#37 - AUTUMN 2017
A FIESTA IN SLOVENIA The test drive of this latest vehicle from Ford AN IDEAL CAR FOR THE ATHLETE Your choice of car depends on your needs ROAD RAGE & HOW TO COPE How can we combat and make sure we avoid the ‘red mist’ that is road rage? TIME TO GO ELECTRIC We take a closer look at the newest electric vehicles in the market
Feel. Every. Fiesta. Moment. Come and try it out at GasanZammit
GasanZammit Motors Ltd., Mriehel Bypass, Mriehel BKR3000 Tel: 27788271 email: ford@gasanzammit.com
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#37 - AUTUMN 2017
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 Ben Glover Anjelika Balzan Ruggier
MAKE UP Shasha
ADVERTISING & SALES Fleur Balzan (+356) 21 576 154 (+356) 99 805 763
PRE-PRESS & PRINTING Impressions Ltd., Marsa
Editor’s Note
FLEUR BALZAN
Autumn is always a beautiful though busy time of year for us. After the warm summer months and the slightly less hectic days (not sure if I am talking about myself here), it is nice to be back, in full swing, working on the production and filming of our TV programme. Autumn is also the time that we get to see some of the newest cars at some motor show abroad. It is also the time that many of the newest vehicles arrive on our shores, so it surely is an exciting period. Autumn is when our last magazine issue of the year comes out. This issue is packed with all the exciting content mentioned above as well as other issues we encounter in the motoring world. On this issue, we take you on a tour of some of the presentations and vehicles we met with during our visit to Frankfurt. Another visit we had this summer was one to Slovenia driving the latest Ford vehicle, the new Ford Fiesta. What a wonderful trip this was! Besides the Frankfurt and Slovenia articles, I also get to tell you about our ‘long term’ test drives of the Electric vehicles, the BMW i3 and the Renault Zoe. We just wish we could have had these cars longer than a few weeks! Ben Glover has written about something we know too well about, even more at this time of year, and that is Road Rage. To balance the topic, he has also written about Road education that I’m sure we should all learn more about. Pierre on the other hand has written about Singapore and why this city is more than just the Formula One Race. Oh, and on this issue we also welcome a new member to our team, Anjelika Balzan Ruggier. Anjelika writes about which type of car would be ideal for the athlete. Anjelika is a triathlon athlete herself and also a car fanatic. I leave you to wonder who she takes after! Once again I invite you to enjoy the read.
No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form for any purpose without the prior written consent of the publisher.
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WHEELSPIN• Issue 37: Autumn 2017
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IN THIS ISSUE
AUTUMN 2017
FEATURES
TEST DRIVES
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FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW
The Wheelspin team was present for this dream motor show, exploring the latest cars and technology
14 DRIVING EDUCATION
When should road safety education start?
TIME TO GO ELECTRIC
We take a closer look at the newest electric vehicles in the market
18 A FIESTA IN SLOVENIA
The test drive of this latest vehicle from Ford
16 A NIGHT AT THE RACES
Pierre Vella celebrates ten years of the unique experience that is the Singapore F1 night race
20 ROAD RAGE & HOW TO COPE
How can we combat and make sure we avoid the ‘red mist’ that is road rage?
23 AN IDEAL CAR FOR THE ATHLETE
Triathlete Anjelika Balzan Ruggier gives us her take on what athletes look for in a car
LAUNCHES 12 LAUNCHES
The Range Rover Velar, the Renault Captur, the Volvo XC60 and the Ford Fiesta
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FRANK FURT MOTOR SHOW STILL A DREAM MOTOR SHOW! BY FLEUR BALZAN The largest Motor Show in Europe has come and gone and as usual, the Wheelspin team was present in Frankfurt for the biannual event that sees so many brands presenting their new vehicles here. With so many of the top carmakers being at home in Frankfurt it is obvious why Mercedes, BMW and also the VW Group brands excel when it comes to the dĂŠcor of their respective stands and presentations they carry out. As usual, these were breathtaking, some even more than others!
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FEATURE • Frankfurt Motor Show by Fleur Balzan
Probably one of the brands that stands out in Frankfurt is Mercedes with a stand that is about 5 storeys high with never ending displays of cars that change from day to day. Mercedes has done wonders with the introduction of vehicles, not only in every segment but with a choice of different vehicles in each of the segments too. Not to mention the choice of different mobility whether combustion, electric, plug in hybrid, autonomous and more. Visiting the Mercedes stand was a trip to the future, or the ever so real present! If ever there was a motor show that made emphasis on electric and
autonomous driving than this was Frankfurt 2017. Most brands have been working to introduce new cleaner technologies over the past years however, since the UK and France came out with the date (2040) when combustion engines would be taken out of circulation, it seemed clear that this Motor Show had to give the clear message that the motoring world is ready for this change. And ready it is! Some of the world premieres presented in Frankfurt were the Mercedes Project One hyper-car1, a fabulous hybrid powertrain F1 vehicle that was driven on stage by none other than Lewis Hamilton
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BMW Presented the BMW Concept 8 series4, the BMW Concept Z45, the BMW 6er Gran Turismo6 as well as the BMW X3, mid sized SUV and the BMW M57, a performance Sedan, as well as the BMW 7 Series Special Edition 40. Also on show in Frankfurt by the BMW Group was the MINI Electric Concept8 and the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept9.
