Motoring January 2017

IN THIS ISSUE: DRIVING ABROAD IN WINTER IN SNOW AND ICE | EAGLE’S SPYDER GT | TOP SPEED FORD GT | MORGAN’S ELECTRIC EV3 TOYOTA C-HR — THE NEW HEAD-TURNING SUV NOW IN MALTA | TWO WINS FOR AUDI IN “BEST CARS 2017”

The Malta Independent on Sunday. January 2017

SPEED MACHINES

also inside

Portugal Ultimate Road Trip

VINEYARD SPOTLIGHT NIEPOORT WINES

Dom Luis Bridge – a double decked metal arch bridge that spans the Douro River between the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.

Portugal has some of the most dramatic coastlines, cliffs, carved out grottos, charred black rocks, white sand, and everything in between. Without a car, you couldn't get to many of these places— but with a car you can explore magical off the beaten track beaches and countryside.

PORTUGAL THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP WHY IS PORTUGAL THE ULTIMATE ROAD-TRIP? BECAUSE PORTUGAL FACES WEST THIS MEANS ATLANTIC SWELLS, SUNSETS, AND A LONG, BEAUTIFUL HORIZON. THE CITIES ARE FULL OF LIFE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. HISTORY IS AND ART ARE EVERYWHERE. YOU CAN VISIT CASTLES. WHEN NOT DRIVING UP AND DOWN THE COASTLINE, YOU CAN PARK YOUR CAR IN LISBON AND HOP ON A GOOD, OLD-FASHIONED TRAM. YOU CAN EXPLORE THE COASTLINES AND ENDLESS BEACHES. BETWEEN THE WIDE NETWORK OF ROADS, PERFECT TOWNS AND LIVELY LARGE CITIES, WINERIES, PERFECT SURFING, EMPTY BEACHES, STARRY SKIES, AND SUNSETS IN EVERY COLOUR OF THE RAINBOW, PORTUGAL HAS IT ALL. HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS.

Port wines originate on the banks of the Douro.The Douro River and the Douro Valley are known primarily for Port, a sweet wine that has been produced here for two thousand years, along with less well-known red and white table wines.This is the oldest Demarcated Wine Region in the world, whose prestige has been recognised since 1756.

Douro wines have an enormous reputation, and are made mostly from red grape varieties such as Tinta Roriz (equivalent to the Spanish Tempranillo) and Touriga Nacional.The Douro Valley, declared World Heritage by UNESCO, can be toured by car, train or boat.

Portugal coastline

Sintra is located to the west of Lisbon, a short drive out of the busy capital. It is a magical mountaintop on the edge of a national park that is the home to many castles built by conquerers. Romans, Moors, and Christian crusaders fought many battles and all occupied the space for a time before Portuguese kings began to use thetown as a weekend retreat.

When not driving up and down the coastline, you can hop on an old-fashioned tram in Lisbon to explore the city.The trams in Lisbon are one of the best ways to get around many parts of the city, especially through Alfama and up some of the more major hills.

January 2017 | motoring 03

PORTUGUESE VINEYARD SPOTLIGHT > NIEPOORT WINES

FRANCISCO VAN DER NIEPOORT CAME TO PORTUGAL FROM HOLLAND IN 1842, WITH THE AIM OF EMBARKING UPON THE PORT TRADE. FRANCISCO WOULDN'T HAVE DARED TO DREAM THAT HIS GREAT-GREAT-GRANDSON DIRK WOULD MAKE NIEPOORT INTO ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN NAMES AND MOST INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED WINE PRODUCERS. TOGETHER WITH HIS SISTER VERENA, DIRK REPRESENTS THE FIFTH GENERATION OF NIEPOORTS; HE IS A WINE-FANATIC LIKE VERY FEW IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. NOT ONLY IN THAT HE HAS DEVELOPED THE PORT WINES OF HIS FAMILY TO CLASSIC STATUS, BUT HE ALSO FELT OBLIGED TO FOLLOW HIS OWN PASSION AND PRODUCE DRY TABLE WINES. WHAT BEGAN AS AN EXPERIMENT – ONE THAT MANY FOLKS CHARACTERISED AS 'UNDRINKABLE' – LAID THE GROUNDWORK WHEREBY HE BECAME THE PATHFINDER – NOT ONLY FOR THE DOURO, BUT FOR PORTUGAL AS A NATION.

