Issue 16 — Summer 2012
MILES AHEAD...
Latest Test Drives
Drives that let you see and feel the soul of a car
The Mercedes A Class Reborn Completely different 3rd generation A Class
A Force to be Proud of Malta’s new Police Vehicles
Common Car Related Injuries And how to avoid some…
Issue 16 - Summer 2012
Issue 16 — Summer 2012
MILES AHEAD...
Latest Test Drives
Drives that let you see and feel the soul of a car
The Mercedes A Class Reborn Completely different 3rd generation A Class
A Force to be Proud of Malta’s new Police Vehicles
Common Car Related Injuries And how to avoid some…
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 Ben Glover
Hair Cut Coiffeur
Make Up Shasha
Advertising & Sales
Editor’s Note Fleur Balzan The heat is on, or shall I say the heat is intolerable. Am I the only one feeling this way? Ok maybe these months are expected to be hot in Malta but then the hot weather has followed us on our supposedly cooler trips abroad including a trip to Mountainous Slovenja where we had the pleasure of driving the completely new vehicle from Mercedes which has kept the A Class name. And believe me, the name is all that’s the same in this car. We have also included test drives of some other vehicles recently launched locally. Yes we have kept busy and the heat didn’t stop us from taking these cars out for long drives. Other articles on this issue are about the recently purchased Police Cars, Electric vehicles, Car related injuries and the forthcoming Mdina Grand Prix which will be held in October. Our team has continued to strive to bring to you our reader original articles which we hope will be enjoyed by all. Maybe they will not make you feel cooler in this weather but we hope they will distract you from the heat, at least for a few hours.
Fleur Balzan (+356) 21576154 (+356) 99805763
Pre-Press & Printing Impressions Ltd., Marsa
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 Summer 2012
Features 16
The Mdina Grand Prix
25
19
A Force to be Proud of Malta’s new Police Vehicles
Electric Cars The future for our roads?
26
Common Car Related Injuries and how to avoid some
22
The New Left
Test Drives
Launches
5
Latest Test Drives The Opel Meriva, The Honda Civic, The VW Up, The Peugeot 208, The Mercedes M Class AMG
10
The Mercedes ‘A’ Class Reborn Test drive in Slovenja
12
Hyundai i30 Confidence you can feel
14
The latest cars to arrive in Malta
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FEATURE • Latest Test Drives NEW OPEL MERIVA One ‘different’ car driven is the New Opel Meriva, a car which is particular mainly due to it’s flexi doors which open the same way one would open a house door. This means that whereas the front doors open like in any other vehicle, the back doors have rear hinges and therfore open mirroring the front doors. These open up to 87 degrees compared to the 67 degrees of normal car doors thus making them not only different but definitley very useful when having young children, and even more so when travelling with elderly parents.
by Fleur Balzan
Everything in the Meriva is Flexi, the FlexSpace and FlexRail increase the space within the vehicle whilst making it versatile for the various needs a family does have nowadays. What is interesting is that the front seats are adjustable in various ways thus having convinced an association of independent German back doctors that they and the car’s ErgoFlex system are the best for back health. Anyone with back pain locally? Then maybe we should all get a Meriva! Looking at the car from the outside, the car is elegant, sculptured with a distinctive German look. It has a short bonnet, a low sweeping roofline and a wave rear window line for better visibility for those seated at the back. A thick chrome line runs over the front grille and houses the ‘Opel’ badge giving the car a distinctive face whilst the back, is slightly curved making the car look more like a hatchback than a boxed monocab.
NEW HONDA CIVIC The second car we will look at is the new Honda Civic, the 9th generation model of this most popular vehicle. When I first saw this car in Frankfurt way back in September 2011, I felt that Honda had taken a step back to the past with this model when it comes to looks, yet having seen it again when in the open once it was launched locally my opinion changed. Yes this model is less futuristic in appearance than the one launched some 5 years before but the car is definitely modern and quite an eye catcher. Besides, the technology introduced on this model is the most advanced one can get.
On the inside the car is also elegantly designed, with a centre console that gathers all the features required by the driver. It has lower, wing shaped instrument panel and an electronic hand brake button that replaces the normal handbrake and leaves more room for the flexirails between the seats.
The Opel Meriva is a small MPV or monocab which is actually quite spacious inside. It is no longer than a normal hatchback yet higher so the seats are easily accessible, again ideal for those with a family or those who travel with elderly parents. One might say that I am making an emphasise about this but having recently experienced the need for a car which is easily accessible by an elderly person with crutches, I am more consious of the fact that one does need to look at every requirment when choosing a vehicle. 6
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Now what about the drive? Well the Meriva is very satisfactory in that department too. The steering wheel is precise and the car holds the road well without the feeling of body rolling which we sometimes encounter in higher vehicles. The choice of engines are various all following Opel’s strategy of smaller engines which offer improved performance. There are three variants for the 1.4 litre petrol engines ranging from 100bhp to 140bhp. There is a choice of 2 other diesel engines, 2 variants of the 1.3 litre offering 75bhp and 95bhp and with CO2 emissions being as low as 129g/km and 119g/km respectively with the 95bhp version being the EcoFlex. There are also 3 variants of the 1.7 liter CDTI engines producing 100, 110 and 130bhp.
