Malaysian GP this weekend
The second GP of the season is this
weekend. Will Raikkonen be able to continue to run away from
the field? Or will the others have caught up? Will world
champ Alonso be able to stay in front of Hamilton, the
wonder-kid? Will David Coulthard be able to avoid crashing
into Alex Wurz? All this will be revealed on the Sepang
circuit.
We are one hour behind Malaysia, so the
GP will start at 2 p.m. (I think). I will be watching in
Jameson’s Pub on Soi AR, next to Nova Park. Why not join me
for lunch at noon and then an afternoon of F1 action? We
watch the South African feed which means the race is not
interrupted for advertisements, and we do not have to put up
with the other telly-bletherers on UBC.
28th
Bangkok International Motor Show
This year’s Bangkok International Motor
Show is almost over, finishing on April 8, so you can still
see it if you hurry. I have to admit I enjoy motor shows,
and have done since the first one I attended in Geneva
exactly 40 years ago!
Toyota Hybrid X
Each year at the end of Press Day, a few
of the journalists get together to cast their opinion as the
car of the show. Last year, the Honda FCX was the stand-out.
This year? Well, to be honest, whilst there were plenty of
vehicles on show, there was no real stunner amongst them.
2007 seemed to be a year of evolution, rather than
revolution.
In the concept cars, the Toyota Hybrid X
was created and developed by Toyota’s European styling
centre, ED2, in the south of France. It proposes
unconventional creative solutions that will themselves
potentially become the signature points of a specific hybrid
identity.
Volvo C30
The driver can set the ambience within
the car via an interface controlling the four senses of
sight, sound, touch and smell. LED lighting systems within
the car provide a variety of illumination and change in
harmony with different musical backgrounds. A perfume
diffuser fills the air with a gentle, relaxing aroma, while
the use of many different materials and textures on the
interior surfaces provides variety to the touch.
The drive-by-wire steering pad features a
central screen that relays vital information to the driver
about the energy flow path, fuel consumption and gear
position. Interactive navigation and Bluetooth connectivity
are provided by a second screen in front of the driver. A
third touch screen in the console controls the ambience
settings, such as the entertainment and audio systems,
lighting operation and air conditioning. A sensitive touch
control on the steering pad allows the driver to switch the
information displayed on the screens.
Mitsubishi i
However, despite all this, Hybrid X comes
over as a huge ‘bread van’ at 4.5 meters long on a 2.8 meter
wheelbase, 1.8 meters wide and 1.4 meters high. The
engine/propulsion system may be tomorrow, but I certainly
hope the styling is not.
There were two groups of vehicles that
were represented that were quite poles apart. One was the
SUVs/people movers and the other micro/mini cars. The fact
that so many manufacturers had large SUVs on display amazed
me somewhat, as SUVs have really had their day in world
automotive terms with plummeting sales. DaimlerChrysler had
their huge ML, BMW a 4.8 liter X5, Thai Rung, Isuzu and
Mitsubishi with the now dated Space Mover, whilst Ssanyong
went for the title of world’s ugliest car with their Stavics
and other models, and won the title hands down. Ssanyong
should Sshoot their Sstylists. “Drive Different” was their
motto posted on the wall. “Drive Ugly” would be even more
apt.
Honda F1 1965
With the Eco-car small vehicle project in
the news again in Thailand, Kia had their Picanto to show,
and this is a production vehicle, while Mitsubishi had the
“i” concept vehicle, which looked like a straight pinch from
DaimlerChrysler’s ‘smart’ (which isn’t very).
Volvo surprised, with the C30, a two door
hatchback to run against the BMW 1 series and Audi A3. This
C30 was a beautifully proportioned two door, with a wheel
literally at each corner, and deserves a closer look.
BMW had the latest Mini Coopers, which
are getting larger with each manifestation. Sir Alec
Issigonis’ Mini concept is being forgotten.
Honda Jazz racer
Honda had many models, and used some of
their space to dedicate to motor sport. Richie Ginther’s F1
Honda was there, an amazing contrast to the later F1 cars
from the Honda stable.
Richie won the first ever Grand Prix for
Honda in this tube frame car with no refinements, while
Jenson Button won the latest Grand Prix for Honda in an
aerodynamic projectile with every control and adjustment
possible from the electronic equipped steering wheel, as
well as from the pit wall by his car’s engineer.
At the other end of the scale was the
Honda Jazz racer from the new Honda Jazz One Make Series,
which can be seen in action at the Bira Circuit on the 21st
of this month.
With beefed up suspension and brakes, a
roll cage and race seat, it looks the part. However, Honda
are so sure of the powertrain of the Jazz, that this has
been left standard. The concept is that Honda will retain
the vehicles, bringing them to the track for the drivers, in
an attempt to maintain a level playing field. With the
vehicles on sale at 699,000 baht, this is a cheap way to get
into the sport, as well as having the potential to be a lot
of fun.
More on some of the cars at the show next week.
Autotrivia
Quiz
Last week I asked who was known as the
Tigress of Turin? Clue: she at one stage drove the car which
had previously won the 1977 Australian Grand Prix. The
correct answer was Lella Lombardi, the only woman to have
scored a point in F1.
So to this week. Sticking with women in
F1, who said, “What I would really like to see happen is to
find the right girl, perhaps a black girl with super looks,
preferably Jewish or Muslim, who speaks Spanish”?
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be
the first correct answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!
Natter
Nosh and Noggin
The monthly car enthusiasts meeting will
be at Jameson’s Irish Pub on Soi AR next to the Nova Park
development. The car (and bike) enthusiasts meet on the
second Monday of the month, so this time it is Monday April
9 at Jameson’s at 7 p.m. This is a totally informal meeting
of like minded souls to discuss their pet motoring (and
motorcycling) loves and hates. Bring along any magazines,
photos of old vehicles, old girlfriends or the latest
Porsche for us all to drive. Last month one of our number
brought along his real Lamborghini Diablo, so the car park
resounded to the tunes played on a V12 quadcam engine.
