COTY judging held at Bira last week
The annual Car Of The Year (COTY) awards were judged at the
Bira circuit last weekend. This made for a busy day at the
Prince Bira complex, as the Kart 24 hour race was on, as
well as an eight hour enduro for motorcycles.
Lexus
LS 460
There were 38 vehicles as finalists in the 15 categories,
and final awards will be made around the time of the Bangkok
International Motor Show at the end on March; however, I can
let you know that the Mazda MX-5 won the Roadster class (it
was the only entry), as did the Mercedes-Benz E280 in the
Mid-Sized sedan under 3,000 cc, and the Volvo V70 D5 in the
Diesel Sedan class.
The new Toyota Camry 3.5 V6 was there, looking very much
like its much more expensive stablemate, the Lexus LS 460,
with both in the Luxury Car class. One under three million
and the other closer to 10 million, I believe. That one is
certainly a no-brainer.
However, there was one vehicle at Bira which interested me
more than the COTY cars and that was a small motor home
(known as ‘campervan’ in many countries) called the Terra,
based on a Toyota Vigo Hilux, though alternate versions are
built on the Isuzu pick-up or the Chevrolet Colorado. This
little gem sleeps 5-6 people (or maybe 7-8 Thais) and is
fully air-conditioned and set up for a family to go touring,
with nifty shower and toilet on board, as well as fold-away
dining table. At 1.4 million baht it is a cheap investment
for the annual holidays, but what was even more of interest
was the rental offer. One to two days rental is 6,500 baht
per 24 hours, three to five days 6,000 baht per 24 hours and
six to 15 days is 5,000 baht a day. Telephone 081 452 5050
(Khun Narong) for further details on the rental agreement,
or for more details on the vehicle itself.
Terra Campervan
Jaguar offering an oiler
The February 2007 Brisbane Motor show saw
the release of a diesel Jaguar XJ sedan as an alternative to
the diesel BMW, Audi and Mercedes in the ‘luxury’ field.
The oil-burning XJ will employ the same 152 kW/435 Nm 2.7
liter twin-turbo V6 diesel that powers Jaguar’s S-Type 2.7
TDVi sedan in the UK. According to Jaguar HQ, the XJ 2.7
TDVi, which was launched in the UK in mid-2005, costs 27
percent less to maintain than the S320 CDI Benz, though how
they arrive at these figures can be questionable.
Jaguar
claims the XJ TDVi, which features common-rail
direct-injection, does zero to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, with
a top speed of 225 km/h and returns average fuel consumption
of 8.1 L/100 km.
“Jaguar’s focus this year is firmly on meeting our
customers’ needs for cars that combine superb value for
money with a driving experience that you can only get from a
Jaguar. That’s why the XJ range has been significantly
upgraded to ensure every customer will find a model to
satisfy his or her requirements. From the introduction of
our acclaimed 2.7 litre V6 turbodiesel engine to a host of
other groundbreaking advances for every model, such as
acoustic laminated glass and Bluetooth ® wireless
connectivity, the new XJ will keep Jaguar at the forefront
of the premium saloon market,” said Bibiana Boerio, managing
director, Jaguar Cars.
The XJ already ranks as the most technologically
accomplished Jaguar has ever built. It is the first
production Jaguar to be constructed with a lightweight
aluminium monocoque structure; a unique feature that gives
the XJ significant competitive advantages over its rivals.
The aluminium monocoque design of the XJ offers improved
stiffness and safety performance over the conventional steel
body of the previous model, meaning the customer not only
benefits from the weight saving associated with aluminium,
but gets the added benefit of exceptional ride and handling
as well as being extremely quiet and safe.
A host of intelligent technology works in harmony with the
driver and passengers to ensure perfect ride comfort on
every journey. For example, electronically controlled,
self-levelling air suspension is standard on all models.
This automatically lowers the car at speed to provide
remarkable high-speed stability and improve aerodynamic
efficiency.
Jaguar’s Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) uses
computer technology and sensor feedback to automatically
adjust damper settings. The result is a unique combination
of agile handling, outstanding ride comfort and excellent
driver control.
For the first time on all XJ models, acoustic laminated
glass further minimizes the intrusion of external noise into
the cabin. The 2.7 twin-turbo Diesel XJ also sets an
industry first, being the first car in its class to feature
electronically controlled active engine mounts, which cancel
90 percent of engine vibration at idle.
“The addition of the excellent new 2.7 liter twin-turbo
Diesel engine to the XJ range reinforces the fact that our
cars are not only the most technologically advanced cars
Jaguar has ever made, they rank among the best cars produced
anywhere in the world,” says Joe Greenwell, chairman and
CEO, Jaguar Cars.
Dr. Iain buys ailing Chrysler Corporation?
Hot news at present is the purported purchase of
Chrysler by GM, buying it from Mercedes Benz. However, this
is fanciful financial dealings if ever I saw it. GM is
technically broke, so how can it buy anything, especially
another car company that owes billions as well and made
another staggering loss last year (USD 1.4 billion, give or
take a buck or two)?