The face of the car has an powerful look to it, sporty, passionate and strong with the large badge situated over the grille and LED daytime running lights situated low over the fog lights. The back is also equally striking with a rear spoiler incorporating the rear lights. This rear spoiler not only adds to the sportivity of the vehicle but is also purposely designed for better aerodynamics. Although the car is a 5 door hatchback, the back door handles are incorporated near the windows so giving the impression of a coupé and adding further to the sportivity of the vehicle. The inside of the car is also equally, if not more striking. The
FEATURE • Latest Test Drives materials used are of high quality with an elegantly designed console featuring all the controls needed, touches of alluminium on and around the gear leaver and, in this case, black seats with white stiching adding to the luxury feel of the whole vehicle. The car features a digital instrument panel that gives the driver all the information required about the drive and more, with readings such as fuel consumption, km per litre, temperature gauge, radio info, seat belt alert etc easily read. The speedometer is clearly visible and is digital for more accurate reading and practically with just one look the driver has all the information
in use keep on showing on the screen which I thought quite useful for peace of mind with younger children seated at the back. When it comes to the drive, this vehicle is one I wanted to continue driving for longer. The steering is extremly responsive and offers a confortable controlled drive. The handling is exellent with the car coping very well with cornering at high speeds and the performance is one that, to someone that likes to drive, leaves a continous smile on one’s face. The suspension has also been improved when compared to the previous model so offering a very comfortable ride throughout. The car has an ECO mode function which is on at the touch of a button and although one may have to sometimes use lower gears whilst driving in this mode, the performance is still quite satisfying and definitely worth the saving in the use of fuel. The model I drove is the 2.2 litre iDTEC diesel engine producing 150bhp and 350nm of torque, and with CO2 emissions being at just 110g/ km, this may easily be a favourite to those wishing for a young sporty drive whilst still having a family in tow. Other models available are the 1.8 litre i-VTEC petrol with 143bhp and with CO2 emmisions being at 137g/km and the 1.4 i-VTEC petrol producing 100 bhp and with CO2 emissions at 129g/km.
required. Through this digital display one also sees what is happening within the vehicle itself, as I found out while testing the car for family needs! To do so I decided to go pick up my adorable nieces from school and, as I usually do when I have children in the car, I ask for seat belts to be put on and I refuse to drive before I know they are actually on. Before I could look back to check on the youngest but naughtiest member of the bunch the instrument panel indicated three seats in use . Oh but only two kids sitting in the back! Was this a malfunction I thought? No, my niece informed me, it was just that her doll had been strapped in too!! What’s good about this is that the seat belts
VW UP From a sporty we move to a cutie which I must say left me quite impressed with the drive. I am referring to the new small car from VW known as the VW UP. Well this car I had seen abroad in as many versions imaginable and when it came to design I knew very well what a young feel it had to it! What impressed me most about this car however is the drive and the torque it delivers immediately you put your foot on the gas pedal. Well yes this is a small car and so
by Fleur Balzan
the weight is not much however, the VW UP, although in a small engine, a 1.0 litre producing 75bhp is utterly responsive. Also, for the size of the car, just 3541mm in length and 1641mm in width, the road handling is very good and never did I feel unsafe whilst driving even at quite high speeds. The VW Up reaches a remarkable maximum speed of 160km/hr, reaches from 0 to 100km in 14.4 seconds and consumes approximately 4.5litres of fuel per 100km of combined driving. Perfect for an everyday run around car that will still get you to your location in time.
On the inside the cars design is simple yet sweet. With a 5 speed manuel gearbox, and a black piano effect along the dashboard above the audio system. What I also loved about the inside of the vehicle but which is mostly noticable at night or in a tunnel is the inside lighting of the console and the speedometers. A perfect sharp contrast of white, red on black which makes you feel you are in a higher segment vehicle. It’s just no wonder this car was named ‘World Car of the Year 2012’ and driving it left me wanting one for everyday use as I do believe this would be perfect for Malta’s traffic. At the time of going to print this car was only available as a three door however the five door version was expected anyday. The good thing about it is that whether in 3 door or 5 door the car can easily take 4 people and the size remains the same even with the option of a 5 door. WHEELSPIN
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FEATURE • Latest Test Drives NEW PEUGEOT 208 Another car we were eagerly expecting to arrive locally is the New Peugeot 208. Now everybody knows how popular the 205 and 206 were and after them the 207 so this car is anticipated to be just as successful to the brand. The Peugeot 208 is a supermini vehicle appropriate as a small family car which is economical and at the same time attractive and fun to drive.
by Fleur Balzan
to use. This it seems, was done by Peugeot for the driver to have a clearer view of the instrument panel as, depending on ones comfort, this may be viewed entirely either from above the steering wheel or from the centre of it.
Immediately when in the driver’s seat the car felt responsive, agile and very efficient. Acceleration is gradual but once the car achieves the required speed it certainly delivers. This also thanks to the fact that the car is lighter than the 207, approximately
The exterior is stylishly French with a sculptured some how athletic feel to it. The front lights are alongated the length of more than half the bonnet whilst the grille is kind of floating and differs depending on the choice of engine. The lines along the bonnet leading to the windscreen pillars are fluid and give the car character. The rear lights have a particular design like an reversed ‘C’ and the rear bumper also incorporates a brake light which completes the rear look. The 3 door version has an individual feature extending the rear window in a silvery chrome something which is definitley appealing and adds to the sportivity of the 3 door version.
110kg lighter which does effect the aerodynamics in a positve way. The handling is good and the suspension offers a very comfortable ride no matter the surface the car is driven on.
Now let’s take a look at the drive. The model driven is the Allure version 1.4 litre eHDi FAP with a five speed piloted gearbox and start & stop function with CO2 as low as 87g/ km. Fuel consumption is incredible on this engine at just 3.4litres per 100km for combined driving and the car produces 70bhp and a top speed of 166km/hr.
The models available locally are the 1.0 litre, 1.2 litre, 1.4 litre and two versions of the 1.6 litre Petrol with CO2 emissions ranging from 99g to 135g/ km and two versions of the 1.4 litre, and 3 versions of the 1.6 litre Diesel with CO2 emissions from 87g/km to just 99g/km, figures that will definitely make this car, especially in the diesel engine, a very popular one.
This model is actually smaller in size than its predecessor the 207 yet surprisingly inside it does seem more spacious especially in the passenger seat and the leg room for the rear seats. Even the booth has grown a little in size. The interior remains defined and the quality of the materials used has been improved. The car features the latest in technology such as a touch screen audio system, bluetooth etc. Maybe the most particular and eye catching feature on the inside is the smaller than usual steering wheel which I found most comfortable
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What is also notable in the Peugeot 208 is that all models include ESP as standard including traction control, stability control, emergency braking assistance and electronic brake force distribution. There is so much to say about this car and it’s respect to the environment even when it comes to the materials used that we just wish we could drive it for longer to really appreciate what it has to offer.
