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COVERstory |
32
Tokyo Motor Show
Confidence returns to this
venue as participation by
automakers jumps
24
44
38
cover story
NEXT ISSUE
Brandwatch
First drives
54
60
techtalk
Motorsports
74-79 F1, motogp, regional, snippets
Chicane
editor-in-chief
Mohammad Al Taie
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executive EDITOR
Chandan B Mallik chandan@alroya.net
contributing EDITOR
Anne Kurian
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HEAD OF Design
Antony Karlo
photography
Elvis John Ferrao
marketing
Sayantani Ghosh sayantani@alroya.net
circulation
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FINANCE & ADMIN
Sumy Mol
sumy@alroya.net
Website & IT
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DisTRibution
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We have been trying to avoid harping on Volkswagens issues this month, yet somehow
there is always another twist to the sordid tale that calls for attention. The month end
saw US federal authorities now add another facet to the issue of the not so clean diesel
engines when it said that around 10,000 of the companys 3.0-litre 6-cylinder units fitted
in its premium brands like Audi and Porsche were also being added to the almost half a
million smaller engines.
Of course a month is now a long time in a car brands history. People have been fired, new
management types hired and the company is strengthening its ethics oversight while fully
co-operating with investigators around the world. If the engine has been sold anywhere,
the authorities in that country will not want to be seen as slow to act. However this also
brings with it some ironic moments, like when VW has to recall cars in India, where the bulk
of vehicles sold are still Euro 3 compliant.
And while on the topic of recalls, the exercise is on full-swing around the world, with defects
ranging from defective seats, defective airbags, floor mats, leaking power steerings and
engines with metal filings in them. It is almost as if every error that could crop up in making
a car has now become visible and the world is working overtime to correct it. By our
reckoning, one day in the not so distant future we will have more cars recalled in a year
than were actually manufactured.
But the issue with a business thats on the scale of the global automotive business is
that you are never actually making todays car. Between R&D, engineering, tech trends
and consumer behaviour, 90% of your effort is always on the car that will come to the
showroom a couple of years in the future. The rest is all marketing. We dont doubt that
lessons being learnt from todays fiascos will be applied in this next generation of cars.
In the meantime, Muscat had a generous crop of todays cars being launched in the span
of a week in October from the Ford Explorer, the new look Land Cruiser, the new Tucson
and Creta and the brilliant new BMW 7-series, the third week of October was a car lovers
delight. As always, we have covered the lot, while having already met the new Explorer
and Tucson in the flesh. The Explorer features on this months cover with an early testdrive. Look out in coming issues for the rest of the bunch.
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PUBLISHING
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show, a list
BMW
Cadillac
As one of the worlds lightest and most agile full-size luxury sedans, the Cadillac CT6 takes a big step towards more efficient and
sustainable transportation by combining a variety of new technologies to achieve dynamic performance, efficiency and agility. It comes
with the industrys first application of cylinder deactivation technology on a turbocharged V6 engine. The car also features lightweight
architecture that utilises 11 materials achieving strength, performance and competency. The world premiere of the XT5 SUV [all-new
replacement of the SRX] will take place in Dubai.
8
NOV 2015
Audi
Audi Middle East will present the allnew second generation R8, all-new
Audi A4 and RS 3 Sportback. The RS
model represent the high-performance
automobiles of quattro GmbH. The
regional premieres of these cars will
highlight Audis brand philosophy
Vorsprung durch Technik.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet will unveil its newest product
line-up for the Middle East region with
no less than four new unveils. Chevrolet
will be taking the wraps off the all-new
2016 Chevrolet Camaro, 2017 Chevrolet
Malibu, 2016 Chevrolet Spark, and
enhanced 2016 Chevrolet Silverado.
Infiniti
GMC
GMC has planned the regional premiere of the 2016 Sierra,
its best-selling truck in the Middle East. The incoming
model boasts a fresh appearance that takes its signature
premium styling to a higher level and offers new, advanced
engineering features designed to complement its crafted
interior. GMC will also showcase the brands latest in
connectivity programmes. It has added Apple CarPlay
capability to the 2016 Yukon and Sierra. Essentially, Apple
CarPlay takes the iPhone features customers want to access
while driving and integrates them into the vehicles display in a
smart, simple manner with the brands IntelliLink system.
