Musk reports 200,000 orders for Cybertruck

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTWEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2019

PAGE 04

ACTING MANAGING EDITORMohammed Salim Mohamed

SUPPLEMENT EDITORPramod Prabhakaran

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDr. Khalid M Al-Shafi

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATORMuhammad Shammas

DESIGNAbraham Augusthy

DAVID STRINGER/BLOOMBERG

Not every advance in electric-vehicle technology takes place inside the sterile calm of a research laboratory.

BMW AG, Volkswagen AG’s Audi and a Silicon Valley-based battery maker are helping push the boundaries by rac-ing electric-powered cars through New York, London and Seoul at speeds topping 170 mph.

Breakthroughs made by competitors in Formula E, which started its sixth season over the weekend, are being in-corporated into family SUVs and sedans -- and even India’s electric rickshaws -- as manufacturers seek to improve and extend their electric lineups while nations gradually phase out petrol guz-zlers. More powerful batteries and better motors, energy-management software and braking systems are all being trans-ferred from the racetrack to the showroom.

“What we are doing in Formula E is highly relevant back on the road,” said Dilbagh Gill, chief executive officer and team principal of India’s Mahindra Racing, the motorsport unit of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. “We are able to come in and help them immediately in improving the product.”

Formula E, which began in 2014 with an “E-Prix” in Beijing, has 12 teams, almost all of which involve automakers producing or developing battery-powered vehicles for consumers - such as Nissan motor Co. and Tata motors Ltd.’s Jaguar brand.

DS Automobiles is taking the pow-ertrain -- parts including the motor and inverter -- from its Formula E entry and putting it inside a concept car called the DS X E-Tense. It also will use the same operating software across its planned range of electric passenger vehicles.

PSA Group, also home to the Peugeot and Citroen brands, is targeting a fully electrified fleet by 2025.

“The cars that win in Formula E are the most energy efficient, which is largely driven by software,” Paris-based DS Automobiles said. “Everything we do in Formula E with algorithms and software we try to replicate in series pro-duction.”

Rules intended to limit costs for teams and keep the series competitive mean racers use a standardized lithium-ion battery manufactured by a unit of Newark, California-based Lucid motors Inc.

During the first four seasons of Formula E, drivers needed to change cars in the middle of a race -- leaping from one cockpit into another -- because the power packs couldn’t com-plete a whole event, which typically lasts about 45 minutes.

Lucid’s batteries, introduced last season, eliminate the need for that switch.

“The real reason we are doing this is to demonstrate that we have world-class technology, which will find its way

into our forthcoming road car,” said Chief Executive Officer Peter Rawlinson, previously chief engineer of Tesla Inc.’s Model S.

The company plans to start pro-ducing its Lucid Air sedan in Arizona next year, boasting of a range topping 400 miles and a speed exceeding 200 mph.

Lucid’s Formula E batteries pack in more energy than alternatives that are commercially available for regular cars, said James Frith, a London-based analyst for BloombergNEF.

“If Lucid can transfer this technology to commercial electric vehicles, it could give them a real advantage,” he said.

Another key focus for Mahindra, DS Techeetah, Audi and the others is finding the best way to slow a car down.

Since most vehicles lose energy as heat when a driver hits the brakes and causes friction, electric race cars use re-generative braking systems. In effect, a car’s motor goes into reverse to both slow the wheels and act as a

genera-tor to send power back into the battery.

The technology helps to boost driving range, meaning passenger cars could use smaller batteries, said Allan McNish, team principal of Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler.

Yet not all the gains are connected with technology or software.

Mumbai-based Mahindra will share racers’ cockpit tips with India’s auto rickshaw drivers to help them extend their battery’s range between refills. India is home to about 1.5 million battery-powered, three-wheeled rick-shaws. Mahindra is among the manu-facturers of electric versions.

Putting high-speed EVs onto circuits using regular city streets is considered another major benefit to the racing se-ries, lifting the profile of the battery-powered sector in key consumer markets. Formula E races last season drew more than 400,000 spectators and a cumulative TV audience of 411 million people, the series said in September.

Electric car racing are test labs for SUVs

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 20192

Elaf Motors, the authorised distributor of Changan Automobiles in Qatar, held an exclusive event at the Westin Hotel, to launch the Changan brand in Qatar. Revealed to the general public for the first

time on Sunday, the 3rd of November 2019, the Changan cars on display made a last impression among the attendees.

The launch ceremony was a huge success with Abdul Aziz Al Attiya, Chairman of Elaf Motors, offi-cially launching the brand with an inspiring speech about his confidence in the success Changan brand followed by riveting presentations from Isam El-Bashier of Elaf Motors and Vinnie, Regional Vice-President of Changan. Numbered among the guests were several prominent figures such as the Chinese Ambassador to Qatar, Zhou Jian, who met with Abdul Aziz Al Attiya to congratulate him on the new launch and Ahmad Al Mutawa, Chairman of the Al Mutawa

Group, the sole distributors of Changan in Kuwait. Other guests consisted of exclusively selected enthu-siasts who were suitably thrilled and amazed by the stunning styles and practicality of the cars and many expressed their admiration for the festivities of the launch ceremony itself which included a stunning display of Chinese drummers as well as a musician playing a traditional Chinese instrument.

Elaf Motors unveiled four Changan car models starting with the mid-sized sedan, EADO followed by the entry-level SUV, CS35 and then the mid-sized SUV, the CS75 and finally the full-sized SUV, CS95. The cars dazzled everyone present with their unique and stylish designs as well as the sheer number of features and technology present in all the models.

The mid-sized sedan, Changan Eado features the H16EB, 1.6L engine with power output figures of 126 HP and 168Nm of torque and offers such attractive features as a multi-functional,

leather-trimmed steering wheel, adjustable driver and passenger seats, driver seat memory, TPMS, 10” touch screen, cruise control, parking sensors and much more. The compact SUV, Changan CS35 fea-turing a Blue Core DVVT 1.6L engine also won hearts with its striking design and feature-rich offerings like comfortable leather seats, dual airbags, Radar Parking Assistance System, parking sensors, rear-view camera and more. The CS35 has a power output of 125 HP with 160Nm of torque.

The launch ceremony also showcased the mid-sized SUV, the Changan CS75 in a striking red colour that grabbed attention immediately. The CS75 on display comes equipped with a D18T 1.8L turbo-charged engine with 4WD technology and offers a power output of 245HP and 230Nm of torque. The CS75 also features elegant 19” allow wheels, LED DRLs, power-folding side-view mirrors, panoramic sunroof, leather-trimmed multi-functional steering wheel, 10” touch-screen, 360-degree view camera and more.

