April 2013

A MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT WITH THE TIMES

APRIL 1, 2013 ISSUE 60

MOTORING & LEISURE

A MINI ADVENTURE

A VERY SPECIAL MITSUBISHI EVO The best from the Geneva International Motor Show

New cars

Opel Mokka MODEL TEST-DRIVE:

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA

02 PAQPAQ MoToRinG & LeiSuRe EDITORIAL

ISSUE 60 aPRiL 1, 2013

TOPS OFF rained for some time now and although we’re having some rather windy days, the bright sunshine and moderate temperatures encourage you to push the button. as i was driving down the ramps of a multi-storey car park, i noticed that of the seven cars i came across on the way down, six were convertibles. This obviously does not reflect

TONIO DARMANIN ediToR his time of year is just perfect for open-top driving. The rainy season is hopefully over and the blistering heat has not yet kicked in. it has been quite a wet winter and even opentop diehards like myself lost some weekend cruising with the wind in our hair – at least those of us who still have any. however, it has not

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of vehicle makes sense than Malta. in the good old days, there was no air conditioning, power steering or electric hood but there were other reasons why this type of vehicle was not that popular. The heralds, Spitfires and Spiders of the time were somewhat lacking in safety features. Security was also an issue with people fearing the

“DESIGNERS DO A GREAT JOB IN MAKING THESE CARS LOOK AMAZING BOTH WITH THE ROOF OPEN AS WELL AS CLOSED” the real proportion but i’m convinced that the number of convertibles in Malta has risen dramatically in recent years. i have owned a convertible ever since i got my driving licence (actually, a bit before that but let’s not go there) and i’m firmly of the opinion that there are few less suitable places in the world where this type

canvas roofs would be slit open to gain access to items inside the car, at least in those cases where the owner was daft enough to leave any there in the first place. companies would not dream of having a diesel powered convertible for reasons obvious to those who remember the smelly black clouds these engines left behind at the time.

The arrival of the coupe-cabriolet and the hard top seems to have played a part to turn the situation around and make this type of car more popular. Today most brands have open-top models in virtually every segment and this wide choice has also helped make these cars more widely accepted. initially, companies struggled with design as it is obviously difficult to fold and hide away a metal roof and still have a good-looking car – one can appreciate that today, designers do a great job in making these cars look amazing both with the roof open as well as closed. we are also seeing a big increase in the number of diesel-powered convertibles. diesel engines are clean, silent and offer plenty of torque. This weather is also very much appreciated by bikers, classic vehicle owners and enthusiasts in general and it is a pleasure driving around on a bright Sunday morning and enjoying the spectacle. So go ahead, enjoy the drive but be considerate and arrive safely. This editorial is being posted on Facebook – Tonio Darmanin Paqpaq – where we invite you to comment on the issues raised. also feel free to e-mail us your thoughts and opinions on [email protected] ○

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FRONT COVER The new Mercedes-Benz cLa. See the full test-drive on page 3.

parts and windows. it is used after the car wash, when it comes to removing critical cases such as tar stains or rust bloom, but also insect residue or tree sap during the warm season. after applying the spray, simply rub off superficial dirt with the clay. The clay binds the dirt so that it doesn’t harm the paint anymore. The clay is stored in a sealable Pe box and can be used several times. after cleaning the paint should be treated with a strong polish such as the Sonax Xtreme Polish and wax 3. Thus, you will achieve a beautiful deep shine and visibly restore the colour. Paintwork should be preserved with an ideal long-term protection like Sonax Xtreme wax Full Protect or Sonax high Speed wax. Sonax products are exclusively distributed by Kemimport Limited. For more information call on 2149 2212. ○

Clean like a pro in The coMinG weeks, car owners will be thinking about how to best remove typical winter dirt from paint surfaces. For gentle cleaning after a thorough wash, use the cleaning clay, which is available at all well-stocked retailers as part of the paintwork cleaning set Sonax Xtreme Spray and clay. The set consists of the cleaning clay and a special cleaning spray. The clay quickly, easily and thoroughly cleans paint surfaces, painted plastic

Enhanced driving experience The new hyundai ix35 has made its world premiere at the 2013 Geneva international Motor Show. The new model features a wide range of technological and efficiency enhancements. The new ix35 also has an enhanced powertrain line-up, including a new european-developed petrol engine, the nu 2.0-litre Gdi that offers more power yet greater economy than the Theta-ii 2.0-litre engine it replaces. The R diesel engine receives clean technology, such as LP-eGR. To further improve the european-

tuned ride and handling characteristics, the new ix35 benefits from hyundai’s three-mode flex steer driving system. drivers can choose from normal, comfort and sport modes to tailor levels of feedback and the overall driving experience. ○

PAQPAQ MotorIng & LeIsure 03 TEST-DRIVE

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA

SMOOTH OPERATOR Is this the best-looking Merc around, asks Tonio Darmanin.

