COVERstory |

Bugatti GT Vision concept

To influence new Veyron, designwise

20
Frankfurt Motor Show
From the floor, we details
the worlds finest automotive
reveals

12
38

56

cover story

NEXT ISSUE
2016 Audi RS7

20-23 Bugatti Vision GT Concept

24-29 2016 Nissan Maxima
30-33 2016 hyundai tucson

Oman and regional news

6-7 2016 Nissan Maxima launch, Cadillac

V-Series Experience event held at Yas
Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Lancer deals
in Oman, AMG Private Lounge launched
online, Online classifieds portal Dubizzle
rebranded as OLX, JAC truck display in
Oman

brandwatch

8-11 Volkswagen faces flak over diesel

emissions manipulation in USA, Infiniti
finds Q50 Eau Rouge too costly to
produce, Toyota-BMW co-developed
small sports car still not decided,
Cadillac teases XT5 with live stunt
at fashions show, Jaguar F-Pace
creates Guinness record with recordbreaking 360-degree loop, Forthcoming
Hollywood flick Spectre Bond cars
revealed, V6 for entry level Ferrari Dino?
More SUVs and SUV variants planned by
Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz Maybach and
Rolls-Royce, Giugiaro launching new
design firm

International news spotlight

12-18 2015 frankfurt motor show

first drives

62

34-37 2015 Chrysler 300S

38-43 2016 Lexus IS200t
44-49 2016 Toyota Hilux
50-55 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander

First Ride

56-61 2015 Yamaha MT 09

66

Previews

62-65 2016 bentley bentagya

66-69 2016 tesla model X suv

techtalk

70-75 dirty diesels?

MOTORSPORTS

76-79 suzuka Race Report and snippets. F1

MCLaren hopes, ferrari apology, button
contract
MotoGP: spain race report and regional
motorsports events

Chicane

80 Its a matter of trust

editor-in-chief
Mohammad Al Taie

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Whew, what a month this has been! Nothing can describe the drama and disbelief that has
been the hallmark of the month as a whole seasons worth of automotive activity played
out over the global scene. The month began with the biannual Frankfurt motorshow
generating some of the big ticket reveals we are so fond off. Whether at the show or
elsewhere, debuts like the Rolls-Royce Dawn, the new BMW 7-series, the new A4 and
even Astons announcement of the DB11 all connected with the ethos of the show.
But it was the later half of the month that really took our collective breath away. Volkswagen
was caught out in the United States. If you havent read about what the issue is already,
you can catch up with our rather extensive coverage inside the magazine. While the
issue of clean diesel not meeting expectations is literally half a world away from us in the
region, the bigger issue of how the company reorganises and charts it path into the future,
including rejigging its engine mix, will definitely affect the group brands in global markets.
Our cover story for this month marks a departure from our norm, largely because it is a
once in a decade event when a brand like Bugatti announces anything new. In addition to
that, the market for the ultra rich seems to be the only one that isnt significantly affected
by the meltdown in crude oil prices. Almost all the big announcements we have had in
this half of the year are to do with cars for the mega spender or SUVs when you count
the Bentayga.
While on the subject of the Bentayga, it looks like the title of the worlds fastest SUV is
under threat already. We dont even have to look as far as a tuned custom-built challenger
to the Bentayga. Technology and the ability to look outside the box has resulted in the
Model X from Tesla. When Elon Musk sets out to redefine a market segment, you shouldnt
expect anything less than this the fastest SUV albeit an electric one. It isnt anywhere as
costly as the RO 100,000 price tag of the Bentayga, but may just be the vehicle that the
super rich use to show their green credentials.
As for regular launches, we have the test drive of the brand new Maxima, the new
Outlander, the highly intelligent smaller engine IS 200t and even the Toyota HiLux. These
are joined by our editors personal review of his latest toy the Yamaha MT-09. As far as
bikes go, it isnt the greenest one. But then you sometimes just need to have fun.

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Oman & region

news

Gen VIII all-new Nissan Maxima

launched for ME

Nissan has introduced the completely redesigned Gen VIII all-new

Nissan Maxima 2016 for the Middle East in Dubai last month.
According to Nissan Middle East, the new arrival is set to redefine its segment as it brings head turning design, enhanced
performance and state-of-the-art technology applications. Nissan
is positioning the Maxima as a unique combination of sports
car style with premium elegance. Nissan Middle East Managing
Director, Samir Cherfan, commented: The dramatically styled
all-new Nissan Maxima 2016, created by driving enthusiasts for
driving enthusiasts, looks like nothing else on the road today
and drives like nothing in the segment. It not only resets Nissan
Maximas iconic 4-Door Sports Car positioning, it sets a new
standard for style, performance and technology in the large
sedan segment. The new Nissan Maxima reinvents what has been
essentially a conservative segment. It raises the bar incredibly
high in class-leading design, fuel efficiency, performance and
technology. The market hasnt seen anything as exciting as this
within this segment. With the new model, Nissan expects to
command a 12percent share in the E-segment in the GCC, with a
goal of selling around 7,000 vehicles, an increase of more than
70 per cent in sales compared to 2014. [Eds note: see first drive
impressions in this issue of Automan]

Cadillac V-Series
week celebrated
As part of a high voltage media and
customer event, Cadillac Middle East
offered guests to try out the latest trio
of performance V-badged cars at the
Yas Marina circuit. The cars included
the CTS sedan, coupe and sedan
variants of the ATS. While the ATS uses
supercharging, the ATS V-family charges
in with the performance sub brands
first turbocharged entry. For the event,
Cadillac specially flew in Tony Roma,
vehicle chief engineer for the Cadillac
CTS and V series programme from US.
Roma works in the Global Performance
Luxury Car group reporting to Dave
Leone, the Executive Chief Engineer.
Roma leads the team of engineers
who designed and developed the
award-winning Cadillac CTS and has
also been involved with the design and
development of the Cadillac ATS-V and
CTS-V in particular. Over 182 customers
experienced the cars besides regional
media including Automan. Since its
inception in 2004, Cadillacs V-Series
has driven remarkable power and
performance capability into the brands
growing luxury car range. Building on
the strengths of the award-winning
ATS product line, the V-Series adds
impressive track capability to what
was already the lightest and most
agile-driving car in the luxury compact
class. The result is a dual-purpose
luxury performer a car with true track
capability right from the factory that is
also a sophisticated luxury car on the
road.
6

OCT 2015

Tony Roma
Vehicle chief engineer
for the Cadillac CTS
and V series programme.

Dubizzle
rebranded as OLX

AMG Private Lounge launched online

Owners of Mercedes AMG branded cars in the Middle East and Levant are being
invited to join a global community of AMG experts and drivers from more than 100
countries around the world through the AMG Private Lounge a web-based platform
designed exclusively for Mercedes-AMG drivers. The website will offer news, exclusive
information, videos and images, to technical information and direct access to AMG
experts from Affalterbach. The community-based AMG Private Lounge will also help
members connect with each other around the world. The AMG Private Lounge is an
excellent platform that connects the AMG brand with its loyal customers from around
the world, and with its official introduction in the Middle East and Levant, our loyal
customers in the region will now be able to join our global AMG family, said Dirk Fetzer,
Director of Sales & Marketing at Daimler Middle East & Levant. More regional AMG
events are planned from 2016 onwards.

Dubizzle, a popular buy and sell online

classifieds website operating in Middle
East has rebranded its platforms [desktop,
mobile and apps] last month. The web
domain has changed to olx.com.om and all
traffic generated towards dubizzle.com is
now automatically directed to olx.com.om.
Explaining the change, Abdallah Touqan,
Senior PR and Communications Lead at
dubizzle said: With the rebranding to OLX
dubizzle is now fully part of the worlds
leading network of online classifieds sites.
Since 2013, dubizzle has been part of the
OLX family sharing the same values and
was ready to introduce the worlds biggest
classifieds brand to the Middle East. Ten
Middle Eastern markets are now operating
under the OLX brand name and are now
truly part of a global network that reaches
over 240 million monthly active users and
generates over 17 billion page views per
month. Already millions of people around
the world have used OLX to sell their
things within local communities in places
like India, Brazil, Kenya, Poland, Indonesia
and now the Middle East. As for the
dubizzle app users, they have already
received a message informing them that
dubizzle is now OLX, inviting them to go
to the app store for iOS and Google Play
for Android users to download the OLX
Arabia app for free.

Special Oman deals on Mitsubishi Lancers

General Automotive Company, the official distributors of Mitsubishi Vehicles in Oman
announced that the Lancer 2015 EX 2.0 models at being offered with an attractive
proposition as its smaller 1.6-litre version is discontinued. Under the new deal, the
2.0-litre version will be offered at the same price point of the outgoing 1.6-litre which
means it will be offered to prospects from OMR 5,850. Even at this lowered price point,
GAC has assured that customers will still enjoy the peace-of-mind motoring thanks to
a 6-year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance. Rajesh Sharma, national
marketing manager of GAC said: The Lancer EX is truly a car with a great personality
and performance and with the price of the stylish yet practical sedan. Derived from the
world of Rallying, the Lancer EX, even in its most docile GLS 2.0 guise, offers drivers
an unparalleled driving experience in its class, thanks to its performance oriented 2.0L
MIVEC power plant. And it does so while still offering class-leading space and modern
luxury appointments.

JAC Trucks on display

Towell Auto Centre organised a display of
JAC Motors light-duty trucks in Mawaleh
central fruits and vegetable market.
Available in 3ton and 4ton capacities,
these trucks are fitted with water tanks
and refrigerated storage systems which
ensures a wide variety of otherwise
perishable food items can be transported
safely.
OCT 2015

brandwatch
news
The image of Volkswagen, the Germany
based worlds second largest carmaker
has taken a serious hit after news broke
out last month that the automaker [which
according to independent consultants
Interbrand is the number one German
car maker in the field of environmental
conservation and sustainability, and the
number four worldwide] had cheated
Environmental Protection Agency
directions by deliberately installing an
illegal software identified as defeat
device in almost a half-million diesel cars
in the US sold to get around emissions
tests. At the heart of the issue is a
software system supplied by Bosch that
allowed the cars to beat the emission
rating of NOx, which is 31 mg/km of NOx
as against the European norm of 80.
So how did EPA find out? The credit goes
to researchers John German and Peter
Mock from the International Council on
Clean Transportation. The duo became
suspicious after discovering that what
VW was telling the EPA did not match up
with what was actually coming out of the
exhausts. Further EPA tests showed that
NOx emissions jumped to 10-40 times
EPA-compliant levels when the ECM was
running its standard road calibration
rather than the dyno calibration activated
during an emissions test. EPA was quick to
realize what was going on and demanded
VW to explain things. According to Cynthia
Giles, assistant administrator for the EPAs
Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance: These violations are very
serious, not only because illegal defeat
devices result in excess emissions many
times the allowable standard, but also
because VW was concealing the facts
from EPA, the State of California and
8

OCT 2015

consumers. Further investigation it has

been revealed that discrepancies relate to
vehicles with Type EA 189 diesel engines,
and that alone involves about 11mn
vehicles worldwide.
VW CEO Martin Winterkorn had to issue
an official apology soon after the news
broke. I personally am deeply sorry that
we have broken the trust of our customers
and the public, said Winterkorn. We do
not and will not tolerate violations of any
kind of our internal rules or of the law.
But the magnitude of the scandal is so big
that it has also cost the job of Winterkorn.
Although, all these developments
happened prior to Winterkorns
appointment, but the top executive of this
conglomerate magnanimously accepted
responsibility and resigned. Meanwhile,
a few heads have also rolled in the US
operations.
VW is investigating the matter internally
and has also promised to cooperate fully
with Environmental Protection Agency
and other government investigations
in the US. Interestingly, during the
development of the said engine, Bosch
had cautioned VW engineers that the
efficiency software was meant for testing
purposes only and that on no account
it was to be used in production vehicles.
It seems that someone down the line
ignored this caution and went ahead.
The fallout has also included other diesel
models within the groups brands like
Audi, Skoda and Porsche and other dieselled markets like South Korea, France and
Germany have also announced their own
investigations. Meanwhile, Volkswagens
board has selected Matthias Mller,
Porsche AG Chairman as the replacement
CEO to Martin Winterkorn.

Change of guard
In: Matthias Mller

Out: Martin Winterkorn

Automans take

Touted at the fifth major automotive

scandal in the world, it couldnt come
at a worse time for the worlds number
two automaker by volume and CEO
Martin Winterkorn and. While, a majority
of market analysts believe that VW will
have to pay heavy fines [estimated in
billions] for this victim less crime, VW
is expected to act swiftly as part of its
damage control and will fix the glitches
[urea filter will cost around US$500.00
per car]. Stay tuned for more breaking
news from the German automaker which
promotes clean diesels in the US under
its Think Blue tagline. Thankfully, our
region, isnt affected by the current
fiasco.

Infiniti finds Q50 Eau Rouge too

costly to produce

No matter how ambitious a project is, theres always a rider

attached before it can go ahead. And it seems that is what
has happened to the proposed Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge project.
Infiniti vice-president Francois Goupil de Bouille confirmed
at last months Frankfurt Motor Show that that the project
wasnt happening. After we evaluated sales numbers, we
realized it was not realistic to produce it. It was just too
costly. That was it, said de Bouille. However, de Bouille left
the possibility of future Infiniti also looking at performance
models in its portfolio. Had the project been green-lighted,
the Q50-based all-wheel-drive Eau Rouge would have been
powered by a 560hp twin-turbo V6 straight from the Nissan
GT-R. It could have also served as a halo car for the brand.

Giugiaro launching new design firm

A few weeks ago, we reported in Brandwatch that Giorgetto

Giugiaro had sold his remaining shares in the Italdesign, the
firm he started. News from Europe suggests that Giugiaro has
no plans to rest. In fact, hes starting a new design consultancy
along with his son, Fabrizio.
After working for established design houses Bertone and Ghia,
the celebrated designer founded Italdesign Giugiaro in 1968. In
2010, he sold 90.1percent of the set-up to Volkswagen Group.
Fabrizio initially worked as its chief designer before Wolfgang
Egger replaced him. Interestingly, the move came shortly after
the departure of ousted board chairman Ferdinand Pich, who
was a longtime friend of Giorgetto and also the driving force
behind VWs acquisition of Italdesign.
Giugiaros new business is looking at Asian carmakers and
are said to be discussing potential contracts with unnamed
Chinese and South Korean automakers.

Toyota-BMW co-developed small sports car still not decided

Automans take

Creating a small halo niche sports car can be a costly affair for any carmaker as it needs
volumes to support the investment. Both Toyota and BMW are aware about this and
both carmakers have been working together on a new project. The idea was to codevelop a new platform that could underpin new models from both brands. However,
easier said than done and it seems that one of the partners doubts on production plans.
It seems that Toyota has made no final decision on whether to move forward with the
project beyond a design study. The whole study before that, on what kind of platform,
on what kind of architecture, thats been progressing quite well, a Toyota spokesperson
told media in Frankfurt. We havent yet decided to give the green light to the project,
but its coming up.
Both carmakers have been indicating through concepts what their future sports car
could look like using the jointly-developed platform. BMWs next-generation Z4 could
borrow design cues from the 3.0 CSL Hommage R Concept. Meanwhile, Toyota is also
looking at reviving Supra or offer an entirely new model to slot above the FT/GT86, but
will need a longer wheelbase platform to do it. Styling inspiration from the FT-1 concepts
that appeared last year could be used.
Whatever the co-developed platform turns out to be, it is strongly rumoured that a
turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a hybrid all-wheel-drive system, delivering a
combined output of over 400hp could be offered.

Both Toyota and BMW may be

discouraged from investing too much
on the roadster and small sports car
segments as these segments are slowly
shrinking. Sales of the current BMW Z4 are
down by more than nine percent for the
year, while Toyotas FT/GT deliveries have
declined by almost 24percent during the
same period.
Meanwhile, BMW has been in talks with
McLaren to build a super car using a
modified BMW powertrain. A bi-turbo
4.0-litre engine will be shoehorned into
a Mclarens carbon composite midship platform. BMW will redesign the
exterior of the car so it can be identified
as a BMW and not a rebadged McLaren.
Media reports from Europe suggest such
a configuration would deliver at least
750hp. This means that in terms of output
it will exceed M cars which will have their
outputs capped around 600hp. While,
the report claims the project has not
yet received a final green light, though
chances are said to be favourable for
approval. Production is unlikely to begin
until 2018 or later.
OCT 2015

Stunts dominate new car

introductions

Jaguar

Cadillac
Last month GMs luxury brand Cadillac wanted to take Manhattan
by storm as a befitting event after the company shifted its
headquarters to SoHo from Detroit this summer. The idea was a
big stunt which involved suspending the forthcoming all-new XT5
SUV 150 feet over the West Side Highway and giving audiences a
sneak preview. The XT5 wasnt fully unveiled as it will be done at
the Dubai International Motor Show next month. The US stunt
event just served as a teaser in conjunction with a fashion show.

