SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTWEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2017

ACTING MANAGING EDITORMohammed Salim Mohamed

ADVERTISING MANAGERAli Wahba

CHAIRMANSheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDr. Khalid Al-Shafi

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Muhammad Shammas

DESIGNAbraham Augusthy

SUPPLEMENT EDITORPramod Prabhakaran

PRODUCTIONSebastian TK

AAB unveils all-new flagship sedan Lexus LS500 and LS500h

Feature-rich subcompact Kia Rio provides tremendous value

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Reuters

Carmakers are finally embracing electric cars, showcasing concepts ranging from compact sportscars to all-wheel-drive mini SUVs at this year’s Tokyo Motor show, although they haven’t given up on

alternative technologies.After years of investing in hydrogen fuel cells

and electric-petrol hybrids, Japanese manufac-turers are talking up all-battery electric vehicles (EVs) at the annual gathering.

Many are looking to catch up with global rivals amid rapidly tightening global emissions regulations and improving technology that may make EV batteries a price-competitive option to petrol engines in the coming years.

“As far as green cars go, vehicle powertrain electrification is a must,” said Soichiro Okudaira, president of Daihatsu Motor Co, a fully owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp, which showed its concept of the “Pro Cargo” multi-use mini electric van at the show.

“EV (technology) is a great match with small cars people use everyday to commute, go shop-ping, because it’s easy to charge and maintain.”

Even Toyota, the country’s largest automaker which set up an EV development team just a year ago, said pure EVs would be one of the “key solu-tions” for cleaner vehicles in the near future.

Still, the maker of the Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV) is sticking to its view that the hydrogen fuel cell is the ultimate “green car” technology.

Analysts say FCVs can refuel faster than an EV can recharge and can travel longer distances, making them a potentially attractive option for larger vehicles - though the cost and limited refu-elling infrastructure pose challenges.

Underlining its point, Toyota introduced two new FCVs at the show: the six-seater “Fine-Com-fort Ride” concept car, and the “Sora” fuel-cell bus, which will be launched next year.

Tipping PointHonda Motor Co announced it would launch

a compact EV in Japan in 2020, following Nis-san Motor Co, long a proponent of EVs and maker of the Leaf, the world’s best-selling battery elec-tric car launched in 2010.

As advances in lithium ion battery technol-ogy improve charging times and lower production costs, some automakers and suppli-ers expect increased demand will boost EV sales within the next decade, lowering their price towards gasoline vehicles.

“We see this tipping point happening around 2025. By then for the customer to buy petrol or EV it will be practically same cost,” Nissan Exec-utive Vice President Daniele Schillaci said.

“And then ... if you have the same price for EVs and petrol why would you buy traditional technology?”

While global automakers acknowledge the internal combustion engine may become obso-lete in the coming decades, smaller automaker Mazda Motor Corp continues to squeeze more efficiency out of petrol engines, developing its spark-ignition compression engine which it says could improve fuel economy by as much as 30 percent.

Others argue that reports of the death of the petrol engine have been greatly exaggerated.

“Many in the media appear to be saying that EVs are going to take over the world, but given ongoing technology and cost limitations, it will be difficult for that to happen anytime soon,” Subaru Corp CEO Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said.

Students from Aichi Highschool of Technology and Engineering pose next to their electric vehicle named Collapse during the 45th Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo, Japan.

Carmakers warm to EVs, but still see role for hydrogen

WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 20172

Skoda Auto launched their first large SUV, Kodiaq, in Doha mar-ket. The Kodiaq has a sporty appearance and crystalline design.

At the launch that took place recently at the re-branded show-room of Ibin Ajayan Automobiles, Skoda’s Octavia, which has been given a facelift, was also revealed.

The launch also marked Ibin Ajayan Automobiles and Skoda's “15 years of success in Qatar."

With a length of 4.70m, a seven-seat configuration and the “largest boot space within its class”, the Skoda Kodiaq represents the brand’s strengths, design that is full of character, extraordinary inte-rior space, practical intelligence and innovative technology on par with vehicles from higher seg-ments, according to a press statement.

Skoda’s regional director for sales, Asia and Middle East, Stefan Timmermann, said at the launch that the Kodiaq marks the begin-ning of Skoda’s SUV campaign in the country.

“Wherever we have launched the Kodiaq so far, the feedback and the order intake are exceeding our expectations. We have markets where you place an order today and the expected delivery time will be the first quarter of 2019. Know-ing that, I am very curious but confident how this beautiful

Kodiaq will do in Qatar and the Middle East,” Timmermann said.

“We are thrilled to introduce the first large SUV from Skoda to Doha’s market,” said deputy man-aging director of Ibin Ajayan Group Ayman Farouk.

“The Skoda Kodiaq will be a game changer in its segment as well as a breakthrough product. It’s no secret that Kodiaq is offering everything our brand promises. It has features that are premium and innovative even for SUVs in higher segments. With its striking design, guaranteed performance, comfort and safety and the best in next-generation technology, I am sure Kodiaq will attract audience inter-est,” he said.

Farouk said their company and customers were not only welcom-ing the new Kodiaq but also celebrating 15 years of success and great relations with partners Skoda Auto.

“The Octavia is also getting a new facelift on this occasion,” he said.

Skoda sales manager for the Middle East Martin Kolar also attended the launch.

The Kodiaq boasts of spacious interiors, a large boot space with a volume of up to 2,065 litres, and is equipped with “state-of-the-art” infotainment systems and new connectivity features.

