Wheelspin Magazine - Issue 3 Spring 2009 by Wheelspin

issue 3 | spring 2009

miles ahead...

WHEELSPIN issue 3 | Spring 2009

Editor’s Note Fleur Balzan

Another three months have gone by and have they gone by fast! The first issue was a big challenge for us and the second was a continuation to further perfect a project started in less than ideal circumstances. What with the current economical situation which started even earlier for the Publishers b. Right new media Ltd. 19, Parish Street, St. Paul’s Bay, SPB 3361, Malta

motoring industry? Well, struggle we did and still do but the result is here for all to see in this third issue and we hope it will be just as popular, if not more than the first two.

Editor Fleur Balzan fbalzan@b.rightnewmedia.com

In this issue we have taken note of what you, the readers, have suggested. The articles are written with a clear mind bringing honest,

Contributors

genuine opinions written by us to best advice the public of what’s happening

Gerald Fenech, Lucio Facchetti Mark Attard, Edwin Zammit

in the motoring world. We have been hearing so much about the current

Design

prices which affect the consumer. But what does the consumer actually

Blade info@blade.com.mt

Wheelspin Promotional Photography Alexandra Pace (lab1977.com)

Hair & Make Up Cut Coiffeur & Shasha

Advertising & Sales Fleur Balzan +356 21576154 / +356 99805763

VAT issue, the new speed cameras and other matters such as the new car think about all this if politics are put aside? On a more positive note let yourself dream about the beautiful engines shown on this magazine. As we do each year, the Wheelspin team travelled to Geneva for this spectacular Motor Show and what a show it was! For a while, one could forget the bad recession effecting the motoring industry and actually admire those brands that have clearly made a hell of an effort to still offer the best irrelevant of the circumstances. Enjoy your read and welcome on board the Wheelspin dream!

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 IS DISTRIBUTED in all Malta Post outlets across Malta and Gozo as well as in over 40 selected petrol stations in practically every locality. One may also collect a copy of Wheelspin from Eduline in B’Kara, Spells - M4 Complex in Attard, Paper Clips in St. Paul’s Bay, KSL in Qormi, Mr. Clean Car wash in Lija, JA Autoparts in Qormi and Naxos Tyre Centre in Luqa.

A full list of outlets may be found on our web site www.wheelspin.com.mt

WHEELSPIN

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Muscats Motors Ltd. Rue D’Argens Gzira GZR1368 Malta Tel: (+356) 2326 4505 Fax: (+356) 2326 4592

Letters to the editor Hello, First of all congratulation for the fab magazine and tv program. Though I watch the tv program reguarly, this is the first time I managed to get hold of the magazine. It compliments well with the tv program. Keep up the good work.

Hi Dear Editor, Your new magazine is fantastic and even your programme Wheelspin. I really love it. Keep up your very good work! I shall look forward for the next issue. And in love with the BMW 1 series convertible is fantastic even the way you explained it.

Best regards, Sandro Zurrieq,

Thanks a lot, Maria Zurrieq

Hi, I would like to tell you that you have a very interesting program and I am proud of you because you are woman in a man’s world. Keep it up!

Well Done, Realy good magazine. Keep it up! Please get us more information about Land Rovers. Thanks a lot,

Proset Rita

Dear Sir/Madam, Congratulations for a top class magazine. Photos, print quality and content are all top notch, making the magazine a pleasure to read. With regards the Land Rover G4 Challenge competition the beneficiaries are the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society. Hope to be the wining email. Keep up the good work. Regards, Emvin

Regards, Yvette St. Julian’s

I would like to show my appreciation to a very fine programme. It was not only the first programme, it’s the best. If you please I’d just like to see more American Cars featured in particular corvettes. I wish you all the very best indeed. Yours Truly, Ray San Gwann

Winners of Landrover Competition is Issue 2: Maria Schembri & Christian Spiteri WHEELSPIN

In this issue spring 2009

features 06

International Events.

Watches, chocolates and cars - A trip to Geneva

Slow please. weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in Malta

Speed Cameras in Malta

Car prices in 2009

Still in time to grab your bargain

39 4

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15 Vat on car registration tax issue - Will the Government give in

39 Relevant Morris Minors 35 The Lady Biker 36 The Honda Fury 2010 The Motorcycle section

launched & tested

snippets

The Toyota IQ

regulars

Electric cars

Launches

- The way forward

New Ford Fiesta, New Toyota Avensis, The New Golf VI, New Renault Megane, Hyundai i10, New Mini Cabrio, Opel Insignia

Centre Pages Pullout

New Chevrolet Aveo

including an April to July calendar

We want to hear from you the reader. Write to us with you comments and suggestions and you could be the winner of a special gift courtesy of wheelspin. Send us an email on wheelspin@b.rightnewmedia.com or a letter on address ‘Wheelspin’, P.O. Box 24, St. Paul’s Bay

News

What’s happening in the Motoring World

American Auto Club Malta

1969 Oldsmobile Cuttlass Supreme

WHEELSPIN

WATCHES, CHOCOLATES

AND CARS...

WHEELSPIN

The land of wealth, the land of exclusive watches, the land of chocolates and most definitely, this year the land of cars! This is Genève in Switzerland, or more like it, the world famous Geneva Motor Show. Having travelled to several of the many International Motor Shows, I must say that Geneva has always been one of my favourites. In these last four years I have made it a point to visit this event in person together with at least 2 other members of the Wheelspin Team. Of course I would very much like our team in any motoring event to be much bigger yet, in Malta, the budget is what it is and our production teams have to work four times as much as any other member of a TV crew abroad. I would much love to have a larger group working on such an event. That would mean even more footage, fewer mistakes, and now with the magazine, even more pictures to choose from, not to mention less back aches from carrying equipment. I also wouldn’t mind having my make-up artist and hairdresser with me too. I can just imagine Shasha and Ferdine chasing me everywhere to get me ready for ‘in front of the camera’. Maybe I am lucky I’m not so vain! In reality that should be the norm for any TV crew and if my male journalist friend from an oil rich country has it, why can’t we have it too? Ahh I probably should not ask that question!

Back to the motor show and the subject in question, Cars! I must say that with the world economy being what it is, and with the motoring world going through one of the worst recessions ever, we were a little anxious about what the Geneva Motor Show would offer this year.