Jaguar Land Rover decided to introduce the production-ready

F-Pace in style as the first ever crossover to wear the Jaguar
badge performed a record-breaking 360-degree loop. In the
process, it withstood extreme forces of 6.5Gs as it completed
the huge 19.08m tall loop performed by professional driver Terry
Grant who had to train extensively for two months to be ready to
support those powerful forces. To make sure everything worked
out perfectly, Jaguar planned the attempt several months and
it involved a team of mathematicians, structural engineers and
safety experts which joined their forces to make the F-Pace
perform the loop act flawlessly. And coinciding with the dramatic
F-Pace launch, Jaguar has announced that it was rolling out a
First Edition F-Pace limited to 2,000 units during the first year of
production. It can be had with either the 380PS supercharged V6
engine or the 300PS V6 turbodiesel and a choice of two exclusive
exterior paint schemes: Caesium Blue and Halcyon Gold which
both represent a throwback to the C-X17 concepts unveiled in
2013 at IAA and at Guangzhou Motor Show.

Spectre Bond cars revealed

The Aston Martin DB10 may be star car for the forthcoming Bond flick Spectre, but that
hasnt stop Jaguar Land Rover from unveiling a fleet of vehicles which will also be used
in the upcoming film. First and foremost, the movie will feature the Jaguar C-X75. In the
film it will be driven David Bautista who plays the character of Hinx [bad guy] and will be
seen in an epic high-speed chase on the streets of Rome. The movie will also feature a
Range Rover Sport SVR and several modified Land Rover Defenders. The latter vehicles
were built by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations and feature a rugged front bumper,
a winch and 37in off-road tyres - among other things.
Interestingly, the prospects of a limited production the C-X75 have been dropped again.
Learned UK-based media has reported that Jaguar was reconsidering the project earlier
this year. Had it happened, it would have been re-christened as the C-X80 and production
limited to 80 units to commemorate the 80th birthday of the company. Its launch could
have coincided with the release of Spectre.
10

OCT 2015

Automans take

Jaguar has axed the proposed coupe for

the second time and we are sure that
those 80 produced would have sold out
quickly. But, when it comes to maths,
building them would have been a costly
and time-intensive affair. Jaguar has
other priorities in mind and instead it has
prioritized its resources to introducing
new volume-oriented models like the XE
sedan and the soon-to-arrive F-Pace SUV.

V6 for entry level Ferrari?

There is probably a V6 in our future, revealed company CEO Amedeo Felisa in a recent
interview with motoring media. And its no secret that Ferrari is working on the Dino,
its entry level model which is being engineered specifically with China in mind. Import
duties for cars with larger than 3.0-litre engines attract high customs duties and Ferrari
engineers are working on a downsized version derived from the twin-turbocharged
3.9-litre V8 from the recently launched 488 GTB. The 21st century Dino will use a new sixcylinder thats currently being developed in utmost secrecy by a small team of engineers
in Maranello. To suit the purpose, its displacement has been reduced to about 2.9 litres
and reportedly it will be good for approximately 200hp/per litre of displacement. The
maths suggest that the twin-turbocharged six will make roughly 580hp in its initial state
of tune. Building such a power-dense engine is easier said than done, which explains
why the small, V6-powered coupe isnt expected to arrive until 2018 at the very earliest.
The Dino will be smaller and lighter than the 488 and will offset any side effect related
to performance. However, Ferrari has indicted that the new V6 will not have any other
application in the Ferrari lineup, at least not in the foreseeable future.

More SUVs planned by manufacturers: a look at who plans what

Rolls-Royce

Cadillac
Executive Vice President, General Motors, and President at Global
Cadillac, Dave Caldwell has revealed the brand is considering a
couple of new Escalade variants. Caldwell said nothing has been
approved but the argument for a six-figure Escalade is strong
and momentum is moving it higher. Caldwell went on to say
Cadillac has already studied high-performance and ultra-luxury
variants but theyre currently focused on creating new models
and not derivatives. However, Caldwell denied plans for an
Escalade-V. Several previous reports have suggested Cadillac
could test waters at the 2016 New York Auto Show with a
supercharged 6.2-litre V8-based concept study.

At Frankfurt, Rolls-Royce officials provided a few more details

about their first SUV -- codenamed Cullinan -- which is due for a
late 2018 launch. Rolls-Royce director of design Giles Taylor said
the coach doors are likely to be implemented on the upcoming
high-riding model as he believes this layout sets Rolls-Royce
apart from other automakers and its an important part of the
companys heritage. Set to compete with the Bentley Bentayga,
the new ultra high-end SUV will be an undeniable, natural,
authentic Rolls-Royce that just happens to have four-wheel
drive and can go off-road if necessary, according to Taylor. The
upcoming model is in an early development stage and the final
product will not chase volume as Rolls-Royce aims to remain a
very exclusive brand targeting profitability, scarcity and rarity.
From previous reports Cullinan will be almost as long as the
Phantom and will utilize an all-new aluminium spaceframe, but
some of its hardware will be sourced from the forthcoming fullsize BMW X7 SUV.

It seems that the initial interest in the Bentley Bentayga SUV following its official
debut in Frankfurt last month is motivating Mercedes-Benz top brass to consider
a Maybach-badged version of its GL SUV. Mercedes U.S. sales head Steve
Cannon called the idea of a Maybach GL a natural fit. According to Cannon, an
incredible number of GLs are already ordered loaded to the gills, indicating
there is a strong demand for something even more luxurious than Mercedes
current flagship SUV. Look at whats happening with the Bentleys of the world
and even Lamborghini is thinking about it. Theres an appetite, a market for that,
Cannon said. When we get to that point that we expand the Maybach offering -and we will expand the Maybach offering -- that would be a natural place to go.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to invest $1.3bn into their
Tuscaloosa, Alabama factory to prepare for the production of the next-generation
of crossovers. The funds will be used to create more space in the plants assembly
shop will also be expanded that will allow for the production of a wider ranges of vehicles using latest lightweight construction
technologies. As of now, Mercedes has official not declared which of models will be built at the plant but a logical guess includes the nextgeneration GLE, GLE Coupe and GLS.
OCT 2015

11

Spotlight
news

As expected, he biannual Frankfurt

International Motor Show in its 66th edition
lived up to its promise to intrigue and
dazzle audiences. Automan presents this
comprehensive report
Author: Chandan B Mallik
12

OCT 2015

As a destination to show-off their new

ware, ideas and technology applications in
Europe, nothing comes close to Frankfurt
which has a reputation of being the most
prolific motor show on earth. As always,
there were planned pre-show teasers on
the web, high profile pre-show events et
al.. Amongst dazzling lights and drama,
auto manufacturers unveiled their latest
models and concepts for the worlds
media to devour. Read on to find out who
did what

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeos BMW 3-Series fighter, the Giulia Quadrifoglio

made its public debut. The new rear-wheel-drive Alfa sedan was
one of the highlights of this years Frankfurt motor show and
red-hot Cloverleaf specification was an indication of its sporty
aspirations. First unveiled in June 2015 at a special event in Milan,
it represents the long-awaited successor to the 159. The car will
go on sale next year.

Audi

Audi introduced the S4 Sedan and S4 Avant variants which now

use a newly developed V6 3.0 TFSI engine. The engine has more
power than its predecessor and at the same time its lighter and
brings increased fuel efficiency.

Bentley

Artega

Boutique German sports car maker Artega partnered with auto

electronics manufacturer Paragon to produce an all-electric, rearwheel drive two-seater Scalo. Sporting styling and body design
from the 2011 edition, it gets a larger powerplant and a greater
focus on aerodynamics. Two water-cooled, high-performance
electric motors produce 402bhp allowing the lightweight
composite car to do 0 to 96km/h sprint in 3.6secs with an
electronically-limited top speed of 249km/h.

Among the first time models presented, Bentley took the morning
lead in introducing their first ever SUV called Bentayga. Bentley
has gone on lengths to promote it as the quickest, most powerful
model in this segment. The Bentagya SUV is an evolution of the
EXP 9 F concept from a while back. Bentley says the W12-powered
Audi Q7-based Bentayga is relatively economical for a model in
this segment and the cabin will be ultra-luxurious. Bentley has
announced the first year of production has already reached sold
out status, even though the model begins at 160,200.

The successor of the current Veyron has been a top talking point
in the industry in recent weeks following the sale of the last
production model a few weeks ago. Bugatti presented a digital
rendition of radical racecar developed for Polyphony Digitals Gran
Turismo 6 game barely days before the show. The Vision Gran
Turismo isnt only just a fantasy car for the PS3 video game as it also
provides a sneak preview at Bugattis new design language that
will debut with the much awaited Veyron replacement. As for the
Bugatti VGT concept presented at the show it appears ultra-modern
but at the same time it takes influences from iconic models such as
the 1936 Type 57 Atlantic and the Type 57 G Tank which have been
combined with Veyron cues. Bugatti says that the VGT concept was
developed with real-time technical features, like its design and aero
profiling, but details regarding the technical specifications are scarce
at the moment.
OCT 2015

13

BMW

BMWs presentation at Frankfurt was a bit embarrassing, but

compared to the setback faced by Volkswagen Audi Group in
the aftermath of the diesel scam, it was nothing. During the
companys press conference for media, BMW CEO Harald Krueger
collapsed and it had to be cancelled. However, the launch
programme went on as scheduled and BMW introduced the trackonly M6 GT3 and the road-going M6 Coupe Competition Edition.
Also presented were the facelifted 3-Series and new 7-Series.

Citroen

Citron, usually known for quirky and intriguing concepts

unveiled its lifestyle oriented Cactus M concept. The concept
surely reminded one of the classic Mhari. Citrons brief
described the concept as an outdoor version of the production C4
Cactus. Designers removed the roof and made other revisions to
the body and included plastic doors. One of the most important
changes is the rear roof extension which enables wakeboards
and surfboards to be installed on top of the vehicle. The concept
also has an inflatable roof that doubles as a tent when its not
installed on the car. Citron CEO Linda Jackson had mentioned
that the carmaker was looking at the prospect of resurrecting the
Mhari and possibly ideas from this concept could be used in a
production model.
Jeep came to the show with special editions of its Cherokee and
Renegade models. The Cherokee Night Eagle is based on the Cherokee
Longitude and features gloss black accents and 18in alloy wheels with a
gloss black finish. The Renegade Night Eagle is based on the Renegade
Longitude and features satin grey exterior accents as well as 17in alloy
wheels with a black finish. A new matte finish colour called Volcano Sand
has been introduced for this model. Interior changes are limited but
the crossover comes nicely equipped with a leather-wrapped steering,
unique upholstery and a UConnect infotainment system.
14

OCT 2015

Ferrari

Close on the heels of last winters launch of the Ferrari 488 GTB
coupe, Ferrari unveiled the 488 Spider version. With a body
designed by legendary Ferrari coachbuilder Scaglietti and a
3.9-litre turbocharged V8 engine, the 488 Spider claims the same
660hp and 560lb-ft of torque enjoyed by the 488 GTB when
mated to Ferraris F1 seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. Ferrari
also used the event to introduce two tailor made California Ts.

Honda

Honda actually grabbed a lot of attention this year with an

interesting Project 2&4 concept. Hondas new concept takes
design cues from the 1965 RA272 and adopts a minimalist design
while trying to combine the freedom of a motorcycle with
the maneuverability of a car. Weighing just 405kg, at its heart
is a specifically modified 999cc motorcycle engine that has an
impressive 14,000rpm redline.

Jeep

Hyundai

As promised, South Korean automaker Hyundai presented its new

N sub-brand. Head of Hyundai Motor Companys Performance
Development & High Performance Vehicle Division, Albert
Biermann, said the introduction of Hyundai N was a critical
milestone for the company and will change the way
The N branded cars will focus on performance, with new
powertrains and lightweight construction materials. The first
models wearing this badge included the i20 WRC rally car, and
the RM15 and the digitally rendered N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo
concepts. Hyundai describes the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo as
the ultimate concept car, which has been designed exclusively for
PlayStations Gran Turismo racing game and is certainly appears
like a floating jet fighter. In addition to the N car design, Hyundai
designers also showcased a bobsleigh as part of the N range
which has been designed for the Korean national Bobsleigh team.
Talking point
Peter Schreyer
Hyundai Motor Group chief design officer
The GT racer plays an important role in the
companys new N-branding strategy as a new
era of driver-focused models gets underway. It
will open up a lot of possibilities

Jaguar

The British brand had more than one reason to celebrate at

Frankfurt. Two years ago, Jaguar took the wraps of its C-X17
concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now, at the same
venue, the same design team has turned that concept into the
production Jaguar 2017 F-Pace, the brands very first SUV. Prior
to the roll out, Jaguar organised a world record stunt with the
car. For the successful loop stunt, stunt driver Terry Grant and the
F-Pace endured forces of 6.5Gs on the 19.08m largest 360-degree
tall loop. Meanwhile, the event also celebrated the 80th birthday
of the Jaguar brand. Interestingly, the Jaguar C-X75 which was
originally revealed as an innovative supercar concept in 2010
was presented as a specially commissioned movie car from the
upcoming Spectre James Bond film.

Land Rover

Mini

Land Rover introduced the new Discovery Sport Dynamic ahead

of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The show model
featured additional body coloured trim, Narvik Black accents and
19- or 20in alloy wheels with either a Satin Dark Grey or Gloss
Black finish. Land Rover was tight-lipped about the interior but
despite darkened windows, one could make out elements like
contrast stitching, body coloured trim and alloy pedals.

After announcing a few weeks ago that the brand was heading
into a new direction with its line-up, the first indication of that
move came with the brand new Clubman wagon. Set to go
on sale in Germany on Halloween, the redesigned Clubman is
essentially an enlarged version of the Cooper five-door as its
27cm longer, 9cm wider and rides on a wheelbase that has
been stretched 10cm. The larger dimensions create a more
accommodating cabin and cargo compartment.

Talking point
Gerry McGovern
Land Rover design director and chief
creative officer
By 2020 there will be over 22 million SUVtype vehicles sold globally and although
we use that term generically, we know its
fragmenting to all kinds of niche products
and therein the opportunity for us
OCT 2015

15

Kia

First previewed as the KX-3 concept last year in China, Kias

production version is the new Sportage. It sports a new front and
rear end in a similar profile and Kia says that the interiors have
been significantly upgraded with top class materials, fit, finish
and feature to represent premium aspirations for this model.
For the first time, Kia says that a new GT Line specification is
available to Sportage which has been designed and engineered
to appeal to those looking for a sportier driving experience. The
GT Line specification delivers all the versatility of the standard
Sportage while adding greater visual and dynamic appeal. Kia
also presented refreshed versions of its Golf-rivalling Ceed
hatchbacks. Kia also introduced a more powerful version of the
all-new Optima sedan with Euro specs.

Lamborghini

Prior to the show Lamborghini teasers were being released hinting

at a mysterious new model. The teaser line The sky will never be
the same was a subtle hint for an open top model and given the
fact that Lamborghini had introduced the Aventador Super Veloce
Roadster at Pebble Beach in August, it was a logical conclusion that the
mystery model was to be a Huracan variant. After a weeks worth of
teasing, Lamborghini unveiled the Huracan Spyder on the dawn of the
Frankfurt Motor Show. Lamborghini will start deliveries of the Huracan
Spyder next spring at prices kicking off from 186,450 plus taxes.

Maserati

SsangYong

South Korean automaker SsangYong presented two concepts

-- the XAV-Adventure and XLV-Air. The XAV-Adventure represents
a fresh interpretation of the Korando and targets active and
young people and offers true off-road capability and maximum
drivability. The XLV-Air concept offers a better glimpse of next
years seven-seater Tivoli which will have a longer wheelbase to
accommodate the two extra accommodation..
Suzuki officially revealed the new Baleno sedan which now boasts
of a new Liquid Flow design theme. The styling is voluptuous and
is accentuated by the curves and large mudguards seen on the
model. Sales for the Europe destined Baleno will commence in
early 2016 with the model being shipped from the Maruti Suzuki
plant in Manesar in India. Engine options on the Euro spec Suzuki
Baleno include the new 1.0-litre BoosterJet direct-injection threecylinder turbo petrol unit paired to a 5-speed manual or 6-speed
automatic transmissions. A bigger 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol
paired to a 5-speed manual or CVT autobox will also be offered.
16

OCT 2015

Maserati took the wraps off the 2016 Ghibli and Quattroporte models.
The updated sedans feature new Euro6 petrol engines with start/stop
technology and performance specifications remain unchanged. Maserati
claims the new engines are up to 12per cent more fuel-efficient. Diesel
variants have been equipped with Maseratis AdBlue technology.

