Motoring October 2014

• r e v i e w •

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 26 October 2014

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 26 October 2014

02

• r e v i e w •

The FIAT 500 Couture The Next Frontier of Exclusive Customization t the recent Paris Motor Show, Fiat 500 made headlines once more, as befits an authentic Italian style icon, this time by presenting the “500 Couture”, the next frontier of exclusive customization of which the exclusive “500 Ron Arad Edition” is an example.

Distinguished by special quintessentially Italian craftsmanship, the bodywork is customized with a specific design like a garment “sewn” onto the car and making it unique.

The “500 Comics”, “500 Camouflage” and “500 Jeans”, show cars, three different expressions of the “500 Couture” concept, inspired by the world of fashion and created to enhance the pop and trendy nature in the 500's DNA, will also be on display in Paris.

Versatile, creative and perfectly at ease in cities, the iconic Fiat 500 boasts a natural flair for customisation. This is the context of the new “500 Ron

A

Arad Edition”, the latest take on the concept of Italian high-end tailoring for customers who want to express their personality with a uniquely distinctive style. In recent years, customisation has become paramount for the automotive world where there is a great variety of choice and where customers are getting more and more careful and selective. Thus, we are now faced with a growing selection of cars and a change in the attitude of customers, who in their purchasing decisions now show a strong desire for distinction: every customer wants to feel unique and assert their own personality with their car. There is only one answer to this legitimate demand for extreme customisation: the Fiat 500.

The “500 Ron Arad Edition” celebrates the meeting between an iconic car and an internationally celebrated designer. In particular, the silhouette of the legendary 1957 Fiat 500 – informally known as

'Cinquino' by enthusiasts – is drawn on the sides of the car using quintessentially Italian craftsmanship. It was precisely the founder of the current 500 family that Ron Arad chose as the central figure in the “Reverse” exhibition hosted from December 2013 to March 2014 in the Pinacoteca Agnelli, Turin, the exhibition area designed by Renzo Piano at the 4th floor of the Lingotto, at the level of the track where Fiat cars including the 500 were once tested.

The “500 Ron Arad Edition” is packed with great features, including a glass sunroof, chrome-plated accents, black interiors, superb black Poltrona Frau leather seats with ivory trim, 7” TFT instrument panel, Blue&Me, leather steering wheel with radio controls, automatic climate control system, fog lights, 16" alloy rims, black metallic paintwork and white mirror caps with the silhouette of the legendary 500 drawn on the side panels.

The new MINI: a present-day original and “Classic of the Future” he new MINI offers instant appeal, but it is also excellently equipped to provide long-term fascination, too. As far as readers of the automobile magazine "Auto Bild Klassik" are concerned, the latest generation of the premium small car already has what it takes to become a lasting classic. They voted the new MINI "Classic of the Future" in the category of small and compact cars. This has led to the new edition of the British original now being awarded the "Golden Classic Steering Wheel".

Very few cars can be said to have the kind of properties which set them clearly apart from their current competitive environment while also demonstrating classic potential at an early stage. The new MINI has it all: a unique brand tradition, its current status as the original in the small car premium segment and also pioneering technology. Even 55 years after the launch of the classic Mini, the brand's hallmark principle of the intelligent use of space and its agile handling properties known as the go-kart feeling have lost nothing of their attraction. Authentic design,

T

unique style and characteristic driving fun are timeless quality features which give the new MINI lasting appeal, too.

This is now the fifth year in which the "Golden Classic Steering Wheel" has been awarded. The prize is based on the results of a vote in which readers of "Auto Bild Klassik" were asked to name their favourites in a number of categories, including "Classics of the Year", "Find of the Year", "Restoration of the Year" and "Classic of the Future". So the prizewinners not only include highly coveted milestones of automobile history, spectacular rarities and exotic specimens painstakingly saved from disrepair but also current models whose particular appeal for later generations of motorists is already obvious here and now.

The "Golden Classic Steering Wheel" is the second award of its kind the new MINI has received in the space of just a few months, having already won the "Motor Klassik" readers' vote last spring.

Here the new MINI came first in the small car rating and was likewise voted "Classic of the Future".

