Issue 13 - Autumn 2011
Editor’s Note Fleur Balzan Publishers b.Right new media Ltd. 19, Parish Street, St. Paul’s Bay, SPB 3362, Malta
Editor Fleur Balzan fbalzan@b.rightnewmedia.com
Contributors Pierre Vella Gerald Fenech Mark Attard Jan Karl Farrugia Ben Glover
Graphic Design Chris Mahoney www.chrismahoney.eu chris@chrismahoney.eu
Hair Cut Coiffeur
Make Up Shasha
Advertising & Sales Fleur Balzan (+356) 21576154 / (+356) 99805763
Pre-Press & Printing Impressions Ltd., Marsa
Autumn has arrived and with it another issue of Wheelspin Magazine. This time of year is very exciting for the motoring Industry worldwide. Many are the new vehicles that are presented to the public during different events held in this period and these same cars then reach the various showrooms just a few weeks after. One of these events is The Frankfurt Motor Show which was held between the 15th and 25th of September. As we normally do with every European Motor Show, the Wheelspin team was present in full force and those who have watched our TV programme over the past weeks have had a clear idea of what we are talking about. One of the articles on this issue features the Frankfurt Motor Show with details of some of the World Premieres we saw being launched. With the Enormity of this motor fair, it was difficult to cover every world premiere however we did manage to cover quite a few brands which are of interest to our viewers and readers. The Wheelspin team has put their minds together to come up with different articles which are of interest to the general public, especially the Maltese car loving public. Gerald Fenech has tackled the parking problems in a number of localities in his article whilst Ben Glover writes about his near miss of a scam when he thought he could buy a luxury car for close to nothing from the UK. Ben also writes about the vehicles used by the Malta Red Cross, an article which also brings out the good work being done by this group of volunteers. Mark Attard has ventured into the low rider vehicles in another interesting article whist Pierre Vella writes about the Championship he loves most, the Formula One Championship, or rather the driver now named Champion Sebastian Vettel. This issue also features my test drive of the New BMW 1 series, a test drive that was done in Berlin over the summer as well as more from Porsche and Stuttgart as usual by Jan Karl Farrugia. Well, we leave you to enjoy the articles that are original only to Wheelspin and that is because we recognise that our public wants to read something different and not articles found online or in every other publication!!
No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form for any purpose without the prior written consent of the publisher. WHEELSPIN
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In this issue Autumn 2011
Features 5
The Frankfurt Motor Show Thoroughly Breathtaking!
20
Hoppin’ Low Rides
21
Machines that Save Lives The Red Cross in Malta
Test Drive 10
The New BMW 1 Series in Berlin
Launches 16
The new cars to make it to Malta
23
Online Crime
25
Parking Problems Getting worse with no end in sight
26
The Champion Is Back
Snippets 12
Funky Does it… The Nissan Juke-R
Regulars 18
The Porsche Monologues Rants from Stuttgart and Beyond - Part 8
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Letters to the Editor:
Dear Fleur,
Dear Wheelspin,
Thank you for the support given to me when asking for more information about the car I was interested in buying. Your comments and information were of great help in making my mind up and I am now very pleased with my new car.
There’s nothing like Wheelspin for information on cars. On TV and print nothing compares. The newest, the fastest and cleanest cars too.
Mark
Real car enthusiast, Donald
Hello Fleur,
Ms. Wheelspin,
May I just say how much I love your TV program and magazine. They are very professional and it shows how much time you must all dedicate to give us the best coverage of cars even if these have not arrived in Malta yet. Keep it up and I can’t wait for the next season to begin.
Thank you for your help in finding the right insurance for my car. Any chance you can have some articles on insurance? Some of us know very little it seems and can end up with unpleasant surprises (as happened to me) should we need to make use of the insurance coverage we have been paying for years on our cars.
Rita, Gozo
Fredrick
To the Wheelspin group a special thank you.
Is there anything you’d like to see featured on our TV Programme and Magazine? Send your letters, comments and suggestions to: wheelspin@b.rightnewmedia.com or Wheelspin, P.O. Box 24, St. Paul’s Bay. All letters featured will receive gifts from our partners or/and Wheelspin Merchandise.
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WHEELSPIN
The Frankfurt Motor Show Thoroughly Breathtaking!! by Fleur Balzan
I
f there is a Motor Show that can be considered huge in every sense of the word, than its most definitely the one held in Frankfurt which is held every other year in
September, alternating with the Paris Motor Show. The only problem with it being huge is that it is very tough to get to see everything you want to see. Unless that is, one decides to visit every day of the 10 days the fair is open. And even here it may be difficult! In our case, and when I say ‘our’ I mean the Wheelspin team, we were in Frankfurt for only a few days which saw us working an average of 11 hrs daily to make sure we film, photograph and see in detail the beautiful vehicles that were presented there. We may not have seen it all but from what you’ll read on these pages you’ll get a very clear idea of the enormity of the fair and the grandeur of the vehicles presented. Since this is the largest Motor Show in Europe, many are the brands that choose this motor show to present a number of new vehicles, meaning that the world premieres were many. >>
Image: Section of the Honda stand
Feature • The Frankfurt Motor Show
by Fleur Balzan
Opel Astra GTC
Opel Combo
Opel Zafira Tourer
Opel e Rak
One brand which presented no less than 4 world premieres was Opel whose stand was brimming with colour and splendour thanks to the many vehicles on it. I cannot say that one car in particular shone over the others as all four world premieres are completely different to each other and would appeal to a variety of people.