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hen the new A Class and B Class models were launched, Mercedes-Benz made it amply clear that for this new platform to be viable, it needed to be utilised for as many different models as possible. For the development of the third vehicle to use this platform, Mercedes looked at the CLs for inspiration. Having sold over 35,000 units last year alone, this is considered an extremely successful model, particularly given its high price bracket – the CLA reflects similar styling, delivered at a price that makes it accessible to a much wider audience. the CLA is a four-door coupe in the compact executive segment and was presented originally as the style Coupe concept. since it attracted immense positive feedback, it eventually made its way to production. It is primarily aimed at new customers, those that have never owned a Mercedes before, and it seeks to achieve this by proposing a breath of fresh air – a sporty yet elegant alternative. the biggest achievement for Mercedes is the fact that the CLA enjoys world-leading aerodynamics, with the drag coefficient of the Blue efficiency at an amazing 0.22. to do this, the Aero-Acoustics department used CAD and eventually the wind tunnel to reduce air resistance to a minimum. they also used mini-spoilers in front of the wheels to deflect air that

would otherwise create turbulence, and covered virtually the entire belly of the car to reduce drag. the styling is particularly striking, especially the front. the bonnet is embedded and under the power domes is an originally designed grille featuring diamonds in black or silver plastic that seem to be suspended in a three-dimensional arrangement. the headlamps feature really cool LeD daytime running lights that give the car distinctiveness on the road. A front spoiler completes the sport yet elegant frontal looks of the CLA. the side styling is highlighted by three distinctive lateral lines and the use of frameless doors both in front and at the rear, as well as the coupe roofline sweeping down to a tapered rear ending in a spoiler that is integrated in the luggage boot lid. the rear clusters light up equally distinctively and the aggressive look is rounded off with an exhaust on either side of the diffuser. the car’s interior reflects the same sporty yet elegant styling carried on from the outside, using premium quality materials and offering the highest levels of comfort and practicality. the layout is practically identical to that of the A Class with the dominant feature being the large display attached to

the top central part of the dashboard. the manager responsible for connectivity in this new car commented that customers complained when the display was incorporated within the dashboard design and there are those who do not like the way it hangs on today – in reality it is impossible to please everybody all the time.

supportive and for the first year only, Mercedes is offering the edition 1 version with special black and yellow trim interior and amazing glossy black AMg alloys. the choice of engines includes a 1.6 litre petrol unit powering the CLA180 and CLA200 while the CLA250 gets a 2.0 litre petrol engine. Initially the only diesel option will be the 2.1 litre CDi on the CLA220 but there will be a CLA200CDi with a 1.8 litre diesel engine available soon. All engines are euro 6 compliant with impressively low emissions and consumption levels but which still offer decent performance. the car is fitted with a standard six-speed manual gearbox – to upgrade to a seven-speed automatic one you will have to opt for the more powerful engine options. I tried all the engines, fitted with optional suspension settings and

come in abundance – a car I sincerely enjoyed driving. there is no need to elaborate on the safety features packed into this model, intended to both avoid as well as minimise the effect of an accident. Many items are standard, including the Collision Prevention Assist – you can also invest in sys-

“I DROVE THE CAR BETWEEN MARSEILLES AND SAINT TROPEZ ALONG SOME OF THE MOST BREATHTAKING BUT ALSO DEMANDING MOUNTAIN ROADS AND THE PERFORMANCE WAS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT”

there was some preoccupation that this new model would compete head-to-head with the C Class but this is not the case. the car is more compact and yet it offers decent space at the rear and a surprisingly spacious luggage boot. the integral seats are particularly

even a model fitted with the fully variable 4 Matic All Wheel Drive which gives an added dimension to the car’s stability and handling. Despite being front wheel drive, I drove the car between Marseilles and saint tropez along some of the most breathtaking but also demanding mountain roads and the performance was absolutely brilliant. Power, stability, handling, smoothness, comfort and above all good fun

tems that notice if the driver is dozing off, departing from the lane, or if there is an obstacle that hasn’t been noticed from the rear-view mirror. Connectivity is also a key feature in today’s vehicles and this is another area where Mercedes excels. You can download apps that help integrate your smartphone, giving you access to Facebook and twitter. Your iPhone’s siri can also be integrated, enabling you to dictate sMss and emails while on the move. I was particularly surprised to realise that even the smallest improvement in aerodynamics has a multiplier effect on fuel efficiency so the effort made on the CLA gives the owner a tangible benefit. What is amazing is the fact that this was achieved without compromise on styling to the extent that in my eyes, the new CLA is one of the best-looking Mercs in production. ○

04 PAQPAQ MoToring & leisure NEWS

Versatility has never looked so good originally launched at the 1995 Tokyo Motor show, the honda cr-V was one of the first of the modern generation of soft roaders. it became a benchmark for this fast growing segment. For the first time in europe, the new cr-V will be offered with a choice of both two- and four-wheel drive, while improvements to both

the petrol and diesel engines have resulted in a significant reduction in co2 emissions. while the fourth generation model is instantly recognisable as a member of the cr-V family, it still manages to assert its own identity. The new model takes on a more aggressive and aerodynamic stance with deeper sculpting of the bodylines and a bolder nose section. The lower front bumper is designed to convey suV capability. The signature vertical rear brake lights, which have featured on every generation of cr-V, remain but the fourth generation

introduces a more three-dimensional style. The crV’s large wheels and bold wheel arches further emphasise its dynamic presence. The cr-V has been designed as a global car but the european model features a number of exterior refinements developed specifically for this market. confident, efficient and functional, the fourth generation cr-V builds on the success of its predecessors.

