IT training wheels UAE TruePDF 18 31 january 2019

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DH11

INSIDE 2019 DETROIT MOTOR SHOW I REFRESHED BMW 7 SERIES
THE UAE’S FAVOURITE MOTORING MAGAZINE
ISSUE 711 I JANUARY 18 - 31, 2019

wheels.ae

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TESTED 2019 AUDI Q3 AND ALL-NEW HYUNDAI SANTA FE



EDITOR
Sony Thomas

FEATURES WRITER
Imran Malik

DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY
ART EDITOR
Joel Paz
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Stefan Lindeque, Anas Thacharpadikkal,
Aiza Castillo-Domingo
SENIOR PICTURE EDITOR
Verina Durand
PRODUCTION
ACTING PRODUCTION EDITOR Floyd Gonsalves

PRE-PRESS SUPERINTENDENT Sarder Bakiruddin

A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
IN THIS ISSUE

“With a full 755
horsepower of
supercharged V8 fury,
this is the perfect
way to one-up your
Ecoboost V6-driving
Raptor pals.”
IMRAN MALIK ON THE
FORD F-150 SHELBY

“Proton once had hopes
of emulating Japanese
and Korean success on
a global sale, though
today it struggles even
to compete on the
heavily protected local
market.”
RICHARD WHITEHEAD
ON THE MALAYSIAN CAR
MANUFACTURING SCENE

Thanks to your love and support, wheels magazine has grown to
establish itself as the undisputed leader in automotive journalism
in the UAE. Today, 14 years since its launch in 2005, wheels is by

far the largest circulated automotive title in the country. At a time
when many ill-advised marketers buy into the misguided belief
that print is dead and burn their precious dirhams on nonentities
with bogus ‘followers’, we are grateful to you, our valued readers,
for standing by us and helping us prove that print is still very
much a highly effective way for brands to connect with real
audience. We are also thankful that there are still enough brands
in the market that believe in the value of print and we will remain
the most dependable platform for them in this region.
To ensure that we retain our position as the only credible print
magazine in the UAE’s automotive scene and allow the team to
bring you even more focused and in-depth articles than before, we
are altering the periodicity of the print version. Starting from this
issue, the magazine’s frequency will be changed from a weekly
to a bi-monthly (two issues a month). Existing subscribers will
receive the same number of copies they have paid for. While
we acknowledge the importance of bringing a comprehensive
cross-platform experience to our readers with the support of
the brand’s corresponding digital content, print will remain our
priority with www.wheels.ae continuing to bolster our presence in
the virtual world.
These changes will help us continue being the reliable and
influential medium that we are — in both print and digital — and
we look forward to the enduring support from our readers.
As for this issue, a considerable amount of motoring goodness
has been packed in as usual, including a lowdown on the Detroit
motor show, first images of the refreshed
BMW 7 Series, test drives of the Ford
F-150 Shelby, Hyundai Santa Fe and Audi
Q3, as well as a feature offering helpful

tips for off-roading.
As always, we welcome your feedback.

PRE-PRESS OPERATORS
Atul Paradkar, Sohelur Rahman
ONLINE
GROUP DIGITAL STRATEGY DIRECTOR
Jonathan Richards
WEB CONTENT EDITOR
Kinan Alhabbal
ADVERTISING
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wheels is published and printed by
Al Nisr Publishing LCC

SONY THOMAS
EDITOR

3


ISSUE 711 JANUARY 18-31 2019

COVER PHOTO STEFAN LINDEQUE COVER DESIGN JOEL PAZ DIGITAL RETOUCHING ATUL PARADKAR

26
COVER STORY

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10

46

20
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38
46

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THE BEST OF DETROIT...

Check out our hottest picks from the 2019 motor show

SEVEN-STAR 7 SERIES

BMW gives its flagship an update — we get up close to it in Munich

JOIN THE Q

The Audi Q3 gets a refresh — but
do the changes keep it relevant?

WAHEY, NEW SANTA FE!

We test the 2019 three-row
compact SUV in Dubai

GOING OUT IN STYLE... AND FURY

The Testarossa bowed out in the shape of the mighty F512 M

A WOLF... IN WOLF’S CLOTHING!

Martin shows us his beastly Dodge Challenger in My Wheels

22

MORE IN OUR NEXT ISSUE!
Issue 712 out on February 1

10

“You won’t find the Ecoboost V6 under the pumped
up bonnet; the F-150 Shelby features Ford’s
5.0-litre V8 and it’s supercharged to produce an
astonishing 755 horses. Take that, Raptor!”


ET
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heels
w

LETTER OF THE WEEK
I joined a friend of mine for the Gulf News Fun
Drive last weekend and had the best time! In

fact, I did not expect it would be as exciting as
it turned out to be if I am being totally honest.
It far exceeded my expectations and am already
looking forward to next year.
I have been on several desert drives with
respected tour operators in Dubai and enjoyed
them all — but never to the extent in which I
enjoyed the 38th Gulf News Fun Drive.
I think what made it so special was the sheer
number of cars and people that attended; I

SUPER SUPRA

The new Supra has been revealed and I like the new look.
I’m a huge fan of the model
(I’ve owned several of these
iconic Toyotas in the past) and
I’m looking forward to getting a
closer look at the newbie.
I think it will be excellent to

believe there were close to 1,000 vehicles
participating in the event. That is a huge
number. My friend and I came to the rescue of
half a dozen drivers who had got themselves
stuck and the camaraderie between all the
drivers and marshals (and those who arranged
the event) was simply superb — it really felt like
a huge family mucking about in the desert!
I made so many new friends, saw some

breathtaking sights and learnt lots of new offroad driving skills too. I am so glad I went.
AHMED KHAN

drive since it shares the same
platform and drivetrain as the
BMW Z4, and believe it’ll go on
to be a huge sales success.

