Don't resort to sorcerers - Oman Daily Observer

Toyota 86 Sport loaded with benefits
MUSCAT — The revolutionary new Toyota that has put the “sport” back into the
“car”, the Toyota 86 is a compact front engine, rear-wheel drive sports car designed to
place the driver in control. It is called the Toyota 86 in tribute to the hugely successful
Toyota AE86 — one of the most cherished and loved sports cars having a huge fan following.
The Toyota 86 Sport is an excitingly new grade that offers a sport aero package,
makes the car stand apart from the rest with a front bumper spoiler, side spoilers,
rear bumper spoiler and a large rear spoiler.”
The Toyota 86 is a sports car that is lightweight and well-balanced, making it a solid
choice for driving enthusiasts. Toyota 86’s 2.0-litre, naturally aspirated four-cylinder
engine has a horizontally opposed engine and Toyota’s cutting edge D-4S injection
system that incorporates both direct and port injection. The D-4S system, partnered
with a high compression ratio, results in an impressive 197 horsepower - still achieving
impressive fuel economy.
Quick and nimble into and out of corners, with dynamic maneuverability and confident
handling, the Toyota 86's weight is kept to a minimum by utilising an aluminium
hood, a solid roof, and by featuring a trunk design instead of a hatchback.
The Toyota 86’s low weight is matched with a dynamically tuned suspension setup
consisting of McPherson struts up front and a double wishbone system in the rear.
Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and ventilated disc brakes are on all four corners.
The fierce exterior of the Toyota 86 is a solid reflection of its inner power. The
profile reveals a hood and roof-line that is remarkably sleek and low, giving it an aerodynamic
shape that channels air cleanly over to the top. The low stance continues to
exaggerate the coupe’s menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth
and angular headlights.
The Toyota 86’s interior features a 2+2 seating configuration that is designed with
both form and function in mind. This 2-door sports car is packed to the hilt with thrilling
features such as cruise control, Bi-Xenon headlamps, LED clearance lamps, ABS
and VSC, world’s first frame-less rear view mirror, ultra-low hip point 400mm, VSC
sports function (a Toyota first), superior audio CD/MP3 system with built-in USB/Aux
and Bluetooth, 6 speakers; another Toyota first — sports engine sound creator, non-slip
assist pad for entry and exit, Fender garnish with 86 logo, SRS airbags front, curtain
side (fr)+knee (fr), exclusive seat material & sports seats, amongst many others.
Apart from the above, the Toyota 86 is adorned with machined alloy wheels, pagoda
styled concave roof, sash-less sports car door and 3-spoke leather steering wheel,
which also happens to be Toyota’s smallest.
In Oman, Toyota is a household name, a part of people's lives. Toyota offers enduring
quality and nothing comes close to it in terms of value-retention. It is no surprise,
therefore, that Toyota soars far above the rest, with a dominant market share and everexpanding
customer base.
The unmatched, nationwide parts and service support of Saud Bahwan Group
makes Toyota's pride of place a reality. Toyota customers in Oman enjoy 6-year unlimited
mileage protection, over 98 per cent parts availability and round-the-clock care,
amongst many other exclusive privileges from the Group.
Fortuner Safari — a prized possession
“I AM in love with this car,” admits Hamed, “ It has everything I want — space,
power, comfort, features and safety. On top of that I know if I need something to be
done on it, there are experts from Saud Bahwan Automotive to do it for me, anywhere
I may be, in Oman.”
The Fortuner Safari is truly a prized possession for many people. It is adorned with
many attractive features that include coloured front bumper spoiler, sporty rear 2-tone
bumper spoiler, 17” alloy wheels, chrome garnish on fog lamps, stylish side cladding
panels, classy daytime running lights, expressive “safari” branding decal, striking
chrome rear license garnish, quality floor mats with “safari” logo — among others.
Inside, the Fortuner Safari’s luxurious cabin greets one with an ergonomic interface
— a horizontal theme instrument panel set within strikingly beautiful black wood
grain panelling. Abundant storage spaces further reinforce the high-class character of
this luxurious 4WD. The roomy cabin is also very versatile and can be re-arranged
to accommodate various combinations of passengers and luggage. Three rows of upmarket
leather seats lodge 7 people comfortably. The third and second row seats can
be quickly folded and stowed away to create large luggage space with room for big or
long loads.
