Singapore GP this weekend

Entertainment under lights

I have written before about the Singapore Grand Prix and how the organizers seem reluctant to let the F1 circus entertain the crowd, but have arranged to have “acts” such as Linkin Park (obviously failed their spelling lessons), Shakira, a warbler from Colombia with her hit “Waka Waka” (I can hardly wait), a Boy band from Korea (don’t Koreans ever grow older?), something called “Shaggy” from Jamaica (no mention of Scooby-Doo however), some Glee starlet called Charice from the Philippines, and others even more obscure.

I go to rock concerts to hear music. I go to race meetings to watch motor racing. I do not need head bangers with my F1. If the organizers really want to put on an extravaganza, then run 10 categories of races as the lead-up to the top category F1. What a novel idea - racing cars at an F1 venue. Put on a “Retro” race and I’ll even take the Securitas Mk 1 Escort down.

Having had my gripe, the Singapore Grand Prix will start at 7 p.m. Thai time on the Sunday evening. We will be watching from our perches at Jameson’s Irish Pub (Soi AR, next to Nova Park) and even though the racing commences at 7 p.m. join us around 6 p.m. for dinner (I do recommend the specials), and a beer and a chat before the race begins. We watch on the giant screen, with the BBC telecast which is of top value and there are no adverts! What more do you need?

Jaguar C-X16 hybrid concept

Jaguar’s E-Type successor

The latest Jaguar concept, the C-X16 was released at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany last week. Smaller than the XR series, its position is reputedly to be a successor to the legendary E-Type, and I have to say the photo does show some styling cues from the earlier Jaguar.

The new Jaguar is a two seat hybrid with a supercharged 3.0 liter V6 petrol engine that can produce 380 BHP and 450 Nm of torque with a Formula 1 styled hybrid boost system and a steering wheel mounted “Push to Pass” button for on-demand acceleration. The drive train features an eight-speed ZF gearbox and a motor/generator that draws power from a 300 V, 1.6 kWh battery pack that is charged through a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System).

The combination of internal combustion and an electric motor produces huge torque and the C-X16 returns acceleration figures of zero to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h. Jaguar also claims that the C-X16 can run at speeds up to 80 km/h just on electric power.

Jaguar say the idea behind this hybrid performance system is to supplement the engine’s power with a “push to pass” system; reduce fuel consumption; and allow it to perform as an electric vehicle at lower speeds.

There are a number of features that help boost its performance. Among them is intelligent start/stop which can shut down the engine in 300 milliseconds after the car comes to a rest. This is also linked to a transmission motor generator. Meanwhile, the KERS used by Jaguar sees the battery pack mainly charged through brake energy recuperation.

In that niche market of high performance coupes, the selling point is heritage and looks. The Jaguar C-X16 has both.

Is this the world’s ugliest new car?

Citroen hearse

The Citroen Tubik may just be the ugliest motor show concept ever designed. Now while concept cars displayed at motor shows are usually stunning, Citroen has done what Citroen does best - produce something at the Frankfurt show that makes the viewer go OMG!

One overseas journalist described it as being like the misbegotten spawn of an affair between a piggy bank and a bread bin, while the Citroen Tubik on the other hand is described by Citroen as a “high-tech, high comfort, highly functional executive shuttle that is shared, intelligent, connected and eco friendly.”

“More than a taxi, more flexible than a limousine and as much fun as a trip to beach. Its flexible interiors means it can carry a group of people or a single person and their luggage; the seats can fold down as a bed or swing around for a meeting; entertainment units fold from the roof and privacy is guaranteed.”

Only Citroen could come up with this vehicle, which might make a great hearse, but you probably wouldn’t want to be seen dead in it.

The “New” Fortuner

I honestly think that Toyota have scraped the barrel so deep that their marketing people have splinters under their fingernails. A full page advert in the Bangkok Post produced such gems as “Impression that is above and beyond (what?)… Complete with functionalities of luxury mobility.” (Eh? Your guess is as good as mine!)

I don’t know who they are trying to impress, but even Blind Freddie would soon see that the “new” Fortuner is the same as the previous model Fortuner, other than the “luxuriously designed radiator grille and front bumper.” ‘Adspeak’ at its best. It also crows about the “large engine hood bulge,” (which has four inlets and is so different from the previous model which only had three). And if you want to be truly impressed with this radical “new” Fortuner, it has a “Tailgate opener with Fortuner badge.” That’s just in case you thought it was an Isuzu.

