Motoring January 2019

IN THIS ISSUE: FUSO - THE CANTER. MADE FOR BUSINESS | JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIGHTS UP THE ROAD AHEAD FOR SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES OF THE FUTURE VOLKSWAGEN CELEBRATES FIVE MILLIONTH TIGUAN | SEAT ARONA WINS SMALL SUV OF THE YEAR FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR | ŠKODA’S NEW CITY SUV IS CALLED KAMIQ | NEW PEUGEOT 508. THE RADICAL SALOON!

The Malta Independent on Sunday. January 2019

FUSO - THE CANTER

MADE FOR BUSINESS

also inside

Discover Puglia - Southern Italy’s Hidden Treasure PUGLIA WINERY SPOTLIGHT LEONE DE CASTRIS

Discover

PUGLIA

SOUTHERN ITALY’S HIDDEN TREASURE

Mattinata BAIA DELLE ZAGARE

PUGLIA IS A TREASURE TROVE OF ART, HISTORY, AND NATURE. CENTURIES OF HISTORY AND A RANGE OF CHARMING LANDSCAPES ARE JUST SOME OF THE REASONS WHY IT'S SUCH A UNIQUE DESTINATION, ONE WHERE YOU'LL ENJOY SOME TRULY UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES. PUGLIA, WITH ITS 800KM OF COASTLINE, IS HUGGED BY THE IONIAN AND ADRIATIC SEAS WHICH HAVE CRAFTED A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SHORES, WITH STEEP CLIFFS OVERLOOKING COLOURFUL SEA BOTTOMS AND GOLDEN BEACHES SLOPING INTO CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS. INLAND DISCOVER GREAT VALLEYS AND GENTLE HILLS COVERED WITH OLIVE TREES, VINEYARDS, AND LUXURIANT FORESTS, AS WELL AS SOME SURPRISING MEDITERRANEAN RAVINES. FROM THE GARGANO AND DAUNIA TO IMPERIAL PUGLIA, FROM THE TERRA DI BARI TO MAGNA GRAECIA, MURGE AND THE RAVINES, PASSING THROUGH THE ITRIA VALLEY AND MURGIA DEI TRULLI, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE SALENTO, PUGLIA IS A PERFECT DRIVING HOLIDAY DESTINATION. rom the Ancient Greeks to the Romans, from the Byzantines to the Normans, and from the Swabians to the Angevins, many civilizations have followed one another in ruling Puglia. Over the years, numerous archaeological excavations have brought back to light priceless artefacts and works of art and architecture testifying to the history and wideranging cultures of the different societies that were once here. And so you'll find menhirs, cave churches, medieval castles, Baroque and Romanesque churches, noble palaces and historical residences, enchanted hamlets and art cities, charming masserie (manor farms) and casali (rural homes).

In addition to this exceptional heritage, there are also three Unesco World Heritage Sites: Castel del Monte, the mysterious fortress of Fredrick II (near Andria); the trulli, characteristic drystone huts, unique in the world; and the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo in Monte Sant’Angelo, a masterpiece of medieval art and an international pilgrimage destination.

Puglia is shrouded in a magical atmosphere, where the past embraces the present, and where ancient religious and popular traditions are safeguarded. Towns and cities come to life with thousands of lights, colors, sounds, as they commemorate their devotion to patron saints with lively celebrations and festivities. In Puglia, ancient customs are perpetuated through rituals related to harvests and fishing, and the work of master craftsmen.

The authentic Puglia can also be enjoyed at the table.

Its food and wine are an explosion of exceptional flavors.

The secret is in the ingredients, all genuine and locally grown, which give rise to superb extra virgin olive oil and exquisite wines.

