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T r a d e rPublisher:Motor Trader Co. Ltd.P.O. Box 21824, 00400Tel. 020 8079558/9Mobile: 0718223838info@motortraders.co.keNairobiEditor:Joe Muraijoe@motortraders.co.keFeatures and Road test EditorJ. M. Barazabarazajm@motoringpressagency.comTechnical EditorMichael Chege MwangiOrganising EditorKay WachiraDesign & Layout:William MwangiMotor Trader LtdPhotography:Motor Trader LtdKMSFPitch AfricMotor Trader magazine©, the original motoringmagazine in Kenya, is published monthly byMotor Trader and distributed in Kenya by JetsamDistributors Ltd. While utmost care will be taken toensure accuracy both in the published articles andprices of listed cars and equipment, the publishercannot accept responsibility for any omissions anderrors arising. The opinions and representationsin this publication are not necessarily those ofthe publishers. Readers are advised to verify theauthenticity/safety of the products/servicesadvertised herein by independently contractingthe adviser. No part of this publication includingartworks and pictures or any part of the contents(articles) thereof may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval system or transmitted in any form withoutprior permission of the publisher in writing.This ISSUEBack when man was pondering giving up the idea of tying a horse to the front ofa wheeled vehicle, petrol and diesel engine technologies were in their infancy. Steamwas king at the turn of the century, and we owe a lot to steam, because it was the transitionalforce which drove us from having no engine at all, to having various types ofengines for different purposes.At first turbochargers (and superchargers, but to a lesser extent), were used inhigh-end sports and racing cars, which really needed to stick to engine displacementrules and regulations, yet wanted more power. However, slowly but surely turbochargershave become commonplace in our modern cars, and in fact, some manufacturersdon`t even have naturally aspirated cars on offer, at all, any more.The turbocharger has allowed us to downsize our engines, and benefit from lowerfuel consumption, and get more power and reduce the overall weight of our engines.Turbocharging is a great way to maintain a high power output when you need it,strong linear and flat torque delivery and low fuel consumption and emissions.However, this new craze of turbocharging has created a bit of an issue. Some manufacturersare still offering huge engines, and while some are turbocharged, there stillare a lot of naturally-aspirated units on offer.This all begs the question: In this day and age, is it morally correct to buy a carwith a high-displacement naturally-aspirated engine, thus encouraging manufacturersto still offer them? Any modern V8 can be replaced by a turbocharged V6, and anyV6 can be replaced by a turbocharged four-pot, and any four-pot can be replaced bysomething with less than four cylinders and a turbocharger – Ford is getting 125 hpout of one liter, and that`s extremely impressive for a production engine to get 125 hpper liter. Also, while fuel efficiency may not always be directly correlated with enginedisplacement, it is nevertheless better to start with a smaller displacement engine, thentry to make it more efficient, instead of taking a large one you already have and fiddlingwith that. It is common sense and common knowledge.So, is it moral to keep buying large naturally-aspirated engines? Well, I say hell no!All in all jaguar have done alot to make sure their customers get to enjoy pure performancewith less fuel economy and great prices.You need to actively ask the automakers to give you what you want, and not keepfeeding you what they think you want, justifying their course of actions through bogus‘studies’.Joe Muraiwww.motortraders.co.ke

MOTORINGNEWSNissan Confirms High-Performance Nismo GT-RThe Nissan GT-R line is about to receive a new high-performance vehicleafter the Japanese automaker unveiled Nismo’s plans on releasing severalsporty cars in the near future.According to company representatives, Nissan’s performance brand andofficial motorsport team is about to get its hands on a number of vehicles,including the GT-R sportscar.No further details have been revealed yet, but word has it we might see arace-ready Nissan GT-R leaving Nismo’s facility, and probably a 2014, 24Hours of Le Mans version as well.“It would be unthinkable for us to develop a range of Nismo road carswithout including the GT-R,” said Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn. “The standardroad car is a global supercar and the GT-R’s performance on trackreflects the passion and talents of the Nismo team. The GT-R Nismo willbe special and I can’t wait to drive it.”Nissan recently decided to move in-house tuner Nismo to new headquartersin Yokohama as the small1984-founded company cannow be recognized as a brand.Story by NissanBMW Engine Has the Eye of theT-Rex, Breath of GodzillaWhen diesel engines first came out on regular cars,they had the distinct sound and feel of agriculturalequipment. You could even go as far as saying it hadthe cough of an asthmatic donkey, the power of anearthworm and the carbon footprint of a cow’s behind…which by the way is very large (the footprint,not the cow’s behind… oh, just forget it!).But diesels had plenty of torque and eventuallyfound their way into luxury automobiles, promptingBMW to start development for something madewith much better animal parts.The Bavarians are really proud of their achievement,of creating an engine that’s economical,fun and powerful, so much so that they’re relaxedenough to joke about it, which is something Germansdon’t do every day.The new tri-turbo engine they fitted to the X5M50d, X6 M50d and M550d xDrive is a spectacularmixture of movie monsters.According to BMW themselves, the 3-liter diesel isa tribute to King Kong without the muddy footprints,a homage to T-rex with a smaller appetite andhonors Godzilla with less smoke. News via BMWBMW 1 Series GT Details LeakedThe new BMW platform, the UKL, is the starting point for manyof the future cars developed by the Munich based company. Oneof those cars is the 1 Series GT, the direct competitor for theMercedes-Benz B-Class.At the moment, very little is known about the new Bimmer. Weknow that it will be front wheel drive (and all wheel drive is optional),it will be based on the Active Tourer Concept (unveiledin Paris September 2012) and it will be a luxurious, smaller versionof the BMW SUVs for the weekend or a second car.As we can see from the spyshots(on your right hand side) publishedby Jokeforblog, the future development of the car seemspromising design-wise. The production car will be really close tothe concept. The LED lights will be available as well as the sidecameras (as optional equipment, of course). The front bumperlooks a lot like the Concept and the headlights are almost identical.The rear looks a lot like the Active Tourer, the taillights beingidentical and the tailgate looking strangely familiar. We can bealmost sure that the final design of the 1er GT will resemblethe Active Tourer Concept’s but the final production car mightbring some surprises.6 EDITION 19 March - April 2013

This is the 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTIJust before the Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen publishedthe first photos and production details of the seventh-generationGolf GTI.For the first time in its history, the Golf GTI will be offered intwo versions, meaning a 220 HP regular and a 230 HP Performancevariant. Both will be powered by turbocharged 2.0-literengines and will have a peak torque of 258 lb-ft.The difference between the two is even smaller when itcomes to other performance figures, such as 0 to 62 mphsprints, 6.4 seconds for Performance and 6.5 seconds for theregular, or top speed, 155 mph vs. 153 mph in favor of thePerformance GTI. We’re not at all impressed, but Volkswagenmust have something up its sleeve.After taking a look at fuel economy, we can tell you that the cars have a fuel consumption of 6 liters/100 km with the standard6-speed manual gearbox and 6.4 liters/100 km if the engine is mounted to the optional dual clutch 6-speed automatic.CO2 emissions range between 139 g/km and 150 g/km depending on gearbox choice.Volkswagen will start taking orders for the 2013 Golf GTI in early March in Germany. You can find more information aboutthe car in the company’s website.The new Subaru Forester sneaks inRight from the offset, as a slightly raisedestate with credible off-tar grip, solidbuild quality and genuine comfort, theSubaru Forester began to accumulate aloyal following. And justifiably so. Nowin its fourth generation, the Forester stillexemplifies all those qualities, althoughit has evolved – in recent iterations– into a more conventionally proportionedSUV. Improved packaging andslight increases in overall dimensionshave translated into a truly spaciouscabin with comfortable seats and exceptionalrear passenger legroom accessedvia doors that swing open to 90 degrees.Foresters have never excelled in thelooks department, and not much haschanged here either. Yes, XT models dowear a more distinctive front bumpercomplete with corner-defining verticalslashes, but once again practicalitytrumps aesthetics. The result is a vehiclethat offers its driver brilliant visibilitythanks to a low waistline and tall glass-house. The obvious tell for new-carspotters is the introduction of afront quarter-light that lends moreof a cab-forward appearance. So, alittle sportier looking, but not muchelse. Rather more evident is thenew interior, which adopts a similarlook to the new XV including softtouchsurfaces and more tech, likea standard dash-top-mounted 4.3incolour display with reversing camera. Asusual, the build quality feels top notch,as evidenced by tight panel gaps andzero rattles. However, also as before,the actual dashboard design appears ageneration behind the Germans.As for the engineering, Subaru are keento show that considerable developmenthas gone into making the new Forestera safer and more efficient vehicle, withimproved dynamics. Having criticisedthe current car for displaying too muchlateral roll when cornering,New for 2013 is X-Mode, which is justa fancy name for the electronic systems governingbrake-activated torque transfer andhill descent control works well on the launchroute’s reasonable rocky off-road section,controlling wheel slip admirably as well asgoverning a steep descent with aplomb. This,after the absorbent ride and quiet suspensionallowed the Forester to put in a commandingperformance over several kilometres ofgravel road. It’s easy to appreciate the familyfriendlytouring appeal.EDITION 19 March - April 20137