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 26 October 2014

04

• r e v i e w •

The PEUGEOT 2008 DKR clocks up testing kilometers in France s the countdown to the 2015 Dakar Rally begins to accelerate, the Peugeot-Total squad is continuing to develop the fearsome PEUGEOT 2008 DKR at a frenetic pace with its three star drivers, including Cyril Despres, who is getting to grips with competing on four wheels for the first time.

From 7am, Team Peugeot-Total is in action. Like a commando unit on a mission, the mechanics invade the test centre at Château Lastours, where the PEUGEOT 2008 DKR is about to begin a new phase of its development – generating impatience and anticipation in equal measure. Every single minute counts. For the first time, the three crews that constitute Peugeot’s dream team will all take turns behind the wheel.

Following shakedown tests at Freneuse, Montlhéry and Creusot elsewhere in France, the beast now has the opportunity to demonstrate its mettle across

A

rocky terrain that offers a foretaste of the kind of adventure that awaits it in South America. Now that Carlos Sainz has drawn upon his experience to identify the inevitable initial teething troubles, his two new team-mates have also come along to help out. On the programme is validation of the modifications made to the chassis and cooling system.

Stéphane Peterhansel settles into the high-perched cockpit of his new mount. The French multiple Dakar winner wastes little time in heading towards this track, which represents a real challenge – even for a vehicle that aspires to the life of a trailblazer. As the kilometres pass by, Stéphane confesses to experiencing a genuine culture shock: “Switching over to twowheel-drive changes everything!” he cheerfully reflects.

Subsequent runs only serve to confirm this first impression: “I’ve never previously driven a car with so much suspension travel.

The first big surprise is the

manner in which the PEUGEOT 2008 DKR soaks up potholes and compressions. I’ve always been accustomed to getting thrown around like a rag doll inside the cockpit, but the behaviour of the PEUGEOT 2008 DKR is infinitely more efficient and smooth. Whenever you fear an impending impact, the suspension and largediameter wheels absorb it. That is a reassuring feeling, which allows you to pass over potholes at 120kph or 130kph rather than just 80kph. I’ll need to adapt my driving style accordingly…” All the more so, indeed, as this beast is truly alive! “Being two wheeldrive, the PEUGEOT 2008 DKR is a bit livelier and as such, demands a defter and more precise touch behind the wheel since it is not quite as easy to control. You really need to always be at the point of sliding. Apart from that, the engine and gearbox both feel good, and while we are still inevitably a long way from finding the ideal set-up, initial impressions are

CITROËN C1 urban ride voted on by visitors at the Paris Motor Show aking its debut appearance at the Paris Motor Show, the new CITROËN C1 Urban Ride concept car is a “go-anywhere” take on the new C1 with SUV-informed styling.

The concept car will be voted on by visitors to the essential automotive event.

CITROËN is giving a voice to visitors at the Paris Motor Show, encouraging them to express their opinion on the Brand’s all-new concept car, the C1 Urban Ride.

The idea is simple. Using a terminal located next to the vehicle, visitors vote Yes or No as to

M

excellent – there is plenty of potential here.”

So what awaits Cyril Despres?

The former motorcyclist – a

fivetime Dakar winner on two wheels – is embarking upon a new career on four wheels. As the clock ticks down towards his leap into the unknown, he is oscillating between impatience and a hint of anxiety that he is doing his best to conceal.

Following a sighting run in the passenger seat alongside Peterhansel to establish his bearings, the moment comes to take to the wheel himself for the first time: with his eyes full of wonder and grinning from cheek-to-cheek, he is like a kid at Christmas. Under the watchful gaze of team members – who are well aware that they are witnessing history being made – he fires up the engine and sets off in determined mood for his maiden test outing. After completing several dozen kilometres, he returns to base, with tears of emotion intermingling with beads of sweat. “That was crazy!” he exclaims, visibly awestruck by the experience. “In every possible area, it’s far better than I had ever imagined it would be! And what’s more, I’m still a long way from pushing flat-out and exploring its full potential...”

He does admit to the engineers, however, to having made a small mistake: “At one

stage, I briefly relaxed my concentration. I missed a down shift and must have over revved the engine slightly...” Gilles Picard, two times a Dakar winner alongside Luc Alphand and a former motorcyclist himself, is nonetheless very satisfied with the four-wheeled debut of his new driver: “He’s impressed me, this kid. He has a very neat driving style!”

Not far away, Carlos Sainz is already in the process of settling himself into the PEUGEOT 2008 DKR’s snug cockpit. He was onsite for Cyril’s debut and watched over him with the nurturing and encouraging manner of an older brother: “I am convinced that he will do a good job, and to that end, I am ready to help him where needed.

Stéphane and others have demonstrated that motorcyclists possess the necessary mind-set to also perform well in cars, and I know that Cyril is a formidable competitor.” The programme drawn up by the team’s engineers filled the summer months and did not really allow the three crews to take any long holidays. The test sessions will continue to come thick and fast right up until the eagerlyanticipated expedition to South America.

05

whether they would like the concept car to become a production model.

Following the launch of the New CITROËN C1 in June, the Brand is illustrating all the personalisation potential of the city car with a strong, refreshing and uninhibited concept car drawing on SUV styling components. In the words of Thomas d’Haussy, CITROËN Product Director, “The C1 Urban Ride concept car is a stylish and characterful proposal completely in tune with the times. We are impatient to see whether the public appreciates the car through this all-new voting system.”

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 26 October 2014

06

• r e v i e w •

Latest Toyota Yaris gets the Aygo’s ‘fun’ charm Text and photos by John Peel oyota made a statement in recent weeks with the latest Aygo sporting a fresh new ‘fun’ look.

Now they are out to capitalise on that success by restyling the Aygo’s bigger sibling in the same vein: the 2014 Toyota Yaris.

The exterior design for the new Yaris features the 'X-pattern’ frontal design that defines the cars character lines. Inside the Yaris there are some much improved materials and new seats, which in my test model looked great in dark grey and red stitching.The main facia of the dashboard is noticeably better, as is the inset panel of the front doors.

Interior space, one of the Yaris’s strong points, is as good as ever.

Four adults can be transported in relative comfort thanks to decent rear space and firm comfortable seating.The boot too is of a sufficient size with 286 litres of space, probably in the larger end of

T

the scale for this category. Interior equipment is also good with power outlet and USB ports in a very convenient central location.The highlight and main focus once inside the car is an improved and larger central colour multimedia screen incorporating a useful reversing camera and Bluetooth connections amongst other features like GPS.

Powering the new Yaris range are a range of engines. At the entry point there is a new three-cylinder 68bhp 1.0-litre that is also present in the recently launched Aygo.The engine on my test car, in its sportove guise, was a revised version of the 98bhp 1.3.

The Yaris 1.3 feels quite zippy around town but would welcome

some extra punch for overtaking on the faster roads. It feels perfectly matched to the 6-speed manual gearbox, steering feels light and responsive and the car is easy to move around urban traffic. It is stable and sure footed even on our country roads and when cornering fast.This new Toyota Yaris is fun to drive and the brakes are impressive

with 4 discs all round on my test model.The Yaris is much improved and if you’re a Toyota fan then the changes are very welcome.

For more information on the new Toyota Yaris and the Toyota line-up visit the Toyota showroom situated in Mdina Road Zebbug, log on the Toyota Malta Facebook page, or call on 2269 4000.

Street artists take Aygo customization to another level Unique artworks created using Toyota’s new city car at the Paris motor show he new Aygo, is an outstanding example of Toyota’s commitment to build ever-better cars that catch the eye and are genuinely fun to drive and this year during the Paris Motor Show a trio of top French street artists used the new Toyota Aygo as the canvas to create unique artworks.

Starting each day with a plain white Aygo, Monsta, Stom500 and Ekiem recruited help and ideas from visitors to the Toyota stand to design high-impact designs covering the car’s bodywork and windows.

The creative buzz is rooted in Aygo’s great customisation options and its “Go Fun Yourself ” character.

