Motoring July 2019

IN THIS ISSUE: THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS SALOON: COMPACT POINT OF ENTRY TO THE WORLD OF PREMIUM SALOONS | RENAULT MÉGANE R.S. TROPHY-R SETS NEW SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS LAP RECORD | BACK UP TO SPEED: THE NEW LOOK, HIGH TECH AUDI SQ7 TDI | ECURIE ECOSSE LM69 CREATING A MODERN RACING THOROUGHBRED | RENAULT CAPTUR YOUR URBAN ADVENTURE STARTS NOW

The Malta Independent on Sunday. July 2019

YOUR URBAN ADVENTURE STARTS NOW. THE RENAULT CAPTUR IS AN URBAN EXPLORER PAR EXCELLENCE: REFINED, RELIABLE AND READY FOR ANYTHING.

RENAULT MÉGANE R.S. TROPHY-R SETS NEW SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS LAP RECORD • RENAULT MÉGANE R.S. TROPHY-R BREAKS SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE PRODUCTION CAR RECORD • LAPS THE 4.35 MILE BELGIAN CIRCUIT IN 2’48’’338 (MORE THAN 5S BETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS RECORD) • THE MÉGANE R.S. TROPHY-R HOLDS THE SAME CATEGORY RECORD AT GERMANY’S TORTUOUS NURBURGRING CIRCUIT • ENGINEERED FOR ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE, THE MÉGANE R.S. TROPHY-R IS 130KG LIGHTER THAN THE MÉGANE R.S. 300 TROPHY • ALSO FEATURES BESPOKE SUSPENSION SET-UP AND AERODYNAMIC CHANGES • JUST 500 EXAMPLES TO BE PRODUCED GLOBALLY WITH 30 COMING TO THE UK

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he Mégane R.S. Trophy-R has set a new front-wheel drive lap record at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, recording a time of 2’48’’338 (more than 5s better than the previous record). This successful attempt comes only weeks after the Mégane R.S. Trophy broke the same category lap record at the fearsome Nurburgring. As ever, Renault Sport test driver and engineer Laurent Hurgon was behind the wheel for the record-breaking run.

Commenting on the incredible success, Patrice Ratti, Renault Sport Cars General Manager, said: “The new Mégane R.S. Trophy-R has set a new record in its category at one of the most demanding circuits in the world. This performance and the closeness between the driver at work and the beautiful sharing of information and passion: this is the attitude that permeates the development of our cars.”

Test driver Laurent Hurgon has set numerous speed records in various generations of Renault Sport model,

including many successes at the Nurburgring. “I am, once again, really proud and delighted,” explained Hurgon after the record-breaking lap. “Spa-Francorchamps is one the most exciting circuits in Europe for drivers. It is very fast and complex and the car is perfect for this configuration. The work done on the aerodynamic balance takes all its value. The sensations in the Raidillon, Pouhon and Blanchimont corners are really excellent.

What a pleasure!”

Continuing a long tradition for Renault Sport, the Mégane R.S. Trophy-R owes its performance to a focus on three key pillars: weight reduction, aerodynamics and suspension. Limited to just 500 examples globally, the Mégane R.S. Trophy-R is around 130kg lighter than standard Mégane R.S. Trophy (excluding options) thanks to a radical weight-weight-saving programme, plus it features a redesigned undertray and more aggressive rear splitter that generates greater downforce. Finally, the overhauled suspension benefits from more negative camber at the front, a bespoke H pattern rear axle and Ohlins two-way adjustable dampers. Power is provided

by the 300 PS turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder that drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and Torsen limited slip differential.

For more information on the Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy-R visit: www.press.renault.co.uk/models/renaultmegane-rs-trophy-r

NO MORE SNEEZING

ŠKODA DEVELOPS TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT IN-CAR HAY FEVER SUFFERING ŠKODA HAS REVEALED THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ITS NEW SCALA THAT COULD SPELL THE END OF HAY FEVER SYMPTOMS IN CARS AND DELIGHT THE 13 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UK WHO ARE PLAGUED BY THE CONDITION EVERY SUMMER.