The last vehicle presented by Opel as a World Premiere was one that had been kept under wraps, also when it came to divulging the name the company had chosen for their latest concept. The e Rak, as it was presented as, is a 2 seater electric vehicle which seems to have ‘fun’ written all over it.
Let’s start with the Opel Astra GTC. This vehicle has grown so much over the years and the car has become a muscular, handsomely aggressive, sporty number which is sure to turn heads. The chassis of the Astra GTC has HiPerStrut front wheel suspension and patented Watt’s link rear axle. It is a sporty coupé which comes with a choice of 5 engines offering between 100bhp to 180 bhp. Opel chose to also show the 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX version in Frankfurt. This model, which will go on sale early next year, will be available with 110bhp or 130bhp both with fuel saving Start/ Stop system. Any young or young at heart driver would crave to drive this car on long motorways and experience the thrill of pushing down its gas pedal!!
Dynamic and lightweight, this is Opel’s 2nd zero emission vehicle, after the Ampera, yet the first small electric car which is proof that electric and small may also be funky and eye catching. The car offers a 100km driving range and 120km of maximum speed, not too little for this size of car!! With this car Opel aims to attract a younger customer, maybe one to whom electric driving may not have been so affordable or appealing either.
From sporty to versatile, the 2nd vehicle to be presented was the Zafira Tourer, a car that has also grown so beautifully over the years. Soon as you look at this vehicle, even more so if one is very familiar with previous Zafira models, one realises the huge step Opel has made in the quality of the interior. Opel has called this car ‘Lounge on wheels’, a title that suits it perfectly! With a completely re-designed Flex7 seating concept, the car offers the latest technologies usually found in higher segment vehicles of the brand. The car offers the best in both comfort and safety with a choice of innovative assistance systems such as the Opel Eye front camera and the radar-based adaptive cruise control.
Keeping to European brands, we move to Peugeot and look at the 2 World Premieres presented at this fair by this French brand. Peugeot presented the 508 RXH, a crossover 4 Wheel Drive vehicle which, although carrying the same name/number as the 508 saloon and sw we are now familiar with, is somewhat different to these other vehicles. At first glance the 508 RXH has an SUV style raised chassis however the main difference to the other model is under the bonnet. This vehicle has the Diesel Hybrid4 engine which, according to the brand, consumes just 4.2 litres per 100km. It offers 200bhp from a 2 litre diesel engine and an electric motor mounted on the rear axle, with 38bhp produced from its electric motor. The car can be driven in four different modes, the automatic, zero emissions, sport, and all wheel drive. There will be 300 Limited Edition vehicles produced of this model too. This cars will have a special Calern Brown colour with Alcantara leather seats.
The Combo was the 3rd World Premiere for Opel. Another example of versatility in a car/van that may be used both for personal use or work. The Combo is available with either 5 or 7 seats in two wheelbases, with the longest wheelbase offering 4,600 litres of space when seats are folded down.
The second vehicle presented by Peugeot in Frankfurt is the Peugeot HX1, a concept 6 seat vehicle with a young appeal to it. The car has been designed by Gilles Vidal and it gives an indication that the brand has chosen to be quite adventurous with this model. The car may be called a stylish MPV although at the same time it is completely unlike any
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Feature • Frankfurt Motor Show
by Fleur Balzan
Peugeot 508 RXH
Kia Rio 3 door
Peugeot HX1
Kia GT
other MPV previously presented. With a long, low slung body, distinctive curves, windows that run uninterrupted throughout the length of the vehicle and doors that open scissor like, the car is particular to say the least. That’s without mentioning the distinctive design of the seats, with the second row of seats that pull right out of the back side of the front seats.
that runs from the base of the A-Pillar, along the roofline towards the base of the rear windscreen. Other accessories, such as the brake callipers were also in copper, something which really made it stand out, as did the doors, with the front doors and rear-hinged back doors opening at a slight upward angle. Truly a beautiful Concept!
