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now, the regions Best Automotive Resource
DEC 2014 Issue no 160
2015 Maserati GranCabrio & GranTourismo | 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale | VW XL Sport | Renault Eolab | Peugeot Quartz | SEMA & LA Motor Shows | Motorsports
cover story
2015 Maserati
Granturismo
36
Centennial edition of
Maserati sports cars
36-43 2015 granturismo and grancabrio

44-49 2015 ferrari 458 speciale
NEXT ISSUE
Oman and regional news
2015
lincoln mkc
6-14 Renault Trucks introduce reinvented

line-up in Qatar, Refreshed 2015 Porsche
Cayenne in Oman, Dramatic regional
unveil of Fords all-new Mustang in
Dubai,Fords new business unit now fully
functional,Motoring extravaganza in
Dubai, Inspired Light By Infiniti, Highoctane drifting at the Red Bull Car Park
Drift Grand Final, Harley-Davidson Open
House Day held in Oman, Lotus F1 drivers
captivate Dubai Mall visitors, YALLA MINI
Roadshow programme touches the
Sultanate
exclusive
16-17 2015 aston martin lagonda

progress
COVERstory |
2014 automan coty
18-20 nominees announced
brandwatch
22-24 Maybach badge returns as top-ofthe-line S-Class, AMG releases details of

new trim levels, Mercedes now owns 25
per cent of MV Agusta, Infiniti to preview
next Q60 with Detroit concept, Infiniti
appoints new creative agency, Mazda
begins Mexico production, SsanYong
names its forthcoming SUV, MINI to limit
model expansion, Hyundai Genesis tops
ANCAP ratings, More cars included in
Takata airbag recall, Total names new
CEO
26
International news spotlight
30
44
56
Car crazy central
Poles apart when it comes to presenting

cars at SEMA or LA
50
70
26-29 2014 sema Show report

30-32 2014 la Motor Show report
special feature
34-35 past, present and future cars

in paris
First drives
50-54 2015 audi a8l

56-61 2015 mercedes-benz e400 cabrio
concept car previews

62-65
66-67
68-69
70-71
72-75
ferrari fxx k
renault eolab
peugeot quartz
toyota C-HWR
vw Xl sport
MOTORSPORTS
76-79 F1 ready for 2015 season with many

changes, regional motorsports, porsche
gt3 cup, mondiale finale in abu dhabi
Chicane
80 Interstellar and the great void
editor-in-chief
Mohammad Al Taie
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2014
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100, 90, 80, 70 and could we reach 60? No, that isnt the result of applying brakes on a
speeding car or indeed seeking newer and lower speed limits. By now everyone knows
that the most logical association to this sequence is the drop in the price of crude oil as
measured in dollars per barrel.
It seems almost inconceivable that we are witnessing this sustained drop in prices. The
last time there was any significant downward pressure on oil prices was at the height of
the financial mess as economies contracted and demand for oil fell. Post 2010 that slump
has been pushed aside, with a massive rebound in many places of the world, with only a
few pockets still facing recessionary pressures. So then whats happening to bring cheer
to the faces of government officials in oil-importing countries, while giving heartburn to
their colleagues in exporting nations?
Politics and commerce as so intricately bound together that you just cannot see where one
ends and the other begins. Low oil prices hurt Russia, hopefully keeping them busy while
the Ukraine imbroglio is sorted out. But it also hurts the intrepid US shale gas producer
who uses fracking as a means of extracting trapped pockets at a higher cost. It definitely
will hurt Oman if it sustains for any length of time as our relatively higher cost of extraction
associated with enhanced recovery methods needs a better sale price. The timing is also
bad, since the relatively higher prices of the past years had allowed the government to
embark on some strategic infrastructure improvements that will come online over the next
few years.
However, there is an underlying certainty the price will rebound some day. The moot
question is how long will we see these lower prices stay (and will they go as low as 50
dollars)? Knowing how people react to these lower prices at fuel pumps around the world,
one hopes that the on-going electric and hybrid revolution doesnt take a hiatus. There is a
window of opportunity that technology provides to actually make these new technologies
so efficient that they make sense even in a low oil price regime.
In the meantime, a new law on competition and consumer protection has been passed,
much to the delight of the PACP. It strengthens their hands as they protect the consumer
and theoretically encourages competition by allowing more than one source for a product
brought into the country. We will definitely keep track of the effects this has on Omans
car market. Wishing all our readers a great 2015!
Now, Automan is available in bookshops in

the United Arab Emirates too! Get your copy
or let us know which outlets you would like
to see us in
Bruno Blin
| www.automan.me | Dec 2014
enault Trucks chose Doha as the

location to roll out its completely
new line-up of trucks. Marking it
as an event that happens only once in
twenty years, the company highlighted
the huge investment that has been made
to leapfrog ahead of their competition.
In addition to that, the event was
significant as the company chose to
introduce their C and K ranges to the
market, on the heels of the D range that
they introduced in 2013 as a facelift model.
At the launch, Bruno Blin, President of
Renault Trucks, said, In developing
the C and K ranges, we have deployed
significant resources to ensure these
vehicles deliver maximum reliability. Each
range has undergone rigorous quality
trials and have also been exhaustively field
tested under actual operating conditions.
Ruggedness, driver comfort, payload,
pulling capacity, and easy body mounting
are the features which set these trucks
apart and make these the perfect tools for
demanding businesses.
Bruno Blin, continued: Both new ranges
have been designed and developed
in close association with international
customers, who have been involved in
the project from the design stage right
through to testing under actual operating
conditions.
The Renault Trucks C range offers
superior driver comfort, exceptional
reliability and optimal fuel efficiency,
making it ideal for both long-haul and
certain construction applications. The K
range offers new standards in durability
and robustness. The front bumper is 100%
steel with headlamp protection and has
models that suit the harsh demands of the
construction industry.
Lars-Erik Forsbergh, President Renault
Trucks Middle East, said, These trucks
have been tested for over a year in
Oman in some of the toughest regional
settings. Oman presents the type of
extreme conditions in terms of heat and
Lars-Erik Forsbergh
Dec 2014 | www.automan.me |
Oman & region

news
Renault
Trucks
reinvents
its line-up
topography that are ideal to test a truck

to its limits. The new Renault Trucks
ranges performed extremely well with no
issues reported. This is vital for businesses
who need to be able to rely fully on their
vehicles for the maximum productivity.
Media and guests got an opportunity to
drive the whole range of the new trucks in
various body styles around the Losail Race
track. The events highlight was a grand
dinner held at the Diplomatic Club in Doha,
where Herve Bertrand, Director of Design
and creator of the new range, said, This
original design, as well as the attention
paid by the Hall of Design teams to the
sides of the vehicles, has added a great
deal of dynamism to the new ranges.
Renault Trucks in the Middle East has
a strong dealer network in 13 countries
and has experienced sustainable growth
over the past three years. Qatar is one
of the key markets in the region with an
expected growth of 30% between 2012 and
2015.
Harley-Davidson Open
House Day held in Oman
arley-Davidson Middle East and North Africa (MENA)s

organised the brands Open House Day event in Oman
last month along with the local dealership. Every year,
the Harley-Davidson community gathers at Open House Days
to celebrate riding culture while getting a preview of the latest
H-D motorcycles. This year was no different, with local HarleyDavidson dealerships across the Middle East putting together
exciting Open House Days to bring together Harley-Davidson
enthusiasts, friends and family, said Elsa Abi Nader, Regional
Marketing Manager at Harley-Davidson MENA.
The event saw approximately 150 riders meet up at the HarleyDavidson Oman dealership in Muscat for an activity filled day. The
Open House Day event also officially launched Harley-Davidsons
2015 line up of motorcycles in Oman besides promotional activity
related to sales by the dealership.
We are delighted with the way the Harley-Davidson community
participated in the Oman Open House Day. This year, weve
combined a superb array of motorcycles with a schedule of
exciting events that brought together riding enthusiasts, friends
and family for a memorable day, said Peter Grimshaw, dealer
principal at Harley-Davidson Muscat.
| www.automan.me | Dec 2014
news
Oman & region
Dramatic regional unveil of Fords

all-new Mustang in Dubai
he 112th floor of worlds tallest

building, the Burj Khalifa in
Downtown Dubai served as the
launch platform for a bright yellow 2015
Mustang. Ford Executive Chairman Bill
Ford came specially for the event which
was viewed live around the world on
YouTube as well as by approximately
10,000 local fans.
Viewers of the action spectacle witnessed
a dramatic journey that started with a hero
atop a cliff in Arizona taking an urgent
call. The unknown protagonist raced via
horseback, airliner, car, helicopter and
jetski to Dubai to deliver the iconic pony
badge. Only in the final scene on the 112th
floor of the Burj Khalifa 399m above the
ground was the protagonist revealed
with a wink and a nod as Bill Ford, the
great-grandson of Henry Ford.
Today we planted the Ford flag in the

Middle East & Africa, an exciting, vibrant
region that represents the final frontier
for growth in the auto industry, Bill Ford
said. We also sent a message to the world
that Mustang is going global after 50 years
as Americas greatest motoring icon.
And depending on market, the line-up
will be offered with upgraded V6 and V8
engines. Meanwhile, an all-new 2.3-litre
EcoBoost engine that brings stateof-the-art technology to Mustang will
also be introduced. The Mustang GT will
continue with the latest edition of the
throaty 5.0-litre V8, which now features
an upgraded valvetrain and cylinder heads
that yield more than 420hp and 529Nm of
torque. A new intake manifold improves
low-speed breathing for better fuel
economy, idle stability and emissions.
New business unit now fully functional
Ford established its new Middle East & Africa business unit this year, which covers
the companys automotive business in 67 Ford markets in North Africa, Sub-Saharan
Africa, South Africa and Middle East regions. Industry sales in Middle East & Africa
are expected to grow 40 percent to 5.5mn vehicles by 2020. To meet new customer
demand, Ford pledged to launch 25 vehicles in region by 2016, including the all-new
Mustang debuting next year. A century ago Henry Ford had a vision to open the
highways to all mankind, said Jim Benintende, president, Ford Middle East and
Africa. Placing our regional headquarters in Dubai lets us tap the innovation and
imagination thats flourishing here, helping us to bring our founders vision to this
part of the world.
10 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014
In addition to the new

Mustang, Ford will also
introduce new vehicles
such as the Ford
Focus, Ford Fusion
and Lincoln MKC in
the Middle East and
Africa. The company
also announced the
accelerated rollout of
many new technologies
to the region,
including EcoBoost
engines, SYNC in-car
connectivity, inflatable
rear seat belts, MyKey
and other driver assist
technologies
Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 11
or motoring aficionados in the

region, the Dubai Grand Parade,
an annual city-wide motoring
extravaganza featuring the largest convoy of
super, luxury and classic cars and bikes in the
region is one good reason to hang around.
This year the parade took place on
November 28 and the programmed
kicked off from Meydan Race course in
the afternoon. The parade featured over
400 cars and 130 motorbikes in various
categories ranging from luxury to extreme
performance. The 45km route took the
participants in some of the most iconic
Dubai landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and
Burj Al Arab.
The event also set two Guinness World
Records the first one being for the
largest number of car brands [58] in a
single motorcade which completed a
3.2km tour around the Motor Village. The

second world record was established
for the longest selfie relay when 289
participants joined hands to generate
sheer excitement at Motor Village.
Motoring
extravaganza
in Dubai
The parade featured participants from
UAEs car clubs and private car owners
and included the crme de la crme of
automotive brands including Aston Martin,
Bentley, Bugatti, Cadillac, Ferrari, Jaguar,

McLaren, Lamborghini, Porsche, RollsRoyce besides iconic two wheeler brands
like Harley Davidson, Ducati and Triumph
among others. A number of participating
cars were decorated in the colours of the
UAE national flag in celebration of the
UAEs forthcoming 43rd National Day on
Tuesday 2nd December.
The Dubai Motor Festival 2014 is organised
by the Dubai Festivals and Retail
Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the
Department of Tourism and Commerce
Marketing (DTCM). Held under the
patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan
bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Crown Prince of Dubai, DMF forms part of
the emirates strategy to use festivals and
events as a means to drive tourism growth
in line with Dubais Tourism Vision 2020.
The highlight of the evening was the Inspired Light By Infiniti, the
first of its kind painting by light show in the world performed
exclusively by cars, in this case the Infiniti QX70S Elite. Using highperformance engines in a blend of art and technology, precision
and innovation, the QX70S cars created visually mind-blowing
experiences through multi-colored fluorescent lighting, with
the complex yet exquisite choreography conducted by worldrenowned light painter Patrick Rochon.
Motoring action reached a peak at the Red Bull Car Park

Drift Grand Final, which returned to Dubai once again for its
championship-deciding round under the Dubai Motor Festival
umbrella. 17 of the finest drifters from around the region played
out their passion and skills in front of a packed arena with
the intense competition seeing the number of drifters being
gradually reduced to eight and then four before Jordanian
Ahmad Daham put on a scintillating display of high-speed
drifting maneuvers on his Nissan Silvia to be crowned the King
of Drift. Ali Al Baloushi from Oman and Egypts Haytham Samir
grabbed the second and third spots respectively.
Refreshed 2015 Porsche

Cayenne in Oman
The 2015 Porsche Cayenne was revealed
in the Sultanate last month. Porsches top
of the line SUV receives a minor facelift
and engine upgrades. For the region, the
model will be available in five versions:
Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne
Diesel, Cayenne S Diesel and, for the
first time, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the
first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV
segment. The Cayenne S drops its V8 in
favour of a turbo charged V6 without
dropping output or torque. With the
refresh, Porsche has consciously focused
on two significant areas: performance and
efficiency. These aspects come in addition
to some customary cosmetic tweaks and
detailing in jewelry.
YALLA MINI Roadshow

programme touches
the Sultanate
he MINI Showroom in Al Qurum

was quite busy last month as
the British brands custodians
organised a brand event involving cars,
customers and prospects. MINI models
on show included the John Cooper
Works Countryman, Paceman and the
MINI 3-door hatch, which launched
earlier this year. The all-new MINI 5-door
hatchback with three-cylinder engine
was the highlight model for the event
which included an interactive The
Container a pop-up space which

was used for branded merchandise
promotions, educating customers about
customisation and in-car connectivity
among others.
Commenting on Yalla MINI in Oman,
Divyendu Kumar, Managing Director of
Al Jenaibi International Automobiles said:
To offer our MINI fans the chance to
have fun with the British brand, MINI
Yalla was the safest and most unique
platform connecting brand experience
with an adventure that focuses on
MINIs premium build and engineering
excellence.
Lotus F1
drivers
captivate
Dubai Mall
visitors
Just days before the Abu Dhabi Grand
Prix, Lotus Formula One drivers Romain
Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado, were
seen hanging around The Dubai Mall
helping a film crew shoot a feature with
the Renault Twizy, a car which uses
technology from Formula One. Both
drivers raced down the alleys of The Dubai
Mall in this electric car.
Birth
of the
Lagonda
A
few weeks ago, Automan revealed

to the world the first physical
evidence of Aston Martins allnew four door sedan. The first working
prototype was sent to Oman quietly for
a real-time 20,000km test programme
in August. The images of the prototype
otherwise known as VP1 [validation
prototype] doing the runs in various
locations in Oman was shot exclusively
by us and during the run, we were able to
discuss some of the cars fundamentals
While Aston Martin has

released some more details
about the forthcoming
William Towns-inspired,
carbon-fibre bodied Lagonda,
Automan has exclusive
details on how the cars
development is moving
forward
Author: Chandan B Mallik
Photography: Elvis John Ferrao
with one of the test engineers.

