170 automan october issue 2015

8/19/2019 170 Automan October Issue 2015

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20

COVERSTORY | Bugatti GT Vision conceptTo inuence new Veyron, designwise

12

Frankfurt Motor ShowFrom the oor, we detailsthe world’s fnest automotivereveals

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COVER STORY

20-23 BUGATTI VISION GT CONCEPT

24-29 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA

30-33 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON

OMAN AND REGIONAL NEWS

6-7 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA LAUNCH, CADILLAC

V-SERIES EXPERIENCE EVENT HELD AT YAS

MARINA CIRCUIT, ABU DHABI, LANCER DEALS

IN OMAN, AMG PRIVATE LOUNGE LAUNCHED

ONLINE, ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS PORTAL DUBIZZLE

REBRANDED AS OLX, JAC TRUCK DISPLAY IN

OMAN

BRANDWATCH

8-11 VOLKSWAGEN FACES FLAK OVER DIESEL

EMISSIONS MANIPULATION IN USA, INFINITI

FINDS Q50 EAU ROUGE TOO COSTLY TO

PRODUCE, TOYOTA-BMW CO-DEVELOPED

SMALL SPORTS CAR STILL NOT DECIDED,

CADILLAC TEASES XT5 WITH LIVE STUNT

AT FASHIONS SHOW, JAGUAR F-PACE

CREATES GUINNESS RECORD WITH RECORD-

BREAKING 360-DEGREE LOOP, FORTHCOMINGHOLLYWOOD FLICK SPECTRE BOND CARS

REVEALED, V6 FOR ENTRY LEVEL FERRARI DINO?

MORE SUVS AND SUV VARIANTS PLANNED BY

CADILLAC, MERCEDES-BENZ MAYBACH AND

ROLLS-ROYCE, GIUGIARO LAUNCHING NEW

DESIGN FIRM

INTERNATIONAL NEWS SPOTLIGHT

12-18 2015 FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

FIRST DRIVES

34-37 2015 CHRYSLER 300S

38-43 2016 LEXUS IS200T

44-49 2016 TOYOTA HILUX

50-55 2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

FIRST RIDE

56-61 2015 YAMAHA MT 09

PREVIEWS

62-65 2016 BENTLEY BENTAGYA

66-69 2016 TESLA MODEL X SUV

TECHTALK 70-75 DIRTY DIESELS?

MOTORSPORTS

76-79 SUZUKA RACE REPORT AND SNIPPETS. F1

MCLAREN HOPES, FERRARI APOLOGY, BUTTON

CONTRACT

MOTOGP: SPAIN RACE REPORT AND REGIONAL

MOTORSPORTS EVENTS

CHICANE

80 IT’S A MATTER OF TRUST

62

66

2016 Audi RS7

NEXT ISSUE


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Whew, what a month this has been! Nothing can describe the drama and disbelief that has

been the hallmark of the month as a whole season’s worth of automotive activity played

out over the global scene. The month began with the biannual Frankfurt motorshow

generating some of the big ticket reveals we are so fond off. Whether at the show or

elsewhere, debuts like the Rolls-Royce Dawn, the new BMW 7-series, the new A4 and

even Aston’s announcement of the DB11 all connected with the ethos of the show.

But it was the later half of the month that really took our collective breath away. Volkswagen

was caught out in the United States. If you haven’t read about what the issue is already,

you can catch up with our rather extensive coverage inside the magazine. While theissue of clean diesel not meeting expectations is literally half a world away from us in the

region, the bigger issue of how the company reorganises and charts it path into the future,

including rejigging its engine mix, will denitely affect the group brands in global markets.

Our cover story for this month marks a departure from our norm, largely because it is a

once in a decade event when a brand like Bugatti announces anything new. In addition to

that, the market for the ultra rich seems to be the only one that isn’t signicantly affected

by the meltdown in crude oil prices. Almost all the big announcements we have had in

this half of the year are to do with cars for the mega spender – or SUVs when you count

the Bentayga.

While on the subject of the Bentayga, it looks like the title of the world’s fastest SUV isunder threat already. We don’t even have to look as far as a tuned custom-built challenger

to the Bentayga. Technology and the ability to look outside the box has resulted in the

Model X from Tesla. When Elon Musk sets out to redene a market segment, you shouldn’t

expect anything less than this – the fastest SUV albeit an electric one. It isn’t anywhere as

costly as the RO 100,000 price tag of the Bentayga, but may just be the vehicle that the

super rich use to show their green credentials.

As for regular launches, we have the test drive of the brand new Maxima, the new

Outlander, the highly intelligent smaller engine IS 200t and even the Toyota HiLux. These

are joined by our editor’s personal review of his latest toy – the Yamaha MT-09. As far as

bikes go, it isn’t the greenest one. But then you sometimes just need to have fun.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFMohammad Al Taie

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Gen VIII all-new Nissan Maxima

launched for ME

Cadillac V-Series week celebrated

Nissan has introduced the completely redesigned Gen VIII all-newNissan Maxima 2016 for the Middle East in Dubai last month.According to Nissan Middle East, the new arrival is set to re-dene its segment as it brings head turning design, enhancedperformance and state-of-the-art technology applications. Nissanis positioning the Maxima as a unique combination of sportscar style with premium elegance. Nissan Middle East ManagingDirector, Samir Cherfan, commented: “The dramatically styledall-new Nissan Maxima 2016, created by driving enthusiasts fordriving enthusiasts, looks like nothing else on the road today –

and drives like nothing in the segment. It not only resets NissanMaxima’s iconic ‘4-Door Sports Car’ positioning, it sets a newstandard for style, performance and technology in the largesedan segment. The new Nissan Maxima reinvents what has beenessentially a conservative segment. It raises the bar incrediblyhigh in class-leading design, fuel eciency, performance andtechnology. The market hasn’t seen anything as exciting as thiswithin this segment.” With the new model, Nissan expects tocommand a 12percent share in the E-segment in the GCC, with agoal of selling around 7,000 vehicles, an increase of more than70 per cent in sales compared to 2014. [Eds note: see rst driveimpressions in this issue of Automan]

As part of a high voltage media andcustomer event, Cadillac Middle Eastoffered guests to try out the latest trioof performance V-badged cars at theYas Marina circuit. The cars includedthe CTS sedan, coupe and sedanvariants of the ATS. While the ATS usessupercharging, the ATS V-family chargesin with the performance sub brand’sfirst turbocharged entry. For the event,

Cadillac specially flew in Tony Roma,vehicle chief engineer for the CadillacCTS and V series programme from US.Roma works in the Global PerformanceLuxury Car group reporting to DaveLeone, the Executive Chief Engineer.Roma leads the team of engineerswho designed and developed theaward-winning Cadillac CTS and hasalso been involved with the design anddevelopment of the Cadillac ATS-V andCTS-V in particular. Over 182 customersexperienced the cars besides regionalmedia including Automan. Since itsinception in 2004, Cadillac’s V-Serieshas driven remarkable power andperformance capability into the brand’sgrowing luxury car range. Building onthe strengths of the award-winningATS product line, the V-Series addsimpressive track capability to whatwas already the lightest and mostagile-driving car in the luxury compactclass. The result is a dual-purposeluxury performer – a car with true trackcapability right from the factory that isalso a sophisticated luxury car on the

road.

Tony RomaVehicle chief engineer for the Cadillac CTSand V series programme.

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Dubizzle

rebranded as OLX

AMG Private Lounge launched online

Special Oman deals on Mitsubishi Lancers

JAC Trucks on display

Dubizzle, a popular buy and sell onlineclassieds website operating in MiddleEast has rebranded its platforms [desktopmobile and apps] last month. The webdomain has changed to olx.com.om and altrac generated towards dubizzle.com isnow automatically directed to olx.com.omExplaining the change, Abdallah Touqan,Senior PR and Communications Lead atdubizzle said: “With the rebranding to OLXdubizzle is now fully part of the world’sleading network of online classieds sites.

Since 2013, dubizzle has been part of theOLX family sharing the same values andwas ready to introduce the world’s biggesclassieds brand to the Middle East. TenMiddle Eastern markets are now operatingunder the OLX brand name and are nowtruly part of a global network that reachesover 240 million monthly active users andgenerates over 17 billion page views permonth. Already millions of people aroundthe world have used OLX to sell theirthings within local communities in placeslike India, Brazil, Kenya, Poland, Indonesia

and now the Middle East.” As for thedubizzle app users, they have alreadyreceived a message informing them that‘dubizzle is now OLX’, inviting them to goto the app store for iOS and Google Playfor Android users to download the ‘OLXArabia’ app for free.

Owners of Mercedes AMG branded cars in the Middle East and Levant are beinginvited to join a global community of AMG experts and drivers from more than 100countries around the world through the AMG Private Lounge – a web-based platformdesigned exclusively for Mercedes-AMG drivers. The website will oer news, exclusiveinformation, videos and images, to technical information and direct access to AMGexperts from Aalterbach. The community-based AMG Private Lounge will also helpmembers connect with each other around the world. “The AMG Private Lounge is anexcellent platform that connects the AMG brand with its loyal customers from aroundthe world, and with its ocial introduction in the Middle East and Levant, our loyalcustomers in the region will now be able to join our global AMG family,” said Dirk Fetzer,Director of Sales & Marketing at Daimler Middle East & Levant.“ More regional AMGevents are planned from 2016 onwards.

