Issue 28 — Summer 2015
MILES AHEAD...
BMW Magnificent Power
Test driving the BMW M range in Poznań, Poland
Your Weekend Drive… Beyond Our Shores! Take your car overland to enjoy it to the max
The Long Term Opel Corsa
Discovering the ‘Oh’ factor in the different drives!
A Bit Of A Fast Drag The evolution of drag racing and loads of interesting facts!
Issue 28 - Summer 2015
Editor’s Note Fleur Balzan Publishers b.Right new media Ltd. 19, Parish Street, St. Paul’s Bay, SPB 3362, Malta
Wheelspin magazine is here with plenty of articles to keep you inspired for the remaining part of the summer. On such hot days, we admit, driving around in the many beautiful vehicles that would have just graced our shores can be difficult. Or maybe not!!
Editor Fleur Balzan fbalzan@b.rightnewmedia.com
Contributors
On this issue many are the test drives we have done. Test drives locally and test drives abroad. Pierre takes us to Poland with BMW whilst I continue with the many test drives of different vehicles locally, as well as with the latest long term test drive of the Opel Corsa around some of the beautiful villages of Sicily.
Pierre Vella Ben Glover Kenneth Rizzo Naudi Mark Attard
Kenneth Rizzo Naudi joins our team once again and this time too decides to drive to Sicily. He includes some hints on what to take care of for overland driving and also recommends some breathtaking places to visit on this neighbouring island.
Hair Cut Coiffeur
Make Up
Ben Glover writes about the Goodwood Festival of speed, a very beautiful event that takes place in the UK in early summer and that a Wheelspin member or other always decides to visit. Mark, on the other hand, looks into the history of Drag racing, another popular motor sport also in Malta.
Shasha
Advertising & Sales
So enjoy the rest of the summer with a good read as Wheelspin takes you far and away in just one issue!
Fleur Balzan (+356) 21 576 154 (+356) 99 805 763
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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WHEELSPIN • Issue 28 - Summer 2015
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In this issue Summer 2015
Features 10
BMW Magnificent Power Test driving the BMW M range in Poland
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A Bit of a Fast Drag Drag racing’s evolution and other facts!
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Your Weekend Drive… beyond our shores! Take your car overland to enjoy it to the max
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Wheelspin teams up with Inspire Help us support this foundation
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2015 A weekend full of manufacturing heaven
Launches
Test Drives
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Cars Driven Lately
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Long Term Opel Corsa Discovering the ‘Oh’ factor in the different drives!
Launches The latest cars to arrive in Malta
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CARS DRIVEN LATELY 6
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hen it comes to test drives of new vehicles, one thing is for sure, we at Wheelspin are never short of them. During spring and early summer we are especially busy driving cars, locally and abroad and everytime we get into a car, wow do we realise how lucky we are! Over the last months many are the vehicles we have had the opportunity of trying out and here are a few of them.
When it comes to convenience, value for money vehicles one has to think of the name Dacia. This brand may still not be so popular with the locals but it is worth noting that, since Dacia has been taken over by Renault, these vehicles should really be considered, especially by those on a budget. The new Dacia Duster1 is a large SUV, and the cheapest SUV to find in the market. One may say, how is that the case if the components used are the same as those used on Renault and Nissan vehicles? How does Dacia manage to offer quality vehicles at such competitive prices? Well probably because Dacia are mainly focused on offering comfortable cars which are convenient to the needs of drivers. Not too much is spent on the external ‘frilly’ design although that does not necessarily mean that the vehicle is not nice to look at. 4
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The Dacia Duster is a muscular vehicle with looks that do not age. The model has in fact had a minor face lift recently and this is mainly visible in the front grille, the roof rails and the interior which has been improved and with the choice of upholstery being increased by a further 5 colours. The chromes skid plates in the front and the rear and the side skirts give it a sporty look as do the large wheel arches.
The interior features a clean dashboard with round air vents which are attractive and with a touch of piano finish around the infotainment screen and the gear leaver.
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FEATURE• Cars Driven Lately by Fleur Balzan
It has a high seating position and the space for all passengers is more than appropriate whilst the boot is ultra spacious. When it comes to drive, this car is responsive. The model driven is the front wheel drive 1.5 litre dCi with 110 bhp offering quite a comfortable ride. The suspension is sporty yet still the car is comfortable on roads which are less smooth. The 6 speed manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use and the handling is also good when considering that this is a high vehicle. One vehicle that is worth trying out! Another Dacia vehicle we have driven recently is the Dacia Logan MCV2. Again like the previous Dacia model tried, this vehicle had the 1.5 litre dCi engine producing 100bhp which was more than appropriate for the size of body and the accelleration offered was more than decent.
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The Dacia Logan MCV is an estate vehicle which is ultra spacious. Again the brand didn’t waste too much on the exterior looks however, the drive, the comfort and the overall convenience the car offers, not to mention the price, more than make up for this! The car is durable. Very sturdy on the road and conveniently practical especially for those that need ample space for their everyday use. The dashboard is clean and includes features such as the bluetooth connection and infotainment as well as an ECO button for more economical driving. Features that
are nowadays expected in a modern car. A very good package in a vehicle that definitely won’t break the bank. Keeping with Estate vehicles. The next car to look at is the Renault Megane Estate3, a car which has the same 1.5 dCi Renault engine producing 110bhp as seen on the Dacia’s. This vehicle from Renault is very attractive with distinctive lines starting at the alongated headlights, lines which give it a very modern image. The car looks more like a hatchback than an estate and looks very sporty also thanks to the roof racks. The vehicle driven was from the GT line range, a Sport tourer which includes a touch of red on the dashboard,
the upholstery and red stiching on the steering wheel which truly make it attractive. The infotainment sysem is controlled through a joy stick from between the front seats and this includes the bluetooth system, car info and a navigation system downloaded from an sd card. The car also includes an Eco button for better economy. When it comes to the drive the car is responsive with good torque. The steering wheel is light and precise and the suspension is a little sporty wiith a 6 speed manual gearbox which is very smooth. The handling is good even in tight corners and it’s actually a very pleasurable drive. The car is very economical as per the figures given by the manufacturer. A spacious, practical vehicle which is attractive and young at the same time. From Renault we move to Citroen, keeping with French brands with the Citroen C44, a hatchback vehicle with stunning design.