We were pleasantly surprised however, as it seemed that this event made car companies work even harder to present their beautiful machines in a more attractive, cleaner environment. The obvious theme was ‘green’ with particular companies, such as Fiat choosing to have the floors covered in artificial grass and the star of their stand being presented coming out of the ground. Low CO2, a welcome topic! In total Geneva offered 85 World and European premieres, and it would be impossible to name them all but I will try mention as many as possible. Back to the Fiat stand and the world premiere of the new Fiat 500 C. Yes, this is the famous ‘cinquecento’ as a colourful convertible and isn’t it cute! Fiat have managed to come up with a design that is so loyal to the original car and yet so fantastically modern. The presentation of this vehicle was also attractive as it featured beautiful music in the form of two female violinists and plenty of fire works and dried air shooting up from the floor. Made me think of some Euro Song presentation on a larger scale! Once again my

love for cars and music collide!! Art is art after all, whether it comes as a beautiful tune or an attractive set of four wheels!

It is so true that small cars have become the in thing! Most of the brands presented small, sporty vehicles which are truly eye catching. Citroen presented the Concept car called DS Inside. As much as

I had done my home work before our departure and knew that Citroen would be presenting this car, I actually had to search for it on the stand. That is because this small Concept car by Citroen was ‘hidden’ in a room behind the stand. The room was very dark but the

bluish purplish lights coming on every so often really gave this vehicle a mysterious feel to it. The DS is a celebration of the firms 90th year and the start of a new era for Citroen which is being presented to us with a new corporate identity. The DS brand is actually a revival of the DS luxury saloons hydropneumatic self levelling suspension system which made Citroen famous for its creativity and innovation in 1955. The DS3, DS4 and DS5 are to be launched in 2010 as three WHEELSPIN

new entries in the small, medium and large segments. They will be representing the new ‘Crèative Technologie’ philosophy. Another concept car presented in Geneva is the New Kia No. 3 Concept. This is a small, 5 seater MPV, though MPV may not give one a true picture of the size of the vehicle. The Kia No. 3 Concept is closer in size to a normal hatchback but, other than that, this car as presented is quite stunning. The car features short overhangs and large areas of glass. Its headlights are similar to the ‘Soul’ to arrive in Malta soon, however the front grille is more aggressive. The car was presented in a matte titanium grey colour with gold interior which actually makes it look like a very luxurious number. It is very likely that the production model of this car expected in early 2010 will not change much from the concept model and we surely hope so! More concepts and more Italian style this time with the Alfa Mito GTA Concept. The Alfa Mito is one truly awaited number and whilst going to print, we are anxiously waiting for this model to arrive in Malta. Having seen the production Mito in both London and Paris before Geneva, I cannot but try to compare between the two.

The concept is somewhat funkier if you know what I mean, aggressive in both looks and power and the 240bhp figure, as announced, is even more proof of this. The Alfa Mito GTA Concept was presented in a beautiful pearl

white that suits it well and gives it a true Alfa Face. The body is very muscular with a curvy front featuring teeny eyed lights and a smallish grill. If one had to compare the face to that of a human, this would be a perfect profile! A sporty vehicle is definitely always one I search for and having already seen footage of the new sporty number by BMW, the new Z4, it was the first car I searched for on this particular stand as this was going to be it’s European launch. Wow.. this car is one that left me breathless!! Beautiful is not a good enough word to describe it, ‘stunning’…. maybe, ‘gorgeous’.. completely! This car is a dream, aggressive but sexy. A comfortable 2 seater with a retractable hard top. The Z4 comes in a choice of three straight-six power units with engines ranging from 204 bhp and 306bhp. Ohh how I’d love to drive it! BMW also introduced the new BMW 730Ld as well as the 5 series Gran Turismo Concept vehicle which too attracted several admirers. Like everything else, what is beautiful to me may be described differently by others but in my opinion, BMW do have the most attractive, beautifully designed vehicles around right now.

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So many other brands presented one or more new models. One may have certainly forgotten for a few days what the motoring industry, as a whole, is going through and it was a true example that in bad times, one has to strive harder to continue to be seen and heard! The main icon on the Hyundai stand was the new ‘ix-onic’ Concept. It is being said that this vehicle is Hyundai’s answer to the Ford Kuga and if who we saw taking pictures of this number, none other than Mr. Martin Smith, Executive design director for Ford in Europe, means anything, than the proverb ‘there’s no smoke without fire’ stands true in this case. But then Ford also presented its own concept, the ‘io-sis max’, said to be Ford’s next Focus. I don’t know what it is but these two names get me confused, no matter how much I read about them both names are forgettable and one name is easily mistakable for the other. Is my memory playing games on me? VW presented the New Polo, Mini the new convertible and the John Cooper Works convertible, Toyota the new Verso. Nissan had several new models on the stand amongst them a new concept by the name ‘Qazana’ as well as the sporty 370Z and the new NV200. Bentley presented the new Continental Supersports, a car that caught the eye of actor and Californian Governor Arnold Swarzenegger whilst Aston Martin presented, amongst other cars the new DBS Volante and the One-77 and to everyone’s surprise, the revived handcrafted Lagonda. The Ferrari stand also shone with the presentation of the 599XX whilst Audi saw 3 new vehicles being presented amongst them the beautiful TT RS and the S5 Cabriolet. Power and beauty were definitely present at this spectacular motor show but as previously mentioned, green cars were also to be seen everywhere. Amongst these was the Seat Eco concept car, the Peugeot hybrids, the Magna Steyr Mila ev, the Mini E and the inventive new concept from Rinspeed, the iChange, some of which will be mentioned in other pages. It’s certainly no wonder that the Geneva Motor Show is a favourite. This event had never let us down and at times like these, it has certainly proved to be the breath of fresh air anybody involved in the motoring world needed.. I’m so glad to have been there and to have seen these wonders in person.

WHEELSPIN

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Motoring issues, cars, roads, speed cameras seem to be the topic of conversation right now. Whichever news I watch, whatever programme, there is always something related to wheels being discussed and not always by the experts! Wow I say!! About time that we asked a few questions about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening on our roads and I am not talking solely about the VAT issue which has made the headlines recently.