New L200 with Hybrid Pickup ConceptWell, the Japanese carmaker (Mistubishi) couldn’tstand around doing nothing until the Swiss event theGeneva Car Show so they decided to give us a glimpseof their GR-HEV hybrid pickup concept.We rarely get to see a pickup concept showcasedduring European auto shows, but we do kind of understandwhy Mitsubishi decided to bring somethingbigger to Geneva: this is a preview for their next generation L200.The vehicle’s design seems impressive at first glance, and the Japaneseautomakers says the hybrid will be powered by a diesel engine and anelectric motor for an optimum fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions.The latter are estimated at 149 g/km, which is quite good for afairly big pickup.The concept will also sport the Super Select 4WD and the SuperAll Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, but further information will beavailable in their website.For Sale: The BankruptNurburgring RacetrackThere is a very short list of tracks that arestill around with a storied history. Indianapolisis one, and so is LeMans. The thirdexample of this, and perhaps the most challengingis the Nurburging. Once the homeof incredible endurance races, the Germantrack has become something of a rec. centerfor all kinds of racers, mixing supercarswith staid rides all on the same track. Unfortunatelythings have not been profitablefor the Nurburgring as of late.The owners of the track filed for bankruptcyin July of last year, and enthusiastseverywhere started to worry about the futureof the so-called “Green Hell.” The trackis now in possession of a state-appointedliquidator and is up for sale at a rumored$152 million asking price. For most, theword “liquidator” should be a red flag.But all is not lost. There are requirementsthat the new buyers must follow, includingallowing for open track days. Thisis to keep potential buyers from turning the‘Ring into their private racetrack. At $152million, it would be one expensive privateplayground, so we’re glad that provisionhas been made.Mercedes Announces New Bulletproof SUVSoon the G500 won’t be the only armoredSUV you can buy from Mercedes-Benz, as the German automaker decidedto include two versions of the M-Class inits Guard lineup.The new ML350 and ML500 variants,which are in compliance with the VR4protection level, come with reinforcedbody and frame elements in order toresist ballistic attacks and even hand grenadeexplosions.To seal the SUV against any villainousattempt upon its passengers, Mercedeshas fortified the ML with polycarbonatearmoredwindows, tight-fitting specialsteel, increased structural firmness forthe passenger compartment and run-flattires.Since the car is now a lot heavier, weighingabout 2.8 tons, the Adaptive DamperSystem and the axle components havebeen redesigned. Despite its weight, theML500 is able to reach 62 mph (100km/h) from a standing start in just 6.5seconds thanks to a gasoline 408 HPengine. The less powerful ML350 BlueTEC,using a 258 HP diesel, needs 9.4second to get to 62 mph. Both versionshave a limited top speed of 210 km/h.The cars are available on orderfrom March 15 with prices startingat $154,000 (EUR 118,650) for theML500 and $136,670 (EUR 105,050)for the ML350.EDITION 19 March - April 20139

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THIS MONTHSFEATUREThe3.0LXFThe 3.0 V6 S/C petrolengine has beendeveloped by Jaguarpowertrain expertsfrom its existingaward-winning5.0-litre V8....12 EDITION 19 March - April 2013Jaguar is expanding its productoffering in key global markets bythe introduction of two additionalpetrol units to its range to enhancecustomer choice; the new 3.0-litre V6Supercharged Petrol, and the 2.0-litreTurbocharged Petrol. We (Motor TraderKenya) were invited to Durban South Africa,to try the new range of engines thatJaguar intends to bring to our market.The EngineJaguar has established itself as a leaderin the field of supercharged inductiontechnology in order to extract thehighest efficiency from its powerplants.Currently, supercharging is used tothe greatest effect in the XKR-S whichproduces 543Hp and 680Nm from itsacclaimed 5.0-litre V8 engine.It is this same award-winning enginearchitecture which forms the basis forJaguar’s new 3.0 V6 S/C and whichhelps it produce higher specific outputsthan the astonishing XKR-S.The new quad-cam V6 shares itsall-aluminium construction with theV8, with the lightweight die-cast blocksupplemented with cross-bolted mainbearing caps to increase rigidity andtherefore refinement. The four-valve cylinderheads are constructed of recycledaluminium.The valves themselves are subject tocontrol by a dual independent variablecam timing (DIVCT) system which isactivated by the positive and negativetorques generated by the movementof the intake and exhaust valves. Thisvariable timing system features actuationrates of more than 150 degrees persecond throughout the rev range, tooptimise power, torque and economy atall engine speeds.This responsive and uninterruptedpower delivery is made possible throughthe use of spray-guided direct injection(SGDI) which delivers preciselymeasured quantities of fuel directly intothe centre of the combustion chambers

at pressures of up to 150bar. The fuelis delivered several times during eachcombustion cycle, creating a morehomogenous air-fuel mixture for cleanerand more efficient combustion.This is aided by an innovation new tothis engine to maximise combustion efficiency;spark plugs which are preciselyoriented both in relation to the injectorand within the combustion chamber.The compression ratio is also raisedfrom 9.5:1 in the supercharged V8 to10.5:1, further improving fuel economyand reducing emissions.Mounted in the ‘V’ of the engine islatest-generation Roots-type twin vortexsupercharger, its use key to the 3.0 V6S/C’s high-specific output and efficiency.More compact than the model usedwith the V8, a water-cooled intercoolerreduces the temperature of the intake airto optimise power and efficiency. Newto the 3.0 V6 S/C is that the superchargerboost control is electronically supervisedby new Bosch engine managementsoftware, offering efficiency gains of upto 20 per cent.In creating the new 3.0 V6 S/C,Jaguar’s engineers devised an innovativesystem of counter-rotating front and rearbalancer weights which lend it the samesmoothness and refinement characteristicsas its larger V8 brother.The 3.0 V6 S/C powertrain is completedby the Jaguar-tuned eight-speedautomatic ZF transmission. This transmission’slarge spread of ratios allowsthe engine’s prodigious power to be fullyexploited while optimising economyand emissions. Efficiency is also boostedby the engine’s compatibility withJaguar’s Intelligent Stop-Start systemwhich improves fuel consumption by upto seven per cent on the EU combinedcycle. Utilising a twin solenoid starter,the system is able to restart the enginein less time than it takes for the driver’sfoot to move from the brake to the accelerator,and in engine rundown ‘changeof mind’ scenarios it is able to reenergisethe engine via rapidly refuelling thecylinders.In the XF and XJ the 3.0 V6 S/Creplaces the naturally-aspirated versionof the 5.0-litre V8 for the 2013 ModelYear. In the XJ the 3.0 V6 S/C replacesthe naturally-aspirated version of the5.0-litre V8 in the majority of marketsfor the 2013 Model Year.The DriveIt’s sad to say but the naturally aspiratedV8 engine will soon be consignedto the same drawer labelled ‘Bye Bye’,certainly as far as executive saloons areconcerned. So this new engine needs tooffer petrol fans higher kpl(Kilometerper liter) and lower CO2, withoutcompromising on performance andcharacter.What’s the Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 superchargedlike to drive? Motor Trader >>2.0 i4 Ti 3.0 V6 S/C 5.0 V8 S/CType 2.0-litre i4 turbo 3.0-litre V6 supercharged 5.0-litre V8 superchargedCapacity (cc) 1999 2995 5000Bore/Stroke (mm) 87.5/83.1 84.5/89 92.5/93Power (kW@rpm) 177@5500 250@6500 375@6000-6500Torque (Nm@rpm) 340@2000-4000 450@3500-5000 625@2500-5500Transmission ZF Eight-speed automaticIntelligent Stop/Start No Yes YesFinal Drive Ratio 2.73:1 2.56:1 2.56:10-100km/h (secs) 7.9 5.9 4.9Top Speed - km/h 241 250 (limited) 250 (limited)Combined Economy 8.9 9.4 11.3(l/100km)CO2 (g/km) 207 224 270EDITION 19 March - April 201313

THIS MONTHSFEATUREwas previledged to be invited to SouthAfrica to try out the XF, and XJ 3.0 litersupecharged and 2.0 liter Turbo chargedrange.On paper, the new engine has all therequired numbers. It generates 250kWand 450Nm ft of torque, and it puts itspower through the latest eight-speedautomatic gearbox to the rear wheels.The car will cover the 0-100kph dash injust 5.9 seconds and hits a limited topspeed of 250kp/h limited.Unfortunately, the driving experiencedoesn’t quite match up to the billing.While the supercharged XF is prettyquick off the mark, it struggles when youask it to accelerate from a cruising speedbecause of its incredibly short gear. Evena gentle request for extra speed causesthe gearbox to change down one, twoor even three gears, sending the revssoaring.There is a way to avoid this – just stickthe gearbox in Sport mode and use thesteering-wheel-mounted paddles toselect top gear. However, this bluntsperformance to an unacceptable degree,so you end up having to change downanyway to pick up any real pace.Matters aren’t any better when youneed to get past slow-moving traffic,because when you put your foot downthe transmission has to change down anumber of gears, which isn’t the workof a moment. Unless your anticipationis bang-on, passing opportunities canbe all too easily lost. The engine doesn’tsound nearly as exciting as the V8.Still, it helps that it’s been installed ina basic package as strong as the XF’s.If you’re the sort who likes to take themeandering route home, the XF is foryou. It steers consistently and faithfully,and always lets you know what the frontwheels are doing.Body control is superb, and the XFchanges direction in a manner that utterlybelies its considerable weight.The steering is consistent and keepsthe driver informed.There’s a firmness to the ride at lowspeeds, but once you’re going at a decentpace it displays a fine balance of controland suppleness.Comfort and StylingWhat’s the Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 superchargedlike inside?The XF’s start-up party piece neverfails to intrigue and amuse; the heatervents swivel open and the gear selectorrises from the centre console.The dashboard itself is easy enough tofind your way around, but the touchscreensystem that controls the sat-nav,Bluetooth and audio functions is still alittle bit slow.The dash is easy to navigate, but interiorquality is starting to lag behind thatof rivals.The Jag is starting to really lag behindits rivals for interior quality these days.Everything looks stylish, but there’s aflimsiness to the materials and the waysome switches and cubby lids operate.There’s plenty of space for the fronttwo occupants, although those relegatedto the back won’t be so happy. Space istight for tall blokes and the seats aren’tparticularly well shaped for its class.They are alittle bit firm compared to itscompetitors.Should I buy one?There are better petrol alternatives.We’d be tempted to go for a BMW 535iSE instead. It isn’t as quick as the XF, butit’s more economical, emits less CO2,has a smarter interior and sounds bettertoo.If diesel is an option, go for an XF 3.0DV6, which offers brisk performance, anaverage of 47.9mpg.Top: XF FrontTop: XF Side viewTop: XF Side viewTop: XF Interior14 EDITION 19 March - April 2013