Maserati
Maserati has announced that it will be exhibiting the Maserati
Alfieri, a 2+2 concept car. The Alfieri is hailed as archetypal for
the future design DNA of Maserati. The striking concept bears
the name of the most prominent of the Maserati brothers - the
engineering genius who founded Officine Alfieri Maserati in
Bologna over a century ago. According to Lorenzo Ramaciotti,
the mastermind behind the project, The Alfieri is a transition
point between 100 glorious years of history and the future that
is opening up before us.
NOV 2015
Toyota
Jaguar
Automans take
The regional show will have a lot to appeal for motoring aficionados in the region. While new car launches and world premieres
will take centre stage, classic and historic car lovers will have the opportunity to see a magnificent collection, thanks to a new
event addition. A collection of the finest and most significant cars in the history of the automobile from Europe, the United
States and Asia have been generously loaned from Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Tomini Classics, the Sharjah Museum and the Al Ain
Classics collections as well as from a number of proud owners from the Dubai Grand Parade for the duration of the show.Titled as
The Motoring Nostalgia Museum, the display will take the visitors on a historical journey through motoring history with classics
ranging from the 1950s to the 80s. Everything from a delectable 1951 Riley RMC Roadster with its graceful, sweptback looks that
defined the immediate postwar period through to the model that virtually coined the supercar phrase, the twin-turbocharged,
all-wheel drive 1988 Porsche 959 will be on display in their dedicated auto alley located in DWTCs Zabeel 1 Hall. They will join
a wide variety of cars covering the full spectrum of desire including a stunning 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, an original Land
Rover, a striking 1955 300SL Gullwing Mercedes-Benz and a 1974 Ferrari Dino to name just a few. In keeping with the family
friendly feel, visitors to Motoring Nostalgia will be able to take guided tours from resident experts. Visitors will also have the
opportunity to hear forums covering topics such as how to buy and register a classic car in the UAE.
Master craftsmen will showcase their skills and interest for disciplines including leather stitching, to a cobbler at work as well
as artists painting, all of which shows an appreciation for classic cars as a lifestyle just as much as a beautiful motor vehicle. The
2015 Dubai International Motor Show will be open from 6pm to 10pm on November 10; 11am to 10pm on November 11; 11am to
11pm on November 12 and 13; and from 11am to 10pm on November 14. Ticket prices are AED 65 for single-day entry with children
under 12 entering free. Price of ticket includes entry to the Motoring Nostalgia Museum and children under the age of 16 must be
accompanied by an adult.
10
NOV 2015
Cadi
news
s
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Regio
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first-hand
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llac V-S
NOV 2015
Tony Roma
The CTS-V gets new supercharged
6.2-litre V8 that cranks out 640hp and
630lb-ft of torque. 0-100km/h comes in
around 3.9secs and top speed is 32km/h,
according to Roma. The engine is paired
exclusively with GMs 8-speed automatic
transmission with paddle shifters and
launch control.
Roma said in his presentation that, on
paper, the CTS-Vs performance over
shadows the BMW M5s standard 560hp
V8 performance comfortably and is close
to with the performance of the 5.5-litre
biturbo V8 used in the Mercedes-Benz E63
AMG 4Matic.
Common to all V-badge models is the
Performance Data Recorder (PDR). PDR
allows drivers to record high-definition
video, with data overlays, of their driving
experiences on and off the track. The data
is recorded on a memory smart card. PDR
for this car was developed with Cosworth,
the British motorsports-engineering
company that supplies General Motors
Racing Teams with data acquisition and
telemetry systems. In addition, both
ATS-V and CTS-V models also feature a
professional-level motorsports Cosworth
Toolbox telemetry system that allows
drivers to analyze their laps in incredible
detail and find opportunities to improve
and fine tune their driving and lap times.
The telemetry software combines
Cosworths professional-level motorsport
data analysis with an easy-to-use graphic
interface.
All the 2016 models track tested were
outfitted with the latest third- generation
Magnetic Ride Control, which according
to Roma delivers 40 percent faster
damping response. This allows better
chassis control by the driver, who
can in turn optimize his performance
requirements for touring duties and track
day experiences. The track exercises were
performed under supervision of the track
marshals and included fast laps on the
circuit and some handling exercises.
NOV 2015
13
Nismo arrives
in region
Nissans motorsport and in-house
performance brand, NISMO, made its
Middle East debut last month in Dubai.
NISMO is the ultimate essence of
Nissans promise to deliver Innovation
that Excites, said Samir Cherfan,
Managing Director of Nissan Middle East.