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Taranto CASTELLO E PONTE GIREVOLE

Alberobello TRULLI

Lecce Basilica Santa Croce

Puglia

Lecce Basilica Santa Croce

Lecce ULIVI SECOLARI January 2019 | motoring 03

PUGLIA

WINERY SPOTLIGHT

Leone de Castris FOUNDED IN 1665 BY THE SPANISH DUKE ORONZO, EARL OF LEMOS, IN THE ITALIAN REGION OF PUGLIA, ENO L ED SIRT AC HAS BEEN EXPORTING WINE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE 19TH CENTURY. THE LEONE DE CASTRIS WINERY HAS PLAYED A LEADING ROLE IN THE REVITALIZATION OF THE SALENTO’S EXTENSIVE WINE INDUSTRY. SITUATED IN THE SMALL, RURAL TOWN OF SALICE SALENTINO, THE LEONE DE CASTRIS WINERY IS ONE OF THE TOP PRODUCERS IN THE SALENTO AREA AND THE PUGLIA REGION OVERALL. IT HAS EXTENSIVE VINEYARD HOLDINGS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE SALENTO AREA AND PRODUCES A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTING AND RELIABLE WINES. AMONGST THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, THE FIRM IS CREDITED WITH THE INVENTION OF THE FAMED RED WINE CALLED SALICE SALENTINO DOC OVER 50 YEARS AGO.

LOCATION OF VINEYARD

The Primitivo di Manduria appellation is known for the production of bold and spicy reds. This wine is no exception, skillfully crafted from hand-picked grapes grown on very mature vines – 40 years old on average. It is a concentrated and layered example of a true classic from Puglia. Tasting Notes Rich purple in color, inviting aromas of spiced cherries and black fruits complement undertones of tobacco and dried plums. It is a full-bodied wine, warm and soft on the palate with flavors that continue to evolve into the finish. Food Pairing Pair this wine with sweet Italian sausage, fresh berry coulis, jamón iberico, and barbecued ribs.

or centuries Leone de Castris has worked only in Puglia, producing only Apulian products. While some may view this as a limitation, for Leone de Castris, it is a specialty to be proud of.Their mission is to make the highest-quality products possible in the land where they were born and raised.

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Along with their famous rosé Five Roses Rosato which was first produced in 1943, the winery produces a wide range of red and white DOC wines (Salice Salentino, Primitivo di Manduria) and interesting IGT Salento and Puglia wines.

The Leone de Castris family

WINE HIGHLIGHTS “Five Roses” has special significance to the Leone de Castris family. Despite being created during the turmoil of World War II, it actually became quite a success story: it was the first rosato bottled in Italy.

Moreover, several generations of the family each had five children, so the name ‘Five Roses’ holds special significance for the Leone de Castris family. Tasting Notes Five Roses is bursting with aromas of ripe cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and red currants. These delightful notes continue on the palate, complimented by fresh, crisp acidity, good

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structure, and smooth texture. Food Pairing Enjoy this special wine as an aperitif or serve it with grilled vegetable dishes, risotto, poultry or flavourful seafood.

Salice Salentino Leone de Castris specializes in traditional wines. This exceptional wine commemorates the winery’s 50th anniversary vintage, or “vendemmia,” which has been featured on the label since 2004. This wine is made from hand-harvested, select grapes from the Salice Salentino DOC, a picturesque wine region dotted with ancient watchtowers and old farmhouses, just

north of the village of Lecce. Tasting Notes Intense ruby-red in color, concentrated aromas of black cherries and baked red fruits complement undertones of plums, spices, vanilla, and anise. On the palate, velvety tannins and a full body frame the long, delectable finish of stewed strawberries and vanilla beans. Food Pairing Pair this wine with well-aged steaks, demiglaces, barbecue, and farsumagru (a traditional Sicilian meat roll dish).

Villa Santera is named after a historic villa, which belongs to the Leone de Castris family, located in the province of Taranto.