Suzuki

Mercedes-Benz

One of the cool concept presentations came from MercedesBenz this year. The futuristic Concept IAA [IAA used here is an
acronym for Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile rather than
the more familiar Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung or
International Motor Show in English] was presented as a fourdoor coupe previewing technology that will eventually appear
in generation next models. While no official announcement
was made as regards to which future model the Concept IAA
previewed, the company said in a statement that some of the
technology and the interior offers a foretaste of the business
sedan of the near future. And going by the current model lineup, the next production sedan set to be revealed by Mercedes is
the new-generation E-Class next year. The concept suggested an
early look of the brands all-important new E-Class. The second
model which made headlines for the brand was the all-new
S-Class Cabrio. The new C-class Coupe and its AMG and DTM track
versions were also on display.

Nissan

With the Gripz concept, Nissan offered is a glimpse at the future

of crossover in the form of a four-door, 2+2 coupe on stilts. The
Gripz has been dramatically styled to borrow elements of SUVs
and Z sports cars. At the show, Nissan executives said clearly that
the concept does not preview a direct replacement for either the
compact Juke or Qashqai compact SUV. Whatever be the case,
one thing is sure that some of the Gripzs styling elements will
eventually filter through to the smaller of Nissans crossovers,
due for replacement in 2016. Interestingly, the 4,100mm long
footprint of the concept is very close to that of the current
Juke. Nissans other headlining presentation was that of the
NP300 Navarra pick-up which will also form the basis of a future
Mercedes-Benz truck.
The Thailand version of the Navarra was introduced last year and this
was the models Europe spec presentation.

Porsche

Rolls-Royce

Following the private unveil of the Rolls-Royce Dawn in July, the

Wraith-based four-seater coupe convertible took centre stage.
With 80per cent bespoke body panels, the Dawn is more than just
a roofless Wraith and according to RR this is the worlds only
true modern four-seater super-luxury drophead. Rolls-Royce
doesnt like to call this a 2+2 as in most cases such a configuration
implies two smaller seats, but the Dawn is a true four-seater
with plenty of room for those sitting in the back. Tipping the
scales at 2,560kg, the Dawn is approximately 200kg heavier than
the Wraith due to the more complex roof and the necessary
reinforcements. At its heart is a 563bhp 6.6-litre V12 bi-turbo
engine and ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche literally shook the show by storm

with its very intriguing Mission E concept. Porsche has been hinting
about electric cars for a while and in specific terms a Tesla Model S
competitor before the end of the decade. Frankfurt suggested that
there now there are more genuine reasons to believe that such a
possibility is high on the agenda as the Mission E concept takes the
shape of a range busting all-electric drive. The concept looked like a
Panamera designed for 2025.
Besides this concept, Porsche also presented their facelifted Porsche
911 Carrera Coupe and Carrera S variants with several new and
updated features. Key among them is the new twin-turbo 3.0-litre
six-cylinder engine which now offers improved performance and are
approximately 12percent more efficient than their predecessors. The
facelifted Porsche 911 will be launched in Germany on December 12 and
pricing starts at 96,605 euros.

OCT 2015

17

Mazda

Mazda had been teasing media with its Koeru concept days before
the show and speculation is that the new car will be called CX-4 when
this new model goes into production. The five-door, five-seat wagon
concept sits on a 2,700mm wheelbase [same as CX-5 SUV], strongly
suggesting it is using SkyActiv architecture. However, the Koeru is
60mm longer and 60mm wider than the CX-5 and speculation is that
the company has a CX-6 or born-again CX-7 in mind for the future.
Mazda spokespeople at the show said that the CX-4 badge was
specifically reserved for a future crossover cruiser type of vehicle.
Talking point
Masahiro Moro
Managing executive officer, sales and marketing
The design had arisen from research showing
Mazda3 owners wanted something sportier than
the CX-5 wagon and bigger than CX-3 crossover
when they decided shift up into the SUV ranks.
These customers told us they were still seeking a
new solution a body style solution,

Toyota

Renault

Renault had an impressive display and the key highlight of the

brands stand was the brand new mid-size model called Talisman in
both sedan and wagon body styles. The Talisman will replace the
slow-selling and outdated Laguna and Latitude models. Interestingly,
Renault asked Daimler to thoroughly check quality control, so the
new cars should provide superior fit and finish both inside and out.
The Renault Talisman Sedan and Estate are programmed to go on
sale in mainland Europe in the first half of 2016. Renault also used
the show to debut the new Megane family, which was previewed
online a week before the show. The design of the incoming fourthgeneration Megane is heavily influenced by the bigger Talisman.
The car will be built in Spain on the Renault Nissan Alliances flexible
Common Family Module (CFM) architecture.
Talking point
Jerome Stoll
Renault executive vice- president
Renault Group is considering a proposal for its
Alpine premium sportscar brand to go global
with a range of up to three vehicles. The worlds
two biggest markets, the United States and
China, are included in the draft plan that will be
put to the board for a decision in early 2016

Volkswagen

Toyota presented its fourth generation new Prius hybrid. As the brands
first global model to ride on Toyotas TNGA platform, the reinvented Prius
adopts a polarizing design. Design niggles put aside, Toyota says the all-new
Prius boasts a 60percent more rigid chassis wrapped around in a body
which is now longer, wider and lower. The cars fuel efficiency has also been
improved by 10per cent. Toyota also introduced its Euro-spec RAV4 Hybrid
SUV.Although entirely not new, Toyota showcased an updated version of
its C-HR concept. It may be recalled that it was almost a year ago at the Paris
Motor Show where Toyota introduced the first C-HR concept. The Nissan
Juke rival now comes with a more toned down personality suggesting it has
got series production potential. The final production version is scheduled to
make an appearance in March next year at Geneva.
18

OCT 2015

Volkswagen took the covers off its bigger-but-lighter secondgeneration Tiguan compact SUV on the eve of the Frankfurt motor
show. Four variants were unveiled, including a traditional model, an
off-road-specific version and a higher-performance R-Line flagship. A
production-oriented GTE plug-in concept was also revealed.

Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo Concept

rom virtual to digital -- French super

sports car Bugatti transformed its
Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo teaser
renditions into a real carbon-fibre racer
specially for the motor show in Germany
last month. While, the project was
designed exclusively for the PlayStation
video game franchise Gran Turismo, the
concept comes at a time when all 450
units in the current Veyron series have
been sold out.
As a result, the Vision Gran Turismo
concept project is being seen as a new
chapter in the luxury brands history
that hopefully will be greenlighted for
production as the new Bugatti super
sports car.
For the creation, Bugatti has joined hands
with Polyphony Digital, creator of Gran
20

OCT 2015

Turismo video game. In this game, the

Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo will race in a
class in which the racers typically bear no
or little relation to actual cars and whose
design is therefore far more extreme and
performance-geared than that of streetlegal cars.
Two points were important to the
design team: first, the virtual car
should have the distinctive Bugatti
look and embody Bugattis values of
Art, Forme, Technique, and, second,
every vehicle component should have a
real performance function. The virtual
race car was therefore developed in
close collaboration with the Bugatti
engineers and is based on cutting-edge
racing technology and aerodynamic
analyses. Nevertheless, the cars technical

features, like its design, are realistic,

since the virtual project is based on
the Bugatti development teams latest
simulation models of driving dynamics
and aerodynamics. The engineers and the
designers worked together meticulously
on the project for six months. The
expressive design of the Bugatti Vision
Gran Turismo is marked by large convex
surfaces, which contrast with concave
transitions and strong lines. That lends
the exterior styling precision and surface
tensions of the highest quality. The
proportions of the vehicle are athletic and
design suggests planned for maximum
performance. The cockpit lies as low
slung as possible between the four
dominant wheel housings and is fully
enclosed by the muscular wings. The

After a few interesting teasers, Bugatti

came to the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show
(IAA) well prepared with its Vision Gran
Turismo concept. Is this the outgoing
Veyrons successor?
Author: Chandan B Mallik

Le Mans has influenced

the design of the virtual
race car for Vision Gran
Turismo in two ways -first through Bugattis
impressive victories on
the circuit there and
secondly, this particular
track with its long
straights remains an
emblem of top speed even
today

extreme mid-engined proportions with

the V-shaped front end and short rear
overhang indicate powerful forward
thrust even when stationary. The result
is a dynamic, ready-to-race stance that
gives the impression of immense power
immediately at the ready.
The designers have unmistakeably
integrated the key features of the Bugatti
design DNA into the virtual race cars
design. The side profile of the Bugatti
Vision Gran Turismo features the famous
Bugatti line, which not only divides
the exterior into the signature twotone finish, but also plays an important
aerodynamic role in cooling the vehicle.
The virtual race car also features the most
striking Bugatti symbol - the horseshoe
on the front grille. It is positioned in the

centre of the central front air intake

as a three-dimensional sculpture, and
acts as a support for the front splitter.
The horseshoe is flanked by the eighteye headlamps, which were specially
developed for Bugatti Vision Gran
Turismo. They also have an aerodynamic
function, since they act as air intakes to
cool the brakes.
Another signature Bugatti design element
is the centre fin, which derives from the
legendary 1936 Type 57 Atlantic. The
designers have used two versions of the
fin for the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo:
one on the wings and rear side panels,
where the fins enhance the design of
the vehicle and the other running the
length of the roof, where the fin makes
an important contribution to the cars
OCT 2015

21

dynamic stability. The kinematic system

for the rear wing, which controls the air
brake and the drag reduction system
(DRS), is located here.
An interesting detail on the roof
is the NACA duct, which, with its
contrasting light blue finish, is not only
strikingly aesthetic, but is also the most
aerodynamic way to bring air into the
engine at roof level without creating
turbulence in the inflow of the rear wing.
The rear of the vehicle has a strong
trailing edge which provides excellent
driving stability, exhausts the hot air from
the engine compartment and, no less
importantly, unmistakeably shows the
22

OCT 2015

Bugatti has held the record

for the worlds fastest
street-legal production
vehicle since 2010 with a
speed of 431.072km/h
and made its way into the
record books again in 2013
with the worlds fastest
production roadster,
clocking 408.84km/h

virtual competitor that a Bugatti is getting

ahead and away from them.
Just as with the exterior, no comprises
were made when it came to the design of
the vehicles interior. The striking centre
fin of the roof is echoed in the interior,
where it divides the cockpit from the
rest of the interior and merges with the
central console below. The interior picks
up the two-tone finish of the outer shell.
Every aspect of the interior is geared
to racing. All indicators, displays and
controls, which are positioned where a
racing driver would expect them to be,
are easy to read and can be reached in a
split second.

There are two displays for the driver,

both of which are convex for improved
readability in line with state-of-the-art
design. The display on the steering wheel
shows all the relevant vehicle information.
The second display is located on the
steering column and combines the images
from the three cameras mounted on the
exterior of the vehicle to provide the
driver with a better overview for an even
safer driving experience. All displays in
the cockpit are backlit so the driver can
see the information easily. No mechanical
details have been released and a
high performance W16 engine-based
powertrain is expected to be fitted.

Where did the influences for the concept originate?

In its design, the Vision Gran Turismo pays direct homage to the brands great racing
tradition of the 1920s and 1930s, in particular its victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
race, and is based on cutting-edge motor sport technology. Historical inspiration for the
modern virtual race car for Vision Gran Turismo came, in particular, from the Bugatti Type
57 Tank and its victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans races in 1937 and 1939. The Bugatti
Vision Gran Turismo will race in the classic blue two-tone finish of the Type 57 G Tank,
which was the winning car in 1937, while also evoking the colour of the historic French
race cars of that time. Blue has been the Bugatti brand colour ever since. Company
founder Ettore Bugatti was the first car maker to build street-legal versions of his compact
and lightweight race cars, which he sold successfully to amateur racing drivers following
victorious weekends on the track. The Type 35, probably the most successful race car of
all time with over 2,000 victories and podium finishes in its day, is the most prominent
example of that phenomenon and continues to embody Bugattis racing legacy. At the
same time the virtual project also previews Bugattis future design language.
OCT 2015

23

2016 Nissan Maxima

Maximising
potential

Nissan brings back its Maxima sedan as a

generation VIII model for MY2015 with a promise
to invigorate the segment befitting its tagline.
Automan was among the first media invitees
from the region to check out the car
in Dubai last month
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Jorge Ferrari

orldwide, the D-segment

sedan segment has been
often been overlooked as the
industry seems to think that new model
introduction is just a mere formality.
Occasionally, a carmaker does try to
introduce a new concept and package,
and depending on the timing can make
the best out of it. The Taurus by Ford was
one such example, which when launched
in 2008, sort of rekindled the interest in
the segment which is currently occupied
by a host of sedate models ranging from
Toyota Avalon, Camry, Honda Accord,
Chevrolet Impala, Lincoln MKX among
others. Interestingly, Honda and Toyota
decided to use refreshed styling and
feature upgrades as their key weapon to
keep consumer interest in their respective
models, while Fords representative got
totally outclassed with the arrival of the
all-new Chevrolet Impala in 2014. For Ford,
it was a peculiar situation considering
it started quite well with the Taurus.
The model did garner a lot success and
industry accolades, but somehow Ford
underestimated domestic competition.
To some extent, we think Ford itself is
to blame for losing the Taurus plot by
focusing too much on just efficiency
technologies alone. And by the time it
realised it was losing out to competition,
24

OCT 2015

it was too late. Ford did attempt to give

the Taurus a new lease of life with its
performance-oriented SHO version, but it
was deemed too late for damage control.
Meanwhile, for Nissan it was time to get
the Maxima back in the game. The Gen VII
was got lukewarm response as it was seen
as a clone of the Altima and for the brand
it was important to break that image
stereotype. Nissan was also in no mood
to give up the Maxima badge heritage just
like that and let it slide into the oblivion.
With a refreshed mind and clear cut vision
for the incoming Gen VIII Maxima, Nissan
began teasing the media and audiences
with a dramatically styled car which it then
referred to as the 4-Door Sports Car
concept. Well, for Maxima aficionados,
that was great news because Nissan had
strongly indicated that it was going back
to its roots with this new car evidenced by
the fact that Nissan used this tagline in the
third-generation model which was sold in
early 1990s.
The large sedan concept was presented
for the first time at the 2015 New York
International Auto Show and it did
generate a lot of interest. Among first
things noted that it did sport new design
language cues and signature influences
from other models. Highlights include the
V-Motion front end, signature boomerang

OCT 2015

25

Murano-inspired, kick-up C-pillars, coupeinfluenced floating roof and personalised

detailing like the lettering 4DSC [4-Door
Sports Car] etched into the headlamps.
The interesting fact is that the sheetmetal
of car has been dramatically transformed
a muscular one with bulges, strong
creaselines, front wheel drive proportions
which together give it its standalone
profile. By any measure, it is a remarkable
design feat considering the car is built
on the current Altimas platform. With
both cars parked next to each other, the
differentiation becomes much clearer.
And to support the stance, there are some
dimensional differences too. The new
Maximas roof is 1.3in lower than the last
generation, while the body is 2.2in longer.
The cars stiffer by 25percent platform
sports a 109.3in wheelbase and around
close to 40kg lighter than before. Overall,
the car is 192.8in long and is 56.5in tall and
the car definitely looks sharp, low and
aggressive.
Considering that the first job [exterior
design] was successfully accomplished,
interior designers set out to give it a
befitting treatment and a lot of inspiration
came after a visit to the Blue Angels
[officially known as the US Navy Flight
Demonstration Squadron] in Pensacola,
USA. As a result in the spacious cabin, one
can find specific design elements like the
raked visor windscreen and dual panel
panoramic moonroof which strongly
echoes the canopy feel of a fighter jet.
As with this America-built car, there are
some old-styled features like the foot
operated parking brake, but the rest of the
design is quite modern and attractive. The
26

OCT 2015

layout of the dashboard is striking with

its higher than usual centre console, flatbottom steering wheel, large instrument
gauge cluster and centre console controls
angled toward the driver. The gear shifter
lever itself is shaped to resemble an
aircraft joystick and the push button start
for the intelligent key has been moved to
the console itself. The start button pulses
when the driver enters the cabin.
Also located on the console is the Display
Commander switch, which allows for