A legend “The cr-V is one of the key pillars of honda’s global portfolio,” said gasan Zammit ceo stefan deguara. “From the first turn of the wheel, you can understand how smooth this car is.” The new honda cr-V is available at the gasanZammit showroom in Mrieħel and it can be yours for only €28,800. ○

ThE final version of the alfa Romeo 4C has made its debut at the 83rd Geneva international Motor Show. Designed by alfa Romeo and produced in the Maserati plant in Modena, it represents the true essence of alfa Romeo’s Dna – performance, italian style and technical excellence, offering maximum driving satisfaction in total safety. One of the most interesting aspects of the alfa Romeo 4C is not the 240bhp 1750 Tbi engine with alfa’s TCT twin dry clutch transmission, or the 250kph top speed – rather, it’s the fact that it weighs just 895kg. Because it’s so light, the relatively diminutive output doesn’t really matter – in fact, it does 0-100 in 4.5 seconds! ○

Electric evolution Volkswagen is writing a new chapter in mobility with its first fully electric production vehicle: the new e-up!. The four-seater – which operates with nearly zero noise – impresses with its driving range of 150km and excellent everyday practicality. The e-up! offers entry to a new pioneering vehicle concept with an electric drive and four seats. it’s a car for daily use in the city − but it is also ideal for commuters or as an innovative second car. it can handle distances of up to 150km effortlessly. afterwards, the e-up! can be recharged to as much as 80 per cent of its energy storage capacity within 30 minutes. with nearly zero noise, the e-up! is powered by an electric motor with 60kw/82Ps peak power – without any disturbing gearshift interruptions or powertrain noise. The lithium-ion battery integrated in the underfloor area has a total energy storage capacity of 18.7kwh. The styling of the e-up! is subtle and expresses high quality. The interior features light-grey seat covers with blue top-stitched seams. The special leather and chrome accents used, convey a puristic impression that matches the vehicle concept of a full-fledged urban electric car. ○

PAQPAQ MoToring & Leisure 05 NEW CARS

OPEL MOKKA

GET ACTIVE The new Opel Mokka is small in size but big in attitude.

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new addition to the expanding compact sports utility vehicle segment, the new Mokka continues opel’s unprecedented product revolution and is set to make further waves with its bold, expressive design, advanced driving dynamics and technology. safe, spacious and with striking looks, the Mokka will appeal to a wide range of customers. research has shown that typical Mokka customers lead a very active lifestyle where leisure activities play a central role in their life. That is why the Mokka, with its many optional extras like the FlexFix bicycle carrier, is perfect for people who want to balance their busy daily lives with leisure activities. Just over half of all Mokka customers are expected to opt for the front-wheel drive variant, while the most popular engine will be the 1.7CDTi, accounting for 42 per cent of sales. The 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 1.6-litre will account for 20 per cent and 38 per cent of sales respectively. Potential customers are also predicted to be technology-savvy people who rate safety and comfort features high on their agenda. The Mokka provides many technologies that are unique in the segment such as optional ergonomic premium seats, several front camera system functions and adaptive forward lighting. Bold and robust, the Mokka’s solid, muscular exterior is complemented by design cues that are uniquely opel. The front features a pronounced front grille with a neatly tailored trademark chrome bar and the opel

logo at its centre, framed by bi-xenon headlights that incorporate LeD daytime running lights (standard on the se). upper trim levels feature chrome window inserts and door handles, adding a premium touch. At the rear, the Mokka has a skid plate in a polished aluminium finish. The rear window is combined with a roof spoiler and distinctly shaped taillights. roof rack panels emphasise the almost coupé-like roofline of the Mokka. A unique-in-segment option is opel’s fully integrated FlexFix bike carrier system, which can be stored in the rear bumper when not in use.

“THE MOKKA PROVIDES MANY TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE UNIQUE IN THE SEGMENT” inside, the Mokka sports a wingshaped instrument panel that wraps around the door inserts. splashes of chrome around the cabin centre are designed to give a premium feel. However, the Mokka is still practical and user friendly, with 19 storage spaces, including a cleverly concealed armrest in the rear seat that also contains a cup holder, and storage areas in front and behind the gear lever. With up to 1.372 litres of loading space, the Mokka offers plenty of versatile features including a cleverlydesigned parcel shelf which can be easily adjusted by hand and a rear seat that can be split and folded in a 60:40 ratio providing even more flexible loading and transportation.