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as well as the Mercedes AMG S-Class Cabriolet2 and Coupe models. Smart also presented the Smart Vision EQ3 for two autonomous concept vehicle. This is a car that comes for you when you call and picks you up from your chosen location.
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Renault presented the new Megane RS10 as well as a beautiful electric autonomous concept by the name of ‘Symbioz’11. Subaru presented the 5th generation Impreza12 with the newest technology including the EyeSight driver assist system that the brand is introducing in all its vehicles. Seat unveiled their newest crossover that goes by the name of SEAT Arona13
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whilst Citroen presented another cute crossover, the Citroen C3 Aircross. VW too had a new crossover presented in Frankfurt, a car with a coupe style roof that goes by the name of VW T-Roc14. They also presented the VW Tiguan Allspace, a premium standard SUV with 7 seats. Other high-end brands presenting SUVs were Jaguar with the new Jaguar E-Pace and Porsche with the new Porsche Cayenne15.
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When it comes to performance vehicles, besides the Mercedes AMG Project One, we couldn’t help but admire the new Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster16 and the Ferrari Portofino17, a very powerful cabriolet featuring a folding hard top and two rare seats and with performance figures being no less than 600bhp. Also the 1500bhp Bugatti Chiron18 with performance figures to rock your brains!
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FEATURE • Frankfurt Motor Show by Fleur Balzan
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During this motor show we couldn’t help but notice the different Chinese Brands that were present in Frankfurt, brands such as Thunder Power19 offering vehicles which are not only beautiful but with exceptional electric technology. WEY is another Chinese brand by Great Wall Motor Company that presented the XEV20, a connected electric Autonomous SUV and Chery that presented their new SUV Exceed TX21 as well as the Tiggo Coupé Concept, an SUV with Coupé–like design. It may just be time for Chinese vehicles to take a good percentage of the market on European roads!
New brands were present in Frankfurt whilst some other very well known brands decided to give this show a miss. Amongst those not present were Volvo, Nissan, Peugeot, DS, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Jeep. Was this a wise decision? The digital world may be one of the reasons for this choice as some brands think they can get more from online advertising than from motor shows. This may be the case but there are some events that, in our opinion, no brand can afford not to be present at, as people still look to see with their own eyes when it comes to cars. Out of vision may just also mean out of mind!
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an by Fleur Balz rs ut 4 yea call abo re n a s, c I le now. ic vehic r a while o electr fo tw d h n 4 it u e w drives ng thes been aro rm test but duri les have e te c ic g n h n e e v lo lu ctric ault F Electric the Ren r first ele rre with e had ou ie w P n d lacking. e n n a h e o ago w have be lt Kango u to a s n m e e R the cars se me with of these raction tt a e th years
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Primarily this was for two very valid reasons, one being the high price of such cars and the other the range a car could do on a full battery charge, that was, if lucky, around the 100km range. So what has changed now? Actually a lot! Our production team has always been concerned about the need to have cleaner vehicles on the road, whether cleaner combustion engines or electricity/hybrid powered vehicles. However, until now, there were still some issues that needed convincing when it came to the electric vehicles available to us. Nonetheless, we have closely followed the advancements in electric vehicles so as of the beginning of the new TV season, we decided to once again take a closer look at the newest electric vehicles in the market right now. Once again keeping the cars for longer than just a day.
The BMW i3 We have been following the advancements that BMW are doing when it comes to their electric vehicles mainly with the BMW i3 and the BMW i8 so it was natural to have the BMW i3 as one of the cars to try out for a couple of weeks. Obviously, when driving an electric car, the main priority to consider, besides the drive, is the range that one can achieve on a full charge. Maybe some may think that this need not be a priority for a country like ours, because of the short distances and the size of our country, however, because we are a country with a traffic problem and too much heat, than the short distances are not enough to make an electric car an ideal car for Malta. Or so some think! In reality, electric cars have improved so much when it comes to battery range and with a little bit of attentive driving, that range can increase dramatically. I admit that since the long term test drive with the Renault Kangoo, which I had grown to love, my driving has become more ‘economic’ whichever engine I drive.