General Automotive Company, the ocial distributors of Mitsubishi Vehicles in Omanannounced that the Lancer 2015 EX 2.0 models at being oered with an attractiveproposition as its smaller 1.6-litre version is discontinued. Under the new deal, the2.0-litre version will be oered at the same price point of the outgoing 1.6-litre whichmeans it will be oered to prospects from OMR 5,850. Even at this lowered price point,GAC has assured that customers will still enjoy the peace-of-mind motoring thanks toa 6-year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance. Rajesh Sharma, nationalmarketing manager of GAC said: “The Lancer EX is truly a car with a great personalityand performance and with the price of the stylish yet practical sedan. Derived from theworld of Rallying, the Lancer EX, even in its most docile ‘GLS 2.0’ guise, oers driversan unparalleled driving experience in its class, thanks to its performance oriented 2.0LMIVEC power plant. And it does so while still oering class-leading space and modern

luxury appointments.”

Towell Auto Centre organised a display ofJAC Motors light-duty trucks in Mawalehcentral fruits and vegetable market.Available in 3ton and 4ton capacities,these trucks are tted with water tanksand refrigerated storage systems whichensures a wide variety of otherwiseperishable food items can be transported

safely.

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The image of Volkswagen, the Germanybased world’s second largest carmakerhas taken a serious hit after news brokeout last month that the automaker [whichaccording to independent consultantsInterbrand is the number one Germancar maker in the eld of environmentalconservation and sustainability, and thenumber four worldwide] had cheatedEnvironmental Protection Agencydirections by deliberately installing anillegal software identied as “defeatdevice” in almost a half-million diesel carsin the US sold to get around emissions

tests. At the heart of the issue is asoftware system supplied by Bosch thatallowed the cars to beat the emissionrating of NOx, which is 31 mg/km of NOxas against the European norm of 80.So how did EPA nd out? The credit goesto researchers John German and PeterMock from the International Council onClean Transportation. The duo becamesuspicious after discovering that whatVW was telling the EPA did not match upwith what was actually coming out of theexhausts. Further EPA tests showed thatNOx emissions jumped to 10-40 timesEPA-compliant levels when the ECM wasrunning its standard ‘road calibration’rather than the ‘dyno calibration’ activatedduring an emissions test. EPA was quick torealize what was going on and demandedVW to explain things. According to CynthiaGiles, assistant administrator for the EPA’sOce of Enforcement and ComplianceAssurance: “These violations are veryserious, not only because illegal defeatdevices result in excess emissions manytimes the allowable standard, but alsobecause VW was concealing the facts

from EPA, the State of California and

consumers.” Further investigation it hasbeen revealed that discrepancies relate tovehicles with Type EA 189 diesel engines,and that alone involves about 11mnvehicles worldwide.VW CEO Martin Winterkorn had to issuean ocial apology soon after the newsbroke. “I personally am deeply sorry thatwe have broken the trust of our customersand the public,” said Winterkorn. “We donot and will not tolerate violations of anykind of our internal rules or of the law.”But the magnitude of the scandal is so bigthat it has also cost the job of Winterkorn.

Although, all these developmentshappened prior to Winterkorn’sappointment, but the top executive of thisconglomerate magnanimously acceptedresponsibility and resigned. Meanwhile,a few heads have also rolled in the USoperations.VW is investigating the matter internallyand has also promised to cooperate fullywith Environmental Protection Agencyand other government investigationsin the US. Interestingly, during thedevelopment of the said engine, Boschhad cautioned VW engineers that theeciency software was meant for ‘testingpurposes only’ and that on no accountit was to be used in production vehicles.It seems that someone down the lineignored this caution and went ahead.The fallout has also included other dieselmodels within the group’s brands likeAudi, Skoda and Porsche and other diesel-led markets like South Korea, France andGermany have also announced their owninvestigations. Meanwhile, Volkswagen’sboard has selected Matthias Müller,Porsche AG Chairman as the replacement

CEO to Martin Winterkorn.

Automan’s takeTouted at the fifth major automotivescandal in the world, it couldn’t comeat a worse time for the world’s number

two automaker by volume and CEOMartin Winterkorn and. While, a majorityof market analysts believe that VW willhave to pay heavy fines [estimated inbillions] for this ‘victim less crime’, VWis expected to act swiftly as part of itsdamage control and will fix the glitches[urea filter will cost around US$500.00per car]. Stay tuned for more breakingnews from the German automaker whichpromotes clean diesels in the US underits ‘Think Blue’ tagline. Thankfully, ourregion, isn’t affected by the currentfiasco.

CHANGE OF GUARDIn: Matthias Müller

Out: Martin Winterkorn

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Automan’s takeBoth Toyota and BMW may bediscouraged from investing too muchon the roadster and small sports carsegments as these segments are slowlyshrinking. Sales of the current BMW Z4 aredown by more than nine percent for theyear, while Toyota’s FT/GT deliveries havedeclined by almost 24percent during thesame period.Meanwhile, BMW has been in talks withMcLaren to build a super car using amodied BMW powertrain. A bi-turbo4.0-litre engine will be shoehorned intoa Mclaren’s carbon composite mid-ship platform. BMW will redesign theexterior of the car so it can be identiedas a BMW and not a rebadged McLaren.Media reports from Europe suggest sucha conguration would deliver at least750hp. This means that in terms of outputit will exceed M cars which will have theiroutputs capped around 600hp. While,the report claims the project has notyet received a nal green light, thoughchances are said to be favourable forapproval. Production is unlikely to beginuntil 2018 or later.

Infiniti finds Q50 Eau Rouge too

costly to produce

No matter how ambitious a project is, there’s always a riderattached before it can go ahead. And it seems that is whathas happened to the proposed Inniti Q50 Eau Rouge project.Inniti vice-president Francois Goupil de Bouille conrmedat last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show that that the projectwasn’t happening. “After we evaluated sales numbers, we

realized it was not realistic to produce it. It was just toocostly. That was it,” said de Bouille. However, de Bouille leftthe possibility of future Inniti also looking at performancemodels in its portfolio. Had the project been green-lighted,the Q50-based all-wheel-drive Eau Rouge would have beenpowered by a 560hp twin-turbo V6 straight from the NissanGT-R. It could have also served as a halo car for the brand.

Toyota-BMW co-developed small sports car still not decided

Giugiaro launching new design firm

Creating a small halo niche sports car can be a costly aair for any carmaker as it needsvolumes to support the investment. Both Toyota and BMW are aware about this andboth carmakers have been working together on a new project. The idea was to co-develop a new platform that could underpin new models from both brands. However,easier said than done and it seems that one of the partners doubts on production plans.It seems that Toyota has made no nal decision on whether to move forward with theproject beyond a design study. “The whole study before that, on what kind of platform,on what kind of architecture, that’s been progressing quite well,” a Toyota spokespersontold media in Frankfurt. “We haven’t yet decided to give the green light to the project,but it’s coming up.”Both carmakers have been indicating through concepts what their future sports carcould look like using the jointly-developed platform. BMW’s next-generation Z4 couldborrow design cues from the 3.0 CSL Hommage R Concept. Meanwhile, Toyota is alsolooking at reviving Supra or oer an entirely new model to slot above the FT/GT86, butwill need a longer wheelbase platform to do it. Styling inspiration from the FT-1 conceptsthat appeared last year could be used.Whatever the co-developed platform turns out to be, it is strongly rumoured that aturbocharged six-cylinder engine with a hybrid all-wheel-drive system, delivering a

combined output of over 400hp could be oered.

A few weeks ago, we reported in Brandwatch that GiorgettoGiugiaro had sold his remaining shares in the Italdesign, therm he started. News from Europe suggests that Giugiaro hasno plans to rest. In fact, he’s starting a new design consultancyalong with his son, Fabrizio.After working for established design houses Bertone and Ghia,the celebrated designer founded Italdesign Giugiaro in 1968. In2010, he sold 90.1percent of the set-up to Volkswagen Group.Fabrizio initially worked as its chief designer before Wolfgang

Egger replaced him. Interestingly, the move came shortly afterthe departure of ousted board chairman Ferdinand Piëch, whowas a longtime friend of Giorgetto and also the driving forcebehind VW’s acquisition of Italdesign.Giugiaros new business is looking at Asian carmakers andare said to be discussing potential contracts with unnamedChinese and South Korean automakers.

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Stunts dominate new carintroductions

Last month GM’s luxury brand Cadillac wanted to take Manhattanby storm as a betting event after the company shifted itsheadquarters to SoHo from Detroit this summer. The idea was abig stunt which involved suspending the forthcoming all-new XT5SUV 150 feet over the West Side Highway and giving audiences asneak preview. The XT5 wasn’t fully unveiled as it will be done atthe Dubai International Motor Show next month. The US stuntevent just served as a teaser in conjunction with a fashion show.