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ith hay fever season in full swing and pollen counts expected to reach ‘very high’ levels this week, drivers are being advised to avoid drowsiness inducing medication, keep windows closed and put the air conditioning on recycle air

mode.

However, Scala’s state-of-the-art dual zone Climatronic air-conditioning means drivers and passengers no longer need to take their own precautions as the technology defaults to an energy-saving recirculation mode and stops the pollen entering the inside of the car helping to reduce symptoms of sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes.

Unlike normal air-conditioning systems, the Scala uses a special cabin filter and air quality sensor to filter out the pollen. Once sneeze-inducing air particles are sensed, the system will automatically shut off the outside air inlet to stop the air particles from entering the car.

The sophisticated Climatronic system also acts to provide quick relief in sweltering temperatures. ŠKODA has employed aerodynamics expertise to monitor the 02 motoring | July 2019

direction and velocity of the airflow inside the car to ensure that cool air is delivered quickly and efficiently to the driver and passengers.

In addition, the airconditioning system uses multiple sensors to monitor both inside and outside temperature and humidity. The Scala features an extra sunlight sensor that can detect not only the intensity, but also the direction of the sun’s rays. It can then adjust the air temperature for the left or right side of the car, for far more efficient cooling.

Thousands of hours have been spent developing and testing in-car conditions through every traffic scenario.

During testing, fluorescent lamps were used to simulate a burning sun at 1,000 W per m2, which is an equivalent heat intensity to the Arizona desert.

THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS SALOON COMPACT POINT OF ENTRY TO THE WORLD OF PREMIUM SALOONS THE FAMILY OF COMPACT CARS FROM MERCEDES-BENZ CONTINUES TO GROW: THE ACLASS SALOON. THE FOUR-DOOR SALOON CAR HAS A WHEELBASE OF 2729 MILLIMETRES AND THE PROPORTIONS OF A DYNAMIC AND AT THE SAME TIME COMPACT SALOON CAR WITH SHORT OVERHANGS AT THE FRONT AND REAR. IT IS AT THE TOP OF ITS SEGMENT WITH REGARD TO REAR HEADROOM. IN ADDITION, THE SALOON MODEL HAS THE FAMILIAR A-CLASS VIRTUES. THESE INCLUDE MODERN, EFFICIENT ENGINES, A HIGH LEVEL OF SAFETY THANKS TO STATE-OF-THE-ART DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS WITH S-CLASS FUNCTIONS, AND THE INTUITIVELY OPERATED AND LEARNING MBUX – MERCEDES-BENZ USER EXPERIENCE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM. Equipment & appointments: KEYLESS-GO with HANDS-FREE ACCESS available The entry-level model is already extensively equipped. Standard features include the MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system with touchscreen, and driving assistance systems of the latest generation such as Active Brake Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.The starting price of the Aclass saloon Style is €37, 200. In addition, the A-Class Saloon can be customised with the design and equipment lines Progressive and AMG Line, the Night Package as well as further optional equipment.

The KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package with HANDS-FREE ACCESS will be one of the available options, for example.The HANDS-FREE ACCESS convenience function enables hands-free and fully automatic opening of the boot lid with a kicking motion of the foot under the rear bumper.

Exterior design: superior sportiness and modernity With its puristic design emphasising surfaces, the A-Class Saloon is hot and

emotive presentation also sets standards in this segment:The different colours are composed into ten colour themes to allow an avant-garde lighting display with spectacular colour changes.

MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience: unrivalled experience The new A-Class is the first MercedesBenz model to feature the completely new MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience multimedia system, which also ushers in a new era forMercedes me connectivity at the same time. A unique feature of this system is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX is customisable and adapts to the user. It thus creates an emotional connection between vehicle, driver and passengers.

