AUTO MANIA

by Dr. Iain Corness
Jaguar S-Type 2.5 V6

This week, John Weinthal, our Down-under correspondent has been cruising in the latest S-Type Jaguar, while you and I thread our way through black smoke belching baht busses. Not that I’m jealous in any way. There’s not one envious bone in my body, it’s just that Jaguar should be giving me these vehicles to test, not him! Here are this week’s words from Weinthal.

Jaguar S Type

“Way back when I was 18 or so I recall raising my voice about a beautiful Jaguar which was cruising slowly - under the speed limit even - along the Gold Coast highway. As I ranted about idiots who buy one of the world’s best cars then waste its performance like this, my father replied that a truly good car was wonderful to drive at any speed - not just fast.

“And it remains true today. Many cars are terrific to drive fast but less impressive when trundling along; their ride improves with speed, and it is not until one is nudging or handsomely exceeding our snail-like tax-grab speed rules that the true benefits of their designers’ energies are apparent.

“This is rarely the case with the Best of British - a new Rover 75, any Jaguar or Daimler, Rolls-Royce or Bentley in my experience rewards at any speed in a unique way. They cosset their occupants, isolate us from the common herd and make the driver appear more competent than is probable in reality. Indeed it is also a fact of automotive life, that the mere ability to spend up big on a car does not indicate superior driving capability.

“I thought about this a lot over my recent week with another Jaguar. This AUD 85,500 sedan with its 2.5 litre 150 kW V6 engine is the junior player in Jag’s mid-size S-Type range. This range tops out with AUD 160,000 S-Type R, a lower priced but fiercely competitive challenger to the BMW M5 and AMG Merc.

“The supercharged V8 S-Type R costs twice the money of the V6 and, with 298kW, develops twice the power. It also has several additional engineering and comfort features appropriate to its awesome performance potential and price tag.

“The entire S Type range has recently undergone what amounts to substantial changes without altering the appearance in ways which anybody but a true Jag buff will recognise. The most significant changes are a 30% stiffer body, new front suspension and revised rear end.

“As well as such expected Jag features as leather, maple veneers, deep carpeting and fine sound system, the new S-Type has a couple of interesting innovations. These include an optional advanced DVD-based satellite navigation system, electronic handbrake and automatic lights. For a whole week I was free of the tedium of applying a hand-brake and switching the lights on and off!

“There’s auto climate and cruise control, front and side curtain airbags, electrically adjustable front seats with two memories on the driver’s seat and more. The memory can be optionally expanded to include adjustable pedal length for taller or shorter drivers. Luggage space can be expanded with split-fold rear seats - an unusual, but useful feature on a luxury car.

“While a Jag is all about driving and passenger relaxation, this S-Type is another with elegant styling like most Jags have boasted. Over the week it graced my driveway its smooth lines impressed more and more each day.

“On the road this is a true Jaguar. As I began, it is supremely cosseting at any speed. The V6 can be heard as a muted indicator of what it could produce and with low profile tyres on 16 inch alloy wheels the driver is always reassuringly aware of what’s happening where it matters - the relationship between the four rubber contact patches and the road surface.

“The stiffer chassis has lifted driver confidence and road holding to a much more rewarding level than with the first S-Types. The steering is precise with exactly the right degree of weighting. My only comment on the brakes is to say I have no comment - what greater praise could there be?

“Much of my week was very wet which helped demonstrate the effectiveness of modern electronic traction control systems. There was never a moment of wheel spin or tail-slip even when driving reasonably hard.

“This Jag may have only 150kW but it knows how to put all of them to good purpose - it can be brisk and with its excellent handling and steering responses a fast mountain run is something to remember with joy.

“Competitors are plenty including mid-range 5 Series BMWs and upper level 3 Series, the Lexus ES, C-Class Mercedes, top Volvo and others. The Jag will sell for the marque’s traditional appeal of its uniquely British air of grace and pace.

“Now Ford-owned, Jaguar sales are on the rise world-wide largely thanks to the new X-Type range. The XK models are the best selling Jaguar sports cars ever and this markedly improved S-Type will woo new buyers and help retain current owners.”

