AUTO MANIA

by Dr. Iain Corness
 

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.