NISMO was founded in September 1984
as a specialty company to support all
motorsports activities of Nissan Motor
Company (Nissan).
We are aware of two Nismo production
cars -- 370Z and the GT-R, but at the
regional launch there was a third surprise
in store. We could not have launched
NISMO in the region without including
our most iconic model, the Nissan
Patrol, in the range of NISMO vehicles.
As a result, the event also marked the
world premiere of the Patrol NISMO
prototype. Recognizing that off-roading
and motorsports are the life-blood of
local driving enthusiasts, Nissan strongly
believes the time is right to introduce the
Patrol NISMO in the Middle East.
Bringing the high performance brand to
the Middle East and launching the Patrol
NISMO as a world premiere model is proof
of our commitment to making thrilling
driving experiences accessible to all our
customers.
According to Cherfan, NISMO is an
important part of Nissans long term
product plan. We view the addition
of NISMO as a key element of our
business expansion strategy based on
our successful motorsports heritage in
the region. The NISMO brand is a highly
valuable, credible and desirable addition
to our range and we are honored to bring
the brand to the Middle East. Regional
media members were also given an
opportunity to get familiarized with the
cars at Dubai Autodrome.
14
NOV 2015
Hands-on
d
r
o
F
y
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f
li
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o
f
ls
il
driving sk
15
Regional medias
first outing with
Gen II 2016 Audi Q7
in Oman
16
NOV 2015
17
2016 Toyota
Land Cruiser
2016 Ford
Explorer
Ford has upgraded its Explorer for 2016
with some cosmetic upgrades and new
features. Two versions are sold in Oman
and the model will be available in several
trim and powertain options. The entry
level XLT and Limited get a 3.5-litre Ti-VCT
V6 engine offering 294PS and 346Nmof
torque when paired with a six-speed
SelectShift automatic transmission.
The Sport variant is powered by a
turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 [Ecoboost]
engine which offers 370PS and 475Nm
of torque when paired with the same
transmission. Fords Sync system is voice
activated. Among the cosmetic changes
is a redesigned bonnet and front new end
with new grille design. Headlamps are
LED fed and the cluster includes daytime
running lights. The rear tail lamp design is
also refreshed.
18
NOV 2015
Oman is Ivecos
first port of entry
for New Daily
trucks
19
brandwatch
news
Its a numbers game and with just a few weeks more till the end
of this year, it seems that Toyota has an upper edge. Toyota has
delivered 7.49mn vehicles from January through September and
in the process also regained the lead in the global volume battle.
This means Toyota has just beat Volkswagens 7.43mn numbers in
the first three quarters. General Motors has shifted 7.15mn units
in the same period. VWs diesel emissions scandal might seem to
be the current argument for losing the top position, the EPAs
violation notice only came on September 18. Actually, falling
demand in China likely played a more significant part in the losses
than the cheating software scandal.
Automans take
Volkswagen did have a lead over Toyota in the first six months
of the year, but it now seems that Toyota will edge past VW
with the 2015 title since VWs current dieselgate crisis will likely
have its effect on sales in the remainder months of the year.
NOV 2015
Winterkorn to relinquish
other VAG positions
Ferrari to raise
production
Currently, Ferrari is considered to be an exclusivity focused
supercar brand with its fixed 7,000unit annual production.
However, that is about to change as reports from Europe are
suggesting that the Prancing Horse brand is preparing itself to
significantly increase production to 9,000 units annually.
This would roughly represent an increase of nearly 30per cent
and the reason for removing the current production cap is to
help meet growing demand in emerging markets. Thats not all.
New products will also be created to accommodate demographic
changes as the size and spending capacity of target client grows,
according to Ferrari.
It may be recalled last year that a debate related to production
of cars during the tenure of then chairman Luca di Montezemolo
and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles chief Sergio Marchionne resulted
in the latter winning the battle and the former resigning.
Montezemolo was in favour of maintaining the brands exclusivity
while Marchionne who currently serves as Ferraris new chairman
pushed for higher sales numbers and has aired confidence that
production can be increased to 10,000 units without any ill effects.
Automans take
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
21
Automans take
NOV 2015
Automans take
Automans take
NOV 2015
23
Spotlight
news
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Europe too
allik
Author: Chandan B M
24
NOV 2015
NOV 2015
25
BMW
BMW Group came fully prepared with its fastest and most trackready new M4 GTS. The M4 GTS is M divisions most hardcore
vehicle and also one of its most expensive cars with a price tag of
roughly US$160,000.