W

hen the Niepoort family moved from Holland to the Duoro region of Portugal in 1842, the rise of one of the great Port houses of Oporto began. And in 1997, as the fifth generation to make fortified wines for the family business, Dirk Niepoort began a brand new rise.

Considered a true Renaissance man, Dirk continues to make Port using the same traditional methods as his ancestors, while also leading the way as one of Portugal’s most innovative, creative and exciting producers of dry table wine. Dirk started making table wine because, well, he likes to drink table wine. As it turns out, he is rather good at it.

He and his sister,Verena, make 11 Duoro wines (red, white and rosé) at a variety of price points.

During the past 25 years, they put both the family estate and the entire region on the map for wine. Dirk is a pioneer of modern approaches – creating artistic labels and new marketing and selling practices – but with a healthy respect for traditional,

04 motoring | January 2017

classic methods of winemaking.

Niepoort spares no expense in creating wines that match their high-quality Port siblings.

THE JUNIOR RUBY & THE SENIOR TAWNY The Niepoort philosophy has been, for the last decades, to innovate, diversify, break taboos, maintaining tradition. The Junior Ruby undergoes an early filling, and spends the rest of its time in the bottle, where it is protected against outside influences. Through this process,

The Niepoort family

DURING THE PAST 25 YEARS, THEY PUT BOTH THE FAMILY ESTATE AND THE ENTIRE REGION ON THE MAP FOR WINE. DIRK IS A PIONEER OF MODERN APPROACHES – CREATING ARTISTIC LABELS AND NEW MARKETING AND SELLING PRACTICES – BUT WITH A HEALTHY RESPECT FOR TRADITIONAL, CLASSIC METHODS OF WINEMAKING.

its youthfulness, dark colour, freshness and dark fruit aromas and flavours are optimally maintained. Goes well with cheese, all kinds of chocolate and is perfect with pepper steak.

Regarding the Senior Tawny wine, it spends most of its time ageing in small barrels in the

Niepoort lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia.The small barrels enable a soft and light contact with air through the pores of the wood, which results in a slow oxidation process over the years. Ideal with dry fruits, apple pie, the portuguese "Leite Creme" or patê.

Niepoort wines can be enjoyed locally or experienced first hand at Niepoort Lodge, Rua Cândido dos Reis, 4400-071 Vila Nova de Gaia, “old” lodge.

GPS: 41.131643,-8.6109007 Tel. +351 223 777 777.

Locally Niepoort is imported

by Attard and Co and available from Sistina Wine & Co.,The Strand Gzira.

Opening hours: 10am till late.

WEB: www.sistinawineco.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/sistinawi neco TEL: 2131 4161. Gozo Distributor: Abraham’s Supplies Co. Ltd. TEL: 2156 3231 WEB: www.abrahams.com.mt

DRIVING ABROAD IN WINTER IN SNOW AND ICE WINTER TYRE AND SNOW CHAIN REQUIREMENTS IN EUROPEAN RESORTS. WRITES PAUL VELLA, RMF TECHNICAL DIRECTOR. ou should only consider driving in extreme winter conditions if you are confident and your vehicle is suitably equipped, writes Paul Vella, RMF Technical Director.

Wherever you drive, you are responsible for equipping and controlling your vehicle correctly. You may be liable to a fine if you impede the normal flow of traffic or cause an accident as a consequence of not adapting your vehicle (tyres/snow chains) to suit weather and road conditions. Winter conditions in many resorts will be more severe than anything encountered here.