Very often over the past years other motoring journalists and I have sat down for a chat about what we meet on our roads. As one may imagine, several of us do not use the roads solely to get from home to work or vice versa or simply to get from A to Z. Our job also takes us out on the roads to try out the beautiful engines that reach our shores and very likely most of us would be familiar with pot holes that nobody has ever bothered about or those roads which, because not main arteries, are less likely to get that bit of tarmac every so often. Most recently, speed cameras were also a favourite topic of conversation and then you could still count them on one hand!

These have now increased and I cannot but question if this increase will benefit our country, our drivers or even our pedestrians.

WHEELSPIN

I do not want to be misunderstood but sometimes whatever we do in this country leaves a lot to be desired as nothing is tried and tested before confirmed as beneficial. If we take speed cameras as an example, over the last few years we had about six such cameras in different locations and with different speed limits. So far so good! We were given different reasons why we couldn’t exceed 60 km on Regional road, one of which was also the state of the previous bridge and yet, the speed limit on this road is still the same today after the bridge was practically rebuilt. The St. Paul’s Bay camera, previously located on Xemxija hill was at 45km whilst the Coast road camera and Zebbug stand at 70km. The Mriehel camera was rarely a topic of conversation though one cannot say the same about the Attard camera which shows a maximum speed limit of 50km. Wisely, the Xemxija camera was removed probably because whoever wanted it there in the first place was more disgusted by the fumes 45km left behind than the possible speeding this road allowed. Burmarrad was a better suited location though the 70km speed limit, in my opinion, could easily have been increased to 80km on such a busy, one lane road which rarely sees any pedestrians where placed. The same reasoning goes for Mdina Road Zebbug and the Coast Road even more so when this last one is slightly uphill. Are the authorities really aware of the emissions produced by slow moving vehicles? This reasoning also goes for the Attard camera although here a 60km limit would be more ideal since this road goes through a residential area. The new cameras, especially those on B’Kara Bypass, Mdina Road Qormi and near the St. Venera Tunnels are definitely more destructive than helpful. 60km speed limit!! Oops.. foot on the brakes, quick! These roads are already congested on several hours of the day and slowing the traffic down can only increase the ever growing

fumes this country produces. Can the authorities understand that a car needs to be driven and not pushed on low gears which in turn result in more emissions left in the air? When cars are all equipped with 5, 6 and now even 7 gears, in Malta we are restricted to using only 3 if and when we respect particular speed limits.

Once again I repeat I do not want to be misunderstood. Speed cameras are positive to stop over speeding and dangerous driving yet I cannot but question why certain speed limits were set so low especially on particular busy roads. It seems that all of a sudden, the country’s speed limits have been discarded completely and the revenue received from a regular, otherwise conceived careful driver has gone to the head or the pockets of those few. And don’t give me the story that the money is being used wisely on our roads and our localities or that the speed limits, as set, are to save lives! Try another one please.. and by another one I mean another excuse!

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VAT on Car Re gistration Tax issue â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will the gove rnment give i n? By Gerald Fene

As the controversy over the VAT paid on car registration tax between 2004 and 2008 rumbles on, it would be good for readers of our magazine to take a look at the hard facts of the matter. WHEELSPIN

The simple reasoning behind the matter is that tax cannot be paid twice and that appears to be the case with this VAT issue – at least according to European Commissioner Laszlo Kovacs who was recently quoted as stating that the Maltese government has abused its position in charging VAT on Registration Tax and that this VAT should be reimbursed to all those who bought a car between 2004 and 2008. However in what seems to be a rather incredible volte-facie, the government is sticking steadfastedly to its position insisting that no European law has been broken and that VAT charged was certainly not illegal. Basically, the government is basing its position on a similar case heard by the European Court of Justice against the Netherlands where the ECJ ruled in favor of that country. However it also ruled that Denmark was abusing its position regarding tax payments although the Maltese government is insisting that it’s position is similar to the one in The Netherlands not Denmark. It also seems that there is no common approach to the issue as each individual citizen who bought a car between 2004 and 2008 would have to open a court case against the government and this would cost in the region of € 1400 to start off – most of the VAT amounts paid on cars in the lower to middle range come to about that figure so one questions the sanity of such an approach even if it would turn out to be successful. Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has insisted that the government would have to pay around EUR 50 million in VAT back to customers who bought cars between 2004-2008 if it was found that this had been illegally paid. Although at first glance this appears to be a rather prohibitive figure, the amount is not overtly exaggerated. However there have also been subtle warnings that if the VAT would have to be refunded, the EUR 50 million would have to recouped back in some other form of taxation. Sometimes it does seem that we joined the EU only for convenience sake and when citizen’s rights turn up these are conveniently pushed aside in favor of government autocracy. Two political parties have decided to take on the government at its own game and are filing court cases on behalf of individuals in the local courts. Although one may not question the genuinely of this move – it may smell of political opportunism – it will be interesting to follow what will actually happen and if the government will be found guilty of double taxation. There is no doubt that the public have nothing to lose by joining either party and it will save many the expense of taking the government to court on their own initiative. There is also a growing movement of information amongst car owners who had previously lobbied for decreased registration taxes on cars and who are keeping drivers updated on the issues. There is a group on Facebook which is proving to be quite popular and which posts regular updates on the situation regarding VAT on registration tax. This is important as it creates a certain element of camaraderie amongst those car owners who feel short changed by this arbitrary decision to impose VAT on registration tax and also makes customers more aware of their rights. We will continually be keeping you – the car owner informed on any developments in this crucial issue which if successful should send an important message to the authorities. 16

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Launches

Ford Fiesta ……Time to Fiesta! New Mini Cabrio – Youthful driving at its best! BMW Group in Malta together with Muscats Motors Ltd have launched the new Mini convertible and isn’t this car young and beautiful! The Mini may have remained small in size over the years however the features and drive this car offers today are certainly wiser and more thrilling than any other small car around. Style, drive and passion, certainly one car you would want to drive always open. And it knows it too as the new model logs how many hours it’s been driven with the roof down! I’ll have mine white please!