When I collected the BMW i3, the average range was in the region of 200km on full charge (and I was told I had to be very careful to achieve this) so you can imagine how pleased I was when after just 10 days I hit the 250km mark. The range continued to increase slightly hitting the 294km by the time I returned the vehicle. Depending on the amount of km done each week, that means that most drivers locally can make do with charging the vehicle once every 5 days, and even once a week in the comfort of one’s own garage even through a normal socket. And for those that may still feel unsure driving with only a half charged battery, there is nothing wrong with charging it daily and having peace of mind that you never will end up without charge. As companies such as BMW continue to improve the technology on electric cars, it is also worth noticing that some electric cars, including the BMW i3 can now also come with a range extender. This is a 2nd motor that runs on regular fuel that,
however, does not charge the wheels in case of drained batteries, but charge the batteries themselves. Although we are focusing mainly on the range when it comes to these test drives, we cannot not mention the drive of these vehicles as well as the looks and the whole package of safety features and technology the car offers. The BMW i3 is a very sweet and particular five door hatchback with what are called suicide doors, meaning doors that open the opposite of each other. The design is elegant with distinct lines and it is quite an eye catcher. The interior feels excessively spacious and lit up, the dashboard, although clearly recognizable as BMW, is also particular and quite futuristic. When it comes to safety features and technology, these are similar to most BMW vehicles, whilst the drive is comfortable with excellent acceleration and good road holding. Definitely loved driving around in this one!!
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TEST DRIVES • Time to go Electric! by Fleur Balzan
The Renault ZOE If there is a brand that had achieved a lot when it comes to electric vehicle studies, this must be Renault, a brand that had set it’s sight a long time ago on making these vehicles accessible to all. After having driven the electric Kangoo for a few months four years back, I could really identify the advances the brand has made in it’s electric drive system. The Renault Zoe is also a hatchback with a look that is quite similar to most combustion cars. Meaning, at first glance one does not think it is a car that runs on batteries. The interior is clean with an attractive screen on the center of the dashboard and a large TFT screen behind the steering wheel from where one can monitor the battery range available and whether the particular drive is just using up the battery or also regenerating energy. When we collected the car, again we asked the approximate range it offered and we were told that this was in the region of 220 and 250km. So again we set out to do our best to beat this range and see what we could achieve on this electric vehicle too. Don’t get me wrong, we are not miracle makers but it is so easy with a little bit of attention to get more economy out of our vehicles with just a little bit of careful driving. Careful driving that, in this case, results in the regeneration of energy to the batteries and thus a higher range! We are making an emphasis on this due to the fact that, from the number of comments we receive daily, we do
recognize that a lot of people are hesitant to go electric because of the range or lack of it on electric vehicles right now. Something that is simply not the case!! After barely one week of driving the Renault ZOE, we achieved the 307km range and we did get stuck in a lot of the traffic jams we so dread at this time of year. Not that electric cars waste more energy in traffic, they actually do not waste any energy when at a standstill except for the use of the desperately needed AC which can make quite a difference in battery use. Irrelevant of this, by the end of our test drive we increased this range to 344km. A result that really put a smile on my face! Besides the range, there is also the price issue that puts people off going
electric however one needs to consider that charging an electric car is less expensive than filling up at a fuel station. When it comes to the drive, the Zoe is pleasant, feels light and offers good acceleration. It corners well and offers a good grip on the road whilst the suspension offers the comfortable ride expected from a small family car. Whilst writing this article the budget for 2018 has been delivered with the news of the removal of the registration tax on electric vehicles and Plug in hybrid vehicles. News that is truly welcomed. One cannot be exact in calculating what the reduction of price will be with this initiative but from what we have been informed, this may result in savings in the region of €2,500 and €7,000. Obviously this may change depending on the cars chosen but together with the scrappage scheme it does make these cars more affordable. One needs to clarify that the removal of the registration tax is on electric cars and plug in hybrids only, meaning the hybrid vehicles that also run on petrol are not included in this list. It’s just a pity that the removal of this registration is not immediate and people considering going electric need to wait a couple more months to get this reduction. Oh well, at least 2018 is not that far a wait!
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LAUNCHES THE RANGE ROVER VELAR S T U N N I N G LY L U X U R I O U S The Range Rover Velar has finally arrived in Malta. This luxurious, high tech SUV was unveiled during an event held during a beautiful evening for Land Rover clients and media alike at the Giardini Lambrosa in Rabat were the Land Rover range were also displayed. This eve catching, vehicle is one that stands out in a crowd and it may be viewed at the Muscat Motors Land Rover showroom in Rue D’Argens Gzira.
THE RENAULT CAPTUR COLOURFUL EYE CATCHER The attractive crossover from Renault has had a facelift and the new face of the Captur was shown to the media during an event held recently at the Kind’s Autosales Renault showroom in Lija. The Renault Captur has captured the hearts of many as of its launch a few years back. The new face and new colours introduced will only continue to make this vehicle more of a success. The vehicle may be viewed at the Renault showroom in Mosta Road. Lija.
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THE VOLVO XC60 STYLISH BEAUTY GasanZammit Motors Ltd. launched the new XC60 mid-size SUV, during a press event at The Galley, Ta’ Xbiex. The new car replaces Volvo’s highly-successful original XC60, which in the nine years since its launch became the bestselling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe with nearly a million units sold globally. Mr Manfred Galea, Volvo’s Brand Manager at GasanZammit Motors Ltd. said, “undoubtedly the new Volvo XC 60 is a practical Swedish five-seater SUV, were hybrid technology is natural. Were every drive is a pleasure. Moreover, it offers strength, style and a level of quality and comfort.” The Volvo XC60 may be viewed at the GasanZammit Motors Ltd showroom in Mriehel.