Sporting an athletic
body redesign, the
new Maxima features
Nissans FourDoor Sports Car
positioning, a return
to a marketing term
used on the Gen III J30
series [1988-1992]
fingertip control of the center display
information screens. And, a special media
bin is place forward on the console and
includes two USB and auxiliary ports,
along with room enough to hold an
iPhone 6 Plus.
The feature pack offered will vary
according to trim level. For instance the
top-of-the-line SR grade cars get premium
Ascot leather with diamond-quilted
Alcantara seat and flat bottomed steering

wheel with inserts; Liquid Chrome faced

interior trim finishers and unique, 19in
wheels and aluminium pedals.
Meanwhile, premium technology
features which are being offered for
the Maxima include an 8.0in colour
display features multi-touch control for
intuitive smartphone-like gestures such as
swiping and pinch-to-zoom. The system
is paired with a standard 7.0in Advanced
Drive Assist Display [ADAD] within the
instrument cluster.
Although Nissan hasnt said this officially,
the car does get some features in its
packaging which till now are usually found
in luxury cars and include things like power
tilt/telescoping steering wheel, keyless
easy entry, around view monitor, remote
start and a powered rear sunshade. And
depending on grade, the car weighs
between 1,574 and 1,582 kg. Thats not
all, the materials used including plastics
are top quality in touch and feel, fit and
finish is close to luxury class vehicles and
the NASA-inspired zero gravity front seats
are both sporty, comfortable and offer
appropriate lumber support. In terms
of space, the rear can accommodate
average-size adults with just enough
head- and legroom. However, due to the
sloping roofline, taller passengers will find
noticeably less backseat space than the
Altima.
Powering the car is revised 3.5-litre V6
normally-aspirated engine from the VQ35
DE family. Nissan claims that the engine
has been reworked with over 60per cent
new parts. Some engineering inspirations
have been borrowed from high
performance machines like the GT-R. A

OCT 2015

27

redesigned intake manifold and valvetrain

[including sodium filled exhaust valves
to reduce combustion chamber heat]
improve the engines airflow and help it
produce 300hp and 261lb-ft of torque.
For transferring this power to the front
wheels one would have expected a
cogged set-up considering the fact that
the car is being promoted as a 4-door
sports coupe. But, thats not the case and
instead Nissan have mated the engine to
Xtronic CVT transmission. And to ensure
some driving thrill, the this CVT set-up gets
a wider ratio range [which should allow
for stronger acceleration from a standing
start] and an all-new D-Step shifting logic
that Nissan says provides faster shifts at
high throttle openings.
The chassis set-up varies between the
grades and since no specific details
were provided during the technical
presentation, we assume its a carried
forward set-up from the outgoing
model. Even in that edition, the set-up
was modern and included all-round
independent set-up with MacPherson
struts up front, multi-links at the rear with
stabiliser bars at both ends. The top end
SR models get a sport-tuned suspension
package which includes Yamaha chassis
performance damper; an integrated
dynamics control module with Active Ride
Control, Active Trace Control and Active
Engine Brake.
All variants come with a range of active
and passive safety/security features.
Driving aids include Predictive Forward
Collision Warning [PFCW], Intelligent
Cruise Control [ICC], Forward Emergency
Braking [FEB], Rear Cross Traffic Alert
[CTA] and Blind Spot Warning [BSW].
In the top-of-the-line SR grade, Driver
Attention Alert [DAA] system is offered.
The system monitors steering input
patterns to establish a baseline and
helps alert the driver when drowsy or
inattentive driving is detected.

28

OCT 2015

Driving impressions
The first thing we did note in this car inside
is that this was comfortable and spacious
with a pleasant wrap around effect.
The outward view is clear and despite a
raked windscreen, the front occupants
sit fairly protected from the elements.
The engine note is smooth at idling and
once put into gear it moves like a cogged
set-up. Usually cars with CVT set-ups are
boring to drive [with the exception of a
few models from Audi or Subaru] as in
the driving experience theres this very
irritating engine droning note which most
CVTs deliver under hard acceleration.
In normal drive mode, the car behaves
quite normally and the car takes off nicely,
although not as aggressive as in the GT-R.
When in Sport modes, Nissans D-Step
Programming appears entertaining as
it does able to convey the sensation of
shifting gears during aggressive driving.
The CVTs shift logic becomes more
aggressive at full throttle, anticipating
the need for renewed acceleration during
intensive cornering. Paddle shifters in the
SR version let you manually select ratios.
The key standout feature out here is that
none of the drone effect associated with
CVTs is experienced as Nissan engineers
have used Bose noise-cancelling audio
system and acoustically laminated
windscreen glass and front windows quite
effectively to filter unwanted sounds
coming in the cabin during normal driving
situations. While, active noise cancellation
effectively dampens harsh sounds to some
extent, the engine as expected gets a
bit loud at higher revs. In general the car
doesnt feel underpowered and it will do
the 0-96km/h sprint in 6.2secs [5.9sec in
the SR].
While the cars electric power steering
typical of the set-up lacks the sharp
feedback of say the GT-R. Despite 61.4
percent of the weight residing on the
front axle, it is quite light and the car feels

neutral most of the time. The steering

delivered good linear feedback and on
most roads we drove the car and we can
say that the incoming Maxima does ride
and handle much better than the Altima.
Our only niggle is that the Maximas frontwheel-drive layout limits its capabilities
of a sharper sport sedan as some torque
steer can be evident and the car begins
to lose its composure in tighter corners,
where the tyres easily surrender their grip.
And then you have an overly aggressive
stability control system which also
interferes and resists quick transitions and
acceleration out of corners. However, of
the grades driven, the SR version is our
choice for sporty performance. Its chassis
set-up is slightly different than its siblings
and appears tighter and we think the two
steering effort levels [Normal and Sport]
are best suited in this set-up for most onroad driving situations. This is evident in
the way the car handles as it is helped by
tauter front shocks and stabilizer bars, as
well as monotube rear shock absorbers.
A chassis damper stops the stiffer
suspension from transmitting too much
unpleasantness from the road and the
larger 19in wheel combo offers better grip
than the standard 18in combo.
Verdict
The completely redesigned for 2016 Nissan
Maxima represents the brands largest
sedan. Although, it is longer and lower
than the outgoing model, technically it will
be considered as a midsize sedan. While it
is not a true a four-door sports sedan but
its dramatic styling, comfortable cabin,
and extensive list of features make it a
compelling choice in a segment which has
traditionally been seen as mundane. The
best part of the Maxima is way it has been
packaged to narrow the gap between the
mainstream and luxury sedan segments
besides attractive pricing points. Prices
begin from US29,999.00 in this region.

OCT 2015

29

Hyundai Tucson

30

OCT 2015

How to win
customers
and keep
ahead
That, in a nutshell, is what Hyundai is achieving
in its move to upgrade the Tucson to generation
three. We have our first run in with the car at its
media reveal on the island of Gran Canaria
Author: Raj Warrior

t the outset, lets admit that we

were as confused as anyone else
when we were invited for the
launch of the third generation of the
Tucson. Yes, we had been tracking it as
it the transition in family look happened
under the direction of Peter Schreyer, who
over the past couple of years has made
the move to heading the consolidated
Hyundai-KIA group a matter of stamping
his design ethos. In the meantime,
Hyundais fluidic sculpture design theme
has also transitioned to its version 2, while
the new hexagonal grille has migrated
across various models.
But, and here is the clincher, is the Tucson
only in generation three? It seems a lot
more than that. At the heart of it could be
the whole idea that Hyundai has set up a
model churn that has foreshortened the
time taken for a new model to replace a
current one. But in the case of the Tucson,
we are currently on approximately five
years for a generation, seeing as to how
Gen 1 debuted in 2004 and Gen 2 in 2010.
Each successive generation has built on
the virtues of the previous, raising the
model up the value chain while meeting
and exceeding competition in its price

bracket. For any perceived shortcomings

about the Elantra-platform based Tucson,
it is a hit in all respects.
Thats why the replacement had to be
rather unique. It comes at a time when
the engine-size downtrend is gaining
momentum. The genre of the small
SUV has set in well and the typical (for
our region at least) 2.0- and 2.4-litre
variants cover a wide segment of buyers,
from those seeking a value alternative
to a midsize car, to those trying to
communicate a lifestyle.
The answer was to concentrate on
making the car visually distinct, carrying
over the virtues of the existing platform,
while suitably strengthening it so as to
make it future proof and packaging the
new design with a set of features that
put it ahead of its target segment. This is
how we would see the generation three
tagged. The family look is very strong
so strong in fact that between the new
Creta (built on the i20 platform variant)
the Tucson (off the i30) and the Santa Fe
(yes, the i40 variant) you are now offered
a choice of Small, Medium and Large of
what looks like the same SUV.
Of course there are differences, as can
OCT 2015

31

be seen in the fascia and around the

foglights, with the profile of the Tucson
offering the sleekest interpretation of the
two box form. This builds on the slightly
longer wheelbase (30mm longer than
before) and being 65mm longer. The
profile lines, with the Schreyer treatment
of the greenhouse then leads into the
sleek feel further. As the roof tapers
off post the C-pillar, you almost expect
a fastback like drop-off. This results in
a small rear window. Now throw in an
almost Audi like treatment of the taillight
assembly and you have a car that looks
faster going away than coming.
The interiors have seen the largest
improvement. All touch and feel surfaces
are really benchmark setting, with the
latest generation of operating system
on-board. The new cockpit type cabin gets
a large central screen with hi-resolution
colour display (linked to camera and
navigation where provided) and a glossy
black-on-black centre console, with
switches for hill descent control, AWD
lock and drive modes. The drive modes
are centred on steering feel and gearshift
response and remind you of the modes
that have been seen in the Santa Fe and
Sonata as well. The steering variability is
dialled in by intensity of electric power assist.
32

OCT 2015

The front suspension features a

McPherson strut system, with a new
rebound spring and four bush mountings
on the subframe to enhance comfort
and reduce NVH. The multilink rear
suspension system is improved to enhance
overall dynamics. Like the front, the rear
subframe receives four bush mountings,
while the upper and lower suspension
arms are increased in length to enhance
overall suspension performance.
Hyundai Motor claims to have developed
every element of the chassis to enhance
high-speed and cornering stability, while
also maximising the benefits of the long
wheelbase (2670 mm) and wide track to
optimise ride and handling characteristics.
The new set of features available on the
car also includes Blind-spot detection,
panoramic sunroof, a new sound system
and new second row seat mechanisms.
And the body structure has undergone
a major upgrade with more than half
the metal used on it in the form of ultra
high strength steel and tailored blanks,
resulting in an increase in stiffness by 48%
over the previous platform.
Wheel sizes also go all the way from 16 at
the entry level variant to 19 on the very
top offering. Combine that with a range
of alloy wheels (and we dare say a steel

wheel design for the 16) and you have a

good range of looks for the profile.
While a whole crop of engines were on
display at the launch, the most interesting
of the lot may not actually make its way
to the region; the 1.6-litre turbocharged
petrol engine does all that you would
expect from a turbo ample available
torque, quick revving and mates well
with the six-speed automatic and manual
gearboxes. The catch is that the setup
is very Europe centric with perceptible
turbo lag. European drivers are too used
to compensating for the lower rev band.
Here in the region we will debut with
the 2.0-litre NU engine and the carryover
2.4-litre we have in the region.
There are certain technologies that
debut with this model that may or may
not reach our region. For instance the
turbocharged engine is partnered with
a 7-speed DCT gearbox that is newly
developed. Also the cars systems get
automated emergency braking, crosstraffic warning on the rear-view camera
and lane-assist. And the sound-system
partners well with an IPhone, complete
with Bluetooth streaming and two 12V
power sockets in the front. We can only
hope that most of these technologies
will reach our shores.

OCT 2015

33

2016 Chrysler 300S

iat Chrysler Automobiles [FCA]

has a lot on its agenda these days.
Among key priorities are things like
improving perceived quality of cars by
using better materials in trims and bring
build quality tolerances to accepted global
levels for its cars cutting across brands.
For achieving this goal, FCA has made key
investments in places where it matters
and has even deputed a quality team to
oversee the effort. The results of these
initiatives are beginning to show across
models in the line-up, particularly in the
Dodge-Chrysler brand portfolio.
When it comes to sedans, usually, rearwheel drive, athletic moves, alluring looks
and room for five aptly describes a BMW
5 Series, Mercedes -Benz E-Class or a
34

OCT 2015

new car from America that I had for the

long weekend, the Chrysler 300S. The car
comes at a time when the 300 family has
been refreshed for the nameplates 60th
birthday.
Among Chryslers current line-up of
sedans, the 300 sits on the top as the fullsize flagship sedan representative. It offers
the boldest styling in the segment and for
2015 Chrysler has tweaked its exterior a bit
and made it even bolder. The car now gets
a redesigned front and rear and features
a larger, more imposing front grille which
is 33percent larger than the predecessor.
By doing so, Chrysler has effectively
killed the aftermarket for fake Bentleyesque grilles for the new 300S. Besides
the redesigned signature grille, Chrysler

has made slight tweaks on some of the

exterior components. Other kit includes
20in black cast aluminium wheels, body
colour exterior mirrors and door handles,
contemporary LED fog lamps, black
headlamp and LED taillamp bezels, a black
winglet grille with black chrome surround,
gloss black window moldings and the
Chrysler wing badge with black accent.
Our tester which came with the 5.7-litre
HEMI V8 engine is offered from the factory
with sculpted side sills and a distinctive
bootlid spoiler. The upgraded detailing has
given the car a cleaner-meaner look and to
be specific more in line with the upcoming
Chrysler 200 that is already available in the
US markets but yet to reach this side of
the shores.

Getting
sporty in
the lap of
luxury

The Chrysler 300 sedan line-up has been

revamped inside out with interesting
features and a new nomenclature. Automan
checked out the S version in UAE.
Author and photography: Nabeel Ferzan

The interior, according to Chrysler has

also been looked into and designers think
it is the best interior yet for the 300.
They describe the 300s interior as full of
contrasts between old world charm as
it now comes with handcrafted touches
and new, modern cues. New colours
and tasteful accents fill the cabin. The
tester featured Nappa leather-trimmed
performance seats in ambassador
blue/black with accent stitching and
embroidered S logo. And much like its
luxury brethren, the power seats offer
lumbar adjustment. Piano black accents
have been used in several touchpoints
throughout the interior.
Stylish front seats are comfortable,
well-padded and offer very good lumber

support. The rear feels more lounge-like

than those found in competing vehicles
such as Fords Taurus. Rear occupants
get generous leg and headroom,
which is on par with the class leaders.
Convenience features include two USB
ports in the rear of the centre console.
Theres a new steering wheel, a new
colour drivers display and an updated
version of Chryslers user-friendly
Uconnect infotainment system. The cars
instrument cluster sports a new digital TFT
display which conveniently sits between
the blue backlit analog speedometer
and tachometer. It gives out a variety
of information -- speed, navigation
instructions, vehicle information and
more. While the display is large and
easy to read, the trip odometer and
speed displays are on separate screens,
preventing the driver from seeing both
at once. The configurable display is quite
striking and the UConnect interface is
straight forward and easy to learn on your
very first try. The sound quality of the
Beats audio system with subwoofer is top

class. The car is practical too. While the

boot is quite large, cargo space remains
unchanged at 16.3c-ft, which is less than
both the domestic compatriots Chevrolet
Impala and Ford Taurus.
Of the two sibling brands, Dodge is seen
as performance and Chrysler as luxury.
But with the 300S, Chrysler attempts to
offer a bit of both and thanks to the inhouse tuner-cum-performance arm SRT,
this has been made possible. In the US, the
300 is available in four trims: 300 Limited,
300C, 300S and 300C Platinum. In the
Middle East, 300C, 300S and the SRT8 are
the designated models.
Underneath the sheetmetal, the Gen II
300 uses a modified version of Mercedes
E-Class platform and this platform
originates from the alliance days and
continues to serve even after Daimler
parted with Chrysler. However, Chrysler
and Dodge engineers have reworked key
components in the suspension and its
support hardware to suit the individual
requirements of both brands.
The S, our tester for Middle East markets
OCT 2015

35

gets shoehorned a fire-breathing 363bhp

5.7-litre Hemi V8 mated to an upgrade
from five-speed to eight-speed ZF-sourced
automatic gearbox. Interestingly, theres
another noticeable change with this setup. To operate the transmission comes a
Jaguar-like rotary knob controller instead
of the traditional gear shifter which was in
service till the 2014 model. Chrysler claims
that the knob is easy to use and opens up
more space in the cabin, creating an airy
feeling between driver and passenger.
This we found a bit odd of an arrangement
in a sports sedan and its justification!
However, steering mounted paddleshifters are there for those who prefer the
manual Tiptronic mode.
What differentiates the 300C and
300S is essentially in the suspension
department. The new sport mode addition
in the V8-powered models [including the

36

OCT 2015

In the US, the 300S

gets a 300hp version
of the V6 engine with
cold-aid induction. The
Middle East versions
of the S are powered
by a 363hp 5.7-litre
Hemi V8.