Intelligent Drive: functions from the S-Class

cool at the same time, and thereby is a seamless fit with the design idiom of Sensual Purity. This includes the clear formal shapes emphasising surface areas with reduced lines and precise gaps. The new A-Class Saloon has the proportions of a dynamic and compact saloon car with short front and rear overhangs.

Interior design: revolution from within The interior of the new A-Class is completely redefined with its modern, avant-garde look. Mercedes-Benz has taken a completely new approach, revolutionising the compact class from the inside with a new feeling of spaciousness. The unique interior architecture is shaped in particular by the avant-garde design of the dashboard: The designers completely dispensed with a cowl above the cockpit. As a result, the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard extends from one front door to the other with no visual discontinuity.The Widescreen display (optional) is completely freestanding.The air vents in a sporty turbine look are another highlight.

Below this main body is a low-lying section, the so-called wing.The wing appears to float, as there are no connections or shape transitions to the surrounding area.The ambient lighting enhances this effect, accentuating the free-floating impression of the substructure.The 64 colours of the optional ambient lighting make five times as many colours available than before. And it is not just the variety that has increased, as the

The A-Class has the very latest driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support, and thus provides the highest level of active safety in this segment with functions adopted from the S C lass. For the first time, the A-Class is able to drive semiautonomously in certain situations.To do this, it keeps a close eye on the traffic situation: improved camera and radar systems allow it to see up to 500 metres ahead.The A-Class also uses map and navigation data for assistance functions.

MULTIBEAM LED headlamps: optimum visibility in all conditions The optional MULTIBEAM LED headlamps are another example of the technology transfer from the luxury to the compact class.They allow extremely quick and precise, electronically controlled adjustment of the headlamps to suit the current traffic situation. 18 individual actuated LEDs are housed in each headlamp.The daylight-like light colour of the LEDs is easy on the eyes and has a positive effect on concentration.The road ahead is precisely and brightly illuminated.

LED High Performance headlamps are a further option. As standard the new AClass is equipped with halogen headlamps with integrated LED daytime driving lamps.

Visit our Mercedes-Benz Showroom in Mosta Road, Lija or call on +356 2143 3601 to book a test drive. Alternatively, you can send an e-mail to sales@autosales.com.mt requesting further information.

July 2019 | motoring 03

BACK UP TO SPEED: THE NEW LOOK, HIGH TECH AUDI SQ7 TDI

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lectrically boosted V8 TDI power returns to the updated Q7 range combined with the latest infotainment

functionality • Superb performance thanks in part to the electric powered compressor • Updated design with Sspecific details and extensive equipment • New fully digital cabin with touch operation • Available in the UK from August as SQ7 TDI and top specification SQ7 TDI Vorsprung

The latest in Audi design, engineering and digitalisation know-how has brought the updated Audi SQ7 TDI right up to speed with Vorsprung durch Technik in 2019, but the high performance seven-seater has remained true to its roots in one area that will please devotees of maximum displacement – the 435PS biturbo V8 diesel engine remains the star attraction in the newcomer, which is due to become available in the UK from August ahead of first deliveries in the autumn.

Pure diesel power: Biturbo V8 with electrically powered

compressor The 4.0-litre biturbo TDI backs up its 435PS output with a 900 Nm wall of torque available between 1,250 and 3,250 rpm, enough to catapult the SQ7 TDI from rest to 62mph in 4.8 seconds and to take it to an electronically governed top speed of 155mph.

The 48-volt electrical subsystem feeds an electrically powered compressor (EPC) that assists the two turbochargers whenever the load demand from the accelerator is high while the available energy in the exhaust gas is still low. In this case, it supplies the fresh air, which is important for combustion. As a result, the tremendous torque is available instantly at any time – when accelerating from low speeds and particularly when starting off. The EPC is integrated into the intake air tract. A compact electric motor accelerates its compressor impeller to up to 70,000 revolutions per minute in 250 milliseconds. In the exhaust system, two actuators modulate a full eight-cylinder sound.