Cadillac

JaguarJaguar Land Rover decided to introduce the production-readyF-Pace in style as the rst ever crossover to wear the Jaguarbadge performed a record-breaking 360-degree loop. In theprocess, it withstood extreme forces of 6.5Gs as it completedthe huge 19.08m tall loop performed by professional driver TerryGrant who had to train extensively for two months to be ready tosupport those powerful forces. To make sure everything workedout perfectly, Jaguar planned the attempt several months andit involved a team of mathematicians, structural engineers andsafety experts which joined their forces to make the F-Pace

perform the loop act awlessly. And coinciding with the dramaticF-Pace launch, Jaguar has announced that it was rolling out a“First Edition” F-Pace limited to 2,000 units during the rst year ofproduction. It can be had with either the 380PS supercharged V6engine or the 300PS V6 turbodiesel and a choice of two exclusiveexterior paint schemes: Caesium Blue and Halcyon Gold whichboth represent a throwback to the C-X17 concepts unveiled in2013 at IAA and at Guangzhou Motor Show.

‘Spectre’ Bond cars revealed

The Aston Martin DB10 may be star car for the forthcoming Bond ick Spectre, but thathasn’t stop Jaguar Land Rover from unveiling a eet of vehicles which will also be usedin the upcoming lm. First and foremost, the movie will feature the Jaguar C-X75. In thelm it will be driven David Bautista who plays the character of Hinx [bad guy] and will beseen in an epic high-speed chase on the streets of Rome. The movie will also feature aRange Rover Sport SVR and several modied Land Rover Defenders. The latter vehicleswere built by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations and feature a rugged front bumper,a winch and 37in o-road tyres - among other things.Interestingly, the prospects of a limited production the C-X75 have been dropped again.Learned UK-based media has reported that Jaguar was reconsidering the project earlierthis year. Had it happened, it would have been re-christened as the C-X80 and productionlimited to 80 units to commemorate the 80th birthday of the company. Its launch could

have coincided with the release of Spectre.

Automan’s takeJaguar has axed the proposed coupe forthe second time and we are sure thatthose 80 produced would have sold outquickly. But, when it comes to maths,building them would have been a costlyand time-intensive aair. Jaguar hasother priorities in mind and instead it hasprioritized its resources to introducingnew volume-oriented models like the XEsedan and the soon-to-arrive F-Pace SUV.

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More SUVs planned by manufacturers: a look at who plans what

V6 for entry level Ferrari?

Executive Vice President, General Motors, and President at GlobalCadillac, Dave Caldwell has revealed the brand is considering acouple of new Escalade variants. Caldwell said nothing has beenapproved but the argument for a six-gure Escalade is “strongand momentum is moving it higher.” Caldwell went on to sayCadillac has already studied high-performance and ultra-luxuryvariants but they’re currently focused on creating new modelsand not derivatives. However, Caldwell denied plans for anEscalade-V. Several previous reports have suggested Cadillaccould test waters at the 2016 New York Auto Show with asupercharged 6.2-litre V8-based concept study.

At Frankfurt, Rolls-Royce ocials provided a few more detailsabout their rst SUV -- codenamed Cullinan -- which is due for alate 2018 launch. Rolls-Royce director of design Giles Taylor saidthe coach doors are likely to be implemented on the upcominghigh-riding model as he believes this layout sets Rolls-Royceapart from other automakers and it’s an important part of thecompany’s heritage. Set to compete with the Bentley Bentayga,the new ultra high-end SUV will be an “undeniable, natural,authentic Rolls-Royce that just happens to have four-wheeldrive and can go o-road if necessary”, according to Taylor. Theupcoming model is in an early development stage and the nalproduct will not chase volume as Rolls-Royce aims to remain avery exclusive brand targeting “protability, scarcity and rarity.From previous reports Cullinan will be almost as long as thePhantom and will utilize an all-new aluminium spaceframe, butsome of its hardware will be sourced from the forthcoming full-size BMW X7 SUV.

It seems that the initial interest in the Bentley Bentayga SUV following its ocialdebut in Frankfurt last month is motivating Mercedes-Benz top brass to consider

a Maybach-badged version of its GL SUV. Mercedes U.S. sales head SteveCannon called the idea of a Maybach GL a “natural t.” According to Cannon, an“incredible number” of GL’s are already ordered loaded to the gills, indicatingthere is a strong demand for something even more luxurious than Mercedes’current agship SUV. “Look at what’s happening with the Bentleys of the worldand even Lamborghini is thinking about it. There’s an appetite, a market for that,”Cannon said. “When we get to that point that we expand the Maybach oering --and we will expand the Maybach oering -- that would be a natural place to go.”Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to invest $1.3bn into theirTuscaloosa, Alabama factory to prepare for the production of the next-generationof crossovers. The funds will be used to create more space in the plant’s assembly

shop will also be expanded that will allow for the production of a wider ranges of vehicles using latest lightweight constructiontechnologies. As of now, Mercedes has ocial not declared which of models will be built at the plant but a logical guess includes the next-generation GLE, GLE Coupe and GLS.

“There is probably a V6 in our future,” revealed company CEO Amedeo Felisa in a recentinterview with motoring media. And it’s no secret that Ferrari is working on the Dino,its entry level model which is being engineered specically with China in mind. Importduties for cars with larger than 3.0-litre engines attract high customs duties and Ferrariengineers are working on a downsized version derived from the twin-turbocharged3.9-litre V8 from the recently launched 488 GTB. The 21st century Dino will use a new six-cylinder that’s currently being developed in utmost secrecy by a small team of engineersin Maranello. To suit the purpose, its displacement has been reduced to about 2.9 litresand reportedly it will be good for approximately 200hp/per litre of displacement. Themaths suggest that the twin-turbocharged six will make roughly 580hp in its initial state

of tune. Building such a power-dense engine is easier said than done, which explainswhy the small, V6-powered coupe isn’t expected to arrive until 2018 at the very earliest.The Dino will be smaller and lighter than the 488 and will oset any side eect relatedto performance. However, Ferrari has indicted that the new V6 will not have any otherapplication in the Ferrari lineup, at least not in the foreseeable future.

Cadillac

Rolls-Royce

11OCT 2015


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As expected, he biannual Frankfurt

International Motor Show in its 66th edition

lived up to its promise to intrigue and

dazzle audiences. Automan presents this

comprehensive report

As a destination to show-o their newware, ideas and technology applications inEurope, nothing comes close to Frankfurtwhich has a reputation of being the mostprolic motor show on earth. As always,there were planned pre-show teasers onthe web, high prole pre-show events etal.. Amongst dazzling lights and drama,auto manufacturers unveiled their latestmodels and concepts for the world’smedia to devour. Read on to nd out who

did what…Author: Chandan B Mallik

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Alfa Romeo Audi

Bentley

Artega

Alfa Romeo’s BMW 3-Series ghter, the Giulia Quadrifogliomade its public debut. The new rear-wheel-drive Alfa sedan wasone of the highlights of this year’s Frankfurt motor show andred-hot ‘Cloverleaf’ specication was an indication of its sportyaspirations. First unveiled in June 2015 at a special event in Milan,it represents the long-awaited successor to the 159. The car willgo on sale next year.

Audi introduced the S4 Sedan and S4 Avant variants which nowuse a newly developed V6 3.0 TFSI engine. The engine has morepower than its predecessor and at the same time it’s lighter andbrings increased fuel eciency.

Among the rst time models presented, Bentley took the morninglead in introducing their rst ever SUV called “Bentayga”. Bentleyhas gone on lengths to promote it as the quickest, most powerfulmodel in this segment. The Bentagya SUV is an evolution of theEXP 9 F concept from a while back. Bentley says the W12-poweredAudi Q7-based Bentayga is relatively economical for a model inthis segment and the cabin will be ultra-luxurious. Bentley hasannounced the rst year of production has already reached soldout status, even though the model begins at £160,200.

Boutique German sports car maker Artega partnered with autoelectronics manufacturer Paragon to produce an all-electric, rear-wheel drive two-seater Scalo. Sporting styling and body designfrom the 2011 edition, it gets a larger powerplant and a greaterfocus on aerodynamics. Two water-cooled, high-performanceelectric motors produce 402bhp allowing the lightweightcomposite car to do 0 to 96km/h sprint in 3.6secs with anelectronically-limited top speed of 249km/h.

The successor of the current Veyron has been a top talking pointin the industry in recent weeks following the sale of the lastproduction model a few weeks ago. Bugatti presented a digitalrendition of radical racecar developed for Polyphony Digital’s GranTurismo 6 game barely days before the show. The Vision GranTurismo isn’t only just a fantasy car for the PS3 video game as it alsoprovides a sneak preview at Bugatti’s new design language thatwill debut with the much awaited Veyron replacement. As for theBugatti VGT concept presented at the show it appears ultra-modernbut at the same time it takes inuences from iconic models such asthe 1936 Type 57 Atlantic and the Type 57 G Tank which have beencombined with Veyron cues. Bugatti says that the VGT concept wasdeveloped with real-time technical features, like its design and aeroproling, but details regarding the technical specications are scarce

at the moment.

