Motoring FEBRUARY 2015

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The Malta Independent on Sunday • 22 February 2015

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 22 February 2015

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Latest Hyundai i20 now more grown up and sophisticated

Text and pictures by John Peel yundai’s newest i10 had impressed me when launched and tested with its fresh looks and ample equipment and at the time seemed streets ahead of its larger siblings in the showroom. Catch up they did though and the important new i20 supermini, which has to challenge a host of other brilliant cars in this segment is simply the best Hyundai I ever tested.

The all-new model is a big departure from the outgoing i20 in terms of design, practicality and desirability. Visually, the newcomer is very different with a welcome dose of style. The new model's sharp lines, floating C-pillar, and

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swooping bonnet give a more sophisticated look than before. A wide grille, LED daytime running lights and a full-length panoramic roof have also been fitted.

The growth spurt is down to the all-new platform the i20 has adopted. It’s longer, lower and wider than before, with a wheelbase that has increased by nearly 5cm providing more space inside for passengers.

What’s not so new is the engine range. All of the i20’s units have been carried over from its predecessor, albeit with minor efficiency tweaks to bring them in line with Euro VI emissions regulations.

I tried the 1.2-litre petrol engine and although performance is nothing to get excited about the car is a joy to drive. The ride is generally

very good, a bit bumpy around some of our bad roads but on better surfaces is comfortable and settled, not surprising considering ‘comfort-enhancing features’ were one of Hyundai’s focal points when developing the new model.

The steering is nicely weighted and responsive too and gear change is superb.

When it comes to more practical matters Hyundai has delivered on its promise of providing classleading interior space, as the new model is now the largest supermini on the market. Whether in the front or rear, there’s masses of headroom, and with the extra inch that has been added to the width of the car three adults can sit pretty comfortably in the back.

Big improvements have been made inside, where the i20 now comes close to matching pricier competitors for slick design and upmarket appeal. The dashboard is neatly designed and well laid out and there’s a large speedo and rev counter, plus the major switchgear is logically sited although some of

the minor switches are lower down on a panel by the driver’s right knee. Interior switchgear lighting is a cool blue throughout, a welcome difference. The fit and finish looks well made and inviting with good quality materials used throughout. The top of the dashboard is trimmed in soft-touch plastic, the chunky three-spoke steering wheel gets a soft leather covering and the seats are upholstered in durable fabrics. Elsewhere, bright contrasting coloured panels for the dash and door, similar to the i10's, gives the cabin a wider appeal. Bluetooth phone connection and a multifunction steering wheel are all now standard, including big-car additions such as lane departure warning and cruise control on higher trim levels. Every i20 also comes fitted with six airbags, stability control and emergency stop signal. The lane departure warning is quite a novelty feature and I couldn't help myself trying to outwit and anticipating it, while the headlamps also illuminate the direction the driver

turns to aid visibility.

A 326-litre boot is 31 litres larger than before and one of the most spacious in its class. The clever packaging also means the rear seats can be folded completely flat, freeing up 1,042 litres.

Build quality is strong, and the list of equipment is pretty impressive but lacks an integrated touchscreen and navigation system, which supermini buyers have become accustomed to. I have read that Hyundai will be offering a factory-fitted option on Premium and Premium SE models at some point this year.

As a class first, Hyundai has also introduced a full-length panoramic roof on the i20. I had this option on the test car and I it really raises the bar of sophistication and headroom, given the amount of space on offer, is still ample.

This latest i20 is definitely worth considering if looking for a car in the supermini class. I enjoyed every minute of it and although looks are not the total package it certainly catches one's attention.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 22 February 2015

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Opel starts the New Year collecting honours T he New Year could hardly have started out better for Opel. In January, sales grew by over seven percent in Europe;more than 110,000 orders have already been received forthe new Opel Corsaand the brand has won a whole array of awards since the beginning ofthe year.

The influx of prizes started right at the turn of the year: in their Auto Test Winner in Green competition, the environmental institute Ökotrend and the trade magazine Auto Testselected the ZafiraTourer 1.6 CNG ecoFlex the most environmentally friendly vehicle in the van segment for the third year in a row.

The next accolade came at the Detroit Motor Show: for the second year running, Opel Group CEO Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann was able to accept a Connected Car Award for the digital connectivity of the company’s vehicles. Opel won the Pioneer Award for especially trendsetting innovations with Opel OnStar, the comprehensive carefree package of connected safety, highclass mobility services and progressive information technology. “Presently, internet is normally a premium topic, but Opel have made an expensive technology mainstream,” explained magazines Auto Bild and Computer Bild in the reasoning for the award.