Visit Leone de Castris. Several different tours are available including ‘THE GREAT TRADITION’ tour which includes a guided tour to the historical offices, wine cellar and Museum ‘Piero e Salvatore Leone de Castris’ with a wine tasting of three historical wines of the winery; as well as ‘THE FOOD EXPERIENCE’ tour and ‘THE FOOD AND WINE’ tour. For info and reservations contact Serena Guida at serena.guida@leonedecastris.com, tel +39 0832731112. Located close to the winery is Leone de Castris’ restaurant and hotel, Villa Donna Lisa, where they host travelers wishing to visit the winery. Locally Leone de Castris Wines are imported by Attard and Co. Food Ltd, Tel: 2123 7555, facebook.com/attardcofood

JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIGHTS UP THE ROAD AHEAD FOR SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES OF THE FUTURE • INTELLIGENT SYSTEM PROJECTS IMAGES ONTO THE ROAD AHEAD TO INFORM PEDESTRIANS OF DIRECTION OF TRAVEL • PROJECTIONS SHOW WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PREPARING TO STOP, PULL AWAY OR TURN • THE TECHNOLOGY HELPS UNDERSTAND HOW SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES CAN GAIN PEDESTRIAN TRUST

BY COMMUNICATING THEIR INTENTIONS

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aguar Land Rover has developed a system that projects the direction of travel onto the road ahead of selfdriving vehicles, to tell other road users what it is going to do next.

The intelligent technology beams a series of projections onto the road to show the future intentions of the vehicle for example stopping and turning left or right - as part of research into how people can

develop their trust in autonomous technology. In the future the projections could even be used to share obstacle detection and journey updates with pedestrians.

These projections, tested on autonomous pods developed by Aurrigo, feature a series of lines or bars with adjustable spacing.

The gaps shorten as the pod is preparing to brake before fully compressing at a stop. As the pod moves off and accelerates,

the spacing between the lines extends. Upon approaching a turn, the bars fan out left or right to indicate the direction of travel.

Trials were set up by a team of advanced engineers, working in Jaguar Land Rover’s Future Mobility division, supported by cognitive psychologists, after studies showed 41 percent of drivers and pedestrians are worried about sharing the road with autonomous vehicles*.

The innovative system was tested on a fabricated street scene at a Coventry facility with engineers recording trust levels reported by pedestrians both with and without projections.

The trust trial programme which also included fitting of ‘virtual eyes’ to the intelligent pods in 2018 to see if making eye contact improved trust in the technology** - was conducted as part of Jaguar

Land Rover’s governmentsupported UK Autodrive project.

Pete Bennett, Future Mobility Research Manager at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The trials are about understanding how much information a self-driving vehicle should share with a pedestrian to gain their trust.

Just like any new technology, humans have to learn to trust it, and when it comes to autonomous vehicles, pedestrians must have confidence they can cross the road safely. This pioneering research is forming the basis of ongoing development into how self-driving cars will interact with people in the future.”

Safety remains the priority as Jaguar Land Rover invests in selfdriving technology, becoming automotive leaders in autonomous, connected, electric and shared mobility. The trial is aligned with the brand’s longterm strategic goals: to make cars safer, free up people’s valuable time and improve mobility for everyone.

This commitment extends to Jaguar Land Rover’s current models with a suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems including Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Assist and Intelligent Speed Limiter available across its range of vehicles, including the Jaguar FPACE and Range Rover Velar.

VOLKSWAGEN CELEBRATES FIVE MILLIONTH TIGUAN • TIGUAN AND TIGUAN ALLSPACE: FIVE MILLION VEHICLES FROM THIS SUV MODEL RANGE HAVE LEFT THE ASSEMBLY LINE IN JUST ELEVEN YEARS • THE TIGUAN PRODUCT LINE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF VOLKSWAGEN'S GLOBAL SUV OFFENSIVE • WITH ALMOST 800,000 VEHICLES DELIVERED IN 2018, THE TIGUAN IS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL VEHICLES WORLDWIDE

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olkswagen can already celebrate an impressive production anniversary right at the start of 2019: in the middle of January, the five millionth Tiguan left the assembly line at the Wolfsburg plant. The compact Tiguan has enjoyed worldwide success since its market launch in 2007, and has thus made a valuable contribution to the brand's growth strategy and SUV offensive.