FEATURE • Latest Test Drives NEW MERCEDES M CLASS The last car we will look at in this article, mainly due to lack of pages, is the beautiful, stunning, luxurious, ’mind blowing’ SUV from Mercedes which is the new 3rd generation Mercedes M Class.This vehicle sets new standards for SUV’s both for class and even more so for fuel consumption and respect to the environment. The model driven is the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC diesel with AMG packaging and 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission. One can imagine the joy it gave me the minute I saw the vehicle in the showroom knowing that I had it for the full afternoon. This vehicle consumes 6litres/100kmfor combined driving and its CO2 emissions are at 158g/km, very good for a vehicle of its size and capabilities. It can travel up to 1500km on a full tank, travels from standstill to 100km in just 9 seconds, reaches a top speed of 210km per hour and is also Euro 6 compliant. The drive, as may be imagined
is breath taking. The minute you are in the drivers seat the quietness hits you and the commanding view of the seating position leaves you in no doubt that you are in control whilst in this vehicle. The steering wheel is extremely precise and the handling is exceptional with some of the finest traction no matter the condition of the road. We did not try this car offroad however with the different systems available, there is no doubt that control of the vehicle is maintained at all times. Thanks to the 4MATIC all wheel drive system and the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and the electronic traction system 4ETS with the essential ABS and ASR functions, additional support of the all wheel drive is provided and braking is controlled. Also the vehicle has an off road driving button which adapts the settings of these systems plus those of the engine output and automatic transmission to better support the driver on the road. Needless to say the car features other safety systems such as the attention assist, the active blind
by Fleur Balzan
spot assist which always comes in useful, the active lane keeping assist, distronic plus, intelligent light system and night view assist plus. When it comes to looks, the M Class is muscular, strong but elegant and with the AMG Sport package as available on the car driven, the car is also young and sporty. The AMG Sport Package includes front and rear aprons and a vehicle coloured side skirt, plus 5 spoke alloy wheels which all give the car a more dynamic look. The rear lights are also different to the standard model and in this case the car also had a beautiful panoramic roof which, like the windows, open electronically from the key controls. The interior is rich and elegant, with the seats being power adjusted to suit the occupants. In this case the upholstery was black with attractive contrasting white stitching and seating was extremely comfortable. Leg room is generous even in the rear. The dashboard is also elegant in black with all the controls such as climate control and audio system being easily reached. Temperature for the climate control is recognised through the use of sensors and these are also available as an option for the rear seats. The centre console provides storing space and the controls for the digital screen situated in the centre of the dashboard. Well, the interior of the car is stylishly beautiful and offers the maximum in luxury one could desire. Would have loved to write about some other vehicles driven recently but that is it for these pages. We hope we can do more of them next time.
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THE
MERCEDES A CLASS REBORN BY FLEUR BALZAN
I am fresh from a trip to Slovenia where I was lucky enough to be part of a group of journalists invited for the launch of the 3rd generation Mercedes A Class. Before departing I was obviously familiar with the previous generations of this model and I had, I thought, an idea of what this car would look like. Oh, was I wrong!
T
he adventure began whilst boarding a MunichLjubljana flight together with 2 Maltese colleagues and a number of other international journalists from around the world. We were given a press pack of this new vehicle and flying time being the most appropriate for reading, I immediately went through the images and literature available to us. Suddenly I was doubting which vehicle I was about to drive over the following few days as this car didn’t look in any way like the A Class models I knew. Sure, I had heard that this car was completely different to the previous generations but little did I realise that ‘different’ in this case, did actually mean different! Soon as we arrived at our destination, we were taken to the Mercedes Benz lounge just outside the airport to find a number of these new Mercedes A Class models ready for us to enjoy. At first glance the car is pleasant to look at. A stylish, luxury compact hatch with an aggressive sporty face which I fell for immediately and sculptured side lines that are nearly as striking as the face. The bonnet is long with the grille having two silver lines broken just by the huge Mercedes badge whilst the back features a 2 pipe exhaust with silver trim. After registering our names and a short briefing of what to expect on our drive, I was handed the keys of an A200 in dark metallic grey or should I say ‘mountain grey’ with a 1.6 litre petrol engine and a 6 speed manual gear box. A quick look at the inside of the vehicle and I had a smile on my face. This particular model from the Urban line had cream coloured leather interior which contrasted beautifully with the dark grey dashboard. The contrast was made more apparent since the bottom part of the dashboard was also in cream whilst touches of chrome like silver was strikingly visible on other features such as the aviation inspired air vents which dominate the interior in a positive way. After adjusting the seat and mirrors to suit me, with GPS all set, I headed towards what I knew would be a long but pleasant drive noticing only that my Maltese colleagues were driving an A200 CDI model with AMG package in Jupitar red which would then be exchanged with mine after the first part of the drive.