Some countries require residents to use winter tyres but then permit visitors to drive on 'summer' tyres – fitted with chains when conditions or local signs dictate. If you are planning to drive for a considerable distance in mainland Europe during the winter months we strongly recommend fitting winter tyres.

Y

TYRE TREAD Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth. Where winter tyres are fitted a minimum tread depth of 3mm is required

in most countries (the Czech Republic now requires 4mm). For other tyres, while the legal minimum is 1.6mm the AA recommends at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring, and certainly no less than 2mm.

WINTER TYRE AND SNOW CHAIN REQUIREMENTS

The table below shows the requirements for vehicles not exceeding 3500kg and shows only specific winter requirements.

COUNTRY WINTER TYRES SNOW CHAINS (5) Andorra Austria Finland France Germany Great Britain Italy Norway Sweden Switzerland KEY:

R M(1) M(3) M(4) R(7) R M(6) R(2)

C C P C C P C(7) C R C

P = Permitted R = Recommende M = Mandator C = Carry chains and use them as dictated by local signs or road conditions. Reduced speed limits may apply.

WHEREVER YOU DRIVE, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EQUIPPING AND CONTROLLING YOUR VEHICLE CORRECTLY. YOU MAY BE LIABLE TO A FINE IF YOU IMPEDE THE NORMAL FLOW OF TRAFFIC OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS A CONSEQUENCE OF NOT ADAPTING YOUR VEHICLE (TYRES/SNOW CHAINS) TO SUIT WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS. WINTER CONDITIONS IN MANY RESORTS WILL BE MORE SEVERE THAN ANYTHING ENCOUNTERED HERE. NOTES

1

All vehicles driving on snow covered roads must have winter tyres (or allseason tyres marked M+S*/mud and snow) during the winter season (from 1 November to 15 April) and if roads have a covering of snow, slush or ice outside these dates. Tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 4mm.

Theoretically snow chains on summer tyres can be used as an alternative to winter tyres where the entire road is heavily covered with snow and no damage to the road is caused by the snow chains. In practice though, because road conditions and the weather cannot be predicted, use of winter tyres is effectively compulsory.

2 3

Snow tyres are not compulsory but vehicles not equipped to travel through snow and which impede traffic are liable to a fine.

From 1 December to the end of February (in practice from November to April) unless otherwise indicated by road signs. Tyres must be marked M+S* on the sidewall.

Spiked/studded tyres may be used from 1 November to the first monday after Easter.

Germany introduced regulations in 2010 requiring all passenger cars and motorbikes including vehicles from foreign countries to be fitted with winter tyres or all season tyres on all axles when conditions are wintry. Winter tyres (or 'all season' tyres) should bear the mark M+S* or the snowflake symbol on the side wall.

Snow chains must be fitted on at least two drive wheels. In any country Snow chains may only be used where there's sufficient snow covering to avoid any possibility of damage to the road surface. A fine may be imposed if damage is caused.

Winter tyres, marked M+S* (with or without spikes/studs), with a tread depth of at least 3mm are compulsory from 1 December until 31 March for Swedish registered vehicles and trailers and also for foreign registered vehicles.

Between 15 October and 15 April or at other times if conditions dictate.

Provinces can introduce their own legislation making the use of winter tyres and snow chains compulsory.

Safe Motoring by RMF

4 5 6 7

January 2017 | motoring 05

SPEED MACHINES

EAGLE OFFICIALLY LAUNCH THE SPYDER GT THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE WORLDRENOWNED STABLE OF’SPECIAL EDITION’JAGUAR E-TYPES THAT COMPRISES THE EAGLE E-TYPE, EAGLE SPEEDSTER AND THE EAGLE LOW DRAG GT.

irst announced during the 2016 London Classic Car Show to great acclaim, construction is now complete on the very first of these hand crafted lightweight roadsters. With only a very few being built, this will join the other Eagle Special Edition E-types as the most exclusive hand built cars in the world.