The2.0LXFThe 2.0-litre Turbocharged Petrol engine uses a range of state-of-the-art technologiesfor power generation that belies its size, and its introduction to XF modelswill see it installed in north-south orientation. It produces 177kW and 340Nmthanks to the use of three key innovations; low-inertia turbocharging, directfuel-injection and variable timing of both the intake and exhaust camshafts.Ron Lee, Group Chief Engineer Powertrain, Jaguar Cars, said: “Both the 3.0V6 S/C and 2.0 Turbocharged make intelligent use of forced-induction technologyto produce high-specific output in an efficient way, while delivering the compellingcombination of flexibility, refinement and driver reward that are integralattributes in all Jaguar engines.”EDITION 19 March- - April 201315

THIS MONTHSFEATUREThe introduction of the 2.0li4 Ti 177kW petrol engineto the Jaguar range in XF saloonsmarks a key responseto the growing demands of legislationand customer demand alike. The 2.0lTurbocharged engine used in the XFsees it oriented in north-south configurationand mated to the same smoothshiftingeight-speed transmission usedon the 3.0 V6 S/C. Again, this transmission’slarge spread of ratios maximizesboth performance and efficiency.Producing 177kW at 5500rpm the2.0l Turbocharged engine offers flexiblepower delivery, and with an ‘as-shipped’weight of 138kg courtesy of compactdimensions and all-aluminium construction,it is also the lightest Jaguar engineever. This small mass aids dynamicagility while, of course, bringing furtheremissions and economy benefits.The 2.0 is an engine that retains all thetrue Jaguar qualities of muscular potential,refinement and soul-stirring characterwith far better efficiency than a largercapacity multi-cylinder engine thatwould traditionally have been requiredto produce similar levels of power. Forexample, the peak torque output ofthe 2.0 Turbocharged exceeds that ofJaguar’s 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated V6from just ten years ago.Despite its small capacity, it is the2.0 Turbocharged uses of a low-inertiaturbocharger that enables it to produceits high-specific power and torqueoutputs. The 2.0l turbocharger is fed viaa lightweight thin-walled exhaust manifoldwhich allows for a shorter enginewarm-up period and therefore lowersemissions still further.In order to provide the muscular usabilitycharacteristics required, chaindrivenvariable timing is applied toboth the intake and exhaust valves tomaximise the broad spread of torque,strong bottom-end performance andoutstanding drivability.Designed from the outset with thegoal of enhanced efficiency, the enginefeatures specialised coatings on thepiston rings and tappets in order toreduce unwanted internal friction. Thissame thinking led to the adoption ofvery precisely controlled direct injectiontechnology. Fuel is injected in preciselymeasured doses several times duringeach combustion cycle to ensure themost efficient possible burn with themaximum benefit in terms of powergeneration and the lowest fuel consumptionand emissions.Jaguar levels of smoothness andsophistication have been achievedthrough the use of twin balancer shaftswhile significant steps have been takento ensure expected levels of refinement.Amongst these are active enginemounts, an acoustic cover and the use ofhigh density foam for additional sounddeadening.In the XF sports saloon’s engine is capableof accelerating the car to 100km/hin 7.9 seconds and on to 241km/h.Sedan buyers have been embracingthe performance and fuel economy offour-cylinder turbocharged engines forsome time. But now the Germans have achallenge with Jaguar boosting its excellentXF range with the addition of a newturbocharged 2.0-litre model.Boasting all the hallmark Jaguar XFattributes, the new XF 2.0-litre arriveswith some significant advantages over itsGerman rivals – more power and torqueand a low price range. In many ways, thisis the most important Jaguar XF modelyet.Arrival of the 2.0-litre turbochargedJaguar XF is part of the 2013 model yearchanges – they include the range-wideadoption of the ZF eight-speed automatictransmission and new Meridianaudio systems plus intelligent auto startstopfor V6 and V8 petrol models.XF EngineCheck the spec sheet.XF InteriorInside, the Jaguar XF remains a stand-Top: XF interiorTop: XF side viewTop: XF rear viewTop: XF front view16 EDITION 19 March - April 2013

out. We still love the start-up procedurewhich sees the air-vents automaticallyopen and the rotary gear selector dialrise into position.And we still love the elegant timberhighlights which are a cue to luxuryJaguars of the past.But this is the new Jaguar so the XFcomes equipped with a beautiful threespokeleather-wrapped steering wheelwhich adjusts electronically for rakeand reach and nicely-shaped front seats(electronic adjustment on PremiumLuxury models).But the headline for the 2013 modelyear update is the availability of BritishMeridian audio systems. You can choosefrom a 380W, 12-channel 11-speakersystem or an 825W, 15-channel17-speaker system.Exterior & StylingWell, there’s no beating around thebush – the Jaguar XF is simply oneof the best automotive designs of thecurrent era. Slick, sophisticated and awinner of more than 100 internationalawards, the XF announced Jaguar’sreturn to the top shelf in no uncertainterms.From the front, the hallmark Jaguargrille is surrounded by exotic headlightswith superb crystal white DRLs in theshape of a Jaguar ‘J’ and the side viewwith the coupe-like sloping roof andsporty front fender air-ducts is verypurposeful and dynamic.And we’ve always liked the Jaguar XFrear-end with its elegant, modern taillights,curved wheel-arches and just theright amount of chrome highlights.Jaguar XF On The RoadDuring the day we got to drive boththe entry-level model and the betterequippedPremium Luxury version.Of course the turbocharged 2.0-litreJaguar XF arrives simultaneously withthe adoption of the ZF eight-speed andthe combination of the engine’s widetorque spread and the handy ratios ofthe eight-speeder is the key which deliveredhandy performance even on thesteep climbs. In the twisty stuff, manualshifts of the eight-speeder were rapidand the exhaust note when working hardwas suitably sporty.And, as always, the ride and handlingof the XF are both top-shelf – firm andsporty without being jarring and lovelyrefinement even on the bumpy stuff andeven when we really cracked the whipon the turbo 2.0-litre…very impressive.Jaguar XF ChallengesAs always with the Jaguar XF, tall folkcould feel a little cramped in the rearseat.Jaguar XF VerdictJaguar is correct in saying the XFlineup was incomplete until the turbocharged2.0-litre arrived. Now the XFhas the full armada to conquest salesfrom rivals – Audi A6 2.0, BMW 520iand Mercedes-Benz E200, all of whichare hot-sellers.Fact is too, Jaguar is back to the top.Cars like the XF, the superb XJ and theupcoming F-Type sport car are proof theBritish icon is again doing what it doesbest – luxury performance cars withworld-class technology and that oh-so-British style.Jaguar XF The CompetitionPremium European mid-size sedansare the automotive industry’s ‘DreamTeam’ – all are excellent but there’s nodenying Jaguar has trumped its rivalswith the XF 2.0-litre’s $68,900 (appxtKsh 6 million)starting price. As always,you need to carefully check specificationswhich are important to yourspecific needs when comparing modelsand options.Mercedes-Benz E-Class is simply oneof the world’s best cars. That’s it. Butthe E200 carries a price premium overthe Jaguar XF 2.0 of more than $10,000(apprxt Ksh 850,000) and the German’s135kW/270Nm turbocharged 1.8-litreengine is significantly out-gunned byJag’s 177kW/340Nm 2.0-litre.EDITION 19 March - April 2013 17

THIS MONTHSFEATUREThe3.0L & 2.0LXJIn its XJ application, the3.0 V6 S/C accelerates to100km/h in 5.9 secondsand a limited top speed of250km/h.18 EDITION 19 March - April 2013There are no styling changesto Jaguar’s flagship sedan,which launched in 2010, butinstead there’s a major revisionto its range of drivetrains – includingtwo new downsized petrol engines.There’s a new supercharged V6 thatwill replace the normally aspirated V8,and a new four-cylinder turbo that’sa variation on the 2.0-litre EcoBoostengine.Both are mated to a new ZF eightspeedautomatic gearbox that is alsoapplied to every other engine, whichincludes a pair of supercharged 5.0 litreV8 and a 3.0 litre V6 diesel.The Jaguar XJ 2.0 I4 Ti is highly impressive,holding its own against the newsupercharged V6 that will also powerthe upcoming Jaguar F-Type two-seatersports car.There’s a mere 177kW of peak powerfound at 5500rpm, with 340Nm oftorque produced between 2000 and4000rpm. These are low figures in limoworld.Yet, the XJ four-cylinder moves awayfrom standstill in a sufficiently responsivemanner before the engine hitsits stride through a lively mid-range,revving smoothly and enthusiasticallybeyond 6000rpm.