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BMW Ferrari

Honda

Jeep

Citroen

BMW’s presentation at Frankfurt was a bit embarrassing, butcompared to the setback faced by Volkswagen Audi Group inthe aftermath of the diesel scam, it was nothing. During thecompany’s press conference for media, BMW CEO Harald Kruegercollapsed and it had to be cancelled. However, the launchprogramme went on as scheduled and BMW introduced the track-only M6 GT3 and the road-going M6 Coupe Competition Edition.

Also presented were the facelifted 3-Series and new 7-Series.

Close on the heels of last winter’s launch of the Ferrari 488 GTBcoupe, Ferrari unveiled the 488 Spider version. With a bodydesigned by legendary Ferrari coachbuilder Scaglietti and a3.9-litre turbocharged V8 engine, the 488 Spider claims the same660hp and 560lb-ft of torque enjoyed by the 488 GTB whenmated to Ferrari’s F1 seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. Ferrarialso used the event to introduce two tailor made California Ts.

Honda actually grabbed a lot of attention this year with aninteresting Project 2&4 concept. Honda’s new concept takesdesign cues from the 1965 RA272 and adopts a minimalist designwhile trying to combine the “freedom of a motorcycle” with“the maneuverability of a car.” Weighing just 405kg, at its heartis a specically modied 999cc motorcycle engine that has animpressive 14,000rpm redline.

Citroën, usually known for quirky and intriguing conceptsunveiled its lifestyle oriented Cactus M concept. The conceptsurely reminded one of the classic Méhari. Citroën’s briefdescribed the concept as an outdoor version of the production C4Cactus. Designers removed the roof and made other revisions tothe body and included plastic doors. One of the most importantchanges is the rear “roof extension” which enables wakeboardsand suroards to be installed on top of the vehicle. The conceptalso has an inatable roof that doubles as a tent when it’s not

installed on the car. Citroën CEO Linda Jackson had mentionedthat the carmaker was looking at the prospect of resurrecting theMéhari and possibly ideas from this concept could be used in aproduction model.

Jeep came to the show with special editions of its Cherokee andRenegade models. The Cherokee Night Eagle is based on the CherokeeLongitude and features gloss black accents and 18in alloy wheels with agloss black nish. The Renegade Night Eagle is based on the Renegade

Longitude and features satin grey exterior accents as well as 17in alloywheels with a black nish. A new matte nish colour called Volcano Sand

has been introduced for this model. Interior changes are limited butthe crossover comes nicely equipped with a leather-wrapped steering,unique upholstery and a UConnect infotainment system.

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Hyundai Jaguar

Land Rover

Mini

As promised, South Korean automaker Hyundai presented its newN sub-brand. Head of Hyundai Motor Company’s PerformanceDevelopment & High Performance Vehicle Division, AlbertBiermann, said the introduction of Hyundai N was a criticalmilestone for the company and will change the wayThe N branded cars will focus on performance, with newpowertrains and lightweight construction materials. The rst

models wearing this badge included the i20 WRC rally car, andthe RM15 and the digitally rendered N 2025 Vision Gran Turismoconcepts. Hyundai describes the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo asthe ultimate concept car, which has been designed exclusively forPlayStation’s Gran Turismo racing game and is certainly appearslike a oating jet ghter. In addition to the N car design, Hyundaidesigners also showcased a bobsleigh as part of the N rangewhich has been designed for the Korean national Bobsleigh team.

The British brand had more than one reason to celebrate atFrankfurt. Two years ago, Jaguar took the wraps of its C-X17concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now, at the samevenue, the same design team has turned that concept into theproduction Jaguar 2017 F-Pace, the brand’s very rst SUV. Priorto the roll out, Jaguar organised a world record stunt with thecar. For the successful loop stunt, stunt driver Terry Grant and the

F-Pace endured forces of 6.5Gs on the 19.08m largest 360-degreetall loop. Meanwhile, the event also celebrated the 80th birthdayof the Jaguar brand. Interestingly, the Jaguar C-X75 which wasoriginally revealed as an innovative supercar concept in 2010was presented as a specially commissioned movie car from theupcoming Spectre James Bond lm.

Land Rover introduced the new Discovery Sport Dynamic aheadof its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The show modelfeatured additional body coloured trim, Narvik Black accents and

19- or 20in alloy wheels with either a Satin Dark Grey or GlossBlack nish. Land Rover was tight-lipped about the interior butdespite darkened windows, one could make out elements likecontrast stitching, body coloured trim and alloy pedals.

After announcing a few weeks ago that the brand was headinginto a new direction with its line-up, the rst indication of thatmove came with the brand new Clubman wagon. Set to goon sale in Germany on Halloween, the redesigned Clubman isessentially an enlarged version of the Cooper ve-door as it’s27cm longer, 9cm wider and rides on a wheelbase that hasbeen stretched 10cm. The larger dimensions create a more

accommodating cabin and cargo compartment.

Talking point

Peter Schreyer

Hyundai Motor Group chief design ocer “The GT racer plays an important role in thecompany’s new N-branding strategy as a new

era of driver-focused models gets underway. Itwill open up a lot of possibilities”

Talking point

Gerry McGovern

Land Rover design director and chiefcreative ocer“By 2020 there will be over 22 million SUV-type vehicles sold globally and althoughwe use that term generically, we know it’sfragmenting to all kinds of niche productsand therein the opportunity for us”

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First previewed as the KX-3 concept last year in China, Kia’sproduction version is the new Sportage. It sports a new front andrear end in a similar prole and Kia says that the interiors havebeen signicantly upgraded with top class materials, t, nishand feature to represent premium aspirations for this model.For the rst time, Kia says that a new ‘GT Line’ specication isavailable to Sportage which has been designed and engineered

to appeal to those looking for a sportier driving experience. TheGT Line specication delivers all the versatility of the standardSportage while adding greater visual and dynamic appeal. Kiaalso presented refreshed versions of its Golf-rivalling Cee’dhatchbacks. Kia also introduced a more powerful version of theall-new Optima sedan with Euro specs.

Kia

SsangYong

Lamborghini

Maserati

Suzuki

Maserati took the wraps o the 2016 Ghibli and Quattroporte models.The updated sedans feature new Euro6 petrol engines with start/stoptechnology and performance specications remain unchanged. Maseraticlaims the new engines are up to 12per cent more fuel-ecient. Dieselvariants have been equipped with Maserati’s AdBlue technology.

Prior to the show Lamborghini teasers were being released hintingat a mysterious new model. The teaser line – ‘The sky will never bethe same’ was a subtle hint for an open top model and given thefact that Lamborghini had introduced the Aventador Super VeloceRoadster at Pebble Beach in August, it was a logical conclusion that themystery model was to be a Huracan variant. After a week’s worth ofteasing, Lamborghini unveiled the Huracan Spyder on the dawn of the

Frankfurt Motor Show. Lamborghini will start deliveries of the HuracanSpyder next spring at prices kicking o from €186,450 plus taxes.

South Korean automaker SsangYong presented two concepts-- the XAV-Adventure and XLV-Air. The XAV-Adventure representsa fresh interpretation of the Korando and targets active andyoung people and oers true o-road capability and maximum

drivability. The XLV-Air concept oers a better glimpse of nextyear’s seven-seater Tivoli which will have a longer wheelbase toaccommodate the two extra accommodation..

Suzuki ocially revealed the new Baleno sedan which now boastsof a new ‘Liquid Flow’ design theme. The styling is voluptuous andis accentuated by the curves and large mudguards seen on themodel. Sales for the Europe destined Baleno will commence inearly 2016 with the model being shipped from the Maruti Suzukiplant in Manesar in India. Engine options on the Euro spec SuzukiBaleno include the new 1.0-litre BoosterJet direct-injection three-cylinder turbo petrol unit paired to a 5-speed manual or 6-speedautomatic transmissions. A bigger 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

paired to a 5-speed manual or CVT autobox will also be oered.

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One of the cool concept presentations came from Mercedes-Benz this year. The futuristic ‘Concept IAA’ [IAA used here is anacronym for ‘Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile’ rather thanthe more familiar ‘Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung’ orInternational Motor Show in English] was presented as a four-door coupe previewing technology that will eventually appearin generation next models. While no ocial announcement

was made as regards to which future model the Concept IAApreviewed, the company said in a statement that some of thetechnology and the interior “oers a foretaste of the businesssedan of the near future”. And going by the current model line-up, the next production sedan set to be revealed by Mercedes isthe new-generation E-Class next year. The concept suggested anearly look of the brand’s all-important new E-Class. The secondmodel which made headlines for the brand was the all-newS-Class Cabrio. The new C-class Coupe and its AMG and DTM trackversions were also on display.