Honda
Lexus
Taking centre stage at the Lexus stand was the LF-FC Concept
which represents the brands future vision in terms of design and
technology that will come in the flagship 4-door coupe-inspired
sedan which is due in a year or so. The LF-FC styling includes the
L-finesse design philosophy along with an evolved version
of the signature grille with a new mesh design. The rear is
highlighted by striking new taillamps that adopt the same floating
theme as the DRL.
Mazda
NOV 2015
Mazda says that it has not given up on the rotary engines despite
stopping production of the RX-8 in 2012. At Japan, the brand
revealed a new design study called RX-Vision Rotary Sports
Car Concept which it claims was inspired by racing heritage
and technology applications. The concept introduces the nextgeneration SKYACTIV-R rotary engine and Mazdas vision of the
ultimate in front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car styling. Along
with this display, Mazda had a section devoted to two racing-spec
Mazda MX-5s, as well as the 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S the
companys first rotary powered mass-production model.
Mercedes Benz
Nissan
Mitsubishi
Nissan had quite a diverse line-up this year and exhibits include
some familiar and some new stuff. The recently showcased
Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo, Gripz concept and updated
Leaf were among the known names. However, the true debut
was the quirky Teatro for Dayz EV concept that imagines the
ultimate vehicle for young people. According to Nissan, the
Teatro for Dayz is designed for the so-called digital native
generation basically those with the Internet widely available
from birth. The original Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo, a
concept supercar that was first unveiled at Goodwood Festival of
Speed 2014 has been updated with a new face and body colour
for Tokyo. The Nissan IDS Concept unveiled embodies Nissans
vision of the future of autonomous driving and zero emission EVs.
Porsche
27
Subaru
Suzuki
Volkswagen
Yamaha
As a follow-up to the 2013 MOTIV.e concept, Yamaha presented
an eye-popping four wheel concept. In the past, Yamaha has
teamed with with McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray to develop
a city car concept called the Motiv and this time it was a new
sports car concept developed in line with Murrays iStream
principles. The 3,900mm long two-seater sports car is made of
carbon fibre and weighs 750kg and takes a lot of inspiration from
motorcycles. Yamaha also produced a surprise when it showed
a motorcycle-riding robot. Unlike most two-wheeled debutants,
Yamahas new Motobot isnt starting out on a small capacity
motorcycle, but release images show the humanoid robot riding
Yamahas most sporting motorcycle, the 1,000cc R1M.
28
NOV 2015
Toyota
Toyotas display was quite large and diverse ranging from the
updated Prius, a fuel cell vehicle and some quirky concepts.
Among the showstoppers was the retro-inspired all-new coupe
S-FR concept that could be added to the line-up as the GT/FT
86s smaller sibling, subject to audience feedback. If produced,
it will sport FR (front engine/rear drive) architecture. The slightly
larger than MINI S-FR was conceptualized as the kind of vehicle
that attracts its own die-hard fan base, whose members love
driving and customizing it. The second car on display that tickled
the audience was the Kikai concept. Definitely, it was a retro
conversation-starter at the show that salutes the companys
roots in monozukuri, the Japanese term for the art and craft
of manufacturing. In fact, the KIKAI as a concept car was
developed from an innovative design concept that challenges the
conventional rules of auto making. The exposed buggy-esque car
uses a 1.5-litre engine and motor-combined hybrid system and for
the drive system, a mid-engine rear-wheel-drive (MR) layout has
been adopted.
The electric car concept will have longdistance driving range and Nissan said
that its 60kWh battery, in combination
with a lightweight and aerodynamically
designed carbon-fibre body was
designed to also meet the specific
needs.
As a technology-cum-design
demonstrator, the concept also
highlighted potential solutions to one
key challenge facing every automaker:
how to enable autonomous cars
to effectively communicate with
pedestrians? The solution Nissan has
come up with on the IDS Concept
involves an outward facing display
screen in the dashboard that
flashes messages like After You,
to pedestrians and cyclists. Nissan
also incorporated an Intention
Indicatora strip of LED lights along
the side body that shine white when
pedestrians or cyclists are nearby to
indicate the car is aware of them. The
cars autonomous driving functions can
be controlled by voice or gestures.