In Stuttgart, Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group again

accepted another trophy for the Opel ADAM: for the second year in a row, Opel’s individualization champion won the Readers’ Choice Award The Best Cars of respected magazine auto motor und sport in the mini-car category.

The Opel ADAM received 29.8 percent of the votes and even managed to beat the 24.2 percent it received last year.

The ADAM is also very popular in the German and Austrian Blogger scene who handed the stylish individualisation champion the Blogger Auto Award 2015 in the minicar category.

Then Opel Marketing Officer Tina Müller was on her way to Berlin for the next awards ceremony, where the new Opel Corsa was named Most Sensible Car 2015. This Readers’ Choice Award from the consumer magazine Guter Rat and the magazine SUPERillu was already the fifth prize for the small car with the OH! effect.

Auto Bildand the independent service providerSchwackealso hosted an awards ceremony in Berlin to recognise the cars with the highest residual values. At the Value Champion 2015 awards, two Opel models took number one spots. The Opel ADAM won the small car category with the highest residual value of 57.5percent of the new-car price after 48 months. In the compact van category, the Opel ZafiraTourer (52.4 percent) also took first place – ahead of the BMW 2 Active Tourer (51.8 percent), thereby

underlining how well new cars from Rüsselsheim retain their value.

Opel also swept the advertising Grand Prix with one gold and two silver medals. The Opel advertising campaign “Umparkenim Kopf ” won the Grand Prix from Econ Forum’s Jahr der Werbung(Year of Advertising) for the best campaign of the year.The coveted prize went to Opel’s lead agency

Scholz & Friends. “Umparkenim Kopf ” also won two silver medals in the categories Out of Home and Print.

Opel also received another award in Leipzig: at the Third Forum Automotive Logistics, Michael Scholl, Director Supply Chain at Opel, accepted the 2015 VDA Logistics Award. It is the eighth time that the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has presented

the award to a company for its intelligent logistics system that can serve as a model for other players in the automotive industry.

In addition, Opel hit the ground running outside of Germany: in Romania, Greeceand Serbiathe new Corsa won the renowned Car of the Year Award.In the UK, the Corsa took the Highland Car of the Year award and in Spain,the Corsa was named Car of the Year

in TV in the small car category.The prize is awarded by theMásQueCochesprogram ofTele 5. In Denmarkthe Opel bestseller won Best Car in Class from the trade magazineBilmagasinet.Meanwhile the Cascada is getting a lot of attention in France: in the La Référence voteconducted by La Revue Automobile, the Cascada stood out in thecabriolet category with its design and the

Toyota tests technology to make hybrids even more efficient the Denso Corporation and Toyota Central R&D Labs, as a result of a broader research and development project*.

The test project

oyota is testing new technology that could make hybrids and other vehicles with electric powertrains even more

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efficient.

The year-long trial in Japan will evaluate the performance of new power semi-conductors that use a silicon carbide (SiC) material, fitted to a Camry hybrid saloon prototype and a hydrogen fuel cellpowered bus.

The technology Power semiconductors are found in the power control units that govern the motor drive power in hybrids and other vehicles that use an electric powertrain.

These units control the use of electricity, sending power from the battery to the motors when the car is being driven, and recharging the battery with energy that’s harvested when the car is braking or decelerating.

The type of semiconductors used at present account for about 20 per cent of a vehicle’s electrical losses, so making them more efficient is potentially a good way to increase the efficiency of the complete powertrain.

Compared to the current silicon power semiconductors, the new, high-quality SiC type create less resistance when electricity flows through them.The technology has been developed jointly by Toyota,

In the Camry hybrid prototype, Toyota is installing SiC power semiconductors (transistors and diodes) in the PCU’s internal voltage step-up converter and the inverter that controls the motor. It will collect data, including PCU voltage and current, and driving speeds, patterns, and conditions, such as outside temperature.

By comparing this information with data from the silicon semiconductors currently in use, Toyota will assess the level of efficiency improvement achieved.

The Camry road test will take place mainly in Toyota City over a period of about a year from early February.

Toyota has also recently started collecting operating data from a fuel cell bus that is in regular commercial operation in Toyota City.