The AWD system of the Mokka is efficient, intelligent and affordable. The main components of the AWD system are the front axle differential, the drive shaft, the 4x4 rear axle drive and the control module as well as the electro-magnetic multi-plate clutch. sensors constantly supply the control modules with data such as the yaw rate, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering angle, wheel speed, accelerator pedal position and engine revs and torque. under normal conditions, when the road surface is dry, the front wheels drive the vehicle forwards, keeping fuel consumption low. Depending on the road conditions, the range varies from 100 per cent frontwheel drive to a maximum distribution of torque of 50 per cent on the

front and rear axle when, for example, there is surface water or snow on the road. When traction requires it, the electronic torque transfer device automatically and seamlessly sends torque to the rear wheels. The AWD system further sharpens the Mokka’s already agile handling characteristics. This is especially noticeable when the car has to negotiate corners at higher speeds or accelerate. it is activated automatically within a fraction of a second as soon as there is wheel slip due to a lack of traction. The Mokka is available with a choice of three efficient engines. All manual transmissions are equipped with start/stop. Two petrol engines are available including a 1.6-litre (115Ps) naturally aspirated engine with a five-speed manual transmis-

sion achieving 43.5mpg and combined Co2 emissions of 153g/km. Torque is 155nm at 4,000 rpm. The second petrol unit is a 1.4-litre Turbo (140Ps) that achieves 44.1mpg and combined Co2 of 149g/km. AWD is standard and there is 200 nm of torque. Customers who prefer diesel engines can order the Mokka with a 1.7CDTi (130Ps) turbocharged unit with a maximum torque of 300nm. This engine is available with a sixspeed manual gearbox with either front-wheel drive or AWD, or as a six-speed automatic with frontwheel drive. As a front-wheel drive with a manual gearbox the diesel unit achieves 62.8mpg and 120g/km Co2 emissions, making it one of the most fuel-efficient models in its segment. ○

06 PAQPAQ Motoring & Leisure GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

SMART BRABUS ELECTRIC DRIVE.

THE 83RD GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW.

THE SHOW GOES ON Design, beauty and technology met at the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show. PHOTOS BY GÉRARD CHARDONNENS

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t’s the show that car manufacturers and enthusiasts wait for every year. And this year’s edition delivered what it promises on the label – beautiful cars, cutting edge design and the latest technology all under one roof. the 83rd geneva international Motor show opened its doors last March 7 and in the first four days had already registered more than 300,000 visitors, all keen to discover this magical world and participate in the geneva Future Mobility Forum. in his opening speech, the President of the swiss Confederation, Mr ueli Maurer, focused on the key role that the car industry plays, especially in the creation of employment. For this year’s show, 130 world and european premieres were presented by the world’s car manufacturers. the geneva international Motor show is also considered to be an exciting showroom for the world to the latest technologies – this year,

green technology was once again one of the main highlights and 10 per cent of the 900 cars exhibited were green powered. For the second year running, the ceremony for the oldest and most prestigious award of the automotive world took place at the opening event for the geneva international Motor show. the golf Vii saw off the challenge from seven other finalists – which were the Ford B-Max, Hyundai i30, Mercedes A-Class, Peugeot 208, renault Clio, subaru BrZ/toyota gt86 and Volvo V40 – to be crowned Car of the Year 2013. these eight finalists were selected from the 32 most significant new models launched this year by a jury of 58 car journalists from 22 european countries. Another award was also presented – Citroen won the 10th Creativity Award for its stand at the geneva international Motor show. the jury was impressed by Citroen’s presentation and the new positioning of the brand. ○

JAGUAR F-TYPE S.

MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS CABRIOLET.

PEUGEOT 208 GTI.

MCLAREN P1.

SKODA OCTAVIA LIMOUSINE.

FORD KUGA. VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI.

PAQPAQ Motoring & Leisure 07 POLE POSITION

That’s an order MITSUBISHI CA-MIEV.

LA FERRARI.

TOYOTA FT-86 OPEN CONCEPT.

KIA CONCEPT.

TOURING SUPERLEGGERA.

LAMBORGHINI VENENO.

THE MINI STAND.

PORSCHE CAYMAN S.

is it right for Formula 1 teams to give orders to their drivers, asks Tonio Darmanin. o far, the two races from this year’s Formula 1 calendar have had their fair share of excitement and controversy. As expected, red Bull have made it abundantly clear that they intend retaining their dominant position at the peak of the sport and their first driver has also demonstrated, possibly not in the most ethical of ways, that he has not lost any of the ruthless ambition one needs to stay number one. the first race in Melbourne, Australia was relatively straightforward – however the prize-giving ceremony at the end of the race in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was possibly the most awkward one in recent times. As the race progressed and red Bull established their dominant one-two position, with Mark Webber leading and sebastian Vettel close on his heels, the team gave the drivers instructions to retain their position and ensure that both cars arrived safely with the team gaining maximum points. Webber obeyed instructions but Vettel did not – taking advantage of the situation, he overtook his teammate against the specific instructions of the team, thus rekindling the long-standing feud that existed between the two. Webber has made it abundantly clear that he could no longer take the preferential treatment given to Vettel whereby he did what he pleased with impunity. this stand was reiterated by Webber’s manager, Flavio Briatore, who declared that it would be impossible for these two drivers to race side by side any more. the real question is, where does Webber go? He is caught between a rock and a hard place – does he go to a weaker team where he might be considered the number one driver but will for the foreseeable future lurk in the shadow of the red Bull team or remain where he is, playing second fiddle to Vettel? it will be interesting to see how this situation develops.