Earlier this year, Ford launched the new Ford Fiesta, one of the most awaited vehicles in this last year. The event was held at the Radisson SAS Ballroom in St. Julian’s and it was Gasan Enterprises Managing Director David Gasan who made his introduction before the vehicles were unveiled. Several different models of the new fiesta were available at the launch and Glen Warren, Sales and Marketing Manager for Gasan gave more details of specifications for the different models. The Ford Fiesta features a completely new design for Fiesta. Sporting the famous Ford Kinetic design, this vehicle had been presented as the Concept Verve in Frankfurt in 2007 and the production model has remained quite loyal to the concept presented then.

New Renault Megane… now more striking. Kinds Autosales Ltd recently launched the New Renault Megane in an event in which the media got to try out the new models on Maltese roads. The official launch was held at the Renault Showroom in Lija, and the presentation was opened by Ivan Grech, Sales and Marketing Manager for Kinds Autosales Ltd. The new Renault Megane, available as a 3 door coupe and a 5 door model, features a new face for Megane, a design which is most definitely more attractive than its predecessor. The 5 door version is available with practically every feature expected in a family car as standard, whilst the coupe version, which is longer and more muscular with a lower roofline, having an even more sportier appearance 18

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We got to try out the 5 door version in different engines and for the little time available, the car proved to be a very pleasant, easy drive. The handling is good and the performance very decent although it was difficult to really test this out when driving in a row with all the other media in other Megane vehicles. One thing we can truly vouch for is that this car offers a comfortable ride for both driver and passenger and we just wish we had the opportunity to drive it for longer and to drive the coupe model too. If the coupe is anything like it seems to be, then we can’t wait to experience the thrill of it. Hopefully, this will be soon!

‘Aston Martin - DBS’

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News

Launches (contd.)

News from Ssangyong

Small in size and price

The Seoul Motor Show opened its doors on the 2nd April and Korean Company Ssangyong has shown an almost production ready example of the C200 crossover utility car. The car is scheduled to be launched this year and the concept was first unveiled in Europe at the Paris Motor Show last October.

We have heard about the smallest, cheapest car, the Tata Nano and now Tata motors have announced the commercial launch of this small sized vehicle across India. The Tata Nano is BS-III compliant and comes with an all new 2-cylinder aluminium MPFI 624cc petrol engine mated to a four speed gear box.

Hyundai i20 – Essence in small bottles! We had already known of its arrival in Malta before the launch date but Meridian Enterprises chose to have the official media launch of the new member of the ‘i’ family towards the end of March. The presentation was addressed by Managing Director Francesca Mamo and company sales Manager Andrew Portelli. This last car from Hyundai follows on the successful Getz and it is set to be even more successful. The i20 is longer and wider that the Getz with a waistline curve from front to back which gives the car a very attractive feel to it. The car was designed and developed in Europe and is clearly aimed at European drivers. The 3 door version, launched in Geneva this year should also reach our shores shortly and it may be safe to predict that, with such looks the i20 is going to be a familiar icon on our roads.

The Opel Insignia The Opel Insignia, the vehicle that has been awarded, amongst other awards, the honour of ‘Car of the year 2009’ has finally arrived in Malta. The launch took place in the first week of April and journalists from different media were presented with both the 5 door and 4 door versions of this awaited vehicle. The presentation was done by Mr. Edmund Gatt Baldachino CEO of United Automobiles Ltd followed by Ryan Buttigieg the sales and marketing manager of the company. This completely new model for Opel is particularly important to the brand. It introduces a new sophisticated design vocabulary which features an elegant, artistic design combined with the German precision the brand is known for. The Opel Insignia offers a world of motoring luxury at a very reasonable price. It has been launched with a choice of 6 engines ranging between 110 bhp to 260bhp with an ecoflex version with low CO2 emissions joining the line up later next year. It is a car definitely worth looking into.

‘Red Dot’ Kia Soul The Kia Soul, the fun urban cross-over has become the first Korean Car to receive the design award from the world renowned ‘red dot’ awards, at the 2009 product design competition held in Germany. There were 3,230 entries from 49 countries in 17 different categories and the Kia Soul was selected from the ‘Automobile Transport and Caravan’ section.

VW – performance and economy As the new GTI hits the road, the new member of the Golf family, the GTD is unveiled at the Leipzig Motor Show. This new Golf accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 136 mph with an average fuel consumption of 53.3 mpg.

Kia Motors

‘Think’ electric

Kia motors have introduced the new KND-5 Concept at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show in early April. This concept vehicle features an exterior with a newly interpreted line and the striking LED headlamps of a luxury sedan.

With electric cars becoming ever more popular, the electric vehicle manufacturer ‘Think’ has signed an agreement to deliver 500 THINK city electric-powered vehicles to ElmoNet, a subsidiary of Mobility Service Netherlands. The Dutch government is calling for the rapid introduction of EVs and the Ministry of Transport has announced a fund of 10 million Euros as an incentive for early introduction of electric vehicles.

Also introduced in Seoul are the Forte LPI Hybrid concept, a car which will be sold only in the Korean market and the all New Kia Sorento CUV, a car which will have it’s European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Autumn.

Goodwood loaned Phantom Coupe’ Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has loaned the Goodwood Motor Circuit a Phantom Coupé for use as the official course car at this year’s Festival of Speed. The car will additionally be used by the Track Stewards Team to lead parade laps and other circuit duties at Goodwood, UK. The Phantom Coupé is finished in Darkest Tungsten with 21 inch forged alloy wheels. The interior features Smoke Grey Mono leather and Rosewood veneer and is complemented by a Starlight Headliner. The car has been fitted with special LED warning lights to allow it to be used as a course car.

New Avensis… Ugly duckling now appealing Toyota representatives, Michael Debono Ltd presented in Malta the New Toyota Avensis, the third generation of this model which, one may say, is way more attractive than its predecessors. In the past Toyota had focused more on fuel consumption and safety when it came to the Toyota Avensis however, this third generation is a clear indication that the company has also focused on design when producing this new model. Toyota has also used the ‘optimal drive’ system on the Avensis, a system used only on one other vehicle from Toyota. 19

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New Golf VI…A never ending story The sixth generation of the popular VW Golf was recently presented by Continental Cars at an event which saw several guests, including the media, present for a trip to the ‘VW Golf’ past. Prior to the unveiling of the new model, Continental cars showed some previous models of the Golf whilst Chev. Maurice Mizzi spoke about the popularity of this car over the years. The new model is available in 2 doors or 4 doors, with a choice of two diesel and four petrol engines all with the latest VW technology. The new Golf VI is sure to prove that this model will retain the popularity the previous models had achieved over the years.