The Fortuner Safari offers an abundance of efficacy and comfort from front bumper
to boot. Available in three grades Fortuner 2.7L Premium, 4.0L Exclusive, and 4.0L
Grand. Power is privilege, and the new Fortuner Safari is engineered for the discerning
driver. Toyota's advanced technology provides superior engine performance that guarantees
optimum response and good fuel efficiency. The genuine 4-wheel drive, all-new
Fortuner Safari is equipped with an advanced large displacement engine and tough
chassis for an uncompromising running performance, whether on-road or off-road. At
the heart of the vehicle, is a V6 4.0-litre, 24-valve VVT-i engine that delivers output of
235 HP and torque of 38.3 kg-m in SAE net.
The engine has been combined with a choice of 5-speed manual and 4 or 5-speed
automatic transmission incorporating advanced electronics technology, to provide op-
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OMAN/INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013
BUSINESS ALERT
timum shift control, making the Fortuner Safari easier to drive. The Fortuner Safari is
also available with an inline 4-cylinder 2.7-litre engine that produces an output of 158
HP and a torque of 24.6 kg-m in SAE net. To efficiently transmit engine power to the
front and rear wheels, a Torsen Limited Slip Differential is used for the Centre differential.
Optimal torque distribution according to driving and road conditions makes
the new Fortuner Safari a full time 4-wheel drive capable of taking on any kind of
road conditions. The Toyota Fortuner Safari features the most advanced safety features
such as the antilock braking system (ABS) that prevents the wheels from locking and
skidding, especially while braking in difficult conditions. Driver and front passenger
airbags protect the front seat passengers in case of heavy impact. Advanced features
are used in the seat belts, which restrain passengers from being thrown forward. Additionally,
the rear parking sensors, head lamp levelling, anti-theft engine immobiliser,
crash safety body with crumple zones are amongst the many features that ensure total
peace of mind driving.
In Oman, Toyota is a household name a part of people's lives. Toyota offers enduring
quality and nothing comes close to it in terms of value-retention. It is no surprise;
therefore, that Toyota soars far above the rest, with a dominant market share and everexpanding
customer base.
The unmatched, nationwide parts and service support of Saud Bahwan Group
makes Toyota's pride of place a reality. Toyota customers in Oman enjoy 6-year unlimited
mileage protection, over 98 per cent parts availability and round-the-clock care,
amongst many other exclusive privileges from the Group.
Kia Picanto — style, your way
EMOTIONAL and consumer-friendly values become a potent blend in the Kia Picanto.
The interior concept is fresh and unexpected, and unique styling and differentiated
elements provide a new, fun design in a compact car. “We focused on expanding
the space with soft and minimal aspects and creating a refined and modern image,”
remarks the Kia spokesperson, “ The all-new Picanto provides a user-oriented, intuitive
and easy-to-use interface with ‘Cognitive Design’. The cluster applies the entire centre
cylinder and digital graphics for a display and matches the digital age with increased
speed and cognitive capabilities. In addition, a large LCD screen is added to the cluster.
In the process of designing, we focused on creating unique and advanced visuals by
applying a large display to a compact car’s cluster. We added sporty elements in the
fresh design by adding subtle lighting (optional feature) as graphic colour “garnishes”
to the air vents and the bottom of the audio.”
“ We also tried to make driving at night more comfortable by adding lighting to the
driver’s tray to match the exterior design,” he adds, “We designed the centre fascia,
taking into consideration ergonomic aspects like visibility, functionality and more. The
all-new Picanto has a control switch that is positioned relatively higher for easier navigation.
Unlike other compact cars, the Picanto has heater controls that are closer to the
driver. The controls also have an asymmetrical structure, which are more aesthetically
pleasing. As most of the Picanto owners are expected to be young women, there are
new female-friendly features, including a vanity mirror, accented colours, a delicate
sheet pattern and plenty of storage space designed for privacy and convenience. “
Among various ideas, the large vanity mirror on the sun visor is the one that stands
out as it allows drivers to look at themselves and fix their makeup without having to
turn their heads. It’s not easy to apply make up in the dark. Although the previous Picanto
had lighting, it shaded the driver’s face because the light was positioned from the
head lining. To fix this, the lighting in the all-new Picanto was repositioned to directly
light the face without shining directly into the eyes. Additionally, the lively lamp lighting
brings an emotional feeling, similar to that of stars’ dressing rooms.
Boeing 787 probe far from complete,
safety regulator ‘very concerned’
WASHINGTON — US safety
regulators are nowhere near
finishing an investigation into
a battery fire on the Boeing Co
787 Dreamliner, a top official
said, raising the prospect of a
prolonged grounding for the
aircraft.
Deborah Hersman, chairman
of the National Transportation
Safety Board, made
clear that investigators have
found a series of "symptoms"
in the battery damaged in a
January 7 fire in Boston, but
not the underlying cause of the
problem.