300S] actually adds another dimension

as it is programmed with enhancing
performance and handling parameters.
Drivers can choose between the settings
and immediately feels the adjustments
to steering, throttle and shift points. In
sport mode, we found the Chrysler 300S

felt more agile on tight corners. The 300S

is offered with sport-tuned suspension
and sport tuned-exhaust with baffle
management system.
Active safety features on the 2015 Chrysler
300 is at par with most luxury brands. Kit
includes adaptive cruise control, which can
bring the car to a full stop, and can even
automatically get the car moving again
in stop-and-go traffic (provided the car is
stopped for less than two seconds at a
time). Forward collision warning will fully
stop the car at speeds of less than 20 mph,
and lane departure warning with lane keep
assist will steer the car back into its lane if
the driver accidentally veers. Sensitivity for
all of these features can be adjusted; they
can also be turned off completely.
Driving impressions
We have driven several Chrysler 300
models in the past in this magazine and we

can vouch that the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 in the

300S is another beast. This engine offers
more power and thrust for effortless
movements, even with the tighter sports
suspension set-up, we could feel the big
V8s added weight on winding sections of
roads. The reason why the 300S performs
well is chiefly because of its rear-wheeldrive architecture, and sports suspension
set-up which in turn makes the car more
capable and allows it ti handles demanding
roads much better than some of its
competitors.
The cars 8-speed automatic transmission
is extremely smooth and shifts are
nearly imperceptible. Yes, you can feel it
when a surge of power is demanded for
overtaking at highway speeds. Most of
the time, the transmission cruises in a high
gear for fuel economy, so to extract that
extra oomph, one needs to dial-in sport

mode. And then the fun begins when you

upshift or downshift using the steeringwheel-mounted paddle shifters and enjoy
the extra torque from revised transmission
ratios you actually lose one gear as top
gear becomes overdrive and hence it will
only show the seventh gear on the display
screen.
Among the current genre of electric
power steering set-ups in cars sold these
days, the performance in the 300S would
easily top the charts. The weight is perfect,
feedback is entertaining, it feels smooth
and comfortable, and most of all perfect
for a car of this size and weight.
The 300S achieves 0-100km/h in about
7.5secs brisk for a car that is this size and
weighs northwards of 1,900kg. Although
the 300S is a big car, its quite agile to
handle and does not feel overtly heavy
or detached. The 300S sports a firmer

suspension compared to the outgoing

model but its ride quality is comfortable
and composed for the most part.
For those who spend a lot of time on the
road commuting up and down the Abu
Dhabi Dubai highway, the 300S is quite
and tracks confidently over any long
distance travel.
Verdict
Just like the driving dynamics, the cabin
materials in the 2015 300S are good, but
dont expect the likes of BMW and Audi.
But considering that owning a Chrysler
takes much lesser bite out of your wallet,
one can live with the quality available and
so is the interior fit and finish compared to
cars in the similar price range. The driver
and passenger seats are huge and offer
good side and lumbar support and are
extremely comfortable to sit in for long
hours.

OCT 2015

37

Getting a
lot more
from less
Turbocharging brings a whole new character to
the entry-premium IS sedan. For the 2016 model
year onwards, a new 2-litre turbo replaces the
250. We put the car through its paces
Author: Raj Warrior | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

38

OCT 2015

OCT 2015

39

he charm of a rear wheel drive

sedan is in its innate sense of
connecting with the road better,
especially when seen from the eyes of an
experienced driver. From power-on takeoff where the rear of the car sits down
as the power spools in and hits the road,
to the way the front axle is free of the
chores of power transmission, allowing
you a better feel of the cars steering, rear
wheel drive is a territory that populates a
specific region of the car universe.
Now for a second, lets look at offerings
of this genre to the regular sedan user.
Put aside the pony and sports cars and
youll see that most of the rear wheel
drive platforms are offered in the price
segment above $30,000 dollars. Harking
back to the slightly more cumbersome
and costly production process, no doubt,
but the idea thats communicated is that
if its rear wheel drive that adds a little bit
of cheer to your daily commute then you
need to be more than ordinary.
To a large degree, thats what keeps
Lexus in an interest zone for even
the hardened autobahn-dweller. Two
mainstream sedans the IS and GS have
the genes of tearaway hits. And now
Lexus offers them in F-Sport versions or
straightforward Fs. They know exactly
whats been missing out from the gene
pool so far and the equation is getting
firmly loaded the other way. For that,
all you need to do is spend some quality
time with the IS with its new, smaller, yet
somehow revelation-inspiring engine.
The IS has been a model that Lexus has
used to make inroads in markets that
were more attuned to the 3-series and
C-class. After all, cars from the German
40

OCT 2015

duo have typified the RWD executive

sedan for generations. So the benchmark
is clearly set while the endgame
continuously evolves. How do you make
an executive sedan that captures the
essence of the segment definers, while
beating them in packaging? For thats
what the IS does.
The current model year upgrade for
the IS carries the longer 2,800mm
wheelbase of the platform (over the
previous generation) without losing its
compact, aggressive stance. Leading in
from the new iteration of the spindle

Advanced VVT-I uses fine

control of valve opening
and closing timings to
allow the cylinders to
switch between Otto
cycles where they deliver
more power and the
Atkinson cycle where
efficiency is boosted.
grille that stands out with its chrome
framing and the matching notched LED
daytime running lights that draw your
eyes into the logo. There is no attempt
to add any faux beauty to the fascia
the communication is about sleekness,
tautness and implied motion. The
message is emphasised by the swept out
fenders.
In profile the car continues the use of
this minimalistic design technique. A
character of flight is added by the use of

an upswept ridgeline heading off from the

floor-pan to the taillights, while the ever
so slightly rising shoulder-line defines the
fore-aft component. The sides use the
play of light over their undulating form to
add depth and avoid any slab-sidedness.
The traditional measure of stance
proportions show a short front overhang
partnered with a shorter than expected
rear overhang. Adding to the feel of long
wheelbase in compact overall dimensions
of 4,667mm length and 1,430mm height,
the stock 17 wheels more than fill the
wheel-wells. There are also two 18 sizes
available, one for the exclusive grade and
the other reserved for F-sport.
The interiors of the IS also tend to a
sportier feel than opulent. Beginning with
fabric seats with some leatherette zones,
to a dark dashboard and matching plastic
treatment (matched with appropriate
use of brushed aluminium look and just
a hint of chrome). The steering wheel is
the compact unit that we have so loved
sized just right, the leather feel and the
use of alloy gearshift paddles goes well
with the matching brushed alloy feel of
the lower spoke of the wheel. The layout
of every button on that wheel has been
thought through after 15 minutes on
the road, we no longer needed to look
at any single button to hit the correct
function. And the electric power steering
just manages to stay in the territory of
engaging without getting boring.
The platform uses the extra three inches
of wheelbase wisely in offering more
legroom both for the front and rear rows.
The rear row is still very reminiscent of
the genre of the compact sedan, with
the cosy seating and tighter entry and

OCT 2015

41

egress, but it beats the competition for

comfort. The front row feels so cockpit
like, with the sweep of the broad centre
console hiding the bulk of the tunnel.
The instrumentation is nicely handled,
whether it is in the form of the large dial
of the drive modes or the rotary controller
of the system. These are staggered away
from each other, with the drive mode
knob sitting south of the gearshift lever,
while the haptic feed controller is to its
right. The air-conditioning and audio
controls occupy a very familiar zone
below the central a/c vents, but there is
nothing traditional about the treatment.
Temperature controls are by way of a
chrome strip on which you slide your
finger to select to take it up or down.
In the Classic variant that we drove,
the 7 screen offers everything but the
navigation, though that is made up for
from the grade above. Thats where you
also get an ambient lighting package that
should be interesting. However, from
this grade itself you do get mood lighting
for the console that is linked in with your
choice of drive mode. From the regular
blue and green of normal and eco mode
to the red of sport, you know exactly
whats happening. While eco mode is in
some ways all-pervasive as it shifts your
gears to the highest possible while tuning
engine performance for better efficiency,
a touch on the manual selectors drops
you out of it. But then, the prime reason
a smaller volume turbocharged engine
has been selected is for the virtues of
economy.
Which brings us to the engine. This newly
developed engine has already seen

42

OCT 2015

the light of day in the NX. The idea of

combining a smaller capacity engine with
turbocharging isnt new but Lexus is
now making the best of its late entry. The
technology that debuts in this engine is
amazing. See the package a twin-scroll
turbocharger, with intercooler and paired
to an eight-speed gearbox. Combine that
with a targeted fuel delivery system that
uses both direct-injection to the cylinders
while feeding the port. Advanced VVT-I
uses fine control of valve opening and
closing timings to allow the cylinders to

How do you make an

executive sedan that
captures the essence of
the segment definers,
while beating them in
packaging? For thats
what the IS does.
switch between Otto cycles where they
deliver more power and the Atkinson cycle
where efficiency is boosted. A key feature
of the latter cycle is the inlet valve remains
open for a time during the compression
cycle in order to boost the ratio.
Using the flat torque delivery of the
engine with the spread of eight gears is
almost like overkill on this sub-1,700kg car.
The engine peaks out at 241hp, while the
torque is 352Nm all the way from 1650
4400rpm. It is almost as if the minute the
turbocharger actually hits full stride, you
get all the torque you want. But thats the
point at which you notice that perhaps

the car could do with a small supercharger

too although that ideally would be the
territory for the IS-F. The turbo lag as it
hits the zone is perceptible and you either
end up pushing the car down a gear in
anticipation of try to leave the drive mode
in Sport for as long as possible. Thats
the only niggle in what is otherwise a
flawless drive. Weight distribution is
noticeably front-loaded although as close
to a perfect balance as possible. Turn in
at curves is accurate, keep the car a gear
lower than it wants to be and you feel
the tail respond exactly as it should and
weight shift across the axis is more than
handled by the tight suspension. In all of
this the engine note remains muted and
only hits a rasp when you keep the rev
counter above 5,000rpm.
If that was the only cheer the car
offered we would still be arguing over
its competitiveness. But seeing the entry
package is enough to understand how
Lexus is making inroads into this keenly
fought over segment. Vehicle Dynamics,
traction control, stability control, airbags
all-around including for the knees of both
the front-row occupants, tyre pressure
warning; it packs the goodies in.
Then, as you go up the value chain, you
can get the eight-speed sports shift
transmission and the 15-speaker Mark
Levinson audio system that sets the
interior of a Lexus cabin apart. This time
Lexus has quite unsurprisingly bettered its
own offerings by moving to this smaller
engine. If you are an eco-loving earthhugger at heart, the car makes as much
sense as it does to the putative race-car
driver in you.

OCT 2015

43

2016 Toyota Hilux pickup

44

OCT 2015

Worth
the wait

Between generations, it has taken Toyota

Motor Corporation almost a decade to prepare
an all-new successor of the long-serving Hilux
pick-up truck. Automan checks out the Gen
VIII truck in some of the toughest operating
environments in and around Oman
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

OCT 2015

45

nce in a while for motoring

journalists like us who spend a lot
of time behind cars and SUVs, its
nice to take a break from a standardised
routine. When Toyotas Oman-based
official importer and retailer offered us
an opportunity to check out their all-new
2016 Hilux pick-up truck, we took it as a
blessing in disguise. Why it interested us is
because its a global bedrock model that
is sold in 180 countries including Middle
East and secondly to see how the Hilux
has evolved over the years. The first four
generations, the Hilux was a basic point
A-B pick-up truck. Generations V and VI
began factoring in the consideration that
owners were also using them as their
46

OCT 2015

Toyotas Gen VIII Hilux

appears softer and
more refined, a trait
which is expected
to help lend a wider
appeal among existing
and new buyers
weekly transportation and for other
leisure duties.
The outgoing Hilux [Gen VII] was one of
the three beneficiaries of Toyotas IMV
[International Motor Vehicle] decade

old platform project. The IMV chassis for

these multiple applications was based on
a modified version of the 2005 Tacoma
ladder frame which itself was based on
the 4Runner. The other two IMV vehicles
based on this architecture were the
Innova MPV and Fortuner SUV and its
no coincidence that Gen VII of the HiLux
exhibited its closeness to its siblings.
When the IMV project was initiated,
Toyota also shifted the Hilux production
from Japan to other Asian locations.
Since then, the Hilux for Middle East are
sourced from Toyotas production facility
in Thailand.
That Toyota took almost a decade to come
up with a successor is not so surprising

considering the speed at which car and

SUV makers introduce new models these
days. And given the profile of the Hilux,
a usually conservative Toyota did not
want to stray away too much from the
core values of this utilitiarian truck, while
appreciating the gaining popularity of
lifestyle models. Therefore, among the
jobs was to try and bring in an acceptable
solution that appealed to both sections of
consumers.
In addition, besides Asia, Australia and
Middle East markets, the new Hilux is also
planned to be sold in the US for the first
time where it will be sold alongside the
slightly bigger Tacoma. The Gen VIII Hilux
was officially released simultaneously on

The Hilux has gained

a reputation for
exceptional sturdiness
and reliability during
sustained heavy use
or even abuse, and
has been referred to
as The Indestructible
Truck by several
automotive TV shows

May 21 this year in Bangkok, Thailand and

Sydney, Australia.
While, the time-tested IMV platform has
served nicely for almost a decade and
for the incoming Hilux just upgrading
the chassis would have not served the
pickups new profile and job description.
Underpinning the new Hilux is an all-new
frame that features fully boxed rails and
larger cross members. Core feature of
this chassis is the increase in torsional
rigidity, which is up by 20 per cent, while
side rails and cross members are up to
30mm thicker now. In its construction, the
HiLuxs structure makes greater use of
high-tensile and galvanised steel while the
upper body has 45 per cent more welds.
OCT 2015

47

The pickup is now 70mm longer and 20mm

wider and slightly lower in height than the
outgoing model. The vehicle is offered in
both single, crew and double cab versions
in both 2WD and 4WD versions.
The Hilux now looks more mature and
refined as it carries a completely new
exterior design. The front face now gets
a corporate-styled large grille surrounded
by LED headlamps with daytime running
lamps in the top SR5 grade. The rear
bumper has also been redesigned along
with the taillamps and the Middle East
versions get quite a few chrome accents
on the bumpers which also double up as
fog lamp housings. The mudguards have
been designed to accommodate 16-, 17- or
18in wheels. The rear bumper step of the
style side dual cab models is lower and
deeper, while the reversing camera is
integrated into the tailgate handle.
The biggest surprise for existing users
of this vehicle is when they step inside
the cabin which has been tastefully
redesigned to offer both practicality
blended with creature comforts of an
SUV. Our test vehicle came with top specs
and it included a tab-styled a touchscreen
with haptic feedback buttons for
displaying functions in the infotainment
system. While The CD/DVD slot sits on
top, upmarket brushed aluminium trim
brightens up the cabin, as does unique
stitching on the seat cushions. The

48

OCT 2015

steering wheel gets plenty of controls

and the gauge cluster is easy to read and
is free of clutter. Below the main screen
are the HVAC controls and appear easy
to use with two knobs for fan speed and
temperature, with simple buttons for the
main functions. The 4WD version comes
with an electronic rotary switch and like
before, the pick-up offers an electronic
locking rear differential. While occupant
comfort features are impressive so is
the overall interior packaging which has
greatly been improved and is evident from
clever space management -- shoulder
room is up 19mm, headroom is up 8mm,
seat height up by 15mm and rear knee

The Gen VIII pickup

truck is said to still
carry all the rugged
reliability that makes
a Hilux a Hilux, while
adding more creature
comforts and interior
refinements
room is also up by 35mm.
Powering the tester was a carryover 164
hp 2.7-litre normally-aspirated 4-cylinder

petrol engine mated to 5-speed manual

transmission. Toyota says the transmission
hardware is new and it comes with rev
matching technology [better utilized in
diesel variants]. Besides, all-wheel-drive
versions get new electronic differentials
that ensure the new Hilux is equally
capable off-road as the outgoing model.
One of the demands from existing users
was to improve steering response, wheel
articulation and stiffening the chassis
to counter any flexing tendencies with
payloads. On the suspension set-up side,
while the maximum pay load capacity of
up to 1,240kg has been factored in, the
ride quality has been improved with a
a double wishbone configuration with
a stabiliser bar resides at the front end,
paired with a leaf spring rear armed with
two shock absorbers on each side. The
articulation improvements are mostly at
the rear where the leaf springs are now
100mm longer and mounted wider for
SUV-style. Meanwhile, the attachment
point of the rear suspension to the frame
has been moved 100mm forward and
25mm lower.This set-up, according to
Toyota for the HiLux promises to retain
its inherent ruggedness and hence coil
over set-up was not considered and
helps balance the payload and towing
performances.
Driving range has been increased by virtue
of a larger fuel tank, and despite slightly

lowered chassis, theres more underbody

protection than before. A full suite of
active and passive safety measures are
available in the HiLux, including stability
and traction control, ABS, reversing
camera, airbags and hill-start assist as
standard across the range.
Driving impressions
The first thing that strikes is the overall all
refinement. The higher hip point allows
for easier access and better visibility. On
the move, the revised 2TR-FE 2.7-litre
four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol
engine offers lot of grunt and doesnt
feel stressed in normal driving conditions.
The modest boost in its output is well put
into use and the torque of 240Nm seems

adequate. That some effort has been

gone in noise, vibration and harshness
(NVH) management is evident from the
SUV-like quietness in the cabin. While
the new underpinnings have bought in
more rigidity in the structure, theres
better steering response than before
and the overall ride quality mimics that
of a SUV.
And very much like a mainstream
4x4-biased SUV, the electronic control
systems are very simple to use and
tuned for more effective operation
on gravel and during off-road driving.
The ground clearance of 279mm we
noted was quite capable during the
wadi bashing exercises aptly assisted
by superb approach and departure

angles. The Hilux takes advantage of its

long 3,085mm wheelbase and relatively
short overhangs with ease. But more
importantly, with rear-wheel articulation
which is improved by up to 20 per cent
and the rear differential lock makes the
off-roading jobs appear quite simple.
Verdict
The new Gen VIII HiLux is remarkable
for the way it inspires go-anywhere
confidence, advances its role as a
workhorse and is also fun to drive with
SUV-like ride, handling, comfort and
convenience features. Once again, Toyota
and its partners in development should
be commended for raising the benchmark
standards in the segment.
OCT 2015