Sporty dynamite! AMG is kicking off the new 2009 motoring season with a new dynamism: shortly after the launch of the new E-Class, the high-performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars is presenting the new E 63 AMG. This dynamic sports saloon with day-to-day suitability impresses with outstanding performance, thrilling handling characteristics and a technology transfer from the SL 63 AMG high-performance Roadster.

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Launched & tested

The New Toyota IQ has finally arrived in Malta and the official launch was held at the Toyota Showroom in Zebbug where Geoffrey Debono of Michael Debono Limited presented this small number together with a more ‘mature’ member of the Toyota family, the Avensis. Having seen the IQ at its launch as a concept in Geneva in 2008 and at other International events, I was looking forward to trying out this small number, to see exactly what the fuss was all about.

Toyota IQ

– Elevated Intelligence in size small! by Fleur Balzan

Needless to say, Toyota vehicles have a reputation of being solid, trustworthy, long lasting and fun to drive but a small car, with too short a wheelbase still had me doubtful. Being one that believes that a good reputation is more valuable than anything on this earth, I took the Toyota IQ for an afternoon spin, be it to prove myself right about the brand or wrong about my impression of a short wheelbase vehicle. I managed to do both! Once in the IQ, I soon realised that the inside of this vehicle was designed to give the driver the impression of being in a higher segment car. The design is attractive and the ‘key’ used to open the car is not inserted anywhere and one just has to press the start/stop button to start the engine. Although small, the cabin is wide enough not to make one feel cramped inside. There are 4 seats, however, the 4th one situated behind the driver, may only be used by a small child and this also depends on how tall the driver is, whilst the space in the boot is

tiny to say the least. That is, unless the back seats are folded down. The car I drove had an automatic gearbox, not my favourite and yet the minute I got on the road I realised that I may just enjoy this drive after all. From the start of my drive I did my best to take the car around several bends and corners testing the road holding of this small number. In Malta this was very easy to do while driving through city roads and I must say I was impressed with the ease the car handles these corners, even at high speeds, without ever loosing the grip on the road. Although the day I took the car out was quite cold, I tried the car while using the AC and the speed achieved was excellent and the lightness of the vehicle, said to be less than 900kg, made it easier to get the max of the 68bhp the car offers. Obviously, this is one car that is easy to park but not only because of its size. The IQ has a 3.9m turning circle which helps when it comes to parking in the tightest spots but also in turning the car on narrow roads of which our country is famous for. The IQ is one car that is also very clean leaving behind it between 99g/km to 110g/ km of CO2 emissions depending on the engine chosen. The only thing I question is why, with only 2985mm in length, this vehicle doesn’t come at an even better price.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;worth waiting forâ&#x20AC;?

CO2 emissions: 103 g/km Fuel consumption: 4.5 l/100km

Price: fantastically affordable

*As quoted in

(page 35, 18th February 2009)

Industrial Motors Ltd. National Road, Blata l-Bajda, HMR 9010 Tel: 2124 2936 Fax: 2123 4769 Mobile: 9999 1666 Email: info-iml@iml.mizzi.com.mt

Suzuki will be present at the Easter Egg-Stravaganza at the Splash and Fun Park from Sunday 5th to Sunday 19th April.

Car prices in 2009 – still in time to grab your bargain by Gerald Fenech

As the year continues to go by and we are already in April, now seems to be a great time to buy a new car with most of the prices on practically all brands having gone down – in some cases substantially – in price. Although the cars which have gone down the most in price are the higher segment vehicles as those which cost much more obviously move exponentially, there are also some good bargains to be had in the smaller sized market at least for the coming weeks. The new car registration charge now takes into account the length of the car as well as the amount of CO2 emitted by the vehicle’s exhaust in grams per kilometer. Reductions can be found all across the price ranges and car segments but if you look carefully, you can really find some good bargains even in the small sized market. A typical example is the Subaru Justy which has gone down by around EUR 1400 when compared to its 2008 and that’s a substantial reduction when one considers its price range. In the same bracket one can consider the Fiat Panda which has seen a reduction of as much as EUR 2000, yet again a considerable amount considering the price tag of this particular vehicle model. Comparable models which have also seen considerable reductions are the Hyundai i10 and i30 which have seen price drops ranging from EUR 2,100 and EUR 2,850 respectively. WHEELSPIN

If one had to move up a segment then the popular Subaru Impreza models which come in various engine sizes have also seen significant reductions when compared to 2008 prices with the 1.5R and 2.0R Petrol versions going down by EUR 2,001 and 1,901 in price. Another brand which has experienced substantial price reductions and which is also popular amongst Maltese car lovers is Alfa. The price cuts range from a substantial 10,350 Euro on the classic Spider 2.4JT DM Diesel model to just EUR 200 on the 159 3.2 JTS V6, obviously in line with environmental considerations. However the 147 which is probably the best selling car around here has seen a price drop which is substantial; almost EUR 6,000 for the 1.9 Distinctive version, which certainly makes it more attractive for a new buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pocket. The GT and Brera models have also seen substantial drops in price which also amount to almost 10,000 Euro in the case of the Brera 2.4 JTDm. Renault models have also seen considerable price reductions including almost EUR 1300 in the case of the Clio 1.2. The Megane Scenic has also seen a reduction of almost EUR 2,000 which makes it a good snap in the current environment. Larger sized cars such as the Subaru Forester Diesel and Impreza Hatch Diesel have seen reductions of over EUR 3,000 but the price is obviously much more expensive when compared to smaller models.

Other brands Other brands have also seen their vehicles come down in price. Although the exact figures were not available to us at the time of going to print we can confirm that brands such as BMW, Mini, Peugeot, Citroen and others have also gone down considerably when compared to the prices in 2008.

New models New cars which have recently been launched are the New Megane, the new Golf VI, the Hyundai i20, the Toyota IQ and the Ford Fiesta. Although these are obviously new cars, it is worth noting that some segments have been particularly reduced in price with the Fiesta now starting at around EUR 13,900 which is a pretty good price for such an all round vehicle. The Hyundai i20 is currently being offered from EUR 11,400 with several features as standard, a price which is excellent for the features that this vehicle offers.