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SEBASTIAN VETTEL AND MARK WEBBER.

LEWIS HAMILTON AND NICO ROSBERG.

As i write, there is a lot of speculation with media reports saying that this is Webber’s last season with red Bull. others claim that he will leave immediately while red Bull team principal Chris Horner has stated that things will calm down and Webber will honour his contract till the end of the season. there was another similarly uncomfortable situation in Malaysia. We saw Lewis Hamilton virtually apologise for actually being there, saying that, “i have to say big congratulations to nico (rosberg). He drove a smarter and more controlled race than me this afternoon and deserved to finish where i did. the team made the call for us to hold positions and we both respected that.” During the race, rosberg was repeatedly prohibited from overtaking Hamilton on the premise that even the latter had been given instruc-

tions to slow down and defend his third place – however, it was evident that he was dangerously low on fuel while rosberg did not seem to be suffering from the same problem. it was encouraging to see Mercedes so competitive in both races so far and it augurs well for a good season. the Ferrari team is also up among the top performers with an excellent first race but a disappointing performance in the second. Fernando Alonso claimed that it was a joint decision to stay out and try covering three or four laps before going in to replace the front end of the car and switch to dry tyres at the same time. in retrospect, this was not the right decision. in Felipe Massa’s case, a wrong tyre choice cost him valuable positions and he eventually played safe just to finish the race. We look forward to the next race in China. ○

08 PAQPAQ MOTORINg & LEISURE TRAVEL

Little at large Paqpaq joins the celebrations for a Mini adventure. PHOTOS BY BERNHARD LIMBERGER

or an iconic car, there can only be extraordinary anniversary celebrations. Cars have been produced at the Mini plant in Oxford for 100 years now and the history of the plant, like its present, is closely intertwined with the British small car. Where today the Mini is produced, the classic Mini – one of the most important models built in Oxford over the years since 1913 – was also born. The classic Mini embellished its British roots with a very European

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character – Oxford’s assembly figures were bolstered by Mini cars pieced together over the decades in European pastures beyond the brand’s native borders. To celebrate, five Oxford-built Minis embarked on a tour that took them to eight former classic Mini production locations the length and breadth of Europe, including Malta. The first classic Mini rolled off the production line in Oxford on May 8, 1959, and another 602,816 were to follow in the years up to 1968. During this time, the Oxford factory also built completely knocked down vehicle sets to be assembled in other

locations. The tour undertaken by the five current Mini models brought back to mind the cross-border nature of Mini production as it took the cars to eight former production locations. The final destination on the tour was Oxford – the home of the brand past and present – where 100 years of car production were celebrated on March 28. The tour of former production locations covered more than 10,500 kilometres and included stops in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, the Italian city of Milan, the former production plant in Malta, the Portuguese town of Vendas Novas, Pamplona in Spain, Seneffe in Belgium, Amersfoort in Holland and the Irish capital Dublin. Only three of these eight locations are still home to car production today – however, all of them count the classic Mini as an important part of their local industrial history.

On a rainy day, Paqpaq joined the Mini tour in Naples, where the five Minis, all wrapped in Union Jack livery, cut a distinctive figure parked in front of the Romeo Hotel. Tourists and locals gathered around the cars, snapping away with their smartphones – that’s the kind of affection the little car with a big heart enjoys. We couldn’t wait till the next day when we would get behind the wheel. The following morning, the skies were clear – perfect weather for the Mini Cooper Coupe to show off its drop top good looks. Driving the Mini Cooper Clubman, we nipped through the inner city traffic and, once outside Naples, set off to catch the ferry to Messina. Along the way, the weather seemed intent on showing off and gave us the whole works, from shining sun to rain and snow. Yet the Minis kept going, led by the fast Mini Cooper S. In Messina, we opted for the Mini Cooper S. Pushing the Sport button, we blistered our way down to Siracusa – a forced detour since the catamaran to Malta wasn’t working due to rough weather. We weren’t complaining though as the Sicilian landscape made for a perfect backdrop to more hours of fun Mini driving. Eventually, the wind died down and we could board the catamaran to Malta, where the Minis met their Malta-built ancestors at the old Marsa plant. Parked next to each other, you could see the difference between the classic and the new Mini. And yet, it was also apparent that they share one important component – emotion. ○

PAQPAQ MOTORInG & LEISURE 09 CARS LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR.