The first step of the project began with
the M1. In this stage the car is built with a
representative body, powertrain but gets
no finished interior. The initial engineering
concepts are worked out on this car and
this car was first photographed wearing
camo.
So what do we know about the Lagonda
sedan after spending a day with the
test team and car? The incoming cars
architecture and powertrain come from
the Rapide S. The car is 145mm longer

than the Rapide and the wheelbase is
approximately 110mm longer. Under
the carbon bodied structure, up to the
A-pillar it identical and internally, up to the
rear transaxle there are no changes. The
main change is post the transaxle which
represents the engineering changes. The
propeller shaft connecting the engine to
the gearbox is still made out of carbon
fibre while the new extension 110mm
tube is made out of alloy. Effectively this
means the rear bulkhead gets extended

enabling rear occupants extra legroom.
However, the central tunnel is as wide as
in the Rapide and theres a similar bulge
at the rear which effectively restricts the
car to a four-seater. Sitting in the front,
the VP1 felt no different to a stock Rapide.
The interior of the prototype [especially
the dashboard which was grafted from
the Rapide] is more representative than
an actual final product, however, the
involvement of Aston Martins Q branch
in the cabin doesnt go entirely unnoticed
and the car was rich in leather bound
hand-stitched elements.
The powertrain in the Lagonda which is
same as the Rapide S remains untouched
and so is the air-conditioning hardware.
Interestingly, the cabin volume of the
Rapide S and the Lagonda is identical. This
is because of the absence of the bulkhead
in the Rapide where the boot area is
also included in the calculation for airconditioning.
The next stage of development following
the structural, HVAC testing is to prepare
a car with customer preferences. Aston
Martin will offer bespoke solutions very
much like Bugatti ensuring exclusivity.
This month a fully representative model
called Taraf was previewed at UAE. And by
the end of the year after the component/
validation sign off, the first customer
production car for sale will made.
Fifty Six Hot Cars

shortlisted For
this years edition
Its taken the Automan team more than a calendar year and thousands of kilometers and various geographical locations to test and
evaluate the shortlisted candidates for the third edition of COTY in 2014. From hundreds of cars driven overall with some intense
competition within the class/segment categories, the task has been Herculean. With grit, determination and strict time guidelines set, we
are happy to present the compilation of vehicles that have made it to this round. Following is the list of editorial nominees and participant
recommendations. And the final list of winners will be announced in the third week of next month. So, stay tuned for the final results and
also follow developments on www.automan.me as we break news.
Hyundai Sonata
Large Car
Hyundai Genesis
Large Car
Audi A3
Premium Car
Ssangyong Korando
Midsize SUV
Lincoln MKC
Midsize SUV
Lamborghini Huracan
Performance Car
Cadillac ATS Coupe
Premium Car
Infiniti Q50
Premium Car
Mercedes-Benz C Class
Premium Car
Mclaren 650S Spider/coupe
Performance Car
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Performance Car
Chevrolet Camaro SS
Performance Car
Bentley CGT V8 S
Luxury Car
Cadillac XTS V Platinum
Luxury Car
Maserati Ghibli
Luxury Car
Mazda3
Small Car
MG6
Small Car
MINI Paceman
Small Car
Maserati GT & GC Centennial
Performance Car
Kia Soul
Hot Hatch
Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG
Hot Hatch
Mitsubishi Attrage
Small Car
Toyota Yaris sedan
Small Car
Ford Fusion
Midsize Car
MINI Cooper
Hot Hatch
Volkswagen Golf R
Hot Hatch
Volkswagen Beetle
Hot Hatch
Honda City
Midsize Car
Lincoln MKZ
Midsize Car
Honda Accord
Large Car
Audi TT/TT S
Sports Car
Ferrari California T
Sports Car
Jaguar F-Type
Sports Car
Ferrari 458 Speciale
Performance Car
Aston Martin Rapide S
Luxury Car
Aston Martin Vantage S
Performance Car
Aston Martin DB9
Sports Car
Geely Emgrand 7
Small SUV
Ford Ecosport
Small SUV
BMW X4
Midsize SUV
Jeep Cherokee
Midsize SUV
Lincoln MKX
Midsize SUV
Mitsubishi Outlander
Midsize SUV
Nissan X-Trail
Midsize SUV
Subaru Forester
Midsize SUV
Kia Sorento
Midsize SUV
Chevrolet Tahoe
Large SUV
GMC Yukon
Large SUV
Cadillac Escalade
Premium SUV
Porache Macan
Premium SUV
Porsche Cayenne
Performance SUV
Maybach badge
returns as top-ofthe-line S-Class
Mercedes-Benzs new uber super luxury
S-Class Maybach flagship was launched
simultaneously in the US and China
last month. The car has been further
stretched by 207mm over the longwheelbase S-Class to provide extra
generous rear legroom. Even at 5,453mm
in length, the Mercedes-Maybach is still
well short of the 5,840mm-long RollRoyce Phantom. A number of special
extra-cost packages are available for the
rear-seat occupants and luxury features
include massage function based on the
hot-stone principle, and a first-class rear
suite package that includes a centre
console with cup cooler/heaters and
aircraft-style fold-out tables.
The new Mercedes flagship is expected
to cost US$600,000 depending on the
bespoke options ordered. Interestingly,

the price structure does represent a
premium of more than US$100,000 on
the most expensive current S-Class [the
S65L AMG], but it is also US$400,000
cheaper than the previous-generation
Maybach that cost US$1mn when it
was launched as a Rolls-Royce and
Bentley alternatively in 2004. The
S-Class Maybach will be offered with
4.7-litre 335kW bi-turbo V8 as the S500
and 6.0-litre 390kW V12 as the S600.
Externally, the Mercedes-Maybach gets
a number of special details to set it apart
from its smaller S-Class siblings, including
chrome touches such as radiator grille
louvres and Maybach badge on the boot
and C-pillar.
AMG releases details of

new trim levels
The performance arm of Mercedes Benz,
AMG which currently offers appearance
and full-on performance packages
has now created an intermediate
package called the AMG Sport lineup.
This package will slot between regular
Mercedes models fitted with the
optional AMG Sport Package and fullon AMG-designed cars like the C63
and the 911-fighting GT. AMG Sportbadged cars will benefit from a host of
mechanical enhancements including a
more powerful engine, bigger brakes, a
sport-tuned chassis and all-wheel drive

in select markets. The teaser image
published by Mercedes-AMG reveals
that the first two AMG Sport models
will be based on the C-Class and the
upcoming MLE Coupe, respectively. The
AMG Sport treatment will be gradually
applied to most of the Mercedes lineup
over the coming years and AMG hopes
the addition of the new model line will
allow its annual sales to top 60,000 cars
in 2017. This year, AMG is on track to
build a record-breaking 40,000 cars.
Mercedes now
owns 25 per cent
of MV Agusta
Daimler AG has purchased a 25 per cent

stake in Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta
via its performance brand Mercedes-AMG.
With the new merger, Daimler joins the
ranks of auto giants Volkswagen and BMW
that also have a motorcycle brand under
their umbrella. The Mercedes-AMG division
will actually be involved with MV Agusta
on an inter-personal level in a long-term
partnership, stated the company.
The Milan based MV Agusta is one of oldest
European motorcycle makers with an
illustrious legacy being the recipient of 75
world championship and constructor titles
including Moto GP and the Isle of Man over
the years. In the last 15 years however, the
brand changed several hands including
Proton and more recently Harley-Davidson.
Currently, Mercedes-AMG states that the
merger is restricted in the area of marketing
and sales with the German auto giant
providing the needed support to MV Agusta.
Giovanni Castiglioni, President and CEO
MV Agusta termed the merger as a perfect
brand fit with both the companies sharing
similar attributes for designing high
performance machines with excellence. For
Mercedes on the other hand, the inclusion of
the Agusta brand will allow the automaker
address high-performance enthusiasts
with automobiles and motorcycles. In the
long term though, both companies could
certainly use their expertise to bring forward
lightweight technologies as well as compact
and more efficient performance engines that
would power two-wheelers as well as four.
For the past five years, MV Agustas growth
has been limited to a double digits and the
merger with Mercedes-AMG is expected
to provide the push that the Italian
manufacturer needs. The brand showcased
the new Brutale 800 RR and Dragster 800
RR at the EICMA last month, and will enter
the touring segment for the first time with
the new Stradale 800 and Turismo Veloce
800 motorcycles.
Infiniti will preview the design of its

next-generation Q60 coupe with a
thinly-veiled concept car at the 2015
Detroit auto show in January. This fact
was was confirmed by company design
director Alfonso Albaisa in Los Angeles.
On January 13, youre going to see a
concept car thats very, very, very, very
close to the next Q60, said Albaisa.
While Albaisa didnt offer any other
details, but the next Q60 is expected
to be the two-door version of the Q50
sedan. This follows the logical path of

the current Q60 [previously known as
the G37 coupe] which shares much of
its styling with the previous G37 sedan.
Like the Q50, the Q60 should be ready
for a 328hp version of Infinitis 3.7-litre
V6. However, a new Daimler-sourced
turbocharged four-cylinder could also be
offered as well as the twin-turbo 3.8-litre
V6 from the Nissan GT-R as a performance
variant. The production version of the
Infiniti Q60 is expected in 2015.
Breaking news
Infiniti appoints new

creative agency
Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. has selected

Crispin Porter + Bogusky as its new
global creative advertising agency of
record. The agency will partner with
Infiniti in brand and marketing planning
and creative development, effective
immediately. Crispin Porter + Bogusky
has a demonstrated ability launching and
nurturing brands and is an excellent match
for our mission: elevating Infiniti to be a
global premium brand, said Vincent Gillet,
Infiniti Vice President, Global Marketing.
Their strength in leveraging multiple
communications channels made them the
obvious choice as our marketing partner,
and we look forward to their fresh thinking
as we continue growing Infinitis stature.
The Infiniti account will be based out of
the agencys Colorado, US office, where
strategic plans and creative work will be
developed. Regional offices for the agency
will be established around the globe
to service key regional Infiniti markets,
including China, Europe and North America.
Mazda begins Mexico

production
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that production of the
all-new Mazda2 (Mazda Demio in Japan) has begun at Mazda de
Mexico Vehicle Operation (MMVO), the companys new plant in
Mexico. MMVO President Keishi Egawa said; With the start of
production of the all-new Mazda2, operations underway at the
engine machining plant, and an increase in our annual production
capacity, we now have an even stronger production framework
capable of supplying global markets with SKYACTIV products
of the same high quality level as those made in Japan. At the
same time, we are pleased to be able to make a contribution
to Mexicos further economic growth. MMVO is Mazdas
third global facility to begin manufacturing the all-new Mazda2
following Hofu Plant in Japan, where production started in July.
SsanYong names its

forthcoming SUV
SsangYong Motor Company CEO, Yoo Il Lee, has announced the

name of the companys all new B-segment crossover - Tivoli. The
South Korean unit of Indias Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. plans
to launch the Tivoli, the brands first all-new vehicle which also
introduces SsangYongs new design language, in four years
domestically as early as January 2015.
The new car takes its name from Tivoli, the Italian town near
Rome with a reputation for style. Noted for its cultural heritage
and beautiful location, the gardens at Villa dEste have inspired
many others to use the name, including the Tivoli Gardens in
Copenhagen. The SUV has been under development for the past
three years and will be offered with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and
will complement Ssangyongs C-segment model line-up which
currently includes the Korando crossover.
brandwatch
Infiniti to preview next Q60 with

Detroit concept
news
Breaking news
Christophe de Margerie
Total names
new CEO
MINI to limit model expansion