She also said the agency
would be looking at the design
of the battery compartment
area of the plane and whether
the certification standards had
been strong enough.
The comments were seen
by some safety experts within
the aerospace industry as
a clear signal that this is no
longer just a teething issue for
the new plane.
That will raise questions
about the financial impact for
Boeing, which is still running
its assembly lines and backing
up aircraft to be delivered, and
for airlines, many of which
NATIONAL Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah AP Hersman (C), standing
with Director of the Office of Aviation Safety John DeLisi (L) and Director Office of
Research and Engineering Joseph Kolly (R), briefs reporters on the NTSB’s ongoing
investigative work being done on JAL Boeing 787 in Washington. — Reuters
counted on getting the futuristic
787 for their expansion
plans.
"We are early in our investigation,
we have a lot of activities
to undertake," Hersman
told a news conference.
"This is an unprecedented
event. We are very concerned.
We do not expect to see fire
events on board aircraft. This
is a very serious air safety concern."
She rebuffed multiple
questions on how long the investigation
would take, making
clear it could be weeks or
more. She also would not say
when the 787 would fly again,
which is in the hands of the
Federal Aviation Administration.
Former NTSB Chairman
Mark Rosenker said the briefing
made it clear the investigators
had come up short in
their hunt for the cause of the
battery fire.
"It's going to take them
longer," he said in an inter-
view. "Weeks, not days."
Richard Aboulafia, aerospace
analyst with the Virginia-based
Teal Group, said the
NTSB briefing was a sobering
reminder that investigators
have not made much headway
on finding a cause for the battery
problems.
"It was hard to find a lot of
optimism on the call. It sounds
like they're still in the middle
of a lot of hard work and a lot
of mysteries," Aboulafia said.
"It just wasn't encouraging.
Fire is the last thing you want
on an airplane."
The 787 has been grounded
worldwide since an All Nippon
Airways plane made an emergency
landing in Japan on
January 16 after a battery incident,
which Hersman said may
or may not have been a fire.
That emergency landing
came after a fire occurred on a
Japan Airlines Co Ltd 787 on
the tarmac in Boston.
In a statement late on
Thursday, Boeing said it was
cooperating with regulators
and had teams of "hundreds
of engineering and technical
experts" working on the situation.
— Reuters
This highly individualised styling elements that give a 'new identity' to this wellknown
Kia. Experts have also gone on to admire on how the “...the harmony between
the European-style sophisticated image and unique detailed elements give rise
to the Picanto's new 'Smart Premium' character.' The Picanto's front view emphasises
confidence and dignity. In particular, its front bumper was shaped and re-shaped to
conform to the Euro NCAP Pedestrian Protocol. The challenge is best described in the
words of Mr. Kee Hong Park, Kia's man-in-charge of exterior design, “A better design
with greater safety always puts the designer in a dilemma. More emphasis on safety
make the shape of the bumper different from the original concept, while disregard for it
results in lower safety standards. Its pretty tough to satisfy both criteria. However, this
dilemma led us to discover a solution, which turned out to be a new style for a premium
compact car,” he said.
Kee Hong Park reiterated that it is the harmony between design and technology
that has created this highly safe and dignified style for the new Picanto. As far as the
specific design characteristics are concerned, the moulding around the fog lamp gives
an expression of the bumper image and dynamic image, which emphasises sturdiness
and safety. In addition, the headlamp LED DRL (Daytime Running Light) brings a
high-tech style and stability with abundant volume. In particular, the headlamp of the
All-new Picanto is based on the image of the helmet used in American football. With its
details emphasised, the headlamp was transformed into the new eye of the new Picanto.
Reliable International Automotive, the distributor for Kia in Oman provides a rewarding
ownership experience for customers. Excellent product attributes and unmatched
18 facilities easily ensure their absolute satisfaction, every mile of the way.
No wonder then that Reliable International Automotive has been ranked amongst
the top Kia distributors worldwide and has been honoured with prestigious accolades
including the Kia 'Dealer of the Year' award; Kia 'Distributor of Distinction' award,
'Family Like Care' Service award and the 'Zenith Club' award for excellent performance.
The prestigious 'Kia Award for Overall Excellence and Outstanding Performance'
amongst Kia distributors worldwide was bestowed most deservingly.
Micra — a hatchback that speaks style
THE Nissan Micra is a zippy and smart compact hatchback which comes with trendy
looks, characteristic agility and distinctive lifestyle appeal, Micra is currently one of
the most popular sedan cars offering a highly-rewarding driving experience to its discerning
consumers.