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Should we judge a car by its name, asks Jules Christian. ust imagine that you’ve won the lottery and you want to buy the biggest and best car around. So you choose a Rolls Royce. But, ehm, that’s actually a BMW. Well let’s go for a sportier model, say, a Bentley. But underneath the elegant badge, it’s a Volkswagen. Apart from who actually owns what company, just think of the number of car manufacturers there are, and then the endless names of the models. It must be a nightmare to try and think of a name that hasn’t been used in the last 50 years or so. Toyota, for example, are quite good at this naming business – Camry, Carina, Previa, Yaris, Celica, Vitz, Auris and Prius are all quite imaginative names. Lamborghini have lived their dream with Diablo, Espada, Miura, Urraco, Countach, Aventador and now the Veneno. Ford have passed certain names on for generations of models: Anglia,

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Cortina, Consul, Zephyr, Zodiac and Granada saw them through the 1950s, 60s and 70s. However, some companies need to hire new people in that department. What made Suzuki, for instance, come up with names such as Suzulight or Cappuccino? And while we’re at it, what does Jimny actually mean? Other carmakers don’t want to play the name game and opt for numbers instead. Probably the best two examples are Ferrari and BMW. The legendary Italian firm almost always uses numbers with additional letters. In the 1970s, for instance, there was the 246 GTS, in the 1980s the 512iBB (five litre, 12 cylinder, “i” for fuel injection and “BB” for Berlinetta Boxer) and in the 1990s the fabulous 599 GTO. When Ferrari opt for a name, things get a bit confusing – the first Ferrari hybrid, just unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show, is called La Ferrari.

MITSUBISHI PAJERO, SHOGUN OR GALLOPER.

SUZUKI CAPPUCCINO.

German manufacturer BMW uses the same idea with various models in the 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 series. The high performance versions of each have a special “M” badge. If you decide on a name for your new model, it does not mean a clear road ahead. One of the best examples of this was Mitsubishi when they launched the Pajero in the 1980s. This was fine in most of Europe – however, some wise executive pointed out that at the time, Britain was embroiled in the Falklands conflict and the connection between Pajero and the Spanish speaking Argentineans would not help shift many units. Which is why it was called Shogun in the UK. The US market was also problematic. At the time, the US was flying its flag and encouraging its citizens to buy American cars rather than Japanese imports – this meant the name Shogun was out. So was Pajero, since the US was concerned about Spanish speaking Mexicans illegally crossing over the border. So Mitsubishi needed to think American. Buckle on your gun belt, hitch-up your breeches, don your spurs and head out West. So the Pajero became the Galloper.

BMW M BADGE.

FERRARI 599GT0.

In actual fact these alternative names made a lot of people very wealthy. Back in the 1980s, the first dealers realised that due to the stringent VRT equivalent in Japan, cars there devalued to almost nothing with low mileage in just a few years. As they are right hand drive, they were perfect for resale at cheap prices and a large profit in the UK. Apparently, the trick in the UK at the time was to import Pajeros to Ireland, where the badges were all changed to Shogun and other features such as fog lights added. In southern Ireland the import duty was far less than mainland Britain and the fact that the Shogun now wore an Irish numberplate was not a problem. This was because in the UK, the numberplate system denotes the year of the vehicle and many people were buying cheap Irish plates to hide the year of their cars. But did people buy these hybrids? Deemed as legal and thousands of sterling cheaper than the UK equivalent – you bet they did. Look at this the other way round – how many people have bought old model cars under new badges? The huge selling Lada Riva 2104 in the 1970s was actually a 1960s Fiat 124, the assembly jigs having been bought off the previous manufacturer. Likewise in the 1990s – when you were proudly driving around in your new Daewoo Racer, you were actually in a resurrected 1980s Opel Astra. To cut down costs (and add to the confusion) it is commonplace today for even competing car companies to use the same floor pans and engines in different cars. The Jaguar S Type is, I am told, pretty much a Ford Mondeo. And apart from the badges, can you spot the difference between an early model Peugeot Partner van and the Citroen equivalent, the Berlingo? I think not. And finally, what’s in a name? How about the ultimate world icon, the classic Mini? It is said that it was originally going to be named after its genius Greek designer – the Issigonis. However, no one could pronounce it. Thank goodness for that. ○

10 PAQPAQ MotorInG & LEIsurE ELECTRIC CARS

The charge of the fast brigade Johnaton Grech has made a bold statement: to design a revolutionary electric car that would beat the current market leader. Paul Roberts meets the man behind the claim. here’s a gap between being aware of environmental concerns and a love of driving fast, powerful cars that hasn’t been filled yet. there have been various attempts – however, I think that none of the car manufacturers have managed to achieve that balance yet. the current market leader is the tesla Model s – this production model boasts high performance and a half decent driving range. Yet the problem with the traditional electric car – where batteries power electric motors that in turn drive the wheels – is that it takes a long time to charge. Moreover, the batteries are very heavy. We’ve all tried lifting a car battery out of a bonnet – try lifting the batteries in an electric car and your back will suffer. the conundrum, therefore, is to match performance with range. “there is a solution,” says Johnaton Grech, CEo of silex power, an

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alternative energy firm based in Gozo. Mr Grech is heading the development of the Chreos, which he claims will be able to travel 1,000km after just 10 minutes’ charge and will be able to cruise at a speed of 125km/h. the Chreos uses the traditional electric car philosophy, with batteries that power electric motors – however, with its own engineering department dedicated to renewable energy, silex power can push the boundaries of this technology to its limits. “at silex power, we export renewable energy technology all around the world,” Mr Grech says. “However, we also develop our own technology.” some years ago, Mr Grech was contacted by an associate of his at CnBM, a Chinese company that has been collaborating with silex power long enough to develop a trusting relationship. Mr Grech was invited to China for an opportunity to be involved in the distribution of a new electric car developed by CnBM. He