as the Ferrari 488 Pista that
you guys featured in last week’s
magazine (issue 710) and then
flog it around the Dubai Autodrome. I can just imagine how
much of a thrill that would be;
driving an exotic Italian supercar at full pelt — what a rush!
Maybe if I ever win millions from
the Big Ticket draw I can make
this dream come true...
TOM WILSON

DAVID HARPER

DREAM RIDE

I wish I was wealthy enough to
be able to afford a supercar such
5


ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK: NEW CARS TRENDS SPYSHOTS OPINION QUICK CHAT

2019 DETROIT MOTOR SHOW

SHOW-OFFS
The motoring extravaganza had it all from a plethora of EV concepts to the
long-awaited return of the mighty Supra and everything else in between...
WORDS: GAUTAM SHARMA. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

TOYOTA SUPRA

Arguably the star of the show, the reborn
Supra was finally unveiled following weeks
of leaked images. With bulging haunches and
classic GT proportions, the new Toyota coupe
— which shares its chassis and drivetrain
with BMW’s latest Z4 — was honed by the
company’s Gazoo Racing performance
division. Its 3.0-litre turbo six-pot belts out
335bhp and 490Nm, channelled to the rear
hoops via an eight-speed auto.

NISSAN IMS CONCEPT

Nissan’s stylish IMs concept is billed as an “elevated sports saloon”, with its
jacked-up stance resulting from an underfloor battery pack for a full-electric
powertrain that thumps out 476bhp and 800Nm. The design study has an
unusual ‘2+1+2’ cabin layout, whereby three occupants can sit in the rear, or the
outer two pews can be folded to yield a throne-like centre seat.
6

10 BMW 7 SERIES
NEW CARS

UPDATED

14 ROYAL ENFIELD 650 TWINS
INDUSTRY NEWS

LAUNCHED IN THE UAE

SHELBY MUSTANG GT500

Ford’s Shelby high-performance arm unleashed the
GT500, touted as the fastest Mustang it has ever built.
Propelled by a supercharged 5.2-litre V8, it packs a
700bhp-plus wallop for a 0-100kph split in the 3sec
range. The GT500 also gets a seven-speed dual-clutch
’box, bespoke suspension with magnetorheological
dampers, massive Brembo brakes, 20x11-inch alloys
and a racecar-style rear wing. Yummy!

GAC ENTRANZE

China’s GAC Motor has its sights set on the US market,
and it signalled its intentions at Detroit by unveiling
the futuristic Entranze full-electric crossover concept.
The seven-seater was conceived at the company’s
California design studio and features unusual sliding
glass doors. There’s a tech bonanza inside with
multiple OLED screens, while 90 per cent of the

interior is crafted from cork.
7


LEXUS LC CONVERTIBLE

We’re already familiar with Lexus’s LC500 coupe but get set for a drop-top derivative
that lands here in 2020. Unveiled in ‘concept’ form at Detroit, the LC Convertible is
arguably even more visually striking than its fixed-roof counterpart. You could think of
it as a more wallet-friendly alternative to the Mercedes S-Class Convertible, Porsche 911
Cabrio and Ferrari Portofino.

CADILLAC XT6

The premium American brand recently bolstered its SUV
line-up with the XT4 and XT5, and now comes the eightseat XT6 that sits below the gargantuan Escalade in Caddy’s
line-up. With edgy styling that mimics its smaller brothers,
the XT6 is propelled by a 3.6-litre 310bhp V6 mated to a
nine-speed auto. Standard models will be front-drive, with
AWD available as an option.

KIA TELLURIDE

The eight-seater Telluride is billed as Kia’s largest SUV to date, and
its funky styling sets it apart from anything the brand has given us so
far. Like its Hyundai Palisade cousin, the Telluride is powered by a
291bhp 3.8-litre V6, and it’s offered in front-drive and AWD formats.
Goodies on offer will include a 10.25in touchscreen and 630-watt
Harman Kardon sound system.

8


VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

VW’s centrepiece is the second-gen Passat, which
retains its predecessor’s platform, but sports fresh
new styling characterised by a thrusting chrome
grille and sporty front fascia. The cabin has also been
smartened up and standard safety kit in the newbie
includes Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous
Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring.
Power comes from a 174bhp 2.0-litre turbo motor
mated to a six-speed auto.

FORD EXPLORER

Ford’s new sixth-gen Explorer turned heads with its clean
styling, plus the fact the ST performance flagship packs a
400bhp punch from its twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6. However, base
models get the same 2.3-litre four-pot turbo that’s offered in
the Mustang. It promises a sporty drive, as the Explorer will be
available with rear-wheel-drive (most rivals are front-drive in
standard form).

INFINITI QX INSPIRATION CONCEPT

Infiniti encountered a slight snag with its QX Inspiration as the electrified SUV concept initially
didn’t make it onto the stage due to a technical glitch. However, it got there eventually, giving showgoers a preview of the brand’s future design language. Infiniti claims the QX concept serves up
“blistering off-the-line acceleration” from its twin electric motors and a “lounge-like” cabin.