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Already at the beginning of my drive I started to get the feel of the car and it’s capabilities. The vehicle felt extremely sturdy and handles the road well, even exceptionally when driven at high speeds around the many curvy roads on our route, roads purposely chosen to bring out the best in the car. Torque is good though on this model not too sporty yet the car reaches the 100km mark from standstill in just 8.4 seconds, produces 156 bhp and reaches the top speed of 224km per hour, though I only managed to top the 200 mark by a fraction on just a couple of times during my drive on the highway. Gear shift is smooth too and the suspension is firm giving a comfortable ride no matter the surface it is driven on. After a couple of hours driving, a short lunch break gave us the chance to stretch and hydrate ourselves in the unusually hot mountainous weather and then off I went again this time in the A200 CDI AMG with Mercedes’s 7GDCT Dual Clutch transmission. This particular model has a 1.8 litre diesel engine which responds well and the torque I felt was way better than on the petrol engine. Even though I am a lover of the manual gearbox, in this case I loved the automatic transmission also due to the uphill curved roads we had to take. The interior of this model was more sporty than on the other model with an all black interior with red stitching and with the steering wheel being different too. With a beautiful, sporty car in hand all I had then to do was enjoy the drive and the scenery until we finally reached our destination just over an hour later. That same evening we attended the presentation of the car in which we were given more details about the importance of the A Class for Mercedes Benz who can now compete in the premium compact vehicle segment together with other vehicles such as the BMW 1 series and the Audi A3 and this it can most definitely do. The choice of models that will be available towards the end of the year are the Style, Urban and AMG Sport versions with engines varying from the A180 CDI and A200 CDI 1.5 to 2.2 litres offering between 109 to 170 bhp with the Petrol A180, A200, A250 and A250 Sport from 1.6 litres to 2 litres offering 122 to 211bhp all Euro 5 emission compliant and with CO2 emissions starting from as
TEST DRIVE • Mercedes A-Class low as 98g/km. A 2.2 litre engine compliant with Euro 6 will also be introduced. Eco stop/start function is also standard on all models for even better fuel consumption. Other technologies are also prominent in the car such as the Navigation and a networking system compatible with iPhone allowing the downloading of applications from iTunes and the access to internet, facebook and online music. The brand is working on advancing this system on other smartphones so we are sure to hear more about this before the car is actually launched to the public. And what about the audio system. Well this is nothing but a Harman Kardon system and is a pleasure to listen to when its playing your choice of music. The next morning it was time to try out the safety features of the car on an airport runway converted into a track. The models driven were the top of the range A250 Sport with a stunning diamond grille. We tested the car and its collision prevention features which left us all realising how difficult it is to allow yourself to come close to a collision without your instincts taking over. With a little bit of concentration we managed to do so thus experiencing the collision prevention assist and the attention assist functions which make it a point to wake the driver from any day dream situation which may cause an accident and if necessary, take action instead of the driver. The Mercedes A Class in fact is full of safety features which come standard such as the seat belt pre tensioners, blind spot alert, lane keeping warning, 7 air bags and much more.
by Fleur Balzan
What followed was to be one of the most thrilling moments of the drive and this was experiencing the capabilities of the car at high speeds around the temporary created track. The drive here was nothing less than dynamic with the car moving along the cones at high speeds yet with a perfect grip of the track throughout. I missed looking at the speedometer at this point as I tried to keep up with the instructor driving in front of me but it was definitely at higher speeds than I’ve ever experienced on a normal road. The test drive was not yet over as we then collected our cars again to head back to the city of Ljubljana. By now the cars were a part of us and the two hour drive in both country roads and along the various highways gave us the chance to savour this vehicle one last time. My only regret? Well it was my birthday on the day and I just regret I didn’t ask Mercedes to give me one of the cars as a birthday gift! Cheeky aren’t I!!
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CONFIDENCE YOU CAN F EEL
Hyundai i30 words and images by Pierre Vella
H
aving a car to test drive is fun! However considerations do have to be looked at; the heat, traffic, plus our glorious roads defined as state of the art. One of the good things about attending International car shows it that you get the chance to have a detailed look at the exhibits coupled
up with all the necessary data available. This helps to blend even more once the car is made available to take out for a local test drive.
Local agents have now adopted an attitude of not importing just the very basic model but something more and Hyundai is no exception. The second generation i30GLS 1.4 DOHC petrol coupled with a six speed gearbox was a breeze. Oh yes I decided to take the car one late afternoon, after a day at the office, it is an excellent way to unwind! Believe me the Hyundai i30 ticked all the boxes to do just that. The car was ready available at my arrival, basic checking, seat position, all three mirrors, a turn of the key, all warning lights off, the engine fires up, but did
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it? A look at the rev counter indicates that the engine was running, yet total silence. Incredible considering that the Hyundai i30 is a relatively medium size car yet the smoothness of the engine is very noticeable. The first gear engaged and what followed was an enjoyable drive that took me to the west of the island trying to avoid the home bound traffic.
twin frontal pillars are excellently placed, no hindering of frontal vision. However looking over the shoulder might create a problem due to the rather miniature rear quarter window, though this was superseded as the car driven had both front and rear parking sensors and I believe, a rear view camera is also available as an option.
The car is incredible to drive, the steering wheel, electric power is very much to my liking, I enjoy a bit of a stiff feeling. Brakes are very directional and firm. Visibility is optimum, the
The interior gives a sense of space. The dashboard with its soft plastic, black trimmings on its main console, all switches and controls on the main console are visible and
TEST DRIVE • Hyundai i30 reachable at arm’s length. One of the must have in a car, is the temperature gauge, and a digital one is imperative especially with the summer months ahead. Hyundai have come up with the very good idea of having the computer display button located on the lower end of the steering wheel, thus switching over the computer screen is done without taking your hands off the steering wheel. However the instant consumption figures display could have been more specific. Having said that, the central computer display between the two main dials is always visible even when taking a corner due to the way the steering wheel is designed.
rear seats in place and once these are lowered the space generated is incredible with a constant floor level and the ability to unload from the rear passenger doors any items stored at the back. One thing I always do at my first stop is walk away from the car, not that I am fed up but one of the things that we as drivers are deprived of is appreciating the shape of the car. Many are those that even after months of owning a car, notice some particular detail that went unobserved. The LED daytime
by Pierre Vella
running lights give the Hyundai i30 a graceful looking front end while the crease lines on the sides and the well sculpted rear makes this one of the most attractive cars in the sector. Do I need to say more to convince you that definitely this is a car that should be given a second look? Was there something which I disliked? Well yes the horn which has a really squeaky sound, however the Hyundai i30 is a real gem showing how Hyundai have come a long way, these past six years.