Also featuring Peugeot’s Hybrid4 technology, the car has a 2.2 litre HDi diesel engine. It produces 299bhp, 95bhp from its electric motor and has CO2 emissions that are as low as 83 g/km. The car has amazing low fuel consumption, at 118km per gallon, and has a range of 30km with its electric engine. Impressive to say the least!! We’ll now move away from the European brands and move on to the Asian Ones, first looking at Korean Brand Kia. After a successful start for the Kia Rio 5 door which was just making it to the various showrooms last month, Frankfurt saw the World Premiere of the Kia Rio 3 door hatchback, a car which the company is thinking will attract between 20 to 25% of total Rio sales. With similar dimensions to the Rio 5 door version and the same low roof line which makes it sportier, the fastest engine will accelerate from standstill to 100km in 11.5 seconds and will have a top speed of 183 km/ hr. The newly introduced EcoDynamics diesel model will have exceptionally low fuel consumption too, at 3.2 litres per 100km whilst the CO2 emissions are also remarkably low at 85g/km. The star on the Kia Stand was however their new Concept Kia GT. This car is stunning, elegant and so chic and modern! The Kia GT is a rear wheel drive powerful vehicle which signals the direction the brand is taking in the design of its new vehicles. It is a stylish saloon inspired by the 1970’s GT cars but with an aeronautical theme to it. It has multi-piece propeller-style alloy and carbon fibre wheels, jet themed rear view cameras, a low slung front air intake and an aerodynamically efficient rear diffuser. The car was presented in a pearl white with a copper line
From Kia we move on to Japanese brands for who this German Motor show is also utterly important. This Motor Show saw the launch of the new Honda Civic, a model which, in my opinion, has been given a more conservative design when compared to the previous model. Well, the previous model was one of the most futuristic cars when it was launched some years back, so much so that when you see one on the road today, it still looks quite modern. This time it seems the brand wanted to focus more on the needs of the European market the car is aimed for, rather than futuristic looks, needs that nowadays focus more on efficiency and cleanliness. And therefore, this new Honda Civic was built with his in mind so it incorporates the latest technology that allows it to be efficient and clean whilst still offering great performance. To reach this aim the car weight was reduced, the design focused more on improved aerodynamics and the interior material was also improved thus offering comfort, convenience, safety and performance in a car that is suitable for everyday use. Maybe one thing that stands out in the external design of this vehicle is the rear end where the back spoiler is incorporated to the rear lights. Something subtle but something I imagine can be quite an attraction when lit on the road. The Honda Civic may not be loud this time around but it’s a clear example of how less may actually be more and maybe this is what Honda’s designers wanted to achieve with this new model. Another Japanese brand presenting a car aimed at the European market was Subaru. The Subaru brand is known for its technological innovations and the cars are WHEELSPIN
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Feature • The Frankfurt Motor Show
by Fleur Balzan
Honda Civic
Suzuki Swift Sport
Subaru XV
Jeep Wrangler
internationally renowned for the AWD (All Wheel Drive) technology and horizontally opposed engines. Therefore as expected, the new World Premiere presented in Frankfurt incorporates this same advanced technology of the brand.
The last brand we will look at is Jeep, an American brand that, in previous years we have heard very little about locally. Jeep unveiled four models at this motor show amongst them the high performance Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 which made its formal debut at this show. This model was presented with a 6.4 litre engine which offers 464bhp and 630nm of torque. According to the brand this model can reach a 100km in only 4.8 seconds and has a high speed of 254km/h comparing very well with sports cars such as the BMW M3. A design concept of the Grand Cherokee Interior was also unveiled showing future styling options such as white gold paintwork contrasting beautifully with blue leather interior.
The Subaru XV as it has been baptised, is a Crossover vehicle, a compact SUV with a sporty design that is also elegant and quite attractive. It has high ground clearance, large wheels, and, according to Subaru, offers superior drive performance, excellent manoeuvrability and great fuel efficiency thanks to the Subaru next generation power unit. All this plus the symmetrical AWD and advanced Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept will definitely make it incredibly safe on the road. Seems that once again, Subaru have gotten it right with yet another vehicle and this new crossover should really turn heads in Europe! From Crossover to small sport car, it is now time to take a look at another Japanese brand and their newest sporty model. I am referring to Suzuki and the New Suzuki Swift Sport, another vehicle that had its World Premiere in Frankfurt. This model is based on the standard Suzuki Swift yet when it comes to performance it is the flagship of the Swift series. Although it has kept a lot from its predecessor, it has been refined, now offering even better handling, road performance, and is more environmentally friendly. The materials used have also been improved thus offering a better package as a whole. When it comes to design, the new Suzuki Sport is slightly aggressive with a large front grille and with distinctive finned fog lamp bezels that really give it character. On the inside, the car has a very positive feel to it and the materials used, such as the soft leather on the steering wheel and the seat fabric with stitching on it really are appealing. With 17 inch aluminium alloy wheels, 7 airbags, ESP and a range of other safety equipment as standard, this car may be small is size but it is huge as a package! 8
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Details of the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler were given at the show. This vehicle will have a 3.7 litre V6 engine producing 284bhp and 347nm of torque. According to the brand this engine will be more efficient and may be run on some biofuels such as E85 petrol. Finally, a new version of the Jeep Wrangler was also unveiled. The Arctic Special edition, as it was called, is based on the Sahara model and will have a 3.7 litre V6 engine. With 17 inch black alloys and special interior trims, this model will only be available in Europe. There were many other World Premieres seen at this Motor Show and we would like to continue telling you more about them yet, for this issue, we’ll stop here. What’s sure is that this Frankfurt Motor Show is a dream for all car lovers, a dream which we hope we have shown you a little of on these pages.