The harmonious design concept of the Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace (since 2017) has been enthusiastically received by customers all over the world. The Tiguan stands for striking exterior and interior design, state-of-the art technologies and outstanding all-round characteristics. The just under 800,000 Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace vehicles delivered in 2018 are proof of the popularity and success of the compact SUV. Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Member of the Board of Management

responsible for Production: “The Tiguan has passed the historic mark of five million vehicles produced. The know-how of our team, the exceptional team spirit and the enthusiasm with which we produce our Volkswagen models form the basis for this magnificent success and provide a strong foundation for our SUV strategy.”

Bernd Osterloh, Chairman of the General and Group Works Council: “The Tiguan secures the jobs of tens of thousands of highly qualified workers around the world and makes a significant contribution to earnings. For this reason, it is important that we do not reduce our investments in the development and

production of the Tiguan, as we should seek to inspire our customers with this car well into the future.”

Production of the Tiguan started in 2007 in the main plant in Wolfsburg and represented the beginning of the success story of this compact SUV. More than 120,000 units already left the assembly line in the first full year of production in 2008. This was followed by steep continuous growth – in 2015, more than 500,000 Tiguan had already been sold worldwide.

The second Tiguan generation was introduced in 2016. This was the first Volkswagen SUV to be based on the

modular transverse matrix (MQB).

This was followed in 2017 by the especially spacious Tiguan Allspace, almost 22 centimetres longer and also available as a seven-seater model.

The new generation and extension of the range by the Tiguan Allspace provided a renewed positive stimulus: over 700,000 units were sold in 2017, and 2018 was the most successful year yet for the Tiguan product line with almost 800,000 vehicles.

The Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace are currently produced in four Volkswagen locations (China, Germany, Mexico and Russia) and offered in the most important markets worldwide.

January 2019 | motoring 05

ŠKODA’S NEW CITY SUV IS CALLED KAMIQ Š he independent vehicle assessment organisation Euro NCAP, which tested 23 new passenger cars in 2018, has now announced this year’s best rated cars. The Hyundai NEXO has been awarded ‘Best in Class’ of 2018 in the ‘Large Off-Road’ category, ahead of new SUVs from other well-known brands. ŠKODA’s new SUV is called the ŠKODA Kamiq.

The crossover is the third SUV for the European market and marks the next step in the Czech manufacturer’s SUV campaign. The word Kamiq comes from the language of the Inuit people living in northern Canada and Greenland. It describes something that fits as perfectly as a second skin in every situation. Reason enough to give the new crossover model for the European market the same name as the SUV already established in China.

The ŠKODA Kamiq is an urban crossover model that presents itself as an ideal companion to everyday life in the modern city and beyond. The name ŠKODA Kamiq is already established as the name of a model in China and is therefore

perfectly suited to the new crossover model. At the same time, the designation falls within the nomenclature linking all models in the SUV model range – the names of all current ŠKODA SUV models start with a K and end with a Q. With the new ŠKODA Kamiq, the Czech carmaker is taking the next step in its SUV campaign and is expanding its offering with a compact and lifestyle-oriented entry-level model for the European market. The ŠKODA Kamiq combines the agility and handling of a compact car with the traditional advantages of an SUV – higher seating position, better visibility, easier to get in and out, and higher ground clearance. Based on the modular transverse matrix, the ŠKODA model offers new assistance systems, and convinces with numerous ‘Simply Clever’ features that popularised the brand just as much as the generous space available.

The world premiere of the new ŠKODA Kamiq takes place at the Geneva Motor Show between 5 and 17 March 2019.

