Motoring January 2014

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The Malta Independent on Sunday • 26 January 2014

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 26 January 2014

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The New Hyundai i10 already showered with awards • New Model To Reach Malta End of the Month • To be launched at an introductory price of €10,500 he Hyundai i10 might be a small city car but right from the very start, it has all the ingredients of an award-winning model. And the new generation i10 which rolled off the production lines a few months ago, is fully living up to this reputation.

After scooping the 'Best City Car' category during CarBuyer’s recent awards, the new generation Hyundai i10 was also named ‘Car of the Year 2014’. CarBuyer, a leading car review website, awarded the overall title after the judges praised the i10 for its quality, refinement, style and value.

The latest accolade garnered by Hyundai’s smallest car was Top Gear’s ‘Bargain of the Year’ award, a coveted prize awarded to the new, more grown-up Hyundai i10 thanks to its “ability to provide customers with smallcar buying and running costs without any of the associated compromises to refinement, comfort and build quality.”

Piers Ward, road test editor at BBC Top Gear magazine said this of the new

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generation Hyundai i10: “Customers might want luxuries and gadgets, but they expect refinement. The i10 absolutely delivers on the value-for-money premise. It is definitely not a car with the build quality of a biscuit tin. The fit and finish is excellent, it looks great and is comfortable and spacious – for these reasons it stood out as a worthy winner.”

The new Hyundai i10 is now in Malta and available for viewing at the Hyundai

showroom in Valley Road B’Kara.

“The 2014 Hyundai i10 is a brilliant car, offering a real grown-up feel and plenty of space at an amazing introductory price of €10,500 instead of its set price of €12,000.

It is fun to drive and the perfect embodiment of ‘modern premium’, Hyundai’s vision. It is the perfect car for those who want only the best contender in the Segment A ,” states Francesca Mamo, Managing Director of Meridien Enterprises,

importers and distributors of Hyundai in Malta.

“The 2014 Hyundai i10 is the perfect example of Hyundai’s product regionalization strategy where it is constantly seeking to build the right cars for the right regions. The fact that this new model has also just won the 2014 Car of the Year Award in India also goes to show the universal relevance and market approval that this model is gaining at a very impressive pace.”

“The success that we are expecting for this model in Malta comes from the knowledge that buyers of this new generation Hyundai i10 are being offered the highest levels of comfort and safety equipment, with many features more common to higher segment models. In fact, the Classic version of the new Hyundai i10 comes with standard features such as A/C, power steering, front electric windows, the latest technology in braking system such as Vehicle Stability Management and all round six airbags. Other extras include heated leather steering wheel, smart card with Button Start and cruise control with speed limiter provide bigger-car comfort,” concluded Ms Mamo.

The sporty and young character of the Hyundai i10 is set to attract young buyers thanks to another feature which offers young buyers the option to choose a colour interior based on either orange or blue.

Team Maximum Lock stuns the crowds at the 4th Bahrain International Motorshow

By Pierre Vella ocal drift performance team, TML have been acknowledged for their incredible shows performed in the UK when they were exclusively invited to participate for this year’a Bahrain International Motor Show

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being stagged at the Bahrain F1 International circuit.

One logistical nightmare was having to ferry the team’s three vehicles from their present UK base to Bahrain. However the insistance of the Bahrain organizers of having TML as one of their lead performers was an opportunity and an excellent

business credential for the team.

The three day event in Bahrain brings together foreign performance car manufacturers to the country for prospective buyers who get a chance to actually drive these performance cars around the F1 circuit. Team Maximum Lock justs needed a relative small area to perform their world renowned show which brought an immense amount of interest towards the originality of the stunts performed plus the excellent stunt driving capabilities of all three Maltese drivers, Chris Bezzina, Clint Abela and Mark Galea. It was somewhat of a risk taking event due to the culture in places like Bahrain but it was instant success with a packed arena on all three days. The long autograph sessions and meet the team session had to be extended due to the overwhelming interest

by the locals.