49

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Refreshed
& refined
The first Mitsubishi production vehicle hitting
the markets to adorn the new design language
is the 2016 Outlander which is also sold in the
region. Automan checks out the car in around
picturesque Oman
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

50

OCT 2015

s Mitsubishi focuses more on

its 4x4s and SUVs as the core
of its automotive business, the
existing seven-seater family-lifestyle
oriented Outlander has been delightfully
refreshed both visually and mechanically.
As an important global model in the
line-up which is sold in America, Europe,
Middle East and some other countries,
Mitsubishis focus has been to refine it
even further without tampering too much
with the core values that it represents.
From the exterior, the new front end
treatment has taken out the blandness
of the outgoing edition and is now quite
striking even by segment standards. So
much so, theres even a name for this
styling which Mitsubishi refers to it as
Dynamic Shield. Some influences have
been derived from the equally attractive
Pajero SUV for the Outlander refresh
which retains most of its familiar sheet
metal profile and dimensions.
The exterior design detailing now features
a redesigned front face with imposing
hour glass influenced grille design, front
mudguards, halogen headlamps, LED
position lamps, lower door sections, rear
end and freshly minted LED taillamps.
The cars bonnet has also been made
smoother and the previous editions
centre creaseline has been removed to
give it a cleaner look befitting the rest
of the design update. Chrome is used
extensively as bling and theres lot of it
around the new bumper and this gives the
car a a bit of South-East Asian touches!
The Outlanders refreshed design wouldnt
entirely be classified as sporty, but its
pleasant profile can now draw design

The 2016 Mitsubishi

Outlander cabin
features 31
improvements,
including more sound
insulation, better door
sealing, and upgraded
door glass and
windshield, making the
it one of the quietest
cars in its crossover
class. Mechanically
theres a new
continuously variable
transmission (CVT)
and refinements to the
suspension to improve
the handling and ride.

comparisons with ground up designed

premium SUVs like the new Volvo XC90 or
refreshed recently Audis Gen II Q7.
Roughly, a third of the cars enhancement
exercise has been allocated for the
interior, according to Mitsubishi. When
compared with some of the extravagant
design and features that are being offered

these days, we would say the Outlander

interior would feel spare and understated.
But the flip side is that it feels inviting,
accommodating and will not overwhelm
its occupants. At the same time it retains
its highly functional qualities.
Modern touches included some material
upgrades for the headliner and improved
upholstery fabric. Upmarket touches
include the instrument cluster which
comes with contrast stitching and
leather-trimmed steering wheel with
accents. I personally liked the simple and
refreshingly straightforward instrument
panel that doesnt have a lot of buttons
or complicated switchgear. While the
fit, finish and touch points in the cabin
match the quality found in premium
vehicles, however, one addition would
have been really helpful and we think its
an appropriate air-conditioning vents
for third row passengers. As before, the
second row slides out on rails make room
for getting in and out and the best part is
that unlike some cars where assistance is
required to activate the slider mechanism,
in this car the third row occupant can do it
without extra help.
In terms of accommodation, the first two
rows are comfortable. The front seats
are supportive and offer a great driving
position. The second row is flatter and bit
hard and not so comfortable as the front
seats in long drives. However, it easily
folds flat for a large cargo area, with a
small storage compartment in the floor
which can be used to conceal smaller
items from view. There is a small degree
of reclining adjustment available which
comes in handy. While, the third row is
OCT 2015

51

52

OCT 2015

OCT 2015

53

nearly 5in wider than before and 2.4in

more legroom, its still more suited for
youngsters.
Two powertrains are offered. A
2.4-cylinder normally aspirated fourcylinder and 3.0-litre V6. One of the earlier
complaints was that the four-cylinder
set-up was sluggish in the Outlander and
Mitsubishi have sought to rectify this
by improving the power delivery by the
gearbox. The Outlander continues with
a CVT set-up but Mitsubishi says its a
new version which is considerably more
responsive. This latest unit is known as the
CVT8 and comes with a lower ratio for a
better launch from a standing start as well
as reduced rpm on the highway drives.
Our test car was fitted with the smaller
four-cylinder which pumps out 166hp and
162lb-ft of torque. Zero to 96km/h takes
around 9.2secs, so its definitely not a very
fast SUV when it comes to sprinting!
The suspension set-up is typical for a
lifestyle crossover with MacPherson

54

OCT 2015

The new 2016

Mitsubishi Outlander
features a bold new
exterior design,
an eloquent yet
functional interior
space and over 100
engineering and design
improvements to the
platform for better
structural rigidity, ride
quality and reduced
noise, vibration and
harshness

struts up front and new multi-links at

rear. To improve the ride and handling
qualities, Mitsubishi chassis engineers
have reinforced the front suspension
cross member, and changed the front
and rear damping spring rates. The front
shock absorbers have also been retuned
for better compliance and the rear shock
absorbers are now bigger.
Our tested was the 4WD version and
this variant benefits extensively from
Mitsubishis rally experience with all-wheel
drive. The latest system in this car is called
S-AWC and it features an electronically
controlled centre coupling and open rear
differential. It uses a separate active front
differential to get the optimum torque
split in every situation.
Every 2016 Outlander also includes seven
(7) 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 (ABS)

with Electronic Brake-force Distribution
(EBD) and Brake Assist; Hill Start Assist
(HSA); Active Stability Control (ASC) with
Traction Control Logic (TCL) and a Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
An additional layer of occupant protection
is afforded by Mitsubishi Motors
advanced Reinforced Impact Safety
Evolution (RISE) safety body construction
system that absorbs energy to help
provide protection to the vehicles
occupants. The 2014 and 2015 Outlanders
were rated as Top Safety Pick+ by the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS) due to the optional Forward
Collision Mitigation.
Driving impressions
The refreshed Outlander was offered to
Automan during the recent Eid holiday
break and given the fact we had some
extra time in hand for the drive and
photoshoot, we decided to check the
car out a little further than our usual test

beats. We took the car to Jebel Akhdar,

which is Omans highest motoring point
at 2,530m. The two-hour plus 184km drive
from Muscat saw us travelling on flat
highways, mountain road approaches
and even crossing a police check-cuminspection point before ascending the
winding mountain roads. This part of
Oman offers spectacular views and
the highest view point is Jabal Shams
[Mountain of the Sun], is around 3,000m
and it is also the highest point in Oman
and the whole of eastern Arabia.
The engineering upgrades are noteworthy.
The car feels perfectly at ease on flat
highways at legal speeds and actually
is much quieter and relaxed. The noiseisolating windscreen and rear door glass
plus extra sound insulation throughout the
vehicle seemed to have done the trick. On
the mountain passes we felt the benefits
of the improved electric power steering
which appears precise and firm, making
the turn-in confidence-inspiring. The
transmission set-up and its performance

was surprising as the earlier tendency

to hesitate on uphill grades is gone
and theres more than required torque
always available to the driver. Braking
performance has also improved and
downhill we noted several cars stopping
to cool the brakes [in some cars, braking
performance is seriously hampered when
overheating takes place]. During the drive,
we were also able to test the Outlander
off the highway and found the suspension
and AWD are quite capable on unpaved
trail and sand. The Outlanders all-wheeldrive system is user-friendly and offers
selectable modes that provide a bit more
capability on off-road trails. The system
can be used for mild off-roading, but not
much more. In terms of long distance
drive comfort, the front seats could
do with a little more lateral bolstering.
Theyre adequately supportive on longer
treks. And finally, we did mention our
observation about air-conditioning and
happy to note that the existing set-up
feels adequate for the car.
OCT 2015

55

2015 Yamaha MT 09

56

OCT 2015

In between the cruisers and sports bikes that

are the favourite of the regions roads, you
sometimes find a sleeper hit like the Yamaha
MT09. But then, youve been really good
Author: Raj Warrior | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

OCT 2015

57

58

OCT 2015

ou would be forgiven for thinking

that Muscat was a one-horse
town. With the genus of steed
being the motorcycle. And no, I am not
referring to the almost ubiquitous buzz
of the small 100 to 200cc motorcycles
that are propelled by their hard-working
riders to bring us our essentials like the
newspaper, takeaway and clean roads. It
is the larger motorcycles that we ride for
leisure that seem to be dominated by the
image of Harley-Davidson.
It isnt as if other bike brands arent
around we do have almost the entire
gamut of them here, but in terms of road
presence and presence in the psyche
of the Oman car driver the V-twin from
Milwaukee is the most prominent. Almost
the only bike that overshadows that is
Hondas Goldwing, but then much of that
appeal is made up of the Led strip lighting
that has become a norm of the beast.
Thats why the Yamaha MT09 almost
seems part of the tarmac when you are
settled in a commute to the office. Or on
the way back home, like the other day
when a battered old Kia Rio that was
right on my hindquarters as I behaved in
a tailback, decided to slip ahead using the
shoulder. Of course, after being stopped
and handed his road manners, he then
decided that a little more respect was due.
But thats the Yamaha MT09 in a nutshell.
Its a bad boy that doesnt take too well
to the life of a rat in the rat race. It can do
it, if really called to, but would rather be
pushing the traffic aside, weaving through
the tiny gaps and reaching the destination
way ahead of the pack. Dont make any
mistake about its nature it isnt a sports
bike, with a hunger for the open road. It
likes challenges in life and the challenge
could be something as mundane as traffic.
I had heard about the MT09s reputation,
but even for a lifelong biker, I hadnt had
my mind wrapped around the genre. The
FZ8 was the nearest thing to a must-buy,
with its four-cylinder sub-litre engine being
just right for my needs. The clincher was
the more or less upright posture the Fazer
offers. Who needs any further aggravation
on the spine than the office chair? It was
purely coincidence that I walked into the
showroom, which had these two MT09s
standing among a couple of cruisers and
Super Teneres. Not an FZ8 anywhere in
sight. Thats when I seriously began to
consider the MT09 could this be the one
for me?
Of course they arent the same. For all its
naked bike styling, the FZ8 is a mature,
city dwelling street bike. It has power,
poise and a certain degree of professional
edginess. It doesnt seek to take the
power to weight or handling game to

the R1, nor does it back off from being

pushed into a tight twisty road. But it
doesnt carry the outright edgy mien of
the MT09. For the MT09 has been born
of Yamahas desire to take on the leader
in the wheelie-popping, rubber burning,
deserted crossroad populating genre of
the Triumph Street Triple. There are other
famous names there, with some making
do with two-cylinders, while others have
four, but when naked bike meets show-off
rider, its the triple that you want every time.
But hold your britches, thats certainly not
me, then why was I drooling over the MT?
Could it be because it looks like it means
business even standing still? You wouldnt
ever call this machine gorgeous; it just
has a way of looking mean, aggressive,
sensuous and quick all at the same time.
From the dropped down prism of the
headlights to the minimal digital IP, the
large air intakes positioned on the front
wings of the tank to the tapered down
union between tank and seat and back to
the chopped off rear that ends abruptly
behind the foreshortened twin seat in a
clear prism LED taillight layout. But that
would border on being illegal, so we have
a metal and fibre skeleton extending over
to the end of the wheel, carrying the turn
indicators and the number plate.
The minimalism of the bike is
communicated so well. The engine
hogs the profile, with barely half a
frame attached to it. The load-bearing
engine hangs under a exquisitely formed
aluminium frame. The seat in profile
looks like a Nike uptick tapering away to
the taillights. And the 17 wheels are as
much about design as they are functional.
You can get them in a blue-purple paint
scheme that seems a little mismatched
with the burnished golden hue of the
front forks. Or you can take the bike in a
completely stealth grey that eschews the
blue hues and concentrates on matching
shades of dark grey with it.
Another thing going for the MT is its price.
Quite frankly, Rial for Rial it is the best bike
on the road bar none. So, in short order,
this was the second bike that I was taking
home without a test ride. Would I live to
regret this?
The engine note is a thing of beauty I
was told that I might want to change the
foreshortened stock exhaust to something
a little more free flow in nature. Im glad I
stuck with the provided unit. The starter is
in the form of a slide switch. That switch
sits on the right along with the hazard
light switch and the Mode button. This
button not only defines the bike in a tiny
piece of plastic, it also distracts from so
much that makes this bike great even if
it wasnt there. Despite the competitive
OCT 2015

59

pricing, Yamaha has essentially equipped

this machine with a throttle by wire unit
by link the throttle to a control unit that
carries three performance maps. There
is nothing standard about the standard
setting that the unit defaults into when
started. You have to remember that
the 850cc triple-pot is tuned for torque
putting out 88Nm on a bike that sits
comfortably short of the twin century.
Add to that the short gearing you
could be doing 3000 rpm in sixth and all
you would get to is around a 100 kmph.
But that isnt an issue the engine revs
beautifully, delivering even at 8000rpm
plus. As I said, torque is the single definer
here and you can pull a wheelie even in
60

OCT 2015

standard without trying too hard.

The other two mapped modes of the
YCC-T system are the A and B mode.
Now, if you really like the throttle to try
to pre-empt you, A is just dandy. The
already peppy mapping gets to be knifeedge keen. It is a handful and demands
a rider who similarly loves being on the
edge. This mode can unseat you in a hurry
if you dont judge the power delivery in
tight curves, particularly because it has
a tendency to jerk the wheels more than
spooling in. On the other hand mode B
is the other face of this Janus, with the
throttle response and immediacy toned
down. How does it feel? Frankly, I have no
idea, since I havent used it yet.