THE FORD FIESTA MATURING CHARM Another car launched by GasanZammit Motors Ltd is the new Ford Fiesta that has also just arrived on our shores. This B Segment vehicle has truly grown into a beauty not only in looks but also in all the technology it offers. A full review following a test drive held in Slovenia by our team in August, is featured in this same issue of Wheelspin magazine. Here you will get more information of this ever so successful vehicle from Ford. The new Fiesta may be viewed at the GasanZammit showroom in Mriehel.
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There are many positive things said about our glorious rock, especially by tourists. I recently met up with four friends, who believe it or not, have never been here. I know, it is hard to take in but they are now annual converts. They loved the Grand Harbour boat tour, the tight little roads of Valletta, the tranquility of our gorgeous beaches. They also fell in love with us as people, I mean, who wouldn’t? Malta is top of the range when it comes to hospitality. However, if they had one complaint, and it was across the board, it was about the driving. Us Brits love the fact we drive on the correct side of the road and how familiar the roads are to the UK. Going from a right hand drive to the left can be hard work for the brain to process, resembling many gear crunches, steering adjustments from the wrong side of the white lines and not forgetting the correct door to enter. We love driving here. Except, they didn’t. Many visitors here hire a car and explore, it has to be done. One thing they struggle with is our way of life on the road. From the instant activation of the horn as soon as the lights turn green to the no holds barred approach to roundabouts, it really is heart in the mouth stuff. God only knows it took me a good three months to adjust when moving here. I was always told, ‘Think Maltese and you will be alright!’ (I have lived by this for many years and it helps keep the peace in the family). Malta recently registered the largest increase in road deaths for 2016 compared to six years previous. Although small the figures for Malta show 15 deaths in
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2010, which dropped to nine in 2012 but doubled again to 18 the following year. This figure decreased to 11 in 2015, but doubled to 22 in 2016. This shows a 46.7 per cent increase between 2010 and 2016 (European Transport Safety Council ETSC). It was recommended, ‘poor progress’ was acknowledged and acted upon. One death is enough let alone 22. I couldn’t help but think when writing the other article in here regarding ‘road rage’ whether we could actually do anything about it? What would you say if educating driving safety was compulsory in our schools? And what age do we begin at? And I think I have found the answer.
FEATURE • Driving Education by Ben Glover
WHERE DO WE START? Aged 2-5 years kids are at a stage where visual stimulation and interactivity reign hand in hand so why not begin at Early Years to the Key Stages of education. A child aged 5 years will start to make decisions for themselves and form an idea of the future. 9 years + and attention spans decrease but exploring the impact of road crashes, injuries and avoidance would display responsibilities. Precious times. It should not be just about a teacher offering an hour a week followed by a test. Outside help from local authorities would be a great help including our own police force. In the UK Police Community Support
Officers and those associated with roads traffic policing often visit schools for a talk. I recently visited my youngest son’s school in an ambulance to help promote ‘People That Help Us Week’. In fact the only service that didn’t turn up was the fire service. The shear delight and talkability from these young faces, our future, was heart warming. That is one way! Road Safety charity BRAKE encourage the ABC of learning: A is for Awareness (traffic is dangerous and can hurt people) B is for Behaviour (things you should do to stay safer)
C is for Choice and Campaigning (how to make safer choices and to help others make these choices too). It is a good place to start and it does not have to be just boredom via Powerpoint in the classroom. The serious message can be made fun if executed correctly. For example kids in the UK and across Europe were asked to come up with pictures that later became roads signs in areas that were accident black spots. Having kids help promote the safety of our islands will certainly have an impact.
ROAD SAFETY EVENTS We lack heavily on turning up to events to promote road safety. In Norway and the UK a dedicated team often turn up to community events in specialist vehicles to promote safer driving. In Hampshire the local fire service often have days were
they demonstrate how they extract from a crashed car with real live human ‘dummies’. Fake blood too. Again, aimed at younger teenagers, a visual impact that would embed on young minds.
Medical and disaster simulations occur regularly with multi agencies across the island working together. What, you didn’t know? Perhaps we should to help our learning.
SOCIAL MEDIA With well over 60% of our day taken up by being on social media, mainly with young people aged 15-24 years, targeting a campaign popping up on our social media timelines would make a real impact. This is the age where independence rules and we are already thinking about our own cars and getting about. Short videos can provide the impact needed. If it works for Snap Chat using fancy filters (ask your kids) I am sure it’ll work anywhere. Poor road safety in Malta not only means children are in danger of being hurt or killed, it also often affects their health and wellbeing. Our children are being driven to school, and are less likely to regularly
walk and cycle, contributing to obesity and affecting social development. If streets are unsafe, parents are less willing to let their children walk or cycle. Now, I cycle to work and our roads are just not setup for cyclists. But with the right education (see where we are going here?). Educators and teachers play a vital role in protecting children and stopping devastating casualties by teaching lifesaving messages to pupils, and promoting road safety more widely, such as to parents and drivers on the islands. Maltese schools can lead the way in making local roads safer, encourage the lowering of speed limits and better law enforcement.