The team was reported massively on all local media arguing well that the team will for sure be hosting other shows not just in Bahrain but other neighbouring states. A really first class showcase of Maltese talent at its best.

Team Maximum Lock performed live together with multpiple Guinness world record holder Terry Grant who also used one of TML’s cars to do his stunts and also performed one final stunt with the team. Lee Bowers, the Kawasaki offcial stunt driver was also performing live in the arena.

Other performers where Saeed Almouri, Gymkhana and drift champion from Saudia Arabia who endorsed TML performance as just incredible and world class standard. Also present was Abdo

Feghali who holds the Guinness world record for the longest drift.

Other celebrities included world known Xzibit who also was the mind behind Pimp My Ride and his special DJ, ‘DJ Invisible’. The latter was a passenger with TML during one of their shows too.

Endorsement from the Bahrain F1 Circuit CEO argued well that Team Maximum Lock has definately left its mark in this Arab state and is destined to return.

A special thank you goes to Daniel Vella from Kyokudo Racing who during these three days made sure that the cars where perfect prior to each show, no easy feat considering the punishment these cars undertake during each show.

We look forward to having TML back in Malta to witness the team’s immense capabilites in team drift performance.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 26 January 2014

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ALESSANDRO ZANARDI RETURNS TO THE COCKPIT WITH BMW MOTORSPORT he legend is back: Alessandro Zanardi (IT) will be back in the cockpit on a regular basis in 2014, and will once again do battle for BMW Motorsport out on the racetrack. Zanardi will race in the Blancpain GT Sprint Series behind the wheel of a BMW Z4 GT3, which has been specially modified to meet his unique requirements and will be run by the ROAL Motorsport team.

The 47-year-old lost both legs in a serious crash while racing in 2001, but overcame his disability to return to motorsport. Among other things, Zanardi drove for BMW in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), where he stood on the top step of the podium on four occasions. Having won two gold medals on his handbike at the 2012 Paralympics in London (GB) and completed a test in the BMW M3 DTM in the same year, he is now set to contest a full season for BMW for the first time since 2009.

“Alex is back! I cannot express how delighted I am that one of the greatest heroes in the history of BMW Motorsport is returning to the cockpit of one of our racing cars,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

“From both a human and a sporting aspect, Alex is a role model to all of us. I am sure he will approach this new challenge in the Blancpain GT Sprint Series in the same manner we have become accustomed to from him. You can really sense just how much he has missed competing on four wheels. Modifying the BMW Z4 GT3 is a challenge for our engineers. However, we gained valuable experience in this regard when we

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modified the BMW M3 DTM in 2012, and that will come in very useful now. As far as we are concerned, there is nothing preventing Alex from making a successful comeback.”

Zanardi himself can hardly wait to return to the motorsport scene: “Even after leaving the sport in 2009, I was still a racing driver at heart,” he said. “When I took to the track in the BMW M3 DTM

Starts for ROAL Motorsport in the Blancpain GT Sprint series

at the end of 2012, I immediately got itchy fingers again. Ever since that moment I have been toying with the idea of returning to motor racing. Together with BMW we have looked at various options. I am even more pleased that it has worked out with my old friends at ROAL Motorsport. I would like to say a big thank you to BMW for this unique opportunity.”

Zanardi raced for the team belonging to former BMW DTM champion Roberto Ravaglia (IT) in the FIA European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) when he made his first comeback in 2003. Back then, a BMW 320i was adapted to suit his special needs – Zanardi accelerates using his hand. The 1997 and 1998 ChampCar Champion raced successfully in the WTCC from 2005 on, claiming four victories at Oschersleben (DE), Istanbul (TR) and Brno (CZ, two wins). Zanardi and ROAL Motorsport went their separate ways – for a while – at the end of the 2009 season.

“Alex and I have gone through so much together in motorsport. Therefore, I obviously did not hesitate when the opportunity arose to send him back into action for ROAL Motorsport in 2014,” said Ravaglia. “The sprints in the Blancpain GT Sprint Series are tailor-made for Alex.