The Nissan Micra is a powerful, safe and fuel-efficient city car possessing all the
features required to become the segment leader in the Sultanate. With stand-out looks,
class-leading driving dynamics and an interior design offering both comfort and convenience,
the Nissan Micra is a step ahead of the regular compact hatchback offering.
The cool and zippy Nissan Micra S80 variant is now available at an even cooler
price tag of RO 4,000 onwards. The foundation of the new Nissan Micra S80 variant
features outstanding driving performance which comes in a 16-valve, four cylinder
1.5-litre engine. It is available in 5 trim grades with features such as the Nissan Intelligent
Key with Push Engine Start, which can lock or unlock doors or start the engine
without using a key, Climate-control air-conditioning, reversing sensors, 15-inch alloy
wheels and front fog lights. Efficiency is built into the very fabric of Micra with
its lightweight roof panel contributing to reduced weight and higher fuel economy,
while its boomerang-shaped bead in the roof panel reduces booming noise in the cabin
otherwise caused by roof resonance. The structure also provides reduced weight and
high-rigidity, which improves quietness.
The Nissan Micra also comes with the highest levels of safety features, a crucial
quality in any small car. Its high standard safety features include dual airbags, anti-lock
brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, to help the driver avoid
a collision while a high mount stop lamp providing better visibility to other motorists
when Micra is slowing.
In addition, the Nissan Micra offers a range of convenience features such as a multifunction
Drive Computer, power windows and mirrors, friendly storage spaces and an
outstanding sound system; MP3/WMA compatible CD player.
A refined vehicle in its own right, the all new Nissan Micra aims to attract a wider
audience with its contemporary good looks, eye-catching exterior colour range, spacious
and fashionable interior, in addition to a powerful high performance engine and a
range of other options to make city driving easier Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA)
offers wide range of after sales service with modern technology and state-of-the-art
facilities in strategic locations. Their practice of ‘total ownership experience’ and customer-centric
approach will ensure that customers of the Nissan Micra are given par
excellence professional services for all car related needs.
SBA is largely committed to supporting Nissan’s growth in the Sultanate through
major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services
in Oman. With a national network of more than 17 showrooms, 21 service centres
and 35 spare parts outlets, SBA has further built upon its legacy of trust, excellent
customer service and providing value for money to each of its customers.
Morgan Stanley CEO Gorman
made $6 million for 2012
NEW YORK — Morgan
Stanley Chief Executive Officer
James Gorman received
lower compensation for 2012
after a difficult year for the
bank in which profits declined.
Gorman received $6 million
in total compensation
for 2012, including $800,000
in salary, $2.6 million in deferred
cash and $2.6 million
in stock options, a person familiar
with the matter said on
Thursday. He did not receive a
cash bonus.
Gorman made $8.56 million
for 2011, when counting
salary, deferred cash and restricted
stock grants.
Morgan Stanley's board
also plans to award Gorman
an undetermined amount of
long-term incentive pay for
2012, the source said. But he
will still make less than the
$10.5 million total he made
in 2011, when counting $1.9
million in long-term incentive
pay, the source said.
Gorman isn't the only
Wall Street chief taking a pay
cut. JPMorgan Chase & Co
(JPM.N) last week slashed
CEO Jamie Dimon's bonus by
half after the bank lost more
than $6 billion on its disas-
trous "London Whale" trade.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc
CEO Lloyd Blankfein, however,
received a more than 50
per cent increase in restricted
shares as part of his bonus for
2012, according to filings last
week.
Morgan Stanley on Thursday
disclosed stock and option
awards for top executives in
filings with the US Securities
and Exchange Commission.
The rest of the executives' pay
will be disclosed later in the
company's annual proxy filing.
Among the executives,
Chief Financial Officer Ruth
Porat received 99,834 shares
of restricted stock, worth
$2.29 million on Tuesday, the
day the shares were granted.
Gorman received stock options,
which give the holder
the right to buy stock at a certain
price, instead of restricted
stock grants for corporate
tax reasons, the source said.
Granting options was a way to
maintain deductibility, which
is allowed under IRS rules, the
source said.
Porat was able to receive
restricted stock because CFO
compensation was not subject
to the same tax deduction limits,
the source said.
Charles Elson, director of
the Weinberg Center for Corporate
Governance at the University
of Delaware, said he
was surprised to see the use of
stock options to pay Gorman
because restricted shares are
considered to be more in line
with shareholder interests.
Restricted stock goes up
and down with the value of a
company's stock, while stock
options can vary from being
worth a lot to becoming
worthless, he said. Restricted
shares "are not a trip to Las
Vegas," he said. "It's an ownership
stake." — Reuters