Mr. Toyota, send the entire department to the assembly line (to attach the “luxuriously designed radiator grilles”), and hire some real copywriters instead. Or just be honest and call it a “minor change’ model.

Want improved performance and improved economy?

AVO Turboworld at Sattahip has designed and begun manufacture of a product to improve both performance and fuel economy of Common Rail Diesel engines, called the AVO DFC Fuel Controller.

This unit can be installed in 5-10 minutes using minimal tools. At the factory setting you can expect 10-12 percent peak torque and horsepower improvement and further gains are available with a simple adjustment if you have further modifications such as improved intercooler or exhaust. It also improves throttle response and as an addition to the performance increase, an improvement of up to 8 percent in fuel economy can also be achieved with normal driving. All performance improvement figures are validated on the AVO in-house Dyno as well as road tests and 0-100 kph time improvement figures.

The AVO Fuel Controller can be made to fit most Common Rail Diesel engines on sale in Thailand but there are a few exceptions. AVO Turboworld have also ensured me that there can be no damage to the engine as the ECU still has control and will not exceed its own parameters. Another handy feature is that it can be easily removed if the vehicle has to go in for Servicing and the ECU has no record of it being fitted and thereby protecting warranty.

The unit retails for less than 6,000 THB and comes with a 12 month warranty. For further information on your Common Rail vehicle, ring Terry Wilson at AVO on 084 945 5167 or email [email protected].

Now, if you have pots of money…

The new Royale?

Bugatti has done it again. After the stunning failure of the Bugatti Royale, you can now spend a fortune on the Bugatti Veyron L’or Blanc.

The Veyron Grand Sport L’or Blanc uses carefully crafted porcelain on its striped finish, which has been designed to look like the pattern of a studio light reflecting on a shiny surface.

“At first, it seems to be an unusual idea to use porcelain in a car, especially in the world’s fastest convertible,” said Dr. Stefan Brungs, Bugatti sales and marketing director. “But this is what Bugatti stands for: the realization of exceptional ideas whilst striving for the utmost in quality and aesthetics. This allows us to continue Ettore Bugatti’s heritage, who himself loved to experiment with new materials.” (And while he was at it, bankrupted the company with the over the top, ill-timed Royale, a vehicle that no Royal family purchased.)

In true Royale fashion, there is a caviar dish that sits on the central rear console (Beluga, I hope). I would imagine that you can have titanium nose hair pluckers as a special order as well.

Of course, you still get the 8.0 liter, four turbo, W-16 cylinder engine with its 1001 horsepower and 1250 Nm of torque with (porcelain) shattering acceleration times of zero to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 407 km/h.

It is not all that economical with a claimed consumption of 41.9 L/100 km; but the average claimed fuel use is only 24.9 L/100 km.

However, if you can afford the $2.2 million, who cares about fuel economy?

Fall off the step-through and bounce

British impact protection specialists Knox have developed a new wave of impact protectors that are not only flexible but also have great memory!

One of an increasing number of products created as part of the Knox ST3 program of continuous innovation and development, Knox Flexiform+ protectors have an Intelligent Cell Structure created by the combination of high density polyurethane foam with added elastomers. This combination allows the protector, whether fitted at the elbow, shoulder, knee or hip, to move freely with the wearer and to mould to their body shape. Flexiform+ protectors ‘memorize’ their new shape making them instantly comfortable the next time the garment is worn.

The high density material is efficient at absorbing energy from an impact, exceeding the European CE standard EN1621 for motorcycle armor by a margin in the region of 35 percent. Furthermore, its dense structure delivers excellent repeat performance.

Temperature stable, Flexiform+ protectors have a low profile with tapered edging, so the entire range can be fitted into close fitting leather and textile kit and used in extreme cold or hot weather conditions without any change in comfort or performance. Flexiform+ is available for clothing manufacturers to fit as original equipment but may also be purchased by riders wishing to upgrade existing garments; shoulder, elbow, back, knee/shin, hip, and thigh versions are produced, with prices starting at ฃ19.99 per pair.

For further information visit www.knox-lab.com/hand-armour.