We will do everything in our power to give him a strong car, with which he can reproduce the performances and success we have seen from him in the past.”

The 2014 Blancpain GT Series season features both endurance and sprint races.

Zanardi will drive one of the two ROAL Motorsport BMW Z4 GT3s in six of the seven sprint races, which each last one hour.

2014 Blancpain GT Sprint Series calendar.

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt with Zanardi

21st April 2014 Nogaro (FR) 18th May 2014 Brands Hatch (GB) 6th July 2014 Zandvoort (NL) 24th August 2014 Bratislava (SK) 5th September 2014 Portimão (PT) 19th October 2014 Zolder (BE) 2nd November 2014 Baku (AZ)

MOTOR SPORT HALL OF FAME raises funds for F1’s unsung heroes

• Six special auction lots for Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust • Sir Jackie Stewart welcomes Hall of Fame celebration • Autographed F1 components come under the RM Auctions hammer special auction at this month’s Motor Sport Hall of Fame (29 January) will raise funds for the Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust.

The Trust was founded by Sir Jackie Stewart in 1987 to help former and

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current grand prix mechanics and their families in times of need and the three-time world champion has secured six special lots to be auctioned during the star-studded evening at Covent Garden’s historic Royal Opera House.

The lots include a number of

original F1 car components – autographed by current grand prix drivers and key team members – as well as a pair of ‘money-can’t-buy’ paddock passes for the British Grand Prix donated by Bernie Ecclestone.

“The Motor Sport Hall of Fame is a fantastic event and I believe it’s very

Red Bull wishbone signed by Adrian Newey

important for us here in the UK to honour the ultimate achievers in our sport with such a prestigious accolade,” said Stewart, who is one of just 25 racing legends already inducted into the prized Hall of Fame. “I’m also delighted that the evening allows us to raise important funds for the Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust. This year we have six

Alessandro Zanardi and the BMW Z4

very special lots. I specifically asked the grand prix teams to donate the kind of ‘jewellery’ components from F1 cars that money can’t usually buy and I’m absolutely thrilled with the items they’ve produced.”

Damien Smith, editor of Motor Sport magazine, is equally delighted with the high quality auction and, in particular, the destination of the funds being raised. He said: “Mechanics are rarely given the credit they deserve.

As Sir Jackie has always emphasised, he couldn’t have won three world championships without his small, tight-knit crew at Tyrrell and it is entirely fitting that Motor Sport magazine should be associated with a Trust that supports these men and women in their times of need.”

The six lots which include F1 components donated by Red Bull Racing, Mercedes and Ferrari will be auctioned by Max Girardo, managing director of RM Auctions Europe, immediately after four more of motor racing’s greatest names are inducted into the coveted Motor Sport Hall of Fame.

“RM Auctions is delighted to be

associated with such a high profile and exciting event as the Motor Sport Hall of Fame,” confirmed Girardo.

“The charity auction is a fantastic way for the industry to give something back to an incredible cause, and we hope many thousands will be raised for the Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust.”

Although the glittering evening in London’s West End is strictly ‘by invitation only’, all F1 fans and memorabilia collectors are encouraged place their bids in advance of the auction itself by submitting them to information@rmauctions.comby latest 5pm on Wednesday 29 January.

Information on the auction lots and information on how to bid can be found here: http://www.rmauctions.com/auctions/ev ent.cfm?SaleCode=MS14

Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust Auction Lots Lot 1: 2009 Ferrari fuel hatch and nozzle complete with hydraulic actualization system signed by Fernando Alonso and Stefano

2013 Mercedes final-drive gear

Domenicali. Kindly donated by Scuderia Ferrari.

Lot 2: 2012 Lotus hydraulic manifold signed by Romain Grosjean and Kimi Räikkönen. Kindly donated by the Lotus F1 Team.

Lot 3: 2013 Mercedes final-drive gear. Kindly donated by Mercedes

AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

Lot 4: 2009 Red Bull wishbone signed by Adrian Newey. Kindly donated by Red Bull Racing.