The show-stealer was the high-end Changan CS95 with its bold look and plethora of features to suit every need. The CS95 is offered with a D20TGDI 2.0L engine with a power output of 233 HP and 360Nm of torque. The SUV is well known for its comfort, convenience and safety features like Pan-oramic sunroof, Power tailgate, seat massager with cooling and ventilation, 8-way adjustable driver seat, Automatic Parking Assist, Lane Departure

Warning System, 360-degree panoramic image camera, Wi-Fi system and many others.

Al-Attiya expressed his absolute confidence in the success of the Changan brand by saying, “I have every confidence that Changan cars will do well in the Qatar market with their unique and striking designs and practical features. The Changan cars have a robust nature, cater to the tastes of today’s consumers and come equipped with a host of safety features. With Changan’s many years of engineering experience and Elaf Motors’ extensive knowledge and customer-centric business model, Changan Qatar will undoubtedly number among the top auto-motive dealers in Qatar.”

Vinnie also commented on the launch of the Changan Qatar brand, stating, “Changan is extremely proud to partner with Elaf Motors, an automotive dealer with tremendous knowledge of the local market and commendable experience in the fields of car sales, customer service and business effi-ciency. I have complete confidence that the values and mission of the Changan brand will be well pre-served by Elaf Motors and that soon Changan will be a household name in Qatar.”

The Changan showroom is now open for members of the public and is located on Salwa Road. For those interested in visiting, the showroom timings are 9am to 8pm, Saturday to Thursday. For more information, visit the dealer’s social media pages, Changan Qatar.

Elaf Motors launches Changan brand in Qatar with 4 models

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2019 3

DPA

No matter how new they are, car batteries need looking after, particularly in cold

weather. Proper maintenance will increase the life of the battery and help reduce fuel consumption.

Cold weather can hit your car battery hard, so it needs some special care during the winter months. To start, make sure it’s not overloaded with unnecessary demands before you turn on the ignition.

Experts at Germany’s testing organisation Tuev Sued say this is important because the fuel pump, injection nozzles and engine management systems alone require about 400 watts of power to work.

Ventilation fans and air con-ditioning, for example, use up a further 100 to 500 watts, and lighting, radio and heating guzzle up to 1,000 watts more. Window mechanisms and

heaters add further loads that result in more electricity being consumed than the alternator can produce. That’s bad news for the battery, which won’t get properly charged.

Increased power require-ments also take a toll at the filling station. Experts estimate that for every 100 watts of extra power the car’s alternator has to supply, there is an additional

consumption of 0.1 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres.

In order to avoid corrosion and leakage, drivers should keep the housing and poles of the battery as clean as possible.

Build-ups of oxides can be removed from the terminals with fine sandpaper, and should then be wiped with a dry cloth. Follow this up by applying special grease to the poles and the connection

terminals, making sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

The battery’s housing can simply be wiped down with a damp cloth.

In order to avoid corrosion and leakage, drivers should keep the housing and poles of the battery as clean as possible.

Maintaining your car battery: Turn off stereo, grease the terminals

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 20194

Auto Class Cars, the authorized distributer of MG in Qatar, launched the all-new MG HS in Qatar, which is the sportiest SUV

ever made by the British-born brand. With its powerful turbo engine, dynamic styling and wide range of great features, the MG HS has been designed to put the ‘sport’ back into SUV.

The MG HS and wide range of MG vehicles are available Auto Class Cars showroom at Salwa road in Doha.

Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al Thani, Operations director – Auto, at Nasser Bin Khaled Group, said: “New MG HS is the latest addition to our wide range of cars. Our ambition has no limits and we will not stop here. 2019 resembles a new era for Auto Class Cars and MG, and together we are looking for a better and more prosperous years in 2020. Our mission is to supply Qatar market with more appealing options and quality cars of affordable prices. We thank our cus-tomers for their trust and interest in us and in MG brand, and we will work hard to always meet their expectations.”

Hesham Al Sahn, General Manager, Auto Class Cars, stated: “Following the launch of the legendary MG RX8, Auto Class Cras is pleased to introduce the MG sportiest SUV that will redefine this category. MG HS is taking the mid-size SUV to higher levels, surpassing all expectations and creating a new line. As promised, Auto Class Cars will be one of the first dealers in the region which launches the latest versions of MG innovations”.

Tom Lee, SAIC Motor Middle East Managing Director, said: “The MG HS possesses the looks of a SUV but the soul of a sports car. As with all MGs, it is extremely well equipped, but its unique character differentiates it from other cars on the market, as well as other SUVs in the MG line-up. It is positioned to appeal to customers who are looking upgrade from their current vehicle and stand out from the crowd, both in terms of style and specification.”

MG HSOffering a 231hp 2.0L Turbo engine

mated to a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox, Super Sport button, bucket racing seats and red racing calipers, the all-new HS brings MG’s celebrated sporting her-itage to a state-of-the-art SUV. It joins the recently launched MG 5, and MG RX8 models in the British-born auto-motive brand’s rapidly expanding Middle East line-up.

The arrival of the totally new MG HS SUV is yet another major step forward in MG Motor’s resurgence, as the brand continues to change percep-tions among new car buyers across the region thanks to its highly advanced and well-equipped range of sedans and SUVs.

Key to the sporty nature of the HS

is its 231HP 2.0 Litre Turbo petrol engine, which is more powerful than any of the powerplants offered by the competitors. Developing maximum torque of 360Nm and capable of hitting a top speed of 210 km/h, with paddle shift gear change also available a Super Sport drive mode button on LUX versions.

Range-topping LUX trim feature an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system with racing-inspired red brake calipers, while Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) is standard on COM trim. Both trims are fitted with 18” alloy wheels.

ExteriorFeaturing the brand’s latest design

language, the MG HS takes its styling cues from the acclaimed X-Motion concept car that was unveiled in 2015.

The centrepiece of the front-end design is an attractive Star grille that incorpo-rates the iconic MG badge. It is comple-mented by the smart use of chrome to frame the grille, foglamps and lower air intake, while two-tone headlights embedded with nine crystal LEDs are available.

The sporty look of the MG HS com-bines soft curves with the sleek lines that flow from the bonnet and down the side before rising at the rear to sweep over the rear lights, which consist of 21 individual LEDs that light up sequen-tially. While chrome mouldings feature both on the side and below the rear bumper. A choice of five paint colours is available.