The information gained from the trials will be reflected in Toyota’s development programme, with the aim of putting the technology to practical use as soon as possible. * Conducted by the R&D Partnership for Future Power Electronics Technology under consignment from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.

quality of its engines.Furthermore, the new Opel Vivaro was named Fleet Car of the Year in Austria.

The Croatian capital Zagreb also honouredthe new Opel Corsaas theBest Buy Car of Europe for 2015. The AUTOBEST

expert jury is made up of leading motoring journalists from 15 central and eastern European countries.Comprising around 300 million people, the award is extremely popular and highly respected in this market. Only cars with a compelling price-

performance ratio can win this title, because next to classic vehicle characteristics, the jury also carefully considers maintenance costs and dealers’ range of services. Ultimately, the best deal for the normal, average customer is victorious – and the

Opel Corsa proved to be unbeatable.This was the Corsa’s second consecutive win after the previous generation also secured the coveted title – unprecedented in the history of AUTOBEST. Pop over to the Opel

showroom at Cars International in Mdina Road, Qormi, to see what models are in stock or book a test drive by sending an email to opelsales@cil.com.mt or by calling 2269 2122. To learn more about Opel models, visit opel.com.mt or the Facebook page Opel Malta.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 22 February 2015

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Inspired by racing: the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition • Lightweight and extreme Vantage special edition limited to 100 cars • Motorsport-derived chassis, aerodynamics and handling • Bridges the gap between road and race track driving ast Wednesday Aston Martin revealed the first details of its most potent and uncompromising Vantage to date: the track-inspired Vantage GT3 special edition.

With production strictly limited to just 100 examples, the new model combines all of Aston Martin’s learning from its years of sports car competition around the globe to produce its most performance focused road-going Vantage.

Equipped with a new iteration of the brand’s 6.0-litre V12 engine which is capable of generating up to 600 PS1, the car weighs in at 100kg less than a standard V12 Vantage S. Comprehensively re-engineered, as well as significantly restyled, the GT3-inspired special edition is lower and wider than any of its siblings in the Vantage family. A broader track – front and rear – brings even more composed cornering thanks to a reduction in

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lateral load transfer, while the use of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres provides even more assured handling.

Thoroughly equipped with cutting edge motorsport-inspired features, from the extensive use of carbon fibre inside and out to the trackfocused aerodynamics pack – which includes a prominent rear wing and pronounced front splitter – the race-derived new Vantage brings more focused and uncompromising capability and styling to a road-going Aston Martin.

The aerodynamics package in particular has a profound effect, producing significant downforce to provide even greater levels of grip and stability at higher speeds.

Inspired by Aston Martin Racing’s successful campaigns, this new GT3-derived Vantage has been

designed and engineered exclusively at Aston Martin’s Gaydon Headquarters in Warwickshire, England, to be the most overt expression of everything that defines Vantage: an inspirational sports model offering supreme driveability on the road, and uncompromising dynamic performance on track.

New flared carbon fibre front wings, carbon fibre bonnet, a lithium ion race-derived battery, carbonfibre door casings, optional carbon fibre roof, optional weight-saving polycarbonate rear window and rear quarter windows are just a few of the measures which illustrate the engineers’ determination to eliminate mass wherever possible.

That determination has paid off, too, as the new car weighs in at only 1,565 kg2.

Under the skin lie a number of

bespoke engineering upgrades, aside from the new 600 PS1 V12 engine. Magnesium inlet manifolds with revised geometry, a lightweight magnesium torque tube and a full titanium exhaust system with centre outlets are just a few of the features that underline the rigorous re-engineering of this exclusive new Vantage.

The car’s interior is comprehensively reworked, too, with a full carbon fibre centre stack and touch-sensitive control array; race-derived carbon fibre sports seats; Alcantara trim and the option of numerous bespoke features courtesy of the brand’s popular personalisation service: Q by Aston Martin.

Announcing the arrival of the Vantage GT3 special edition, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Motorsport is in our blood at

Aston Martin. The Vantage is the car we campaign in top level sports car racing around the world and so it seems only fitting that we offer an exclusive, limited edition Vantage that expertly fuses our motorsport know-how with our road car prowess.”

He added: “The Vantage GT3 special edition is an uncompromising example of our design and engineering expertise and I’m sure the 100 owners who secure one of these cars will savour every second behind the wheel; whether on the road or on the track.”

The Vantage GT3 special edition will make its public debut on 3 March at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show (Hall 5, Stand 5253), with first customer deliveries beginning in the third quarter of 2015.