9


2019 BMW 7 SERIES

BMW UPS LIMO ANTE
The Munich carmaker’s flagship saloon gets an extensive revamp aimed
at boosting its appeal and taking the fight to the Mercedes S-Class
WORDS: GAUTAM SHARMA. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

B

MW crammed its current-gen 7 Series

with a host of clever tech when it launched
in 2015, yet the flagship Bimmer has lived
in the shadow of the funkier MercedesBenz S-Class in the sales race.
The Bavarian brand’s brains trust hasn’t taken too kindly
to this, and the result is the vehicle you see pictured here.
It’s the most extensive mid-life revamp any of the six
generations of the 7 Series have been subjected to, with
a raft of upgrades both inside and outside to boost the
limo’s appeal.
The first thing you’re likely to notice is that massive
grille up front, and this is becoming a BMW trademark
of late, with both the X5 and X7 SUVs also sporting XXL
nostrils in an attempt to visually distance them from their
competitors.
In the case of the 7 Series, the big grille is all the more

prominent due to the contrast created by a new headlight
cluster that’s slimmer than before. The standard beams
10


“The first thing you’re
likely to notice is that
massive grille up front,
and this is becoming a
BMW trademark of late.”

are adaptive LEDs, but an added spend gets you the
BMW Laserlight package with its high-beam range of
up to 560m. The front end is 50mm taller at its highest
point, and it flows into a bonnet with more sharply cut
contour lines and a larger BMW roundel.
Out back, the lower rear apron mimics the design
of the front air intakes, while the integrated exhaust
tailpipes have broader chrome surrounds. The
taillights are also 35mm slimmer than before and
have a three-dimensional profile. Inside, there’s the
option of quilted Nappa Leather and new premium
trim materials, and BMW claims the revamped 7
Series is quieter than before thanks to acoustic tweaks
throughout the cabin.
The powertrain line-up has also been updated and
the biggest gainer is the 750i/750Li, which scores a
brand-new 4.4-litre V8 with 523bhp (up 60bhp on the
oldie) and 750Nm (+100Nm) for a 0-100kph split of
4.0sec.

11


CUSTOM NEWS
THE HITS AND MISSES OF
THE TUNING WORLD

SPYSHOTS

INCOMING CARS YOU SHOULD
BE EXCITED ABOUT

MUGEN CIVIC TYPE R RC20GT

Honda’s Mugen Motorsports
tuning division has created a
new body kit for the already
rather punchy looking Civic
Type R — and it gives the hothatch a really aggressive look.
In fact, some might say that it
makes the standard car’s boyracer looks appear positively
tame by comparison.
The new extreme body kit —
called the RC20GT Package —
might not appeal to everyone
but if you want to give your
Honda a wild new look then
this is what you need. Made
almost entirely from carbon
fibre including the bumpers,

the spoilers, and the side
skirts (we like the dive
planes, extra vents, and new
grille — and it also gets new
rear lights and some decals)
but the kit is more than just
a styling package; Mugen
says that it has improved the
car’s aerodynamics along
with its cooling efficiency
and they get a bit more out
of the 2.0-litre turbocharged
four-cylinder engine — which
makes 316bhp as standard —
thanks to a titanium exhaust
system, more potent brakes,
adjustable suspension, new
20in wheels, and harnessed
bucket seats.
If that is a bit too much
for you, then worry not for
they also offer a more subtle
version of this kit.

12

2020 HYUNDAI I10
Prototype of upcoming third gen city hatch spotted in the snow
he first spy shots of a prototype
third gen i10 have landed in our

inbox with Hyundai ensuring the
little hatch, which debuted back
in 2007 (the second gen followed in 2013) was
covered from front to back to keep any design
details hidden from prying eyes — and maybe
to keep it warm while it was being driven in the
snow in Sweden we presume!
Even with all of that camo, we can see that
the fog lights of the tiny five-door — which is
set to launch in 2020 — are sitting higher

T

and closer to the headlights and it appears
to have new air intakes in the front bumper.
The taillights look new too but that’s really all
we can tell — although rumour has it that its
wheelbase will be stretched compared to the
current model which measures 2,385mm.
It is also unknown if there will be any changes
to the drivetrain. The current i10 is available
with three- and four-cylinder naturally
aspirated engines (the smaller 1.0-litre has 66
horses while the bigger 1.2-litre has 86) but
we won’t be surprised if the newbie gets the
Picanto’s turbocharged three-pot 1.0-litre motor
with 100 horses.

Y
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U
IND
NEWS

ROYAL ENFIELD 650 TWINS
LAUNCHED IN THE UAE

U NEED
STUFF YO THAT
W
O
TO KN AKE
DIDN’T M
DLINES
THE HEA

Interceptor INT 650 available for Dh19,999 and Continental GT 650 for Dh20,399

MCLAREN
AUTOMOTIVE
ANNOUNCES
RECORD GLOBAL
SALES
Global sales for
McLaren Automotive,
the British creator

of luxury sportscars
and supercars, rose
to 4,806 cars in 2018
with sales up 43.9 per
cent over the previous
year. This is another
record for the company
which has increased
sales every year since
its formation in 2010.
North America, which
represents McLaren’s
biggest single market
and over a third of
global sales, surpassed
the 5,000 cars sold
mark since sales
started in 2011. and
achieved another year
of record growth.
European sales rose
44.2 per cent but the
biggest leap was seen
in China at 122.5 per
cent growth following
the introduction of the
570S Spider and 720S.
China now accounts
for almost 7 per cent
of total global sales.

McLaren’s UK
domestic market
remained strong,
achieving a 49.2 per
cent year-on-year
growth.
The company
celebrated building
its 15,000th car in
the summer at the
McLaren Production
Centre (MPC) in
Woking, Surrey,
where all its cars are
hand-assembled, and
consistently achieved
over 20 cars a day with
production exported to
over 30 markets.

R

oyal Enfield, the oldest
motorcycle brand in continuous
production since 1901, is bringing
the Interceptor INT 650 Twin and
Continental GT 650 Twin mid-sized
motorcycles to riding enthusiasts

in the UAE.