Conclusion:

shop around before you buy As one can see, the new registration tax has brought about some great discounts this year when compared to 2008 prices. Some cars have moved down quite a lot in price although there are large gas guzzlers which have seen minimal reductions or have even gone up slightly in price. True that prices are still not as cheap as other EU countries however, the net effect seems to have been positive for the consumer in general and when one considers that a new car does come with all the guarantees it is worth going for. One should also take a decision quickly as with the new models being launched this year, prices have mysteriously edged upwards or remained pretty much at the same levels we used to expect in the past. The new circulation fees are also a factor which has to be taken into account when buying a new vehicle.

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Silver Stamp replica to commemorate the 2000th anniverSary of the Birth of St. paul

for more information contact: philatelic Bureau - maltapost p.l.c. 305, triq Ă&#x201C;al-Qormi, marsa mtp 1001, malta tel: 2596 1740 fax: 2124 2764 email: philately@maltapost.com

Electric cars – the way forward? by Gerald Fenech

become

ever

environmentally

conscious and fuel becomes more of an issue, the car industry is looking closely at engines which run totally or partly on battery power. Hybrid vehicles have already made some sort of inroads into the market; the Toyota Lexus is definitely a case in point but the trend appears to be moving more towards the all-electric vehicle. Here we take a look at two cars which are ready to take the motor industry by storm in the not too distant future.

The Mini E – comfort and efficiency all in one strong package The MINI E, the world’s first all-electric car was launched with much hype and huge interest at the Los Angeles Motor Show last January. It’s packed with firsts amongst them carbon-free driving (zero carbon emissions) powered by a 100 % electric motor, seamless acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 8.5 seconds, and a top speed of 152 km/h (95 mph) – that’s big news for a small car. The MINI E is the future of mobility - and creative use of space at its best! BMW and Swedish power group Vattenfall have also launched a pilot project to test the feasibility of electric cars in Berlin. BMW provided 50 electric MINI models while Vattenfall Europe established a network of charging points throughout the German capital. “We want to know how typical customers drive an electric vehicle in all day use,” BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer said in the statement as the project was presented to the German environment ministry. “We also want to have a realistic view of the technology’s potential,” he said. The project has already started off in Berlin and has been a considerable success. Rinspeed iChange – a concept car for the future – it also runs on electricity The Swiss auto powerhouse Rinspeed recently presented the ‘iChange’, the world’s first car whose body adapts to the number of passengers on board. For Rinspeed boss Rinderknecht the vehicle is more than just a clever concept car. “The ‘iChange’ is a symbol for the fundamental changes the auto industry undergoes worldwide. And it is clear that only those companies will survive that have innovative answers for the demands of a new automotive era.” The visionary Rinderknecht is convinced that the days of gas-guzzling behemoths are coming to an end: “The ‘iChange’ is a signal for the coming global changes to individual mobility. We need to be ready to meet these challenges with new ideas”, he says. The basic idea behind the ‘iChange’: The energy demand of a vehicle depends mostly on its weight, the type of engine it uses, and its aerodynamic properties. The engineering-services company Esoro that traditionally builds Rinspeed concept cars has built an extremely lightweight car weighing in at only 1’050 kilograms. To power the car, the Swiss specialists chose an electric motor. The idea of the pop-up rear end was conceived to account for the sizeable effect aerodynamics play in fuel consumption. While other cars always have to ferry around their puffed-up exteriors that can accommodate up to seven passengers even if they’re just transporting a single soul, the ‘iChange’ features an adaptive body. The sole driver is conveyed in a teardrop-shaped car that offers optimal aerodynamic properties and thus minimized energy consumption. If more than one person need to be transported the expanding rear provides room for two passengers. As a result of the increased weight and no longer optimal aerodynamics the energy consumption increases - but only for the time passengers are actually on board.

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The energy for the electric motor comes from lithium-ion batteries that are available in two different stack configurations for short- and long-distance driving. The electric motor of the ‘iChange’ produces 150kW, capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 220 km/h. The sprint from rest to 100 km/h takes just slightly over four seconds. This impressive performance is made possible with the help of a sixspeed pre-selector gearbox from the Subaru WRX car. The central research department of Siemens AG (Corporate Technology, CT) supplied the integration technology for engine/generator, electronics and battery connection interface. Siemens has long been one of the world leaders for energy systems and eco technology with pioneering concepts for electric drive systems. Its products cover the entire electric value-added chain from generation to distribution to consumption. The gearbox and drivetrain are lubricated with eco-

friendly lubricants from Motorex. Custom-made lightweight 17” and 18” forged wheels with aerodynamic shrouds are supplied by lightalloy wheel specialists AEZ. Pirelli P Zero tires in size 215/40-17 in front and size 245/40-18 in back provide optimal grip. The front lights derive from the Opel Insignia, the rear lamps come from the Opel Astra Twin Top. These two cars are just some of the many which will be running on electricity in the years to come but surely they provide an experience which is completely unique in many aspects. There are also other cars which run on alternative energy such as the Chevrolet Volt which was also featured in our TV programme recently and which should prove to be quite a success in the smaller car market. What is definite is that the electric vehicle is here to stay and is a tool for the future.

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www.chevrolet.com.mt

*Extras not optional The new Aveo

* * Extras included! Aveo 5drs Manual Trans Standard Specifications • 1.2 L Petrol Engine • Power Steering • Air Conditioning • Electric Windows • Height Adjustable Driver’s Seat

• Tiltable Steering Wheel • CD Player / MP3 • Coloured Bumpers • Metallic Colour • Rear Fog Lamp

AVEO MIRA MOTOR SALES LTD MEMBER OF THE ZAMMIT GROUP OF COMPANIES Mriehel By-Pass, Mriehel BKR 3000 Tel: 2278 1278 Fax: 2148 0150 Email: chevy@zamgroup.com

• Dual Airbags • Side Airbags • Front & Rear Headrests • Rev. Counter

Small cars are the in thing right now and more brands are realising the importance of these vehicles especially in these times when clean air is one of the world issues. One particular brand which is doing very well with its small number is Chevrolet and the Aveo. According to Betty Moscato, Director Brand & Marketing Chevrolet Europe, ‘the Aveo is the most important model in Chevrolet Europe’s range’. In 2007 more than 111,000 people in Europe opted for an Aveo/Kalos and it is thought that with the new optically upgraded hatchback models, this line will continue to give more success to the brand. The new compact model is aimed at 2 car families in Western Europe where the car is a favourite to use in urban traffic due to its agility and easy handling. In Southern European markets however the Chevrolet Aveo is a full-fledged family car.