This vehicle has just had a facelift with very subtle changes mainly to the front with changes to the headlights and the grille as well as changes to the rear lights. The car has very attractive side lines which give it a very stylish
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modern look as do the touches of chrome below the windows which continue adding to the attractiveness of the exterior. The interior is also very attractive with a digital touchscreen which lights up in red, white and black, beautifully contrasting with the interior as a whole. Certain features on the dashboard, such as the central air vents are uneven which is something, I personally really find artistically beautiful. The speedometer is digital and offers different information of the same drive, including, when needed, the change of gear suggestion. The infotainment system also offers drive information, the bluetooth feature etc and also shows, through the image of a car, the distance one has from other cars and objects thanks to the rear and front sensors. When it comes to the drive, the model driven is the 1.6 litre blue HDI producing 100bhp. It is a very responsive engine with very good acceleration. The CO2 emissions are very low at 95g/km and the car, as per the figures given by the WHEELSPIN
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FEATURE• Cars Driven Lately by Fleur Balzan
Executive vehicles are always a pleasure to drive and another model which we had the chance to try out is the newly launched, recently awarded as Car of The Year 2015, the new VW Passat6. The car has a longer wheelbase than the previous model and has shorter overhangs which give the impression that the car is longer when in fact it is slightly shorter. It is
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manufacturer, is very economical at 3.2 litres per 100km for urban extra driving. We actually wish we could keep this car for longer to comment further on these figures. The suspension offers a very comfortable ride, the handling is good and the steering wheel is very precise. It would be very difficult to find something we don’t like on this vehicle. From a hatchback we move to some more executive vehicles starting with the Kia Optima5 which too has had a facelift only recently. This vehicle, since its launch, was always considered one of the best designs by KIA so it must have been difficult to come up with changes to make it even more beautiful. Most of the changes were in fact done to the front of the car, the headlights, fog lights, day time running lights as well as some other changes in the rear lights. It is a long vehicle, with a longish bonnet and subtle side lines that give it a very impressive look. The vehicle driven included a panoramic roof which looked beautiful from the outside and even more breautiful from the inside of the car. This panoramic sun roof could be opened seperately over the driver and front passenger or/and over the rear passengers. 6
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In general, the whole interior is beautiful and being an executive vehicle, the high quality interior with the exclusive leather in the EX plus driven, may leave one breathless. The various features available and simply the comfort of the seats which may also be heated, and driving position are enough to make one want to remain within the car. The angled centre console is also convenient and comfortable primarily for the driver and goes to show how KIA are designing vehicles with the driver in mind. The drive then just tops up the great feel the car gives you. The model driven is the 1.7 litre diesel producing 133bhp, with a 6 speed automatic gearbox. For those wishing more of a manual drive there is the pedal shift system which , in my opinion, increases the pleasure of the drive. It has outstanding acceleration with a weighted steering wheel offering excellent handling and also extremely comfortable suspension. The security features included are also non ending making one feel very secure while driving this vehicle.
however more spacious on the inside. The bonnet is lower and therefore the windscreen is also angled lower to give it a very sporty image. The grille and the headlights seem to be incorporated together which give it a very attractive image. On the inside the car has a very clean dashboard with a touch of matt satin alluminium which make it so attractive. The 7 inch infotainment screen features the bluetooth system, the navigation system, car information, and the stereo system. This screen m,ay also come in 12” if desired. On the dashboard there is also an analogue clock which, in my
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FEATURE• Cars Driven Lately by Fleur Balzan
opinion increases the exclusivity feel and the richness the car offers. The model driven is the 2 litre Tdi blue motion producing 150bhp. One important aspect to mention is the blue motion factor which means that the car is cleaner and more economical, one of the reasons which has won it the Car of the Year award. This vehicle truly spells out luxury at first glance. Once in the drivers seat it gives a feeling of security thanks to the sturdy body and the beautiful handling it offers. The car has perfect grip and It literally glides on the road offering great torque and a suspension which although sporty, offers a comfortable ride. A car which is a dream to drive. An executive, elegant vehicle which spells out class. Another luxury yet sporty test drive we did recently is the new BMW 1 Series M Sport7 and this time the test drive we did was quite different to usual. The car we tested is the same one given to singer Ira Losco who is now the face of BMW. The BMW 1 series has had some changes done to it mainly to the front, including the headlight and the grille as well as some changes to the rear lights. One thing to notice are the side lines which are attractive and give the car a beautiful profile. The interior of this car is beautiful with red leather red seats and red stiching on the steerting wheel and dashboard which make it very striking. The dashboard is definitely typical BMW,
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clean yet with a infotainment screen on the dashboard which offers all the drive information. When it comes to the drive the BMW 1 Series in the 118d version is a dream to drive. The torque is spectacular and the car just grips the road offering great handling and a very comfortable suspension. There is a choice of drives one can choose from too. Comfort, Sport. Sport plus which all give one an adreneline rush, especially the sports modes. With great fuel economy, a start/ stop system, comfortable seats, spacious interior and attractive looks this smallest car from BMW is one huge beautiful package and now with Ira driving it, it is worthy of several more glances. And our final test drive for these pages is that with the Opel Adam Rocks8, a small car with looks that are young, colourful and attractive. Similar to the Opel Adam but slightly bigger and higher the car is being called a crossover though it cannot really be considered as such. The car is a two seater with a choice of two tone colours both on the exterior and the interior, therefore it may be personalised to one’s wishes. The car has a certain ‘joie de vivre’ which immediately gives a good feel.to whoever is driving it, no matter the age! The model driven has beautiful leather interior and with touches