InteriorThe cabin of the all-new MG HS

simply oozes class, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for delivering premium finishes at non-premium prices. Some 85% of the interior is covered with soft material, while cus-tomers can opt from three attractive interior colour schemes.

The sporty nature of the car is empha-sised by the racing-style bucket seats that are fitted in top-of-the-range trims. Designed for optimum comfort, these stylish seats are made from high-quality leather sourced from German company Bader, one of the world’s leading manu-facturers of premium leather for the auto-motive industry. A three-spoke leather steering wheel features sports stitching and multi-function buttons.

Light plays a key role in the travel experience for all occupants of the MG HS. An available electric panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with natural light during the day. Equipped with an anti-pinch function, the sunroof covers 1.19m2, and has a maximum opening area of 0.51 m2, the largest in its class. At night, the interactive ambient cabin lighting, with a range of different colour options, can be adjusted to suit indi-vidual preferences. It can also interact with the touchscreen and the music.

In the front, there are not one but two high-quality display screens. A 12.3” Virtual Instrument display, the largest in its class, is located behind the steering wheel and provides a breakthrough in the way that key information is com-municated to the driver. A new 10.1” high resolution touch screen with high-performance is compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto. A dual screen linkage function allows both screens to interact with each other as well as built in navigation system.

The all-new MG HS is 4574mm long, 1876mm wide and 1685mm high, with a wheelbase of 2720mm. Its boot capacity is 463 litres, expandable to 1287 litres with the second row of seats folded down. An electrically-operated tailgate for easier access is standard on LUX trims.

Auto Class Cars unveils all-new MG HS

State-of-the-art technology features with 12.3-inch virtual instrument panel - the largest in the segment - interacts with the 10.1-inch color touchscreen

DANA HULL / BLOOMBERG

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk revived the practice of reporting reser-vation counts, telling his Twitter followers that orders for the carmaker’s Cybertruck

climbed to 200,000 despite a rocky reveal.The tally Musk tweeted Sunday restores another

source of intrigue for investors, analysts, journalists, fans and skeptics of the company, as the figures are inherently used as a proxy for demand. Musk’s tweets broke with recent practice at Tesla, which had stopped giving reservation figures on quarterly earnings calls, saying the metric wasn’t relevant.

When asked about the Model Y during Tesla’s first-quarter earnings call in April, Musk responded: “We don’t want to comment on the granularity of deposits -- again, people just read too much into those.”

Tesla shares traded up 2.2% as of 9:45 a.m. in New York on Monday. The stuck slumped 6.1% on Friday after the company’s chief designer shattered two windows during a demo intended to show off the strength of the truck’s panes of glass.

Tesla has a history of unveiling future products to throngs of excited customers, then taking deposits and delivering the vehicles years later. Two years ago, Tesla showed off a Semi truck and a

next-generation Roadster sports car, but neither vehicle is in production yet. This spring, Musk unveiled the Model Y crossover, which is slated to begin production next summer.

Tesla’s website allows customers to order the truck for a fully refundable $100, and says they can complete their configuration as production starts in late 2021. Musk said in a tweet Saturday that 42% had ordered the dual-motor option, which starts at $49,900, while 41% have ordered the $69,900

triple-motor option, production of which is expected to begin in late 2022. Just 17% ordered the single-motor version, which begins at $39,900.

The $100 deposit for the Cybertruck is far cheaper than the $1,000 that was required to reserve a Model 3 sedan starting in March 2016.

Tesla never released an order or reservation figure for the Model Y. The company had $665 million in customer deposits as of Sept. 30, according to a regulatory filing.

“Reservations are not relevant for us,” former Chief Financial Officer Deepak Ahuja said in January, during the company’s 2018 fourth-quarter earnings call. “Now we do have a large reserva-tions backlog still, which tells us that a lot of cus-tomers are still waiting for those cars. But I don’t think it’s appropriate to share the reservations number.”

In a demonstration of the truck’s toughness, long-time Tesla lead designer Franz von Holzhausen whacked the Cybertruck’s stainless steel door with a mallet, failing to leave a dent. But when he threw a metallic ball at the driver-side front window, it shattered.

‘Too Hard’The crowd gasped. “Oh my f---ing god,” said

Musk. “Maybe that was a little too hard.”Von Holzhausen tried a second, softer throw --

this time targeting the truck’s rear window -- only to see that shatter as well.

It wasn’t immediately clear who supplied the glass or if Tesla made what it called “Armor Glass” completely in-house. Tesla entered the glass tech-nology business back in 2016, and has an internal group known as Tesla Glass.

Musk said his team threw the same steel ball at the window several times before the event and didn’t scratch it. Late Friday, he tweeted out a short video of von Holzhausen that has been viewed 6.8 million times.

Musk tweeted Sunday that when von Holzhausen smacked the truck with the the sledge-hammer, it cracked the base of the glass. The CEO said Tesla should have thrown the steel ball at the window, then done the sledgehammer test. He wrote separately that while Cybertruck would be Tesla’s last product unveil for a while, the company will make some unexpected technology announce-ments next year.

KEITH NAUGHTON / BLOOMBERG

Tesla’s Elon Musk plainly says his pickup is a “better truck than an F-150.” Ford Motor Co. is taking issue with that claim. While

releasing a series of specs last week for Cybertruck, which is scheduled to start deliveries as soon as late 2021, Musk called up a video of the the pickup in a tug-of-war against Ford’s best-selling F-150. He tweeted a clip of the test on Sunday showing his vehicle pulling a screeching Ford model up a hill.

Ford thinks Musk was making an apples-to-oranges comparison. The video the Tesla chief executive officer tweeted appears to show a two-wheel drive version of the F-150 against an all-wheel drive Cybertruck. Other details that could have factored in which pickup won out include curb weight and tire type.

Sundeep Madra, vice president of Ford X, the automaker’s unit for developing new business models, challenged Musk on Monday to send Ford a Cybertruck. He linked to a post by the car-enthu-siast site motor1.com that questioned whether

Tesla’s test was “fair game.”Musk responded to Madra: “Bring it on.”Tesla and Ford have been at this before. More

than a year after Musk tweeted a boast about how much weight Tesla’s truck would be able to tow, Ford released a promotional video of an electric F-150 prototype dragging more than 1 million pounds of double-decker rail cars.

Here’s a breakdown of how Ford’s most popular gasoline-fueled F-150 stacks up against Tesla’s most commonly ordered Cybertruck as of Saturday, according to a Musk tweet.

