BizBahrain Magazine (May-June 2019)

Highlights | Automotive
Ferrari F8
Tributo
The F8 Tributo is the new
mid-rear-engined sports
car that represents the highest
expression of the Prancing
Horse’s classic two-seater
berlinetta. It is a car with
unique characteristics and, as
its name implies, is an homage
to the most powerful V8 in
Ferrari history.
The F8 Tributo sets
the market benchmark for
performance, driving pleasure
and ease of handling. It makes
the exhilarating performance of
the best 8-cylinder in the world
accessible to all drivers, with
unprecedented handling and
superior ride comfort.
The F8 Tributo replaces
the 488 GTB and, in the range,
is the model with the highest
performance matched by the
greatest driver involvement.
There are significant
improvements across the board
aimed at providing even better
control on the limit along with
greater on-board comfort.
In the automotive world,
Ferrari’s V8 engine is seen as
the very epitome of sportiness
and driving pleasure. This is
particularly the case when
it is mid-rear-mounted in a
two-seater. Ferrari has been
honing the scope of abilities of
this architecture, which creates
an optimal weight balance,
and thus delivers unparalleled
thrillingly sporty driving,
to perfection for over four
decades.
Designed by the Ferrari
Styling Centre, the F8 Tributo
is essentially a bridge to a
new design language that
will continue to emphasise
Ferrari’s key characteristics of
high performance and extreme
aerodynamic efficiency. In
fact, the F8 Tributo is the most
aerodynamically efficient
series-production mid-rearengined
berlinetta ever
designed.
The F8 Tributo features
state-of-the-art aerodynamics,
integrating innovations and
expertise developed thanks to
the company’s involvement
in the GT and Challenge
championships. The solutions
have been honed to create a
series-production mid-rearengined
berlinetta with the
highest level of performance
available.
It was only through close
synergy with the Ferrari
Styling Centre that the strict
aerodynamic constraints could
be so flawlessly interpreted and
integrated into the car’s design.
A good example is the S-Duct
at the front and the redesigned
blown spoiler system at the rear
Mercedes-Benz
GLC Coupé
The next generation of the
successful model skilfully
and intricately combines the
sportiness of a coupé with the
functionality of an SUV. The
GLC Coupé impresses with
its distinctive appearance,
innovative driving assistance
systems, a new engine line-up
and the latest generation of the
MBUX Mercedes-Benz User
Experience multimedia system
with its wide range of control
options.
The GLC Coupé is
characterised by its dynamic
appearance and elegant lines.
Hallmark off-road features
which are underscored by the
car’s clean yet decisive lines.
The cockpit retains the
classic, driver-oriented look
typical of Ferrari’s midrear-engined
berlinettas.
Every element of the dash,
door panels and tunnel has
been completely redesigned
specifically for the car. The
F8 Tributo also boasts a new
generation steering wheel
and steering wheel-mounted
controls as well as new styling
on the standard seats.
Overall performance levels
are significantly higher than
those of the 488 GTB, thanks to
the increase in power, weight
reduction and improved
aerodynamic coefficient.
That performance is also now
accessible to a larger number
of drivers thanks to vehicle
dynamics systems that make
driving on the limit an easier
and more confidence-inspiring
experience.
include the dominant front end,
powerful forms and standard-fit
chrome details like the front
and rear underride guards. Its
coupé character shines through
in the squat silhouette with the
dropping roof line and rounded
rear window. Highlights at
the front end include the
powerfully contoured diamond
radiator grille with integrated
star and single louvre typical of
a coupé, complemented by the
distinctive air intakes and the
new contours of the standardfi
t L E D H i g h P e r f o r m a n c e
headlamps.
Flawless luxury and userfriendly
controls abound in the
Coupé's interior. The focus is on
the dashboard and the flowing
lines of the centre console. The
large, one-piece console panel
sweeps elegantly from the
centre air vents to the armrest.
It has a premium feel and a
build quality of exceptionally
high calibre. The interior colour
magma grey is completely
new. The completely revised
multifunction steering wheel
is available in two versions. Its
operation of Active Distance
Assist DISTRONIC and the
Touch Control buttons for
controlling the instrument
cluster and the infotainment
system as well as the acoustic
input feedback set new
standards.
The multifunctional
touchpad on the centre
console improves operating
convenience even further, and
replaces the rotary pushbutton,
while the infotainment system
has larger touchscreen displays
with optionally 12.3 inches in
the instrument cluster plus
the free-standing multimedia
display in the centre is
available in two sizes: 7 inches
with a resolution of 960 x 540
pixels and 10.25 inches with
1920 x 720 pixels. In addition
to this, the latest generation of
the MBUX Mercedes-Benz User
Experience multimedia system
boasts intuitive logic and a
wide range of control options.
As an alternative to the
standard sports suspension
with adaptive damping,
DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL with
infinitely adjustable dampers
for the steel springs on the
front and rear axle is available
as an option. Depending on
the driving situation, speed
and condition of the road,
the damping is controlled
individually for each wheel in
interaction with the engine,
transmission and steering
characteristics.
Distance Assist DISTRONIC
provide even more comfortable
support to help the driver to
keep a safe distance. The speed
is adjusted automatically ahead
of bends or junctions.
The GLC Coupé will
be equipped with the next
generation of four-cylinder
petrol engines with increased
output at significantly lower
fuel consumption.
62 May-June 2019