Feature • Online Crime
by Ben Glover
T
owards the end of July we had the opportunity to try out the New BMW 1 series before it was officially launched as a World Premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The car was actually presented to the media at a press launch held in Berlin and we were lucky enough to try out both the Sport version and the Urban during our few days in the German Capital. Well, I was quite curious to see the new version of the 1 series before getting to Berlin, yet I stayed away from trying to find any pictures of it. I tend not to trust seeing cars on images when I’m about to see them for myself, as I know pictures may be misleading. In this case, I also didn’t want my thoughts of the first generation one series hatchback to effect my first impression of the car. Don’t get me wrong, I always loved the 1 series hatchback when in the driver’s seat, however the design of the first generation hatchback was not exactly my cup of tea!! Actually what I didn’t like about it was its profile. The longish bonnet and the flat rear end on the same car didn’t look so right to me and it was like
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seeing two ends of two different vehicles stuck together. Well, that is just my opinion though as I have said on many occasions, looks alone have never sold a car to me, or have they stopped me from owning one!!! So I arrived in Berlin anxious to see the new vehicle for the first time. It so happened that I was actually the first journalist to arrive from the group and the first car I saw in the public area of the hotel was covered. Thank God, patience is one of my forte as I had
to wait another couple of hours till I actually got to see the car. I can assure you that it was worth the wait!!! My first impression of the new 1 series hatchback was one that left me smiling! The design is soooooooo much more beautiful than the previous version and the ‘youngest’, or ‘smallest’ BMW is finally living up to the brand name! The car looks so much more proportionate. This second generation model is in fact 85mm longer than the previous
TEST DRIVE • BMW 1 Series model at 4,324mm and 17mm wider at 1,765mm. The wheelbase has been widened by 30mm, figures that result in 21mm more space to the leg room at the back of the car and also to the boot. Not such a small car after all!
At first glance it hits you that the car has grown. Going around it you realise that from different angles it looks different, quite incredibly so to be honest! The rear has been widened quite attractively with the rear lights set apart with the lights set horizontally. The waist line is smooth running from the front across the handles and over the wide set wheel arches, ending at the rear lights. The front is instantly recognisable as BMW, long bonnet, large BMW grille, distinctive headlights with a trim across the top and a three section air intake. Yet with all these distinctive features it sometimes looks smooth and conservative whilst at other times it looks muscular, sexy and aggressive. Strange or what? It kind of reminds me of ......! We managed to speak with the designer involved in this vehicle about this, Nicholas Huet and he confirmed these were the feelings the car was giving to various people and it had been the brands intention to create a vehicle that would appeal to a wider group of people. I must admit, the more time I spent around the new 1 series, the more it grew on me, and that was only from the looks!
by Fleur Balzan
When it came to the driving I was lucky as I got to drive different engines and models on different days and in different weather. Plus I also got to drive the car on a specially set up track which was purposely
showing the added range achieved by better driving. And I thought BMW vehicles were already so economical!!
kept wet at the curviest sections to better show what the car was capable of doing. Thinking back to my experience on track, I cannot help but smile some more!!
The Sport line I drove had a 6 speed manual gearbox which was quite smooth whilst the urban had an 8 speed automatic gearbox which I must say, I loved. Though it was not the only thing I loved in the Urban model. With white 17 inch alloys, white coloured mirrors and a total of 6,500 options of trims, this one will be much sought by those looking to have a personalised, fabulous vehicle.
The car still has BMW’s rear wheel drive layout which together with the 50-50 weight distribution makes it very dynamic. The ride has been transformed, with extremely precise handling combined to a swift and responsive engine. The engines in the line up are all turbocharged and have direct fuel injection and therefore offer a sporty drive whilst still economising on fuel. The car has an adaptive chassis set-up with a choice of different drives, these being comfort, sport, sport plus and eco pro which according to the brand reduces consumption by up to 20 per cent. To achieve this, the driver is visually guided on how to reduce fuel consumption with a gauge actually
The engines I drove were the 118i powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine producing 170 bhp and with a maximum speed of 225km/h. This model goes from stand still to 100km in 7.4 seconds and has CO2 emissions of 134 g/km. The diesel engine, on the other hand, produces 184bhp and reaches the 100km mark from 0km in 2 seconds less, 7.2 seconds and has a high speed of 228km/h.
So I drove the new BMW 1 series hatchback for a few days in Berlin. Since, I saw the car in Frankfurt and attended its arrival in Malta too. So what do I want now? Obviously, to have one available to me for a longer period!! Do I know how to choose? Yep!!
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Feature • Online Crime
by Ben Glover
Funky Does it!!
the nissan Juke-R
by Fleur Balzan
I
f one had to ask me which car on the road I feel is the most funky right now, without a doubt I’d say it’s the Nissan Juke. Just look at it! Muscular, curvy, particular design, young, colourful and also so sexy!! No matter how often I meet with it on the road, I cannot help but turn my face to look at it once more.
Recently I had the opportunity to drive it for a short while and I must say I really like this car. Attractive looks, light, with easy handling, responsive and sporty and with an elevated seating position which simply adds to the fun of the drive. Now Nissan have given information of the One Off concept they are presenting with the name Juke-R but how different will this car be exactly? According to 12
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the brand this new Nissan Juke-R will have the Nissan Juke body combined with the GT-R drive train. A super crossover with flared wheel arches and revised front and rear bumpers plus a split rear wing. The car will have a 3.8 litre twin turbo V6 engine taken directly from Nissan’s sports car with a six speed transaxle under the boot floor and a modified GT-R 4WD driveline and prop shaft joining the front and the rear ends. This plus 20” alloy wheels under those muscular wheel arches. The interior of this concept will be made up of some of the finest material with the dashboard taking hints from the GT-R and the centre console, as in the normal Juke, taking inspiration from the fuel tank of a motorcycle. The rest of the interior gives the impression of being in a race car, with twin race-seats with five-point harnesses inside a visible roll cage offering FIA safety standards whilst also providing enhanced rigidity to provide the ultimate performance. It has been said that only 2 such Nissan Juke-R’s will be created, one in left hand drive and one in right hand drive. Who knows maybe we will be lucky enough to try out the right hand drive ourselves some time soon!!