Musk accepts Ford challenge to apples-to-apples truck tug of war

Musk reports 200,000 orders for Cybertruck

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2019 5

Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co (AAB), sole agents for Toyota vehicles in Qatar, organised a Hybrid Familiarisation Pro-gramme for their top corporate cus-tomers. The event held at The Westin

Doha Hotel was attended by senior officials from various companies including rent a car and lim-ousine companies.

The objective of the Hybrid Familiarization pro-gramme was to explain about the functioning about hybrid electric vehicle technology as well as its key advantages of owning a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The advantages of a hybrid electric vehicle include driving an advanced technology vehicle, smooth ride, saving in fuel cost as well as reduction in CO2 emission.

AAB & Toyota has introduced a range of hybrid

electric vehicles in Qatar in the past few years which includes Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry and Toyota RAV4. More hybrid models will be introduced in 2020. Customers have shown pos-itive response towards hybrid electric vehicles. Toyota Camry & Corolla are popular models among the fleet customers and limousine operators. AAB introduced the All New Corolla Hybrid and the RAV4 Hybrid to the Fleet Customers present during the occasion.

AAB also showcased the newly launched Toyota Granvia – Luxury van that was launched recently to the fleet customers.

R K Murugan, Acting CEO / COO—Automotive, opened the programme with his welcome address. Presentations about the Hybrid Technology and its advantages were highlighted with videos given

by K S Ravi Kumar, Manager, Fleet Sales, and Bobby Mathew, Supervisor, Fleet Sales. Hybrid familiar-isation programme ended with a Q & A session where the winners received prizes.

The occasion was also witnessed rewarding the Top 3 Fleet Customers who have purchased the maximum number of Hybrid Vehicles. Mementos were given to

AAB has a dedicated Corporate Sales Department to take care of corporate/bulk sales. AAB’s Corporate Sales Department are committed to provide highly efficient Toyota vehicles and services to their fleet customers by offering the best Purchase & Ownership experience.

Toyota are the pioneers of Hybrid Technology

having sold more than 12 million Hybrid Electric Vehicles worldwide and Toyota has the largest line-up of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) in the world. Toyota’s Hybrid system combines the ben-efits of a petrol engine and an electric motor to deliver a seamless driving experience. The hybrid drivetrain can operate using only the electric motor, petrol engine or a combination of the two. The vehicles hybrid battery recharges itself as you drive and does not need to be plugged in.

AAB is always committed to provide the best After Sales support to its ever-expanding customer base and operates 7 Quick Service Centers in various parts of the country which is the widest network of After Sales facilities in addition to their state-of-the-art main workshop located at the Industrial Area. The Showrooms are open 7 days a week so that the customer has the option to visit the showroom at their convenience.

AAB organises hybrid familiarisation programme for corporate customers

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 20196

BY TOM KRISHER / AP

New electric vehicles, several new small SUVs, a redesigned compact car, a plug-in version of Toyota’s top-selling vehicle and a futuristic electric station wagon concept car from Volkswagen

were among the new models on display last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Toyota was displaying a rechargeable hybrid version of the RAV4 — the top-selling vehicle in the US that’s not a pickup truck — while Ford is rolling out an all-new electric SUV that carries the Mustang performance car brand name. There also is a redesigned compact Sentra from Nissan.

Here are some of the highlights:

Nissan SentraNissan is hoping a sleek redesign of the Sentra

compact sedan will pull in more buyers in a strug-gling segment of the US market.

The 2020 Sentra, which goes on sale in late January, loses the old version’s upright econobox look. It’s built on new underpinnings that lower it two inches and make it two inches wider than the outgoing model. It’s got a coupe look that mimics the design of newer Nissan models like the Altima and Maxima. The new version gets a new 149 horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine that’s 20% more powerful than the current model, yet Nissan says it will offer better gas mileage. It also gets a new rear suspension and steering system to improve handling. Even though it’s an entry-level car, it comes standard with six safety systems including automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Price and gas mileage were not announced.

Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion Concept

Volkswagen is giving us a glimpse into the car of the future with a low-slung electric station wagon called the ID. Space Vizzion Concept.

The German automaker, which has focused on electric vehicles after its diesel emissions-cheating scandal, says the wagon will be able to go 300 miles on a single battery charge. It has a rear-mounted 275-horsepower motor, but a second motor could be installed for all-wheel-drive, giving the car 355 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive version will be able to go from zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in five seconds, Volkswagen says. To limit wind drag, the car has touch sur-faces on the doors in place of conventional door handles. An augmented reality 15.6-inch touch screen that appears to float in the air has all enter-tainment, climate control and online information. VW says the car is a preview of a production vehicle for North America and Europe, but it didn’t say when the wagon will go on sale.

Ford Mustang Mach EFord displayed its first all-electric SUV,

marking the start of an avalanche of battery-powered vehicles coming from mainstream and luxury automakers during the next two years that industry analysts say will boost electric vehicle sales.

Analysts expect the number of electric vehicles for sale in the US to grow from 16 currently to as many as 80 by 2022. They say the increased selection and longer range of the new vehicles will make them more popular.

Ford’s Mustang Mach E SUV will go 230 miles to more 300 miles per charge depending on how it’s equipped.

The car gets some Mustang styling cues including triple taillights, a fastback rear and a long hood. A performance GT version will be able to go from zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in about 3.5 seconds.

The Mach E was unveiled Sunday night ahead of the Los Angeles show.

New SUVs and electric vehicles highlight

Los Angeles Auto Show

Nissan Sentra

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Volkswagon I.D. Space Vizzion

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2019 7

Toyota Rav4 Prime

Toyota is rolling out a plug-in electric version of the popular RAV4 small SUV that’s more efficient and faster than the current versions.

The 2021 RAV4 Prime will be able to go 39 miles (63 kilom-eters) on battery power alone before the gas-electric hybrid propulsion system kicks in. It will get the equivalent of 90 miles per gallon (38 kilometers per liter) of gasoline, according to Toyota. Yet the 302-horsepower system will take the car from zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in 5.8 seconds — a full two seconds faster than the current RAV4 Hybrid. The SUV, which is the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. that isn’t a pickup truck, has a tuned-up version of the RAV4 Hybrid’s 176 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine powering the front wheels. A separate rear-mounted electric motor powers the rear wheels when needed. Toyota says the battery is mounted under the floor, giving the SUV a lower center of gravity and improving its handling. The RAV4 Prime goes on sale in the summer. The price wasn’t announced.