S-specific adaptive air suspension, all-wheel-steering and quattro drive A quick-shifting eight-speed tiptronic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive slickly convey the immense power of the 4.0 TDI onto the road. The standard Sspecific adaptive sport air suspension and progressive steering, whose ratio becomes increasingly direct as the steering angle increases, create excellent driving dynamics, and

in Vorsprung versions standard all-wheel steering makes the large SUV even easier to handle. The system turns the rear wheels by up to 5 degrees in the opposite direction at low speed to maximise manoeuvrability, and at higher speeds turns them slightly in the same direction to promote stability.

Impressive look: the exterior design The Audi SQ7 TDI combines the recently updated design of the Q models with added Sspecific details. It stands apart from the base model with its twin slats in the Singleframe, exterior mirror housings in aluminium look, and the four characteristic exhaust tailpipes with round, chrome trims. The blade in the bumper has a three-dimensional shape, and the underbody protection at the rear looks even more rugged. The look is set off by Matrix LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights and dynamic front and rear indicators, and by 21-inch cast aluminium wheels in 5-double Vspoke design in contrast grey with a gloss-turned finish.

In Vorsprung versions the headlamps are upgraded to HD Matrix LED units including laser light, and a Titanium Black styling pack adds a titanium black finish for the grille surround, door mirrors and roof rails combined with a high gloss black finish for the window surrounds. Larger 22inch 5-V-spoke aluminium star design wheels also make even more impact. Behind both wheels, brake discs measuring 400 millimetres in diameter at

the front and 370 millimetres at the rear are fitted, with callipers finished in black and featuring an S logo. These are also optionally available in red.

Sporty performance: Interior and equipment The interior of the Audi SQ7 TDI features super sports seats upholstered in dark Valcona leather with integrated head restraints, S embossing, rhombus stitching and pneumatic lumbar support adjustment. In the SQ7 TDI Vorsprung these are also climate controlled and feature a massage function.

Soft Alcantara door inserts and brushed aluminium inlays complement these, as do the illuminated door sill trims bearing the S logo and the pedals, footrest and loading sill protector finished in stainless steel brightwork. A contour/ambient lighting package can be specified at extra cost to illuminate the elementary design lines and the surfaces in 30 adjustable colours..

MMI navigation plus, which includes touch-screen operation, delivers top-of-theline connectivity as standard. It features LTE Advanced, a Wi-Fi hotspot, natural voice control and the extensive Audi connect portfolio, bringing benefits such as traffic information online, navigation with Google Earth, the hybrid radio and the cloudbased Amazon Alexa voice service, which is integrated into the MMI operating system. All features are shown with an Sspecific display in the Audi virtual cockpit. There is also a performance view, which places the rev counter in the centre.

ECURIE ECOSSE LM69 CREATING A MODERN RACING THOROUGHBRED What if…?

It’s a question that has dominated the history of the XJ13, a prototype built by Jaguar in 1966 in a quest to continue the marque’s legendary run of success in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Powered by a new quad-cam, 5-litre V12, the XJ13 was Jaguar’s first midengined car – and without doubt one of the most beautiful automotive designs of all time.

Sadly, it remained unraced. A combination of internal politics and a change in sporting regulations meant that it was banished to a corner of the Competition Department – mothballed and all but forgotten as other projects took priority.

But what if the XJ13 had been developed and raced? What if this car’s immense potential had been realised?

Picture the scene: one day in late 1967, members of Ecurie Ecosse – the famous Scottish race team that twice won Le Mans in the 1950s with Jaguar D-types – travel to the Browns Lane factory to discuss repeating that success. During their visit, they spot the XJ13, covered up and tucked away. But as soon as the covers come off, they know that they’ve got a potential winner on their hands.