NOV 2015
29
NOV 2015
Concept # 5: MITSUBISHI eX
NOV 2015
31
32
NOV 2015
Explorer
revisited
Ford Motor Company has refreshed its Explorer mid-sized
SUV for 2016. We check out the recently launched XLT
variant in Oman
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao
NOV 2015
33
NOV 2015
NOV 2015
35
NOV 2015
37
38
NOV 2015
Mini blitz
With each generation, MINI products are getting better and
in many respects closer in performance to its parent BMW
Groups products. The recently introduced 2015 Gen III
MINI Cooper S five door hatch can also claim that it is no
fluke. Automan spends some time with this car in UAE
Author: Nabeel Ferzan | Photography: author and Chandan B Mallik
NOV 2015
39
40
NOV 2015
NOV 2015
41
A BMW-style iDrive
controller sits between
the front seats
which replaces the
old joystick. What
remains unchanged is
the sublimity and ride
quality of the smaller
car in this version
42
NOV 2015
NOV 2015
43
44
NOV 2015
Bahn
bruiser
gets
better
Quattro GmbH, Audis in-house high performance arm is
responsible for creating higher performance versions of
stock cars. And once they are done with it, they get their
respective RS badging. We feature the refreshed for
2015 RS7 this month which represents itself as the top
performance model in the series
Author: Chandan B Mallik
NOV 2015
45
NOV 2015
Thanks to
optimised hardware
management, the RS7
takes just 3.9secs to
do the 0- 100km/h
sprint and yet remain
quite frugal as it has
a fuel consumption
of 9.5litres/100km
with 221g/km of CO2
emissions
47
NOV 2015
NOV 2015
49
Not the
hardcore
extremist, but
packs a punch
50
NOV 2015
a rear wheel drive car, the rear subframemounted suspension packaging also
gives it is sharp and responsive character
through a modern multi-link setup which
Jaguar refers to as integrated link. The
axle weight distribution stands at 50:50 in
the four-cylinder.
The performance of the outgoing XF was
also factored in the XE when it came to
offering sharp reflexes. While the XE is
smaller than the XF, its body structure is
20per cent stiffer and in its structure it
uses 25 per cent steel and composites and
the remaining 75per cent is aluminium.
Over all, these, along with the charming
and responsive powertrain get top scores
from us.
While diesel XE variants benefit from
the all-new Ingenium family of efficient
engines, the petrol versions come with
engines sourced from Ford. The petrol
engine range for the XE begins with the
turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-litre
four-cylinder unit [also used XF and XJ
sedans]. Refined for the new XE, the
lightweight powerplant is available in two
ratings: 200PS/280Nm and 240PS/340Nm.
The latter set-up is designated as the 2.5t
variant. The key USP of this engine is that
it weighing only 138kg, these all-aluminium
engines feature twin counter-rotating
balancer shafts to cancel-out second
NOV 2015
51
NOV 2015
53
54
NOV 2015
55
Mercedes-Benz S Coupe
Mercedes-Benz
rekindles its CL
era and aura with a
swanky all-new twodoor S-Class based
Coupe.
Author: Chandan B Mallik
56
NOV 2015
57
NOV 2015
NOV 2015
59
NOV 2015
61
62
NOV 2015
With innovative
turbo flat engines, an
advanced chassis with
an even greater spread
between performance
and comfort and a
new infotainment
systems, the refreshed
911 Carerra line-up
it is exceedingly wellequipped for its class
NOV 2015
63
Caterham
Superlight Twenty
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We continue our look at some of the key questions that have come back
to the public gaze as a result of the Volkswagen diesel engine fiasco
Author: Raj Warrior
e have a running
argument at the
editorial desk
some of us think that the
dieselgate issue is a victimless
crime, while for the other
side the problem is with an
environment that seems to be
setting unrealistic performance
criteria. Yes, environmental
issues still have as many
detractors as hard-core
supporters and we dont have
to look too far for the former.
However, for the majority
of us, our role is principally
confined to being an informed
consumer. The largest malaise
of the 20th century has
been the growth of rampant
consumerism that has put
pressure on raw material
sources, energy and a clean
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environment. Consumerism
is not about to go away,
regardless of what happens
to our surroundings at the
best it may mutate into a less
intense form, but a rising
and increasingly affluent
population around the world
will continue to put a strain
on resources and our ability to
deliver without impacting the
environment.