Following an enthusiastic reception from the
world’s press at the recent global launch of the new
bikes, fans in the UAE can buy them for Dh19,999
and Dh20,399 respectively. The Interceptor INT
650 and the Continental GT 650 will be on display at
the Royal Enfield exclusive store and dealerships in
Dubai starting February 2019 and booking will begin
from January 15, 2019. The Royal Enfield Twins 650
motorcycles will come with a three-year warranty and
Roadside Assistance service. These motorcycles will
also come with a wide range of Genuine Motorcycle
Accessories that will have a two-year warranty.
Addressing the press conference at the Royal Enfield
exclusive showroom in Dubai, Arun Gopal, HeadBusiness Markets - Europe Union (EU) and Latin
America, said, “The UAE is amongst the first ten
markets where the Royal Enfield 650 Twins have been
launched and we are extremely thrilled to bring these
accessible, evocative and fun motorcycles here. Royal
Enfield continues to invest in the market potential of

the UAE which has seen an increasing demand for
classically- styled motorcycles which provide pure
motorcycling joy. Now with the launch of the Royal
Enfield 650 Twins, riders can have all more fun on city
roads and on highways alike.”
At the heart of every Continental GT 650 Twin and
Interceptor INT 650 Twin is a simple but state-ofthe-art air-cooled, 650cc engine producing a punchy
yet user-friendly 47 horses. In addition to emitting a
gorgeous exhaust note, the engine offers ample pulling
power across wide RPM range to make the motorcycle

unfussy to ride in urban traffic and exhilarating on
the open road — meaning the pair offer the perfect
motorcycling package for both experienced and novice
owners across daily rides and longer excursions. The
Continental GT 650 will appeal especially to sportier
riders with its optional single seat, sculpted fuel tank,
rearset footrests and race-style clip-on handlebars, all
of which have been ergonomically designed to remain
comfortable in the city, on the highway or on the
twisting back roads where the motorcycle really comes
alive.
The Interceptor INT 650, on the other hand,
harks back to Royal Enfield’s Sixties twins through
its teardrop tank with traditional knee recesses,
comfortable, quilted dual seat and wide, braced
handlebars.

KIA OFFERING GREAT VALUE DURING 2019 DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL

During 2019 Dubai Shopping Festival,

Kia Motors is offering special deals on
a wide range of new 2019 model year
vehicles.
Known for its stylish and headturning
designs, your local Kia dealership has a
range of saloon, sports utility and family
vehicles with special value added packages
that includes, free insurance and services
up to three years, subject to model and the

trim.
14

The popular sport utility seven-seat
Sorento starts with a price tag of Dh89,900
and that includes one year free insurance
and three years maintenance package.
Similar packages are available for
premium passenger cars, including the
Cadenza, Soul and the large 4x4 Mohave.
One year free insurance deals are available
for other popular models such as the
Sportage, Cerato, Rio and Picanto. The
Optima, an ideal family saloon, bundles

with free insurance as well as one year free
maintenance package.
The range of Kia vehicles are available
with five years, 150,000kms manufacturers
warranty, with an exception of Kia
Cadenza and Mohave that goes with five
years, unlimited mileage warranty, terms
and conditions apply.
This is a limited period offer that is
available throughout the UAE Kia sales
outlets.


PORSCHE ANNOUNCES
NEW DELIVERY RECORD

Porsche AG delivered 256,255

vehicles worldwide in 2018 — more
than ever before.
This represents a growth of four per
cent compared to the existing record
figures of the preceding year. Of the
model series, the Panamera recorded
the strongest percentage growth
with a 38 per cent increase to 38,443
deliveries. The 911 also recorded a
double-digit rise: despite the release of
a new generation of 911, the number of
sports cars delivered increased by ten
per cent to 35,573 vehicles.
“The 911 capacity to fascinate is
stronger than ever,” said Detlev von
Platen, Member of the Executive Board
responsible for Sales and Marketing at
Porsche AG.

“We just celebrated the world
premiere of the new 911 at the end of
the year at the Los Angeles Autoshow,
and yet our sports car icon once again
inspired more customers in 2018 than
in the previous year,” he added. The
Macan was still the most successful
model by volume with 86,031 vehicles,
just ahead of the Cayenne with 71,458

deliveries.
The Chinese market held on to pole
position for deliveries again in 2018.
Growth in this market hit twelve per
cent amounting to 80,108 units in total.
In second place was the USA, with an
increase of three per cent to 57,202
vehicles. Deliveries in Europe came
in slightly below the previous year’s
figures.

HYUNDAI REVEALS NEW
TECHNOLOGY TO ASSIST
HEARING-IMPAIRED DRIVERS

Hyundai has revealed a new innovative

technology that assists hearing-impaired
drivers by replacing sounds with visual or
touch-based cues to help them ‘hear’ the
traffic around them.
The tech employs two separate driving
assist systems that work together
simultaneously — the Audio-Visual
Conversion (AVC) and Audio-Tactile
Conversion (ATC). They use artificial
intelligence (AI) to analyze sound patterns
outside the car, and then use vibrations
of the steering wheel and pictograms
displayed via the head-up display (HUD)

to alert the driver and explain what the
system can hear. The steering wheel is
also equipped with multi-colored LEDs
which indicate navigational information
while driving. For example, it could
alert the driver of emergency vehicles by
recognizing the sound of a siren, vibrating
the wheel as an alert and displaying the
appropriate pictogram on the HUD. It also
translates data from vehicle sensors — such
as when reversing — so the driver knows
how far the car is from obstacles without
relying on the warning chime.