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Launches Kia Picanto Small car, big character! The Kia Picanto has recently been launched in Malta. This is a small car with a big personality and the Wheelspin team attended the launch held in September during which we actually got to drive it for a short period on our roads. The launch started within the Hilton grounds in St. Julian’s and the plan was to meet some two hours later at another establishment in Qawra where the official presentation was to take place. The Wheelspin team took the opportunity to try the car in different roads and locations and, is this a proper city car? Most definitely! The car offers the comforts one requires in a small car and with the price starting at only ₏8,990, this is one car we will be seeing many of on our local roads.
The VW Golf Convertible We had seen this car being launched at the Geneva Motor Show and now it has finally arrived in Malta. This is a sporty beauty which is so eye-catching!
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The local launch was held at a local night club during the summer period and we can imagine that this will be the dream car for many.
NEWS • Launches
The New BMW 1 Series Finally it is here, the much awaited 1 series which is about to take our island by storm. The launch event was held at the beautiful location of the Villa Bologna in Attard and media and guests enjoyed not only the presentation of two different versions of the new 1 series but also some pleasant entertainment. The first generation of the 1 series hatchback sold well over a million vehicles worldwide, and after having driven it in Berlin, we have no doubt that this 2nd generation will be just as popular. Read more about this new BMW 1 series on other pages of this same issue.
The New Toyota Yaris Talk about small popular cars and you immediately think of the Toyota Yaris. Well, the car is no longer so ‘small’ any more! It has developed and matured into an attractive compact car which could appeal to young drivers and families alike. The new generation of the Yaris was launched by Michael Debono Ltd during a lunch event held at the Toyota showroom in Zebbug. The car is bigger than the previous model. It offers a choice of different features such as a navigation system, Bluetooth, internet connectivity and parking camera amongst others. The full test drive will be seen on our TV programme in the coming weeks.
The Range Rover Evoque Many have been waiting for this vehicle for a while and now here it is, the new Range Rover Evoque. This newest vehicle from Land Rover was launched at an event held by Muscats Motors Ltd for media and guests at Villa Arrigo in Naxxar in mid October. It has been dubbed the smallest, lightest and most fuel efficient Land Rover ever built. To some it is also the most beautiful with its striking looks, luxurious features and the latest technology all in one car. Masculine, yet also pretty or shall we say handsome!
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Feature • Online Crime
by Ben Glover
The Porsche monologues Rants from Stuttgart and Beyond {Part 8} | by JK Farrugia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Porsche 991: The X-Factor
S
eldom a car manufacturer launches a particular model that manages to kindle an internal passion with car enthusiasts the world over, which crosses all sorts of boundaries, geographical, class, race or age. The sort of passion that in the past was usually proudly announced in many a child’s bedroom in the form of the coveted Athena poster of that particular model. Such a model would undoubtedly carry an attribute which people nowadays would call “the X-Factor”. The Porsche 911 is possibly the epitome of such cars, starting back from its conception in 1963 and probably culminating with the wide-bodied Turbo from the 1980s. Fast forward almost 50 years since then, and Porsche has just 18
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given the motoring world the latest incarnation of this automotive legend, codenamed (for the Porschephiles), the 991. The new icon launched at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show enjoys a flat, stretched silhouette, exciting contours and precisely designed details, however it remains unmistakably a 911. The 991 Carrera which has just been launched raises the performance and efficiency bar substantially. Fuel consumption and emissions are up to 16% lower compared to its predecessor. The new lightweight body is an aluminiumsteel construction, which equates to a weight reduction of up to 45 kgs. New active control systems elevate driving dynamics to an unprecedented level. These include a new electro-
mechanical power steering that augments Porsche’s typical precision and feedback whilst improving fuel economy. Moreover, the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission is featured as standard. Additional systems and functions such as auto start/stop, thermal management and electrical system recuperation further enhance the new Carrera’s efficiency. The 3.9” longer wheelbase and reduced height combined with the new 20” alloy wheels accentuate the athletic silhouette whilst retaining the typical sports car compact exterior dimensions. The 911’s trademark wide-arched rear wings remain, emphasizing the wider front track, so that the new Carrera sits even more solidly on the road. The novel exterior mirrors are mounted on the upper
RegulaRs • TThe he Porsche Monologues {Part 8}
by JK Farrugia
edge of the door and not as before on the mirror triangle, adding to the visual impression of width. To complement the modern exterior design, Porsche designers have crafted an interior architecture that takes its design cue from the Porsche Carrera GT. The driver is now even more closely integrated with the cockpit thanks to the centre console rising up to the front with the highmounted shift lever or gear selector located ergonomically close to the steering wheel in typical motorsport fashion. Classic Porsche elements abound: the instrument cluster with five round instruments including a high resolution multifunction screen; the central rev counter; and the ignition lock to the left of the steering wheel. The balance that Porsche has struck between power, economy and emissions are really setting a new ball game in this league of performance cars. The 911 Carrera’s new 350 bhp, 3.4 litre boxer engine mated with the optional PDK gearbox consumes a mere 34 mpg based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), whilst emitting a paltry 194 g/km CO2. Apart from the obvious tax benefits this brings, it is the first Porsche sports car to make it below the 200 g/km mark. The new Carrera S with its 3.8-litre flat-six engine and
a whopping 400 bhp now consumes a mere 32 mpg (NEDC), and CO2 emissions are a shade higher than its Carrera sibling at 205 g/km. The Carrera’s forte is obviously its performance, with figures going on a roll too: the 911 Carrera S with PDK hits 62 mph in 4.3 seconds, however hitting the Sport Plus button on the Sport Chrono equipped cars drops the
sprint time down to a neck snapping 4.1 seconds. The Carrera with PDK however is nonetheless mighty quick off the mark, reaching 62 mph in only 4.4 seconds with Sport Chrono, and in 4.6 seconds without. There are new active control systems available that further enhance the driving dynamics. The Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) for instance is an active roll stabilisation system, available for the first time on the 911 Carrera S. This system reduces lateral inclination when cornering, the tyres always being in the optimal position relative to the road surface and consequently are able to transmit higher lateral forces. Maximum cornering speeds are increased; even faster lap times on racing circuits are now physically possible. The new 911 manages to further extend the span of apparently contradictory attributes such as performance and efficiency, sportiness and everyday practicality that has always typified the Porsche 911, making it less of a “widow-maker” as it is traditionally affectionately known in motoring circles.