The Kodiaq’s rear seats can be folded in the 60:40 ratio and two

Skoda's new SUV, Kodiaq, launched in Qatar

Officials of Ibin Ajayan Automobiles and Skoda at the launch of Kodiaq

Your future commute could be by taxi droneBloomberg

A Chinese startup has developed a flying car that it plans to roll out as soon as next year.

EHang Inc.’s E-184 drone can carry one passenger in its small cockpit, but the firm says it’s work-ing on a model that can carry two.

Four battery-powered propel-lers lift the drone off the ground, and it’s equipped with fully-automated navigation, according to CEO Hu. Passengers select a pre-programmed flight path and then strap in for the ride. The E-184 has a cruising speed of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) an hour and can stay in the air for 25 minutes, the company says.

It’s currently being tested at EHang’s headquarters: a disused theme-park on the outskirts of Guangzhou, southern China, a city that’s at the vanguard of the coun-try’s push to move away from cheap, low-end manufacturing and toward cutting-edge technology.

“We will start mass production of our passenger drones at the begin-ning of next year,” Hu told Bloomberg TV. “We also plan to install fully automated production lines to enlarge manufacturing capacity in 2018.”

EHang has big ambitions — it wants to develop a network of taxi drones around the world.

Reuters

In the rush toward electric vehicles, carmakers are increasingly spar-ing a thought for the humble delivery van, an often overlooked

segment with big growth potential given tightening pollution restrictions in urban areas.

Given lingering consumer concerns about cost and charging infrastructure, many in the industry expect it will take at least a decade for electric vehicles (EVs) to win over mainstream car owners.

But as e-commerce begins to dom-inate the retail sector and cities clamp down on pollution, more vehicle mak-ers see opportunities for faster take-up of EVs as delivery vehicles, taxis and other business uses in dense, urban areas.

At the Tokyo Motor Show recently, Nissan Motor Co, an early embracer of EV technology and maker of the Leaf, the world’s top-selling electric car, unveiled a concept model of its e-NV200 electric van with refrigeration capabil-ities, designed to transport chilled food to restaurants and homes.

“Imagine if you have city access chal-lenges, how will you get food delivered to restaurants, and goods to customers?”

said Ashwani Gupta, head of the light commercial business at the automaking alliance of Nissan and France’s Renault SA.

“There’s no other option but to go electric.”

Nissan plans to launch the refriger-ation model in Japan next year, Gupta said. Both Nissan and Renault already market electric vans in Europe.

Nissan is also looking to introduce the e-NV200 series in China in the near term as it expects demand will “explode” as big cities in the country effectively ban gasoline and diesel trucks and vans in an effort to crack down on emissions.

At the moment, the country’s elec-tric light commercial vehicle market has yet to be tapped by major foreign auto-makers, although Ford Motor Co wants to drive its truck-making China partner Jiangling Motors Corp (JMC) more toward electric commercial vans.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Cor-poration, majority owned by Germany’s Daimler AG, has also begun selling its eCanter electric light-duty truck in the United States, Europe and Japan, where it targets transport delivery services and convenient stores.

As increases demand for e-com-merce creates more work for delivery

services, Toyota Auto Body, a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp, was thinking about the harried delivery van driver when it designed its LCV D-Cargo concept model.

“We set out to make the delivery truck more comfortable for drivers,” said Ichiro Mukai, who worked on the mod-el’s design.

“In the past home deliveries mainly centered around larger parcels, but recently, a big increase in the number of deliveries has come just as people are getting smaller parcels delivered,” he said, adding that this had increased the workload of drivers.

The model’s futuristic design is based

on Toyota’s gasoline-hybrid minivan models marketed in Japan, and can be adapted to operate as an all-battery electric.

Removing the passenger seat entirely, the driver’s seat configuration - which includes a retractable steering wheel and rounded seat corners - is designed to enable drivers to get in and out of the vehicle more quickly and easily.

A removable tablet device in the center of the steering wheel enables driv-ers to easily locate parcels in the hold, where track shelving units and a wider door opening allows for easy access to parcels from outside the vehicle.

Special delivery: Carmakers make plug for electric vans

Toyota Auto Body's LCV D-Cargo concept model is displayed at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo, Japan.

more seats in the third row are available as an optional extra, making the vehicle Skoda’s first seven-seater.

The range of petrol engines consists of two 1.4 TSI engines and one 2.0 TSI. On an average, the engine returns a fuel efficiency of 16.25km/litre. The Kodiaq accelerates from 0-100km/h in 10.1 sec-onds and reaches a top speed of up to 192km/h.

The nine airbags come as standard,

reiterating Skoda’s strong emphasis on safety and remains the segment benchmark.

For the first time, the Smart Link all-in-one app also integrates SmartGate in the Kodiaq SUV – alongside Apple Car-Play, Android Auto and MirrorLink standards. Meanwhile, the new show-room of the local importer and distributor

“meets the latest standards stipulated by automobile makers”, the statement noted.

“The re-branded showroom elements ensure a great customer experience that leads to making the right decisions when it comes to the most suitable model and accessories for their needs,” Timmer-mann added.

WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2017 3

AAB has launched the all-new, fifth-generation LS500 and LS500h flag-ship sedan for 2018 in Qatar. Equipped with several world-firsts and

Lexus’ first performance, design, and safety features, the new premium pas-senger car is set to not only win the hearts of the region’s luxury enthusi-asts, but also redefine luxury driving.

The event was attended by Dr Nasser Abdulghani Al Abdulghani, AAB Chair-man, and Seiichi Otsuka, Ambassador of Japan to Qatar, along with R K Muru-gan, AAB Chief Operating Officer-ACEO, in addition to senior delegation from

Lexus International and AAB Senior Management.