Photo:Front the 3.0 V6 XJ at Karkloof Spa South Africa.It’s also nicely matched to the new system that is standard on every otherThe 3.0 V6 S/C 250kWeight-speed auto, with the transmission Jaguar XJ engine.and 2.0 177kW join Jaguar’sexisting engine range We recorded average of fuel consump-supercharged 3.0 V6, though if the four-picking its upshifts and downchanges at That rules out fuel consumption asappropriate moments.a reason to buy the 2.0 I4 over thetion of exactly10.0L/100km during cylinder were to come to Kenya it wouldcomprising: , 5.0-litrea day’s driving on a mixture of roads, become the most affordable model.with variations of speed, in and around The V6 naturally offers more powerV8 supercharged 375kW,the roads in Durban during the media and torque – 250kW and 450Nm.launch in South Arica earlier this year. We tested in a slightly heavier, longwheelbaseJaguar XJ as shown on the2.2-litre (turbo-diesel)That’s close to the official figure of140kW, 3.0-litre V69.3L/100km, which would be good if photo above, but still close enough to athe supercharged V6 wasn’t just a fractionless efficient at 9.4L/100km.And based on drives of the two mod-direct comparison of the two engines.Td (twin-turbo diesel)Blame that on the turbochargedels, the 3.0-litre V6 is not better than the202kW. four-cylinder’s omission of a stop-start four-cylinder in every respect. >>EDITION 19 March - April 201319

THIS MONTHSFEATUREPhoto: The XJ>> It has the edge in responsiveness overthe four-cylinder above 3000rpm,feeling even more muscular in the midrange,though it lacks some fizz at lowerrevs.The V6’s acceleration is quickerthrough the mid-range if far from explosivein comparison, and the bigger engineneither felt as consistently smoothin its power delivery nor as refined athigher revs.Response from the eight-speed autodidn’t always help, either, with a particularlynoticeable delay on kickdown.The Jaguar XJ 3.0 V6 is only twotenthsof a second slower than thenon-supercharged V8 that will continuein some countries, eg US – reaching100km/h from standstill in 5.9 seconds.The Jaguar XJ 2.0l i4 takes 7.5 seconds.Even allowing for the weight anddimensional difference between shortandlong-wheelbase XJs, the four-cylinderversion feels a little lighter on its feetand has a front end keener to turn into20 EDITION 19 March - April 2013corners.Regardless of which Jaguar XJ modelyou choose, however, this is the limousineto pick if you’re an executive with apenchant for sporty driving comparedwith the S-class and 7series.The XJ’s agility is notable for such alarge car, with Dynamic mode stiffeningthe variable dampers to bring anotherlevel of body control.The steering delights with its linearityand accuracy even if some extra heftwouldn’t go amiss.Jaguar, however, has tweaked thesuspension for improved compliance.The company says it was a normalupdate in line with the introduction ofnew engines rather than response tocustomer feedback or media criticism ofthe firm ride.There seems to be some extra supplenessto the XJ’s suspension, though thebig Jag still doesn’t isolate its occupantsas well as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.The ride just avoids harshness overPhoto: On the left the XJ and XF on the rightPhoto: The XJ

potholes but small and medium sizedbumps are still felt more than is expectedof a luxury limousine.Large 20-inch and 19-inch wheels withrelatively low profile tires fitted to our3.0 V6 and 2.0 four-cylinder test cars respectivelywouldn’t have helped matters,with the bigger rubber generating morenoticeable tyre noise.Otherwise there are few other changesto report for the Jaguar XJ.There are no alterations whatsoeverto the exterior styling, though the XJremains thoroughly contemporary anddistinctive.There are a number of updates for theJaguar XJ’s audio and sat-nav systems– though Jaguar is still playing catchup with other luxury brands in termsof driver assist systems such as nightvision, lane departure and lane keepingsystems.And, as a result of a disagreement overincreased costs, Jaguar has switched allof its models from Bowers & Wilkinsaudios to music systems from Meridian.We’re not audio experts, but our test ofthe 386-watt Meridian audio suggestedthe sound quality is a slight step backwardsfrom the brilliant B&W systems.Regardless, that sound is filteredthrough multiple speakers into a cabinthat is suitably dressed in generousamounts of leather, slabs of wood veneerand, in our LWB Portfolio test car, suedecloth for the headlining.If the XJ’s cabin doesn’t match theultimate impeccability of the rival AudiA8, it still carries a sense of British classwith a cool, modern edge.And if you’re a businessman whoprefers to be at the business end of acar’s cabin rather than the back seat, theJaguar XJ is a leader among limos.3.0 V6 S/C 5.0 V8 S/C 3.0DType 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol 5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged dieselCapacity (cc) 2995 5000 2993Bore/Stroke (mm) 84.5/89 92.5/93 84/90Peak Power (kW@rpm) 250@6500 375@6000-6500 202@4000Peak Torque (Nm@rpm) 450@3500-5000 625@2500-5500 600@2000Transmission ZF Eight-speed automaticIntelligent Stop/Start Yes Yes YesFinal Drive Ratio 2.56:1 2.56:1 2.44:10-100km/h (secs) 5.9 4.9 6.4Top Speed (km/h) 250 (limited) 250 (limited) 250 (limited)Combined Economy 9.6 11.6 6.5(l/100km)CO2 (g/km) 224 270 171EDITION 19 March - April 201321

TheDakarrallyThe Dakar Rally (or the Paris-Dakar Rally) first took place in 1979 and was organized by Frenchman ThierrySabine. It is an extreme race, to say the least, that traditionally ran from Paris (France) to Dakar (Senegal). Dueto various political disturbances and all out war in some of the countries, the route changes annually. In 2009 itchanged drastically, and moved to South America.22 EDITION 19 March - April 2013

EDITION 19 March - April 201323

HistoryThe race originatedin 1978, a year afterracer Thierry Sabinegot lost in the desertand decided that it would be a good locationfor a regular rally. Originally, the rallywas from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal,interrupted by a transfer across theMediterranean. However, due to politicsand other factors, the course, includingorigin and destination, has varied over theyears. Dakar has been the destination cityon all but four occasions during the periodthe rally was held in Africa (i.e., prior to2009). The event started from Paris everyyear from 1979 to 1994, and also in 1998and 2001. In 1994 the rally both beganand ended in Paris but, due to complaintsby the mayor, the finish had to be movedfrom the Champs-Élysées to DisneylandParis. This also caused the organisation tolay out the rally through different locationsin following years.A car competes during the 10th stage of the Dakar Rally 2013IncidentsThe Dakar Rally, also known as ‘The mostdangerous race ever’, never concludes withoutan incident. We start of with one of themost popular incidents that hit the motoringairwaves in 1982. While competing inthe 1980 Le Mans 24 hour endurance race,Mark Thatcher, son of then British PrimeMinister Margaret Thatcher was offeredthe chance to compete in the Paris-Dakarrally. He agreed but soon forgot all aboutit. A year and a half later, he received aphone call inviting him to Paris to attendthe press launch for the 1982 Paris-Dakar.He gave it some serious thought anddecided he’d do it because he came to therealization that not many people had theopportunity to cross the Sahara in a rallycar.Mark, who was known to be gauche andnaïve at best and cocky and arrogant atworst, only did half a day’s testing and thefollowing day he was driving out of ThePlace de la Concorde in Paris with hisFrench co-driver, Anne-Charlotte Verneyand their mechanic, Jacky Garnier in afour-wheel-drive Peugeot 504. This longwheelbasemachine would give its crewa rough ride over the bumps.On 9th January 1982, Thatcher wasin a small convoy on the 537 kilometersection to Timeiaouine in southernAlgeria when his 504’s rear axle brokefree. The rest of the convoy stopped,took note of where they were but erroneouslyreported that Thatcher’s crewwas 25 miles west instead of 25 mileseast; after they had completed the stage.This subsequently resulted in Thatcher,Verney and Garnier being strandedin the Sahara for six days. The AlgerianMilitary were quick to scramblea search party on 12th January afterthey were officially declared missing. AC-130 Hercules search plane from theAlgerian military spotted the white 50430-50kilometers(depending on sources)off the rally route on 14th January 1982.The whole crew was unharmed.During their 6 day ordeal, they survivedon drinking 2 polystyrene cupsof water a day and eating some driedfood that they had in the car. Thatcherdescribed their meals as useless, funnything it’s what kept them alive.After her son Mark got lost in thedesert competing in the Paris-Dakarrally, Margaret Thatcher shed a rare tearin public.When it came to paying for his rescue,however, the ‘Iron Lady’ was firmly backin the driving seat and at pains, to ensureshe personally, not taxpayers, footed thebill for her hapless off-spring’s misadventure.The Foreign Office calculatedtheir costs for other accommodation,travel, telegrams and telephone calls tobe £1,191. In current rates this would bearound Ksh 500,000.24 EDITION 19 March - April 2013