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Feature • Hoppin’ Low Riders
by Mark Attard
I
must admit from the start that the cars we shall talk about today are not so popular in Malta, but then I might also be wrong! Anyway, they are very popular in Southern California and they evolved from the low riding style of customized vehicles which became popular because of their minimal ground lift, but very unpopular with speed bumps and other rough oddities found along the roads which they are driven on, a real bottom ouch! To solve these problems, low-rider enthusiasts had to install hydraulic lift kits that would allow an adjustable height for the vehicle. These kits use electric/hydraulic pumps and normal hydraulic pistons, to raise and lower the vehicle as needed. Imagine connecting the cylinder alongside the shock absorber or the spring, and you get the idea. It’s a pretty involved installation, done by mechanic geeks and can cost several thousand Euros. So the hydraulic kits solved the height problem and helped to save their bottoms, I mean both car and driver! What happened next was quite unpredictable and amazing, but it’s one of those strange things that can happen in an evolutionary process. Someone, at some point, realized that with enough power, the hydraulic system could make the car hop! Low-rider hydraulic systems quickly evolved to make hopping more and more interesting, until cars could eventually hop 2 m off the ground! Originally, there was one 12-volt or 24-volt pump driving all four wheels in unison. Nowadays it is possible to find cars that have four pumps and eight, 10 or even up to 12 batteries to power them. An eight-battery setup typically contains two banks of four batteries, for two 48-volt systems and so on.
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by M
ark
Att a
rd
As you can imagine the battle was on for the creative installers of these systems, connecting up a number of switches used to control the various hydraulics combinations that ultimately produce a specific motion from the car. The most common motions are dipping/raising the four corners of the car (referred to as corners), dipping/raising the front or rear of the car (front, back), dipping/raising the sides of the car (side to side), and lowering/raising the car as a whole (pancake). A skilled switch operator can manipulate his car hydraulics controls (hitting switches) to raise one wheel completely off the ground (3-wheel motion), or to bounce one end of the car completely off the ground. Well as I told you before, to date, I have never encountered any of these cars here in Malta but I’m sure there’s someone out there who owns one, or if not, just thinking of owning one, or constructing one. Actually, I also think that some reputable car manufacturers, who sell new cars in Malta might also be considering installing these hopping kits onto their cars if they look closely to some of our roads after the first few rain drops…..
Feature • Online Crime
by Ben Glover
seviL evas taht senihcaM T
he Malta Red Cross; what are you thinking? A group of volunteers who have an old ambulance and administer first aid at marathons and special events?
Wrong. They are a group of 25-30 highly trained people with some of the best equipment in southern Europe, and they do this in their spare time, for free.
muscle while dancing around the stage or became ill he’d be well looked after, even if the ‘Dawg’ were a bit of a diva. The organisation is backed up with the strongest 4x4’s that will handle any terrain. The Toyota Hilux pickup with its on-board stretchers and winches will take care of anything in its path. Flanked closely by a series 3 Land Rover both their 2.5 diesel engines not only make life economical but powerful enough for the
From their base in Pembroke I turn up early on a Saturday morning at the former stables to see five young volunteers cleaning out two immaculate 1990’s Ford Transits that once raced around the roads of the UK in order to save a life. Now they are having a second chance to do just that on our islands. Behind me under a canopy sits the flagship of the fleet, affectionately known as ‘Lola’. Originally seeing service in the Liverpool ambulance Service she was donated by our President and now sits proud in her Batten-burg paint job sporting a big Malta Red Cross. Stepping inside Lola you can be assured that you would be made comfortable as her 2.4 TDCi engine with over 100hp takes you to the comfort of a hospital bed. Lola is part of a five strong fleet that saw action in the Libya crisis. At a moment’s notice they were all (and still are) deployed to pick up injured soldiers from flights into Malta and then transport them to Mater Dei hospital. Of course a subject that has caused a bit of debate recently. That aside, without the Malta Red Cross it would not have been possible to complete this mission. And what’s more it wasn’t just the fleet of Transits and Mercedes that helped out on the job. It’s not just the emergency situations where the MRC come in handy. They get deployed to some of the islands biggest events alongside the Malta Community Chest fund. In the summer they provided the First Aid to the Isle of MTV. I am sure if Snoop Dog pulled a
job. Each specified to emergency standards, I know I’d be glad to see these if I was off-road. There is even room in there for the specially adapted mountain bikes which have been used for various marathons and marches all over the islands. If these weren’t enough, the quad bike is capable of getting anywhere whilst being able to carry the injured on specially adapted stretcher. WHEELSPIN
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Feature• Machines that Save Lives
by Ben Glover
Next to Lola sits a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) which is hoped will be operational for next summer. Powered by two 70hp Yamaha engines this will be one of the fastest rescue boats in the Med. Being a qualified powerboat pilot, I myself know how incredibly manoeuvrable this vessel can be. Having worked with the RNLI on the south coast of England last year I know how vital these machines are. It’ll need a bit of work and some funding yet with the teams amazing spirit I know this will be achieved.