AN ARTISTIC IMPRESSION OF THE CHREOS.

was very excited about the proposal. “It’s something I’ve always been interested in and I had actually been working on a few ideas to develop a high quality electric car. However when I got there and we started testing the vehicle they had proposed, I was quite disappointed. “the car was quite large, which I liked. However, it lacked power, transmission was noisy, the pedals were difficult to reach, and it had a bouncy ride. It also had a standard three-pin charging system, the type that can be plugged into any standard socket at home. this is useful for charging the car overnight, but it also meant the car would take hours to complete a single charge.” It was then that Mr Grech got his idea to develop a luxury electric car that would keep the petrol-heads happy and would charge in the same time it takes you to go to a petrol station. With over two decades of experience in It, Mr Grech and his team are developing what he describes as a “computer on wheels”. He believes that the Chreos will not only smash all other electric cars out of the competition but will also set a new standard in the future of electric mobility. developed locally by his team at silex power, Mr Grech believes the Chreos can combine resources and renewable energy technology. the key

“WHEREAS MOST MODERN CARS HAVE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, THE CHREOS WILL HAVE A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE ENTIRE CAR” element in the Chreos is its amount of power which can be achieved in a very short charge time. the Chreos, Mr Grech claims, can travel 1,000km after just 10 minutes’ charge and can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 2.9 seconds. How is this possible? “We are working on a new design for a charging system,” says Mr Grech. “It is software-managed and uses artificial intelligence to charge quickly without damaging the batteries. Moreover, it works on the medium tension electrical system to allow a high-speed charge time.” Mr Grech explains how mediumtension is a system used by large industries and factories. It allows a high level of electricity to be pushed into the batteries, resulting in a speedy charge time. of course, this technology would need to be available in many locations in order for the Chreos to be viable. However, the car can also be plugged into a normal wall socket – in this case, it would take more than five hours to fully charge the Chreos battery.

For Mr Grech, the Chreos is a masterpiece of electronic engineering. Whereas most modern cars have engine management systems, the Chreos will have a management system for the entire car. this will allow the car, motors, driver, wheels, Gps and every other electronic element to communicate with each other. For example, if you want to take a day trip to Catania, but don’t have enough charge to take you there, the Gps will warn you that the journey is too far and will plot a route that allows you to get a full charge on the way. the Chreos will also adjust to various driving styles and road conditions. silex power is planning to build 300 of the four-door luxury sedans – these would then be used as a launching platform for lower-end cars. With a local development team and expertise in renewable energy, Mr Grech feels that silex power has hit on a winning formula. Which means that when the Chreos goes into production in 2015, we could be looking at a truly revolutionary car. ○

Road to victory Škoda Motorsport has won the rally Islas Canarias for the fourth consecutive time and driver Jan kopecký has completed a hat-trick of victories at this event. With two appearances in this year’s ErC, Jan kopecký and pavel dresler have achieved two victories and are top of the ErC standings. Jan kopecký was over the moon about the achievement: “the local rally is one of our most favourite ones – a high-quality surface, lovely tracks and many fans. Škoda has won here for the fourth time in a row and we have achieved three of these victories – that’s great! pavel and I wish to thank the whole team for preparing the vehicle absolutely perfectly.” the European Championship continues from april 25-27. ○

PAQPAQ MotorIng & lEIsurE 11 SHOW CARS all the hot parts were heat wrapped. when it came to the chassis the aim was to increase rigidity. an h-bar was fitted under the engine to stiffen the chassis in conjunction with the sub frame while floor bars were bolted in to increase rigidity. an ultra racing upper front strut bar was installed for added strength, while heavy-duty 26mm anti-roll bars and hard bushes increased the car’s handling. tein suspension was fitted all around and new hel braided lines fitted on the brakes. the brake pads are high spec hawk racing pads, the tyres

PHOTOS BY MATTHEW MIRABELLI

Yellow rages It’s an Evo rEvolutIon as BEn MangIon tElls ANDREA FAYE CHRISTIANs how hE has ModIfIEd hIs car to racIng lEvEls. or as long as he can remember, Ben Mangion has been obsessed with cars. therefore, it comes as no surprise that the 22-yearold from Marsaxlokk is the proud owner of a modified car – what is remarkable is that despite his young age, it’s actually his third modified car. having owned a honda Integra dc5 and a seat Ibiza, 18 months ago Ben bought a Mitsubishi Evo. this baby is most definitely a big boys’ toy and with its distinctive black and yellow livery, it certainly turns heads – but what we see today is hardly recognisable from what the car looked like 18 months ago. Mangion’s 2001 Evo 7 originally arrived in Malta as a Japanese import. It had a 2-litre turbo charged engine and what first attracted Mangion were its looks. he also liked the fact that it’s a family car that can double up as a sportscar.