There are, of course, many sensitive issues that need to be addressed before we start. Are there any children who have been victim of an road traffic accident? Have they lost loved ones because of one? Yes, child bereavements and support need to be addressed. However, with the right education these issues may never arise. For now though there is one way the education of safer driving and road safety can be put across before we make it compulsory in our schools. The teacher is you!
If you are looking for ideas for your school, check out the BRAKE and THINK! Websites for learning ideas in schools.
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It was the year 2008 when an emerging country by the name of Singapore was hosting its first ever F1 race and this was going to be a showstopper! Not because F1 was having another street race but because this was going to be staged at night. Many were those that challenged the idea. Circuit F1 racing was always staged during the day but having a street race with all its onboard complications and raced at night was deemed to be a mega challenge. There were two objectives, European audience could view the race at the customary afternoon time and the first ever night race had to be a success. The biggest obstacle in all this was not charting a street circuit with its closure complications, which in a way will hinder the movement within the
Image: Pierre Vella
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city, but lighting up the proposed 5.067km circuit. A challenge that was superseded and has set standards when it comes to illuminating a race circuit bearing in mind that all ancillaries generating over three megawatts has to be set up and dismantled and stored up for the following year. Light
is generated by 1600 light projectors with over 108,423 meters of cabling. One major consideration was the drivers and their adaptability to the artificial light that had to be constant and realistic. There was also the TV screening. Artificial lights can be daunting to have realistic images. Definitely television transmission has come a long way but having a constant flow of light was of utmost importance. Then there were the spectators, lightning had to be subdued not to affect the lights on the track. The challenge was big but Singapore as a nation lives through challenges that it manages to supersede successfully, and this was one that had to be done well and give a clear indication that the impossible is possible. Ten years down the line, the Singapore F1 night race is still a unique experience making it a special and memorable event. But what is so special about spending a night at the races, having to travel for over ten hours to arrive at Singapore? It is quite a long trip but once arrived the atmosphere is just incredible; incidentally even the other nights not at the races are big fun. There is much to do during the days prior to the race. Unlike other circuits, F1
FEATURE• A Night at the Races by Pierre Vella
drivers wander around in the city and come up close to any of your heroes is a common occurrence, however it will definitely be during the afternoon. You might wonder why in the afternoon. Well F1 drivers are quite unique in their athletic preparation and their utmost physical performance is normally during the afternoon race so once arrived in Singapore, their hotel room windows are blacked out so that they stick to European time. So logically during the Singapore morning they would still be asleep. Oh yes they do spend long nights but will get to that later on.
Image: Pierre Vella
During my many years attending F1 races it was always an early start to arrive in good time for track activities. In Singapore all this has changed. A relaxed start up to the day, planning a day out to one of the many attractions that Singapore has to offer. Planning well that in the late afternoon you will end up close to the circuit.
circuit that incidentally would be basically a maximum twenty minute walk. Another plus sign is the weather. This year was the first time that rain conditioned procedures. Singapore is notorious for monstrous downfalls but these last for just a few minutes and only help to lower a bit the temperature and freshen the air.
Incidentally Singapore offers one of the very best when it comes to transportation. From metro, taxis and public transport, however a pair of good walking shoes is recommended as most locations are all within walking distance. The farthest attraction visited is just twenty minutes of metro travel. Another great initiative is that whilst enjoying the vibe of downtown Singapore there is no need to plan hours before for the track. Once you hear the sound of cars racing around the circuit you get an indication that it’s time to enter the
Well now it’s off to enjoy the late part of the day. The night blends well with the coloured lightning around the circuit taking on a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere. Being a street circuit, spectators can get close to the action irrespective of the seating but it is highly recommended that one explores the circuit. There are locations where the race cars come ever so close to the public. The atmosphere is just incredible, and nothing beats Singapore for being part of the action. Flashes of lightning can be seen over the distant
horizon, something quite normal during the night and for sure they add to the spectacle. It is now time for the big boys to emerge from their garages in their multi million race cars and give a final show. Formula 1 is a unique sport, even though statistically it is one of the largest followed sport. For sure it is one of the most expensive to follow but the appassionato are so dedicated and passionate about the actual sport and most of all the drivers. Twenty men that take their race cars on tight and twisty circuits to offer a unique spectacle and demonstrate immense bravery and this is why we support such a sport, witnessing machine, technology, drivers ability all performed with utmost precision. Having said that there are times that things do not work out as planned and for sure Singapore has been the theatre of some exciting moments. Sebastian Vettel this year fireworks start, Felippe Massa with an added fuel line after his pitstop just to mention a few. Normally after all goes quiet and the cars are tucked in for the night, another spectacle kicks in, music. Honestly being quite late in the day and me being not much of a music fan, initially I was a bit reluctant to participate but when on stage groups like Duran Duran start performing and the music are those mega hits from the past I did stop and did enjoy it. For sure Singapore besides the excitement of a night race, does offer much more. The good news is that the Singapore F1 race will continue for at least another four years.