Margaret Thatcher shed a tear in publicwhen son Mark went missing in the Algeriandesert in 1982.. via the telegrapghMark Thatcher with his co-driver CharlotteVerney after being rescued frombeing marooned in the Sahara Desertfor six daysIn a handwritten note dated February12, 1982, a month after Mark’s rescue, toJohn Coles, the Prime Minister’s PrivateSecretary for Overseas Affairs, MrsThatcher wrote: ‘I must pay the £1,191.We can therefore say that no extra costhas fallen on the British taxpayer. Towho do I make out the cheque?’ TheForeign Office later revised the total to£1,748.80. Mrs Thatcher duly sent thema cheque for that amount on March 10.Ever a keen advocate of financial discipline,she requested a ‘receipt please’.(From mail online by David Wilkes andClaire Ellicott).Yet on another case, the organiserof the rally, Thierry Sabine, was killedwhen his Ecureuil helicopter crashed at07:30 p.m. on Tuesday 14 January 1986,into a dune at Mali during a suddensand-storm. Also killed onboard wasthe singer-songwriter Daniel Balavoine,helicopter pilot François-Xavier Bagnoud,journalist Nathalie Odent and Jean-PaulLefur who was a radiophonic engineer forRTL.Six people were killed during the 1988race, three participants and three localresidents. In one incident, Baye Sibi, a10-year-old Malian girl, was killed by aracer while she crossed a road. During thesame race, a film crew’s vehicle killed amother and daughter in Mauritania on thelast day of the race. The race participantskilled, in three separate crashes, were aDutch navigator on the DAF Trucks team,a French privateer, and a French rider. Racerswere also blamed for starting a wildfirethat caused a panic on a train runningbetween Dakar and Bamako, where threemore people were killed. >>Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher’s28-year-old son Mark, and his co-driverAnne-Charlotte Verney during the 1982during the Paris to Dakar car rallyMargaret Thatcher insisted on payingnearly £2,000 towards the search for herson after he went missing in the Saharadesert amid concerns of a public backlashover taxpayers’ money being used, newlyreleasedfiles revealEDITION 19 March - April 201325

In 2003 French driver Daniel Nebotboth rolled and crashed his Toyotaheavily at high speed killing his codriverBruno Cauvy. In 2005, Spanishmotorcyclist José Manuel Pérez died ina Spanish hospital on a Monday, 10thJanuary after crashing the week beforeon the 7th stage. Italian motorcyclistFabrizio Meoni, a two-time winner ofthe event, became the second DakarRally rider to die in two days, followingPérez on 11th January on the 11thstage. Meoni was the 11th motorcyclistand the 45th person overall to die inthe history of the race. On January 13, afive-year-old Senegalese girl was hit andkilled by a service lorry after wanderingonto a main road, bringing the totaldeaths to five.In 2006, 41-year-old Australian KTMmotorcyclist Andy Caldecott, in histhird time in the Dakar, died January 9as a result of neck injuries sustained in acrash approximately 250 km (260 km)into stage 9, between Nouakchott andKiffa, only a few kilometers from the locationwhere Meoni had his fatal wreckthe year before. Andy had won the thirdstage of the 2006 event between Nadorand Er Rachidia only a few days beforehis death. The death occurred despite effortsby the event organisers to improvecompetitor safety, including limitingspeed, mandatory rest at fuel stops, andreduced fuel capacity requirements forthe bike classes. On the 13th January, a10-year-old boy died while crossing thecourse after being hit by a car driven byLatvian Māris Saukāns, while on 14thJanuary a 12-year-old boy was killedafter being hit by a support lorry.In 2007, 29-year-old South Africanmotor racer Elmer Symons died ofinjuries sustained in a crash duringthe fourth stage of the Rally. Symonscrashed with his bike in the desertbetween Er Rachidia and Ouarzazate,Morocco. Another death occurred on20th January, the night before the race’sfinish, when 42 year old motorcyclistEric Aubijoux died suddenly. The causeof death was initially believed to be aheart attack, however it was later suggestedthat Aubijoux died of internalIn 2006, 41-year-old Australian KTM motorcyclistAndy Caldecott, in his third time in theDakar, died ...injuries sustained in a crash earlier thatday while competing in the 14th stage ofthe race. Although every year The Dakartakes place tragic incidents occar it hasnever been cancelled except during2008 when they had to change the entireroute due to security reasons.In 2008 Dakar Rally cancelled over aterrorist threat. It was cancelled due tosecurity concerns after al-Qaeda’s murderof four French tourists on ChristmasEve in December 2007 in Mauritania(a country in which the rally spends eightdays), accusations against the rally callingit “neo-colonialist”, and accusationsagainst Mauritania calling it a supporterof “crusaders, apostates and infidels”. TheFrench based Amaury Sport Organisationin charge of the 6,000-kilometrerally said in a statement that they hadbeen advised by the French governmentto cancel the race which had been due tobegin on 5th January, 2008 from Lisbon.“Overall about 60people, including 25competitors, havedied in the DakarRally.”They said direct threats had also beenmade against the event by al-Qaedarelated organisations.Omar Osama bin Laden, son of Osamabin Laden, attracted news coverage in2008 by promoting himself as an “ambassadorof peace” and proposing a 4,800km horse race across North Africa as areplacement to the Dakar Rally, withsponsors’ money going to support childvictims of war, saying “I heard the rallywas stopped because of al-Qaida. I don’tthink they are going to stop me.” Story viaWikinews newsOn 7th January 2009, the body of49-year-old motorcyclist Pascal Terryfrom France was found. He had beenmissing for three days and his body layon a remote part of the second stagebetween Santa Rosa de la Pampa andPuerto Madryn.On 4th January 2010, a woman watchingthe Dakar Rally was killed when avehicle taking part in the race veered offthe course and hit her during the openingstage.On 1st January 2012, motorcyclistJorge Martinez Boero of Argentina diedafter suffering a cardiac arrest after a fall.He was treated by medical staff withinfive minutes of the accident, but diedon the way to hospital. 2013 a biker alsodied during the last stages of the race.Overall about 61 people, including25 competitors, have died in the DakarRally.26 EDITION 19 March - April 2013

eroding action of the vehicles on thepredetermined track (which can destroyplants and loosens the soil), it maypromote desertification in the ribbon ofland they race on.2014 Dakar RallyFor the sixth year in a row, the DakarRally will race in South America, thoughthe iconic rally race is mixing things up,and is dropping its route through Perufor one that includes Bolivia instead.The Dakar will keep Argentina andChile on its 2014 course schedule, andthe two countries will comprise themajority of the race’s torturous test of itscompetitors.The 2014 Dakar Rally will havelonger special stages, as well as severalmarathon stages (stages where only thecompetitor can do mechanical work on his/Results of all the TrucksYear Name of Driver and type of truck2013 Eduard NIKOLAEV (RUS), Kamaz2012 Gerald DE ROOY (HOL), Iveco2011 Vladimir CHAGIN (RUS), Kamaz2010 Vladimir CHAGIN (RUS), Kamaz2009 Firdaus KABIROV (RUS), Kamaz2007 Hans STACEY (HOL), Man2006 Vladimir CHAGIN (RUS), Kamaz2005 Firdaus KABIROV (RUS), Kamaz2004 Vladimir CHAGIN (RUS), Kamaz2003 Vladimir CHAGIN (RUS), Kamaz2002 Vladimir CHAGIN (RUS), Kamaz2001 Karel LOPRAIS (CZE), Tatra2000 Vladimir CHAGIN (RUS), Kamaz1999 Karel LOPRAIS (CZE), Tatra1998 Karel LOPRAIS (CZE), Tatra1997 Johann-Peter REIF (AUT), Hino1996 Viktor MOSKOVSKIKH (RUS), Kamaz1995 Karel LOPRAIS (CZE), Tatra1994 Karel LOPRAIS (CZE), Tatra1993 Francesco PERLINI (ITA), Perlini1992 Francesco PERLINI (ITA), Perlini1991 Jacques HOUSSAT (FRA), Perlini1990 VILLA (ITA), Perlini1988 Karel LOPRAIS (CZE), Tatra1987 Jan DE ROOY (HOL), DAF1986 Giacomo VISMARA (ITA), Mercedes-Benz1985 Jost CAPITO (GER), Mercedes-Benz1984 LALLEU (FRA), Mercedes-Benz1983 George GROINE (FRA), Mercedes-Benz1982 George GROINE (FRA), Mercedes-Benz1981 VILLETTE (ALM/ACMAT)1980 ATAQUAT (ALG), Sonacome28 EDITION 19 March - April 2013her machine, not the mechanics). Takingriders and drivers though Argentina’snorthwest canyons and sandy valleys, itshould be an especially grueling editionof the historic race.With KTM announcing an investmentin its future, signing Kurt Caselli to joinMarc Coma and Ruben Faria to its RedBull KTM Factory Racing team, fivetimewinner Cyril Despres has yet toannounce where he will be racing nextseason (if at all).Smart money is put down on theFrenchman defecting to Honda, as HRCmade a strong factory showing in the2013 edition of the Dakar Rally, and isnow ready to put some top-talent on itsHRC prepped Honda CRF450 Rallyrace bike. Coma vs. Despres on differentmachinery — just what The Dakarneeded. 2014 should be a good race.Results of all the BikesThe Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero/Shogundepending on where you live has won theDakar Rally 7 times in a row from 2001-2007. The Mitsubishi Pajero also has 12wins total, making it the most winningcar thus far in the Dakar RallyYearName of Rider and Bike2013 1 Cyril DESPRES (FRA), KTM 450 Rally2012 2 Cyril DESPRES (FRA), KTM 450 Rally2011 1 Marc COMA (SPA), KTM 450 Rally2010 2 Cyril DESPRES (FRA), KTM 690 Rally2009 2 Marc COMA (SPA), KTM 690 Rally2007 2 Cyril DESPRES (FRA), KTM 690 Rally2006 2 Marc COMA (SPA), KTM LC4 660R2005 2 Cyril DESPRES (FRA), KTM LC4 660R2004 4 Nani ROMA (SPA), KTM LC4 660R2003 3 Richard SAINCT (FRA), KTM LC4 660R2002 1 Fabrizio MEONI (ITA), KTM LC8 950R2001 3 Fabrizio MEONI (ITA), KTM LC4 660R2000 1 Richard SAINCT (FRA), BMW F650RR1999 12 Richard SAINCT (FRA), BMW F650RR1998 1 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T1997 1 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T1996 3 Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Yamaha YZE850T1995 4 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T1994 92 Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Cagiva Elefant 9001993 1 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T1992 30 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T1991 80 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE750T1990 92 Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Cagiva Elefant 9001989 100 Gilles LALAY (FRA), Honda NXR750V1988 83 Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Honda NXR750V1987 95 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Honda NXR750V1986 95 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Honda NXR750V1985 101 Gaston RAHIER (BEL), BMW GS980R1984 101 Gaston RAHIER (BEL), BMW GS980R1983 100 Hubert AURIOL (FRA), BMW GS980R1982 95 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Honda XL500R1981 100 Hubert AURIOL (FRA), BMW GS800R1980 50 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Yamaha XT5001979 12 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Yamaha XT500