“Not only will the LS symbolize the Lexus brand, but it will also become the definitive new-generation luxury car embodying Japanese tradition and cul-ture. Developing such a flagship model required a massive paradigm shift. Rather than being bound by the con-ventions that had defined luxury cars in the past, we aimed to create a car with an innovative, emotional, and sensual appeal that would draw customers’ eyes away from other luxury cars and pro-vide entirely new values,” said LS Chief Engineer Toshio Asahi.

Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Repre-sentative, Middle East and North Africa

Representative Office, Toyota Motor Cor-poration, said: “Considered to be in a new league of its own, the all-new LS sedan builds on the flagship vehicle’s enduring DNA for smooth and powerful

performance, which in combination with its remarkable quietness and exceptional comfort, symbolizes the true essence of the LS. In addition to its styling that deliv-ers a bold coupe silhouette while offering a spacious interior, the fifth-generation LS offers an emotional driving experience and is equipped with a host of cutting-edge technologies. In many ways, this LS flagship sedan exemplifies our new approach to create amazing experiences for our customers, and ignite their emo-tions through innovation that promises a truly engaging driving experience.”

“We express our deepest gratitude to our customers in the region for extending their constant support in the form of their utmost appreciation for Lexus models, which has encouraged us to push the boundaries of automo-bile design and engineering. We are confident that the LS flagship sedan will resonate strongly with luxury automo-tive enthusiasts in the region for whom driving is an emotionally enriching

experience,” added Yoshitsugu. The LS is built on the new Lexus Glo-

bal Architecture-Luxury (GA-L) platform, which ensures a low center of gravity and optimum weight distribu-tion, contributing to the car’s essential stability and handling agility, which in turn, deliver increased driver rewards. The high rigidity of the chassis allows the new multilink suspension to be tuned to achieve an excellent handling performance and the supreme comfort for which the LS is renowned.

The 2018 LS Hybrid takes an entirely different approach than the previous LS Hybrid model. The new state-of-the-art Multi Stage Hybrid System combines a naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with two electric motor/generators and uses a compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery. The combined system output of the internal combustion engine with the electric traction system is 354 hp.

continued on page 4

AAB unveils all-new flagship sedan Lexus LS500 and LS500h

Dr Nasser Abdulghani Al Abdulghani, Chairman, Abdullah Abdulghani and Brothers Co (AAB); with, Seiichi Otsuka, Ambassador of Japan to Qatar; Abdulrahman Abduljaleel Al Abdulghani, Vice Chairman, AAB; Toshiyuki Nakahara, Project GM, Lexus International (Lexus); Shinji Kishida, Deputy Chief Engineer, Lexus; R K Murugan, CEO, AAB; and other officials; during the launch of All New 2018 Lexus LS 500 and LS 500h at a function held at the Mondrian Hotel in Doha. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula

WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 20174

A glorious heritage of over 100 years comes to life with the all-new Levante. Beautifully sculpted styling, unmistakable performance and a sporty soul – the SUV embodies the quintessential Maserati luxury. And

with its revolutionary off-road flair, marks a turn-ing point in the Trident history.

Named after one of the most famous winds in the world – the Levante is commanding in power and poise. It majestically takes the reins as Maser-ati’s first ever SUV, representing the finest blend of design, exclusivity and performance in this increasingly competitive segment.

As the official dealer of Maserati in Qatar, Alfardan Sports Motors drives this gale force towards luxury aficionados in the country. The Levante today is one of the most sought after SUVs among intrepid adventurers, offering a unique on-road drivability and competitive off-road capability while embrac-ing the most valuable aesthetic elements of Italian design . Its performance is only matched by the deal-ership’s impeccable service that promises uninterrupted excitement, from mile to mile.

The language of indulgenceThe Levante retains the timeless grace of

Maserati, albeit with an aggressively sculpted front grille that illuminates its elevated SUV proportions. The sporty silhouette captures our attention from its feline-shaped headlights across the muscular, arching front wings to the iconic triple air vents and upper character lines. The steeply tapered, coupe-like rear section seals the unmistakable Maserati styling.

A peek into the SUV’s interiors reaffirms the signature Italian craftsmanship of Maserati. The seats are hand-stitched in sumptuous leather, com-bined with the world-leading Ermenegildo Zegna silk inserts. The sophisticated detailing instinctively illuminates the spaciousness of the cabin, guaran-teeing day-to-day comfort in the lap of luxury.

King of the terrainWith the Levante, Maserati has accessed the

largest luxury segment in the world, while creat-ing the most complete product line-up in the brand’s history. Trident models have established solid on-road supremacy, and now the Italian marque has led the way in off-road dexterity. In fact, its top-notch performance has earned the award for the Best Mid-Sized Sport Luxury SUV in ‘Off-Road Special Edition’ 2017, an annual collab-orative publication by Arab Motors Middle East and Maqina.

The model has been built along the lines of a classic Maserati sports car, but aptly modified to deliver an unrivalled SUV performance. Featuring four distinct drive modes - “Normal”, I.C.E., “Sport” and “Off-road” , the Levante incredibly transforms from an elegant motorway GT to an invincible off-road SUV. Its dual disposition is powered by one of the most sophisticated air suspension technol-ogy in the world that raises or lowers the vehicle according to terrain. While the normal mode pro-vides 207 mm minimum ground clearance, with off-road mode the vehicle reaches a remarkable

figure of 247 mm. Performance is at the heart of Levante, as evi-

dent by a variety of performance-oriented details such as the extensive use of lightweight materials, ideal 50-50% weight distribution and lowest in class centre of gravity, delivering a class-leading driving experience.