of beige on the dashboard and also touches of the same leather on the interior doors. It also featured an electronically controlled canvas roof which we loved in the early summer days during which we did the test drive. The Opel Adam Rocks comes with many of the features we were already familiar with on the Opel Corsa we had as a long term test drive. The City button for easier manoeuvring, the Eco button for better economy with a start/stop function, the infotainment system with a touch screen featuring bluetooth, a very good audio system, the picture and video reading through the USB and the possibility of downloading applications, including a navigation system through a smart phone. The touch screen also serves as a visual for the front and rear sensors which is always very convenient. The model driven was the 1.4 litre 3 cylinder petrol with a 5 speed manual gearbox which offered a decent drive when cruisng. Though, with an option of a 1 litre petrol which is turbocharged, we would definetly have taken up this last engine, mainly for a slightly better acceleration and better torque. The steering wheel is precise and the car is very stable and solid which is felt also when driving and cornering at slightly higher speeds. Handling is very good and the suspension is slightly sporty yet comfortable. Definitely a car for the young at heart!
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WHEELSPIN • Issue 28 - Summer 2015
WORDS AND IMAGES PIERRE VELLA
S
ummer is a time to relax and unwind. Our motoring program Wheelspin takes a break and it’s time to regenerate the batteries and just for a few weeks erase the thought of cars (hmmm I wonder). Well, reading my emails I saw that there was a test drive session on offer. As you may have heard or read, I have finally ticked another box in my wish list as the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure, together with Transport Malta, have set up the Malta Road Safety Council which will be addressing holistically road safety in Malta. So I guess a test drive abroad was just what I needed to get me back behind the driving seat especially when I got to know that on offer was not just a new car but the BMW M range. Quite frankly, someone in his right senses would hardly ever entertain the thought to refuse, obviously I accepted. Well with all plans in hand off I went to Poznan, Poland. During the flight I was hoping that the weather would be good but up to that time I practically had no idea what
was in store. It was my first time in Poland. Poznan is a rather laid back city with a mixture of new and historic buildings. Churches are in abundance plus there are numerous restaurants lining up the city’s main square. It was soon obvious that language might just be a problem. The translated outside menu’s spelled out quite a different dish so I settled for a cold beetroot soup, strange but cool. Back at the hotel it was time to meet up with my newly acquainted colleagues who were all rather anxious about what was in store. Spilling the beans was twelve years experience area manager Joerg Bartels who had just one letter in his alphabet and that was the letter M. His presentation was somewhat different because, to my immense joy, he dwelt about the engineering aspect of why and how the M series are just ‘mind blowing’ and very fast. Earlier last year I had the chance of testing the BMW M3 and BMW M4. At the time coming first in preference was definitely the M3. That was just two models. Now it was going to be quite a different story as on test, available in the car park were 9 models, starting the list with the M 135i and topping the list with the M6. We knew that everyone would have the chance to try out the cars and the most interesting thing was that we would be testing them in a safe environment coupled up with some of the best driving instructors available. The plan was to try out the cars in straight line speed and in a controlled
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FEATURE• BMW Magnificent Power
by Pierre Vella
skid pan. We were situated at the Sobiesław Zasada Centre, Poland’s most modern facility for improving driving skills, located on the grounds of the former airport in Bednary, near Poznań. The centre is founded upon Mr Zasada’s rally driving experience, and training is overseen by leading Polish rally driver Tomasz Czopik. The location spelt fun, looking at the opportunity of learning yet experiencing the very top of BMW excellence. Starting off was the downhill skid, driving down a slope at a predetermined speed, sensation of aquaplaning, total control with obstacles popping up. Here utilizing various cars one could experience the sensation of car control on various models. Incredible was the M 235i and the X5M. Technology has come a long way however one has to be within limits were the car can guide you but obviously, if you are out of the comfort zone, accidents will happen. Next was a simulated rear side impact which throws the car in a skid, again on a flooded track. First time, unexpectedly, brings goose bumps but on repetitive attempts one starts to master the skid, but yes, on such surfaces and circumstances one has to be careful. Here the M3 was my favourite. Weight distribution and the power
it took me quite a while to turn in the opposite direction. By that time the procession was practically all over me. Whilst in neutral, I flipped the accelerator pedal and the sound was so heavenly aggressive that I am sure that even the statue being carried turned its head to say wow. Back at the track it was time to stare at these gems which really completed our day driving from elegance to aggressive whilst tackling a skid and yet appreciating what BMW has mastered with the M series. An experience! Well something more! A driving experience described as Magical and Simply Magnificent, BMW M power at its Best in style and performance. Now what would be my choice? I still stick to the M3, a car for all seasons, pleasure to drive, comfortable, top notice engineering at a relatively good price. If I won the lottery and I had to choose again? Well the interior of the car, the lines of the car, the power of the car and the fun to drive even though classified as a large car, my choice would be the M6 Gran Coupe. Dream on Pierre! Well it was still Massive fun and a Magnificent and magical experience thanks to BMW M series.