Reports emerging from Europe suggest
that BMW Group has decided to reduce
development costs for MINI, which
is seen as the struggling brand in the
portfolio. The company will narrow its
product focus on existing core models,
including the basic hatchback variants,
the Clubman and the Countryman. It
is important to find the right balance
between growth on the one hand and
profitability on the other, MINIs chief
Peter Schwarzenbauer said at a recent
media event.
This means that some of the more

unconventional models, such as the Coupe
and Roadster could be axed down the road,
though the company has not yet formally
announced which specific models will be
eliminated.
Schwarzenbauer suggests that MINI will still
be working to innovate and evolve in the
coming years, eventually taking new an
unexpected directions. As with the current
trends, an electric offering is expected to be
added to the range, while customers will be
able to choose from more customization
options.
Total SAs directors named refining and

chemicals head Patrick Pouyann as the
companys new chief executive. Pouyann
will now head the organization after the
top slot became vacant due to the death
of Christophe de Margerie in an air crash
last month.
Hyundai Genesis tops

ANCAP ratings
More cars included in

Takata airbag recall
US safety regulators last month expanded
the number of vehicles in the country that
may be affected by recalls for potentially
defective Takata air bags that could spray
shrapnel at occupants. The US National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) said in a statement the number
of vehicles from 10 automakers covered by
recalls this year and in 2013 is now 7.8mn,
up 28 per cent from the 6.1mn announced
earlier. The NHTSA said the new number
corrected the vehicle list provided in
prior safety bulletins this week, adding
some vehicles and excluding others from
previous bulletins. Car brands which are
affected include Toyota, Honda, Mazda,
BMW, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Chrysler,
Ford and General Motors. They have been
linked to four deaths and resulted in several
lawsuits in the US.
Hyundai Motors new executive car, the

Genesis, has achieved the highest score
in the 21-year history of ANCAP testing
36.88 points out of a possible 37 and a
maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating. A
5 star safety rating is ANCAPs ultimate
measure of vehicle safety protection
for occupants and pedestrians. The
demanding assessment includes a
64km/h frontal offset test and a 50km/h
side impact test, along with a 29km/h
pole test, a whiplash test simulating a
32km/h rear-end crash, and a 40km/h
pedestrian impact protection test. A
minimum number of active safety assist
technologies (SATs) is also required.
The Genesis tally of 36.88 points
includes a frontal offset score of 15.88
out of 16 and a side impact protection

score of 16 out of 16. Genesis also scored
2 out of 2 in the pole test and a whiplash
protection test rating of good.
Earlier this year, the all-new Genesis
was the first and only rear-wheel drive
vehicle in its class to receive the US
Insurance Institute for Highway Safetys
(IIHS) highest honour as a 2014 Top
Safety Pick+. Genesis was also the first
rear-wheel drive luxury sedan to earn a
Good rating in the IIHSs small overlap
crash test. Genesis is Hyundais flagship
model and as such offers a high level of
physical crashworthiness and excellent
safety features as standard, said ANCAP
chairman Lauchlan McIntosh.
Spotlight
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Audi
Audi is focusing on design for its future cars and the first
hint of this has come, thanks to the Prolugue concept car.
The hand-built full-size coupe is a rolling exhibition of Audis
future. Executives hinted tha some design elements from
the cars interior and exterior will be incorporated into the
next generation of Audis large car portfolio, starting with
the new Audi A8 sedan due for sale in 2017.
BMW
Both 2015 BMW X5 M and X6 M SUV models made their world
debut at the Los Angeles
Volkswagen
VWs GTI based roadster concept is certainly a globe-trotter.
Meanwhile, the Golf R 400 is designed to whet the appetites of
those wanting more than just the regular fare.
Spotlight
Los Angeles
Motor Show
Chrysler
Ford
Chrysler unveiled the 2015MY 300 at the dawn of the Los

Angeles Auto Show. At first glance it looks like the design
was largely carried over but upon closer inspection there are
several subtle revisions. The interior is revised and improved
according to Chrysler. Key engineering changes include
new cast aluminium axles, updated electric power steering
system, improved adaptive cruise control, forward collision
warning, lane departure warning and other similar safety
and assistance systems.
Ford celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Explorer on

home ground by unveiling a facelifted model. In its instantly
recognizable profile, the facelifted crossover adopts a new
front bumper, a revised grille and restyled headlamps. The
styling changes are less noticeable out back but include new
tail lamps and an optimized functional spoiler. Meanwhile,
the interior is said to be evolutionary as it adopts higher
quality materials and key element is a new centre console
with proper buttons.
Honda
Kia
The Fit or Jazz compact hatchback as we know it has

been refreshed extensively inside out and Hondas third
generation versatile 5-door subcompact promises to bring
back consumers to its fold. The versatility of the 2015 Honda
Fit is fundamental to its design. With class-leading interior
space and versatility, courtesy of its center-mounted fuel
tank and ingenious Magic Seat, the Fit epitomizes smart
functionality with spacious and comfortable seating for five
and the ability to carry voluminous cargo, including long and
tall items.
The second model making a debut was Hondas newest and
smallest SUV the HR-V. Set to go on sale early next year in
the US, the crossover will slot below CR-V and will compete
with the likes of Chevrolet Trax and Mazda CX-3.
Making its North American premiere in Los Angeles was

the 2014 Sorento midsize crossover SUV. Although, it is a
mid-generation refresh, but with 80 per cent of the sevenseaters parts either brand new or redesigned, including
the chassis and cabin architecture, its essentially an allnew model. The US-spec model has an upscale design
with a tiger-nose grille that features a three-dimensional
diamond pattern. Three engine variants will be offered.
All three engines are mated to a six-speed automatic
transmission which can be paired to an optional all-wheel
drive system.
Bentley
Bentley has brought the Gran Convertible project back
on the table and is currently in the process of taking a
production decision on the Mulsanne convertible, therefore,
it also raises the possibility of a coupe variant. Bentley has
been off the flagship coupe and convertible market and is
looking at a possible return. Well, as a Grand Tourer, the
Bentley Grand Convertible certainly points in that direction.
Lincoln
Lincoln kept its three year promise by introduced the
refreshed Navigator SUV along with the new MKC
Volvo
Following an online premiere from the beginning of the
month, Volvo officially showcased the V60 Cross Country
during the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Lexus
Porsche
The 2015 911 GTS and Cayenne GTS were the key two
introductions out here
The LF-C2 concept that made its global debut here is a

design study in the form of a 2+2 roadster and explores key
styling themes involved in the Lexus brands future, bolder
styling direction. The LF-C2 is also a luxury Grand Touring
concept inspired by the brands passion for driving.
news
2014
Barely a few weeks after the European automotive extravaganza

in Paris, the last show for the year on North American soil was
held in Los Angeles last month. And, here too, among the familiar
faces were some surprises too. Here are the key highlights
from the show.
Mazda
Resurgent Mazda debuted the all-new Mazda CX-3 crossover
SUV, which is the fifth model in Mazdas line-up of newgeneration vehicles that feature the full range of SKYACTIV
technology and KODO - Soul of Motion design. The new CX-3
offers all the essentials people look for in a car: a design of
overwhelming quality and style, packaging developed solely
with the customer ease-of-use in mind, and the responsive
driving feel.
Cadillac
Cadillac officially unveiled the 2016 ATS-V Sedan and Coupe,
ahead of their debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but that
didnt dampen the mood of the audience. Cadillac describes
the car as a dual-purpose luxury performer, and hence
the ATS-V gets an aggressive front face with a mesh grille
and larger air intakes.The interior largely carries over from
the standard model but gains carbon fibre trim and a unique
instrument cluster with V Series graphics. Customers can
also order Recaro performance seats which feature leather
and sueded microfiber upholstery. A twin-turbo 3.6-litre
V6 engine powers the car and produces 455bhp 603Nm of
torque. It can be connected to either a six-speed manual
transmission (with Active Rev Match) or an optional eightspeed automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle
shifters. The models can be equipped with Carbon Fiber and
Track packages and the latter includes a lightweight battery
and a Performance Data Recorder. Both cars get stiffer
chassis with a unique shock tower-to-plenum brace, stronger
rear cradle-to-rocker braces and engine compartment
V-braces. Engineers also installed a retuned suspension, an
electronic limited-slip differential, Magnetic Ride Control and
a high-performance Brembo braking system.
Toyota
Toyota showed the production version of the fuel-cell
driven Mirai and also confirmed that the car would go on
sale in California in 2015. Already launched in Japan, the
Mirai(Japanese for future) is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
which is one of the first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to be sold
commercially. Toyota plans to build 700 vehicles for global
sales during 2015.
Chevrolet
Besides the usual array of cars from the line-up, Chevrolets
stand did have a rather unusual attraction in the form of a
concept car the Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo concept.
Designed to pay tribute to the innovative race cars that
Chevrolet and Chaparral Racing developed more than 45
years ago, the Chaparral 2X has a composite chassis and
an extremely aerodynamic body that requires the driver
to lay face down with their arms and legs splayed toward
the wheels. Power is provided by a laser-based propulsion
system that draws inspiration from advanced work
targeted at space travel and future aircraft design. The midmounted laser propulsion system pulses of light that focus
in a shroud creating shock waves that generate tremendous
thrust. The laser is powered by lithium-ion batteries and
an air-powered generator which help the car to produce
900bhp. Chevrolet says this will enable the concept to
accelerate from 0-96km/h in 1.5secs before hitting a top
speed of 386km/h. The second concept on display was
the Colorado ZR2 concept pick-up truck which has been
designed to preview a possible off-road variant. The concept
truck featured a rugged front end, revised grille design, tow
hooks and an integrated winch.
1914 Hotchkiss AD
20/30 HP 2eme serie
LIMOUSINE
1970 Citroen SM
1932 Fiat 508 S Balilla
Coppa dOro
1935 Voisin C28 Aerosport Prototype
1925 FordModel T
Coupe
1978 Citroen Mehari

1997 MINI Paul Smith
While this years Paris Motor Show saw plenty of exciting new car
launches, from Audi to Volvo and everything in between, but the real
gems from automotive history were exhibited in hall # 8. Automan took a
tour of fascinating automotive excellence since 1897
1982 Renault Formula 1 Type Re30
1897 Panhard & lECASSOR M2F
Photography: Chandan B Mallik
1935 Renault Viva Grand Sport

cabriolet (ACX2)
1939 Talbot Lago T150C SS 1939
1971 Maserati Boomerang

Concept-Car Ital Design
2008 Citroen 2 CV par Hermes
1971 Alfa Romeo Montreal Coupe Bertone
1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo
1957 Mercedes-Benz
300 SL Type W198 I
1939 Citroen Traction 11 B cabriolet
1950 Renault Juvaquatre Fourgonnette
1937 Peugeot 402 Eclipse
1964 La FACEL HK II
1958 Subaru 360
1970 Mercedes-Benz C111-II
1970 Toyota 2000 GT
1999 Renault Concept-Car Avantime
2001 Renault Concept-Car Talisman
2011 Smart <<forjeremy>>
2010 Prototype COURREGES Pixi

Maserati GT & GC Centennial
The Tridents
Centennial
Twins
Its Maseratis 100th year and what

better way to celebrate than to offer
twin Centennial packs on the outgoing
GranTurismo/GranCabrio twins?
Author: Raj Warrior | Photographs: Jorge Ferrari & Author
n occasion as important
as a centennial deserves
to be celebrated. After all,
getting those two coveted
orbs implies that a car
brand has been able to stick to its long
game, weathering markets, business
cycles and the unstoppable march of
technology to be selling products to
customers for so long. You just have to
remember that this year also marks the
centenary of the First World War and
you have an idea of how long the brand
has stuck around.
To mark the 100 year mark in the region,
Maserati played host to media from
various parts of the world that are
overseen by the Dubai operations right
here in Oman. Based at the Shangrila
Barr al Jissah Resort, the brand brought
together various engine and trim levels
of its Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans,
including a rather healthy diesel version
of the latter. The Quattroporte naturally
also debuted its new entry-level engine
taken from the Ghibli the 3.0-litre
V6 turbo unit. But these rather run-ofthe-mill models will be highlighted in a
The Centennial
editions of
Maseratis sports
cars leverage their
highest variants
ahead with special
paint, alloy wheels
and interior
trims making the
GranTurismo and
GranCabrio remain
interesting even as
they reach the end
of their product
cycle.
future story, certainly one where we talk

about the imperative of fuel-efficiency in
luxury marques.
For now, lets celebrate the opportunity
to drive the twin sports cars. Its no
great secret that the new Alfieri concept
will spawn a production version by next
year, the basis for the future sports car.
In that context you have to marvel that
a car born in 2007 still stays as modern
and relevant as the GT does but seeing
as to how even the Quattroporte (whose
platform is the base of the car) has
received a new generation of structure
and technology, it is little wonder that a
replacement is around the corner.
However special editions, especially
those that come in to keep older model
lines relevant do have some immediate
advantages in terms of the packaging
and both the Trident twins have that in
good measure.
Company officials highlight that the
centennial cars are MC based with the
coupe being based on the Stradale.
So what do you get extra? Theres
three more shades of three-layered
paint over the four already earmarked
for the Stradale. You get a further

exclusive choice of alloy wheel designs,
interestingly with the Centenary logo
raised on the hub.. There are also two
signature colours for the cars - Magma
red and Inchiostro blue for the GT
and GC respectively as shown in all
the photos we have taken here. And
the interiors also get a special edition
treatment with centenary logos around
the cabin and seats as well as on the
sill, while the colour scheme is largely
black with carbon-fibre inserts in the
GT and white with blue inserts in the
GranCabrio.
So is that enough of a reason to buy
either? Hardly, except for the
modicum of exclusivity that
the three-digits provide. What
should push your decision along
is that youre bound to get a
good package to incentivise
you in the purchase and you
will be buying cars that have
pretty solid, if a bit aging
underpinnings. You have to note
that the current generation of
supercar wannabes are largely moving

to the benefits of a DSG gearbox.
Slightly more weight admittedly but
offset by some rather quick gear
changes, so quick in fact that most
owners cant match the sprint. Add to
that the increased use of lightweight
construction techniques using
composites, carbon-fibre and aluminium.
The best thing about these cars is
that they arent small they take the
property of a larger wheelbase into new
territory by offering space in the cabin,
while maintaining a feline profile. The
engine is the Stradales race engineered
4.7-litre V8 unit with 460hp on tap
and redline thats well north of 7,000
rpm. Matched with a robotised manual
6-speed unit derived from the Ferrari
stable, the cars still stay very track
usable though they arent actually kitted
out with four-point harnesses.
The coupe is of course the better car
to speed away in it isnt significantly
lighter, but it is stiffer and you can feel
the extra torsional rigidity as you do a
quick crest and turn on the roads out
towards Sifah. The engine is highly

responsive, with the nice throaty feel
of a high-revving naturally aspirated V8
that imparts its share of torque exactly
when you need. In the context of a
modern gearbox, the robotised manual
does feel clunky. There is an almost
predictable feel to the way the gears go
scream, bang, scream through the gates
while you wonder at the environmental
mismatch to the beach road you are
hurtling along. On a track it would be
so natural, actually behaving like most
race drivers would as it keeps the engine
in the sweet spot of around 5,000
rpm. Here, you feel like shifting up way
before that, just to keep the car more
composed.
On the other hand the robotised manual
is completely free of the slow speed
jerkiness that characters the box on the
Aston Vantage for example.
Now the cars weight is above 1800kgs
but you dont get any of the tail-wag
that you may associate with that.
Around the corners there is just a feel of
some transfer of weight sideways, but
Umberto Cini, Managing Director of Maserati Global Overseas