Machines that save Lives After spending such a short time here it is hard to believe that with sky high over-heads the MRC rely totally on funding and generosity. I was so touched by the team’s dedication to the job and the machines that indeed do save lives. In fact, I was so impressed I have joined them. So, do something positive today. Let’s look after our very own Malta Red Cross…you never know when you might need them.
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I
f you would like to be part of the team or indeed help with funding contact them now:
7900 0112 +++++++++++++++++++++++++
info@redcrossmalta.org.mt
Online Crime by Ben Glover
R
ecently I had received a call that no car buyer really wants to receive. I had just found the perfect car from my wish list, within budget and best of all it was not too far away. It was potluck that I came across the BMW X5 with over 65,000 miles on the clock and all for €3,500. Yep, a six year old 3.0d ‘Beemer’ for stupid money. It turned out, I was the stupid one. The advert was a scam!
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Feature• Online Crime
by Ben Glover
Now, this took a while to work out as the advert seemed for real and the contact number was not a mobile but a landline. And this is where the scam comes in. What I had called was a premium rate number diverted via the landline. (I think personally it was more dented pride of not seeing this than forking out over €3 for a phone call!). There was no car at all! Think of how many people had clocked this bargain and called that number only for it to be answered with no one really on the other end? Meantime the money was clocking up whilst the scammer probably sat poolside watching his (or her) yacht bob up and down. Another warning comes via a good friend of mine looking to ship a car from the UK. A very tidy Hyundai i20 was finally found within budget. The owner claimed they were moving abroad and wanted a quick sale. On payment the bank accounts did not really match with the details on the website and when the seller was confronted, my friend was told that ‘the amount was going into a foreign one’ as they had already moved. Anyone can make a webpage (even I can do this, although my wife has to help) and this is where it all starts. Individuals will copy and paste almost identical photos to that of a reputable shipping agent. All they have to do is change the contact details. They’ll ask for all your life
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savings up front, which they tell you will go into a holding account, which is actually theirs while secretly planning and building their mansion in the Bahamas. The website in question mentioned it was based in London, however the postcode said otherwise. Spelling mistakes were worse than my English A’ level exam (which I failed first time around) yet the whole thing looked quite genuine. My friend was more high and dry than Hyundai. The City of London police shut down over 21,000 fake advertisements in the UK last year. That’s like the whole of Sliema and Gzira with something to sell that isn’t actually there. They also found many of these site/adverts came from abroad, posted onto a reputable web site (like Autotrader) only to be developed from places like Nigeria and Eastern Europe. The last thing we want is for you to be scammed. We have heard many stories of people who have had to fork out money and received nothing for it or who have ended up with something different to what they had expected. So be wise and if the price is too good to be true then it probably is! So, I’m off to find my X5 and get my €3 back!
Parking ProblemS
Feature • Online Crime
by Ben Glover
getting worSe with no end in Sight By Gerald Fenech
P
arking has always been an issue in Malta and on such a small island which is so jam packed with people and cars, the problem is getting worse. From built up areas to ever expanding metropolis, the island is faced with huge traffic problems and consequentially parking problems which are threatening to get out of hand. Some parts of the country have really become no go areas especially those where there’s a lot of business going on. People talk of Sliema which can be a beautiful place to visit but try finding a parking space if you are out during a Friday or weekend evening and you haven’t got a dog’s chance in the world to do so. The problem of construction works has made a bad situation worse and what with cranes blocking the roads and residential parking schemes, some places really are prohibitive to visitors and shoppers alike.
The situation in Valletta has gone literally from the frying pan into the fire. With the ongoing works on City Gate set to continue for another two years, the situation for those who work in our capital city has become intolerable. One has to negotiate timed parking schemes, residents parking as well as a drastic reduction in parking spaces due to some heavy handed ministerial decisions. The public transport reform has also had an effect on the parking situation in Valletta which has gone from bad to worse even with the Park and Ride situation. This is now usable only against quite a hefty charge which makes it prohibitive to park there all day unless you want to waste your dosh. After all some provision should be made for those who work in the capital as these deserve some sort of special treatment although that does not seem to be anywhere near.