takes you to nearly total control. Following were some track obstacle engagement plus some severe sharp and sweeping corners. Here, even though various models were tried, the assurance provided by the cars was incredible. Obviously the higher seated position cars do give the impression of side drift but all wheels remained solidly on the track. . Then it was time for the straight line speed. Scared? Well a bit but doing the exercise with ample run off area does make one push. Top speed: 270kph with the M6 coupe, a real mind blower for speed! Ok, time to relax, taking the M6 Gran Coupe for a stroll in the Polish countryside. Well it just happened that the day in question was a public holiday celebrating Corpus Christi and without wanting we ended up in this village with the local procession in full view. My colleague in the X5M soon effected a U turn and was heading out. Well I, I was not so eager to get my M6 wheels off the tarmac, and WHEELSPIN
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Launches
FEATURE• Online Crime
by Ben Glover
The BMW 1 Series and the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer BMW have launched a new face for their brand locally and this is none other than local artist Ira Losco1. Ira was presented with a new BMW 1 Series during the launch of the same vehicle locally.
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BMW have also just presented the new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer2, a family oriented vehicle, a new segment for BMW which should increase the brand’s clientele. Both vehicles may be viewed at the BMW showroom in Rue D’Argens, Gzira.
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Opel Adam Rocks and Opel Adam String Top Two newest members of the Opel Adam family have joined the Opel vehicle range and these were launched during a lunchtime event held at the Marsa Sport Club. The Opel Adam Rocks3 is very similar to the Opel Adam though higher and is being referred to as a crossover. It is also available with a canvas retractable roof.
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The Opel Swing Top4 is the convertible version of the ever so popular Opel Adam. Both vehicles may be viewed at the Opel Showroom in Mdina Road, Qormi.
New VW Passat The new VW Passat5 has arrived in Malta. The media launch was held at the VW Continental Cars Showroom in Ta’ Xbiex in the presence of Chev. Maurice Mizzi who gave further details about this vehicle that has recently earned the award of Car of the Year.
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The new VW Passat may be viewed at the VW Showroom in Ta’ Xbiex.
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Henry Ford introduced the automobile to the masses with his less expensive vehicles built on an assembly line. Once cars were being used widely, it was only a matter of time before the human love of competition took over.
Dry lake beds and two lane strips of roadway became the first places to test your vehicle against another driver. These non-sanctioned events were essentially illegal drag races that took place throughout the country. A few fans of this growing competition began developing rules and regulations that have led to the NHRA or National Hot Rod Association that we know today.
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Speed demons were able to break the 100mph barrier on the Muroc dry lake bed in California’s Mojave Desert, but it was not until 1950 that a man by the name of C.J. Hart was able to open the first official drag strip for racing. As soon as people saw the opportunity to race in safer and well-timed events the sport of drag racing was truly born. This first drag strip ran races until 1959 and by that time the NHRA had multiple national events taking place throughout the United States.
The NHRA has become a larger success than anyone could have imagined and now comprises 80,000 members. Wally Parks was the associations first President and once noted, “we did have ambitions of it becoming a national sports entity. We weren’t planning or marketing geniuses or anything like that. Things happened and we went with our instinct.”
FEATURE• A Bit Of A Fast Drag by Mark Attard
…the nitro methane-powered engines of NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars produce approximately 8,000 horsepower, about 43 times that of the average street car? …one cylinder of the eight cylinders of a Top Fuel dragster or a Funny Car produces 750 horsepower, equalling the entire horsepower output of a NASCAR engine? …the gasoline-powered engines of NHRA Pro Stock cars produce about 1,200 horsepower, about eight times that of the average street car? …an NHRA Top Fuel dragster accelerates from 0 to 160 kmph in less than .8-seconds, almost 11 seconds quicker than it takes a production Porsche 911 Turbo to reach the same speed? …an NHRA Top Fuel dragster leaves the starting line with a force nearly five times that of gravity, the same force of the space shuttle when it leaves the launching pad at Cape Canaveral?
which is equivalent to between 45 and 55 litres per km? …NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars travel the length of more than four football fields in less than five seconds? …NHRA Top Fuel dragsters can exceed 450kmph in just 200m? …from a standing start, NHRA Top Fuel dragsters accelerate faster than a jumbo jet, a fighter jet, and a Formula One race car? …the 17-inch rear tires used on NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars wear out after four to six runs, or about two miles? Some brands of passenger-car tyres are guaranteed for 140,000km. …it takes just 15/100ths of a second for all 8,000 horsepower of an NHRA Top Fuel dragster engine to reach the rear wheels?
…an NHRA Funny Car is slowed by a reverse force more than seven times that of gravity when both parachutes deploy simultaneously? …NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars consume between 18 and 22 litres of fuel during a quarter-mile run,
…it’s desirable for an NHRA Top Fuel dragster to race with its front wheels inches off the ground for about the first 70 m of the run? This ensures proper weight transfer to the rear wheels, a crucial part of a good launch and quick run. …the nitro methane used to power the engines of NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars costs about €30 per gallon? WHEELSPIN
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BY FLEUR BALZAN
O
ur second long term test drive of the season is the new Opel Corsa which we have now been driving for the last 3 months. The Corsa, since it’s birth was always seen to be the small 2nd car, or the mother’s run around vehicle but 20 years later, this vehicle has matured into a spacious family car which offers a fabulous drive.