Markets, said: 2014 is an important year for Maserati. We are
celebrating our centennial anniversary an important milestone
where we honour our history, but at the same time keep our
eyes firmly fixed on the future. Through exciting new products,
strong investment into production facilities and network
infrastructure as well as by entering new markets, we are on
track to achieving our global goal of producing 50,000 Maseratis
per annum while remaining true to what Maserati stands for.
The company has just announced its 2014 third quarter results. With 26,428 vehicles delivered to customers in the first three
quarters of 2014 and increase of over 250 per cent over the same period last year (September YTD 2013: 7,548), Maserati has
already far eclipsed sales of 2013 overall.
the chassis stays brilliantly on track and
you can power in as much as you want.
The track manners of both the cars are
further enhanced by the immediate
road-feel of the steering. The power
assist is variable with a nice level of
firmness coming in once you hit highway
speeds. The steering wheel is small and
well padded, allowing you to keep both
hands on it as you negotiate hairpin
turns and bends. In the nature of a
sporty grand tourer, you get the feel of
the road through your hands and the
seat with the lowered suspension and
stiffer springs it would be impossible to
miss. There is a level of lean as the car
goes around a turning point at speed but

a very linear move into and out of that
stance.
The seat architecture is balanced
between the needs of an out-and-out
race car and a road going tourer. You
arent actually going to drive a track day
in these seats, but the padding is firm,
with ample back support and easy entry
along with the full measure of power
adjustment. The infotainment system
is the one point where the brand really
needs to take a hard second look you
can feel the Chrysler sourcing there and
we know that the next generation of
Maseratis cars will have a new look.
To be fair to Maserati, we know that the

bulk of their newfound success must
be coming from the good-mannered
sedans that they are selling in increasing
numbers. Its hard to say no to the
power of the Quattroporte or the valuefor-brand positioning of the Ghibli. But
if you really want to feel the nature of
the beast you have to drive the sports
cars. You can opt your way from the
safety of a Comfort mode to the outright
immediacy of a full-blown track mode
and the car seems built for the occasion
in either situation.
2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale
Ferrari has once again excelled in

transforming a decent road going
berlinneta, the 458, which was
introduced in 2010 into a genuine track
focused car called 458 Speciale for
2014. Automan experienced the car in
Dubai and discovered how Maranello
accomplished the job
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: author and Nabeel Ferzan
Its so
Special[e]
erraris product planners seem

to be quite good mind readers
when it comes to generating
ideas for a new product or a
model line expansion. Ferraris
engineering team is also accomplished
and is able to support the product drive
as envisaged. As is the tradition with all
modern mid-engined Ferraris like the 458
and its derivatives [458 Italia and 458
Spider], Maranello created a great car, but
the question that lingered was something
like this: how to keep interest in the car
and take it to the next level? In terms of
positioning, Ferrari is very clear where it
wants this new addition to be: the 458
Speciale has to be the top performing
model in the 458 family on all accounts
without compromise.
I think someone at Maranello must have
thought on the lines of what if the
458 could reach out to its users as an
even more focused sports car that offers
extreme driving emotions? Well, thats
the impression we [myself and colleague
Nabeel Ferzan] got after spending a long
day and several hundred kilometers of
driving in and around UAE with the car.
The recipe used in this car is more
engineering focused and by this we mean
that elements deemed necessary be
it weight saving measures or advanced
aerodynamic tweaks among others
have being meticulously addressed. The
weight saving chapter is quite interesting.
In cold climate markets, the car will be
offered without air-conditioning and track

purists can even order the car without
radio or CD player. Giving the Speciale
its individualistic visual identity are the
new forged wheels, vents in the bonnet,
finned side sills, taller rear spoiler and
redesigned bumpers. The car is so special
for Ferrari that it even gets its own stripes!
The bumpers are also functional and
include active aerodynamics designed
by Ferrari Styling Centre in cooperation
with Pininfarina. They may appear small,
but the front and rear movable flaps
are specifically designed to balance
downforce and cut drag at speed. The 458
Speciale has an downforce (Cl) value of
0.53. Thanks to active aerodynamics, the
latter does not penalise the Cd which is
just 0.35. Ferraris obsession with aeroelements for a road-baised car is at its
peak out here. Meanwhile, at the rear,
the 458s triple exhaust tips have been
replaced with a conventional set-up placed
slightly higher up in the valance.
So how and when do these
aerodynamically-inspired elements work?
At relatively low speeds, when the vertical
flaps are closed they channel air into
the radiators to ensure cooling for the
engine. However, at speeds in excess of
170 km/h, the flaps open, reducing the
volume of air flowing into the radiators,
thereby cutting drag. At speeds of over
220km/h the horizontal flap lowers to
balance downforce between the front and
rear axles, leading to a 20 per cent shift
in overall downforce towards the rear.

Meanwhile, the turning vanes at either
side of the front bumper slow the air
flow which increases downforce, thereby
shifting the aerodynamic balance 4 per
cent over the front. Obviously, a lot of
precision work has been done to extract
every ounce of performance.
As expected, the spec sheet suggests
further optimization of power-to-weight
aspects and as a result, the software
managing the engine has been revised
along with power bump to 597hp at 9,000
rpm. Torque stands at 540Nm at 6,000
rpm and this makes the mid-rear-mounted
4,497 cc direct injection engine he most
powerful naturally aspirated 8-cylinder
which Ferrari has ever developed. Among
key engineering challenges besides
just boosting power was to improve
torque across the entire power curve
and this exercise involved increasing
the compression ratio to an exceptional
14:1, the highest value ever achieved by
a naturally-aspirated V8, which in turn
was achieved by cleverly altering piston
geometries.
Meanwhile, to help enhance performance
and handling due to powertrain
enhancements, the cars electronic
systems were updated. Ferrari engineers
have introduced side slip angle control
(SSC) to improve car control on the limit.

SSC performs instant-to-instant analysis
of the cars side slip, comparing it with
To an extent,
unprecedented
in the previous
Challenge Stradale
and 430 Scuderia
special series, this
new berlinetta is a
befitting result of
Ferraris commitment
and application of
extreme technology,
driving thrills and
performance in a road
going car
the target value and then optimising both
torque management (via integration
with F1-Trac traction control) and torque
distribution between the two wheels

(via integration with the E-Diff electronic
differential). With all these elements in
the package the weight to power ratio
(1,290 kg dry, 1,395 kg at the kerb, 90 less
than the standard 458) is equal to 2.13
kg/cv. In building the engine, Ferrari has
used its F1 technology transfer expertise,
including the production processes. And
since the engine is capable of revving
to around 9,000rpm, it uses redesigned
pistons made from a new material that
reduces overall mass. Ferrari claims that
new materials were also used for the
connecting rod bushings while specific
heat treatment (DLC: Diamond-Like
Carbon) on the piston pins makes for
greater fatigue and wear resistance.
On the suspension front, the Speciale
gets 25 per cent stiffer springs, improved
magnetic shock absorbers, slightly softer
anti-roll bars and upgraded ceramic
brakes. The pleasant thing about the car is
that inside the cabin, even where theres
evidence of weight optimization with
application of lots of carbon fibre even
the familiar dashboard is made out of
this lightweight extreme composite the
car doesnt appear to be stripped of its
essentials nor theres any inconvenience
caused to driver or passenger due to a
roll cage [it doesnt exist here] or absence
of luxury elements like the Alcantara-roof

liner. The thickness of the glass used has
been reduced to cut weight, while the rear
windscreen is now a polycarbonate panel.
The balance in packaging for the typical
Middle East user is well thought for.
Driving impressions
The drive to Jebel Jais mountain route
in Ras Al Khaimah is quite popular with
the motoring fraternity these days as it
allows drivers to extract undiluted driving
pleasure be it a sports car or supercar
without penalties. Once settled in, we
find that the onboard ergonomics are
functional with all controls clustered
around the driver and on the F1-inspired
steering wheel. This concept has been
further enhanced by the use of the iconic
bridge, a carbon-fibre wing that extends
over the central tunnel section, putting
the F1 gearbox controls at an ideal angle
to the driver. There is also a comfortable
leg rest cushion on the drivers side of the
tunnel.
The Jebel Jais winding route which runs
for several kilometres offers pretty fast
corners in both directions which in turn
demands concentration from the drivers
part and complete faith in the car. This
cars chassis set-up is very good even in
sport mode which does help a spirited
driver to overcoming a driving challenge
and motivate one to push to higher levels
of achievement. We note that the car is
at its best behaviour over really twisty
routes with demanding switchbacks and
camber changes. The cars Michelin Pilot
Sport Cup2 tyres really do their job well in
keeping the car in contact with the road.
Thanks to an additional 35hp and roughly
90kg less mass and a retuned exhaust, the
Speciale is slightly louder than the regular
458. Its 7-speed gearbox is programmed to
shift faster, while steering is calibrated to
offer quicker turn-in and most of all bigger
brakes help it stop shorter. This means,
the Speciale is a notch above the car on
which its based in most departments and
on performance/dynamic level, be it in a
straight line or around a track. Ferrari has

improved on the 458s sublime chassis
with a fresh dose of clever technology
and engineering and the fruits of these
enhancements are quite evident when you
drive the car.
Irrespective of whether its a regular patch
of road or on the track, drivers will surely
feel connected with the 458 Speciale,
thanks to the lightning fast speeds with
which it responds to every input and the
consequently natural control that it offers.
Even in extreme manoeuvres, this finelytuned handling chassis balance enables
the car to reach the highest performance
levels of any Ferrari V8 that we have
experienced till date.
The F1 dual-clutch transmission is a
blast to operate. It now features a new
control logic that delivers an even keener
sense of urgency during gear shifts.
The car feels much sportier as it shifts
up through the gears, with response
time to commands more prompt than
ever, thereby guaranteeing 40 per cent
faster longitudinal acceleration with
engine revs adapting 20 per cent more
rapidly. Conversely with the Fast-Down
Shift strategy, when down-shifting, the
transient time required for engine revs to
match the gear ratio is 44 per cent faster.
The computers in the car are programmed
to reduce the differential locking torque
during understeer
to liven up the
handling. On
oversteer, the
differential unlocks
and F1-Trac cuts
engine power to
keep the rear end
from overtaking the
front. The beauty
of the programme
is that its working
even when youre
not exploring the
extremes of those
scenarios and as a
result, the Speciale
doesnt overwhelm its occupants on the

move with unpredictablity. It remains calm
and surprisingly is very smooth even at
normal road going speeds which we found
pleasantly surprising over the recently
tested McLaren 650S. Steering weighted
well and basically point and shoot with no
questions asked. Due to road and traffic
conditions, we could drive in sports mode,
but not in the Manettino RACE or CT OFF
option, where we are aware that the 458
Speciale would transform into a track car
personality. In this extreme mode the
car makes the most of available grip for
improved acceleration out of corners,
greater ease and control on the limit,
and more consistent performance. To
exploit this aspect fully, it is obvious that a
controlled setting [like Dubai Autodrome/
Yas Marina] is definitely recommended!
Overall, theres this sophisticated go-kart
feel all along.
Verdict
The perfect road legal with sharper
reflexes Ferrari 458 Speciale joins the
Ferrari range alongside the regular fare
and like all specially created Ferraris it is
aimed at a specific kind of user. In this
case, those looking for more track day
type of fun without actually having to go
into the cumbersome bolt-on/off process,
here comes a perfect factory designed
package.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine type : V8 - 90
Total displacement: 4,495cc
Max. power output: 605 cv @ 9,000 rpm
Max. torque: 540 Nm @ 6,000 rpm
Weight: 1,290 kg
Weight/power ratio: 2.13 kg/cv
Performance
0-100 km/h: 3.0s
0-200 km/h: 9.1s
Top speed: >325 km/h (>202 mph)
Fiorano lap time: 1235
CO2 emissions: 275 gr/km (with HELE System)
2014 Audi A8L
A tasteful
proposition
Audi presents its updated A8L, its successful
top-of-the-line flagship sedan for 2014 and
keeps the momentum going. Automan spent
some quality time with this refreshed car in
UAE recently
ven three years after it was