Its twin turbo 3.0 V6 gasoline engines, designed and manufactured by Ferrari in Maranello, revs up with the signature Maserati sound experience. Available in two versions with different horse-power: the top of the range 430 hp and the exciting 350 hp, the most powerful Levante sprints to 100 km/h in 5.2” and has a top speed of 264 km/h.

Because of the Levante’s on-road and off-road character, Maserati has embedded an advanced active safety and driver assistance technology that detects any unusual handling behaviour and restores the control of the car. Its innovative fea-tures include: Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Forward Collision Warning and Brake Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View camera and the capacitive 8.4" Touch Screen display with brand new rotary control.

In addition, the Levante is equipped with driv-ing assistant systems that assist the driver when being on hills. The Hill Start Assist (HSA) is one of the systems that remove the potential peril of roll-ing back into the vehicle behind when driving away from a standstill on an incline. The Hill Descent Control (HDC) is another system that allows a smooth and controlled hill descent in rough ter-rain without the driver needing to touch the brake pedal.

Cruise in styleThe world of Maserati bears the hallmarks of

a time-honoured brand, one that lays great atten-tion to elegance, comfort and safety. Alfardan Sports Motors recognises the penchant for exclusivity that distinguishes Maserati owners from the rest. It aims to build a lifestyle that merges their sophisticated tastes with the brand’s automotive excellence.

True to its commitment, the dealership offers a range of high-end accessories that are tailored to the Levante’s high quality and functionality standards. The SUV harbours a sport, adventurous

soul – and its accessories only further accentuate it.

Take for example its loading solutions such as the multipurpose roof racks that are beneficial when transporting sport or travel equipment, or its 410-litre capacity roof box that dramatically increases the loading capacity of the vehicle. The imposing Levante can also transport up to three bicycles using a compact, lightweight and easy-to-use bicycle carrier. For its 580-litre trunk, owners can accommodate and organise cargo of every dimension using the luggage divider, or the luggage soft box to protect small and medium items.

The Maserati Genuine Accessories are a per-fect combination of design and functionality, revealing the very essence of the Maserati brand. Every item has been crafted to preserve the style and efficiency of this magnificent SUV, inviting owners to experience world-class standards of comfort and performance.

From craftsmanship to technology, the Levante is definitely a game-changer in the marque’s 100-year tradition, gallantly making a mark as the Maserati of SUVs!

Maserati Levante: Redefining off-road luxury

continued from page 3The new system is based on the

electronically controlled Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) transmission of Lexus Hybrid Synergy Drive, cou-pled with an all-new four-speed automatic gearset at the output stage. The two systems work together to expand the overall range of gearing and increase operation of the V6 engine across a wider speed range than pre-vious hybrids. The result is impressive fuel economy, low emissions, and excellent on-road performance that will satisfy even the most demanding driving enthusiast.

The new LS will be available also with two engine options; a 3.5-liter V6 engine naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle producing 311 hp and 380 Nm of torque, and a newly developed 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 416 hp and 600 Nm of torque, and both mated to the first-ever 10-speed auto-matic transmission for a premium passenger car.

A common thread across all the LS models is Omotenashi; the concept of Japanese hospitality, and the all-new LS flagship sedan is no exception. In terms of a luxury automobile, it trans-lates into adopting a human-focused

approach to the vehicle, taking care of the driver and passengers, antici-pating their needs, and attending to their comfort in every way possible. Some of the features through which the new LS achieves this are front and rear seats with multiple power adjust-ments, heating, cooling, and massage functions, rear seat arrangement that includes an extending leg ottoman and the most generous legroom of any LS generation, and a rear seat entertain-ment system with 11.6-inch screen auto-tilts to the optimum viewing angle.

As a flagship vehicle, pioneering a new age and aiming for the best safety performance in the world, the new LS unstintingly employs the latest safety technologies including the brand’s innovative Lexus Safety System+, in addition to a comprehensive array of safety features to protect its occupants, such as 14 SRS airbags, Blind Spot Mon-itor (BSM), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Elec-tronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist (BA), among many others.

Furthermore, the 2018 LS debuts two new 19-inch wheel designs and

three 20-inch wheel designs, two of which are also new, and feature run-flat tires designed to elevate vehicle and ride comfort. The 20-inch pre-mium wheels employ a brilliant appearance created using an electro-plating technique known as sputtering.

All the new wheel designs feature a hollow rim structure that helps reduce resonant sounds generated by the tires.

The LS will be available in 13 dis-tinctive exterior colors, including two new developed colors; Manganese

Luster and Sonic Agate, which repre-sent boldness, luminosity, and sophistication, to let customers express their individuality. On the other hand, the interior comes in a total of nine color schemes with nine choices of interior trim.

Craftsmanship combined with luxury for a bold statement

WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2017 5

Al Attiya Motors, the exclu-sive dealer of Kia cars in Qatar, unveiled the newly designed Kia Rio at the Kia showroom in Al Sadd. Now

in its fourth generation, the new Rio stands out thanks to its progressive design, class-leading practicality and safety technologies, new connectivity features and more engaging ride and handling.

The all-new 2018 Rio sedan and 5-door hatchback are the latest addi-tions to the world-class Kia Motors Qatar model lineup. Delivering a new eye-catching design that is decidedly European, this subcompact duo will bring an exciting combination of fuel efficiency, innovative technology, advanced safety technology4, everyday convenience and fun-to-drive charac-ter to value-conscious consumers when the cars arrive at Kia retailers in the fourth quarter of this year.