Oh yes, I was on about the engine note it

switches from a burble to a good raspy
roar about 3000rpm and then steadily
increases in harshness and throatiness.
The eagerness with which the cylinders
respond is supposed to be linked to
what Yamaha call a crossplane concept,
that gives linear output from the three
cylinders that fire out evenly on the
120-degree crankshaft. The lightweight
engine is further whittled down and uses
alloy connecting rods that feature fracture
split manufacturing to guarantee fine
tolerances. The air intakes for the three
cylinders are of uneven length, which
does have its impact on the sound of the
engine, while the exhaust piping is an

extremely compact 3 to 1 arrangement

that snakes along the engine casing.
The stance of the bike and its handlebar
arrangement are motard straight backed
with just a hint of weight thrust forward.
Gearshift is smooth, with firm clicks as it
hits the markers. Should you choose to
engage either of the drive modes you will
need to release the throttle as you switch,
but thats purely to keep you safe. The low
CG, with the bulk of the bike concentrated
around the engine block, allows you
to really lean in (with a reported 51
degree lean angle) but thats why the
performance footrests are provided along
with the stops on the handlebar ends.
The rear suspension of the bike is centred

around an almost horizontal single shock

with just above 5 inches of travel, while
the front is an inverted 41mm fork with
5.4-inches.
This bike has completely lived up to my
expectations of it and more. For starters,
you can safely ignore the mode button
and still have all the fun you want. The
wheels are meant to pop at any time
and the torque, short gearing and large
rear sprocket all tell you what the bike
wants to do. Fuel efficiency is middling
for a bike of this capacity, though it does
have an eco mode indicator that shows
up when you are trundling along in a
higher gear. Range will top out at a couple
of hundred kilometres max from the

14-litre tank. That is a guesstimate, since I

havent been riding for mileage yet. And
if there is any complaint at all, it is about
the effectiveness of the brakes. They are
good and we understand that in some
markets the bike also gets ABS (along with
an engine immobilizer connected to the
ignition switch). The layout seems good
298mm dual disc in front, 245mm behind,
but I would just love a little more bite out
of the arrangement.
So thats two down with the Yamaha
MT09 joining the stable alongside my
Triumph Bonneville. Two completely
different bikes, but with something in
common the ability to provide straight
back riding fun.
OCT 2015

61

2016 Bentley Bentayga

0-1

00k

m/

h in

4.0

sec

. To

ps

pee

d3

00k

m/

Officially, Bentley revealed the Bentayga SUV at the

2015 Frankfurt Auto Show last month and the British
manufacturer has also staked its claim of it being the
most powerful, luxurious and also the fastest SUV in
production. Well, Bentleys newcomer will also face stiff
competition in the performance department when it hits
showrooms next year.
Author: Chandan B Mallik

62

OCT 2015

t seems theres a race to produce SUVs

of all kinds by traditionally non-SUV
makers these days. We are aware
that Mercedes-Maybach, Lamborghini
and Rolls-Royce have confirmed their
intentions of joining the bandwagon for
the first time, however, Bentley, also a
first timer in this field has taken the lead as
of now with its new Bentayga.
Bentleys intention to produce a sportscum-luxury SUV can be traced to the EXP 9
F Concept from 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
After testing waters regards to styling, the
concept has seen several revisions before
it has been green-lighted for production.
Mechanically it is based on a new platform
that has been recently introduced in Gen
II of Audi Q7. The platform is Volkswagen
Groups new MLB Evo platform that

will also grace next generation Porsche

Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg and even
a new SUV from Lamborghini which will
be based on 2012s Urus concept. Its
flexible and lightweight design will help

Bentley Motors will

launch 500 units of the
all-new Bentagya SUV as
first edition with a starting
price of $352,000. The
very first production
model has been reserved
for Englands Queen
Elizabeth II.

all the brands including the Bentagya to

significantly benefit from weight reduction
in its construction when compared to
conventional construction methods. This
is particularly significant for Bentley as the
car is big and will carry a weight penalty
but at the same time is estimated to save
around 236kg. The Bentaygas curb weight
is still a hefty at 2,427kg.
In terms of accommodation, the car
can be ordered in four- or five-seat
configuration along with a host of
handcrafted bespoke options. According
to Bentley, the SUV will boast of having
the worlds finest automotive cabin with
unrivalled levels of precision. Highly skilled
crafts people responsible for detailing
in metal, wood and leather will focus
meticulous tolerances between elements
OCT 2015

63

64

OCT 2015

of trim and ensure that the effort remains

as the epitome of modern British luxury.
Making up almost 60 per cent of the total
roof surface is split-pane panoramic glass
roof as standard kit. The front panel tilts
and slides, and the whole glass surface
can be obscured via an electric, full-length
roller blind.
Either side of the glass roof are aluminium
roof rails that combine two different
finishes - a high-gloss black base and bright
anodised top section.
A new range of bespoke Bentayga alloy
wheels are available, ranging in size from
20in to 22in.
Bentley has several powertrain options
available in its kitty and the first editions
we believe will be powered by one of the
mightiest mills in production, a newly
developed twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre
W12. This engine is rated at 600hp at
6,000rpm and 900 Nm of torque will be
available from 1,250rpm to 4,500rpm
enabling the Bentayga to accelerate
from zero to 96km/h in just 4.0sec and
reach 300km/h. The W12 engine is mated
to an eight-speed ZF automatic and
both transmission and four-wheel-drive
system have been reinforced to handle
the demands and high torque levels
especially when it comes to off-road
driving. And similar to the Gen II Q7s
application of injection systems on the
3.0-litre Supercharged on demand V6, the
new W12 also uses both direct and indirect
fuel injection. These are programmed to
switch seamlessly in-between and the
combination of these systems according
to Bentley is to maximises refinement,
delivers low particulate emissions and
maximises power and torque delivery.
Meanwhile, as part of the efficiency drive
in addition to the above, Bentley will offer
variable displacement system, which shuts
down half of the engine under defined
conditions. Intake and exhaust valves, fuel
injection and ignition are all shut down

on defined cylinders. Several efficiency

technologies will also be on board and
include an engine stop-start system with
coasting function where the engine is
disconnected at high speeds, such as
cruising on the highway. When the throttle
is applied, or the car starts going downhill
and detects an increase in speed, the

At launch, the Bentley

Bentayga is available with
an exquisite integrated
Mulliner Hamper
Set, complete with
refrigerator, bespoke
fine Linley china cutlery,
crockery and crystal
glass, and storage
area for dry goods. A
bespoke mechanical
Mulliner Tourbillon by
Breitling clock can also be
specified
engine and transmission are reconnected.
Interestingly, Bentley has confirmed in its
PR that Bentayga will also be available as
diesel and hybrid variants in the future.
However, we are not sure about the diesel
programme given the current problems
faced by the parent group on the subject.
While it will be a luxury car with sporty
on road performance, it is also being
designed and engineered to offer the
widest range of on- and off-road drive
settings of any vehicle via Bentleys Drive
Dynamics Mode and optional Responsive
Off-Road Setting. Up to eight modes
will be available, allowing drivers, at the

simple turn of a dial, to select the perfect

dynamic set-up for any surface or road
condition. This versatility is complemented
by Bentleys electrically activated active
roll control called Dynamic Ride and
Electric Power-Assisted Steering.
While driving the car off-road, its userfriendly off-road setting menu will allow
the driver to select the appropriate
vehicle settings for a wide range of offroad surfaces and driving conditions. The
multi-mode air suspension will allow the
driver to select from the pre-set modes:
High 2, High 1, Normal and Low. Theres
also a button in the boot that lowers the
rear to ease loading and trailer hitching.
To engage the driver, the information
panel is programmed to display a host of
information and data on pitch, roll, wheel
articulation, steering angle, compass
bearing and altitude.
Quite a few useful features that are
currently in use within the group will also
be available in the Bentayga. Park Assist,
a semi-autonomous system that detects
suitable parking spaces [both parallel
and perpendicular] before autonomous
steering takes over to support parking
manoeuvres, even in narrow and tricky
spaces. Other support systems that will be
available include Electronic Night Vision,
which uses infra-red technology to identify
potential obstacles ahead, and a Head-Up
Display.
On the connectivity and infotainment
side, the car will get most of the hardware
thats currently being offered in the hiend cars and will include kit like the 8in
hi-resolution touch screen infotainment
system with navigation, a 60GB hard drive
and a choice of up to 30 languages. Rear
seat passengers will benefit from the
introduction of the Bentley Entertainment
Tablet - a removable 10.2in Android device
with 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth for effortless,
high-speed on-board connectivity.

OCT 2015

65

2016 Tesla Model X SUV

0-9

6km

/h

in 3

.2s

ec.

Top

spe

ed

250

km

/h

After almost two years of delays and technical

setbacks, the all-electric Tesla Model X has
finally been revealed in full production trim by
the companys CEO Elon Musk during its factory
launch-cum-handover ceremony last month
Author: Chandan B Mallik

ts no secret that California-based

Tesla Motors has virtually singlehandedly revolutionised the worlds
all-electric premium sedan segment
with the Tesla Model S which was
designed from the ground up to take
full advantage of electric vehicle
architecture in 2013. Now, a new model
joins the line-up the Tesla X SUV.
At an event in the companys Fremont,
California facility, CEO Elon Musk
personally launched the Model X
SUV with an elaborate presentation
about the cars technology, safety,
performance and convenience features.
The X project was first announced at the
2012 Detroit Motor Show.
The X is built on Teslas pure electric
architecture from the ground up and
66

OCT 2015

employs the best industry parameters

when it comes to design, construction,
efficiency, convenience and safety. The
X is made out of a mix of materials like
steel and aluminium on its skateboard
chassis. From the exterior, the X looks
like a contemporary SAV more than a
SUV, but its detailing and features sets
it apart from the rest both within and
outside the segment with some cool
innovative features.
Among an industry first feature is that
the cars doors automatically open and
close as the driver approaches or exits
the vehicle. Secondly, the MercedesBenz 300 SL Gullwing inspired Falcon
Wing doors provide seamless ingress
and egress into the second and third
row. The double-hinged Falcon Wing

doors open up then out, requiring only

30cm of space on the side of the vehicle.
Each door is equipped with capacitive,
inductive, and sonar sensors to monitor
surroundings and avoid contact with
obstacles around the car, making it
possible to park in tight spots.
The windscreen of the car stretches
up and over the front seat occupants.
Second row passengers get a first
row vantage point with an expansive
view ahead, atop the falcon wing
door, and beside them. Monopost
seats move independently, sliding and
tilting forward and back. They allow
passengers easy access to the third row
and give them plenty of foot room when
they sit down.
The 17in central touchscreen seamlessly

OCT 2015

67

integrates media, navigation,

communications, cabin control and
vehicle data into one intuitive interface.
Many functions are mirrored on the
instrument panel and are voice-activated
to focus the drivers attention on the
road. Practicality has also not been
overseen. Theres unprecedented space
for passengers and cargo. With three
rows of seats, a front and rear trunk,
and room under the second row seats,
theres ample room for people, luggage,
and big things like surf boards and bikes.
For even heavier cargo, the X is the first
electric vehicle with a 5,000 lb. tow
capacity. And if towing is not required,
an outdoor lifestyle accessory kit [hitch
for mountain bikes] is available.
The X is also being claimed as the
worlds cleanest SUV on the inside,
too. The front fascia is designed with a
functional duct that pushes air through
the first true HEPA filter system available
in an automobile allowing medical-grade
air to fill the cabin, no matter what is
going on outside.
Two drivetrain variations of the X will be
offered. The P90D with Ludicrous mode
is designated as the top performance
variant and will use four electric motors

68

OCT 2015

and a 90 kWh battery pack. The motors

provide up to 259hp worth of power
up front and 503hp to the rear wheels
with 713 lb-ft worth of combined torque.
The 0 to 96km/h performance at 3.2sec
is quite impressive, while producing
zero emissions. Top speed is close to
250km/h. The non-performance 90D
variant will do the sprint in 4.8 sec. The
aerodynamic coefficient figure of Cd .24
is very impressive for a SUV. In terms of
driving range, the 90D will travel up to
414km before it needs topping up, while
the 90D Performance variant marginally
reduces the range to 402km. Charging
the batteries has been made convenient.
A domestic small wall charger or an
optional home fast charger will do the job.
Since the car uses electric motors and
a battery pack, clever packaging has
ensured that it gets low centre of gravity
and all the structural support needed
to absorb the energy of a high-speed
impact. Aluminium pillars are reinforced
with steel rail to protect occupants and
the battery while improving torsional
rigidity of the body, especially, the roof.
According to Musk, the X is designed to
be the safest car on the road and Teslas
in-house crash tests indicate that Model

X will receive a 5 star safety rating in all

categories, the first SUV to ever do so.
Model X comes standard with an active
spoiler that automatically adjusts to
three positions for maximum visibility
and efficiency. Under 72km/h, the
spoiler is positioned so the driver can
see above and below it. At higher
speeds the spoiler partially retracts for
improved highway efficiency (+1.6%), and
optimizes the vehicles lift distribution.
Model X is the only car with an active
spoiler equipped with a mounted stop
lamp.
Standard safety features include
automatic emergency braking and side
collision avoidance to prevent accidents
from happening in the first place. Tesla
makes the only standard AEB system
that works at high speed. Every variant
gets a forward-looking camera, radar,
and 360 degree sonar sensors to enable
advanced autopilot features. Teslas
over-the-air software updates regularly
improve the sophistication of these
features, enabling increasingly capable
safety and convenience features like
Autosteer and Autopark, and bringing
the Model X ever closer to autonomous
operation.

OCT 2015

69

Has clean diesel

become an oxymoron?
For long seen as the
O
smellier, less glamorous
sibling of petrol, can
diesel weather the
current crisis?
Author: Raj Warrior

A small new generation

turbo-diesel engine from
Volkswagen.
The near view is of the
exhaust side of the engine,
showing the position of the
turbocharger in relation to the
exhaust piping.

70

OCT 2015

ver the second half

of September, the
biggest crisis to yet hit
any car manufacturer has sent
shockwaves around the world
and has already resulted in job
losses. Almost the first job to
be lost was that of Professor
Doctor Martin Winterkorn,
CEO of Volkswagen group,
who were caught fiddling
the results of emission tests
on their clean diesel cars on
a massive scale. As the story

unfolds, we are bound to find

out exactly who knew, who
enabled and how deep the
rot goes? It would be a real
surprise if we found that this
matter was only a Volkswagen
problem. But that isnt the
purpose or scope of this
article.
To most of us in this part of the
world, diesel is something that
trucks and buses use, while
petrol powers cars. Needless

The relation between emissions and immissions

This illustration taken from a Volkswagen engineering

presentation for a symposium depicts the dangers from NOx
and Particulates
to say, with the price equation
favouring petrol (or gasoline
as it is called in the US), there
has been little incentive for
car owners to consider using
diesel. But that isnt the case
in the highly taxed markets
of Western Europe, India and
parts of Africa. Diesel enjoys
a better thermal efficiency
than petrol, which means a
far better fuel efficiency when
measured in litres consumed
per 100 kilometres. Also, diesel
engines are built tougher and
are usually far more reliable

than petrol units. So European

markets prefer diesels, with
the skew being at almost 70%
in its favour in France, better
than 50% in UK and Germany
and just under that figure in
many other countries.
But then Western Europe
could be considered as the
home of the environmentconscious, responsible, planetsaving citizen and Government
alike. Why would they prefer
an inherently dirtier fuel? Is it
purely driven by economics?

At the heart of the challenge

for diesel is its nature. It
is a heavier distillate from
petroleum, coming out much
after the cleaner, lighter petrol
has been separated. Its use
in the internal combustion
engine is also completely
unique. Unlike the petrol
engine, there is no need of a
spark plug to ignite the air-fuel
mixture being compressed in
the engine. A diesel engine
is essentially a self-igniting
one, provided the mixture is

compressed to a high enough

pressure. This nature of the
diesel engine also means
that, usually, the lean burn
is at extremely high thermal
efficiency, thus minimising the
emission of carbon monoxide.
Thats the good bit. The
issue that plagues diesel is its
characteristic of generating
particles in its exhaust along
with sulphur traces. Refineries
now producing ultra-low
sulphur diesel have reduced
the latter hugely, but the
issue of particulates and (the
OCT 2015

71

The structure of an exhaust system with a NOx

storage catalyst

This illustration and the one facing, taken from a Volkswagen

engineering presentation for a symposium shows the location of key
components of the modern day NOx and particulate scrubbing exhausts
big culprit in this current
dieselgate scandal) NOx
continues to plague the fuel.
Like with petrol engines, over
the past couple of decades,
diesel technology too has
made huge leaps and bounds.
Common rail diesel engines
have further resulted in highpressure diesel injection,
with current technologies
announced by Bosch offering
a pressure of 2700bar. The
72

OCT 2015

resultant diesel burn pushes

efficiencies even higher.
Additionally, turbochargers have
also become more prevalent
and reliable, while allowing finer
control on boost. That means
todays diesel engine is hardly
recognisable when compared
to an oil-burner of the 1990s. In
fact, in many ways, especially
when total emission over a
lifecycle is calculated, diesel
engines usually beat petrol
engines.

So what went wrong?

The core problem is in the
nature of a perfect storm
with the emission standards
in the US as regulated by the
Environmental Protection
Agency and the California Air
Resources Board on the one
hand, the big race between
German brands to capture
US marketshare over the
past decade on the other.
The nature of the markets
are different, with European

regulators always cutting

diesel some slack, while in
the US the benchmark was
always petrol. With Californias
famous ability to push the
status quo, emission standards
were a whole generation
ahead of even the newest Euro
6 regulations.
A comparison of two figures
repeatedly quoted over the
past few weeks tell their own
tale allowed NOx levels in

The structure of an exhaust system with SCR

California are 31 mg compared

to Europes 80mg (per
kilometre, as mandated by Euro
6 standards from September 1,
2015). Volkswagens software
ensured that these lower
levels of NOx (among other
pollutants) were met in the
laboratory, while de-throttling
the exhaust on the road. The
question then arises why?
A throttled exhaust results in
power drop off, which would
be noticeable to the driver.

