The Advan advantage

Wet braking test

Spent an interesting afternoon at the local Bira circuit with the friendly folk from Yokohama. They were presenting the latest tyre technology with their Yokohama Advan dB tyres.

Now dB stands for decibel, the unit of sound pressure levels, and the slogan for these latest tyres was “The Power of Silence”, so taking them to a racing circuit was certainly a brave move for Yokohama.

The afternoon was split into four sections, with the first being a demonstration of rolling resistance, whereby a Lexus IS 250 on the new Yokohama Advan dB rolled further than it did when fitted with other tyres, all other factors being equal, such as tyre pressures. With less rolling resistance, the ordinary driver could expect to go further on a tank full, than otherwise.

The next section explored Noise Vibration Harmonics (NVH) and cornering grip. This time we had identical Toyota Camry’s, with one on the new tyre and the other on the old tyre. Quite frankly, when driving over rumble strips placed on the track, I found no difference between the two. Both went thump-thump-thump. However, there were a couple of slalom courses marked out with witches hats and the new tyre was certainly superior, requiring less steering input to whistle down the slaloms. That section definitely went to the new Advan dB.

Asymmetric tread pattern

I also went trackside to listen to the Camry’s being put through the slalom, and there was no squeal at all. You could hear the tyres gripping, but not protesting.

The third section was a direct comparison between two identical Camry’s braking on wet bitumen, with a part of the straight continuously watered. One car on the old rubber and the second car on the new. The wet braking area was entered at 80 kph and when at the marker, the brakes were fully applied. The Camry’s both had ABS, which worked well both times, but the car with the new compound braked consistently in 15 percent shorter distance. That could mean the difference between a close shave and an expensive insurance claim. This was the most impressive result for me, as it was easy to show the reduced braking distance.

The final part of the afternoon was a ‘leisurely’ trip from the Bira Circuit to the Silverlake Vineyard and return, escorted and led by the flashing lights and sirens of the Tourist Police. Now I know what it is like to drive in a royal cavalcade.

For me, this did not really demonstrate anything about the new tyres, but rather it showed what a quiet and comfortable vehicle is the new Camry. Unfortunately the two liter engine certainly does not make this model Camry a sports saloon. I’m afraid I would have to say the small engined Camry was rather dull.

But back to the tyres. The already quiet dB pattern tread has been improved by moving to an asymmetrical pattern especially for the Advan dB. With tread blocks very close to each other, this minimizes tread movement, which can be the reason for noisy tyres. It was also interesting to note there were no large side sipes to clear water, and the tyre also featured round shoulders, meaning the sidewalls could do some work, adding to good response to steering input. The longitudinal grooves were quite deep and designed the allow the tyre to slice through the water and not aquaplane. The braking results showed that this concept really did work. Design technology fostered during many years of developing high-performance Advan tyres has been fully utilized to provide the running safety, control and comfortable ride required for high-performance and prestige automobiles. Advan are the tyres used in the World Touring Car championships, for example.

I know that tyre performance can often be very subjective, but there were a couple of very objective tests which showed a superiority of the new Yokohama Advan dB. You will go further on a tank full and under brakes will pull up earlier, hopefully avoiding a nose to tail.

My thanks go to Yokohama’s managing director, Yasushi Iida for the opportunity to evaluate his latest tyre, which, by the way, is a Japanese import, the local Yokohama works in Rayong being for light truck tyres only.

The 1 Series BMW M Coupe - performance but still fugly

BMW has released full details of the smallest ever model to emerge from its high-performance M GmbH division. This is the new 1 Series M Coupe.

To make this version suitable as an “M” car, the 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged direct-injection ‘N54’ straight six engine already used in a Z4 model, which is the first time a standard production powerplant has been seen in the bona fide M collection.

BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Producing 250 kW at 5900 rpm and 450 Nm of torque from 1500-4500 rpm (with an over boost function increasing torque to 500 Nm for short bursts under full acceleration), the engine drives the rear wheels through a newly developed six speed manual gearbox resulting in a 0-100 km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds. This is just one tenth of a second slower than the M3 sedan, but it is still fugly.

BMW’s EfficientDynamics program, where accessories are governed by a ‘needs’ at the time basis, have taken the consumption below 10 L/100 km for the first time, with the 1 M Coupe’s official combined fuel consumption rated at 9.6 L/100 km. CO2 emissions come in 224 g/km, but quite frankly, I have yet to meet anyone who cares about carbon foot prints - or even understands it.