European Design InfluenceRio’s exterior is defined by crisp lines

and smooth surfaces, providing a more sophisticated and sporty appearance over the previous generation. The front end wears the latest iteration of Kia’s ‘tiger-nose’ grille, integrating newly designed headlights that are swept back for a more aggressive appearance. In addition, Rio’s fog lamp surrounds have been moved outwards, creating greater visual width to the front fascia and a lower window line around the cabin that provides the driver and passengers with a better all-around view plus visual cues of the Rio’s strong, taut and energetic character.

The Rio sedan has been lengthened to 172.6 inches (from 172.0 inches) and the Rio 5-door is now 160.0 inches long (from 159.4 inches). Both profiles fea-ture a longer wheelbase of 101.6 inches (from 101.2 inches) and more upright A-pillars. The sedan and 5-door are also lower and wider for a more balanced and athletic stance compared to the out-going model. And a well-creased shoulder line runs from front to back, further stretching the appearance of the car to give it a sleeker and more sub-stantive look than what’s currently found in the subcompact segment.

The rear of the Rio is now more upright thanks to shorter overhangs and thinner, more expressive taillights. Like the front-end, the rear view of the car is wider, furthering a sense of stability and presence.

The Rio rides on 15-inch and 17-inch wheels that have been pushed toward the corners. The EX trim’s sporty alloy wheel design underscores Rio’s fun-to-drive side and refinement.

Modern and Convenient CabinThe Rio’s interior also is decidedly

more spacious, modern and upscale with an improved instrument panel, more ergonomic layout and upgraded interior materials. The cabin has also been rede-signed to better accommodate the Rio’s new range of technologies.

Horizontal lines running the width of the dashboard mimic the exterior design and give the cabin a wider and more expansive look and feel. For

convenience, the center console offers a bi-level tray to better accommodate portable devices such as smartphones and small tablets.

Thanks to Rio’s larger dimensions and wheelbase, its cabin is among the roomiest in its class – the sedan’s pas-senger space is 89.9 cubic feet while the 5-door hatchback measures 90.5 cubic feet. Front occupants will enjoy more head room, leg room and shoulder room while those in the second row will ben-efit from greater leg- and shoulder room. These improvements are the result of re-profiled door trims, new material for the headliner and a reshaping of the dashboard. Those looking for ample cargo room will not be disappointed with either the sedan’s 13.7 cubic feet or the 5-door hatchback’s 17.4 cubic feet. With the seats folded down, the hatchback offers a voluminous 32.8 cubic feet with a low and flat cargo floor to accommo-date luggage, small furniture or weekend gear.

The front seats have also been rede-signed to enhance comfort. They feature a slimmer design yet add more cushion and padding to reduce driver fatigue during long commutes and road trips.

On the tech front, the Rio offers a generous roster of features including Bluetooth® hands-free functionality5, a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio and a rear-view camera system6.

Power and EfficiencyAvailable in three trims – LX, S and

EX – the all-new 2018 Rio is powered by a carryover but enhanced Gamma 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine with improved fuel efficiency (as described

below), better responsiveness and low-speed driving dynamics. The main features of this unit are a high-pres-sure fuel system with direct injection, variable intake system, low-friction oil seals, and piston cooling-jets. The well-engineered powerplant also uti-lizes an aluminum valve cover and block for reduced weight, while incor-porating cast iron linings meant for increased durability.

Power is channeled to the front

wheels through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic trans-mission in both the Rio sedan and Rio 5-door. Output is a spirited 130 horse-power and 119 pound-feet of torque for a more engaging driving experience.

The engine enhancements help improve Rio’s fuel economy to 28 city/37 highway/32 combined (automatic, both 5-door and sedan). Equipped with a manual transmission, MPG is 29 city/37 highway/32 combined (both 5-door and sedan), besting the previous generation by 1 MPG city/1 MPG highway/2 MPG combined for the automatic and 1 MPG city/1 MPG highway/1 MPG combined for the manual7.

Advanced PlatformThe Rio’s all-new platform is not

only dimensionally larger than the pre-vious generation model, but is now underpinned by completely new sus-pension geometry. Weighing in at just 2,648 lbs. (manual transmission) and 2,714 lbs. (automatic transmission), engineers sought to refine the driving experience with more agile handling and improved ride comfort, and this was achieved by designing a fully-independent MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle. The new Rio sedan and Rio 5-door also benefit from a revised spring and damper setup that helps make the car more compliant and com-fortable. Stopping power comes from 11-inch disc brakes up front and drum brakes in the rear, while the EX model is outfitted with 11-inch disc brakes up

front and 10.3-inch rear disc brakes. And, for the first time, Rio is offered with available Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). In total, all these enhancements deliver crisp and nim-ble handling and improve overall driver confidence.

Rio’s solid structure makes use of advanced high strength steel to help increase durability, collision test per-formance and torsional stiffness for improved handling and ride quality. For reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), the Rio uses body sealing and bonding adhesives to dampen sound pathways throughout its construction.

Safety ConsciousThe all-new Rio is targeting the

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick designation and a 5-star rating from the National High-way Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Standard safety features include six airbags, side-impact door beams, Elec-tronic Stability Control, a four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle Stabil-ity Management (VSM)4.

The all-new Kia Rio is available in Qatar with the company’s unique 7-Year, 150,000 km warranty as standard. The new Rio is manufactured at Kia’s Sohari manufacturing facility in Korea.

You can do a test drive of the new Rio at the KIA Motors Qatar showroom in Al Rayyan Road in the Al Sadd area. The showroom is open daily and can be contacted at 44039444 or www.kiaqatarcom.