AUDI TURNS THE CAR INTO A VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE PLATFORM
Audi redefined in-car entertainment

at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
in Las Vegas. In the future, backseat
passengers will be able to experience
movies, video games, and interactive
content even more realistically using
virtual reality glasses.
The premium brand presented a
technology that adopts virtual content to
the movements of a vehicle in real time:
If the car drives through a right turn,
the spaceship in the experience does the
same, for example. Through a subsidiary,
Audi Electronics Venture GmbH, Audi has

co-founded a start-up company, holoride
GmbH, which will commercialize this
new form of entertainment via an open

platform that will be made available to all
carmakers and content developers in the
future Audi is demonstrating the immersive
futuristic technology with “Marvel’s
Avengers: Rocket’s Rescue Run,” an in-car

VR experience for backseat passengers
being brought to life by Disney Games
and Interactive Experiences. Wearing VR
glasses, the passenger in an Audi e-tron is
transported into a fantastical depiction of
outer space: It now functions as the ship
manned by the Guardians of the Galaxy,
as the passenger makes their way through
an asteroid field together with Rocket,
a character that will appear in Marvel
Studios’ Avengers: Endgame in spring 2019.
Every movement of the car is reflected in
the experience in real time. If the car turns
a tight corner, the player curves around
an opposing spaceship in virtual reality. If
the Audi e-tron accelerates, the ship in the
experience does the same.
15

Y
R
T
S
U
IND
NEWS
U NEED
STUFF YO THAT
W
O
TO KN AKE
DIDN’T M
DLINES
THE HEA

2020 CADILLAC XT6
MAKES GLOBAL
DEBUT
Cadillac has expanded
its popular crossover
and SUV lineup with
the global debut of the
2020 XT6.
Created to make the
most of passengers’
time on the road, this
all-new three-row
crossover centers on
a luxurious, adaptable

and connected cabin,
complemented with
responsive handling and
a comprehensive suite of
standard and available
safety technologies.
The XT6’s sophisticated
driving dynamics are
powered by a 3.6-litre
V6 engine estimated
at 310 horsepower
backed by a nine-speed
automatic transmission
featuring nextgeneration Electronic
Precision Shift.
To enhance fuel
efficiency, Active
Fuel Management
technology enables
V4 operation when V6
power is not required.
“The first-ever
Cadillac XT6 delivers
a compelling blend of
spaciousness, safety and
convenience features for
customers who thrive
on doing it all,” said
Steve Carlisle, Cadillac
president.

“It joins the all-new XT4,
which has soared to the
top spot in its segment,
our global best-selling
XT5 and the iconic
Escalade to accelerate
the brand’s global
growth, with a spirit that
is uniquely Cadillac,” he
added.

TAKE YOUR CAR FOR A WALK!

Hyundai’s Elevate concept is designed as the world’s first Ultimate Mobility Vehicle
Hyundai’s Elevate ‘walking car’ concept has

emerged as an automotive highlight of the 2019
Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Described as the first Ultimate Mobility Vehicle
(UMV), the design blends technology found in
electric cars and robots, allowing it to traverse terrain
beyond the limitations of even the most capable offroad vehicle. The concept is primarily designed to
provide efficient, rapid, resilient transportation for
disaster assistance, such as search-and-rescue and
humanitarian aid missions. Wheels with hub-mounted
electric motors are attached to extendable robotic legs,
so the vehicle can drive, walk or climb over obstacles.
At CES, engineers have used a working scale model
to demonstrate the design in action. A full-size version
could climb over obstacles 1.5 meters tall, or stride

across a gap 1.5 meters wide. A variety of different
bodies can be swapped on and off the modular chassis,
depending on need. “When a tsunami or earthquake

hits, current rescue vehicles can only deliver first
responders to the edge of the debris field. They have to
go the rest of the way by foot. Elevate can drive to the
scene and climb right over flood debris or crumbled
concrete,” said John Suh, Vice President and Head of
Hyundai CRADLE, the carmaker’s venturing and open
innovation business.
Elevate is the result of almost three years’ work in
collaboration with industrial design consultancy,
Sundberg-Frear, as part of Hyundai’s mission to
create new ‘last mile’ mobility technologies and
solutions. It features robotic legs with five degrees
of freedom plus in-wheel propulsion, has the ability
to walk in mammalian and reptilian style gaits for
omnidirectional motion amd is capable of climbing a
1.5-meter vertical walls. It is a product of Hyundai’s
future mobility roadmap, showcased at CES 2019,
highlighting the company’s strategy to create freedom
in mobility for customers.

MARK REUSS NAMED AS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF GENERAL MOTORS
General Motors has announced the

appointment of Mark Reuss as company
president.
Reuss currently leads the Global Product

Group and Cadillac and will now assume
responsibility for the Quality organization.
“Mark’s global operational experience, deep
product knowledge and strong leadership will
serve us well as we continue to strengthen
our current business, take advantage of

16

growth opportunities and further define
the future of personal mobility,” said GM
Chairman and CEO Mary Barra.
Reuss said, “I am very proud to have spent
my entire career at General Motors, and to
now take on this new role is truly a great
honour.”
Reuss has been building an integrated
product development and Cadillac
organization to support an accelerated

product and technology launch cadence and
the brand’s global growth plans. Cadillac
will be introducing a new vehicle every six
months through 2021.
He has also been leading the transformation
of the company’s global product development
workforce and processes to drive worldclass levels of engineering in advanced
technologies and improve quality and speed
to market.

THIS DSF, EVERY INFINITI
CUSTOMER WINS IT BIG WITH
ARABIAN AUTOMOBILES
NISSANE.DAMSONTHE
PACEBUTOUTOFLUCK
Arabian Automobiles, the flagship

company of the AW Rostamani Group
and the exclusive dealer for Infiniti
in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern
Emirates, offers an opportunity to make
the best of the New Year and the Dubai
Shopping Festival 2019.
In one of the most rewarding
campaigns to be rolled out by Arabian
Automobiles, during DSF 2019, every
Infiniti customer is guaranteed
unbeatable cash awards. From cash
back offers up to the value of the new
Infiniti, the luxury experience is made
even more worthwhile for customers
as the entire five per cent VAT on the
value of the car is paid by Infiniti.