Lot 5: Two Saturday and Sunday paddock passes and Paddock Club credentials for the 2014 British Grand Prix. The latter sell for £4000

Ferrari shirt signed by Michael Schumacher

each while the paddock passes simply cannot be bought. Kindly donated by Bernie Ecclestone.

Lot 6: Ferrari shirt signed by Michael Schumacher. Kindly donated by the Grand Prix Mechanics Trust.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 26 January 2014

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The Peugeot 2008 voted winner in Poland Auto Swiat, the most important of the Polish motoring media, has just announced its annual awards: the 2008 urban crossover has been distinguished in its category, ahead of stiff competition. or the 5th year of the “Golden steering wheel” awards, organised by the most important Polish motoring magazine, the readers being called on to vote for the new models launched in Europe during 2013.

The 49 eligible vehicles were split into 6 categories.

Introduced in Poland during the summer in 2013, the new 2008 carried off the award in the most contested category, that of SUV/CUV, with strong competition from the 12 models in contention.

It was ahead of the Range Rover Sport and the BMW X5 on the podium.

The Peugeot urban crossover has amassed many distinctions, the most prestigious of which were gained recently in Italy and Ireland.

The Peugeot 2008, a compact, agile and multi-role

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crossover, with innovative instruments and controls, a refined style and strong character, distils the marque’s expertise in city cars and its now recognised know-how in the field of crossovers, illustrated in particular by the Grip Control system.

Perfectly in tune with the dynamism suggested by its profiled styling, the Peugeot 2008 conceals the latest generation of engines under its bonnet, with their particularly well contained fuel consumption: with its e-HDi Diesel and 3-cylinder petrol engines, the Peugeot urban crossover stands out with CO2 emissions from 98 g/km.

Success has been achieved.

First, quantitative : launched in Europe between May and July this year into the rapidly developing CUV category of the B segment, the Peugeot 2008 has already recorded 73 600 orders to

the end of November, a volume well above the objective for the date.

Next, qualitative: with a very high trim level mix – 70 % of orders in Europe are for the top trim levels 3 and 4, against an initial objective

of 50 % – the urban crossover also demonstrates that all of Peugeot’s models are participating in the move up-market.

The 2008 is produced at Mulhouse, where the dedicated production capacity has been

progressively brought up to 650 vehicles per day to meet the strong sales demand. The overseas calling of the model will be demonstrated with production and sales of the Peugeot 2008 starting in China in 2014, then in Brazil in 2015.

“New Generation i10 is the perfect example of our product regionalisation strategy – building the right cars for the right regions. We’re proud that the Hyundai New Generation i10 has claimed first place at the AUTOBEST awards – it demonstrates that our cars deliver value beyond customer’s expectations, which will help Hyundai maintain its 3,5% share of the European new car market

in 2014.”

In September 2013, the first New Generation i10 rolled off the production line at Hyundai’s Turkish manufacturing plant, following more than €500 million investment in the plant, raising annual production capacity to 200.000 units. Including Hyundai’s Czech plant, Hyundai has an annual European production capacity of 500.000 units. From 2014, 90% of all Hyundai models

sold in Europe will be built in the region.

AUTOBEST is one of the most prestigious motoring awards and takes into account 13 criteria, including design, price, specification and the serviceability of a car. The jury, composed of respected motoring journalists, comes from 15 emerging markets, including Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Turkey and Russia.

New Generation i10 named AUTOBEST 2014 t the 13th annual competition for the best new car in emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe, the New Generation i10 has just been awarded the prestigious ‘AUTOBEST 2014’ accolade by the AUTOBEST jury.

It is the second time Hyundai Motor has claimed the title in the last three years, following Elantra’s win in 2012.

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Dan Vardie, Chairman of AUTOBEST, commented: “The New Generation i10 is a worthy winner, offering consumers a spacious and high-quality car. At the NAVAK proving ground near Belgrade, Serbia, the i10 impressed the judges with its outstanding road handling abilities for such a small car.”

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO at Hyundai Motor Europe, commented: