Motoring September 2018

IN THIS ISSUE: THE NEW RENAULT CAPTUR EASY LIFE RANGE: EUROPE’S BEST-SELLING URBAN CROSSOVER | NEW VOLVO V60 CROSS COUNTRY TAKES THE SWEDISH FAMILY ESTATE OFF THE BEATEN PATH | INTRODUCING THE NEW MASERATI GHIBLI RIBELLE | NEW PEUGEOT PARTNER: INTERNATIONAL VAN OF THE YEAR 2019

The Malta Independent on Sunday. September 2018

Europe’s Best-Selling Urban Crossover

The All New Renault Captur

also inside

Breathtaking South Africa

CAPE VINEYARD SPOTLIGHT: SIMONSIG WINE ESTATE

BREATHTAKING

SOUTH AFRICA

Llandudno, Cape Town Blyde River Canyon, located in Mpumalanga, and forming the northern part of the Drakensberg escarpment

SOUTH AFRIC 'S DIVERSITY IS UNBEATABLE, STRETCHING FROM PENGUINS WADDLING ON THE CAPE TO HIPPOS IN THE LIMPOPO RIVER. THE DESERTED KALAHARI, NAMAKWA’S SPRINGTIME SYMPHONY OF WILDFLOWERS, ICONIC TABLE MOUNTAIN AND CAPE POINT, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK’S SAVANNAH, DRAKENSBERG & UKHAHLAMBA-DRAKENSBERG PARK - THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS FOR A ROAD TRIP YOU'LL NEVER FORGET. THE BENEFITS OF EXPLORING THE COUNTRY AT YOUR OWN PACE ARE BOUNDLESS AND CHOOSING A ROAD TRIP HOLIDAY MEANS IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS OUT ON THE MOST ICONIC SIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Cape Town and the Garden Route The Garden Route is perhaps the most famous driving route in South Africa. Predominantly based within the Western Cape, the journey offers the chance to see some of the most dramatic scenery within the country.

Cape Town is a must-see for visitors to the region and it goes without saying that Table Mountain is a sight not to be missed. Leaving the bustling city behind, road trippers can expect lush and diverse scenery along the Garden Route. The journey stretches between Cape Town and the Eastern Cape, with the option of stopping off in the many picturesque towns along the way.

can expect to discover unspoiled beaches and outstanding game reserves.

The route takes the N2, which is one of the main highways in South Africa and branches off onto the R72 for those who want a scenic coastal route with historic towns, beautiful beaches and incredible landscapes.

Some good stop-offs include Port Elizabeth, Port Alfred and the many small hamlets along the route. Inland, the Addo Elephant Park is a perfect way to experience African wildlife in its natural habitat.

The Drakensberg and Kwazulu-Natal With crisp mountain air, crystal clear streams scattered with waterfalls and unrivalled landscape views, the Drakensberg is the biggest mountain range in South Africa and offers stunning mountain views. Spanning around 200 kilometres, the mountain range is predominantly located in the historical province of Kwazulu-Natal. From Durban or Johannesburg, the main highway into the Drakensberg region is the N3.

The Karoo National Park and Oudtshoorn Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

The Eastern Cape and Addo Elephant Park The Eastern Cape region of South Africa is known for relaxed lifestyle and sandy beaches. It is also one of the most diverse regions within the country, home to South Africa’s only skiing resort Tiffendell as well as the world famous wild beaches in the Jeffery’s Bay area. For those looking to travel around the Eastern Cape by car, one of the best routes to take is from Jeffery’s Bay to East London. Often known as the Sunshine Coast, travellers

Oudtshoorn

Away from the coast, travel through Oudtshoorn (the ostrich capital of the world) to the Karoo National Par. Based in the region known as the Klein Karoo (little Karoo), visitors can experience the beautiful Swartberg mountain range or explore the Cango Caves. This road trip is based on Route 62, often seen as an alternative to the Garden Route as it runs nearly parallel to the famous scenic drive. It is scattered with wine vineyards, which gives travellers a great excuse to sample some of the high quality South African wines available.

Mozambique. One of the best routes to drive is the Limpopo Valley Route which follows the historic Great North Road (now the N1 highway). Visiting Kruger Park is an absolute must. The iconic game reserve is home to lions, elephants, buffalo, rhino and leopard. The park is extremely vast, covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres. It is worth spending a good length of time within the Kruger Park (seasoned safari goers recommend staying between five and seven days in the game reserve).

Kruger Park, South Africa

The Limpopo River and Kruger Park The Limpopo area of South Africa is the north most region and borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe and September 2018 | motoring 03

CAPE VINEYARD SPOTLIGHT Simonsig Wine Estate

Johan Malan, Cellarmaster at Simonsig Estate

THE NAME GISNOM IS RENOWNED AS AN ESTABLISHED AND LEADING SOUTH AFRICAN WINE ESTATE. NAMED AFTER THE MAJESTIC VIEWS OF THE SIMONSBERG MOUNTAIN, SIMONSIG ESTATE IS SITUATED IN THE FAMOUS STELLENBOSCH WINELANDS REGION, 45 KM EAST OF CAPE TOWN. FRENCH HUGUENOT, JACQUES MALAN, FIRST SET FOOT IN THE CAPE IN 1688.

THE LATE FRANS MALAN, SIMONSIG’S FOUNDING FATHER, WAS A PIONEER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN WINE INDUSTRY. FRANS INTRODUCED NEW AND INNOVATIVE WINE STYLES TO THE COUNTRY, ESTABLISHING A UNIQUE AND SPECIFIC CAPE WINE CULTURE. TWO GENERATIONS OF THE MALAN FAMILY HAVE APPLIED THEIR EXTENSIVE WINE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNIQUE SOILS AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS OF THE STELLENBOSCH REGION, CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF THIS SPECIFIC TERROIR IN A RANGE OF DISTINGUISHED RED AND WHITE WINES. TODAY, SIMONSIG’S AWARDED WINES ARE KNOWN AND APPRECIATED IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ALL OVER THE WORLD. 04 motoring | September 2018

THE REGION OF STELLENBOSCH Stellenbosch holds the honour of being the most well-known and awarded wine region in South Africa. Rich soils and unique locations ideally suited to a variety of grape cultivars have ensured that Stellenbosch continues to dominate South African winemaking. The typography of Stellenbosch is characterised by its undulating red hills with the distinctive high mountains looming in the background. These rolling hills are not that steep, allowing vines to be planted to their very tops, with the highest vineyards growing at 250m above sea level.

THE SIMONSIG EXPERIENCE In 1971 Stellenbosch became the first wine region in South Africa to establish a wine route as an organised network of wineries at which tourists could experience region’s winelands.

The Simonsig Estate hosts cellar tours and wine tasting, and also includes a signature restaurant – Cuvée.

WINE TASTING Discover Simonsig’s award winning wines in their tasting room, set amidst the tranquil gardens on the Simonsig Estate.

With a cosy fire crackling in the tasting room during winter or flutes of chilled Kaapse Vonkel served on the cool, shady veranda during summer, visitors can enjoy wine tasting all-year round.

CELLAR TOURS From the annual harvesting - usually in January – to the crushing of the grapes, the fermentation process, the stabilization of the white wines and the barrel maturation of the reds – a Simonsig Cellar Tour is an authentic and memorable experience.

Simonsig Chenin Blanc. The tropical flavours of this bright straw coloured wine leaps from the glass. On the nose the wine shows intense tropical fruit salad flavours, with beautiful hints of apricot, ripe pears and kiwi fruit. On the palate it shows freshness with a natural acidity, intense fruit flavours and a lingering fresh finish. Chenin Blanc is really a showstopper and is suited for any occasion.

BOOKING A WINE TASTING OR CELLAR TOUR AT SIMONSIG: TASTING ROOM - Mon – Fri: 08:30 – 16:30, Sat: 08:30 – 15:30, Sun: 11:00 – 14:30. Formal Tasting: A selection of 5 wines at your table. R50 per person. Informal Tasting. Enjoy tasting a selection of 5 wines at a casual at the tasting room counter. R35 per person.

CELLAR TOURS - Mon – Sat: 11:00 (Complimentary Daily Tour).

Alternatively, book a private tour at a more suitable time and enjoy a tasting and tour for R75 per person. Simonsig Wine Estate, Kromme Rhee Road, Stellenbosch District, Koelenhof 7605, South Africa, +27 (0) 21 888 4900, +27 (0) 21 888 4944.

WEB: www.simonsig.co.za Locally Simonsig Wines are imported by Attard and Co and available from Sistina Wine & Co.,The Strand Gzira. Opening hours: 10am till late.

WEB: www.sistinawineco.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/sistinawineco TEL: 2131 4161

NEW VOLVO V60 CROSS COUNTRY TAKES THE SWEDISH FAMILY ESTATE OFF THE BEATEN PATH

VOLVO CARS, THE PREMIUM CAR MAKER, TODAY REVEALED THE NEW CROSS COUNTRY VERSION OF ITS V60 MID-SIZE ESTATE. THE RUGGED V60 CROSS COUNTRY IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE COMPANY'S LINEUP OF BRAND-NEW VOLVOS THAT UNDERPINS THE COMPANY'S TRANSFORMATION IN RECENT YEARS.

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ike its V60 sibling that was launched earlier this year on the driveway of a Stockholm villa, the V60 Cross Country personifies the versatile Swedish family estate.To that profile, it adds the capability on and off the beaten track that has defined Volvo's Cross Country range since its introduction in 1997, taking the V60 from the suburb to the skogen (Swedish for forest).

"With the new V60 Cross Country, we take our Swedish family estate from one natural habitat to another," said HĂĽkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. "We invented the Cross Country segment over 20 years ago, and with this car we reinforce our long-standing pedigree in safe, capable and versatile family cars."

Ground clearance for the V60 Cross Country is up to 75mm higher than the regular V60, thanks to the specially developed Cross Country chassis and suspension that enhance the car's off-road capability. All-wheel drive is standard on the new V60 Cross Country, as are Hill Descent Control, Electronic Stability Control, Corner Traction Control and a special Off-Road driving mode.

Like its 60 series and 90 series stablemates, the new V60 Cross Country benefits from Volvo Cars' award-winning Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, safety technology and infotainment system.

The new V60 Cross Country is also available through Care by Volvo,Volvo Cars' premium service that offers car access rather than ownership via a fixed monthly amount.

"The V60 Cross Country is every bit as refined as the other 60 and 90 series cars based on our SPA platform," said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Volvo Cars. "The added versatility makes it at home in town and country, thanks to a higher seating position, increased ground clearance and dynamic all-wheeldrive capabilities."

Volvo Cars' award-winning City Safety with Autobrake is fitted as standard and assists the driver in avoiding potential collisions. It is the only system on the market to help recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals.

The Pilot Assist system supports the driver with steering, acceleration and braking on wellmarked roads up to 80mph. Runoff Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation and other steering assistance systems are standard.

The optional Cross Traffic Alert with autobrake further enhances safety.These and other proven safety technologies make the new V60 Cross Country one of the safest cars on the road.

Volvo Cars' Sensus Connect infotainment system is fully

compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 4G, and keeps drivers connected regardless of whether they travel in urban areas or across the countryside.

The intuitive tablet-style touchscreen control combines car functions, navigation, connected services and in-car entertainment apps.

In the UK, the new V60 Cross Country will be available with a D4 AWD diesel engine. Mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants will follow at a later stage.

September 2018 | motoring 05

NEW PEUGEOT PARTNER

INTERNATIONAL VAN OF THE YEAR 2019

INTRODUCING THE NEW MASERATI GHIBLI RIBELLE • LIMITED EDITION OF JUST 200 CARS • EXTERIOR COLOUR IN NERO RIBELLE MICA AND SPECIAL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR TRIMS • AVAILABLE WITH ALL POWERPLANTS: 275 HP DIESEL AND 350 HP AND 430 HP PETROL

The new PEUGEOT PARTNER was elected International Van Of The Year 2019 on Wednesday 19 September in Hanover.This award recognizes the PEUGEOT teams' commitment to a project that is at the heart of the brand's development strategy.

This prestigious trophy has been awarded even before the launch, which is scheduled to take place in a few weeks.The new PEUGEOT Partner is the fifth PEUGEOT Van of The Year since the trophy was created in 1992.

The new PEUGEOT PARTNER has unprecedented dynamic and acoustic qualities, a high technological and safety content, two lengths of bodywork (4.40m and 4.75m), and a wide range of engines and equipment designed to make life easier for its users.

Two major innovations attracted attention: the overload indicator for safe charging and the Surround Rear Vision that provides blind-spot camera vision.

The PEUGEOT PARTNER stands out through the exclusive and world-first adoption of this segment of the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, offering a new driving experience for greater productivity.

Every professional will be able to set up their own configuration that will allow them to work effectively, including with the Grip version to meet a need for robust services in all circumstances, or the Asphalt version for those who spend a lot of time in their vehicle.

