managed fifth
place with a 43.989s gap.
Daniel Ricciardo (+61.751s) was
sixth for Red Bull Racing, while
Romain Grosjean (+84.763s) of
Lotus clinched seventh place.

Classified one lap behind from

eighth through 15th place,
respectively, were Force
Indias Sergio Perez, Red Bulls
Daniil Kvyat, Williams Felipe
Massa, McLarens Fernando
Alonso, Saubers Felipe Nasr,
Force Indias Nico Hulkenberg,
Saubers Marcus Ericsson and
Lotus Pastor Maldonado.
Will Stevens and Roberto
Merhi completed the final
classification in 16th and 17th
place. Toro Rosso pairing Max
Verstappen and Carlos Sainz
both did not finish, while the
horrific weekend of Jenson
Button ended in further
disappointment as he did not
even start the Grand Prix.
Hamilton improved to 93
points as the championship
leader. Rosberg follows with
66 and Vettel is third with 65.
Mercedes rose to 159 points,
followed by Ferrari with 107
and Williams with 61 points.
The 2015 FIA Formula One

World Championship now

heads to Barcelona for round
five from May 8 to 10.
Speaking about his win,
Hamilton said: Thank you to
my team; they did an amazing
job this weekend. Ferrari
gave us a run for our money.
Fortunately, I was able to
keep the car together. A
massive thanks to everyone.
Raikkonen commented:
Youre never happy when
you finish second, but I am a
bit pleased to get some result.
We came through in the end
very quickly, we ran out of
laps, but we have to be happy
after where we qualified.
Rosberg, who faced similar
car problems as Hamilton in
the end, said: The overtaking
was enjoyable. I tried to catch
Lewis but he pulled away. I lost
my brakes unfortunately two
laps in the end and gave up my
position to Kimi, which is very
disappointing.

Fernando
Alonso to retire
after McLarenHonda stint
When Fernando Alonso was three
years old, his father gave him a
model of a McLaren-Honda grand
prix car. Thats where his path
to Formula One started, and its
where he wants his career to end
as well. While interacting with
media recently, the two-time world
champion indicated that he wants
to retire after hes done at McLaren.
The highly rated and immensely
successful Spanish driver has been
on the grid for fourteen years
now. He started out with Minardi
(precursor to Toro Rosso) in 2001,
then spent four seasons with
Renault, where he scored back-toback world titles. He then switched

Automans take

to McLaren for one year, where

he won four races, then back to
Renault for another three where
he and the team fell off their form.
Fernando subsequently switched to
Ferrari where he spent the last five
seasons, thrice finishing second in
the world championship but never
quite managing to clinch an elusive
third title.
This year hes back at McLaren but
has had a bumpy start. After crashing
during a pre-season test session, he
sat out the season opener, and failed
to finish the second round in Malaysia.
In July, hell be turning 34, thus
making him the fourth oldest driver on
the grid this year.

Alonso has still got a good few years in him and will likely want to see the
McLaren-Honda partnership succeed. But while nobody can tell what the future
will bring, it looks like any other team that hopes to lure the champ away could
end up disappointed.

Sweet victory for

Rossi in Argentina
As the MotoGP riders
assembled on the grid for the
Gran Premio Red Bull de la
Repblica Argentina on race
day, track conditions were
similar to that of the qualifying
session a day before. With
bright sunshine and a track
temperature of 37C, there was
some last minute drama before
the riders set off on their
sighting lap as Repsol Hondas
Marquez, along with CWM
LCR Hondas Cal Crutchlow,
decided to switch to the hard
compound rear tyre. This was
in contrast to the Movistar
Yamahas of Valentino Rossi
and Jorge Lorenzo who went
with the extra hard option.
It was Aleix Espargaro who
led the pack into turn one on
the Team Suzuki Ecstar GSXRR, but it didnt take long for
Marc Marquez to make his
move for the lead, passing his
compatriot almost immediately
and taking advantage of the
clear track in front of him to
lead by 0.8sec at the end of
the first lap.
Marquez used the extra grip
78

MAY 2015

afforded to him by his hard

tyre early on in the race to
extend his lead to over 4sec at
the front, all the while though
Movistar Yamahas Valentino
Rossi was gradually making
his way through the field
from 8th on the grid. The
Doctor moved into second at
the expense of Dovizioso on
the Ducati Team GP15 with 15
laps to go. He then set about
hunting down Marquez as the
Spaniards tyre performance
started to fall away, and it
suddenly became apparent
he would be able to catch the
Honda before the end of the
race.
It was like watching a hunter
stalk his prey as Rossi made
huge in-roads into Marquezs
lead, finally catching him with
just 2 laps to go. Marquez was
not going to let the Italian pass
him without a fight though,
and in the ensuing battle
the riders touched a couple
of times, before Marquez
clipped the back of Rossis
bike and crashed out of the
race. Marquez showed his