As car buyers we have various
approaches ahead of us, which
in the immediate term are
governed by standards laid
down by authorities. Are they
good enough? Do they actually
address a move towards
zero impact, the holy grail
of planners? Or will we see a
phase in the future where our
air starts getting cleaner?
of human activity?
What are the current
standards?
The Volkswagen issue has
brought about a bit of soulsearching in mainstream
manufacturers. While it
is widely acknowledged
that tough standards can
usually be met in laboratory
environments, the pressures of
regular road usage lower the
vehicles ability to meet these
standards, thus requiring one
of two approaches either
authorities recognise the
need for a laxer regime that
measures on-road pollution
or car manufacturers need to
hone their delivery of cleaner
cars. Lets take a look at what
the world has on offer today
(in its major markets):
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Tesla motors projects its car both as a conscious choice for clean driving as well as offering quick recharge and a reasonable range. More
manufacturers are likely to follow this model to gain electric vehicle converts
technologies using gasoline
direct injection supplemented
by port injection and phase
switching of the valve train,
allows smaller engines to
save fuel while being able
to deliver more power on
demand. Add to this the
rock solid reliability of the
modern day turbocharger
and its application in almost
every new engine series being
developed.
How do we buy responsibly?
The mantra taught in schools
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
can be largely applied to
the concept of sustainability
in automobiles. Reducing
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Reuse &
Recycling
Reuse &
Recovery
As of 1 January
2006
As of 1 January
2015
80%
85%
85%
95%
Conclusion
What is obvious is that the goal of a clean form of personal transportation is a moving goal. As our ability to meet new targets evolves,
the targets and the goalposts that they represent are shifted ahead. That is the reality that finally caught Volkswagen out this time
and we predict that the challenges faced by moving towards a sustainable future will see more manufacturers have to face flak. In the
meantime, the choice of a car powered by an internal combustion engine will be the one that bothers you for some time.
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F1
NOV 2015
RACING DRIVERS
WANTED: 56 GAMERS
ARE IN ABU DHABI
FOR 2015 NISMO
PLAYSTATION GT
ACADEMY
NOV 2015
A hat-trick performance by
Omani drifter Ali Al Balushi
last month in the sixth season
of the Red Bull Car Park Drift
Qualifier that was held in
Oman Automobile Association
grounds in Seeb, Muscat,
means that he will now
represent his home country in
the finals to be held this month
in UAE.
In a closely fought competition
between 16 top drivers, the
Omani King of Drift with
his consistent performance
impressed the three judges
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MotoGP
2015 Australia race report: Marc Marquez wins one of the most dramatic
MotoGP races of all time as Lorenzo reduces Rossis lead in the standings
to just 11 points
NOV 2015
Controversy can never be very far from MotoGP or Valentino Rossi for that
matter. The Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang is now famous for all the wrong
reasons
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Of course artificial intelligence is nowhere near the commercialisation stage. The car is
only resorting to the programming put into it. It is just a fancier version of the automated
cruise control systems that are already in place. In some ways it is a descendant of the
logic that drives image control on your fancy new SLR cameras and your smart phone,
albeit without these having a life-taking mode. You capture an image on full auto mode
and the camera decides the f-stop, shutter speed, ISO settings and even the white
balance. It looks for elements that it can recognise as faces and even knows when to
release the shutter as the faces smile and open their eyes. Youve no doubt seen the
results. The images are never so great that you would want to send them out to be printed
and never so bad that you wonder why you have bothered. The software will usually even
compensate for your hand shaking as you capture your millionth inane photo.
The self-driving car is to my mind something like this. Only, by the time we see a lot of
them on the road, they will also be networked, so that they are actually talking to each
other. If I still hark back to your camera or phone, it would be like your phone asking your
friends phone to quickly snap a shot and send it over because it knows that despite all
the logic on-board you have never been able to take a decent shot.
The swarm of self-driving cars on the road will appeal to town planners and most
commuters who think that getting from A to B should be about motion, not emotion. If
they encountered a hot-blooded off-grid driver, what are the chances that they would
gang up on him and swarm his Mustang to the layby? As for me, I believe that the selfdriving car needs to be reimagined. The simple way would be to provide an override
button that simply adds a constant to the algorithm. The owners life is supreme and the
car should prioritise its business of crashing safely to ensure that the owner survives.
Either that or like the theme pack that you install on your mobile device, allow every
owner to give their car a personality, safe, quick or putative rally driver, every selfrespecting runaround needs a character.
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