Kia Seltos Korean automaker Kia is adding another compact SUV to

its model lineup with the Seltos, which is a little bigger than the compact Soul.

It comes standard with a 146-horsepower 2-liter four-cyl-inder engine with a continuously variable transmission. Also available is an optional 175-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four with a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

Kia says it has a well-appointed interior with modern exterior styling with a long wheelbase and hood.

Kia’s “Drive Wise” safety technology suite is an option with forward collision avoidance that includes pedestrian detection and automatic braking to help prevent a crash or mitigate it.

The Seltos goes on sale in the first quarter of next year.

Chevrolet TrailblazerGeneral Motors’ Chevrolet brand adds a compact SUV to its

growing lineup with the tough-looking Trailblazer.The new SUV, with a starting price below $20,000 including

shipping, sits between the subcompact Trax and the compact Equinox.

It comes with either a 1.2-liter or 1.3-liter turbocharged engines with a maximum of 155 hp. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission or an optional nine-speed automatic. It’s front-wheel-drive, but buyers can choose an all-wheel-drive option.

Exterior styling follows cues from the larger Chevrolet Blazer. In some trim levels it has a two-tone roof. It comes standard with a list of safety features including forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking.

The 2021 Trailblazer arrives in showrooms in the spring. Fuel economy wasn’t announced.

BMW i8

Chevrolet Trailblazer

Kia Seltos

Toyota Rav4 Prime Infiniti QS Inspiration Concept

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 20198

HANNAH ELLIOTT / BLOOMBERG

Andy Wallace would make a great secret agent. At 147 pounds and average height, the mild-mannered, fiftysomething Brit could have come straight from central casting for the term “nondescript.”

But he’s anything but normal: Wallace has driven and raced high-performance sports cars since 1988, and he’s won more than 25 interna-tional competitions, including all four of the big ones: the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and Petite Le Mans 1,000-Mile race.

His day job now is the official test driver for Bugatti. And in September, he set a world record for speed by driving a Bugatti Chiron Longtail to 304.77 miles per hour on the Ehra-Lessien test track in Lower Saxony, Germany. Built during the Cold War, the track was located there because it was a no-fly zone west of the border between East and West Germany. That meant prototype cars built by German Automakers could be tested on the track without the risk of spies. Today, Volkswagen AG uses it to test cars from its current stable of brands: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Porsche, among them.

After a year of preparations in secret, weeks at the test track, and an intensive four days at Ehra-Lessien touching 299 mph, but unable to break the 300 mph barrier, Wallace finally hit 304.77 mph on one last, record-setting lap. The 12-mile track is a three-sided layout that uses banked corners, so he got up to speed on one of the long, back straight stretches.

Bugatti showed the record-breaking car in a warehouse in Los Angeles on Nov. 19. Wallace was there, happy to talk about what driving 300-plus miles per hour does to your body and how he cel-ebrated after his record-breaking run.

Here’s a condensed version of our conversation.

OK, Andy, be honest. We all think that we could drive 300 mph pretty easily if we had the right car. It’s just a matter of keeping your right foot on the gas, right?

[Wallace laughs.] Well, speed is a linear meas-urement, but it’s not somehow. For instance, no matter what country you live in, for most of us, even in Germany, 150 mph is a fast speed. And if you take that as a fast speed to 180 mph, although it’s only 20% more, it’s such a completely different world driving at 180 mph from 150 mph. If you then follow that all the way up, when you get to 300, it’s not double 150, it feels like four times or more.

So in terms of driving the car, if you jumped in the car and tried to do it there straightaway, I think you’d go crazy [trying to process the speed at which things fly by while also trying to maintain control of the car].

What’s the speed at which you start to notice this exponential change?

It changes depending on what car you’re driving

and what its top speed is, but I always think 150 mph is a big number.

OK, so how do you prepare for that crazy amount of change? You’ve been a pro driver for 40 years, but this sounds next-level.

Yes, unfortunately, you don’t do 300 mph a lot of times [even as a race car driver]. We are always doing it in increments. All of our cars are limited to 261 mph, so first I drive a standard Bugatti with the limiter removed. The first time you do that, when you go a bit more than 261, it’s such a shock. Your [brain] can’t process [the raw speed].

How does that feel once you finally hit it?Everything is coming toward you. And you’re

steering, in control of the car, so it better do

everything you ask it. And then once you’ve done that a few times, your brain gets a little bit used to it.

Where do you feel it most in your body?Here, in your core. Acceleration is really felt in

the torso. It moves around some of your internal organs, it scrambles them [pushing them back and compressing them inside the body]. Obviously the acceleration subsides as you get close to v-max [maximal velocity].

And it’s not like you’re just sitting there along for the ride.

There were so many things to do in the car-I wasn’t just sitting going along for the ride! You’re controlling the car, checking the speed, checking for danger. Trying to keep in the center of the three

lanes. And that isn’t as easy as it sounds, because the road is very well used. It’s got a lot of ruts, and the car moves around because you’re going so fast.

The weight of the spinning wheels-the gyro-scopic effect of those wheels turning-actually over-powers the steering. It’s a problem that has not been solved because it’s not necessary to solve it normally. But you then get a situation where there’s no self-centering on the steering anymore, so when you have to make an adjustment to stay straight, that adjustment pulls the car over and doesn’t stop, and then you need another one to come back. It’s very small movements, but you’re forever doing that to try to stay straight.

So, yes, your mind is full of lots of things you have to do rather than just absorbing the experience.

During the early part of that run, could you tell you had a winner on your hands?

Yes, I could feel it. You map off landmarks in your mind, so there was the place where the guys were standing. I would always pass them normally at around 430 kmp (267 mph). This particular time I went past them at 438 kmp. So I already knew, “OK, this is going quite well.”

And then another landmark-there’s a surface change, and I went over that faster than ever before. And there’s a radar on the straight that I passed well, and I thought, “Great, this is the run.” So I stayed [with the accelerator pedal pushed] flat out.

What was your immediate thought at that point?You’re immediately looking for the other end,

because there’s a banked curve at the end of each side of the track. It’s a banked track 12 miles all around, and you need to judge the right time to give up on it because the speed is still climbing, you never actually stop accelerating. And you need about a mile to get back down to 125. So there’s a lot to think about. It keeps you busy.

What a thrill. Does it make you hungry for speed at all times?