Feature-rich subcompact Kia Rio provides tremendous value

WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 20176

The brand new Ferrari GTC4Lusso has hit the Qatar roads and Ferrari fans and media were given an opportu-

nity recently to get close to this game changer from the Italian carmaker.

Brand Ferrari ensures certain stand-ard of excellence and the name is always associated with an exclusive club of sports cars. With GTC4Lusso they have married sporting excellence to every-day comfort in a way never seen before. Without compromising on the perform-ance they have added two more seats in the back which can accommodate a pretty tall person comfortably. The ergo-nomics of the back seats is a mystery as it is much more comfortable than most hatchbacks.

The new four-seater marks a major evolution of the sporting Grand Tourer concept by integrating rear-wheel steer-ing with four-wheel drive for the first time.

The GTC4Lusso’s name references illustrious predecessors, such as the 330 GTC or its 2+2 sister model, the 330 GT and the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, which represented a sublime combination of elegance and high performance. The number 4 alludes to the car’s four com-fortable seats.

Powered by a 12-cylinder engine, the GTC4Lusso punches out a massive 690 cv at a 8,000 rpm and peak torque of 697 Nm at 5,750 rpm, with 80%

available at just 1,750 rpm, the GTC4Lusso delivers an astonishing top speed of 335 km/h and sprints from 0 to 100 km in 3.4 seconds. Both its 13.5:1 compression ratio and its 2.6 kg/cv weight-to-power-ratio set new records for the category.

“The GTC4Lusso brings unprece-dented versatility to Ferrari driving, enabling our customers to discover a whole new dimension of Ferrari. The strikingly sporty coupe promises to sat-isfy customers with a thirst for speed and power, without compromising on in-car comfort, sporty elegance and impeccable detailing. Ferrari Qatar is always committed to deliver beyond our customer’s expectations and offer them the pleasure of driving a Ferrari any-where, anytime,” said Charly Dagher, General Manager Ferrari Qatar at Alfardan Sports Motors, official importer of Ferrari in Qatar.

Penned by Ferrari Design, the GTC4Lusso is a further refinement of the shooting brake coupé that comes with an extremely streamlined, tapered shape giving it an almost fastback-like silhouette. Its sporty soul is underscored by the forms and styling of the rear where the curve of the roof has been lowered whilst retaining enough vol-ume to guarantee exceptional space and comfort for all four occupants, as well as an ample luggage compartment.

The supercar coupe’s interior exudes

a flawless air of sporty luxury thanks to the carefully executed detailing. Its Dual Cockpit architecture is another first, designed to enhance the shared driving experience for both driver and passen-ger. The GTC4Lusso also debuts the new Infotainment platform featuring a 10.25” HD screen with capacitive touch tech-nology. The new steering wheel is more compact thanks to a smaller air bag and the integrated controls are more ergo-nomic than ever, making for an even sportier driving experience.

Fast, furious and comfortable

Technical specificationEngine Type: V12 - 65°Overall displacement: 6262 ccMax. power output: 507 kW (690 cv) at 8,000 rpmMax. torque: 697 Nm at 5,750 rpmDimensions and weightLength: 4,922 mm

Width: 1,980 mmHeight: 1,383 mmDry weight: 1,790 kgWeight distribution: 47-53% front/rearPerformanceMaximum speed: 335 km/h0-100 km/h: 3.4 sec

In brief

Car detailing isn't something you need to do that often. You might roll up your sleeves once a year to perform a top-notch cleaning – sweeping, scrubbing,

wiping every nook and cranny – on your car. The level of clean you need? It's really whatever you prefer. Here's a helpful guide to get you started.

Before you begin

The difference between an "OK" and an "incredible" result is tied to the tools you use and the time you spend on the job. It helps to use spe-cialized car detailing products for specific tasks. For instance, toothbrushes come in handy for small areas that are harder to clean, like vents and grilles. Cotton swabs are useful in these spots, too.

Also, try to use name brand products to play it safe, but be certain to read the labels. Even name brand products aren't suitable for all paint fin-ishes. If the product does not list that it's safe for clear coat finishes, it's probably not. And keep in mind that this likely won't be a five-minute com-mitment; a high-quality car detailing job can take between four and eight hours.

Step 1: Getting the hard-to-reach places

Work on the interior first. Use compressed air in a can to blow dirt out from the tiny crevices. Save exterior cleaning for later. By taking this approach, you'll prevent all the dirt you brush out from undoing exterior detailing efforts.

Step 2: Working from the top down

Cloth headliners present a problem since they're glued to the roof. Removing marks and

stains can be tough, but it's important to remem-ber that headliners shouldn't get wet. Use a microfiber cloth and an upholstery cleaner designed for use on velour or suede. Brush the entire headliner lightly with a dry part of the cloth. Then, apply cleaner to the cloth – not directly to the headliner – and continue to gently brush eve-rything. For stubborn spots, wet only one corner of the cloth with cleaner, brush lightly and dry off with the rest of the cloth.

Step 3: Cleaning vinyl, plastic and windows

Hard interior surfaces can be cleaned with a cloth dampened with all-purpose cleaner. Use a window cleaner and paper towels on the interior glass.

Pro tip: Finish the glass by rubbing with balled-up newspaper to give it a gleaming shine.

Step 4: Scrubbing the seats

Specific products are important when you get to the seats. Treat dirty fabric upholstery with foaming cleaners designed for the task. Always follow the manufacturers' instructions. Remem-ber, it also helps to have an upholstery brush. Use only a leather conditioner on real leather – never a vinyl cleaner. For tears in vinyl seats, repair kits can work wonders.