launched, Audis top A8 sedan
and its variants including
the LWB A8L have been able
to impress punters with
its impressive blend of performance,
technology and luxury packaging. While
the current model series was introduced
in 2011, it came with an evolutionary
approach. Dimensionally, it was bigger
than the outgoing model and Audi
showered the premium car with ample
doses of luxury along with technological
wizardry.
As a result, the A8 and A8L overtook
many rivals and prompted other German
premium brands like Mercedes-Benz
to thoroughly re-package their S-Class
offering. Meanwhile, the third German
premium brand BMW is yet to showcase a
revolutionary interpretation of the aging 7
Series as a befitting rival.
For the current refresh, the familiar
silhouette is retained and model gets

minor cosmetic upgrades. Exterior
updates are minimal, but theres just
enough to differentiate the car now.
As before, the car maintains its longer,
lower and wider stance and with its long
wheelbase it still can claim to be the
biggest luxury sedan in the class. The most
evident new feature in the car evident is
the latest technology-driven Matrix LED
headlamps up front [see box]. For better
air flow, the surfaces of the lamps have
been flattened, and grille contours redone
and some minor tweaks have been given
to the lower valance. Even with the new
headlamp arrangement, this car radiates
understated elegance with its wellproportioned profile and stance. From the
broad shoulders to the long rear doors to
the signature six-window greenhouse it is
impossible to find an unattractive angle.
The LED lamps at the rear of the car have
also been revised in line with the revisions
up front. Meanwhile, in all versions except

the S8, the exhaust system terminates in
two large, trapezoidal tailpipe tips on each
side of the rear end. Fine chrome strips
and high-gloss black window frames round
out the revised design. There is a choice
of 12 exterior colours, including five new
ones. Wheel sizes range up to 21in for all
models.
In car construction technology, of course,
Audi is quite ahead with aluminium and
this aspect ensures that the A8 and
longer A8L still weighs less than most of
its rivals. The key factor in its lightweight
construction is the body, which except for
the B-pillars is made entirely of aluminium.
The smallest A8 is 5,140mm long on a
wheelbase of 2,990mm meters. It sports
a width of 1,950mm and is 1,460mm tall
which means that dimensions remain
unchanged. The A8 L gains an additional
130mm in both length and wheelbase.
Both body variants have a drag coefficient
of just Cd 0.27 with a TFSI engine.

Audi interiors are really impressive in
design and the refreshed car continues
with the benchmark tradition. As a result,
theres comfortable accommodation,
generous head and leg room and soft
touch surfaces all around. In terms of
features, theres strategic customizable
indirect lighting, tasteful wood accents
and premium switchgear plus the usual
array of kit. Despite the abundance of
premium luxury features and multiple
functions, the cars operating concept
In the automotive
food chain especially
in the Middle East,
most premium
brands fight tooth
and nail to be at
the top and hence
cars offered in this
segment come with
their respective
latest technologies,
premium
powerplants and
most extravagant
luxury features
scores top marks in terms of usability.
Central to the systems operations is the
MMI control unit with the large rotary
pushbutton. Our A8L tester was equipped
with the MMI navigation plus set-up and
the addition is identified by the touchpad
at the base of the central console. The
driver can manually enter characters
via the MMI touch to control numerous
navigation and multimedia functions.
The technology module Audi connect
including car phone complements MMI
navigation plus and connects the sedan
to the Internet. Occupants can surf and
e-mail freely on their mobile devices using
the Wi-Fi hotspot. Top end options in the
car include a high-end Bang & Olufsen
Advanced Sound System and rear seat
entertainment.
Our tester designated as the A8L 50,
meant that it came with a 3.0-litre TFSI V6
supercharged engine, which offers 310hp
and 440Nm of torque and this engine is

paired with a fast and smooth-shifting,
eight-speed tiptronic electronically
controlled automatic transmission and
is paired with quattro permanent allwheel drive. For this top end model Audi
complements this with the optional sport
differential, which distributes the power
between the rear wheels as needed.
The feature comes from the sportier S8
and is designed to give the luxury car its
enthusiastic driving character.
The A8 and A8L owe their sporty handling
character in large part to the chassis
where axle load distribution is balanced,
and all wheel control arms are made of
aluminium. The Audi drive select system,
which enables the driver to influence the
function of various technical modules
such as the steering and the accelerator
characteristic, is standard. It also
controls the adaptive air suspension with
adaptive damping, which adjusts the
bodys ride height to the speed driven.
Audi also offers the air suspension with
a sporty setup upon request. The cars
power steering now uses an efficient
electromechanical drive that reduces
fuel consumption and also enables the
use of numerous assistance systems. The
optional dynamic steering varies its ratio
with the cars speed.
New assistance systems which made their
debuts in the A8 when launched including
Audi active lane assist, which makes slight
steering adjustments when necessary, and
the park assist system with 360 display,
which handles steering when parking are
continued as part of the feature pack. Also
the head-up display which is elegantly
integrated into the instrument panel and
projects multiple layers of information
into the drivers field of vision on the
windscreen. The adaptive cruise control
with stop&go function is coupled with an
expanded version of the standard Audi pre
sense basic safety system.
Driving impressions
One of the things which comes across
immediately in this large sedan when on
the move from standstill is its prodigious
torque delivery. The way it has been
programmed ensures that this car remains
ultra responsive and alert at all times.
The acceleration performance from the
supercharged V6 chips in with no lag and
the lightweight steering gives the driver
a feeling of a lighter car. As before the
Audi A8L excels at driving dynamics. The
refined but audibly muscular V6 delivers its
power through the silky smooth 8-speed
automatic transmission which touching
the gears appropriately with minimum
fuss. We are now sure that the A8L rides
What is Matrix LED technology?

Developed by Hella for Audi, Matrix
LED technology is now standard in
the A8 L W12 and the S8 models. Hella
has extensive LED experience and
has closely worked with Audi. In fact,
LEDs were used by Audis R18 e-tron
Le Man 24-hour race winner where its
headlamp range was around 800m. The
idea at Hella was to consider how to
switch them off individually to split light
diffusion. Approximately, two years ago,
the company showed a concept
version of the proposed system.
It was a challenging programme
that demanded integration by
lighting, software, and optical
engineers and specialists, with the
added complexity of integrating
the system within the styling
confines of the current-generation
A8s headlamp dimensions. And
considering the size of the car, the
multifunctional headlamp is small
and it contains other functions, including
moving light turn-indicators.
With the challenges met in creating
the Matrix headlamps, the high-beam
element in the A8L [and in other models
wherever applicable] comprises 25

small, individual light-emitting diodes
per unit that can be switched on and off
or dimmed individually as needed. This
enables the headlight system to react
to oncoming or preceding vehicles and
blank out light with great precision while
continuing to fully illuminate the rest of
the road.
To operate MatrixBeam, the driver uses
the headlamps systems auto function
and selects high beam. Activation is
from 30 km/h in an urban environment

and 60 km/h outside it. When entering a
city, the combined 50 LEDs are dimmed.
A multifunction camera (it can detect
roadside warning signs) is placed behind
the cars rearview mirror. When other
vehicles are detected, the LEDs are

dimmed (or masked out as Audi puts
it) and then returned to high beam to
provide a very bright, homogenous light.
The company describes this as a highly
distinctive crystal-like glow.
The system can handle up to eight
targets, including the presence of
pedestrians, who get three headlamp
flashes (marking lights) to draw the
drivers attention to their presence and
warn the pedestrian of the approach
of the vehicle. The dimming system
can be overridden by the driver if
required.
Unlike a conventional headlight
system, MatrixBeam requires no
mechanical parts and is an ultralow
energy technology. The LED
headlamps of the A8 also include
cornering lights, adjusting the focal
point of the light using targeted
brightening and dimming in the direction
of the bend. When linked to Audis
MMI Navigation-plus technology, which
provides predictive route data, the
cornering lights activate momentarily
before the steering wheel is turned.
better and responds to steering inputs

with more certainty than its rivals like
the BMW 740i or Mercedes-Benz S Class.
Our A8L tracked through curves taken at
elevated speeds more confidently than
the rear-wheel drive BMW or Mercedes,
thanks to the all-wheel drive system. The
car is a delight to drive all day long. And
as a luxury car with sporting hardware
underneath, it is able to combine the best
of both worlds performance/luxury and
fuel economy. The brakes performed
consistently and evenly on the A8L, never
showing the slightest hint of fade. The
brakes are always at the ready, aided
by a programmed function that primes
the hydraulic system any time the driver
abruptly lifts off the throttle pedal.
Verdict
There is virtually no reason not to like this
German premium brands luxury offering.
The refreshed 2014 A8L confidently pitches
itself as a legitimate contender on almost
every level. Excellent comfort, superb
craftsmanship, technology upgrades and
a broad portfolio of high-end performance
features from the supercharged V6 along
with all-wheel drive help put the car in a
premium slot in the class it represents.
The Audi A8L MMI Experience

The navigation as well as the entertainment
system are accessed through the Audispecific MMI system. The navigation
system includes Audi Connect that brings
in-car internet connectivity as well Google
Earth integration an industry first in this
class. Google Earth integration provides
car users with panoramic views and highresolution 3D satellite imagery just like
the way you would see Google Earth on
your computer screens.
The MMI system is intuitive and features a
novel touchpad for entering destinations
or other info by writing out numbers and
letters with a finger. A similar touchpad
is available on the BMW X4, except that
the touchpad/scribbling pad is part of
the multimedia knob itself thus saving
space and exceptional ergonomics. On
the contrary, in the A8L, the touchpad is
separate and placed towards the lower
part of the centre console making it a
little far off for reach for drivers who like
to sit way back.
Navigation was spot-on and has no issues

with finding places. The knob-based input
is not as user-friendly as touch screens
and I sincerely think that that Audi
navigation engineers should start looking
at touch screen inputs rather than the
turn-based knob input. The navigation
screen is excellent and the maps are
quite elaborative and provide the user
with a whole lot of information. All in
all an excellent cabin with well-laid out
amenities and features.
Nabeel Ferzan
2014 Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabrio
Refreshed
&
recharged
Mercedes-Benz has attempted to offers

executive style in a better value package
with refreshed fourth generation 2014
E400 Cabrio. Has the magic worked in
this car? Automan attempts to find out
s part of the extensive

current line-up refresh by
Mercedes-Benz, very much
like its fixed-roof sister
model, the E-Class cabriolet
has also been extensively restyled and
updated for 2014. The styling changes are
visible even when the car is at standstill and
key among them which attract immediate
attention are the striking new headlamp
set-up which has now metamorphosed
from its signature quad look to an all-in-one
unit featuring lenses emulating the foureyed face. Meanwhile, fog lamps are now
resettled in the re-profiled front air intake.
Also theres a new grille and reworked front
and rear valances. The facelift and touch
point treatment is similar to what Audi has
done with its A8 models recently. However,

Audi takes its lighting technology codeveloped with Hella a few notches higher
than anyone else in the business. But that
doesnt mean necessarily that Mercedes has
fallen back. Actually, the German premium
brand has taken what it is good at and
incorporated the same in this car. Case in
point is the significantly upgraded driverassistance systems.
Meanwhile, in the styling department,
designers have tried to ensure that the
cabrio gets its standalone profile features
and unlike the 2014 E-class sedan and
wagon, versions the two-door models keep
their muscular rear ends, a design element
that has worked well in this car than on the
other larger siblings.
The cabin of the cabrio somehow doesnt

feel that it has been visited extensively
although Mercedes claim that it has been
given a thorough upgrade. According
to Mercedes, the cabin of all models in
the E-Class family were revised with the
aim of a new design harmony and the
most prominent new feature spotted
supporting this claim was the new trim
area with chrome inserts in the dashboard,
the three-tube instrument cluster and the
trapezoidal display of the head unit with
high-gloss surround and the new centre
console. Elsewhere, the car continues with
mostly carry over components and we
were a bit disappointed with the overall
treatment because some features which
in our view did need attention have not
been touched. Case in point: the rear seats
are a little low, so occupants in the back
might feel too low sitting in as front view is
obstructed. A stadium seating arrangement
could have been incorporated. Functionality
in this car feels archaic when you look at
how Mercedes-Benz has revolutionatised
the cabin of the S- and C-Class. There are

too many switches hanging around which
means that in this car Mercedes still follows
its one activity per switch/button formula.
The multi-functional controller between the
front seats is a welcome addition, although
its gets a bit getting used to the rotating
and pushing down for menus. The E-Class
cabriolet comes with an electrically powered
fabric top, not a folding hardtop and we do
spot niggle out here: the rag top mechanism
isnt class leading by any measure. Not only it
takes time to open or close, the mechanism
appears clumsy in the way it operates with
a thud. The rubber moldings supporting
the mechanism and damping are also not
so appealing to the eye when exposed. We
are sure Mercedes can fix these niggles
easily in this car which has a starting price of
US$75,500 in the GCC.
New to E-Class family options are features
like hands-free automatic bootlid opening
(activated by shaking a foot beneath the
bumper), while onboard infotainment
technology such as the companys latest
Comand system now features internet