There is more in store: The insurance
premium on your brand-new car will
be covered for the first year by Arabian
Automobiles.
Start the New Year with this neverbefore offer from Arabian Automobiles,

which is truly the best deal one can
hope for on a new car purchase in
addition to a five-year extended
warranty on the car — not that one will
need it, given the exceptional product
quality that Infiniti assures. There is
no other offer that will grant you all in
one deal: A luxury drive, guaranteed
servicing, one-year insurance and VAT
on-the-house, extended warranty —
and cash rewards for every customer.

PIRELLI OPENS P ZERO WORLD IN DUBAI
P Zero World has reached its third

continent after Los Angeles, Munich
and Monte-Carlo with the latest
flagship store opening in Dubai.
This bespoke symbol of Pirelli’s
retail strategy — and its leading
position in the market — now makes
its mark in a key territory that links
the Middle East with the rest of the
world. A parade of more than 60
supercars belonging to fans and local
collectors celebrated the opening of
the new store, having first paraded
through the city, while the following
day more than 200 cars took to the
track at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi for

the P Zero Experience: Pirelli’s own
brand of track day.
The P Zero World concept has often
been summarised as a ‘boutique for
tyres’: in other words, a shop where
customers can find Pirelli’s most
exclusive products alongside services
dedicated to the exotic worlds of

luxury and sportscars. The P Zero
World boutiques are the only places
where the entire range of Pirelli
tyres is available. The P Zero World
shop in Dubai is housed in a new
600-metre square building featuring
five technicians, two salespeople
and a receptionist. There are four
ramps where tyre maintenance can
be carried out, using state of the art
of machinery. Furthermore, P Zero
World in Dubai is equipped with one
of the quickest balancing machines
out there that is able to rapidly solve
elusive problems, such as vibrations
through the steering wheel, that
traditional systems cannot identify.
While they wait for work to be
carried out, customers can entertain
themselves with a life-size F1
simulator and enjoy real Italian

coffee, courtesy of P Zero World,
while the technicians look after the
car.

Nissan e.dams demonstrated strong pace
but suffered ill-fortune in the second round
of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in
Marrakesh.
While Sebastien Buemi was credited with
an eighth-place finish, the Swiss driver’s pace
throughout the day indicated that success
for the first-ever Japanese brand to join
the championship could be just around the
corner. Buemi’s teammate Oliver Rowland
impressed in the morning by recording the
fourth and sixth-fastest times in the two
practice sessions. A small issue and a mistake
in qualifying put him 12th on the grid for his
second race for the team. The No.22 entry
couldn’t replicate its early morning pace in
the race with Rowland crossing the line in
15th place. “This was not the result we were
expecting after a great effort in the morning
practice sessions and qualifying,” said Nissan
global motorsport director, Michael Carcamo.

VALUABLEPOINTSEARNEDFOR
PANASONICJAGUARRACING
The second race of the 2018/19 ABB FIA
Formula E season only delivered a couple

of points for Panasonic Jaguar Racing in
Marrakesh.
Mitch Evans started the day well with a
fantastic drive in FP2, to set the fastest time.
The Kiwi driver qualified into Super Pole
with a P6 time and started the race in P5.
His team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr. also
qualified in the top ten in P9 but they were
forced off the circuit to avoid a first corner
incident and lost ten places avoiding the
melee.
Evans also incurred mechanical damage to
his rear diffuser when the Mahindra of Pascal
Wehrlein made contact with the back of his
I-Type3.
Still, the New Zealander secured ninth place
and two valuable points. Nelson also gained
five places and eventually finished in 14th.

17


OPINION

DRIVERS’ BRIEFING
TIM ANSELL HEADS FULL THROTTLE THROUGH
THE GRAVEL TRAPS OF LIFE

I

f you were busy driving

There’s plenty of fuel-filled action to enjoy from the Gulf News Fun
Drive, Dubai 24 Hour race, Motorcycle Show and the Dakar rally
pieces expressing my dismay at how few
people made the effort to spectate at what is
a world class motorsports event and at which
entry was, and remains, free of charge to
spectators. Last weekend though there were

“I hope to see you there
next year — provided
you’re not at the Fun
Drive of course!”
thousands of families in attendance — in fact,
I struggled to find a space in the main car
park and had to battle through large crowds
to get to the track in time for the start.
Audi will have been delighted with their
first win (and second place) in the prestigious
event after many years of trying and my
friends at Dubai-based Duel Racing added
another class win to their already impressive
record at the Autodrome. Spectators were, as

always, treated to exciting nose-to-tail racing,
pit lane dramas, heartbreak and elation as the
rigours of endurance racing took their toll on
both cars and drivers alike, so if you were one
of the thousands who came along to watch,

Thank You, and I hope to see you there next
year — provided you’re not at the Fun Drive
of course!
It would be remiss of me not to mention that
even as you read this, local competitors Sam
Sunderland (KTM), Mohamed Al Balooshi
(Husqvarna) and Benjamin Merlot (KTM)
are still doing battle with the dunes in the
Dakar rally on their motorbikes, whilst Tom
Bell and Patrick McMurren (Sabertooth
Motoring Adventure) are also competing in
their T.1 Nissan Navara. There is no greater
motorsport challenge than the Dakar so I
hope you will join me in wishing them
all well.
It’s a good time to be a motorsport fan in the
UAE!