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A FIESTA IN SLOVENIA by Fleur Balzan
It was the end of August, in the peak heat of our summer months when we had the opportunity to fly out for some cooler weather whilst at the same time, test drive a new vehicle from one top brand. The new vehicle was none other than the 8th generation new Ford Fiesta. Although the heat decided to travel with us on our trip to Slovenia, we were in for a treat when it came to the test drive for more reasons than one. The advancements made in the car we were driving were immense which already made for a pleasant drive. Yet the Slovenian Ford representatives organised a fabulous trip and they truly went out of their way to make this test drive somewhat different for all the media present. As some of you readers may have realised, through the TV features and magazine articles, we have several foreign Test Drives each year and although we always enjoy them, they can be quite stressful and tiring too. So imagine taking 2 flights to reach your destination before noon, set off on a 4 or 5 hours drive (which become longer for filming stops) with maybe a short, few minutes break stop in between before you reach your hotel destination. A quick or sometimes ultra quick shower to then head off for the presentation of the vehicle, have dinner then head back, late, to the hotel. The next
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morning there is always an early departure from the hotel, several filming stops and a long drive to the airport, from where you start your two flights trip back home. Whereas the car is always worth the trip, by the end of it you feel drained, tired and the last thing you feel like doing is going to the office the next morning after a late night arrival home. The things we do for our viewers! So what was different this time? Well, although the time travel schedule was quite similar, the organisers of the test drive made sure that we were shown quite a little bit of the country itself. I had previously been to Slovenia and practically the same routes on another test drive a few years back but this time the trip took us to historical places such as Piran and it’s salt pans and Portoroz, and its beautiful boat rides. Other stops were Lipica and it’s stud farm, an area where horses run free to the joy of the eyes, a drive through spectacular
Postojna and obviously a walk through the city of Ljubiljana, admiring all the historical buildings and the lake. During this test drive we were given details not only of the car but also of the county we were visiting, something that made it so much more beautiful. I must say Slovenia is stunning and there is so much to see! Ok, now to the actual Test Drive of the new Ford Fiesta, the model that has always been so successful to FORD. So successful that the brand had in 2016 sold 300,000 of the previous model and even before the launch of the new model this year, there were 130,000 units ordered, again from the previous model. So why change a success story? Well, with car advancement growing at such a fast rate and with people opting for cars with more and more safety features, Ford thought that the features that one
TEST DRIVE • A Fiesta in Slovenia by Fleur Balzan
could find in larger segments needed to be introduced in their younger, most popular family member. Although still very recognizable as the Ford Fiesta, the car has grown in length and in width allowing for more interior space for both front and rear passengers. The interior is of a higher level than that known on the previous Fiesta’s. Gone are the hard plastics and in go the softer plastics, piano finish and soft leather and more attractive interior. Starting with a large display screen on the centre console that is perfectly positioned not to allow for any distractions from the road and a fabulous sound system to the joy of my ears. The exterior, although very recognisable as the Fiesta, is even more elegant than before. The lines are straighter and more prominent, the bonnet seems softer and the front is dominated by the wider grille and the wrap around headlamps. The profile is also softer on the eyes with the waist-line stretching to the headlamps and the windows lengthened to give more of a flowing design. As we have already mentioned above, the safety features introduced are way more than one would expect to find in a B segment vehicle. The car offers a total of 15 driver assistance technologies and safety features amongst them the lane departure warning, forward collision alert and blind spot detection, thanks to the two cameras, three radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors installed around the car and that also scan the road ahead up to a distance of 130 metres. Other safety features are the
traffic sign recognition, active park assist with perpendicular parking, park out assist and pre collision assist with pedestrian detection, offering safety not only to those on board but also to pedestrians one may encounter on the road. Other features that we found would be very useful are the edge door protectors, ideal for our kind of side-to-side parking and narrow driveways. The company has also taken up many of the suggestions given by previous Ford Fiesta owners such as, lower interior road noise, windscreen wipers that clear 13% more of the windscreen and doors that may be closed with less effort than on previous models. The car is available with a choice of engines and in a choice of models. Engines vary from the 3 cylinder 1 litre 70bhp, 85bhp, 100bhp, 125bhp and 140 bhp to the
1.5 litre TDCi in 85bhp and 120bhp in either 5 or 6 speed manual or 6 speed automatic gearboxes. The models are the Trend, Titanium and the upscale Vignale with an ST version and a Fiesta Active Crossover to be introduced next year. What is good to mention is that the choice of engines will all be available on the ST version therefore allowing the sportier looking vehicle, attracting the younger age group, to come in lower performance variants. Something we are sure many parents with children that are first time drivers would welcome. The Ford Fiesta is definitely another success story and you our readers have the chance to test drive it too here in Malta as it is launched in time with the distribution of this issue of Wheelspin. So go ahead, find the time to try it out for yourself. You will not be disappointed!