Pro tip: If you have pet hair on fabric uphol-stery, wrap duct tape or wide masking tape around your hand with the sticky side out. Then, roll your hand over areas until the tape is full of hair. Repeat

with new tape until all areas are done.

Step 5: Taking out the floor mats

When it concerns floor mats and carpeted areas, it's best to create extra room by getting all of the heavily soiled items out of your car. Follow these tips:* Rubber and fabric floor mats should be washed outside of the car.* If these mats are worn, consider replacing them with new ones.* If you use a dressing on rubber floor mats, use one that will not make them slippery.* Use a foaming cleaner for minor carpet stains.* Avoid getting carpets saturated with water or cleaner, so mildew won't become a problem.

Step 6: Considering the nitty gritty

This is definitely an optional step. The dash-board and steering column present some of the most time-consuming tasks. Any knobs that can be removed without damage should be taken off so that the bezels beneath them can be more eas-ily cleaned. After you get the air vents cleaned up, spray a light mist of aerosol rubber or vinyl dress-ing for a polished, "brand new" look.

Pro tip: Some crevices can be cleaned with a thin cloth placed over the end of a plastic knife.

Step 7: Stopping by the car wash

It's a good idea to visit the local car wash to

use their high-pressure hoses to rinse your wheels and wheel wells. Remove any heavy buildup. While you're there, you can also use their high-powered vacuum on your upholstery, dashboard and carpeting before heading home to tackle the rest.

Step 8: Finishing touches to the exterior

Detail the doorjambs first. Any heavy grease should be wiped off with dry paper towels. After that, a soapy water solution is fine. Finish with small brushes for the tight areas, and don't for-get to wax the doorjambs. Wash small areas at a time, and keep finished areas wet with frequent hosings to avoid water spots. Change the rag and the water in your bucket often to avoid rubbing dirt back onto your car. Use a toothbrush to get into tight areas, such as around headlight and tail light trim, door handles and mirrors. A stiff brush and soapy water should take care of most every-thing on wheels and wheel wells, but remember to keep spraying down the whole car to avoid water spots. Also, avoid acid-based cleaners on clear coat painted or polished metal surfaces of the wheels.

Wrapping up

When you're finished washing everything, dry the entire car with a heavy terry cloth towel. You can use a clear coat-safe cleaner on scratches and blemishes in the clear coat layer of paint, but a cleaner wax will likely address most of the visible irregularities in your paint finish. Just be careful to avoid applying wax or polish to plastic or vinyl areas. So how are things looking? Even if you skipped a step or two, your car is definitely in much better shape now – inside and out. Source: mobil.com

How to detail a car

Ferrari GTC4Lusso:

WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2017 7

Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled two concept mod-els, the Mazda Kai Concept and the Mazda Vision Coupe

at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show which concluded on November 5, 2017.

As per Mazda’s development phi-losophy, a car is more than just a means of transport or a mass of metal. It should be a vital presence in people’s lives, like a living being. That’s why the KODO —Soul of Motion, Mazda’s design philosophy, introduced in 2010, is all about breathing life into the very form of our cars.

Mazda has captured the energy found in the frame-by-frame dyna-mism of living creatures as they move, and infused this energy and rhythm into the form of our vehicles, creating cars with a vitality that makes them truly alive.

National Car Company (NCC), the sole agent for Mazda vehicles in Qatar, have showcased Mazda’s latest range of sedans and SUV’s in a state of the art showroom located at Al Nasr.

Sathish Nair, Marketing & Sales Manager – Mazda Qatar, who recently attended the Tokyo Motor, said: “Maz-da’s development philosophy and the next generation models on display at the Tokyo Motor show gives us great confidence that the Mazda customers are well assured of the latest design, comfort, safety and performance fea-tures much ahead of the contemporary offerings in the market. We will be introducing the latest models as soon

as they are available for the GCC market.”

Mazda Kai ConceptMazda’s next generation theme - the

pursuit of a unique elegance. The ele-gance that Mazda seeks to express traces its heritage right through classic Japanese aesthetics—a beauty that is subtle and restrained, yet rich and abundant. This could be described as a style which grows out of an exquisite sense of balance—beautifully restrained, with nothing overemphasized. Much of Japanese tra-ditional culture is based on the minimalist concept of “less is more,” where the emphasis is on removing or minimizing elements to create an abundance of empty space. In this style, a sense of rich-ness emanates from something that appears deceptively simple in design. In the coming generation of Mazda cars, they aim to express the own unique vision of elegance as part of this image.

Featuring Spark-Controlled Com-pression Ignition, a never-before-seen combustion method, Mazda’s Skyactiv-X engine represents the second step in Mazda’s quest to develop a gasoline engine with the ideal internal combus-tion mechanism.

Developing compression ignition for gasoline engines has long been a goal of engineers. In the Skyactiv-X, spark plug ignition is used to control compres-sion ignition, resulting in dramatic improvements across a range of impor-tant performance indicators.

Mazda Vision CoupeThe Mazda VVision Coupe is a next-

generation design vision model which showcases the “new elegance” that was developed drawing upon Mazda’s long history of design. The name of the car, “Coupe” gives a hint of where this spe-cial “Mazda elegance” originally came from.

In this model, Mazda have sought to create a beauty that’s special to cars

based on the “golden ratio” of classic coupe proportions. The silhouette cre-ates the feel of a high-performance machine, with a hint of powerful for-ward momentum.

From the Mazda badge on the front to the badge on the back, a single pow-erful axis runs right through the car, evoking the look and feel of supple steel, with all the car’s movements centering on this central vector. The result is a form that is extraordinarily simple yet full of a sense of latent speed: the “one

motion form” that is the outstanding fea-ture of this model.