SEAT ARONA WINS SMALL SUV OF THE YEAR FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR • SEAT ARONA BEATS TOUGH COMPETITION TO SHINE AS SMALL SUV OF THE YEAR FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

BY WHAT CAR? JUDGES • PRAISED BY JUDGES FOR ITS PRACTICALITY, VALUE FOR MONEY AND FUN DRIVING STYLE • ARONA COMBINES SMALL EXTERIOR PROPORTIONS WITH BIG INTERIOR DIMENSIONS • 1.0 TSI 95 SE TECHNOLOGY IS EXPERTS’ PICK FROM ARONA RANGE he SEAT Arona has celebrated its first full year of sales by winning Small SUV of the Year

by What Car? judges at a ceremony in London last night.

The Arona, which won the same award in 2018, with its 1.0 TSI 95 engine and in SE Technology specification, was praised by the panel of experts for its interior practicality, pricing, smooth ride and fun handling.

Commenting on the decision to award victory to the Arona for the second year in a row, Steve Huntingford, Editor, What Car? said: “It may be a small SUV, but the Arona has a large number of things going for it.

Not only is it more practical than most rivals, but it's very well priced and feels grown-up to drive, with a settled,

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sophisticated ride and tidy handling.”

Richard Harrison, Managing Director, SEAT UK, said: “It’s no surprise to us that Arona has scooped this accolade again. It has made waves since its launch at the beginning of 2018 and was a major factor in our record sales last year, proving that consumers love it just as much as the experts.”

Arona was the car that launched easymove – SEAT’s simplified purchase model, now adopted throughout the entire SEAT range – so customers can buy the award-winning small SUV with ease. What Car?’s preferred specification, SE Technology, provides customers with a whole host of connectivity including rear parking sensors, SEAT’s Connectivity Pack Plus, which provides an 8-inch colour touchscreen with Media System Plus, proximity sensor and Sat Nav system with 3D mapping and voice recognition, wireless charger, two USB ports and AUX, and two SD card slots.

The Arona also provides free metallic paint, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED DRLs, Full-Link smartphone replication, double boot floor, 40/60 split folding rear seats air conditioning, cruise control, tiredness recognition system, and multi-collision braking system as standard.

The Arona is available in four different engines and two powertrains – two petrol and two diesel engines, with either manual or DSG automatic gearboxes. What Car?’s recommended engine, the 1.0 TSI 95, is a petrol unit outputting 95 PS with 115g CO2 and 45.6-48.7mpg (combined) based on the WLTP guidelines.

NEW PEUGEOT 508 THE RADICAL SALOON!

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he new PEUGEOT 508 changes everything. Its structure is more compact and its height reduced. The new exterior design is sharper and more robust, while the car’s spectacular interior includes an evolution of the iconic PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®. Its exemplary road-handling, new engines, countless technology features and quantum leap in quality means the new PEUGEOT 508 sets a world class standard within the Dsegment and further supports the Brand’s upmarket strategy.

A changing concept for a changing segment In the European market, the traditional D-segment saloon has been stagnant for the last four years, after more than a decade of decline. Under pressure from a diverse range of customer preferences and designs, especially from the SUV market, the large saloon now only finds favour through offering wider variety and adopting a more pronounced identity. It was against this backdrop that the designers behind the new PEUGEOT 508 stated their clear aim: to move away from the conventional boot-lid, four-door shape and towards a five-door fastback coupé-saloon.

A bold design At first glance, the new PEUGEOT 508 surprises onlookers with an energetic and expressive presence. The car’s height has been reduced and the aerodynamic lines of the vehicle are reminiscent of the coupé style.

The front end is impressive, even aggressive. With the famous lion centred on its radiator grill and the 508 logo upon the nose of the bonnet, the new PEUGEOT 508 pays tribute to its acclaimed predecessors, the PEUGEOT 504 and 504 coupé.

The horizontal bonnet has been lowered to enhance the dynamism of the new PEUGEOT 508 and the overall silhouette has been designed to appeal from every angle. This attention to bodywork design is usually reserved for the most

premium of vehicles.

The roof line of the new PEUGEOT 508 is low and sleek.