The Aveo hatchback also bears Chevrolet’s new design language, as characterised by the large horizontally split radiator grille with a body-coloured crossbeam, and the brand logo sitting proudly in the middle. The dynamic details include large, curved clear-glass headlamps and fog lamps that project like spotlights from the lower part of the bumper. The engine hood follows the line of the radiator grille. Eye-catching contours that run to the A-post underline the sporty look. The interior also presents itself in a modern and inviting way. The instrument panel is clearly divided into four chrometrimmed controls and a centre console with striking air vents, a fully integrated audio unit and large, easy-to-operate air-conditioning dials. The smooth plastic surfaces and the soft-touch finish of the dashboard and the upper half of the door panel are particularly pleasant to the touch.

The Aveo comes with a choice of two gasoline engines: A new 1.2-litre unit with 84 hp, and the optimised 1.4-litre unit, which now develops 101 hp. The larger gasoline engine is also optionally available with automatic transmission. Among the technical features of the new entry-level engine are two overhead camshafts with chain drive and a so-called port deactivation system with flaps in the intake ports. Both engines are more frugal than their predecessors when it comes to fuel consumption. Despite the extra horse power, the 1.2-litre engine will consume 14 per cent less and the 1.4-litre engine 10 per cent less in the MVEG fuel efficiency comparison.

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The Lady Biker by Fleur Balzan

Sometimes I wonder how I got my love for cars, wheels and the thrill of a power drive! I do not think it was my upbringing though I do remember standing at the wheel of my grand dads old blue Peugeot 302, I think it was, pretending to drive. I must have been just 2 ft high then and it is one of my earliest memories. Never did I contemplate it could be my name. Not until now at least!! Well, I recently met up with an old friend with whom, besides sharing a class with some 25/30 years ago, I also share a name. We didn’t realise it then but it seems that, that was not all we shared.

Her first motorcycle was a bright yellow Honda 400cc and now, not only does she drive a bike but she can easily handle the maintenance of it too. Changing the oil, cleaning the chrome, no job is too tough. Whatever it takes, a true lover of engines!

Fleur Cilia Buckett (no relation to the famous Hyacinth from ‘Keeping up Appearances’) is a 38 year old green eyed blond also with a love for wheels. That’s two wheels I mean! Apparently she has loved motorcycles from a young age but never quite believed she would be driving one. Not until a few years ago when she finally decided to take the plunge and go from being a pillion to being a driver.

Yet, who does she get her love for wheels from? Well, Fleur’s father, Maurice ‘tar-Rex,’ as he is known, also has a passion for vehicles and he has been the proud owner of 3 Jaguars, a 1962 Corvette, a Honda CRX and, oh yes, a Harley Davidson. So is this a ‘like father, like daughter’ story? Maybe it’s not the name after all!

Being the sensible type (comes also with the name.. hahaha), she bought all the protective gear that’s needed for motorbike riding and before long she was at the motorcycle school determined to get her licence. I was very impressed by Fleur’s emphasise on safety and she quickly stressed that the protective gear is very important when driving a motorcycle and no driver should go out without it anytime of year. Proper boots, gloves, jacket, the lot, even in the hottest of weathers! She didn’t always think it that way but it was Sean, her boyfriend that made her think straight. Rightly so as no matter how good a driver one may be, a motorcycle does not provide any form of barrier should an accident occur.

The Lady biker they call her! A wild flower that’s as tough as any man, yet beneath the bikers clothing, a woman of strength and passion with a love for living! What’s her future bike? A Yamaha R1..Go for it girl, you deserve it.

I asked Fleur what she found to be most difficult when it came to controlling a motorcycle and immediately she told me that it was its weight. Fleur being of average height with a very slim physique I could quite understand that, yet she quickly replied that it just takes a little getting used to. One just has to learn how to handle a motorbike without necessarily using too much strength. WHEELSPIN

Honda Fury 2010 The Real Custom by Lucio Facchetti

Unveiled at the International Motorcycle Show of New York, this Fury has attracted all passionate eyes upon her. American custom, style, chopper soul and Japanese technique make the Fury the mother of all pearls in “H-D fashion”, one that aims to give a refreshed look to this segment.

THE DESIGNERS ON THIS PROJECT HAD THE TOUGH JOB OF CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF THE CHOPPER AND INDEED THEY HAVE MANAGED TO PUT TOGETHER A BIKE FULL OF ARTISTIC PERSONALITY. ‘Home-made customisation’, ‘uncomfortable ride’ and ‘work of art’ this is the history of the chopper. Bearing this in mind, Honda wanted to give its new-born a touch of its own, conveying advanced visual study as well as functionality, precise finishing, quality and reliability. Its dainty and elegant fuel tank is a perfect blend of the classic and modern designs making the predominant 1312cc V-Twinn chromed engine strike you. Besides having a fierce façade, a harmonious V engine sound and a comfortable and intuitive driving posture, Honda Fury will deliver the authentic driving experience one dreams of. High speeds are no longer that important, though the power is all there, and one may 36

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appreciate the open drive and the caressing breeze on the face. An 1809mm wheelbase, the longest ever produced by Honda, makes the Fury most adequate for straight, lengthy roads and less for curvy roads due to 38 degrees turning angle. At only 69cm above the ground, this motorcycle may be an attraction for female bikers despite its weight of 247Kg which surely are not effortlessly handled. V-Twinn inclined at 52 degrees (compression ratio of 9.2:1), liquidcooled with 3 valves per cylinder and electronic fuel injection (EFI) and an 1312cc engine, the Honda Fury is well thought-out to exalt comfort and a progressive pleasant ride though without extreme performance. For this 5-speed transmission a compact reactive shaft drive was preferred to the traditional belt and chain. This, although not commonly used, gives comparable results. In particular, Honda decided to use such an approach to exalt qualities such as smoothness and endurance; it also contributes to render a clean overall profile. The 45mm fork and 5-position spring preload adjustable rear suspension ensure maximum comfort and frames a 90/90-21 front tire and a sizable 200/50-18 rear tire, all of which emphasise the refined rims.