Following the private unveil of the Rolls-Royce Dawn in July, theWraith-based four-seater coupe convertible took centre stage.With 80per cent bespoke body panels, the Dawn is more than justa rooess Wraith and according to RR this is the “world’s onlytrue modern four-seater super-luxury drophead”. Rolls-Roycedoesn’t like to call this a 2+2 as in most cases such a congurationimplies two smaller seats, but the Dawn is a true four-seaterwith plenty of room for those sitting in the back. Tipping thescales at 2,560kg, the Dawn is approximately 200kg heavier thanthe Wraith due to the more complex roof and the necessaryreinforcements. At its heart is a 563bhp 6.6-litre V12 bi-turboengine and ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Mercedes-Benz

Rolls-Royce

Nissan

Porsche

With the Gripz concept, Nissan oered is a glimpse at the futureof crossover in the form of a four-door, 2+2 coupe on stilts. TheGripz has been dramatically styled to borrow elements of SUVsand Z sports cars. At the show, Nissan executives said clearly thatthe concept does not preview a direct replacement for either thecompact Juke or Qashqai compact SUV. Whatever be the case,one thing is sure that some of the Gripz’s styling elements will

eventually lter through to the smaller of Nissan’s crossovers,due for replacement in 2016. Interestingly, the 4,100mm longfootprint of the concept is very close to that of the currentJuke. Nissan’s other headlining presentation was that of theNP300 Navarra pick-up which will also form the basis of a futureMercedes-Benz truck.The Thailand version of the Navarra was introduced last year and thiswas the model’s Europe spec presentation.

Like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche literally shook the show by stormwith its very intriguing Mission E concept. Porsche has been hintingabout electric cars for a while and in specic terms a Tesla Model Scompetitor before the end of the decade. Frankfurt suggested thatthere now there are more genuine reasons to believe that such apossibility is high on the agenda as the Mission E concept takes theshape of a range busting all-electric drive. The concept looked like aPanamera designed for 2025.Besides this concept, Porsche also presented their facelifted Porsche911 Carrera Coupe and Carrera S variants with several new andupdated features. Key among them is the new twin-turbo 3.0-litresix-cylinder engine which now oers improved performance and areapproximately 12percent more ecient than their predecessors. Thefacelifted Porsche 911 will be launched in Germany on December 12 andpricing starts at 96,605 euros.

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Mazda

Toyota

Renault

Volkswagen

Mazda had been teasing media with its Koeru concept days beforethe show and speculation is that the new car will be called CX-4 whenthis new model goes into production. The ve-door, ve-seat wagonconcept sits on a 2,700mm wheelbase [same as CX-5 SUV], stronglysuggesting it is using SkyActiv architecture. However, the Koeru is60mm longer and 60mm wider than the CX-5 and speculation is thatthe company has a CX-6 or born-again CX-7 in mind for the future.

Mazda spokespeople at the show said that the CX-4 badge wasspecically reserved for a future crossover cruiser type of vehicle.

Toyota presented its fourth generation new Prius hybrid. As the brand’srst global model to ride on Toyota’s TNGA platform, the reinvented Priusadopts a polarizing design. Design niggles put aside, Toyota says the all-newPrius boasts a 60percent more rigid chassis wrapped around in a bodywhich is now longer, wider and lower. The car’s fuel eciency has also beenimproved by 10per cent. Toyota also introduced its Euro-spec RAV4 HybridSUV.Although entirely not new, Toyota showcased an updated version ofits C-HR concept. It may be recalled that it was almost a year ago at the ParisMotor Show where Toyota introduced the rst C-HR concept. The NissanJuke rival now comes with a more toned down personality suggesting it hasgot series production potential. The nal production version is scheduled to

make an appearance in March next year at Geneva.

Renault had an impressive display and the key highlight of thebrand’s stand was the brand new mid-size model called Talisman inboth sedan and wagon body styles. The Talisman will replace theslow-selling and outdated Laguna and Latitude models. Interestingly,Renault asked Daimler to thoroughly check quality control, so thenew cars should provide superior t and nish both inside and out.The Renault Talisman Sedan and Estate are programmed to go on

sale in mainland Europe in the rst half of 2016. Renault also usedthe show to debut the new Megane family, which was previewedonline a week before the show. The design of the incoming fourth-generation Megane is heavily inuenced by the bigger Talisman.The car will be built in Spain on the Renault Nissan Alliance’s exibleCommon Family Module (CFM) architecture.

Volkswagen took the covers o its bigger-but-lighter second-generation Tiguan compact SUV on the eve of the Frankfurt motorshow. Four variants were unveiled, including a traditional model, ano-road-specic version and a higher-performance R-Line agship. Aproduction-oriented GTE plug-in concept was also revealed.

“The design had arisen from research showingMazda3 owners wanted something sportier thanthe CX-5 wagon and bigger than CX-3 crossoverwhen they decided shift up into the SUV ranks.These customers told us they were still seeking anew solution – a body style solution,”

Talking point

Masahiro Moro

Managing executive ocer, sales and marketing

Talking point

Jerome Stoll

Renault executive vice- president

“Renault Group is considering a proposal for its Alpine premium sportscar brand to go globalwith a range of up to three vehicles. The world’stwo biggest markets, the United States and

China, are included in the draft plan that will beput to the board for a decision in early 2016”

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Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo Concept

From virtual to digital -- French supersports car Bugatti transformed itsBugatti Vision Gran Turismo teaser

renditions into a real carbon-bre racerspecially for the motor show in Germanylast month. While, the project wasdesigned exclusively for the PlayStationvideo game franchise Gran Turismo, theconcept comes at a time when all 450units in the current Veyron series havebeen sold out.As a result, the Vision Gran Turismoconcept project is being seen as a newchapter in the luxury brand’s historythat hopefully will be greenlighted forproduction as the new Bugatti supersports car.For the creation, Bugatti has joined hands

with Polyphony Digital, creator of Gran

Turismo video game. In this game, theBugatti Vision Gran Turismo will race in aclass in which the racers typically bear noor little relation to actual cars and whosedesign is therefore far more extreme andperformance-geared than that of street-legal cars.Two points were important to thedesign team: rst, the virtual carshould have the distinctive Bugattilook and embody Bugatti’s values of“Art, Forme, Technique”, and, second,every vehicle component should have areal performance function. The virtualrace car was therefore developed inclose collaboration with the Bugattiengineers and is based on cutting-edgeracing technology and aerodynamic

analyses. Nevertheless, the car’s technical

features, like its design, are realistic,since the virtual project is based onthe Bugatti development team’s latestsimulation models of driving dynamicsand aerodynamics. The engineers and thedesigners worked together meticulouslyon the project for six months. Theexpressive design of the Bugatti VisionGran Turismo is marked by large convexsurfaces, which contrast with concavetransitions and strong lines. That lendsthe exterior styling precision and surfacetensions of the highest quality. Theproportions of the vehicle are athletic anddesign suggests planned for maximumperformance. The cockpit lies as lowslung as possible between the fourdominant wheel housings and is fully

enclosed by the muscular wings. The

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After a few interesting teasers, Bugatti

came to the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show(IAA) well prepared with its Vision Gran

Turismo concept. Is this the outgoing

Veyron’s successor? Author: Chandan B Mallik

extreme mid-engined proportions withthe V-shaped front end and short rearoverhang indicate powerful forwardthrust even when stationary. The resultis a dynamic, “ready-to-race” stance thatgives the impression of immense powerimmediately at the ready.The designers have unmistakeablyintegrated the key features of the Bugattidesign DNA into the virtual race car’sdesign. The side prole of the BugattiVision Gran Turismo features the famousBugatti line, which not only dividesthe exterior into the signature two-tone nish, but also plays an importantaerodynamic role in cooling the vehicle.The virtual race car also features the moststriking Bugatti symbol - the horseshoe

on the front grille. It is positioned in the

centre of the central front air intakeas a three-dimensional sculpture, andacts as a support for the front splitter.The horseshoe is anked by the eight-eye headlamps, which were speciallydeveloped for Bugatti Vision GranTurismo. They also have an aerodynamicfunction, since they act as air intakes tocool the brakes.Another signature Bugatti design elementis the centre n, which derives from thelegendary 1936 Type 57 Atlantic. Thedesigners have used two versions of then for the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo:one on the wings and rear side panels,where the ns enhance the design ofthe vehicle and the other running thelength of the roof, where the n makes

an important contribution to the car’s

Le Mans has influencedthe design of the virtual

race car for Vision Gran

Turismo in two ways --first through Bugatti’s

impressive victories onthe circuit there and

secondly, this particular

track with its long

straights remains an

emblem of top speed even

today 21OCT 2015


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dynamic stability. The kinematic systemfor the rear wing, which controls the air

brake and the drag reduction system(DRS), is located here.An interesting detail on the roofis the NACA duct, which, with itscontrasting light blue nish, is not onlystrikingly aesthetic, but is also the mostaerodynamic way to bring air into theengine at roof level without creatingturbulence in the inow of the rear wing.The rear of the vehicle has a strongtrailing edge which provides excellentdriving stability, exhausts the hot air fromthe engine compartment and, no less

importantly, unmistakeably shows the

virtual competitor that a Bugatti is gettingahead and away from them.

Just as with the exterior, no compriseswere made when it came to the design ofthe vehicle’s interior. The striking centren of the roof is echoed in the interior,where it divides the cockpit from therest of the interior and merges with thecentral console below. The interior picksup the two-tone nish of the outer shell.Every aspect of the interior is gearedto racing. All indicators, displays andcontrols, which are positioned where aracing driver would expect them to be,are easy to read and can be reached in a

split second.