Space has been invented in the i30 with rear passengers getting generous space with ample space between feet and the back of the front seats plus ample head room considering the sloping roof. A fifth passenger can be seated in between the rear passengers but the central lower column might hinder tall people. Luggage space is generous with
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Launches iMiev launch Wheelspin attended the launch of the all electric new vehicle from Mitsubishi which goes by the name iMiev. The launch was attended by many from the local media as well as by Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs Hon. George Pullicino and the Minister responsible for Transport Malta Hon. Austin Gatt.
are still underway to make these vehicles more affordable to the public. More information from Industrial Motors Ltd. Blata L-Bajda.
During the presentation addressed by Chev. Maurice Mizzi it was emphasised how such vehicles are cleaner and also easy to use as one can simply charge his car in his own garage overnight instead of having to visit a petrol station. Some subsidies are already available for those interested in owning an electric car yet discussions
The Honda Civic is here The 9th generation of the Honda Civic has graced our shores and the launch of the car was recently held in St. Julians where the car actually was presented to those present as it arrived by sea. This new vehicle from Honda is a sporty five door hatchback which although not as futuristic in looks as the previous model, is utterly stylish and rich in the latest technologies. We at Wheelspin have tried the car out for ourselves and more about the Honda Civic may be read on other pages of this magazine.
Alfa Romeo / Jeep Showroom launch Pater Holdings, local representatives of Alfa Romeo, Fiat and now also Jeep have recently opened their new showroom housing both the Alfa Romeo Brand and the Jeep brand which the company is now the official representative to. The official opening was addressed by Managing Director Francesca Mamo who mentioned the history the company has with Fiat Group who have now purchased a large shareholding in Chrysler, the company which owns Jeep. It was therefore natural that Pater Holdings would also become the official representative of Jeep locally.
The Alfa Romeo, Jeep Showroom may be found in Valley Road, Msida.
NEWS • Launches
The New Meriva Talk about Flexi, then you must mention the newest vehicle from Opel, the new Meriva. This is the 2nd generation of the Meriva though the first had never made it to our shores.
The car may also be viewed at the Opel/Kia Showroom in Qormi.
The Meriva is a monocab versatile vehicle which is mainly recognised by its doors which open differently to other vehicles since the back doors have back hinges. The car is however flexible in many other ways therefore making it ideal for those travelling with a family. We also have tried this vehicle for ourselves and one may read our verdict in the test drive featured on this issue of Wheelspin Magazine.
The New Peugeot 208 The much awaited Peugeot 208 has finally arrived in Malta. This new vehicle replaces the most popular Peugeot 207. The car was unveiled at the Michael Attard Ltd Showroom in Blata L-Bajda. The Peugeot 208 is slightly smaller than the 207 however the space inside has grown and the car features the latest technologies including the start stop function for better fuel economy. More information of the models available may be read on other pages of this issue and the car may be viewed at the Michael Attard Ltd Showroom in Blata L-Bajda.
Auto Liquigas Auto Liquigas is the new fuel that has recently been launched in Malta. This new fuel is available to those car owners who have modified their vehicles to take this Liquefied Petrolium Gas (LPG) which is cheaper than conventional fuel. At present Auto Liquigas may only be bought from the Top Car petrol station at the Malta International Airport. Present for the presentation of this new fuel were Hon. George Pullicino Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs and Liquigas CEO Roberto Capelluto together with other representatives of Liquigas Malta. Auto Liquigas is an alternative fuel which is way cleaner and cheaper than conventional fuel and is already
widely used in other European countries such as Italy, Poland and Germany. For a car to take this fuel, modifications may only be carried out by authorised personnel and the car may then work on both Liquigas and Petrol. The initial cost for the modification is between €700 and €1,300 however this is regained on the savings done in the use of fuel.
b y P i er re Vel l a
S
ummer is now at its best or worst for those to whom summer is not one of their favourite seasons. The torrid, hot dry days that dwell during the local summer days does drain the little bit of energy that is left in your body. Driving is another nightmare, everything is stifling hot, Air cons in full power, engines heating up and higher fuel consumption. Amid this negativity and maybe a liasez faire attitude, a group of dedicated people are quietly working for a yearly event that now has been inked in our national festivities calendar, the Mdina Grand Prix. Now in its fifth edition, the Valletta Grand Prix Foundation has created a local motoring event which is being applauded and appreciated by many both local and foreign who appreciate classic cars.
the drivers; however this did not manage to dampen the competitive attitude of all participants having been given a unique event being staged in wet condition. The day before in glorious sun shine the Mdina square in front of the cathedral was the location for the concourse d ‘elegance, this was yet another thumbs up event, some wonderful classics adorned the surrounding facades taking back the place to the wonderful sixties. This year, preparations are way ahead then in previous years. Success does propel to do even better and an early press conference clearly illustrated that government entities have acknowledged the importance of such motoring events. A strong team is also making sure that all is in place not at the eve of the event but weeks before. However, small hiccups do prop up, one example was last year when between Saturday and Sunday, someone decided to remove the straw bales along the race route.
The event, this year will again be staged on the outskirts of Mdina after an impromptu decision that had been taken last year due to unfinished work being undertaken at the Valletta entrance, from negativity of no show, an energetic move to venture the unknown. The track layout commences along the north entrance of Mdina down towards the old railway station across the bridge heading towards Mtarfa, turning right for the so called main straight even though this was slowed down by a chicane, another right hander towards the valley then uphill along the bastions of Mdina. All competitors enjoyed the track layout last year especially on Saturday when a sudden downpour gave a different parameter to
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Dates for this year’s event will be between the 11th and the 14th October, once more a static show on the Friday followed on the weekend with some standing racers taking to the track. All the relative information may be obtained from the VGPF www.vallettagrandprix.com or through the foundation fb page. If you feel you have the spirit to participate then get in contact with us to experience something unique, on the other hand if you do have a passion for classic cars then the weekend 11-14 October 2012 is a date you just cannot forget. The Mdina Grand Prix 2012 will once more be a success story; you just cannot afford to miss it. Pierre Vella is part of the media office for the Mdina Grand Prix.