A deal is done, and work begins on a two-year project to develop and build a car in order for Ecurie Ecosse to take on the might of Ford, Ferrari and Porsche at the 1969 Le Mans 24 Hours.

This alternate reality could have been one of motor racing’s greatest stories – 04 motoring | July 2019

just imagine if the money, not to say courage and ambition, had been invested into it. Now a team of designers and engineers have done just that…

The birth of the Ecurie Ecosse LM69 Fifty years on, the spectacular LM69 is to be launched. While remaining true in spirit and sympathetic to the style of the fabulous XJ13, its bodywork has been developed into an all-new design that has its own purposeful beauty.

The quad-cam V12 is the heart of the car, a unique signature that has been designed to evoke the experience of driving at Le Mans in 1969. And not only is the LM69 suitable for track use, it’s fully road-legal.

A strict brief was established from the start: the design and engineering team would have to adhere to the regulations of the time, and feature only design details and technology that entered motorsport no later than early 1969.

As the XJ13 would have done had it been prepared for serious competition use, the LM69 benefits from innovations that appeared during that exciting era.

Composite materials have been used, it’s lighter than the original car, and it boasts experimental aerodynamic devices, wider wheels and tyres, and a much-improved engine.

Only 25 will be produced, in keeping with the 1969 FIA homologation

requirements and to maintain its exclusivity. Each one will be individually hand-built in the West Midlands by the best British craftsmen in their field.

Discover the Ecurie Ecosse LM69 The Ecurie Ecosse LM69 will be officially launched at the International Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, London on 6-8 September 2019.

The gardens at Hampton Court Palace will be home to more than 300 of the finest and rarest motor cars ever to be seen. The crown jewels of the automotive world – 1896 pioneers to present-day supercars including the LM69.

The Ecurie Ecosse presence at this year’s Concours of Elegance affords a rare opportunity to see and commission a piece of motoring history.

For further information, please visit: www.ecuriecars.com July 2019 | motoring 05

JAGUAR XE SV PROJECT 8 THE WORLD’S FASTEST SALOON CAR, BEATS ITS OWN NÜRBURGRING NORDSCHLEIFE RECORD

• JAGUAR’S 200MPH, 600PS PERFORMANCE SEDAN LOWERS THE FASTEST NÜRBURGRING TIME FOR A FOUR-DOOR PRODUCTION CAR TO 7MIN 18.361SEC ON 20.6KM NORDSCHLEIFE LAP • PROJECT 8 DEVELOPMENT DRIVER VINCENT RADERMECKER RETURNS TO LEGENDARY GERMAN CIRCUIT AND CUTS 2.9 SECONDS OFF HIS PREVIOUS FASTEST TIME, SET IN NOVEMBER 2017 • OFFICIALLY-VERIFIED RECORDS ACHIEVED USING OFF-THE-SHELF MICHELIN PILOT SPORT CUP 2 R TYRES • EXPERIENCE A 360-DEGREE ONBOARD VIEW OF XE SV PROJECT 8’S RECORD NÜRBURGRING LAP HERE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8FDWCAAGB3Q

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aguar’s 200mph, 600PS performance sedan lowers the fastest Nürburgring time for a fourdoor production car to 7min 18.361sec on 20.6km Nordschleife lap Project 8 development driver Vincent Radermecker returns to legendary German circuit and cuts 2.9 seconds off his previous fastest time, set in November 2017 Officially-verified records achieved using off-the-shelf Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres Experience a 360-degree onboard view of XE SV Project 8’s record Nürburgring lap here: https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=8fDwCaAgb3Q The Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations-developed XE SV Project 8 has demonstrated its breadth of performance capability by setting the fastest Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time for a four-door production car again: 7min 18.361sec.

This new officially-verified time on the 20.6km (12.8-mile) lap is 2.9 seconds faster than Project 8’s previous benchmark set in November 2017 and 7 seconds faster than any other four-door production car has achieved.