PHOTO BY: TIM ANSELL

in the beautiful Liwa
dunes last weekend on
the Gulf News Fun Drive,
then I trust you enjoyed
yourselves. If you were in the desert, I
guess you can be forgiven for missing the
Dubai 24 Hour race at the Autodrome,
plus the Motorcycle Show at Dubai World
Trade Centre, which happened to both
take place over the same weekend. Just

like London buses, you wait a while for
some petrol-head action, then three events
turn up at once!
Having missed the last couple of 24 Hour
races due to my commitments to the Fun
Drive, this year I let others enjoy the dunes
whilst I opted to go (mostly) without sleep
to watch the endurance racing and I am
delighted to say that thousands of others
took the opportunity to do the same. Not
too many years ago I was writing opinion

UAE MOTORSPORT
IN THE SPOTLIGHT

18


“To put unloved Protons into context,
buyers must pay up to three times the
original price of an imported vehicle in
Malaysia through taxes designed to make
the local car company more attractive.”

ROAD WARRIOR
AVID TRAVELLER AND CHRONIC
PETROLHEAD RICHARD WHITEHEAD HAS
DRIVEN IN MORE THAN 50 COUNTRIES

THIS WEEK

MALAYSIA

I

f at first you don’t succeed,

go and build another car. That
seems to be the policy backed
by car-mad nonagenarian prime
minister Mahathir Mohamad.
His first attempt, the lamentable Proton
brand, has not been much good since it
launched in 1983. Thankfully, now under the
stewardship of China’s Geely, its cars seem to
have been getting better, though admittedly
they start from a low base.
Now Malaysia’s government has announced
it will turn back the clock and launch a new
national car project by 2020. Who was it
who said “insanity is doing the same thing
over and over again and expecting different
results”?
I have no problem with a country
sponsoring new car companies. Doing so is

ridiculously expensive and governments
tend to have the money to start one up
from scratch. It also provides a boost
to the local supply economy, with tens

of thousands of components needed to
develop a vehicle.
When it comes to Malaysia, though, I
really don’t think the country is very good
at carmaking, and that’s not through a
lack of trying. Proton once had hopes of
emulating Japanese and Korean success
on a global sale, though today it struggles
even to compete on the heavily protected
local market.
To put unloved Protons into context,
buyers must pay up to three times the
original price of an imported vehicle in
Malaysia through taxes designed to make
the local car company more attractive.
Yet Proton sold only 71,000 cars
domestically, and probably five or six
internationally, compared to over 200,000
new Peroduas in 2017.
Those outside Malaysia probably haven’t
heard of Perodua, which now occupies
over half of the market there. Founded
10 years after Proton’s glorious arrival
and really quite good in terms of quality

and packaging, Perodua essentially sells
rebadged Malaysian Daihatsus. The
engines and transmissions are sent from
Japan to be rebuilt in Malaysia, where
they get a preferential tax rate over other

imports—though not on the scale of
heavily protected Proton.
Even Honda had a bigger market share
in 2017 than Proton, after selling some
30,000 more units, despite the high taxes
it attracts. Yes, people would rather pay
much, much more for a decent foreign
car than for an ugly and unappealing local
one.
I hope Malaysia will get it right this
time, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Proton
should have closed the book, not led to a
new chapter being written.
19


ALL THE NEW CARS THAT MATTER TESTED AND RATED

2019 AUDI Q3

RIGHT ON Q

Audi has updated its Q3 to keep up with SUV market rivals. We find out what it’s like.
WORDS: JACK EVANS. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

T

he global car buying

community is gobbling up

compact SUVs at a fearsome
rate, with the likes of the
Volvo XC40 and Jaguar’s
E-Pace showing that people really do like
a premium badge and a high ride height
more than most things. It’s why this new Q3
is so crucial to Audi, as it’s an offering in a
drastically growing segment.
There’s a fair amount going on here.
The looks, for one, have been overhauled
compared to the older Q3 — gone is the soft,
rounded appearance in favour of a more
imposing and, well, Audi-ish design. It’s the
same story inside, with Audi applying all
of its latest tech in pursuit of a genuinely
upmarket cabin. A variety of new engines
are available, and there’s the choice of either
two- or four-wheel-drive, as well. It means
that, in reality, there should be an option for
everyone.
Here, we’ve got a 1.5-litre turbocharged
20

petrol engine under the bonnet, driving 148
horses to the front wheels via a seven-speed
automatic gearbox. There’s 250Nm of torque,
too, and Audi claims that it helps to push the
Q3 to 100kph in nine seconds and onwards to
a top speed of 205kph.
In S-Line trim, the Q3 rides on 19in alloy

wheels as standard, and our car also rode
on standard steel springs, though these
can be updated to adaptive versions as an
optional extra, albeit one with a premium.
It’s worthwhile if you’re after the best ride
quality possible, mind.
Let’s start with the fundamentals. The
engine feels just about powerful enough for
the job in hand — although, on occasion, does
seem just a touch breathless, particularly
when overtaking or pulling onto a motorway.
Once you’re up to speed, it’s smooth and
refined; it’s just that initial take-off which can
be a little troublesome. Likewise the gearbox,
which shifts sweetly when up and running,
can be hesitant when pulling away from a


22

DRIVES

HYUNDAI
SANTA FE

32

FEATURE

“Do not, under any circumstances, buy the so-called tow ropes

made from flimsy yellow nylon and recycled paper clips, sold in
back street or even high street car accessory shops.”
Tim Ansell, contributing writer, with some valuable off-road safety tips

dead stop — this is particularly noticeable on
roundabouts.
Around town, the ride is a little susceptible
to road imperfections, on occasions jiggling
over larger bumps in the road when travelling
at slower speeds. However, these iron out
once you’re moving a little quicker.
The design of the new Q3 is far more
dramatic than the car it replaces. The front
end is in-your-face and hard to miss; it’s
closer in line with the likes of the larger Q7
and Q8 models now. The chrome surrounds
to the grille and vents up front give it a
classier, more upmarket appearance, while
sharper design lines on the flanks make it
appear far wider than it actually is. It’s a solid
design, and likely one which will find favour
with most. Though the larger 19in wheels
do look good, the smaller 18in versions don’t
dent the car’s overall appearance that much
either.
Audi has worked hard to lift the overall
perception of quality inside the Q3, and save
for a few scratchy plastics lower down the
cabin, it’s been wholeheartedly successful.
The dashboard has been trimmed in softtouch plastics, and when coupled with plenty