access and uses apps such as Google search,
Google Maps, and Google Street View.
But its under the bonnet where a significant
change has taken place which in turn
is also responsible for the new naming
nomenclature. In both the coupe and
cabriolet, previously designated as E350,
were using a carryover naturally aspirated
3.5-litre V6, till the facelifted model arrived
in the latter part of this year. Mercedes
have now replaced this unit with a twinturbocharged V6 and interestingly, despite
its 3.0-litre displacement, the cars with this
unit are now identified as the E400. While
the badge change may not make sense to
some, the engine figures will surely interest
attention. This forced fed engine actually
makes more power than that of the E350.
The forced fed engine 333hp at 5,500 rpm,
up from the E350s 302hp at 6,500 rpm. The
torque difference is even more significant.
Whereas the E350 produced 273 lb-ft at
3500 rpm, the E400 makes it a far more
substantial with 354 lb-ft coming at as low as
1,400 rpm. The facelift sees the introduction

of the electromechanical Direct-Steer
system for all engine variants which is a
welcome measure.
As before, Mercedes offers three
individualisation packages. The Exterior
Sports package enhances the exterior of
the vehicle and lends it an even sportier
character. In addition to AMG bodystyling
and AMG light-alloy wheels, the AMG Sports
package and the new AMG Sports package
Plus have further exterior and interior
features for a sporty, dynamic appearance
and enhanced driving dynamics.
Central to the E-Class facelifts new driverassist technology is the introduction of
what Mercedes refers to as an Intelligent
Drive system. Employing a Stereo Multi
Purpose Camera with two lenses working
in concert with a revised radar tech, and set
at a 45-degree angle in the windscreen, they
monitor oncoming and crossing vehicles,
as well as pedestrians and traffic signs, to
a range of up to 500m. It works with the
standard autonomous emergency braking

system to lessen the chance of a rear-end
impact at up to 50km/h.
One more thing about where this car fits in
with rivals. Real competition for the E400
cabriolet is actually thin when one considers
the opposition. From Germany it includes
the heavyweight Audi S5 cabriolet, the
BMW 4-series convertible. Non German
fare includes Infiniti G37 convertible (which
adopts the Q60 badge now). Elsewhere, the
Lexus IS convertible is being phased out, and
plans for Cadillac ATS convertible have been
dropped permanently.
Driving impressions
We were able to drive the E400 cabriolet in
UAE shortly after its GCC market launch. The
upgraded powertrain and its performance
brought back the smiles and we walked
away impressed with its delivery character
and overall capabilities. Although it is a V6, it
emits a throaty sound on startup but is never
intrusive, and power delivery is extremely
smooth and linear. The cars acceleration

performance of 0-100km/h in 5.3sec can be
considered by any measure and it is more
than a full second faster than the older
E350 cabriolets performance. Top speed is
governed at an easily attained 250km/h. The
car runs stress free.
Other performance elements used in the car
faithfully echo those of other E-class models.
Unlike the E350s uninvolving brakes and
steering, the E400 is now a bit more driver
focused without losing its cruiser aspect. The
E400s chassis set-up is utterly pleasant and
compliant while helping the car to stay fixed
on the road. We do appreciate the upgrades
done to its many driver-assistance programs.
Standard nanny systems include Attention
Assist, which monitors the driver for signs
of fatigue, and a collision-prevention
system. Optional fare includes active cruise
control that can make minor steering-wheel
corrections as necessary, a lane-keeping
monitor, cross-traffic alert, and precrash
systems that prepare vehicle mechanisms
in the event of an imminent rear collision or

pedestrian impact.
The NVH management in this car is
impressive despite having a fabric roof. With
its thick sound insulation, it reduces wind
noise down to nearly coupe levels. Also,
a spoiler rises from the windscreen frame
when the top is down, further reducing
turbulence and wind noise that would
otherwise usually accompanies it. When
retracted, the rag top uses up far less boot
space than a folding hardtop would, leaving
more room for luggage which is a thoughtful
arrangement. Another impressive bit
of technology was the fully idle-stop
feature that helps save fuel consumption
considerably.
Verdict
The refreshed Mercedes-Benz E400
Cabrio has a lot going for it, including
composure, style, and quality. Despite some
imperfections, the far more responsive
twin-turbo V6 engine helps lift the overall
impression. Price as tested: US$87,700.
Ferraris FXX K
World premiere of Ferraris FXX K

experimental car took place at the Ferrari
Finale Mondiali in Abu Dhabi last month
erraris new FXX K

research and development
programme receives
its world premiere next
weekend at the Yas Marina
Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The laboratorycar is based on Maranellos first hybrid
model and will grace the worlds tracks
from next year onwards. The K in its
moniker is a reference to the KERS
kinetic energy recovery system it adopts
in maximising its track performance.
Unfettered by homologation and racing
regulations, the FXX K will never be used

in competition. It was, in fact, developed
to be completely uncompromising,
incorporating technological innovations
that will guarantee an unprecedented
driving experience to the exclusive
group of Client-Test Drivers with whom
the Prancing Horse will roll out a test
programme over the coming two years.
The cars enormous potential is attested
to by two significant figures: a total
power output of 1050 cv (860 cv
delivered by its conventional V12 engine
and 190 by its electric motor) and

maximum torque in excess of 900 Nm.
The FXX Ks 6262 cc V12 features new
camshafts and a modified valve train
with mechanical rather than hydraulic
tappets. The intake manifolds have been
redesigned and given a special type of
polishing treatment. The exhaust system
has been modified as its silencers have
been eliminated.
The HY-KERS system has been evolved
specifically for pure performance
with the result that the driver can
control the function logics from the

specific 4-setting Manettino on the
centre console: Qualify, for maximum
performance within a limited number of
laps; Long Run to optimise performance
consistency; Manual Boost for instant
maximum torque delivery; and Fast
Charge, for a fast recharge of the cars
battery.
A focus on delivering maximum
efficiency at every stage of every
track lap has resulted in extensive but
integrated work on the entire car body
in terms of both active and passive
aerodynamics.
The front of the car is dominated by a
twin-profile spoiler and a larger splitter,
which is 30 mm lower, with a gap in its
centre. This design is an application of
the concepts developed to improve
aero balance in the GT category of the
WEC, which Ferrari has won for three
consecutive years. Two pairs of vertical
elements, an endplate and, externally,
a dive plane, together with vertical fins
channel the air towards the cars flanks,
generating a longitudinal vortex that

creates a localised depression. This in
turn sucks the wake from the wheels
to the outside of the aerodynamic
underbody. Along with the side skirts
that extend out from the sills, the
vortex helps isolate the airflow from the
underbody to boost its efficiency.
The solutions on the rear of the car
are highly sophisticated, too. The tail
section is now higher and the mobile
spoiler extends further for a total
increase in extension of 60mm when
fully deployed. A vertical fin and a small
wing each side of the tail act as guide
vanes in the low drag configuration and
boost the spoilers efficiency in the high
downforce one. This system also creates
considerable downforce at the rear of
the car, allowing the use of an extreme
diffusion volume for the rear diffuser
which optimises air extraction from
the underbody. The section of the flat
underbody just ahead of the rear wheels
is also exploited to the full to generate
downforce thanks to the reduced
pressure in the wheel arch guaranteed

by the direct connection to the rear of
the car by a by-pass duct.
The result is a 50per cent improvement
in downforce in the low drag
configuration and a 30per cent
improvement in the more aggressive
downforce configuration, resulting in a
figure of 540 kg at 200 km/h.
Vehicle dynamics are further improved
by the adoption of Pirelli slicks complete
with sensors that monitor longitudinal,
lateral and radial acceleration, as well as
temperature and pressure. This ensures
an accurate analysis of the interaction
between the tyre and track surface,
providing even more vital data to enable
the traction control system to guarantee
maximum performance.
The intervention level of the E-Diff
electronic differential, F1-Trac traction
control, Racing SSC (Side Slip Angle
Control) - now specially calibrated to
suit the cars slick tyres - and the highperformance ABS can be controlled
using the five-position Manettino on the
steering wheel.
Renault EOLAB Concept
Heres another idea from French auto brand Renault

which looks at transport solutions in a decades time. Its
called the EOLAB concept and in flesh it looks fantastic,
supposed to drive like a hot supermini and there has been
no compromise on performance despite the remarkable
efficiency gains. What more do you want?
ost serious players in the

automotive industry are
looking at production cars
in the near future. By this we mean,
transportation solutions in 7-10 years.
Of, course, the ground work has to
be done now and French automaker
Renault is also an acti ve player in
this game. The carmaker realizes that
design, engineering efficiencies and
performance all have to go together and
in this direction it has come up with the
EOLAB concept. The innovative concept
which was also presented as a prototype
was showcased at Paris promises a lot of
things to future consumers.
The concept has been in the making for
two years. It started after the French
government asked Renault to develop
a financially viable car that consumes
only 2 litres/100km of fuel. But Renault
thought it could do better, and it did.
Renault claims that the EOLAB has more
than 100 new technical innovations

which are all centred around the core
fundamentals of low mass, improve
aerodynamic efficiency and efficient
hybrid power. Besides these, the
challenge has been to combine the
aforementioned factors and executing
them in an affordable manner.
To keep the cars kerb weight down to
995kg (400 kg) less than the equivalent
production Clio, the body is constructed
from a combination of steel, aluminium
and composites, with the roof entirely
of magnesium. The car also incorporates
three ride-height levels which lowers
the car and reduced drag, working in
conjunction with active aero on the
wheel trims (on narrow 145mm tyres)
and spoilers reduce the drag coefficient
to Cd 0.235. The sculpted body is said to
be30 per cent more aerodynamic than
the Clio.
The cabin of the car has been executed
perfectly with lot of functionality in

mind. Camera-based iPhone sized
screens are used for wing mirrors and a
huge centrally placed interactive display
instructs users how to optimize driving
characteristics. The lightweight seats
sport innovative ideas.
To keep development costs down, the
engine in the EOLAB is an evolutionary
development of the existing 74bhp
1.0-litre three-cylinder engine used in
the Twingo. This engine is assisted by a
compact 64bhp electric motor. The cars
electric motors will propel the car from
standstill to 40km/h after which the
three-cylinder engine kicks in to boost
power. The transition between driving
modes is detectable only by noise only.
Transmission duties are served by a
clutchless three-speed automatic [no
CVT]. Two of the three gears are mated
to the electric motor, while the third is
connected to the petrol engine.
Peugeot Quartz Concept
Peugeot unveiled the

Quartz Concept as its
forthcoming vision
for the crossover
segment at the recently
concluded 2014 Paris
Motor Show. This next
generation SUV blends
dazzling design with
hybrid powertrain
technologies in a bid
to create the ultimate
premium family car
experience
eugeot is slowly and surely moving

its line-up of cars into the premium
segment. The French carmaker
has been providing evidence of its
future aspirations at motor shows and
concepts like the Exalt in 2014 [for sedan
cars] following the approach initiated in
2012 with the Onyx Concept. With the
Quartz Concept, Peugeot attempts to
communicate its forthcoming new vision
for the brand.
The basic idea out here is to combine
hybrid performance in concept that boasts
a body of an SUV with creature comforts
found in a sedan and hence it is based on
the same EMP2 platform that underpins
the new 308. The composite structure
and bonded panels save weight and help
bring exceptional stiffness. This aspect
has enabled engineers to remove the
cars B-pillar and create scissor doors.
A retractable step further eases access
and the red accents on the body actually
disguise extending steps into the cabin.
With its long bonnet and sloping roof, the
Quartz concept aims to mimic the profile
of a sports coupe. The car gets massive

23in wheels which have composite flaps
to direct airflow. Up front, the concept
is all business with a mesh grille and
arching LED headlamps. The subtle louvres
hidden in the sides of the bonnet are neat.
Moving back from there, the red accents
on the flanks actually disguise extending
steps into the cabin. Dimensionally, the
car stands at 4,500mm in length and is
2,060mm wide.
The cars interiors are also innovative and
the theme chosen to represent the cabin is
porous texture of basalt rock. The Quartz
Concept is the first-ever vehicle to employ

digitally woven textile. This innovative
process can create large and complex
components that can be used as soon as
they come off the machine and hence no
cutting is required. The textile is woven
with polyester fibre from recycled plastic
water bottles.
Peugeot will employ the 270hp high
pressure turbo [THP] 1.6-litre forced fed
four-cylinder engine with a six-speed
automatic transmission. Two electric
motors in the package will each produce
114hp and will directly drive the front
and rear axles. Three driving modes will

be offered: the automaker claims that
the Quartz could go roughly 50km on a
electric power alone and in Road mode
it uses the combustion engine and front
electric motor and which also charges
the battery during deceleration and
in Race mode harnesses the power of
the engine and both electric motors to
get the most out of the chassis with a
limited-slip differential for increased driver
engagement. When all three power units
work together they produce a combined
493hp.
Toyota C-HR
Hybrid crossover concept
T
Toyota C-HR hybrid crossover concept
At the recent Paris Motor Show, Toyota provided
us with more than just teaser renderings of its
Europe-inspired C-HR hybrid crossover concept
oyota has recognised that Europe

is the most demanding market
for small and mid-size vehicles,
so the carmaker uses the region as the
benchmark when defining its future cars
for the A, B and C-segments. An all-new
proposition for the growing compact
European C-segment car market is what
has inspired Toyota Motor Corporation
to look at an all-new ground-up idea.
As a result of this initiative, the C-HR
concept attempts to combine aspects
from Toyotas three successful models
namely the RAV4, Prius and GT86 in one
unique package. According to Toyota:
The C-HR Concept recaptures the
design and packaging ingenuity that
spawned the first RAV4, introduces a
new version of the sophisticated, full
hybrid powertrain technology first
realized in the Prius and, inspired by the
GT86, targets new levels of dynamism
and agility.
Although inspired by those other
vehicles, the C-HR is built around an
entirely new platform, designed for what
is described as state-of-the-art handling
and controllability. The concepts styling
It is an innovative
design study for a
stylish, lightweight
C-segment crossover
that will stand out
in an increasingly
homogenous market,
and is the next physical
expression of the
promise Akio Toyoda
made when became
Toyota President
in 2011 to build
cars with stronger
emotional qualities
that will make their
owners fall in love with
driving again
is the result of co-operation between