The Spyder GTbuilds upon the groundbreaking Eagle Speedster adding a folding roof to offer the best of both worlds – whatever the weather.

The 4.7 litre XK engine offers 330bhp and an impressive 340 ft lbs of torque, all in a car weighing just 1,029 kg.

Extensive weight saving measures include a bespoke aluminium monocoque, aluminium gearbox, aluminium engine block and magnesium components.

F

NEW – THE EAGLE SPYDER GT More than thirty years of singular focus on the Jaguar EType comes into play with this, the fourth special edition EType in the series, the Eagle Spyder GT. With the poise and performance of the Low Drag GT and the exquisite styling of the Speedster, the Spyder GT’s taller raked windscreen and folding roof offer the best of both worlds – whatever the weather.

Completely bespoke with extensive customer options, the few produced will be the most exclusive hand built cars in the world.

As with all Eagle Special Editions, the Spyder GT begins life as an original E-Type ready to be restored.

The aluminium monocoque features deeper sills, a lower floor pan and wider wheel arches featuring custom 16” wheels and tyres.

The bespoke, hand crafted interior features sumptuous leather and a gorgeous sweeping centre console – very much part of the Eagle Special Edition design DNA – complete with hidden handbrake lever.The attention to detail and level of finish throughout is truly exquisite.

The engineering perfectly blends original and new technology and the Eagle Spyder GT offers blistering performance. With 330bhp and 340 ft lbs of torque it

powers from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds and pulls hard all the way to its top speed of over 170mph.

DRIVING THE EAGLE SPYDER GT From the outset, the Spyder GT was designed to perform.

For long distance driving it has the calm assurance and the all the manners for touring – you sit cocooned in luxury with the view forward over the long bonnet and it’s a wonderful place to be.You have a solid sense of connection with the road, with precise handling characteristics gained from over 30 years of suspension development at Eagle.

When you put your foot down the Spyder GT transforms into a seriously exhilarating supercar.

In that instant the straight-six develops a whole new character - with so much torque the 4.7 litre engine pulls away with real intent, emitting a powerful deep growl as the exhaust barks, the crackling sounds on the overrun adding to the drama and excitement.

It’s an exceptional performer by any measure.

Working through the gears you quickly realise why the Eagle Special Edition E-Types have been subject of such enthusiastic acclaim.This is a driving experience like no other.

With so few being built, this will join the other Eagle Special Edition E-types as the most exclusive hand built cars in the world.

FORD GT DELIVERS HIGHEST TOP SPEED, FASTEST LAP TIMES ON THE TRACK OF ANY PRODUCTION FORD EVER

D

elivering the highest output of any EcoBoost production engine to date, the all-new Ford GT couples its extraordinary power with impressive aerodynamic efficiency and advanced active dynamics to achieve a maximum speed of 216 mph – making it the fastest Ford production vehicle on the track ever.

Capable of an exceptional top speed, Ford’s all-new supercar is designed and optimised for track performance to honour its racing heritage. In 2016 development testing, with all contenders track-prepped with new fluids, fresh tyres and optimal suspension settings, in identical conditions and with the same driver behind the wheel, Ford GT outperformed both the McLaren 675LT and Ferrari 458 Speciale at Calabogie Motorsports Park in Canada: 6 motoring | January 2017

Ford GT: McLaren 675LT: Ferrari 458 Speciale:

2:09.8 2:10.88 2:12.9

“The Ford GT is all about performance,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, global product development and chief technical officer. “We achieved considerable weight savings with the carbon fibre architecture. We then reinvested some of that savings into where it counts most – performance, specifically, the active dynamics.The result is an even faster car.”

SAE rated at 647 horsepower and 550 lb.-ft. of torque in U.S. specification, Ford’s new high-output 3.5-litre V6 engine produces the highest horsepower of any EcoBoost production engine ever, making

Ford GT the fastest production car ever to wear the Blue Oval badge.The engine’s wide powerband produces 90 per cent of its peak torque from 3,500 rpm.