France’s Despres and Peterhanselcelebrate on the podium after they wonthe fifth South American edition of theDakar rally 20132014 Dakar Rally Route ReplacesPeru with Bolivia 2014 dakar rallyroute mapRobby Gordon of the U.S. inspectsFrance’s Guerlain Chicherit’s SMG beforethe start of the 14th and last stageof the Dakar Rally 2013Argentina’s Gaston Gonzalez rides hisHonda quad during the 11th stage ofthe Dakar Rally 2013Portugal’s Paulo Goncalves rides hisHusqvarna during the 13th stage of theDakar Rally 2013Spain’s Barreda and France’s Desprescompete during the 12th stage of theDakar Rally 2013France’s Pascal Thomasse, co-pilotPascal Larroque and Dakar directorEtienne Lavigne are helped by ahelicopter to take out their Buggy MDRallye which was stuck in a river followinga flash floodMechanics work on the Hummer ofRobby Gordon of the U.S. followingthe 12th stage of the Dakar Rally2013A helicopter lifts a motorcycle after therider was blocked by a river followinga flash flood during the 11th stage ofthe Dakar Rally 2013Peru’s Vellutino rides his KTM the 9thstage of the Dakar Rally 2013Mastromatteo and co-pilot Aliaga areseen stuck in river following flash floodduring Dakar Rally 2013Motorcyclists compete during the 12thstage of the Dakar Rally 2013EDITION 19 March - April 201329

ASK THEMECHTips for driving in the rainIn stormy conditions, it is moredifficult to see other vehicles,road signs and the road itself. Itis critical to make sure you cansee and be seen.First and foremost: slow down! It takeslonger to stop or adjust in wet weather.Stay toward the middle lanes - watertends to pool in the outside lanes.Maintain proper following distance (3Second Rule from the car infront). Thisneeds to be increased in wet weather.Drive in the tracks of a car ahead ofyou.Don’t follow large trucks or bussestoo closely. The spray created by theirlarge tires reduces your vision. Take carewhen passing them as well; if you mustpass, do so quickly and safely.Be more alert when driving in wet orslippery conditions. Watch out for brakelights in front of you.Avoid using your brakes; if possible,take your foot off the accelerator to slowdown.Turn your headlights on even in lightrain, or in gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions.Not only do they help you seethe road, but they’ll help other driverssee you. If your car has daytime runninglights you still should put them on, so vehiclesahead and behind you can see youbetter.Before the rainy seasons, please makesure you replace old or brittle wipers.Avoid off-road driving: it’s hard tojudge the actual depth of puddles andyou can easily become stuck, even in anSUV.Never drive beyond the limits of visibility.At night rainy roads become especiallytreacherous. The glare of oncominglights, amplified by the rain on yourwindscreen, can cause temporary lossof visibility while substantially increas-ing driver fatigue. In rainy conditionspedestrians, livestock, and wildlife areextremely hard to spot and even harderto avoid.Never drive through moving water ifyou can’t see the ground through it; yourcar could be swept off the road.When driving through a puddle of uncertaindepth, go slow. If it’s deeper thanthe bottom of your doors, turn aroundand find another route. Deep water cancause serious damage to a modern car’selectrical system.Avoid splashing water on pedestrians,it’s rude and dangerous to the pedestrian.If possible, stay off the road duringheavy thunderstorms. Large flashes oflightning can temporarily blind and disorientdrivers, and the accompanyinghigh winds and heavy rain can createdeadly driving conditions.Slow down! This should be obvious butit also very important. People are so usedto driving certain speeds on certain roadsthat sometimes they forget the need toslow down when inclement weatherpresents itself.Before you go - Wet-weather drivingdemands gentle use of all the maincontrols - steering, clutch, brake and accelerator- and a larger allowance for errorsand emergencies. When you begina journey in rain, your shoes will be wetand liable to slip off the pedals. Scuff thesoles on the rubber matting or carpetingof the car before you start the engine. Allmotorists should regularly check thattheir headlights, tail lights, brake lightsand turn signals are working properly. AlthoughKenyan motorists don’t take thisvery seriously, which they should!How are your tires? - Check your tireson a regular basis. Bald tires significantlyreduce your traction on wet roadways,and offer little resistance to hydroplaning.When your tires run over water, thewater is displaced and it needs somewhereto go quickly. The best place isbetween the treads of your tires. If yourtires are bald, the water has no place to goand you end up riding on a layer of water,like a boat.Replace your wipers regularly, at leastonce a year. Wiper blades in bad conditiondon’t clear water from the windshieldvery well and distort your view.Older vehicles may need to have thewhole wiper arm replaced. The armsbend over time and sometimes can’tkeep enough downward pressure to clearthe windscreen, even with new blades installed.Wipers will often clear light rainfrom the windscreen with a few sweeps,then run on an almost-dry screen andleave smears of drying dirt. Don’t beafraid to use the windscreen washers liberally:the fluid is cheap and the safetybenefit is high.Heavy rain - Heavy rain can overloadthe wiper blades, allowing an almostcontinuous sheet of water to flow overthe screen. When visibility is so limitedthat the edges of the road or other vehiclescannot be seen at a safe distance, itis time to pull over and wait for the rainto ease up. It is best to stop at rest areasor other protected areas. If the roadsideis your only option, pull off as far as possible,preferably past the end of a guardrail, and wait until the storm passes andplease make sure your harzards are on,seldom more than a few minutes. Keepyour headlights on and turn on emergencyflashers to alert other drivers. Locally‘Matatus‘ have this idea of mixing waterand washing detergents to help whentheir wipers dont function. Well we havenot tried this yet but it would be betterto make sure your wipers are always onperfect working condition.32 EDITION 19 March - April 2013

Foggy windows - Rain or high humiditycan quickly cause windows to mist upinside the car. In a car equipped with airconditioning, turn up the heat and directthe airflow to your defrosters with theAC switch engaged. (Many cars automaticallyengage the AC when switchedto the defrost mode.) In a car withoutAC the procedure is the same, but youmay need to open your side windows toget the air moving. Most modern carshave a built-in rear window defroster thateasily clears a misted rear windscreen byheating up electrodes embedded in theglass. If you don’t have one, put your defrosteron high and its hot air will eventuallyfollow the inside of the roof downto the rear window. If the car has swivelingdashboard vents, adjust them so thatthe air flow strikes the upper edge of theside windows. The airflow will clear theside windows first, finally traveling to therear of the car. If all else fails, a rag or articleof clothing will work as well; you’lljust need to clear the window more often.Drivers should regularly clean theirwindshield and windows, both on theinside and outside, to help them see ingood and bad weather. Smokers need totake extra care to make sure their interiorwindows are clear of a buildup of smokeresidue.Handling a skid - Losing control of yourcar on wet pavement is a frightening experience.You can prevent skids by drivingslowly and carefully, especially oncurves. Brake before entering the curves.tunnels etc, Steer and brake with a lighttouch. If you find yourself in a skid, remaincalm, ease your foot off the gas,and carefully steer in the direction youwant the front of the car to go. This procedure,known as “steering into the skid,”will bring the back end of your car in linewith the front. For cars without anti-lockbrakes, avoid using your brakes. If yourcar has ABS, brake firmly as you “steerinto the skid.”Expressway driving - Leave lots of spacebetween you and the car in front becauseit takes longer to stop. You’re supposedto leave a few seconds between cars indry weather. Make sure you add spacein wet weather because if you have to hitthe brakes hard, your tires will lock up,you will hydroplane and you will mostlikely hit the car in front of you. If available,drive in the fast lane, where thereare fewer cars and less oil deposited onthe road. Also, because of the built-inslope of the road, water drains towardsthe slower lanes. Avoid lane changes, aswater tends to build up between the tireruts in the lanes.Oily deposits - Watch for intersectionsbecause of the oil spots in the road. Rainis most dangerous when it falls aftera long, dry spell on to roads that havebecome polished and smooth: the rainblends with oil and rubber-dust depositson the road surface to form a highly dangerousskid mixture. That mixture buildsup at intersections, where cars stop andstart frequently. Be extra careful immediatelyafter it starts raining because it takesa while for the worst of the dirt and oil toget washed off the road.Driving Through Water - Where waterhas flooded onto the road, drivevery slowly and cautiously. Never drivethrough moving water if you can’t seethe ground through it: you and your carcould be swept off the road, possiblyfinishing you both. Stop the car beforeentering the flooded area and check thewater level ahead. Generally, if the wateris deeper than the bottom of your doorsor the bottom third of your wheels, it isinadvisable to attempt driving throughit. Seek a detour rather than braving theflood and risking damage to your electroniccontrol systems. Attempting to gothrough deep water can ruin any of thesesystems, creating a crazy repair bill.At night it’s much harder to see waterhazards. You’ll need good road observationalskills to notice the differencebetween a wet road surface and flood water.Watch the contours not only of theroad but also of fences, trees, hedges andbuildings at the side of the road ahead. Ifthey appear to be unnaturally low, slowdown at once as the road is probablyflooded. If you don’t slow down and hitflood water at speed, the effect is almostlike hitting a wall: you will first lose control,then come to a violent stop, possiblyinjuring your passengers as well.If you determine it’s safe to go on,proceed slowly and avoid making largewaves in the water.What to do if you stall in deep water - Ifpossible, have someone pull your vehicleout using a tow rope or cable winch. Itmay be possible to drive a manual transmissioncar out using the starter motor.You can make the job easier by removingyour spark-plugs, thereby lowering yourcompression and making your starterturn more easily. Take great care not tolet water enter the cylinders, as it willhydro-lock your engine, ruining it. This isa last resort for rescuing a flooded vehicleand is not recommended.Check your brakes - If you successfullypass through a deep water hazard, testyour brakes. They may be saturated,and only driving very slowly and brakinglightly at the same time will generateenough heat to dry them out. Be surethey are pulling evenly on all wheels beforebuilding up speed again.EDITION 19 March - April 201333