FEATURE • Online Crime
by Ben Glover
A FORCE TO BE PROUD OF BY BEN GLOVER
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t’s just over 30 degrees Celsius and it is only just gone 9am. I’m sweating buckets and wanting to dive into the nearest swimming pool yet the man in front of me seems to be as cool as you like. The man in question is Inspector Anthony Agius – head of the Maltese mobile police fleet.
‘I’ve done over 32 years of service with the force’, the inspector tells me. With many an interview under his police belt it is now his turn to be grilled – by me. I was invited to GHQ, Floriana for the open day. Surrounded by marching police bands, horse displays and classic police vehicles of days gone by, I can’t help but glance over at the mid-eighties Ford Granada in black. It has a flag on the grill and would once ferry the high members of state to and from appointments. I recognise this not only because it is British but because my late Father had one. With its 2.8 litre petrol engine is was good fun riding through the countryside of the UK in it. And it is here Malta’s ‘love affair’ with Ford really began. I ask why Ford, ‘One of the reasons is that the parts are cheaper and easy to get hold of’ replies the inspector. Fast forward (excuse the pun) nearly 30 years and there are a new set of Ford’s catching my eye – the new Mobile Squad cars. Recently purchased by the Maltese government in a €1.22m budget these fast response cars are designed to get anywhere within a matter of minutes. The sole aim of them is to tackle violent and sometimes armed crime – something that has recently been big news in Malta. I meet Sgt Nicky Farrugia – he’s an officer with years of experience with the squad - he takes me through what they carry onboard. From powerful torches, road signs and a rifle there is one thing that catches my attention, the Taser. The X26 is used by police forces around the world
and can be used to deploy of 50,000 volts of electricity via two pins shot into any one deemed violent or threatening, instantly disabling the muscles temporarily in order to make a quick arrest.
With a total of over 23 brand new police cars on the streets and having seen the traditional white and blue livery I ask the inspector, why silver? ‘We chose the colour silver as this has a higher heat resistance and it reflects our new blue livery better’. The predecessor Ford Focus from 2006/8 opts for the darker blue and sits next to the latest model on the fleet. It is clear he is right. Inspector Agius mainly handled the whole project from import to creating the livery on the side of the cars you see today.
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FEATURE • A Force To Be Proud Of
by Ben Glover
They are not short on power either. Packing over 120bhp from a 1.6 petrol engine (yes, 1.6) this has to be Ford’s best engine yet. OK, it does not sound a lot compared to some vehicles with blue lights but ask yourself this, does Malta really need anything more powerful? And you will hear and see them coming! Slim line blue lights sit on the roof in a T-bar with integrated spot lamps and mini strobes in the grill ensure you can see them coming. With a 100 Watt siren to boot there is no doubt you will hear them too! Handling, I am assured is superb. ‘We had a driving course from an Italian rally driver who really knew how to get the most out of the cars when we test drove them!’ says inspector Agius with a smile in his voice. Anyone who has driven in Italy probably knows what he is talking about! Interior is no different to a family based saloon except for the police radio, GPS unit and soon to be ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) something that the UK is already using to tackle car crime. The only difference is your boot is probably used to shopping and not a taser. Joining the mobile squad are 2 new panel vans – acting as mobile police stations that will soon be upgraded to command units. Four Land Rovers (partly funded by the EU) ensure easy access to remote areas each with a powerful 8.4 KVA generator. They can go where the two new flat bed Iveco floodlight trucks cannot.
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Having worked with a Roads Policing Unit back in the UK what I saw on this day really has brought us into a new and modern crime-fighting fleet. Gone are the faded blue lights of some cars that have clocked up many miles (some over 300,000). In place is a squad ready and fit to tackle the crimes of the 21 Century. The public had mixed reactions when the fleet upgrade was announced in the beginning of May 2012 – could the money have been better spent on the ambulance service for instance or used to pay for police overtime? After seeing first hand the work of these new vehicles and the dedicated proud people who use them, I know these vehicles were badly needed and that we as a nation should be proud too. Ben Glover is a freelance writer and broadcaster.
The n ew l e ft
FEATURE • Online Crime
by Ben Glover
by James Whiteman
N
o, not the new political scene, but a model shift in how we use the left side of our public highways. Like it or not, legal or not, there has been a gradual migration towards the centreline, as drivers on our congested highways try to crane their necks to see what’s really the hold up ahead past other cars doing exactly the same thing. This has left a yawning gap on the left, a thin strip usually reserved for bad drain covers, patchy road repairs, glass from car accidents and cyclists usually desperately trying to avoid the former. Drivers also tend to leave this area vacant for the same reasons. After all we all know that there’s always that cheerful early morning idiot, who pulls out and then just waves as if to say ‘sorry, never mind ay’ or the pedestrian who steps first and looks later. They do it because it’s contested space. Space often assumed by many car drivers (and pedestrians) to be vacant space, somewhere safe to step into, to pull out into or pop open a car door into. But there’s another band of commuters, growing in number, wising up to the new and safer left. Commuting cyclists! Now all too often we think of cyclists as gaggles of sweating, lycra clad sports people (often actually car drivers themselves) mucking up peoples Sunday drives. So the general public is socialised into thinking of ride-to-work, ride-to-shop cyclists in the same way, as sweaty quasi-sportsmen or sportswomen just taking up space on the road. Bike commuters on the other hand know that sweating is optional (although a fun way to get your daily workout). Bikes make for shorter traffic queues and as pollution free vehicles that are parked ‘off road’, bikes aren’t parking bay thieves either. But why are they on the increase? Well modern bikes are not the cast-iron-bedsteads your grandfather rode. Lighter and faster, with a zillion gears; European time savvy commuters use bikes to beat cars. Research shows that bicycle commuters tend to travel between 18 to 32KPH, often faster. Even in Malta, bikes often halve door-to-door journey times in rush-hour traffic and shorten journey times by 15% overall. But quicker bikes need earlier warning and basically cyclists now ride differently than grandpa did. The new left lets cyclists see cars pulling out of side roads, pedestrians stepping from between parked cars, while making cyclists visible too. Basically it’s a far safer position and absolutely vital when riding alongside parked cars, in the dreaded ‘door zone’. To an experienced cyclist, the noise of a car door opening is similar to that of a gun being cocked! That can signal an expensive mistake for car drivers and road designers alike. Recently a motorist was fined €10,575 for knocking a cyclist with her door into the path of another car in Bisazza Street in 2004. Yet the latter’s recent ‘pedestrianization’ forced cyclists to take much longer detours through roads with increased door zone risks. Importantly such planning, fails to recognise the evolution of the new left as being both populated and a lot faster than your good old Grandpa.