“Our expectation has always been that the EcoBoost V6 would perform exceptionally well in the Ford GT – both in terms of power as well as aerodynamic efficiency,” said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. “We tested and developed this powertrain through the Daytona Prototype race car that ran in IMSA for two seasons, last season racing with Ford GT. We are extremely pleased with how it performs, both on the track and on the road.”

Ford GT’s dryweight is less than 1,400kg, which places the supercar between its two

primary competitors, the McLaren 675LT and Ferrari 488. Ford GT’s power-to-weight ratio is 2.14 kg per horsepower in U.S. specification.

The active dynamic systems – for both suspension and aerodynamics – are designed to make the car perform with optimum downforce, drag and balance at any speed, creating a faster setup regardless of driver skill.

Ford GT, with no excuses to give, has proven itself time and again, racing to class wins at Le Mans and numerous other tracks in both IMSA and WEC last season.The production Ford GT shares a great deal with the high-performance track version, with advanced aero and suspension features taking performance to new heights.

SPEED MACHINES

MORGAN’S EV3

• THE MORGAN EV3 WILL BE THE FIRST PRODUCTION EV TO BE BUILT BY THE COMPANY • PRICING AND PERFORMANCE FIGURES WILL BE COMPARABLE TO THE PETROL 3 WHEELER • OPERATIONAL RANGE OF 150 MILES

I

he Morgan EV3 today makes its world debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The EV3 looks at the world of zero emissions motoring from an entirely different perspective, what if an allelectric vehicle was bespoke, hand crafted and exhilarating to

drive? The EV3 embraces new technology, delivers responsible driving excitement and continues to celebrate traditional British craftsmanship.

Following a soft launch of the Phase 1 concept EV3 in 2015, Morgan is excited to showcase the final “pre-production phase” car which reveals the restyled body and interior. Weighing less than 500kg, the all-electric 3 Wheeler has a range of 150 miles. Lightweight agility is complemented by performance figures that challenge those of the petrol 3 Wheeler. 0-62mph takes less than 9 seconds and a top speed in excess of 90mph.

Encased within the tubular space frame chassis is a 20KWh Lithium Battery and a liquid cooled 46kW motor driving the rear wheel. The EV3 is the first Morgan vehicle to utilise composite carbon panels in its body construction. The carbon bonnet, tonneau cover and side pods are made in the UK, and much like the remaining aluminium panels, are hand worked over an ash wood frame. Taking inspiration from 1930’s aeroengine race cars, classic motorcycles and 1950’s fantasy automatons, the face of the EV3 is designed to function.

Brass conductive cooling fins encase the batteries and an offcentre tri-bar headlight adds to

the overall asymmetry of the design.

The dramatic tail lift once seen on 1930’s Morgan 3 Wheeler race cars, has been reintroduced, subsequently creating a visually forward stance. This is enhanced with low slung running lights that carry through the cylindrical form of the side pods. An entirely new dashboard arrangement features

a classic ‘magneto’ switch for drive selection, a digital screen, wood, brass and polished aluminium. The EV3 will go into production in the fourth quarter of 2016 and will be priced comparably to the petrol 3 Wheeler. This launch coincides with an announcement that the Morgan Motor Company will receive government funding towards a £6m consortium

based project developing future hybrid and full EV Morgan vehicles.

“The EV3 is an exciting opportunity for our customers to enjoy the unique Morgan driving experience and the joy of tailored manufacture whilst remaining conscientious towards the future of our planet.” - Steve Morris, Managing Director, Morgan Technologies Ltd.

January 2017 | motoring 7

TOYOTA C-HR

THE NEW HEAD-TURNING SUV NOW IN MALTA

T

oyota might be late to the booming crossover market but its patience rewards us with a virtuous, up-to-the-minute machine with a distinctly European focus.