port).The Sport 2.0T adds all of the above,along with a more powerful turbochargedengine, 19-inch wheels, anupgraded gauge cluster and informationdisplay and keyless ignition/entry.The Santa Fe GLS is similar in featurecontent to the base Sport model, butgains a longer wheelbase, a V6 engineand 50/50 split-folding third-row seats.Also added are 18-inch wheels, foglightsand sliding second-row seats.Some features are offered as optionson supporting trims as part of bundledpackages. Most notably, a navigationsystem is offered on all trims and is alsopaired with an 8-inch touchscreen display,a rearview camera and a premiumsound system. A panoramic sunroof isavailable on all but the GLS. All trimscan be optioned with a heated steeringwheel. Finally, a blind-spot monitoringsystem is only available on the Limited.On the roadThe 2.4-litre petrol however (availableonly in Active models), is a bit crudeand outclassed in this category.Although utilising the latest indirect injection (GDi) technology,and producing a healthy-enough141kW @ 6300rpm and maximumtorque of 242Nm @ 4250rpm, it feelslifeless underfoot and is a bit ‘buzzy’at higher revs.It might work better with the manualtransmission, but mating a hardworking2.4 litres to the six-speedauto makes things a bit fidgety andunsettled.The potent 2.2-litre diesel engine,available to all models, is such a goodunit you have to wonder why Hyundaibothered with the petrol. Althoughthe disel version may never be soldin Kenya due to the quality of dieselwe use.On either side of the driving spectrum,the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has thepotential to impress. As a leisurely commuterand kid shuttle, the ride is luxuriouslycompliant and the cabin remainswhisper-quiet, even at highway speeds.On winding mountain passes, the SantaFe’s optional AWD system directs powerto individual wheels (or conversely,applies a brake to a specific corner),blessing it with a surefootedness that isuncommon among crossover SUVs thatdon’t have a luxury badge.SafetyStandard safety features for all 2013Hyundai Santa Fe models includeantilock disc brakes, traction and stabilitycontrol, front-seat side airbags, sidecurtain airbags, front-seat active headrestraints, and hill hold and descentcontrol. Also standard is Blue Link,Hyundai’s emergency telematics systemthat provides services such as remoteaccess, emergency assistance, theftrecovery and geo-fencing.Suzuki EscudoSuzuki has quietly unveiled a faceliftedEscudo (aka Grand Vitara) inJapan. Modestly updated, the modelgains a replacement front bumper, arevised grille and tinted headlights.Out back, the spare tire has been jettisonedfrom the tailgate and presumablyrelocated beneath the vehicle. InJapan, the model is powered by a a pairof.4-liter engine that produces 166 PS(122 kW / 164 hp) and 225 Nm (166lb-ft) of torque. It may be connectedto a five-speed manual or a four-speedautomatic transmission. Additionally,all-wheel drive is optional.Interior and Special FeaturesIt’s difficult to fault this interior. Forergonomics, feature list and style, it’samong the better in the segment andpacks value that very few can match.With a soft-touch dash, nicely matchedtextures, and tight alignment of trimpanels, there is a snug feel to the SantaFe and a sense that there’s been noscrimping on quality.In conclusionYes, you should probably buy abrand new Hyundai Santa Fe. Despitecertain ongoing issues, the2013 Hyundai Santa Fe remainsa top content, styling and performancecontender in the cheapestprice range of its class.Honda CRVDespite the increased ride comfort,the CR-V remains one of the mostkeen-handling SUVs in the class. Itisn’t soggy like the Subaru Foresterand Mitsubishi Outlander, nor harshand bouncy like the Sportage and ix35cousins. Instead, it feels agile at thefront end. Brake deep into the corner,and it’s possible to feel the rear shiftslightly to help with front-end point.Most impressively, the stability controlcompletely trusts the chassis; theelectronics understand that inherentsuspension composure is the first lineof active-safety defence.EDITION 19 March - April 201335

Article by Kimaru TrakmanTop Photo: Ogier in MexicoMiddle : Ogier with his co-driver after completingMexico at first placeBottom: Ken Block on the rightWRC3 is the official game for the 2012FIA World Rally Championship. It’savailable on PlayStation 3, XBOX 360and PC.Made by Milestone and distributedby Ubisoft like the previous twoinstallations, the framework of the gameis pretty much the same. You have twogame modes to choose from. The WRCExperience which you can either play theentire 2012 season, a single rally or evena single stage. There is also the Road ToGlory which is the career mode. You startout as a little know driver and you makeyour way up to the top where you willcompete against the bestThe game’s Road To Glory mode isa bit different from WRC 2. You can’tnegotiate with sponsors and with staffhiring which is a bit of a buzz kill. Tomake the Road To Glory a bit less monotonousWRC3 have put in some otherdistractions. It doesn’t only have rallyingon timed stages but other challengessuch as the Gate Contest where randomgates pop up as you drive and hitting thewrong gate slows you down. This gives ita Dirt 3 feel. The Dirt 3ness is also reinforcedby a limited rewind feature thatenables you to rewind the game if youmake a mistake.In the career progression you get reputationpoints according to the positionyou finish and there are ‘Ability’ pointsyou get for doing drifts, driving on twowheels, jumps etc. Your main aim in thecareer mode is to beat all the seven risingstars from seven different geographicalregions in head to head battles andat the end of it all you will have a majorshow down with the best. Different RoadTo Glory events have different rules onthe type of cars you could use, from the70’s classics to the all-powerful Group Bcars, the 90s cars, the 2000s cars and themodern WRC cars. This is great becauseyou get a variety of cars to choose frombut really sucks because you don’t get tospend enough time in one car thus masteringthe different handling traits of allof the, you don’t get to know which setup to use on which surfacesWRC3 has a wide variety of cars tochoose from but whichever on whicheversurface you’re driving on there is oneproblem, handling. All the cars from the2wd cars to the WRC cars feel very lightand the navigator’s voice male or femalehas a very boring monotonous tone.Sometimes the pace notes he is readingout and the direction symbols on thescreen are totally different.Once you go higher up the ranks andget to unlock more cars you start to enjoythe game. The WRC Cars are the CitroenDS3, the Ford Fiesta RS, and the MiniJohn Cooper Works and there is also theVW POLO R test car which is abit underpoweredcompared to the other factorycars. The 70’s cars are just the MiniCooper, the Peugeot 504 and the FordEscort. They DON’T have the almightyLancia Stratos. In the 80’s group B carsthe left out the iconic Audi Quattro.All in all to the casual rally fan it’s anokay video game but die hard rally fansmight find it a bit disappointingEDITION 19 March - April 201337

TECHTOYS2013 Honda Accord, Acura RDX and ILX toOffer Apple’s SiriLater this year, Honda will integrate the iPhone’s Siri artificial assistant intothe 2013 Accord, as well as the 2013 RDX and ILX from the automaker’sAcura luxury division. If you have an iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 running the latestoperating system, Siri can read incoming text messages, respond to textsand emails, add calendar appointments, check the weather, give sports scoresor stock quotes, find points of interest, announce turn-by-turn directions ormake a phone call over the car’s Bluetooth system just by pressing the steeringwheelBluetooth button for a few moments. It’s all part of Apple’s new EyesFree mode, which works while your smartphone screen stays dark.Want to Know Your Blood Alcohol Level?Breathometer Inc. announced that it has developed the first-ever blood-alcohol-content monitoringdevice for smartphones. The device, for use with both iPhone and Android phones, is the sizeof a typical car key and plugs into a smartphone’s headphone jack. When paired with a mobileapp, the Breathometer helps drivers decide whether they’ve had too much to drink, according toa statement.In addition to helping users determine whether their blood alcohol concentration exceeds the legallimit, the Breathometer also helps connect users with alternate transportation options such as ataxi service. The device awaits Food and Drug Administration and patent approval, but the companyaims to have it available for sale starting this summer on the company’s website, the AppleApp Store and Google Play. It will be $20, including the app.“Breathometer wasn’t created just to address the risks associated with drinking and driving, but tohelp people, their friends and family all to make smart and safer choices when consuming alcohol,”said Charles Michael Yim, Breathometer Inc. founder and CEO.RAC QuickFix GO – BluetoothHands free & FM Transmitter KitQuickFix Go requires no wiring and lets you stream musicfrom your smartphone, iPod, USB stick or SD card toyour car stereo using the in-built FM transmitter. You canalso make and receive phone calls providing the completeentertainment and communication solution foryour car, and you can pop it in your pocket when you’renot using it too.Handy, useful andclever: what morecould you ask for?iO Play 2If your car doesn’t already have Bluetooth then this is for you: iOPlay2 is a new and innovative in-car music streaming and handsfree device with a high contrast removable OLED screen that usesCSR Bluetooth technology to provide high-levels of sound qualityand performance. Not only can the iO Play2 can connect andintegrate all iPhones, iPods,mobile phones, MP3 playersand Sat Nav systemswith a vehicle’s existingaudio system so driversand passengers can listento music stored on anyportable device, but it canlet them make and receivemobile calls using handsfreeas well. In addition, thedevice offers advanced Textto Speech for every search category including, Songs, Artists, Albums,Podcasts, Audio books, etc.38 EDITION 19 March - April 2013