Bugatti has held the record

for the world’s fasteststreet-legal production

vehicle since 2010 with a

speed of 431.072km/h

and made its way into the

record books again in 2013

with the world’s fastest

production roadster,

clocking 408.84km/h

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Where did the influences for the concept originate?

In its design, the Vision Gran Turismo pays direct homage to the brand’s great racingtradition of the 1920s and 1930s, in particular its victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mansrace, and is based on cutting-edge motor sport technology. Historical inspiration for themodern virtual race car for Vision Gran Turismo came, in particular, from the Bugatti Type57 Tank and its victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans races in 1937 and 1939. The BugattiVision Gran Turismo will race in the classic blue two-tone nish of the Type 57 G Tank,which was the winning car in 1937, while also evoking the colour of the historic Frenchrace cars of that time. Blue has been the Bugatti brand colour ever since. Companyfounder Ettore Bugatti was the rst car maker to build street-legal versions of his compactand lightweight race cars, which he sold successfully to amateur racing drivers followingvictorious weekends on the track. The Type 35, probably the most successful race car ofall time with over 2,000 victories and podium nishes in its day, is the most prominentexample of that phenomenon and continues to embody Bugatti’s racing legacy. At thesame time the virtual project also previews Bugatti’s future design language.

There are two displays for the driver,both of which are convex for improved

readability in line with state-of-the-artdesign. The display on the steering wheelshows all the relevant vehicle information.The second display is located on thesteering column and combines the imagesfrom the three cameras mounted on theexterior of the vehicle to provide thedriver with a better overview for an evensafer driving experience. All displays inthe cockpit are backlit so the driver cansee the information easily. No mechanicaldetails have been released and ahigh performance W16 engine-based

powertrain is expected to be tted.

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2016 Nissan Maxima

MAXIMISINGPOTENTIALNissan brings back its Maxima sedan as a

generation VIII model for MY2015 with a promise

to invigorate the segment befitting its tagline.

Automan was among the first media invitees from the region to check out the car

in Dubai last month

Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Jorge Ferrari

Worldwide, the D-segmentsedan segment has beenoften been overlooked as the

industry seems to think that new model

introduction is just a mere formality.Occasionally, a carmaker does try tointroduce a new concept and package,and depending on the timing can makethe best out of it. The Taurus by Ford wasone such example, which when launchedin 2008, sort of rekindled the interest inthe segment which is currently occupiedby a host of sedate models ranging fromToyota Avalon, Camry, Honda Accord,Chevrolet Impala, Lincoln MKX amongothers. Interestingly, Honda and Toyotadecided to use refreshed styling andfeature upgrades as their key weapon to

keep consumer interest in their respectivemodels, while Ford’s representative gottotally outclassed with the arrival of theall-new Chevrolet Impala in 2014. For Ford,it was a peculiar situation consideringit started quite well with the Taurus.The model did garner a lot success andindustry accolades, but somehow Fordunderestimated domestic competition.To some extent, we think Ford itself isto blame for losing the Taurus plot byfocusing too much on just eciencytechnologies alone. And by the time it

realised it was losing out to competition,

it was too late. Ford did attempt to givethe Taurus a new lease of life with itsperformance-oriented SHO version, but itwas deemed too late for damage control.

Meanwhile, for Nissan it was time to getthe Maxima back in the game. The Gen VIIwas got lukewarm response as it was seenas a clone of the Altima and for the brandit was important to break that imagestereotype. Nissan was also in no moodto give up the Maxima badge heritage justlike that and let it slide into the oblivion.With a refreshed mind and clear cut visionfor the incoming Gen VIII Maxima, Nissanbegan teasing the media and audienceswith a dramatically styled car which it thenreferred to as the “4-Door Sports Car”concept. Well, for Maxima acionados,

that was great news because Nissan hadstrongly indicated that it was going backto its roots with this new car evidenced bythe fact that Nissan used this tagline in thethird-generation model which was sold inearly 1990s.The large sedan concept was presentedfor the rst time at the 2015 New YorkInternational Auto Show and it didgenerate a lot of interest. Among rstthings noted that it did sport new designlanguage cues and signature inuencesfrom other models. Highlights include the

V-Motion front end, signature boomerang

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Murano-inspired, kick-up C-pillars, coupe-inuenced oating roof and personaliseddetailing like the lettering 4DSC [“4-DoorSports Car”] etched into the headlamps.The interesting fact is that the sheetmetalof car has been dramatically transformeda muscular one with bulges, strongcreaselines, front wheel drive proportionswhich together give it its standaloneprole. By any measure, it is a remarkabledesign feat considering the car is builton the current Altima’s platform. With

both cars parked next to each other, thedierentiation becomes much clearer.And to support the stance, there are somedimensional dierences too. The newMaxima’s roof is 1.3in lower than the lastgeneration, while the body is 2.2in longer.The car’s stier by 25percent platformsports a 109.3in wheelbase and aroundclose to 40kg lighter than before. Overall,the car is 192.8in long and is 56.5in tall andthe car denitely looks sharp, low andaggressive.Considering that the rst job [exteriordesign] was successfully accomplished,

interior designers set out to give it abetting treatment and a lot of inspirationcame after a visit to the Blue Angels[ocially known as the US Navy FlightDemonstration Squadron] in Pensacola,USA. As a result in the spacious cabin, onecan nd specic design elements like theraked visor windscreen and dual panelpanoramic moonroof which stronglyechoes the canopy feel of a ghter jet.As with this America-built car, there aresome old-styled features like the footoperated parking brake, but the rest of the

design is quite modern and attractive. The

layout of the dashboard is striking withits higher than usual centre console, at-bottom steering wheel, large instrumentgauge cluster and centre console controlsangled toward the driver. The gear shifterlever itself is shaped to resemble anaircraft joystick and the push button startfor the intelligent key has been moved tothe console itself. The start button pulseswhen the driver enters the cabin.Also located on the console is the DisplayCommander switch, which allows for

ngertip control of the center displayinformation screens. And, a special mediabin is place forward on the console andincludes two USB and auxiliary ports,along with room enough to hold aniPhone® 6 Plus.The feature pack oered will varyaccording to trim level. For instance thetop-of-the-line SR grade cars get premiumAscot leather with diamond-quilted

Alcantara seat and at bottomed steering

wheel with inserts; “Liquid Chrome” facedinterior trim nishers and unique, 19inwheels and aluminium pedals.Meanwhile, premium technologyfeatures which are being oered forthe Maxima include an 8.0in colourdisplay features multi-touch control forintuitive smartphone-like gestures such asswiping and pinch-to-zoom. The systemis paired with a standard 7.0in AdvancedDrive Assist Display [ADAD] within theinstrument cluster.

Although Nissan hasn’t said this ocially,the car does get some features in itspackaging which till now are usually foundin luxury cars and include things like powertilt/telescoping steering wheel, keylesseasy entry, around view monitor, remotestart and a powered rear sunshade. Anddepending on grade, the car weighsbetween 1,574 and 1,582 kg. That’s notall, the materials used – including plasticsare top quality in touch and feel, t andnish is close to luxury class vehicles andthe NASA-inspired zero gravity front seatsare both sporty, comfortable and oer

appropriate lumber support. In termsof space, the rear can accommodateaverage-size adults with just enoughhead- and legroom. However, due to thesloping rooine, taller passengers will ndnoticeably less backseat space than theAltima.Powering the car is revised 3.5-litre V6normally-aspirated engine from the VQ35DE family. Nissan claims that the enginehas been reworked with over 60per centnew parts. Some engineering inspirationshave been borrowed from high

performance machines like the GT-R. A

Sporting an athleticbody redesign, the

new Maxima features

Nissan’s “Four-

Door Sports Car”

positioning, a return

to a marketing term

used on the Gen III J30series [1988-1992]

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redesigned intake manifold and valvetrain[including sodium lled exhaust valvesto reduce combustion chamber heat]improve the engine’s airow and help itproduce 300hp and 261lb-ft of torque.For transferring this power to the frontwheels one would have expected acogged set-up considering the fact thatthe car is being promoted as a 4-doorsports coupe. But, that’s not the case and

instead Nissan have mated the engine toXtronic CVT transmission. And to ensuresome driving thrill, the this CVT set-up getsa wider ratio range [which should allowfor stronger acceleration from a standingstart] and an all-new D-Step shifting logicthat Nissan says provides faster shifts athigh throttle openings.The chassis set-up varies between thegrades and since no specic detailswere provided during the technicalpresentation, we assume it’s a carriedforward set-up from the outgoingmodel. Even in that edition, the set-up

was modern and included all-roundindependent set-up with MacPhersonstruts up front, multi-links at the rear withstabiliser bars at both ends. The top endSR models get a sport-tuned suspensionpackage which includes Yamaha chassisperformance damper; an integrateddynamics control module with Active RideControl, Active Trace Control and ActiveEngine Brake.All variants come with a range of activeand passive safety/security features.Driving aids include Predictive ForwardCollision Warning [PFCW], IntelligentCruise Control [ICC], Forward EmergencyBraking [FEB], Rear Cross Trac Alert[CTA] and Blind Spot Warning [BSW].In the top-of-the-line SR grade, DriverAttention Alert [DAA] system is oered.The system monitors steering inputpatterns to establish a baseline andhelps alert the driver when drowsy orinattentive driving is detected.