Customers don’t have to be artistically gifted to give their Aygo a distinctive look, as Toyota provides a

T

wealth of colour and finish options for bodywork styling elements (the front X section, rear bumper insert and A-pillar extensions), wheels and interior trims.

New Aygo was one of Toyota’s featured models at the Paris motor show, joining the hydrogenpowered Fuel Cell Sedan and, making its

world debut, the C-HR crossover concept.

For more information on the new Toyota Aygo and the Toyota line-up visit the Toyota showroom situated in Mdina Road Zebbug log on the Toyota Malta Facebook page or call on 2269 4000.

The Malta Independent on Sunday • 26 October 2014

08

• r e v i e w •

Renault sales continue to outperform the market in September n September, Renault car sales were up 43.7 per cent with 12,993 vehicles sold in the month, significantly outpacing the UK car market which was up 5.6 per cent.

According to official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Renault’s market share for the month is up 0.8 points on 2013 to 3.1 per cent. Year-to-date market share for the French car brand stands at 2.6 per cent with sales of 50,732 vehicles – up 57 per cent from 32,319 vehicles during the first three quarters of 2013.

Renault’s B-segment vehicles – Clio hatchback, Captur crossover and ZOE electric vehicle – are up 86.3 per cent during the first nine

I

months of 2014 representing 38,333 vehicles of the 50,732 total.

Renault van sales were also up with 2,596 sales in the month of September – up 39.1 per cent on 2013 and representing a market share of 5.2 per cent. Total van sales for 2014 year-to-date stand at 13,514 vehicles.

The Renault Group, which comprises Renault cars, vans and Dacia, saw its 17th consecutive month of outpacing the growth of the market in September with a total of 19,112 vehicles sold in September – a growth of 39.8 per cent versus a market growth of 5.6 per cent. Group year-to-date sales passed the 2013 full-year total in September and currently stand at 82,829 vehicles, up 57.1 per cent on the same period last year.

Dacia hits three million sales acia has reached the milestone of three million vehicle sales in the space of barely ten years. On Tuesday 14th October, Dacia’s stand at the 2014 Paris Motor Show provided the backdrop for a ceremony that saw Andres Palomo Paz, a Dacia customer from Spain, receive the keys to a brand new Dacia Sandero Stepway from Nicolas Wertans, Renault Group, Senior VicePresident Global Sales.

“Dacia has now sold three million vehicles since the brand’s renewal merely 10 years ago, and that’s something of a unique achievement in today’s automobile industry!” said Nicolas Wertans. “The Dacia brand has built a strong bond with its customers based on a sense of confidence and proximity.This success is also due to a clear, straightforward pledge that fits perfectly with the expectations of motorists looking for a safe, reliable vehicle with a modern equipment and performance package at an affordable price.”

D

The Dacia success story Once again, 2014 is turning out to be another excellent year for Dacia which saw its first-half sales expand by 24.4 percent.

The brand can claim to have the European market’s youngest vehicle line-up and sales are up in all the region’s countries. Dacia is also the brand that registered the highest increase in Europe (36.2 per cent) in the first six months of 2014.

Meanwhile, Dacia’s market share has risen in all its Mediterranean markets despite the unfavourable market conditions encountered in these countries.

At the same time, Dacia’s international expansion continues and its vehicles will be available in Israel before the end of the year after successful launches in no fewer than six markets in the course of 2013 (United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus and Malta).

Since the launch of Dacia in the UK, more than 35,000 brand new Dacias have been sold, with over

18,000 of these finding homes in 2014. Incidentally, the Sandero Stepway – the three-millionth Dacia to be sold – is the most popular model with UK customers .

More than a brand, Dacia is a growing community

In addition to its buoyant vehicle sales, Dacia has been an inspiration for a high number of customers thanks to its ‘no nonsense’ approach to selling cars.

In numerous countries, customers meet up at regular events to share their experiences and common values which are founded on the ‘no frills’ and crystal clear principles Dacia has always followed.

These community-based events are growing in importance year after year, providing participants with an enjoyable time that helps to forge lasting bonds between the brand and owners.

This is illustrated by Dacia’s Facebook page which already unites more than two million fans after an existence of less than four years.