of brushed aluminium effect trim pieces
makes for a decidedly premium-feeling place
to be. It’s really very good.
A new widescreen infotainment system
dominates the centre of the cabin, which
when placed alongside Audi’s virtual cockpit
gives the whole area a very high-tech
appearance. Thankfully it all works brilliantly

in addition to looking good. There’s plenty of
space in the back too, while the 530 litres of
standard boot space is respectable. This can
be extended by moving the rear seats forward
(they can be pushed forward on rails), or by
folding them down completely — boosting
capacity up to 1,525 litres.
Three trim levels are available (in the UK
market) with the Q3; Sport, S Line and
range-topping Vorsprung Edition. Our test
car fell into the middle camp, packing a full
sports exterior styling package and tinted
windows. You also get sports seats, finished
in a mixture of cloth and leather upholstery.
LED headlights are fitted as part of the S Line
specification, and you get a multifunction
sport steering wheel too. As mentioned, the
standard infotainment system not only looks
good, but is decidedly brilliant to use too. It’s
easy to navigate and responsive to commands
as well. We’re glad there’s still a conventional

analogue volume dial to use, but it’s been
placed in an odd area — you’ll find it on the
right hand side of the dash underneath the
heating and ventilation controls, pretty much
as far away from the driver as possible.
As we mentioned, the new Q3 falls into
a heavily congested segment, one which
its predecessor had nailed. This updated
version, however, is likely to do just as well.
Slightly underpowered engine aside, this
latest Q3 feels a resoundingly good product
both inside and out. We’d opt for a punchier
petrol, but do so, and you’ll find yourself in a
car which is almost scarily well-rounded.
21


2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

COMING OF AGE

It’s always been overshadowed by its siblings, but the Santa Fe has done well in fighting
the odds and making itself noticed. Can the fourth-gen model continue this trend?
WORDS: SONY THOMAS. PHOTOS: ANAS THACHARPADIKKAL

H
22

yundai has always been a bit unfair to the Santa Fe, I

feel. The mid-size SUV has always been forced to be in
the shadows of its siblings. As ungainly and listless as it
was, the first generation model was just gaining traction
as the brand’s leading crossover SUV, when Hyundai
brought the Veracruz above it as their largest family
hauler. Since 2006, the Santa Fe has been fighting a
domestic battle for attention with the overrated Veracruz
and the more popular Tucson. And then in 2014, the
Korean giant killed the Veracruz off and made the sevenseat version of the Santa Fe their leading SUV. And just
when it was starting to enjoy the limelight, Hyundai again
brings the Palisade above it as their flagship model.
While this once again makes it an inbetweener

sandwiched by the entry-level Tuscon and the new
range-topper, there’s no denying the fact that the Santa
Fe is a highly practical family SUV that has contributed
significantly in changing brand perception in global
markets. And it’s become even more attractive in its
current all-new fourth-generation form. The design
of the new model is more in line with Hyundai’s new
corporate look, featuring the signature Cascading Grille
and the Composite Light cluster that comprises slim LED
Daytime Running Lights placed above LED headlights.
The overall appearance of the SUV is bolder than the
previous models, with sharp lines and creases adding to
its muscular stance.
The cabin has also been spruced up significantly, looking


23

and feeling more upmarket than before. All controls,
buttons and knobs are laid out ergonomically and
the crisp central touchscreen does its job well as
the interface between driver and the car. While the
front seats offer extendable seat cushions as well as
10 electrically adjustable positions, rear seats also
incorporate electrical controls on the sides for easy
folding. Second row legroom has been increased by
38 mm and the seats are higher affording a better view
out for rear passengers.
Although Hyundai says headroom has been improved
for the third row, these seats are best reserved for
children as legroom isn’t good enough for adults of
reasonable height. However, those seated in the third
row will find the experience less claustrophobic
thanks to the larger rear quarter glass and separate AC
controls and vents.
Ride quality and noise levels are excellent, adding
to the overall refinement of the Santa Fe, which is
arguably among the best in this price range. But do not
expect it to be an entertaining drive. Behind the wheel,
the Santa Fe is rather dull and detached, but since
exhilaration isn’t part of the remit in this class, this
cannot be held against it. What it does exceptionally
well is offering a smooth, comfortable ride for four
adults and two kids on long drives with barely any
fatigue once you reach the destination. The 3.5-litre
V6 engine has ample reserves of power and torque to

handle the Santa Fe’s heft and the eight-speed auto
‘box is smooth-shifting.
As has been the case with Hyundais and Kias of late,

24


“The Santa Fe is also crammed with
class-leading convenience features
such as a wireless charging pad for
mobile phones, and a host of
safety features.”
the Santa Fe is also crammed with
class-leading convenience features
such as a wireless charging pad for
mobile phones, and a host of safety
features like Blind-Spot Collision
Warning, Forward CollisionAvoidance Assist with pedestrian
detection, Rear Cross-Traffic
Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane
Keeping Assist, Rear Occupant Alert,
Safety Exit Assist and Speed Limit
Info Function.

If all these fail to avoid a crash,
then you can find solace in the fact
that there are six airbags offered as
standard.
Irrespective of whether it’s the
flagship or not, the all-new Santa

Fe is a fine offering, and with prices
starting from as low as Dh94,300 for
the 2.4-litre four-cylinder model,
going up to Dh128,900 for the V6
variant tested here, it’s also good
value for money.
25