Driving impressions

The rst thing we did note in this car insideis that this was comfortable and spaciouswith a pleasant wrap around eect.The outward view is clear and despite araked windscreen, the front occupantssit fairly protected from the elements.The engine note is smooth at idling andonce put into gear it moves like a coggedset-up. Usually cars with CVT set-ups are

boring to drive [with the exception of afew models from Audi or Subaru] as inthe driving experience there’s this veryirritating engine droning note which mostCVT’s deliver under hard acceleration.In normal drive mode, the car behavesquite normally and the car takes o nicely,although not as aggressive as in the GT-R.When in Sport modes, Nissan’s “D-StepProgramming” appears entertaining asit does able to convey the sensation ofshifting gears during aggressive driving.The CVT’s shift logic becomes moreaggressive at full throttle, anticipating

the need for renewed acceleration duringintensive cornering. Paddle shifters in theSR version let you manually select ratios.The key standout feature out here is thatnone of the drone eect associated withCVTs is experienced as Nissan engineershave used Bose noise-cancelling audiosystem and acoustically laminatedwindscreen glass and front windows quiteeectively to lter unwanted soundscoming in the cabin during normal drivingsituations. While, active noise cancellationeectively dampens harsh sounds to someextent, the engine as expected gets abit loud at higher revs. In general the cardoesn’t feel underpowered and it will dothe 0-96km/h sprint in 6.2secs [5.9sec inthe SR].While the car’s electric power steeringtypical of the set-up lacks the sharpfeedback of say the GT-R. Despite 61.4percent of the weight residing on thefront axle, it is quite light and the car feels

neutral most of the time. The steeringdelivered good linear feedback and onmost roads we drove the car and we cansay that the incoming Maxima does rideand handle much better than the Altima.Our only niggle is that the Maxima’s front-wheel-drive layout limits its capabilitiesof a sharper sport sedan as some torquesteer can be evident and the car beginsto lose its composure in tighter corners,

where the tyres easily surrender their grip.And then you have an overly aggressivestability control system which alsointerferes and resists quick transitions andacceleration out of corners. However, ofthe grades driven, the SR version is ourchoice for sporty performance. Its chassisset-up is slightly dierent than its siblingsand appears tighter and we think the twosteering eort levels [Normal and Sport]are best suited in this set-up for most on-road driving situations. This is evident inthe way the car handles as it is helped bytauter front shocks and stabilizer bars, as

well as monotube rear shock absorbers.A chassis damper stops the stiersuspension from transmitting too muchunpleasantness from the road and thelarger 19in wheel combo oers better gripthan the standard 18in combo.

Verdict

The completely redesigned for 2016 NissanMaxima represents the brand’s largestsedan. Although, it is longer and lowerthan the outgoing model, technically it willbe considered as a midsize sedan. While itis not a true a four-door sports sedan butits dramatic styling, comfortable cabin,and extensive list of features make it acompelling choice in a segment which hastraditionally been seen as mundane. Thebest part of the Maxima is way it has beenpackaged to narrow the gap between themainstream and luxury sedan segmentsbesides attractive pricing points. Pricesbegin from US29,999.00 in this region.

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Hyundai Tucson

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HOW TO WINCUSTOMERS AND KEEP

AHEAD That, in a nutshell, is what Hyundai is achieving

in its move to upgrade the Tucson to generation

three. We have our first run in with the car at its

media reveal on the island of Gran Canaria Author: Raj Warrior

At the outset, let’s admit that we

were as confused as anyone elsewhen we were invited for the

launch of the third generation of theTucson. Yes, we had been tracking it asit the transition in family look happenedunder the direction of Peter Schreyer, whoover the past couple of years has madethe move to heading the consolidatedHyundai-KIA group a matter of stampinghis design ethos. In the meantime,Hyundai’s uidic sculpture design themehas also transitioned to its version 2, whilethe new hexagonal grille has migratedacross various models.But, and here is the clincher, is the Tucsononly in generation three? It seems a lotmore than that. At the heart of it could bethe whole idea that Hyundai has set up amodel churn that has foreshortened thetime taken for a new model to replace acurrent one. But in the case of the Tucson,we are currently on approximately veyears for a generation, seeing as to howGen 1 debuted in 2004 and Gen 2 in 2010.Each successive generation has built onthe virtues of the previous, raising themodel up the value chain while meeting

and exceeding competition in its price

bracket. For any perceived shortcomings

about the Elantra-platform based Tucson,it is a hit in all respects.That’s why the replacement had to berather unique. It comes at a time whenthe engine-size downtrend is gainingmomentum. The genre of the smallSUV has set in well and the typical (forour region at least) 2.0- and 2.4-litrevariants cover a wide segment of buyers,from those seeking a value alternativeto a midsize car, to those trying tocommunicate a lifestyle.The answer was to concentrate onmaking the car visually distinct, carryingover the virtues of the existing platform,while suitably strengthening it so as tomake it future proof and packaging thenew design with a set of features thatput it ahead of its target segment. This ishow we would see the generation threetagged. The family look is very strong –so strong in fact that between the newCreta (built on the i20 platform variant)the Tucson (o the i30) and the Santa Fe(yes, the i40 variant) you are now oereda choice of Small, Medium and Large ofwhat looks like the same SUV.

Of course there are dierences, as can

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be seen in the fascia and around thefoglights, with the prole of the Tucsonoering the sleekest interpretation of the

two box form. This builds on the slightlylonger wheelbase (30mm longer thanbefore) and being 65mm longer. Theprole lines, with the Schreyer treatmentof the greenhouse then leads into thesleek feel further. As the roof taperso post the C-pillar, you almost expecta fastback like drop-o. This results ina small rear window. Now throw in analmost Audi like treatment of the taillightassembly and you have a car that looksfaster going away than coming.The interiors have seen the largestimprovement. All touch and feel surfacesare really benchmark setting, with thelatest generation of operating systemon-board. The new cockpit type cabin getsa large central screen with hi-resolutioncolour display (linked to camera andnavigation where provided) and a glossyblack-on-black centre console, withswitches for hill descent control, AWDlock and drive modes. The drive modesare centred on steering feel and gearshiftresponse and remind you of the modesthat have been seen in the Santa Fe andSonata as well. The steering variability is

dialled in by intensity of electric power assist.

The front suspension features aMcPherson strut system, with a newrebound spring and four bush mountings

on the subframe to enhance comfortand reduce NVH. The multilink rearsuspension system is improved to enhanceoverall dynamics. Like the front, the rearsubframe receives four bush mountings,while the upper and lower suspensionarms are increased in length to enhanceoverall suspension performance.Hyundai Motor claims to have developedevery element of the chassis to enhancehigh-speed and cornering stability, whilealso maximising the benets of the longwheelbase (2670 mm) and wide track tooptimise ride and handling characteristics.The new set of features available on thecar also includes Blind-spot detection,panoramic sunroof, a new sound systemand new second row seat mechanisms.And the body structure has undergonea major upgrade with more than halfthe metal used on it in the form of ultrahigh strength steel and tailored blanks,resulting in an increase in stiness by 48%over the previous platform.Wheel sizes also go all the way from 16” atthe entry level variant to 19” on the verytop oering. Combine that with a range

of alloy wheels (and we dare say a steel

wheel design for the 16”) and you have agood range of looks for the prole.While a whole crop of engines were on

display at the launch, the most interestingof the lot may not actually make its wayto the region; the 1.6-litre turbochargedpetrol engine does all that you wouldexpect from a turbo – ample availabletorque, quick revving and mates wellwith the six-speed automatic and manualgearboxes. The catch is that the setupis very Europe centric with perceptibleturbo lag. European drivers are too usedto compensating for the lower rev band.Here in the region we will debut withthe 2.0-litre NU engine and the carryover2.4-litre we have in the region.There are certain technologies thatdebut with this model that may or maynot reach our region. For instance theturbocharged engine is partnered witha 7-speed DCT gearbox that is newlydeveloped. Also the car’s systems getautomated emergency braking, cross-traffic warning on the rear-view cameraand lane-assist. And the sound-systempartners well with an IPhone, completewith Bluetooth streaming and two 12Vpower sockets in the front. We can onlyhope that most of these technologies

will reach our shores.

