China GP this weekend
The
circuit architects Hermann Tilke and Peter Wahl are reported
as saying, “The 5.4 kilometer racing track is shaped like
the Chinese character ‘shang’, which stands for ‘high’ or
‘above’. Other symbols represented in the architecture
originate from Chinese history, such as the team buildings
arranged like pavilions in a lake to resemble the ancient
Yuyan-Garden in Shanghai. Here, nature and technology are
carefully used to create harmony between the elements.”
(That should have put at least another few million dollars
on the price!)
The race will start (I believe) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, but as
always, check your own TV feed, as I would not like to be
held responsible for you missing the start! I’m going to be
at Jameson’s Irish Pub by noon on Soi AR next to Nova Park,
just to make sure. Join me for lunch.
Autotrivia Quiz
Last week I said to think Nissan. Datsun
had its roots going back to 1912 when K. Den, R. Aoyama and
A. Takeuchi got together and produced the “DAT”, from their
three initials. After a break, they began producing cars
again in 1931 and these were known as the ‘son of DAT’, or
otherwise ‘Datson’. However, in 1932, they changed it to
‘Datsun’. I asked why? The reason was that they wanted to
emphasize the fact that this was a Japanese car, and to
suggest the national emblem, which was the rising sun - so
it became Datsun. So now you know.
So to this week. Who scored the first GP win for a British
driver in a British car since 1924? Hint: think teeth.
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct
answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!
New Jazz in 2008
The Japanese websites are all buzzing with the
new Honda Jazz (called the Fit in Japan) that will be shown
at the Japan Motor Show this month. The new Jazz will
reputedly be for general release in 2008.
2008
Honda Jazz
The locally manufactured Honda Jazz is currently being
exported to Australia, and since Honda Australia claims it
will get the new Jazz in the second quarter of 2008, that
would make it likely that we should also see the new Jazz at
that time.
Evolution, not revolution, is the theme for the
second-generation Jazz, and the five-door hatch sticks with
the same design cues as its six year old predecessor, but
features a completely new body and interior.
It is difficult to say from the leaked photographs, but it
seems that new Jazz is slightly larger than old Jazz. A
typically contemporary Honda headlight and grille treatment
dominates the new Jazz’s nose, with the bonnet now boasting
a sort of ‘power bulge’.
Mirroring the current Jazz is the three-binnacle
instrumentation layout, although the brochure image points
to an increased use of higher grade trim materials, while
up-spec versions feature a full-sized screen for navigation
and audio functions.
New 1.3 and 1.5 liter four-cylinder petrol engines are
expected, with Honda’s advanced i-VTEC “intelligent”
variable-valve technology to be introduced across the range.
For some time now rumors have circulated that the next Jazz
will adopt a development of the 1.3-litre IMA
petrol/electric drivetrain found in the 85kW/170Nm Civic
Hybrid. If this comes to fruition, the Jazz Hybrid will
employ a CVT continuously variable transmission.
Like today’s cars, a CVT is also expected in the petrol-only
Jazz models, although speculation suggests that this will
gain a type of torque converter for more instant
acceleration and response.
Since its debut at the Tokyo motor show in October 2001,
sales of the current Jazz - or Fit - have exceeded two
million units.
Proton and VW and
Thailand
Malaysia’s Proton has been in the news again.
Firstly, the on and off talks with VW look as if they are
beginning to become a reality. In essence, VW wants another
Asian manufacturing base, but does not want the Malaysian
government as the bridesmaid in this wedding. Expect to see
VW take at least 20 percent of Proton in the next couple of
months.
Malaysian
Proton
In the meantime, Thailand’s PNA group has announced that it
has become the official authorized dealer for Proton in
Thailand and claims it will have 20 outlets, with eight in
Bangkok and the other 12 located throughout the provinces.
Another ‘carrot’ was extended by its general manager
(operation) Apichart Wangsatorntanakhun, who said that PNA
is looking at selling one of the Proton range at under
400,000 baht.
Apichart declined to reveal the models being brought into
the Thai market, but said a range of 25 models could be
picked. “But for the start, we are not going to explode the
market with many models and big volume. We want to grow at a
stable pace and take care of our customers first to get
their trust and loyalty,” he said.
However, Apichart hinted that the initial models would be
priced less than 400,000 baht, targeting a niche market,
especially youngsters, first car owners and those crossing
over from pick-up to passenger cars.
There are no cars being sold in this price range in the
country, with the nearest being Toyota Vios, which starts at
490,000 baht, he said.