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The future for our roads? By Gerald Fenech
I
n today’s day and age, cars remain an essential part of our lives in every facet and section of society. Naturally enough the large majority of the cars on this island run on normal fuel be it petrol or diesel although one can find other alternatives such as bio fuels and alternative electrical mechanisms.
The disadvantages regarding traditional cars which run on normal fuel are enormous. First and foremost fuel has become horrendously expensive with the price of petrol creeping up to â‚Ź1.50 a litre here in Malta and diesel which used to be far far cheaper is not that far behind either. Additionally the new system of registration and circulation tax means that cars have become a lot more expensive to run and maintain as older vehicles see their circulation tax constantly creeping up to levels which almost make it not worth it to keep. What is the solution one may ask? Hybrid vehicles where cars run on a combination of fossil fuels and electric power seem not to have caught on here in Malta although Toyota which pioneered the concept has a number of models which seem to be popular with the locals. The steep asking price of these cars however may remain as a deterrent and everything also depends on the budget one requires for running such vehicles. The lack of charging stations is also a stumbling block in this regard. In 2010, a committee set up by the government to draw up a strategy for the introduction of more electric cars in Malta was supposedly working with experts from Portugal, which is recognised as being the most advanced country in this sector. However little seems to have come out of this alleged collaboration with no tangible evidence that Malta is actually considering such a project. In fact the number of electric cars in Malta is next to zero with only the odd experimental model gracing our roads. Government was allegedly quoted in a local newspaper way back in 2010 stating that the national strategy would consider the infrastructure and facilities needed for the operation of electric cars, and the incentives needed to encourage their use. The Portuguese experts explained that 43 per cent of electricity in their country is produced from renewable sources, but the country had still felt the need to invest in measures
to reduce the use of polluting cars. Other countries have an even higher ratio of renewable energy generation such as Austria with 63 per cent of its total energy demands coming from this source. Portugal has worked closely with Japanese car-maker Nissan, which has recently introduced its new electric car Leaf. The Portuguese strategy provides for the setting up of 1,300 charge-points in 25 cities throughout the country. The network will have wind powered charging points for all night charging (six to eight hours) as well as rapid charging points that can charge a car in less than half an hour.
Another intriguing electric car which was launched recently is the Mitsubishi i-Miev, a four door vehicle which is small in size but which packs a considerable punch. With a range of 150 kilometres and completely powered by electricity, this car is definitely one for the future in this regard. The car has received rave reviews from all over the world and its trendy look makes it stylish and desirable. However the car has a rather hefty price tag which is reflective of its capability to reduce running costs to almost zero. Still, there should be much more incentives for such cars to reach our roads in their masses, since the situation regarding traffic has become almost intolerable. Until there is a concerted effort to really back the introduction of such electric vehicles in Malta, these will falter with the general public. Amongst the drawbacks is the very high price tag which makes it prohibitive to purchase a vehicle unless you have money to burn. Still one has to note that the future lies with electric power even for cars and there is no denying that.
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s ie r ju n I d e t la e R r a C n Commo FEATURE • Online Crime
by Ben Glover
by Mark Attard — e m so id vo a to w and ho the et behind me you g ti h ac d e t te n la 10 car re car accide ly around ing into a n tt o e e g d t e av u h lv o icles invo rvous ab Malta we to the veh el a bit ne though in o fe al tw , r to ts o at e t al th n re orm g the st use a de rld show erfectly n st crossin nd the wo nts only ca think it’s p , be even ju istics arou the accide f at ay o st m e r, r m e en moving o ev so l, ev e d he re so. How e car isn’t o th ! Thank Go m n steering w ay e e d h m w ry so r e ev the doo harmful, happening some less ur finger in accidents to slam yo s do occur, e ly ri e ju lik in st at o s out th you’re m but it turn injury list car related e th f o p at the to at least!