The M version retains the 1 Series’ double-pivot spring-strut front and five-link rear suspension design, although the aluminium content has increased significantly, unique axle supports are included, the electronic differential lock is now M-specific, the electronic stability control includes an intervention threshold-raising M Dynamic Mode (MDM), the rack-and-pinion steering is fitted with the Servotronic hydraulic system, and the brakes are upgraded to M3 level, with inner-vented and perforated M-specific discs with a 360/350mm front/rear diameter, each with a single piston floating calliper.

The wheel and tyre combinations are now 19 inch M light alloy rims in a Y-spoke design, with 245/35 tyres at the front and 265/35at the rear.

The usual alphabet of electronic whizz-bangery with ABS brakes, an anti-slip control function (ASC), dynamic brake control (DBC), cornering brake control (CBC), a so-called ‘drive-off assistant’, and anti-fade and dry brake functions designed to further improve stopping performance.

It still retains the punched in front appearance of the 1 Series, and exaggerated by the huge air intakes either side, and throw in flares to cover the wider front and rear tracks

According to BMW, “The letter M now comes to the segment of the BMW 1 Series to symbolize outstanding power delivery and the highly dynamic driving properties of a high-performance sports car. The technology of a high-performance car is combined with the agility and lightness of a compact model to create a whole new dimension of sports-style driving pleasure. With this two-door model, BMW M GmbH is now realizing for the first time in this vehicle class its concept of racing-oriented performance characteristics in a car developed for everyday use.”

So, BMW have managed to produce a hot rod from its parts bin, which I am sure drives very well. It is a shame that it is still fugly. Very fugly.

Keep your roof on!

Do you have a Webasto glass paneled sunroof fitted to your car? If so, it might be a good idea to check it. Reports have come from all over the world that sunroofs with glass panels have been flying off because of a problem with the glue fixing the glass to the frame.

The roofs in trouble were made by Webasto, the world’s biggest sunroof and folding roof manufacturer, and marketed as Hollandia. Webasto have been replacing the glass panels, and using a different glue.

Rather than waiting for lift-off, many motorists have been alerted by wind and water leaks or rust as the bonding gradually fails. Check yours today!

Most of the aftermarket sunroofs that are subject to the recall are the Hollandia 700 model, made in Europe. A small proportion are the American-made Hollandia 900 series twin-panel unit.

Motorists with aftermarket Hollandia 700 or 900 sunroofs should go to Webasto’s special website (www.sunroof check.com) for more information about the recall.

Recall notices have been posted in North America, Europe, South Africa, South America and China by Webasto.

Bangkok International Motor Show changes venue

Grand Prix International, through its chairman, Dr. Prachin Eamlumnow, has announced it will hold the 32nd Bangkok International Motor Show for 14 days from March 23 (Wednesday) to April 6 (Wednesday), 2011. Public days will be from Saturday, March 26 until April 6, and this year the Motor Show will be held at Challenger Hall (Impact Muang Thong Thani), Bangkok.

The Bangkok International Motor Show was held at the BITEC venue for 12 years from the 19th show through the 31st show in 2010. Welcoming a total of 1.6 million visitors during the time and enhancing its position as an international motor show. Now for its next leap forward, the venue will be transferred to Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani to mark its new start as “Discovering” a new Bangkok International Motor Show.

This 32nd Bangkok International Motor Show will be a comprehensive one that includes passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, vehicle bodies, parts, machinery and tools. This international motor show will serve as a hub to send out information about the latest next-generation safety and environment technologies from the automobile industry. At the same time, it will offer visitors the opportunity to rediscover the appeal, joy, and fun of cars and motorcycles by viewing, touching, and riding the actual latest models.

The theme for this year show is “Discovering new innovations”. Since the first step of the journey until the present, we have never stopped our forward motion and development. We know that it is the experiences that makes our journey colorful. At the Bangkok International Motor Show, the most innovative automotive technology will be seen working for mankind.

Pencil in the dates, and I will keep you informed about the various displays and concept cars leading up to the opening.

Autotrivia Quiz

Last week I mentioned that a British pre-WWII car had a 7.34 liter V12 engine and developed about 170 bhp. I asked what car was it found in? It was the Rolls-Royce Phantom III. Just by looking at the numbers, with over seven liters only producing 170 bhp, no wonder the engine could live forever as it was completely under stressed. To get 100 bhp per liter these days is quite commonplace.

So to this week. What favored hot rod was immortalized by the Beach Boys?

For the Automania free beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected]. Good luck!