SolutionS The situation is getting so bad that solutions seem to be few and far between at least at this stage. Car parks both free of charge and with tolls are still rather less than what is needed. Some, such as the ones in Sliema and at Portomaso, have been operating for years with some success although again it is quite expensive to park there for long periods of time. The residential parking issue is also something which needs addressing as soon as possible. Most of the schemes are uneven in certain areas and most of the time they create more confusion than what is really required. Some towns such as Sliema are also proposing resident’s parking along the whole area surely if this will be implemented, that would mean the death knell for business there. Car pooling is an interesting solution if some sort of compromise to car usage is to
be reached. Obviously there seems to be some reluctance to see this implemented as several car owners prefer to use their vehicle simply for themselves. But this will obviously see a reduction in the use of parking spaces at places of work and can only be applauded if implemented properly and with initiative. Another good solution would be the implementation of restricting cars on the roads for certain periods or to certain days. It will obviously be an unpopular decision at first as everyone likes their own independence but this can also relieve the immense strain on parking spaces in densely populated and highly visited areas. It is imperative that some sort of long term solution is found to the parking problem on these islands as there will eventually be a situation where saturation point is reached and there can be no return from that. WHEELSPIN
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THE CHAMPION IS BACK Words and images Pierre Vella
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ell to be quite frank he never left, Sebastian Vettel the youngest ever F1 champion back to back, taking over the record from Spaniard Fernando Alonso. But how did Sebastian Vettel come across to beat the competition including his team mate hands down, feet and all? No one would have dreamt that Red Bull F1 team would have achieved such an accolade. Many were the teams with money but talent is another issue. The company looked at a twofold operation, exposure for the brand and achieving very good revenue but few were those that believed in the team. The turning point was the arrival of Adrian Newey, the now legendary F1 genius, a person who in his simplicity is just an incredible wizard.
Newey has been around for quite some time taking teams like Williams and McLaren to the very top. But how did he do it all over again? Well the man believes in a team attitude and this, I believe was one of the winning straws. Presently Red Bull is so talented that everyone is a target to poaching, however there is no one wishing to leave. I had the pleasure of visiting the factory on numerous occasions. The message was always there even though not visible but felt, ‘work to perform, perform to excellence’. Team spirit is incredible! The irony is that at Red Bull the technology available is mega big however Adrian Newey takes his illustrations on a massive drawing board in his office. The man is just so humble, besides at the GP I came up close to him at this year’s Goodwood where Newey was in attendance for the weekend not as a spectator but as a racer. He recently was also at Mugello racing Maserati. He might spend a lot of time in front of his drawing board but at any available time he is racing somewhere in a different car. On the grid before the start of the grand prix, Adrian Newey with clipboard in hand wanders down the starting grid looking around the competition and discreetly taking note, nodding to everyone around. Newey has the design conception, a car has to be fast from day one else forget it and aim for next year.
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Formula one • The Champion is Back
Two years in a row and a winner, will the Red Bull racers continue their dominance for more? The rest are not sitting down and being beaten, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has already signed on long term Brit Jenson Button, plus they have a very good base for the 2012 car. Button blended extremely well within the team showing a much improved and mature person, managing his races whilst having blended well with his new Pirelli tyres, something his team mate Lewis Hamilton is still finding difficult, besides driving on edge and being in the wrong limelight with his track pranks. Nothing wrong in that and many were the drivers who acted in such manner. However the FIA should let the drivers race, they are there to win and challenge all those around them, and regarding the Smedley – Massa radio conversation in Singapore, let’s not over fuss, inciting a driver takes all modes and colour.
by Pierre Vella
Back to the champion! Sebastian Vettel has grown up not by a year but by loads of experience. He has changed. The boy look seems to have disappeared but Sebastian retains the jovial attitude that dwells around him. Yet he shows seriousness on the track and once he is in front, the rest will bite his dust. He even had the time to spend with the Infiniti designers to have a branded Sebastian Vettel modified road car as well. Sponsors have rolled down in truckloads towards the team; the situation was much different some years back.
So are we looking at a continued Red Bull reign or the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes and Renault reeling in on the dominant force? Well whatever the variable as long as we have exciting races I will definitely approve. Formula 1 has been around for so long but has not lost any of its shine and excitement. WHEELSPIN
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Spot Info
Elegance is an Attitude Peugeot 207
Mercedes Benz named ‘Top Premium Car Brand’
Beautifully balanced and perfectly poised, the 207 exudes power and strength from the tout lines of the plunging bonnet to LED rear lights and elegant rear end. Then, climb inside and discover more comfort and elegance than you’d expect - and other pleasant surprises too. Drive wise, technology that take driving pleasure to the max in a safe way. Latest HDi engines that utilise high pressure direct injection technology returning greener and keener rides without compromising on performance.
From a list of 100 global brands, amongst them IT companies Apple, Microsoft and other brands such as Coca Cola and McDonald’s, car manufacturer Mercedes has achieved the 12th place to be named Top Premium Car Brand’.
They say less is more, in our way the 2011 HDi Peugeot 207 is offering more for less… discover it! Test Drive Hotline M:79406607 - Trade ins entertained too.
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The report ranks different brands by ‘brand equity’ and has listed Mercedes Benz at $27.455bn, an increase of 9% over the previous year. The only car brand to beat Mercedes in the list as most ‘valuable brand’ is Toyota which achieved 11th place. No car maker achieved any of the first 10 places in this study.