The choice of engine obviously makes a lot of difference on this vehicle. We have been driving the 1.4 litre turbocharged petrol and what a phenomenal drive it is! The first thing to notice once you put your foot on the accelerator is the torque! ‘Oh’ or ‘Wow’ is what you cannot refrain from shouting out as truly this engine offers excellent torque, resulting in a brilliant drive for those that get a thrill from acceleration! The 2nd thing to notice is the sturdiness in the body. If you are simply closing a door you realise that the body is solid and yet the car doesn’t feel heavy whist driving. The sturdiness is felt also in the drive, when going round corners, or simply while cruising along longer roads at slightly higher speeds than what we are used to here in Malta. To experience better what this car had to offer, we decided to try it out across our seas on our neighbouring island Sicily. When one thinks overland, one may usually consider a larger vehicle however we really wanted to see if this car, albeit ‘small’, was still good enough for 16
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such an adventure. And so we loaded it with our equipment, cameras, tripods batteries, wires and all that is required when filming a test drive, and off we headed to board the Catamaran. The equipment was not small and yet everything fit perfectly including 2 pieces of small luggage which were obviously required for overnight stays. Although travelling to Sicily in June when the sun was already a constant companion in Malta, we managed to find rain in Sicily seconds after we got off the ferry. Nevertheless we headed off on our drive heading towards Marina di Ragusa, and had a very positive experience of the car on wet roads. The car remained stable and not once did it feel uneasy. The automatic rain sensors also came in handy here as did the automatic lights which instantly turn on when needed. From Marina di Ragusa we headed to Scicli where we experienced some City driving then off to Modica taking both the motorway and the country roads when possible. The car responded brilliantly to the change of
roads although, with a slightly sporty suspension, it did juggle us a little on the less smooth sections of the country roads.
TEST DRIVE • Long Term Opel Corsa
well as other smaller villages along the route and then headed off to Syracuse for some more city driving. We also did a little shopping along the way, like we Maltese love to do and we managed to pack them easily in the boot compartment without any problems, considering our equipment was in there too. Although we had already experienced the car for a while locally, it was great to have had the opportunity to test drive it on longer roads. The car reaches higher speeds without any effort and we also managed to use the 6 speed manual gearbox to the full, something we rarely got to do here.
In Modica we stopped for a few minutes to leave our bags at the hotel. We had previously chosen this location to stop at as it was ideal to travel from by car to the other villages we planned to visit during our short stay in Sicily. From Modica we headed to one very beautiful place called Ibla and although the rain hardly left us, it was beautiful to drive through valleys and uphill to get to this breathtaking location. The car handled the different terrains perfectly! It was a dream to drive and even on Motorways, the handling of the vehicle remained completely in our control even at much higher speeds than we can ever dream of driving in Malta. The next day we planned to visit more villages which may not be too common amongst the Maltese. We visited the beautiful city of Noto as
Besides the drive, the features the Corsa offers are also very comfortable. The ‘City’ button for better manoeuvering during parking is convenient although even without this feature, the car manoeuvres easily. The Eco button for better economy has also proved different to other vehicles. This start/stop function, which seems to turn the engine off when the car is stopped, is so silent and jerk free that one barely notices it happening. This also due to the ultra silent cabin! The features on the infotainment touch screen are simple to use and, besides bluetooth and radio, include features such as a navigation system which one can download on a smartphone and other apps for news etc, which
may also be downloaded on ones phone. A USB system also allows one to view images and videos through a USB although we admit, we were too concentrated on the driving to stop and watch anything for too long.
by Fleur Balzan
The features through the onboard computer are also worth mentioning. The tyre pressure monitor, the change of gear indicator, the economy monitor are all features one can easily get used to and not want to do without in one’s vehicle. When it comes to economy, this car is good. When we collected the car, it had just over 800km on the clock and the reading was at 8.3 litres per 100 kms. In 2 months we managed to bring this down to 7.8 and this last month we have managed to bring it down further to 7.7 litres per 100 km. That is after adding a further 2400 km on the clock. One has to keep in mind when looking at these figures that the test drive was done from May to July so the AC was constantly on and we all know how AC can drain fuel. Even with the AC on high, the drive was however never effected. Well, the car offers such a pleasent drive that we were nearly going to forget to mention its looks! Have a look at it and you will realise that the Corsa is not lacking here either. It has a typical German design yet with subtle curves which make it young yet elegant, appealing to people of different age groups. It is soon time to give the car back and I must say I hate it when I have to say Good Bye to such a good companion. The Opel Corsa is a car for all seasons, and all drivers.
It is small but spacious, economical without sacrificing on performance, full of safety features and other comfort features too. In other words a car which is a perfect family friendly vehicle! WHEELSPIN
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G O O D W O O D F E S T I V A L
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s many of your motoring fans will know there is one place in the south of the UK that plays host to some historic events. The Goodwood Festival of Speed (aka FOS), located just outside Chichester is one weekend jam packed full of manufacturing heaven, the chance to see and drive new vehicles before anyone else. In the space of four days during the 25th-28th June F1 racing drivers, Hollywood stars and even royalty grace the former World War 2 airfield for one high octane feast.