Project 8 is also the first vehicle to set an official whole lap record in the Nürburgring’s mid-range production car class, lapping the 20.8km (12.94-mile) circuit length in 7min 23.164sec.

Returning to the legendary German circuit in a production-specification two-seat Track Pack version of Project 8 was development driver Vincent Radermecker. The car’s height-adjustable twin-spring coilover suspension was set in ‘track’ ride height, with adjustable front splitter and carbonfibre rear aerodynamic wing positioned for maximum downforce and stability.

To maximise performance and steering precision, for the final record runs Project 8 was fitted with new off-the-shelf ultra-high performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres. Tested and chosen

by SV engineers for their capability on the track, the road-legal tyres use rubber compounds directly transferred from Michelin’s competition tyres.

Jamal Hameedi, Engineering Director, Jaguar Special Vehicle

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Operations, said: “The original Nürburgring time set by Jaguar XE SV Project 8 demonstrated the extreme performance envelope of the world’s fastest production sedan, but the SV team is driven by a motorsport mentality and we knew Project 8 could go even faster. This new official record time is a fitting reward for everyone who has played a part in pushing the boundaries for our customers with Project 8.”

Powered by the most highly tuned 600PS version of Jaguar’s 5.0-litre Supercharged V8, the allwheel-drive Project 8 is capable of 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds (0100km/h in 3.7 seconds) and a top speed of 200mph (320km/h).

Project 8 also features a fullyenclosed flat underbody for enhanced aerodynamics, which is key to its performance.

Production of the limited-edition Project 8 will finish this year. There are three distinct four-door specifications available: Lightweight two-seat Track Pack* – as used for the record lap times Four-seat configuration with same aero package and performance as Track Pack Touring specification with discreet fixed rear spoiler – the ultimate Q-car, limited to 15 examples worldwide and 186mph.

RENAULT CAPTUR YOUR URBAN ADVENTURE STARTS NOW

YOUR URBAN ADVENTURE STARTS NOW. THE RENAULT CAPTUR IS AN URBAN EXPLORER PAR EXCELLENCE: REFINED, RELIABLE AND READY FOR ANYTHING.

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espite its compact footprint Renault Captur exudes a real sense of interior space which is underpinned by the forward position of its windscreen and its generous interior dimensions.

Its exclusive, colourful cabin is warm and relaxing, and this first impression is reinforced by a selection of interior customisation solutions founded on a choice of colours and motifs for the different trim features.

The Renault Captur is acclaimed as a Bsegment benchmark, when it comes to driving pleasure. It consequently delivers best-level dynamics, from road holding to engine response and agile handling.

The Renault Captur, starting from € 14,900, (inclusive of scrappage scheme) comes with a wide range of customisable features, as well as a tough, two-toned body, full-LED Pure Vision lights and a

fixed-glass panoramic roof – bringing you closer to the action than ever before.

You can remain connected and entertained throughout the entire drive thanks to Renault’s optional R-Link Multimedia system, that boasts; navigation, 3D-sound, Bluetooth connectivity and many more practical features to ease your journey.

Renault Captur offers a range of safety and convenience features such as front and side airbags, Hill Start Assist, Hands Free Parking, Blind Spot Warning, and

Emergency Brake Assist. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

The Captur features a flexible boot, being that the rear seats are completely collapsible with the option of a 60:40 split. Fully collapsed, the Captur boasts 1,235 litres of boot space, which makes transporting of long or bulky items a breeze.

The petrol and diesel engines available for the model benefit from the very latest Renault technologies and will return bestin-class fuel consumption and CO2

emissions, starting from as low as 110 dCi 90.

Renault Captur summer Stock Offer!

Enjoy FREE on the road charges when purchasing a Renault stock vehicle in July!

T&Cs apply.

Visit our Renault Showroom in Mosta Road, Lija or call on +356 2143 3601 to book a test drive. Alternatively, you can send an e-mail to sales@autosales.com.mt requesting further information.

July 2019 | motoring 07