After I did the 304 mph run, for the next week I drove everywhere at 10 miles under the limit. It was just a relief not to have to drive fast anymore!

It’s a funny thing: When I’m not at work, I very rarely speed. First, I don’t feel the need. You have to do it when you’re at work all the time, so it’s almost a relief [not to]. But also there are so many points of danger on the normal road, particularly if there are people walking about. I’m quite happy just monitoring everything.

I’m not a serial speeder-70 miles an hour is fine.

Do you have to watch what you eat before doing this?

In a Formula One car, you’re braking and accel-erating going through corners, so weight is important. For this in a straight line, the weight doesn’t dictate the speed. The only thing the weight does is put more load to the tires. I mean, they didn’t come and sit with me at breakfast and say, “You can’t have that egg.”

I’m 67 kilos. The car weighs 1,900 kilos anyway, so percentage-wise, it’s not so much.

What it’s like to drive 300 miles per hour, from the guy who did it

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2019 9

Qatar Automobiles Company, the authorized general dis-tributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Qatar, launched the all-new Montero Sport 2020

in Qatar, to be the first dealer in the region to launch this vehicle after revealing it at Thailand Global Launch event and ahead of its display at regional Motor Shows.

Held at Qatar Automobiles Company showroom backyard, the event was attended by Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Al Thani, Chairman of Nasser Bin Khaled Group, Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al Thani, Operations director - Automotive at NBK Group, Ihab El Feky, Chief Operations Officer – Automotive at NBK Group, Hisham Al Sahn, General Manager of QAC, and the guest of honor Masahiko Takahashi, President of Mitsubishi Motors Middle East and Africa in addition to huge attendance of local media representatives.

Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al Thani said: “It is a historical moment for Qatar Automobiles Company as it strengthens its position as one of the main dealers in the region for Mitsubishi Motors. Qatar is the first market to launch the new 2020 Montero Sports in the Middle East after its global launch, and ahead of its introduction in the region. We will work hand in hand with Mitsubishi Motors to accomplish bigger achieve-ments in the coming period.”

Ihab El Feky stated: “Our rela-tionship with Mitsubishi Motors is built on mutual trust, common values and shared vision of the future. We will stay committed to our community to supply the best reliable vehicles and exceed our customers’ expectations. The new Montero Sports has undergone changes in exterior design, embraced the latest technology and safety features which makes it the smart, optimal choice for the city and off-road driving alike. It is indeed the vehicle of choice.”

Hesham Al Sahn stated: “The new model builds on the Montero Sport concept with modern twist and updates. A new facelift and rear design with the latest advance technology features, along with high performance, the vehicle stuns and maintains its position as the best in its segment. When it comes to safety, the Montero Sport exceeds expectations, thanks to the advance assistance systems which give the driver more confidence and comfort”.

The event gathered Mitsubishi fans and their families who enjoyed a full evening of activities and surprises at an open-air venue that was specifically designed and prepared for the launch. Attendees had a unique opportunity to test drive the Montero Sport on a special terrain and get up close and personal with the vehicle’s distinctive features and technology.

The new faceThe 2020 Montero Sport gets a fresh

new face. The updated look features the

new Dynamic Shield front grill, enhanced front bumper design and new LED and fog lights to give the car more tough yet smooth and modern look. On the back, the layout of rear lamps was changed, signal lights and brake lights’ positions have been switched, with a new spoiler out back adding a smoked finish in order to give the car a more sophisticated look.

Engine and PerformanceThe Montero Sport 2020 model is

equipped with 3.0-LITER V6 MIVEC engine. The high-displacement V6 engine supplies strong acceleration even when carrying heavy loads or traveling uphill. Thanks to the 8-speed automatic transmission – First from Mitsubishi Motors – improved fuel efficiency coupled with smoother, more luxurious drive is easily achieved.

Built for maximum stability and traction, the rugged frame and aerody-namically contoured body contribute to solid handling and stable highway per-formance. Reliable 4WD traction com-bines with an advanced suspension to keep the vehicle in touch with surface conditions to stay in firm control. Using the drive mode selector dial, drivers can easily switch between 2WD (2H) and

4WD (4H, 4HLc, 4LLc), while they can Improve traction when driving off road by entering the GRAVEL, MUD/SNOW, SAND or ROCK modes.

The Hill Descent Control (HDC) mode selector activates the HDC, which automatically applies the brakes to maintain current speed when traveling downhill, allowing drivers to

concentrate on steering and and the road ahead without having to manually apply the brakes.

Active Stability & Traction Control independently regulates braking force to the wheels during cornering to help maintain excellent vehicle stability when needed. It also optimizes traction to prevent loss of torque whenever wheel spin is detected by controlling engine output and applying brake force to the spinning wheels.

When starting on a steep slope, Hill Start Assist (HSA) helps prevent from rolling backwards when the brake is released by maintaining the braking force for up to two seconds until the accelerator is applied. Because chal-lenges come in all shapes and sizes, this model is designed to climb up, over, around and through the toughest terrain.

SafetyThe 2020 Montero Sport enjoys

plenty of safety features that ensure utmost safety of the driver and pas-sengers. The features include, Forward Collision Mitigation system [FCM], which helps prevent a frontal collision or reduces damage in the event that a col-lision unavoidable.

Adaptive Cruise Control [ACC], maintains a set distance between the vehicle and the car ahead via a radar. The technology reduces driver stress during slow traffic on highways.

The Blind Spot Warning system [BSW] and Lane Change Assist [LCA] features utilize radar sensors placed on the rear bumper to detect vehicles on the rear, left and right blind spots. To further enhance safety, the sensing range has been expanded to better detect the danger of collision with other vehicles during lane changes.

Ultrasonic misacceleration Miti-gation System [UMS] helps prevent

collisions while parking, a buzzer sounds and a warning displays if front or rear sensors detect a nearby obstacle. Whereas Multi Around Monitor allows the views from cameras mounted on the front, rear and sides of the vehicle (including a bird’s-eye view) to be dis-played in various combinations to reveal what is in blind spots and help the driver park more safely.

Collision safety performance is sig-nificantly enhanced by Mitsubishi Motors’ RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body, which efficiently absorbs energy and maintains high cabin integrity in the event of a collision. The body is extremely sturdy and light-weight, due to the generous use of high tensile strength steel plates that also contribute to a high level of collision safety.

The new Montero Sport enjoys seven SRS airbags to help protect the driver and passengers by absorbing the force of impact in the event of an collision. The system includes front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags (including third-row curtain airbags in the 7-seater) and a driver’s knee airbag.