This is the day you get to see some of the exclusive new models from manufacturers before anyone else. Audi, VW, Ford, Honda, Renault all showing off first hand the next generation and sometimes exclusive models before being revealed to the world. On entrance to the site you get to sign up to drive the latest road models up the 1.16 mile course, thrashing it off the start line negotiating chicanes and fast straights. Cars from the new Aston Martin Volante to a Ford Transit van!
Having been a regular visitor for the past ten years I had always been on the Saturday and Sunday when the action really hots up with some of the world’s fastest super cars and stars. The paddocks are lined with cars that are so rare they need their own security team 24/7. However, this time I wanted to check out what it was like on the very first day of opening, day 1, the Thursday. And there was a good reason for it.
The expensive watch makers, the record braking Thrust SSC jet car, Jaguar’s dedicated drifting track in the new Type F, the helicopter flights, were part of the DNA into this now well established event on the motoring calendar, showing the glory of the car makers.
Goodwood is home to Lord March who not only dons an impressive mansion on the site but horse racecourse, airfield and hill climb plus racing track to boot. Every year he swings open the gates to his many 100’s of acres for the public to get up close and personal with some fine creations. Thursday is usually the quietest day of the weekend - no air displays, no celebrities, no real show of the supercars but in my opinion the best day. With the FOS being accused of being a bit ‘same old’ this year the exhibits had to step up to the plate and put on a good show. Technology seemed to rule the event this year and it was a good job I charged my smartphone! 18
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Ford’s impressive four story structure housed the new Ford Focus ST due out later this year. With a price tag of over £26,000 it’s not a car to be sniffed at but has a full range of kit on it from Recaro seats, 18 inch ‘Y’ alloy wheels all powered by the amazing EcoBoost 2.0 S6 petrol engine pumping out 250 bhp. And what was more interesting was the ST, for the first time having a 2.0 TDCI diesel engine with 185 bhp. Walking up the stairs to the second level and witness the gorgeous new Ford GT. Encased in its own glass box it could be viewed at all angles before setting up the iPhone into ‘panoramic’ mode for a photo of the entire site on the top deck. A Maltese favourite, Honda, were grabbing a lot of attention with their fully interactive and highly commendable display. You stepped on to a podium that
FEATURE• Goodwood Festival Of Speed 2015 by Ben Glover
housed the full Honda range, each in little toy boxes. Each ‘box’ you walked into had a chance to get interactive and win stuff, even create a video from the seat of the new Honda Jazz for the big screen erected high above the stand itself. I, of, course had to have a go at this! The German’s were out in force with VAG displaying new models from VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda. Being a VW Golf GTI owner myself I was very excited to see the new R400 Golf which quite frankly looked like a monster of a car. Based on the GTI mk7 this rally bred beast had flared wheel arches, low profile tyres and suspension prepared to eat the tarmac and leave the Ford Focus ST for dust. Audi were dishing out the free goodie bags and showcasing some new concept vehicles including the new TT RS. I have always had a soft spot for the TT having driven the first generation UK import in 1999 and seeing next year’s convertible just melted me. Just picture yourself in the driver’s seat, hugged nicely by the sports seats with the sat nav in 3d and using Google satellite images as your drive. And not just on a tiny screen in the centre of the dashboard but across the entire area where conventionally the dials for speed and rev counter would be. I’d never have thought of that. Land Rover showed up their latest 4x4’s including the new Defender, Range Rover Sport and Evoque. You had the chance to drive one across their ‘travel anywhere’ off road course, a mix of roller coaster meets the countryside all powered by hydraulic rams and ramps. If that was too much for you could try out the 4x4 off-road radio controlled track set up by a club that had so much kit it would put a F1 team to shame! And then a world exclusive! Mini, now in German hands, were housed in what can only be described as a giant show box. Dark, simple and tempting you in with words and arrows to see just what was inside. Less than 24 hours before Mini had created a brand new model so secret not even the press got to see it. Rumour has it that it had only
literally come off the production line and the paint was virtually still wet. Arriving on site late into the night on a ‘disguised’ lorry this was going to be one special car. We’ve loved Minis on the island, its Bristishness warming our hearts for centuries. But since the BMW takeover they seem to have expanded somewhat, hit the steroids and lost their compact purpose. That said I am still a fan and needed to see for myself what the excitement was all about. And wow was it worth it. Handing in my mobile phone and belongings (yes, the security was that tight) you are led by security staff into a cold but LED lit room housing the new Mini Clubman. In essence, ‘die hard’ fans will remember the ‘Traveller’, an estate version of this classic. Due to ownership rights BMW were not able to use this and so the five-door Clubman was born. On first impact you are amazed by the size of the car actually going back to its ‘mini’ roots. So much space for a small car! With double rear opening automatic doors that open via a sensor in the bumper, saving you fumbling for the keys to open them up and the digital interior for head up display, still maintaining tradition with giant clock face speedometer in the middle. No longer housing the traditional gauges that conventional Mini’s had but now a powerhouse of electronic displays that would even put the lastest iPad to shame. Outside the sleek body work and almost plasma like headlamps really gave this Mini a feel ahead of its time whilst still keeping the unforgettable classic Mini traits and looks. This extraordinary car even had room for my 2 meter plus tall frame with a similar sized gent behind me sat in the back. Look out world, we have a new King of the road. And this was just all on the Thursday. Yes, go on day one get to see the exclusive stuff before anyone else, but with so much to see and do you’ll need to make a weekend of it. Next year I’ll be there for the entire four days… camped out in hopefully my new Mini Clubman. WHEELSPIN
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YOUR WEEKEND DRIVE… BEYOND OUR SHORES! Words by Kenneth Rizzo Naudi Photos by Anastasia Rizzo Apriori Photo Studio
M
alta being an island poses not only geographical restrictions but also others which, once on topic here about cars, concern the driver and his or her experience of ownership of their vehicle… whatever the model! Cars here end up living mostly in second gear, and are constantly accelerating or decelerating with only, at best, a minute or
two between either of these processes. Tyre threads simply get polished up instead of gently eroded as they were designed to (or for those who take corners at straight line speed, erode the outer edges of the fronts, especially the front left since it takes the loads at roundabouts). I can go on and on about other examples and related issues, but the matter of fact is: can we, and are we, enjoying our cars to the max? Whatever the model! The answer is so evident that I dare to answer on your very behalf with a blunt and bold, “No!”