Thank you John for that insight into the Jaguar. Interesting that you mentioned the “uniquely British air of grace and pace.” The advertising slogan for Jaguar many moons ago was “grace, space and pace.” This new one obviously has it all.

Autotrivia Quiz

Last week I mentioned the MGA roadster which spawned a record breaker that was driven by Sir Stirling Moss. The question was what speed did Sir Stirling do in this car and what was the name of the vehicle? The answer was EX 181, and the mark was set at 245 mph by Sir Stirling.

EX 181

So to this week. Russia has never really been at the forefront of automotive technology or design. The GAZ “A” was a carbon copy of the A model Ford and the 1962 Tchaika the dead ringer for the 1956 Ford Customline. However, they did build a horrible chromium plated car for their VIP’s, which was called the ZIS, and then later renamed the ZIL. The question this week is what did the initials stand for, and why did they change the S to an L?

ZIL

For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct answer to fax 038 427 596 or email automania@ pattayamail.com

Good luck!

New baby Citroen C3 Pluriel 3-door has its debut at the Paris Motor Show

Citroen C3

In their pre-release publicity handouts, Citroen describes the car as effectively five cars in one. Even the manufacturer says the design is ‘funky’ and it can change from a four-seater saloon with the full length, full width sunroof which can be opened to eight set positions, whilst the absence of centre pillars means that the windows can be lowered to create an open sided vehicle - the ‘C3 Pluriel Panoramic’. The sunroof and rear window can be retracted under the boot floor to create an open top vehicle - the ‘C3 Pluriel Cabriolet’. Citroen also says that for true open cockpit motoring, the C3 Pluriel’s side pillars can be removed in a matter of seconds, transforming it into the ‘C3 Pluriel Spider’. Finally, the boot lid of the C3 Pluriel can be opened downwards and the rear seats folded flat to create the ‘C3 Pluriel Spider Pick-up’! Just the ticket for Jomtien Beach Road.
Round 4 TGTC at Lopburi this weekend

The AIM Racing Project is organizing the fourth round of the Thailand Championships this weekend at the Lopburi Airport circuit. These series, for the Concept race cars, now called the Sport Grand Champion, and the less powerful AIM Concept cars have been the mainstay of “proper” racing in this country. Through President Prutirat Serireongrith and the managing director, Nontimuk Jotisalikorn of AIM Racing, they have continued to improve the standards and 2003 will be better than 2002 with their planned improvements. Watch this space! The 5th round this year should be back at our local Bira Circuit.

More incest! This time it’s Toyota and Nissan in bed

Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. have announced they will jointly develop hybrid gas-electric cars. Toyota will supply components for Nissan models sold in the United States starting in 2006, targeting 100,000 vehicles over a five-year period. The Hybrid vehicles reduce polluting emissions by alternating between a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Toyota already has the Prius hybrid sedan on sale since 1997 and generating a fair amount of consumer support and loyalty to the concept. This turn-around for Nissan is interesting as Nissan, which is 44.4 percent owned by Renault SA of France, has repeatedly said producing hybrid vehicles has not been profitable. It discontinued its own Tino hybrid hatchback after selling a limited number in 2000, but continued spending on the technology; however, buying hybrid system parts from Toyota will allow Nissan to cut development costs. Well, that’s the theory behind the environmentally friendly Nissoyota’s.
And are we going to get the Ferrinardi?

One of the hot rumours in the Eff Wun scene is Ferrari powered Minardis in 2003. It is understood that Ferrari has told Paul Stoddart he can have a supply of the 2002 spec engine for next season, just cough up around 22 million USD. As they say in all the adverts - this is a limited offer and is valid only till the end of September.

Looking at the performance of the Minardis this year, the car isn’t a bad sort of a jigger, but the engine, a five year old Peugeot, when all is said and done is underpowered. The Minardis are about 10-15 mph slower than the rest down the straight. Slot in a good engine, and the F2002 has powered one M. Schumacher to the front very successfully, and Minardi could be right up there next year. (Unless they continue with the non-qualifying Yoong embarrassment.)

There’s only one stumbling block, or that should read 22 million dollar stumbling blocks, and Minardi do not have the cash. And while they are at the bottom of the grid, who is going to sponsor them to that amount? A real Catch 22 situation.


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