The brake system is composed of a single 336mm disc with twinpiston calliper at the front and a single 296mm disc with single-piston calliper at the back. Undoubtedly, Honda did not create this bike for high speeds and great performances on the road. However, using a front double disc would have been a better choice. Its perfect sized seat offers the motorcyclist a steady and comfortable ride. On the other hand, the passenger may not enjoy such comfort due to the discreet proportions of the seat above the mudguard. In addition, the passengerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handhold is limited to a strap attached to the seat. It is therefore advised that a backrest is installed for enhanced safety. The headlight is anything but outrageous and the handlebars are very close to the rider even though they seem short. Furthermore, the LED taillight is perfectly integrated into the fairly wide fender creating a unified look. Its instrumentation is partially analogue and partially digital, distinguished by a white display. Simple, pleasant and direct, it recalls the classical style to the modern days. The chromed exhaust pipes cross the engine and gear box on the right hand side of the bike. These end as double silencers which were purposely designed to revoke the illegal image while respecting the current environmental measures.

Honda Fury will be available in the following colours: - Dark Red Metallic - Metallic Silver - Ultra Blue Metallic - Black - Matte Silver Metallic (2010 special colour - limited production). A vast choice of interesting accessories allow one to personalise the motorcycle namely the rider and passenger seat, passenger backrest pad, chrome accessories and front chin spoiler. The 2010 Honda Fury price is not the only question left unanswered. Doubts arise as to whether it will be commercialised in the Europe. Up until now, it is only expected in the American market, though dates are still unknown. After all the effort and struggle dedicated to the design of the Fury 2010, I am convinced that Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s empire looks forward to leave its mark in a sector where for a long time Japanese constructors have had to listen in silence to the American myth. The journey is yet to start but the Fury will definitely be a winning card which we will very soon see along the famous Route 66â&#x20AC;Śand why not, maybe even on our roads! WHEELSPIN

by Mark Attard Since the day I had my first ride on a Morris Minor, some 35 years ago, till today, there were only a few days that I had not been in touch with these cars in one of many ways. As a kid I used to be driven around in a two tone split screen 1952 series II Minor and as a young teenager I was in charge of the orderliness and cleanliness of our family car, which was then a red 1961 Morris Minor 1000. There I go at the age of 18, got my driving licence in a mog (Morris Minor in short for us fanatics), so then I learnt how to pay for fuel and maintenance, which was kindly sponsored by dad just before that. Our red ‘1000’ is still with us to day, up and running but since 2001 my focus turned to the lovely Morris Minor Tourers. My dad’s dream was to own one, but it never materialised, so it became somewhat like my own dream and it has almost materialised three times for me till today. My first convertible is a 1961 series 3 Old English White tourer, which I restored by 2004. The second was also a series 3 tourer which I finished in black exterior and red interior. At the moment I am restoring my third, my granddad’s series II, a daily runner for 35 years and should be back on the road in a few months time. In no time these cars have caught the attention of all my friends and relatives (funnily enough this constitutes to a good percentage of the Maltese population). So I thought I would do my best to promote the relevance of these wonderful marvels and offer my collection as classic transport for special occasions, starting with my own cousin!

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Whilst at my other cousin’s wedding in Rotterdam, I was going through a frequent occurring routine showing around some photos of my classic mini collection to all the family and it did not take long to learn of my cousin Jane’s wedding date last year and our mutual accord to put the little runners to good use for their ‘tie the knot’ feat. And from that day, I was counting milliseconds to this event. I must admit I went through all the web pages of the car hire companies in the UK and all over the world, having Minors for rent especially for weddings to get an idea on how to decorate and ‘make up’ the cars for the occasion. I was a bit worried about the restricted space for the bride lying on the backseat, but this just added to the challenge of keeping up figure for the bride so as to fit in, with clearance! No need to say about the excitement of the day! The weather was on our side, a lovely May day in Malta is tops, and that is what we had. Hot enough to mete out a sun tan on the Dutch guests and cool enough to keep us from sweating under our ceremonial attire, it was a day to remember especially for my little Polly and Carrie which had their maiden voyages as classic wedding vehicles. From that day onwards and through a website that I had created, I had some more requests for the cars for other weddings and their popularity seems to grow stronger even for other events like advertising and classic tourist events. I am really proud of these cars (and that is probably the reason why I now own 8 of them!), not just because they were reliable for 60 years and still counting or for their character and lovely shape and features but for the ability of making people smile and turn their heads not to miss them.

Web pages: http://www.morries.bravehost.com http://www.freewebs.com/pearlcarhire

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In this edition we take a look at another vehicle which forms part of the American Motors Club. This particular vehicle is a 1969 Oldsmobile Cuttlass Supreme, a car bought by its present owner during his time in Canada. This particular Oldsmobile Cuttlass Supreme was built by General Motors in Canada and it has a 350 c.i.d engine with a 4 speed manual (hurst) floor shift gearbox. It is a two door hard top with 5000 original miles on its clock. The back wheels are larger than the front, a change the owner opted for as it was the ‘in thing’ in the sixties and seventies. Air shock absorbers were installed and other modifications were done except on the engine. The front wheels remained original whilst the spare wheel is still in it’s original state and has in fact, never been used. The present owner had bought the car when he arrived in Canada when the car was practically new and with very low mileage. Apparently the previous owner had bought the car for his wife who refused to drive a manual transmission car. Like most typical Maltese who love a car for its drive, the present owner jumped at the chance to own such a vehicle and made sure it was very well taken care of and garaged. The car was considered such a treasure that the owner bought a second vehicle for every day use and kept this Oldsmobile Cuttlass Supreme in mint condition. Once the owner returned to Malta, the car was brought back with him. This goes to show how vehicles can be a treasure to many. It is still very well kept and garaged and definitely a car worth featuring on Wheelspin! 42

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