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FEATURE• Your Weekend Drive… Beyond Our Shores! by Kenneth Rizzo Naudi
This brings me neatly to the solution and topic of this article: take your car overland. In the past, this meant a sea voyage lasting several tedious hours (6 to 7 if I recall well) with a high chance of sea sickness, but now in barely 1 hour and 15 minutes we can drive our vehicles onto the high-speed, super luxuriously smooth, 106+ metre, MV Jean de La Valette of Virtu Ferries, which at a steady relaxed cruise of 35+ knots whisks you and your beloved vehicle to Pozzallo (the southernmost tip of Sicily) opening to you a whole new experience for your personal ‘my car and I’ memoires. It’s as easy as hopping to Gozo, just under an hour longer journey (albeit no queues) but in a luxurious huge saloon featuring several aircraft style seats, couches, outdoor terraces, entertainment machines and flat screens, cafe’s, and a VIP upper deck. The MV Jean de la Valette, while cruising, surfs on the top of the water, and its ultra sharp twin hulls slice the sea deadening most waves. We cruised at 35 knots in a Force 5 sea... but couldn’t feel a thing! Arrived in Sicily you then can really experience your vehicle as it was intended. It’s not a matter of how fast you can drive on a highway, it’s cruising for a lengthy time in your top gear and feeling your chassis do its magic while the tyres work as they were intended to. Italian ‘Autostrade’ have a top limit of 130kph and one simply feels new sensations from the car which are impossible to sample in Malta, even if you illegally touch that speed here for a few seconds. Although Sicily is essentially also an island you are still super spoilt for choice where to head to and what to do. For instance we opted to spend our first night in a hotel located in a unique place: the mighty Etna at Hotel Corsaro. Definitely recommended waking up to those views and exploring the volcano by cable car and huge Mercedes Unimog offroad coaches! We then headed west towards Enna where, just off the highway, we visited the
Sicilia outlet village; again super recommended and worth the drive in a relatively dead straight stretch of highway! Just make sure the credit card is nicely charged! Our next stop took us back towards Catania, and north past Taormina towards what is probably our favourite hotel/ resort in Sicily: the Borgo San Rocco Resort high up in the picturesque town of Savoca; yep, the very town from where the legendary Francis Ford Coppola and Marlon Brando brought us Il Padrino! You can visit the famous Bar Vitelli still in its original state, as well as all the other icons of the movie such as the Chiesa di Santa Lucia where the wedding was held. Borgo San Rocco is familyrun headed by the great Vittorio better known as Don Vittorio since he captivates you with the Padrino spirit that embraces the town. One simply feels at home in this magnificent place of total relaxation, excellent cuisine, and luxurious feeling while just the same feeling the original Sicilian rustic environment. Savoca is mega tiny, (Mdina is large by comparison) so one can walk around. There are some sharp uphills but they’re not long and you surely won’t notice fatigue while being entertained by the magical sea views of the Stretto di Messina with Italy’s toe in the background. We opted to stay away from the hectic tourist centres such as Taormina, but should one want to visit, the drive from Savoca is at first steeply downhill and then south along the coast for a total of a mere 20 minutes away. The drive from Savoca to Pozzallo took just over 2 hours via highway. One may take the coast road but it then gets pretty longer! I suggest taking the latter till after Taormina (worth the views!) and then switch to the motorway before Catania to avoid traffic and city congestion. Watch out for the section where the south-bound highway ends towards Ragusa: new sections are under construction and the GPS maps aren’t updated yet. Other than that it’s an easy relaxing drive! WHEELSPIN
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FEATURE• Your Weekend Drive… Beyond Our Shores! by Kenneth Rizzo Naudi
As always, at Wheelspin we value road safety; tremendously! At 130kph loaded with luggage, your vehicle needs to be in tip-top condition to be safe! Besides a fresh service to the engine we highly recommend making sure your tyres are in good nick, front wheels balanced, and geometry alignment checked and fine-tuned! Check also your brakes for pad and lines condition, disc warping, as well as the often overlooked condition of the braking fluid. Oh and don’t forget to check the spare wheel and take a couple of handy disposable tyre repair foam cans. Many of these issues, while still dangerous in Malta, can remain unnoticed but at highway speeds they suddenly surface and/or amplify! Last but not least, if you’re not already so, take some time to familiarise yourselves with
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your GPS navigation system, many of which are nowadays within smart phones. So please before boarding the amazing MV Jean de La Valette of Virtu Ferries for a quick magical weekend Sicilian road trip full of amazing cuisine and views wherever you go, and where you can really and truly enjoy your vehicle as the manufacturer intended, do take it for a full checkup in order to avoid inconveniences and most importantly stay safe! Buon voyage and happy safe motoring with your beloved vehicle from the Wheelspin crew!