Valentino Rossis gamble on tyres

paid off handsomely as he clinched
his 84th MotoGP victory
frustration at the side of the
track but Race Direction ruled
it as a racing incident and
took no further action.
This left Rossi on his own to
take the victory by over five
seconds, and he admitted
afterwards that the key to
his success was not caring
about Marquezs tyre choice,
and just focusing on his own.
Rossi later discussed the
incident with Marquez at the
press conference: When I
arrive, it was a shame that he
crashed, but for me he made
a mistake because Marc is a
rider who will always go all-in.
When I braked he touched me
once, then again, and then he
crashed. It was a shame as it
could have been a good battle
to the end.
Andrea Dovizioso took
advantage of Marquezs
crash to claim 2nd spot, five
seconds behind Rossi, and
now trails him by six points in
the Championship standings.
The Italian later saying that
his team had worked on
developing a setup that would

allow him to be fast, but

would also look after their
tyres, and he seemed pleased
at the outcome: I am very
happy because to get so close
to Valentino at the front is a
dream come true, as the bike
is very new, and we are second
in the championship after a
great start by Valentinoto be
so close is amazing.
CWM LCR Hondas rookie
Jack Miller took the Open
class victory as he finished
12th in just his third race in
the MotoGP class. Hector
Barbera was 0.075s further
back on the Avintia Ducati,
with another rookie in the
shape of Athina Forward
Racings Loris Baz securing
14th place and his first two
Championship points ahead
of his more experienced
teammate Stefan Bradl.
Rossi is now six points
ahead of Dovizioso in
the MotoGP World
Championship standings,
and has a thirty-point
advantage over the fifthplaced Marquez.

Toyota to centralize
motorsports under
one umbrella

Anticlimax at 25th Abu

Dhabi Desert Challenge
Nobody could have
guessed that overnight
things could turn from
favourable to being
ousted. Yes, we are
referring to Dakar winner
Qatari Nasser Al Attiyah
who was firmly on course
for his second victory
in this years edition of
the Abu Dhabi Desert
Challenge POWERED by
Nissan till a day before
the final race day. Instead
of being felicitated on
the podium, Al Attiyah
saw his prize going the
other way as he was
excluded on technical
grounds after post-race
the FIA scrutineering team
found a suspension travel
irregularities in his Mini
All4 Racing car. As a result
of the decision, Russias
defending champion
Vladimir Vasilyev,
partnered by Konstantin
Zhiltsov became the
official winners in the cars
category.
The prize giving ceremony

took place at Yas Marina

Circuit as the programme
had to be shifted due
to inclement weather
conditions. ATCUAE
President Mohammed
Ben Sulayem and Tarek
Al Ameri, CEO of Yas
Marina Circuit, presented
trophies to the winners
in all categories at the
conclusion of the event,
which was held under
the patronage of HH
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed
Al Nahyan, the Rulers
Representative in the
Western region.
The winners included
Russias Vladimir Vasilyev,
who captured the cars
title for the second year in
a row, and Spains Marco
Coma who secured the
Desert Challenge bikes
crown for the eighth
time. Two trophies went
to UAE competitors,
with Ahmed Al Fahim
taking winning the T3
buggies category and
fellow-Emirati Mansour

Al Helei capturing the

T2 production class cars
title. Qatars Mohammed
Abu Issa won the Desert
Challenge quads crown for
the second time in three
years.
The Desert Challenge
was the second round of
this years FIA World Cup
for Cross Country Rallies
for cars and the opening
round of the FIM Cross
Country Rallies World
Championship for bikes.
The line-up of strategic
partners included the
Rulers Court in the
Western Region, Western
Region Municipality,
Abu Dhabi Municipality,
the UAE Army, Abu
Dhabi Police, National
Ambulance Service,
Nissan, Yas Marina Circuit,
ADNOC, Abu Dhabi
Aviation, Al Ain Mineral
Water, Abu Dhabi Waste
Management, Rotana and
Centro Hotels - Yas Island,
Qasr Al Sarab Resort,
Explorer and DP World.