Toyota effectively created the crossover segment when it launched the RAV4 in 1994; and while that model has gradually grown in size, its increase has carved a perfect niche for Toyota’s latest take on the crossover market – the all-new C-HR. Rarely has a production car looked so indistinguishable from a motor show concept, all sharp creases, complex curvatures and diamond-shape motifs. But while C-HR’s appearance has been led by fresh design – hence its stand-out combination of coupe and SUV styling cues – beneath the surface lies a new Toyota platform developed to be safe, spacious and unexpectedly dynamic.

Multiple facets are found inside the C-HR, too.Thoughtful, ergonomic design focuses the dashboard around the driver, who is also offered a seating position that feels sporting and encompassing without losing the commanding perspective you would expect of a crossover. Meanwhile, the layered architecture and attractive blue trace line extending the width of the cabin gives it an airy, interconnected feel.

Premium materials are used throughout

the interior; in fact, the only thing not at a premium is space. Five adventure-seeking adults and their associated activity wear can be easily contained within… as, of course, can regular families dreaming of a glossy-brochure lifestyle.

Keeping everybody safe inside is a suite of advanced Toyota Safety Sense technologies, which, like a guardian angel, will advise you of current conditions, warn of impending dangers, and even mitigate immediate threats. All other Toyota vehicles equipped with this latest technology have received five-star Euro NCAP scores, so we should

expect nothing less of the C-HR. As a benefit of sharing its platform with the new Prius, the C-HR is available with Toyota’s latest generation hybrid technology – a petrol-electric powertrain that is expected to be the most popular choice among buyers. And you can understand why that is the case, with combined miles per gallon in the mid-70s and a CO2 output that should allow owners to cruise blissfully past any bouncers standing at the gates to European cities.

An alternative powerplant is Toyota’s new

1.2-litre turbocharged and direct-injection petrol engine. Wide-angle valve technology allows the engine to switch imperceptibly between power and parsimonious engine cycles, while a new rev-matching system automatically blips the throttle between gearshifts to make the driver feel even more heroic.

The Toyota C-HR is a car that appeals to the head as well as the heart. It excites on an aesthetic level for being so audaciously – and attractively – designed yet continues to draw admiration as you discover that its beauty is far more than skin-deep.

TWO WINS FOR AUDI IN “BEST CARS 2017” • AUDI A1 AND AUDI A3 WIN IN THE “AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT” READER SURVEY • AUDI Q7 IN SECOND PLACE IN ITS CLASS • THIRD PLACE FINISHES IN FOUR ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES

08 motoring | January 2017

A

udi has driven home two overall wins in the “Best Cars 2017” competition.

The Audi A1* triumphed in the

“Small Car” category in the reader survey conducted by “auto motor und sport” magazine, and the Audi A3* won the “Compact Car” class.

The award ceremony was held today in Stuttgart.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG: “The double victory in the ‘Best Cars 2017’ gives us momentum for the new year.This success shows that the enthusiasm for our cars continues to hold true.This gives us confidence on our way to the future.” Dietmar Voggenreiter, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG, added: “The A1 and A3 offer all of the virtues of an Audi in a compact format. With this recipe for success, both models consistently drive home strong sales figures.

And we expect the demand for premium mobility in the city to continue to grow.”

The “auto motor und sport” award ceremony was held for the 41st time this year. Readers of the renowned trade journal selected their favorites from 378 models in eleven categories.The publication selected an overall winner and a top import in each category. In the “Small Car” category, 20.7 percent of the readers selected the Audi A1, and 17.1 percent chose the Audi A3 as the top of the “Compact Car” class. In addition, the Audi Q7* took second place in the “Large SUV/Offroad Vehicle” category with 10.4 percent of the vote.Third place finishes went to the Audi A4* in the “Midsize” category, to the Audi A6* in the “Upper Midsize” class, to the Audi R8 Spyder* in the “Convertibles” class and to the Audi Q2* in the “Compact SUV/Offroad Vehicle” category.