Nothing spoils the silhouette: no conventional overlap of the bonnet, glazing support and door frames; the wheels have been adjusted to perfectly fill the wheel arches; and the roof aerial has been removed. PEUGEOT has utilised its expert knowledge to maximise the car’s aesthetic appeal and quality.

Spanning the rear end and framed between the rear lights is the glossy black horizontal strip that now characterises PEUGEOT’s latest vehicles. Yet what immediately stand out are the three dimensional Full LED rear lights, which are illuminated throughout the night and day with adaptive intensity, making the coloured claws constantly visible. These impressive lights will differ in appearance depending on side or full rear view.

The sharp, robust exterior styling of the new PEUGEOT 508 makes a strong impression.

And whilst the new PEUGEOT 508 has a lot to boast about in its exterior design, its interior is just as stunning.

modernity and, with the steering-wheel paddles, helps to enhance driving pleasure.

This driving position is unique, providing stimulating, intuitive driving pleasure every time you enter the vehicle.

Efficiency and high-level performance Whether in the car’s

architecture, the NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), the optimisation of dimensions, weight reduction, aerodynamics or the drive train, everything has been done to reduce CO2 emission levels to the lowest they’ve ever been.

The new PEUGEOT 508 enjoys the new-generation PureTech and Blue HDi engines for best-in-class CO2 emission

levels. These levels of performance are all the more remarkable as they take into account new technical provisions and the WLTP procedure, which seeks to harmonise test approved consumption levels and customer-usage consumption levels.

The New PEUGEOT 508 is now on display at the Peugeot Showroom in Blata l-Bajda.

A cabin enhanced by the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® Stepping into the new PEUGEOT 508 is like entering another world, one focused on quality and originality. The eye is immediately drawn to a spectacular, resolutely premium instrument panel and the latest version of the exemplary PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®.

Since it first appeared in 2012 on the PEUGEOT 208, the iCockpit® has evolved as new models have been introduced to the range. Three generations of the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® have since made their mark as major benefits in the lion brand’s offerings. The essential components of the PEUGEOT iCockpit® include a compact steering wheel, a large, 10-inch wide HD capacitive touchscreen in 8:3 format and a headup display unit with a highresolution 12.3-inch digital screen.

Clearly visible on the centre console, the eight-speed automatic gearbox lever is electrically powered with onetouch control. Its design further underlines the driving position’s January 2019 | motoring 07

FUSO - THE CANTER

MADE FOR BUSINESS

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racticality and safety, economy and reliability, as well as comfort and versatility: these are the keywords used to describe the Fuso Canter. For your daily work in an urban environment, you need more than a light truck. You need a specialist. Or better: a whole specialist unit. A team that relieves you. In the hard work. And while driving. A team that takes you further. Even if it gets tight.

Efficient, comfortable and versatile. In the five weight classes 3.5t, 6.0t, 6.5t, 7.49t and 8.55t, with three different cabin types, three engine variants from 96kW (130hp) to 129kW (175hp), six wheelbases from 2,500 to 4,750mm and body lengths up to 7.2m - the right Canter is ready for you. The frame concept offers you excellent bodywork solutions with high payload in all weight classes.

If you’re after a truck with a body that’s tailor made to your exact specifications, Canters range of cab

chassis’ are a good place to start. On the other hand, if you’ve got a straight forward job and need a quality truck and body as soon as possible, Fuso’s Built Ready range will have you sorted in no time.

Packed with class leading features, the light-duty Fuso Canter can be configured to suit almost any business need as you can pick from over 50 body variations!

Canter is the only light-duty Japanese truck to offer 30,000km service intervals. And

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with its class leading tare weight, you can carry more with Canter. Furthermore, the Fuso Canter was the first in the market to offer a Duonic dual-clutch transmission. The Fuso Canter is also available with a start/stop function, as an optional extra, with both the Duonic dual clutch and manual transmissions. The heavier models also have an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), available as an option.

For further information please visit; Kind’s – Auto Sales Ltd, contact 21433601 or visit www.autosales.com.mt