Toyota design centres, including ED2, its
European design development studio
and its dimensions stand at 4,350mm
[length], 1,850mm [width], 1,500mm
[height] on a wheelbase of 2,640mm.
It uses new hybrid powertrain is likewise
optimized to deliver a uniquely
engaging driving experience matched
to 21st century traffic conditions, whilst
delivering outstanding efficiency, at
least in theory as no actual specifications
have been revealed. The vehicles lower
bodywork is intended to represent the
precision-cut body surfaces that mimic a
gemstone. This includes the shaving off
of the corners of the bodyshell, which
not only adds to its sculpted look, but
also reduces its mass.
Overall, its look is said to be a further
development of Toyotas Under Priority
and Keen Look design identity.
Although theres no word on commercial
production of the C-HR, the automaker
has at least stated that its styling themes
hint at a future design direction for
Toyota vehicles.
Volkswagen
XL Sport Concept
Volkswagen and
Ducati now seem
to be enjoying each
others engineering
synergies. The XL
Sport is the first
concept co-developed
prototype which is
more than a curious
production
Motor Show. The evolved cars design

incorporated butterfly doors, with the
interior seating layout using a staggered
side-by-side arrangement similar to a
Smart Fortwo, rather than the previous
versions tandem seating. The diesel
plug-in hybrid prototype is branded as a
Super Efficient Vehicle [SEV] and VW has
officially limited production to 250 units
200 of these will be sold to customers and
remainder will be used for various other

purposes.
The next logical step offered by VW
comes at an interesting juncture this
year. VW call it the XL Sport Concept
and showcased the car in concept form
at Paris in September. Interestingly,
it uses the platform and some of the
mechanicals from the XL1 minus its
diesel-hybrid powertrain. Instead, VW
has roped in Italian sports motorcycle
brand Ducati. Ducati is now owned by

VW and in the two-wheel world, is known
for high performance compact V-twin
engines. For this concept, the lightweight
and high-revving 1,200cc 90 V2 engine
from Ducatis new 1199 Superleggera
motorcycle has been shoehorned. The
Ducati engine is mated to 7-speed DSG and
has the best power-to-weight ratio of any
production motorcycle in history and also
helps the XL Sport to achieve something
ts no secret that Volkswagen has

been looking at various ideas for
developing a lightweight sports car.
Using this philosophy as its core source
of inspiration, the German car brand has
presented several innovative ideas since
2002. A prototype VW 1.0-litre concept car
was first shown to the public in April 2002
when Dr. Ferdinand Piech, then chairman
of the Board of Management, drove the

concept between Wolfsburg and Hamburg
as part of the Volkswagen annual
meeting of stockholders. This concept
had two-seater tandem arrangement
and used a 300cc single-cylinder diesel
engine producing 8.4hp mated to a sixspeed transmission. This concept wasnt
produced commercially. The second
Volkswagen 1.0-litre car, named L1, was

first shown to the public at the 2009
Frankfurt Motor Show continued with
the formers seating arrangement but
used an 800cc, twin-cylinder, common-rail
turbodiesel engine combined with a 13.4hp
electric motor. The XL1 was the third
iteration of the 1.0-litre resin-composite
car that was unveiled at the 2011 Qatar
similar. In this case, it is the ratio between

weight (890 kg), power (200 PS) and
aerodynamics (cd x A = 0.44 m2) that
currently makes this concept car the
fastest 200PS car in the world. No other
sports car has ever reached a top speed of
270 km/h with 200 PS.
While the XL1 and XL Sport concept look
similar, the special requirements related to
downforce and performance parameters
of the drive technology led to the XL Sport
being longer and wider than the XL1. The
XL Sport showcased in Paris is 4,291 mm
long (XL1: 3,888 mm), 1,847 mm wide (XL1:
1,664 mm), 1,152 mm high (XL1: 1,153 mm).
The wheelbase has also been increased to
2,424 mm (XL1: 2,224 mm).
From the design angle, there are some
changes too. Whereas the XL1 is at its
widest at the front and tapers towards
The XL Sport Concept

presents itself as a
scaled-down supercar,
right down to its
scissor doors and
mid-mounted rear
engine architecture
and lightweight
construction
the rear, the XL Sport is just as wide at the
back as at the front. The low slug car rides
on asymmetric 205/40 R 18 (front) and
265/35 R 18 (rear) tyre/rim combos.
The interior of the XL Sport is as expected

is based on the interior of the XL1. VW
says that it has been modified and
individualised in its detailing. The car gets
a motorsports-inspired digital instrument
cluster with an individual lap time and
oil pressure display. A flat carbon part
that extends the top of the instrument
cluster covering to completely eliminate
reflections. The steering wheel has
decorative red stitching and has been
equipped with aluminium shift paddles.
Classy details include anodised aluminium
accents around the air vents, the climate
control fascia and the DSG shift gate. Also
included is the theme of the contrasting
red stitching in the steering wheel and the
seat belts are also red. No changes have
been made to the ergonomics for the
driver and passenger.
Motorsports F1
The 2015 calendar in full:
15/03 Australia
29/03 Malaysia
05/04 Bahrain
19/04 China
10/05 Spain
24/05 Monaco
07/06 Canada
21/06 Austria
05/07 Britain
19/07 Germany
26/07 Hungary
23/08 Belgium
06/09 Italy
20/09 Singapore
27/09 Japan
11/10 Russia
25/10 USA
01/11 Mexico
15/11
Brazil
29/11 Abu Dhabi
2015 Formula
One season
he 2015 Formula One season

will be the 66th season of
the Formula One World
Championship, a motor racing
championship for Formula
One cars which is recognised by the
sports governing body, the Fdration
Internationale de lAutomobile (FIA),
as the highest class of competition for
open-wheel racing cars. Twenty drivers
representing ten teams will contest
twenty one Grands Prix, starting in
Australia on 15 March and ending in
Abu Dhabi on 29 November as they
compete for the World Drivers and World
Constructors Championships. Mercedes
will begin the season as the defending
Constructors Champions, having secured
their first championship title at the 2014
Russian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton is the defending Drivers Champion

after securing his second title at the 2014 Abu Dhabi
Grand Prix, all eyes are now set for 2015
New entries process
In December 2013, the FIA announced its
intentions to open the grid up to more entries,
asking for expressions of interest from what
it dubbed competitive teams willing to
commit to the championship until the 2020
season. Three applications were received,
including a bid from Gene Haas, co-owner of
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team Stewart-Haas
Racing; an entry submitted from Romania,
and run in conjunction with former Jordan,
Midland, Spyker, Force India and HRT manager
Colin Kolles and a third from Zoran Stefanovi,
a Serbian aerospace engineer who had
previously attempted to join the grid for the
2010 and 2011 Formula One seasons under the
name Stefan Grand Prix. The bidding process
was delayed amidst reports that the FIA had
only been looking to add one team to the
grid, but that the first two bids were equally
viable. Haas entry, Haas F1, was the successful
candidate, but Haas later deferred his entry
until the 2016 season. Bernie Ecclestone
announced the Romanian entrynamed
as Forza Rossa Racinghad been accepted
independently of Haas,but the team was not

included on provisional entry list for the 2015
season.
Team changes
Honda will return to Formula One as an
engine supplier, providing McLaren with a V6
engine and Energy Recovery System package,
ending the teams twenty-year partnership
with Mercedes-Benz. Honda had previously
supplied McLaren from 1988 until 1992, when
Honda ended their engine supply program. The
company returned to the sport as an engine
supplier in 2000, providing British American
Racing and Jordan Grand Prix with engines
until they purchased the former in 2006 and
competed as a constructor until 2008.
Lotus will change engine suppliers, ending their
association with Renault in favour of a deal
with Mercedes.
Following the 2014 Russian Grand Prix,
Marussia went into administration, missing the
final three races of the 2014 season. The team
briefly appeared on the provisional entry list
under the name Manor F1, but in November

2014, administrators announced that the team
would cease trading and close down.
Driver changes
Sebastian Vettel left Red Bull Racing at the
end of the 2014 season after fifteen years with
the team and its wider junior development
programme to join Ferrari in the place of
Fernando Alonso. Red Bull promoted Daniil
Kvyat from Toro Rosso to fill the seat vacated
by Vettel.
With Kvyat promoted and Jean-ric Vergne
electing to leave the team after the season
was completed, Toro Rossos driver line-up
was completely overhauled. In their place,
the team chose reigning Formula Renault 3.5
Series champion Carlos Sainz, Jr., the son of
two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz;
and 2014 FIA Formula Three runner-up Max
Verstappenthe son of former driver Jos
Verstappenwho will become the youngest
driver to make his Formula One dbut at the
age of 17 years, 164 days when he starts the
2015 season.
Marcus Ericsson left Caterham at the end
of the 2014 season to join Sauber. He will be
partnered by GP2 Series regular and former
Williams test driver Felipe Nasr. As a result
of the deals with Ericsson and Nasr, Esteban
Gutirrez and Adrian Sutil lost their seats.
Calendar changes
The German Grand Prix is set to return to the
Nrburgring, in accordance with the eventsharing agreement established between the
Nrburgring and the Hockenheimring in 2008.
The Nrburgring had previously hosted the
race in 2013 and so was scheduled to host it
again in 2015, but the provisional calendar left
the event-sharing agreement unresolved.
The Korean Grand Prix is scheduled to return to
the Formula One calendar after being removed
in 2014. The venue for the race has yet to be
confirmed.
The Mexican Grand Prix is scheduled to
return to the Formula One calendar for the
first time since 1992. The race is to be held at
the Autdromo Hermanos Rodrguez circuit
located in the centre of Mexico City, which also
was the location of all of the Mexican Grands
Prix in previous decades. The circuit will be
substantially reconfigured to accommodate
the sports return.
Regulation changes/Technical regulations
The number of power units that a driver may
use in a season will be reduced from five in
2014 to four in 2015.
The rules regarding engine development
that were introduced in 2014 will change,
with the manufacturers allowed to perform
half the development permitted in 2014; the
development will be halved again in 2016.
Following the backlash over ugly nose
designs in 2014, the FIA moved to amend the

rules surrounding nose designs for the 2015
season. Noses will now be lower than in 2014,
retaining a minimum cross section, but they
must taper to a point at a fixed linear rate,
effectively outlawing the dramatic finger
shapes seen in 2014 in favour of a more gradual
shape. Furthermore, the design of the nose
must be symmetrical and consistent with the
centreline of the car, thereby banning the
more exotic designs, such as the twin-tusk
approach used by Lotus on the E22 chassis.
The minimum weight of the cars at all times
during an event was increased to 702kg.
Any suspension system fitted to the front
wheels must be arranged in such a manner that
its response results only from changes in load
applied to the front wheels.
Any suspension system fitted to the rear
wheels must be arranged in such a manner that
its response results only from changes in load
applied to the rear wheels.
The anti-intrusion panels on both sides of the
survival cell have been extended upwards to
the rim of the cockpit and alongside the pilots
head.

Sporting regulations
The partial ban on pit-to-car communication
introduced at the 2014 Singapore Grand Prix
will be extended to include a blanket ban on
sharing technical data between team and
driver, such as specific fuel consumption
settings.
Double points will no longer be awarded at the
final event of the championship.
Following the serious accident of Jules Bianchi
during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix a new
procedure called Virtual Safety Car (VSC)
will be introduced. The procedure may be
initiated when double waved yellow flags
are needed on any section of a circuit where
competitors and officials may be in danger,
but the circumstances are not as such to
warrant deployment of the actual Safety Car.
Under Virtual Safety Car conditions drivers are
obliged to reduce their speed to match the one
indicated on their displays on their steering
wheels.
If a race is suspended, the cars will no longer
line up on the grid but will slowly proceed to
the pit lane instead. Pit exit will be closed and
the first car to arrive in the pit lane will proceed
to the exit with the other lining up behind the
first one.
If any team personnel or team equipment
remain on the grid after the fifteen-second
signal has been shown before the start of the
formation lap, the driver of the car concerned
must start the race from the pit lane. If the
driver concerned fails to obey this, they will
receive a ten second stop-and-go penalty.
The replacement of a complete power unit will
no longer result in a penalty. Instead, penalties
will be applied cumulatively for individual
components of the power unit. If such a grid