How do you make a clean

diesel engine, well, clean? To
start with, ensure that you sell
these cars in a market where a
very high-grade of low sulphur
diesel is available. Then ensure
that they operate at best
efficiency by turbocharging,
supercharging and/or highpressure delivery. Of course,
engine management software,
with its ability to control the
injection quantity and timing as
well as measure performance

on a real-time basis is a critical

component. After that, the
exhaust systems come in,
with exhaust gas recirculation
routing flow back to the
engine for a further cycle,
particulate traps and NOx
washes.
NOx is the term used to cover
the state of the NitrogenOxygen pairing that results
on Nitric Oxide (NO) and
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The

pairing tends to slip in and out

of either state depending on
its environment, with sunlight
being enough to convert NO2
back to NO, with the released
Oxygen molecule then headed
to increasing tropospheric
Ozone (and thats bad) while
being bad in the first place as
NOx for our health.
Particulates are the biggest
bugbear by far. They contain
carcinogens, cause smog
OCT 2015

73

Data presented by Bosch shows how diesel

emissions are rated in comparison to broader
contributors. Below is a schematic of a Peugeot
BlueHDi showing the location of key elements

and load the lungs of urban

dwellers. The catch is that
with current technologies,
most of the larger, more
visible particulates get
trapped or burnt up in the
exhaust (including in traps
that accumulate particulates
and then use a fuel burn
to eliminate the load). But
particulates are often much
smaller and these microparticles are now the matter of
much debate.
Somehow, in this case
particulates were not the issue,
but NOx levels were. When the
system ran smoothly, NOx was
in limits. When the software
then loosened up its control
levels reportedly were
74

OCT 2015

between ten to 40 times that

allowed. While no technical
revelations have been made
yet, what this leads us to infer
is that the exhaust mitigation
stages were switched off or
by-passed. In some ways this
would remind you of a freeflow exhaust. There would be
no tangible power gain at any
stage prior to that.
Any perceived drop in power
affects the desirability quotient
of the car, especially in a
market like the US where
large petrol engines have
been the norm. In diesel
engines, particularly turbodiesels, the torque spread
over the mid-range is the USP.
Combined with clever gear

selection, tractive power is

always present, while a lack of
top end power really comes
into the equation only at high
speeds or in spirited driving.
Even hiding turbo-lag is often
difficult, largely because of
the engine speed at which it
happens, then how would you
accept a power drop?
Another question that
needs to be answered is if
Volkswagen had this issue,
then why havent other
manufacturers faced similar
issues? Admittedly there is
no single benchmark of an
ideal powertrain system
but many of the vendors
are common as are the
technologies that go into

the car. Bosch is a common

supplier across brands and it
is a leader in diesel powertrain
technologies. It was their
software on the VWs. Why
does the software behave
differently on other brands?
Almost all the European brands
have a strong diesel engine
program or are partnered with
a brand that provides them the
technology. How have they
been meeting Europes 80mg
NOx limit? 2008 was the year
that the both Mercedes-Benz
and Volkswagen launched their
clean diesel initiatives in the US
(the former call it BlueTEC).
Will this serve as a watershed
moment for the oil-burning
internal combustion engine? It

has taken a good few years for

clean diesel to make inroads in
the United States. We are as
surprised as anyone that VW
had sold 472,000 clean diesel
cars in that market since 2009.
These are the numbers of Golf,
Jetta, A3 and a few Passats
at the heart of the problem
with the software on the EA
189 engine class that covers
1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI units. Will
these customers change to
another fuel? And if so, which
one?
For these customers have
shown that they are able
to challenge the norm by
accepting diesel in the
first place, making small
sacrifices on power in order

to be economical and ecoaware. Now that their green

credentials have been trashed,
would these customers make
the big jump into electric
instead? Or will they stay in
petrol driven cars or hybrids?
The scenario is even more
interesting if any investigation
finds that so-called clean
diesel is not really that
across Europe. The way the
legislation and tax structures
stand, pure electric has
a huge potential to grab
marketshare from hurt diesel
users. Range and recharge
time are both improving
with each generation of
battery and drivetrain.
Companies like Tesla have

made headline moves into the

buyer conscience, powered
along by their supercharger
(quick charge stations) and
high-profile buyers. More
mainstream competition
exists from within legacy
car manufacturers like the
BMW i3. In what can only be
exceptional timing, Tesla even
launches their new electric
crossover, the Model X, in the
end of September.
Matthias Mller, Volkswagens
new CEO designate takes
over with a huge challenge
to address. Not only does the
issue of cheating have to be
addressed along with fines,
recalls, replacements (over
an admitted 11 million cars)

and associated apportioning

of responsibility, he will need
to address the wider issue of
where clean diesel stands. If
it turns out that all the other
European manufacturers truly
do have the technology in
their cars to beat the EPA and
CARB fair and square, VW will
have a whole lot of catching
up to do. If, on the other hand
(and we suspect this may be
the case) others are caught
out too, then the future of
diesel engines in passenger
cars seems like its in a cul-desac. It may take many years
yet to get rid of them from the
Euro 3 and Euro 4 markets of
Asia and Africa, but without
investment and volumes,
thats where we are headed.
OCT 2015

75

F1

Easing
to
victory

Suzuka, Japan race report

Lewis Hamilton never looked back in Sundays 2015 Formula 1
Japanese Grand Prix
Briton Lewis Hamilton
proved that the 2015 drivers
championship was his to lose
in the way in which he fought
back on race weekend. With
a blistering start that has
definitely rubbed his teammate
Rosberg the wrong way and
a steady performance that
kept him at the head of the
pack. The two Mercedes cars
finished the race in that order,
after Rosberg fought his way
back from his disconcertingly
slow start. Ferraris Sebastian
Vettel came in third, followed
by the other Ferrari of Kimi
Raikkonen with Finn Valterri
Bottas in his Williams at fifth.
McLarens issues are seemingly
only getting worse with the
Honda-powered chassis
running desperately short
of horsepower Alonso was
repeatedly at his wits end on
the air as he communicated
his views of the engine,
while being overtaken on the
straights. He still fought on
bravely to come in 11th, while
his teammate Jenson Button
could only manage 16th. This
76

OCT 2015

win marks Hamiltons third

Japanese win and takes him
to an overall tally of 41 wins,
equalling Ayrton Senna in the
process.
As expected, there was lot
of action during the first
few laps. Rosberg dropped
down to fourth behind faststarting Vettel and Bottas,
while Hamilton opened up an
advantage that he maintained
to the end. The world
champion was 18.9sec ahead
at the flag, after Rosberg
had fought back to get the
undercut on Bottas and then
Vettel during his two pit stops.
Mercedes return to form was
emphatic, but Vettel fought
bravely and was always a
threat to Rosberg as they
battled through late-race
traffic. In the end the Ferrari
was only 1.8s adrift of the
second Mercedes, as team
mate Raikkonen was a further
13s down the road in the
other SF15-T after getting the
undercut on Bottas during the
second stops.
Bottass fifth was some

consolation for Williams, who

effectively lost Felipe Massa
at the start when he tangled
with Daniel Ricciardos Red
Bull approaching Turn 1. Both
were out of contention for
the rest of the afternoon as
they limped back to the pits,
the Brazilian with a punctured
right-front tyre, the Australian
with a punctured left rear.
Nico Hulkenberg drove a
smooth and impeccable race
to sixth for Force India, ahead
of Lotus duo Romain Grosjean
and Pastor Maldonado who
were seventh and eighth, 1.2s
apart. Max Verstappen was
dropped from 15th to 17th
on the grid for parking his
stricken Toro Rosso on the
racing line in qualifying, but
fought through to an excellent
ninth ahead of Toro Rosso
team mate Carlos Sainz, whom
he passed at the chicane on
the 45th of the 53 race laps.
The Dutchman lost a lot of
time initially behind Fernando
Alonsos McLaren and the
Red Bull of Daniil Kvyat, who
started from the pit lane after

his heavy qualifying shunt.

Verstappen eventually passed
Alonso round the outside of
Turn 1, and set after his team
mate, who had been delayed
after hitting a marker cone on
the pit entry prior to a stop,
necessitating a nose change.
Meanwhile, the battle for 12th
position became interesting
as it involved four cars and
was eventually won by Force
Indias Sergio Perez. Perez
fought back from an off at
Turn 1 on the opening lap
when he got shoved wide
after clashing wheels with
Sainz. The Mexican passed
Marcus Ericssons Sauber,
who also got overtaken by
Kvyat even though the Russian
complained that his Red Bull
had no brakes at various
points of the afternoon.
The Swede clung on to 14th
ahead of Ricciardo, who
spent all afternoon fighting
back. It was a miserable
race for Jenson Button, who
couldnt better 16th in the
other McLaren ahead of the
recovering Massa.

McLaren clears Button contract for

2016 F1 season

Following talks and negotiations between driver and team at last months
Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren and Jenson Button have agreed that they will
continue the partnership for 2016. With this, McLaren has brought an official
end to speculation about Jenson Buttons future by confirming that the
former world champion will stay for 2016. Meanwhile, Button has indicated
that theres life in F1 beyond 2016. F1 isnt in a bad place at the moment and
its going to get better. Next year will be better and in 2017 F1 is going to be
mega I think theres a lot of excitement out there, he said.

Alonso not expecting big

improvements

Fernando Alonso has cautioned that there will be no significant progress

from McLaren through to the end of the current Formula 1 season. The
limitations we have now are quite clear, and this requires a bit of time
over the winter to make most of the progress. But we are still using these
remaining races for some set-up directions for next year, some aerodynamic
improvements which might come to some races, and some more power
unit experience. We cannot forget that from now we will have the same
mileage as the Mercedes team going to Australia for the first race [of 2015].
Overall this year we are down on laps, we are down on mileage on the whole
package, but every lap we do we are learning something, so Im sure some
very useful information for next year will come, said the Spaniard.
Meanwhile, McLaren is optimistic that it has made a breakthrough in
convincing Honda to make changes it needs to ramp up its performance in
Formula 1. Although Hondas lack of straight-line speed was once again clear
at the Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren chief Ron Dennis says that there is a
fresh sense of longer term optimism about their partnership. This comes
after a series of meetings he held with Honda senior staff in Tokyo.

Ferrari tenders
apology
Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene
has apologised to the FIA for the
behaviour of team members during an
incident after the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Maranello-based team was summoned
to see the stewards following complaints
that Ferrari staff had forced their way past
security in parc ferme after the race and
then roughed up photographers as they
barged their way through.

New season Formula1

testing to begin in
February 2016
Formula 1 teams have agreed to
bring forward the first 2016 test
in Barcelona by one week as a
response to the revised calendar
issued by the FIA.The original
plan had been for the first test to
take place from March 1, with the
season opener having been set
for Australia on April 3.
This had to be changed since Bernie
Ecclestone elected for a calendar reshuffle
to bring forward the Melbourne event
by a fortnight to March 20, the teams
have had to respond. It has been agreed
that the first test will now take place
in Barcelona on February 22-25, a week
earlier than before. The second test
will take the dates that had been first
proposed for the opening run - March 1-4.
With only two pre-season tests allowed
in the regulations, the final original test
scheduled for March 15-18 has duly been
cancelled. This means the gap between
the first test and the first race has shrunk
by a week, so teams will have to run
different production schedules than they
had been expecting to.
Meanwhile, F1 teams are continuing
discussions about in-season testing
next year, as they look to work on car
development and early running of 2017
concepts. It is looking likely that the
first in-season test will take place after
the Spanish GP, while the second will
potentially actually be post-season, after
the Abu Dhabi season finale.
78

OCT 2015

Lorenzo wins at Spain

Gaining his sixth win of the season and 60th overall, Movistar Yamaha rider Jorge
Lorenzo came in at head of the pack, taking the title battle back to his teammate
Valentino Rossi, with only 14 points separating them with four races yet to go.
However, the pairs stellar podium finishes has sealed the team title for the year.
Meanwhile Repsol Hondas Dani Pedrosa came in second. A mistake by Marc
Marquez on the second lap when he was in second place resulted in his fifth crash
of the season,while trying to keep up with eventual racewinner Lorenzo. Marquez
was third out of the opening corner of the race, behind Lorenzo and Iannone,
with Pedrosa fifth. Before the second sector both had moved up a position, but
the work of the reigning World Champion to keep on Lorenzos tail ended on the
second lap, when a mistake braking at Turn 12 put an end to his participation in the
Aragon GP. Lorenzo the stayed out far ahead while Pedrosa doggedly battled Rossi
to stay ahead for a close fought second position.

Regional

Dubai Kartdrome race programme details

announced
Race dates were announced
last for the Dubai Kartdrome
rounds of the inaugural
Emirates Schools Karting
Championship [ESKC].
Team entries are now being
accepted online by the
organisers. According to
details released, the first date
on the Dubai Autodrome
calendar is the Test & Welcome
Day on Saturday, 14 November
when teams will have test
sessions at the Kartdrome
after taking part in an ESKC
familiarisation workshop,
finalising registration and

paying entry fees.

Three qualification race
dates will take place in
January, February and March
respectively, with the 2016
ESKC Grand Final to take place
at the Kartdrome on Saturday,
23 April 2016. The ESKC was
officially launched in August
by its patron, Mohammed
Ben Sulayem, President of the
Automobile and Touring Club
of the UAE. With dates now
confirmed, the Kartdrome
has opened online entries for
school teams, with the first
24 paid-up and registered

applicants guaranteed spots

on the grid for the miniendurance style series to
be run during the first four
months of 2016.
ESKC director and Kartdrome
manager Ryan Trutch
explained: The Test &
Welcome Day is an opportunity
for us to meet the teams and
also for the team members
to get to know their rivals in
a relaxed atmosphere, while
familiarizing themselves with
the format of the series.
The workshop will provide
updated information to all

the participants and offer a

platform to address questions
from all involved in the
series. Registered and paidup teams will then be able to
test in race-like conditions.
In this way, were providing
a solid foundation for the
school teams to launch their
campaigns.
The ESKC is being run by Dubai
Autodrome along with partner
circuits Al Ain Raceway, RAK
Track and Al Forsan Raceway
under the auspices of the
ATCUAE.

OCT 2015

79

Its a matter of trust

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

80

OCT 2015

The biggest crisis to hit the automotive world is unfolding before our eyes in real time
and Volkswagen is having to address the sorry mess of its own doing in front of a world
audience. There could be no worse time to be a global player. Funnily enough, this year
was the first time Volkswagen seemed like it would pip Toyota to become the worlds
largest car manufacturer. That would have been good. Now its a task to stay anywhere
near the top.
More than enough has been said about the whys and wherefores of the imbroglio. It
seems almost nave that Wolfsburg could have found itself in this mess after all if
you cannot trust the German and Japanese management structures to move according
to plan, then whom can we trust? The Italians? It seems inconceivable that an active
workaround found its way into the cars software without approval from all the way up?
But is this a given? Do all boards and managements know what is happening at lower
levels of the hierarchy? In an organisation that spans every region of the world, is it even
feasible to have a two-way flow of information that covers everything? Yes, one man took
the moral responsibility and walked the plank, but how much did he actually even know
about the cheat?
The question is one of trust. Do you as a leader operate with the belief that once you
set a direction and spell out your objectives everyone will then follow? Do you then go
beyond the scorecard and KPI measurement and get into the nitty-gritty of every process
happening below you? Do you stand at the door to greet every one arriving with eyes to
watch stance? Most of us dont. As long as the end result is achieved or bettered, we are
quite relaxed about how the job gets done.
But then, that is exactly how corruption grows. If some greasing of palms or gift-giving
can get you a contract or clear a payment, would you acquiesce? No? Then why would
you not lay down the law saying exactly what the performance envelope is from your
researchers, designers, engineers and management?
The other area of trust here is in the way governments deal with industry. Government
lays down the laws, communicates a roadmap and spells out punishments. In this case
it also has the means to check compliance, but leaves most of the real-time modalities
to the manufacturers themselves or in combination with third-party certification. That
practically every third-party in every certification process on the planet (whether they are
accountants, engineers, surveyors or doctors or even circulation trackers) is paid by the
first-party for their services. Why are we still even faintly shocked when we discover that
third-party certification is flawed? In this case, its easy to tick the appropriate boxes in
the lab and collect your cheque, because the car helped.
The trust issue gets even bigger when you throw the dealers and customers into the pile.
It begins with a dealer trusting the manufacturer about the product or service that they
sell. That the car will run so many hundreds of thousands of kilometres, that the warranty
will be honoured, that parts will be available and that emotional and intangible elements
will be met. A large proportion of that gets transmitted through to the customers they
have to trust the dealers, the manufacturers and by extension the Government.
Friedrich Nietzsche said, Im not upset that you lied to me, Im upset that from now
on I cant believe you. On a personal level, you always know when you reach that
philosophical barrier. In some of us its a switch you refuse to believe that person ever
again. In the rest of us the tendency is to take things on a case-by-case basis. Very few
of us can just move on from that moment as if nothing has happened. Fortunately for
Volkswagen, we human beings arent so picky when it comes to the world beyond our
flawed human relationships. Whether its crashed planes, failed banks, food poisoning,
the cigarette industry, flawed airbags and ignition switches or a polluting engine, we
have all been lied to by industry through the centuries and we all keep on returning to
the very same industry for our essentials. It is as if we would rather believe in the fantasy
world of J.M.Barries Peter Pan, All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.