Utility and interiorFrom elegant leather seats with dual

layered cushioning and relaxing spa-ciousness, to small details including flat accent grips, double-stitched PVC door grips, two-tone black power window switch panels and large single-stitched soft ornaments and decorations, the cabin will awe everybody on board.

The new 2020 Montero Sport enjoys several utility updates in the cabin. A first for a Mitsubishi vehicle, the large 8 inch color LCD meter cluster is easy to read and enhances the prestigious and advanced look and feel of the cockpit. In addition to the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, HVAC controls have been updated, and a new AC power outlet at the rear console for charging gadgets / phones has been added.

The enhanced Smartphone-link Display Audio (SDA) with advanced con-nectivity helps drivers find new places while staying entertained on the go. The large 8-inch touch screen allows the driver to easily operate music playback via USB or Bluetooth, and calls are now made with voice actions. The power tailgate offers a host of convenient func-tions with the Keyless Operation System.

The New Montero Sport 2020 model is available now at Mitsubishi Motors Showroom on Salwa road and Al Khor Showroom. Customers can visit the showroom at Salwa Road from Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 9 pm and on Friday from 5 pm to 9 pm, and Al Khor Showroom from Saturday to Wednesday from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Thursday from 8 am to 3 pm.

QAC unveils all-new Montero Sport 2020 model in Qatar

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 201910

National Car Company, the sole agent for Mazda in Qatar, has announced their most exciting “Year End” offers assuring multiple benefits to Mazda buyers on all models including 2020 Mazda models.

The “Year End” campaign provides value added benefits such as extended unlimited KM warranty, comprehensive insurance, service, registration etc. on select models over and above the very attractive and competitive prices.

In line with Mazda’s positioning as a best value premium automotive brand with unique design, innovative technologies, Japanese quality and workmanship, the Year End campaign has been launched to benefit both sedan and SUV buyers covering even the newly arrived 2020 models. Mazda remains the only brand with the majority of the model line- up being made in Japan and available in the middle east region.

The new generation of Mazda sedans and SUVs are currently on display at the state-of-the-art showroom located in Al Nasr. Mazda team in Qatar is eagerly waiting to share the excitement by inviting the discerning customers to test drive and experience the Mazda difference.

Announcing the Year End Campaign, Sathish Nair – Marketing & Sales Manager – NCC said: “Every Mazda promotional offer is aimed at deliv-ering additional rewards to the Mazda customer while choosing the unique design, class leading technology and reassuring safety which is inherent in every new generation Mazda. This time around, the year-end offers are extended to the newly arrived 2020 models along with the limited stocks of 2019 models, an exclusive benefit only Mazda customers are lucky to be enjoying.”

Feel Pure Driving Pleasure: Skyactiv Technology

Mazda’s path breaking SKYACTIV family of technologies that lifts performance to new heights and delivers sheer driving pleasure at the same time. Effortless joyful driving makes one feel alive!

Ingenious Solutions Spark Breakthroughs Mazda’s engineers design their cars to a feeling,

not a spec sheet. They know they got it right when the car feels like it has come to life. And at the heart of every Mazda is its engine – its life force.

Mazda is constantly looking for ways to increase the efficiency of its engines without sacrificing per-formance. While most of the automotive world has given up on innovating the internal combustion engine, Mazda believes there is still room for improvement. It is this obsession with squeezing more efficiency through continuous improvements that has led to some of Mazda’s most prolific breakthroughs.

New Mazda 6: Crafted to Inspire, Elegantly Matured!

New 2020 model year Mazda 6 which embodies maturity with style through a multitude of design and detail enhancements that together elevate the whole Mazda6 experience, right from the first impression.

Mazda’s exclusive technology, SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS with G-Vectoring Control, helps achieve a smoother, less fatiguing drive for the driver as well as the passengers. While cor-nering, the system works seamlessly by adjusting power delivery, shifting vehicle weight on initial turn-in and throughout the corner. The effect is subtle, but the feeling after a great drive is some-thing else.

The most important changes are found under the long hood. The 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder naturally aspirated engine has been further refined to deliver an extra ordinary power output of 187 HP. It along with the six-speed automatic trans-mission offers an effortless brand of power that’s sure to elevate the driver’s and passenger’s mood alike.

Mazda CX-5 - New Dimensions of Driving Pleasure

The 2020 model year next generation Mazda CX-5 is now available in Qatar re-emphasizing Mazda’s dream of delivering an SUV which breaks through the traditional trade-off between driving

pleasure and passenger comfort. Mazda is the unique Japanese brand which

thrives to create an emotional connection with cus-tomers and become an essential part of their lives. To achieve this, Mazda has worked to strengthen the feeling of connection between car and driver, creating human-centered cars that operate in harmony with human sensibilities.

Kodo Design - Breathing Life into the CarThe Kodo – Soul Motion design, breathing life

into the car, has been redefined by strengthening the low, wide expression of the evolved Mazda identity. Mazda has settled on ‘refined toughness’ as a keyword and challenged themselves to elevate the KODO concept to a new level. Inspired by tra-ditional Japanese crafts, Mazda has pursued min-imalist aesthetics -LESS IS MORE CONCEPT free of all non-essential elements. The result is a bold and premium-looking exterior, and an interior that gives all occupants a pleasant feeling.

New CX-5 adopts G-Vectoring Control, the first of the SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technol-ogies. Driving performance has been polished in line with human sensibilities, realizing dynamic behavior that corresponds with driver expecta-tions and a comfortable ride with minimal torso-sway for all vehicle’s occupants. The cabin is quieter, allowing for more comfortable conver-sation, and the rear seats provide greater levels of comfort and usability.

The All New CX5 comes with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5 direct-injection gasoline engine. paired with the six-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic-manual transmission. These powertrains provide powerful acceleration delivering power output of 187hp@ 5,700 rpm and torque of 250Nm@ 5000 rpm (AWD).

The Mazda Cx9 Signature Grade: Refined Premium

Most adorable and time-tested Mazda CX-9 is the ultimate blend of stunning sophistication and family SUV. It’s the very first Mazda to feature the breakthrough SKYACTIV-G 2.5T petrol engine. Delivering class-leading performance with real-world efficiency, the turbocharged engine offers driving excitement never before felt in a seven-seat SUV.

The innovative Dynamic Pressure Turbo adjusts boost pressure and airflow according to engine speed to overcome traditional problems such as turbo lag.