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You know what it is like, you are sat in the school run traffic, the roundabouts seem useless to their task and there are more horns going off than a ship lost in the fog. My daily trip from San Gwann to Chiswick school should have taken just the five minutes. It actually took 30. During those perilous 30 minutes I witnessed more bumper to bumper action than the Indie 500. Whilst sat behind the wheel of my Opel TwinTop Astra I saw some terrifying driving and what was worse with children in the car. Not to mention the
anger.
Now, I know we can occasionally be a nation of hot heads, it’s in the DNA, it is in the blood (goodness only knows I married one!). But transferring that anger to the road is dangerous and quite frankly stupid. Out of the 94% of road traffic accidents
33% are induced by road rage,
defined as ‘sudden violent anger provoked in a motorist by the actions of another driver’. The emergency services call it ‘red mist’ and it only takes a second of someone to perform a dangerous manoeuvre for us to react.
It is going to happen. Someone will inevitably ‘cut you up’ or pull out in front of you. Someone will wind down their window and swear the entire vocabulary they have just to make a point. By expecting it we can get our mind to prepare for it and the easier it will be to ignore. Use neutral non-aggressive language and concentrate on the driving. Try not to respond by activating a hand gesture but instead wave. Trust me it’ll fox the other driver and actually acts as an olive branch they won’t expect.
I’m all for saving the environment and car sharing is the way forward. I’m not suggesting we should ditch our ride and let’s all go and buy a Prius. No, simply get someone to enjoy the ride with. It’ll help control your emotions when others test you. And we get another car off the roads during peak times. Winner!
As a male I know it is too easy to let the provocation kick in, hop out of the car with chest out and shouting the odds dragging knuckles along the floor to get across our point. I’ve encountered it many times, but truth is we don’t know what the other person may do or more to the point if they have a weapon tucked in nicely by the door pillar. I find it so hard to believe our authorities do so little to promote better driving. That said there are some excellent driving instructors who do. So how can we combat this? How can we make sure we avoid the ‘red mist’?
I hate the word. It’s a killer and as far as I am concerned is a ‘cancer’ that can lead to so many issues we encounter. By getting behind the wheel stressed is only asking for trouble, in fact you may as well not bother. Wait, grab a coffee and listen to some music. Which reminds me, here comes a slight bit of bias, get the radio on. Driving to work or to your destination with your favourite radio show can act as a good diversion. Having a laugh and listening to your favourite track really does set you up for the day. We are lucky enough to have some entertaining breakfast and other radio shows in Malta, get them on!
How many times have you wanted to be that emoji on your phone that covers your face when your dad has been driving? Our parents may not be the best example when it comes to driving but we can certainly learn from them. They can pass down the clothes, the life skills but not their bad driving habits. No disrespect but life has moved on a bit since they first passed their test. However, I’m sure once they are in the passenger seat you can show them how it is done. If you are a parent always remember: our children pick up a lot, their minds are like sponges soaking up every little detail that will define them.
Here’s a tricky one, especially if you are a male! My wife knows that I can be as stubborn as I like when it comes to being on the road. There have been times when I have travelled past my own junction of a motorway in the UK just to make a point to another driver. I was young then, and less stubborn (I hope). Often if you admit to the mistake it defuses the situation and helps reduce the red mist. Try and avoid getting out of your vehicle and if the other person is still not happy just drive away, pull over when safe and take five. We are not perfect!
Come on people, you read this magazine because you and I love cars. Let’s not damage them or ourselves. Peace out.
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Try to avoid any obvious filming, it will only make things worse, especially if you are on your own. Lock the doors, dial 112 and ask for the police. Make a note of the licence plate of the other vehicle, get a good description and work out a plan to make your way out of the situation safely. Your car can be replaced, you cannot. Avoid any physical harm as you don’t want to be on the wrong side of the law and know your rights if you are. Remember, if you are assaulted FIRST you have the right to defend yourself. Let’s hope it never comes to this. And remember this is a small island, everyone seems to know everyone else and social media is not far away. With dash cams and smartphones with decent instant technology don’t be on the wrong end of it.
There is plenty of advice on the Safer Roads Malta Facebook page (administered by yours truly) and not forgetting the recent campaign by 89.7 Bay - check out their YouTube channel.