I
NON TRAFFIC CAR ACCIDENTS Car related injuries can be subdivided into two categories, traffic and non traffic type. So with the car as static as can be, we already have a variety of injuries that hit on us daily, and thing is, some of them are so easily avoided with some common sense. As we said earlier, door closing injuries are likely to happen at least once in a lifetime to all of us, so knowing this we might be more careful to watch out for fingers in the door closing trajectory, and therefore reduce the risk of injury from such a simple task. Another major non traffic accident is related to car jacking. Each year, people are seriously injured when using a jack or other type of hoist, some of them even fatally. One consideration that people easily ignore is that jacking a car in a sloped road can easily cause the car to move down the slope off the jack with tragic consequences. Jacking would also be much safer if we are sure where to place the jack underneath the car. Most of the people that buy new cars, or even second hand ones, would never find some time to have a look at the manual to discover the safe jacking positions, until their first puncture! Non traffic crashes also include back-over crashes and certain single-vehicle crashes. There are also non crash incidents like hyperthermia and overexertion in this category. The category includes loading and unloading cargo or pushing a disabled vehicle. Needless to say, overconfidence when reversing can really cause stupid accidents. Sometimes financially and sometimes physically. Parking sensors in most modern cars have reduced the risk of hitting obstacles but apparently not the risk of hitting people, or at least not all sensors are that sensitive to indicate an adult person or a child behind your vehicle. 26
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So it should be a matter of prudence and extra care from the driver to make sure reversing is at a slow speed and well calculated to avoid injuries to third persons. Summertime in Malta is also a threat when it comes to our personal body temperature control. Parking in the shade is not always an option, so the inside temperature of a car parked in the scorching sun for a few minutes could easily reach 60 degrees Celsius! Well, for adults it’s a matter of opening some windows and starting the car and the air conditioning, if available, for a few minutes before they commute. But what about babies, infants and pets? It is still quite common to see people who leave their little ones and pets locked in a car in the sun in the wait of their “quick” errand, which more often than not would not be as quick as they thought it would be. Yes, hyperthermia is a serious condition which could lead to death especially for babies, and it is obviously so much avoidable. The overexertion category includes loading and unloading cargo or pushing a disabled vehicle. So many people get hurt because they mishandle loads onto vehicles, some hit their arms with protruding objects, some drop their loads on themselves and others miscalculate their lifting capabilities and injure their backs. So it is a matter of prudence and more prudence and to make sure to concentrate on what you are doing without disruption, till the load is securely laden. When it comes to pushing a vehicle, to start the vehicle on gear while in motion, a few people are likely to get hurt by slipping or bumping onto something, but it does not occur that frequently either. Some other injuries relate to burns from radiator and antifreeze fluid. Those who don’t release the pressure carefully or wear gloves while opening the radiator cap could get a blast of liquid more than 200 degrees in temperature.
FEATURE • Online Crime
by Ben Glover
TRAFFIC CAR ACCIDENTS When it comes to traffic car accidents, the vast majority of the cases relate to careless driving and weather condition of the roads. The injuries, however, relate to the size of impact and the amount of protection present in the vehicle. It is very hard to list all the traffic car related injuries as they vary from a scratch to fatality, but some can be
really avoided and their risk minimised considerably with a little attention. Here are some quite obvious observations which should be kept in mind while in motion in any vehicle, a safety in knowledge driving criteria should be adopted all the time:
>> Wear a seatbelt. Buckling up only takes a second and can save your life in an accident. Slow down. Keep to the speed limit even if every other car is surpassing it. Use your indicators properly. Always use your signal, even if you think no one is there, better safe than sorry. Let others pass you. We all know how irritating some other drivers could be, but best thing to do is to let them pass without taking your back on them. Take extra care when driving in bad weather. If you must go out in the rain, drive extra slow, use the brakes and gas pedal gently, and maintain an increased stopping distance. Never get into a car with a drunk driver. It is always best to have a “designated driver”. Never drive after you have had alcoholic beverages. Keep your distance. No matter how slowly traffic is moving, keep at least two car lengths of following distance between you and the car ahead. Dim your lights when driving at night, when another car is approaching, or when you are following behind a vehicle. Your lights can blind another driver. Avoid distractions when you are driving. Pull over if you need to talk on the phone, and keep your music equipment at a low volume. And last but not least: Keep your car and its accessories in good condition. Keep the tires properly inflated, the brakes adjusted, and the windshields and windows clean. Replace windshield wiper blades when they begin to streak, and make sure all the lights are working properly. WHEELSPIN
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SPOT INFO
Peugeot 208 in Goodwood
New Toyota Yaris
New Mercedes M-Class
As the new Peugeot 208 takes Europe by storm, Peugeot chose the Goodwood Festival of speed to unveil the 208 GTI Concept on June 28th. Besides the 208, Peugeot also had on show the HX1 Concept, a saloon style car with particular reverse opening half scissor doors.
In designing the new Yaris, Toyota has produced a look that is bolder, sharper and more dynamic, while remaining true to the principle of “compact outside, spacious inside”.
The third generation MercedesBenz M-Class sets a new benchmark in the SUV world. Its low fuel consumption and emission figures are especially impressive with an average 25% lower consumption than the previous model. Although efficient, the M-Class retains its fascination, in the way it uniquely combines agility with driving enjoyment and superior comfort. Further impressive features include 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, new developments to the chassis and innovative driving dynamics systems, all of which improve performance in on-road and off-road situations. A characteristic body design, together with a versatile interior that is highly conducive to its occupants’ wellbeing, enhance the driving experience in the new M-Class.
This is not the first time that Peugeot chose the Goodwood Festival of speed for their most important moments. In 2010 the event saw Peugeot celebrating its 200th anniversary while 2011 saw the launch of the 100% electric vehicle Peugeot i0n. Peugeot is represented locally by Michael Attard Ltd whose showroom is in Blata L-Bajda.
More than just outstanding design, efficient driving and 7” touch screen multimedia system, all new Yaris offers top class safety, such as 7 SRS airbags fitted as standard, including driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag as well as curtain shield airbags. In addition one also gets Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), ABS with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) all working together to maximize braking effectiveness and all are standard on all grades.
The new M-Class can be viewed at the Kinds Showroom, Mosta Road, Lija or call on 23311138/23311142 for more information.
Autoglym goes Royal The Goodwood Festival of Speed was held in end of June, early July and many were the cars presented at this show. From classic cars to racing cars the crowds were entertained with the beauty of these vehicles. Yet there was another presence at this event and this was Autoglym that was named as the official partner of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2012 charity beneficiary. In fact Autoglym which is also a holder of two Royal Warrants of Appointment arranged to have their expert technical specialists to make sure that as many as 20 official Royal vehicles shone as they 28
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should at this years Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ Concours d’elegance. Autoglym spent over 144 hours preparing these same vehicles that have been used by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family in these last 65 years and they made sure that the cars were at their best throughout the Goodwood Festival of speed. The company has recently launched an all new formulation of the super Resin Polish which in the UK is recognised as the most popular car polish. The brand has been working on this product for nearly two years and according to the brand, this new product outperforms all known
rivals and reaches a spectacular shine which has never been achieved before, a shine that shown brightly on the Royal vehicles at this most populat event.