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2016 Chrysler 300S

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles [FCA]has a lot on its agenda these days.Among key priorities are things like

improving perceived quality of cars by

using better materials in trims and bringbuild quality tolerances to accepted globallevels for its cars cutting across brands.For achieving this goal, FCA has made keyinvestments in places where it mattersand has even deputed a quality team tooversee the eort. The results of theseinitiatives are beginning to show acrossmodels in the line-up, particularly in theDodge-Chrysler brand portfolio.When it comes to sedans, usually, rear-wheel drive, athletic moves, alluring looksand room for ve aptly describes a BMW

5 Series, Mercedes -Benz E-Class or a

new car from America that I had for thelong weekend, the Chrysler 300S. The carcomes at a time when the 300 family hasbeen refreshed for the nameplate’s 60th

birthday.Among Chrysler’s current line-up ofsedans, the 300 sits on the top as the full-size agship sedan representative. It oersthe boldest styling in the segment and for2015 Chrysler has tweaked its exterior a bitand made it even bolder. The car now getsa redesigned front and rear and featuresa larger, more imposing front grille whichis 33percent larger than the predecessor.By doing so, Chrysler has eectivelykilled the aftermarket for fake Bentley-esque grilles for the new 300S. Besides

the redesigned signature grille, Chrysler

has made slight tweaks on some of theexterior components. Other kit includes20in black cast aluminium wheels, bodycolour exterior mirrors and door handles,

contemporary LED fog lamps, blackheadlamp and LED taillamp bezels, a blackwinglet grille with black chrome surround,gloss black window moldings and theChrysler wing badge with black accent.Our tester which came with the 5.7-litreHEMI V8 engine is oered from the factorywith sculpted side sills and a distinctivebootlid spoiler. The upgraded detailing hasgiven the car a cleaner-meaner look and tobe specic more in line with the upcomingChrysler 200 that is already available in theUS markets but yet to reach this side of

the shores.

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The Chrysler 300 sedan line-up has been

revamped inside out with interesting

features and a new nomenclature. Automan

checked out the ‘S’ version in UAE

Author and photography: Nabeel Ferzan

The interior, according to Chrysler hasalso been looked into and designers thinkit is the best interior yet for the 300.They describe the 300’s interior as full of

contrasts between old world charm asit now comes with handcrafted touchesand new, modern cues. New coloursand tasteful accents ll the cabin. Thetester featured Nappa leather-trimmedperformance seats in ambassadorblue/black with accent stitching andembroidered “S” logo. And much like itsluxury brethren, the power seats oerlumbar adjustment. Piano black accentshave been used in several touchpointsthroughout the interior.Stylish front seats are comfortable,

well-padded and oer very good lumber

support. The rear feels more lounge-likethan those found in competing vehiclessuch as Ford’s Taurus. Rear occupantsget generous leg and headroom,which is on par with the class leaders.Convenience features include two USBports in the rear of the centre console.There’s a new steering wheel, a newcolour driver’s display and an updatedversion of Chrysler’s user-friendlyUconnect infotainment system. The car’sinstrument cluster sports a new digital TFT

display which conveniently sits betweenthe blue backlit analog speedometerand tachometer. It gives out a varietyof information -- speed, navigationinstructions, vehicle information andmore. While the display is large andeasy to read, the trip odometer andspeed displays are on separate screens,preventing the driver from seeing bothat once. The congurable display is quitestriking and the UConnect interface isstraight forward and easy to learn on yourvery rst try. The sound quality of the

Beats audio system with subwoofer is top

class. The car is practical too. While theboot is quite large, cargo space remainsunchanged at 16.3c-ft, which is less thanboth the domestic compatriots ChevroletImpala and Ford Taurus.Of the two sibling brands, Dodge is seenas performance and Chrysler as luxury.But with the 300S, Chrysler attempts tooer a bit of both and thanks to the in-house tuner-cum-performance arm SRT,this has been made possible. In the US, the300 is available in four trims: 300 Limited,

300C, 300S and 300C Platinum. In theMiddle East, 300C, 300S and the SRT8 arethe designated models.Underneath the sheetmetal, the Gen II300 uses a modied version of MercedesE-Class platform and this platformoriginates from the alliance days andcontinues to serve even after Daimlerparted with Chrysler. However, Chryslerand Dodge engineers have reworked keycomponents in the suspension and itssupport hardware to suit the individualrequirements of both brands.

The ‘S’, our tester for Middle East markets

GETTING SPORTY IN THE LAP OF

LUXURY

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gets shoehorned a re-breathing 363bhp5.7-litre Hemi V8 mated to an upgradefrom ve-speed to eight-speed ZF-sourcedautomatic gearbox. Interestingly, there’sanother noticeable change with this set-up. To operate the transmission comes aJaguar-like rotary knob controller insteadof the traditional gear shifter which was inservice till the 2014 model. Chrysler claimsthat the knob is easy to use and opens up

more space in the cabin, creating an airyfeeling between driver and passenger.This we found a bit odd of an arrangementin a sports sedan and its justication!However, steering mounted paddle-shifters are there for those who prefer themanual Tiptronic mode.What dierentiates the 300C and300S is essentially in the suspensiondepartment. The new sport mode additionin the V8-powered models [including the

300S] actually adds another dimensionas it is programmed with enhancingperformance and handling parameters.Drivers can choose between the settingsand immediately feels the adjustmentsto steering, throttle and shift points. Insport mode, we found the Chrysler 300S

felt more agile on tight corners. The 300Sis oered with sport-tuned suspensionand sport tuned-exhaust with baemanagement system.Active safety features on the 2015 Chrysler300 is at par with most luxury brands. Kitincludes adaptive cruise control, which canbring the car to a full stop, and can evenautomatically get the car moving againin stop-and-go trac (provided the car is

stopped for less than two seconds at atime). Forward collision warning will fullystop the car at speeds of less than 20 mph,and lane departure warning with lane keepassist will steer the car back into its lane ifthe driver accidentally veers. Sensitivity forall of these features can be adjusted; theycan also be turned o completely.Driving impressionsWe have driven several Chrysler 300models in the past in this magazine and we

In the US, the 300S

gets a 300hp version

of the V6 engine with

cold-aid induction. The

Middle East versions

of the S are powered

by a 363hp 5.7-litreHemi V8.

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can vouch that the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 in the300S is another beast. This engine oersmore power and thrust for eortlessmovements, even with the tighter sportssuspension set-up, we could feel the bigV8’s added weight on winding sections ofroads. The reason why the 300S performswell is chiey because of its rear-wheel-drive architecture, and sports suspensionset-up which in turn makes the car more

capable and allows it ti handles demandingroads much better than some of itscompetitors.The car’s 8-speed automatic transmissionis extremely smooth and shifts arenearly imperceptible. Yes, you can feel itwhen a surge of power is demanded forovertaking at highway speeds. Most ofthe time, the transmission cruises in a highgear for fuel economy, so to extract thatextra oomph, one needs to dial-in sport

mode. And then the fun begins when youupshift or downshift using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and enjoythe extra torque from revised transmissionratios – you actually lose one gear as topgear becomes overdrive and hence it willonly show the seventh gear on the displayscreen.Among the current genre of electricpower steering set-ups in cars sold these

days, the performance in the 300S wouldeasily top the charts. The weight is perfect,feedback is entertaining, it feels smoothand comfortable, and most of all perfectfor a car of this size and weight.The 300S achieves 0-100km/h in about7.5secs – brisk for a car that is this size andweighs northwards of 1,900kg. Althoughthe 300S is a big car, it’s quite agile tohandle and does not feel overtly heavyor detached. The 300S sports a rmer

suspension compared to the outgoingmodel but its ride quality is comfortableand composed for the most part.For those who spend a lot of time on theroad commuting up and down the AbuDhabi – Dubai highway, the 300S is quiteand tracks condently over any longdistance travel.VerdictJust like the driving dynamics, the cabin

materials in the 2015 300S are good, butdon’t expect the likes of BMW and Audi.But considering that owning a Chryslertakes much lesser bite out of your wallet,one can live with the quality available andso is the interior t and nish compared tocars in the similar price range. The driverand passenger seats are huge and oergood side and lumbar support and areextremely comfortable to sit in for longhours.

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GETTING A

LOT MOREFROM LESS Turbocharging brings a whole new character to

the entry-premium IS sedan. For the 2016 model

year onwards, a new 2-litre turbo replaces the

250. We put the car through its paces Author: Raj Warrior | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao

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The charm of a rear wheel drivesedan is in its innate sense ofconnecting with the road better,

especially when seen from the eyes of anexperienced driver. From power-on take-o where the rear of the car sits downas the power spools in and hits the road,to the way the front axle is free of thechores of power transmission, allowingyou a better feel of the car’s steering, rearwheel drive is a territory that populates aspecic region of the car universe.Now for a second, let’s look at oerings

of this genre to the regular sedan user.Put aside the pony and sports cars andyou’ll see that most of the rear wheeldrive platforms are oered in the pricesegment above $30,000 dollars. Harkingback to the slightly more cumbersomeand costly production process, no doubt,but the idea that’s communicated is thatif it’s rear wheel drive that adds a little bitof cheer to your daily commute then youneed to be more than ordinary.To a large degree, that’s what keepsLexus in an interest zone for eventhe hardened autobahn-dweller. Twomainstream sedans – the IS and GS havethe genes of tearaway hits. And nowLexus oers them in F-Sport versions orstraightforward Fs. They know exactlywhat’s been missing out from the genepool so far and the equation is gettingrmly loaded the other way. For that,all you need to do is spend some qualitytime with the IS with its new, smaller, yetsomehow revelation-inspiring engine.The IS has been a model that Lexus hasused to make inroads in markets thatwere more attuned to the 3-series and

C-class. After all, cars from the German

duo have typied the RWD executivesedan for generations. So the benchmarkis clearly set while the endgamecontinuously

170 automan october issue 2015

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