The new PEUGEOT PARTNER strengthens our ambition to undertake to master the impossible.

The International Van of the Year Award was launched in 1992. The jury brings together 25 journalists and publishers from independent magazines specialising in light commercial vehicles.

06 motoring | September 2018

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aserati further underlines the importance of Ghibli within its range with a new limited edition to

be launched by the Trident brand from October. The new Maserati “Ghibli Ribelle”, produced in a limited edition of just 200 cars for the EMEA markets, offers owners exclusive design and elegant interior trims sharing a common denominator: the refined, sophisticated “NeroRibelle” mica colour, which shows off the car’s unique design to exquisite effect.

This new limited edition Ghibli will be available with all of the sports saloon’s three powerplants, the 275 HP V6 turbodiesel and the two petrol options, both twin-turbo V6 delivering 350 HP and 430 HP, designed by Maserati Powertrain and built at the Ferrari plant at Maranello.

At first sight, the Ghibli’s elegant silhouette acquires a new dimension thanks to the metallic tone of the “Nero Ribelle” colour. A sophisticated shade superlatively coordinated with the exclusive shiny black 19 inch Proteo alloy wheels with contrasting red laser etched details. The brake callipers are red.

The interior of the “Ghibli Ribelle” features two-tone black/red dashboard, black door panels and red central armrest, black leather Sport steering wheel with tone-on-tone stitching, and steering wheel paddle shifters. The sporty seats (with 12 position memories) are in full premium leather, again two-tone in black/red with contrasting stitching, available exclusively for this limited edition.

The uniqueness of the new Ghibli limited edition’s interior is further emphasised by a chromed aluminium badge bearing the legendary Trident

THE GHIBLI’S ELEGANT SILHOUETTE ACQUIRES A NEW DIMENSION THANKS TO THE METALLIC TONE OF THE “NERO RIBELLE” COLOUR. A SOPHISTICATED SHADE SUPERLATIVELY COORDINATED WITH THE EXCLUSIVE SHINY BLACK 19 INCH PROTEO ALLOY WHEELS WITH CONTRASTING RED LASER ETCHED DETAILS. combined with the new Ribelle logo. Located on the central console, in Black Piano finish wood, it is clearly visible to all the vehicle’s occupants to establish its unique, exclusive character.

For this Ghibli Ribelle limited edition, Maserati also offers the optional Ribelle Plus package, providing even greater luxury with laminated privacy windows for enhanced thermal and sound insulation, full-LED Matrix adaptive headlights, Harman Kardon premium sound system and opening sunroof.

The “Ghibli Ribelle” limited edition of just 200 cars will be on sale in EMEA region markets from October.

The New Renault Captur Easy Life Range

EUROPE’S BEST-SELLING URBAN CROSSOVER

T

he New Renault Captur Easy Life Range, now features three variants of the Captur to choose from, being Play, Iconic or the optimum GT Line. While the Captur keeps the essentials responsible for its success, including its two-tone body colour, the Easy Life

Personalization possibilities have been extended with two new body colours, Atacama Orange and Ocean Blue, and a new roof colour, Platinum Grey. Motorists can now choose from over 30 different combinations to create their very own Captur.

Captur steps up the differentiation game with six interior personalization packs including a variety of colours – Ivory, Ocean Blue, Caramel, Red, Satin Chrome and Patina Chrome

– and five exterior packs: Ivory, Ocean Blue, Cappuccino, Red, and Atacama Orange.

As with the Renault’s latest models, the Captur can now be equipped with full LED “Pure Vision” headlights (depending on the version). This technology sharpens the car’s looks and improves safety while providing greater efficiency.

The Captur has been redesigned to strengthen kinship with its big brother, the Kadjar.

The grille has been upgraded to more closely resemble that of Renault’s other crossovers, notably with a stylish chrome strip. Front and rear, the bumper includes new skid plates underscoring the Capturs’ adventuresome personality.

With three- wheel types available for the three different

08 motoring | September 2018

trim levels: Adventure (16”), Explore (17”) or Emotion (17”), you’ll surely find your match.

From the third trim level up, the Captur can be fitted with a fixed glass roof. Available only in twotone configuration, the new

feature improves ambient light in the cabin.

Visit the Auto Sales Ltd – Kind’s showroom in Lija, or online via www.autosales.com.mt to book a test drive today.