Simply identify a monthly commitment or one time donation that is convenient to you, keeping in mind that the more you donate, the more children and adults you will be reaching out to. SEPA DIRECT DEBIT MANDATE Mandate reference (for office use only)
Helping people with disability in Malta and Gozo
DEBTOR INFORMATION Name & Surname Address Town
Wheelspin has teamed up with INSPIRE to offer support to this foundation. As of this issue Wheelspin with donate €3 per advert featured in the magazine. Wheelspin will also be donating €3 monthly for every company advertising on Wheelspin the TV programme throughout the new season commencing in October 2015. So go ahead and do the same and find out more about what INSPIRE FOUNDATION are all about.
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Inspire believes that everyone has a right to equality and inclusion. Their mission is to try to help everyone with a disability achieve this by providing individuals and their families with educational, therapeutic and leisure services. They also advocate for inclusion, educate the general public, raise awareness among peers, and hold the best knowledge base on disability on the island.
With as little as €3 a month you can join Friends of Inspire, the monthly donation campaign and directly impact their clients’ lives. As an organisation they depend on voluntary contributions and without your support they would not survive.
THE HISTORY The Inspire Foundation is the result of a merger between Eden Foundation and Razzett Tal-Hbiberija – two leading charities that worked in the field of disability. The two organisations transferred all their resources and employees over to the new foundation, which now provides all the services in a one-stopshop model avoiding duplication, enhancing service delivery and being more cost effective, leading to long term sustainability and added value.
TODAY Today, Inspire helps over 1,000 individuals with various disabilities ranging from Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and others. They do this through many services and disability programmes that are offered at a highly subsidised rate or sometimes even for free.
The children and adults INSPIRE help depend on them, and you to ensure that there is help and support at hand to assist them in their day-today needs. If you would like to help Inspire and its clients please fill in the form to the right and send it to: Inspire – The Foundation for Inclusion BLB 801, Bulebel, Zejtun ZTN 3000 You may also send a one time donation to this address or online on www.inspire.org.mt/
THANK YOU – with YOUR help we can continue helping people with disabilities achieve their potential!
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CREDITOR INFORMATION Name: Inspire - The Eden & Razzett Foundation Identifier: MT66ZZZ670217321T Address: BLB801, Bulebel Industrial Estate, Bulebel, Zejtun ZTN 3000 Malta By signing this mandate form you authorise: A) Inspire to send instructions to your bank to debit your account and B) your bank to debit your account in accordance with the instructions from Inspire. As part of your rights you are entitled to a refund from your bank under the terms and conditions of your agreement with your bank. A refund must be claimed within 8 weeks starting from the date on which your account was debited. Complaints about an unjustified collection can be submitted up to 13 months after the transaction date. Note: Your rights regarding the above mandate are explained in a statement that you can obtain from your bank. Please tick the amount you are willing to donate:
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SPOT INFO
New Peugeot 208 The PEUGEOT 208 has had a makeover. This compact nextgeneration saloon car sports a confident style that’s sportier and classier than ever. Surrender to its seductive personality, and climb aboard for a thrilling, vibrant driving experience! Discover its elegant design, mesmerising lighting signature, rear lights with 3D LED claws, lively colours plus a selection of new textured paints, exclusive Peugeot i-Cockpit, energy-efficient, high –performance PureTech or BlueHDi engines and latest-generation equipment features including reverse parking camera, Park Assist, Active City Brake or the Mirror Screen function. Awaken your inner energy with the New Peugeot 208! Available now at Michael Attard Ltd, National Road, Blata l-Bajda. www.facebook.com/PeugeotMalta www.peugeot.com.mt
The Audi A1 Audi’s most compact vehicle, the A1, which was redesigned in the fall of 2014 and now measures in at a length of 3.98 meters (13.1 ft), combines all the major strengths of the brand. – Progressive design, uncompromising quality and high efficiency. Its range of powerful engines and agile chassis make it the sportiest
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three-door car in its segment. The design is now even more distinctive and powerful! On request, Audi will give the roof line a contrasting color. The interior finish is of extremely high quality, with fresh colors and new chrome trim parts to provide highlights.
SPOT INFO
Sicily - Your chance to Mix ‘n’ Match The silly season is perhaps the best time to mix ‘n’ match in Sicily. Treat yourself to the endless sandy beaches only 90 minutes plus away from home. Pozzallo, The Catamaran’s port of call, has an excellent beach that is second to none, with the added advantage of the many superb restaurants that have sprung up all over town. Pozzallo has been “discovered” and is only too glad to please.
cool evening mountain breezes, the odd visit to some historic World Heritage Site, some bargain shopping in an air conditioned centro commercial and of course nice but healthy eating out at a price that does not compare. Don’t hassle yourself travelling far and wide; just hop on the Virtu Ferry and enjoy what you have next door; Virtu have given it to you on a plate – it’s also a money saver.
Marina di Ragusa is 30 minutes away by car and is doing its level best to attract visitors and show off its newly commissioned state of the art yacht marina. You can be assured of a hearty welcome wherever you go; the lidos and restaurants on the beach are attractively priced. Cefalu is well worth a visit but you need to be in Sicily for a few days to make it worth your while; everything is attractive and unusual about Cefalu. You will not be disappointed and you will tell the tale many times over. Mix ‘n’ match this with an evening drive into the cool mountains, which are never far away, and you will be more than just pleased the silly season is with us again. Sicily just has it all; mix ‘n’ match your lazy mornings with the
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