Hyundai Connectivity Conceptturns smartphones intocar keysNow here is a novel idea – since “there isan app for everything”, why not expandthat horizon with the Hyundai ConnectivityConcept? Imagine your smartphonedoubling up as your vehicle’s key,now what would make one less thing toremember to bring with you whereveryou go, don’t you think so? After all, vehiclemanufacturers have been movingin a direction where content from yoursmartphone is being sent to your vehicle,and with a smartphone, you are able toaccess navigation, music, text messagingand other phone functions from thedriver and/or passenger seat. With theHyundai Connectivity Concept, theSouth Korean vehicle manufacturer intendsto bring things up by another level,allowing you to transfer all of the phone’scontent to the car’s touchscreen displaywirelessly and throwing in other wirelessfunctions to boot.Hyundai has named it the ConnectivityConcept, being a “technology study”and has a dream of it reaching productionwithin the next three years. In fact,Hyundai has already equipped the conceptualsystem on a New Generation i30as part of its demonstration purposes.The Connectivity Concept hardware willkick off before you even enter the car.Instead of a hard or electronic key, theHyundai Connectivity Concept will relyon near-field communications (NFC) topop the locks of the vehicle open, all youneed to do is place the smartphone overan NFC tag on the door, and be preparedto enter.When you have planted your rear endon the comfortable seat, the smartphonecan then slide into a wireless dock that islocated in the center console, where theentire slew of its content, ranging frommusic to phone contacts, and profile settingsamong others are then streamed tothe car’s 7-inch touchscreen.Samsung VirusDoctorSamsung Virus Doctor is the innovativeand best ionizer existingwhich is introduced of S-Plasmaion technology inside. Owingto Samsung’s up-to-date air caretechnology, it enhances consumers’well-being reliably. We were recentlygiven the opportunity to try it during areview of the new BMW 5 series. Beinga new idea that will change the motoringsector in Kenya, we were really impressedon how simple and useful this gadget is.It is also a pleasant addition that complementsany interior furnishing, featuringa simple yet luxurious design with touchbuttons and lighting.Protecting against Airborne VirusesSamsung Virus Doctor is the appropriateway to protect ourselves against airbornediseases, defeating the cause of airbornediseases effectively. Besides, BAF (BritishAllergy Foundation) has approved S-Plasma ion’s effectiveness eliminating ofallergens. Keeping the air you breathe inthe car clean and healthy.Eliminating VirusesSamsung Virus Doctor eliminates harmfulviruses which cause of serious airbornediseases such as Influenza A,subtype H1N1 and even SARS. Manyacademic research organizations haveproven the superior effectiveness up to99.9% of S-plasma ion. Now you canfeel perfectly safe about invisible tiny enemiesin the air of your car.Simple & Smart DesignAt any place, Samsung Virus Doctor offersfinest design with varied colour options.Three major design award haveverified its aesthetic value highly. Youcan see how simple and neat looking itis, coordinates with any places giving avisual delight.Top Photo: The Samsung Virus DoctorMiddle and bottom: The Virus Doctorplugged into the BMW X5 cigarettelighterIntuitive InterfaceAnother forte of Samsung Virus Doctoris its own intuitive interface so you donot have to learn how to use it by readingmanuals overnight. Only with a slighttouch, it immediately starts to work foryour healthier atmosphere.Free MaintenanceTired of changing filters? You are freefrom filter replacement with SamsungVirus Doctor. It has its own brush toclean up the filter inside. Enjoy freedomfrom cleaning and replacement costs!EDITION 19 March - April 201339

TECHTOYS

MOTORSPORTSHyundai shows upgraded WRCCourtesy of WRCHyundai has displayed new updatesto its 2014 World Rally Championshipchallenger at Geneva Motor Show.A little more than five months afterthe i20 WRC broke cover at Paris MotorShow, the Korean manufacturer showeda revised version sporting aerodynamicupdates and suspension improvements.A new rear wing and front spoiler givethe car a different look, while upgradeshave also been made to the suspensionkinematics and chassis stiffness.“We are still in the infancy of our excitingWRC programme so the developmentcurve for the car and team is steep,”explained team principal Michel Nandan.“This latest version of the i20 WRChas centred on aerodynamics with theobjective of improving the car’s coolingsystems.”Nandan has recruited key technical,logistics and motorsports specialists forthe new Hyundai Motorsport operationin Alzenau, Germany, and the squad willsoon begin more intensive testing.“Building up a new motorsport facilityfrom scratch is an ambitious and rewardingchallenge. We have begun the recruitmentprocess but already have a numberof key people in place who bring withthem a wealth of rally and motorsportexperience,” he said.“We are rapidly building up the teaminfrastructure and are pleased that every-thing is running to schedule.“Our ultimate goal is to be victoriousbut we know that we have a lot of toughcompetition ahead of us. We will use thisyear to lay the solid foundations but hopeto advance quickly as 2014 approaches,”added Nandan.The i20 WRC was resplendent in a redesignedlivery which blends Hyundai’scorporate blue with characters from thenative Korean script, Hunminjeongeum.2013 CBA AFRICA CONCOURS D’ELEGANCECourtesy of KMSFThe television programmepremiere and the launch of theRegulations for the 2013 CBA AfricaConcours d’Elegance will be held onWednesday February 20th at 6.30.p.m. in the Panafric Hotel.The key note speech at thispopular social and motoring functionwill be delivered by Jeremy Ngunze,the CBA Chief Executive Officer,Kenya, following brief comments onthe Regulations by Maina Muturi, theVice President of the FIM, AFRICAand Bob Dewar, the Event Director.The highlight of the evening willbe the first showing of the TV programmewhich will be projected on alarge screen.Afterwards there will be a draw givingcompetitors who have submitted theirConcours entries on, or before WednesdayFebruary 20th the opportunity42 EDITION 19 March - April 2013to win one of the three lucky prizes of20,000 shillings each.REGULATIONS FOR THE2013 CBA AFRICA CONCOURSD’ELEGANCEThe Regulations for the 2013 CBAAfrica Concours d’Elegance have beenapproved by the Kenya Motor SportFederation (KMSF) and work is underwayto design and print the booklets andentry forms in readiness for the officiallaunch on February 20th.The Regulations and entry formhave already been posted on the eventwebsite (www.concourskenya.com)and photocopies are available from theConcours office, Bob Dewar Publicity,Second Floor, Block G, Norfolk Towers,Kijabe Street.JANE NJOROGE -- CO-ORDINA-TOR -- CONCOURS D’ELEGANCELUCY MUNGAI -- SECRETARY-- CONCOURS D’ELEGANCEBOB DEWAR -- CHAIRMAN --ALFA ROMEO OWNERS CLUB

MOTORSPORTS44 EDITION 18 JAN - FEB 2013

MOVIEREVIEWSIdentity Thief (2013)Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to liveit up on the outskirts of Miami, where the queen of retailbuys whatever strikes her fancy. There’s only one glitch:The ID she’s using to finance these sprees reads “Sandy BigelowPatterson”....and it belongs to an accounts rep (Bateman)who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one weekto hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, thereal Sandy Bigelow Patterson heads south to confront thewoman with an all-access pass to his life. And as he attemptsto bribe, coax and wrangle her the 2,000 miles toDenver, one easy target will discover just how tough it is toget your name back.Directed By: Seth GordonWritten By: Steve ConradLethal Weapon(1987)L.A. cop Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson),whose wife has recentlydied, is a loose cannon with aseeming death wish. This makeshim indispensable in collaringdangerous criminals, but a liabilityto any potential partners. RogerMurtaugh (Danny Glover),a conservative family man whowants to stay alive for his upcoming 50th birthday, is partnered withRiggs. As Riggs gets to know Murtaugh and his family, he beginsto mellow, though his insistence on using guerilla tactics to catchcriminals is still (put mildly) above and beyond the call of duty.The main villain is The General (Mitchell Ryan), a drug dealer responsiblefor the death of the daughter of one of Murtaugh’s oldestfriends. The General is also in charge of a deadly, militia-like gang ofsmugglers. Adding fuel to the fire is The General’s chief henchman,played with all stops out by Gary Busey. Moviegoers familiar onlywith the relatively tongue-in-cheek Lethal Weapon sequels may beamazed to find out how dangerous and unpredictable Riggs is in thefirst Lethal Weapon -- and how likely it seems that Murtaugh mightnot survive until fade-out time. ~ Hal Erickson, RoviDirected By: Richard DonnerWritten By: Shane BlackIronman 3(2013)Marvel’s “Iron Man 3”pits brash-but-brilliantindustrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds.When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’shands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to findthose responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test hismettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to surviveby his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instinctsto protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back,Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretlyhaunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suitmake the man?Directed By: Shane BlackWritten By: Shane Black, Drew Pearce46 EDITION 18 JAN - FEB 2013

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