Toyota has announced that it will unite

all motorsports activities under GAZOO
Racing. The move will clarify the role
of Toyotas motorsports in its efforts
to make ever-better cars and foster
new generations of car enthusiasts.
Until now, Toyota has participated in
competitions around the world-including
the World Endurance Championship
(WEC), the Super GT in Japan, and the
Nrburgring 24 Hours endurance racethrough the separate Toyota Racing,
Lexus Racing and GAZOO Racing teams.
GAZOO Racing was created to expand
the role of promoting motorsports.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda said: Our
founder Kiichiro Toyoda once said that
motorsports are vital to the evolution of
car making and the entire auto industry.
With this in mind, GAZOO Racing has
carried out activities aiming to nurture
our people, develop our cars, and inspire
new car enthusiasts, under the belief
that the roads build the people, and the
people build the cars.
Toyota will participate in races and
rallies under the team name Toyota
GAZOO Racing. The first event was
the Motor Sport Japan 2015 Festival in
Odaiba. In private races such as Super
GT where Lexus-brand vehicles are
used, the Lexus GAZOO Racing logo
will be displayed. In the same way as
the Nrburgring 24 Hours endurance
race was used to refine the Lexus LFA.
Toyota plans to promote the hands-on
methods of training its mechanics and
engineers. The knowledge acquired
during the development of the TS040
Hybrid for WEC is already being utilized
in the development of future hybrid
vehicles. Toyota will also integrate its
motorsports-related marketing, vehicle
development and technical support
functions, previously managed by
different divisions, into the new Motor
Sports Group established on April 1,
2015.
MAY 2015

79

Can technology
cure our vices?
What is the most irritating thing that you face as a driver? Is it the traffic jam on the way
home? Or is it the sonorous drone that your passenger chooses to highlight their snores
as you drive through the night? Or could it be the poor signage that makes finding your
destination about as difficult as searching for Alladins lamp in Ali Babas cave?
While it may not be the single most irritating feature of driving, being tailgated is definitely
up there with the most illustrious of the lot. In fact its so jarring that I seem to shoot
off a diatribe once a year at the very least, which is saying a lot for a monthly column.
I consider myself a good driver, nay, not just good, excellent. I may lack the edge of a
professional race driver and the risk loving nature of a rally driver (I mean people who
have actually competed, not the real rally drivers that I meet in my profession). Ive
driven cars at insane speeds, or tricky courses and in pathetic conditions but have never
been responsible for an accident. I know what my abilities are and can outmanoeuvre
most drivers on the road.
What do you expect me to do when a tailgater then trundles up on my tail in a lift-kit SUV
with his LED lights joining his high beams in eye watering symphony? I have one of three
choices ignore him (like I do most times), move aside and let the idiot bug someone
else (on days I couldnt be bothered) or let him overtake and then bug him with a little
lightshow of my own. It actually feels worse when a regular car is tailgating you. Which
brings me to the moron in a Tucson who tried it. Switch to plan C and he quickly learnt
what it feels like to be light bullied.
I know its not unusual in the region or for that matter anywhere in the world. But you cant
argue that it is rather to o frequent for ones liking in the GCC, where the perfect storm
of money, easily acquired driving licence (or not), big and fast car and open roads brings
out the tailgating monster.
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

Dubais RTA has even partnered with a technology provider to equip their taxis with
sensors and a radio (currently in trial phase) that informs the driver to back off if they get
too close to another vehicle. Can something like this solve the problem? I dont think so.
Big brother may be of some use if it comes with penalties and loss of liberty or money,
but nothing can replace education and a sense of courtesy. The good old way was
learning that you leave the overtaking lane for cars to overtake, you moved back into the
slower lane once you overtook and you indicated with a large margin when you were in
a hurry and just had to rush through the third lane.
Now hang on a minute, isnt that how they drive on the autobahn? Thats the one place on
Earth where you cant find a slow car. Its not as if accidents dont happen there, but Ive
yet to meet my bte noire the tailgater there. You dont need technology or radio-borne
voices to learn to drive with a safe margin. Thats what a license is about. You learn to
read the road, understand your vehicle, know what will happen when physics takes over
when you lose control of your car and know that reaching the destination is far more
important than charging through the minefield of todays traffic to almost reach home.
Its not that I dont have too much faith in technology; its just that I am loaded up to my
gunwales with an inherent distrust of human habit formation.
The only way a tailgater will change is when he finds his face mashed up in the boot of
the car ahead. By then, it will be too late for him and perchance a few others on the road.
And no amount of technology will help then.

80

MAY 2015