Volkswagen Golf GTD Estate set for Geneva Motor Show debut • First ever Golf GTD Estate to be unveiled at Geneva Motor Show in March • Like the iconic diesel hatch, GTD Estate features 2.0-litre 184 PS TDI engine • Combines sporting performance with combined fuel economy of over 64 mpg* • Sporty design cues inside and out match those on GTD hatchback

ince 1982 Volkswagen's GTD logo has stood for Gran Turismo Diesel, with its promise of sporty yet economical motoring.

Now for the first time, the GTD initials grace the Golf Estate, which like the Golf GTD, boasts the 184 PS engine. The new model is set to make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Golf GTD Estate is well placed to establish itself as an iconic long-distance cruiser. The 184 PS TDI engine takes the Golf GTD Estate to 62 mph in just 7.9 seconds with the 2.0-litre unit delivering a maximum torque of 380 Nm – and yet this sporty Estate car boasts an impressive combined fuel consumption figure of 64.2 mpg*.

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The car’s sporty character is reflected in its exterior design: along with special GTD bumpers and the honeycomb radiator grille, the Golf GTD Estate also features smoked rear lights and flared sills.

The look is completed by 17-inch Curitiba alloys, black roof rails and dual chrome tailpipes. Also standard on-board the Golf GTD Estate are bi-xenon headlights, sports suspension with ride height lowered by 15 mm, and progressive steering, which gives a sharper response during highperformance driving as well as ensuring greater comfort in ordinary conditions.

Inside, the dynamic theme continues, with sports seats in Clark tartan, illuminated door sills, black headliner and black pillar

trims. Added to this, there are numerous decorative inserts and panels in Checkered Black, plus stainless steel pedal caps. Further refinements include the multifunction steering wheel with aluminium trim and the gear knob styled as a golf ball.

The Golf GTD Estate is also available with 18-inch Nogaro alloy wheels and seat covers in a choice of Alcantara or Vienna leather.

Optional extras include a Sports and Design package featuring driving mode selection, Nogaro 18inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers and tinted windows.

The Golf GTD Estate is expected to go on sale in the UK in April, with first deliveries in June. UK pricing and specification will be confirmed closer to launch.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 22 February 2015

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class named ‘Car of the Year’ at the BusinessCar Awards • C-Class voted 2015 Car of the Year • S-Class named Luxury Car of the Year • The Awards are voted for by the BusinessCar readers • Almost 7,000 examples of the new C-Class Saloon and over 1,000 examples of the S-Class were registered to the Fleet industry in 2014 eaders of BusinessCar have voted the Mercedes-Benz C-Class ‘Car of the Year’ – with the S-Class scooping ‘Luxury Car of the Year’.

The BusinessCar Awards are highly prized as they are voted for by the readership of BusinessCar magazine and website, who rely on the best fleet products and services on the market to keep their businesses operating effectively.

In announcing the C-Class Award, Paul Barker, Editor at BusinessCar, commented: “It’s testament to both the quality of the product and to the way Mercedes-Benz has stepped up its business operation that the readers of BusinessCar have voted the C-Class as our Business Car of the Year.The C-

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Class is competitive like never before on everything from styling to the all-important running costs, and that’s reflected in this prestigious awards triumph.”

Sally Dennis, Head of Fleet, Mercedes-Benz UK, added: “I’d like to thank the readers of BusinessCar – as you’d expect, we’re absolutely delighted that the C-Class has been named 2015 Business Car of the Year.The C-Class keeps going from

strength to strength with an expanding range of efficient, low tax, low emission fleet models supported by a dedicated and thriving team of fleet-focussed colleagues operating throughout the UK.” The C-Class returns up to 78.5 mpg with CO2 emissions as low as 94 g/km.

In announcing the S-Class Award, Paul Barker, Editor at BusinessCar,

commented: “The S-Class has again proved it’s peerless in the luxury car segment, with new innovation giving the car a class-leading environmental position to go with its all-round class-leadership excellence.”

Sally Dennis, Head of Fleet, Mercedes-Benz UK, added: “The current S-Class has been Number One luxury car in the UK since it arrived, and it is fantastic news that

it’s a hit with BusinessCar readers as well. It really sets the bar in comfort and efficiency, with sales growth in the fleet industry reflecting this.”

The S-Class returns up to 100.9 mpg with CO2 emissions from 65 g/km.

Some 7,000 C-Class Saloons and 1,000 S-Class were bought by fleet customers last year – representing an 86 per cent increase in S-Class fleet sales over 2013.