AN IDEAL CAR FOR THE ATHLETE! by Anjelika Balzan Ruggier Photos by Isabelle Whitmore Mizzi
The athlete’s lifestyle appeals to many of us in a lot of ways. Whether it is an individual sport or a team sport, you'll find athletes training intense sports such as running, swimming, cycling, tennis, basketball, football, boxing, etc. More often than not these are sports we are much better at watching than actually playing but that usually matters little. Athletes get to travel a lot and would need an ideal car to travel to places for their sport, even abroad. We all love cars - the designs, the power, the features but what would an athlete look for in a car? Most athletes would need a car that is spacious to fit in their sporting equipment and needs, especially when it comes to cyclists. Sport people also usually go for sporty cars. If you want to put the pedal down but need the convenience of a fourdoor car, there are a number of sport sedans that may fit the bill. The ideal sport sedan works as a daily driver yet ticks many of the boxes that traditional sport car enthusiasts will appreciate. When it comes to cyclists, however, a sedan car is not recommended. For cyclists, an ideal car would be an SUV or a van to be able to fit in their bikes and other equipment. The benefits of driving an SUV or a van are many and they are technically more practical, since one doesn’t have to stay dismantling the bike. A hatchback car is also ideal however you may need to put the back seats down to be able to accommodate your bike. If you have a love for sedan cars, or drive small cars such as smart cars, mini coopers, all kinds of two
door or two seater cars, then a bike rack will have to do. An athlete’s lifestyle has to be functional and at the same time practical. One has to consider that an athlete’s lifestyle is juggling between their daily job, their love for sport and family. Especially here in Malta, the car has to accommodate the juggling between all this and daily training hours.
automatic high beams and smartphone integration make the dashboard of even the most basic car a smarter, more userfriendly vehicle. Each car offers something to like no matter what road you’re traveling on or what sport you practice. What’s for sure is that the options out there are endless and whatever your sport, there are a choice of cars to choose from. And what’s most important, you’ll love choosing that ideal car too!
As a triathlete, I would personally recommend big cars since it is a sport discipline combining three sports swimming, cycling and running. Having said that, triathletes often need to carry various equipment and needs, and occasionally the need arises to change in the car. Some vehicles are obviously more versatile than others. Elite athletes need to determine which car best meets their active lifestyles. One obviously also has to consider the budget that one has to spend on the car. Driving might be more fun than ever, but all that speed can come at a cost. Thankfully, a host of technology upgrades, from lane keeping assisted mechanisms to automatic braking systems, means driving can be safer than ever, too. Perks like
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SPOT INFO
The New SEAT Arona The new SEAT Arona, made its debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, in September. This isn’t just SEAT’s first compact crossover. The new SEAT Arona fits fantastically within the SEAT SUV range as the little brother, as it combines the advantages of its compact dimensions for use in the city with its SUV qualities for use outside the city to go wherever the driver needs to go. Advanced technology, driving assistance systems and connectivity, the Arona is the perfect answer to drivers’ current demands. The Arona stands out for its dynamic behaviour, its spacious and comfortable interior and for its range of low-consumption and efficient engines. Coming soon at Continental Cars Ltd. Call on 23476350 for further information.
The all-new PEUGEOT 5008 - now here! Its name hasn't changed, but everything else has. The new PEUGEOT 5008 breaks new ground as a large 7-seater SUV. A new
contender in this growing consumer market, it boasts many strengths. The PEUGEOT 5008 SUV includes the latest version of the outstanding PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, Efficient Modular Platform 2 (EMP2), and a
plethora of high-tech features that enhance comfort and safety. Behind the elegant, dynamic design lies a superbly practical vehicle. With seven seats, the PEUGEOT 5008 is the first SUV to offer modularity on par with that of the best people-carriers. A range of powerful, efficient engines includes the PureTech Engine of the Year. Various trims and designs, as well as the sporty GT Line and GT versions are available for the new PEUGEOT 5008 SUV. The all-new Peugeot 5008 SUV is now on display at Michael Attard Ltd’s PEUGEOT showroom in Blata l-Bajda. www.peugeot.com.mt
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SPOT INFO
From drawing board to the INCAT shipyard Hull 089, the new 110 meter RoPax ferry on order from Virtu Ferries is taking shape at the INCAT shipbuilding yard in Derwent, Tasmania. The Wavepiercing Catamaran will carry 900 passengers and 23 heavy commercial trailers, equivalent to 490 truck lane meters or 167 private vehicles. The vessel will be named after Saint John Paul II. Virtu Ferries had the honour and pleasure of welcoming HH Pope John Paul II, on board ACC San Frangisk, on that momentous return voyage between Grand Harbour, Valletta, St Paul’s Islands and Gozo on 27th May 1990. His Holiness’ re-entry into Grand Harbour lingers in the Island’s collective memory. Saint John Paul II will be the largest RoPax Catamaran operating in the Mediterranean and the second largest in the world. The vessel is being built in accordance with the EU Maritime Green Policy, which seeks to promote an innovative, competitive and environmentallyfriendly maritime industry. The vessel will join the Jean De La Valette on the Malta-Sicily route to, in practical ever-day terms, bring Malta closer to Europe. At a cruising speed of 38 knots (70.4 km per hour) the Saint John Paul II will make the crossing in approximately 90 minutes.
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