Apichart, who was brought in specially to steer Proton’s
growth, said there are bright prospects for the carmaker in
Thailand, adding that 270,000 passenger cars were sold last
year, with Toyota leading the pack.
All this is very interesting, with the other Malaysian
manufacturer Perodua’s boss Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar
saying in an interview with Automania’s editor at large,
John Weinthal that export of any kind is a very expensive
game for a company with annual production capacity of
240,000 and which already has heavy home and other export
market demand.
“We go no place where we cannot guarantee to provide the
best in customer support and back-up service. Where we do
export it is through established networks mainly in the
Toyota family and where there is no conflict between our
product and other Toyota/Daihatsu family models,” Hafiz
said.
This latest move by the flagging Proton concern looks risky.
Perodua (which outsells Proton in their native Malaysia) is
not coming to Thailand, despite the fact that the
super-cheap Perodua Myvi could be sold through the Toyota
network (badged as a Daihatsu perhaps), but Proton is going
to do so, even having to set up its own network.
Provided Proton can improve the quality of their range, it
could have a future in the Kingdom. We shall see.
What did we learn from
the Japanese GP?
Well, we learned that Formula 1 can be just as
farcical as any other kinds of sport. To begin with,
starting under the safety car, which then splashed its way
around for 19 laps was just one page in the comedy. At one
stage during those 19 laps we began to wonder what would
happen if the safety car had to come in for fuel - would the
cars have to line up behind it at the pumps? Then the
commentators came forth with the suggestion that the entire
67 lap race might have to be behind the safety car and then
gave us the information that the safety car didn’t have
enough fuel to go the distance!
Then there was Ferrari’s part in the farce, starting both
cars on intermediates during a downpour, despite the race
being given the status of “full wets”. Everybody, including
the pit lane commentator knew of the directive, except
Ferrari, who claimed “nobody told us”.
We also learned that there is no such thing as team orders
at Ferrari. I am sure it was entirely coincidental that
Massa’s crew accidentally didn’t fill his fuel tank to the
brim and had to bring him in for a splash and dash a few
laps from the finish, when he was in third and Raikkonen was
fourth. They really did not need to go to such subterfuge,
Massa would have spun off anyway, as he had done about 10
times before.
We also learned that Mark Webber hasn’t forgotten how to use
the Aussie F word, used to good effect after Sebastian
Vettel managed to take him out from his safe second position
while behind the safety car, following Lewis Hamilton’s
McLaren-Mercedes! Vettel ended up in tears in the pits, and
that was before Mark Webber got to him! And after that the
FIA has penalized him 10 grid slots for China this weekend.
It was a bad weekend for the sulky Spaniard, spinning off
all on his own and destroying not only Uncle Ron’s racing
car, but probably his chances of the 2007 World
Championship. “It will need a miracle,” said Alonso after
the race. There’s 50 million Brits on their way to Lourdes
right now asking that the miracle not be granted!
We also saw just how good Lewis Hamilton really is. He
stayed on the island, and never lost his cool at any stage,
even after Kubica in the BMW attempted the Panzer tank
passing maneuver, and although he was obviously ecstatic at
having won, he did not forget to publicly thank his team. He
deserves the championship.
Other than that, the usual hitters and spinners, moaners and
groaners managed to cover themselves with less than glory,
with Vettel getting two “kills” (Webber and Alonso), Alex
Wurz one, Button two and there were others which we did not
see on TV such as Sato. However, Ralf Schumacher excelled,
going the entire race without hitting anything. Perhaps he
is hoping to still have a job at Toyota next year? He won’t.
Try Spyker, Ralf.
Why EffWun is coming to
Asia
A report in the British media has claimed that a
huge dip in profits has forced F1 to go in pursuit of
markets outside Europe and could be behind the scrapping of
the US Grand Prix.
Britain’s Daily Telegraph claims that, as a direct result of
escalating debt repayments, profits fell by over $300
million to just $6 million since the sport’s commercial
rights were taken over by CVC in 2005.
The report goes on to state that F1, under the guidance of
Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone, has been forced to shift
its gaze to Asia and the Middle East as governments in these
locales are willing to pay higher sanctioning fees.
Indianapolis may have been the first in a long list of
casualties, with destinations including South Korea, India,
Abu Dhabi and Singapore likely to replace other current
Grands Prix in the near future.
Singapore say they will be ready for a street night race
this year, India has bought Spyker and want a GP of their
own and Abu Dhabi say their circuit will be the best in the
world.
However, we should never forget that the first Grand Prix in
the history of F1 was held at Silverstone (UK) on May 13,
1950, and F1 has more British constructors than any other
country.