Newly introduced Mazda CX-9 High Plus grade comes with sophisticated and luxurious interior having Auburn Nappa Leather seating surfaces, a hand-stitched, leather-wrapped “chidori” steering wheel, new Santos rosewood interior trim and sup-plemental interior lighting around the transmission shifter.

In addition, newly available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration allows you to access your Smart phone’s maps, playlists, contacts and com-patible apps with your voice controlled personal assistant which will also read incoming text mes-sages and allow reply without taking your hands off the wheel. Everything you need is a tap or voice command away. Experience the ultimate in mobile connectivity while staying totally engaged in the drive.

Mazda CX-9 High Plus features a new 7-inch TFT reconfigurable gauge cluster display, venti-lated driver and passenger seats, new power-folding door mirrors, frameless day and night rear view mirror and a new 360° View Monitor adding to the comfort and convenience taking the cus-tomer expectations to a new level. The advanced proactive safety features have been reinforced in the High Plus grade further to the standard & optional features available in the mid and high grades - Full Speed Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart City Brake Support (front & rear) automatic emergency braking with Pedestrian Detection etc. being a few.

These features are in addition to the existing CX-9 High grade offering a power sunroof, BOSE® Premium 12-speaker audio system, LED fog lamps and Mazda GPS Navigation system.

Confidence Inspiring i-ACTIV All-Wheel DriveMazda’s unwavering commitment to making

vehicles that thrill and delight is evident in the driving dynamics derived from the confident inspiring i-ACTIV AWD which is far ahead in tech-nology and performance than any contemporary crossover SUV.

The assurance of i-ACTIV all-wheel drive comes through its sensors, which take into account factors like steering angle, throttle inputs and wheel-spin along with temperature and use of wipers to paint a clear picture of the outside conditions. i-ACTIV all-wheel drive can adjust power output more than 200 times per second, using 27 different variables, to “predict” what the road conditions look like.

For more information, visit Mazda showroom, call 44435965/44417859 or visit www.mazda-qatar.com

National Car Company announces ‘Year End’ offers on 2020 Mazda models

Inspired by traditional Japanese crafts, Mazda has pursued mini-malist aesthetics -LESS IS MORE CONCEPT free of all non-essential elements. The result is a bold and premium-looking exterior, and an interior that gives all occupants a pleasant feeling.

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 201912

Is synthetic oil better than conventional oil? Should you consider changing from conven-tional oil to synthetic oil? What’s the real dif-ference between full synthetic, synthetic blend and conventional oil? Find the answers

to the most frequently asked questions.

Is synthetic oil better for engine than con-ventional oil?

Yes, synthetic oil is better for your engine than conventional oil. Although conventional oil (i.e., mineral oil) can provide adequate lubrication per-formance, it can’t compete with the overall engine performance and protection provided by synthetics.

Synthetics use higher quality base oils as com-pared to the less-refined base oils used in conven-tional oils which makes conventional oils:

Less chemically stableOxidize and acidify more easilyQuicker to break down and lose protective

qualitiesOverall, full synthetic oils provide better engine

performance and protection than conventional and synthetic blend motor oils.

What are the advantages of synthetic oil over conventional oil?

Synthetic oils are created through complex processes, including being chemically developed from petrochemicals, to have the exact molecular qualities needed for a specific application.

These processes remove impurities from the crude oil and enable individual molecules to be tai-lored to the de-mands of modern engines. These customized molecules in synthetic oils provide higher levels of performance and protection than conventional oils.

So how do synthetic oils outperform conven-tional oils?

By offering greater engine wear protection: Engine parts are in constant contact with each other and moving at high speeds. In the extreme

environment of your engine, components can wear and break down. Your motor oil is the only pro-tective barrier between these components. As con-ventional and synthetic blend oils break down, typ-ically, their ability to prevent engine wear diminishes

By keeping your engine cleaner: As oil circu-lates through your engine, it can pick up deposits. Over time, conventional oils can form sludge, which can reduce your engine’s efficiency and, ultimately, reduce the life of your engine. Full synthetic oils contain fewer impurities compared to conventional and synthetic blend oils and can better resist the formation of sludge and de-posits in your engine.

By flowing better in low temperatures: When your vehicle is not being driven, the oil settles. But when you fire up the ignition, it begins flowing through critical engine parts to protect against

friction. Conventional and synthetic blend oils take more time until they are able to flow smoothly through the engine. During cold winter months, or if you live in an extremely cold environ-ment, this flow process takes even longer. Full synthetic oils are engineered to flow quickly even at low tempera-tures, and they start protecting your engine right after you start your vehicle.

By protecting better at high temperatures: When running, engines are hot. Over time, the high temperatures in your engine can cause conven-tional and syn-thetic blend oils to break down or evaporate, exposing your engine to wear. Most full synthetic oils are engineered to resist these high temperatures, which is especially important if you’re driving in hot climates or requiring your engine to work harder such as while towing or hauling.

By protecting critical turbocharger parts:

Automakers are building cars with smaller engines (for greater fuel efficiency) and turbochargers (to boost power). Turbocharged engines run even hotter than non-turbo engines. Oil in a turbocharger can exceed 400° Fahrenheit and the shaft inside a tur-bocharger can spin upwards of 200,000 revolu-tions per minute, so it’s important that mo-tor oil flows quickly to these critical parts for proper lubrication.

Conventional and synthetic blend oils can break down faster under extreme turbo conditions and leave deposits on turbocharger components, which can lead to failure. Full synthetic oils can protect these components much better than conventional oils, keeping them operating at peak performance and boosting engine power. conven-tional oils, keeping them operating at peak performance and boosting your engine’s power.

Does synthetic oil have longer oil change intervals than conventional oil?

Yes, generally, synthetic oil can provide longer oil change intervals than conventional oil. But this is often depend-ent upon the brand of motor oil and several other factors, such as driving style and driving conditions. Please follow the recommen-dations in your owner’s manual while your vehicle is under warranty.

What is the difference between a full syn-thetic oil and a synthetic blend?

While there are no firm industry definitions, full synthetic motor oils typically use the highest quality base oil com-bination as a starting point. Synthetic blend motor oils will typically be either a blend of high-quality and lower-quality conven-tional base oils or all high-quality (higher than con-ventional) base oils. But the synthetic base oil is only half the story. The correct blend of additives must go into the mix to create the oil.

And while full synthetics as a motor oil category provide better protection than conventional and synthetic blend oils, not all synthetics are created equal.

Synthetic oil vs conventional oil