Chrysler
300C
I am prepared, here and now to put up B. 1,000 for Chrysler,
forget stock options (worthless) and a seat on the board
(boring), but I am offering unencumbered C-A-S-H, which is
more than GM can do, which is hocked up to its armpits.
General Motors is apparently in negotiations to buy the
struggling Chrysler group in its entirety, say sources in
Germany and the United States, with high-level talks taking
place between DaimlerChrysler AG and GM executives.
Asked about the possible deal, Klaus Franz, GM’s top union
official in Europe, said acquiring Chrysler would be a
“disaster” for the automaker. Franz is vice chairman of the
supervisory board at GM Europe’s Opel division, based in
Germany.
“This is only a step to remain the number-one automaker. The
problem is that Chrysler is in the same situation as GM.
They don’t have the right product portfolio,” Franz told
Automotive News Europe.
Forget the right product portfolio, the two companies are
definitely in the same situation - they are gigantic
loss-makers!
Although growing ranks of shareholders in DaimlerChrysler
would like to see Chrysler go, selling it is easier said
than done. In Cologne, Germany, Bank Sal. Oppenheim analyst
Michael Raab estimates it would cost USD 34 billion to
separate the two businesses. Analysts say a real stumbling
block is the roughly USD 23.6 billion in unfunded pensions
and health care liabilities for retirees that any buyer
would want financed in full.
After reading that, I think I will withdraw my B. 1,000
offer and buy the third 50 percent share in a South Pattaya
Go-Go bar instead. At least I could enjoy the ownership for
a week or two!
Ideal run-about for sale
My personal Daihatsu Mira is for sale.
Last of the Daihatsu Mira line. Great town car, and very
economical. Has been attacked by assorted motorcycles, but
always wins. Lovingly ignored for the past 10 years, other
than routine servicing (and yes, you can talk to my
mechanic). Included in the car are the following original
items: 1 engine, 2 doors, 3 mirrors, 4 wheels. Price
includes the following factory options: Air-conditioning
(which does work), Radio/tape player (which doesn’t work).
Price: B. 75,000 (as is), or B. 85,000 if I take out all the
minor dings and scratches and repair the upholstery. Contact
Dr. Iain on 081 687 3267.
Thailand wins 24 hour
race
No, it wasn’t the Le Mans 24 Hour race, but it
might as well have been. The race was over 24 hours, the
start was the classic “Le Mans” start with the drivers
sprinting across the track and leaping into (or rather ‘on
to’) their vehicles, and during the 24 hours there were the
usual hard luck stories, refuelling, near-misses and
beautiful misses (brolly dollies), and a bunch of French
people.
This was the second 24 Hour Kart race at the newly
refurbished Bira Kart circuit in the Prince Bira complex
which attracted many overseas teams to our kart enduro. The
French were so impressed with the event last year that they
entered two French teams for the 2007 event. Team Benfica
from Portugal was also another of the overseas teams
returning to try and win the 24 hour cup, which is always
difficult. You need consistent drivers, luck that lasts 24
hours, and careful timekeeping to make sure no driver goes
over his or her allotted time frame.
The event was very closely fought, with Thailand’s Team
Octopus winning, three seconds in front of Team Benfica
after 24 hours. Third was French Team #1, five laps astern,
with the rest of the field all within striking distance.
The karts (all identical) were mechanically very strong, and
the weather this year did not produce the torrential rain
that limited running in 2006. Peter Klein, the director of
motor sport from the Bira Kart circuit said the event was
considered as a huge success by everyone and many teams were
already indicating their desire to compete next year.
Well done Thailand!
Pizza Company fostering
young talent
The Pizza Company Racing Team will be announcing
its plans for the 2007 season, which includes a young driver
scholarship scheme in Go-Karts for this year.
With many of the regular Pizza Company Racing Team drivers
having graduated from Go-Kart racing, and energetic Thomas
Raldorf being one of the key players in the Pizza Company
Racing Team having been a Go-Kart champion both in his
native Denmark and in Thailand; looking to Go-Karting is a
natural direction.
It is good to see the established players in the local motor
sport arena providing opportunities for youngster to come
into the sport.
Autotrivia Quiz
Last week I mentioned that four of Schumi’s F1
cars were for sale. They were the Jordan 191 (his first GP),
the Benetton B. 191 (his first world championship points),
the Benetton B. 194 (his first world championship) and the
Ferrari F2002 (his totally dominant year). These four are
currently on sale as a set. I asked how much was the asking
price for the set in US dollars? The correct answer was 6.5
million USD! You would have to be the ultimate Schumacher
fan (with deep pockets) to pay that for them.
So to this week. The Citroen SM was announced at the Geneva
Motor Show in 1970. What did the initials S and M stand for?
No clues for this one.
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct
answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!