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Early on Mangion decided that the process of transforming the car both above and under the bonnet was best left to an expert – he roped in steve fenech who not only gave him plenty of practical advice but also carried out all the modifications together with his brother Jeremy. for the following months, the car was parked in fenech’s workshop in Qrendi. Everything about the Evo at this point was standard with the exception of the Ecu, which had been remapped by the previous owner. Mangion’s intention to compete with the car in track events in sicily meant that the first thing that needed to be addressed was an upgrading of the fuel system to ensure there would be no fuel starvation during high speeds and sharp cornering. the whole set-up was revised – the Evo was fitted with a fuel surge tank, an external fuel pump and an additional regulator. a baffle plate was fitted to

BEN MANGION.

the sump while the cooling system was upgraded. all existing engine hoses were replaced with silicon types which are able to cope with higher temperatures while all the fluids were changed to high spec ones. the timing belt was upgraded to a Kevlar gates racing model and a custom-made exhaust manifold installed to allow for better response.

are r888 and the wheels are rota P45r 17-inch models. the Evo’s interior was also upgraded – all superfluous carpeting and upholstery was removed to minimise weight. a go fast electronic boost controller was fitted along with aEM oil pressure, oil temperature and air-to-fuel gauges that sit on the dashboard.

looks-wise, Mangion’s Evo takes no prisoners. as one of only four yellow Evo models on the island the colour already makes it distinctive. the contrasting black is actually an ingenious use of vinyl that has been meticulously wrapped onto the car to protect the paintwork where needed and to increase its aesthetic appeal. the front bumper, which normally takes most of the punishment, has been sprayed in a plastic coating to hopefully give greater protection. the car sports a full charge speed bottom line kit and canards have been fitted to the front bumper to aid stability and increase the downforce when cornering at speed. the rear wing, so important in adding downforce, was changed to carbon with an impressive looking finned vortex roof spoiler aiding the car’s aerodynamics and stability at high speed. carbon mirror covers have replaced the factory issue ones while carbon duct vents have been fitted into the bonnet. the rear bumper and tail lamps have been changed to those from an Evo 9. the car is only mildly tuned at present and currently churns out somewhere between 320 and 340bhp. however, Mangion tells me that it will soon undergo a more in-depth tuning and some forged internals will also be fitted. currently, the midnight oil is burning at fenech’s garage in preparation of a trip to sicily to compete in a track event in racalmuto. Mangion admits that he is nervous and excited at the prospect and feels lucky that fenech, his brother Jeremy and another three are travelling with him as a team. from an objective point of view it just seems a shame that local drivers so full of enthusiasm have to travel abroad to fulfil their desire of racing their car on a track – once again this raises that old chestnut of if and when Malta will ever have its own circuit. as for Mangion, we can only wish him luck. ○

12 PAQPAQ MOtORinG & LEisuRE NEWS

Personal mobility thE tOyOta i-Road has made its world premiere at the 2013 Geneva international Motor show. Offering a comfortable, enclosed environment for two occupants seated in tandem, the compact toyota i-Road electric vehicle features unique active lean technology to provide a safe, intuitive and enjoyable, helmet-free driving experience. Committed to reducing energy consumption and the environmental burden attached to transportation, toyota has been researching and implementing environ-

mentally-friendly mobility solutions for over 40 years in the quest for the ultimate range of eco cars, designed to suit every user profile. the ultra-compact, three-wheeled iRoad can manoeuvre freely through even the most congested traffic. its zero-emission, all-electric powertrain features a lithium-ion battery providing power to a pair of 2kW electric motors mounted within the front wheels. Combining brisk acceleration with near-silent running, the new toyota PMV has a range of some 50 kilometres, after which it may be fully recharged from a conventional household power outlet in just three hours. ○

Classic run AT This yeAr’s Goodwood Festival of speed, which will be held from July 11-14, Mercedes-Benz Classic will present a series of legendary racing cars. There will be a taste of this at the Goodwood Press Day during which racing driver Jochen Mass will drive the Uhlenhaut coupé, the closed version of the 300 sLr racing car. Two examples of this racing prototype with gullwing doors were made for the 1956 season. however, they were never used for racing. The legendary engineer rudolf Uhlenhaut, former head of car development for Mercedes-Benz and father of the 300 sLr and other models, used the coupé in the following years as his company car, earning it the nickname “Uhlenhaut coupé”. At the Festival of speed in July 2013, another vehicle from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection will join the stars: a Benz special saloon which was built especially for the 1910 Prince heinrich Tour. Together with another Prince heinrich car from the Dutch Louwman Museum it has been elaborately restored. Other highlights at the Goodwood Festival of speed will be provided by the Grand Prix racing cars from the silver Arrow epochs. ○

Taking the lead On its stand at the 83rd Geneva international Motor show, Peugeot unveiled the advantages of its product and technological offensive. displaying an ambitious 208 range, Peugeot reaffirmed its move upmarket strategy and demonstrated its inspiration with the Onyx Concept car. among the 31 production concept cars on display, visitors were able to discover, in the 2008 area, no fewer than seven versions representative of the marque’s new urban crossover. after the historic success of its predecessors, in 2012 the 208 redefined the attributes of its segment, with a single objective: to take the lead in the B segment hatchback category in Europe. in december 2012, just a few months after its launch, the heir of the Peugeot 2-series did in fact take first place in the hotly fought B segment hatchbacks category in Europe. ○