place penalty is imposed and the drivers grid
position is such that the full penalty cannot be
applied, then the remainder of the penalty will
no longer be carried over to the next race, but
will instead be applied in the form of a time
penalty during the race corresponding to the
number of grid spaces remaining in the penalty.
In addition to the existing five-second penalty
that may be served during a drivers scheduled
pit stop, a new ten-second penalty that will
have to be served in the same manner, will be
introduced.
If a car is deemed to have been released in an
unsafe condition during a race, a ten second
stop-and-go penalty will be imposed on the
driver concerned. An additional penalty will be
imposed on any driver who, in the opinion of
the stewards, continues to drive a car knowing
it to have been released in an unsafe condition.
The qualifying procedure has been further
clarified to cater different sizes of starting
grids: if twenty-four cars are entered for the
race, seven will be eliminated after the each of
the first two qualifying segments; if twentytwo are entered, six will be eliminated after
each qualifying segment and so on if fewer cars
are eligible.
The Safety Car procedure was amended. Once
the last lapped car will have passed the Safety
Car, it will return to the pits at the end of the
following lap. This is a change of the previous
practice which required the unlapped cars
to have caught up with the back of the pack
before the Safety Car could return to the pits.
Driver/team changes for 2015 season
After Ferrari confirmed its signing of Sebastian
Vettel and with McLaren set to announce its
lineup any day now, Scuderia Toro Rosso is
one of the last teams with a seat open for
the 2015 Formula One World Championship.
But now, even the answer to that question
is coming into focus, as the teams longtime
driver Jean-ric Vergne has confirmed hes
leaving. The French driver started out as a test
pilot with Toro Rosso in 2011, was promoted
to the race seat the following season and has
been competing for the team ever since. But
over the course of his three years on the grid,
he has yet to score a single podium finish or
emerge from the back of the field. And in
a tweet on his personal account, hes now
revealed that he wont be staying with the
team next season. Toro Rosso has already
confirmed that newcomer Max Verstappen will
take one of its race seats next season, but with
the promotion of Daniil Kvyat to join fellow
STR graduate Daniel Ricciardo and replace
Vettel on the A-squad, the prevailing wisdom
had the team keeping Vergne in place to lend
some consistency and experience to its lineup.
But the Toro Rosso has always existed as an
avenue to bring new talent up through Red
Bulls extensive driver training program and
into F1.
Regional motorsports
FINALI MONDIALI
A GREAT END WITH
THE FERRARI SHOW
Omans Al Harthy qualifies ninth for Race 1

of Round 2 of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Middle East at Dubai Autodrome
O
Tense drama in final
moments of 36th Dubai
International Rally
The 2014 FIA Middle East Rally Championship

ended in a dramatic climax, with Qatars Nasser
Al Attiyah and the UAEs Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi
locked in a tense fight to the finish.
t was a war of wits and strategy

between Qatars Nasser Al Attiyah
and UAEs Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi.
Al Qassimi produced a stunning fightback
to win the Dubai International Rally in
sensational fashion last month and took the
FIA Middle East Championship drivers title
away from Qatars Nasser Al Attiyah in style.
In a closely fought battle, Al Qassimi
emerged victorious by a margin of just
0.3secs after a thrilling start-to-finish
battle with Al Attiyah to deny his great
rival an eighth successive win in Dubai and
a tenth Middle East crown. Everything
came down to the final special stage of the
season, a 25.92km section which started
with the Emirati driver leading by 0.4 secs
after he had produced a brilliant surge to
win the previous stage by 6.1 secs.
Al Qassimi, partnered by Chris Patterson
in his Abu Dhabi Racing Citroen DS3, held
his nerve to record his third win in Dubai
and land his second Middle East triumph.
We pushed to the limit but it was very
difficult, said an emotional Al Qassimi,
who had been determined to produce a

home victory ahead of UAE National Day.
On the last stage I had a flat tyre but I
got through it. If were going to be in the
record books now its not just my name
thats going there, its also the name of
Citroen because of what weve done
together. Victory had looked to be in the
grasp of Al Attiyah, for whom the rally
signalled the end of a hugely successful
six-year partnership with Italian co-driver
Giovanni Bernacchini.
We are quite happy we did a really good
job here, he said at the finish. We are
not slow but were really surprised about
Khalids times in the afternoon. I knew
it would not be easy and that we really
needed to concentrate all the time.
Finishing third in the rally, and in the
championship, was Qatars Al Kuwari,
with fellow-countryman Khalid Al Suwaidi,
the UAEs Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi
and another Qatari, Abdulla Al Kuwari,
completing the top six in Dubai.
From the start on Friday, however, as Al
Qassimi won the first two stages, only for

Al Attiyah to take the last three, it was
clear that this was becoming a classic
two-car tussle for supremacy which put all
other events in the shade.
Leading by 6.8secs overnight, Al Attiyah
increased his advantage to 12.2secs over
the first of the days six stages to begin an
intriguing tussle which meant the outcome
was in doubt up to the last kilometre.
Immediately, Al Qassimi reduced the
deficit to 10.3secs, before it became
11.8 secs and then just 5.7secs as the
Citroen and the Ford were pushed to the
limit, especially over a frantic final stage
which Al Attiyah took by 0.1secs to fall
agonisingly short.
Among the casualties on final day were
the UAEs Rashid Al Ketbi who retired
when his Ford Fiesta RRCs lost a wheel
mid way through the days third special
stage, and Nishad Kochumohamed who
went out when his Ford rolled on the first
stage. Thankfully, both driver and codriver Sajiin Gangadharan were not hurt.
mani Ahmad Al Harthy has left

himself with work to do in Race
1 of Round 2 of the Porsche
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Dubai
Autodrome after qualifying in ninth
position.
The most successful and professional
racing series in the region is back in Dubai
for two back to back races and welcomes
an impressive international line-up of 17
world-class drivers representing over10
different nations including the United
Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, Oman and Qatar.
Despite the intense international
competition it was Al Harthys Al
Nabooda Racing teammate, and current
championship leader Clemens Schmid
who claimed pole after a flawless lap
around the 5.39KM Grand Prix Circuit.
Despite qualifying further down the grid
than he would have hoped, Al Harthy
proved in Round 1 in Bahrain that he has
what it takes to work his way up through
the grid and secure a strong position.
In Race 2 of Round 1 the Omani driver
was dropped to the rear of the grid
after picking up a penalty but produced
a stunning driving display to overtake
multiple cars and end up nine positions
up from where he started.
After qualifying Al Harthy said,
Obviously I would have wanted to be
starting the race closer to the front.
Ninth is not ideal but its what I have to
work with so will be making the most
of it. I learned a lot from the races in
Bahrain so know that I can move up

the grid if the opportunities present
themselves and also if I am able to create
them so its going to be exciting but in no
way easy. Its a hugely competitive grid
and I am going to have some incredibly
talented drivers ahead of me from the
start so I will have to work hard to build
on my position. That said, Im hoping
to produce something special for the
crowds here in Dubai.
Skydive Dubais Saeed Al Mehairi will
start Race 1 from second position
ahead of Zaid Ashkanani of Kuwait who
snatched the title by a single point from
rival Schmid last season, and will start
from third.
Former two-time champion Abdulaziz
AlFaisal who will make a special guest
appearance in Dubai for Classic Arabia
Racing will have to be at his best to reach
to the podium after qualifying sixth.
Drivers who could also contend for a
high place finish include Team Bahrains
Raed Raffii, QMMFs AbdulRahman Al
Thani and Charlie Frijns. It really will be
anyones race with thrilling encounters
expected to entertain the fans.
The regions leading drivers will lineup in the new Porsche 911 GT3 as the
star attractions at Dubai Autodrome.
The drivers will face 10 laps of the
5.39KM Grand Prix Circuit at the Dubai
Autodrome with Round 2 Race 1 on
Friday 5th December 16.30-17.00 and
Race 2 on Saturday 6th December.
Last months Finali Mondiali, which held

for the first time outside Europe, in Abu
Dhabi, ended with a day of exciting racing
and a demonstration featuring everything
thats best about the world of Ferrari. The
first thrills of the day came courtesy of the
two Ferrari Challenge races to allocate the
three world titles in Coppa Shell, Pirelli Pro
and Pirelli Am. These went to Massimiliano
Bianchi, Max Blancardi and Ricardo Perez
respectively.
Over 200 Ferraris from different eras
swarmed onto the track. Driven by their
owners, the cars cruised on the track
giving the audience what they came for.
Getting it all underway were the two
AF Corse team GT cars, driven by World
Endurance Champions Gimmi Bruni and
Toni Vilander, joined on track by team
mates Davide Rigon and James Calado.
The 458s also put a dummy pit stop with
driver change, just as happens for real in
the Endurance races, such as the Le Mans
24 Hours.
Then it was the turn of the XX Programme
cars, namely the FXX and the 599 XX,
which were joined for the first time by the
FXX K, which with the head of the test
drivers Raffaele De Simone at the wheel.
Bringing the Finali Mondiali to a close was
the demonstration featuring the Scuderia
drivers Kimi Raikkonen and the test driver
Marc Gene, who each at the wheel of
an F60, put on a great show, featuring
simulated starts, wheel to wheel duels
and pit stops, the day ending in a cloud of
burn-out smoke produced by both drivers.
Interstellar and the

great void
All right first I need to tell you, dont complain if you havent seen the movie yet. While I am not giving
out anything about the plot, it has been out there in the universe for long enough. So I dont have to
shout spoiler alert!
There are movies and then there are those pieces that really stand out. Admittedly even Interstellar,
made under the watch of an actual astrophysicist and showcased by a good director has factual errors,
improbabilities galore and raises more questions that its plot warrants. But the premise is brilliant; it
is seeded in good science and even throws in long dialogues between actors to explain some of the
more esoteric and arcane science.
But thats not really the movies strong point. Yes, the space sequences are finally what makes it
interstellar but put that aside for a moment and explore the premise that the movie offers a world
that is slowly dying, with governments spending so much money on keeping their populations alive that
they no longer spend on things we take for granted like a space program or an army for that matter.
Even a thinker and futurist like Isaac Asimov didnt believe that Earth could sustain a population of
over 4 billion people. When we lurched into the Great War of 1914 there were barely a billion, so it
isnt difficult to empathise with him. It is only because science and technology have kept ahead of
the population curve that the Earth is able to sustain 7 plus billion and may even creak along at 10.
However that same technology will have to find some answers to reducing the population as well,
whether it is by population control or shipping out millions to new colonies in deep space.
The argument postulated was that until that great mind-bending feat of the main protagonist moving
back through four-dimensional space using gravitational anomalies (along with the unbelievable binary
transmission of what should have been gigabytes of data at the very least) science was way behind the
curve. It didnt have the answers; in fact it didnt even have the questions right.
Raj Warrior is editor of Automan and has been in the thick
of the Automotive journalism field from the past 15 years.
Want to comment or have your say?

Email at raj@alroya.net.
Identify yourself or your message will be trashed and
your id blocked
As the year comes to an end and we go past a century from the onset of the First World War, you have
to look back on a technological path that has evolved and been empowered by the very destruction
we humans bring upon ourselves. While we go about killing ourselves, we become more efficient, find
new ways of transportation and delivery and discover new ways to treat ourselves, live longer and
ultimately evolve to a higher order. Aeroplanes became more efficient and were now able to carry
bombs, people used chemical weapons and learnt how to survive them and finally even penicillin came
into its own by the Second World War.
This war brought us closer to understanding the virtues of Nuclear Fission and Fusion as well as
introduced us to their horrors and the early predecessors of the Interstellar rockets finally made their
way into western warfare a thousand years after the Chinese first used them.
If you bother to borrow a dialogue from the evergreen space action movie Armageddon, they
acknowledge that even our wars have helped give us the means to save ourselves as a race.
The biggest issue we have here is actually one of doing it right. Its easy to sit back as a viewer and
either agree or otherwise about a plot outlined in a movie. The problem, even for world leaders is
to take decisions that dont seem outlandish today while steering the course of world events on a
trajectory that keeps us running as a going concern way into the future. Who knows, the decision may
be a grand one, like banning deforestation of any sort, enforcing population curbs or actually meeting
carbon emission targets.
Or it could be small decisions done in bulk like all of us deciding to save electricity, save water, walk
instead of taking the car or just not buying anything we absolutely dont require. Multiply that by 7 or
10 billion and that should mean a lot.
In any case both the premise and the result will be far more believable than that offered by Interstellar.
And thats because we already have the science to back us up on this.
80 | www.automan.me | DEC 2014

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Automan DEC 2014

OMR 0.500 AED 10 QR 10

now, the regions Best Automotive Resource

DEC 2014 Issue no 160

36-43 2015 granturismo and grancabrio

Oman and regional news

6-14 Renault Trucks introduce reinvented

16-17 2015 aston martin lagonda

2014 automan coty

18-20 nominees announced

22-24 Maybach badge returns as top-ofthe-line S-Class, AMG releases details of

International news spotlight

Car crazy central

Poles apart when it comes to presenting

26-29 2014 sema Show report

34-35 past, present and future cars

50-54 2015 audi a8l

concept car previews

76-79 F1 ready for 2015 season with many

80 Interstellar and the great void

AL ROYA PRESS & PUBLISHING

Now, Automan is available in bookshops in

| www.automan.me | Dec 2014

enault Trucks chose Doha as the

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me |

Oman & region

topography that are ideal to test a truck

arley-Davidson Middle East and North Africa (MENA)s

| www.automan.me | Dec 2014

Oman & region

Dramatic regional unveil of Fords

he 112th floor of worlds tallest

Today we planted the Ford flag in the

New business unit now fully functional

In addition to the new

or motoring aficionados in the

3.2km tour around the Motor Village. The

Bentley, Bugatti, Cadillac, Ferrari, Jaguar,

Motoring action reached a peak at the Red Bull Car Park

12 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 13

Refreshed 2015 Porsche

YALLA MINI Roadshow

he MINI Showroom in Al Qurum

Container a pop-up space which

14 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

few weeks ago, Automan revealed

16 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

While Aston Martin has

with one of the test engineers.

the Rapide S. The car is 145mm longer

means the rear bulkhead gets extended

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 17

Fifty Six Hot Cars

Cadillac ATS Coupe

Mclaren 650S Spider/coupe

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Cadillac XTS V Platinum

Maserati GT & GC Centennial

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

Toyota Yaris sedan

18 | www.automan.me | Dec 2014

Dec 2014 | www.automan.me | 19