Mazda have aimed to create an inte-rior that allows occupants to feel safely ensconced in the cabin without any sense of confinement, creating a sense of oneness between the car and those who travel in it.

For more information on the 2017 and 2018 models of Mazda sedans and SUVs, visit Mazda showroom, or call 44435965/44417859 or visit www.mazda-qatar.com

Kai Concept

Vision Coupe

Mazda’s Vision Coupe, Kai Concept make a mark at Tokyo Motor Show

WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 20178

The all-new Jaguar XF brings an unri-valled blend of design, luxury, technology and efficiency to lead the business car segment, underpinned by class-leading driving dynamics and

refinement.The dynamic, coupé-like design is formed

around Jaguar’s aluminium-intensive architecture and combines the outstanding proportions, ele-gant surfaces and perfect lines which define all Jaguar cars, with a longer wheelbase, more inte-rior space and exceptionally low aerodynamic drag.

The cabin is a seamless blend of contemporary luxury materials and finishes, traditional Jaguar craftsmanship and state-of-the art technology, with features such as a reconfigurable 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, laser head-up display and the InControl Touch Pro premium infotainment system – the all-new XF is the most connected Jaguar ever.

“I believe the all-new XF is the best looking car in its class. Elegant, handsome and with propor-tions that imbue a great sense of integrity – the all-new XF is true to the great tradition of sport-ing Jaguar saloons while being completely of its time,” Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, said.

The 2007 XF was a radical step forward for Jaguar – and for the business car segment. Com-bining a sleek, coupé-like exterior and a luxurious interior, it set the class benchmark for aesthetics and driving dynamics.

Features such as the rotary shift controller, rotating air vents and phosphor blue ambient light-ing set the cabin apart from the competition and made the XF a highly desirable, aspirational vehi-cle. It was like nothing Jaguar had ever made before, and like nothing the competition could offer. The XF went on to become the most-awarded Jaguar ever.

The all-new XF retains its predecessor’s core attributes, but uses Jaguar’s aluminium-intensive architecture to enable weight savings of up to 190kg – making the 163PS diesel model 80kg lighter than the nearest competitor – plus an increase in tor-sional stiffness of up to 28 per cent. The architecture also delivers dramatic improvements in packaging and the proportions so essential to Jaguar design.

The all-new XF is 4,954mm long: at 2,960 the wheelbase is 51mm longer than before, the front overhang 66mm shorter. Though 7mm shorter and 3mm lower than the original XF, rear seat space is class-leading thanks to 15mm more legroom, 24mm more kneeroom and up to 27mm more headroom than before. Aerodynamics are also superior: the drag coefficient drops from 0.29 to just 0.26.

The light, stiff body is also fundamental to the all-new XF’s superb vehicle dynamics. Double wishbone front suspension and Integral Link rear suspension – combined with near-50:50 weight distribution – deliver the ideal balance between ride and handling.

“From an engineering perspective, our targets with the all-new XF were bound by one holistic goal – it had to do everything better, and it does.

“It offers even better dynamics, even greater refinement for the comfort of its occupants, it deliv-ers an all-new infotainment system, and it utilises every last mm of packaging to maximise interior space, while exploiting all the weight-saving opti-misation offered by our new aluminium-intensive architecture. As a driver you will notice these ben-efits from the moment you sit behind the wheel,” says Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar XF.

Adopting Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) maintains Jaguar’s leadership in steering feel but also reduces fuel consumption by up to two per cent and three per cent for diesel

and petrol models respectively. EPAS also enables functions such as camber compensation and advanced driver assistance systems including lane-keep assist, driver condition monitoring and bay- and parallel park-assist.

Advanced passive damper technology deliv-ers exceptional ride quality as standard through an extra valve which reduces damping forces at low speeds. For even better control the Adaptive Dynamics system monitors body movement 100 times a second and wheel movement 500 times a second to determine the optimum damper settings for the driving conditions.

Jaguar Configurable Dynamics technology, optional on all V6 models, provides the ultimate in control and enables the driver to individually tailor settings of the dampers, steering, engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.

All-wheel drive (AWD) was engineered into the vehicle from day one. The torque on-demand system is new, and the transfer case features a lighter, quieter, more efficient chain drive.

Capability is also enhanced by the advanced control system first used in F-TYPE AWD: Intelli-gent Driveline Dynamics (IDD). This delivers rear-drive handling with the performance and trac-tion benefits of AWD.

A first for XF AWD is the addition of the Adap-tive Surface Response (AdSR) mode to Jaguar Drive Control. Leveraging Jaguar Land Rover’s unrivalled expertise, AdSR identifies the type of surface, such as snow or gravel, and adapts the mapping of the engine, transmission, steering and Dynamic Sta-bility Control to make the vehicle even more composed in low-grip conditions.

Ability is unrivalled in rear-wheel drive form too. All-Surface Progress Control, developed for low-speed driving in adverse conditions, automat-ically manages the brakes and the throttle to deliver the best possible traction, enabling the car to pull away smoothly and without drama: the driver only has to steer. ASPC operates between 3.6km/h and 30km/h, and the desired speed is set by the driver using the cruise control switches.

Infotainment and connectivity is the most advanced Jaguar has ever offered. The all-new InControl Touch Pro system builds on the intuitive user interface of InControl Touch, and supports all the same features – including InControl Apps, InControl Remote and Wi-Fi hotspot – but offers a 10.2-inch touchscreen and Dual View technol-ogy which simultaneously allows the driver to see information such as navigation, while the front seat passenger watches TV or a DVD.

Lighter, more efficient & packed with technology

All-new Jaguar XF